Monarch butterflies come through northeastern Pennsylvania every year, finding our cone flowers tempting way stations.  This year a specimen stayed focused on the nectar hunt long enough for me to snap dozens of photos from a variety of angles.  I like these three perspectives for the detail that I could observe and research.

The first photo distinctly shows the black dot on the vein in each hind wing, a field mark that identifies this beauty is a male.

In this second photo, I am struck by the Monarch’s  thorax, perfectly coordinated with the black and white polka dot wing trim.

In this final shot, the Monarch wings held in the vertical plane, I get a clear glimpse of the feet searching for nectar among the cone flower’s nectaries.

What a delight to get reacquainted with this lovely symbol of hope and transformation.