It's a beautiful day in my neighborhood ...

Wow. Never mind what's blooming in my garden today.

I wanted to share with you some of the amazing sights that I enjoy on my daily neighborhood walks with Tanner.

As I was taking these pictures, I was humming that infamous Mister Rogers tune ~~ don't hate me if you start humming it to yourself now!


Stunning and soft blooms on this prickly cactus.


A close-up of native Agarita berries bursting forth.
Lantana and yuccas make a nice couple!
More blooms,
And a yellow blooming yucca - much less common than the red.
Mexican feather grass blowing in the breeze.

Have a lovely day!

Daylilies Done!

Mothere Nature and Daylilies clearly don't care if you're sick, as you can see by the yellowing lilies above. They arrived on Friday and today I finally had to tough it out and go plant them. I hope they didn't suffer too much.
I spent several evenings with the catalog, looking at different varieties and trying to decide on a plan. When they bloom, I should have a rainbow of vibrant colors in two different heights. This is truly an experiment, so I have my fingers crossed.
How about these little limes? I can just taste the iced tea, mojitos and fresh pico de gallo we'll enjoy with these babies when they ripen.
The caladiums have popped up in the shade garden and bring a bright, light look to this dark bed.
White Daytura coming back after a long winter's nap.

Now, that's what I need -- a nap. But not this afternoon.

More friends and neighbors

Just wanted you to meet some more of our friends.  This is Mr. Cardinal, who sings me a lovely song every morning.  (Don't tell anyone, but I chirp back to him.)
Here is one of our many Anoles -- darting around the palm fronds trying to keep himself hidden from birds and other predators.
And this is Miss Hummer.  Isn't she delicate?  Tonight she and two of her friends came and had dinner with us.  My husband put this feeder just outside our breakfast room window so we can sit quietly and enjoy them.

Tonight we also had 3 yearling does come to eat grass on the septic tank for dinner, but I didn't get any shots of them.  All these photos were courtesy of my husband and his fabulous new camera lens.  I'm so grateful he helped me out by getting some pictures, as I'm still sick with a sinus infection and have no will to do much of anything.  There sure wouldn't be any post without his help tonight.

I am assuming that these are also the does who ate the flowers off of my new phlox planted at the end of the driveway.  Kallie and I went to the mailbox and discovered a cluster of flowers lying in the grass and then found that the phlox had been eaten down to the nubs.  I wasn't sure when I bought them if they would be safe, so I guess I now have my answer!

Awww ... meet Benjamin Bunny!

I've been checking on the bunny nest daily, carefully watching the layer of bunny fur and bits of grass move gently up and down with the breathing or shifting of the babies tenderly tucked below.

Today, I watched the layer of fur and grass -- and it didn't move. Hmmm. And then I looked up just a tiny bit, to find that Benjamin Bunny had left the nest! He was sitting just a few inches from the nest, up against the corner of the kiddie picnic table I placed as a shelter over the nest. I can't believe that just more than a week ago his little brother barely fit into the palm of my hand.

I quietly stole away and got my camera and went back for one quick and quiet shot so as not to frighten him. Now we just have to hope he and his siblings, Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail, and his Momma, feel adventurous and take off for parts unknown soon so Tanner can have his yard back.

Isn't he the cutest thing?