How do I love thee, pretty watermelon? Let me count the ways..... I'm charmed by your fat green stripes that meet precisely at each end. I enjoy the wonderful cracking sound as you split wide open.
This bright green vine began a vertical ascent, but then it made an abrupt U-turn. Upon very close inspection, you'll see the delicate new growth waiting directly beneath the faucet. (Click the image for a larger view.)
I enjoy clipping bits and pieces from a landscape to showcase what might otherwise be unnoticed. My photographer's eye is always alert for vignettes of unique interest.
Muscadine vines spilling gently over a red clay bluff provide a quintessential view of rural Georgia. But this picture of leaves and soil also hints of exotic, far-away places. Grape leaves whisper of Italy, and the earthen wall suggests Mexico—while vibrant colors allude to both. A wide vein of mica near the ground adds balance and a golden shine to this "multi-cultural" scene.
These butterflies are huge. When in flight, the big yellow wings attract our attention, just like a waving flag. The Tiger Swallowtail is fairly common, and the southern subspecies is largest of all. Only females wear the long string of neon blue jewels.
With a burst of energy, this delicate white-capped mushroom pushes up through the soil and into the morning light. Its strength has come from a symbiotic relationship with one of the mighty oak trees in my back yard.
Yes, vegetables on a table top qualify as nature photography—at least on this blog they do. These beauties were only two feet from my back door, where natural afternoon light was flooding in upon them to add interest to the scene.
We usually think of being adrift as a negative situation. But in the case of sea beans and mangrove pods, the floating isn't aimless. This pod fell into the water and is on its way to a "distant land" where it will lodge and begin to grow. The new tree will multiply and help to prevent erosion.
Rusted, bleached and battered rigging is evidence that a fishing boat has seen years of work and certainly some great adventure. Provoking the imagination, this photo compells me to look beyond the nets and out to the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.
The fishing industry has intrigued me ever since growing up in Fort Myers, Florida— a town once called the shrimping capital of the world. I'd love to be a guest and watch the deep-water process from beginning to end. Will the boat leave sight of land? What bounty will be hauled from the depths that day? Will snapper, bonita and grouper be pulled onboard along with the shrimp?
When visiting Southwest Florida, I always enjoy strolling the long boardwalks that stretch from condominium lawns, through the protected natural areas, then finally meet the glorious shores. These hospitable "red carpets" lead vacationers to the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.
If I had a list of "top ten flavors," I would include the taste of a sweet, tree-ripened, Georgia peach. This fruit could also win first prize in a beauty contest with its plump, fuzzy, blushing form, nestled in slender, arching leaves—quite an artistic triumph. Now let's hear it for the peach!
I met Frieda early one summer when she announced herself in boisterous song. This happy little frog had set up camp in a yucca plant between my front porch light and an outdoor faucet. With dripping water on her left and swarming bugs on her right, this chubby girl had plenty to sing about.
A hummingbird lured me outdoors today with the promise of a photo—then it promptly flew away. Unwilling to accept defeat, I surveyed the wooded land surrounding my Georgia yard, hoping for a subject that wouldn't disappear.
When vacationing at my favorite beaches, I usually play in the water or look for shells along the shore. But once each day, I make a point to search for digital treasure.
Of all the coastal birds, I think the Great Blue Heron commands the most admiration. Dressed as a reigning monarch, this bird walks confidently among "its people" on the shore.
Eye-catching blue Plumbago thrives at the foot of this elderly tree. The vibrant floral growth has found a backdrop that doesn't compete for attention. In return for its complementary support, the weathered tree has received a boost in status. It is now the "charming antique element" of a landscape composition.
Auto insurance in South Florida may not cover "coconut damage," so it's wise to avoid parking in coconut shade. Even standing beneath one of these fully loaded palms requires courage and maybe a bit of insanity. All things considered, I was still compelled to capture the best perspective of this tree.
In all it's subtle variations, the color of green surrounds us. When held in the arms of this nurturing hue, we go through our days more easily. If God has a favorite paint, my guess is that it's green—with blue as a close runner-up.
This young White Ibis led me along a Florida shore for quite a distance one morning. The bird was aware of my presence, and I was careful not to enter his personal space. While foraging for breakfast, he poked his bill into the sand and drilled around for burrowing crustaceans. An occasional school of minnows would lure the Ibis a little deeper.
A perennially beautiful "dinnerplate hibiscus" plant is thriving in my back yard. From July to September, I'm greeted daily with several new blooms—large and round and simply gorgeous. These ten-inch flowers open to botanical perfection. They almost look artificial, like the oversized flora seen in Munchkin Land.
Tiny speckled Mockingbird eggs were hidden in the depths of an azalea bush near my house. For about a week after finding them, I kept tabs on the nest and caught glimpses of the cunning Mom and Dad as they tried to divert me from their special treasure.
This small variety of sunflower sprang up from the seeds I scatter on my back yard deck for the local bird population. Each stalk branches out to present a multitude of blooms. Weeks after this flower debuted, the seeds have matured. Birds are clipping off the flower heads so they will drop to the ground, and then they peck out the seeds.
Two old fashioned Lantana bushes are growing near my front door. They serve as magnets for butterflies, hummingbirds and bees. I've taken countless butterfly photos, and I never tire of capturing the closeup details—the tiny proboscis dipped into the flower like a straw, and the multi-lensed compound eyes.
A well-kept pecan grove is always a visual delight. If you're ever driving through Georgia in spring or early summer, then do yourself a favor. Turn onto a country road that leads into one of these fields of timeless enchantment.
I once found a delicate mantis clinging to my front screen door. Deciding that a planter full of colorful blooms was more suitable for the fragile bug, I carefully transplanted her.
The beautiful White Pines of Georgia have long needles and extra large cones. Every spring, the branch tips produce clusters of small purple male cones called stroboli.
In May of 2006, my daughter was married on "The Wedding Rock" at Carmel River State Park in California. This natural rock platform rests on a high bluff overlooking the Pacific. The weather was perfect, and even the local guests were in awe of the view. As icing on the cake, the lovely bride strolled onto the scene by way of a meadow path.
