For about two weeks, our newsroom played host to eight guests who just kinda hung around for a while. One of the editors brought in milkweed and eight monarch caterpillars which, over the course of their time in our cluttered paradise, formed chrysalises and finally emerged as beautiful butterflies who were released when they were ready. I didn’t get many pictures because I was so busy, but I made a little time for them since I love butterflies so much.

Two of the newsroom Monarchs in their terrarium an hour or so before they were released.

Looks like that Monarch’s about ready to take the editing chair …

A Monarch in the wild just after emerging from its crysalis.
Image by Georgeanne McIlveene found on CaptureArkansas.

A whole mess of Monarchs soon to start their migration.
Image found on GoErie.

The Monarch fall migration is supposed to peak this week in Arkansas. Maybe I’ll be lucky and get a photograph like this one on what appears to be lance-leaved coreopsis.
Image found on Steve Creek Outdoors.

Monarchs aren’t the only butterflies (and moths) I love. I’ve caught many on camera over the past several years.

A little wood satyr tries to blend in.

A fiery skipper pays a visit to a butterfly bush.

A skipper perching atop thistle.

A red admiral rests on a leaf.

A gray hairstreak alights on spent daisy blooms.

This hackberry emperor looks a little hacked off.

A dogface butterfly (I’m pretty sure) lands on thistle.

A common buckeye catches some rays.

A purple admiral prepares for takeoff.

What really should be mascot for copy editors, the comma butterfly.