Professionally, I am a writer, speaker and coach. But more important for you to know, I walk my neighborhood early mornings here in tropical Miami with my Nikon around my neck. I’m a home person, a family person. I love tending my finches, magnificent koi and lush fast-growing foliage. I am invited to unusual places and travel the world. I savor shadows and reflections. I thoroughly love life.

My camera is my way of preserving a drop of Norfolk Island pine sap hanging in the air. A family of geese unexpectedly rushing up to nibble at my shoes and pants. The moment I opened my window in China and saw pink lotus blossoms holding pools of rain in their pads.

On morning walks in Miami, I stop to taste lush tropical fruit… Surinam cherries, Carambola and Jaboticaba (see how its luscious fruit grows right on trunks and branches). I love shadows and reflections. I rescue discarded plants and nurture them to health and bloom… Bromeliads, Heliconias and Palms.

It was in Shanghai that I first learned about flickr. I had taken a 1,000 + pictures and told my new photo buddy, Andy Chang at Microsoft, my husband Albert's company, that I was searching for a way to share these pictures with my friends in China and to show them pictures of my US home and life. Andy walked over to a computer and showed me his flickr site. And I have been adding pictures and sets ever since.

In February 2009, I began reaching out to flickr groups. I am profoundly inspired by your brilliant shots and unique perspectives! Your pictures move me to chills and to tears! Now I am daily submitting images, making comments and inviting contacts... and thanks to "my tech guru" using SICI to do it. I am so glad you are sharing your unique perspectives on life and nature with me. Be in touch!
Jungle Mama



Why did I choose to use the name Jungle Mama on flickr? Several years ago my dear friend Harriet wrote this poem for my birthday...

Jungle mama
peering around the edge of a broad-leafed palm, home amid the watery life of fishes splashed with orange and inky spots dancing with birds whose sounds penetrate thick, humid air with crystalline voices
singing the praises of

Jungle mama
mingling with cats and dogs as if they were sacred texts spelling in braille the secret rituals of everyday life informing us of how to be human and still find our place within the universe of creatures large and small.

Jungle mama friend to the knowledgeable who, unacquainted with their power of knowing, rely upon her to set the compass so that they may sail the seas of experience and reach their destination.

Jungle mama
guided by the stars soft breezes and the mist that hovers upon crushed leaves at dawn, whispering tales of spirit and triumph.

Photos of jungle mama (16)

  • Buon Anno / Happy New Year by mrziniwini
  • Peace by Osman Shabbir
  • With great pleasure I may present the current ELITE of group TOPs of THIS 1; No. 17 by © the-best-is-yet-to-come ©
  • PARA MEU AMIGO GILBERTO E AMIGOS DO FLICKR by Cristina Schultz
  • Endless Love by Sandeep Santra(Busy now in outstation..limited int
  • Mittagsblumen by seychellois
  • Happy Birthday Dear Ashley by MIMAMOR /
  • the color of passion by BigMs.Take
  • simple reflection 365/365 by dsottavio
  • Blanco sobre rojo by valdurrios
  • Snow snow snow by seychellois
  • Hammy... by Ajay H (अजय)
See more...

jungle mama's favorite photos from other Flickr members (25,564)

  • Untitled1 by SilentKiller69
  • Roseate Spoonbill [Explored] by mlibbe
  • Iphiclides feisthamelii by anacm.silva
  • Florida scrub frostweed (Helianthemum nashii) by bob in swamp
  • Iris by Michelle Ali
  • Ivy Seed Head by Dr Steven Murray
  • The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron by Coma993
  • Candlelight_cat_0087 by y_and_r_d
  • Cúpula con ángeles pintados by albolm911
  • He's Watching by COOL PIX maf
  • Parus caeruleus (Cinciarella) by 5348 Franco
  • And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. by ZedZap
See more...

Contacts (1,519)

See more...

Groups (5050)

Show more... Show fewer...

Testimonials (6)

  • view profile

    roberthuffstutter says:

    "YOUR PHOTOS are all excellent. There are many that are favorites, but it would not be right to mark them all as favorites. You are, however, one of my favorite photographers.

    Flickr is one amazing addition to our lives. Where else can one create an image and begin getting feedback upon it so quickly? Flickr is the only site I use and I find it rewarding.

    I have been a member for almost two years and each day I find new artists and photographers who are fantastic, artists and photographers who deserve much fame and fortune.You deserve both.

    Thanks for sharing your photos with the world. Robert L. Huffstutter"

    3rd January, 2012

  • view profile

    jimpg2_Peace Group Moderator Needed says:

    "Jungle Mama (Susan) is a true friend and have wonderful, colourful pictures. Its a joy to see the beautiful colours and creations. I hope that you will continue your work....take care always..big hugs

    Sincerely
    Jim"

    11th December, 2010

  • view profile

    Dan | framesmedia says:

    "jungle mama make images from her heart and soul. She is connected to the nature. Although she takes the time to explain the facts, the image takes the viewer beyond the words."

    20th September, 2010

  • view profile

    seddeg ~ says:

    "Susan,

    Thanks for your visits and comments! But more than that - thanks for the refreshing views and perspectives you bring to your contacts through your photos. I have really come to look forward to the delightful mini-botany/zoology lessons! Your joy of discovery and sharing is delightfully contagious!

    I had been saving this little song from Mokey (Fraggle Rock) for some annotation to a future post of mine. Stumbled on it today and it so reminded me of your photos and your approach to flickr that I decided to share it with you.....

    Show me the light in a butterfly's eye.
    And show me the dreams of the Earth and the sky.
    Show me the night. Show me the day.
    Show me the secret that dances away.

    There's a rainbow I wish I could climb like a tree.
    A bug and a boulder that beckons to me.
    Show me leaves in the spring.
    Show me love on the wing.
    Show me things that I long to explore.
    Show me more.

    Show me the color. Show me the sound.
    Show me the magic that lays all around.
    In the shapes of a rock I see mountains and moons,
    And I sometimes believe that the colors are tunes.
    Show me tears in the stones.
    Show me thimbles and thrones.
    Show me things that I long to explore.
    Show me more.

    Show me the light in a butterfly's eye.
    And show me the dreams of the Earth and the sky.

    I do think that's what your photos do! ;-)

    Best Regards, Seddeg"

    14th July, 2009

  • view profile

    KM EGO says:

    "Textures and color
    scents and sound
    so carefully and wonderfully
    you dissect each glance each step.
    Through your journey
    your camera has always been your eye
    dangled around your neck as you travel through the same normal and rapidly
    traveled path
    only to find a new treasure
    a tiny detail so unbelievably beautiful
    a world within the world
    the texture
    the light
    the color
    the feeling
    the composition
    right there through the lens
    the click the capture
    the feeling of owning something so beautiful and special if only for a moment.
    You not only look at the world but see it.
    You create something by looking at it differently
    carefully
    lovingly
    with nothing but your eyes
    you let what is be…
    and what is
    is by itself beautiful
    if you just look.

    Kathy"

    28th April, 2009

  • view profile

    Hellsgeriatric  says:

    "I look at hundreds of photographs on Flickr every day but, sometimes, on really good days, I come across a Photostream that just blows my socks off, and Susan's is one of those.

    Looking through her work there are so many wonderful shots that I wouldn't know where to start if I were to Fav them, for to praise one may lead to the inference that I think less of another, and that would be unjust.

    Suffice to say that seeing her work has improved the quality of my life and, for that, I am grateful. Now I look forward to the future with a shade more optimism."

    11th April, 2009

Name:
Susan Ford Collins
Joined:
August 2006
Hometown:
Richmond, VA
Currently:
Miami, FL, USA
I am:
Female and Taken
Occupation:
Speaker, writer, coach
Website:
The Technology of Success