Floridiana Gloriana

'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.

'After Hours' by Don Jones | Orlando | Used By Permission

Here's a companion piece to Don Jones' 'Downtown Fog.' This is a city made out of gold and strung with stars. This piece, like all the work I admire, perfectly illustrates the principle of 'the transfiguration of the commonplace' (a phrase I am borrowing from Muriel Sparks.)  The one thing that no amount of training or equipment can give a person is the ability to see that perfect moment.



After Hours by Don Jones | To see his other photographs, click here | To see the full-sized image at Flickr, click here |
I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it with the permission of the photographer.  Do NOT save or use it without first requesting his permission.

'St. Pete Beach' by Porkfork6 | Creative Commons

Here's an iconic Florida scene for you....I think what really sold it for me was the cool, slate-tinted sky and water contrasted against the very white breakers, the blue-green umbrellas, and just two bright splotches of bright vermilion. 

'St. Pete Beach' by Porkfork 6 |  To see his other photos, click here |  To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

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

'Orange Blossom Motel' by Kevin Trotman (The Rocketeer) | Citra | Creative Commons

Another fabulous Florida vignette by Kevin Trotman:  I've passed this sign in the beautiful little town of Citra many times.

Photograph 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

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.

'Ocean Pier, Key West' by Natasja | Creative Commons

It's a Florida rainbow!  One thing I love about Natasja's photographs of Florida is that she photographs the things I'd photograph (only much, much more beautifully).  Also she appreciates the eloquence of inanimate objects.
 

 

'Ocean Pier, Key West'  by Natasja   | click here to see her other photos |  website:  Pixels and Photos | Click here to go to Flickr to see the full-sized version

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

'The Orange Shop' by Kevin Trotman (The Rocketeer)| Citra | Creative Commons

This is an important Central Florida landmark.  Even locals love this shop and both locals and tourists love to photograph this sign. I have my own photographs, but they are nowhere near as gorgeous as this. 

The Orange Shop in Citra, Florida by Kevin Trotman |  To see more of his photographs, click here |  To see the full-sized version of this image at Flickr, click here

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 it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license is shown here.

Cedar Key: Some Scenes from the Past (c.1997)

These were all scanned from photographs of Cedar Key, circa 1997.  My late husband made most of them and I scanned the photographs into my computer.  Although some of the buildings have had face lifts or been painted, the town still looks very much the same now.  Furthermore, I think these photos, despite their imperfections, managed to capture the light and color of the town (which remain unchanged, despite surface tweakings).

This little building is still there, but last time I saw it it wasn't an ice cream stand anymore.  I was sad that it had been repainted.

This restaurant is still there and is still a great place to have a meal while sitting right over the Gulf.

And, of course, the Captain's Table---where you can watch the sunset sink into the Gulf---is still there.  It's one of my favorite places on earth.  The last couple of times I was there the pier was closed, but maybe that's changed by now....

A scene from Cedar Key's Main Street.  Despite the (very cool) old cars, it was actually only 10 years ago!

Crescent Beach (c. 1997)

I'm actually more sure of the date than I am of the location.  This is what sunset looks like on the east coast, with the sun reflected over the water.  These peach, gold, and silvery violets are the colors I think of when I think of a Florida sunset, even though you get the deeper reds and vermilions when it's close to setting.   This photograph was an autumn picture, taken in October. 

Florida Winter Color---Jacksonville Landing.

This was taken right around mid-November at Jacksonville Landing.  Locals tell me they don't think much of it; it's one of those places that's really for tourists.  Whatever; It's a gorgeous place to walk around and take photographs.  Click on the link above to see more.

This was right before sunset when the colors are particularly intense.  The silver and gold effects of the bridge always reminds me of jewelry.  The windows under that red roof are glazed with late afternoon sunlight, but you can still see through them

Fanciful Florida: Fernandina Beach Jazz-Style.

Here's a fanciful version of the gorgeous town of Fernandina Beach, located on beautiful, beautiful Amelia Island. 

I love its main street.  In reality the buildings are made from brick and the colors are not quite this intense and saturated---but nearly so. 

It's a place where a Floridian would vacation in Florida.  Compared to the places you've heard of, it's quiet and very free of the typical "attractions" that make Central Central Florida so appealing to visitors and such hell for Floridians to live in.  Instead, it has actual attractions.  Anyone who doesn't know the difference has never visited my beautiful state.

Here's how the street actually looked.   Is that not beautiful?

I fell in love with it the first time I went there.  I walked up and down the street in a trance.  I adored everything I saw or ate.  I didn't want to leave. 

Amelia Island, like Cedar Key, is a Florida secret we should probably keep.  I won't say too much more.  But I just had to pay humble tribute to this jewel of the Space Coast.  Enough said....