REVISITING THE BUTTERFLY CONSERVATORY

in Niagara Falls.  This was in the summer of 2013.  Butterfly overload here, sometimes repeating the same butterfly in some photos. 

While spending more time at home I have enjoyed looking through my archives.  I came across one on butterflies and decided to reshare.  I tried to identify many and you can click on their names which will take you to more information.

The sweetest sight I saw, and I have shared this photo before but always think it is worth sharing again, a father holding his little girl dressed as a pretty butterfly.  Her Mommy was nearby with a visiting Grandfather and both were smiling.  I was taking photos of butterflies but could not resist capturing one of the sweetest moments.  Yes, I spotted a new species called "Daddy's Little Butterfly".

"Just like the butterfly, I will awaken in my own time."

~Deborah Chaskin~

"A Child is like a butterfly in the wind.

Some can fly higher than others,

But each one flies the best it can.

Why compare one against the other?

Each one is different.

Each one is special.

Each one is beautiful.

~Author Unknown~

When we entered the conservatory we encountered more butterflies than we have ever seen in any other, and we have visited many over the years.  We had to be very careful where we stepped because we found several on the ground.  It truly was an incredible experience to see so many different kinds of these flutterbies.  

Click here to go to the conservatory's home page. 

There was a Grecian statue inside.  It had a visitor at rest, which you can see below.  As mentioned, I identify what I can.  This one is Cracker, Variable - Hamadryas feronia

It didn't seem to mind all the activity. The conservatory was very busy.

A male Great Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina), wings a little tattered but managing beautifully.

Julia (Dryas julia)

I wasn't able to find out what this one was.  Any ideas?

Not sure about this one either.

The Blue Morpho is a butterfly that when followed around did not stop anywhere.  I was trying to get the other side of its wings, but the only time it stopped had this side showing. The inside of its wings is a pretty blue, as its name suggests.

A Black Swallowtail of some kind.  I couldn't find out much about this one.  Most seem to have some sort of pattern but I wasn't able to identify it exactly.

The butterfly above and below is Postman (Heliconius melpomene)

One of the pretty blooms, very tropical looking.  I would have enjoyed seeing it in its opened form.

Atala - Eumaeus atala

Red Lacewing - Cethosia biblis

Rice Paper Butterfly (also known as  a White Tree Nymph)  Idea Luconoe

The photos above and below are of the same butterfly.  It is the Tiger Mimic Queen.

If you go here this page at Wikipedia will tell you all about butterflies.

I came around the corner and found an unusual butterfly, a painted turtle in a small pond.

If they don't have an ID, I have tried my hardest.  I have a couple of books which I pour through continuously.  I also look online.  Still no success!

This is one of the bigger butterflies called a "Denise".  She can be found usually with an enormous smile on her face around other butterflies, the biggest smile she has is one around another big butterfly often called "Sweet Other Half" or "SOH" or "Gregg".   He's the darling of all butterflies and they travel in pairs usually passing a big black box between them at various intervals.

The butterfly on the right is the Cairns Birdwing Butterfly.   The one on the left is the Postman (Heliconius melpomene).

The same butterfly - Cairns Birdwing - and the Zebra Heliconian on the right.

Still as yet unidentified.  A Swallowtail of some kind.

Zebra Heliconian

Another view of the Cairns Birdwing Butterfly

Zebra Longwing

Several Owl Butterflies enjoying a plate of sliced oranges and bananas.

A close-up of the Owl Butterfly.  Whenever I watch butterflies it is fascinating to observe their proboscis.  Here it is visible as it drinks the juice from the orange.  When it is resting that same proboscis is wound up like a spring.  

The same butterfly but this time it has a friend on the left.   From looking at similar butterflies I think this is a Grey Variable Cracker.

I have searched and searched but haven't found this one yet.

Leopard Lacewing

Orange Julia Butterfly

Golden Heliconid (Heliconius hecalet)

Rice Paper Butterfly (also known as  a White Tree Nymph)  Idea Luconoe

Here is the other big butterfly I mentioned.  A smaller butterfly decided to land on top of his head.  The larger one is the "Sweet Other Half" or "SOH" or "Gregg".  Don't know what the smaller one on top of his head is called.  I should have tried for a side-view.

Emerald Swallowtail

Another pretty one...

still to be identified.

If I have misidentified any, please let me know.  Also if you know the name of the ones I didn't name, I would welcome them as I always appreciate the correct ID.

There is a very interesting video on YouTube about 10 Most Beautiful Butterflies on Planet Earth.  You can see it at this link.  

There is another called The Great Monarch Migration with you can see here.

I hope you have enjoyed my post on butterflies.  I have enjoyed looking at them again, and remembering the lovely memories they bring back.

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of the week.