In previous sightings (e.g., 7/17/2021) I’ve mentioned observing for Monarch butterflies at the Wildlife Restoration portion of State Game Lands #333 on the east side of Shiloh Road, outside of State College, PA.   Often, I only get a glimpse of the butterflies there as they pop up briefly and then dart back down in among the various taller plants.

However, today between 11:15 and 11:25 AM one butterfly was obliging enough to stay visible for a few minutes, even landing occasionally on a plant that was tall enough for it to remain in sight.   I managed to snap three photos as “evidence” during this time.   I apologize that distance and motion (and the age of my old Canon camera) don’t make for very clear results, but at least I got a few.

The circled blur on the left is nectaring on a thistle flower.   The circled blur on the right was just beginning to take flight.   The circled spot in the middle is actually recognizable as a Monarch butterfly if you enlarge it enough.   All three are of the same butterfly.

At the time the sky was slightly cloudy with a breeze blowing from the SSW at about 8 mph.   Other weather conditions included: