We're on the Move

I'm sorry about being away for awhile.  We've been talking about downsizing for a few years now and finally the decision has been made to sell.

I'm not upset to leave the house, but I am upset to leave the yard and location.

Living against the preserve has been so beautiful and I've absolutely loved every visitor to my garden that has come out of it.

I'm not sure yet where we're moving to or how much space I'll have to garden, but I'll certainly try to work with what I've got.

We do plan to stay in southwest Florida - and I hope we can find a place near the woods.

So, I've been busy inside the house, sorting, throwing, organizing - all the stuff that has to be done to get ready to move.  Unfortunately, I've been neglecting my garden and it shows.

Things are starting to look extra wild and overgrown.

But then, I've always had a raffish sort of garden...it fits my hippie/boho style.

We've also been dealing with a few other things as well.  My husband hasn't been working for almost a year now and is disabled.  This is pretty much what prompted us to decide to get a smaller place.

Then my lovely young doctor referred to me as elderly this week.  Well, that wigged me out - I'm 53 years old.  My profile photo is from when I was 50.  I honestly didn't think of myself as a senior citizen quite yet!

Well, this is now how I feel, hahaha!  I have turned to my art journal to work out my feelings about entering the crone phase of life. 

But you do not want to hear any more about that, so I'll return to the garden.  I will be sad to leave my beautiful Plumeria behind.  This view is taken from underneath as she's so tall now I can't get a good shot of the blooms.  She was just a stick three years ago...

She has graciously allowed me to take a branch or two to begin a new plant for our new place.

Today the Carolina Wrens were all over the backyard.  They wheezed and whistled and chirped and flitted.  There was at least four of them.  

They were so busy, it was hard for me to get a decent shot of them.

Here's an old photo that's slightly better, but not much.  They are the cutest little birds and so sweet as they bobble along and sing so prettily.

This female Cardinal was an easier target to capture.

Oh, Mr. Squirrel - I can tell where you've been!!!

Well, anyway - I've been battling with myself trying to figure out if I should continue to blog or not.  Not knowing what kind of yard or garden I will or won't have.  I'm not quite sure what to do.  I'd hate to bore anyone too much :)

I'm thinking maybe I could morph it into a Florida outdoor and wildlife sort of blog.  

Including lots of flowers of course, but also more of the creatures that are found here in the "swamp".  More about our ecosystem and the native plants and trees.  Maybe kind of an educational sort of blog.

Or maybe I could go out and interview the neighbors and see what's growing in their gardens.  A bit of a roving garden blogger.  Hmmmm - I'm still working on it.  Just thinking out loud here.

Or maybe I'll just head to the beach and share something that's away from the jungle for a change.  We'll see.  I really do like the jungle though.

 Well, I hope you've been enjoying the summer (winter, down under).  I hope we'll be getting settled soon and I look forward to getting back to reading your blogs on a regular basis and enjoying your comments!   Happy July and Peace to all. 

New Visitors to the Garden

Wow, what a busy little fellow this guy was!  And what a beauty!  This is an American Redstart and is part of the Warbler family.  They winter here in the very southern part of Florida and this is the first time I've seen them in my yard.  (I'm so excited) 

There were two males.  I didn't see any females.  And they were zipping around under the branches and it was hard to get a shot.  

That was a couple of days ago.  I've been looking for them every day since and haven't seen them.  I feel very lucky that I caught them having a rest in my backyard.

Another new bird to my yard is this pretty little Ground Dove.    Not much bigger than a sparrow and they love to shuffle around - well - on the ground.  Funny that I captured this one sitting on a branch.  They're not uncommon, but they are declining in number.  They're found only in the southern states here in North America.

Just to compare - here's a Mourning Dove and you can see it has a completely dark bill, blue "eyeliner" and is a bigger bird  with no fine scaling around the neck and chest.

Also for comparison, is the Eurasian Collared Dove.   These birds are quite large and rather elegant looking.  They are, however, the biggest bully around, IMHO.  

Just one more feathered friend - this Common Yellow-shafted Flicker is not new to me or the yard, but I finally had a camera with me when I saw one.  

I'm just sticking this shot in here to show how pretty the yellow color is on the underside of her wing.

Well, I'm happy that the big Gardenia bush is finally blooming out back!

And that the Dwarf Gardenia bushes are blooming in front.

When I was out back, I knew I kept smelling the Magnolia grandiflora - but I couldn't find any blooms.  Then there I spotted it, clear up at the tippy top of the tree....  I knew she was blooming somewhere.  There's no other fragrance like it :)

I cut this Lantana way back and oh, it drives me nuts to see a plant all butched to the bone - but I know it can be a good thing.  Now it's full of lush new blooms that are attracting a lot of butterflies like this Zebra longwing.

Here's Miss Poppet, waiting for me to come back inside.  She's very good at making dog snot art by pressing her nose against the window and smearing it all around....

And here's Mr. Flash - he's ever so well mannered and would never dream of messing up the windows.  Both faithfully wait until I'm done taking photos or doing a little gardening.  But, now it's time for their walk, so we hope to see you next time.  Happy May!

The Night Singer

I had to blow this sunset photo way up so you can see the silhouette of the mockingbird that's sitting on the sign post.  He often sits there and sings.

And what a singer he is!  I haven't been sleeping much this week and I've been lured outside every night around 1:00 am or so to listen to the mockingbirds beautiful song.

At least I think it's beautiful.  I can see why it might be annoying to others as it goes on and on and on - all night long.

Apparently, he's looking for a mate.  Mating season here in Florida is April and May, so that's when you'll most likely hear him night singing.  I hope he'll be successful!

One site posted how the mockingbird likes to sing especially when it's a full moon.  Well, it happened to be a full moon this last week.  And it was gorgeous!

So, if you hear a pretty tweedle, tweedle, tweedle or a thrack, thrack, thrack interrupting your dreams - it's probably Mr. Mockingbird.  

Now, we do have other birds that make noise during the night here in Florida.  I don't have any pics of them, so I'll just put this funky shot up while I list some of those other noisy night birds:  chuck-will's-widow,  black-crowned night heron, yellow-crowned night heron and of course owls make noise.  My favorite noise-making owl down here is the barred owl - they really get hooting back and forth and I can't quit grinning every time I hear them.

Well, this week in the garden, I've got some pretty orchids blooming on the lanai.

I get all excited every time this lime green one blooms!

These are all Phalaenopsis orchids that I got on markdown at the garden center and this is their fourth time blooming since I got them - hurray!  

The Spathiphyllum or Peace Lily is putting up a few blooms lately as well.

I also wanted to mention that I haven't seen the beautiful Indigo or Painted Buntings for the last three days.

I think they've all taken off...but no worries, they'll be back later this fall!  (what a goofball shot, Ha!) 

I also want to thank you all for leaving such kind and caring comments on my posts!  I haven't gotten back to reply, but hope to do better in the future.  Have a lovely week everyone!