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After taking photos at the southern-most point, we walked onto Duvall Street and headed to the Key West Butterfly Conservatory.  We had such a good time there.  We headed in, watched a quick movie, and went right into the conservatory.  They had a good variety of butterflies.  While none of the photographs are particularly good, it was fun photographing them.  We also sat and just observed them.

They had a couple butterfly chairs.  While I was sitting on one, Rich was taking some pictures.  I am absolutely amazed that he managed to get a photo of me when a butterfly landed on my right shoulder.  I could not get that type of butterfly photographed in a fully opened position.  Yet he managed to get it not only with its wings open, but sitting on my shoulder!

After we finished in the conservatory, we headed into the gift shop and gallery.  While in the gallery, we perused the walls that were covered with gorgeous collections of butterflies housed within clear acrylic boxes several inches in depth.  Each piece has butterflies individually mounted on a narrow acrylic pedestal of a particular height to form a specific design.  They were all created by Key West artist Samuel J. Trophia.   After a bit of time, we purchased a square piece holding a circular design of many butterflies.  Also, each butterfly lives out its full adult life cycle.  Thus, nothing is done

The case is air tight.  However, there is a small hole on the side of the unit designed to be uncovered if the piece is transported in an airplane.  Removing the cover would then equalize the air pressure so that the piece would not break.  After we bought it, the nib was removed for transport, and the piece was covered and taped up within layers of bubble wrap.  The piece fit in a large shopping bag.  Since each person is allowed two carry on items, and Rich only had only one, I knew I could take it on.  It was almost funny when I was pulled over by airport security.   “You cannot bring bottles of liquid of any kind. What is in that plastic?  Is it liquid?  You cannot have large containers of liquid.”  It’s not liquid.  It’s butterflies.  Butterflies?  Yes, butterflies.  And there is was: A smile from the otherwise somewhat grumpy security person.

Rich enjoying the ocean breeze!

This entry was posted on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 11:54 pm and is filed under Misc. Personal, Photos - butterflies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.