Flight path cleared

Sometimes plants take a little midwifing, and the big bird of paradise on the south end of our picket fence is a good case.

Flowerheads come up between the big fronds -- which are beautifully fanned, but tight. So the flowers kind of twist and sometimes get lost until they're almost played out.

This time the frond that would have been at the left of the picture was wind-shredded enough to saw off, letting those beautiful blue pods rise unhindered.

Just in time for Fantasy Fest.