The Butterfly Jungle

Yesterday a butterfly
Came floating gently through the sky.
He soared up through the atmosphere
Then drifted close enough to hear.

I said, “I’d love to fly with you
And sail around the way you do.
It looks like it would be such fun
To fly up toward the summer sun.

But I have not your graceful charm.
I haven’t wings, just these two arms.
I’ve been designed to walk around.
My human feet must touch the ground.

Then magically he spoke to me
and told me what his wish would be.

He said, “What I’d love most to do
Is walk upon God’s Earth with you,
To squish it’s mud between my toes
Or touch my finger to my nose.

I’d love just once to walk around
With human feet to touch the ground,
But I have not two legs that swing,
I haven’t arms, just these two wings.”

And so we went our separate ways
In wonder and surprise.
For we’d both seen God’s precious gifts
Through someone else’s eyes.

 

{Poem is by Anonymous and here is the source.}

I was delighted to be invited to the Butterfly Jungle at the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park this past week. This special exhibit runs through April 15 and transforms the aviary of Hidden Jungle into a ephemeral world of butterflies – over 30 species in all.

Children were able to stand motionless while butterflies came to rest on their shoulders and fingers.

They are also given identification cards to help them identify each of the butterfly species within the jungle.

Some of the species hail from Asia, Africa and Central and South America. In Central America, the farmers who help harvest the butterflies are able to keep their land in a most pristine state – which is a win ecologically. Each week, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s horticulture staff replaces 200 to 300 plants to ensure that there is plenty of nectar for the butterflies to enjoy.

The experience of having a close-up encounter with this many butterflies is truly awe-inspiring. Admission to the Butterfly Jungle is included with your admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. If you do one family activity while in San Diego this spring, make it this one. It is truly special.

disclosure: I was provided with free admission to the San Diego Wild Animal Park to experience the Butterfly Jungle with my children. All opinions expressed here are my own.

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