This magnificent monarch drifted into our backyard, a splash of sunshine on a warm summer day. #RoyalVisitor
She fluttered among the milkweed plants for several minutes, making touch-and-go-landings and then drifting upward.
With the assistance of my zoom lens, I soon realized she was curling her abdomen around their long, oval-shaped leaves. She pausing for a quick moment on each, and then wafted over to the next plant.
Can you guess what she was doing?
She was laying eggs on the undersides of the milkweed leaves, where her caterpillars will eventually feed and grow!
How lovely, to witness firsthand this first stage of the metamorphosis cycle. Not to mention, a refreshing break from the 24/7 news cycle.
So very beautiful! I love it when they come to visit our gardens. Even left some eggs!!
Amazing pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Amazing. You have such patience to notice things like this.
That is so cool. I have never seen that before! Thanks Melodye.