Tropical Flower in Belize

Posted on March 25, 2016 by nancypshen

Photography – Digital Art

When I was in Belize, I noticed this amazingly beautiful bright orange-red flower with golden yellow edges perched on top of a tree.

What led me to it was the flower petals on the ground. When I looked up, there was this tall tree with the exotic flowers on top. This picture I took was from under the tree looking up against the sky.

Later, I learned this flower is native to tropical Africa called “African Tulip” (also known as the fountain tree because the buds squirt water when squeezed). It is widely planted throughout the tropics and has naturalized in many parts of the Pacific.

The flower cup holds rain water and dew attracting hummingbirds, birds, and bats. Although African tulip tree is not typically thought of as a toxic plant, African hunters are said to have boiled the seeds to extract arrow poison.

Parrots

Posted on March 9, 2016 by nancypshen

Photography – Digital Art

On my last trip, I had a chance to visit a petting farm, and I took tons of pictures of the parrots. They are so colorful and attractive, I couldn’t resist to start to work on the night I came home.

Parrots are popular pets because they are smart, can learn tricks and imitate human voices.

Fun and quick facts: Parrots tend to favor using one foot more than the other, just like people are right-or left-handed. And large parrot is called mawcow.

Bird of Paradise

Posted on February 12, 2016 by nancypshen

Photography – Digital Art

Ever since I first saw the flower, Birds of Paradise, on Catalina Island, California, it has become one of the most beautiful flowers that I love to paint. Also known as the Crane Flowers, the Birds of Paradise is native to South Africa. According to some, it resembles a colorful bird in flight, hence the name Birds of Paradise.
*** I created this painting using Photoshop.