Week 21: Chihuly Art and Fluttering Butterflies

For those who are not aware, I am on a 52 weeks adventure this year where in I decide my own adventures! For more details, check out here!

As we move on to a new place next weekend, we were busy over the long weekend in packing and house hunting. We will still be in Florida but move a little towards the north, leaving the happening South Florida behind. Sigh! But amidst all these chores, we did visit the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden on one of the holidays.

We thought of starting early morning at 6.30 am for this garden as summer is here in Florida and the days are too hot to be out. It was an hour drive. I love early morning nature expeditions!

The garden is a huge mass of an array of trees, flowers and Chihuly Art displayed in most parts. Chihuly Art are structures in blown glass in different wild colours which is an art pioneered by the artist Dale Chihuly. The garden has Chihuly nights on Thursday and Sunday, where these Chihuly Art structures show their true colours in manipulated lights in the darkness. We missed the Chihuly night but we were not at all disappointed with what we saw in the day!

Some wild colors amidst greenery

Chihuly Art Balls in the lake

Look at that huge structure!

We saw some exotic plants and flowers too. The garden has a lot of small museums/closed displays which have some interesting flora and fauna. The walk in the garden was so soothing even with the blazing sun coming up. The pathways reminded me of the wallpapers you have on the internet with rustic paths between trees.

Bougainvillea in full bloom. Reminds me of Pune :)

Orchids in varied colors all over the park

Chihuly art with fish

A plant native to Thailand

Another red bloom

The best part of the park was their closed butterfly garden. The volunteer over here gave us some instructions before going inside - "Please be careful as you tread inside. Watch your step as butterflies might be on the floor too. Please do not touch any plants or butterflies. Touch the Chihuly art only if you have lots of money to pay the damages."

The Chihuly art one cracked all of us up. 

The entrance to the butterfly garden was a 3 door entrance. The volunteer guided us through each door, making sure no butterflies come out from the last door. 

This was the best part of the park. I was awestruck looking at the number of butterflies fluttering inside. Oh my God! So many beauties in countless colors and sizes. It was a treat for the eyes. My husband captured some very good shots. This was a place which made me very happy :)

We were so thrilled with all the fluttering beauties that we sat on a bench in this garden for 10 minutes till we exited the butterfly garden.

We took a tram tour which gave us information of many trees in the garden, some of which are 77 years old! A short 30 minute tour - crisp and precise. We came to know a lot of incredible facts about our mother nature.

With all the information and vigor, we thought it was time to head back to the life of 'packing and house hunting'. If you love being in nature, this garden is highly recommended.