Butterflies Go Free

A delightful afternoon spent at the Botanical Garden's exhibit of Butterflies Go Free.
It is simply magical to enter this space and be surrounded by butterflies flitting around.



These butterflies are hard to capture as most of the time they are resting, their wings are closed. Their blue colour is spectacular.



Some pose, staying in one spot for a long time. Others seem to be always on the move.



Some perch daintily as they feed. Others flap their wings madly to stay in place.



But each is a thing of beauty. I try to imagine why they have evolved the way they have with their intricate colours and patterns. It was not just to be admired.

I am sure I did not spot all the varieties that were in the greenhouse. Here is the pamphlet that describes them all. 

Spot the Butterfly

Spot the Butterfly, originally uploaded by susanvg.

A visit to "Butterflies are Free" at the Montreal Botanical Gardens kept me smiling for a long time. It's a magical experience as the butterflies flit around, stopping to feed from the riot of flowers or to rest.

So delicate, their thin legs perch while they reach into the flowers, imbibing the nectar. Some flap their wings so they seem a blur as they drink. Others seem to perch.



The sun was streaming into the greenhouse giving plenty of warm spots to stop and soak it in.



Huge moths, hatching from cocoons, spread their wings and flew off.



These and more butterfly photographs can be found here.
With much difficult news from around the world, we need to find our oases of peace and tranquility. This was certainly one of them, even with the multitude of people who were also enjoying the experience.

Pansy in the Autumn

Pansy in the Autumn, originally uploaded by susanvg.

As autumn's grasp brings decay, I admire the hardy flowers that persist. Pansies are amazingly resilient, sometimes surviving under the winter's snow only to start growing again as soon as it melts. This happy face brightened an otherwise grey day. Oh, to be like the pansy always smiling no matter what nature throws at it.

Day 276: Chinese Lanterns

Day 276: Chinese Lanterns, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Light can feel like magic, especially when it is making Chinese lanterns glow. Each year the Botanical Gardens displays theme-based Chinese lanterns which are designed in Montreal and made in Shanghai. This year's theme was astronomical, with lanterns representing the Chinese asterisms or constellations. There is one below. The lanterns lights danced on the water.

There were also a number of lanterns of performers: musicians, acrobats...

If you want to view a couple more photos click to see a dragon and another dragon.

It's quite magical and a lovely way to spend an evening, the warmth of the light fending off some of the damp chill of a drizzly autumn evening.

You can learn more about this event here.