Some closeup shots around the yard today

Things are still looking lively around the yard, but it is coming to that time of the year where it is time to bring things in.
Here are some macro shots!

I thought it was very cool that my Tibouchina grandiflora has different colored centers to the flowers. 

The flowers are amazing, but the foliage is beautiful as well.

Not sure what the ID is on this cactus since it was given to me by a wonderful woman who couldn't care for it anymore. It looks like a Cereus cactus to me though. The blooms on those are absolutely incredible so I hope it is! Meanwhile I am enjoying the symmetry of the plant.

But palm trees will always hold a special place in my yard. 

Some more Tropical Mid October Pics around my yard

Temperatures are in the 50s today, but it looks warmer than that around the yard today. Here are some pics.

Front yard with my largest Ensete Banana, a large Cassia, my crape myrtles, kipper king hibiscus, roses, and other stuff too. 

A different angle. 

Here's a view of my washy now that less plants are blocking it.  Looking healthy but it's still young and will be vulnerable this winter. 

Close up of the Ensete's psudeostem. 

There are ;lots of seed pods on my lantana. Here's a tiny one with just one ripe seed left on it. 

Butterfly ginger blooming beautifully on this cool October day. 

The hibiscus are opening up a bit late with the cool weather. This one is only half opened despite it being the middle of the afternoon. 

Other blooms on the plant last much longer with the cooler weather so that is a plus! 

Morning glories also remaining open on this dark, chilly day. 

No fall foliage in my backyard yet, but lots of flower colors to make up for it. 

Plumeria still looking as awesome as always. Hopefully I can keep it happy indoors this winter and it will be just as beautiful next summer. 

Spanish moss will definitely start stealing the show when the cherry tree starts losing it's leaves. Makes for a good halloween decoration of the leaves fall off by then! 

Flowers through the palm fronds. 

My monstera and new brugmansia along with some old croton plants. 

Looking through the top of the Gazebo to see the tops of some tropical foliage 

Thanks for looking!

The last crape myrtle flower

It's mid october and the crape myrtles are just about finished blooming. But there is still one fresh bloom on my Tuscarora Crape Myrtle. Here's a pic to document the last time I saw a new bloom on my Crape myrtle in 2014.

Tibouchina grandiflora

I definitely must admit that I didn't expect my yard to look so nice at this point in October. It still has a lot of tropical vibes which is just how I like it although the weather is certainly feeling like it should with highs in the mid 60s today.

The bluish flowers on my Tibouchina are a nice sight to have in the yard. 

A bonus macro shot of the colorful patterns on my Mojito Colocasia.

And my Castor bean is looking appropriate for this time of the year with lots of deep red colors. 

The yard today

The Monarchs are heading south

My yard is right near a large protected area so the Monarchs seem to make a stop here every single Fall in large numbers. For a few weeks, I can count 5 different monarchs flying around the yard all at the same time which is pretty impressive considering the size of my yard. I took a few pretty crisp shots of them today relaxing in the backyard around my Mandevilla.

October 3rd (my birthday) pictures around the yard!

What better way for a 20 year old to celebrate his birthday than to take pictures of the results from a summer of hard work and planting. Today I noticed my Tibouchina grandiflora really blooming at full force. I don't know why this isn't a more common exotic to grow around here because it seems to be a pretty reliable bloomer and a beautiful one at that.

I love this picture of my Tibouchina in front of the plumerias canopy. 

It wouldn't be fair if I didn't show a peek at my other favorite thing to do in my spare time, observe the weather. Behind my Tibouchina flower is my Davis Vantage Vue which has been giving me temperature readings since July 2011. The sitting of the weather station is not perfectly ideal especially in terms of wind measurements, but it's the most practical option that I have for now. I'm hoping to get a more advanced unit soon with the ability to put the anemometer up high on my roof. 

Quick look at the  pool area plants.

The weather is far from pool weather, but the fact that the pool is still open definitely adds to the tropical feel!