Finding beauty

@TheHorse (238294)

Walnut Creek, California

June 27, 2018 11:11am CST

There's nothing special about the Cafe parking lot where I leave my car when I'm working in Berkeley. In fact, much of Berkeley is kind of "urban" and not particularly pretty. But I did find these flowers (or are they not really flowers--I'm not sure) growing on the fence of said parking lot yesterday. I just looked at them for awhile, taking in the contrast between them and the blue sky. Then I remembered I had my camera with me, and "composed" the photo to eliminate buildings, telephone wires, etc. Do you look for beauty, even in less than ideal environments? Do you know what these are?

13 people like this

15 responses

@AKRao24 (27422)

• India

27 Jun 18

They are beautiful bougainvillea in full bloom! We have lot of these plants on our outer fense as hedge! Nice picture ! Thanks!

5 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

27 Jun 18

That's what I thought, but someone in the parking lot kindly corrected me. I think you're right, though.

4 people like this

@vandana7 (102698)

• India

30 Jun 18

@TheHorse The flowers are actually small white ones, surrounded by colorful bracts. Bouganvillea is idea where there is water shortage. I just got an idea...shouldn't we measure how long some of the plants take to burn. That way the ones that can hold on to fire longer or do not light up easily can be used to prevent forest fires at your end. I am still wondering why is it that there are no forest fires in kerala, while there are so many at your end.

1 person likes this

@Starmaiden (9308)

• Canada

27 Jun 18

They look like Azaleas. They are perennial for sure. I do find beauty in nature. Many people (fashion designers) say that green isn't a good color to wear because nothing goes with it. The backdrop color of nature is green and you only need to walk through a botanical park/garden or forest to see the colors that go with green. ALL of them do.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

27 Jun 18

I agree! I made a point of capturing different shades of green in this photo.

2 people like this

@toniganzon (77121)

• Philippines

28 Jun 18

They look like Bougainvillaea to me. We have that at my parents' house before. I always try to look for beauty everywhere, be it in a grass, the sand, the soil, etc.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@toniganzon (77121)

• Philippines

28 Jun 18

@TheHorse Have no idea what plants are those.

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

28 Jun 18

Yep. It (beauty) is everywhere, if you look.

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

28 Jun 18

What's in the picture? I looks young and full of life!

Show more comments

@LadyDuck (502316)

• Italy

28 Jun 18

I love the Bougainvillea vines. They come in many different colors. I would love so much to plant them in my garden, but winters are too cold here for the Bougainvillea.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@LadyDuck (502316)

• Italy

28 Jun 18

@TheHorse Those vines are everywhere where there is a warm climate. I remember how beautiful they were on the Island of Capri in Italy, there were plenty also in Monte-Carlo.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

29 Jun 18

@LadyDuck I wonder how far North they are happy.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

28 Jun 18

I've seen them mostly in California. I assume they'd do OK in the Southern parts of Europe?

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@xFiacre (14805)

• Ireland

27 Jun 18

@thehorse I concur robustly with @maluse - bougainvillea. Ireland has none but New Caledonia is smothered in the stuff.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@xFiacre (14805)

• Ireland

27 Jun 18

@MALUSE I’m quite adamant in concurring with your assessment.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

27 Jun 18

@MALUSE Merci. It's nice not to have to think.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

27 Jun 18

That's what I think it is as well.

Show more comments

@JudyEv (381942)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jun 18

They are bouganvillea as others have already said but aren't they beautiful? They come in a few different colours but this seems the most vibrant. Great shot. This is one which seems a similar colour but has variegated foliage.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

28 Jun 18

What does "variegated" mean? Live and learn.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

29 Jun 18

@JudyEv Oh, got it.

@JudyEv (381942)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jun 18

@TheHorse It means the leaves are a mix of colour. Maybe several different greens or green and yellow, etc.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@celticeagle (189838)

• Boise, Idaho

27 Jun 18

They are pretty. I look for the positive and beauty is that for sure.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@celticeagle (189838)

• Boise, Idaho

8 Jan 19

@TheHorse .......That's for sure.

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

It's everywhere if you look for it.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (69171)

• Centralia, Washington

27 Jun 18

Beauty trips me up. I love such things as wrought iron fencing. I was thinking rhodies for that bush but maybe not. I love the contrast between its bright color and the deep green shadows of the fir.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

I noticed that contrast as well.

1 person likes this

@cintol (11261)

• United States

27 Jun 18

These flowers are beautiful, we have a bush in our front yard that grows like this and the flowers are pink on some, red on others. Its called a Myrtle (something)

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@cintol (11261)

• United States

27 Jun 18

@TheHorse Crape Myrtle, that is what I was trying to say.

@JohnRoberts (109841)

• Los Angeles, California

27 Jun 18

At least Berkeley is a step up from its neighbor Oakland.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Oct 18

Oakland soil was actually good for growing corn, back when I worked in the 'hood. A co-worker moved away from there when a random bullet flew through his living room.

1 person likes this

@Hannihar (130150)

• Israel

4 Oct 18

@TheHorse They are very pretty. When I sit out on my porch I like to find views that are nice so I look farther down and look across the street and see the beautiful view there.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Oct 18

I think beauty is usually there to be found if we look for it.

@Hannihar (130150)

• Israel

4 Oct 18

@TheHorse You have that right The Horse.

@JustBhem (70555)

• Davao, Philippines

27 Jun 18

Here we call it Bouganvilla, and it has a lot of colors too. You are brilliant in taking the photo. You capture the color well.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

27 Jun 18

Thank you! I was hoping there'd be a bit more deep blue to the sky. But I chose not to "enhance" this photo in any way.

1 person likes this

@JustBhem (70555)

• Davao, Philippines

27 Jun 18

@TheHorse Are you using a filter in capturing this or just the regular camera of your phone?

@Icydoll (36713)

• India

27 Jun 18

Awesome beautiful flowers!we have those flowers too Bougainville

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

28 Jun 18

I see them a lot in Southern California too. I guess they like warmish climates.

1 person likes this

@debjani1 (7202)

•

5 Oct 18

I like natural beauty more than artificial beauty and like to capture it.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

So do I. Natural beauty makes me relax.

@amadeo (111937)

• United States

27 Jun 18

Yes I do or try to see any beauty on my walk or travel

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238294)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

It's always there if you look for it.