Conservatory of Flowers: The Butterfly Zone
Fly on over to the Conservatory of Flowers this spring because the butterflies are back. The popular exhibit "The Butterfly Zone" returns to San Francisco's beloved greenhouse March 18–November 2, 2008 with double the number of butterflies and special new Night Safaris, starting in May, that let you search with flashlights for nocturnal moths.
The exhibit is a unique opportunity to walk amongst a wide variety of brightly colored blossoms while free-flying butterflies flit from flower to flower, drinking nectar and getting covered in pollen. Visitors can see a dazzling array of more than 25 species of colorful butterflies including Zebra Longwings, Julias, Swallowtails, and Monarchs. These goodwill ambassadors of the insect world provide a fascinating demonstration of plant pollination in action, and the exhibit offers handy explanations of the critical role pollinators play in the life cycle of plants.
The exhibit is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm and is included with admission to the Conservatory ($5 general; $3 youth 12–17, seniors and students with ID; $1.50 children 5-11; children 4 and under FREE. Night Safaris start at 8 pm on first and third Thursdays of the month May 1 to October 2, 2008 and are included with admission. On these evenings, the Conservatory will close at 9:30 pm. The public should call (415) 666-7001 or visit www.conservatoryofflowers.org for more information.
Photo credits: top, Ron Lewis; bottom, Nina Sazevich © The Conservatory of Flowers/Friends of Recreation and Parks.
