Tuesday Tidbits

The Cereus have bloomed- this is one of about 50 more blooms to come- they are completely loaded with blooms.  I have never seen them so full of blooms.  This week I have been arriving early just so I can see them all.  Today one is open, looks like about 4 will be waiting for me in the morning.  The bees are already at work and happy.

This is such an interesting Kalanchoe to me- it looks like a Venus Fly Trap.  We have several Kalanchoes but this is the most interesting I think.

I am happy to report that the front bed is full of the ice plant and the Calandrinia that I planted in there in February is big and full and happy.  I can't wait for it to bloom again.  I am still happy with this arrangement- everything in this bed is happy and getting along beautifully.

The Large Cigar Plants are beginning to bloom- I have been waiting to see these in person and it was worth the wait. No wonder they call this variety Candy Corn!

The Yellow Trumpet Vine is thriving and full of blooms- I like the orange one as well but the yellow is stunning to me.

And last but not least is a shot of my latest arrangement - I must admit I am happy with the way it turned out.  I like how the colors all seem to bounce off each other.  I have the St. Elmo Firecracker Ferns at the front, the Yucca rigida behind, then the Salvia Black and Blue then the Thyrallis.  Behind the Thyrallis is the Bottle Brush which started coming into bloom yesterday. 

Little Visitors

I have had some new visitors to the nursery the last few days- the Painted Bunting amongst my favorites.  I saw this bird and thought it was the female Painted Bunting, but after looking her up, she isn't as green as it seems the female is, so I have no idea what type of bird she is but she is really sweet looking.  A bird expert I am not nor do I pretend to be.  I got a few photos of her through the glass- she was right outside where the Painted Bunting male likes to hang out in the afternoons.  I have not been able to get more shots of him though I am not giving up.  

The hummingbirds are still out in full force- they live in the oak tree at the front of the nursery.  They swoop down and are in love with the black and blue salvia- they "try" other things but always go back to the salvia.  

I have all sorts of grasshoppers, walking sticks, preying mantis but this little grasshopper I thought was neat as his coloring was unique, at least to me.

And here is my little surprise that is growing like a weed- a watermelon- who knew.  Can you see it?  It is at the bottom next to the rocks.  I have no idea what variety it is, Felipe planted when we built the bed and it is huge and taking over.  I think it looks really neat with the agave I have it with and growing below the Beautyberry I must admit.  I have not been able to get a good shot of it all together though- the sun is never right and it looks really washed out.  I am still trying to get a good shot of that bed but it is filling out and looking really good.  I think the Pavonia is the happiest of all in there next to this watermelon- wonder how it will taste... and there are about 8 more in there but none quite this large yet.

Here's the Pavonia:

I Swear I Am Not Turning This Into A Hummingbird Blog...but...

Ok, can't help it, more hummingbird shots!  But this one of the hummingbird with this bug?!?!?!  Love it!!!!  I was so excited Wednesday after capturing some shots of the hummingbirds that I have basically been stalking all year, and thought FINALLY!  I captured them!!!  Well, then I got even MORE shots.  I was and am so excited.  It was unreal.  They were so close to me- they were not bothered that I was standing out there at all. They definitely seem to have their preferences though plant wise- the White Salvia and the Black and Blue Salvia.  They venture to other things but inevitably come back to these two.  

I was having so much fun with them buzzing around me.  They could care less if I walk up closer to them or stand right in the middle of the Salvia to get the shot.  There seem to be two groups of two that fly together.  I have yet to capture that- them in air playing Avatar but I also haven't tried, maybe I will go for that next.  

Today someone told me that they are more than likely fighting.   Interesting.  I am going to keep watching and see.  I knew they were territorial but these two sets that keep together seem fine with each other- perhaps a male and a female?  I don't know a lot about hummingbirds and am still reeling that I have even been able to get any shots of them that are not total blurs that I don't hardly know what to do with myself.  

Enjoy!!

Ga What?

Gazania.  That is what it's called.  Bizarre name (to me anyway) but it has moved ranks to my new favorite. I even like the name.  Gazania.  I just like to say it.  It is so pretty.  The colors are so vibrant and the contrast of the colors of the petals with the leaves of the plant are a perfect combination.  Apparently this is planted all over California but it was the first time for me to see it and I fell instantly in love.  

Gazania.  

Enjoy.

I wanted to share two others I had been waiting on to see what they were going to reveal and it was worth the wait.  The Salvia 'Black and Blue' is stunning.  I have placed one right by the door so I can see it all day.  No wonder how it got it's name but it is really pretty and unique I thought.  It grows about 3-4' and is nice as it can tolerate a few hours of shade.  It is always so hard to find pretty blooming things that can stand the shade (of which Texas does not have a lot of....).

And last but certainly not least is the Desert Willow 'Bubba'.  I was so excited to see this had opened up today. This variety has a little darker purple flower than the sp. and shows off a little more in my opinion.

I have captured some great butterfly shots that I am about ready to post- I was trying to get a variety of different ones but there seem to be two in particular that like to pose while the others keep flying away (like that little hummingbird I am determined to get in focus).  Hopefully tomorrow I will have captured at least one more variety and can post.  We just got some of the Almond Verbena in and there is one little butterfly that will not leave it's side.  He will for sure make his debut.