Painted Lady

What's not to love about Painted Lady Butterflies? I ask you. They are so beautiful. Fall is officially here on Friday so enjoy these final few days left of summer. ENJOY!

The Pollen & The Bee

He's rather busy, wouldn't you say?

Two amazing specimens of nature I wanted to share with you today. The first being this very busy 'nature's pollenator' or in more technical terminology, Agapostemon Virescens. And secondly, the intricate pattern woven into a bloom, the yellow Sunflower. I took these images very very late this afternoon on my way back home from a trip to Bardstown for business. As it happens, I couldn't resist doing a late lunch at Isaac's Cafe at Bernheim and spending the last few minutes of my lunch hour taking just a few images along the parameter of the wildflower meadow. The meadow was sadly, and most disturbingly, dry. ENJOY!

America The Beautiful

From the nation's capitol in Washington, D.C. to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, from California's Yosemite with its magnificent Half Dome to Maine's Acadia atop Cadillac Mountain, from our Heartland's backyard barbecue ribs to the South's old fashioned apple pie, from sea to shining sea . . . HAPPY 4TH OF JULY AMERICA. ENJOY!

Canadian Goose and Goslings

There are two families of Canadian Geese who have taken up quarters at Lake Nevin at Bernheim this Spring. It has been such a beautiful week that I couldn't resist making a trip out tonight to check out the Goslings. You have to admit they're cute. These Goslings appear to be about two weeks old as they still have all of their down. In another two weeks or so, their feathers will start to come in. ENJOY!

Blue Flag Iris

There is something about Flag Iris's I just can't explain. They make me smile. Perhaps it's the way they lay wide open as though they are beckoning you in. Have a great weekend. ENJOY!

Fall Days!

Taking a quick look back, I seriously have to say that Fall was great this year. With its bright yellows, oranges and occasional reds. With its pumpkins and farm markets. With it's leaf strewn roads and it's brightly colored mums. With it's beautifully adorned trees and bright yellow goldenrod. Yes, it was a great Fall, but now it's time to move on to a new season, Winter. I don't mind Winter so much at first because you have Christmas and New Year's which helps break up the gloomy monotony. And there's even Valentine's Day in mid February. I'll try to get out to Bernheim this week and perhaps take a quick trip up to Mustatatuck and take some picks to show you how things are doing here in the lower Midwest. In the meantime, stay warm and I hope you enjoy this collage of some of my favorite Fall pics. ENJOY!

Fall, Versailles, Kentucky!

A special gift to all of my followers this Sunday morning. When we compose a photograph, our deepest desire is surely to capture beauty. After composing this image in portrait, I realized I was not very fond of it. Yet, there was something about this image that kept at me. So I cropped it to landscape. That mere step forced me to take a closer look at the highlights I had captured but could not readily see. Perhaps if I enhance the meager areas of green and bring out the yellow remnants of Fall. And that's when I felt I had found it . . . the beauty that was hidden before began to emerge. A subtle, yet definitive beauty that amongst all the blacks and browns in this composition there exists these beautiful splashes of color that until now seemed hidden to my naked eye. Do you see the greens hidden amongst the trees in the hillside and the yellows that force you to step across that bridge, only to find yourself on the other side of the river, and yet still you desire to walk down that rock laden old road to see what lies beyond just over the hill. If so, then you have taken the very journey that I took when I originally composed this image because our mind's eye will always see before we do. And that is why I shoot photography. Where do you find beauty? ENJOY!

Singular Moments!

One red maple leaf adrift on the forest floor tells a story of the changing seasons and times gone by. ENJOY!

Halloween Is Coming!

In honor of this ghoulishhhh holiday, I give you my ghoulissshhhh header! ENJOY!

Last Blooms of Summer!

Just a few of the last blooms of summer growing along the old decaying fence at Bernheim recently when I visited. Can't believe that summer is bidding us adieu and fall is knocking at our door. ENJOY!

Beauty Is In The Eye!

The Conservatory at Biltmore yielded quite a few beautiful, beautiful images. This is one of the gorgeous Orange Orchids blooming inside the Conversatory when I visited earlier in August. There were many beautiful orchids, but this one is my favorite. I love the orange orchid with its deep red center. If you live within 500 miles of the Biltmore Estate located in Asheville, North Carolina, I urge you to visit just once. That's all it takes. And then you'll wish to return and soon. And as an added bonus there are several entrances to the Blue Ridge Parkway on the south and east side of Asheville. Within an hour or two you'll be viewing beautiful mountain vistas. I would love to see the Fall colors along the drive I took to Craggy Gardens along the Parkway. Perhaps some day. Stay safe tonight New Englanders. ENJOY!

Elk, Cataloochee Valley, GSMNP!

The beauty that is our wildlife. The elk were out, some banded, some not, at Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in northwest North Carolina last week. Such beautiful creatures. Not an easy drive to this area of the park which is far removed from the main area of the Smokies. But still a beautiful area. This is where the original elk were reintroduced some ten years ago or more to the park. Just a few of the "Big Bulls". ENJOY!

Hardy Waterlily!

The waterlilies are just beginning to bloom at Bernheim. They are so beautiful as they begin to open up their blooms. The weather started out really humid and oppressively hot earlier this week with the heat index at 114 degrees. Luckily it's a rather nice evening out tonight. So glad that heat and humidity moved on. ENJOY!

Black Swallowtail!

Oh, but for the butterflies that flitter around those gorgeous blooms that brighten our lives and bring smiles to our faces. This Black Swallowtail was doing just that when I captured this image recently while walking the Sun and Shade Trail at Bernheim. Hope your weekend isn't too hot and sticky. ENJOY!

Nature's Beauty!

This bee was so busy pollenating this Meadow Sage bloom. He sat for quite some time just doing his busywork. On another note, yesterday was my birthday. Today I'm hosting a dinner party for my sister, her husband and my niece. We're celebrating my birthday. My sister, JoAnn, is a fantastic cook. I spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and any other important occasion at JoAnn's house. I thought it was time to make her dinner even though its my birthday celebration. We'll have a great time I'm sure. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. ENJOY!

Clifty Falls State Park!

Some 60 miles northeast of Louisville, located along the Ohio River, sits the small town of Madison, Indiana. Directly west of Madison is Clifty Falls State Park. Within this small state park are four waterfalls, of which Big and Little Clifty Falls are the most visited. The other falls may or may not be running based upon recent rainfalls, but the two Clifty Falls are always flowing.

The last time I visited this park was during winter many years ago where a recent cold snap had left icicles hanging off of the cliffs all throughout the park. Today I visited to photograph the two largest waterfalls. These first two images are of Big Clifty Falls which falls some 60 feet down over many rock outcroppings.

Getting to the falls meant climbing down many steps from the trailhead, walking about 20 yards on a dirt trail, and then climbing back up the side of a cliff. The trail is planked once you climb back up and is protected by a old limestone fence along the edge of the cliff. I was basically standing under a cliff at the end of the trail. Water dripped over the outcropping onto me as I stood watching the waterfall. The actual end of the trail was blocked due to erosion, but from the point where I stood I could still see most of the waterfall, although the bottom most point was mostly shielded by trees.

This is an image looking out at the cliffs across from where I stood to photograph Big Clifty Falls.

Ferns tried desperately to grow hanging off of the cliff as I walked along the path to the steps to Big Clifty Falls.

After I walked back down the steps at Big Clifty, and crossed the path back to the trailhead, I then took another set of steps leading down to Little Clifty Falls. You can't photograph Little Clifty from the front of the falls or even see it as it sits about 100 yards down into a gulch. But photographing the top of the falls was still a treat as the water was rushing fast down the face of the falls.

In this image you can see a huge cliff hanging out into the gulch from where I stood to take photos of Little Clifty Falls.

It was 90 degrees yesterday and fairly humid. Apparently the entire week is forecast for the same. I hope you're having a wonderful holiday and your weather is cooler than here in Kentucky. Happy Memorial Day. ENJOY!

Cade's Cove, GSMNP!

The beauty of the rolling fields while driving through Cade's Cove in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park leaves you with a feeling of calm. The rolling fields, the thickets, the forest, the historic stops along the way and the wildlife you may encounter. It's an experience I hope everyone does at least once in a lifetime. Have a wonderful Sunday. ENJOY!

Roaring Fork Nature Trail, GSMNP!

Driving along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail has to be one of my favorite things to do when visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As I culled through all of my images, I chose this image as my favorite. I really like the composition.

As I continue my drive farther along the nature trail, I stopped many times just to hear the birds singing their beautiful songs and to listen to the water of the Roaring Fork as it pours over the rocks and boulders making its way along the forest floor. Large carpets of moss cover the rocks and boulders gleaming like emeralds in the sunshine. This truly is a magical place.

There's something about the way the rhodendum bushes drape over the side of the stream with the Roaring Fork rushing by. The sunlight reflecting off of the rhododendum leaves reminds me of diamonds. They should rename this area of the Smokies "Emerald City." With the emerald green moss and the diamond rhododendum leaves, its as though the park has created its own style of jewelry.

As I meander the nature trail, I pass over the Roaring Fork many times along the route.

Smell that? That's the Mountain Laurel growing all throughout the park. Along the drive, I encountered many trees and bushes blooming with these dainty little pink and white flowers.

Notice the little dots that form a circle inside each bloom. Wonder what that's about.

With all of the moisture around me, so close to the Roaring Fork, I expected to see toadstools. And I did. So dainty and delicate looking.

But what a treat when I happened across these dainty little fungi. Orange Peel Fungi believe it or not, I read, are supposedly edible. Although you won't find me munching on them.

Hope everyone is having a nice week. Stay safe. There are storms predicted for this evening. I'm still trying to process the disaster in Joplin, Missouri, not to mention the Midwest and Deep South with their tornadoes and flooding. Makes one wonder what is going on with Mother Earth. ENJOY!

Happy Mother's Day!

To all Mothers everywhere, Happy Mother's Day! And as I remember my own mother, I miss you Mom. I miss talking with you. As I grew up and would stop by to visit, you kept me dialed in to all of my siblings and their little ones. I can see you now sitting across the room from me. I wish you were here. Happy Mother's Day Mom! ENJOY!

Spring's Bounty!

Spring 2011 will go down in the history books as a record setting season. With a record number of tornadoes across the South, record setting flooding in the Midwest, prompting the blowing up of three major levees along the Mississippi, and least we forget, a record 9.0 earthquake and many aftershocks in Japan. Setting aside all of mother nature's madness, and after such a long, snowy winter, I struck out to find the beauty and grace in nature. I found it twofold in all of the blooming flowers and flowering trees throughout the Kentucky and Southern Indiana area. I hope you've enjoyed the journey as much as I've enjoyed the quest. And I hope I have lifted your spirits at some point. Oh, and least I forget, Louisville, this my hometown, will be hosting the greatest two minutes in sports tomorrow, May 7, with the Run for the Roses in the Kentucky Derby. The excitement is palpable here as I've traveled around the city this week. Also, thank you so very much for all of your gracious comments. I read every single one. Have a wonderful weekend. ENJOY!