Check It Out

Blooming Butterflies Now Open

July 17th, 2009 Tana

Preschool and elementary aged children participating in the Summer Library Program can now use one of their second prizes: a Blooming Butterflies pass!  Free passes to the popular annual exhibit were generously donated by Olbrich Botanical Gardens.  The exhibit runs July 15 - August 9 and is open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily.  For more information, visit the exhibit web site.  Curious readers can also check out the Butterfly Fact Sheet, explore behind the scenes at the exhibit or read more in these books:

Gotta Go! Gotta Go! by Sam Swopes (ages 3-6)
Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert (ages 2-6)
Nic Bishop Butterflies and Moths by Nic Bishop (ages 4-8)
[see more butterfly books for kids]

More than a dozen species of butterflies, native to both Wisconsin and the more tropical areas of the southern United States can be seen at various times during the exhibit. After spotting bright butterflies inside the Bolz Conservatory, children can follow butterfly stencils on the paths through the outdoor gardens on a quest to fill their Butterfly Passports with stamps. Find the stamping stations, read a few fun facts, then answer a few simple questions. Fill up the passport and earn one free junior cone from Michael’s Frozen Custard, valid at the 3826 Atwood Ave. location.

Visitors to the exhibit can be amazed by hundreds of exotic butterflies in local collector Dan Capps’ fascinating collection. Part of Capps’ collection will be on display in the Olbrich Botanical Gardens lobby for the length of the exhibit. Capps has traveled the world to build one of the most impressive displays of exotic insects in North America. His collection now totals more than 7,000 insects ranging from butterflies to beetles to bees, and includes specimens from every continent.  Meet Dan Capps in person on the following days: July 21st 2:30 p.m., July 28th 2:30 p.m., August 4th 2:30 p.m.

Photograph courtesy of Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

Entry Filed under: Ashman Branch, Central Library, City Connection, Events, Hawthorne Branch, Kids & Families, Lakeview Branch, Meadowridge Branch, Monroe Street Branch, Pinney Branch, Sequoya Updates, South Madison Branch