Colored Wings and Flying Things

Welcome to the enchanted world of colored wings and flying things!

Between March 10 and April 20, this year, Dow Gardens of Midland, MI, housed numerous butterfly

species from southern United States. Here are several that posed for

my camera during the last week of "Butterflies in Bloom".

Imagine living in a miniature rainforest filled with fig trees, orchids,

and bananna plants. These butterflies do.

Here a Banded Orange Longwing struck a stunning pose. 

 Not to be out done, this Longwing ruffled her wings and posed

like the pretty petals around her.

The Red Postman was either ADD or camara shy. For some reason he

just would not settle down for a picture.

Julia, pictured above, leisurely spread her wings before flitting away

to another leaf.

Don't sit down! This Zebra Longwing reached the bench first and is

not in the mood to share his seat. 

 Mmm! Mmm! Lunch time. This butterfly is busy slurping juice from

a special feeding stand.

The identity of this butterfly is a mystery to me. All I know is that

he has cool stripes and is not native to Michigan. Any guesses on

what he is?

 All these butterflies were shipped from Florida during their chrysalis

stage.  After arriving at Dow Gardens, they were placed in the above

Emergence Case where they completed their metamorphosis.

 Thanks for stopping by and touring this winged world. Other

butterflies in the display that eluded my camara included the

Buckeye, Monarch, Great Southern White, and the Mexican Bluewing.

To see these for yourselves, you can visit the "Butterflies in Bloom"

next year during March and April.