Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
newly emerged Monarch butterfly drying its wings

Monarch butterfly drying its wings after emerging from chrysalis I spotted this Monarch butterfly resting on a garden flower in August. It didn't startle and fly away when a companion and I approached it. Rather, it was gently moving its wings. My companion observed that it had probably just emerged from its chrysalis and was letting its wings dry before it took flight. We were sorry to have missed its emergence but thrilled to see such a magnificent Monarch at such close range.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
Camera: iPhone 12 mini
Copyright: © Roberta Rubenstein