It has been a while since I last saw a Monarch butterfly, but I continue to see lots of similar-looking Viceroy butterflies (Limenitis archippus), like these two little beauties that I photographed in the past few days at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico and parts of southern California each year and may already left our area, while Viceroys do not migrate. I suspect that we will continue to see Viceroys for another month or so before they die off. Viceroy butterflies overwinter here as caterpillars and in spring we will start to see them again.
I just glanced over at a calendar and noted that today is the first day of autumn for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. I have noted already some changes in the weather, though we are still having more heat and humidity that I would prefer.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I’m seeing Monarchs on the wing now, and I suspect the nice north wind that’s finally blowing will bring more into the area. The osprey are coming in, too. Three already have perched on the same masts that held birds last year; I can’t help but think the same birds are claiming their territories.
Beautiful.
So pretty, Mike.
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Very beautiful shots. We have the Blue tail fly which look just like you purple one, only the shade of blue is like the little spot on the the tail of yours.
Beautiful images Mike! Enjoyed seeing them!
This is very interesting, thanks for posting. The ‘Viceroy’ looks like it has epaulets on its shoulders. I’ve already met the ‘Queen’ thanks to blogger Steven Kessel and i shared his images of both a Monarch and a Queen in an old post of mine (which you’ve seen, back in 2017). We only get the Monarch in NZ and these lookalikes are confusing but I have to say I love the ‘Queen’ ~even tho’ all are very admirable! I’ll leave a link to the old post now I’ve mentioned it: https://exploringcolour.wordpress.com/2017/09/04/monarch-meets-queen/
Thanks, Liz. The Viceroy is pretty easy to tell part from the Monarch, because the Viceroy has a black stripe across the hind wings that the Monarch does not possess. Apparently there is yet another member of the group of Monarch lookalikes that I have never seen–the Soldier butterfly (https://www.butterfliesathome.com/monarch-butterfly-look-alikes.htm).
Wow.. thank you! Absolutely LOVE this page!!!
Great pics! I have not spotted any Viceroys this summer, but only Monarchs. I’m grateful to see so many Monarchs, though!
I’m still seeing Monarchs on my asters. I’d gladly trade a few for some of your Viceroys. 🙂
It’d be a good trade for me. I suspect that the Monarchs are not totally gone from my area, but my sightings of them this summer have been relatively few and far between.