Out of the photo album from last weekend, I present the Orchid Slide Show. Sadly, this is but a few of the many beautiful orchids that we saw at the show.
Home & Garden
Hen and Chicks with Gun
Check out this interesting still-life that Damsel composed last April. I have been looking through some of the old photos as I transfer them to a recently-acquired mass storage external drive. I saw this one among them and thought it was quite nice. Click for the wallpaper/screen-saver size.
The Orchid Show
Yesterday, we went to the recycle center to redeem paper, aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Just across from the center, is the Botanic Garden; we noticed that the Orchid Show and sale were in progress this weekend! I don’t know how we overlooked it, since we have gone to every show for the last several years.
By the time we made the discovery, we were already committed to a full Saturday. If we’re going to go this weekend it would have to be Sunday – and (gasp) forego our weekly session on the shooting range. So, we bit the bullet (sorry) and went to the garden and show this morning.
We weren’t disappointed. The orchids were all beautiful, both those in the show and those for sale in the patio. I bought a nice phalaenopsis for less than half what you would pay in a retail store. I took this picture while transporting it to our home. Click for big.
Plumeria Pollinator
A disappointed Sachem Skipper lights on this plumeria blossom only to discover that the flower’s fragrance is a false alarm – plumerias have no nectar – they use their fragrance to dupe pollinators into landing. Click image for closer-up.
In the Cactus Garden
Saturday, during our visit to the Botanic Gardens, I took this shot of this cluster of cactii with a palo verde tree behind it. In spite of all the spines, this section of the garden is one of our favorites.
Garden Butterfly
During our visit to the South Coast Botanic Gardens today, this little butterfly perched near the dahlia exhibit. We don’t go to the gardens only for the flowers; we love to see the hummingbirds, butterflies, dragon flies and whatever else happens to come our way.
Click the image for the 1024×768 pixel version.
Crassula Red and Yellow
This succulent is called Crassula Falcata and is native to South Africa. These do well here in Southern California. This one has been growing in front of our house since my Mom brought me a cutting and I stuck it into the ground. Every year since then, it has had these bright red and yellow flower clusters and the fragrance is like fresh ocean air, slightly perfumed. Click for the biggie.
