Boblink, Life Bird #2, Duck River Unit

The Duck River Unit of the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge is a huge haven for birds who love grasslands, reeds and endless fields of wildflowers. Yesterday, I captured this beauty along the side of the road where the grasses were a tad taller. As I neared him, he would fly off obviously. He was accompanied by four or five other Bobolinks. This is a second life bird in one day for me!

Sorry for the very cropped image and horrific background, but I had to share as this Bobolink's markings are so unique. A yellow backed head and white wings. I read Bobolinks breed in the north central and north east areas of the United States. They migrate to the Southern states. The Duck River Unit would be a perfect habitat for them to breed. No doubt why they chose to stop over here. When I can't identify a bird in the field, I snap images and crop tightly in my software to identify them. This was the only descent image worth posting and I only post it as it's a life bird. I couldn't help myself. My bird life list is growing. It's a scorcher today if you are in the Midwest and especially the South in the States, so hydrate. ENJOY!

Canola Fields of Northern Tennessee

Say 'hello' to the Canola flower. A bouquet of beautiful, bright yellow flowers with a plethora of Canola seeds situated smack dab in the middle of the petals.

Welcome to the farms of Northern Tennessee where the Canola seed is one of the main crops grown here. Within a few short miles of Interstate 65, just across the state line from Kentucky, there are multiple farms with large fields of Canola blooming. Each Spring in mid to late April, the fields come alive with color. The brightest, most beautiful sunny color one could possibly imagine paints the landscape.

While the farmers own the land and farm the fields here, the Canola fields seem to dominant in Spring while in full bloom. On one rural road, I encountered several old dilapidated barns with Canola fields nearby. These old barns seem to come alive with the bright yellow Canola fields as a backdrop.

It is a breathtakingly beautiful area to drive on a Saturday afternoon. One added benefit, there is virtually no one on these country roads, with the possible exception of a farm tractor or a farmer heading to town. So if you are in the vicinity, plan a stop. You'll leave with a bright sunny smile on your face. You won't be able to help it. ENJOY!

Beauty and the Beast

A beautiful mare grazes in the field along the Bluegrass Scenic Byway. She truly is beauty and the beast. I miss visiting the Bluegrass Region with its rambling fields of Kentucky Bluegrass and the beautiful stallions and mares that grace the area. ENJOY!

Field of Dreams

As the warm months of Summer approach, 

I dream of long Summer nights, the hot sun sets low in the sky.

A soft breeze cools the warm night air.

As I drive down the dusty country road,

fields of corn sway in the late day breeze,

insects flit in and out of the rows in earnest.

The last light of the day falls below the horizon.

The sky turns a pale pink hue as another day draws to a close.

ENJOY!

Yellow Canola Fields

After learning about a farm in northern Tennessee, not far outside of Nashville, with blooming Canolas, I had to take a drive this weekend in hopes of finding it. After a good deal of turning down this road, turning around and backtracking and then turning down that road, eventually I found the farm. Sure enough, there were several fields on both sides of a country road in full bloom with yellow Canola flowers for as far as the eye could see. It was a beautiful sight, not to mention a definite pick me up, what with the bright yellow blooms.

I read online that canola is not only an edible oil for consumption by both humans and animals, but it is considered to be one of the healthiest plant derived oils. As I was snapping photos one of the farmers stopped and mentioned that the Canola fields aren't planted every year. I hope your week has been a good one. The weekend is upon us and I will be conducting my second photography workshop. I will teaching Bird Photography and fortunately, for this workshop I don't have to travel. There's a ton of bird photography hot spots right out my back door all up and down Old Hickory Lake. Wish me luck! ENJOY!

Sunflowers, Batey Farms

After spending the afternoon leading a great group of folks on our first outing together at Murfree Spring Wetlands, I stopped to grab a bite to eat at Parthenon Grille in Murfreesboro. I chose to sit at a table next to the bar. I struck up a conversation with a young couple sitting at the bar about the outdoors. They mentioned their 14 foot Sunflowers they had planted this year. After showing me a photo of just what they were describing, I realized these had to be the tallest Sunflowers I had ever seen in my life. I asked them if they knew of any Sunflower fields close by.

These beautiful images are just a few close ups of the Sunflowers I captured upon following the couple's directions to what has to be the most gorgeous Sunflower field I have ever laid eyes on. Seriously, words could not describe it. Batey Farms decided to plant what has to be at least 50 acres of Sunflowers. It was surreal to pull up and see this enormous field of Sunflowers that seemingly went on forever right before me.

I wasn't sure who to thank more, the couple at the bar, or the Batey Family for planting such a gorgeous plot of Sunflowers. As a side note, I saw more tripods floating around in that field of Sunflowers than I think I will ever see again in my lifetime, and who could blame them. I want to go back to capture some images when the light isn't quite so harsh but it will have to be quick or the Sunflowers will be gone. Thankfully, the temperatures weren't in the mid 90's as they have been for weeks. So it made for a pretty good day to be outdoors in the sun. ENJOY!