Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Flowers

Blue and Green Phalaenopsis Orchids


While we were shopping yesterday at the supermarket, I noticed that they had orchids in the flower concession. I had never seen blue nor green phalaenopsis orchids before, but there they were. I did some research and found that the blue orchids are really white orchids injected with blue dye.

From BlueOrchid.org:

During the growth process, the stalk of a white phalaenopsis orchid is injected with a blue dye solution. The intervention is performed in an environment that keeps the infection risk for the plant at a minimum. The blue color is absorbed by the orchid and creates a blue flower.

I assume the same is true for the green orchids. Click on the image to alternate between photos I took of blue and green orchids.

14 Nov 2014 by Flowers Photography

Autumn Daisies

Fall Daisies

This is a photo I took of some daisies eight years ago yesterday. The photo was archived on the terabyte drive that we use for backup. I found it by accident when looking for Veteran’s Day photos. I liked the fall colors and always love flowers in general. Click on the image to enlarge.

12 Nov 2014 by Flowers Photography

Zinnia

Zinnia

Before we left Torrance this morning bound for Fresno, CA, we stopped at a convenience store to get ice for the cooler. Just outside the store, I noticed a small flower garden with Zinnias in several colors. I couldn’t resist pausing long enough to get a close-up of this orange beauty. Click on the image to enlarge.

We are spending the night here in Fresno on our way to Santa Rosa, CA, in order to be with our granddaughter on the occasion of her giving birth to our first great grandson. We will report further developments tomorrow when we arrive at the destination (a four hour plus drive from here).

11 Sep 2014 by California Flowers Photography Travel

Plumeria

Plumeria

We visited my Mom today and brought lunch for us, my sisters, my aunt and Mom. It was a good visit, seeing family that we don’t get to see that often.

In Mom’s garden, there are several plumeria plants which have these beautiful five-petaled flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.

Wikipedia has this information about these lovely flowers:

Plumeria (common name Frangipani) is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. It contains seven or eight species of mainly deciduous shrubs and small trees. They are native to Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America as far south as Brazil but can be grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions.

09 Sep 2014 by California Flowers Photography

Butterfly and the Red Bird of Paradise

ButterflyAmong the main reasons I wanted the Red Bird of Paradise shrubs in the courtyard was to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. I am not disappointed since both species frequently browse the flowers of not only the red birds, but the sage flowers as well, when they are present. With second spring coming, the sages should also have more flowers to attract the critters.

In addition to the hummers and butterflies, this year we began noticing Sphinx Moths, also sometimes called “Hummingbird Moths” browsing both the red birds in the courtyard and the rosemary bushes out back. Interesting little critters, they are about 1/3 the size of hummers but act quite the same in that they hover and sample the nectar and move on to another flower.

I photographed this encounter with a very pretty black butterfly about to descend upon one of the clusters of flowers on the red bird closest to the middle of the courtyard. Click on the image to enlarge.

02 Sep 2014 by Arizona Critters Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Devil’s Tongue Cactus Flowers

Devil’s Tongue Flowers

As Second Spring approaches the desert, my Devil’s Tongue Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus latispinus) is flowering again. This is the barrel cactus that started out in my California cactus garden and was transplanted to Arizona a little over three years ago. Judging from the number of flower buds, I’d say the cactus likes it here in Wickenburg. Click on the image to enlarge.

From How Stuff Works:

Ferocactus latispinus (devil’s tongue cactus) gets its name from its long, broad, red-colored spines. Another with a flattened, red, central spine is Ferocactus recurvus (devil’s pincushion). These cacti are easy to grow and can get quite large eventually. They like bright light, heavy soil with excellent drainage, house temperatures and good air circulation.

In Mexico, the skin and spines are peeled off and the flesh is diced to be eaten raw or candied. They also provide an emergency source of water in the desert — you slice off the top of the plant, stir the pulp with a stick and drink the sap.

31 Aug 2014 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Red Bird of Paradise

Red Bird of Paradise

While working in the courtyard today, I took the time to photograph a cluster of Red Bird of Paradise flowers. Also known as The Pride of Barbados, these shrubs are now in the peak of flowering season and completely dominate the courtyard with their fiery colors. Click on the image to enlarge.

More from Wikipedia:

Caesalpinia pulcherrima is a species of flowering plant in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to the tropics and subtropics of the Americas. It could be native to the West Indies, but its exact origin is unknown due to widespread cultivation. Common names for this species include Poinciana, Peacock Flower, Red Bird of Paradise, Dwarf Poinciana, Pride of Barbados, and flamboyan-de-jardin.

22 Aug 2014 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

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