The fallen blossoms of a red silk cotton tree are illuminated by slivers of late-afternoon sunlight, making for a colorful foot path along a section of sidewalk next to Third Avenue West in downtown Bradenton last Friday. These blooms usually appear on the leaf-barren limbs of the Bombax ceiba tree right around February. After the snap of cold and breezy weather this weekend, it's good to note that spring is not too far in our future. Here's to warm days ahead and the promise of sunny days!

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