Wildlife Tennessee

Here in Tennessee, there is a plethora of wildlife opportunities at almost every turn in the road. Since making this my home a year ago, I have traveled from local wetlands to state parks to wildlife refuges to national parks. All along the way I have photographed the wildlife. Today I wanted to share a few of those images with you in a grouping so that you can see the beautiful wild that is Tennessee.

From top to bottom left to right, Turtle Radnor Lake, Black Bear Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Fawn Long Hunter State Park, Muskrat Murfree Springs Wetland, Elk Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blue Clearwing Dragonfly Murfree Springs Wetlands, Insect Couchville Cedar Glen State Natural Area, Eastern Comma Butterfly and Black Bear Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Osprey Cross Creek National Wildliife Refuge, Yellow Clouded Butterfly Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, Great White Egret Cross Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Green Frog Murfree Spring Wetlands, Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, Elk Great Smoky Mountains National Park and finally Doe Bledsoe Creek State Park.

Before I leave you today, it bears mentioning I have been battling a serious case of bronchitis. While I am not well, I hope by this time next week to say it's out of here. Being indoors so much has reminded me of three things that Winter serves up that I am not a fan of. The first is the frigid temperatures, not to mention the ups and downs in the temperatures we have had this Winter. The second is the barren landscape with no beautiful delicate flowers to beautify it. Last, but not least, are the many viruses that thrive best indoors in our warm homes only to take hold and bring our very lives to a virtual standstill. I hope wherever you are today you are well and having a fabulous weekend. Can Spring be far away. ENJOY!

In and Around Nashville

Let's take a peek back at the many places I have traveled 'In and Around' the Nashville area this past Spring and Summer.

1. White Tailed Deer, Long Hunter State Park, Hermitage, Spring

2. Sailboats, Percy Priest Lake, Hermitage, Spring

3. Great White Egret, Cross Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Dover, Summer

4. Edgar Evans Mill, Smithville, Summer

5. Belle Meade Plantation, Nashville, Spring

6. Wood Duck Pair, Murfree Spring Wetlands, Murfreesboro, Summer

7. Ox Eye Sunflower, Bison Meadow, Nashville, Summer

8. Rare Tennessee Purple Coneflower, Couchville Cedar Glade, Hermitage, Summer

9. Great White Egret, Old Hickory Lake, Hendersonville

10. White Narcissus, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, Nashville, Spring

I enjoy reading all of your kind notes you leave me in the COMMENTS section of each post. I hope you will leave me a note as to where you have been so far in 2015. ENJOY!

Linking to Saturday Critters and Our World Tuesday

Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge

As wildlife refuges go, Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge is simply that, a wildlife refuge comprised mostly of swamps and bottom land with Lily Pads and Lotus blooms scattered here and there. The 8,000 acres plus wildlife refuge is situated in northwest Tennessee just west of Clarksville, outside of the town of Dover.

The wildlife refuge runs parallel to the Cumberland River so while you drive the main refuge road and view the refuge on one side, in other parts of the refuge you will find the river on one side and the refuge on the other.

One nice thing about this refuge was how it offered photo ops other than the standard wading birds standing in a swamp. There was one large section of land just as you entered the refuge that was covered with blooming Lotus flowers. Unfortunately, I could not get close enough to take better images.

I did manage to capture this Great Blue Heron on the prowl for a meal standing knee deep in the middle of a cornfield. He looked to be on a serious mission so I moved on after clicking a few frames.

The temperatures here in Middle Tennessee, as the locals call it, have stayed in the low 90's for over a week now and do not appear as though they are going to change any time soon. UGH! All one can do is take cover in the air conditioning. I hope wherever you are, you find it cooler than what I am experiencing. Luckily, we have missed the heavy rainful brought on shore by Tropical Storm Bill. Most of that weather moved farther north before turning east. Back soon. ENJOY!

Linking to Our World Tuesday