This little guy (or gal, I can’t tell), a Peleides Blue Morpho butterfly known as the “Emperor”, wasn’t easy to photograph. Neither were his or her friends buzzing around the Tropical Butterfly Garden at the Parque de las Ciencias (Science Park Museum) in Granada, Spain. The warm temperatures inside the rainforest-like enclosure, highly recommended to me by the staff, seemed to energize their mischievous instincts. In a coordinated series of maneuvers, they were able to get me to walk from one end of the room to the other, resting nanoseconds before my finger could pull the trigger. Dashing off with what appeared to be sadistic butterfly smiles on their faces.
I moved slowly, not wanting to disturb them, but just ended up looking strange enough after 20 minutes that staff came over to watch what I was up to. I made the most pathetic “snapping a picture gesture” and remained persistent. Outside the window I could see a large group of young school children on their way to the Tropical Butterfly Garden – so I waited with my Panasonic Lumix pointed at one plant. Hoping.
Just in time, this 15 centimeter Peleides Blue Morpho landed right in focus. Click.
Nice pic! How are you liking Granada? I was there a few summers ago and loved it.
I’m usually not bothered by insects (other than spiders) but for some reason when I was in the butterfly house at the Parque de las Ciencias I was a little creeped out by all of the butterflies. From far away they were pretty, but when I looked at them close up all I saw were those long legs, antennas and nectar-sucking snouts.
Thanks Lauren, I loved Granada – so much so that now many months later I’m still writing about it occasionally 🙂
I can definitely see your anxiety about the butterflies in a place like this, because they are so very active. Not graceful at all, more like grasshoppers jumping around everywhere!
I visited an enclosed butterfly rainforest in Gainesville, Florida. Although the butterflies were hard to photograph, I enjoyed the peaceful sensation of having them float around me. Next time I’m in Granada, I’ll have to check out the one at the Science Park Museum. Good photo, by the way.
It’s so far ended up being one of my favorite museums anywhere, I’d highly recommend it for this exhibit and many others. Plus, Granada is beautiful so hope you can plan a trip soon 🙂
Wow, that is beyond beautiful. Wildlife doesnt compare in terms of beauty!
Infinite diversity in infinite combination. What makes life on Earth so wonderful indeed.