The Monarch Migration

The Monarchs are now in full migration along the northern tier of the United States, I have seen incredible images of monarch roosts from Kankakee Sands in northwest Indiana . Maybe this year I will finally find that roost where thousands of these amazing creatures stay and feed together for a few days.

Even though the migration hasn’t reached our area there are many monarchs that are now emerging from their Chrysalis and will be joining their fellow butterflies on their journey to the mountains of central Mexico.

I captured these image tonight at KDH Health. there must have been fifty flying around the fields just waiting for their time to leave. The grounds here at the Hospital I work at are covered in Goldenrod and it is just about at peak bloom. Goldenrod is one of the most important nectar sources for the monarch as they travel south.

So now is the time to get outdoors and enjoy the sights of nature especially these wonderful winged jewels before they are gone !!

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Black Swallowtail

Captured this beautiful little specimen at my place of employment here in Madison Indiana. These are one of my favorite butterflies their color is brilliant in their wings patterns and when they do take the time to rest they show off their amazing profile for everyone to see.

The fields around out hospital have so many wildflowers and butterflies it almost seems you are in some hidden prairie somewhere out in the plains . The only problem is it does need to be mowed now and then and I am hoping they wait a bit more because it has a incredible amount of goldenrod and the Monarchs will be migrating thru soon.

And this wildflower is one of their most attractive sources for nectar that helps get them thru on their long journey to Mexico.

Thanks for taking a look.

Butterflies of King’s Daughters’ Health

It’s not too often that you can just walk out the door after work and be surrounded by a virtual butterfly paradise. But that’s what it’s like where I work here in Madison Indiana.

King’s Daughters’ Health is a private, not-for-profit organization, King’s Daughters’ Health is focused on delivering exceptional health services to families throughout southeast Indiana and portions of northern Kentucky. The main campus, including King’s Daughters’ Hospital, is located at 1373 E. State Road 62 in Madison, Indiana.

It is a large campus that has one of the finest stands of Common and Purple Milkweed that I have ever come across. Butterfly Milkweed, Joe-pye weed, iron-weed, blue mist, and golden rod also grace the hospital grounds. The color palette alone is almost beautiful enough but the real prize is the incredible variety of butterflies that make the prairie like fields their home.

I have witnessed or photographed at least 24 different species of butterflies in these fields and I believe even more may be escaping me as well. So as you can see I have a pretty neat place to explore after a hard day at work !!

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Butterflies of Southern Indiana

It has once again been quite a long time since I posted any images to my blog. My life is just incredibly busy and trying to find the time has been tough. But I have captured so many butterfly images I thought it was about time to catch up.

The butterfly population started out on a slow pace due to the late freezes we experienced this spring but long about the middle of July things really exploded.

This round of butterflies were captured close to home here in Madison Indiana. We are so blessed to have so many quality habitats for both Butterflies and Wildflowers that it kinda makes it pretty easy to capture so many wonderful images.

Big Oaks NWR, Splinter Ridge FWA , Muscatatuck NWR and believe it or not the grounds around my place of employment Kings Daughters Health are rich in butterflies and wildflowers as well.

So sit back and take in the natural beauty that surrounds us here in the Madison Indiana area.

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  Monarch

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  Painted Lady

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  Monarch

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  Painted Lady

The Zebra Swallowtail

Here is an image of one of my favorite butterflies, the Zebra Swallowtail. I photographed this wonderful specimen at Splinter Ridge FWA here in Madison Indiana.

The Zebra has such a unique appearance and their sometime ferocious defense of their territory make them such an amazing species of butterfly you can’t help but admire them.

I once watched a beat up male chase away every other butterfly trying to feed on a patch of butterfly weed and after running them all off he turned his attention to me lol !!

And if you ever watch one flying thru an open field with it’s beautiful tail twisting in the wind you would understand what a wonderful animal they are. So if you ever get a chance to be out and come across the Zebra, take some time to sit and observe this great wonder of the natural world !!