Paul’s parents, during their yearly winter stay in Sun Lakes, always make it a point to take their grandchildren on some kind of educational field trip. \u00a0In the past such excursions have included places like<\/p>\n
This past Saturday we (Paul, Jr. and I) joined them for another in the series and spent the morning visiting Butterfly Wonderland<\/strong>, in Scottsdale. \u00a0It is billed as “America’s largest butterfly atrium” and yet it seemed curiously small, sitting off to the east of highway 101 as we approached from the south. \u00a0That was, of course, merely an illusion, as most any size building can be dwarfed by the surrounding desert and backdrop of the Superstition Mountains. \u00a0The visit began with a 14 minute 3-D film<\/a><\/strong> about the great Monarch migration that occurs annually. \u00a0It was fascinating and very well produced; and the 3-D effect was really fun, especially with all the small children in the audience reaching out to touch the butterflies that seemed to be flying right in front of us.<\/p>\n From there it was on to the Butterfly Emergence Gallery<\/a><\/strong>, where we could actually observe metamorphosis in progress. \u00a0At first I didn’t realize it was “for real” — I just thought it was a display *about* the process — until I got close enough to see some of them actually moving and emerging! \u00a0It was marvelous!<\/p>\n Then for the main event, so to speak – the Conservatory<\/a><\/strong>, a 10,000 square foot butterfly atrium. \u00a0It was very moist and tropical inside, and I was thankful our visit was taking place in the winter (can’t imagine visiting in the summer, although I’m sure it is thermostatically controlled). \u00a0It truly was a wonderland, and I made the most of the opportunity to learn to work with my new macro lens. \u00a0I was extremely pleased with how it performed, and many of my SOOC’s were about as perfect as they could get. \u00a0I’m used to having to do more post processing with my photos to get a quality result, so I’m going to have to learn to keep my hands off! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n After the Conservatory came the Ant Colony (unfortunately the ants were “on vacation”) and the Honey Bee Extravaganza<\/a><\/strong> (not quite as extravagant as it sounds, but interesting nonetheless) and the Rivers of the Amazon Aquatic Life Exhibit<\/a> <\/strong>(where I did not get any good photos at all due to my inexpertise with dim lighting conditions), finishing with a few minutes in the Butterfly Treasures Gift Shop<\/a><\/strong> (where we could have, but wisely did not, spend any money).<\/p>\n I absolutely loved the entire visit, and would totally go again if any of you out of towners want to come down and take it in! \u00a0Just be aware, particularly if you have issues with creepy-crawlies, that the flutterbyes do land on you from time to time. \u00a0One must restrain the impulse to smack at them, as they are there to be, you know, preserved!<\/strong><\/em> \ud83d\ude09 \u00a0I only got one tag-along during the visit, and it was just on my clothing, rather than say, my face, so I was never in any danger of being forcibly ejected on account of committing bug-i-cide.<\/p>\n Here are the photos I took, some better than others, but such a joy to see in person and remember again as I look through them. \u00a0I’m so thankful for the making of such memories, and the ability to preserve them through this art form I’ve been learning.<\/p>\n [hr color=”dark-gray” width=”15%” border_width=”2px” ]<\/p>\n