I am optimistic. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I didn`t observe a Monarch butterfly on our Northwest Tucson property during the first eleven years we lived here. Yesterday, this male took a break from the northern migration and rested in an orange tree. That makes seven sightings since November, not including the seven that resulted from eggs laid by the November visitors. How cool is that? What is going on?
Isn`t She Lovely?
(March 7, 2026) This female Monarch butterfly flew past my shoulder and landed in the Creeping Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis Prostratus) (picture 1). After about an hour she flew onto the trunk of a Spineless Yucca (Yucca elephantipes) (picture 2). AS the sun set, she moved to the opposite side, and positioned herself upside down, wings closed, beneath a yucca leaf. I assume she was attracted to our yard to lay eggs on the milkweed plants.
Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui). Painted Ladies are showing up in good numbers across Southern Arizona including Tucson. They`ll quickly spread across North America. Will it be a banner year for butterflies?
#paintedladies #paintedladybutterfly #paintedladybutterflies
Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris) feeds at a Pink Fairyduster (Calliandra eriophylla) flower. Photo captured at Tohono Chul, Tucson, Arizona.
Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) and columnar cactus.
#columnarcactus #brittlebush #brittlebushbloom #brittlebushflowers #botanicalphotography #plantphotography #plantphoto #plantphotos #flowerphotography #flowerphoto #photocomposition #desertphotography #sonoradesert #enceliafarinosa
Yesterday, Monarch #2 went from chrysalis to butterfly. Two down, three to go. Farewell and good luck to ya.
#monarchbutterflies #monarchmigration #monarchbutterfly #butterflyphotography
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre)
The Curve-billed Thrasher can navigate, on foot or in flight, through some of the nastiest cactus out there. Likes to nest in Cholla cactus, the cactus I try to stay at least three feet away from.
Four images of a Monarch butterfly emerging from the chrysalis. It`s Feb 10, a little late for being part of the southern migration to Mexico. Is there a small population that over winters in the Tucson area. I made three separate observations of a monarch over a seven week period. I initially thought that I observed three individuals during the southern migration. Now, I think there is a good possibility that I observed the same individual monarch three times. One chrysalis down, four to go.
#monarchmigration #monarchbutterflies #monarchbutterflymigration #butterflyphotograph
Chrysalis #1 of 5. Day 19 (February 9, 2026). Notable wing markings are now visible within the chrysalis, indicating an imminent emergence.
#monarchbutterflies #monarchbutterfly #monarchchrysalis #monarchmigration #monarchmigration2025
I have seen flood debris left high in the canyon trees. This tree, roots securing it to rock, has survived a few floods.
#blackandwhitephotos #canyonphotography #oakcreekcanyon #westforktrail
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona
#birdingarizona #arizonabirds #arizonabirding #acornwoodpecker
A hiker crosses one of about a dozen fords you`ll find during the initial easy three mile into the canyon that holds the West Fork of Oak Creek. Beyond three miles, things change.
#westforktrailsedona #westforktrail #oakcreekcanyon #sedonahiking
Cathedral Rock #2
Sedona, Arizona
#sedonalandscape #arizonalandscape #arizonalandscapes #sedonaredrocks #sedonaredrock #redrockcountry #cathedralrock #airportlooptrail
This 16 second video was created from two images. The time period between capturing the two images is 1 hour and 16 minutes. The images are stacked and aligned (registered), then the top layer`s transparency is slowly increased to reveal the size and shape relationship before and after metamorphosis. Keep in mind: In less than 1 hour and 16 minutes, the caterpillars skin split, shriveled and fell away, revealing the chrysalis. I found what appeard to be the face and legs laying on the ground below the chrysalis.
Image 1 (Time-stamped): The Monarch caterpillar hanging in J-shape from its silk pad.
Image 2 (Time-stamped): The Monarch caterpillar chrysalis
