INCREDIBLE ORCHIDS

I am mesmerized by the incredible beauty of orchids - have you ever looked at one up-close and studied all of the amazing details that are found in just one tiny flower? Each one is unique - like a fingerprint, their 'veins' criss-cross in patterns around the petals. They have animal-like qualities that are even captured in the anatomic names for their parts - they have a 'throat' and 'lips' (And sometimes those 'lips' even have beautiful little curly-cue 'whiskers', as I like to call them - Their very own Fu Man Chu beards!)  

They are so delicate, some would even call them quite fickle, or even 'moody' - like the Divas of the flower world.  Water them or tamper with them too much and they wilt - but, don't give them enough attention or put them in the improper place to get just the right amount of sun & warmth, and they whither away on you. It's a matter of finding the perfect balance and giving them just what they need to stay happy and blooming.

I woke up this morning to find the sun shining on some orchids in our kitchen and felt inspired to capture them in photographs - the following are a few of my favorites of our fickle little Divas...

WILD, WILD WESTERN WYOMING

I've found throughout my travels that there are few places in the world these days (particularly in the bustling U.S.) that truly feel untouched by man. Growing up in California, I've heard lots of talk of the 'Wild, Wild West' - the frontier that Pioneers 'discovered' (well - cough, cough - along with the 'discovery' of the Native Americans who were already living there for thousands of years - ahem! But, I digress...)

Wyoming is one of these places, though, where today you can still get a sense of the vast wilderness - the beautiful, wild land that America once was.  It is stunning. With breathtaking landscapes around every bend, Wyoming is hands-down one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, let alone had the opportunity to ride my motorcycle through. It's the kind of natural beauty that makes you gasp inside your motorcycle helmet, and slows your mind as you take it all in. I hope to make it back one day - meantime, I like to look through my photos and reflect...