Monarch
Female - July 2025
The most iconic butterfly in the United States is the Monarch (Danaus plexippus). These butterflies are quite large at 3.8 inches and have vibrant orange wings with black outlines covered in bold white spots!! Also look for black veins that create a stained glass effect. These butterflies exhibit a graceful hovering flight at times!!
Male - August 2019
Male Monarchs have oval-shaped black scent patches near their hindwing veins. This is a pretty easy field mark to differentiate the sexes. Females also have notably wider veins on forewings and hindwings.
Female - September 2019
I’ve taken more photos of Monarchs than any other butterfly and this image is one of my favorites!! It shows a stunning female perched right on a common milkweed seed pod (their host plant). She only opened her wings for a second, allowing for just two photos of the incredible moment. She probably started her fall migration south to Mexico shortly after this day.
Male - August 2019
This male was one of the most cooperative Monarchs I’ve ever observed. It was probably due to the abundant butterfly milkweed field he was using - so many plants!! You will rarely get a dorsal view like this where the wings are fully open and extended showing all the details!!
Female - September 2017
Monarchs are extremely hearty, adaptable and opportunistic!! I’ve found that they will use an abundance of flower species as a food source. This one was really interested in a beautiful pink cosmo bloom that was planted along the trail.
Male - July 2019
This fluffy Trumpet Weed flower is a great attractor for lots of pollinators and Monarchs are consistent visitors.
Male - September 2019
I just love this photo of a male monarch in the bright sunlight, perched on long-leaved goldenrod. This individual stayed on the flowers for a long stretch and the background effect of the blurred meadow grass reminds me of stained glass.
Monarch Egg on Swamp Milkweed - July 2025
After planting Swamp Millkweed in the pollinator garden just a few days before, I saw a female Monarch ovipositing on the leaves!! After she departed I searched for the eggs and found a couple - look how tiny compared to my index finger!! I love the sheen of the eggs - a pearly almost iridescent white - and the oval shape reminds me of a particular Lego ice cream cone piece.
After purchasing a common milkweed plant in early August, I found 3 caterpillars on it!! All 3 eventually matured and formed a chrysalis (though I only located 2). Two female, and one male Monarch emerged and flew. It was absolutely amazing, truly moving, and something I will never forget. Here’s a look at the first chrysalis as the days passed.
Day 0
Day 1
Day 15
Day 16
Female Day 16 - September 2025
Monarch
Male - July 2025
Male - September 2019
Male - September 2014
Male - September 2014
Male - October 2016
Male - October 2016
Female - September 2012
Female - September 2018
Female - August 2018
Male - September 2019
Male - August 2019
Male - July 2018
Male - July 2018
Male - July 2025
