Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Today we headed out for some more shopping. I need 4 fancy dresses for the anniversary cruise we are taking in December, and so far I have 3. I still need to find some nice dresses for Sarah as well. Lucky Ken who can just slap on one of his suits and be done!

After our shopping spree we had a nice lunch at one of my favorite's, The Olive Garden. Wivan (who is from a way different generation then myself and Ewa, have a tendency to complain. A lot.), hated the salad, thought the salmon was dry, and frowned at the side dish. The only thing she really liked was their bread, which is famously yummy, (she even wanted to sneak some into my bag to take home...).

Then after a quick stop home we picked Sarah up in school and headed down to Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Originally, the land was a swampy banana grove listed in the city records as “an impenetrable swamp”.

A local newspaperman purchased these 10 lush acres in the early 1930’s with plans to develop the virgin subtropical jungle into a botanical garden. Over the past sixty-eight years, Sarasota Jungle Gardens has evolved into one of the areas most historical and beautiful attractions. Many are surprised to find that this once private property is now home to hundred’s of abandoned, abused and unwanted animals.

In the beginning, Sarasota Jungle Gardens was not meant to be a “Tourist Attraction”; however, its destiny was firmly and forever planted among the flora that abounds in what was once described as an “impenetrable swamp”. It is a beautiful oasis to wander around in and get up and close to flora and fauna.

Weird looking roots on a palm tree

Sarah borrowed the lap of a new friend

Stately palms

Great Blue Heron

A beautifully colored pelican

The gardens are very lush, as you can see here

More odd roots

The resident flamingos were very friendly

Sarah nestled in some cool banyan roots

Cool looking plants growing in the water

More banyan roots

A Florida Egret, one of the most common birds around here

More palms

A double hibiscus

Palms again

Ewa got some new friends

Flamingos get their color from the shrimp they eat, they are actually white!

One of the many colorful parrots at the gardens

...and one of his buddies

We took a break for "fika" at the Flamingo Cafe, and we had a table right next to these Koi fish

Buster, the resident albino peacock. He has been here a looong time, I remember seeing him way back in 1997!

This guy caught a little bit more fish then he could handle it seemed...

All in all we had a great visit!