A Collection of Macros

My intentions are great...really, they are.  I see something amazing, capture it on film, and create a fantastically brilliant post in my mind that I will publish sometime later when I get a chance.  But, before that time occurs, something else grabs my attention that I must digitally record and blog about when I get a quick opportunity.  Thus the cycle continues and I end up with a conglomeration of ideas and photos that are just waiting for their opportunity to be rediscovered.  *sigh* 

Of course I have no time to publish those works of pure genius,

but at least I can display the photos of the objects that inspired me so.

This bromeliad bloom is nothing less than spectacular! 

The colors and complexity are intoxicating.

Another favorite is the Madagascar Palm,
or Pachypodium lamerii.  

I love it because it is so confused...it can't decide

whether it's a palm or a cactus! 

Of course, it's not actually a palm but in the Plumeria family instead. 

This pink version of the commonly purple Ruellia

decorates a patio deck at the side of my house.

I never truly appreciated Caladiums until I moved to Florida.

Now I love their ability to withstand Florida's climate

and sandy soil while producing a magnificent splash of color.

Caladiums are also full of interesting patterns and variations. 

The sweet surprise of rain lilies after a good soaking is always a treat! 

They ignore regular irrigation and respond only to mother nature.

No matter how much I love Rudbeckia,

it does not last long in my zone 10 landscape.

Still, I enjoy them as an annual in my garden.

One of my favorite wildflowers,

Clematis blooms along my fence row. 

I can never get enough of this sweet bell shaped bloom!

The Glades Morning Glory is
a Florida native that grows naturally around my pond.

The Heliconia are thriving with no effort on my part. 

They are spreading and generously filling in their section of fence row. 

It's beautiful when they synchronize their blooming schedule.

Spiderwort  Commelina diffusa
is one of those under-rated weeds.
(My friend, Flower Lady, corrected me...
please see her comment for more information.  Thank you, FL!)

They produce a beautiful little pop of blue that is worthy of closer observation.

The patterns on this fungi are very pleasing.

My Clamshell Orchid, or Prosthechea cochleata,

produced a bloom for the first time! 

Look closely at the right side of the plant.

A closer look shows interesting and unique details

of this South American / South Florida native

formerly known as Encyclia cochleata.

In most orchids, the labellum is below the column. 

This orchid is unique as the labellum forms a "hood" over the column

making the flower developmentally upside down. 

It reportedly produces a citrus/lemony fragrance
so I had to sniff for myself. 
Although not strong, a sweet citrusy aroma does exist,
which makes me even fonder of this pretty,
dancing little bloom.

Another native of South Florida and tropical regions

is this sea anemone we spotted on the sandbar. 

Of course we had to lightly poke it with a finger

to watch it close up only to reopen in hopes of real food. 

Starfish are a common find too. 

This one has lived through a scuffle and is growing two of its legs back.

Now that there's only a few more weeks before school starts for the season, I'll be enjoying the last days of freedom without schedules and homework, and collecting more photos for future posts!

May Flowers Finally!

Although I am blessed with blooms and green foliage all year in South Florida,

the early rains this year have brought on some fabulous blooms!

I have several Frangipani in my yard, all young starters.

This one bloomed for the first time and is spectacular!

The bromeliads are in bloom.

The blooms are easily missed

They're like little gardens inside a garden!

The Hibiscus are also in bloom.

This pure yellow is always a show stopper!

This peachy Hibiscus reminds me of the northern Peonies that I miss so much!

I'm always intrigued by the Stapelia Giganta bloom. I looks like a starfish on land!

My passionvine is in full swing again, and is decorating the fencerow.

I planted 24 more bulbs last fall to help fill in the Caladium garden 

underneath the Saw Palmetto stand in the front yard. 

They're popping up beautifully!

The Easter Lilies are better late than never!

The Powderpuff blooms look like the tips light up with fiberoptics!

Rudbeckia is always cheerful!

I'm so excited that my little native coffee starter has blooms!

Both of my Hoyas are in bloom with multiple bouquets gracefully waving in the breeze!

Although not a bloom, I must show off my new Colocasia that is thriving next to the dock.  I found it in a rubish pile.  I planted it in a space that will be underwater by the end of the season, so I will probably relocate it.  However, the roots were wet with moss on them, so I wanted to plant it in a familiar setting.  I think it was a good choice.

I have brand new Dendrobium blooms. 

I don't know the name of this one, but I LOVE it!

The vegetable garden is in full swing! First pepper of the season!

I've recently been given a cutting of a vine, but I do not know what it is.

Any suggestions?

And since we're always working on a project, here's the latest...

This is the rough remains of a friend's much used party pontoon boat.  

After some rehabilitation, the boat will be given a new life as the "Pond Tiki",

residing on our lovely pond. 

The slide and side rails have already come off,

and the deck was painted yesterday. 

Now onto constructing the tiki! 

Stay tuned for project updates!