At this point in summer, you’re probably looking for a relaxed outing that will still entertain the kids. Fortunately, the new Wings of Wonder butterfly exhibit at Roer’s Zoofari in Reston fits the bill. The exhibit is essentially a giant butterfly garden, with hundreds of butterflies representing dozens of exotic species freely flying about.
The exhibit has been a major draw for the zoo since it opened earlier this summer. Admission is $7 in addition to zoo admission, and the zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. To help you prepare before you go, see if you can spot some of these butterfly that’ll be fluttering about.
The Blue Morpho is the largest critter on display in the exhibit. When it unfolds its wings, it transforms into a stunning blue wonder.
The Gray Cracker’s complex patterning helps it naturally camouflage itself against rocks.
Crackers are named for the surprising “cracking” noise males make when their territory is threatened. But the Starry Night Cracker above is probably too pretty to scare anybody.
The Julia Heliconian’s bright orange wings are easy to recognize–and it wants it that way. Birds dislike the taste of this particular butterfly, and its orange wings act as a reminder.
Watch where you’re walking! The Blue Frosted Banner loves minerals in the earth, so much that you’ll often find them fluttering by your feet.
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