A Quick Day Away

Spent some much needed time with nature today.  Living in the city has it's perks, sure, but unless I head to the park with the kids or play in the backyard for awhile I find myself needing to plan more time away just to be able to enjoy the natural world around me. A perfect day to use my new camera as well, (warning - the pics are sort of large and I can't be bothered to resize them anymore...check the link at the bottom for ones you don't have to open separately)


First off was the Butterfly Conservatory. Still in the city, but once you walk through those doors you're in another world.  First the humid, tropical temperatures hit you. Hundreds, if not thousands of butterflies everywhere you look, rushing waterfalls, lush trees and foliage surround and canopy over you. Large rocks are provided everywhere to sit on so you can sit and take it all in.  This is one of my favourite places is to be mid February when winter seems like it's never going to end.

Stopped at the beach on the way home.  It had been rainy all day to the sand was still wet and perfect for the kiddos to build in.  They collected rocks to bring home as usual, threw some in the lake, chased seagulls, ran from a few dogs, threw sand at each other, found a dead washed up fish and begged to give it a burial (no, I didn't give in to that), and buried a transformer which is still there in the sand somewhere...whoops...

It was clear enough to spot the CN Tower and Toronto skyline today across the lake.  This doesn't happen too often in the summer because the smog and other weather conditions tend to hide it.

Spot it way out there?

Zomed in...

It started spitting rain again, so we hung out for a little while longer (we ain't scared of no rain) before heading back to the car and driving home with that great scent of fresh rain coming through the windows. All in all, a great afternoon.

pictures on my Flickr for those interested.