The Many Lakes of Lakeland, Florida

 

 

When you drive around Lakeland, you pass lots of lakes. The City of Lakeland says that there are a total of 38 named lakes within City limits, as well as numerous smaller lakes. Sizes among the 38 named lakes range from 2.5 acres (Lake Blanton) to 2,272 acres (Lake Parker) of which 17 are natural and 21 are man-made. Lake Parker is the large lake behind my condo development. Today I’m sharing a few photos of another lake I passed in my drives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Summer in Central Florida

 As I reported recently, Florida is experiencing a severe drought, marking its most significant water shortage since 2012. Driven by massive rainfall deficits and collapsed groundwater levels, regional authorities have enacted strict water restrictions. We're now in the rainy season and are getting showers more often. This has helped but has not solved the problem. We need frequent short showers to build up groundwater levels. A heavy rain doesn't really help as the sandy soil cannot retain the moisture. 

 

Image via Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

  

Today I'm sharing summer skies here at the condo with increased darker clouds. Many afternoons moisture builds up over the Gulf and moves across Florida with showers. Sometimes there is thunder and lightening. I sit and listen as it moves in and out.  I don't really go outside to capture storms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you're enjoying summer wherever you are!

 

 

 

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June Afternoon Sky

 

One day the clouds were so beautiful that I had to stop what I was doing and take photos. Sometimes the sky seems to reach all the way up to heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Amaryllis on the Balcony

 

After the red amaryllis finished blooming by my front door last month, I moved the pots back to the balcony.  The white one is going dormant, but I was surprised when the red one grew another bud or two on the balcony.  

 

 

 

 

Last weekend a red flower opened.  

 

 

The next day another flower opened.

 

 

 

 I've been enjoying the flowers all week and they're still blooming. More buds have appeared. I guess the plant didn't need to be in full sun to bloom. This is like a new season of flowers from the same plant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  We're still in a drought in Florida despite several light rains. You'll notice lots of blue skies from the balcony.  

 

 

 

 Happy June to everyone wherever you are!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Trees & Sky at The Condo

 

 

Today’s photos are more from the condominium grounds, with a viewpoint on the building next door. The grounds are kept beautifully, with grass cutting weekly. Grass grows year round in Florida, although very slowly in the winter. Between my building and the next is a nice walkway and lots of trees. Florida’s blue skies are really the norm. I hope you enjoy the photos. 

 

 

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First Week in May

 

 

 As I reported last week, the weatherman's predictions for rain were true. Rain came Saturday and was sporadic until Sunday afternoon.  The amount of rain didn't affect the drought conditions much. Not enough rain to make up the inches we have not received in the last 6 months.

 

My red amaryllis has put on a great show in the last week. As the number of flowers increased, I just smiled more.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I hope you're enjoying May wherever you are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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