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.

'Karin's Patio' by Ariel Ophelia | Gainesville | Creative Commons

This is so perfectly perfect Gainesville.  The porch surrounded by trees, the plants, the furniture covered in cool fabrics.  What elevates this photo from 'someone's porch' to 'the art of the porch' for me is the platinum and grey cover on the swing and the rainbow colors of the other, both adding that eclectic feel so characteristic of this university town.  "Gainesville is so lush," observes the photographer.  I just want to be on that porch with my book and my glass of wine.  "Is that a painting or a photo?" my husband asked.  "It looks like a painting."  It does.

Karin's Patio by Ariel Ophelia |  To see her other photos, 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 (shown here).

'Why do you come here?' by Greg Turner | Gainesville | Creative Commons

When I was living in Gainesville in the late Eighties, I dated a man who lived in a house much like this one.  It might even have been this one.  In a town inhabited by a huge transient population of students, many living hand to mouth, the quaint old places survive better than they might do elsewhere.  The eerie green light here is perfect.

"Why do you come here?" 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).

'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.

'Train Station' by Don Jones | Melbourne | Creative Commons

This is a photograph of the train station in Melbourne, Florida ("The Harbor City") (also see this). I love the contrast between the terracotta-tinted stucco and the lighter apricot shade, and the tint of the flagstones.  The bright red stop sign in the background is a nice counterpoint to the green....

"Train Station" by Don Jones |  To see his other Flickr photos, click here | To see the full-sized image, click here

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

Gazebo by Allen Whitson | St. Johns River, De Bary, Florida | Used by Permission

Here is a beautiful gazebo on the St. Johns River in the town of DeBary or Debary or De Barry (it seems to be spelled all different ways).  It is a small town in Volusia County, Florida, along the Atlantic Coast (see the website; read some fascinating history).

 

Gazebo  by Allen Whitson  | click here to see his other 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 with the express permission of its owner.  Please do not save or use it without first getting permission from the owner.  Flickr users may contact the owner through his Flickr mail.

Coffee on the Porch---Cape San Blas by Judy Baxter | Creative Commons

Is Cape San Blas Florida's "forgotten coast"?  This is a part of the state I don't know well at all, but would love to know better.  The beaches are gorgeous, like white sugar.

Judy Baxter writes:  "Our townhouse can be rented here: http://www.visitfloridabeaches.com/ BD 495 - 34.  Look:

 

"Having Coffee on Deck of Townhouse" -- Cape San Blas, Florida by Judy Baxter (Old Shoe Woman) | See other photographs here |  See larger image 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 use this image without first consulting the terms of the license.  The license restrictions are shown here.

 

Looking Up and Over ---Townhouse ---Cape San Blas, Florida by Judy Baxter (Old Shoe Woman) | See other photographs here |  See larger image 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 use this image without first consulting the terms of the license.  The license restrictions are shown here.

 

My Mug - Deck of Town House ---Cape San Blas, Florida by Judy Baxter (Old Shoe Woman) | See other photographs here |  See larger image 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 use this image without first consulting the terms of the license.  The license restrictions are shown here.

Porch Swing (Creative Commons)

This iconic Florida photograph was taken at a historic house in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, The Bonnet House.   I fell instantly in love with it not only for the lacy grillework of the porch and for the swing but also for the winter color in the background.

"The Bonnet House" by  Jill Warner | Jilbean.com!! | To see her other photographs, click here | To see the full-sized version of this image, click here |

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

Two Marvelous Florida Houses (Creative Commons)

These beautiful photographs of Central Florida houses were all taken by the same photographer, Steven M., who has really put together some amazing photographs of the beautiful little central Florida town of Sanford (where, by the way, there is a marvelous zoo).  I've assembled a few of his photographs of your typical Florida "stately home."  This is the Florida I know and love and that I see around me every day.

Victorian Queen Anne House--Sanford, Florida by photographer Steven Martin | 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 Creative Commons photograph, but am using it in compliance with the terms of the license.  Please don't save or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license (here)

"Higgins House and palm trees, Sanford, Florida" by photographer Steven Martin | 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 Creative Commons photograph, but am using it in compliance with the terms of the license.  Please don't save or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license (here).

Fanciful Florida: Florida house by night.

Every Florida town has its "historic district" and every historic district has one or more houses like this.  It's typical Deep South architecture. 

This was an impressionistic picture because I wanted to make people really see the palm trees.  The palm trees make all the difference.

To the best of my recollection, this house is in a North Central Florida town.