Brrrr, It's Cold in the Garden!

Whooowee - it is COLD again this morning!  It probably isn't as cold as I think it is, but when I see stocking caps, winter coats and when I even wore gloves to walk the dogs - I know it's almost freezing here in south Florida.  Well, it's just been in the high 40's, but it sure feels icy!

I thought I might have to bring in the girls (that would be the orchids), but they seem to be all right.  When I bring them in they all go in the cabana bath off the lanai.  I stick them in the shower and they happily stay over until it warms up again.  The orchids that are on the trees just have to brave it, and they've been doing okay too.  This pretty I named Antigone - yes, I name all my Vandas.  And yeah, I'm a little strange...

It was ALMOST too cold to sit out in my birdwatching chair in the backyard - but I piled on a sweater and my wellies and found I was quite comfortable.  This is my favorite part of the garden.  It looks out upon the large preserve, which is very active and I find it's very relaxing as I wait for visitors to photograph.  A friend said it reminded him of a Secret Garden and that really made my day, as that was kind of what I was going for.  This shot doesn't show much of the Bougainvillea blooming on the right and the passionflower vine on the left, but it's the only pic of my chair, so that's why I used it.  

This is Mrs. Cardinal posing for me when the Bourg is profusely blooming.  It's just starting now to gear up for a really big show.

And this is probably my favorite shot, which you have probably guessed as I use it for the cover photo.

While I was out there just taking random shots of the garden, this ended up being sort of an abstract.  I just think of it as a pretty mess.

Also, while I was out back this Eurasian Collared Dove showed up for the first time in the yard.  I know she's just a commoner and not very exciting compared to say, the Painted Bunting, but she has a pale grey beauty that is lovely.  And she sports a very cool red iris in her eye.  The thing is she's a bit bossy and doesn't get along very well with the Mourning Dove gang that hangs out every day.

There's at least seven of them and they patrol the back fence area.

Puffed up against the cold.  The Mourning Dove call is so haunting and pretty.

Whoa - close up!

Getting back to flowers - I got this at the grocery store.  I'm only including it because it is so gosh-darn gorgeous!  I am completely in love with the lime green color and the architectural spikes.  I believe it is a Chrysanthemum, but as usual, I don't want to mislead with misinformation... I will have to research a bit more.  Sometimes the flower industry adds dyes to flowers and I always wonder if I'm getting a natural color or if it is enhanced.

Like these beautiful, but dyed blue orchids.  I got these as a gift and I adore the blue, but it's an example of adding a false color.  Those big blue orchids that have been around the stores the last couple of years will rebloom white.  (Or so I've been told by the president of the local gardening club)

These were in with the grocery store bouquet and I hope they brighten your day with a little cheer!