Jordan Lake, Haw River: Now that you have seen the pine warbler … look for his sleeping neighbor. Ah. The monarch butterfly sleeps under leaves or below branches where it is protected from predators and where it is somewhat warmer. You can see that the pine warbler is puffed up against this morning’s cold. The monarch hadn’t yet gotten enough sun warmth to be on the move. I don’t think the bird saw the butterfly and I doubt if the butterfly had yet sensed the bird. The bird moved on to feed and about 30 minutes later the monarch warmed up had headed for the butterfly bush to gather nectar.


Wonderful capture!