Bromeliad Aechmea nudicaulis Flavomarginata

 This bromeliad Aechmea nudicaulis Flavomarginata that I bought four weeks ago at the La Ballona Valley Bromeliad Show, is sending up a bloom.  And it looks just like the seller said it would!

Aechmea nudicaulis Flavomarginata

Aechmea nudicaulis Flavomarginata

Aechmea nudicaulis Flavomarginata

White Epiphyllum with Five Blooms!

 This white Epiphyllum is looking amazing, with five blooms at the same time.  The blooms look great and I wished they lasted longer. than a day or two.  This particular plant is growing right next to the road.  I hope drivers slow down and give it a quick glance.  Fortunately it's just high enough and back enough, that the dog walkers and their dogs won't be causing any damage.  :) 

Epiphyllum

Sunset Succulent Society's Show and Sale

 Last weekend we also went to Sunset Succulent Society's, cactus show and sale.  They had some really interesting plants, including this black cactus.

Neoporteria occulta

Dyckia

Best Copiapoa

Copiapoa

Aloe

Cyphostemma fat bastard

Best Haworthia

Best Aloe

I paid close attention to the prices.  Although I like it, this was not in my box of plants.

La Ballona Valley Bromeliad Show & Sale!

 This past weekend Mike and I went to the Bromeliad Show and Sale put on by the Bromeliad Society of La Ballona Valley in Culver City.  It was fun to get out of town and see some great bromeliads.  

Neoregalia 'Pizzazz'

Vriesea 'Pale Rider'

Vriesea 'Abbey Road'

Vriesea 'Abbey Road'

Vriesea 'Gold Fellow'

Vriesea 'Hawaiian Rasberry'

Guzmania Squarposa

Guzmania Squarposa

Neoregelia 'Tremendous Tiger'

Neoregelia 'Tremendous Tiger'

Neoregelia Rectifolia

 Aechmea Loies

Ambromeitiella brevifolia

Hatiora Gaertneri (Easter Cactus)

Mike has some great looking Hatiora Gaertneri (Easter Cactus) blooming right now.  The colors are amazing, and they really brighten up the deck!

Hatiora Gaertneri (Easter Cactus) 

Hatiora Gaertneri (Easter Cactus) 

Hatiora Gaertneri (Easter Cactus) 

Hatiora Gaertneri (Easter Cactus) 

Hatiora Gaertneri (Easter Cactus) 

Hatiora Gaertneri (Easter Cactus) 

The Hooded Orioles Have Returned!

 The Hooded Orioles have returned from Mexico!  Today was the first day I have seen them, as they are flying north for North for the summer.

Hooded Oriole

Hooded Oriole

In this second video a young male Hooded Oriole is at teh feeder and you can hear the noon bells from Santa Barbara's Old Mission.

A female Hooded Oriole

Red-tailed Hawk

 I looked out the window and saw this Red-tailed Hawk sitting in the Eucalyptus tree.  It sat there for at least 20 minutes before flying down the hill, to change positions in a palm tree.

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk is in the yellow circle.

The view with the former Saint Anthony's Tower.

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk