I was excited to spot my first Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) of the season last Friday at Occoquan Regional Park in Lorton, Virginia. The milkweed was barely in bloom, but the Monarch nonetheless seemed to be really enjoying it.
I love the beauty of the Monarch, of course, but I am also very conscious of the fact that this species is considered to be endangered, threatened by the loss of habitat and by climate change. Some years I have not seen any Monarchs at all, so each sighting is special to me, reassuring me that Monarchs are continuing to survive.
As you can see, I attempted to get shots of the Monarch, the only one that I saw that day, from varying distances. When I first spotted the Monarch, I took several long distance shots like the third one below that show some of the habitat. Then I slowly moved forward, attempting to use the milkweed in my compositions.
It was a bit of a challenge to get good shots, because the butterfly was in almost constant motion, moving all around the little clumps of milkweed and changing its wing and body positions. I had to work quickly too, fully aware that the butterfly could fly off at any moment.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Congratulations, Mike. I have not seen a single Monarch butterfly or larva yet. Our milkweed flowers are almost passed now. A bit worried.
Sorry to hear that, Steve. I too worry about the Monarch and am always heartened a little to spot one, though I know the trend is not good despite efforts to get people to plant milkweed, etc.
Lucky you 🙂 We don’t have them here.
Great shots Mike.
Thanks, Rudi.
What a great sight! Pretty images!
I find it difficult to find this beautiful species of butterfly
In the fall when they migrate south I may catch one fluttering about, but my viewfinder is never in sync.
In the fields woodlands and forests many years
the topic of Climate Change Awareness
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Why a Journey Of Love
George Draney Conservationist/ Photographer
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WHAT A JOURNEY OF LOVE