Presenting Mr Monarch Butterfly

This male monarch pupated beneath the lip of a large pot containing a rose plant.

He is number two of our emerged monarchs and eclosed a couple of days ago.

You can see his empty chrysalis shell in the background.

After he dried his wings it was time to find a good place to perch to absorb the warmth of the afternoon sun.

A closer look at his head.

He climbed up into the pot where the rose plant is growing.

Nasturtiums are growing in the same pot.

He decided that perching on a dried nasturtium vine was the perfect spot to absorb the heat of the sun.

And suddenly he was on a stake supporting the plant, gradually climbing to the top.

Before I could take a photo of him flexing his wings for one last time, he flew up in the air, and was gone.