Butterfly Wonderland

It was a day of beauty and wonder for all of us. No matter how many times I visit, I am thrilled by this amazing natural wonder. The butterfly is a symbol of change, joy and color and a miracle of transformation and resurrection. So when I had friends visiting from out of town, I wanted to be sure to take them here. It is billed as America's largest butterfly atrium with thousands of butterflies freely flying around. They come from South America, Africa, Asia and other tropical locations. It is really a photographer's paradise!

My friends Deanna from Chicago and Barb from Canada were excited to see this wonderful place. We arrived at 10:00 in the morning and had to pull ourselves away at 12:30. The Blue Morpho above is quite elusive, flitting about but rarely landing. When they do land, they usually fold up their wings that are a dull brown on the other side, so I am always on the lookout for one who is sunning himself with his wings extended. In all the times I've visited here, this is only the second time I've been able to capture one (with my camera, that is!)

Here are a few of the other beauties that posed for me:

This black swallowtail is one of my favorites and he was so accommodating to pose on these white flowers!

And one of  my favorites is  this Paper Kite.  Even though they are only black & white and not a more striking color, I love their delicacy, and espcially love when they land on a red flower like this hibiscus!

And finally one that I'm not sure of.  I tried to find it in the handout but nothing looked quite like the right  one.  But I really liked the bands of colors on his wings.

When we were finally able to pull ourselves away, we had a nice lunch together and sat around and talked for a couple of hours more!  So glad I was able to share this place with other people who I knew would appreciate it as much as I do.