The Garden Photographic Society was invited to photograph in the butterfly exhibit before it opened to the public on Thursday morning.  Even though we are having the worst heat wave I can remember in Chicago, I figured I could handle an hour of morning shooting in the "sauna" of the butterfly enclosure.  It was great fun but terribly hot!  When I returned to my car at 10:00 a.m., my car thermometer said it was 104 degrees and I was parked in the shade! Hopefully this heat wave will leave this weekend as predicted and I can get back to my regular walks at the Garden and see what's blooming.

The African collection of butterflies had not arrived yet as planned - some kind of a customs delay - but there were plenty of Asian and Central/South American varieties fluttering about.  The Paper Kites were in abundance and many of them were mating.  

Paper Kites Paper Kites Paper Kite Paper Kite Paper Kite

A resting Red Postman and a Sapho Longwing

Red Postman

Sapho Longwing

Clippers...

Clipper

Clipper

Mexican Sister and a Tiger Longwing or Golden Helicon...

Golden Helicon or Tiger Longwing