Fall Splendor

Into every Fall a little beauty comes. It's many forms and fashions are displayed in earnest across America paying homage to a season where 'harvest' is the time and 'color' is the landscape. From piles of wind strewn leaves, to pumpkins ready to carve, to porches decked in orange and reds, to apples ripe and ready picked, to hiking leaf strewn paths, to Fall's bonfire flicker, to wagon wheels bulged from riders, to Harvest moons shining a bright. Every Fall each and every one of us are touched in many ways by the season. No matter where you turn or who you speak with there is chatter, as much as there is colorful evidence that it is Fall.

Just a few of the many places I have traveled during this season of color . . . Mustatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in south central Indiana, the quaint Arts and Crafts Village of Nashville, Indiana, the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in Tennessee, Blackacre Nature Preserve and Yew Dell Gardens near Louisville, Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in central Kentucky. No matter where my travels have taken me, Fall beckons us outdoors with its rusty reds, bold oranges and bright yellows. It's Fall. ENJOY!

Vintage Scenes, By Gone Days

Time and weather worn scenes now, but one day each had their day in the spotlight.

The old Myer's Barn in Mustatatuck National Wildlife Refuge sits quietly abandoned, but every now and again I feel the need to photograph it once again.

The vintage and well rusted old farmer's Milk Can sat idly by the door of the barn as though it was put there by the farmer many years ago.

The rusted old Wagon Wheel attached to an equally rusted out farm implement used in the fields ions ago stands ready in front of Myer's Barn, hoping to be called upon once again one day.

And last but not least, the old Dodge Truck still sits rusting away behind the barn at the end of the Roaring Fork Nature Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I admit I trespassed to get this image showing the best side of this old Dodge truck, but I promise I closed the gate back and the owner knew what I was up to as he watched from afar. One day called to serve a much needed purpose, now all of these beautiful things are left behind only as evidence to the past. And as fodder for the outdoor photographer. Hope you have a fantastic weekend all. ENJOY!

Falls, Little Pigeon River, Porter's Creek Trail

Last Spring I spent a few days in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Prior to heading home, I stopped at Greenbrier, on the northeast side of the park, and definitely one of the least visited sections of the Smokies.

The Porter's Creek Trail is at the very end of the road that meanders through Greenbrier. The middle prong of the Little Pigeon River runs alongside the trail as you begin your hike. This trail is infamous for it's Spring Trillium display in April every year. I really enjoyed photographing the river and a few of its cascades of waterfalls. Check my sidebar for a slightly different image. I wanted to share this particular image as it shows more of the large moss covered boulders and the tree branches hanging over the river. The large moss covered boulders are a feature of the park I have grown to love. And in many ways they are a trademark of the Smokies. This trail makes for a great hike. There are just enough folks along the trail that you don't feel alone at all. And it is so peaceful since you are very deep inside the park with just the sounds of the water falling down the river and the forest surrounding you. Nearly every visit I make to this park now includes a trek to Greenbrier, and in particular, a walk along Porter's Creek Trail. Hope your week is off to a great start. ENJOY!

Fall Magic!

Just what the title says, Fall Magic! That's what Fall is to me. It's magical to look around you left and right and front and back and see reds, yellows, oranges, browns, greens. It's a magical array of colors blanketing our world for a few short weeks. Embrace it. I dug deep in the archives to bring you this beautiful forest image taken while visiting the Smokies several Fall seasons past. Have a great weekend everyone. 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!

Wildflower ID!

While driving the Roaring Fork Trail in the Smokies, I stopped to photograph this delicate little pink and white wildflower. Unfortunately, I can't identify it. Hopefully someone out there knows its name. Have a wonderful weekend. It's going to be close to 100 degrees here tomorrow. ENJOY!

White Bog Orchid!

Delicate little white flowers make their way up the stem of this flower. Each one as cute as the last. I love flowers in all shapes and sizes. This one I especially like. I found clusters of these little darlings blooming throughout the Great Smokey Mountain National Park on my recent visit and wanted to show you a close up view. You'll see this is also the flower I featured in my new header. 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!