It had been much too long since Denis and I had visited
Butterfly Wonderland, so-- being fully vaccinated, having checked their safety measures, and knowing that most of the snowbirds have returned home-- we booked our tickets and headed to the far east side of the Valley for our visit.
It was a beautiful day, and it was fantastic being amidst all the butterflies and flowers. Let me share some of the photos I took while we were there. I'll share one of Denis's, too, and it will be easy to see why I didn't take it myself.
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Butterfly Wonderland also has a small aquarium and reptile exhibit. I was hoping to see the chameleons, but they were gone. Instead, I watched the little poisoned frogs for awhile. I liked how this blue and black dart frog's tiny toes look like hearts.
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Malachite butterfly
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I enjoy the flowers every bit as much as the butterflies.
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The butterfly with its wings spread out is a Gray Cracker.
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| Sometimes I think butterflies encourage us to plant unusual and beautiful flowers, don't you? |
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| I enjoyed watching this little boy. He had his identification card and was determined to find a living example of each and every butterfly on it. |
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The show stopper butterfly tends to be this Blue Morpho because of its brilliant coloring. You'll seldom see one in this position, however. Normally it's at rest with its wings closed.
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Postman butterfly
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Battered and tattered
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A Black and Tan Page butterfly
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White Peacock butterfly
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Paper Kite butterfly
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This always reminds me of the bottle brush tree I used to have in the backyard.
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Several species of butterfly are attracted to white hair. Ask me how I know this.
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There's something peaceful and fulfilling about being amongst sunshine, flowers, and butterflies. Denis and I certainly enjoyed our outing, and I hope you did, too.
Oh, lovely. I just became more educated about butterflies, enjoyed the beauty and got a mini-virtual vacation.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
You're welcome!
DeleteThese are such beautiful 'photos, Cathy! It must have been all the more gorgeous in person. I'm so glad you shared them. It's fascinating for me to see just how many species of butterflies there are, even in that one place. It's easy to forget how much life there is that we don't always see...
ReplyDeleteI think I tend to be a snooze as far as my companions are concerned when we're out in nature. My mantra, that I've learned over a lifetime, is Be Still. Listen. Observe. I've seen a lot that way that many others never have, and I know that I'm just skimming the surface.
DeleteI'm envious! What a beautiful world of winged creatures. I do plant with the idea of butterflies in mind, but there is such a variety at Butterfly Wonderland that I never see in my garden! Thanks for sharing your photos, Cathy!
ReplyDeleteButterfly Wonderland is billed as the largest of its kind in the US, and they tend to specialize in rain forest species of butterflies. Like you, I tended to plant with butterflies (and hummingbirds) in mind. They bring so much beauty and pleasure to my life, and we have both year round here in Phoenix.
DeleteWhat lovely photos, Cathy! Thanks for sharing them. I am always amazed by the bright, bold colors of poisonous frogs. What an interesting way to make them identifiable.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many different types of those frogs, and I love their markings. One is black with what looks like a white skeleton painted on it-- its own built-in Halloween costume.
DeleteYou captured so many different types! I've not seen any butterflies here. I assumed it's because we've had no rain but you guys are probably even drier than we are. I love your nature trips. Nature has been such a necessity for me during this pandemic. I'd go crazy if I didn't get out now and then.
ReplyDeleteSame here. Nature, books, and knitting have helped keep me sane.
DeleteThose photos are spectacular, Cathy. Sounds like you had a near perfect day outdoors, and I can imagine how good that must have felt. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Sam. In a way, though, I'd rather been out on the road with you to that cemetery.
DeleteWonderful photos thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Judy. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThank you not only for the beautiful photos, but for taking the time to give the names of the different types of butterflies - I like seeing how descriptive some of them are. And thanks to Denis for his contribution!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed them, and Denis says, "You're welcome!"
DeleteI think he's on his way. He will make a perfect naturalist. I love that blue morpho.
ReplyDeleteThe blue morphos are gorgeous butterflies. Once you've seen them, it's easy to see why they're the showstoppers in the conservatory.
DeleteBeautiful specimens, how fun!
ReplyDeleteWe always have a lot of fun when we go there.
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