About half an hour outside of Victoria can be found Victoria Butterfly Gardens and The Butchart Gardens. Both are incredible places.
First we went to see the butterflies in their indoor tropical playground. Then we were equally wowed by the beauty of Butchart Gardens.
The foliage is as sensational as the butterflies.
Texture galore in tropical leaves.
This was one of the most popular plants amongst the butterflies.
Someone stood still.
They have animal life as well, including birds, turtles, flamingos and lizards.
You can almost feel the smoothness of the petals.
Yum, nectar.
Just resting on a leaf.
Tropical plants have very intriguing features.
Leaves overlap in beautiful ways.
Like a spiral staircase down.
It was rare to see the blue inside this type of butterfly's wings.
The stunning view from atop the sunken garden, built in a former quarry.
Hungry bird at dusk.
We went through the sunken garden twice, once later near dusk, because it was so spectacular.
I love seeing this little sign all over the garden.
The foliage combinations just weave into each other.
Stunning greens.
Hummie at dusk.
They have many varieties of hydrangeas - these pink ones are so pretty.
Interesting usage of old quarry equipment.
Stairs to views.
Incredible layers of green.
The golden hour didn't quite hit this garden but it found that one tree.
The Japanese garden had an intriguing little scene every direction you looked.
Cute little bamboo fences like this were all over the Japanese garden.
Bridge to green.
Even the garbage cans are beautiful.
Bamboo gateway.
One of many ponds in the Japanese garden.
