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..

"A Rusty Pelican Sunset" by Ralph Orona | Used by Permission

I love photographs of Florida cities that reveal to those who don't know just how closely the beautiful natural Florida obtrudes on, and glorifies, its sometimes stark urban realities.  This shot has got everything:  radiant sunlight; delicate sunset tones shading from violet and apricot to a translucent blue; a city skyline; a bridge; palm trees, cloud, and boats.  Love it. 

A Rusty Pelican Sunset 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..

'Sunset in Key Biscayne' by Ralph Orona | Used by Permission

Ralph Orona has kindly permitted to use this beautiful sunset shot from Key Biscayne,  I love the gorgeous, serene radiance of it.  If you look at it for a moment, you feel as if you're standing right there.....

Sunset in Key Biscayne 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.  This image should not be reproduced, published, transmitted in any forum (even via e-mails) or in print or in any other physical or electronic forum either in part or in whole without the explicit written consent from the copyright owner.

'Miami Vice' by Ralph Orona | Miami | Used by Permission

Here's a breathtaking shot of Miami by Ralph Orona:  "A wide shot of the MacArthur Causeway in Miami Florida...it reminds me of Miami Vice. All it needs is a White Ferrari Testarossa with Crockett & Tubbs standing next to it."

 Miami Vice 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.

 

'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.

'I'm so hungry I can eat a tree' by Ralph Orona | Miami | Used by Permission

"Num, num, num.....What?"

This little cutie has his little black claws wrapped around that nice, juicy leaf.   Isn't he so ferocious with his tiger stripes and his fierce black horns?  This is one of my favorites of all the wildlife photographs I've posted so far. 

The photographer took this adorable portrait at Miami's Fairchild Gardens. 

'I'm so hungry I can eat a tree' 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.

'Biscayne Bay in the Mist' by James Good | Miami | Creative Commons

To be honest, I have grown tired of looking at sun-over-water photographs.  There are so many of them and they are all so similar.  I have already found some of Flickr's best, but how many photographs of rolling waves or serene Gulf with the sun behind them does one site need?

But then I saw this, illustrating how in Florida nature regularly transforms even the most workaday commercial landscape.  I love the watery effect of the sun behind the mist and the even waterier (well, naturally) effect of the reflection.  I love the pastel tints infusing the urban landscape.  Look how you can see the city's towers in the distance.

What you have to remember about Florida is that everything single thing here is beautiful at the right time of day.  You just have to find that right time.  Is that true everywhere else?  Maybe.  It's only since moving here that I've noticed it.

'Biscayne Bay in the Mist' by James Good | To see his other photos, click here | To see the full-sized version of the photograph, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph.  It is subject to a restricted Creative Commons license, permitting certain limited noncommercial uses.  Before using or downloading it, consult the terms of the applicable license.  You may view it 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.

Lifeguard Huts by Natasja | Miami Beach | Creative Commons

Miami Beach, perfectly captured at two perfect moments.

 

'Lifeguard Hut'  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.

 

'Lifeguard Hut'  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.

'South Beach Skyline ---Looking Up at Dusk' by Miz Shoes | Used by Permission

As will eventually become clear, I have a thing for white buildings against a particular indigo blue color of sky.  This is particularly beautiful, more like a painting than a photograph.  Every frond of each palm branch stands out sharply.  The sun striking the side of the building illuminates it; the rest is in bluish shadow.  The sky is that soft, even tint that gradually intensifies to an eerie crystalline color before fading to violet. 

A perfect moment:

 

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 with the permission of the owner.  Please do not save or use it without first getting her permission.