Zoo - part1 - that which flys

We had a particularly enjoyable time in the bird and butterfly houses. Lots of pictures were taken but these two stood out.

Kingly Visits

Our butterfly bush continues to attract some beautiful creatures. Will caught on film on Friday this Monarch butterfly. We have seen it once since, and been visited numerous times by the Swallowtail.

Annabelle and Juliette took turns telling Becca who told me some interesting facts about butterflies versus moths. For instance, did you know that butterfly lands with its wings out whereas a moth lands with its wings up? There are differences in the antenna too, but I don't remember what they were. Something about one has balls at the end of them and the other doesn't.

Now, why a 6 and 4 year old know this and a 32 and 35 year old don't, that is another matter....

Tiger Swallowtails

We had two beautiful butterflies on our buddleia (also known as a butterfly bush) yesterday morning. Tiger swallowtails are very common around, as it is the state butterfly for Virginia. We had a male and a female (no blue spots) floating around. They are quite pretty and rest with their wings open in the sun.