Lessons & Reflections from the National Butterfly Center

Oh, how quickly we fall.
Fall in love.
Fall for lines.
Fall from grace.
FALL OFF BUCKETS.

A year ago, I barely gave a second thought to butterflies; never mind, ‘larval hosts’, native plants or nectar. But today, I am a changed woman. My eyes dance as I glance out the window. I cannot maintain eye contact with visitors in the gardens. I walk away from conversations mid-sentence, to follow something that flutters by. I caught the bug, says Max.

I have become one of you.

I am fascinated and excited by butterflies! It’s a thrill to see them, and I’ve started a list. I carry a camera or my phone everywhere I go, just in case…. My family thinks it’s comical, especially since I have no idea what I am chasing; but I know someone will tell me what I’ve seen, if I get a good picture of it!

I’ve got it bad. So bad, there is now a field guide in the bathroom. And I am standing on buckets, overturned, to get my first shot at a Pixie. Louie spotted me, to prevent me from falling, while Robin took photos of ME!

“Busted!” she shouted. “You are SSSOOOO busted! Leave the butterflies alone. Get out of that tree. Don’t break your own rules,” she chided.

She’s right. I’ve fallen for butterflies and I’ve fallen hard. I’m doing all the silly, reckless things people do when smitten. I have become irresponsible, sticking my feet (in flipflops, no less) where I cannot see them; forgetting sunblock; daydreaming I am away from my desk; slowly walking the ravine, wistfully awaiting the return of the Malachites.

As for breaking the rules and my ‘reckless’ pursuit: No harm, no foul, right? The “park police” were there to issue a warning and ensure no butterflies were harmed or disturbed, in the making of this picture. I hope they are amused by my conversion to their ranks, and expect their funny, photographic evidence of my misdeed will be used against me, in the future. :)

As for my zeal: I am not flying blind and I didn’t fall off the bucket, thanks to Louie, who shares my fervor. (He’s love struck, as I am, and just as giddy about the butterflies, birds and bugs we get to see!)

As I celebrate my one-year anniversary at the NBC, all I can think is, “How lucky are we?!”