On several recent hikes I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the number of Monarch Butterflies that I’ve come across. Not only have I enjoyed photographing them but their population has been in serious decline in recent years. This is due to habitat loss and the decline in wild milkweed due to the use of herbicides in agriculture and the changes in climate in recent years. Milkweed is necessary as it is the only thing that the Monarch caterpillars will eat. So it has been enjoyable to see so many feeding on the late summer blooms and they make wonderful subjects for photographs.

The above picture and the following two were taken at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center just outside of Austin, Minnesota. Despite the fact that this area lies on the outskirts of the city of Austin it has some wonderful trails with a mixture of woodlands and open prairie. It is well worth a visit.

The following pictures were taken in Lake Louise State Park near Leroy, Minnesota. This park also has a nice network of trails encompassing woodlands and open prairie.

It was a real treat to have the privilege of photographing these magnificent creatures.