Bandelier National Monument

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."  - Henry David Thoreau

Canyon Wall - Main Trail 

Bandelier National Monument

Some time ago I visited Bandelier which is about 30 minutes from from Los Alamos in New Mexico.   The park has over 33,000 acres of canyons and is home to more than 55 species of mammals such as mule deer, elk, coyotes, and mountain lions.  Thank goodness I did not see any mountain lions or black bears up close when I was there!   Seriously, the main loop trail in the park (which I ventured down) had fairly steady tourist traffic, so the wildlife stayed pretty much out of sight.   

Another beautiful canyon view at Bandelier National Monument

This photography blog was conceived to depict mostly pure nature scenes and wildlife, however I find the photos and information on the ancient Pueblo people that once lived in this area around 1150 to 1550 to be extremely fascinating.   More information about all that may be found on the internet.   What I wanted to share here is some photos of the settlements the Pueblo people constructed here; see below:

The cavates, or holes dug into the walls were not only to live in, but some were for storing food as well.

This flowering plant was quite high up in the rock wall  and my camera at the time was not the best to zoom in on it, but I wanted to share this photo just the same to comment on how this plant not only survived in rough territory, but seemed to thrive on this rocky environment and let its beauty shine no matter what the obstacles.   People can take lessons from nature.   Keep smiling, keep going, persevere with faith no matter how bad things seem, and something wonderful and lovely can happen .   It will also make you stronger.  Philippians 4:13 reminds us that it is the Lord Who strengthens us; we cannot "go it" alone.

Ruins of Tyuonyl Village

See the tiny people near the ruins; gives you an idea how high above them I was .... me who is afraid of heights conquered that fear from being so enthusiastic about new discoveries in this park.  The ruins were once 2 stories with over 400 rooms.

Frijoles Creek

I took many photos of this creek and definitely hope to make a painting from this shot.    Below are a couple of my paintings of another area of this creek.

 "Footbridge at Frijoles Creek"

12" x 16" oil 

Available 

Recently, when I began this painting, I talked with a ranger at Bandelier to find out more information for reference, and he said that a strong flash flood had destroyed this footbridge.   This creek flows all year, and I could not resist adding a coyote in my painting.

"To Everything A Season"

12" x 16" oil 

Available

Another area of Frijoles Creek; I turned it into a fall scene on purpose even though I was there around the end of April one year when I took my reference photos.    The mule deer just seemed to belong there.

There are many more images I could share with you, but I will save it for another time.   

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Plumeria, Cassia, And Other Flowering Trees at Foster Botanical Gardens - Oahu, Hawaii

"Yellow" African Tulip Tree Blossoms

Yellow African Tulip Tree 

The above photo gives you an idea of how tall this Yellow African Tulip Tree can grow.   The close-up shot of the blossoms themselves are not a true yellow, but they are more yellow than the orange-red ones that I have photographed and painted in the past.   

Pink Cassia Tree Blossoms

These pink blossoms on the Cassia tree are my favorite; the yellow Cassia blooms are nice, but not as dramatic as the pink.  Below is a close-up of the yellow Cassia tree flowers.   

Yellow Cassia Tree Blossoms

Orange Flowered Cassia Tree

The shot directly above is of the Orange blossomed Cassia Tree.    They are rather nice, aren't they!

I am not getting too technical about each tree on purpose.   Hope you are enjoying these photographs.

Guess what kind of tree the blossoms below are found on ?

Nutmeg Tree Flowers

On previous visits to Foster Botanical Gardens I had seen the "fruit" of the Nutmeg Tree;  this visit last week found me in awe of the unusual flowers on this "spice" tree.  Below is a shot of the nutmeg tree in bloom.

Nutmeg Tree

Information about flowering trees would not be complete unless I included the Plumeria tree. 

Rainbow Plumeria Tree

Some rainbow plumeria flowers have more pronounced and vivid and distinct color variations on each bloom, so I am hoping I am correct in that this is a "rainbow" plumeria.   Regardless, it is beautiful !  Plumerias are found everywhere in the Hawaiian islands in white, pink, red, and yellow.    It is time I do another oil painting with plumeria blossoms !

Just for fun I am including the photo below of some cattle egrets that are always to be found at Foster Botanical Gardens.   I don't know what kind of tree they are sitting in; I must go back and find out.  But the tree in the background with pink blooms is probably a Cassia tree.

I could make many more posts here with the treasures found at Foster Gardens.   Check back again soon.

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com 

Titan Arum or Corpse Flower (Right Place; Right Time) Videos

Titan Arum or Corpse Flower

Talk about being in the right place at the right time!  Yesterday I desperately wanted to get out of the studio and go on a photo shoot somewhere; I toyed with the idea of the Honolulu Zoo, but settled instead on visiting the nearby Foster Botanical Gardens in Honolulu, which is always a pleasant experience each time I go there.   The lady at the admissions booth happily informed me that the Titan Arum had finally bloomed.  I didn't have a clue what she meant, but smiled and went on my way to the conservatory where there is always a wide variety of orchids and tropical plants.  Immediately my attention (and everyone else's there) was fixed on the unusual and very large Titan Arum, which I later found out is the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world.  I was viewing a "once in a lifetime experience."  There are only about 150 recorded bloomings since records began.     Below is another photo for scale of this oddity.

There was a hole cut in the lower side so you could view it further, and this woman was taking a close up shot of the flower's insides.    Wish I had done that.   I may go back again today; I will call Foster Botanical Gardens for more information after they open their doors in about 3 hours from now.  I want to make sure the flower is still there.   This flower only blooms once every 3 years or so, and once it blooms it only lasts for about 48 hours.   The plant itself can live to be 40 years old with maybe only 4-6 blooms during that time.

Below are 2 videos (not mine) that give more information.   One is a time lapse of the bloom opening at Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo in 2007.

Commentary by David Attenborough

Time Lapse of Titan Arum Bloom

I may do an update soon on this blog about this plant if I visit the gardens in Honolulu again today.  By the way, this plant is also called "Corpse Flower" because of its smell to attract bugs for pollination; it is said to smell like rotting flesh.  

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens Oahu Hawaii - Photos And Video Of Plants, Flowers, Birds

Lagersteromia flowers and Koolau Mountains

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens covers 400 acres on the windward side of Oahu, Hawaii.   Its Hawaiian name translated means "to make a place of peace and tranquility."  It was built and designed to provide flood protection for the city of Kaneohe and has a 32 acre lake on the property, which is essentially a rain forest garden.  Last month I visited this beautiful area again with my son, his wife, and a friend.   Below are a few photographs I took that day.

I was fascinated by this tree at the lake and may even put it in one of my paintings someday.  I wish I knew what kind of tree it is; I may do some research on that.

Above is a photo of my beautiful daughter-in-law with allamanda blossoms and above her is another shot of this lovely flower.  Most people are familiar with the yellow variety of this tropical flower.  

Hawaiian Coot and Black-crowned night heron at the lake

The above shots are of what I believe to be The Hawaiian Duck, or Koloa Maoli, which is endemic to Hawaii's larger islands.   They have interbred so much with the local Mallards that it is hard to find a "true" Koloa except on the island of Kauai.   

I must take some of my own videos to post here !   In the meantime, below is a wonderful video by Waydes World which gives excellent coverage of Hoomaluhia Gardens.

Thank you for visiting!

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Australian Parrots - Video

I hope you enjoy the following PBS special videos of Australian parrots.

I have taken many photographs of various parrots in the hopes of creating oil paintings from them in the future.   Some of them are available as prints at Fine Art America if you go to my website there .   

Below is one of my photographs of parrots.

Shown below is a recent still life painting of mine with a Rainbow Lorikeet.  It is available for purchase.

"Heads Or Tails"

12" x 12" oil on panel

Both the live lorikeet and the ceramic kingfisher egg cup are eyeing the caterpillar; thus the title.  

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Charming Haleiwa Town - North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

Haleiwa is a quaint and artsy small town on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.  I highly recommend everyone that visits Oahu and Waikiki to be sure to make time for the North Shore.   In the background in my photo above you can see there is a small boat harbor there.  Near the boat harbor is a nice restaurant, Haleiwa Joe's, where I have had lunch several times.

 I just wanted to share more views of the beach in the photos above.   Haleiwa is located on Waialua Bay at the mouth of Anahula River.   Most of the time the water is very calm, which makes it excellent for a family time at the beach with all of your children.

Rainbow Bridge 

Anahula Stream Bridge, also called Rainbow Bridge, is a one-way traffic bridge that spans the Anahula River or stream.  It was built in 1921.  I have painted this bridge on canvas previously; love the blooming African Tulip Tree in the foreground ! Below are my photographs showing some people paddeling under the bridge.

The photo directly above would make a good painting.   This scene is obviously the other side of the bridge they just paddled under.   

People line up and wait for Matsumoto's shave ice, which is said to be the best on the island.   It is similar to a snow cone, but much better.   This popular store in Haleiwa has been open at this location for over half a century.   

Outrigger canoes are always at this particular spot at Haleiwa beach.   Below is one of my oil paintings of the area.

"Haleiwa Paradise"

12" x 16" oil on canvas

Available

An excellent link for more information on Haleiwa may be found at http://haleiwatown.com .  There you will find a video gallery as well as a webcam and photos, and information on restaurants and lodging .  
I have many more photographs I could share, but I will save them for another post.

My Website
reynoldsrenditons@gmail.com

Colorful Ti Plant

I photographed these gorgeous Ti plants at a nearby Lowe's store here in Honolulu.  I am partial to the red shades of this evergreen plant, but they are all very lovely and grow to about 13 feet tall.  The proper name is 

Cordyline Fruticosa and they are a member of the Asparagus family.   I did a little research today on this plant which is native throughout Polynesia; there is interesting information on Wikipedia and other sources. It was probably brought to the Hawaiian islands around 300-500 A.D. by the Polynesians that settled here, as they brought many seeds, tubers, and roots with them.  Check out more of my photographs below.

I am not sure, but I think this Ti plant was labelled "Red Tip" at Lowe's

"Ruby"

"Electra"  (?)

The other day on this blog I posted this photo of my Ti plant in a container on my patio.  I am not sure of its name, but it has grown a lot and is now in a 16" pot.   For those of you not living in a tropical climate, this plant may be grown indoors as it tolerates partial shade as well as full sun.   The more sun, the richer the color in the red and burgundy shades.   From March to November the Ti plant has small blossoms of white, cream and tan.  Mine has not bloomed yet.  By the way, Hawaiians pronounce it "Tea" leaf plant.  In Florida and other places it is called "Tie" plant.   

I may post more photos of this beautiful plant in the future.