Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
This was my first local Monarch sighting this summer, not in my garden, rather at a nearby community shopping area. This gorgeous Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) was spotted mid-day today dining from a streetside planter, Southern Village, Chapel Hill, NC.
I am not sure what this little pink flower is that has caught the butterfly’s undivided attention. [Thanks to Kris for identifying this flower as Gomphrena globosa ‘Fireworks’.] In the background is a mix of various colors of Angelonia and Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ (Purple Heart).
Watch the video to see the lovely wingspread. [Thanks to Eliza for noting insect is a male: black spots on hind wings and thinner webbing.]
Beautiful!
A lucky sighting. The butterfly was so intent on nectaring it didn’t concern itself with me.
Gorgeous. The only one I’ve seen has been at a shopping center. Thank you for sharing. Love the video.
Monarchs usually hang around my garden 2-3 days in October but I’ve never had such a lucky vantage point to photograph one.
So lovely! A very nice contrast of colors between the butterfly and flower.
Thanks Suzanne. That was a pretty planter. Guess the monarch liked it a lot. Loved watching the wings opening and closing and was glad the video turned out.
Marvelous capture, Susie. A male! Thanks for posting this clip.
Thanks Eliza. Glad you mentioned it was male. I’d forgotten to check.
Wonderful! I believe the flower is Gomphrena globosa ‘Fireworks’.
Hey thanks for the ID. That does look like it.
Beautiful photography! The purple is complementary with the Monarch’s orange. Cheers!
Thanks Beth. An artistic-leaning butterfly! Was excited the images were so crisp too.
Omg😲bello
Thank you.
Absolutely stunning, lovely video!
Thanks Pauline. Was happy the monarch cooperated so nicely.
Such a beautiful color. It’s so nice seeing these bits of nature in the middle of busy areas, I wish more places around here would make an effort.
This particular development always has beautiful container plantings, but they did seem especially butterfly friendly this year.
Beautiful pictures. They always move around to much for me and my iphone.
Thank you. This one was happy to stay put, but usually I am chasing them all around too.
Beautiful!
What else can you say other than beautiful.
Such a thrill
I did feel a thrill–stopped me in my tracks.
Beautiful, I wish we had these gorgeous butterflies here.