Recently, a winter resident remarked to me that her home state is “much more photogenic” than Florida. She is accustomed to lots of topographic relief and stated (vehemently) that Florida’s relative flatness is “boring “when compared to “mountains or craggy seacoasts.”

The vast ocean and sandy beaches pounded by foamy surf are boring? Untamed, lush Florida swamps and woodlands are boring? Coffee-colored, sensuous rivers and tortuous estuaries teeming with life are boring? I protest!

But, remembering how homesick I feel when not in Florida, I took a deep breath and sought some common ground. Perhaps, I suggested, when the big picture provides little inspiration, we can look for beauty in objects that are macro-photogenic?

On my walks, I look for opportunities to take close-up pictures of flowers, lichen on a tree branch, insects, or patterns in coquina rock. Walking is the best speed for such a search.

Happily, we reached agreement that Nature reveals beauty at many scales and in many settings. We pledged to meet for a leisurely stroll this winter, to appreciate beauty in the little things, and to enjoy our time right here, right now, in Florida. Lyn