Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Our first stop of the day was the botanical gardens.  It was a really hot day, but we had planned things well, because it definitely was not as hot as Friday.  The gardens were beautiful.  I can't say much for the canopy walk--it will be amazing when they have finished all the landscaping, but as it is now, it didn't live up to all they hype.  The rest of the gardens were extraordinary, though.

The botanical gardens was the attraction that Emily was most excited to see--the main reason we decided to buy the city pass.  --Hey, look, is that a real smile for the camera--usually all I get is a glare when I try to take a picture!   ;-)

This picture gives a perspective on the spider.  Huge!

We were able to get some really beautiful butterfly shots

 

 

This is in the Childrens Garden.  I don't really know why the cow has a toothbrush.  It wasn't part of a theme or anything.  Completely random and funny.

Because of the heat, Zuri was pretty ornery.  She didn't understand that she is allowed to look at the flowers but not touch; she was all right as long as we kept moving, but we kept stopping to take pictures and she was bored.  We went into the Childrens Garden which had this fountain.  She loved it--we had to drag her away.  It served its purpose though, because she was no longer so hot. 

Since Emily went down the slide with her at Olympic Park, Zuri decided Emily had to go on this slide with her as well.  Poor Emily was a good sport even though she really didn't fit on the slide.

 

 

Zuri was so worn out that she fell asleep, which was nice for the short time she was out.

I think by far all of our favorite area was the Conservatory.  There were different sections.  One for Orchids, a tropical zone, a desert zone, a reptile area, an herb garden, and more.  There were areas which were cooler as well, which was SO nice.

 

 

 

 

Those are actually tree roots.  Amazing, isn't it?  There were also poison-arrow frogs roaming free in the tropical room.  There were signs and J was able to spot a few.  Another room had free roaming quail as well.

She had fun at the gift shop--she didn't want to leave.

Between the three of us we took so many pictures that it was hard to choose...I may add a slide show of all the pictures on the side bar in the near future so keep an eye out!