Monday, June 20, 2005
Lotusland Entryway

The day I took this was a bit overcast which actually gave the image a nice feel. IMHO, harsher shadows would make the photo busier and take away from the overall feel.

Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Lantern by the Lake

I like this lantern, it is very raw and natural looking. There are quite a few of them at Lotusland. Which apparently is not very Zen :-) In a real Japanese garden there would be only one. But I can see why she liked them.

Sunday, May 15, 2005
Cactus Garden

Lotusland is an amazing place. The result of one person's love of plants. Now it is open to the public (by reservation). There are gardens of all kinds, not just it's namesake flowers. Some, like this cactus garden, are new since the garden's benefactor, Ganna Walska, passed away. It has been a wonderful place for a photographer, rich with subjects you would never see in the wild.

• Lotusland
• Photo of the Day March, 31. "Lotusland, Cactus Blossoms"
• Photo of the Day February, 15. "Lotusland, Lantern"
• Photo of the Day February, 1. "Lotusland, Peaceful Spot"

Wednesday, April 6, 2005
Rose in the Clearing

This rose was in a small clearing surrounded by a man-made (or woman-made) jungle at Lotusland. There was just enough opening in the canopy to allow a nice shaft of light on the rose. The setting made the background much darker offsetting the vibrant flower.

As I have experimented with my photos I have found that the background is sometimes more important than the subject itself. The right surroundings can make a mediocre subject really pop, and it will make a beautiful subject something really special. Another good example of this and one of my favorite backgrounds is in the first image on this site.

Thursday, March 31, 2005
Cactus Blossoms

This cactus lives in an interesting place. A spot in Lotusland where you can stand in the middle of the street and see an incredible example of parallel evolution. On one side of the street are Cactus, from the deserts of the Americas. On the other, there are plants that most would mistakenly call cacti too. However, if you look a little closer, you will see some subtle differences. For example, thicker thorns rather than thin "needles" and a sticky white sap, which incidentally is at least a little poisonous. These plants are Euphorbia. Their most common relative, one that you would probably recognize, is the Poinsettia. They are from the arid areas of Africa. Although they appear similar to Cacti, they have been separated by a half a world for most of their evolutionary history. An interesting statement on the influence of environment in evolution.

Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Lantern

Another relaxing image from Lotusland.

I think I was in a peaceful mood last evening when I picked this image because I spent some time out at the butterfly overwintering spot yesterday. It is about the quietest place I can imagine especially without leaving a populated area.

I mainly went to enjoy the butterflies with my best friend for Valentine's day. But, there are a few pictures to come from the trip, and I scoped things out a little to to go back for some more serious photo sessions later this week.

Tuesday, February 1, 2005
Peaceful Spot

Another of my favorite spots at Lotusland.

Sunday, January 16, 2005
Secluded Birdhouse

Another picture from my last trip to Lotusland. With all of the wonderful things to photograph there, this birdhouse is still my favorite subject. I took one photo of it on my first trip, when I returned I found that the Spanish Moss had grown down to cover it. I loved it so much that I took over half a roll this time.

I guess if I were a bird this is where I would live.

Saturday, January 15, 2005
Lavender Honey

Lotusland is a wonderful place. Kind of a botanic gardens gone wild. The last time I was there I became a member, so I can go back and take a few (hundred) more rolls of film.