Our March 12, 2011, tour to the Cockrell Butterfly Garden allowed us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Cockrell as well the Rain Forrest itself . . . What makes all the beauty and tranquility "work."
Containment Room . . . This place has some serious critters . . . and we learned what ladies like to "play with them."
Greenhouse . . .is on top of the parking garage and propagates the plants for the butterflies as well as native and butterfly attracting plants for sale to the public (at great prices, I might add). They also have a plant sale each spring.
Metamorphosis . . . starts with eggs and larvae (caterpillars) that have very specific plant requirements . . . some will only eat one variety of plant. When the caterpillars reach maturity, they shed their skin and become chrysalises. The Emerging area matures them to be released in the rain forest as adult butterflies and moths. It's fun the see the docents come into the rain forest with a basket of butterflies and watch them fly and light on the beautiful flora and fauna!
The chrysalises in the Emerging room are shown on the left.
We want to thank Penny and Don Johnson, who are docents at the Cockrell, for hosting and the Cockrell itself. We really got the deluxe tour from some really dedicated staff who provide a wonderful educational experience. The Cockrell is truly a place for respite and recharging your battery with the peace of the rainforest.
Baba Yega . . . for more beauty and enjoying the bounty of nature and nurturing the friendship and fellowship we acquire through the love of gardening.
Thanks to Jerre Anne Wagner and Penny Johnson for so beautifully coordinating this trip . . . and to Rose Ann Acosta for providing most of the photos!
And the Cockrell and Baba Yega!
Please click on the photos to enlarge them . . .
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