Sandhill Crane Watch

It has been several years since I have been able to photograph the beautiful Sandhill Cranes that use Kentucky as a flyway on their way South to Hiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, in southeast Tennessee, and points further South. Today was one of those days. I was on my way home after a brief visit to Louisville to take care of some business with my condo there. Earlier in the week I had read on the aba.bird.org website that over ten thousand Cranes had stopped over south of Elizabethtown in Cecilia for a rest.

I have photographed the Cranes in Cecilia several years ago. It's not easy getting decent images as the Cranes are normally far off in plowed corn fields feeding. But just as I was leaving, I noticed a group of Cranes near a pond in a yard off the highway. I managed to capture these images getting as close as I could without disturbing the Cranes.

I can't help it, Sandhill Cranes, to me, are so beautiful. Hiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is almost two hours from my home in northeast Nashville. Some day I shall pay a visit. I also read on the same website this week that there are thousands and thousands of Cranes overwintering at the refuge. It won't be long before they will fly north to their nesting grounds in Canada. I would love to see a nest one day and the smaller chicks. What fun that would be. I trust you are having a wonderful weekend. It's been very cold here, but there's a warm up on the way this week. 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!

Vintage America

Leiper's Fork is a very tiny little town that is situated east of the Natchez Trace Parkway southwest of Nashville. I drove the Trace south of Nashville and exited onto the road going into Leiper's Fork this past weekend. This small town is made up of farmers, artists and musicians hence the art galleries and restaurant featuring live country music.

I can never pass up an opportunity to snap a few images of the remnants of by gone days, one being what looked like an old Model T, and the other an old tricycle. While walking the tiny town, I ventured into a couple of the shops and had a quick bite at one of the few restaurants in town. There was a band playing, but unfortunately they took a break just as I sat down outside.

A large number of country musicians have settled in and around Williamson County which is south of Nashville just east of Leiper's Fork. When Williamson County began encroaching on the small towns nearby, Leiper's Fork decided to protect its heritage and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. America doesn't have enough thriving small towns in my opinion so seeing Leiper's Fork thriving was heartwarming. It made for a nice afternoon. Just to show you how welcoming these folks are, several of the shops even have fire pits and rockers out front for visitors to gather and sit a spell in the cooler months. Truly Americana. Back soon with more images. ENJOY!