Monarch Butterfly Migration Roosting in Southern Wisconsin on Sept 5, 2018

Monarch Butterflies roost though the state of Wisconsin in the fall of the year during their migration south. I was fortunate enough to get a call from Bruce that he had a tip on a roost location. There were numerous trees loaded up with the Monarch Butterflies at the location. To my knowledge, this morning the Monarch Butterflies had moved on. Maybe they were waiting for the rain to stop late last night and then get in on the more northern air flow to once again continue their journey migrating south. It was amazing to witness these butterflies in this form, a first time ever for me. Images were taken on September 6, 2018.

Monarch Butterfly

Binomial name: Danaus plexippus

Interesting note: Monarch Butterflies can fly up to 3,000 miles in their migration south and can fly 50-100 miles a day.

Giant Swallowtail Butterfly gathering nectar from the Smooth Phlox in Waukesha County Wisconsin on August 8, 2017

I saw a Giant Swallowtail in the yard hovering around the native Smooth Phlox this afternoon. I went out and took a few images of this stunning butterfly in action going from plant to plant gathering nectar. One thing to note is that the wings on this species never stop fluttering when they are gathering nectar from plant blooms. This is Wisconsin’s largest butterfly. Images were taken on August 8, 2017.

Giant Swallowtail Butterfly

Binomial name: Papilio cresphontes

Wingspan: Can sometimes exceed 5″

Note: Wisconsin’s largest butterfly

The legs of the butterfly hold the butterfly in place and help balance it while the nectar gathering takes place…

Butterflies in Waukesha Wisconsin July 26, 2015

I went out for some butterfly photos the last couple of days at the beautiful gardens at Frame Park in the city of Waukesha. Monarchs and Eastern Tiger Swallowtails were present. Images were taken from July 24-26.

Monarch on Purple Coneflower

Monarch Butterfly on Purple Coneflower

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Purple Coneflower

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purple Coneflower

Monarch on Purple Coneflower

Monarch Butterfly on Purple Coneflower

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensis

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensis

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensis

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensis

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi (close-up)

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi (close-up)

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Purple Coneflower

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purple Coneflower