Butterfly Gardens
by Darci Friesen
How does a relaxing day in the tropics sound… on your next vacation to Victoria? In the heart of the Brentwood Bay area of Greater Victoria you can find a little piece of paradise.
Wander down a manicured path nestled among the fauna of a tropical rainforest, where you can almost feel the vibrancy of life emanating from the colourful flowers that seem to guide your way. Find a spot to rest at the shore of a pond and note the ripples that hint at the life coursing just below the surface. Turtles glide through the water and bask in cool shallows as a group of Koi nibble at their toes. You watch the fish dart away, racing to the safety of a shore-ward plant-bed, as a large fifty-pound Sulcata tortoise lumbers and splashes into the water, disturbing and displacing all in its wake.
You sigh and lean back.
Close your eyes and listen to the chatter of unseen birds, their songs combine in an exalting melody. The fresh, green scent of plants and blooming flowers hangs in the humid air and fills your senses. Your skin tingles in the moist climate, every pore seems to soak in the life that this place exhales. You turn, startled, as a flamingo calls nearby. The forest is shocked into silence for a brief moment. Then, up from the trees comes what seems a solid, fluttering mass of wings and colours, spiralling up past the tree tops, into the air. Butterflies - hundreds of them – erupt en mass, twisting and turning into the sky! So many species, so many colours! Their wings and bodies constantly change and move - like rainbows of colour in a childs’ kaleidoscope: Nature at her greatest!
Nearby, a Red-Eyed tree frog hops onto a branch; beyond him, a ripe papaya fruit drops to the ground. Soon the light begins to dim and evening sets in. In the distance you hear the gentle pounding of drums as soft Caribbean music starts to play. A cool drink is offered and you stand to accept it.
Gazing through the darkness into the trees and lush plants, illuminated only by twinkling lights shimmering in the dusky evening, you find yourself taken in by the sheer beauty. From tortoises and tree frogs, to flamingos and ferns; fruit trees and flowers to chameleons and canaries, there is something to interest everyone.
“You really are immersed in the tropics here,” Butterfly Gardens’ Operations Manager Ronalea, describes, “Everyone who visits finds the experience to be much more than they had ever expected.”
With over 50 different species of tropical butterflies flying free, they house a variety of different species native to Costa Rica, the Philippines, and South East Asia. From tortoises and tree frogs, to flamingos and ferns; fruit trees and flowers, to chameleons and canaries, they have a little something to interest everyone.
Ronalea explains that this 12,000 square foot man-made building “...is essentially a giant greenhouse. The controlled climate within allows all inhabitants to live together harmoniously!”
“I think one the most intriguing creatures living here would have to be the Atlas Moth. This happens to be the worlds’ largest moth, with one of the most interesting stories. The Atlas Moth lives as a caterpillar for 6-8 weeks, spins a cocoon (moths form cocoons, butterflies form chrysalides) and stays inside it anywhere from 3-5 years! Once it emerges, it lives only 3-5 days before dying. On the tip of each large wing is the image of a cobra, which is used as protection against predators because it sleeps during the day with its wings open. If it looks like a snake it is less likely to get eaten by a bird - its natural enemy in South East Asia.
“One of the other favourites here would definitely be Spike, a Puna Ibis bird from Peru” Ronalea explains. “ With a long skinny beak, shaped almost like chopsticks, she likes to nibble on visitors shoe laces and sit on their feet! She’s always a hit!”
Butterfly Gardens has guided tours every day, 7 days a week at 11am, 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm, with evening ‘illumination’ tours available after 5pm.
“During our evening tours, guests are actually able to watch the butterflies bed down for the night. Atop the canopy, the butterflies hang upside down…it really is an extraordinary experience.”
The Gardens have wheelchair, stroller and electric scooter access so everyone is able to visit. A stroller and a wheelchair are available at the front desk for guest use. A large parking lot provides room for RVs and buses. Day passes are $10 for seniors and students, $15 for adults, $5 for kids 5-12; children under five years old are admitted for free with an adult.
Butterfly Gardens is located at the intersection of West Saanich and Keating Crossroad, in the Brentwood Bay area of Greater Victoria- just 5 minutes from Butchart Gardens.
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