Society Garlic
This is called a garlic plant, Society Garlic, to be accurate; however, it is not a garlic plant at all. It is related to the narcissus plant, and is considered a type of lily. It got it's name from the slightly garlicky smell, although the lavender flowers are fragrantly sweet. Perhaps it's most enduring quality is that it is a drought-tolerant plant and does equally well in the brutal heat of Houston summers and sub-freezing temperatures of the Houston winters.
I took these images last night about 11:30, after the thunderstorm had passed, which was the first time of the night the moon had been visible. It didn't last long and then was gone behind clouds. I waited for it to reappear but after a while, I grew tired because of the late hour. Later, I got up out of my bed and took the last one about 4 in the morning this morning. Most of the time, clouds obscured the moon.
Daylilies are in full bloom in Houston gardens now. One sees them in public and private plantings. Their buttery yellow blooms are a welcomed addition to the landscapes. They are particularly beautiful when planted in masses.
All of these photos were taken last night at about 10:30 PM, after a rain storm. No special lenses or any kind of touch-up were used to produce these images. Just the moon in all its glory with the clouds for a backdrop.
The name "pin oak" possibly refers to the many small, slender twigs of this tree. The bark of the pin oak tree was used by some Native American tribes to make a drink to ameliorate intestinal pain.
Dusty Miller is blooming because it was allowed to grow into a very mature plant. Normally, these bedding plants are kept small. These show that they have compact head of multiple small yellow flowers. If you look carefully, you will see a spider web between the leaves
This nitrogen canister is sitting by the telephone pole that is on a main street in the neighborhood. It's a curious sight... why is it there? 
The soft, velvety seed pods of the Wisteria vine are hanging from all the branches. They are only now beginning to develop. Not yet mature. Eventually, they will turn brown, open and deposit their seeds. Whether they fall on fertile soil is another question.
Sage or salvia plants are coming back to life after a devastatingly cold winter. These plants survived all the sub-freezing temperatures and are coming into their full beauty.
Here's a bouquet for all the mothers in the world and for those mothers who are no longer with us. They each, in their own unique ways, had a powerful influence on us, our neighborhoods, and the larger community.
St. Francis is a well-known Catholic saint in the Western World. Statues that represent him are in gardens throughout the Americas. The story of St. Francis is a fascinating one, a story of a child born into privilege, to a father who was a successful cloth merchant and to a French mother. Originally named Giovanni de Bernadone, his father nicknamed him Francesco, in honor of his commercial success in France. Francesco's early life was one of a care-free, rich young man, often partying with his friends, involved in street brawls and the pleasures of youth. He eventually became disillusioned with his lifestyle and joined a military expedition where he was taken prisoner for a year. His spiritual conversion was a gradual one, with many contributing factors, such as illness, emotionally moving encounters with paupers, various set-backs, forsaking all material possessions and experiencing religious visions. He not only became a beggar, he spent a good deal of time in lonely places, contemplating and praying. Part of the time he worked caring for lepers. He began to preach repentance and gained a following that became known as "The Franciscans." His life was not just one of abject poverty and withdrawal from the world, as he had many amazing adventures, including an invitation by a Sultan to preach to the Muslims in Egypt. Because of his attempted rapproachement with the Muslims, the Franciscans were allowed to remain in The Holy Land, making them the Custodians of the Holy Land. 
This magnolia blossom has come to the end of it's life cycle. The cycle will begin again and there will be blooms in another place. The weather is getting quite hot and the petals dry out, turn a burnished orange. 
This blossom will soon dry up and turn orange... all part of the magnolia blossom life cycle. When you walk past a magnolia tree loaded with blossoms, the air is pungent with a sweet fragrance that you can't miss. It is a joy to take a deep breath and experience their scent.
All around the neighborhood magnolia trees are preparing to deliver the gorgeous magnolia blossom with it's sweet fragrance.
This magnolia is breaking free from the outer layer that once protected and encased it. As I was photographing the buds on a magnolia tree, a security officer came up to investigate. He could easily see what I was doing but he let his presence be known... as in I was somehow violating the rules or trespassing. I told him that I was just taking photographs and "No harm, no foul." It was clear to me that he was just making sure I knew his presence was a warning. How silly. It was public property!
The City of Houston has affixed these metal tags to the area just above the storm and flood control drains, in an attempt to raise the consciousness of it's citizens about not dumping anything down the drainage system. Many people do not understand how the flood waters of our city affect The Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay. Every year, tons of plastic refuse collects in the bayous and eventually makes its way to the Bay or the Gulf. The other day, I saw some people doing yard work and blowing the leaves right into the drains. While many might think this is harmless, that leaves are "biodegradable," actually, leaves clog up the drainage system and then cause flooding. The next "Trash Bash" event is planned for March 26, 2011, a day when many areas around Houston bayous and of the coast are cleaned of debris by caring individuals: http://www.trashbash.org/. Scouts, church groups, civic groups, individuals, and businesses all participate in the event to make the environment cleaner for people, birds, animals and reptiles. If you'd like to take part, check out the website.
