Thunder-boomers and Butterfly Gardens

If you saw my post and photo of the black "warning clouds" yesterday...the warning was accurate.  The weather deteriorated throughout the day--incredible downpours, winds, chilly air. By suppertime we could see lightening out over Florida Bay and could hear thunder in the distance.  A quick check on the computer showed not only a massive line of thunderstorms, but the ultimate weather thrill--tornado warnings!

All 10 of us here for supper (a mini dinner party for new friends and old) gathered on the protected upper deck to watch the show. It was dramatic at points (several of us tried in vain to catch that perfect lightening shot) and loud, but actually the heaviest weather skirted to the north and...no tornado.

This morning we woke to very light breezes and warm sun--nice for a bit of a drive to check out some restaurants and do an errand.  We decided to take the "back" road up through Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, one of four national refuges here in the Keys. It was established in 1980 to try and preserve crucial habitat for the endangered American crocodile. We were hoping for a viewing area, but because the refuge is small and and the habitat is so sensitive to human interference, it's closed to the public--though you do see "crocodile crossing" signs here and there.

But right next to the refuge headquarters is a wonderful, beautifully maintained butterfly garden.


The Butterfly Garden is just off the driveway to the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife refuge (FL Road 905 in Key Largo).

There's a comfy bench, some nifty sculpture and a water feature. Peaceful!

But by noontime our novels were calling and we headed back to the house and dock on Florida Bay.  Time to read and rest up for tomorrow's trip to Key West.