I know. I know. This was supposed to be the on-the-road post, the one where I post a picture and you write the caption and Joe and I drive back to New York. The car, though, had other plans and is now sitting in a repair shop — which means the you-do-the-writing post 
will have to wait.
As will we — waiting for our car and for the arrival of Saharan dust. Yes, you read that correctly. A cloud of Saharan dust is making its way to South Florida. Forecasters say the most noticeable effect will be a milky, hazy sky — nothing blue about it. All I know is that it’s a little something extra to make the heat feel hotter. I guess you could say it’s a dry heat, and how often can that be said in Fort Lauderdale?
So what should a couple of disheartened travelers do on a clear, dust-free night? Take a walk, of course.
Oleander.
Red Ixora.
Bougainvillea.
A large shrub was covered with these waxy yellow flowers. At first I thought it was Hibiscus, but I don’t think it is. Any ideas?
The colors of Croton.
The inflorescence and inedible fruit of the Adonidia Palm.
I think this is Angel’s Trumpet, or Brugmansia.
My favorite photo of the night: Cactus.
Pink Ixora.
One last photo before we called it a night — a Burrowing Owl perched on top of a fire hydrant.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Man 
I love that owl photo. Also the cactus flower.
Hello. The owl is interesting — and can either be a blessing or a curse. It all depends on your outlook. They nest underground — and if they choose your lawn, they burrow in and start nesting. Soon, a mound appears and you cannot go near it. The owls now own your yard — and they know it, too. The guy a photographed didn’t even flinch when I snapped the photo.
Anything that eats rabbits is ok in my book.
Fortunately, I don’t have a rabbit issue — but I know many people who do. Something so cute could be so voracious. . .
The colors of the flowers are wonderful! Good idea while you are waiting around….looking at plants!
We have to do something! 🙂
Ha ! Sahara dust ! We had Saharadust a few weeks ago and everything was covered in it, car’s, windows, plants, tree’s, we had a lot of cleaning to do !
Hope you’ll soon be back on the road !
So do we. About the only thing I can see when it comes to the dust is a definite light beige haze, especially as I look toward the horizon. Fascinating stuff.
yes, fascinating it is especially when you see how far it travels !!!
Good news — more sand from the Sahara should arrive by next week!
enjoy !
Those pesky Cape Verde hurricanes travel the same route from Western Africa to the East Coast of North America this time of year, so enjoy the dust. If the air is dry enough to carry Saharan sand, Andrew Redux won’t be visiting anytime soon.
Very true. But a tropical wave is predicted for the weekend — it’s a whole new world for me down here.
some great shots of common plants….thank you
Thanks, Sharon. I realize they may be common for Florida gardeners like yourself, but it’s new territory for me. Any ideas on that yellow bloom?
Hi, Thanh here. I think your yellow bloom is an Allamanda? I used to have one in my front garden before moving to Pinellas County. Hope you don’t mind my butting in. Happy growing!
Hi Thanh — Thank you so much! It’s a really beautiful plant, and now that you supplied a name, I was able to look it up on line and see that there is also a pink version. The flowers that I’ve seen in person are large and yellow and almost waxy looking. In fact, it’s one of only a handful of flowers that are able to withstand South Florida’s summer heat. Glad you butted in; feel free to always do so! 🙂
Oh my goodness! What a delay! But I’m a little fascinated with the Saharan dust. I can get very caught up in global jet stream talk! I do hope the car is fixed quickly, though, and doesn’t cost too much. 😦 I have the same Angel Trumpet, so I’m sure on that one, but not the other one in question. It’s lovely. I would have been completely delighted to see that owl! Thank you for taking the time from everything else that you have to oversee to show such lovely photos! D
If we ever need a reminder that we are all connected, I guess we just have to consider the power of wind and the journey of grains of Saharan sand over the Atlantic and its arrival in the US and beyond. Very cool. 🙂
Hope you two make it back home safely soon. Lovely pics you took during your walk. The yellow mystery bloom resembles an orchid.
All the best! 🙂
Hi Beth. I know its definitely not an orchid. I thought it might have been hibiscus, but I’m not sure. As for the car, we’re still waiting.
If someone stood on a street corner wearing a T-shirt that read “LIFE” handed you a lemon, you’d know exactly what to do with it.
Safe home!
LOL. If someone handed me a lemon in South Florida, I’d plant it and grow some more. 🙂