Anthuriums As Photo Subjects

When you are a nature photographer, there is always more to add to your list of photographed subjects. And when it comes to flowers, it seems like there is a never ending stream of plants and flowers that have interesting shapes, or colors that grab your attention.

Recently, I came across another group of flowers that had not made on my list so far while I was visiting the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. I have made a couple of earlier posts about the bromeliads and orchids that you can find in the main greenhouse of the botanical gardens after paying your entrance fee.

But while I was in the greenhouse I also came across some especially colorful and interesting flowering plants called anthuriums. Anthuriums are also called by other more common names like Painter's Palette, Flamingo Flower, Laceleaf, and Tail Flower. They usually have a heart shaped colorful leaf that has a kind of waxy appearance, and it surrounds a central spike called a spadix that can be very long. In many ways it looks very odd, but in the right light and composed correctly, they can make for some beautiful images.

Here are a few anthurium shots that I got while in Sarasota:

Red Anthurium

Red Laceleaf flower 

Anthurium macro shot

I love the bright red colors of the leaves that are usually contrasted with another bright color on the spadix. It's tempting to to try to get the whole flower in the frame, but don't be afraid to get in tight to get some more unusual close-up shots as well as I did in the last shot above.

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