Snow Pockets

For some reason the snow created all these pockets on my lawn and then froze that way. It was very slippery and hard to walk on. But when the midday sun casts deep shadows -- wow.

Happy New Year!

Better Than TV

This cute guy visits whenever I put out bread crumbs, and he and his buddies are more entertaining than anything I could watch on TV. I love his little hands tucked into his chest. The trick to getting a good photo of any animal is to sit still for a long, long time -- don't move, don't breathe -- and be ready for any quick move they will make.

Happy Thanksgiving

Nothing reminds me more of the holiday season than the colors red and green!

Tire Tread

Noticed this tire tread and couldn't resist.

Made Me Look Twice

Driving down a busy country road, I did a doubletake when I saw this woodland scene -- wow! I pulled over to the side and walked back to take some pictures, and of course, a cop drove by looking at the way I parked my car. But when he saw me with the camera and this beautiful view, he just kept on driving, and for that I am very grateful! Always, always, always have your good camera nearby -- never leave home without it.

Fall Zinnias

Zinnias are really gorgeous and brightly colored when they are in their prime, but when the weather gets cool and they start to fade, they look like a watercolor painting -- charming and old fashioned. I focused just on the front zinnias and got down low in order to get a sea of color in the background that is just a bit blurry.

A Patchwork Quilt

Someone down the street made two big mounds of dirt in their front yard and covered them with a patchwork of moss clumps. It is so strange and wonderful. I have always been drawn to moss for its lovely velvety appearance and am nurturing a moss patio behind my house. It looks like something a fairy princess would take a nap on in the woods.

Snowflakes in October

Well, not really. These snowflakes are made from bacon grease that soaked through a paper towel onto a glass plate. I held the glass plate up to the window for better light. You never know where you'll find an interesting pattern!

Nectarines

Nectarines are one of my favorite fruits, and I just bought a bag from the local farm. One nectarine still had its leaves attached, so I placed it on the table with black fabric behind it and experimented with the light from one lamp (camera on tripod), and came up with some lovely shots. Below is the other side of the nectarine.

Fall is Coming When You See These Berries

Warning! These berries do not go with those leaves. I found them growing down low in the shade, and it was very late in the day when I noticed them, so I plucked them off and lay them on top of a shrub that had the last speck of sunlight left in the day. Still, I love the contrasting colors and the composition.

Grass Beautiful Grass

My love of grass began with a major research project I completed last year for a course entitled, "America's Obsession With the Front Lawn." I have become obsessed with the way people use grass in their landscapes, and find myself taking far too many photographs on this topic. These mounds of decorative grass were found in a Wendy's parking lot, of all places. It was gently blowing in the wind and completely mesmerizing.

Real Tree

The surface of this tree -- the mixture of bark and wood -- is so amazingly beautiful that I could stare at it for hours. How is it possible that nature creates this without any hidden motives or the need for attention?

Summer For Sure

Queen Anne's Lace and goldenrod blossoms are a sure sign that you are in the middle of summer. It reminds me of the lazy days of summer of my childhood when I didn't have a care in the world, and my face and legs were streaked with dirt from roaming around in the woods barefoot all day long. Those days are long gone. Now I wouldn't dare walk in the woods for fear of getting a tick on me! But those memories never fade -- these flowers still bring me back to that innocent connection with the power of Nature, and for that I am always grateful.

Is This Color For Real?

When I think about the colors and shapes found in Nature, it is almost impossible to not feel blissfully happy. 'Nuf said.

Bee Balm

My sister gave me some bee balm plants years ago, and they spread like weeds everywhere, so now I mow it down and just leave a small patch . . . so glad because that color is unbelievable.

Waiting

People who are bored are often the most fun to watch. They don't even realize how interesting they look leaning against random backgrounds.

Tuesday's Find

Couldn't just hike past this tree. I made a bunch of images looking straight into the lichen to capture those beautiful patterns. But it is this angle that pleases me most, with the greenery in the background.

Heaven

Went for a great hike to the top of the mountain, and when I saw that little bent tree and the shape of the cloud above it, I knew I had something special.

Peonies

I love this time of year when the paper peonies bloom. They are so old fashioned looking, reminding me of old ladies and their sweet gardens. Used a telephoto lens for these shots because I wanted the backgrounds to be as blurred and dark as possible.