Floral
For much of my life, I couldn't care less about flowers. When I slowed down and began living in the present moment, noticing the immensity of the beauty around us, I began to take notice of their brilliance.
In many cases, I have no idea what type of flower I'm capturing. I just know that they capture my attention, my heart and my soul, when I immerse myself in the infinite intelligence & beauty that allows for their creation.
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Solace - Creole Nature Trail, Louisiana - USA
The simplicity & beauty of nature is where I find my solace, my inspiration, and my sanity. The lotus moves and speaks to my soul, representing tranquility, perseverance, non-attachment, and most importantly, the beauty that can arise from the muddy dark waters. This was found along the Creole nature trail, All American road, in SW Louisiana. It's a wonderland of wetland and marshy goodness, with gators galore. The lotus happened to be in bloom while passing through, and exploring a nature preserve. I happily spent a good portion of my day admiring and capturing these inspirational beauties.
Springtime Trust - Ichetucknee, Florida - USA
This capture provides a wonderful memory. While staying in Florida, I met and became quick friends with a fellow photographer, who was also living a nomadic lifestyle traveling and exploring. She had much more expensive and sophisticated equipment than mine. Having just met, I asked if she would allow me to try out her lenses to capture some lovely flowering bushes in the campground. A bit reluctant, she ultimately decided to trust me, and hand over $10,000 worth of lenses, stating that she'd never done this before, and it was a monumental trust exercise, to which I assured her there was nothing to fear. I was elated at the opportunity, knowing I would have much more artistic range & expression than with my own basic equipment. This occurred in the Spring, and it occurs to me that Spring is a wonderful time of reassurance, reminding us that we can place our trust in God, in our path, and the natural cycles of life. Just as nature is renewed every year, and assured to do so, we can rest assured that we also will be provided what's needed to grow, emerge, and blossom, even after experiencing times of cold, wilting, and withdrawal. We can always trust in the promise of sunshine and new life.
Simple Magnificence - Laguna Beach, California - USA
"The very fact alone, that you are here, existent, in this moment, should fill you with awe & faith in existence. When we learn to appreciate the simple magnificence of life, the extraordinary appears more often. Mere reverence, wonder, and awe for our experience expands the mind, and connects us to a universal source." - BBB These succulent beauties are found abundantly in Laguna Beach. Found on a random walk through a random neighborhood, and it's one of the many reasons why this is easily my favorite beach town. This is a variation of the original with additional editing, including an oil paint effect.
Peony Perfection #1 - Oregon, USA
When I look at nature, I see perfection. All is in perfect order, happening in perfect timing. Operating within a vast intelligence that always knows what's needed to survive, thrive, and evolve. I refer to this intelligence as God, and recognizing it's existence in our natural world brings me to the realization that it also exists within, and among us. Understanding that we're also cradled by this same intelligence provides me with trust, faith and peace of mind, knowing that my natural path & evolution is occurring exactly as it should. What better example of this perfection than the brilliant Peony flower? I was very fortunate and grateful to visit a Peony farm in Brooks, Oregon, where it's astonishing beauty, and many unique varieties were on display. A perfect reminder of God's perfection.
Cherry Blossom Brilliance #2 - Salem, Oregon - USA
Oh how I love these magnificent creations. Cherry Blossoms, bringing so much joy to so many. Although, it's a fleeting joy that fades away all too quickly, and I have found a way to experience this joy with or without these brilliant blossoms. The source of my love for these wonderful gifts from mother nature comes from sheer reverence, awe, wonder, and appreciation for the intelligence which orchestrates and allows for such beautiful creations. The same intelligence that allows for us beautiful human creations, allows us to breathe oxygen, circulate blood, and have conscious thoughts and experiences. Best summarized as God. In connecting with their beauty, I am connecting with God. Just as when connecting with a brilliant sunset, or the soul of another human being. For it is in all of us, in all things, and will remain my source of joy regardless of the weather or the seasons. This lovely bundle was admired on a beautiful day with cloudy and blue skies, just around the corner from my home, in Salem, Oregon, aka "Cherry City".
Cherry Blossom Brilliance #3 - Salem, Oregon - USA
Oh how I love these magnificent creations. Cherry Blossoms, bringing so much joy to so many. Although, it's a fleeting joy that fades away all too quickly, and I have found a way to experience this joy with or without these brilliant blossoms. The source of my love for these wonderful gifts from mother nature comes from sheer reverence, awe, wonder, and appreciation for the intelligence which orchestrates and allows for such beautiful creations. The same intelligence that allows for us beautiful human creations, allows us to breathe oxygen, circulate blood, and have conscious thoughts and experiences. Best summarized as God. In connecting with their beauty, I am connecting with God. Just as when connecting with a brilliant sunset, or the soul of another human being. For it is in all of us, in all things, and will remain my source of joy regardless of the weather or the seasons. This magnificent bundle was admired just around the corner from my home, in Salem, Oregon, aka "Cherry City". I was delighted to experience and capture so many blossoms in their various stages of blooming.
Passion, 1 of 2 - Laguna Beach, CA - USA
I'm passionate about life and it's beauty. This is a passion flower. What a mind blowingly magnificent creation from Mother Nature. This capture was the first time I've seen one. On a carefree day, in a very zen state, tuned in to the beauty all around us, I was wandering around, loving life, and all of the beauty found in the magnificent Laguna Beach, CA. I was lucky to stumble upon it floating in the water, appropriately enough, in a zen themed gift shop. In love with, and mesmerized by the intensity and intricacy of these beautiful details, I zoomed in for this macro shot with my basic kit lens. Passion 2 is panned out to show the entire flower, and flow of the water.
Wooden Shoe Surprises #1 - Woodburn, Oregon - USA
I'd never been to a tulip field before, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, beyond the obvious; tulips and crowds of people. Although the only one I've attended, I can't imagine it gets much better than Oregon's Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. It draws visitors from around the world who are visiting Oregon in Spring, featuring endless rows of colorful tulips, surrounded by beautiful scenery. I didn't arrive at the ideal time, but made due with what remained on display. What I didn't quite expect was such an incredible variety of colors and designs, and left with a profound appreciation for this glorious creation. It was an enchanting time of immersion, losing myself in their beauty, and overflowing with gratitude for the experience. I also didn't expect to leave with 352 clicks, quads that remained sore for several days after, and a sunburn on the spot where my hair used to be!
Cherry Blossom Brilliance #1 - Salem, Oregon - USA
Oh how I love these magnificent creations. Cherry Blossoms, bringing so much joy to so many. Although, it's a fleeting joy that fades away all too quickly, and I have found a way to experience this joy with or without these brilliant blossoms. The source of my love for these wonderful gifts from mother nature comes from sheer reverence, awe, wonder, and appreciation for the intelligence which orchestrates and allows for such beautiful creations. The same intelligence that allows for us beautiful human creations, allows us to breathe oxygen, circulate blood, and have conscious thoughts and experiences. Best summarized as God. In connecting with their beauty, I am connecting with God. Just as when connecting with a brilliant sunset, or the soul of another human being. For it is in all of us, in all things, and will remain my source of joy regardless of the weather or the seasons. This solitary, sunlit bundle was admired just around the corner from my home, in Salem, Oregon, aka "Cherry City".
Answering the Call - Kentucky, USA
This fantastic roadside scene caught my attention while riding through the back country roads of Kentucky, en route to Mammoth National Park in the summertime. Queen Anne's lace can be found abundantly in the midwest at this time of year. With this glorious display, nestled against the natural wood fence, open country field and treelined backdrop, I couldn't resist the sudden excitement & urge to stop the car, in order to admire & capture the captivating scene. A bit of a humorous memory accompanies the story. My wife & stepson were along for the journey. After a while of my capturing the scene, he commented to her, "What is he doing?!?! Let's go!" - clearly not understanding my need to answer the call when God/Nature's beauty speaks to me.
When I look at the stunning, mesmerizing, intricate beauty of the Iris flower, I don't simply think "that's beautiful". Rather, I am filled with an immense, overflowing appreciation and gratitude for the miracle and privilege of being alive, to be able to experience something so magnificent, and to know that we are connected to the infinite intelligence and higher power that allows for it's creation and sustainability.
When I look at the stunning, mesmerizing, intricate beauty of the Iris flower, I don't simply think "that's beautiful". Rather, I am filled with an immense, overflowing appreciation and gratitude for the miracle and privilege of being alive, to be able to experience something so magnificent, and to know that we are connected to the infinite intelligence and higher power that allows for it's creation and sustainability.
Wooden Shoe Surprises #3 - Woodburn, Oregon - USA
I'd never been to a tulip field before, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, beyond the obvious; tulips and crowds of people. Although the only one I've attended, I can't imagine it gets much better than Oregon's Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. It draws visitors from around the world who are visiting Oregon in Spring, featuring endless rows of colorful tulips, surrounded by beautiful scenery. I didn't arrive at the ideal time, but made due with what remained on display. What I didn't quite expect was such an incredible variety of colors and designs, and left with a profound appreciation for this glorious creation. It was an enchanting time of immersion, losing myself in their beauty, and overflowing with gratitude for the experience. I also didn't expect to leave with 352 clicks, quads that remained sore for several days after, and a sunburn on the spot where my hair used to be!
I was so happy to capture this guy doused in pollen, and carrying a large load, working on some California Poppies! There was a whole swarm of bees at work here, and I fired away at full auto, determined to capture something interesting. I couldn't have been happier! I didn't realize until after the fact in reviewing the photos that he was complete covered in pollen. I also highlighted the subtle variance in hues that you see in the Poppy. The grey in the background is from the surrounding rocks.
Summer Sanctuary Sunrise - Dayton, Ohio - USA
This Summertime prairie was found along the roadside in Dayton, Ohio. A rare occasion of me waking up for an excursion before the sun rises. Setting out with no particular destination in mind, I ended up on Dog Leg Road, just north of Shiloh, near the Stillwater River. The original idea was to find a sunrise scene with the river in it. Having not found what I was hoping for at this spot, I drove along, and just past the river, found this lovely prairie, which was actually designated as a "Nature Sanctuary" with a posted sign. Sometimes plans change, and sometimes something even better is meant to be. It's important to be adaptable, and go with the flow. In doing so, I found this sanctuary, which provided me everything one could ask for in an early morning sunrise. Wildflowers, dew, mist, a beautiful painted sky, and most importantly, joy and happiness.
(No Longer) Oblivious in Ohio #1 - Fairborn, Ohio - USA
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.