Shadows of My World

Frost

The night began foggy and cold. When I woke up, everything was lined in this frosty fringe. When I see something like this, I always look for patterns. I found these beds of ivy near my office and managed to capture a few images of this silvery lining.

Raindrops

After church, we go to Point Defiance Park north of Tacoma. We stopped to have a quick picnic lunch in the park when saw the raindrops beading on the leaves of these flowers. I liked the pattern and had to get the camera and capture it.

The Fountain

In the lobby of the Aseana Resort in Langkawi, Malaysia was a hand carved fountain. Floating in the lower basin were these plants. The spray from the fountain's water falling, left droplets on the leaves. The colors seemed to almost glow. I repeated this view in several other images and other locations.

Maranta

Another image from the Singapore Botanical Gardens. I regret not spending more time taking pictures like these. This is a plant from the maranta family. The display where this was located was quite shaded and the images taken farther out were a little fuzzy. I enjoy the botanical gardens and arboretum I have visited. They are a wonderful display of diversity.

Fall Colors 2

While Jonathan and Shanti were eating lunch, I took the camera and grabbed this shot of leaves in the park. From here I could see the ferry to Vashon Island, boats sailing and a bald eagle soaring below us. On the hill above were a small herd of elk from the Point Defiance Zoo. It was a lovely day for early fall.

Fall Colors 1

Fall is a flash in the pan in Washington State. First, there are few deciduous trees and the ladscape in western Washington is dominated by towering evergreens. Second, when it comes time for leaves to change, the seasonal changes drive a change in weather. Soon after the leaves change, the rains come and with it high winds. I miss the brilliant colors of the hardwood forests of the North Carolina mountains. In my yard we have a variety of japanese maples. These chang color quickly and last.

The Orchid Garden

It was my first visit to a botanical garden and I was impressed. Shanti and I were on our way to Malaysia to visit her family for the first time. On the way, we spent a few days in Singapore. We stayed with her cousin and visited relatives, sights and experiences. Singapore is incredble, and not just for Captain Jack Sparrow. Shanti's cousin took us to the Singapore Botanical Gardens and while they caught up, I explored. There will be several images from there that make their way into this blog, but here is one of my favorites is this one. I took it outside the Orchid Garden. When I posted ti to a PhotoForum that I am a member of, It was an instant hit. I hope you enjoy it.

Peace Lily

Once again in Korea, this image was taken at the War Museum in Seoul. In the shadow of many memorials to patriots of armed conflict in Korean history, including Americans, I found this water lily. It seemed to be saying that peace is lurking in the shadows of conflict. After I took this shot, I left and returned to the DMZ. I returned a few weeks later and all of the lilies were gone.

Easter Lilies

Easter at 4-7 Cavalry. After the Easter service in 2004 at the CP Garry Owen Chapel, I saw these lilies. Their beauty was striking and alluring. Even today, five years later, I can see their form.