For some reason my little one has been able to touch butterflies since she was a tiny baby. She would reach out her shaking, chubby little hand and they would just sit there, poised on a flower and let her pet their wings. I was fascinated by her luck- I certainly could not get away with it! I guess it's another one of those times when animals can sense the true intention and age of another being. After several summers though, we have come up with a way for anyone of any age to pet butterflies. If you can slip your finger up under the butterfly, next to their feet you are much more likely to have contact with them than if you come straight at their backs. The butterflies don't seem as likely to fly off when you slip up beside and under them. You can see in the last picture that my daughter has slid her finger up under the the back edge of the butterfly's wings. She was able to touch the underside of the wings, and then the tops. It's as if they just think it's another part of a flower that's brushing up against them. You can also get a butterfly or bee to crawl onto a flower you are holding and pull them up for a closer look. I did this in the first picture and actually walked around with my guest for a couple of minutes! It was really amazing! By being calm and smooth, and coming up below the wings, kids of all ages can touch a butterfly!
