The Phoenix

Gallery: FloraPosted May 4, 20084,428 views36 comments

Spark, my photographic canine companion, has yet another physical setback and is unable to go for walks. It's been a tough week for my old friend and me while I mull over really hard decisions....

So we stayed home this weekend. In the side yard, there is a single tulip growing within a patch Spanish Squill. Just focusing on something else for a short time yesterday was a nice diversion.

Comments

36 comments

Comment posted by Ed Cordes on May 4, 2008 at 9:43 AM

Beautiful dreamy presentation. Hope Spark is going to be OK. As an animal lover I , and most of us know, how much a part of our family they become.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 451 Posts, 3366 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Bryant on May 4, 2008 at 9:49 AM

You have produced a really nice image on such hard times for you.

Registered on March 31, 2006, 473 Posts, 1081 Comments

Comment posted by Pete D on May 4, 2008 at 9:50 AM

Very nice. The purple haze is ethereal.

Pete D.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 590 Posts, 1794 Comments

Comment posted by Christine Adams on May 4, 2008 at 9:54 AM

Hi Will. You have posted a really beautiful shot here. Very simple with it's colorful FG going into a subtle BG. Your words brought tears to my eyes and I wish you peace in whatever decision you have to make. God bless...

Registered on January 24, 2006, 119 Posts, 1871 Comments

Comment posted by Andrey Antov on May 4, 2008 at 9:58 AM

Nice and delicate. I love the sharpness at the tip of the petals.
Congrats for the shot.
Andrey

Registered on March 18, 2008, 292 Posts, 341 Comments

Comment posted by Judith Russell-Too on May 4, 2008 at 11:32 AM

Just beautiful!
Sorry to hear about your companion

Registered on November 10, 2007, 129 Posts, 403 Comments

Comment posted by David Cobb on May 4, 2008 at 12:33 PM

I like how you've positioned the red tulip to rise out of the violet color wash.

David M. Cobb

Registered on December 14, 2007, 312 Posts, 3243 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on May 4, 2008 at 12:33 PM

Beautiful work here Will. I wish you both well.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on May 4, 2008 at 1:42 PM

A beautiful diversion William! Two elements, two colors, a simple, clear, elegant design: this is the photo that I would have done. Bravo!
Cheers.

Registered on February 3, 2007, 827 Posts, 5052 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on May 4, 2008 at 4:54 PM

Will, Everything has been said - I'll have to join the chorus

. May I ask how far the purple (whatever that was) was from the front element of the lens ?

Wish your canine companion well.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 550 Posts, 9037 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on May 4, 2008 at 5:37 PM

Will: I well remember another image inspired by Spark and share your concern. My Golden Retriever Casey has been gone for quite a while now but it would be hard for me to imagine another creature so loyal and faithful. Sounds like Spark is cut from the same cloth. A beautiful image and a fine tribute to your friend.>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on May 4, 2008 at 6:41 PM

Will...A beautiful image and a touching story about your faithful friend. Hopefully Spark can rebound again.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on May 4, 2008 at 9:43 PM

This is a wonderful image. I love the dreamy purple on the bottom. It is nice to have something that diverts us from real life for awhile. All the best and thanks for sharing.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Southard on May 4, 2008 at 10:09 PM

A simply beautiful image Will. Sorry to hear about Spark.

Registered on July 15, 2007, 258 Posts, 3892 Comments

Comment posted by Toni Lankerd on May 5, 2008 at 7:21 AM

Gorgeous image, Will...love the softness at the bottom of the tulip.

Whatever decision you make will be the right one, Will...I know it's not an easy one.. Special companions such as Spark hold a special place in our hearts. You and Spark will be in my thoughts.

Registered on January 3, 2005, 360 Posts, 4004 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on May 5, 2008 at 9:59 AM

Sorry to hear about your photo buddy's setback. This image is beautifully constructed and well executed Will. A dreamy tribute to the cycle of life. Here's to Spark!

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on May 5, 2008 at 1:59 PM

A very cool shot Will. I think you have positioned the tulip really well. I wish you peace with Spark and those decisions that you need to make.

Nathan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments

Comment posted by Ned Fenimore on May 5, 2008 at 3:59 PM

This is sweet, William - like the look of it rising from the haze.. very pretty!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 467 Posts, 2803 Comments

Comment posted by beth summer on May 5, 2008 at 7:41 PM

This is beautiful, WIll. Harvey, my blind yellow lab, sends his best to Spark and we wish you well during this difficult time for you and Spark.

PS...If Harvey could still see, he probably would have squished this tulip while I was trying to photograph it

Registered on November 1, 2003, 437 Posts, 5220 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Salge on May 5, 2008 at 8:10 PM

Will, Sorry to hear about your pup, but this was worth staying close to home for. The way the bloom is isolated and emerges from the blue mist is spectacular! What a shot!

Registered on February 23, 2006, 269 Posts, 2210 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on May 5, 2008 at 8:40 PM

Just a beautiful image Well. This is superb.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by BorgesiusBeckles on May 5, 2008 at 10:04 PM

Just tell me Will ,is this tulip #30.

Very Very beautifull.You make me jealous

Registered on November 25, 2003, 253 Posts, 434 Comments

Comment posted by Jack Mroz on May 6, 2008 at 7:15 AM

Beautiful capture Will. As a dog owner through the years, the word "friend" does say it all. Excellent comp and BG. Well done.

Jack

Registered on July 12, 2006, 114 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on May 6, 2008 at 7:14 PM

The emerging aspect of the flower (as suggested by the title) is lovely. Great work, William.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by William Brozy on May 9, 2008 at 8:32 AM

Thanks for the views and all the well wishes. Thanks alot!

Registered on November 9, 2003, 559 Posts, 2929 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on May 13, 2008 at 6:53 AM

Congratulations Will. Lovely complimentary colors makes this a special image.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on May 13, 2008 at 7:19 AM

Congrats Will on your EP. Well deserved.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lowe on May 13, 2008 at 8:37 PM

I missed this one. Congrats, Will.

Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on January 4, 2009 at 1:23 PM

Congrats on the First Place pick William. I missed this first time around so I am doubly glad it was brought to my attention. Sorry to hear the story behind the image but it should be a fine reminder of the times spent with Spark.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on January 4, 2009 at 8:25 PM

Beautifull image and a well deserved award. Congratulations.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by Ganesh H Shankar on January 4, 2009 at 10:54 PM

Congrats Will ! Fantastic image here - top honor very well deserved. Wish you many more successes in 2009 !

Registered on March 1, 2004, 324 Posts, 1867 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 5, 2009 at 12:29 AM

Simply beautiful, William. Congrats on the 2008 EPA.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Ellen deBoer on January 5, 2009 at 11:18 AM

Congrats with winning the EPA 2008, William! Your work is an inspriation to me, thanks!

Registered on March 16, 2006, 419 Posts, 2076 Comments

Comment posted by Toni Lankerd on January 5, 2009 at 11:21 AM

Congratulations, Will..this is simply one of the best flora images anywhere!

Registered on January 3, 2005, 360 Posts, 4004 Comments

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on January 6, 2009 at 7:54 AM

At the fist post I wrote "The photo that I would have done". And I would have won! A great pleasure to admire it again. Very well deserved William.

Registered on February 3, 2007, 827 Posts, 5052 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on January 7, 2009 at 12:58 PM

Congratulations Will. You've had sooooo many beautiful images this year. You are on a roll... keep them coming.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments