ah yes...the REAL royalty
The Lenster and I went to a local florist shop today that was featuring a non-profit, enclosed live Butterfly exhibit.
Located in Brick, NJ (on Mantoloking Road)
a special enclosure was set up for the, approximately 100 Monarch butterflies to fly happily around their surroundings and - if you were lucky - land on you!
The Butterfly Charities charges a small admittance fee and donates all the profits to local charities. One week it may be Breast Cancer, another week Camp Quality, a summer camp for kids with cancer, next to help the Homeless, the Starving, our troops overseas and our Veterans right here. They try to help them all!
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I brought not one but TWO cameras with me...had to have my best macro lens...
AND a good telephoto for those blurred out background shots
I learned that the butterfly that has the 2 black dots on their wings is the male ( see below) and he is usually brighter in color than the female, who is a little paler.
these were females (see, no dots)
the habitat had beautiful surroundings
and, of course we also saw some of the metamorphosis
from the egg... (see the teeny white dot)
to caterpillar (larva)
to chrysalis (pupa)
we had a totally wonderful time !
I've been to several butterfly habitats and they are always joyful.
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I promised a few more shots of the house....(if you've followed the last 2 blog posts).
The living room part of the house has a wall with things I love.
I found this super interesting piece on a teaching trip several years ago...hanging right above the couch....it features old cabinet cards. Mounted on wood. Pencil lettering. It's very cool ! I schlepped it home !!
The piece hanging above it is something I made
I bought the game board in a Home Goods a few years ago and took this beautiful card my friends Wendy & Judy gave me and mounted it
then, I made this complimentary figure from UTEE and ribbons to go on the other side
to the right hang other artists work...friends whose work I adore...Pam Huntington
Michael deMeng
can't recall artists name but I loved the simplicity of using a piece of wood to make a clock
another deMeng masterpiece !
and a wonderful piece from Lisa Pace
the mirror is covered in paper and lettered and to the lower right are assorted size antique rulers.
I'm having a little love affair with air plants these days
and South African woven telephone wire (which I also schlepped home on one of my many trips to SA)
I think I mentioned I like 'floor art' too. Everything doesn't have to hang. A childs chair...and old bird cage...a (yes !!!) piggy bank...I am a loon, aren't I ??!!??
and this door was a Pier One reject...sightly warped I got it for a great price...would YOU resist?? Had the perfect wall for it !
lt's end todays tour with this closeup. The items come from all over the world.
Lastly....
I need to get myself back into the bead studio and make some new items...but, in the meantime...don't abandon me you guys....
Wow the butterfly is looking simply adorable in the beginning and I also like the jewelry at the end too as the colours there are simply very elegant and stylish...Love to be here!!
Posted by: Choosing an essay topic | December 31, 2012 at 05:38 PM
Love all your posts and can't wait to see what great places you have been too and what you are schlepping and shipping home. Love the home too!
Posted by: susan kopp | July 22, 2012 at 11:58 PM
Such beautiful butterflies, stunning photos. You have a lovely home Suze stunning! More please!
Posted by: Kathy Gledsdale | July 22, 2012 at 08:11 AM
Lovely (LOVELY) butterfly pix and am really loving your home tour - you make a great tour guide!
Happy Sunday
KAthyk
Posted by: Kathyk | July 22, 2012 at 03:59 AM
Absolutely love your butterfly photos, I wish I had a good macro lens.... Your home continues to amaze me. Thank you and have a wonderful day today, whatever adventures you go on!
Posted by: Helen Lindfield | July 22, 2012 at 03:50 AM
The butterflies are wonderful. You should coordinate a visit with the Wax Women during the Butterfly Festival in Pacific Grove.
Your house is wonderful and you have incredible taste. Love it all.
Posted by: Nancy Bales | July 22, 2012 at 01:33 AM