B. North Star

This begonia of Mike's is called B. North Star and I think it looks really great!  It's growing near the front door and I get to see it coming and going from the house.

B. North Star

California Quail

I was brushing my teeth and looking out the window at the bird feeders, when I saw a pair of California Quail!  I've never seen quail in the garden before.  They have always been higher in the foothills.  So I grabbed my camera and took these pictures shooting from 30 feet up, through a louvered window!  I've since put some water in the birdbath, set up the BirdCam and thrown some birdseed around the ground.  The quail must have been passing through as I haven't seen them since.

California Quail

California Quail

California Quail

California Quail

California Quail

Bear's Paw

This is one of my favorite succulents (Cotyledon tomentosa) commonly known as Bear's Paw.  It has nice blooms.  it's also in just enough sun so that the tips of the leaves are dark brown.

Cotyledon tomentosa - Bear's Paw

I like the contrast of the dark tips against the green leaves.  You can see how it gets it's common name Bear's Paw.

A Walking Stick

I haven't seen a walking stick around here for a long time and I only saw this one because it was on the red brick steps. It must have been hiding in the dead tree or palm fronds that were cut down the other day. I put it in the maple tree for better camouflage.

Walking Stick

Walking Stick

Gum-plant

I saw this plant in the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden and thought it was really interesting.  The white liquid in the opening blooms had caught my eye.  I had never seen this before it's a Gum-plant or Grinderlia hirsutula.  It's common name is hairy gumplant or hairy gum weed.  The head produces a thick white exudate "gum".  there were a lot of bees going t the flowers but none of them went to the gum.

Gum-plant

Gum-plant

Gum-plant

Gum-plant

Gum-plant