Morning Walk About

One of my favorite things to do is walk about my garden first thing in the mornng.  I love to see what surprises await me in the garden; what is new in bloom; what wildlife I might see; the dew on the spiderwebs.  This is what I found this morning.

This bloom(s) of the Oyster Plant, Moses in a Basket, or officially Tradescantia spathacea, is really precious! So many tiny blooms held snuggly in this one bract. The dwarf version is non-invasive.

This bright red Bromeliad bloom looks like a candle flame!  

The early blooms of my Rosella are easiest to spot while their blooms are lighter in color than their leaves. As the bloom ages, it darkens and is difficult to see among the same colored leaves.

I recently moved a potted King's Mantle, or Thumbergia erecta, to a newly built deck on the west side of the house. It is blooming like crazy in its new, sunnier location!

I know many people in South Florida do not appreciate Lantana.  However, I love it as do the butterflies.

My very young Kent mango tree is in bloom!

Although small, the Jatropha bloom is stunning, I think.

This Swamp Tickseed, or Coreopsis, grows wild in my yard and along my roadside.  I purposely mow around them.

My Cape Honeysuckle is recovering nicely from the soggy fall when I feared I had lost it!

This little lizard blends so nicely with a stake in the garden. Although cute, alas, the brown species is taking over the green. 

I planted some lavendar in the butterfly garden to help hide the horrible "sticks" of milkweed necessary for Monarch larvae.  I love the addition!

This pure yellow Hibiscus has not yet bloomed...give it an hour or so.

After no blooms for the last month, the Purple Showers, or Ruellia, is blooming once again!

The Epidendrum, or Reed Orchids, have been in bloom since December!  I like the contrast in color against the bright green Bromeliad backdrop.

The cool color of Plumbago is a must in a hot Florida landscape!

Here's another Bromeliad in bloom. This one is located near the driveway entrance.

These pretty little leaves grow wild on my property. Love them!

This Black-eyed Susan Vine also grows wild on my property. Pretty and tough ground cover.

One of my Phaleanopsis Orchids in bloom

And another Phal in bloom...this the season!

My Lady Margaret Passion Vine is rebounding well after the combination of a wet late fall, a mild chill, and mass caterpillar feasts!

My pretty Vanda in bloom!

My husband found this pretty little specimen while digging post holes for a new entry gate.  Although he showed some agression from fear, this guy is not poisonous.  In our Certified Wildlife Habitat, we are happy to see him!

The little girls were happy to escape their small pullet coupe for the day.  They are just 4 months and not yet laying eggs.  From left to right is Phoebe, Cameron (in honor of our first Cameron), and Honey (who looked like honey when she was a chick - a stark contrast to her darker coloring now).

The ladies are trying to get used to the little girls.  Gina (left) and Penny (right) demand great respect from the new additions.  We have learned where the term "pecking order" comes from!