https://www.matttilghman.com Experiences Through Imagery Wed, 21 Apr 2021 13:37:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.22 https://www.matttilghman.com/photos/sublime-subtropical-sunset-natural-florida-coastline Tue, 15 Aug 2017 17:18:27 +0000 https://www.matttilghman.com/?post_type=product&p=3401 This beautiful view of traditional untouched Florida coastline at dusk is from Mizell-Johnson State Park, near Fort Lauderdale.

The humid subtropical climate of South Florida is a unique place. In fact, while most sources classify South Florida as subtropical, many also classify it as tropical. Whatever the classification, it's clearly closer to tropical than any other of the subtropical regions in North America. This has its pros and cons. A well-tended landscape in South Florida can look like the Garden of Eden. Massive live oak trees drip with verdant resurrection ferns. Palm trees from around the world easily grow tall and proud. Vibrant tropical trees and shrubs can be found flowering year-round. But, a non-well-tended landscape can quickly get out of hand. Especially in summer, when intense sunlight combines with copious water, plants grow at an astonishing pace. When not kept in check, vines and weeds can quickly take over. One can see this easily by traveling to the hardwood hammocks of the Everglades, where nature has free reign to run its course. The thickets there are so dense and impenetrable, hardly anyone would liken them to Eden. But unchecked nature on the coast is a different story. Because of the storms, salty air, and poor soil, it's hard for the plants to get too out of control. In fact, I think the natural Florida coastline is prettier than when the beach is meticulously landscaped. The plants, while the growth somewhat stunted, abound in high variety. They hug the ground, creating a sort of marbled green over the beautiful white sand, with a few dune wildflowers thrown in for good measure.

Purchase "Sublime Subtropical Sunset - Natural Florida Coastline" Fine Art Print:

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]]> This beautiful view of traditional untouched Florida coastline at dusk is from Mizell-Johnson State Park, near Fort Lauderdale. The humid subtropical climate of South Florida is a unique place. In fact, while most sources classify South Florida as subtropical, many also classify it as tropical. Whatever the classification, it’s clearly closer to tropical than any other of the subtropical regions in North America. This has its pros and cons. A well-tended landscape in South Florida can look like the Garden of Eden. Massive live oak trees drip with verdant resurrection ferns. Palm trees from around the world easily grow tall and proud. Vibrant tropical trees and shrubs can be found flowering year-round. But, a non-well-tended landscape can quickly get out of hand. Especially in summer, when intense sunlight combines with copious water, plants grow at an astonishing pace. When not kept in check, vines and weeds can quickly take over. One can see this easily by traveling to the hardwood hammocks of the Everglades, where nature has free reign to run its course. The thickets there are so dense and impenetrable, hardly anyone would liken them to Eden. But unchecked nature on the coast is a different story. Because of the storms, salty air, and poor soil, it’s hard for the plants to get too out of control. In fact, I think the natural Florida coastline is prettier than when the beach is meticulously landscaped. The plants, while the growth somewhat stunted, abound in high variety. They hug the ground, creating a sort of marbled green over the beautiful white sand, with a few dune wildflowers thrown in for good measure.

Purchase “Sublime Subtropical Sunset – Natural Florida Coastline” Fine Art Print:

The post Sublime Subtropical Sunset – Natural Florida Coastline appeared first on Matt Tilghman Photography.

]]> https://www.matttilghman.com/photos/white-watcher-mizell-johnson-park Mon, 14 Aug 2017 19:23:49 +0000 https://www.matttilghman.com/?post_type=product&p=3394 A typical South Florida sunset in Mizell-Johnson State Park, where the setting sun interacts beautifully with ominous storms in the distance.

This photograph's title is admittedly a little bit silly. The "White Watcher" of the title refers to the Sabal Palm in the foreground. I was scrambling around Mizell-Johnson State Park, trying to find the right foreground to frame the dramatic sunset, when I saw this tree. For some reason, the tree instantly struck me as having a human quality to it. It's pale fronds reminded me of someone's hair starting to turn white at the tips and temples. In reality, this is caused by nutrient deficiency - probably magnesium or potassium. It's a common occurrence when palm trees grow in soil that is too sandy. But nonetheless, the tree looked to me like a haggard old soul, who has watched this same sunset for years and years. In fact, due also to the sandy soil, it's possible that this tree may be quite old indeed. While well equipped to handle poor soil, it does cause Sabal Palms to grow incredibly slowly.

Purchase "The White Watcher - Mizell-Johnson State Park" Fine Art Print:

The post The White Watcher – Mizell-Johnson State Park appeared first on Matt Tilghman Photography.

]]> A typical South Florida sunset in Mizell-Johnson State Park, where the setting sun interacts beautifully with ominous storms in the distance. This photograph’s title is admittedly a little bit silly. The “White Watcher” of the title refers to the Sabal Palm in the foreground. I was scrambling around Mizell-Johnson State Park, trying to find the right foreground to frame the dramatic sunset, when I saw this tree. For some reason, the tree instantly struck me as having a human quality to it. It’s pale fronds reminded me of someone’s hair starting to turn white at the tips and temples. In reality, this is caused by nutrient deficiency – probably magnesium or potassium. It’s a common occurrence when palm trees grow in soil that is too sandy. But nonetheless, the tree looked to me like a haggard old soul, who has watched this same sunset for years and years. In fact, due also to the sandy soil, it’s possible that this tree may be quite old indeed. While well equipped to handle poor soil, it does cause Sabal Palms to grow incredibly slowly.

Purchase “The White Watcher – Mizell-Johnson State Park” Fine Art Print:

The post The White Watcher – Mizell-Johnson State Park appeared first on Matt Tilghman Photography.

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