You’re so square, baby, I don’t care.
From Baby I don’t care, written by Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller and sung by Elvis Presley
Our world is full of geometrical shapes, many of them created by ourselves. Doors and windows, roofs, walls and fences, containers, art of all kinds … You will find geometry wherever you look in the manmade environment.
When Becky asked us to share Geometric Squares this month my mind turned immediately to buildings and to art.Â
Now, inspired by several other people who have found plenty of geometry in nature, in particular Jude, I decided to look for some more natural geometry within my archives. I’m saying ‘nature’ but in practice all of them are of the plant world, with the exception of the lichen which looks a bit like a plant but isn’t! Some were taken on my travels, others much closer to home (including our own garden).
Nature is full of interesting shapes and patterns, especially when we get close up. And while I’m not certain all of these qualify as great examples of geometry, these images pleased me. See what you think.
My feature photo was taken in the Monteverde cloud forest in Costa Rica, and is a duplicate of one below but turned through ninety degrees to work better in that slot!
Growing near the Salt Cathedral, Zipaquirá, Colombia
By the pool at Cayena Beach Villas, Colombia
Banana leaf, Kerala, India
At Kew Gardens, west London
Young leaves, Selvatura, Costa Rica
In the Monteverde cloud forest, Costa Rica
Fern unfurling, Selvatura, Costa Rica
Lichen on a tree on San Juan Island, Washington State
Tulip macro, Ealing, west London
Poppy in our garden, Ealing, west London
Heliconia rostrata (false bird of paradise or hanging lobster claw) on a coffee farm in Colombia
Bear grass (also known as Indian basket grass), Mount Rainier, Washington State
White avalanche lily, Mount Rainier, Washington State
Bauhinia at Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge in Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Silver birch bark, a street tree in Ealing, west London
11 Comments
the eternal traveller
It’s amazing how the simplest things make the best images. And I do love an unfurling fern frond.
EgÃdio
These are magnificent! Love the macros, especially.
Rose
Wow these geometric shapes are amazing. Nature has been doing this on its own before humans even understood geometry, and it certainly deserves credit for such elaborate beauty.
Marie
You just can’t beat the real thing, can you… all stunning….
kzmcb
Gorgeous lines and patterns, Sarah, and so colourful.
Heyjude
Oh these are all fabulous Sarah. I’m glad I inspired you to look at geometry in the natural world.
BeckyB
oh these are all gorgeous – love this natural geometrical gallery
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Becky, I had fun with this one 😊
restlessjo
Love those curvy young leaves, and palms make great close ups too. Must track down Jude- haven’t seen hers today yet.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Jo 🙂 I had to hunt out Jude’s in order to link here – she has a great one today!
restlessjo
I love it, Sarah! I was out most of the day so I just followed the link from yours. Thanks a lot.