I grew up in Ohio. To say that I was oblivious to it's natural beauty during this time is likely an understatement. When I encountered the quite obvious & abundant natural beauty of California, it was an easy choice to move there at the age of 19. Despite the immensity of beauty surrounding me in Southern California, I eventually became disconnected, and nearly oblivious to it as well. Living life on auto-pilot, in the daily grind, focused on financial gain, I took it all for granted, and stopped taking notice. After slowing down, living in the Now, and Awakening to the Beauty that is everywhere, I went back to Ohio for a time. This time, I was no longer oblivious! Although it's no SoCal, it has a distinct beauty of it's own. Experiencing this from a new found perspective solidified the philosophy & art of seeing beauty everywhere. Particularly enchanting are the Summer fields and prairies, such as this one, where I was fortunate to experience this lovely sunlit sunflower.
The giant snowdrop's name & distinction comes from the fact that it blooms in the very early Spring, and sometimes even in the Winter. I was quite pleased to encounter and capture them at a meditation garden in Salem, Oregon.