On Thursday, June 18TH, we had an opportunity to explore the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum located in Lincoln Park. There are more than 75 species of exotic butterflies from all around the globe for visitors to enjoy and seeing this wonderful attraction made this afternoon special. We saw, we smelled, we felt and we touched it was an incredible experience that heightened all our senses.

Who knew this afternoon would be that wonderful ?

But before describing this nice afternoon, we have to confess that, on our way to the museum, we were both wondering "what is it going to be like"? Because we did think as most people do when you tell them about things that refer to nature, that it is not very interesting. We were sure that the place would only be crowded with lepidopterists and nature lovers. But we were totally wrong because actually, it was just crowded. 

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

And do you know what is very funny in all this? As we are writing down these words, we realize that we did feel - like lepidopterists!- for a while.

A fabulous moment with the docents

A few steps away from the Museum entrance, we were astonished by what we saw big yellow school buses parked across the street and lines of kids holding hands heading our way. They all looked like Green Peace supporters with their colorful T-shirts saying, “I love Nature”. We had to comment to each other “ they’re so cute!”.

As soon as we opened the doors, children’s laughter resounded in the museum’s lobby and then we witnessed a marvellous scene. There was a huge glass door leading to the main terrace outside, where happy families were having lunch at tables on the terrace on this sunny day with their kids playing, roaring, staring at the RiverWorks like a Captain would stare at the ocean from his boat, getting on and off the museum’s bridge, climbing on trees like little adventurers… discovering what was surrounding them: Nature.

The Museum's bridge

The museum was so alive with children all around! And we do not really know what happened for a minute, but, while staring at them, it was like they were transferring their energy to us and we felt uplifted and very good right away. Really surprising, isn’t it?

With both of us energized, we headed to the Juddy Istock Butterfly  Haven. We were really curious to find out what was in there. Well, we knew it was all about butterflies but we did not know that this place would feel like a piece of Heaven. We never expected this to be such a wonderful show.

The prettiest butterfly we have ever seen!

A wave of heat enveloped us as soon as we stepped into the haven making us feel like we were right in the middle of the Amazonian jungle! We thought we were hallucinating and blinked twice before we realized that a waterfall was built in the middle of the haven! And a real one!

Doesn't it look marvelous?

All of a sudden, we were both surrounded by butterflies of all sizes and of all colors that were gently flying among the trees and the flowers and whoa.. That was the mere word we could vocalize since this show just made our jaws drop.

The class

In the middle of the haven, a young docent was talking to a class, entertaining the kids who circled her and shared some interesting butterfly facts. It was so amazing to see how she gracefully manipulated some lepidopteron and captivated kids and grownups alike! But the best was yet to come. The young lady suddenly asked for silence and requested all kids’ attention for the grand finale: a butterfly release. Oh my, the show was so fabulous!

An amazing picture

With this wonderful scene behind us, we moved on to the Paradise Lost exhibit and we do encourage you to visit this section. Paradise lost is a thought-provoking environmental art exhibit featuring everything from paintings, quilts, puzzles and music to the exploration of the roots of climate change. We were literally shocked and upset by all the things displayed in this area because each piece of artwork reflects a unique perspective on the effects of global warming, encouraging everyone to take action to preserve the environment. This section was a harsh transition that reminded us of the reality we often tend to forget: our planet is in danger. And if you really want to know, we both feel ashamed and disgusting for causing so much harm to our Earth.

Any significant decrease in snow accumulation will put the hare population in jeopardy - and thus the Lynx population - forcing them north to snowier habitat

But our adventure was not finished yet. We finished this afternoon with Debby Benjamin Sutter, a charming, kind and funny Lincoln Park Conservatory docent who took us under her wing for a quick tour of the Conservatory and the Alfred Caldwell’s Lily Pool. It was an intense experience for us - as we both are visiting from France - and we never thought that Chicago as a city could offer so many wonderful treasures just there to  be discovered.

A tribute to an historic Chicago figure, Alfred Cadwell

The Lincoln Park Conservatory

We were immediately transported to another place and time through her amazing stories of Chicago’s history.  Still, it is hard to believe that we saw a real tropical palm and a cacao tree! A tropical paradise right in the heart of Chicago! This is so unbelievable! Our docent made this trip so interesting and she could answer any questions whether it concerned the History of the Conservatory or the structure and nature of the plants it houses.

Still astonished by what we saw, Debby took us to the Caldwell Lilly Pool, also known as Lincoln Park Lily Pool. We learned that the Lily Pool, formerly called the Rookery, had originally been built to cultivate tropical water lilies in 1889. Later, this area was rehabilitated and a plan for a wonderful pond crossed Caldwell’s mind when he was having dinner! Then he drew the architectural plans on a restaurant napkin! Can you believe that? (These were the plans adopted for the pool). It is incredible how the good things happen when we do not expect them.

The magnificent view of the Alfred Caldwell's lily pool

Listening to Debby’s historic comments, we walked down the Lincoln Park Lily Pool path and took time to immortalize the magnificent lily pool with our cameras. We noted the fountain where the water was flowing as bright as silver also. There is definitely something special about this park because of its past, its history... We think “enchanted” is the perfect word as Debby would say.

Well, it was with this enchanted view of the Alfred Caldwell’s Lily Pool that we parted company with Debby. Once again, we had a wonderful time in the windy city and we will add this afternoon to all the beautiful things we have seen so far and store them in our minds and hearts forever.

A treat for the eyes.

THE PEGGY NOTEBAERT NATURE MUSEUM

The Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences
2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60614
For more information, please call:  773 755 5100
Or visit the website: naturemuseum.org

If you want funny souvenirs, this store at the Peggy Notebaert Museum is where you must go

LINCOLN PARK CONSERVATORY

Chicago park district
2391 N. Stockton Drive, Chicago, IL 60614
General Information: 312 742 7736

Or visit our website: www.lincolnparkconservancy.org
For more information on citizen involvement around the globe, please visit:

www.350.org
www.usc.org
www.climateactionnetwork.org
www.pewtrusts.org

Photos: Nacera Kassi and Constance Delepaut

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