Couples – Flowers This Time

lantana
Lantana – Lake Claire, UCF – March 2015
flowerpink
Flower – Mead Botanical Gardens – March 2015

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” William Shakespeare

This marks the reappearance of lantana – probably not the last time as it’s colors and shapes fascinate me.

And, with the second pic I have added a new location – Mead Botanical Garden. This is a 50 acre oasis in Winter Park Florida, great spot for a break from civilization. I believe I spotted a reddish egret there, I will be asking my birding friends on Saturday for confirmation.

Quote found at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_nature2.html

BIG and POV – Photo 101

oaktrees
Oak Trees – UCF – March 2015
pink flower
Large Flower – UCF – March 2015

This one is a stretch for me. Couldn’t really think of any thing that big. Saturday I was down on I-Drive – should have taken a picture of the Orlando Eye – our brand new VERY large ferris wheel – but didn’t. How many times have I said that?

So must settle for an oak tree and large flower. Oak in context — the flower was actually about 5 inches across.

Florida State Wildflower

Leavenworths-Tickseed
Leavenworth’s Tickseed – Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015

“To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wildflower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour.” William Blake

Leavenworth’s Tickseed is Florida’s state wildflower – in fact the entire species – Coreopsis. You can find it all over Central Florida.

Quote found at http://quotio.com/on/Wildflower

Edward Weston – Photo Pioneer

flycatcher
Flycather – UCF Arboretum – February 20

My own eyes are no more than scouts on a preliminary search, for the camera’s eye may entirely change my idea. – Edward Weston

Edward Weston, who along with Ansel Adams and Minor White were founders of the photography program at the California School of Fine Arts. Thanks to the pioneers of American Photography who gave us all inspiration to pursue our passions.

Please see more on Edward Weston at http://edward-weston.com/

Quote found at http://www.photoquotes.com/showquotes.aspx?id=51&name=Weston,Edward#ixzz3St1V47zK

Black-and-white-flycatcher
BW-Flycatcher

More Minor White

st-andrews-cross
St Andrew’s Cross – UCF Arboretum – February 2015

“Reaching a ‘creative’ state of mind through positive action is considered preferable to waiting for ‘inspiration'” – Minor White 1950

The above quote goes well with the adage that God helps those that help themselves.

Currently reading The Moment of Seeing – Minor White at the California School of Fine Arts by Stephanie Comer and Deborah Klochko with an essay by Jeff Gunderson. Excellent chronology of the school’s development with historical documentary photos of Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, and Minor White among others as well as photographs from the students and teachers at the school dating from the late 40’s/early 50’s. If you love photography and history seek out this book.

Quote comes from the book.

Bee Time

bee
Bee – UCF Arboretum February 2015
beeeating
Bee Eating – UCF Arboretum – February 2015
The happiness of the bee or dolphin is to exist. For man it is to know that and to wonder at it. – Jacques Yves Cousteau
These flowers look like miniature orchids, not sure if they will continue to blossom or if each top gets only a few flowers. In the second pic I believe he is sucking on the anther.

Claude Monet

bluestar
Stripes – Ucf Meditation Garden – May 2014

“Color is my daylong obsession, joy, and torment” – Claude Monet

Claude Monet, one of the founders of the impressionist movement must have had a special love of flowers. His art reflects the colors and beauty found in flowers and the natural landscape.

More on Claude Monet http://www.claudemonetgallery.org/

Quote and subsequent research sparked by https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/110017.Claude_Monet