Nature does not turn out her work according to a single pattern; she prides herself upon her power of variation.

Seneca the Younger

Sometimes the most effective photographs of natural subjects (plants, animals, even entire landscapes) can be achieved by getting so close that the subject’s outline disappears. The eye is drawn to the patterns that nature creates and sees the subject anew.

I have seen the fashion designer Alexander McQueen credited with saying that ‘Nature is the best designer’, although I suspect he isn’t the only person to have made that observation. And the camera is such an effective tool in demonstrating the truth of it.

Here is a small selection of my photos from various places that meet Cee’s brief for this week’s CFFC topic of ‘Patterns in Nature’.

Ridges on a sand dune
The dunes of Wahiba Sands, Oman
Close up of swan feathers
Swan feathers
Centre of hibiscus flower, red on yellow
Hibiscus flower, Vietnam
Grass blades on white sand ripples
White Sands, New Mexico
Close up of flamingo with head tucked under
Flamingo (Jersey Zoo)
Abstract patterns of rock reflected in water
Crater walls and lake, Mount Paektu, North Korea
Mangrove roots reflected in water
Mangrove roots, The Gambia
Close up of giraffe's mane
Giraffe’s mane, Giraffe Manor, Nairobi

[I have used that last image in a previous post, but it’s too appropriate not to repeat it here]

17 thoughts on “Gallery: Seeking patterns in nature”

    1. Thank you Teresa 🙂 As I said, I’d used the giraffe before but it was just too appropriate – I couldn’t resist including it again!

    1. Thank you Terri 🙂 I do think being a photographer can enable you to learn to look more closely and see properly the details of subjects we might normally take for granted. I’m constantly on the lookout for a ‘different angle’ when taking photos!

  3. Stunning selection. The first ones go particularly well together. Sand and feathers make a perfect match!

    1. Thank you Véro 🙂 I did think quite carefully about the order in which I posted these, so I’m very pleased that you feel I got that paring right!

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