Monarchs need help+ repost

Gallery: Man & FaunaPosted September 9, 2014204 views7 comments

While photographing butterflies at the nature center I realized there were only a handful of monarchs in the area. The few that I saw were utilizing the food set out by the staff. Monarch numbers have been drastically lower than in previous years. It is my understanding this has to do with reduction of wintering sites as well as the loss of milkweed in the summer regions.

I see I have missed ID'ed this butterfly, which means I did not see any monarchs! So they really need help!!

Canon PS SX50
1/500 @ F-7.1 ISO 160
Canon 4 .3-215 @ 36.5mm
fill flash HH

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Peter May on September 9, 2014 at 1:00 PM

Nice shot, John, but this is a viceroy.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 7 Posts, 239 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on September 9, 2014 at 1:43 PM

Thanks Peter for the correct ID. Now I am concerned that I have not seen any monarchs.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Reed on September 9, 2014 at 11:08 PM

John, I like the colour here. I would have cropped in so there was only the bowl for background no ground in the top left.

Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Kane on September 10, 2014 at 1:01 AM

I've heard about the plight of the monarchs John. I like the colours here, the food offering totally compliments the BF. Gary makes a good point about possibly cropping the ULC. That would help keep the color palette consistent.

Hmmm... I also would have incorrectly called this a monarch. Thanks for sharing and teaching

Registered on August 4, 2012, 66 Posts, 726 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on September 10, 2014 at 11:55 AM

Thanks Gary for your suggestion on a crop. Have attached a new version.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Peter May on September 10, 2014 at 2:43 PM

The simplest way I know to tell monarchs from viceroys is to look for the transverse black band on the upper surface of the hindwing that parallels the outer margin. Viceroys have it, monarchs don't. There are also subtle differences in wing shape and flight style.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 7 Posts, 239 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Reed on September 16, 2014 at 6:46 PM

Much better without bg distractions!

Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments