Butterflies

 Butterflies.  The word probably brings up images of colorful, beautiful, harmless insects.  What you may not know is that their colorful wings are made up of scales.  That’s right:  scales.  Scientists think that the scales allow butterflies to escape spider webs.  Butterflies and moths are the only insects that have scaly wings.  A butterfly must have their body temperature over 86 degrees Fahrenheit in order to fly.  They will sit in the sun in order to warm themselves up.  Once warm, butterflies have been known to fly up to 30mph.  Butterflies are found worldwide but if you’re interested in seeing exotic butterflies try looking up butterfly gardens at museums and zoos.  It’s a wonderful chance to be immersed in the warm, humid world of butterflies!  At least it is for most people…

This story is going to be told a little differently because I am going to tell it in 1^st person.  I am Erin Anderson, Curator of the Western Heritage Museum.  It is a well-known fact that I am not a fan of bugs.  I think they are fascinating and beautiful…until they chase me.  I’m a fan of taking pictures of nature but when bugs start attacking I give up.  I just can’t.  But I also can’t kill bugs.  If I find one and there’s someone else who might take care of it I will usually just stand there (so I won’t lose it) and ask for help.  Yep.  That’s me.  It really has become entertaining for people around me, especially when there’s a butterfly garden.  I will force myself to go into the butterfly garden, normally, because I love getting pictures of them but the moment they chase me I run out.  My sister-in-law would love for one to land on her but they chase me instead.  A museum we went to this Christmas had a butterfly garden and when I saw it I could not even make myself go in.  There were so many butterflies!!!  But when I do make myself go in, they are the most beautiful creatures.  The picture at the top of this story was taken at a butterfly garden at the Pacific Science Center.  The second picture in this story was taken a moment after the first…when I thought a butterfly had touched me.  I know it’s ridiculous!  I know they won’t hurt me!  I know this.  Trust me.  But, I own it completely and can laugh at it with my friends.  If you can’t laugh at yourself who can you laugh at?  Also, Paul came to set up the Bugs:  Outside the Box exhibit and he has said that it is not uncommon for people to be afraid of butterflies.  So there.