Time to Catch the Butterflies
Families play a game of I Spy in finding the caterpillars and butterflies at the annual exhibit
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids is one of my favorite places to visit in any season.
The 158-acre indoor/outdoor wonderland of art and horticulture opened in 1995, and was made possible by Fred and Lena Meijer, of the superstore Meijer fame.
Outdoors, the gently rolling landscape is filled with themed gardens and dozens of sculptures by Claes Oldenburg, Keith Haring, Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, and more. And I’ll have more about the art and gardens in another post.
Right now, through April 30, you should flutter over to the 85º environment of the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory to catch the Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibit.
Kids love to put their cameras to use
The largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation brings 7,000 free-flying winged wonders of 60 species from Central and South America, Asia and Africa to the five-story glass structure throughout March and April.
They arrive as chrysalides (cocoons) and once they emerge as butterflies live only a couple of weeks, so Meijer Gardens receives a shipment of about 1,000 per week throughout the duration of the exhibit.
Butterflies enjoy a healthy diet of nectar and overripe fruit. I imagine the Meijer staff has access to a good supply of that fruit…
The theme of this year’s 24th annual exhibition explains how light and shadow affect the chrysalides and butterfly behavior.
Each visitor receives a handy booklet to help with understanding and identifying the species. In addition to searching for Monarch caterpillars in the greenhouse foliage, there is an observation station where you can see staff at work as they sort, pin, photograph and care for the chrysalides as the butterflies develop and prepare to emerge.
If you’re lucky, you’ll be there to witness the release of butterflies into the conservatory.
For many people, it’s a special thrill (and photo op) when a butterfly lands on them.
When I visit butterfly houses I’m always praying that they don’t get too close to me; I know that my first reaction would be to swat at the poor things. So far, none have dared to invade my space.
(Click on each photo for a closer look)
Entry to the butterfly exhibit is included in the regular admission price.
TIP: Dress in layers. It’s a TROPICAL environment, kept at 85 degrees and 70 per cent humidity.
NOTE: Expansion construction interferes with parking and access; be prepared for some inconvenience on arrival.
Oh, and once inside the conservatory, watch where you walk and sit; some butterflies like to rest on benches and hang out on the ground.
For info: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Visitor info: Experience Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is located in western area A
