Butterflies and Botanicals

We humans tend to hate insects, the large class of animals that includes flies, mosquitoes, fleas, cockroaches, Japanese Beetles, and wasps.  Of course, of the million plus species of insects, there are a few that we appreciate and like: lady bird beetles, maybe bees and dragonflies, "fireflies," and butterflies - especially butterflies.  Yesterday, we spent a couple of hours at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens walking through the butterfly exhibit and some of the beautiful plant exhibitions.  I am going to let the photos speak for themselves on a gorgeous early fall day.

This one looks like it has a huge, beautiful eye.  It probably scares potential predators in the wild.

 Butterflies are beautiful, aren't they?

 And sometimes friendly, too!

 This one has such vivid colors.

 This "cottage" looks like a place I could be happy in!

 What a pretty orchid.

 The gardens have lovely landscapes.

 And a beautiful conservatory (where the butterflies and orchids are on display):

 There are boggy areas with cool pitcher plants.

 Aren't we humans fortunate to be blessed with color vision?