This is pattern is of a newly hatched monarch butterfly.

Monarchs have such a fascinating and intriguing life cycle. The more I learn about them, the more their story captivates my curiosity and fills me with intrigue.

Being that it is late summer and early autumn, this butterfly is one in the generation of monarchs that will migrate thousands of miles south to Mexico, where they will overwinter in the Oyamel fir forests, congregating with masses of other monarchs from across eastern and western North America.

Unlike the generations before them, which live only two to four weeks as adult butterflies, this remarkable generation is designed to live for up to nine months. They make the long journey south to Mexico, overwinter there, and then begin the return journey north, reaching parts of the southern United States where they lay eggs for the next generations. Three to five successive generations will continue the journey northward, eventually reaching the northern regions of North America for the summer season.

This Monarch pattern, with its circular forms and rich colors, captures the beautifully saturated wings of a newly hatched monarch. To me, the colors resemble a watercolor painting, with the deep blacks of the veins and brilliant oranges almost bleeding into one another.

That quality feels like a fitting reflection of the monarch's complex life cycle, the depth of resources embodied within this small and extraordinary being, and the enriching experience we can have when we slow down, look closely, and allow nature to captivate our curiosity.