“The meaning of life is to see” – Hui Neng Zen Monk 7th century.
Quote seen here — http://www.frederickfranck.org/
Honeysuckle
Tag: Florida
The Awakened Eye – Part 2
I didn’t want to leave the topic of The Awakened Eye by Frederick Franck without mention of this one last passage, As part of seeing/drawing and his Zen beliefs he has written an enlightened passage on how we treat the earth as follows:
“It struck me like a whip, Only in America, I believe, does one speak of earth as “dirt”. Are we products of dirt?”
later,
“Where Earth is seen as dirt, the bulldozer is destined to mutilate, to “develop”, to “landscape” what is mere dirt. Mother dirt….”
So far all his writings and drawings have touched me in various ways, I am onto my third book. I enjoy it so much I am able to forgive him for his distaste of photography.
Previous posts on Frederick Franck –
https://pitcturethis.wordpress.com/2015/01/30/the-awakened-eye-by-frederick-franck/
https://pitcturethis.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/more-inspiration-addendum/ore-inspiration/
https://pitcturethis.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/more-inspiration/
Blogging201 – Morton’s Fork
If asked to choose between writing a blog and never being able to read one or reading blogs. I would choose the ability to read them.
I would want to read because I have found that one of the joys of writing a blog is the many things you see and learn about from the varied folks who like a post. For example today I discovered a builder of model airplanes and life in an African village – among other things. That is amazing and my day is made fuller because of it. But of course I found these by writing a blog and receiving likes, therefore encountering a variant of Morton’s Fork.
And, by the way, I had to research Morton’s Fork – another new thing for today.
I choose the vulture because he is represents Lord Chancellor John Morton, the tax collector!!
More on Henri Rousseau
Just finished Masters of World Painting Henri Rousseau by N. Brodskaya. This book was published in the Soviet Union in 1977. A very nice brief bio of Rousseau is followed by several plates of pictures. As expected the book highlights the 7 Rousseau’s that were on display in the Soviet Union at that time.
Written on the back of the painting “War”. From the French “She sweeps past, striking terror in the hearts of all and leaving ruin, tears and despair in her wake”. Well put!
Here’s a link to the painting I found on the web – http://www.henrirousseau.org/War-large.html
My pic is the beginning of my attempts to recreate some of the feel of Rousseau’s jungle pictures. Forgive my early endeavor, I need to find a spot without as many sticks interfering with the green. So far I am philosophically opposed to “cleaning” up a scene for a picture – that could change.
This picture was taken pre-dawn last Sunday at the UCF arboretum at 1.3 second exposure. So I believe I have found the the light I want, now to identify the proper spot.
The Near Sighted Heron
Captured this sequence at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Preserve, Such a beautiful spot probably saw 30-40 different species of birds. Got some great water bird shots. I noticed this fellow has red eyes. Hadn’t encountered that before, but did twice today.
Now I’m just having fun with these 4 pics. I’m sure this all went according to the heron’s plan.
But this guy showed true determination. That post was the prime hunting spot in that particular canal.
Lantana – A Beautiful Weed
I was going over some pictures from late spring last year and rediscovered my love of Lantana. This is a prolific plant considered an invasive species here in the southeast and I think in Australia too. i am not familiar with all the problems it causes but it can be found just about anywhere in central Florida.
The pictures are of the variety I love the most. There are more than 70 different species but the ones pictured here are most prolific where I live. Although I have seen the plants with all yellow flowers too.
I haven’t decided whether it is the multiple colors or shapes of the flowers that fascinate me most. Or perhaps the water resistance that causes the water to bead.
Monday Musing and Activities
I have begun a journal of sorts in Evernote to document what parks I go to and when and will be available in the field. This was so I can 1) document when I was there, what I did and 2) remind myself what I wanted to do the next time I got there. Perhaps after 6 months or so the journals can become posts of their own.
Next I am struggling with a new name for my blog, I want to rename it so I can obtain a URL of my own. PictureThis is taken, so I am reaching around and asking folks for suggestions. Would PictureThiz work? Hmm glad I wrote that – don’t like the way it sits on the page.
Picture This by Frank 