One-Tank Trip for Dec. 20/14
(c) By
Jim Fox
It's
going to be a white Christmas at Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory.
Thousands of rice paper butterflies are making it so for the 6th annual
Flight of White.
“This
truly unique holiday exhibit transforms the tropical butterfly conservatory
into a magical oasis featuring thousands of additional rice paper butterflies
that flutter like snowflakes throughout the conservatory,” said Doug Wilson,
board chair.
 |
| A
rice paper butterfly rests on a leaf at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory.
(Jim Fox photo)
|
With
a wingspan of up to 14 centimetres, this species of butterfly – a large white
relative of the monarch – is “impossible to miss as it floats through the air, moving
gently from flower to flower,” he added.
The
Flight of White experience also includes lush tropical poinsettia flowers, thousands
of sparking white lights and the soft strains of classical music playing in the
background.
“The rice paper is a favourite of our guests because among all of our
butterflies, they land on visitors most often,” said Adrienne Brewster, executive
director and curator.
As
visitors stroll through the exhibit, they encounter fascinating information
about the rice paper’s behaviour and biology, she added.
The butterfly conservatory is a “cheap trip to the tropics,” Wilson said
and the current exhibit is a “relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of
holiday activities.”
 |
| A visit to the butterfly conservatory is like a cheap trip to the tropics. (Barbara Fox photo) |
It’s a great spot to spend a few hours with some 2,000 free-flying
butterflies in an inviting enclave that’s warm and humid with cascading
waterfalls, flora and fauna.
This lush and tropical privately owned indoor conservatory has 75
species of plants along with birds, bugs and Cheecho – the fun-loving,
green-cheeked and cheeky conure parrot – native to South America.
There are waterfalls, streams, reflecting pools, tropical finches,
Chinese painted quail and red-eared slider turtles in the facility where the
temperature ranges from 24C to 28C with high humidity.
Visitors stroll along the pathways to discover various types of
butterflies that are hatched from shipments received from Costa Rica and the
Philippines. They are flying, resting on leaves and feasting on fruit and
nectar drinks.
 |
| Thousands of rice paper butterflies are featured. |
Humans
can also feast at the Paradise Garden Cafe offering a “fresh and healthy menu”
with daily features prepared from fresh and locally farmed ingredients.
There’s
also the Paradise Gift Store selling butterfly and bug collectables, framed
butterflies and insects, nature books, educational children’s toys and more.
Need to know
Flight
of White continues throughout the holidays and until Jan. 30 at the Cambridge
Butterfly Conservatory, 2500 Kossuth Rd., Cambridge (on the outskirts of
Kitchener).
It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Mondays, through March 1,
but open on Dec. 29 and Family Day, Feb. 16. It is also closed from Dec. 22 to 26
and on Jan. 1.
Admission is $11.50 adults; $10.25, seniors 65 and older, and youths, 13
to 17; $6, children three to 12; and free for infants to age two. There’s a
10-percent discount for buying tickets online. Parking is free.
Details: cambridgebutterfly.com;
(519) 653-1234, Ext. 100.
Happy holidays
The Waterloo Region Museum in Kitchener is holding “Happy Holiday Family
Fun Days” and “Country Christmas” events this season.
The fun days run from Dec. 27 to 31 and from Jan. 2 to 4 with activities for children
offered in the galleries. Hours are Mondays to Fridays,
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 |
| Country Christmas is being held at the Waterloo Region Museum. |
Along with the museum on site
is Doon Heritage Village, a picturesque living-history
place, showing visitors what life was like in Waterloo Region in 1914. It closes for the season on Dec. 23 and
reopens on May 1.
The Country Christmas is on
Sunday (Dec. 21), with the time village open from 11
a.m. to 4 p.m. and museum galleries from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is a chance to enjoy a Christmas in the country from the last turn
of the century.
Visitors can take a horse-drawn wagon ride, children can meet Father
Christmas, sing-along with Christmas carols and enjoy the sights and sounds of
a Christmas past.
The museum is at 10 Huron Rd., Kitchener. Admission costs $10, adults;
$8, seniors/students; $5, children; free for children to age four. waterlooregionmuseum.com; (519) 748-1914
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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