Friday, January 22, 2010

Friday's Flower Fantasies


The wind is blowin'
It's cold and snowin'


And, while the plan is...
(Was?)
To bundle up, hike to the stables and hug my horse this morning...

I find myself goofing around in iPhoto...
Looking for a new tropical flower picture, to grace the desktop of my computer.

So when I sit down to [allegedly] do some work, I can begin by gazing dreamily at an oh, so, pleasing tropical flower...


Conjuring sights and sounds a world away from my snowy mountain top.


That got me wondering if you ~ yes, you ~ I'm talking to you...
Might enjoy a Zen moment, too! :)


* I photographed these pretty girls in their happy home at the Kula Botanical Gardens on the island of Maui ~ a magical place if ever I've seen one.

PS: Curious as to the names of these tropical beauties? Me, too! I haven't a clue.



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24 comments:

jan said...

Going to that botanical garden is on my bucket list! We have had a trip planned for 'February after next', for several years, now....Maybe someday we will actually get there!

Lona said...

Kate what beauties they are. Don't you sometimes envy those who live in the warmer temps and can have these all year around. LOL! At least you have your pictures to brighten a day and daydream of the tropics.

Cheryl Ann said...

I don't know what they are either, but they are BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for sharing!

Bridget said...

Wow, these are just beautiful flowers. I'm adding a link to my gardening blog www.bulbblog.com so that I can remember to check yours often. Thanks!

Carol said...

Lovely flowers... gorgeous photos!! I hope you did select the one you like for your desktop and were able to get out to your horse!! To be able to hug a horse of one's own! Utter joy it would be for me. I have horse envy! I should love to see that hug! ;>))

Melospiza said...

I love these. I especially love the contrast with the icy masthead photo. Only the contrast does make me a little chilly.

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

You've gotta do it, Jan!
It is such a lovely place. All wild and such. Easy to get lost on the meandering flower trails. But, who cares? I wouldn't mind being lost in there forever! :D

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Lona;
Yes, absolutely I do. But, that's just temporary. Right after I win the lottery you and my other blogging buddies can escape deep winter at my Maui villa! :))

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Thanks, Cheryl & Bridget; Glad you enjoyed your moment of zen. :))

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Thx, Carol;
Yep, I did make it over there. They were quite frisky since a big storm is brewing. But she settled down. Bell is a very huggable horsie. Megan, not so much. Her mission in life is to eat so if you want a hug you better pony up an apple. :))

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Melospiza;
Loved your rant yesterday! :)

Yes, I need to get rid of the masthead. I though it was pretty but lots of people tell me it's depressing!

Linda J-H said...

Glorious photos, Kate! And I love the masthead. So January! Please leave it up for awhile.

joey said...

Aren't you lucky ... so many beautiful choices for your desktop! A delightful post, Kate.

sweetbay said...

I really like those coral pink bells in that last picture -- they're so charming.

Shady Gardener said...

Beautiful flowers! Perhaps Noelle from Ramblings from a Desert Garden would know the id on the first one. I enjoyed the contrast to the ice and snow that I see out my window. :-)

Cynthia Oakes said...

Always up for a Zen moment! Think I'll steal (ooops, how un-Zen of me) one of these lovely photos for my own desk top. Thanks, Kate, for the get-away.

Victoria said...

Wowee..these are gorgeous! Stunning and unique flowers..fabulous shots! I love them all!yay! That was fun!

Garden Lily said...

Gorgeous! My favourite is the 2nd photo. Wow!

donna said...

Just looking at these lovely photos makes me feel warm all over.

donna

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Oh, I'm glad you all liked them! It's fun to escape our cold, snowy winter even if it's only through pictures.

Rose said...

What a great way to beat the winter blahs, Kate! The first one reminds me of the Baja Fairy Duster which I've seen in Arizona, but I don't have a clue on any of the others. But then I don't think you need to know the names to enjoy them. Thanks for the bright pick-me-up!

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Baja Fairy Duster! What a cool name! Hmmm... I wonder if I could grow that beauty in my sunny window?

Wunx~ said...

I've got some of the drooping red bells in the last picture. I think they're a kind of kalancho. Want a cutting?

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Wunx!
I absolutely do! A kind of Kalanchoe... that I wouldn't have guessed. They sort of resemble a big Frittalaria.