Red Maple Watercolor

I captured this image of beautiful red Maple leaves several years ago in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As I was strolling through my images from Fall's past, I noticed it and wondered just what it would look like with a little watercolor effect. I think it's even more beautiful. I can hardly wait for the reds and yellows and oranges of Fall here in the South. The weekend is approaching. We've had no rain for nearly two weeks. We will finally be getting some from a tropical depression which will be making landfall as Hurricane Nate this weekend. Everyone stay safe and dry. I also wanted to mention just how sad and disparaging all the news of the Las Vegas shooting has been this week. I can't even imagine the lives that have been torn apart by this senseless act of a mad man. Dear God can't they do something about gun control. GOD BLESS!

Beautiful Pink Dogwood

My favorite Dogwood tree at Bernheim is this gorgeous deep pink one that sits at the very end of the arboretum. I snapped an image Saturday as I was driving into Louisville for the Easter holiday weekend. I hope you had a wonderful Easter. ENJOY!

Southern Magnolia

Southern Magnolia trees are found throughout all of the Southeastern United States, although they are more common along the Gulf coast and the southern Atlantic shore. While Palm trees dot the landscape in the southeastern states, Bald Cypress trees grow in the Louisiana swamps, and rows of Georgia Peach and Florida Orange trees thrive in groves throughout Georgia and Florida, one would think one of those trees would be synonymous of the South. Not so. The Southern Magnolia holds that crown.

As images of the old Southern Plantations are conjured up, the Southern Magnolia tree undoubtedly comes to mind. I can see the Southern Belles sitting under the Magnolia trees in their long flowing dresses sipping glasses of sweet tea and chatting about their Southern gentlemen. Those are bygone days obviously. You can, however, still tour many of the old plantations around the South to this day, and no doubt, you will find a Southern Magnolia tree or two growing on the grounds.

Every Spring I would spend time at Bernheim photographing the Japanese Magnolias with their blush pink and pale yellow blooms. While there are few Japanese Magnolias here in Nashville, Southern Magnolias are plentiful. I hope to capture a few more photos before the heat browns the pedals and the gorgeous blooms wither. Have a great week all. ENJOY!

Favorites Series - Wisteria

Wisteria's purple blooms are so beautiful. Wispy and winding they hang off of the Wisteria tree in large bunches. When I see a Wisteria tree filled with bunches of blooms, a magical feeling comes over me. Several years ago on a sunny April afternoon, I visited Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville. Cave Hill is on the National Register of Historic Places and is definitely a 'must do' stop if you visit downtown Louisville. There is a beautiful lake, gorgeous architectural gardens and headstones and landscaped lawns everywhere. Ornamental trees and bushes thrive throughout the entire grounds. I love Wisterias and decided this image would be perfect for my Favorites Series.

On a side note, it isn't often that I can say I haven't been out to take photographs for a good while. In this case it's been about six weeks. No sooner had I gotten over bronchitis than I had to have some major dental work, two root canals and two crowns. I thought I had escaped ever having to have a root canal especially after hearing all of the horror stories about them over the years. There have been more people working in my mouth in the past week than I think there have been in my whole life. Thankfully, that is behind me and Spring is upon us. ENJOY!