Explore #342, 8/26/09.

Much better Large On Black.

This image is dedicated to Pearl Fryar, Topiary Artist Extraordinaire, the one who drew me in to a re-acquaintance with the beautiful Quail Botanic Gardens, last Sunday, where I made this image. Never having heard of him, I was so Intrigued by the TV ads for the movie, A Man Named Pearl, that I set my DVR to record it and have loved and respected Pearl ever since the first time I watched it. Since my words cannot begin to adequately describe his awesome garden, won't you please go to the web site and click on the link WATCH THE TRAILER? No doubt, you'll be as inspired as I was.

Pearl is not only a genius at his craft, but he is also a man of good character, with a great sense of humor, as I could tell from watching the movie, and which was confirmed when I heard his talk at Quail Gardens. He lives the example of the value of hard work, which doesn't seem like work at all, when one has a passion for what they are doing. He is the sole caretaker of his 3-acre garden, where he, incredibly, uses no water, no fertilizer, and no chemicals, to grow species that the experts say can't be grown in his area of South Carolina. When asked if his wife helps him, he joked that, "No, she is my critic," but that his work gave him an excuse to get out of "honey do's".

During his talk, Pearl stressed the importance of education, and told us that he has set up scholarships for "C" students, because everyone should have an education. But I think the thing that stayed with me the most, was that he said that he does his art for himself, not to impress other people - something that I think we all need to remember for ourselves.

Tags:   Common Bluetail Damselfly Ischnura heterosticta Water Lily Quail Botanical Gardens Encinitas California NaturesFinest BEJ BlueRibbonWinner ImpressedBeauty FlickrDiamond AnAwesomeShot

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Explore #296, 8/31/09.

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[Update: Brought this forward because I finally found out what it is. It's a Snail Vine (Vigna caracalla.) Seems appropriately named. :) Originally posted to Flickr on 08/29/2009.]

I have no idea what kind of flower this is, but I love its color and graceful flowing lines. It was growing on a vine on the other side of a 4-foot chain-link fence, which I leaned over and rested my elbows on, while I took the shot.

Tags:   Purple Flower Corkscrew vine Snail vine Snail bean Vigna caracalla Quail Botanical Gardens Encinitas California Vision Group mywinners

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I just saw that on the map that I link to, there is a street called "Ezee Street". That's where I want to live! How about you? There is an intersection of two streets in our neighborhood: Ups and Downs. I already live there. :-(

Tags:   Golden Trumpet Tree Tabebuia chrysotricha Handroanthus chrysotrichus Quail Botanical Gardens Encinitas California VosPlusBellesPhotos ColorPhotoAward NaturesElegantShots ExcellentsFlowers mywinners

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Another shot of the Golden Trumpet Tree, but the color is quite different here. This one really is golden, but my previous shot is more yellow, which is the way that I remember it looking. I originally uploaded this shot because I wanted to show the green leaves, but decided not to use it, until I was encouraged by my friend, Judi (~MAMA Z~).

Tags:   Golden Trumpet Tree Tabebuia chrysotricha Handroanthus chrysotrichus Quail Botanical Gardens Encinitas California ExcellentsFlowers NaturesElegantShots Awesome Blossoms VosPlusBellesPhotos NaturesFinest

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HMB! and Happy Labor Day!

Willie Nelson - Blue Skies

Tags:   Plumbago Plumbago auriculata Plumbago capensis Blue plumbago Cape plumbago Cape leadwort Quail Botanical Gardens Encinitas California

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