Floridiana Gloriana

'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)

'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..

'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.

'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.

'Orchids at the Mount Dora Plant Fair' by Judy Malley | Mount Dora | Creative Commons

More splendor from the Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair....

Photograph 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 license is shown here. 

"Water Lily Display at the Mount Dora Plant Fair' by Judy Malley | Mount Dora | Creative Commons

One of my friends, looking through this blog, was disappointed not to see more Florida flowers.   Fortunately, photographer Judy Malley has amassed quite a collection of beautiful photographs.  These are from the annual Plant and Garden Fair in the charming Central Florida town of Mount Dora.

Photograph 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 license is shown here. 

Photograph 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 license is shown here.

Photograph  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 license is shown here.

Photograph  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 license is shown here.

'Every once in a while' by Greg Turner | Gainesville | Creative Commons

"Every once in a while," says the photographer, "We get fall colors in Florida."  And when we do, we really do.  Scarlet against silvery grey, what colors could be more resplendent? 

'Every once in a while' 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 in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Before saving or using it, consult the terms of the applicable license (shown here).

'Sea Oats in St. Pete' by Kevin Trotman | St. Petersburg | Creative Commons

I haven't yet posted any photographs from St. Pete---an amazingly beautiful city on Tampa Bay.  This amazing, strangely lighted photograph with its pewter colored sky seemed a good starting place...

Sea Oats in St. Pete by Kevin Trotman (The Rocketeer) | click here to see his other photos | website: Radio Active Geek  | Click here to go to Flickr for the larger version

Chihuly & Flower | Miami | Creative Commons

One brilliant, multi-colored flower next to one really magnificent work of art.  The photographer writes:  "The first Chihuly exhibit at Fairchild. This was a bromilliad in full bloom."

 

Photograph by Miz Shoes | click here to see her other photos | website: Girly Shoes.  | Click here to go to Flickr for the larger version

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

A February Scene--North Florida Spring | Melrose, FL

Here's a scene from the pretty little town of Melrose (Putnam County). This building was once a church; back when I took this---in dogwood and azalea season---it was a Homemaker's Club.  Isn't it pretty?