Yellow Trumpets

| Flower Roberts

I found gold today.

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I was at an undisclosed location looking for a black squirrel,

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when I spied bog heaven on the shore of a lake.

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I got my shoes all squishy getting these photos, but it was worth it.

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How ironic to find Yellow Trumpets in Dizzy Gillespie’s hometown.

The genus name is Sarracenia.  I don’t know whether it’s the  flava or alata species.  

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They are pitcher plants.  They trap insects in the pitcher and dissolve them as a supplemental source of nitrogen not available in the soil.

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This town has been one thrill after another.

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I will be sad to leave,  but my family,  plants and bunnies need me.IMG_7737

Follow the FLOWER.

The Resurrection Fern

| Flower Roberts

These fascinating little epiphytes grow on the barks of trees. They seem to prefer horizontal limbs.

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When they are dry they curl up and look almost dead.

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When it rains they soak up the water from the bark and..

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Viola. Alive again.

Its scientific name is Pleopeltis polypodioides.

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The photo below was taken on Monday.

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Then again in the rain on Tuesday.

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By Wednesday it looked alive again.

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Viva la Fern!

 

Cheraw in the Spring

| Flower Roberts

I enjoyed a long walk today

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In my son’s new town.

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He moved here this past fall,

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so this is my first glimpse of spring in Cheraw, South Carolina.

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The azaleas are in full flower now.

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The wisteria are wafting their scents into the breezes.

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The birds are nesting and singing.

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I awoke to a song I did not know this morning.

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I’m feeling like a Southern Belle.

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I can’t think of anything more southern than moss

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and magnolias,

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Unless it’s an ornate gate.

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Snowballs in spring are just magical.

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The boy may have trouble getting rid of mama.

My Lizard Kingdom

| Flower Roberts

On any warm day, I can sneak to certain spots and spy  lizards taking a sunbath.

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Some of them notice me and roll their eyes my way.

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The Skinks are skittish and run into the nearest crack, their faces blushed with embarrassment.

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The Bluetails turn and flash their blue tails as they retreat.

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I have seen them leave this squiggling blue appendage behind when caught.

The big Fence bubbas do push ups at me to show how strong they are.

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This baby is still peeling.  He has a piece of skin blowing up and down on his head.

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Mr. Fence is true to his name here.  Notice those blue scales on the chest.

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I love my tiny lizard kingdom.

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Follow the Reptiles.

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Ranunculus Reigns in April

| Flower Roberts

Bright colors, Tight petals, No thorns

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Ranunculus reigns like an early rose

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It actually comes from tubers, not bulbs

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Likes cool weather

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May have up to 30+ blooms per plant

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Great source of cut flowers.

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What’s not to love?

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FOLLOW the FLOWER to Spring

The Annunciation Lily

| Flower Roberts

I noticed that many of the annunciation paintings at the Uffizi Art Museum in Florence included a lily that looked like an Easter lily.

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The Annunciation, Leonardo Da Vinci

I was curious about a lily that churches display at Easter being included with Mary and the angel, Gabriel.

This is a white Madonna lily,  Lilium candidum.

It is a symbol for purity, Christ, innocence and spring.

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The Annunciation and Two Saints, Simone Martini and Lippo Memmi

 

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Easter Lily/Lilium longiflorum

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I also thought that Mary’s reaction to Gabriel’s news was portrayed in interesting ways.

If you search Annunciation paintings of the Uffizi Art Museum (or …of Italy),  you will see many examples with much better photography.  I was amazed by an angel bringing Mary flowers.

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Happy Easter!

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Red Dogwood/Cornus florida

My Flock of Friends

| Flower Roberts

My flock of friends flew in yesterday.

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They filled the trees with excitement.

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Groups took turns swooping down to visit my Foster Holly.

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The party lasted from morning ’til evening.

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Just at dusk, they lifted from the tree tops and flew away.

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I do not know where the Cedar Waxwings come from or where they go when they leave.

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But they know where my Foster Holly is

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and stop by every spring to feast on its berries and rest as they journey.

Follow the Flock.