FESTIVAL OF BUTTERFLIES!!!!!

Recently my husband and I visited a local attraction we had NEVER been to before---POWELL GARDENS, a 915 acre botanical garden located about 30 miles east of Kansas City, MO. 

They were having their annual  FESTIVAL OF THE BUTTERFLIES---I had heard it was a great event to see and knew my husband would enjoy it, too.  He likes the great outdoors and taking pictures and spending quality time with his wife.  

So he packed up his big old Nikon D 200 and I slipped my dainty little Nikon Coolpix (fully automatic everything!!) in my pocket and we were off to check out the butterflies! 

 

After a little discussion about where we should park, we strolled up the beautiful walkway to the building were we would find the butterflies.  We almost never agree where to park.  I think that comfort level of disagreement comes from being married a very long time. 




See the John Deere shirt in the lower left of the above photo?  That would be my husband, walking as fast as he could while I'm saying "Wait, wait!   I have to take a picture of the entrance to the exhibit."  He was on a dead run for some reason, so I quickly snapped the shot---I knew you would love to see the actual sign that showed you which way we had to turn to find the butterflies!  Left---we turned left!

My keen eye for good buys zeroed in on the "10% off in the gift shop" sign.  You just might be able to make out the word "NO" pouring out of his mouth. 

Sometimes he's no fun.  

We'll see.

They had butterfly plants/bushes (I'm not a gardener) for sale----I think they were about $7.00 and that sounded like a good price.  I didn't buy one----I was saving my money for the gift shop.

He was way ahead of me by now, but I just had to take a picture of this massive pot of massive plants.  You can tell by the bench just how MASSIVE this was.  They have lots of massive potted plants like this!  I am the one who can't keep geraniums alive---I was in awe!

I need to find out if they use Miracle Grow.

 

We made our way inside the conservatory where the butterflies were housed.

I read that as many as 500 butterflies could be seen in this area at one time.  While  four-hundred and ninety-nine other butterflies were doing their thing, this beautiful creature decided to take a rest on my left shoulder.  I was honored.

This amazing Blue Morpho took a liking to his shirt! 

Whoops.  Someone should have told him about that tab.

A view in the conservatory and a little butterfly perched on the lantana (I think) on the lower right.

I think the gift shop is somewhere in this building.

Look at this Blue Morpho----with its wings folded.  You can see the blue markings if you look closely.

Now the wings were open---just breathtakingly  beautiful.

A beautiful butterfly found a beautiful lady!


 

The butterflies loved her---I don't blame them.

This display of Blue Morphos developing in and emerging from their chrysalis was so interesting.

 

 

 

We were mixing with the butterflies for quite some time, then decided to see some of the outdoor areas of Powell Gardens.

The layout of Powell Gardens is huge and beautifully designed.  There are wonderful stone walls, lovely paths and walkways, and a gorgeous lake.  Everywhere you look is an endless array of plants and trees---perfectly maintained.

I tried to get a picture of one of the many walls and plantings, but it didn't do justice to the beauty.

 

Then I decided a photo filled with Black-eyed Susans (again, I think!) would be nice---I liked this photo as it was a pretty good one, even for my little camera.

There are lots of varieties of water lilies at Powell Gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 

While I swooned over the lilies, my husband was photographing a snake.   "Oh, my! Legs don't fail me now," I said and bolted from that spot.

I found Prickly Pears! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He found a WASP---on a Bird of Paradise.

I thought that was a great photo. 

I was proud of him for taking it, as he was recently stung by one of those fellows.  It got him on his right hand and it became very swollen and itched like crazy for several days.    He was brave to go for this shot! 
                                                                   

I took a picture of one of the gardens looking back at the conservatory area.  

I think I see the gift shop, too.

He took pictures of a monarch in its chrysalis.

 

And a monarch that had just emerged.

                                                                                    

Then he took a picture of a crazy lady posing as a monarch!

Followed by the crazy lady hugging a rather large bronze rabbit!  She loves rabbits--even bronze ones.

 

 

 

 

                                                                          

A chapel is on the grounds of the Powell Gardens.  Many a bride and groom have tied the knot in this place.

I'll bet the happy couple could pick up favors for their reception at the gift shop--like pencils or drinking cups or field guides.  That would be a perfect remembrance for the guests!

 

These girls were having a ball in this fountain with their umbrellas.

 

As we were leaving we passed this sculpture.  It was one of 54 on exhibit from Zimbabwe.  They tell stories of nature, man, family, myth and legend. 

 

We certainly enjoyed our afternoon at Powell Gardens.  It is a beautiful, educational and peaceful place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT loved the souvenir t-shirt I bought in the gift shop.  :-)

DANA

Comments

[Laura]

That was wonderful! I so want to visit the butterfly conservatory because I love bugs, spiders and butterflies. I am jealous now!
Laura

[Darlene]

You absolutely go to the most amazing places. That is SOOOO neat that the butterflies land all over you. My daughter would LOVE it. Anytime she sees a butterfly in the yard she says looks a butterfly, a butterfly...yes, Lexi we see the butterfly...lol

It looks absolutely beautiful there.....what a fun time.

[Melissa]

Dana,

That was fun. I felt like I was right there with you.

What a great bunny sculpture that was.

I had a sense of fright when I saw the picture of the snake. Yikes!

Hope you have a great afternoon.

Melissa

[Pat]

Powell Gardens and the buttefly exhibit look delightful, Dana! You and your husband took some wonderful photos. I love the woman with all the blue butterflies all over her. I see your husband relented and let you go shopping in the gift shop ;-) My husband immediately starts to yawn as soon as I walk into a gift shop as he knows he's going to be there for a long time ..lol! He also eats prickly pears! They are a treat in Southern Italian when they are ripe.

Hugs, Pat

[Cathy Santarsiero]

How lovely, Dana. I hope SR doesn't get jealous over you with the BR (bronze rabbit!) Don't show him that photo, whatever you do! ^..^ CS

[Brenda Kula]

Dana, if I'd been there, "I'd" have been the nosy broad poking your husband on the shoulder and pointing out that his label was showing on his shirt! That would be ME! That is lantana. On the top of my blog banner, you'll see a butterfly on a lantana in my yard. Wish I could have gotten to that butterfly bush. I bought one earlier this year that is small, but is a MAGNET! Had, once again, another cackle at a funny post. You and I would have found one another at some point, Dana. I'm sure of it! We are so alike in humor; hope that does not offend you! (You don't know me well yet...)
Brenda

[Wonders Never Cease]

What a great trip! Thanks for taking us along!
I've never seen a butterfly light on a person before! That must feel like a whisper. Such beautiful pictures, Dana! You're quite a photographer!
Becky

[Wonders Never Cease]

What a great trip! Thanks for taking us along!
I've never seen a butterfly light on a person before! That must feel like a whisper. Such beautiful pictures, Dana! You're quite a photographer!
Becky

[Jill]

Dana
I love Powell Gardens, I went there just last year. Have you been to Cockrell Mercantile? It is just down the road.

I am utterly terrified of snakes. My husband thinks this is hilarious since we are moving out to the country. I don't think it is funny at all!

I didn't know there was going to be a butterfly festival...I definitely would have bought that butterfly bush!

Mom's "craft" show is going to be in November at the Fair Grounds. Her booth is going to sell soap, candles and jewelry!

Where and when are your shows going to be?
~Jill

[Jill]

I love Powell Gardens. I missed the "Festival Of Butterflies."
I really like there gift shop!
It's been a few years since I've been there.
Thanks for sharing the beautuful pictures and the wonderful moments.

Jill xoo

[Tracie - My Petite Maison]

Hi Dana,
This looks like so much fun. The butterflies are beautiful. The picture with the lady with the blue butterfly is really cute, they really did love her. You sure found a gorgeous big bunny there, maybe it was Harvey?

I wouldn't have gone in the giftshop, it looks like your husband really meant NO - he kind of scared me even from here (just kidding!). Love the tee shirt with The Stone Rabbit - did you get 10% off?
xo~Tracie

[Diane@A Picture is worth....]

You do have some wonderful photos Dana. Thanks for sharing! It was a fun virtual field trip.
diane

[Nancy @ My Crafty Little Page]

I never thought I'd make an effort to go to a butterfly exhibit. I'll definitely rethink that now. Looks really interesting. Of course Austin/Keepin' It Weird, Texas has Bat exhibits and attractions. You know the blood sucking kind - not the game kind! ;O) Nancy

[Jean]

Dana,
The Blue Morpho looks like a beautiful blue hat on that ladies head! Also love that picture of your husband saying NOOOOOOOO! LOL! :-)

I have an award for you on my post - - -

~Jean

[Kim V]

Hi Dana! Thanks so much for your well wishes!!! I'm doing much better today! Thank you, also, for taking us along to see the butterflies and other creepy crawlies! I knew you'd find your way to the gift shop! I have an award for you over on my blog! So hop on over!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kim

[Kat]

Wow Dana! What a wonderful day. I loved seeing all the photos. I've never been to a butterfly exhibit, but now I sure want to go.

I have an award for you!

Happy Friday!

Hugs!
Kat

[Brenda]

What fun you had I just love butterflies.The blue ones are my favorite.
Best Wishes
Brenda:)

[Margie]

What a wonderful place! I can't believe those butterflies just land on people like that! The blue ones were just breathtakingly gorgeous!