Key West - Day 3

Key WestButterfly Conservatory

Moments after we walk in to the Conservatory a beautiful older Asian Woman walks over to me and as she's looking at Giorgia sleeping in my mom's arms she says, "She is more beautiful than all the butterflies." Talk about melting my heart.

When G is out...she is OUT!!!

Totally out.

The Conservatory is kept at approximately 85 degrees F. with a relative humidity of 80%. The temperature is about 5 degrees lower at night. These warm humid conditions are needed for the tropical plants and butterflies. A computerized controlled weather system continuously monitors and controls temperature and relative humidity.

Lots of Koi.

Me and my Butterfly.

G and her Gami.

There were a few really pretty birds as well.

G finally on the move.

They are not able to bite or sting because they do not have the necessary mouthparts.

There are about 50 - 60 species of butterflies in the Conservatory. Some species are always present but others are only available seasonally, so you might see many different butterflies each time you visit.

When they are in season, they have the Atlas moth, the largest in the world. Their wingspan can reach up to 12".

Most moths are nocturnal, flying at night or in dim light. Their lifespan is a short 4 or 5 days.

Most butterflies feed on the nectar of flowers. Some butterflies also eat pollen, which sticks to their proboscis, dissolves and is ingested. Pollen provides a source of protein, which allows these butterflies to live much longer.

Many of the tropical butterflies feed on rotting fruit while others feed on refuse.

G more into what the big girls were doing.

No, not all butterflies migrate. Some species can survive the winter as adults, eggs, caterpillars or pupa; thus, do not have to migrate.

A butterfly sees its surroundings through its compound eyes, these are a complex mosaic of tiny lenses. They are able to detect motion and a limited number of different colors - predominantly red, orange and yellow. Butterflies are capable of detecting ultraviolet light, which is invisible to humans, suggesting that they may well see the color of flowers in a quite a different way than we do.

Over a year we have approximately 75 different species in the Conservatory.

In contrast to other insects, the butterfly is a model of innocence.

Once they reach the butterfly stage, most live an average of about 10 days. There are exceptions in the Conservatory.

Gami had a butterfly land on her.

Butterfly upclose.

A successful and BEAUTIFUL experience. I'm LOVING all my photos. I'm just hoping one day MY little Butterfly will learn to SMILE for me!!!!

(info on butterflies comes directly from the conservatory)