The highlight of every summer shooting insects, aside from finding new to me species, is making images of Monarch butterflies. We found only two larvae this year and until yesterday had not seen an adult in the yard. Mary Beth saw one earlier in the day on one of our Butterfly Bushes and sure enough, it or another was back nectaring when I walked Bentley after work. And even better, it was still there after the walk when I went back out with the camera.
I was not able to get parallel for a ventral shot, but this comes close.
Monarch- Danaus plexippus on Butterfly Bush-Buddleja davidii
With the dorsal view of the spread wings we can determine the gender. The two black scent gland spots near the center of the hind wing on either side of the abdomen shows this to be a male. The female would have larger spots a bit further into the hind wing and broader veins than the male.
And....
Once he got used to my presence I was allowed to get this shot of his head while slurping some of the nice warm tasty nectar.
I enjoy shooting insects but rarely get excited. This did the trick. 
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