23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Monarch enjoying the banquet of a butterfly bush flower

I am always on the lookout for Monarch Butterflies. So, when I saw this beauty flirting with the flowers of my white Butterfly bush, I grabbed my cell phone and just started taking pictures. I know that often the Monarchs are shy and don't like the sound of the cell phone photo button. Consequently, I took a lot of time trying to get the best shot. I took a lot of photos that day.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2023
Date Uploaded: 09.2025
Photo Location: Greeneville, Tennessee, United States of America
Copyright: © Victoria Adessa