Your art is an intrinsic part of your being and is thankfully something that goes with you wherever you are in the world.
Photo 1: Poppies In California, USA
We are coming up to our 4th anniversary of living in the beautiful and vibrant state of California in the USA after leaving the lusciously green and peaceful area of Sussex in the UK.
The definition of home has taken on a new meaning for us and we have learned to value the connections we make with others on our journey. My enthusiasm for Floral Photography continues to drive me to explore my surroundings wherever we may find ourselves and thankfully nature is able to offer an unending collection of floral delights.
Photo 2: A field of Poppies in the UK near Brighton
Sunshine and blue skies are the order of the day in California. To celebrate the brightness and beauty of sunny days here are a few bright yellow blooms.
Something I really enjoy about being a Floral Photographer is when people notice blooms that they find appealing then they contact me and either send photos or tell me the location.
I had spotted a patch of poppies close to our home and had taken a few pics but the light was just too bright to do them justice. Then a friend sent me a pic of them and it motivated me to give the Poppy Patch another visit. These photos are the ones I took then.
Photo 1: Poppy Bud under Bloom
Photo 2: Peaceful Poppy
Photo 3: Playing in the Poppies
Some of these images are available for purchase on Fine Art America.
Have a beautiful day and I hope you find time to stop and smell the flowers!
It’s a stunningly beautiful morning in Northern California today. As my children excitedly anticipate the start of the summer break the mood is jovial and we pay attention to little details on the school run. We spotted a swallowtail butterfly fluttering between the emerging white agapanthus and its wings were catching the morning sunlight. There is so much we can be thankful for and these small moments remind me about the joy to be found in living.
Photo 1: Be thoughtful. Be Kind. Be Considerate.
Photo 2: There are small moments of beauty in every day of you choose to find them.
Photo 3: Each new day is an opportunity to try again!
Photo 4: Surround yourself with positive people who nurture your dreams!
Reading my children’s yearbooks and seeing all the good wishes made me want to share them too – so HAGS to everyone in the Northern Hemisphere and HUGS to everyone in the South!
Trying out various processing techniques on an old Poppy photo of mine. I recall crawling up an embankment next to a busy road to take the photo and just missed stepping into a massive fox hole. Which version tickles your fancy?
Our first Memorial Day in the US so I did some background reading on the day to understand it’s meaning in the new culture we have joined.  In the UK Remembrance Day takes place on 11 November and is also synonymous with poppies. We took a walk to the Airman’s graves in Sussex last year that has crosses decorated in poppy pins. The practice of decorating the graves of the fallen with flowers is a time honoured tradition and I was curious about the poppy connection.
Photo 1: Poppy Field in the rain (near Brighton)
Here are some key points taken from Wikipedia:
Memorial Day is a US federal holiday wherein the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces are remembered.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a physician with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, wrote the poem, “In Flanders Fields” in 1915 and included the reference to the fields of poppies that grew among the soldiers’ graves in Flanders. It is said that the damage done to the landscape in Flanders during the battle greatly increased the lime content in the soil, leaving the poppy as one of the few plants able to grow in the region.
Photo 2: Poppy field in Sussex
Inspired by “In Flanders Fields”, American professor Moina Michael resolved at the war’s conclusion in 1918 to wear a red poppy year-round to honour the soldiers who died in the war. Additionally, she wrote a poem in response called “We Shall Keep the Faith” She distributed silk poppies to her peers and campaigned to have it adopted as an official symbol of remembrance by the American Legion.Â
Photo 3: Poppy Centre
The first chapter of In Flanders Fields and Other Poems, a 1919 collection of John McCrae’s works, gives the text of the poignant poem as follows:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Photo 4: Poppies and Blue Sky
The poem by Moina Michael is  a rather moving response:
We Shall Keep the Faith
Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields, Sleep sweet – to rise anew! We caught the torch you threw And holding high, we keep the Faith With All who died.
We cherish, too, the poppy red That grows on fields where valor led; It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies, But lends a lustre to the red Of the flower that blooms above the dead In Flanders Fields.
And now the Torch and Poppy Red We wear in honor of our dead. Fear not that ye have died for naught; We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought In Flanders Fields.
These Poppies beckoned to me on a sunny morning walk. Their striking colours and delicate structures swaying in the wind are simply mesmerizing. You can see why they are ever popular!
So after a lovely three years exploring the English countryside my husband’s new job means that we are changing countries again. Next stop California and we are leaving in November. Since I will also have to sell my pc it means that soon there will be a bit of a break of posts until I am reconnected. Thanks to all the Fables and Flora supporters for sharing in my adventures! While I can, here are some California themed flower pics.
Photo 1: California poppy
Photo 2: California Bluebells
Photo 3: Changing from one Red, White and Blue to another
As an amateur photographer who is still saving up to buy a DSLR and a macro lens I was totally thrilled that my blog icon image was chosen to grace the cover of the Uckfield Art Trail brochure and poster.
I was even more thrilled to receive a request to join in a ‘Taster Exhibition’ where the cover artists could display their work. Â With just a few days left to the exhibition on Friday I have made my final selection of prints.
I have included a sampling below. I am rather anxious about being in the midst of professional and more experienced photographers but also extremely excited and I am sure there will be lots to learn.
