Flower Flaunt on Friday - Summer has begun.

It's the beginning of Summer here in Oz.  Now before you get too excited about that prospect ... let me tell you something about Summer in my north-eastern part of Oz.  It can best be described as stinking hot and excruciatingly sticky!

We all sweat like a turkey at Christmas!  Even the Christmas Beetles like to take a refreshing dip ... here's one left in the sink after I had pulled the plug and taken away it's swimming pool.  It was having a great time doing a few laps!

Looking at the 7-day forecast now ... yes, I will be getting to the flowers!

 (Google image ... not really me! ... although ...!)

Summary	Fri Dec 10		Sat Dec 11		Sun Dec 12		Mon Dec 13		Tue Dec 14		Wed Dec 15		Thu Dec 16
	Possible shower		Possible shower		Showers increasing		Rain		Possible thunderstorm		Possible thunderstorm		Late shower
Maximum	31°C		31°C		30°C		30°C		31°C		31°C		30°C
Minimum	25°C		25°C		25°C		25°C		26°C		26°C		25°C
Chance of Rain	90%		90%		90%		60%		90%		70%		40%
Rain Amount	1-5mm		10-20mm		20-40mm		10-20mm		5-10mm		1-5mm		5-10mm
UV Index	Extreme		Extreme		Extreme		Extreme		Extreme		Extreme

Relative Humidity	72%	74%	78%	76%	82%	82%	82%	79%	80%	85%	85%	87%	84%	85%

First, let's just take a look at the bottom row of the forecast for the next week.  Take particular notice of the levels of humidity we experience here ... even though the mercury may only reach 31 deg C or 87 F (as it is right now), it actually feels more like 36 deg C or 95 F.  Take further note of the humidity levels at nightime ... they stay pretty darn much the same, sometimes higher!  There's really not much relief from the conditions at all.

Now let's move onto the UV index - this shows the level of ultra-violet radiation experienced at ground level.  You might notice it's reading EXTREME - that means stay out of the sun dummy!  This is the highest level on the index ... it's the level where we are at extreme risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure.
OK, back to the flowers!  Can you imagine what it's like for the plants out there?  The ground is baking, the sun is sizzling and the air is boiling ... it's a wonder anything flourishes!  But that's the absolute beauty of Mother Nature ... there are plants to suit almost any climate and weather conditions.

So here is what is blooming in early Summer in this hot, humid spot on the planet.  Enjoy the slideshow.

This digital slideshow generated with Smilebox

For other great Flower Flaunt/Fertizier Friday, please visit Tootsie's blog and look for her meme Fertilizer/Flaunt Your Flowers Friday

Wildlife on Wednesday ... the Cicada Cacophany.

Oh yeah, you know it's summer here in northern Oz when the deafening drone of the Cicadas begins!  It's been going on for a couple of weeks now and it's already driving me completely barmy!  Take a listen!

First, I'm going to ask you to go to the sidebar and stop the playlist music... and now you can prepare yourself for the noise.

 

Yes, folks, this goes on ALL day!  The most common Cicada found out in the bushland here is Thopha sesiliba ... or more commonly known as the 'Double Drummer'.  It sure lives up to its reputation!

The males all band together out there in the bush and belt out their song from early morning till evening.  These creatures sing so loudly that they actually drive away many of the birds that usually frequent the hills here.  Did you notice the almost complete absence of bird song?

Apparently the noise of the Double Drummer can be painful to some birds and will interfere with the communication of others.  Of course, this is all just a cunning trick to keep the birds away ... these Cicadas sure know how to keep away predators!!!!  Even the large Kookaburras keep away most of the day.

Right now, if you were to drop by for a visit, this would be a sight that would greet you in every corner of the property as you were leisurely strolling about.  Empty cicada skins can be found everywhere on trees ...

... on the ground ...

and even stuck to the garden bed walls.

These are the outer skins of the nymphs.  They dig themselves from underground, climb up onto a tree and emerge as fully winged adults,  They will then join the droning throng.

There are other types of Cicada that hang around for the show during our summer here.  This is Psaltoda claripennis ... commonly known as the Clanger!  You've just gotta love these names!

The song of the Clanger is a bit more like a very rapid and loud rattling clanging sound!  Music to the ears!

If only all this sound would keep away the snakes.  I spotted this one this afternoon on the kitchen roof gorging on something tasty!  Sorry the photo is a bit fuzzy ... I had no intention of getting any closer!

So ... did you want to come on over for a cuppa? ... while watching slithering snakes dine on small creatures, get bitten by March flies and/or mosquitoes, all the while listening to that cicada din in surround sound?  Hmmm ... no!  Much rather sit and watch the snow fall gently outside?  Yes, well I'm sitting inside too ... I retreat to the air-conditioned office for some peace and quiet at this time of year!

Mosaic Monday ... It's a Hot, Loud and Proud Summertime!

Here in Oz Summer has begun.  In my particular north-eastern corner it's hot, humid and horrible.  Outside the temps hovering around 34 deg C (93 F), but the 'true' temperature is more like 40 ... the high humidity levels we experience here definitely make a difference!!!

One of the most common sights during Summertime in gardens everywhere, including mine, right now is the flowering Delonix regia - the Poinciana.  Nothing says 'Summer' in the northern tropics quite like the splendid display of the Poinciana.

Another common Summertime sight is the Cassia fistula, or Golden Shower Tree, in full bloom.  This is mine ... visible behind the Courtyard Garden beds.

It's holiday time for me now ... the school year is over and time to relax!  Unfortunately it's not a time when I can spend hours in the garden ... far too hot and sticky!!!  We've had the air-conditioning on for the first time since the end of last Summer so instead of whiling away the summer hours in the garden, I can now catch up with all those blogs I've been too busy to visit over the last few weeks.  

Hopefully, the work I've put in over the last few weekends preparing the garden for the onslaught of our summer will be enough to get all my beloved plants through the trials and tribulations of the next couple of months.  Fingers crossed!  At least I know my little selection of Bromeliads, Costus and Curcumas will get through ... they love this time of year.

I'm joining in Mary's meme Mosaic Monday, so make sure you pop over to check out all the fabulous mosaic.

I'm also joining in Noel's meme Hot, Loud and Proud, so please visit his blog as I know you'll enjoy seeing all the terrific posts there.

The end of our Downunder Spring is nigh!

As Spring is drawing to a close downunder, here in my part of Oz it's been rare to spot blue sky.  It appears briefly, raising our hopes for a fine day and then disappears without a trace.  Here's one of those rare moments of blue-sky splendour.

Today I'm taking a look at what's blooming in my outdoor flower garden bed.  Some may remember a previous post about this wayward child of mine - My Wilful Younger Child  - well, it's looking a whole lot better these days.

My Sprekelia formosissima has risen out of the ground and the first flower has appeared for this year.  Commonly known as Jacobean Lily or Aztec Lily, these flamboyant red flowers look fantastic tucked in behind the Russelia.  I wish I had planted a whole more of these lilies ... they would terrific in a huge clump.  I think I'll have to find another spot where I can do that.

Another stunning beauty that's in flower right now is Turnera subulata - the White Alder.  I love the bright cheery flowers of this plant.  They have a yellow halo around a black centre.  Flowers open around sunrise (unless it's a really dreary overcast day!) and close before sunset.  It's a lovely sight on those mornings when the sun does make an effort!

Another of my Hemerocallis - Daylilies - started blooming this week.  This is Hemerocallis 'Continental Holiday' ... mmm oh how I wish!

The Angelonia serenas are flowering.  They will continue throwing out new bloom spikes for a few months now as they seem to thrive during the Summer months.

This is my favourite Salvia ... Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue'.  I just adore the beautiful colour of this.

Another Salvia that I do love is this ... Salvia splendens 'Van Houttei'.  It has the most gorgeous dark burgundy red colour and while it's certainly taking a while to fill out and flourish, it always has a little flower spike on it somewhere.

This brilliant red Gerbera makes a statement next to the white Angelonia serena.

Another plant that's taken a while to establish in this outdoor garden bed is my Scutellaria suffrutescens - the Pink Texas Skullcap or Cherry Skullcap.  Planted last year, it's waited until this Spring to start spreading.  I'm looking forward to seeing it really fill out.

I'm joining Mary at Little Red House for her Mosaic Monday meme, so please take a visit to see other wonderful mosaic posts.

I'm also joining Tootsie for her Flower Flaunt/Fertiliser Friday meme which is always a great place to see what's flowering in gardens all over this great world of ours.