Lest a bee miss his way into this deep chalice-shaped flower, there are distinct deep red "target lines" to guide it in for pollination. A marvelous design, Mother Nature! And look at the shadow inside the chalice, revealing its delicate transparency and the power of shadow.

These blossoms change color over a few days... beginning almost white and maturing to a deep golden yellow.

Chalice Vine, Solandra spp.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Vine Pergola, Miami, FL

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Costus malortieanus, Spiral Ginger
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami FL
www.susanfordcollins.com

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Explore Apr 3, 2011 #172

See this large on black! www.flickr.com/photos/jungle_mama/5585227367/#/photos/jun...

Check out the black foot that is supporting all of its weight. Strange how solid it looks here and how curled up like a rose it was in a previous shot. And finally she is looking up and around again, silently shouting, Oh you're still there!

What a moment! This Cormorant landed on the rail next to me and seemed to enjoy having me record the most intimate moments of its preening. What a privilege it was to be up so close and personal! Its movements almost seemed flirtatious as it preened and posed for me!

Cormorants and Anhingas are frequently confused. They are both black birds that dive under the water to catch fish. Both dry their feathers in the sun.

But there are other differences that are easy to see. The Anhinga's beak is pointed for spearing fish, while the Cormorant's beak is hooked for grasping its prey as you can above. The Cormorant's body remains above the surface when swimming. It lacks the Anhinga's slender snake-like neck, long tail and white wing feathers.

There are many types of Cormorants worldwide. The one in Florida is called the Double-crested Cormorant because of the small tufts of feathers that appear on the head during the breeding season.

In the Far East, the Cormorant's fishing ability is harnessed by man. The owner of a flock of Cormorants places metal rings around the birds' necks and puts them on leashes. Each bird is released from a small boat and dives to catch fish. The ring prevents the bird from swallowing. Bird and fish are reeled in together and the fish confiscated. After a number of fish are caught, the ring is remove and the Cormorant is allowed to fish for his own dinner.

Unlike Cormorants and most other water birds, Anhingas do not have oil glands for waterproofing their feathers. When they swim, their feathers get wet. This helps them dive and chase fish under water. But, above water again, they must spread their wings and dry them in the sun. They can still fly with wet wings but far less efficiently.

Double-crested Cormorant
Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach, FL
For more, see my set Wetlands and their Inhabitants
www.flickr.com/photos/jungle_mama/sets/72157625997954564/...
www.susanfordcollins.com

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Explore Apr 29, 2009 #16

See this one large! www.flickr.com/photos/jungle_mama/4562878503/sizes/l/

I am in love with Passion Flowers! The red ones are astounding. But today this rosy purple one, highlighted by the morning sun, called out to me and my lens. Vibrating, radiant. Detailed! Yesterday it was purple but 24 hours later it has matured into these lovely rosy purple tones.Notice the changes in color on the purple linear petals... from dark purple inside to white and deep blue. And the way you can see through them to the pink purple petals below!

The shape of the pistils is other-worldly! Purple, white and green spots cover the creature-like stamens. Yellow-green pollen hangs ready for attracted visiting bees. Purple the first day and rosy purple the second.

The Jesuit priests who saw natives of the New World eating Passion fruit took it as a sign that they were hungry for Christianity. In the red species, the color symbolized the blood shed on the cross, the 5 stamens the wounds, the 3 styles the 3 nails, the vine tendrils the ropes and scourges, the 3 secondary leaf bracts the Holy Trinity.

In the blue/purple species, white symbolized the purity and blue, the heaven above. The flower is usually open for 3 days representing the 3 years of Christ's ministry on Earth.

Purple Passion, Passiflora, Passiflora violacea
For more, see my set Passionate Passion Vines.
Biscayne Park FL
www.susanfordcollins.com

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See this in Large Size. Mother Nature is astounding! And my morning walks are always a delight.

Hibiscus, Malvaceae
Biscayne Park, FL
www.susanfordcollins.com

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