Saturday Critters #642

 During our little getaway to the Hershey, Pa. area we visited...

The Hershey Gardens and The Butterfly Atrium.

The gardens were just beginning to come alive with colorful trees and daffodils.

 The Butterfly Atrium was filled with hundreds of exotic butterflies from around the world.

There were fascinating varieties from South and Central America, Africa,

Asia and North America.

I did not see any butterflies that were familiar to me.

Daddafodils lined the path to the Atrium.

I really enjoyed the look of this handmade bench.

When entering the Butterfly house - looking up - you will see these brightly, colorful glass butterflies.

- Papilio - 

in the Swallowtail Butterfly Family

- Zebra Longwing -

- Mechanitis Polymnia -

- Julia Butterfly -

- Caligo Eurilochus -

- Heliconius Hecale Butterfly -

- Heliconius Atthis Butterfly -

- Hypolimnas Bolina -

google says it is an insect

- Julia Butterfly -

- Eueides Isabella Butterfly -

- Heliconius Hecale -

The climate is tropical inside, very warm.

On this day, it seemed like there were a lot more butterflies in flight then during previous visits.

Also, it was difficult to find butterflies with brilliant colors like I have seen in the past.

It was a wonderful experience, the attendants inside the exhibit are very friendly and knowledgeable.

I loved the gift shop and did not photograph it.

This is what I picked up..

3 "seed cards" that after you receive one, it can be planted in the ground or a pot and flowers will grow.

I bought seeds for my garden and an identification guide for butterflies.

These are the "seed cards" I have been looking for nice ones and these are perfect.

They are blank inside, so you could use them for any occasion. 
This is one half of the pictures I took, 

I will share the rest soon!

Sharing today images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturdays Critters

The Sweetest Place On Earth...

 We got away for a few days...to the "Sweet Place On Earth" Hershey, Pennsylvania.

On the itinerary, Zoo America, The Butterfly Atrium, Chocolate World and

American Transportation Museum

We stayed at The Hotel Hershey,

our room was elegant.

There were flowers everywhere, bright and colorful.

Lilies

Gladiolus

Candle Larkspur

Ranunculus

African Daisy

Here we are...right outside the Butterfly House.

Weather Whiplash

 Yesterday, the temperature outside was 82 degrees...in the house it rose to 89 degrees upstairs. 

We had no choice but to put on the air conditioner.

Today it is 45 degrees and we have the heat on...that's called weather whiplash!

I have bins and bins of Easter decorations.

When the boys were little, I decorated everything with bunnies, chicks and eggs.

This Spring, I did just a little, much of the Easter items I love are still in their bins.

- on the front door -

- mr. and mrs. just inside the front door -

- the next 7 pictures are of the easter display on top of my television cabinet -

- these next pictures were taken outside at my front door -

- these daffodils are planted around my special birdhouse post - 

Of course I brought some in from the garden, so I can enjoy them in the house.

The Herbary...Bear Creek Farm

I have been wanting to come back here for some time now, it has been too long since I last visited.

It has been on my "go to" list most of the winter.

We visited on Saturday the 28th and was surprised to learn it was opening day for spring,

I did not realize they were closed during the winter.

It makes sense for the Garden Center, Nursery and Greenhouse but it is a shame that the 

Gift Barn and Cafe' are not open during winter.

After I show you the family owned farm and one of a kind Gift Barn you will feel the same way.

They have a 

- Garden Center - Nursery - Greenhouse - Farm Fresh Eggs - Honey - 

- Organic Herbs and Veggies - House Plants - Succulents - Annuals - Perennials -

and of course the Gift Barn and Cafe'.

If you are ever in the area, they are located in the Historic Squakum section of Howell, New Jersey