Our Trip to the Butterfly Conservatory at the Boston Museum of Science

I Finally Got to Visit a Living Butterfly Conservatory

image credit - photo by melaniekaren
One of the butterflies was content to  let me get very
close to take this picture. It's a great shot of its
proboscis ("tongue").

Yesterday was so wonderful! I finally got to visit a butterfly conservatory at the Boston Museum of Science.

I've always wanted to visit one of these living butterfly pavilions since they started popping up at various natural history, science museums and zoos.

I worked at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C. years ago. However, at the time the butterfly pavilion at the Insect Zoo was not open. After all these years, I'm thrilled that I finally had this opportunity.

I am also thrilled because yesterday was Mother's Day, and it was my son who took me to the Museum of Science (along with the help of his father, my husband). He's eleven and in 5th grade. How awesome it is to have a young son take you to a museum! -and a science museum no less!

I am sharing my/our experience in hopes you will be inspired to visit a butterfly conservatory near you. This is a very fun learning activity for children, and it is also very fun for all ages. At least it was for us, and I highly recommend it.

Arriving at the Museum of Science - We've got our tickets and are getting ready to go in.

image credit - photo by melaniekaren of the outside
 mural display of the butterfly conservatory.You can
see there are 4 videos playing too. These are
educational videos depicting interesting  living
aspects of butterflies and caterpillars.

I like being spontaneous when I'm out on an adventure. Therefore, I don't brief myself with a place's potential activity or on goings. I like to go and be surprised at what I find. For example, when I was in Italy, I didn't make plans ahead of time of where I wanted to visit or places I wanted to see. So, without knowing much about the area, I headed out in the morning.

I found myself walking down the street and low and behold, out of no where, I was standing in front of Christopher Columbus's home of when he was a child! It was a small modest home with no tourists poking around. It was as if everyone had seen it a thousand times, and it wasn't a big deal any longer. There was just a small plaque in front of the house that I almost missed. Needless to say, when I read the plaque, it was pretty cool to discover where I was.

I have lots of stories and experiences like this, including what I discovered at the museum yesterday. Ahead of time, I intentionally did not look online for the museum's website. I just wanted to simply go and have wonderful discoveries all day long. I had a big surprise waiting for me! We arrived, and I discovered that there was this butterfly conservatory!!

Well, the very first thing we did was purchase our tickets for the butterfly conservatory and eagerly headed there.

I've Always Had a Dream of Seeing a Live Blue Morpho Butterfly
- waiting to go in...

image credit - both images by melaniekaren

Only a limited number of people are allowed entry into the conservatory at the same time. After we watched the videos on the outside and marveled at the wall mural, we were waiting for our turn to go in. It was nice, because there was no crowd and we were the first in line with no one behind us yet.

While I tried to wait patiently for our turn, I immediately noticed the mounted butterflies at the entrance. Above are two photographs of the mounted displays. I like these displays very much, as I have made several myself. I pinned butterflies and other insects when I worked at the Natural History Museum at the Smithsonian Institution, and I also made my own mounted displays a few years back when I was a mineral and fossil dealer. The patience, skill, and stillness required to spread butterflies is very high!

Click image to see on Amazon
Your own raise and release butterfly pavilion 
Insect Lore Giant Butterfly Garden

Now, notice the photograph above. Honestly, these aren't the best specimens, and this is not a really great photo. However, I took the photo anyway because these are all common blue morpho butterflies! They are different species, but are all the of the same genus. (My exact favorite is Morpho dideus.)

Blue Morpho butterflies in general are my favorite. They are iridescent and are very unusual compared to all other butterflies. I write about my experience of seeing these for the first time (only mounted) when I was a young teenager. If you'd like to read about it, you can do so here. I wrote of my experience in my article Fashion Forward Monarch Butterfly Dress.

We Tour the Conservatory - We're in!

image credit - photo by melaniekaren

A polite gentleman came out to greet us and let us enter the conservatory. We happily and quietly entered. Immediately, we had many butterflies flying around us. It was fantastic!

First, we walked the length of the butterfly garden. The conservatory itself is fairly small, and it's not like you are in a greenhouse. It is part of the science museum just as any other part is. However, the whole one side is covered with windows that overlook the river.

Exotic plants and small gardens line the walls. Overhead is fluorescent lighting that helps simulate natural sunlight. It's long with many flowering plants and small gardens and, the butterflies have fresh fruits and water given to them by the staff. It's a happy butterfly home (and now, I want one in my house! :) ).

After we walked around for a bit marveling at the butterflies, I began to take photographs. The photograph pictured here is the first photo I took.

Here are a couple more of my photos: 

At this point, I decided to put my camera away for a bit. Sometimes, I can get so carried away with getting pictures to the point that I don't stop to actually take in all that is around me. (I do the same thing at the beach. My feet are always walking, and my head is always down looking intently for treasures. Do you do this?)

image credit - both photos by melaniekaren

I ended up quickly taking my camera out a few minutes later. I saw something flutter by that had not made it's appearance yet. My heart jumped, and I knew what it was!!

A Blue Morpho Butterfly Flutters By - My dream comes true!

image credit - photo by melaniekaren

If you guessed that my dream of seeing my favorite butterfly in real living life, you guessed correctly. :)

I recognized that electric iridescent blue, grabbed my camera, and took that photo pictured here all in one crazy fast motion! It must have been quite comical, particularly since I am more of a quiet person and not very animated. Well, now, I was animated!

Not only did I not expect to be in a butterfly conservatory this day, I did not in a million years believe that blue morphos would be in one too. To me, they have always been very exotic, and I imagined one would have to go to a South American rainforest to get a glimpse.

Obviously, the butterfly is completely out of focus. However, I really like this photo, and I thought you'd enjoy it too. Look at that color!

Below are two more photos, and they are silly.

Still Trying to Get a Photo...

image credits - photos by melaniekaren

At this point, I'm just clicking away in hopes of getting even a glimpse on film of my encounter with one of these truly beautiful butterflies. I really wanted a tangible memory.

I must say that I do like these two photos though, as they make me laugh. I think the blue and black coloring of the butterfly compliments my black and white Converse very well. It looks like a new wave greeting card or a vinyl album cover straight out of the 80's.

At any rate, have a laugh at my expense. :)

All of the other butterflies are so easy to photograph, but these blue guys are so difficult. One of my immediate observations is that they don't fly like the others. Their flying is more chaotic, similar to that of a bats. They just won't land with wings spread and be still ............ until we are almost ready to leave the conservatory.

Our time in the conservatory is finished. It was great. We are about ready to walk out when I look down. Below are two photos of what I saw! :)

image credit  - photo by melaniekaren

I finally get up close and personal with a living common blue morpho butterfly. -a cherished gift I will never forget.

Want to see what we got at the gift shop? - Another Goodie I always wanted! 

Celebrate Easter and Ostara by Giving Gifts of Eggs

image credit -photo by MnGyver, taken in
Covent Garden, London, England as part
of an Egg Hunt Celebration featuring
giant-sized Faberge-style eggs.

"Omne vivum ex ovo" - All Life Comes From an Egg. So, Let's Celebrate the Symbolism of Easter Eggs.

Easter falls on April 5th and Ostara falls on March 20th this year, and with it comes the Spring Equinox and the celebration of The Resurrection of Christ. The symbolism of the egg is ancient and has remained through the millennia. The egg is the ultimate symbol of life, as an old Latin proverb is written, "Omne vivum ex ovo," meaning "All life comes from an egg."

Today, the most common use of Easter eggs is within Christianity, where the egg symbolizes the embodiment of Christ, or the tomb of Christ. In the earliest Christian practices and still in today's Orthodox Christian religion, eggs are dyed the color red to symbolize the blood of Christ, as shed on the cross. The egg is not a symbolism of death, however, as Christ was resurrected.

Now, we paint Easter eggs all wonderful, pretty colors and decorate them beautifully. I remember as a child being very excited to start decorating the Easter eggs, and every year I would get a few in my basket from the Easter Bunny. It was great fun. Today, as an adult, I still love decorating Easter eggs. Also, as an adult, I now know just how ancient and important the meaning of the egg is. I love all symbolism, particularly pictorial ones, and the egg is a favorite!

I can't think of a nicer way to celebrate Easter than with giving the gift of eggs to your dear-ones. I've taken quite a bit of time of picking out eggs I think you'll like below. Happy Egg Giving! :)

image credit - photo by David Bone

Origin of Easter and the Easter Egg Tradition
Colored eggs were placed at the site of graves

Every year Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon of the Spring Equinox. The date on which Easter falls may have been adapted by Pagan religions that celebrate holidays according to the coming and going of seasons.

The Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is the first day of Spring, which correlates with the pagan holiday Ostara, also known as Eastre, Eostre, Oestre. You can see the similarity of these names with the term Easter.

Ostara, in pagan beliefs, was the Goddess of fertility and the renewal of life. She was celebrated and worshiped on the Spring Equinox. As an offering to Ostara, people would leave colored eggs at the site of their loved-ones graves, symbolizing rebirth. Today, pagans and wiccans alike continue to celebrate Ostara, and Christo-pagans celebrate both the christian Easter and Ostara.

image credit - "Faberge Tree" by Mauro Luna taken at an exhibit in the Houston Museum of Natural
Science from the "Faberge: Imperial Jeweler to the Tsars,"

Objet D'Art Vintage Faberge Egg

Click image to see on Amazon

Faberge eggs are highly collectible jeweled eggs that were made at the turn at the 20th century at the House of Faberge in St. Petersburg, Imperial Russia. They were made to give as Easter gifts and were worn on a chain around the neck.

Today, they continue to be highly sought after. Many are on exhibit in various museums, and patrons are delighted by their beauty.

Most Faberge eggs are replicas of the originals (like the one below), as the originals are prized collectibles and very expensive.

The Faberge egg pictured to the left is a gorgeous, available collectible that doubles as a music box, playing "Here Comes the Sun" by George Harrison. Find it here: Electric Green Musical Faberge Egg Box " Here Comes the Sun" Paykoc QZ40058

image credit - photo by Big
Bead Little Bead of a
cloisonne bead

The Art of Cloisonne

Cloisonne is an ancient art of decorating metal dating as far back as early Egypt. The techniques are tedious and labor-some and those who make cloisonne art are highly skilled. Today, most cloisonne comes out of the Far East.

Click image to see on Amazon

The techniques used in cloisonne are complicated, and the designs have become more detailed as different techniques have been developed. Generally, outlined metal sections (or cloisonne ) are added to the base metal, and then, enamel paste is painted on the base metal within the sections. In early days, gems or bits of glass were used to decorate each section. As you can see, from the photo I've selected, that it is an intricate detailed process.

Like the Faberge eggs, Cloisonne pieces are also sought after collectible pieces. Cloisonne pieces range from ring and other jewelry items to plates, vases, trinket boxes, and also, the egg.

.999 Silver Collectible Cloisonne Egg Coin - Intrinsic Art Value with Monetary Value as well

click image to see on Amazon

I think this is a really neat idea to give as a gift!

These are real, uncirculated coins from the Cook Islands.  Each has a face value of $5.00.

We've all heard, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." These coins are another way to collect assets.

These are getting hard to come by. Only 2,500 were minted.  There are other colors and patterns available too.  Click the egg coin image to see more. 

image credit - photo by Spiros K. showing a
glass factory on Murano Island. -pretty cool!

Murano Glass - Glass Art from the Island of Murano, Italy

Murano glass has been made by skilled glass artisans since the 9th century. While the art-form technique is done elsewhere, true Murano glass comes only from the island of Murano, an Island off of Venice, Italy.

image credit - photo by Philip showing an amazing Murano glass sculpture on display on Murano Island.

Available Museum Quality, Collectible, Murano Easter Eggs:

There's only one of each.  Be share to get them while they last.

Ivory Murano Glass Easter Egg	Emerald Murano Glass Easter Egg	Murano Glass Easter Egg

Beautiful Glass Art Creations to Protect Us at Home - Bottle Trees, Evil Eyes and Witch Balls

-article by melaniekaren

image credit - "Bottle Tree Light" by chelle

As I write about the history of tree worship and the introduction of a Tree of Life from the dawn of Mesopotamian civilization, I am inspired to stop and briefly talk about some of the beauty of how trees are decorated in different places and cultures.

The reason why trees are sometimes adorned with special items is for protection of the home and family within. Furthermore, coupled with the protection, is the result of some really nice decorated trees. If you love trees and glass art, you may very well like these three ideas.

We have bottle trees, evil-eye trees and witch balls. The witch balls are not hung on trees historically. However, I do hang some of mine outside on trees.  They look beautiful hanging from trees, and I am sure I am not alone in doing so.

What are Bottle Trees? 

Bottle trees are trees decorated with glass bottles, literally.  Bottles are either placed on the branches of existing trees, or the whole tree is made with a main support beam (trunk), branches and glass bottles placed on the ends of the branches.  When colored glass is used, both are quite beautiful to look at.

Bottle Tree Origin:

Colorful Tree Bottles - set of 6
Click photo to see on AMAZON

Bottle trees were first thought to appear in 9th century Africa, although, we now know that bottle trees originated much earlier and go as far back as Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, as early as 1600 B.C.E. when hollowed, colored glass was invented.  The use of the bottle trees in Africa and ancient civilization, however, is the same, and this is also where we see the first concept of a "genie in a bottle."

The "djinn," Arabic for "genie," and other spirits thought to be evil, could be captured in the bottles. The idea is that the evil spirits would become mesmerized by the beauty of the glass.  They would then slip inside and become trapped in the bottles.  Therefore, the bottles were simply traps.  Consequently, upon the morning light of the sun, the evil spirits were destroyed.  Therefore, the bottles kept the family protected.

Beauty of Bottle Trees:

Enjoy a couple more photos of bottle trees before we move onto evil-eye trees. :)

image credit - photo of a bottle tree by redagainPatti	image credit - "Blue Bottle Tree" by Ingrid Taylar This bottle tree includes other adornments: beaded wire-wrappings, other art glass pieces and wind chimes.  One can really get creative with bottle trees.

image credit - photo titled
"Grandidier's Baobab"
by  Bernard Gagnon

• Please note that the baobab tree is commonly referred to as The Bottle Tree too.  While we will be most definitely discussing the baobab tree soon since it is the African Savannah Tree of Life, it is obviously different that the bottle trees we are learning about here. 

• There are also two other bottle trees in Australia, both of which also have swollen, water-filled trunks. 

What are Evil-eye Trees?

Evil-eye trees are trees where the traditional blue, glass evil-eye hangs on a tree by up to the hundreds or even thousands. The overall use is similar to bottle trees and witch balls in that he decorated tree is meant to provide protection for the property, family and home.  The difference is that it is not meant as protection from an evil spirit or entity.

The evil-eye is meant to protect from "the evil eye of envy" of a person or persons. An envious eye is one that looks as if it would cause harm to get what another has and the owner of the envious eye wants. So, it is much more (worse than) jealousy.  (In fact, "envy" makes it to the top dead cardinal sins list where "jealousy" does not. There's a difference.*) You can think of an evil eye as being similar to a gargoyle.  A gargoyle also protects.  It's fighting against evil with evil.

Origin of the Evil Eye:

The origin of the evil eye centers around ancient classical Greece, Rome and the whole surrounding Mediterranean area.

Click pic to see on Amazon

Evil eyes continued to move into Europe, the Middle East and Asia.  It is also common to see evil eyes through Central and South America. We are finally seeing more and more evil eyes here in the United States, although, most protective pieces are that of those found in jewelry.

* The terms "envy" and "jealousy" are often used interchangeably as synonyms. However, they are not.  They are very different.  If someone is envious of something, he or she may want it so much so that he or she wishes harm to the person who has what is wanted.  Jealousy is wishing you had what someone else has, but it stops there.  No harm is wished upon the owner.

image credit - photo from pixabay

What are Witch Balls? 

image credit - photo titled Glass-blown Balls"
by Kayla Sawyer  

And now we come to one my personal favorites, hanging witch balls. Witch balls are hanging glass balls with glass filaments within.  They are meant to work as the bottles of bottle trees do.  That is, to capture evil entities. Evil spirits are attracted to the beauty of the orb.  Inside are long glass filaments.  The evil entity becomes absorbed into the orb and is then, therefore, trapped within the filaments.

Origin of Witch Balls:

Hanging glass witch balls originate in 18th century England.  It was common to see countryside homes with witch balls hanging in doorways and in windows. The idea most likely stems from the origins of the bottles of bottle trees.

I find it important to note that sometimes people think a "witch ball" is designed to keep a "witch" away.  This is untrue.  A witch is not thought of as an evil entity, quite the opposite.

The term "witch" in 18th century England simply meant "country dweller."  It was in the countryside where most still hung onto their earth-friendly, pagan roots. The word witch also has word origins connected to "wise-women."  That is, a witch was the healer of various cultures.

image credit - photo by Random Michelle titled "Witch Ball"

Similar Articles You May Like:

What is the Protective Evil Eye? What is the Evil Eye of Envy?
Josh Simpson Art Glass Planets - A Tribute to an Artist
Tree of Enchantment Hanging Glass Ball for Winter - Love it!

Tree of Enchantment Hanging Glass Ball for Winter - Love it!

-article by melaniekaren

I came across Tree of Life hanging orbs years back.  I love them. I have started to collect them, and I like to give them as gifts too.

image credit - photo by Bogdan Migulski of a decorated tree at Peddler's
Village.  I'v been to the village many times during the holiday season.  They
have the best holiday light display I have even seen.  The larger red "apple"
lights remind me of "witch balls."

I am Reminded of the Old World Witch Balls

These remind me of old 18th century witch balls.  Years ago, I was browsing around Peddler's Village in Lahaska, PA in Bucks County.  There was a shop that featured mostly gorgeous, hand-made pottery collections and other functional art pieces.  In a large front window were at least a dozen of similar hand-blown spheres all hanging in various sizes.  It was such a sight of beauty that I didn't forget them.  Oh, how I wished I could have this delight in my own home!  Each had a tag. They were called "witch balls." (Unfortunately, the shop has since closed :(  It was one of my most favorite shops ever.)

What are Witch Balls? 

image credit - "Witch Ball" by Laura Gillmore

Witch balls are glass colored orbs with threads of glass-work inside.  It is said that evil entities approaching a house would get sidetracked by the mesmerizing beauty of the hanging orb.  The entity would then get absorbed into the ball and then be forever trapped by the glass filaments within. If you've heard of a bottle tree, it is the same idea.  (If not, I'll be writing about those soon too :) )

image credit - photo by Ian Mackenzle titled "Witches Ball"

Here is a closeup photo of  the inside of a true witch ball.  You can clearly see the glass filaments.

An Important Note:

Sometimes I see witch balls with a description that states that the balls are meant to keep away witches.  This is not true and can be confusing for some.

Over time (and I'll simply leave it at that for now), witches have gained a bad rep. The term "witch" means "country dweller" in its truest definition.

Eighteenth century English country dwellers tended to be mostly the peasants of the time. These country folk held onto pagan beliefs, loved the earth and did no evil.

Now, Onto My New Favorite Witch Ball Find

click pic to see on AMAZON

This is the Kitras 10-Inch Tree of Enchantment, Winter colossal-sized witch ball.  It is beautiful!  I don't have mine yet, but it is coming.

I gave a large 10" size Kitras glass ball to my sister, titled "Sisters." (Yes, they make a variety of themed glass balls.)  It's huge, and I think the extra large size makes them even more beautiful for hanging outside.

But!  The biggest reason why I love this one so much is that it is for winter, a time when trees are sleeping.  I think the color choices of relaxing blues coupled with magical purple are perfect.  I can already picture how beautiful a backdrop of snow and gray naked trees will be for this winter orb.  -a true tree of enchantment!

I'll be hanging mine in the back under the arbor on the stone patio.  I'll be sharing a photo of two I'm sure.

If you like the idea of seasonal themed hanging glass balls, others are available.  Kitras Art Glass makes one for summer, spring and autumn.  So, be sure to browse around and take a look at them all if you like.  They are regularly listed on Amazon.  They also have other themed Tree of Enchantment orbs, Tree of Life orbs and even true witch balls.  Happy collecting and gazing. :)

You may also like my article about the Tree of Christmas Enchantment.