Visitors stared in wonder as the small, delicate creatures fluttered past them at the Butterfly Magic exhibit at the Tucson Botanical Gardens.
The exhibit draws people of all ages to a tropical greenhouse at the gardens that houses approximately 300 butterflies, including 40 species from Central and South America who live in a comfortable 85 degrees with 85 percent humidity.
If you'd like to experience some Butterfly Magic of your own, you should hurry - the exhibit's last day is Sunday. It'll reopen Oct. 10.
Students from the Sonoran Science Academy happily sketched the butterflies last Thursday while on an art field trip.
"I love how the butterflies look, how they fly. I love how each one is different," said Siena Moreno, 18, a senior at the academy.
Other visitors also enjoyed the unique experience of watching the butterflies in their natural habitat.
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"It's so cool here," laughed Priscilla Young, who is from Washington, D.C., and visiting her brother in Tucson.
"My brother has sent me so many photos that he has taken of the butterflies. I really wanted to see them for myself."
Curators and volunteers were available to answer questions and educate visitors about the insects.
"I hope that people will experience the beauty and calm of the exhibit," said exhibit curator Elizabeth Willott. "I hope people can carry that through their day."
If you go
• What: Butterfly Magic exhibit
• Where: Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way
• When: The exhibit runs October through April. The last day for this season is Sunday. It's open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Cost: $12 for adults; $6.50 for children 3 to 12; free for children under 3
• For more information: Call 326-9686 or go to www.tucsonbotanical.org
Contact photographer Jill Torrance at jtorrance@azstarnet.com or 954-3146.
