It is always a joy to see butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), a bright orange species of milkweed that is full of nectar and attracts lots of butterflies. On Monday I spotted what I believe is a Pearl Crescent butterfly (Phyciodes tharos) feeding on some butterfly weed at Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria, Virginia. I spotted some regular milkweed earlier in the day and was hoping to see my first Monarch butterfly of the season, but, alas, I came up empty-handed this time.
I love bright colors and some of you may recall that I drive an Ignition Orange KIA Soul. I was delighted to be able to capture some of the beautiful details and color of the butterfly weed and also some details of the butterfly, including its striking eyes and extended proboscis.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Orange is the new color of the day.
Great photograph, Mike!
Thanks, Wally. My previous car was a Solar Yellow Toyota Matrix, so I am not kidding when I say that I like bright colors. 🙂
Oh what a delightful photo, Michael, with the bright colors and beautiful image. I always like it when I spot a butterfly on a butterfly bush so this is fun seeing a butterfly on butterfly weed. Great close-up with psychedelic antennae and their orange tips, wonderful eyes and yes, proboscis.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Jet, and your vivid descriptions of the details that caught your eye.
Interesting to see the link of colour between the butterfly and the flower
Gorgeous butterfly and the flower suits the composition so nicely.
Our New England meadow garden has several butterfly weeds but they seem misnamed as they attract bees almost exclusively. I had to show your photo to my wife to prove butterfly weeds can have butterflies! Thanks for sharing your photos Mike!
Thanks. I never am a little skeptical when I read about the plants that are supposed to attract pollinators, because I often seem to find them on different plants–I guess the insects ignore what is written about them. 🙂