Danaus plexippus (monarch) and Lantana camara (Common Lantana)

A small number of monarchs usually visit my garden in late October but this year I have been spotting one or two at a time for the past month. They disappeared for a couple of weeks during the long rainy period, then returned with the sun.

For much of today I saw four or five dancing around the large lantana.

Danaus plexippus (monarch) and Lantana camara (Common Lantana)

There always seemed to be a single monarch sipping nectar from the passalong dahlia by the back steps but the two other dahlias apparently offered no temptation.

Danaus plexippus (monarch) and Dahlia sp.

Danaus plexippus (monarch) and Dahlia sp.

A tattered and torn male finally settled atop a seedhead of Monarda didyma (Scarlet Beebalm) for a rest.

Danaus plexippus (monarch) – male

The black spot on each hindwing indicates this is a male.

Danaus plexippus (monarch) – male