For SKYWATCH FRIDAY a couple of Florida icons -- a Gumbo Limbo tree and some beautiful blue sky. The red bark makes this tree easy to spot and easy to identify.
And it really is fun to say "Gumbo Limbo."
Locals call the Gumbo Limbo "tourist tree" because the red and peeling bark looks like the skin of visitors who have stayed out on the beaches for too long.
Thanks to the Skywatch hosts. Visit, click, smile!
Gumbo Limbo. I never heard of it before, but it is a magnificent.
Posted by: Penny | May 21, 2012 at 07:02 PM
I'm way behind in blog hopping. My body has been complaining about the time I spend on the computer so I have cut back.
It looks like you've been exploring the Everglades, something I wish we had done more of on our trips to Florida.
The new deck and Florida room are lovely, I know you will enjoy them.
Will you drive the Roadtrek back to Oregon or leave it in Florida?
Posted by: Martha | May 21, 2012 at 09:35 AM
Wonderful shots
What a fantastic tree, love it.
I have to try and say the name.
Thanks for sharing.
Wish you a wonderful day, Sallie
Mette
Posted by: CameraCruise | May 20, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Beautiful photographs, fantastic trees. I am greeting
Posted by: ZielonaMila | May 20, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Lovely captures again today. You keep adding to my list of first. First time seeing this thee but also my first time hearing the name as well.
Posted by: Rita aka Cashjocky | May 20, 2012 at 01:05 AM
I like a lot the name of this bird : tourist tree ; poor people !
Posted by: Annie | May 20, 2012 at 12:46 AM
I tried saying Gumbo Limbo 3 times fast. Impossible. Are you on the move yet? I've been away.
Posted by: Barb | May 19, 2012 at 08:33 PM
Never heard of that tree before. Interesting name. Love you previous of the water lilies.
Posted by: Barb | May 19, 2012 at 05:17 PM
that made me chuckle for sure, its a pretty tree, and I kinda like saying it to Gumbo Limbo...it has a nice ring to it!
Posted by: Sondra | May 19, 2012 at 03:20 PM
Love the wavy branches! Very cool.
Posted by: Nancy | May 19, 2012 at 03:56 AM
What an awesome tree and lovely skies. Beautiful shots!
Posted by: Al | May 18, 2012 at 09:42 PM
So very pretty. I like that tree a lot.
Posted by: Sandy Carlson (USA) | May 18, 2012 at 07:11 PM
It is fun to say that..cool looking tree Sallie...Michelle
Posted by: Rambling Woods | May 18, 2012 at 02:23 PM
Sallie, I love the name Gumbo-Limbo (we have a park by that name) and the smooth rusty color of the peeling bark.
Beautiful shot, my friend.
Posted by: Pam | May 18, 2012 at 10:38 AM
These are both fantastic shots. They look like paintings. Happy Weekend!
Posted by: Carver | May 18, 2012 at 10:11 AM
The info certainly adds to the lovely photos.
Posted by: HAZEL | May 18, 2012 at 09:49 AM
I used to live in FLorida, but I've never heard of this tree! I love the name of it too... very funny to say. :)
Have a nice weekend!!!
Posted by: Halcyon | May 18, 2012 at 08:52 AM
I too like to say Gumbo Limbo. What a cool tree!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | May 18, 2012 at 08:39 AM
I like trees with character and this one certainly has plenty.
Posted by: LindyLouMac in Italy | May 18, 2012 at 08:32 AM
I still love to say Gumbo Limbo. The trees and the story behind the name are interesting for sure.
Posted by: Krystal S | May 18, 2012 at 07:35 AM
Oh ya, trees that have been sun burned.
Posted by: Rainfield (雨田） | May 18, 2012 at 06:59 AM
I love the interpretation of the meaning from Gumbo Limbo tourist tree..and it's fun!
Posted by: Beyond Wandering | May 18, 2012 at 05:04 AM
Sun-burn tree! I like that.
Nice looking tree - Stewart M.
PS: thanks for the vists to both blogs.
Posted by: Stewart M - Australia | May 18, 2012 at 03:58 AM
Neat...I've not seen any of these before. And the comparison to tourist and their peeling sunburned skin to the bark of the tree is funny....I like it!!!
Posted by: Hootin' Anni | May 18, 2012 at 03:14 AM
Is that a pheasant I see in the gumbo limbo tree? Have not heard of this tree, but it makes me think of the arbutus tree in BC.
Posted by: Francisca | May 18, 2012 at 01:58 AM
Never seen such a tree, so I must be a tourist, lol !
Posted by: Gattina | May 18, 2012 at 01:42 AM
Wonderful shots of tree against the blue sky.
Posted by: Rajesh | May 17, 2012 at 09:38 PM
What a great-looking tree! Love the bird nesting in its branches.
Posted by: Lady Fi | May 17, 2012 at 08:38 PM
Gumbo Limbo is more fun to say than type. I like the way it divides into multiple trunks and wavy branches. Reminds me of the manzanita, on steroids. Nice roost for the vulture.
Posted by: Gaelyn | May 17, 2012 at 08:07 PM
Love the name of the tree. The smooth bark is interesting.
Posted by: Yogi | May 17, 2012 at 08:01 PM
You do have the most interesting information. I've never, ever heard of this, and I thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Posted by: Nan | May 17, 2012 at 07:33 PM
I like quirky names, and "gumbo limbo" is just delicious on my tongue!
Posted by: Magical Mystical Teacher | May 17, 2012 at 06:50 PM
Hi Sallie, it is a lovely tree. The red bark is pretty. Looks like you capture of a Black Vulture perched in the tree too. Great shots.
Posted by: Eileen | May 17, 2012 at 05:01 PM
Neat tree and it is fun to say.
Posted by: Karen | May 17, 2012 at 04:05 PM
How interesting! I never knew what these trees were! You learn something new every day!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | May 17, 2012 at 04:00 PM
I like the bark, because it IS peeling:) Glad I had brothers, so I could climb trees too, lol!
Posted by: Emille | May 17, 2012 at 03:35 PM
I'm going to be singing a little gumbo limbo song for the rest of the day!
Posted by: Clair Z. | May 17, 2012 at 03:09 PM
learned a few things here! gumbo limbo. tourist! ha!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | May 17, 2012 at 02:58 PM
Ha! This made me smile and I had to say "Gumbo Limbo" out loud! Your photo almost reminds me of an African landscape, Sallie...
Posted by: Nick | May 17, 2012 at 02:40 PM
Hi Sallie
Well unlike Carletta, I am picturing of much, much younger days of climbing the tree. Looks a great tree for kids to climb, that's if kids are allowed to do that anymore?
Also looks like a great tree for having in the chook yard for the chooks to roost in, our chooks on the property always preferred roosting in trees rather than their shed.
The Brisbane city council a couple of years, maybe less, planted two in the street just next to my place. I was told we call them Leopard trees, but I suspect that in a "nick name".
Curiousity got me again, so I did the wikipedia. They are native to your Florida, the Carribean and the tropical areas of South America. Nothing about growing in Australia????
They also grow VERY fast. So I guess that is why the two trees in my street are getting bigger so fast. Furthermore, as Brisbane has a similar climate to Florida, I suppose they "could" have been imported.
Very interesting indeed, Sallie.
Cheers
Colin (Brisbane. Australia)
Weather report: Same as yesterday and for the last week. Just hope it stays this way until October and doesn't get colder!
Posted by: Colin Huggins | May 17, 2012 at 01:54 PM
Beautiful Gumbo Limbo tree, lovely skies, and apparently a very happy bird!! Terrific shot for the day Sallie! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | May 17, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Love the name!
This looks like a lovely area.
I'm picturing a picnic under the tree. :)
Posted by: Carletta | May 17, 2012 at 12:32 PM
It is quite hard to say!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | May 17, 2012 at 12:27 PM
What is sitting in the tree?
Posted by: Jottings From Jersey | May 17, 2012 at 12:26 PM