A couple weeks ago, we posted a few photos from our visit to the Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville, FL. Here are a few more photos from the morning we spent there.

Here is a Monarch Butterfly perched on some purple flowers.

(c) 2008 Patty Hankins

This Emerald Swallow Tail posed nicely on a rock. The shades of green in this butterfly are incredible.

(c) 2008 Patty Hankins

This is a Common or Golden Bird Wing.

(c) 2008 Patty Hankins

This White Morpho butterfly is perched on an Angels Trumpet Plant.

(c) 2008 William Lawrence

And finally – one of the wonderful orchid plants in the Butterfly Rainforest.

(c) 2008 William Lawrence

The Butterfly Rainforest is a large greenhouse with hundreds of free-flying butterflies. At any time – there are between 55 and 65 different species of butterflies in the rainforest. Starting this year, the collection of butterflies includes African butterflies. The Butterfly Rainforest is part of the Florida Museum of Natural History.

The Butterfly Rainforest is open year round, except for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Hours are 10 AM – 5 PM Monday – Saturday, and 1 PM – 5 PM on Sundays. The Butterfly Rainforest welcomes photographers – but does prohibit commercial photography. You can not use a tripod in the Butterfly Rainforest. Admission is charged to enter the Butterfly Rainforest. Directions and other information about visitng the Butterfly Rainforest are on their website.

The Butterfly Rainforest is definitely worth a visit if you are in the Gainesville area. They are very photographer friendly – with lots of volunteers and staff available to answer questions you have about the butterflies.

Update – June 2 – Thank you to Ryan Fessendren and Morgan Lamborn at the Florida Museum of Natural History for identifying and letting me know which butterflies I photographed. I really appreciate the info they provided.