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Friday, April 23, 2010

Sunflowers and a trip to the wetlands

I am feeling some better this morning. Thanks for all the well wishes! Went outside to water the plants and took a few shots of the newest sunflower plant over the fence! Believe it or not, I took one of these right after the other, facing east, while the sun was coming up and this is how different they came out. I thought the dark sillouette was pretty also!


Hubby and I decided to drive to a nearby wetland area yesterday, and here are a few pics I took. It was an easy walk, partially (50%) in shade, along a boardwalk. The weather was perfect and cool. We both felt a walk outside on Earth Day would help us clear up our lungs!!!

This first pic is just the underside of one of the tiki roofs they had along the boardwalk. It is made of woven actual palm fronds, and I have always wanted to know how to do that! It makes such a pretty pattern. While sitting under this structure, we saw a hawk, iris, many water plants and beautiful Cypress trees everywhere...and lots of water! It was really pretty!


This little squirrel let me get right up under him.

Here is the hawk (?)that flew by...so beautifully, and silently... and he was so generous as to sit in a tree that wasn't too far out!!!

There were wild bromeliads everywhere and I took tons of pics, but throught this one was the best with it's bloom out to one side. I only found a few blooming...but I just love the look of the wild ones all in the trees! On this trip I spend most of my time looking up!!!

18 comments:

Bobbie Lynn said...

Good to hear that you are feeling better. What a pretty place to get out and walk. Love the photo of the sunflowers and the silhouette shot is a great shot Julie. Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Bobbie Lynn

Tira said...

Wow those sunflowers are gorgeous. I have never seen a bromeliad blooming in the wild, this one is so colorful.

Unknown said...

wow! what a wonderful place. I also just love love love that pic of the sunflowers(silhouette). Glad you are feeling better too.

Steve Asbell said...

I love those tillandsia bromeliads... they're my favorite part of the cypress swamps!

Teri said...

I'm happy you are feeling better-must have been all that fresh air and beautiful pictures. I LOVE that sunflower silhouette! Such beautiful blooms.

Lynn Cohen said...

What an adventurous day. I do love all the pictures, each unique in it's own way...all so beautiful examples of why our world is such a wonderful place to be alive in.

Anne said...

Wow! I love the sun flowers such beautiful colours!....:)

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you're feeling better too. Love those sunflowers. Are they as tall as they seem in the picture?

Unknown said...

Hi Julie
Glad u are better. A lovely set of pics - Love the first one, beautiful silhouttes. Happy weekend, Ev

Geothermal Heat Pumps said...
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Julie said...

Mr. BT- the burnt orange sunflower must be 12 ft. tall. The yellow one which bloomed earlier, and right next to the orange one, was about 8 ft. tall.

Serena Lewis said...

Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well, Julie...glad that you're doing a little better now. Those sunflowers are lovely...both pics! Not 100% sure but that bird looks like it could be a kestrel which is from the falcon family. Great shot!

donna said...

Oh, Julie....what a nice day. Wish I'd been there. So much to see and enjoy.

The dark sillouette photo of the sunflowers is great. The clouds in the background add to the total look.

Are those Cobweb Hens and Chicks in your header photo? I planted some last year and they made it through the winter, but they don't look amazing like yours.

Nice squirrel photo, even though I don't like squirrels. A pregnant squirrel made her way into our attic a few years ago. Good shot of the hawk, too.

donna

Mary said...

Great Sunrise pix! I think your hawk is an osprey. They're common in wetlands and around water in general, they eat fish.

Aaerelon said...

You have outdoor bromeliads there! I shouldn't be shocked but I am. You have consistently warm temperatures and I don't... but you have bromeliads! That grow outside!! That are big and nice!!!

Julie said...

Donna- The cactus in my header is a Thimble Cactus (Mammillaria gracilis var. fragilis). It is covered in white star shaped spines, and is a very small cactus! It is a real close-up pic which distorts it somewhat! They are really cute, compact little cacti...forming little balls on top of balls, each covered in stars!!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

How neat to get to go to the wetlands, Julie... I'd not only be looking at all of the flowers and plants---I'd be looking at all of the BIRDS... ha

Hugs,
Betsy

Bethany said...

incredible!!!!