Farewell, my love

I offer a fond farewell to the AMNH Butterfly Conservatory for the season… and forever! Since December 16, 2016 I have learned, taught and found my happy place in this magical room. Made new friends and introduced old friends and countless visitors to the wonder of these beautiful creatures.

We look forward to loving butterflies next year in the new Gilder Center Insectarium.

The most frequent questions I answered included:
“Why is it so hot in here?” “Are the chrysalis real?” “What do you do with the dead ones?” “How long do they live?” “What is the big blue one called?” “Where do you get them from?” “Why are those big ones in the cage?” “Do they mate, breed, lay eggs?” “It must be great to volunteer here!”

First sightings of the season!

Monarch! Painted Lady!

Thrilled and delighted to see the firsts of the season in the 91st Street Garden in Riverside Park

Black Swallowtail, near the tennis courts and river in Riverside Park. May 29, 2022.

Penultimate Vivarium stint

This Blue Morpho lost some of its wing.

Not quite three Clippers.

The humidity made my camera lens foggy.

This panel is titled “Local Butterflies.” I placed a red check on the species that I usually see in the summer, here in NYC and nearby. Hopefully my summer will be filled with these beauties.

Angola White Lady

Purple pants host a Malachite

Some really good shots

Blue Morphos, three of them.

A couple of Julia Longwings nestled together.

So many species at once.

Blue Belly Button and an Emerald Swallowtail.

What patterns!

What colors!

keep on keepin on

Atlas Moth with a Clue Cracker, a Clipper, a Doris Longwing and a Paper Kite on my shoulder!

Here’s a Blue Belly Button aka Purple King Shoemaker aka Prepona Omphale. The dead one in the Vivarium is a female of the species. My book shows a male. Shall I replace the image in the book, since the female is most often seen?