Pretty in Pink

Yesterday my restless feet took me walking to the end of the boardwalk near my condo. As I was enjoying the breeze a Roseate Spoonbill flew into the mangroves that the boardwalk winds its way through. As I walked back towards home I spotted the spoonbill fishing in a pool of water, which I had noticed on my way in because the little fish were acting a bit frantic. The low tide hadn't left them much water to swim in.

Now most wading birds I've seen in Florida have pointed bills and with a swift motion the bird snatches fish from the water. The spoonbill was swishing her bill in the water as she walked. It was like a beautiful head dance. She wasn't too happy to have me watching her and flew up into the mangrove trees where I shamelessly took photos.

And now as I am typing this I look out my window over the mangroves and see a little girl racing along the boardwalk followed by a lovely pink bird flying over the treetops. My second spotting of a Roseate Spoonbill in the wild, all dressed up and pretty in pink!

Garden Giggles

Rich and I went exploring at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg again. There is a new photography exhibit and the woman who made a significant donation of photographs to it was giving a lecture. Afterward I found the courtyard I had missed the last time and tickled myself with perverse perspective.

Philodendrons are taking over Florida!

Walking to the swimming pool I noticed this unusual flower sprouting from the bosom of a very common plant here in West-Central Florida. Of course I was fascinated! Just think how many sci-fi and other twistings of creative souls have been influenced by plants such as this!


I poked around the plant from different angles and can only wonder at the entertainment I provided my neighbors as I squatted, leaned and clicked my camera. But I was being entertained as well. Don't you just want to say how cute this plant is? As in the Geico gecko cute?

So I came home and had to discover what this plant was called. As a child my Grandmother or maybe it was my brother brought a very similar plant from Florida to grow in our house in New Jersey. Did it ever grow! I named it Lurch after the Adams Family butler because in the summer my mother would put it on the porch near the front door. It turns out it is commonly known as a tree or cut-leaf Philodendron. Pretty much, if a plant has thick, green glossy leaves and you say it's a Philodendron you're probably right. It's a big family of plants.

Switchplates and Outlets to go

Just look what came off of the walls! Now you have an idea of some of the color derangement that was going on. Unfortunately some of it still exists - that nasty green is what previous owners painted the medicine cabinet door. But little by little we have been changing the details and making our new condo a home.