What You See Isn't Always What You Get - or so I thought.....

I was shopping in Publix and saw some lovely potted flowers.  I decided that for $5.99 I would treat myself.   I chose one that was only open a teeny bit so it would last longer and I could enjoy watching it open.
 

This is what I was expecting but learned that they were grape hyacinths.  Yes, that's what Grandmother grew. OK, so I studied the tag inserted into the pot, which means I changed my expectation to the flowers on the left.

I decided that would be acceptable, especially if they had that sweet aroma.

 

However, he next day I found that the stalks had shot up and out in a spindly way but they were not opening.

I thought it must be something else, like a hybrid, or maybe they had sent the wrong plant from the greenhouse. 

I started to plan when I was going run to Publix to return it while muttering under my breath that this was NOT a hyacinth!

The following day I found out the truth because that lovely, unique aroma was filling my kitchen.

It WAS a hyacinth, a rather unusual one, but definitely a hyacinth. 

It is uplifting to see and smell God's glorious handiwork in progress.

I couldn't resist.  With a few plastic sticks and tie wraps, I pulled the blooms up and have a much more dramatic burst of color.

They're on the table beside my computer desk and have been lovely to smell.

The results haven't been what I had been expecting but the results are "lovely to look at and delightful to behold."

Red Hats in the Swamp

I volunteered to be the activity leader for our February "Hattitudes."  We went to Indiantown, FL, which is about 40 miles SW of us.  We had lunch at the Seminole Inn.  This quaint, charming inn was built in 1926 and has about 35 rooms.
We then boarded a bus for a half hour ride to the Barley Barber Swamp.   We watched a video on the way out.  That was one ROUGH ride!

This swamp is known as one of the finest remaining old growth cypress communities in the country.  It adjoins one of the power plants for Florida Power and Light so they bought about 400 acres and have preserved it.  

There is a very nice boardwalk through the area and we had two personable, knowledgeable guides.

Here's a cypress tree that's about a thousand years old.

Mollie Pike, one of our older members, decided to go, even though she's having a hip replacement next week.  We made her Queen for the Day!  What a good (and brave) sport she was.

This is one of the more adventuresome trips this group has taken and I think most everyone enjoyed our "mini-safari" into a little-known place that's not really that far away.  

The Seminole Inn is especially famous for their Sunday brunches and some ladies were already making plans to return with their hubbies and visiting families for brunch and the swamp tour.

Resplendent Roseate Spoonbill

There's nothing quite like glancing out your living room window to discover a pink bird about three feet tall wading along the edge of your lake.  

Even though my camera couldn't capture the beautiful pink color, I knew I was seeing a Roseate Spoonbill.  I was "tickled pink" that I did capture a good view of the spoon shape of his bill. 

Here are two photos from the web that show you the color a bit more clearly.

    The wing feathers range from bright red to magenta, depending on the age of the bird.

Click this link/title for an interesting article.  

My Favorite Florida Birds, The Roseate Spoonbill

Seeing something like this in a zoo is one thing, but seeing it in your own backyard is radically exciting to me.  Rah, rah, resplendent roseates!

Sandhill Crane Colts

Did you know that young Sandhill Cranes are called colts? People are surprised to learn that the baby crane designation is the same as a horse. However, with those long legs and their love of running there are similarities, if only in concept. 

We've seen some colts around Savanna Club this spring.  They just walked across our backyard and they are soooo cute!  

 

One stopped for a snack, happened to notice his fellow colt and parents were moving on, started running, and I could hear him holler,  "Hey, wait up, you guys.  Wait for me!!"

The novelty of seeing animals wander around naturally never wears off.  A zoo setting is never the same.

We are always thrilled at the various animals we see behind our house, both walking and in the water.  It's a daily show and the price is right --- free!  But the Sandhill Cranes will always be our favorites!!

Bury Your Head In...

You've heard of "burying your head in the sand" but we saw a different interpretation of this saying....

I looked out into the back yard and saw two sandhill cranes napping.  They stayed like this for over an hour. 

One would sleep and the other one would look up, preen a bit, then go back to sleep.

So, the saying about "burying your head..." has been altered for today to:

  "Bury your head in your wing to take a nap." 

 Sleep well, my sweet Sandhill crane.

Florida Flowers in Spring

My sister was asking me if we have daffodils in the spring in Florida.  No, we don't, but her question inspired me to really take a look.  Anita, this post is for YOU!

The entrance area to Savanna Club (our 55+ community) is beautifully kept and makes the place look inviting. 

(Click on any photo for a larger version.)

 The flowers in the beds are changed several times a year.

We pass these pink oleander bushes and pink impatiens (I think that's what they are) as we leave our community.

The bougainvillea bushes are favorites of mine.  I love them EXCEPT for the fact that they're covered with sharp thorns.

They show up in several colors.

This bush had several colors growing on the same bush. 

Hidden at the base of this bougainvillea bush is a colorful croton plant.

The water lilies are out in their spring glory.

There's something special about water lilies.

Planting and keeping beds up does take effort.

 

These hibiscus, impatiens and geraniums are colorful.

Showy, huh?

Red  impatiens border this driveway.

The trunk of this palm (not sure what it is) makes a nice center of interest in this spring bed.

Bushes of color...

We see the lady who lives here out working on her flowers a lot.

Who knew white could be so showy?

At the base of a lamppost.

Hibiscus come in several colors, too.

Yellow hibiscus bushes.

Gardenia bushes are in full bloom -- I can almost smell this one just from looking at the picture!

I'd love to get a nice vine growing on our lamppost like the one below.

This house belongs to a lady in my garden club.  She has a nice mix of colors and textures.

The oleander trees were really pretty this spring,

I like the reddish Thai plants (either side of the sign) when the sun hits the leaves and sets off their bright color.

Palms and flowers welcome spring.

More flowers, palms and the yellow-and-green-leaved (is there such a word?) arbicola plants.

This aloe plant is in the yard of a house near the front entrance and we all wait to see how the lady will decorate for each season.

Another spring bed.

The magnolia trees are starting to bloom beautifully.

I am fascinated with the way the stamen (seeds?) fall into the petals.

Mother loved magnolia trees and these brought warm memories of her during my flower photo tour.

Happy Spring from Savanna Club!