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August 10, 2012

Tourism office aflutter over butterfly conservatory

By Denise Richardson Staff Writer ONEONTA _ Butterflies, birds, a tortoise other exotic creatures at a local conservatory were the focus of a media production team from the "I Love NY" tourism office Thursday. The three-member team from Albany was in the area to update still photographs, video clips other promotional materials for museums tourist attractions to be included in "I Love NY" commercials a tour guide. For the first time, the Joseph L. Popp Jr. Butterfly Conservatory on state Route 7 was on the "I Love NY" itinerary, Christine Ryan, a partner in the business on state Route 7, said Thursday. "This is a great thing for us," she said. "We're very excited, of course." Team director Amy Shea, still photographer Darren McGee videographer Jay Mauro spent about an hour at the attraction. "I love it," Shea said as Ryan shared details about the butterflies, pointed out a hidden tree frog showed the team other highlights. Shea said the team works with local tourism directors, including Deb Taylor in the Otsego County Tourism office, to develop promotional materials, the team travels to different areas. The office is part of the state Department of Economic Development also promote attractions on its website, www.iloveny.com. "We're looking for family-oriented places to go," Shea said. "There are hidden gems all over New York state." Thursday's itinerary for Cooperstown included The Farmers' Museum, the Fenimore Art Museum, Fly Creek Cider Mill, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Leatherstocking Golf Course at The Otesaga Brewery Ommegang. Mauro said the team last week received new portable track equipment, which enabled him to set up a camera on wheels, which could be moved easily beside the displays of plants where food dishes attract butterflies. McGee took photographs of children looking at butterflies, watching a tortoise checking out a tegu, a lizard from South America. After about an hour, he took a closeup of a 2-year-old girl intently watching a butterfly while being held by her aunt. "That was perfect -- I was fighting for a shot," McGee said. "I got lucky with that color of butterfly that flew in. That's the shot of the day. I can go now." Daphnee Howe, 2, likes to watch butterflies outdoors, her aunt Cheyene Dzimitrowicz of Dolgeville said, adding that she knew her niece would be fascinated by displays at the conservatory. The conservatory houses at least 500 butterflies, including 30 species, said Maedbh Ryan, a partner with her mother in the conservatory business. There are 100 birds, including 27 species. The facility also has hidden gems. A sloth hangs out in a hammock, with little but its toes showing. Varieties of frogs live in an aquarium or may be found hiding in a tree. The conservatory, which opened in 2007, is a 3,000-square-foot room with paths around water plant displays maintained in near-tropical conditions, according to www.poppbutterflyconservatory.com. Tropical birds swoop near the ceiling, with some smaller varieties flying about shoulder-height among the trees. About four days ago, quail chicks hatched, Thursday, they alternately hid under their mothers wings, then followed her to find food. On Saturday, the conservatory will have an Irish Festival with music, dancing other activities. Summer hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, admission is $11 for adults, $9 for children 11 younger, college students with identification senior citizens. Children 18 months younger are admitted free. Shea said the material captured Thursday need to be reviewed edited may appear in promotions released next year. "We're trying to cover all of central New York," she said.

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