Flora Photography // Geoff Rankin: photography, graphic design, music, writing, illustration, art + more

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Plants are pretty cool. I grew up not really liking flowers so much - probably due to being dragged around to numerous gardens & the Carnival Of Flowers too many times by overzealous parents. But getting out and about with a camera has really changed my outlook, and my appreciation for flora of all kinds has reached new heights - maybe not dizzying, but growing on me nonetheless. So here they are - a selection of flora that even makes me go "yeah, I really like that".

More photos to come.

Fiery Fern

I noticed this fern glowing away in the forest. It was glowing, glowing, gone.

Mount Glorious, Queensland, Australia

Single Droplet

Sitting, waiting, contemplating.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

As Pretty As A…

I hope you like these pretty pink flowery doodahs. OK, clearly I’m no expert when it comes to plants, but I know what I like, just not what they're called. And a name... What's in a name anyway?

So I’m calling this one Sheryl.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Fine Vine

A simple passionfruit vine. Feels like my day sometimes:)

Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

Morning Dew

In all the world there's almost nothing as simple and beautiful as morning dew.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Lovely Lilli Pilli

Unlike some of the other plants here I know what this one is called, purely because my 4-year-old plant-loving nephew told me.

Nephew: Lilli pilli.

Me: Oh, is it?

Nephew: Yes, of course it is!

Me: Sure?

Nephew: Yes!!!

Me: Oh OK. Thanks.

My nephew (remember, he's only 4) speaks to me like I'm an imbecile sometimes when it comes to plants. It's both very cute & patronising - but I've learnt so much from him. He's truly amazing.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Tropaeolum Dew

I grew up calling these plants 'Nasturtians' when the rest of the world (apart from my grandparents & possibly JRR Tolkien) called them 'Nasturtiums'. Their actual name is 'Tropaeolum', which I've no idea how to pronounce anyway :)

If you look closely you can make out the dew on the flower as seen through the dew on the leaf. As with this photo, I take almost all photos hand-held, without a flash, only using available light. I love keeping it natural & as real-life as possible.

And thanks, Terry, for inviting me around that morning for breakfast. It was delicious!

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Lost Green Elephant

Tales have long been told about the Lost Green Elephants of Uphechia, famous for their furry green trunks and penchant for pistachios. But their fate is confined to fable and no one has ever seen one, let alone photograph one. Until now!

Or it’s a cute fern frond. But it’s probably the trunk of a Lost Green Elephant, don’t you think? And it must have been lost because it was in Brisbane. If only I had some pistachios with me I could have solved this mystery once and for all. Oh well, there’s always next time.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

River Monster - Art Version

On the riverbank it waits, lurks, hides. Under the cloak of dusk, hungry, it rises from the rocky mudflats to devour the unsuspecting. Prey, pray. There is nowhere to run, no way of escape, no hope of ever making it out alive... Oh, it's only just a couple of gnarly trees. Phew!

I was, however, stabbed in the leg by a jutting piece of wood as I tried to leave, so maybe it was a river monster after all!

Photo & art by me.

White Delight

These delightful white starry flowers look delicious. I wish they were edible. Perhaps they are, but I doubt they'd taste anything like I'd want them to. Yum!

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Fungi Eyes

Sometimes fungi looks funny. This photo looks like a couple of cute eyes staring at you but it's just a couple of small mushrooms/toadstools. I was lost on Bruny Island at this point - I'd taken some local advice to go down a couple of long unsealed roads that lead nowhere - so I was probably the first person these little ones had ever seen.

Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia

Berry Amazing

Another delicious looking plant. I have no idea what it is (I'm still yet to ask my nephew).

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Dandelion's Mane

I’m a dandelion, hear me roar
My mane of seeds is set to soar
With one strong blow my seeds will fly
And ensure that I never die
~ Geoff Rankin, 2017

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia