A Trip to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

I'm having a time getting this photo of the Atlas Moth to load!
Let's try this one more time!

The Atlas Moth.... as large as your two hands side-by-side!

There we go!

Now... for the elusive Morpho! Most sought after, and so, so difficult to catch open so you can see the beautiful blue coloring! They are very camouflaged with their wings folded up, and that's what they do as soon as they land on something!

Whether on the windowsill or sipping nectar from the fruit, you can only seem to get a glimpse of that electric blue!

And finally... caught it! Not the greatest quality though!

And to get a close-up, I settled for the windowsill view again!

Spectacular picture of the Atlas Moth!!! And a REALLY good job on capturing the blue on the Morpho - that is really really hard tough to do. Aren't they spectacular? And it really looks like "work" when they're flapping around with those enormous wings. ;-)

Good to know that the Smithsonian exhibit up here limits your time - that's not worth it for me either! Brookside Gardens, in nearby Wheaton, MD, has an exhibit that you can visit for unlimited amounts of time too.

That's good to know for people a little further up the road. I was really disappointed about the Smithsonian exhibit. It must be very popular for them to do that.

Now for the rest of the butterflies! Many of these, I do not know the names of. Again, if you do... please let me know and I will edit the entry and add the name!

This is the Great Owl... they were also on the tree trunk with the Atlas moths.

You both certainly put on quite a photo show. Thanks. If I were closer I would trade something of mine for a bit of photographic coaching. I can tell this is not the day one of your fun with cameras. LOL

Peekaboo! Where are you?

Why thank you docgipe! You are right! :o)

There he is!

One of many I did not know the name of...

This may have been my very favorite butterfly. So many bright colors on the outer wings! I never did get a good shot with the wings open!

Unknown...

Ready for take-off!

Morphos aren't the only blues!

Another blue!

And one more!

And for the lucky... they might even land on you!
My oldest, Jessie... and this really made her day!

And I even know this one!
The Doris Longwing!

A Malachite... also another beauty I never captured with open wings!

Some look like leaves!

And then... Voila!!

A couple of Zebra Longwings (I think!)

Another... their contrast is really nice!

Others are black and white too!
A Zebra Swallowtail (I think!)

And someone else... he or she was rather tattered, but still very photogenic!

Orange-y fellows!

Orange is my least favorite color, but how can you resist this?

And who doesn't love the Monarch?

I do!!!

Even the monarchs to be!

And then... too soon... it was time to say goob-bye!
Some just flew away!

But some made new friends and didn't want to leave!

Please don't go!!!

We hoped you enjoyed this! I know it's not like being there, but I am really happy to have shared our experience with you!

Magnificent photos!!! They all turned out excellent. Great job and story lol. Very cute. Thank you for sharing.

Connie

Awesome photos!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

~ Cat

I enjoyed all the pictures very much. Beautiful memories your family will have!

Beautiful! Love that orange butterfly!
Thanks!

Thanks Karen! I enjoyed your trip to the gardens with you and your family.The butterflys are awesome!