Amazon Lily outside my Studio in Sarasota, FL this morning.
Amazon Lily outside my Studio in Sarasota.
| Family: | Amaryllidaceae (am-uh-ril-id-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Eucharis (YOO-kuh-riss) (Info) |
| Species: | grandiflora (gran-dih-FLOR-uh) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Eucharis amazonica |
This monarch caterpillar arrived today on the Vernal Equinox, the first day of spring. 2016
Today is the Vernal Equinox, the first day of spring. When bringing in the Sunday newspaper I noticed a gift near the front door. There it was, as they are each year near the front door on the Indian Limestone wall or driftwood. The caterpillar of a monarch butterfly.
Patti was concerned. She’s often concerned when it comes to living creatures. There were four other caterpillars and all the leaves of the one milkweed plant had been eaten. They needed more food.
Off I went to Walmart. Walmart had snapdragons and parsley both of which caterpillars like, but they didn’t have any milkweed plants, the preferred food for monarch caterpillars. Off I went again, this time to Home Depot. Luck was on my side. Home Depot had at least a dozen milkweed plants. I bought six.
Caterpillar (Monarch) on Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)
Within a half hour of planting the Milkweed the caterpillars had gathered for brunch. Patti was happy, I was happy and the monarch caterpillars were happy, or as best I could tell.
There is universality in the appeal of flowers.
Every corner deli in New York City has flowers for sale. Dubai Flower Centre has a hanger dedicated to importing and exporting flowers from around the world. City and suburban grocery stores sell flowers. Along the city streets in Kazakhstan, roadside stands offer flower bouquets for house gifts.
When looking at a flower I view the flower with my mind’s eye, not just my eyes. Focusing on the complexity of design and color nuance of each flower enhances my sense of observation. Using the ocular of the camera’s lens, I explore and express what my mind’s eye is seeing. When I focus on a flower, this visual connection is transformed into an emotional one. I see beauty. I sense grace. I am moved by the marvel of design within the flower.
This experience represents a first principle of existence for me: transference of energy or spirit. It is the bond between the human spirit and the spirit within nature. When that momentary connection is made, the rejuvenating power of nature is activated. Perhaps this is why flowers have a universal appeal.
We all see or feel something unique in art, even when looking at the same object. When I look at the images of flowers in this collection, I see many different things: beauty, complexity, grace, design, sensuality and delicacy.
I would love to read what you see, sense, and feel in response to looking at the flowers in this collection: “Flower Essence” at WayneEastep.com.
You may write me at WayneEastep@gmail.com.
If you would like to share with a broader audience feel free to comment on my website’s blog WayneEastep.com, or my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WayneEastepPhotography
When I look at a flower I realize I view the flower with my mind’s eye not just my eyes.
Are You Alarmed?
The heightened emphasis on Christianity in the current election cycle is alarming. A constant declaration by political candidates about their religious beliefs and its place in politics is a red flag.
People running for political office have the right under the Constitution of the United States of America to express their views, including religious ones.
The problem with the emphasis on religion by political candidates Cruz, Rubio, Trump, and Carson et al, is that the emphasis on Christianity is coming across as superior and exclusionary – a moral test leading to fear of those with differing beliefs.
Constantly announcing one’s credentials of religious faith is no verification that a politician is fair, compassionate, and tolerant. The opposite is evident in statements that Muslims should be barred entry into the U.S., a Muslim can’t be President of the United States and that under his presidency we’ll make the sand in Syria and Iraq glow…because we will carpet bomb “them.”
The placement of Christianity in a central position of this political process is antithetical to Article six of the U.S. Constitution.
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that and Article VI specifies that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” The modern concept of a wholly secular government is sometimes credited to the writings of English philosopher John Locke, but the phrase “separation of church and state” in this context is generally traced to a January 1, 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, addressed to the Danbury Baptist Association in Connecticut, and published in a Massachusetts newspaper.
History shows us that when religion and politics are married the birth child is a monster of exclusion, oppression and an attitude of superiority. The irony is that religion talks about promoting love, compassion, fairness, and justice; but more often than not, the talk and actions of these politicians focus on hate-filled anger of the “other.” This attitude is one example of Fascism.
Perhaps we can agree on one thing. This election is a contest of moral values. Will we as the electorate allow a politician to turn us away from our secular foundation and toward a Theocracy?
The signature characteristic of Wayne Eastep’s photography is the ability to express the essence of a subject. His images go beyond representational pictures to touch the spirit of the subject, evoking an emotional response. In this exhibition he turns his attention to the exquisite design in nature and inherent beauty within flowers.
Eastep’s images are commissioned and collected internationally. They garner awards for books, documentary, and commercial assignments. His intention with each assignment is to go beyond the surface and look inside the subject. Photography for Wayne is both vocation and avocation. He is driven by a passion for the art of image making.
The sunflower an annual plant is native to the Americas. The flower petals within the sunflower’s cluster are always in a spiral pattern. Generally, each floret is oriented toward the next by approximately the golden angle, 137.5 degrees, producing a pattern of interconnecting spirals, where the number of left spirals and the number of right spirals are successive Fibonacci numbers. This pattern produces the most efficient packing of seeds within the flower head.
128 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236
Contact: Amy Nichols 941.993.8649 flourparlor@gmail.com http://www.flourparlor.com
Hours: Monday – Friday 8 – 5:30, Saturday 9 – 4
Sunrise in the Najd
The dromedary camel walks moving both legs on one side then the other while its body rolls side to side. This seesaw movement can cause a storage bag to rub against the camels body developing a hole. As best I can tell this is what most likely took place on one of the caravans crossing the Arabian desert.
Numerous caravan routes criss crossed Arabia. This image is of one traversing the Najd in central Saudi Arabia. Along this ancient trade route a hole wore into a bag carrying iris bulbs. The seesaw movement of the camel deposited bulbs along the desert floor. Wind blew sand over the bulbs and they lay dormant until in the spring the winter rains enable the iris to bloom.
To buy a print and see more images visit EastepPhotography.com
Caterpillar (Monarch) eating in preparation for metamorphosis
Magnificent shelter of the Monarch
Butterfly emerging from the chrysalis
Monarch drying it’s wings preparing for the first flight
Ten days are the time of metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly. Over the four hours before the butterfly emerges the emerald-green color of the chrysalis case will change becoming transparent. During this phase you can see through the case markings of the Monarchs wings wrapped tight around the caterpillar/butterfly body. In order to see this spectacular performance one needs to sit and watch, the change can happen at anytime. Leaving for one minute could result in missing the magical moment. Patience rewards with a memory of wonderment and beauty that you can recall and cherish, what a precious gift.
Image Library: EastepPhotography.com
Serpulid Tubeworm (Ponastegus stellatus), Saba
The beauty of nature often speaks for itself, take a breath, look, enjoy.
Kazakhstan is dotted with 48,000 lakes, many small like this mirror-surfaced one at Ush-Konyr near Fabrichny
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