suggs creek: monarch

so, now that i've photographed my first one, i am seeing tennessee monarchs all over the place.  it turns out that i just needed to learn where and when to look.  next year's goal, of course, will be to see them in my own yard.  that should get me busy gardening next spring!  and on a side note, aren't the colors in this photo amazing?!

also amazing is composing a shot of one friend and discovering another in the frame.  

isn't he the cutest?  he was surely a hungry little guy!

and then to zoom out a little and realize there are more little friends than you realized.

i think i counted seven in this one spot.  thrilling!!!

and you know this means summer isn't quite over.  :)

the elusive tennessee monarch: part three

turns out the tennessee monarch isn't so elusive after all.  you just have to know when and where to find them.  i've since seen and photographed several others, but this first one will always have a special place in my heart.  these beauties are so worth enjoying an safeguarding.

all photos, except this one, taken with an old 70-300 zoom lens that only works in manual focus.  also, it really only takes decent photos in full sunlight which the monarch really seems to enjoy.  :)

the elusive tennessee monarch: part two

i went back the next day with the real camera.  i saw that darn butterfly as i was walking up, but then she flew away.  i did get some better shots of this guy though.  he had assumed the position with his butt in the air like he just don't care.  i think he was getting ready for the big change.  it was late afternoon/early evening when i took these shots.  i think he looks quite dapper in the golden glow.

switched out lenses for the macro here and in the following photos.

this little guy was funny.  i love the shot of him peeking up over the milkweed.

back to the kit lens.  as i was stalking the monarch, i had fun watching this barn cat stalking something off in the field.

this is the little monarch habitat.  i sat on that tire reading and waiting for the butterfly to return, but she never did.  oh well.  i discovered a lovely, peaceful place to read!

stay tuned!  this story isn't over . . .

the elusive tennessee monarch: part one

so as i was walking home from my sunday afternoon walk a couple weeks ago, i saw a splash of pink in the distance and decided to do a little more trespassing.  i was rewarded with some patches of fresh milkweed.

i found this little guy right away.  he was happy with the drizzle and doing a bit of singing.  i believe i saw some of his kinfolk earlier this summer.

i also saw the usual buggy pick up joint.

and then i saw this.  my very first tennessee monarch.  wowzas.  made me so happy.  i only had my iphone with me, and this was the only picture i managed to snag before it left but you'd better believe i was planning on some butterfly stalking.

i'm really starting to love that late summer in between season.  it has a beauty all its own.

and then there was this.  all sorts of wonderful.

yep.  i had to go back, so stay tuned . . .