I’ve been gone for a week, and when I came back I was surprised to see how well the zinnias were doing. Along with other stuff. But mostly the zinnias.
Last evening I took the dog out after her supper. The garden was mostly in shadow. But there was one beautiful monarch zipping among the blossoms.
We went back inside for the camera. Poor Penny had to wait to do her business while I stood there, foot on her leash and shot over 200 images.
She’s a good girl. Patient about her mom taking pictures of stuff not her. I promised her I’d take her to the park soon.
Change Is Hard 
August 14, 2026 at 4:56 am
Great image!
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August 14, 2026 at 2:30 pm
Thank you!
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August 14, 2026 at 5:30 am
Patient Penny! What a beautiful capture. The Monarch population is dwindling, so I am always happy to see them!
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August 14, 2026 at 2:31 pm
I’m always happy to see them too. We grow milkweed in the yard, I hope that helps! I’ve never seen any caterpillar on the milkweed, but I don’t look often, and honestly don’t know when the right time is to look anyway!
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August 14, 2026 at 7:10 am
Butterflies and zinnias are a winning combo for sure! Great shot!
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August 14, 2026 at 2:32 pm
The hummingbirds and the butterflies are two of the reasons I grow zinnias. The rest of the reasons are because I and the neighbors love them. And I can keep cutting and give them away which always makes people smile!
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August 14, 2026 at 8:11 am
That’s a beautiful picture. Well done, Dawn and tell Penny it was worth the wait.
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August 14, 2026 at 2:33 pm
Penny is an odd duck. Sometimes she’s so patient, like during this photo shoot. Other times, on walks, if I stop to take pictures she whines to keep moving. I guess the walks are more exciting than going out in the yard to pee.
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August 14, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Well, if you look through the camera, she doesn’t get your attention. She is a cutie.
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August 14, 2026 at 8:30 am
Beautifully caught! 🧡
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August 14, 2026 at 2:33 pm
Thank you! I hear you had a butterfly on a zinnia last week!
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August 14, 2026 at 9:13 am
I’m the say way. 200 photos for one great one. Nicely captured.
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August 14, 2026 at 2:34 pm
Definitely. Though I had quite a few I liked…but I liked this one the most.
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August 14, 2026 at 11:10 am
Beautiful, Dawn! I stopped, transfixed, leaving the farmers market this morning to watch a monarch on a butterfly bush.
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August 14, 2026 at 2:34 pm
Isn’t that cool? I tried and tried to grow butterfly bush and I just can’t do it. I wish I could.
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August 14, 2026 at 1:11 pm
So pretty! You and Eliza posted similar shots – she also has a monarch on an orange zinnia on her post last Friday. I wonder if they prefer the orange ones or if its a coincidence. They do like purple butterfly bushes a lot, so perhaps coincidence.
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August 14, 2026 at 2:35 pm
I’m going to go and see if I can find hers!
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August 14, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Patient as well as pretty! What a good dog! Lovely, lovely picture.
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August 14, 2026 at 10:27 pm
That’s a beautiful shot Dawn. That’s nice Penny is so patient. Last week I was ecstatic to get a Monarch on a pink zinnia, but it was a front-facing pic. It flitted around everywhere and I was clicking madly and I didn’t even remember taking its picture on an orange Mexican sunflower, but when I got home I was pleasantly surprised. Since I just posted the Swallowtail on the Coneflower I’m going to wait ’til mid-Winter to post it when we all need a shot of Summer.
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August 15, 2026 at 5:48 am
Stunning! Good girl Penny ❤️
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