Sun Vanda: A Burst of Tropical Radiance

There’s something electrifying about the Sun Vanda orchid. Today, as I walked past these blooms, their vibrant hues of orange, pink, and red instantly caught my eye, like miniature sunsets hanging from the stems. The flowers seem to glow from within, radiating warmth and energy that brightens any garden space.

What makes Sun Vanda truly remarkable is its bold color and structure. Each blossom is perfectly formed, with intricate patterns on the petals that draw you closer to admire the details. Unlike softer-hued orchids, the Sun Vanda commands attention, reminding everyone that beauty can also be striking and unapologetic.

The flowers often grow in clusters, creating a cascade of color that feels alive with motion. As sunlight hits the petals, they shimmer slightly, enhancing their fiery tones. Standing near these orchids feels like stepping into a tropical paradise, where energy, warmth, and beauty coexist effortlessly.

Photographing Sun Vanda is a joyful challenge. Every angle captures something different—the gradient of colors, the way sunlight interacts with the petals, and the delicate curves that make each flower unique. They are truly a photographer’s dream for capturing vibrant, eye-catching shots.

Spending time with Sun Vanda reminds me of nature’s capacity to surprise and delight. Even a single cluster can fill a garden with life and color, proving that sometimes, the brightest moments are the ones that stand out boldly in the sun.

 

Cape Jasmine: Fragrant Elegance in Bloom 🌼

Walking past the Cape Jasmine today was like being greeted by a soft, natural perfume. Its creamy white blossoms stood out against glossy, dark green leaves, exuding an elegance that feels timeless. Each flower seems carefully sculpted, with smooth, spiraling petals that invite closer observation and quiet admiration.

What makes the Cape Jasmine so captivating is its fragrance. The sweet, heady aroma drifts gently on the breeze, filling the garden with a sense of calm and refinement. Unlike flowers that rely only on color to draw attention, the Cape Jasmine engages multiple senses, creating an experience that lingers even after you walk away.

The flowers bloom in clusters, adding texture and depth to the foliage. In the soft morning light, the petals appear almost luminous, glowing softly against the dark green leaves. The plant’s symmetry and subtle charm make it a favorite for gardens, walkways, and courtyards where elegance is desired.

Photographing Cape Jasmine is a delight. Close-ups reveal the delicate spiral of each petal, while wider shots capture clusters of blooms nestled among glossy leaves. The contrast of white and green, combined with soft natural light, makes every image feel serene and timeless.

Spending time with the Cape Jasmine reminds me of nature’s quiet sophistication. It doesn’t need bright colors or dramatic shapes to captivate—it simply offers beauty, fragrance, and grace, quietly enhancing every garden it touches.

 

Sunlight Through the Branches: Nature’s Gentle Spotlight 🌞

There’s a special kind of magic when sunlight filters through the branches of a tree. Today, as I walked beneath the canopy, the golden light danced softly across the leaves, creating patterns that shifted with every gentle breeze. It felt like nature itself was putting on a quiet, ever-changing light show just for anyone who paused to notice.

The interplay of light and shadow has a calming rhythm. Each branch casts intricate shapes on the ground, while the sunlight highlights the edges of leaves, making them glow as if they were painted with gold. It’s a simple moment, yet it carries a profound sense of peace and wonder.

Watching the sunbeam move slowly through the foliage reminds me how fleeting and beautiful each moment in nature can be. A single ray can illuminate a leaf, a flower, or a patch of moss, drawing attention to details that often go unnoticed. It’s a gentle invitation to slow down and appreciate the small wonders around us.

Photographing sunlight through the branches is always rewarding. The light transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary—turning a simple tree into a living sculpture of brightness and shadow. Each shot feels unique because the sun never falls in exactly the same way twice.

Moments like these remind me that beauty is often in the quiet, subtle things. Sunlight streaming through tree branches is nature’s way of saying, pause, look, and breathe—a gentle spotlight on the everyday magic that surrounds us.

 

Hong Kong Orchid Tree: A Splash of Violet Elegance 🌸

Walking past the Hong Kong Orchid Tree today was like stepping into a cloud of violet dreams. Its flowers, with their soft purple petals and subtle pink highlights, seemed almost too delicate to be real. The tree stands with quiet dignity, each branch heavy with blooms that cascade like gentle waves of color, creating a canopy of floral beauty.

What makes the Hong Kong Orchid Tree so special is its graceful charm. Unlike many ornamental trees, its blooms are large and showy without feeling overwhelming. Each flower has a soft, velvety texture that invites closer observation, revealing intricate veins and a delicate symmetry that speaks to nature’s perfect design.

The tree’s flowers contrast beautifully against glossy green leaves, making the purple hues pop even more. As sunlight filters through the branches, the blossoms seem to glow from within, adding a touch of magic to the surrounding garden. It’s impossible not to feel a sense of calm and admiration while standing beneath such a magnificent display.

Photographing the Hong Kong Orchid Tree is a delight for any flower lover. Each angle captures a slightly different mood—from close-ups that reveal the intricate details of a single bloom to wide shots showing the tree in full splendor. The combination of color, light, and form makes every picture feel alive.

Seeing the Hong Kong Orchid Tree in bloom is a reminder of nature’s elegance and resilience. Even in urban gardens or along busy streets, its vibrant flowers bring joy, serenity, and a little touch of tropical luxury to anyone lucky enough to pause and notice.

 

The Fried Egg Tree: Nature’s Sunny-Side Surprise

Some plants catch your attention because of their color, others because of their shape—but the Oncoba spinosa, lovingly known as the Fried Egg Tree, stands out for its playful resemblance to a perfect sunny-side-up egg. When I saw it blooming today, I couldn’t help but smile. Its bright yellow center surrounded by crisp white petals looked so much like breakfast that it felt almost surreal.

The charm of the Fried Egg Tree lies in its simplicity. Each blossom opens wide, with a bold golden cluster at the center that glows against the smooth white petals. The contrast is striking—clean, bright, and wonderfully quirky. Even from a distance, the flowers draw your eye, standing out like tiny suns scattered across the branches.

What makes this plant even more delightful is how unexpected it feels. In the middle of a green garden, these blooms appear like little joyful surprises. There’s nothing overly dramatic about them; instead, they radiate a cheerful energy, bringing light to the space in the gentlest way. Standing beneath the tree, I felt the kind of happiness that only nature’s small wonders can bring.

Photographing the Fried Egg Tree was a pure pleasure. Each angle offered a different kind of charm—some blooms fully open, others still unfurling like delicate white cups waiting to reveal their golden centers. The sunlight made the flowers glow even brighter, making each shot feel warm and uplifting.

Spending time with the Oncoba spinosa today reminded me that nature has a sense of humor and creativity too. The Fried Egg Tree may be simple, but it's unforgettable—proof that even the most unexpected forms of beauty can brighten our day, just like a sunny morning meal.

 

A Garden of Colors: Roses That Paint the Morning 🌹

Walking through the garden today felt like stepping into a living painting. Everywhere I turned, roses in every shade bloomed with such vibrant energy that it was impossible not to pause and admire them. From soft pastels to bold, fiery tones, each rose carried its own personality—quietly inviting anyone who passed by to appreciate its beauty.

The pink roses were the first to catch my eye, glowing gently in the early light. Their layers of petals curled delicately inward, creating a soft, romantic feel. Not far from them, bright red roses stood tall and confident, their deep color expressing passion and strength. The contrast between the gentle pinks and bold reds made the garden feel alive with emotion.

As I walked further, warm yellow and orange roses appeared, shining like tiny suns among the leaves. Their cheerful colors brought a sense of joy to the space, brightening even the quiet corners of the garden. The yellow roses, especially, added a playful charm—simple, warm, and full of light.

Then came the rare shades—lavender and peach. These roses felt almost magical, as if they were painted with soft pastel strokes. Their unique colors gave the garden an element of surprise, reminding me that nature always has something new to offer if we look closely enough.

Photographing the roses felt like collecting moments of color and emotion. Each bloom, whether bright or subtle, had its own story to share. Surrounded by so many different shades, I was reminded once again that beauty doesn’t come in just one color—it grows in diversity, softly and gracefully, one petal at a ti

 

What Causes the Floods in September

Monsoon Season + Heavy Rainfall
September falls in the middle of the monsoon season for northern Thailand, so Chiang Mai often gets very heavy rain. The persistent rainfall raises river levels, especially in the Ping River, which runs through the city

River Overflow & Dam Releases
When upstream dams are full, they may release water, contributing to the rising water levels downstream.

Watershed Saturation
Some experts point to saturated watersheds upstream (due to earlier rains) as a factor, meaning the land can't absorb much more water, so more of it runs off into rivers. 

Flash Floods from Hills and Mountains
Areas near Doi Suthep and other hills can contribute to flash flooding when rainwater rushes down into lower-lying urban districts.