THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF 
BIRD OF PARADISE SEASON...

The bird of paradise flower is native to South Africa where it's called crane flower.  It's no wonder that this exotic plant thrives in San Diego.  We enjoy basically the same climate as Cape Town.

It's one of the most sensual images in San Diego's winter, if it's fair to call what we have in December through March "winter."  I found these over by the University of San Diego up the hill from where I live.