Floridiana Gloriana

'hazy, hot, and humid' by Joiseyshowaa (B. Katz) | Gainesville | Creative Commons

Here is a breath-taking photograph of palm trees on a summer night.   It was apparently taken in Gainesville, so the title is apt; don't let the cool, silvery color fool you.  Note how each tree is surrounded by a ghostly silver aura, but of an aura of what?---reflected moonlight?  Electromagnetic energy?  An exudation of heat from the day? A distillation of moisture from the leaves?  My imagination? 

No--they're quite distinct.   Perhaps the photographer has an unsuspected gift for photographing auras.  I never really believed they existed till I saw this.

A magnificent shot, which has deservedly received much praise at Flickr.

"hazy, hot, and humid" by joiseyshowaa (B. Katz) | To see his Flickr photostream, click here | To see the larger 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 restricted Creative Commons license which allows limited noncommercial use.  Do not save or download it without consulting the terms of the license (shown 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).

'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).

One yellow chair (horizontal) by Greg Turner | Gainesville | Creative Commons

Photographer Greg Turner really captures the funky, unpredictable, eclectic spirit of Gainesville, home of the University of Florida, where every other person who waits on you at restaurants is a Ph.D. candidate.  This piece of pure art really grabbed me.  It's something to do with the exciting orange-yellow wall next to the silvery cool pewter tones of the door and walk---and with the Rorschach-like blot of cobalt-blue paint on the walk, providing a third and subtle contrast to the violent excitement of the wall color.

And that shadow, of course.  The photographer says that this is part of his "Chairs in the Wild" series.  What a great concept. You know I love this.  It's like sunshine pouring onto the bleakest place you can imagine and totally transforming it.

"One yellow chair (horizontal)"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).

'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).

'Palm' by Lucian Badea | Used by Permission

I love all of Florida, but Northern Florida is where I'm from, so naturally I am particularly moved by photographs which portray its beauties.

Photographer Lucian Badea of Twisted Visions has created some beautiful and artistic photographs reflecting his own special vision of  North Florida.  I loved this one because of the way he managed to capture the light reflected on the palm leaves---each one has its own reflections against the violet/indigo sky. 

'Palm' by Lucian Badea |  See his work at Twisted Visions (!):  Landscape Photography, Fine Art Photography, Black and White Photography, Nature Photography, Abstract Photography, Experimental Photography, and More! | 

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it with the express written permission of its owner, Lucian Badea.  Do not save or use it unless you first obtain his permission.

'Color Fest' by Lucian Badea | Lake Wauberg, Gainesville, Florida | Used by Permission

A lavish sunset taken by photographer Lucian Badea (Twisted Visions) from across Lake Wauberg (just outside of Gainesville, Florida).  These are the colors of a Florida sunset that's still just gearing up:  the crystalline blue of the sky is still visible behind clouds that still have just a touch of gold dust mixed into their colors.   
 

'Color Fest' by Lucian Badea |  See his work at Twisted Visions (!):  Landscape Photography, Fine Art Photography, Black and White Photography, Nature Photography, Abstract Photography, Experimental Photography, and More! |

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it with the express written permission of its owner, Lucian Badea.  Do not save or use it unless you first obtain his permission.

'Mind Blur' | Ginnie Springs, Florida' by Lucian Badea | Used by Permission

Here's another place I've visited, strangely transformed by the photographic art of Lucian Badea (Twisted Visions Photography).

This photograph has deservedly attracted a great deal of attention at Flickr. Notice how the gold of the trees---a winter color here---is strangely reflected among the green within the river---a beautiful juxtaposition of seasonal color.  Or is the gold really the pale green of an early spring?  Is it vernal or autumnal?  Note that you can see the reflections in the water of a bright blue sky---yet the mist among the trees is an autumn or winter phenomenon.  But this is what Ginnie Springs is like in my dreams, where I can have the best of all the seasons. Magic realism, indeed.

  

'Mind Blur' |  Ginnie Springs, Florida' by Lucian Badea |  See his work at Twisted Visions (!):  Landscape Photography, Fine Art Photography, Black and White Photography, Nature Photography, Abstract Photography, Experimental Photography, and More!

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it with the express written permission of its owner, Lucian Badea.  Do not save or use it unless you first obtain his permission.

'Orange and Blue' by Lucian Badea | Lake Alice, Gainesville | Used by Permission

Photographer Lucian Badea, of  Twisted Visions Photography, has taken some fascinating photographs of the landscapes in and around North Florida.  I became fascinated with them because of the way they are simultaneously totally familiar and totally not.  They are like the versions I see in my dreams:  with details and colors picked out that I wouldn't have noticed in the real world. 

I've often passed this place.  And North Florida has its share of orange skies.  But it took a moment or two to process what I was seeing all the same.  So painterly----and please take note of the swatch of blue sky and yellow cloud reflected in the lake. 

Entrancing.

 

Orange and Blue | Lake Alice, Gainesville, Florida' by Lucian Badea |  See his work at Twisted Visions (!):  Landscape Photography, Fine Art Photography, Black and White Photography, Nature Photography, Abstract Photography, Experimental Photography, and More!

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it with the express written permission of its owner, Lucian Badea.  Do not save or use it unless you first obtain his permission. 

Bird Watching in North Florida by Clark Wheeler | North Florida | Used by Permission

You will see some of the most amazing photographs of birds, insects, and other wildlife you ever in your life imagined at this photographer's site---all visitors to his backyard.   I could have chosen any of them.  I chose these for the beautiful and varied pattern of color they create.

All of the following are ALL RIGHTS RESERVED and are used here by permission only, so look and enjoy, but don't save or download these photographs without first obtaining his permission!

"Courtship" by Clark Wheeler (photo page here). He explains that this is a male great egret displaying to entice a mate to the nesting site.

This photograph is used by PERMISSION only and all rights are reserved to the owner.  Please do not save or download for any use without first obtaining his written permission.

"Female cardinal" by Clark Wheeler (photo page here)

This photograph is used by PERMISSION only and all rights are reserved to the owner.  Please do not save or download for any use without first obtaining his written permission.

"Pileated Woodpecker" by Clark Wheeler (photo page here).

This photograph is used by PERMISSION only and all rights are reserved to the owner.  Please do not save or download for any use without first obtaining his written permission.


"Chickadee, Carolina" by Clark Wheeler (photo page here).

 

This photograph is used by PERMISSION only and all rights are reserved to the owner.  Please do not save or download for any use without first obtaining his written permission.

"Blue Grosbeak 2" by Clark Wheeler (photo page here).

This photograph is used by PERMISSION only and all rights are reserved to the owner.  Please do not save or download for any use without first obtaining his written permission.