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| Bougainvillea |
Thinking about what to write for this morning's post, I hopped on Norma Jean's bike and rode around her community, looking for pictures of flowers that might brighten your day, as well as my own once I return home to Bellingham. I just checked the weather there, and the sun is shining at home as well as here, but there is a thirty-degree difference in the outside temperature. It was cold last night again, down into the thirties, but by mid-morning it became very pleasant.
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| Geraniums |
There are many beautiful flowers in the front yards of many residents, but I didn't feel it was appropriate for me to tromp into someone's yard to get closeups, so I took pictures from the street, mostly. These geraniums reminded me of summertime in the Pacific Northwest, and now they will remind me of Florida in the winter as well.
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| Hibiscus (or are they azaleas?) |
These, however, don't grow anywhere in the Pacific Northwest that I know of. The hibiscus is a southern flower that I only see in the southern climes, although they are not that different in appearance from Washington state's flower, the rhododendron. I've taken many pictures of them in their incredible variety. Only a few more months, and then they will make their brief appearance at home. Until then I'll gaze at these.
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| Poinsettia |
These flowers are, I believe, poinsettias. Usually I see them around the country at Christmas time, a Christmas flower, but here they grow like weeds. If I have misidentified any of these flowers, please let me know so I can correct my error. I did see some incredibly beautiful daffodils, but when I bent down to admire them, I realized they are plastic. (!)
The temperature is just perfect right now, and Norma Jean is out shopping for our salad fixings for dinner as I write this. Her little dog Icarus is curled up next to me. I plan on writing the story of how she got this little guy in my other blog tomorrow morning. Until then, I hope you enjoy these pictures to remind those of you in freezing weather that Florida is a pretty perfect place to be in February!
:-)
we have just enough chill in NE Tx to prohibit tropical hibiscus and poinsettias and even bougainvillea from surviving outdoors all year. ah well. we get close, though. or maybe its just my lack of gardening ability/effort. :)
ReplyDeletesmiles...i am loving reliving my florida days in your pictures...ha...it warmed up about 30 degrees the last 2 hours...so its not too bad...
ReplyDeleteLovely colourful flowers! :o)
ReplyDeleteThose last ones are definitely Poinsettas. Did you know they're actually more of a bush/tree than a small plant? They grow wild in Mexico! (as do the Bouganvillea). There's a lovely "tree" in on of my students' yards... I'll post a photo so you can see what they look like a lot bigger! ;o)
I enjoyed looking at those bright summer flowers and remembering my trip to Florida last January.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed looking at those bright summer flowers and remembering my trip to Florida last January.
ReplyDeleteThose are definitely azaleas...which are in the same family as rhododendrons, interestingly enough.
ReplyDeleteLoved the pictures - anything to remind me that spring is on it's way, slowly, but surely.
Azaleas..we only get them in small pots here in Minnesota..I have seen them in the south..they are so beautiful! I enjoyed all your plant photos today..looks sunny and warm there:)
ReplyDeleteI can practically feel the warmth from here. Sounds like a lovely way to enjoy the winter.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers and lovely weather...what a great combination!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you are enjoying your visit.
Hugs,
J.
So glad you're able to experience the winter sun.
ReplyDeleteYour photos give warmth for those of us in, well, other conditions.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time with Norma Jean.
Flowers are important to me. There are usually some little blooms here through the winter on something. I search for them. I also keep a bouquet of fresh flowers from the grocery store on my kitchen table. I need flowers in my life.
ReplyDeleteNice photos, DJan! Love the purple hibiscus especially.
ReplyDeleteHi DJan - Great flowers and its snowing here again today, but so far just flurries. Now that the 110mph winds have passed with rain n such, its just back to normal - cold n snowing. I envy your warm Florida. Looking forward to hearing about the rescue of paw paw.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you for sure that those are azaleas. We have all those flowers in Hawaii. Gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteI'm really not sure, but those look like azalea blossoms instead of hibiscus. I may be wrong. I'm definitely jealous of Florida's temps to be able to have poinsettias grow outdoors!!! Wish I could get them to thrive here in the soil. I try, but never have succeeded.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images of color and vibrancy DJan. But, I'm sure you'll be just fine in the Washington weather, and have great memories of a Floridian winter.
My goal for our Florida trip this year is to photograph the Roseate Spoonbill. And to have some fun in the Sun. It looks like you are having a great time Djan.
ReplyDeleteYou must have seen lots of beautiful flowers on your ride. These are all gorgeous. They make me wish spring would hurry so we can have bloom up here.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure those are Azaleas, definitely not hibiscus. Azaleas and Rhododendrons looks somewhat similar. Hibiscus is in the Mallow family.
Yes it does sound wonderful and to see all those flowers in February! My goodness I could do with some of that please. Thank you for sending some warmth!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely mix of flora. And I'm going to learn about the little pet. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete