Fall, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Here's to a little bit of a crazy Monday. Blew out a brand new tire on the highway. Made about 25 stops. Too much work, too little time. Enjoy!

Bridge, Long Grove Village Park, Chicago, Illinois

While trekking around Chicago this summer, I stopped to take a photo of this bridge traversing a creek in Long Grove Village, not far from the covered bridge. It was just begging me to take a photo of it so I had to comply. What is it about wooden planks and a rusting rail that makes one want to walk over and peer down into the creek. I don't know the answer to that, but I did do it. Long Grove is such a cool little village with a ton of charm. Plan a stop sometime if you are in Chicago for a visit. Enjoy!

Jordan Pond, Bubble Mountain, Acadia National Park, Maine

As I drove through Acadia National Park during my trip to Maine in 2008, I decided a stop at Jordan Pond was in order. It was early afternoon and I took a walk out into the open field just beyond the outside dining area to take a few photos. The backdrop of Bubble Mountain seemed a great fit for a background with the blue sky and puffy clouds. It was a beautiful sunny day and the place was buzzing with visitors and travelers from all over the world, I'm sure. However, I managed to get this photo without any folks in it by being a little patient as I waited for some of the hikers and walkers to pass by. Enjoy!

Tobacco Barn, Bluegrass Scenic Byway, Lexington, Kentucky

Just a quick post today of some barn art I happened across while driving the Bluegrass Scenic Byway near Midway and Lexington, Kentucky a few weekends ago. I was out for an autumn drive and hadn't visited the horse farms around Lexington in quite some time so I decided to pay a visit. As I turned a sharp curve on my way from Lexington to Midway, I spotted this pretty cool looking barn art. Thought perhaps my followers would enjoy.

Tree, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There is something about certain tree "trunks" that leaves me wanting to photograph them. Perhaps because they hold steadfast each tree to its environment until man, beast or nature decides to up end it. Never the less, they do seem to mesmerize me. Without tree trunks we would have no trees. There would be no base to hold the branches and keep them close to this earth. Most tree branches are too high for most of us to reach, but the tree trunks, ah, they are within reach always. I photographed this tree trunk while in the Smokies and wanted to share it with you. It appears to have a hollow area coming out of the bottom. Perhaps an animal has made it home at some point in time. I decided to do a little editing of the original image and added warmth and a soft focus to give this tree trunk a little bit more mystery. Enjoy!

Halloween Friendlies!

A few of the friendlier faces I encountered on Halloween night. Enjoy!

Halloween Hauntings!

A couple of the more spoooookier images as seen through my viewfinder at the Halloween Party I attended last evening to celebrate a Hallowed Evening. All spooky comments are welcome. Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

This is a photo of my tablescape I created for Fall this year. I love it. It was fun putting it together. Enjoy and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Ahh, Autumn and It's Decor!!

Ahh! Autumn

Cade's Cove Wildlife, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Many times I have visited Cade's Cove in the Smokies always to find something interesting. I saw a bear up close there this year. Several years ago I shot this photograph right after I entered Cade's Cove. I have this affinity for breaking rules. It's one of those things I can't help. After I got about half a mile into the cove on this particular day, I spotted a herd of deer a slight distance away in a field. It was getting on toward dusk but I decided to chance it away. I hopped the fence (that's the rule breaking thing) and stood about 200 yards away for probably a half hour or longer photographing the deer and these two bucks who were playing around. I never once turned around in that entire time. When I finished I picked up my tripod and turned around and what do I see, a slew of other photographers with their cameras clicking away behind me. Apparently, they decided to jump the fence and get closer as well. I realize there isn't much detail in my background with the waning light, but I like the two bucks nudging each other just the same. Enjoy!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

One of my favorite past times while visiting the Smokies is to take in a drive along the nature trails. Roll your windows down and slow your pace and you'll hear the water rushing along the many rivers and falling over the huge boulders as it makes its way through the park. In some areas, the water is simply a mere trickle, but in many areas its a rush spilling over the rocks in miniature waterfalls. Enjoy!

Morton Overlook, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

It was a beautiful day in the Smokies and I just happened to be on my way back from driving a little in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, when I stopped at Morton Overlook just in time to catch the sun setting. I chose to feature the outline of the pine tree in the image. Still glad I did it. Enjoy!

Autumn, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There is a farmhouse with surrounding outbuildings on the drive through Cade's Cove in the Park. I ventured a short distance away from the buildings and happened upon a creek. This image caught my eye so I took a moment to photograph it. Some images defy explanation. Enjoy!

Roaring Fork Nature Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A little bit of heaven is what you find in the Smokies while driving the Roaring Fork Nature Trail. The waterfall is called, A Place of Thousand Drips, and I got lucky one fall and captured just about that many drips coming out of the falls. Believe it or not you can practically photograph this sitting in your car driving by. But I did chance it, although the road is very narrow, and got out and took some pics in between the cars driving by. The other shot is a bridge not too far from the "Drips". Enjoy!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

1,000 Page Views on my counter today. That was nice to see. Odd I just happened to check it right as 1,000 came up. What are those odds. Heather thanks for the input on the technical problem. Not only fixed it but got that pesky sidebar to move way over which I've been trying to do for a while now. Here's a farmhouse image with some fall color I'm posting just to thank you and hope these colors make you smile!
This is one of the many farmhouses you'll see along the Roaring Fork Nature Trail.

Fall Color, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

If ever you get the chance to frequent a national park in America, I suggest one of them be the Great Smoky Mountains. It's truly a diverse climate. The Smokies have rolling brooks and streams that literally turn into rushing creeks and rivers. You should visit Cade's Cove, a valley filled with yesteryear farmhouses and churches, should you plan a trip.

I've enjoyed taking drives along the Greenbrier, Tremont and Roaring Fork Nature Trails, where you drive right along beside the creeks with their rushing waters spilling over rocks and huge boulders. The forests are just as diverse in the park with some feeling more like rainforests at points along the drive in Greenbrier and Tremont. The Roaring Fork Trail gives you an up close feel of what being deep in the woods of the Smokies feels like while still in the comfort of your car. All I can say is you should plan a visit.

But if you can't get there this Fall, I hope you enjoy these images of some of my slides of the beautiful Fall colors displayed every year in the Smokies.

Postscript: The bright reds and oranges are for Crista, Nature As Is. Crista is one of my most faithful followers who always leaves me such nice comments. I'm still very new at blogging, so it's encouraging to hear from anyone and everyone. Thank you Crista. If you haven't visited Nature As Is, do it today. It inspires me every time.

Eggmoggin Reach, Maine #8

I know what you're going to say . . . can't you post anything else but Maine photos. Well, this is just about the end of that series from my Maine trip. However, I did want to share Eggmoggin Reach, if for no other reason than because it's such a cool name. It's basically a mile wide body of water between the mainland and Deer Isle. At least I'm fairly sure that's what it is. How it got its name, I don't know.

Just so you know I haven't gone wacko and have nothing to post but Maine images, I am going to have some of my slides from two and three years ago that I took while trapsing through the Great Smoky Mountains scanned and I'll post them soon. I was looking back through them the other day and saw some gorgeous fall colors and said surely my followers just might want to see these and I'll bet they would welcome the change in scenery. I'll get that done this week. In the meantime, please enjoy the last of my Maine images.

Bar Harbor, Maine #7

Leaving Deer Isle behind, I trek over to Mt. Desert Island which is about a 30 minute drive from Blue Hill where I was staying at a small inn there. I pull into Bar Harbor, a busy little tourist destination where many tourists travel from all over the world to take in the "true" Maine way of life. I hiked the shore path along the bay which is about a mile in length. It was coming up on dusk as I arrived at the harbor via the shore path, just in time to see the Schooner Mary Day boarding for an evening cruise out in Penobscot Bay. Bar Harbor is a great little town to visit and see all of the sights and shop in some of the many shoppes in the town. Also as you leave Bar Harbor, you can take the direct route south which leads into Acadia National Park. Enjoy!

Postscript: I want to thank everyone who has commented on my Maine photos. I drove from Louisville, Kentucky to Downeast, Maine in my car, by myself, with my trusty Pentax in tow, for a seven day vacation. The longest road trip I've ever taken alone. It was worth every moment, with the possible exception of when I couldn't find a hotel for hours on end on the way home from Maine, as I was crossing the Poconos and there was a Nascar event that evening in the area. I had to pay hefty for a room that night, but by the time I finally found a room, needless to say money was no object . . . well within reason anyway.

Sunset, Maine #6

On a beautiful sunny day on Deer Isle, I traveled a short distance to Sunset, not far from Stonington. There were numerous boats of all shapes and sizes anchored in the harbor there, however, I spotted this particular boat bobbing up and down and swaying to the left and right, anchored out in the harbor. I decided I would take a few photographs. Did you know when you're trying to take a photograph of a boat anchored in a harbor the boat just keeps swaying from one side to the other. So you have to keep shooting. Hoping to get what you saw at one moment, but it's fleeting, and that shot is gone because the boat moved with the water. It took a few tries, but I think I got what I was going after. It's one of my favorite photos of my trip to Maine. I hope you enjoy it. I enjoyed taking it!

Burnt Cove, Deer Isle, Maine #5

It's time to leave Stonington behind. A few miles down the road from Stonington on Deer Isle you'll find Burnt Cove. While researched my trip, I discovered a list of off-the-beaten-path photo ops on Deer Isle, one of which was this quaint little cove. I found Burnt Cove on an overcast afternoon. Walking out to the shoreline, I could see the potential for a few nice photos. The houses perched against the shoreline with the trees framing them, and the quaint little cove with its boats moored, calmly waiting for a trip out to Penobscot Bay. I hope you feel the essence of Burnt Cove as much as I felt it that day creating these images.

After leaving Burnt Cove, I had traveled about a mile when I came upon a path leading into a woods right off the road. I stopped and got out of the car and took the path, which as I guessed, lead out to the shoreline. Obviously, a well worn path used often by the locals as right at the end of the path laid a pair of old shoes left behind by someone. The last image is the beautiful little beach I happened upon. I had to photograph these large, brown rocks perched at the water's edge. Their weather worn look made me wonder what stories they would tell about winters past and storms blown in off the Atlantic into the bay. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed taking them. I share these images unretouched as I shoot the light with my Pentax. Enjoy!

Stonington, Deer Isle, Maine #4

That's right. We're still in Stonington, Maine, taking in all the sights. Almost done though. Couldn't leave Stonington without sharing some of the local flavor in the way of boating. I love the blue skies and the blue water. It was such a gorgeous day and I felt so blessed to have happened upon it. For those of you who live near water, I envy you. The closet thing to water here in Kentucky is the Ohio and I'm sorry but it just doesn't compare to the harbors of Maine. And by the way it had taken me thirty years to get back to Maine from when I first visited which is why I chose this destination. I loved it then . . . I love it now.

I really hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed taking them. Believe it or not so far everything you've seen was photographed right off the pier. Amazing. Stay tuned. There's more coming. Enjoy!!

Stonington, Deer Isle, Maine #3

So glad you decided to take this trip with me. The last few days I showed you a foggy Stonington harbor. Today, well what a difference a day makes. We have lots of beautiful sunshine.

We pull into Stonington which basically is a two lane road running along the waterfront. On one side of the main street are shops, galleries, restaurants and a quaint motel where many of the professional photographers stay while they're in town to photograph this beautiful village. On the other side of the main street, sitting next to the waterfront, are houses, shops and restaurants, and behind that is the beautiful harbor with its many sizes and shapes of boats. We pass the main section of Stonington and come to the pier on our left. Let's drive out onto the pier and park the car. Wow, looking back onto the little village of Stonington from the waterfront, it is so beautiful here.

The first image is my favorite photograph taken of the village of Stonington looking back from the pier. In this image you see houses, shops and restaurants lining the waterfront. The second image I took because I loved this house sitting right up next to the pier and how the rocks frame the shoreline.

Stonington. Truly a unique yet beautiful place to visit. Just think, the local fishermen come sailing in after a long hard day of checking their lobster traps and what do they see as they pull into the harbor, but this beautiful little village welcoming them home. I knew you would love this trip. I'm so glad you're along for the ride. We're not done yet. So stay tuned! Enjoy!!

Foggy Harbor, Stonington, Deer Isle, Maine #2

Come take a trip with me . . . in 2007, I began researching my trip to Maine. I knew I wanted to visit Camden, Blue Hill, Stonington, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. I chose Blue Hill as my main base as it is smack dab in the middle between Stonington and Bar Harbor and Acadia. I did stay several nights in Camden as it was the southernmost point of the trip and my first stop before heading Downeast. I promise I'll post some images of Camden Harbor soon. Should you decide to plan a trip to Maine, stop by this website, www.acadiamagic.com. So many beautiful images.

Little did I know I would have the perfect opportunity to photograph a few beautiful images of my own as I traveled to Stonington. As I arrived in Blue Hill and checked into the Inn, I decided to trek to Stonington as it was still early in the day. I found the village of Stonington covered in a shroud of mist and fog. I almost didn't make the drive to Stonington that day as the weather wasn't the best. Then I remembered something every photographer should remember, isn't that the perfect time to go see what there is to photograph, when the weather is not at its best. Yep. It was perfect! Stonington is located on Deer Isle which is a gem in and of itself. I can't explain it. You have to experience it for yourself. Along the drive you will pass harbors, coves and a few inlets, but first to get to Deer Isle you must cross over on the causeway bridge. Deer Isle is probably one of the single most unique experiences I've ever encountered in my many travels in the United States. It is just that unique.

I'm not certain that this is the same vessel as my post from yesterday although it very likely could be. Enjoy!

Postscript: Is it me or are those gulls standing at attention as the windjammer strolls by.

Foggy Harbor, Stonington, Deer Isle, Maine #1

Stonington, such a small but quaint fishing village, is situated along the coastline of Downeast Maine, midway between Blue Hill and Bar Harbor. If ever you find yourself in this beautiful state, please make the drive to Stonington. You won't be disappointed. I have images of not only a foggy day at Stonington, but also a bright sunny day. I'll share those with you in the next week. But this is my favorite image from that particular trip. At almost any given time while driving along the backroads in this area, which hug the coastline very closely, you may turn a curve only to find an inlet and perhaps a chance encounter with a sailboat or a "windjammer" making its day trip whilst playing host to visitors from all over the world. Such a beautiful sight. So happy I caught this scene and so happy I can share it with you. Image taken Summer 2008 with my Pentax. Enjoy!

My Followers List Isn't Showing

If you read this post and know why this is happening can you shoot me a comment. And here's a little something for your trouble. A beautiful pic from the Old Mill area of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Get Ready They're Coming!

So many people fuss at me because I don't have more of my slides scanned and posted on my blog. Well I dropped off about 12 slides from my Maine trip last summer to be scanned. And I'm hoping upon hope that they'll be up this weekend. Gosh I hope they're good.

The Old Mill Area, Pigeon Forge

I Finally Chose A Header Photo!

I made a decision yesterday to add an image to my header. I hope you like it. I have two other images I thought of instead but chose this one. There's a certain calmness this photo brings to mind when I look at it. Pretty much the same feeling I got when I took the shot. Mid summer in Mustatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, central Indiana, no one around but little 'ol me. Quiet, peaceful, calming. I hope you get the same feeling. Don't know how long I'll leave it up but we'll see. I've posted it previously not too long ago and decided perhaps it was worthy of a prime spot on my blog. Enjoy!

Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cade's Cove is truly a gem basking in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cade's Cove features vast farmlands, historic buildings where the settlers of yesterday once thrived and various wildlife which you will encounter as you take the scenic motor tour through the valley. You can stop at any number of visitor stops and go inside many of the cabins and out buildings. You really get a feel for what the settlers lives were like when you venture out of your car.

Along this particular drive turkeys were grazing in various fields as I entered the cove. Just past the entrance, I spotted a black bear and her cubs making their way through a field to a nearby woods. Continuing on, I passed a huge valley floor with a large assortment of hay bales dotting the landscape. And then it happened, the unavoidable traffic jam. In the middle of Cade's Cove, there can only be one reason to encounter such a traffic jam, bears. I sat for probably 15 minutes and then finally decided to pull my car off to the shoulder, get out and walk up to the head of the traffic jam. Just as I walked closer to the head of the traffic, about six cars up what should come tromping across the road between two cars and disappearing into a field of tall grass, but quite a large black bear. WHOA! I'm pretty sure it was a Papa Bear too.

As the traffic jam dissipated, I get back in my vehicle to continue on the drive and what do I immediately encounter but a deer and her babies running at full romp across a pasture, hesitating at the fenceline, then jumping the fence, crossing the road, and disppearing into the adjacent woods. Something tells me a black bear just might have disrupted their leisurely afternoon. I hope you enjoy the picks as much as I enjoyed the drive through Cade's Cove. Needless to say, some of the animals were moving kind of fast that day while the vehicles were moving quite slow. Sounds about right to me.

Greenbrier, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

All paths lead to somewhere. Have you taken one lately! Along the road in the Greenbrier section of the park I stopped to photograph some flowers and noticed this path making its way into the forest. I wonder where it goes. I wished I'd had the time to find out. Enjoy!

The Drive to Newfound Gap, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

On the road to Newfound Gap.

Looking out from Newfound Gap.


Along the road from Newfound Gap.

A few hints of autumn.



I hope you enjoy these scenic shots along the road as I drove up to Newfound Gap in the Smokies. I am working on getting some of my photography scanned that I took last summer while on my trip to Maine. I hope to have it to post here next week. In the meantime, have a great weekend! As always, leave a comment or a note. I love to hear from all of you.

Along the Roaring Fork Nature Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of my favorite parks, not just because it is a few hours from my home, but because it is diverse in so many ways. From Cade's Cove and its beautiful valley to Newfound Gap and Clingman's Dome high up on the mountains to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail winding in and around the various forests.

The first photo is the stream running alongside the road on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The road is very, very narrow with only one lane, one way. It is so narrow at times it feels like you're actually walking through the woods and not driving as the trees and moss and overhanging plants and flowers are right on top of you as you drive by. I got out of my car many times just to look at all of the wildflowers and mushrooms along the road. You will miss a great deal if you don't venture out. The sound of the creek and the birds and insects chirping filled my car as I drove with all the windows down to take in the sounds and the cool breeze. I'll post some more pics of my trip in a day or two. I hope you enjoy!

And if you're following me close enough, I didn't use my Pentax camera this trip. I stuck to the digital. Not sure if I'm happy about that or not.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Hello Everyone, just wanted to drop a quickie note to you with this photo I took while traveling in the Smokies yesterday. This is somewhere around Newfound Gap. I hope you enjoy and I'll post more this week. Ugh, I'm tired, but it was a great trip.

Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Today I spent a couple of hours browsing the shops in the Arts & Crafts Village right outside of Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. Later in the day, I decided to drive over to the Greenbrier area of the park. Here are some of the flower photos I took along the drive. And as luck would have it, I finally got to see a black bear in the park. First, I saw the black bear 50 yards ahead of me on the road and then about 15 steps into the woods I heard the rustling of leaves and there sat a cub poking around. Both mom and kiddo took one look at me and hightailed deeper into the woods. It's official after a zillion trips to the Smokies, I have seen a black bear, no, make that two. Enjoy the photos. I'll post a few more in the next few days.

In Memory of Those Who Lost Their Lives on 9/11/2001 . . .

To those who lost their lives and those whose lives were changed forever, I pray for you today with hope that you will remember, you will mourn and you shall find peace.

Thoughts for Thursday . . .

Pick up a camera, any camera. Go outside. Take a walk, by yourself. Just you and no one else. Listen to the wind, the birds. Feel the breeze, the cool air, the warm sun. Hear the sounds. Now focus. On a tree, a bird, the sky. Take a photo, any photo. Walk. Listen. Feel. Create. Welcome to your world!

Postscript: I just get nostalgic about life at times. Hope you don't mind.

Bluegrass Scenic Byway, Lexington, Kentucky

As I was rummaging through my photos on my desktop tonight, I happened upon this image I took a couple of years ago at just about this time of the year. I thought perhaps my blog friends might like it. In Kentucky tobacco curing in the barn is a common site this time of year. This photo was taken in the Bluegrass Region just northwest of Lexington, Kentucky on the Bluegrass Scenic Byway. This drive, should you ever find yourself in Kentucky, is a beautiful one any time of year but especially so in Fall.

I will be traveling again this weekend to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park south of Knoxville, Tennessee. Such a beautiful, beautiful place. I plan on shooting a lot of photos and posting them in the next few weeks. And the good news is after a large dose of WD40 spray on my Pentax release knob, it's miraculously working again. So along with my digital, I'll take my 20 year old camera to the forest and see if it will shoot some of the leftover slide rolls I have in my camera bag. Wish me luck.

I hope you enjoy the photo! If you read this post, I would love for you to comment. I'm still new at this and I need your input.

Living a Hard Life

In Fall 2008, Louisville experienced the remnants of a hurricane that blew up from the Gulf of Mexico into Kentucky with 75 mph winds. Fallen trees were in order for weeks to come as the cleanup pursued. Then in late Winter 2009, the city experienced a harsh ice storm which covered everything in two inches of solid ice. The ice formations were gorgeous, though I did not choose to photograph any.

Again many downed or damaged trees strewn the city. Now to the point of this story, directly off of my patio stands a very young sugar maple tree perhaps five years old at most. I woke yesterday morning, looked out the french doors and there its leaves were shining oranges and russets in a sea of green, as the woods behind the maple tree were still showing their splendid summertime greens. While the beautiful oranges and russets are a sight to see so early, I feel strongly next year, this sugar maple will get back to its norm and wait for the appropriate time to turn its leaves these beautiful colors.

Passing of a Friend

I realized something many years ago. I had an unusual friend. My Pentax camera. You've heard me speak of my Pentax off and on. It is truly a dear friend to me. And has accompanied me in many of my travels. To the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. To Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine. Many trips to the Hocking Hills of southcentral Ohio. Of course, the beautiful Bluegrass state of Kentucky. As well as the states of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, California, Washington, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina. The list goes on.

However, the release button on my Pentax has decided it's tired and either needs surgery or a retirement plan. It has also been increasingly difficult getting the film take up to "not" catch the past year or two. It's tired. After 20 years of shooting film, you would be tired also.

My Pentax is a K1000 which is, I think, the camera still used to teach university students the basics of photography. It is strictly manual. No automatic functions. I taught myself how to "shoot the light" without retouching my outdoor photos with my Pentax.

My Pentax has shot waterfalls, wildlife refuges, national parks, state parks, nature preserves, wetlands, rivers, creeks, swamps, bogs and the occasional pond. Leaves, branches, trunks and obviously trees. Forest, woods, mountains, hills, valleys. Bears, deer, snakes. Cardinals, chickadees, finches. Bugs, butterflies. And at times, family, friends, holidays and birthdays.

My only regrets. I photographed two trips, one to Big Sur, California, and one to the Olympic Peninsula, but shot regular film, not slide film, this was prior to my "bitten by the photography bug" life. I pitched many, many, many a slide due to bad lighting, bad composition or just plain bad subject matter if there is such a thing. All of the best shots you see in my montage to the right were taken with my Pentax.

So I ask you what does a friend do for such a dear friend! I'll keep you posted. Comments are welcome always.