Macro Flowers & Butterflies | Monarch Lunch Monarch butterflies are native to North America with additional populations in Hawaii, Portugal, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand. It has a lifespan of six to eight months. Its wingspan measures 3.7 to 4.1 inches. Monarch Butterflies are not as plentiful as they once were. They have declined by around 90% in the last three decades due to the disappearance of milkweed plants. They need milkweed plants to complete their life cycle. Unfortunately, the milkweed population has been decreasing for a number of years. Female monarchs only lay eggs on milkweed plants since monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed. The milkweed plant provides both food and shelter for a caterpillar. After emerging, the adult Monarch eats nectar from a variety of flowering plants. For more images, see Peck Butterfly House | a 7 Image Story.
The Back Story Capturing nice butterfly images at the Peck Butterfly House requires time and patience. The butterflies don’t sit still for long. Even though they are in an enclosed space, they don’t just pose for a photograph.
Details…
| Event | Visit to Peck’s Butterfly House |
| Location | Northern Illinois |
| Date/Time | 9/02/2020 2:47 pm Local Time |
| Weather | Partly Cloudy | 86°F | Moderate Winds |
| Method | Time and patience are required to focus. |
| Gear | Nikon 1 V3 with a 30-110mm lens and 21mm extension tube |
