No Snow Here!!

Seems like everyone is posting pictures of snow. And while I have to admit it does looks beautiful and serene,  I much prefer the scenery in my backyard.

For example---

Even after  my "gardening neglect" and the cold temps I am pleasantly surprised to find this beautiful bloom---

It is one of my hibiscus bushes--it always seems to have a least one flower blooming. I forget the name. We just buy the small gallon size at our local "big box" plant department. This one seems to be a hardy variety.

Then there are my wildflowers--

These are Gaillardia aristata---also know as Blanket Flower.  We have several different color combinations growing wild in our backyard. They are all volunteers which means we didn't plant them--the birds did.

These are the other wildflowers blooming in the backyard---

I've always called these beach sunflowers. They grow wild on the dunes. Their official name is Rudbeckia hirta and they are most commonly known as Black-Eyed Susan--which I think is funny because the center is brown. They are also volunteers.

Did you know that last week Florida was the only state in the union that did not have any snow.

Oops--maybe that's a fact better kept quiet.

For the Birds---

Looks like there's a new "kid" on the block--

I heard "him" chirping this morning while I was enjoying my coffee on the patio.

As I took a closer look I saw--

A brother or sister-

They look so cute.

Noticed some more movement and then there were--

Three!!

Momma was getting worried--

So I left her alone to tend to her babies-
And I went back to my coffee.

Flowers!

Seems like everyone is posting pictures of their gardens and flowers. I just got Scott Kelby's Digital Photography book from the library and thought I would try out his "flower technique". Keep in mind that I am still using a Kodak point and shoot---

My front yard is St. Augustine grass but the backyard is a wildflower meadow-
I'm trying to get a good picture of it to show you but for now--

These are the wildflowers that grow in my backyard--

I tried for some close-ups--

These are referred to as Beach Sunflowers--

These are Gaillardia--also known as Blanket flower--

So what do you think?

Not too bad for a simple little point & shoot--