Treasure – Photo 101

firework
Fire Works – Savage/Christmas Creek Preserve – March 2015

This little guy is one of the wild flower treasures in Central Florida. I believe it’s Mimosa Pudica. Although it’s a non-native species I am delighted every time I stumble upon one. They remind me of a fireworks explosion, they are also the source of some magnificent puff balls at a later phase of their life.

It always gets me on the ground – macro lens in hand – snapping away.

The Zen of Creativity

duck potatoes
Duck Potato – Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.” Albert Einstein Just finished The Zen of Creativity by John Daido Loori, He was a Buddhist monk, photographer, and artist. Very insightful book. Great follow up study to Frederick Franck’s work. Perhaps in a couple of months if I get over the wonder of new discovery I will be able to focus more on the art side of photography. Info on John Daido Loori can bve found at http://www.mro.org/daido/ . More on Frederick Franck https://picturethisbyfrank.com/2015/01/14/more-inspiration/  and  https://picturethisbyfrank.com/2015/01/30/the-awakened-eye-by-frederick-franck/ The quote was in the book.

Chillin

Alligator
Sittin on a Log – Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015
“I found photography was a great way of relaxing on the set” – Jeff Bridges
I love taking photos and find it a most relaxing activity. Jeff Bridges has some great portrait work he has taken on sets over the years. Some really nice monochrome work. See it at http://www.jeffbridges.com/photomay08.html. A man with many talents.

Bird Day

glossy ibis
Glossy Ibis – Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015
green heron
Green Heron – Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015

“People often say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Zigler

Love these guys. The glossy is in breeding plumage, I think that the green is somewhere in between.

Quote found at  http://www.quotegarden.com/perseverance.html

Rivals

Great Egrets
Rivals – Gatorland – March 2015
greategplume
Great Egret – Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015

“He that falls in love with himself has no rivals.” Benjamin Franklin

Both these pictures show great egrets with some indication of breeding plumage. Note the green feathers around the face. I’m starting to see a pattern here – like the ibis it’s facial feathers that attract. Hmm, perhaps we men should be growing beards.

Quote found at https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/rivals

Peek a Boo

otter
Otter – Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015
gator
Gator in the Grass – Orlando Wetlands Park – March 2015

“Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness” – Allen Ginsberg

Both these pics made me think “Peek a boo, I see you” The otter was swimming and enjoying life between the cells at the park. He was diving and actually appeared to be playing peek a boo. The gator on the other hand, was simply looking and choose not to move.

Quote found at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/hide.html

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