Cockrell Butterfly Center Pictures ~ Butterflies Galore in Houston, Texas
80Houston, Texas is generally a mild climate where one can see various butterflies year round especially if one has planted vegetation that attracts them. But where does one go to see exotic butterflies galore from all around the world in one place? The Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Museum of Natural History in Hermann Park.
We have taken many family members and friends to that attraction if they were visiting us here in Houston.
No matter what the weather is doing outside, inside the Cockrell Butterfly Center it is always the same.
Think tropical rainforest and you have the idea.
Cockrell Butterfly Center pictures in Houston, TX
Butterfly in the Cockrell Butterfly Center
The address of the Museum of Natural Science which includes the Cockrell Butterfly Center is the following: 1 Hermann Circle Drive, Houston, Texas 77030.
Telephone number: 713-639-4629
The Museum is located at the northern edge of Hermann Park where one can find other forms of leisure entertainment including the Houston Zoo; golf; the Japanese Garden; Miller Outdoor Theatre; a Rose and Herb Garden and more.
- Houston Museum of Natural Science - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Part of this institution contains the Cockrell Butterfly Center
Butterfly in the Cockrell Butterfly Center
Cockrell Butterfly Center
The Cockrell Butterfly Center was a wonderful addition to the existing Houston Museum of Natural Science and opened its doors for the first time in 1994.
It consists of a three story glass enclosure seventy feet in height and provides a walk through exhibit where people can commune with free flying butterflies from all around the world.
Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston, TX
My mother in the Cockrell Butterfly Center
When one walks through the humid environment kept around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and if one wears colorful clothing, do not be surprised if a butterfly suddenly decides to alight upon one.
Sometimes other people are the first to notice.
After all, a butterfly's slight weight would hardly alert one as to its presence if not in one's immediate view.
Children and adults alike always seem thrilled to see these colorful winged insects sit for a spell upon one's shoulders, arms, hands, hair and other body parts
Seldom does it last long, but many a smile has occurred and if lucky and fast with taking photos, these butterfly landings can sometimes be captured for long time visual remembrances of a visit here.
Pretty Butterfly inside of the Cockrell Butterfly Center
Cockrell Butterfly Center
- Butterfly Gardening - Plants to Attract Butterflies, Hummingbirds, and Wildlife
Attract wildlife to your gardening - butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects.
The butterflies, once hatched from their chrysalis state fly freely throughout the large space.
Feeding stations are placed just off the pathways where tourists can easily see the bright winged beauties taking in sustenance from proffered bits of fruit or sponges soaked with nutrients anchored to the ground or even tied and suspended from plant-life within the dome.
Speaking of plants, indigenous as well as exotic plants that attract butterflies are incorporated into this unique environment so one is likely to see many beautiful blooming varieties of flowering species which also adds to the enjoyment of visiting the Cockrell Butterfly Center.
If one is inspired to attract butterflies to one's personal garden, this is one place where one can easily see what works with regard to that goal.
Butterflies
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Cockrell Butterfly Center
- The Monarch Butterfly
Poetry from a fellow hubber with great photos
Butterfly
Cockrell Butterfly Center
If one would aspire to see each type of butterfly found in the Cockrell Butterfly Center in the butterfly's natural habitat, one would have to travel the world.
Each week about one thousand butterflies are imported from countries around the world in their chrysalis or pupae stage.
There is a good link to the right which explains each of the stages of a butterfly's metamorphosis.
Suffice it to say that there are four stages in the development of a butterfly.
Eggs...many are laid upon leaves and plants that eventually provide nourishment to the next stage which is the...
Larva...aka, caterpillars...and they DO eat! They can literally strip a plant of leaves (as they have done to some tomato plants in our personal garden in a small amount of time.) But that is their job which provides much needed nourishment to the next stage which is...
Pupa...aka chrysalis stage which is the cocoon in which over time the fully developed
Adult...butterfly emerges.
Butterfly
Butterfly
Life cycle of a butterfly
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Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston's Museum of Natural Science
Butterfly
The photo above shows the glass enclosed case where the pupae (cocoons) reside until the adult butterfly emerges.
Once a butterfly emerges it takes a while to "harden" its wings and eventually use them for flying. There are exits from this case whereby the adult butterflies gain access to the three story enclosed tropical space which will be their home for the rest of their life cycle.
The museum maintains about 2,000 butterflies in various stages of development at all times.
This is to ensure a steady supply of beauteous winged insects colorfully punctuating the rain forest atmosphere at any and all times that people may desire to visit this space.
Cockrell Butterfly Center
Cockrell Butterfly Center
In addition to a waterfall, people will find an abundance of vegetation consisting of tropical trees, shrubs and flowering plants inside the Cockrell Butterfly Center.
These include some of the following...palms, orchids, ferns, bromeliads, ginger and too many others to enumerate in this hub.
Some of the butterfly photos that I took for this hub showcase some of the flowering plants in addition to the colorful flying insects.
Be sure and dress appropriately for this warm and humid environment and plan to admire the plantings as well as the fluttering of butterfly wings that exhibit a myriad of coloration and designs that would please the most experimental of artists.
Some of the butterflies have wings that are almost transparent.
Benches are worked in to the landscape so that in addition to moving through the domed center, one can quietly sit and rest and watch the action which is changing from moment to moment.
This is an exhibit where it pays to slow down and take one's time for the full enjoyment of what is on display.
HOURS AND PRICES
Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM
Sundays, 11 AM to 5 PM
Ticket prices are $8 for adults; $6 for children aged 6 - 11 and the same for seniors aged 62 and above; $4 for members of the museum; $4.50 for groups of 20 people or more, and finally only $2.50 per person is charged for groups of school children touring the Cockrell Butterfly Center.
Inside view of the Cockrell Butterfly Center
Butterflies and Moths
Cockrell butterfly enclosure in Houston
Exiting the live butterfly area, one passes through a space with mirrors to make sure that one of these winged insects is not trying to hitch a ride to the outside.
One is then introduced to an exhibit of some of the most dazzling colors of mounted beetles from around the world as well as some other insects...some of which are alive. The iridescence of those polychromatic beetles is absolutely amazing.
Learning about the insect world and how we humans benefit from their existence is a side benefit from going to enjoy the butterfly center.
Obviously there is much more to the Museum of Natural Science building than just the Cockrell Butterfly Center. If one has more time to spend exploring the four floors of different areas including everything from dinosaurs to gems; or want to take in a Planetarium show or an IMAX show...it is all there to fulfill and amuse one. Some of the world class traveling exhibits that pass through those doors are stellar!
Hope that you enjoyed this look at the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Museum of Natural History in Houston, Texas. You will surely see butterflies galore!
Cockrell Butterfly Center
Have you visited the Cockrell Butterfly Center?
See results without votingBeautiful from a fellow hubber...
- Butterflies - Up Close and Beautiful
Photos of exotic species of butterfly.
Location of the Cockrell Butterfly Center
Museum of Natural Science, Houston, Texas - Plants that attract butterflies
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More hubs of subjects in and around the Houston area by Peggy W...
- Fabulous Landscape Paintings in Houston's MFA ~ Van Gogh and Other Masterpieces
- The Beer Can House, a Houston Art Treasure in Texas
- Phenomenal Cullen Sculpture Garden in Houston, Texas
- WWII History Museum Exhibits at the West Houston Airport in Texas plus accompanying YouTube Videos
- Texas - The wild and wacky Art Car Museum in Houston
From hub...The very versatile ginger plant gracing our backyard
From hub...Hermann Park in Houston, Texas ~ Something for Everyone
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CommentsLoading...
Peggy,
So glad to be led here from Lesley's butterfly hub. I have been so behind in my reading and have wanted to visit.
This is a fabulous piece with your usual exquisite photography. I especially loved seeing your dear Mom look so happy in that beautiful shot.
Professional and lovely-- voted UP & UABI. Hugs, Maria
Hi oceansnsunsets,
I enjoyed your butterfly hub as well. It is wonderful when places like the Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston allow one to see butterflies that one would not normally see from other places in the world. These places are very educational as well as beautiful. Appreciate your comment and votes.
Hi Peggy, I love this hub! I hope to visit the Cockrell Butterfly Center one day, as it is just amazing. I loved all your photos here. I think these places are simply magical. I am so glad you shared the name of this hub in my one butterfly hub, so that I could come and know to look for it. So glad I did. Voted up and all but funny. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful place with us. :)
Hi WD Curry 111,
Glad to know that you liked the photos of the butterflies. The Cockrell Butterfly Center is quite an attraction in Houston. Thanks for your comment.
Those are some tight shots! Texas is a world of it's own. Houston is a happening place. I have been thinking about it recently. I have relatives on the coast. Your overall presentation was outstanding. I like the way the ads flowed seamlessly. That is part of the art.
Hi Betty,
Yes, the scenery is beautiful as you mentioned at the Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston. One views butterflies landing on people all the time while there as well as flying and perching on other objects within the domed building in that most tropical of atmospheres. Thanks for the visit and comment.
I enjoyed your article. I went to the butterfly center a long time ago. It was exciting to see butterflies landing on my friend! I had forgotten about the great scenery.
Hello Teresa Laurente,
Hope that your desire to visit these butterflies in Houston soon becomes reality for you. Makes for a nice relaxing day out. Thanks for the comment.
Hello there my neighbor, Peggy W. These are beautiful-lovely pictures. I always enjoy butterflies since day one. I would love to visit these places one day soon. Thank you for sharing these. More power.
Hi GmaGoldie,
A butterfly release at your wedding sounds wonderful! What a great way to celebrate a special day. Glad to hear that you enjoyed this hub, and thanks for the comment.
Loved this Hub! The picture of your Mom was equally wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing! Someday I want to have a butterfly release at my wedding.
Hi frogyfish,
If butterflies are your thing...you will love the Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston. Glad you liked this hub and thanks for leaving a comment.
How did I miss this hub before! Beautiful pix and interesting info too. Butterflies are my thing! Perhaps someday I will visit the Cockrell Center. Thanks, Peggy W!
Hello callmefoxxy,
Happy to hear that you enjoyed this hub about the butterflies in Houston, Texas at the Cockrell Butterfly Center. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
wow, this hub is just a treasure trove of butterfly information. Thanks very much for sharing.
callmefoxxy, my pen is a mighty sword!
Hi habee,
How lovely! That must be so relaxing to be watching butterflies while also enjoying your pool. Prior to my mother selling her home and my husband and I selling ours (we found one in which we now live together) my mother had a swimming pool in her backyard. Besides butterflies, we also had hummingbirds that frequented that space. Loved that! Thanks for your comment.
Awesome! I plant flowers on my ceck that attract butterflies so that I can watch them while I'm in the pool.
Hello ratnaveera,
So happy that you enjoyed this look at the butterflies in Houston, Texas at the Cockrell Butterfly Center. They are beautiful indeed. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experiences with colorful butterflies which are indeed amazing creatures of super nature. All the photos of butterflies in this Hub are really beautiful.
Hello Lindsay Godfree,
Go for it! No reason you cannot write your own butterflies hub with a different twist. Let me know if you do. Perhaps we can link them together. Thanks for the comment.
WOW! I want to write an article like this!! I love butterflies and photography. This is great!
Thanks Cheryl for the comment. Oh...there were so many more that simply escaped my camera lens. Will have to go back someday and get more!
You have a treasure of beautiful and colorful photos of butterflies. Many I have never seen. You are a gifted and talented artist.
Hi Tom,
No need to wait for children to accompany you to your butterfly place. Go! Enjoy! Aren't we all kids at heart? :-) Thanks for the comment.
Greetings The Old Hack,
Happy to have shared this look at the butterflies in Houston, Texas with you. You may not have something similar in the UK but then you have many other things that we do not have. Nice to be able to share these articles with each other on hubpages. Thanks for the comment.
We used to go to the butterfly place in our area once a year while the kids were little. I kinda miss it, now. Thanks, Peggy
Hi Mickey Dee,
The Monarch butterflies are here in droves a certain time of the year as they make their migration down into Mexico for the winter. I also like them. Will look for your "flutterbye" poem. Thanks!
Hi katyzzz,
Those aqua blue butterflies with black trim sound beautiful. There were many other gorgeous ones that I did not capture on film in the Cockrell Butterfly Center. Butterflies like you describe (and more!) were also there. Enjoy the beauties that frequent your place and thanks for the comment.
What a beautiful hub! I don't think we have anything on this scale in the UK.
I'm a butterfly lover. I have a poem about the Monarch, my favorite. Thanks for "flutterbys".
I just love butterflies Peggy, out here we have some wonderful big almost aqua blue ones, with a small black trim. They are the prettiest I have seen.
Hi again itakins,
Your place sounds lovely! Oh please DO write about your efforts to encourage butterflies and other good insects to your garden and take lots of photos. Would be happy to link hubs. We have loads of butterflies in our yard...have plants that they obviously like and have not done it purposely. Just lucked out. We also have hummingbirds in season. Each add so much fleeting pleasure to the view.
Would you believe that we could possibly have snow again in about a week? That would be phenomenal! Already happened this year (oops...last year!...the calendar just flipped to 2010) and that seldom happens in Houston. Of course with a forecast a week ahead, much could happen to change it. Just keeping you company with your snow thoughts.
Thanks for coming back and explaining your involvement with butterflies.
Peggy W-
I would not consider myself an expert by any means-I am fortunate to have a beautiful big garden, in a woodland setting-so really what I do ,is my utmost to encourage butterflies ,bees ,hoverflies,ladybirds etc to come and share it with us.During my learning process,I realised it was not sufficient to provide just the pretty plants they like to feed from-but also to provide the plants they breed on,such as,nettles,nasturtiums etc-also to know which butterfly breeds on which plant!!
Last Summer /Autumn were great and I had a definite marked increase in all these insects.I'm still learning -but that's a lot of the enjoyment too!
I would love to do a hub on it -but I will wait until the blanket of snow lifts and we get some warmth.I will get there-God willing.
Hi itakins,
You breed butterflies? Have you written a hub about it? I think others would be interested in the hows and whys of that subject. Thanks for commenting on this butterlies galore in Houston, Texas hub.
Peggy W-
How wonderful-Such a fantastic and beautiful hub.I love butterflies-in fact,a few minutes ago I posted a comment to 2uesday-about my struggles with breeding butterlies!-Brilliant hub-well done.
Hello 2uesday,
Nice that this could warm you up or at least make you think of warmer days when viewing the tropical foliage and the many butterflies in this Houston setting. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
This is a beautiful hub to view on what has been a cold winters day for me. The great photographs and details are put together really well and I loved seeing the different colours/patterns of the butterflies - thank you.
Hi dahoglund,
Happy New Year to you also! Not a nature lover? Thanks for taking a look at this microcosm of nature and butterflies inside the Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston. There now...you probably have had your fill for the day! Ha! Thanks for the comment.
Hi SweetiePie,
Happy to hear that you enjoyed this butterfly hub. Thanks for the comment.
Hi The Old Hack,
Glad you liked the photos of these butterflies in Houston, Texas. Thanks for taking a look and leaving a comment.
Hi Ethel,
Good question. Am sure since this is a museum and therefore dedicated to the preserving of knowledge, etc., they would not import enough butterflies to the detriment or extermination of them in other countries. Interesting question however as to the procurement process. Thanks!
Hi Hello, hello,
It truly is an experience to see all those free flying butterflies of every hue and description. I've visited the Butterfly Center several times. When we have people visiting Houston for the first time, after other sightseeing, it is a good place to take them. Hermann park is filled with sites worthy of showing off! Thanks for the visit and post.
Happy New Year Peggy W
Although I am not too much of a nature lover, your pictures make it seem quite appealing.
Very informative butterfly hub.
Another lovely hub. Great photo’s too!
What beautiful butterflies. Importing from other countries does not cause shortages in the other country does it?
That must have been experience, not easily forgotten. Thank you for showing these lovely photo with a great hub.
Hi dohn and Happy New Year wishes to you too!
I had not heard that butterflies were originally called "flutter-byes" but makes perfect sense. Yes...visiting the museum and seeing these butterflies in person is quite the experience. If you ever decide to come this way, let me know. I'll be able to point you to all sorts of interesting sites to visit. Maybe by that time I can get an autographed copy of your book that will be published! Thanks for the visit and comment.
What a fabulous hub! I really enjoyed seeing so many different varieties of butterflies. However, I am aware of the fact that if I want to get the full-effect of really enjoying them, I really need to visit! Did you know that butterflies were originally called,"flutter-byes?"
Happy New Year, Peggy!
Hi kiran8,
Nice to see you again! Happy New Year! I am pleased that you liked this butterfly hub coming from Houston, Texas. Thanks for the comment.
Lovely....what a colorful hub, great details, thanks a lot Peggy :)
Hi Pete,
Very complimentary comment. Thank you! Of course the colorful butterflies helped make this hub look good thanks to the Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston, Texas. Just fortunate to have such good access to that wonderful site. Happy New Year!
This is a beautifully put together hub. Excellent information, well placed pictures, and good placement of bolded words. One of these days I'm going to take the time to create hubs of this quality. Wonderful job.
Greetings myownworld,
So happy that you enjoyed this hub about butterflies. It was fun creating it. We are fortunate to have the Cockrell Butterfly Center right here in Houston, Texas. At least you have now viewed it virtually. Thanks for the comment. And have a very Happy New Year also!
Hi Doctor Kelley,
Happy that you liked this view of the butterflies in Houston at the Cockrell Butterfly Center. Thanks for the comment.
Absolute visual delight! loved this...! wishing you a very happy new year...may you always write such fantastic hubs! x
Wonderful!
Hi Candie,
It truly is a place to slow down and enjoy the fluttering of the butterflies. So many colors and patterns and some are constantly adrift in the air above one as well as resting on branches and leaves. Happy to have shared this special place in Houston with you. Thanks for the comment.
Hi Putz,
Happy that you liked this butterfly hub about the Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston. Thanks for the comment.
Breathtaking photos! What a magical place, to be able to just sit and watch all the 'butterfly action'! Thank you Peggy!
Excellent article. Thank you for sharing.
Peggy W Hub Author 4 weeks ago
Hi Maria,
Thanks for your nice comment and votes and for bringing me back to viewing that photo of my mother in the Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston's Museum of Natural Science. That was such a lovely day! Appreciate hearing from you.