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Witness the butterfly's fascinating life cycle!
 Courting
"Pursuing" the objects of their affection, butterflies give a new and
colorful twist to the "courtship flight", getting to know each other by
feel and smell! - as they flutter throughout the garden.
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Mating 
Not many
people know that butterflies - of the same species - mate "back to back".
If you happen to catch sight of a pair of butterflies hovering in the
air or settling on a leaf - but facing in opposite directions! - you know
what's going on! |
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Laying Eggs
Female butterflies lay their eggs by sticking them very firmly to the
undersides of leaves, using secretions from their own bodies. Usually,
the leaf to which an egg is attached is the specific foodplant of that
particular butterfly specie.
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Hatching From The Egg
Watching a caterpillar hatch from its egg is a fascinating experience.
It chews its way out of the egg, and actually eats the eggshell for the
initial nutrients it needs to survive its entry into the world!
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Growing Up Caterpillar
Caterpillars are very hungry "babies"! Blessed by nature with powerful
jaws that can bite off pieces of leaves, caterpillars are constantly feeding
themselves, growing bigger and bigger with literally every meal!
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Turning into Pupae
Ever wonder how a chrysalis - or a "pupa - is created? Caterpillars spin
these delicate silken loops that they themselves secrete, as they suspend
themselves from branches and twigs. These delicate "chambers" are where
a fascinating transformation takes place!
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The Birth of a Butterfly
Inside the secret confines of the chrysalis, an incredible change is taking
place. And when the transformation is over, a magnificent work of art
- an "imago", or a full-grown butterfly - unfurls its wings, and emerges
into the natural world.
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Enjoy
the beautiful scenery
Lush Greenery
Reminiscent of tropical rainforests, the verdant foliage and
vibrant ornamental plants of the Haven's gardens not only create a cool
and soothing atmosphere for visitors, but also serve as an ideal habitat
for hundreds of butterflies.
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The Music of the Waterfall
Scientists have learned that the sound of water can have
a very calming effect. A miniature waterfall that trips lightly over
rock formations provides not only a restful symphony of natural music,
but also a refreshing counterpoint to the tropical heat.
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The
Mysteries of the Cave
Tucked behind
the cascading waters of the falls, a small, man-made cave serves as a
"butterfly nursery", where chrysalises of all sizes and shapes await the
emergence of adult butterflies. A play of light and shadows through a
small "window" in the cave's right-hand wall, gives it an air of quiet
mystery and anticipation.
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The Lily Pond
At the foot of the falls, a small lily pond provides visitors not only
with an oasis of serenity and tranquility, but with an ideal spot for
photographs. A little bridge arches gracefully over the pond, where a
school of Japanese carp frolic gleefully between the lily pads.
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Plus
many more attractions!
 The
Learning Experience
Apart from the actual experience of observing butterflies in their natural
habitat, the Haven's exhibit rooms offer a wealth of knowledge on butterflies.
Vivid live-action photographs of butterflies bred at the Haven trace every
stage of the butterfly life-cycle in dazzling detail.
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Butterfly Pool
After trecking the haven's paths, caves and gardens, take a refreshing dip
into our butterfly inspired swimming pool that surrounds the vicinity of
the butterfly haven. Enjoy the cool and clean filtered water that will give
you true relaxation after your day's learning experience. |
 Butterfly
Art
For centuries, the beauty of nature has inspired artists from all walks
of life. The Haven's Art Gallery, which was inspired by the ethereal splendor
of the butterflies, is a growing collection of amateur artwork, culled
from the most promising entries to the Haven's Annual Butterfly Painting
Contest. Filled with all the promising and imaginative genius of their
young creators, these artworks reflect the nascent creativity and emergent
artistry of the Filipino youth. |
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The Exotic Elegance of
Orchids
Adjoining the gardens is the expanse of the Pulilan Orchid Farm, which
provides a colorful counterpoint to the lush greenery of the Haven. In
the summer, row upon row of driftwood branches covered with a diverse
variety of both local and foreign orchid plants (including several varieties
of the famous Vanda sanderiana) explode into a riot of color, as
blooms of every possible hue open their petals to the sunshine.
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 A
Trace of History
A silent yet benevolent steward of the Haven's treasures, distant echoes
of the Philippines' colonial past live on in the ancestral home of the
Andan-Caleon clan, from whom the Haven's owner, Mrs. Estelita A. Caleon-Aguirre,
traces her maternal descent. A classic lumang bahay (or "old house") with
its grilled windows, carved wood furniture and life-size santos (religious
images), this well-loved home will give you a glimpse into a by-gone era
of old-world graciousness.
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Butterflies on Video!
Every guided tour of the Haven begins with a six-minute video presentation
on the life-cycle of the butterfly. Shown on a wide screen television
set, the video is a vivid montage of live-action scenes tracing the butterfly's
various life-cycle stages. Also, upon visitor's request, a ten-minute
presentation on the scenic attractions and livelihood opportunities of
Pulilan can also be viewed.
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