Floridiana Gloriana

the real & hidden florida, behind the strip malls and parking lots

Note: This weblog is definitely a labor of love, celebrating the hidden paradise beyond the parking lots and strip malls. 

I started out posting photographs I have made over the years that particularly capture the mystique of Florida---especially North Florida.  After awhile, I realized that my photographs simply didn't have the scope I wanted or that I felt was necessary to do justice to my subject, so for a long time I stopped.  Then in the course of doing something else entirely I stumbled across Flickr's Creative Commons, where wonderful and generous photographers make their splendid work available to others for use. Henceforth I will principally be including the work of others, though my own work does appear from time to time. 

The front page shows the photographs most recently added.  But to see what the site is really about, click on any of the topics  in the righthand sidebar. The real purpose of the site is to put  photographs on various subjects together with and in juxtaposition to others addressing the same topic.  Most photographs appear under several topics and therefore together with completely different sets of photographs.  For that reason the "main pages" are the pages under each topic.

That's my artistic (if you will) contribution:  the creation of many collages reflecting Florida and Florida life.  Over time, and as I collect more photographs, I expect this to evolve into a true and accurate reflection of the true and enduring Florida. 

'Palm & Shadows' by Zen Sutherland | DeLand | Creative Commons

Here is a piece of art created by a North Carolina photographer who visited DeLand on vacation.  It's one of those photographs that just makes me gaze and gaze. As I've often said, I'm all about the strange lighting effects.   

 'Palms and shadows' by  Zen Sutherland |  Website:  Zenscription  | To see his Flickr photostream, click here | To see the largest version of this photograph available on Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Do not save or use it without consulting the terms of the license (link shown here)

'St Augustine Lighthouse' by Allen Whitson | Used by Permission

Allen Whitson made this magnificent photograph of the famous St. Augustine Lighthouse.  The lighthouse has a reputation for being haunted and I've seen a most intriguing documentary revealing the results of a tape that was left running there overnight. 

'St Augustine Lighthouse' by Allen Whitson | Click here to see his other photos | Click here to go to Flickr to see the full-sized version

 I am using this photograph with the express written permission of the owner. All rights to this photograph are reserved to him.  Please do not save or download it without his express written permission.

'Navarre Beach' by Heather Rasley | Creative Commons

As I said, I don't know western Florida well and I don't know Navarre at all....but I am entranced by the slightly rosy cast of the sand under that sky and in that light; and by the translucent blue tint of the sky.   

'Navarre Beach' by Heather Rasley | To see her other photographs, click here | Websites: Heather is Watching; The H. Line | to see the largest version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Do not save or use it without consulting the terms of the license (link shown here) 

'Navarre Beach Bridge' by Jason Humphries | Navarre | Creative Commons

One of the best things about this project is seeing places in Florida I've only heard of, but never visited.  The Panhandle, glorious though it is, is a long way from where I live.  People in the peninsula often seem to know little of the beauties of western Florida.  Looking at this photograph made me long to be in a car driving across this bridge.  Navarre Beach, which I've never even heard of till today, is in Santa Rosa County way out west, on the border of Alabama.  All I can say is: wow.  And well done, Jason Humphries, to have captured it!

'Navarre beach bridge' by Jason Humphries  |  To see his other Flickr photos, click here | To see the full-sized version of this photograph, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Do not save or use it without consulting the terms of the license (shown here) 

'Americana' by Greg Turner | Micanopy | Creative Commons

Here's a wonderful shot by Greg Turner of the American Cafe in the beautiful little North Florida town of Micanopy (accent on the third syllable).  Micanopy is Florida's oldest inland settlement and---as the link will tell you---an excellent place to see alligators as well as to shop for antiques.   I particularly love the touches of color added by the umbrellas, the stained glass, and the flag....

'Americana' by Greg Turner |To see his other photographs, click here |  To see the full-sized photograph at Flickr, click here |

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it pursuant to a restricted Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license can be viewed here.

Late Afternoon Light by Caleb | St. Petersburg | Creative Commons

Another subtly glorious shot from Caleb's 'subtropical noir' series;  a portrait of the power of the late afternoon light to steep everything it touches in mystery.  I love the shadows on the house and the reflection in the forward limb of the tree and on the roof of the vermilion-tinted afternoon light. 

House by Caleb | To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here | website:  calebism; subtropicalnoir.com | To see the full-sized version of this photograph, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it pursuant to a restricted Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license can be viewed here.

'Showered in Sunlight' by Ralph Orona | Miami | Used by Permission

In addition to his glittering or glowing cityscapes, Ralph Orona does beautiful in-her-face studies of Nature manifesting herself subtropically.  Or, to be more accurate, he sees God manifesting himself in nature. He writes:  "This is an orchid I found glowing this morning at Pinecrest Park in Miami."

These orchids---filled with light like a pair of translucent lamps so that you can even see their veins---do indeed have a numinous quality.  They practically give off a scent:  that scent of white petals in the sun.  To see this glorious flower in detail, click the link below. 

Showered in Sunlight  by Ralph Orona | To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here | Website:  Ralph Orona Photography | To see the largest version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

Used by permission---all rights reserved to the owner.  Please do not save or use without his express written permission..

Bottle at Sunrise by Judy Malley | Tampa | Creative Commons

Even a discarded or a forgotten bottle can make art for a photographer who has the artist's eye.   Without the bottle to pull this together, would we notice the reflection of delicately tinted sunrise clouds in the reflected blue of the water or the weathered browns and greys of the dock?  The slight unsteadiness of the bottle's position keeps you looking, as does the flash of green in the label (subtly picked up by the post on the right. 

The one that follows is, of course, the same bottle.  I couldn't decide which I preferred so I decided to use both. 

The photographer took these photos in the course of a day of recording her life in Tampa.  She took this one and the one after it at sunrise at Davis Island. 

'Bottle' by Judy Malley | To see her other photographs, click here | To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Before saving or using it, consult the terms of the applicable license (linked here).

'Someone Liked Smirnoff Ice' by Judy Malley| To see her other photographs, click here | To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Before saving or using it, consult the terms of the applicable license (linked here).

"A Rusty Pelican Sunset" by Ralph Orona | Used by Permission

I love photographs of Florida cities that reveal to those who don't know just how closely the beautiful natural Florida obtrudes on, and glorifies, its sometimes stark urban realities.  This shot has got everything:  radiant sunlight; delicate sunset tones shading from violet and apricot to a translucent blue; a city skyline; a bridge; palm trees, cloud, and boats.  Love it. 

A Rusty Pelican Sunset by Ralph Orona | To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here | Website:  Ralph Orona Photography | To see the largest version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

Used by permission---all rights reserved to the owner.  Please do not save or use without his express written permission..

'Sunset in Key Biscayne' by Ralph Orona | Used by Permission

Ralph Orona has kindly permitted to use this beautiful sunset shot from Key Biscayne,  I love the gorgeous, serene radiance of it.  If you look at it for a moment, you feel as if you're standing right there.....

Sunset in Key Biscayne by Ralph Orona | To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here | Website:  Ralph Orona Photography | To see the largest version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

Used by permission.  This image should not be reproduced, published, transmitted in any forum (even via e-mails) or in print or in any other physical or electronic forum either in part or in whole without the explicit written consent from the copyright owner.

'Pineda' by Don Jones | Brevard | Creative Commons

Photographer Don Jones, who does such amazing night shots and such evocative photos of old Florida houses, took this vintage-feeling and very painterly shot of State Road 404, the Pineda Causeway.  It's the primary access road to Patrick Air Force Base.  It made me feel very sentimental when I saw it----it's so like the postcards of Florida from the 1969's, with those pastels and all that intense green. 

'Pineda' by Don Jones |  To see his other photographs, click here |  To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph.  It is subject to a restricted Creative Commons license, permitting certain limited noncommercial uses.  Before using or downloading it, consult the terms of the applicable license.  You may view it here.

'The Florida Theater' by Craig O'Neal | Jacksonville | Creative Commons

Here is a beautiful night shot by Jacksonville photographer Craig O'Neal.

 

The Florida Theater by Craig O'Neal | Craig O'Neal does photography for Jacksonville.com.  To see more fabulous photographs, click here or take a look at his albums at Jacksonville.com! |  To see the full-sized version of this photograph, click here |

I do not own the rights to this Creative Commons photograph, but am using it in compliance with the terms of a restricted license.  Please don't save or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license (here).

'Miami Vice' by Ralph Orona | Miami | Used by Permission

Here's a breathtaking shot of Miami by Ralph Orona:  "A wide shot of the MacArthur Causeway in Miami Florida...it reminds me of Miami Vice. All it needs is a White Ferrari Testarossa with Crockett & Tubbs standing next to it."

 Miami Vice by Ralph Orona | To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here | Website:  Ralph Orona Photography | To see the largest version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

This photograph is used with the express written permission of its owner.  Please do not save or download it without first obtaining his permission.  You can write to him here.

 

'Lake Eola' by Don Jones | Orlando | Creative Commons

I realize that many people find cityscapes a bit monotonous.  But imagine the amazement of someone from the Victorian age:  they'd see nothing but fairy-tale palaces, and fairy-tale lights.  I'm not sure what it says about us that we prefer to build our cities out of steel and glass towers and are satisfied to have them all look rather similar to one another.  I'm just asking you to focus on this one scene, with its silver, platinum, and celadon reflected in Lake Eola, its satiny dark blue backdrop, and its glass towers dwarfing the trees.

By the way, this is the same photographer who does such wondrous photographs of derelict houses, rusting tin, and lost and abandoned property decaying gently into Florida's rural landscape.   

>
'Lake Eola' by Don Jones |  To see his other photographs, click here |  To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph.  It is subject to a restricted Creative Commons license, permitting certain limited noncommercial uses.  Before using or downloading it, consult the terms of the applicable license.  You may view it here.

'Stand Firm' by Ralph Orona | Miami | Used by Permission

The photographer wrote:  "This guy was battling the wind all day!"  I love the petals blowing in the wind like hair, and I don't think I really need to say anything about the effect of that brilliant yellow against that celestial cloud-streaked blue, do I?

'Stand Firm' by Ralph Orona | To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here | Website:  Ralph Orona Photography | To see the largest version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

This photograph is used with the express written permission of its owner.  Please do not save or download it without first obtaining his permission.  You can write to him here.

'I'm so hungry I can eat a tree' by Ralph Orona | Miami | Used by Permission

"Num, num, num.....What?"

This little cutie has his little black claws wrapped around that nice, juicy leaf.   Isn't he so ferocious with his tiger stripes and his fierce black horns?  This is one of my favorites of all the wildlife photographs I've posted so far. 

The photographer took this adorable portrait at Miami's Fairchild Gardens. 

'I'm so hungry I can eat a tree' by Ralph Orona | To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here | Website:  Ralph Orona Photography | To see the largest version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

This photograph is used with the express written permission of its owner.  Please do not save or download it without first obtaining his permission.  You can write to him here.

'Blue Heron' by Judy Malley | Tampa | Creative Commons

I've posted several photographs of Blue Herons---my favorite Florida bird since a couple of them adopted my family back when I lived in Kissimmee---but this one by Judy Malley shows in perfect detail the beautiful silvery blue of its plumage and the no-nonsense tint of its navy racing stripe.  Is he not precious?   

"Blue Heron" originally uploaded by Judy Malley | To see her other Flickr photographs, click here |  | To see the largest version of this photograph on Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it pursuant to a restricted Creative Commons license.  Do not save or download it without first consulting the terms of the license.  The  link to the applicable license is shown here. 

 

"Downtown Lakeland" by Josh Hallett | Lakeland | Creative Commons

Since I love photographs of buildings against that indigo-tinted Florida sky, I was immediately drawn to this photograph by photographer Josh Hallett of a golden-colored building in downtown Lakeland.  From this angle, it is striking, monumental, like one of the pyramids.   

'Downtown Lakeland' by Josh Hallett |   To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here |  Website:  Hyku | To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Please do not download or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license. The link to the license is here. 

'Winter Haven Sunset Celebration' by Josh Hallett | Winter Haven | Creative Commons

Another magnificent shot by Josh Hallett of the sun setting over Winter Haven, the 'Chain of Lakes' City.   The darkness of the reeds and the shadowy foreground gives this image a wild vibrant quality. 

'Winter Haven Sunset Celebration' by  Josh Hallett |   To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here |  Website:  Hyku | To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Please do not download or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license. The link to the license is here.

'Winter Haven Sunset Celebration' by Josh Hallett | Winter Haven | Creative Commons

A sunset enormous lake in the little Central Florida town of Winter Haven in Polk County Florida, home of Cypress Gardens.  Having once been engaged to a man who was living there---and who lived right on the lake--- I spent quite a bit of time there back in the early Nineties.  Josh Hallett, who wonderfully captures the towns of Central Florida, took this radiant sunset scene, complete with all those Florida peach and apricot tints. 

Winter Haven Sunset Celebration by  Josh Hallett |   To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here |  Website:  Hyku | To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Please do not download or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license. The link to the license is here.

'Bok Tower' by Josh Hallett | Lake Wales | Creative Commons

Here is another marvelous photograph of the Bok Sanctuary Carillon Tower----before we had its golden door; now we have the summit reflecting the color of the sun at sunset.  Photographer Josh Hallett (Hyku)  has produced some wonderful photographs of Central Florida and has kindly authorized me to feature some of them----this is the first I've published, with more to come.

'Bok Tower, Lake Wales, FL' by Josh Hallett | To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here |  Website:  Hyku | To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Please do not download or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The link to the license is here.

'Brass Door' by Sara Mooney | Lake Wales | Creative Commons

Here is the magnificent golden door to the Carillon Tower (see a photograph here) at Bok Sanctuary Gardens in Lake Wales.  There's an almost dreamlike aspect to this photograph, with the reflecting pond, the jewel like green of the ferns, the darker palm branches, the delicate rose tints and blues of the stones, and that magical golden door, very like the one that Alice went through. 

Brass Door by Sara_Mooney   |  To see her photostream at Flickr, click here | Website:  Stage Domain | To see the full-sized version of this photograph, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license that permits restricted use.  Please do not save or download it without first consulting the terms of the license.  A  link to the license appears here.

'Florida Scrub Jay = Yoda' by Daniel Godwin | Lake Wales | Creative Commons

This photograph was sent to the photographer by his brother and posted at Flickr under a CC license (yay!)  The photographer's brother explained why this little nestling is be-robed for the photo:

I banded the first brood of Florida Scrub-Jay nestlings at Lake Wales Ridge State Forest (southeastern Polk County) this past Wednesday. One of the nestlings didn't want to come out of the weighing bag (aka a trimmed panty hose), so I had to "peel" the bag away from it. Suddenly the jay looked very much like a well-known, very wise ("Wars not make one great"), and much loved old ... bird (?) [links added fyi by me]

Don't his little claws look like little taloned hands?  This photo has won a certain amount of well-deserved acclaim on Flickr....  This species is under threat due to habitat loss, by the way.   Let's hope we don't lose yet another species of animal people.  I would hate to lose little Yoda.  No wonder he looks a bit annoyed.  Or maybe he just had to deal with an unpromising trainee.

"You worthless at learning Jedi techniques are!  I fed up to the beak with you am!" 
Heh. 

'Florida Scrub Jay = Yoda' by Daniel Godwin | To see his Flickr photostream, click here | To see the full-sized version of this photograph, click here | I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or download it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  A link to the license is shown here.

Signs of Cassadaga (Central Florida's Spiritualist Town) | Cassadaga | Creative Commons

Most non-Floridians don't really seem to have heard about Florida's psychic and spiritualist camp, Cassadaga, hidden away in the pine barrens of Central Florida, within about 50-60 miles of Orlando.  You can read more about its history here.

Can I just whisper in your ear that I visited it for fun with my friend Frances in 1996?  And that the reading I received from the psychic I consulted for 'fun' was weirdly accurate for the next three years?  Among other things, she very specifically and clearly described----ignoring my unconcealed skepticism---that (1) my mother would have heart trouble in August, but recover; (2) that I would meet a guy with whom I'd initiate a close friendship---meaning exactly that, a friendship--- that would be very important in my life; (3) that my husband would take a new job in another town that had the word 'Gourmet' in it (the name of the business actually did); that I'd find myself short of money, but would come through it; and much, much else of which not an inkling existed at the time. 

Furthermore, though I rebuffed her when she asked me if I was an artist----I wasn't, and treated the statement with incredulity----she said she saw me working with 'little multi-colored flowers.'  A few weeks later I looked down at the needlepoint I was doing for a one-time-only special gift for my mom:  yep, little multi-colored flowers everywhere.   I didn't imagine what she told me; I have it all on tape.  Yes, I know what you're thinking.  Believe me:  I know.

Frances, on the other hand, didn't have such good luck with hers (if you want to call it good luck).  So I don't know.  I don't 'believe,' but I can say that I met one person whose predictions turned out to be dead on.  I haven't been back; I find I don't want to know what's next with that level of accuracy.  It's unsettling and it's also unclear what you do about it once you realize it's happening.  In fact, there is nothing you can do really, making foreknowledge an exercise in futility.  To paraphrase a character in one of my favorite Ursula LeGuin novels, divination is useful only as an illustration of the uselessness of knowing the right answer to the wrong question.

Anyway, I remember the palms and pine trees, and I remember big, somewhat ramshackle houses of somber aspect heavily shaded by live oaks.  Like many Central Florida towns, it had a certain bleakness in the perpendicular afternoon light, but as the light mellowed, took on that mysterious late afternoon radiance.

 

Cassadaga Signs by Niemster (Matthew Niemi) |  To see his Flickr photostream, click here | Website:  The Niemster |  To see the largest version of this photograph available on Flickr, click here | I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license allowing for limited noncommercial use.  Before saving or downloading it, please consult the terms of the applicable license.  A link to the license is here.

'Eloise in Cassadaga' by Mlle Sarah (Sarah) |  To see her Flickr photostream, click here | Website:  Pretty Little Bits |  To see the largest version of this photograph available on Flickr, click here |  I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license allowing for limited noncommercial use.  Before saving or downloading it, please consult the terms of the applicable license.  A link to the license is here.

Um, Sure... by Niemster (Matthew Niemi)  To see his Flickr photostream, click here | Website:  The Niemster |  To see the largest version of this photograph available on Flickr, click here | I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license allowing for limited noncommercial use.  Before saving or downloading it, please consult the terms of the applicable license.  A link to the license is here.

'Cassadaga'  by errrrrrrrrika|  To see her Flickr photostream, click here |  To see the largest version of this photograph available on Flickr, click here I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license allowing for limited noncommercial use.  Before saving or downloading it, please consult the terms of the applicable license.  A link to the license is here

'Fort Myers' by Alexander Wrege | Fort Myers | Creative Commons

Here's a radiantly tinted shot from the Gulf Coast city of Fort Myers.  I love the red awning and the flashes of yellow and royal blue.  Magnificent holiday shot---wish I was there now.  I really do.

Best-Winter 2007 -Fort Myers by Alexander Wrege | To see his photostream at Flickr, click here  | website:  Quantum Indecisions | To see the largest version of this Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it pursuant to a restricted Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license can be viewed here.