I know we're technically a little over a week into the new year, so I'm actually adding two pictures to this post.
I love Birds of Paradise, which are usually loved more for their exotic rarity. Around here though, they have been almost over-used to the extent that they are one of the most common flowers. I still find them most beautiful when I can find or photograph them alone.
This was the view from my backyard a few nights ago, with a beautiful sky that lasted only a few minutes.