butterflies abound...

We went to the Butterfly Garden at Tucson's Botanical Garden last weekend. It's a seasonal exibit, open from October through February every year. They bring in chrysalides from the tropical Americas, Africa, and Asia. The butterflies emerge in a special room with a display board for the public to see, and afterwards, they are put into the enclosure with beautiful tropical plants. The enclosure is kept very warm and humid- at about 85 degrees F, adn about 75% humidity. One of the docents said these butterflies won't fly/gather nectar below that temperature.

While there, we witnessed an emergance from a chrysalis- it was a quick one- lasting about 1 minute from wiggling to coming out and resting.

It's a lovely feeling being inside the enclosure with the butterflies. Such beautiful, gentle things they are! They let you get very close to them, and if you are lucky, they land on your head, or on an arm or leg, and travel with you for awhile. Sometimes they swirl all around you, as if they are saying hello. Some are busy being industrious drinkers, and busily hop from flower to flower. Others are stationary, resting. Still others swoop and fly with incredible speed as they chase each other. We all had to ducka few times! Still others flit around each other in courtship.

Because of the humidity and temperature inside the enclosure, everyone is sweating inside. Since we live in the desert, the outsisde temperature and humidity is very different this time of year (it was about 50 desgrees with maybe 10 % humidity) So, being dressed for that kind of weather, short visits in the enclosure worked best. (go in for awhile, leave for awhile, return)

When leaving the enclosure, great care is taken to be sure no castaways come out with people. Butterflies are known to snuggle into open bags and onto clothing. They want to be sure none escape- as this could effect biodiversity and pose disease issues.

All in all, it's a wonderful experience! I heartily recommend going to a butterfly enclosure near you, if you have the opportunity.