Red Curcuma

What man can have,

can be learned in a season,
trust in the goodness of time.

The quiet-hearted spirits of the garden,
will protect you from heavy material things,
and the pride for which lusts, your pure heart.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curcuma_australasica


 




I've grown this plant for 15 or 20 years in various places in my yard here in zone 8b South Louisiana, where it is frozen to the ground most winters. It never has bloomed until this past record cold winter I thought would surly kill it. What can a man know?

There is this vastly powerful energy see_ that mysteriously overrules the most earnest attempts of the very men that seek it, and it's like God to them.

Tropical Waterlily Tanzanite

Well she's walking through the clouds,
with a circus mind that's running wild,
butterflies and zebras,
and moonbeams and fairy tales.
that's all she ever thinks about.
Riding with the wind.

When I'm sad she comes to me,
with a thousand smiles she gives to me free.
it's alright, she says it's alright,
take anything you want from me, anything.
Fly on little wing.
Jimi Hendrix

Nymphaea Tanzanite developed by Florida Aquatic Nurseries

Cedar Breaks National Monument

A lifetime is a high mountain
from which to look__
search your soul__
weigh your deeds__
find your heart__
across the years.

In this vista, the fleeting nature of time, impossible beauty of space, and the magical qualities of this human chance are all vividly evident for all to see, and exceedingly patient for those slow to understand, this view_  that we all must.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedar_Breaks_National_Monument

http://www.nps.gov/cebr/index.htm 

Coastal Redwood Tree, Sequoia sempervirens

Young man,

Space, time, knowledge, travel, success, happiness, beauty, etc. happen or do not in the environment created for it, from within

a state of independent solitude,
a pure and uncorrupted quiet,
a gracious spring, a fertile soil,
a trusted seed.

Photo by Paula R.





Coastal Redwood Forest, Northern California

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoia_sempervirens

Bull Thistle

The versatility in nature graciously allows for the curved line,
architect of designs infinite in variety,
voices with stories forever to tell_
another season in an irrefutably beautiful language,
instilled promises of yet another chance to see,
the methodically forgiving kindred circle,
patient teacher in quiet whispering chant.

This is the way of the humble Earth,

says a mere weed that nobody wants.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thistle

Azalea Delaware Valley White

I don't have to wonder my duty,
it's an earnest attempt to see the beauty,
and understand the rules of this fleeting chance,

infinite consideration paid in advance.
 ________________________________________________

Delaware Valley White azalea is a small to medium, acid loving, single, profusely flowering, small leaved shrub to 4 foot in height and slightly wider. Because of its small leaves it's not an easy plant to keep attractive before and after blooming as are other azaleas, but in the third week of March in South Louisiana it will make you proud with more than its share of pure white single flowers. Azaleas do best in part shade on sandy acidic soil under Longleaf Yellow Pine Trees which have long tap roots resembling that of a human tooth. These deep rooted pines don't compete with shallow rooted azaleas for moisture, as they absorb water from deeper stratum of earth. Benefiting from the moisture retaining pine needle leaf shed twice a year which acidifies the  soil, the Azaleas likewise benefit the pines as a living mulch, and trap for air born organic matter and dust which feeds both plants. Groupings of both pines and azaleas are often done at the same time. Plant azaleas early spring and don't let them dry out the first season, this is the key to growing azaleas. After establishment Delaware Valley White and most other azaleas are drought tolerant in the Southeastern U.S..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azalea

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_palustris

Willow Oak, Quercus Phellos

The Willow Oak is a long lived (to 300 years) member of the red oak family native to the southeastern U.S. It grows in or near bottom lands and upland streams, usually preferring a sandy knoll where its roots are slightly elevated above permanently saturated soils. It grows to 90 foot here in Southwest Louisiana.

Dark Green Late September Leaves and Acorns

A deciduous tree losing 100% of its leaves (shaped like willow tree leaves) during winter  here, but no trouble to keep tidy because its leaves are thin, narrow, and decay quickly much like grass. A very nice alternative to the Live Oak if you have the room, as it becomes massive with time. The fall Willow Oak acorn crop is a valuable fall food source for squirrels, cattle, white tailed deer, and jays.

 The tree pictured is approx. 25' tall @ 9 years old, and a real joy to witness in the spring, as each tree varies in leaf color due to changes in soil, some in different shades of green, others orange  red. The willow oak is a quality tree that is easily distinguishable from look alike trees of lesser desirability.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_phellos

Tomb Of Michaelangelo

Oh humble apprentice of tireless question.

When you ask the purpose of life,
do you really expect to understand ?
Where you never intended to go, nor thought to look, you've found more than you could hope for.
Even the night is filled with sustenance of beautiful design_ all a gift to a child too young to comprehend_
a physically suffered eternal paradise, an awarded achievement of Heaven.

Basilica of Santa Croce   Florence, Italy

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Santa_Croce,_Florence

Nun's Orchid

The Nun's Orchid is a tropical plant suitable for an 8 to 12 inch in diameter, deep pot. If kept indoors by a window in winter, it will grow to approx. 40 inches tall at blooming. The foliage alone isn't much to look at, but while the world outside is frozen, it will bloom its heart out for nearly a month, reminding its keeper of its true character and quality as a houseplant. It looks best elevated on a table near light where it does successfully_ I'm pretty sure_  pray for an end to winter.

Painted Rocks Petroglyph Site, Gila Bend Arizona

Young man,

I want to give you a freedom exceedingly difficult to achieve in the age in which you live, in the limited time of a life, by your own means. This freedom requires you understand the world in which you live, the written history of mankind. To imagine the odds you must look into space. Get a telescope and excel in your math class. Realize a universe as infinitely small as it is big, ponder it to great lengths, and who's judge of where big becomes little, that science and religion are one and the same.

I'd like to make an assertion that there is inscribed in all things a universal language recognized by few. This universal language is all around us, in place now in the glyphic language of images.

The quantity and quality of readily available evident information stored in images is taken for granted, overlooked, and not taken seriously. It is now necessary to make an addendum to the learning process and expand the way we think to institute methods of higher learning, since we are learning machines and definitely have the capacity. Every vista we will ever see contains immeasurable amounts of information.

The capability of the human intellect to understand is vastly superior to the means currently available to learn. Great insufficiency exist in today's written languages rendering them obsolete in this age of information. There are 26 letters in the English alphabet. This method of communication allows the masses to understand one another and the world to function, but is extremely basic. 26 letters are far too few. Complacency is a great danger.

Peace in the world demands that we better ourselves with a greater knowledge base. An intelligent species must abolish poverty, disease, and greedy little men, all of which profit from ignorance. We need be far better stewards of our wonderful planet, expand our compassion beyond our ambitions and close social groups, to encompass the whole of understanding, see the big beautiful picture.

 I want you to build a new alphabet. Yes you. You have been called.

That's what the rocks say.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_Rock_Petroglyph_Site

Alocasia Black Stem

An inquisitive spirit and a new plant, in the same space_ in the same time_ is a world forever young.

Temple of The Heart

Lessons to the beholder await, in These Mountains. Spirits of High Council litigate the sins of tyrants, disclose the secrets of humble seeds. Sovereign winds search the hearts of Kings. In vast vistas of mortality, quiet whispering voices forevermore silence the boasts of wee little men. 

Science, Nature, and Religion are restricted to bounds, but not so the free will of the heart.

Image Of Harvard Glacier, College Fjord, Prince William Sound / Alaska

Imaculate Conception Church - Ajo, Arizona

The Temple of The One God is symbolical of everything that is good. But I tell you cousin as you were born into the world, you were born into The Holiest of Alters from which you cannot remove your feet.

What you will hold dear, how you will come by your wealth, how you perceive your own person, respect the laws of fairness, you will do six days a week. This is the church of your own making_ and in this world a hand can not touch it_ an eye can not see it.

Landscape Photography

A thousand words in a click, who could imagine the longing  in the spirit that holds the camera... before this splendorous moment is forever gone from this Mountain... Is there enough time_ sufficient light_  pray another exposure in this thing Oh Lord.

If you are the least bit serious about photography, I know you are no stranger to this automatic prayer from the inner most room of the man, that pleads directly to the Highest Court. And you will  know the next verse_ ... Great Spirit give me speed, adjust the shutter as you would have it, and paint me the most beautiful sky.

One doesn't need a degree in photography to take good pictures, although it would definitely help. I know for sure, falling on your face may not be the best way to learn, but it sticks with you. All good photographs require one special quality, a good subject. If your frame doesn't evoke interest, you will have nothing to give. Good subjects are not always so recognizable to the novice. The art of seeing is natural to some souls, others have to work at it. But if you would so love the world, it will come.

Then there is the light.. Ah yes, the icing on the cake. If we weren't in the digital age, we would burn up some film learning to read the all important measure of light. The light is from where the magic comes, photography's beating heart, a true form of Religion that even the Holy books must agree with,  lest they be untrue.  It is the medium through which raw inspiration is conveyed. This quality of the photograph is indisputably wonderful. Fluent in its abilities to change at will. It appeals to the wounds and uncertainty of every heart, as a warm healing  profoundness... in that, a High Degree of Beauty may just overrule all the troubles of mankind.  By its undeniable powers of persuasion, its vast importance, those men who see The Light, are indescribably fortunate, sail on a part of the ocean, where few sail.

 Shadows skip and dance across the mountain tops, swords of pink and golden light proclaim what ever they wish, the evening star appears in a deep blue sky, of which moments are captured forever. Who knows, maybe you've got one of those kick butt once in a life time images, and you definitely will get them, if by no other means,  because you were there, and you took so many decent attempts that you could not help but get plumb lucky on one. Go for it cousin.

The good photographer is a die hard spirit with lots of hustle. The longer he goes and the harder he works, the better pictures he gets. He never gives in to the many difficulties that arise along the trip to the subject. Bad weather, sometimes unfavorable light requires that he wait for days, or cancel everything. Accept defeat and learn from it.

The digital age  has long since overwhelmed photography in general. In a National Park scenic overlook, one might see 100 pocket digital cameras to every film camera, 100 35mm cameras to every medium format camera, and if you see a large format camera, your lucky.  Its aggravated owner will be dodging questions from too many tourists who don't speak English so well.

The film camera still has the better image quality over digital, though the margin is shrinking. Due to the high price of new digital cameras for landscapes, photographers who appreciate image quality can enjoy their hobby through camera exchange vendors such as keh.com where reconditioned film and digital camera equipment  is available for sale or trade by knowledgeable, reputable dealers inexpensively.

Keep in mind that the bigger the film size, the better the image quality. A 35mm  film can be enlarged to 8 x 10, medium format film to 11 x 14, large format much larger. A film camera is a simple box that gathers light, no matter how many fancy buttons are on it, they have little to do with its basic function. One doesn't need to spend a fortune on hype. However "The Quality of The Ground Glass Lens " is very important, so study them.

The finest image quality in coffee table picture books such as Arizona Highways are usually exposures of 4 x 5 or larger film size, large format cameras. The detail in the farthest reaches of the frame, the depth of field, has been unmatched by digital technology, but brilliant minds are working on it.

A step smaller in film size is the medium format camera. It uses roll film one quarter the size of large format 4 x 5 sheet film. I've jammed  10 - 24 exposure rolls In tight blue jean pockets and walked for miles carrying a Mamiya 6 range finder Camera ( my favorite ) , that's as light as some 35mm cameras I have. The image quality of its shortest lens is very good.

Lastly but not leastly, the 35mm camera has been the work horse of most successful magazines. Its speed of operation and comfortable film size allows the photographer to take 5 times as many exposures as the same weight medium format camera. It's a game of odds where the sheer number of frames by a experienced photographer guarantees those images that commands the reader's attention, sells magazines.

Images are the purest form of communications. So practice seeing with your phone. Learn to frame. Take ten pics of an object an figure out why one is best.

A thought to remember, should you become frustrated with photographing man made things, turn to nature, go to your National Parks. Introduce your spirit to film and slide photography. So , OK bring that digital camera, it will help you learn. The combination of film and the Big country will vastly interest you.