neon glory

Noticed this salamander on my driveway Friday night, so I set up the lightbox to capture him in all of his neon glory. Although he began life as an eastern newt, this tiny little guy (about 2 inches long) would now be called a red eft -- he can live up to 15 years in the wild and can grow to a length of 5 inches. Click here to read my previous post about this interesting critter. Click here to read more from Wikipedia.

When in doubt wear red.
--Bill Blass (1922-2002) American fashion designer

Ring-Necked Snake

This tiny Ring Necked Snake was only about 3-4 inches long, which means he was probably recently hatched. Even when fully grown, they're small, growing to only 10-15 inches long. Although fairly common, they're not often seen because they're nocturnal and secretive, preferring wet hiding places beneath rocks and logs. While they do secrete a foul smelling musk if handled or threatened, they're not poisonous and pose no threat -- so if you come across one in your garage or basement, just relocate them outside. :)

Are we having fun yet?

Time's fun when you're having flies.
--Kermit the Frog (b.1955)

I found this happy little camper in my garage and thought he needed his portrait taken. :)

Look again...

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
--Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German born American Physicist

Even in the midst of winter, if you look closely, you'll find common things infused with amazing detail. Entering the world of macro photography will (or at least should) completely change the the way you see things. It's like a world within a world. My friend Lee and I (check out her terrific macro work at From these Hills) call it "macro world". You look up and realize you just spent thirty minutes inside of a turk's cap lily or staring eye to eye with a grasshopper. I am constantly amazed at how much has previously gone unnoticed -- but thankful for all of the intricacy of creation. Click here to read my advice on macro photography.

To get the white background above and to diffuse the light I used a lightbox (a.k.a. whitebox). You can buy these things or make one yourself (see here and here for do-it-yourself instructions). Of course, even these simple instructions were too sophisticated for me -- instead, I taped copy paper to the inside of a cardboard box. Git-R-Done! One of these days I'll make a better lightbox, but for now this one works for my macro photography and occasional eBay items. Click here to see my other lightbox examples.

Autumn in August?

I've begun to see indications of an early autumn slowly falling in my yard. I hope our record dry weather this year won't mean an early and less colorful fall. Anyone know a good rain dance?

1000 Forests

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

I encourage you to learn more about the good work of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. "The mission of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is to protect the world's oldest mountains for the benefit of present and future generations. To this end, our volunteer-based organization works with individuals and local communities to identify, preserve, and manage the region's important lands." (From their website -- click here for more information).

God is in the Details

They say the devil is in the details, but they've got it all wrong. It's hard to miss God’s glory expressed in the wondrous details of nature. I went for a walk in the woods yesterday at Rock Creek Park and found this sweetgum tree acorn -- and I found myself thinking about God and singing Rich Mullins.

And if I were a painter I do not know which I'd paint
The calling of the ancient stars or assembling of the saints
And there's so much beauty around us for just two eyes to see
But everywhere I go I'm looking

And once I went to Appalachia for my father he was born there
And I saw the mountains waking with the innocence of children
And my soul is still there with them wrapped in the songs they brought
And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America

--Rich Mullins, Here in America (1993)