Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory-Wings of Paradise

Yesterday, the boys and I felt as though we were 'on the road again' as we checked out a butterfly conservatory we hadn't been to before. When we were traveling, we had the ability to seek out new places and explore whether it be planned or on a whim. When we returned from our trip, I promised myself we would treat our home province of Ontario like a new place we hadn't yet explored. This week, we had a choice to go to the conservatory on a day when there was an organized homeschooling program or to go just on our own. The boys chose for us to go on our own. I love it when you can just 'beat to your own drum' -wander, discover and share your interests as you go along.

As we were there, we took in some of the factual information-the names and descriptions of moths, bugs, butterflies and owls-yet what stands out time and time again at venues like these are the observations, feelings, tangible connections and conclusions we have about what we are viewing. The blue morpho, rice paper butterflies and multiple white moths captures my attention for their colours, beauty, patterning and delicate nature. Also, while in the conservatory, I note the blue morpho as being playful, highly energetic and most always on the move. I can see the butterflies vying for food and literally chasing each other around the room in a playful manner. At first, there are so many flitting around that your eyes are drawn all over the place, back and forth, it's almost chaotic, but then you settle in on a bench or wander slowly and it becomes peaceful and awe-inspiring!

The boys loved the butterflies of course, yet were the first to find the baby birds, gigantic snails and eggs, lady bugs, injured butterflies, the turtles and the parrot. Also, they observe the biggest, deadliest and ugliest (in my opinion) bugs on display and Matt is affected by seeing where the pins are pushed through to keep them on display. In the conservatory, they notice the butterflies that were getting 'stuck' at the window and express concern. They find seeds and bring them to the baby birds. They plop themselves on the ground and stare at the activity, interactions, beauty and behaviour of the birds. They have butterflies land on them. They come over to report their observations and that I must come and see and take a picture!

For a fleeting moment, I ask myself if I should spend more time encouraging the boys to read all the information that we can find on bugs, birds and butterflies they are interested in...and while we spend some of the time on that as well as ask staff questions when we had them...I don't feel that is what we are going to remember most. What I will remember most are the conclusions I come to after I have the time to watch and make my own findings about my surroundings at the conservatory. I will remember the beauty and miracle of the lives of these creatures. I will appreciate nature more and be kinder and more compassionate to all living things. I think the boys will get out of the experience whatever they need to and whatever it is they are ready for-as per usual. :)

Also to note, the food at the cafe rocked! I also enjoyed meeting Sharron-a fellow photographer...we pointed out good shots to one and another and shared info. about canoeing and kayaking!

A great day had by all!

Mom: "What did you like about your visit to the Butterfly Conservatory?"

"I like the blue morpho butterflies. I liked to see where the chrysalis's were hanging because it was really cool and I liked to see them fly from their cocoons. I liked the cool bugs. I liked the biggest flying bug! I also liked the pizza at the cafe." Matt, 9

"I loved the birds- that was my favourite part. They were so awesome. When the butterflies landed on me I felt happy." Josh, 11

"I really liked the butterflies. They were very pretty and majestic. I liked seeing the different species of butterflies or moths emerging from their chrysalis or cocoon. I liked the parrot Cheeco because he was very nice and colourful. The cockroaches and beatles were really big! I liked the tarantula. I went back over to see him and he was walking around . It was very cool. I haven't really seen them walk around much. When I saw him, I thought it was a very cool arachnid. I would like to hold one. I also liked their stone-baked pizza!" Lucas, 13

Raising a Butterfly

On September 17th of this year, we had a lovely visit with new friends. As we walked around the property, we came across some milkweed with a caterpillar on it. Our friends said it was kinda late in the year for him to be there, but if we wanted to watch him evolve, all we needed was a clear container with holes and some fresh milkweed.

So, we brought him in and spent many weeks watching him. As the end of October approached and no new changes took place, we thought he wasn't going to make it. Then, the day before our same friends were coming back for a visit, the pupae went grey/black and we could see the orange of his wings much clearer. We knew that now was the time to watch.

As Jeff was leaving for work on October 30th around 5:28 a.m., we rustled the kids out of bed and watched him hatch right in front of our eyes. What an amazing experience as a family! At first, we thought he was a girl and named her Ella which means beautiful fairy. As her wings dried and opened up, we could see that she, was a he. :) We never did rename him.

This was quite an experience as it was very windy when we tried to release him with our friends...windy and cold. He stayed on the sedum we placed him on for several hours. When our friends left, I did more research and found that this was not the kind of day our butterfly was going to adventure out on. So, we got him some butterfly-friendly food and brought him in. The next day, we tried again-while I had visions of taking him stealthily to a butterfly conservatory and letting him go but they wouldn't take him and told me that he knew what to do and would go when he was ready despite how cold it was. So, we placed him on some goldenrod that he tried to eat from. The sun was shining on the goldenrod, so we hoped he would warm up and leave. As the hours went on, I peeked out of my window to see if he had left. At one point, our dear neighbour was doing some weed whacking which I wasn't expecting... and with a jolt, I looked out to see the goldenrod on the ground! Ahhhh! Thankfully, Ella was fine. Phew... But where to find a spot where it wasn't windy and where it was sunny? We moved him around, but he still thought it was too cold. By 11 o'clock that night, Lucas and I went out and got him. We dumped Matt's stuffies out of his cylindrical soft mesh container, put sticks and food inside... placed a light near him and felt relieved.

By the next morning, he had flown to the top of the container, as close to the light as he could and was hanging peacefully. A little later, he flew around a bit, but didn't flap his wings a lot, so I thought he was getting weaker. Then, the sun magically came out and Josh and I decided to try again. We encouraged him to eat some orange and thistle and off he flew!!!! Yayyyyy!!!! I was so happy, yet emotional over the whole thing... :)

We envision our late bloomer making it all the way to Mexico! Let's hope he does! :)

This process gave us a real appreciation for the miracle of life-and the trials and challenges that exist for this delicate creature. So, many things have to fall into place for life to exist and flourish! It will really make us think twice about how we treat all living things in the future I'm sure.