Bernie's Tiny Universe (Part 1, Plants)

Bernie's Tiny Universe

So I thought the name was an twist on one of my favorite funky musicians Karl Denson and his band Karl Densons Tiny Universe, then I realized that most people have no idea who he is, regardless I think it is cool and the Tiny Universe around us is just waiting to be discovered. We spend so much time "Thinking Global" and we can connect to the other side of the world in an instant, sometimes we fail to look down at our feet and the small wonders that surround us.

Once I decided that this blog would focus on my "Tiny Universe" I spent quite a bit of time going through all 35,000+ photos on my hardrive to pick my favorites. I separated all my macro, close-ups and pictures of tiny things, after doing that I realized I have a bunch and rather than overwhelm my audience with hundreds of photos I decided to make three separate blogs over the next few days I'll post them.

Today's blog is Plants and Landscapes, but I also have insects and animals (yes, I realize that insects are animals but separating them into invertebrate and vertebrate categories seemed a bit too nerdy, even for me)

I hope that this photo blog can inspire you too look at your own Tiny Universe below your feet and all around you.  ENJOY!!

Calla Lily Bloom in Roger and Barbara Berninger's Garden

Yellow Lady Slipper Orchid, Robinson Forest Kentucky

Flame Azalea, Robinson Forest ,KY

Ladder Fern, Robinson Forest , KY

Blackberry Lily, Mexico, MO

Wild Lupine, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN

Dwarf Blue Iris, Little River State Forest, AL

Orange Blossoms, Near Lake City, FL

Unknown Milkweed, Perry, FL

Bladderwort (a carnivorous aquatic plant) , Panhandle of FL 

Sundew (another Carnivorous plant) check out the flies stuck on the leaves, the leaves will slowly roll up and digest the fly. Panhandle, FL

Tung tree flower (yup this is were Tung Oil comes from) Invasive Species in the USA , Panhandle, FL

White Water-Lily, Perry, FL

Pitcher Plant,  Atmore, AL

Pitcher Plant Flowers, Atmore, AL

Pichter Plant Colony, Atmore, AL

Prickly Pear Cactus Flower, and Katydid  North Central , FL

Orchids at Lincoln Park Conservatory, Chicago,IL

Unknown Flower, Novo Airao, Amazonas Brasil... (Check out the bee in mid-flight)

                    English Rose, my backyard, in Marshall, MI

Lichen on Red Cedar, Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, CA

Wild Columbine, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN

Tall Sunflower, Chicago Suburbs, IL

Liatris, Chicago Botanical Garden

Sneezeweed and visitor, Crete, IL

Burr Marigold,  Crete, IL

Indian Grass Flowers, Crete, IL

Atamasco or Rain Lily, Perry, FL

Alligator Weed Flower, St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, FL

Spider Lily, St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, FL

Purple Thistle, St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, FL

Sabal Palm , St. Mark Wildlife Refuge , FL

Orchid, West Maui Mountians, HI

Arrowhead Flower and Cranefly, St. Croix River, WI/MN

Unknown Wildflower from Torrey Pines State Park, CA

Unknown Wildflower from Torrey Pines State Park, CA

Unknown Wildflower from Torrey Pines State Park, CA

Agave Plant, Torrey Pines State Park, CA

Lichens and Mosses, Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI

Lichens, Taquamenon Falls State Park, MI

Snowflakes and Ice Crystals, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, CA

Purple Tulips at Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis

Pineapple Ginger ,  Botanical Gardens St. Louis

More Tulips from the Botanical Gardens in St. Louis