Butterflies and Many Other Species

                                                 
On Sunday my mom came up for a short visit and we enjoyed a few different activities around NKY and Cincinnati. For lunch Claudio, my mom, and I went to Mammoth Cafe in Newport for some sandwiches. After, we drove to OTR to walk around and peruse a couple locally-owned shops. (We all now can be on the lookout for cute baby things for my upcoming niece!)

We then decided to drive past the Krohn Conservatory and see how busy it was. The International Butterfly show is now going on and I've been wanting to go see it. The park didn't seem too crazy so we parked the car and headed in. I had never been to the conservatory so it was exciting to finally see what all the talk was about. The butterfly show houses butterflies from across the globe in a room filled with flowers and fruit trees.

We entered in to buy our tickets and walked through a pathway of luscious trees and plants. We then entered a room with different types of bonsai trees. Bonsai trees amaze me because they are so small and remind me of some type of fairy tale, or as if a small Asian man may poke his head out of one of the roots at any moment. After taking a look at the various trees, we made our way into the butterfly room.

A guide gave us all small paper flowers that he said would attract the butterflies. We were instructed not to touch the butterflies or the plants. As we walked into the room, we didn't notice all the butterflies at first glance. The room was full of people of all ages, all trying to catch a butterfly on their paper flower. The walls were hidden with colorful flowers of all kinds and several fruit trees.

As we began to walk around the room we noticed all the many species of butterflies flying about, drinking nectar, and being bothered by small children.  We were amazed by the diversity of the butterflies, all with their distinct shapes, colors, and designs. I felt like a little kid again, wanting to catch a butterfly and look at its huge eyes staring up at me. I was just in awe and these creatures, how small, how large, and how beautiful they were.  It was also interesting to see the different lifespans of these insects. Some living for only a short couple weeks while others strive for a few months.

After spending quite some time in the butterfly room and getting quite hot and thirsty, we made our way out to be brushed off by another guide, insuring that we hadn't accidentally carried one off.  We then walked through the rest of the conservatory, admiring the many plants and trees within the room.  As I read different names of the species of plants, looked at the strange leaves and branches, I thought to myself how incredible our earth is and the One who created it. Talk about being smart! It still blows my mind that God could conjure up millions upon billions of creatures, plants, trees, and these tiny, beautiful insects and how they all work together.

I hope you go to the butterfly show soon and see what it's all about! Time is ticking.