Iguana Love

Another warm day today mid 80's, high of 87 which is warmer than usual last week much of the state set record highs.  This is a good thing as far as I am concerned my first Thanksgiving as a Floridian my solar batteries have definitely been on full charge since moving here in July.

This iguana cruised through my yard last week while I was mowing.  He was gorgeous, great color, heavy bodied and in no hurry.  Not sure if he escaped from a house or if he is free range, iguanas are not native to FL but there are a few roaming, I hear that on some of the out islands they are really flourishing.

Super groovy experience photographing this creature, he lounged on the canal side of our fence and I was able to spend several minutes observing and snapping pictures.

Before African Iris and Podocarpus

After Coontie, Jatropha Standard and Hibiscus

This house is located in a neighborhood where the original landscaper must have had stock in African Iris and Hibiscus
standards (tree form) they are in every job, this house had over twenty in the entrance garden, not any more.

Before, African Iris Festival

After, Variety is The Spice of Life

The axiom "first year they sleep, second year they creep and third year they leap" is accelerated in the sunshine state, you can pretty much count on the leap by the end of the second year.  This time next year the plumbago surrounding this lamp post will be full 3 x 3' and bursting with blue flowers and welcome change from the mundane landscape that was here.

Allamanda Vine

Love this allamanda vine growing over a arbor at a downtown Punta Gorda bistro.  There are lots of little restaurants with quaint gardens and over flowing pots in this lovely city on the harbor.  I hope to sample much of the gastronomic delights offered in my area, off season there are more specials and less crowds, local time.

Lighting Comes Soon

Sold some outdoor lighting at this house this week.  It is unusual and unlikely that I will see this job lit at night, previously I would check my lighting jobs at night and make some tweaks that way, guess I will learn to rely upon installers more.  I must admit that I am getting more used to being involved less on the day to day aspects of my installations but I can't say yet that I am totally happy about it.  Going from 100% involvement to just design is a big leap.

Night Lights on The Pond

This is one job that I did get to see at night, this new pond looks great at night with just the right lighting.  The pond was installed by I Dig Ponds.  Now Hazeltine is on site beginning the large paver patio that surrounds some of this lovely water feature.  Part of my job today will be checking progress on the pavers.  Thanks for dinner Chris and Tom we had a swell time and the chow was great, can't wait for the first party when the whole project is finished.