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Sunday, 21 April 2013

Macro Monday - Monarch Butterfly

When I was in Perth I managed to see some Monarch Butterflies - in fact I saw lots of them! And at time they were rather distracting.  The would burst from the grass and bushes doing a passable impersonation of an interesting bird!  And of course I would look at them!  In the end I did see some very good birds - but lets get the butterfly out of the way!

The Monarch was first recorded on Australia in 1871 and it not clear if it was introduced on fodder or if it was a self introduction.  Either way they are the same species as the famous American migrant butterfly.  In Australia the butterflies that live in the middle of the country migrate towards the coast in the winter, but they are never present in the numbers found in the American wintering sites.

I'd never seen this species before, so this was Butterfly lifer!


You can find more macro shots at Macro Monday.

Enjoy the close-ups.

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28 comments:

  1. Diane21 April 2013 at 19:52

    Beautiful. I have only seen one butterfly so far this spring and it passed me at top speed! Have a good day Diane

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  2. Carole M.21 April 2013 at 20:24

    and a truly beautiful photograph you got of it too Stewart; the contrasts between the butterfly and the green foliage is impressionable

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  3. Skye 21 April 2013 at 20:34

    Beautiful! My daughter loves butterflies. We usually do not start seeing monarchs here until May - soon enough!

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  4. eileeninmd21 April 2013 at 20:49

    Pretty shot of the Monarch! I have not seen a butterfly yet. Have a happy day!

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  5. Gordon21 April 2013 at 21:08

    I've learned something today Stewart, because I did not know there were Monarchs down under I've always thought they were just American/Mexico area.
    I'm a little wiser for that , Gordon.

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  6. Travelogue for the Universe21 April 2013 at 21:29

    Beautiful butterfly. Posted a US Monarch yesterday.I read a book about monarchs they tagged in US. They followed the migrations. Impressive. we get a good hatch up in Vermont in the summer then they fly back down south. Have a great day! Mary

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  7. Andrea @ From The Sol21 April 2013 at 23:36

    Wow, finally, something we have in common. Not a new species for me, as you know. Beautiful shot of the beautiful Monarch ...

    Andrea @ Fronm The Sol

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  8. Sylvia K21 April 2013 at 23:54

    Such a beautiful butterfly and a terrific capture for the day, Stewart! Have a good week!

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  9. TexWisGirl22 April 2013 at 00:16

    i see them so rarely here. just lovely!

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  10. Brian King22 April 2013 at 00:43

    Beautiful shot! Monarchs are quite common where I live and when I think of butterflies, this is the species that comes to mind.

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  11. Kerri Farley22 April 2013 at 01:57

    CONGRATS! Sadly their numbers are declining over here..... one of my most favorite butterflies of all time (but I really think they all are)
    Beautiful capture!

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  12. Findlay Wilde22 April 2013 at 02:18

    That's a really nice one. Ours are only just starting to show up after the really cold and long Winter. From Findlay

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  13. Karen22 April 2013 at 02:51

    A stunning macro Stewart!

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  14. Revrunner22 April 2013 at 03:12

    I was going to say, that's a frequent site here in Virginia. Amazing to think about the passage the first Monarch took to Australia!

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  15. amanda22 April 2013 at 04:35

    We love Monarchs!
    Our kids have each done an extensive study of them from chrysalis to flight, with their first grade teacher.
    Fascinating how far something so small can migrate.
    Great shot!

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  16. Fun6022 April 2013 at 08:21

    Love the photo, has a 3D feel to it. PS Woolworths has disappeared from the high streets but that was an old photo taken in the Channel islands.

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  17. DIMI22 April 2013 at 08:29

    Great macro photo Stewart!I have seen a lot of butterlies in my garden!I love them!But we do'nt have monarchs here!
    Have a lovely week!
    Dimi..

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  18. Lea22 April 2013 at 13:34

    Beautiful!
    I didn't know you had Monarch Butterflies in Australia, so I've learned something new today.
    Have a wonderful day!
    Lea
    Lea's menagerie

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  19. Carletta22 April 2013 at 14:21

    An excellent shot Stewart! Those little guys flutter so much it takes patience to capture them.
    I saw my first butterfly of the season this week.

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  20. Vineeta Yashsavi22 April 2013 at 17:04

    Beautiful macro...

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  21. Irma22 April 2013 at 17:52

    Great macro photo Stewart!
    Beautiful butterfly.
    Regards, Irma

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  22. Unknown22 April 2013 at 19:47

    It's gorgeous. The colours are beautiful. I saw my first butterflies on Saturday - it's officially spring now!

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  23. Lola22 April 2013 at 21:13

    Superb photography – great shot!

    Unfortunately they're declining in the UK!

    Visiting from Macro Monday

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  24. Anonymous22 April 2013 at 23:37

    A beautiful capture!

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  25. Anonymous23 April 2013 at 00:45

    Beautiful capture. A couple of years ago, I had thousands of them spend the night in my pasture on their way south. That was truly an amazing sight.

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  26. CabinGirl23 April 2013 at 01:14

    Wonderful capture of its colors and detail, Stewart. I also didn't know they were in Australia. Cool!

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  27. Judith @ Lavender Cottage23 April 2013 at 06:55

    In late summer my butterfly bushes have many monarchs on them for the sweet nectar.

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  28. Pat Tillett24 April 2013 at 11:27

    Out here the Monarchs migrate huge distances and by the time they get back home, NONE of the original group is still living. Nature is amazing!
    Beautiful photo Stewart.

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