Floridiana Gloriana

'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..

'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.

"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).

Carillon Tower at Bok Sanctuary by James Good | Lake Wales | Creative Commons

Here's a magnificent photograph of the 60-bell carillon tower at Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales, Florida----an attraction perhaps better known to Floridians than to tourists.

Carillon Tower at Bok Sanctuary by James Good | To see his photos 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.

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.

Red Glass, Rocks, and Cactus by Miz Shoes | Miami, FL | Used by Permission

The amazing photographer Miz Shoes has more astonishing imagery from the Chihuly exhibition at the Fairchild.  Just imagine:  till I saw her photographs, I did not know about Chihuly.  And then---through one of those pieces of synchronicity which form the stuff of life---a young person I know referred the very next day to Chihuly glass and this specific exhibition. 

Just fascinating.  As is this photograph:

She writes:  " I loved the contrast of the rock, the cacti and the brillliant red glass."  Yes:

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 by permission of the photographer (to whom all rights are reserved). Please write for permission before saving it or using it.

A Florida Bench by Miz Shoes | Used by Permission

 "This little bench sits below a rainbow eucalyptus and the bark of the tree contains all the same colors as the tiles on the bench," the photographer says.
 

"Miami Fairchild Bench" by Miz Shoes | (click here to see her other photos) | website: Girly Shoes.

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it by permission of the photographer (to whom all rights are reserved).  Please write for permission before saving it or using it. 

The Miami in Your Dreams: Photograph by Ralph Orona | Used by Permission

"Taken from Parrot Jungle Island in Miami Florida," the photographer explains.   To really get the full impact of this stunning panoramic photo, please click here to see the larger version.

"The Miami Skyline" by Ralph Orona (click here to see his other photos) |   

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it BY PERMISSION of the owner.  Please do not save or use it without first obtaining the owner's permission.