Look Up Into the Trees

My naturalist leanings started with birds and butterflies, and over the years of learning grew from there. We lead photography hikes open to the public, and also by request from specific groups. As the master gardener groups started requesting hikes, I became far more tuned to plant life. My good fortune extended to volunteering for several months with a botanist who worked for the Preserve doing field work,  until budget cuts eliminated all those science positions.

Winter and Spring merged this year here in central Florida. We had no temperatures anywhere near freezing. In fact, I don’t believe we ever sunk below the mid-40s at night, and jumped right back at least into the 60s and more likely 70s during the day. For the most part, we enjoyed higher or even record breaking pleasant temperatures since the start of winter, and hope they continue into March. Perhaps this is why we noticed more air plants in bloom this year. We commented on this to the local botanist, and he told us several people had made the same observation.

Air plants, in the Bromeliad family, grow on other plants, most commonly trees. I identified this one as Tillandsia x floridana. We saw a lot on a recent hike, and nearly all had beautiful red blooms. The trick to photographing what we saw was getting a fairly clean background, a clean plant (they tend to catch falling leaves and pine needles) and find one close enough.

The trunk of this tree against the clear blue sky caught my eye. In addition to the very noticeable holes from a local woodpecker, Spanish moss and other air plants cover the trunk, and some resurrection fern waiting for water stand out, though wilted, on the branch.  

When walking in nature, remember to look up, and not just for birds and wildlife. The plethora of plant life either adds to the composition, or becomes the focus of your photograph or sketch.