Butterflies!

I've talked in the past about our love of butterflies!  Every Summer for the past three years we have raised butterflies from larvae to butterfly, last year each of my daughters kept a journal about their experience.  You can read more about that here and here.  We plan to do this again this Summer.  In the past we've raised painted ladies, this year we are hoping to try a new species.

Recently, we were able to take a trip to The Butterfly Place in Westford, Massachusetts.  If you are from New England, it's a wonderful place to check out if you'll be in that area.  The garden is over 3,000 square feet, with picnic tables outside and great places for picnic lunches.  They also have a small gift shop where they sell butterfly kits which allow you to raise your very own butterfly and release it back into nature.  You can check out a video and learn more what it has to offer here.  Allow yourself a couple of hours to experience what this living museum has to offer! 

 

We were able to explore the different species and check out some that were purchased from other countries in quarantine.  This was particularly fascinating to us, as some of the butterflies may have diseases or parasites.  The Butterfly Place has them live in quarantine until they successfully are determined "safe" for the general population.  Who knew?! 

Each of the girls picked up an identification guide so they could check off each species as they saw it inside the butterfly terrarium. Full of flowers, warmth and of course, butterflies - it is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Soft music playing and just a peaceful atmosphere made for a special and quiet opportunity to view these beautiful butterflies. They also have little birds living inside as well as some fish!

It was a wonderful day - and a joy to see the girls light up with butterflies flying all around them.  Check it out if you are in the New England area!