Banded Orange / Dryadula phaetusa

This beautiful Banded Orange butterfly decided to land and rest on a low step in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo, September 11th. What you can't see are the little hands of a young child longing to reach out to try and touch. Some parents are wonderfully thoughtful when they see someone with a camera and I appreciate every single time when they tell their child to wait a moment : ) It's also interesting to see which parents encourage their child to catch or pick up a butterfly - despite several signs saying to not touch - and which ones remind their child that there is no touching allowed. These gorgeous tropical butterflies must be just about over now till next summer, which is always sad. The tropical plants and butterflies have been amazing the last few months - the staff and volunteers have done a superb job and brought so much delight to so many people, me included.