The Butterfly Conservatory and Higgs Beach

Although we were unable to visit Higgs Beach yesterday due to high winds, today the weather was more clement. However, we decided to start off with a visit to the Butterfly Conservatory. Gianna loves butterflies (her room is decorated with them) and I love seeing her love butterflies, so she and I were both looking forward to the experience.

Our first stop was the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory on Duval Street.

Just inside the gate we found a butterfly bench. There are actually several, as locals visit here as well as tourists, and many like to just sit and watch the fluttering of the insects going by. But we used it as a photo op. Although Gianna loves butterflies, she didn't seem to relaxed about their swarming around her.

In addition to butterflies, the aviary contained a couple of flamingos and a pool with carp. I felt sorry for the poor carp, because one of the flamingos kept pecking at it. But it was huge, so obviously the flamingo had no intention of eating it. So, apparently, flamingos, like hornets, are assholes.

The aviary is so well-designed, complete with flowering plants, a pond, and even a creek, that it's easy to forget one is indoors.

Dominic didn't seem too sure about the bugs landing on him, but he didn't freak out.

After leaving the Butterfly Conservatory, we ran back to Jenny's to change into swimwear, then to nearby Higgs Beach where we had re-rented the chaise lounges. Zach and his friend Shanti joined us. Shanti has been a big hit with the babies.

In addition to me, Jenny, and the babies, my grandson, Zach, and his girlfriend, Shanti, joined us at the beach. Shanti has been there for several days, and already both babies adore her.

Gianna knows how to swim; she learned in her pool in Chandler when she was still an infant. However, she hasn't gotten into the pool in the Key West house, and she wouldn't go into the ocean now. She did enjoy playing on the beach, however.

Dominic kept tasting things, like seawater and sand, and then trying to get the weird taste out of his mouth.

And then I began to notice rain clouds building up, and rapidly. I warned Jenny I was afraid it would rain soon, and she agreed to begin packing up.

Hastily we gathered toys and other belongings, while Zach and Jenny got the babies into the stroller for the dash to the car.