07.31.13

07.31.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Finishing off July with fans of green - it seemed like a long month, but it also 'flew by'. I love the pleated effect of this type of palm and it is interesting to see the ridging near the tips. We've certainly seen plenty of green with the excessive rain - but that's living in the tropics. Naples, FL

07.30.13

07.30.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Plants always seem to marvel...this shot being a good example. It doesn't hurt that the color contrast in the background helps to make it stand out. Naples, FL

07.29.13

07.29.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

A Monday kind of a day all around! ;) Naples, FL

07.28.13

07.28.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Not treasured in the same way as orchids, the ginger flowers have some similar varieties and are just as pretty! This is an alpinia of some sort (likely zerumbet or shell ginger) and it just past the height of full bloom. Still, it provides a delicate offering of bright color and pattern. Around here they bloom year round, but they don't last long so catch them when you can! Naples, FL

07.27.13

07.27.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

The underside of these fern leaves (not sure of the type - the plant was about 6 ft tall) is blanketed in reproductive spores. They flaunt their velvety texture in the gently flowing breeze and flirt with their chocolate brown richness, despite their asexual characteristics. One can only imagine that it will propagate nicely with nature at the helm. Naples, FL

07.26.13

07.26.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

This is the real flower of the bougainvillea plant - though most think the tissue paper-like colorful bracts are the bloom. Sometimes our assumptions are so 'off-base' - still, it is likely a good thing to continue to think, estimate, question and wonder...with the caveat to always be willing to keep an open mind! Naples, FL

07.25.13

07.25.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Manatees, also known as sea cows, are fairly common in our waters - though this time of year, the warm Gulf waters draws them farther away from shore. These mammals with their massive heft (weighing in at a ton) and thick gray skin remind me of a morphed elephant/mermaid! Unfortunately, their slow (3 to 5 mph) speed and preference for shallower waters puts them in the path of recreational boaters on a regular basis - a combination which is often deadly (or injurious) to the gentle giant. This sign at the City Dock is an attempt to educate and hopefully is attended to by at least a few...Naples, FL

07.24.13

07.24.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Spray of pink puff...often photographed, but like the look of this one with its waiting buds in the bottom frame. Naples, FL

07.23.13

07.23.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Typical mushroom weather - lots of rain and humidity! Got a trio of shots, but love the decorated top and the water drops that remain on this one's cap. They all look pretty healthy, too. :) Naples, FL

07.22.13

07.22.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Pretty purple orchid to start off a crazy week - good, but crazy schedule for the week!! Naples, FL

07.21.13

07.21.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Typical Florida, but not well known as most associate the beach as the primary landscape. This a view from the Naples Botanical Garden and across the lake, there is the path that we usually walk on 'dog days'. Today, though, the mosquitoes were all over us just in the garden, so couldn't imagine their density and voracious appetites out 'in the wild' - needless to say, our visit was short-lived. Naples, FL

07.20.13

07.20.19, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Though keys open the doors to many opportunities...as well as to rooms or spaces of both the negative and the positive, keys can do none of those things if they are not accessible. We typically put our car, house and work keys on a ring to make them more available and organized. But how do we create more accessibility for those other valuable keys? Naples, FL

07.19.13

07.19.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Sometimes the 'back way' is the best alternative! Experienced that option with the composition of this 'back lit' begonia photograph, driving the 'back road' home, and addressing some issues through the 'back door' in a productive meeting. Ybor City, FL

07.18.13

07.18.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

At the historical Columbia Restaurant and can't pass up a pitcher of sangria...assembled at the table with a special ingredient! Fun to return here after a couple of decades - some things really don't change (except maybe the prices)! Ybor City, FL

07.17.13

07.17.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Peering into this small mangrove 'forest', one cannot 'see' the value of these dense roots...erosion prevention, nursery habitat, and models of adaptation as they bridge both land and sea (also fresh water and salt water)...an ecosystem in and of itself. And that's just the root system! They serve as bird roosts, shade trees, and the basis of a complex marine food chain, as well. A gift of nature. Near City Dock, Naples, FL

07.16.13

07.16.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Yes, please take me for a walk now!!! Could you turn him down? ;) Fortunately, there's a break from the rain and I need to add some steps to my Jawbone stats, so off we go! Naples, FL

07.15.13

07.15.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

A blur of color (glass ball), pattern (crystal facet), and text (hidden label) - kinda reminds me of these crazy summer days of flurried activity! Thankfully, the 'color' keeps me going! :) And there's no way I could replicate this abstraction - another reminder of daily life! :) Naples, FL

07.14.13

07.14.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

The zig-zag stem of the Alligator Flag provides a funky resting place for clusters of tiny purple blooms. Daily (and excessive) rain brings out a vibrant verdancy, but it's delightful to find a secondary color! Naples, FL

07.13.13

07.13.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

The billowy clouds look better in the lake's reflection than they do in the sky - funny, how that happens! :) Freedom Park, Naples, FL

07.12.13

07.12.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Seeking shade on this hot summer day and found a bit of relief... as well as a sprig of poinciana blooms. There is a delicate relationship between our natural environment and the needs of humankind - photography can bridge the extremes. Unfortunately, some people fail to see the need to think about the consequences of their actions (nor do they tend to take responsibility for said behavior) - a lost bear cub was killed because some people chose to feed it (NBC-2)...an extreme, but also, an example. Taking a photograph would have been a much more humane way to experience the intersection between man and nature. Arthur Ashe Tennis Center, Norris Park, Naples, FL

07.11.13

07.11.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Identified as a Halloween Pennant, this dragonfly was a curious, but reluctant poser. Lorenzo Walker campus, Naples, FL

07.10.13

07.10.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Heard the ospreys when out in the parking lot at school and grabbed the camera - still can't get the angle (i.e., from atop) to see inside the nest, but caught the pair feeding and rearranging the nest. Lorenzo Walker campus, Naples, FL

07.09.13

07.09.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Caught with a blade of grass, this bunny was soon on the run as the dog got a whiff of 'hare' scent! Needless to say, he made a clean escape - not sure if the blade remained entrenched. Naples, FL

07.08.13

07.08.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

The composition is 'backwards' and the focal points are not entirely desired, but I couldn't resist a Monday butterfly posting. It is tough enough to get through a long Monday, but one after an extended 4-day weekend is definitely butterfly-worth! :) Naples, FL

07.07.13

07.07.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

A slight breeze from the south sends the 'chaff' of this backlit sea oat stalk drifting in the atmosphere. That was the extent of any air movement as the heaviness of humidity settled in the remainder of the day. Ahh ... summertime! :) 3rd Ave N & Gulf of Mexico, Naples, FL

07.06.13

07.06.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

One of the benefits of our daily rainstorms (and subsequent sunshiny mornings) are the lovely droplets from the previous day's drenching. For a change, I brought out my 50mm and got a pentagonal bokeh with the plumeria bloom. Interesting perspectives and observations come with change - some subtle and some compelling, but always worth the energy! :) Naples, FL

07.05.13

07.05.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Dainty and picturesque, this monarch flitted from one flower to another. Just barely stopping long enough to pulsate its wings through a couple of cycles of open and close. My attempts to capture the mosaic patterning in intense saturation were blurred...thus, settled for this duller version. This stretch of holiday weekend has been pleasing for photographic purposes, despite my own flitting about. Naples Botanical Garden, Naples, FL

07.04.13

07.04.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Celebrating Independence Day with a short dog walk in the Garden and searching for triad of patriotic colors. The blurry blue planter actually has a white flowered plant, though it got bokeh-ed out. The lovely red flowers really take center-stage, but figured there's a bit of the red, white, and blue to count for this year's 4th of July!

Two hundred and thirty seven years ago, America was declared independent with
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...."
Taking the time to review the foundation of our nation is always a good reminder. Naples Botanical Garden, Naples, FL

07.03.13

07.03.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Getting ready for tomorrow's celebration with the red, white, and .... blue - what happened to that darned blue (cheese? berry? other suggestions?). Oh well, I've another day to try to capture that blue and in t the meantime, a sampling of the red or white might be in order! :) Naples, FL

07.02.13

07.02.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Sunshine is still elusive, but there's promise on the horizon...the weather forecasters predict a drier weekend - just in time for more photographic opportunities! :) Naples, FL

07.01.13

07.01.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

An ugly start to July with rain, more rain, and even more rain. The churned up muddy waters of the Gulf are unnatural, as well. The resulting temperature decrease is one of the few pros - but it takes days like this to really appreciate the beautiful ones! :) 4th Ave N & Gulf of Mexico, Naples, FL

06.30.13

06.30.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Driving across the State of Florida always reminds me of the important role that ranching and agriculture play in our crazy suburban communities. Geographically, this land is the vast majority...but it houses the minority of the population. Though this fact is not unusual, the contrast between the two worlds, located within a small number of miles from each other, is somewhat more amazing. The pastoral scenes are by far more restful and relaxing! :) near Okeechobee, FL

06.29.13

06.29.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

My 91-year-old mother paying bridge on her new iPad! Engaging the mind and body (she plays golf, does yoga & weights, too) is not only food for effective learning, but for quality aging, as well! :) Melbourne, FL