Why No Posts?

I've been (quite unexpectedly) in the hospital, but once I'm off bedrest I'll be back with a proper post. My apologies!

Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida

New Year's Resolution Fulfilled

I do try to keep my New Year's resolutions, particularly if they involve plants. Last year, I made a resolution to learn more about botany and gardening in an official, preferably university-led, manner. I'm glad to say I'm in my state's Master Gardener training course this spring, so I really have to get all those Latin names and different sorts of leaves learnt properly, because there are tests involved!

Bromeliads, MR

The goal of the course is to go out into the community and help people with sustainable, preferably native, or native-friendly, gardens and landscaping. The long-term goals are to help our native species prosper and people to use less energy, water, and fewer chemicals in keeping their gardens lovely and healthy. There's a lot to learn, but it's very exciting.

The Beach Pea

The Railroad Vine, MR

No plants today, just dolphins!

It's been too chilly and windy to garden, so naturally, I went boating! (Does that make sense? Does it have to?)
Dolphins are extraordinarily intelligent, sensitive, and playful creatures, so I was thrilled to visit with several dozen denizens of the river. A pair came right up to the side of the boat---

 They chirped and twittered and dodged around the boat, then, after a long time, went on their way---

There were lots of birds, too, including this pelican we nicknamed "Low Rider":

It's lovely to spend a day messing about in boats!

Mammillaria vs. Croton

Who is the fairest of them all? Just a couple of weeks ago, a hook-spined Mammillaria bloomed:

It's very difficult to re-pot, but fortunately, only needs repotting once every few years. One more to go!  And I saw a magnificent Croton at a recent trip to the Leu Gardens in Orlando, Florida:

Which one is fairest? I can't choose!