Today I discovered a newly emerged Monarch on my foxtail fern. For five hours I watched this poor girl struggle. The back wings are wrinkled and she will not extend her proboscis to drink. I feel helpless. Internet research is indicating this is a well known disease afflicting Monarchs. I moved her to the zinnias to encourage her to drink. I'll check on her in the morning. I have some pretty good shots of her, but I just couldn't bear to post another deformed creature from my yard. *sad face*
My trip to Hilltop Arboretum this morning was pretty lackluster, but I liked this Persian clover in a field of buttercups enough to post.
263mm | f/7.1 | ISO 400 | 1/1250 sec