Butterfly Adventures

I have a daughter, who quite some time ago, informed me that she wants to be an entomologist when she gets bigger. I don't doubt it. Since she was able to grasp small objects, she was picking up insects and chasing her brother with them. Perhaps this is why my son is so afraid of insects?

In any case, my father and I decided to take a trip to Deer Lake today, so we could visit the Insectarium, which is complete with a Butterfly Pavilion. Eden was in her glory. The unfortunate part is that her other interest is ballet. Earlier this spring I bought her an "Angelina Ballerina" video. She was grateful, especially when it turned out that one of the episodes was all about Angelina having a pet butterfly, which landed on her finger.... so my child went to the Pavilion ready for her dream to come true. A butterfly was going to land on her, and she would name it Henry, and he would love her forever.

Do you realize how unlikely it is that a very fragile butterfly will land on a patiently waiting three year old, when there is another three year old running up, screaming "Aaarrgh!"? Every time one would come close, something would happen to frighten it away. Most often, that something was Connor. Of course, they were swarming me. I thought about it later. Perhaps it was the bright, floral print blouse I was wearing.




That is not to say that a butterfly didn't land ANYWHERE. As this picture will attest, there is no accounting for some taste, even that of of a creature from the lepidoptera family. Needless to say, Eden was not impressed that she couldn't get one to land on her finger, and yet it would choose this particular perch. The funny thing was, we tried everything to get the poor creature (who obviously has no nasal faculties) to fly away, but it was determined. Just as we admitted defeat, and Dad was going to get the curator's help, the pitiful thing (yes, it is to be pitied, mainly for it's complete lack of judgement) flew away.

All in all, it was a pretty fabulous day. The twins had a wonderful time, we had a few laughs, and I eventually managed to placate Eden (for a few minutes) by finding a couple of butterflies by the entrance and letting her put her finger next to them.

But don't worry, those of you familiar with her personality will fully realize this ploy would not be enough. For twenty minutes after we got back in the truck, she moaned over the fact that we had driven ALL the way to the Insectarium, only to leave without a butterfly landing on her finger.

Below are a couple of more shots from the day. Once she gets over the disappointment, I am sure Eden will have fantastic memories.

You may wish to click on the link to Dad's blog, to get his version of the events. I still disagree with his opinion that this is hard proof his butt smells like roses....but to each their own.


We got them to sit for a few seconds under the premise that if they sat quietly, there would be a better chance of a butterfly landing on them.


















Watching a video on crickets. Connor was more interested in checking out the runner lights along the floor.








This is by the entrance to the main building. The colors of the beetles are so varied and bright!











The butterflies were really worth seeing. There was a special room with a display window where they could come out of the chrysalises. The curator would then bring them to the Pavilion. They were all over the place. We got to see a couple that were just born minutes before. It was absolutely beautiful.