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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
