Posted December 14, 2024
If I ever feel the effects of “cabin fever”, I know I can make a short trip to Ft. Collins and get a needed blast of brilliant color. With a relatively inexpensive membership, I can visit the gardens and tour the Butterfly House any day they are open throughout the year.
A bright, sunny day is best. I time my visits to capture the colorful creatures fluttering around the atrium. On cloudy days, the butterflies cling to a leaf, usually with their wings folded.
About a dozen of the images in the gallery below were taken mid-December. Others were taken in October and a few were taken in May of 2023. While a few species of butterflies, like the Julia Longwings, seem to be present on any visit, it is not uncommon to find new species to photograph on additional visits.
Photo Notes: The photos above were taken with a Sony A1 camera and a Sony 90mm F2/8 Macro Lens. The lens allows me to move in very close to capture the details and textures. It’s warm and moist inside the Butterfly House, so on extremely cold days, I wrap my camera in a blanket or jacket when leaving the house. I leave them wrapped when carrying them to the building. This keeps the lenses and sensors from fogging over when entering in the tropical facility.
Resources & Links
Gardens on Spring Creek : Hours, directions, memberships and events
Butterflies ⏤ Up Close : 2023 visit to the Gardens on Spring Creek
Butterflies ⏤ Colorful Featherweight Flyers : 2022 visit to the Gardens on Spring Creek