Monarch Butterfly on a Netleaf Hackberry – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I’m always happy to photograph “other things with wings” when I am out in the field so last week when I spotted my first of year Monarch butterfly I had to take a few photos of it.
The male Monarch butterfly landed on a Netleaf Hackberry and seemed to rest there for a bit. I wish I had been a little closer to the butterfly but I am happy he landed because they are such a challenge to photograph in flight.
Monarch butterfly numbers are dwindling and we need to do all we can to help them. Getting rid of sterile lawns and planting native wildflowers and shrubs instead would help all butterflies but the needs of Monarch butterflies and many other butterfly species are specialized.
Monarch butterflies depend on milkweeds because without milkweeds their larva couldn’t survive and if they don’t survive they don’t become adults with wings. I had noticed several Showy Milkweeds in bloom along the road before I saw the Monarch butterfly on the wing.
I don’t recall photographing a single Monarch butterfly last year or remember if I saw any at all. I’ll be looking for more this summer though.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Netleaf Hackberry are small native trees or large shrubs growing to 30 feet with spreading crown and trunk diameter of 1 foot or more. Usually found along streams, canyons, and washes, in moist soil, plains grassland, upper desert, desert grassland, and woodland zones. The fruits are edible.
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When I lived in Minnesota there were many, many Monarch butterflies everywhere. Here in Montana I see them every once in a while. I did plant a big flower bed with milkweed into my Montana garden.
I haven’t seen one in years but can always hope. So pretty!
Ephemeral magic.
Thank you.
I shudder at just how many people turn to various non-selective poisons as their quick fix. Their approach damages us all.
At least one Monarch still survives…so far…I feel do sorry for April…I used to have such a neighbor…and she has tw.o…👎
Beautiful, don’t get me going on pesticides and my neighbors on both sides of me who spray regularly and put out enough rat poison to kill everything on the block!
Beautiful
So glad for your sighting! We have tons of milkweed waiting for the Missouri crew!
Wow, nice finding a Monarch Butterfly so early. I usually don’t see them until the last half of July….if I find them at all!