Flora, up close and magnified, scenic too! ~ Avatar
My son has seen the movie Avatar five times. 
I have seen it twice. Once just to see it, on New Year’s Eve with my husband and then last night my aforementioned son talked me into a late movie. Since he is 18 and way too busy to hit the movies with his mom on a regular basis, I decided I would take him up on the offer even though I was very tired. (We mothers seize the moment when they present themselves, knowing that these opportunities tend to dwindle).
The movie was awesome. When you see it, pay special attention to the jungle. The effects were amazing, but the thing that grabbed my eye the most was the jungle flora.
If you look closely at common everyday plants that most of us have in our own gardens, you can see where their ideas sprung. Ocean as well as rain forest plants and creatures inspired most of their huge fern like plants to the lizards that light up and spin away in the movie. You will be amazed at their creativity and you will see the similarities.
What wonderful imaginations they had to make such a mind-boggling place. Its beauty was the combination of what is in our world with the effects to make it look larger than life and from another world. The flowers and leaves that glowed in the dark were so cool. They mimicked plants and animals that exist in our world under water and in the soil, and made them more with their special effects and computer animation.
The great, and I mean huge, tree, Eywa is the way the Na’vi (people of Pandora, the planet Avatar takes place on)explain the Mother Earth/Mother Nature concept. It is like an internet that connects all living things. It is sacred and beloved by all the people of Pandora.
I loved the Tree of Souls with its beautiful neon vines that hang like a weeping willow. The Na’vi people are able to connect with their ancestors through this magnificent being. 
There are spirits that look like a spore from a dandelion, but float in the air like a jelly fish does in water. The floating mountains were beautiful as well as the rest of the planet of Pandora which resembled a tropical rain forest. Even the Na’vi are colorful people. 
Great imaginations also brought to light important morals. The concept that all species are dependent upon each other is a powerful reminder for us. Not destroying your own planet should be another general rule to abide, and being able to tap into the past and their knowledge plus experience, now there’s a great idea!
So when spring comes I will be trying to find plants that light up the night, or communicate to the wildlife, or bring people back to life.
Now those would be welcome additions to any garden.
Our great mother Eywa does not take sides, Jake; only protects the balance of life. ~Neytiri
*These are all from my garden last summer. Mouse over pics to see name of flower.
January 17th, 2010 at: 9:35 am
Great shots of all the beautiful blooms and plants. I want to see Avatar soon, I am waiting for the crowds to thin.
January 17th, 2010 at: 11:56 am
Oh, this is a gorgeous, glorious post…I went last week to see Avatar in 3D; tomorrow or Tuesday, we’re going to the city to see it on the IMAX screen. I will cry again, I just know it. Beautiful movie, and so nice to see plants appreciated more fully. But yes, there are wonderful plants here on this planet, too.
January 17th, 2010 at: 12:57 pm
I love your flowers – especially the macros. Like the poppy. Great clarity, sharpness, color. Post card perfect!
And thanks the note about the movie, I have not seen it – but sounds like I should
…White Mountains!
January 17th, 2010 at: 1:25 pm
That one at the top, as beautiful as it is, looks like an open mouth with clenched fangs!
January 17th, 2010 at: 4:06 pm
Hello Teresa,
Your macro photos are amazing and do look somewhat alien, but in a very beautiful way.
January 17th, 2010 at: 4:14 pm
Your photos are wonderful and full of detailed beauty. Thank you. I loved the movie too.
January 17th, 2010 at: 10:05 pm
Even I was interested in taking in this movie.
January 17th, 2010 at: 10:11 pm
nicely done ~ beautiful!
January 17th, 2010 at: 10:13 pm
I haven’t seen it yet, but did catch James Cameron on Opray (at like 2am a few nights ago!). He talked about how he hired a botanist to design the plants and jungle. Wouldn’t that be such a cool gig? To be an expert on plants but then take it to the next level creatively?
January 17th, 2010 at: 10:26 pm
What a great collection of images Teresa. And your story is so very tempting. I haven’t been to the movies in years but now…???
I like all of your images, but the green one, the one with the fern on the right (4th from the bottom I think) really grabs me.
January 17th, 2010 at: 10:49 pm
OMG, I love AVATAR! I was blown away. My new FAVE movie of all time.
Rosey
January 17th, 2010 at: 11:19 pm
Very lovely macro photos. Thanks for sharing!
MM:CenterpieceFalls
January 17th, 2010 at: 11:21 pm
Fantastic photos! I saw Avatar with one son, now another son wants to take me to see it in 3D. Can’t wait!
January 17th, 2010 at: 11:41 pm
Great Macros and closeups from your garden. Makes me long even more for the warm period……
January 18th, 2010 at: 1:57 am
I have watched Avatar as well and I can say now that you have brought the beauty of Pandora before our eyes with your gorgeous photos! Thank you for this very delightful and meaningful post! Have a wonderful new week!
January 18th, 2010 at: 3:40 am
Hello Teresa,
what awesome macro shots, a really lovely macro post.
happy monday to you!
Gena @ Thinking Aloud
a photoblog
South Africa
January 18th, 2010 at: 7:44 am
Nature art – wonderful photos
January 18th, 2010 at: 8:09 am
Stunning photos!
January 18th, 2010 at: 9:17 am
Wonderful macros toinspire our imaginations!
January 18th, 2010 at: 10:01 am
Your flowers are absolutely stunning! The more I hear about Avatar the more I think I want to brave the theatre to see it.
January 18th, 2010 at: 10:04 am
I haven’t seen that movie, so I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I love these macros! Just gorgeous. Good for you for taking the opportunity to go to a movie with your son, too. I do the same.
January 18th, 2010 at: 10:38 am
What a treat to see those lovely blooms. We have freezing fog here today so the view outside my window is somewhat depressing. Your pictures cheered me up.
Marnie
January 18th, 2010 at: 10:39 am
Your macros are beautiful!
January 18th, 2010 at: 12:29 pm
Your shots…are captivating and poetic!! Charming and expressive..wonderful work
January 18th, 2010 at: 6:56 pm
I was enraptured with the first shot, then I kept going. . . wow!! I love them all!
January 18th, 2010 at: 7:12 pm
So many beautiful shots, but I love the green one with the tendril the best. It’s so delicate.
I haven’t seen avatar yet, but I may have to now.
January 18th, 2010 at: 10:56 pm
Exquisite captures — all of them! I do love the macro shots! They’re so beautiful they almost are “other worldly”! Thanks for sharing the beauty! Have a great week!
Sylvia
January 18th, 2010 at: 11:28 pm
Brilliant shots.
Sydney – City and Suburbs