Florida: Pretty Turkeys!

Turkey Pair

Turkey’s Iridescent Feathers

Male Turkey Walking

Wild turkeys are displaying now in Florida.  These pictures were taken in our backyard this past week.  Male turkeys puff up and fan their feathers to impress the females.  They also stamp their feet and turn around in circles.  Usually the females pretend to be unimpressed and pointedly ignore them.  Turkey feathers are beautiful and shimmer with colors in the sun (bronze, gold, purple, and green).  A turkey’s gobble can be heard over a mile away, and is unique to each one.  They are intelligent  social animals that form lasting bonds.  Baby turkeys flock with their mother all year.  I am always surprised by how fast they can run and fly.  What a treat to see them every day! 

 

McKee Gardens: Amazing LEGO Sculptures!

LEGO Hummingbird

LEGO 7 Foot Tall Rose

LEGO Close-up of Rose Petals

LEGO Swallowtail Butterfly

LEGO Swallowtail Butterfly in Bamboo Grove

LEGO Dragonfly on Pond

LEGO Koi and Lilypad

LEGO Frog on Lilypad

LEGO Victoria Waterlily

Real Victoria Waterlily

LEGO Flying Bee

LEGO Rabbit and Fox

LEGO Fox in Woods

LEGO Bison and Calf

LEGO Life Size Gardener

LEGO Life Size Lawn Mower

LEGO Sprouting Acorn

LEGO Goldfinches at Feeder Filled with LEGO Birdseed

There is a  special “Nature Connects, a LEGO Brick Exhibition” currently on display at McKee Gardens, Vero Beach, Florida, from January 16 – April 12, 2015.  The sculptures are incredible!  Artist Sean Kenney has transformed children’s toys into real works of art.  His pieces have been shown at galleries, museums, tourist attractions, and on television.  More info about Sean and his amazing LEGO art is at:  http://www.seankenney.com/  Info on visiting McKee Gardens is at:  http://www.mckeegarden.org/  Click on any of the pictures for more detailed information about each art piece.

Amazing Agave Flower Stalk

Agave Flower Stalk Starting to Grow (August 12, 2014)

Agave Flower Stalk Rising (August 18, 2014)

Richard Beside Fast Growing Agave Flower Stalk (September 4, 2014)

Agave Flower Stalk Branches Opening Out (September 16, 2014)

Richard Beside Agave Flower Stalk (Nov. 1, 2014)

Richard Looking up at 16 Foot Tall Agave Flower Stalk (Nov. 6, 2014)

Agave Flower Stalk at End of Bloom (Jan. 24, 2015). Sandhill Crane is on Left.

Comparison Between Asparagus and Agave Flower Stalks

Agave Flowers Attract Honeybees

Agave Babies May Grow from Flower Stalk Branches after Blooming Ends

Close-up of Baby Agave

In August our 2-year-old agave plant surprised us, and starting sending up a massive flower stalk. It is staggering how quickly it grows. Final height has reached 16 feet – it is quite the show-stopper! Agave are members of the asparagus family (which includes yuccas and ponytail palms). Although the mother plant dies after the plant flowers, there are always several baby plants clustered around the base to take its place. Sometimes an agave will also grow baby plants straight off the flower stalk branches. Products of agave include nectar (a light liquid similar to honey) and tequila. Agave are often called century plants, but happily they don’t actually take a century to bloom!

Florida: Flower Garden in January

Passion Flower – Side View

Blue Sky Vine Flower

Whirligig Daisies

Powder Puff Flowers

Pink Hibiscus with Rain Drops

Fancy Orange Hibiscus

Aloe Flowers

Stapeliad Starfish Flowers

Agave Leaf with Rain Drops

Agave Spine with Rain Drop Magnifying Plant Below

Mammillaria Cactus with Tiny Pink Blooms

Cactus Spine Patterns

Purple Shamrock Flowers (Love Plant)

Our Fountain at Dusk

One of the advantages to living in Florida is that you can garden year round.  That is a big plus if you like flowers!  We just bought a new batch of plants today.  Here is what’s in bloom in our yard (click on any picture for more information or to enlarge).

Happy New Year from Florida!

Ring-Billed Gull

Sebastian Beach, Florida

Cannonball Jellyfish

Ruddy Turnstone

Happy New Year!  Warm wishes for a year ahead filled with peace, beauty, and joy.

Florida: December at McKee Botanical Garden

Pink Bromeliad Blooming (Friendship Plant)

Close-up of Friendship Plant Flower

Orchid Tree Blooming

Purple Waterlily with Spotted Lilypad

Giant White Spider Lily (Crinum species)

Palm Frond Patterns

Holiday Flamingo with Pom Poms on Head

Holiday Flamingo with Beads and Christmas Balls

Holiday Flamingo with Beads and Pink Ribbon

Inflated Snowman Resting on Lawn

There is always something blooming at McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach, Florida.  It is especially fun to visit in December when the holiday decorations are up.  Florida truly is the “Land of Flowers”.  More info is at:  http://www.mckeegarden.org/index.php

Florida: December at Bok Tower Gardens

Christmas Garden by Historic Home

Holiday Path to Historic Home

Red Poinsettias

Pink Poinsettias and Amaryllis

Holiday Dining Room in Historic Home

Silver Holiday Table in Historic Home

Christmas Tree and Harp in Historic Home

Christmas Tree Decorated with Red Hibiscus and Crocheted Garland

Christmas Tree Decorated with Knitted Red Poinsettia Flowers

Close-up of Knitted Red Poinsettia Flowers

Welcome Pineapple on Door Composed of Sweetgum Seed Pods (also called gum balls or porcupine eggs)

Bromeliad Christmas Tree in Visitor Center

Bromeliad Wall and Poinsettias by Visitor Center

Bok Tower Gardens is especially beautiful in December (located in Lake Wales, Florida).  Plenty of flowers are always in bloom, and each room in the historic home on-site is decorated for Christmas.  It is well worth a visit!  More info is at:  http://boktowergardens.org/christmas/