Monarchs in the Wildflowers

Three monarch butterflies feed among a thick stand of late-summer wildflowers. One spreads its orange wings above purple asters on the left, while two others rest near yellow goldenrod farther across the meadow. Black veins and white-spotted borders stay crisp against the petals, stems and deep green leaves.

Purple flower heads form loose groups rather than one continuous field, and their yellow centers help distinguish one cluster from the next. Goldenrod provides a brighter route through the upper half, with each butterfly offering a different wing angle to follow. Small unopened buds, narrow leaves and crossing stems supply the final distinctions once the larger areas of orange, violet and yellow are together.