I was looking at the Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) and this photo jumped right off the page. Absolutely gorgeous, vibrant color Is there a special name for this particular one or is its color due to growing conditions or ??? I would like to try to locate one for my garden.

You are never an Old Gardener! As far as I know the Bird of Paradise flower did not have a name. It was on show at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, which is the biggest in the world.
I admit it is stunning, and the colour is amazing. We of course grow all Strelitzia in heated greenhouses, as it is too cold to grow them outside over here! They would not last our winters.
However these do. My Passion flower, which my wife adores.
My most kindest regards, from a a at least for once a hot England.
Neil.

That Bird of Paradise is truly befitting a palace - I have never seen one so vibrant! Neil, you are an incredible photographer. The photos of your passion flower are exquisite!

Dear young Gardener, thank you most kindly for your comments. In my profile there are a lot of Articles I have written, albeit mostly pictures of great events.
Due to the hot weather with rain; here is my wife's cat cooling off in the empty compost bin!

Now my cat amongst my beloved Tree Ferns.

Regards from a most humid England.
Neil.

Neil, you are correct that I am a young gardener in the sense that there is so much to learn still (more than I can ever fully accomplish in one lifetime) but I am an old gardener in terms of knees, arthritis, etc

Now I must ask, are you perchance a photographer? Those are absolutely lovely photographs and your wife's cat definitely has the right idea Whenever I think of London, though, I think of damp weather (perhaps I always visited during the wrong time of year)? So I must ask this, too. How hot is it in London/Kent?

Dear Young Gardener, the weather here is fine. I live further south than London; as London is a big place. We are classified as 8a. Although I would take no notice at all of zones as they are wrong!
It can get in temperature up to over the 100F, sometimes! But not often. You must remember we are a small island and a maritime one. You are never more than 72 miles from the sea, even if you are in the middle of the UK. To the west of us is the Gulf stream, and of course that heats up many parts of our island. To the east the north sea and it is cold there. The wind of the north sea is evil.
Even in Scotland (way north), on the west coast palms grow and many sub tropical species.
As for coming to London when it is not raining, don't ask! You see it just pours down briefly and we are used to getting out of the way! That is why most things grow here.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving day.
Regards from a wet England.
Neil.