Monarch feeding on hydrangea

[GBMonarch]

My milkweed blooms are all gone and I was surprised to see a beautiful Monarch lunching on our pee wee hydrangea tree blossoms this weekend. That's the first time I've seen that. I have some rough blazing stars that usually draw the Monarchs in the fall, but this fellow was happy on the hydrangea.
Those Monarch are resourceful creatures!

Shelter from the Storm
Monarch Waystation 2116

[Mona Miller]

Was he lunching or hanging out? They will go off the milkweed to molt or to get away from predators. Molting can take up to 24 hours or more. Do you have photos of him lunching? I'd love to see that.

[GBMonarch]

Unfortunately I don't have a picture, but it was a big beautiful Monarch butterfly and he was feeding on the blossoms. The funny thing is, yesterday I saw tiger swallowtail doing the same on a hydrangea bush near where I work. I guess when the pickings start getting slim in the fall, butterflies know where to go for nectar.

[Mona Miller]

You were talking about an adult butterflies. Yes, they will use the PG Hydrangea. I've even seen small red banded hairstreaks using them for nectar. Not caterpillars-- . Monarchs adults use many flowers for nectar.