Monarch Butterfly Flutterby

I read last week that the Monarch butterfly may join the list of endangered species. We used to get quite a few in our yard but the numbers have diminished. Two years ago around this time, I caught a swallowtail butterfly with torn wings. So, I was delighted to see one flitter-flutter in the front yard from one Liatris stalk to another. The title refers to the transient, quickly fluttering wings going by. I also learned that there was a storybook fairy by that name. My use has nothing to do with that. You may have already noticed that it is also an anagram of the word “butterfly.”

Monarch Butterfly Dislodged

I followed it as much as I could, trying to stay steady as the wind moved the Liatris and its campers. At one point, probably the only distinctly different frame, both the Monarch and the bee were thrown off the flower as I clicked the shutter. Yes, they are not in focus. But the Monarch’s gesture showed so much surprise the blurry capture did not matter to me.

And, on the left is one Jan managed to capture quickly with her phone.

The Photographs of the Monarch and the Bees

Here are the few frames I would like to share. Some redundancy was unavoidable, but the celebratory movements the little moth brought to us and to our yard were very enjoyable.

Click on the images to see them larger, uncropped, and read their titles.

Addendum

The next day, the Monarch appeared once more. I had not used my full-frame 5D Mark IV in a long time. So, I pulled it out, mounted the 70-200 EF-L f/2.8 lens on it, and, wow, it was so heavy compared to the M5 I have been using.

But, I dragged it out and tried to grab a few more photographs of the Monarch. After fluttering around a little bit, it decided to go out exploring and flew across the street. I have not seen it again. But, I managed to capture a tiny butterfly and after a few shots, I stopped the weight lifting exercise and came inside.