I walked my Eastern Route of four miles this morning and enjoyed the orchids in front of
Buildings 5 and 22 in full bloom. I showed them a few weeks ago as they were getting started.
They were spectacular this morning. This is Bldg 5 and Tree #1 with eight orchid plants
growing on it. These are plants people have tired of indoors and were ready to throw
away, but instead they tie them to these trees with fishing line or old panty hose strips.
They are not planted in dirt, which will kill them, but their roots absorb moisture from the air.
A closer view of six of the orchid plants.
"Princess Royal" with raspberry throat
"Choir of Archangels"
The second plant of "Princess Royal"
"Duchess of Gloucester" with a yellow throat
"The Queen Mum"
"Mango Lahsi" is one of my favorites. The color here is accurate.
"Pink Dimples"
Building #5 and Tree # 2 with six of its ten orchids
"Raspberry Ripple" has grown very nicely
Another "Duchess of Gloucester"
"Daryla" Pinstripes are very prolific
This is part of our colony of Purple Martins, which began arriving from Brazil on Feb. 1.
We now have more than 30, maybe even 50. They fly around so much it is hard to get an
accurate count. They are now building nests, and so as each one lands on the front porch
of its condo, it brings a twig or little branch or leaf. The bird on the bottom left is a male;
he is solid dark purple/black. The bird above is a female, with a grey body. The other pair also
has a female and male. They are wonderful aerial acrobats and have a delightful song.
They live close to the orchids. There are three posts with houses like these.
A pair of "Raspberry Lemon" orchids.
"Old Scarface" now has several blossoms.
"Pinstripe Profusion"
"Cloud Soft" - white with the slightest blush of lilac
"Tiger Lily" Dendrobium. He has been one of the last to bloom.
"Spotted Martha" now has a number of blossoms.
A Cascade of lavender. I'm not sure how many plants there are.
"Copper Kettle" and "Duchess of Gloucester" White Orchids
"Copper Kettle Orchids"
More cascade of lavender.
"Abigail Adams"
"Cream and Crimson" and "Butter and Wine"
"Orange Delight"
"Harold's Pajamas" just appeared
A trio of "Raspberry Lemon" orchids
"Forgotten Memories"
"Alice Roosevelt"
"Dolly Madison"
It was a lovely walk.
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To think these plants thrive on neglect. I feel my feeble efforts cannot imitate nature. The sight of them really lift our spirits.
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