is always colorful. In between trying to attract some particular bird visitor with a tub of Birdacious Bark Butter, knocking over a cement egret (or whatever that thing is), and making sure Phoebe the dog didn’t literally bowl me over with canine enthusiasm, Cheryl walked the yard with me to scout for blooms and other camera-worthy slices of the garden.

Here are just a few. The big deal that got me out of the house on this lazy Sunday was the fact that the Stapelia her daughter gave her was in bloom for the first time. That, alone, made it worth getting out of my pajamas. I had to see that thing in the flesh. Oh, and it was nice seeing Cheryl too. 😉

It may look like she’s strangling that bird, but she’s actually trying to keep it from falling over. I think.

11 inches!

Carrion Plant (Stapelia gigantea)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stapelia_gigantea

I was hoping for a hint of its reported “rotting meat” scent and maybe a few flies, but it didn’t smell like anything. I’ll bet if we get a warm day, though, Cheryl might end up moving that beauty off the front porch.