Beautiful Cade's Cove

Many years ago I captured this image of the beautiful sunshine highlighting the mosses growing on these hardwood trees along the auto tour in Cade's Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains. In every photographer's life, there are a mere handful of images that one considers their very favorites. This is one of mine.

Trees are one of my weaknesses. I love to photograph them because they stand tall and persevere against all of the odds. Wind and rain, in all seasons, and bitter cold, snow and ice, in the Winter months. They thrive literally to survive. And yet after these living creatures of Mother Earth fall to the ground, their life is not done. For they lay close to the Earth and provide a valuable source of food and refuge for animals and insects and small plant life. Their life seemingly goes on and on. I hope you like this image and wherever this day finds you, I wish you beautiful sunshine. ENJOY!

Linking to Sunlit Sundays
Linking to Our World Tuesday

Waterfall, The Smokies

As I drove over to the far eastern side of the Smokies in the Spring, I stopped to capture a few images of the water coming down the side of the mountain next to the main road.

In previous posts you may remember my frustration photographing water. In this setting, there were at least a dozen cascades coming down in varying directions with tons of 'noise' all around. By noise I mean broken branches, twigs and well, in this case, one too many cascades that only lend to distract the viewer. Too many distractions can hender the overall composition of an image. Cropping is usually the order of the day to help fix some of these problems. It is so difficult getting the composition, the sharpness, the highlights, the low lights and the water flow itself all working together in unison. And I'll say it again, it is so difficult. I believe photographing water is what some photographers call the madness that is photography. I hope you enjoy this image. ENJOY!

Rushing Waters, Roaring Fork

Last year when I visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, there had been a storm the morning I drove in leaving all of the rivers overflowing. The same thing occurred on this trip earlier this week as well. Both last year and this year there were opportunities in every bend of the road to photograph the beautiful cascading waters in the various rivers that grace the park.

As you drive the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, you will discover that the majority of the rocks are covered in moss. This particular river is also narrow, with foliage growing over the side of the river and hanging over it as well, providing low light for taking photos. This is one of the images I captured along the drive. I like the bright light in the foreground. As I spent some time photographing water in various areas of the park, I was reminded just how difficult each setting can be. Getting the right composition with just the right amount of sunlight while getting the feel of the water just right is difficult. I would have to say I enjoy photographing the Roaring Fork more than any of the other rivers in the park. I have found less light is easier to work with. I have more images to share from my trip so I will be back soon. ENJOY!

Wild Oyster Mushrooms, Bernheim

After days of rain here in Kentucky, during a break in the weather this afternoon, I drove to Bernheim for lunch. After stopping at the Cafe, I was going to make a quick stop at the Arboretum, but turned onto the Overlook Drive instead and parked. This area of Bernheim is moisture laden and I now have a better understanding as to why. A small brook runs along the woods line. The ground was wet and very waterlogged, and laden with dead leaves of every shape and size, from oak to sycamore to elm, just to name a few.

There were quite a few large dead trees and branches laying about from past storms. And you know what grows on dead trees . . . Fungi and Mushrooms and Lichen and Moss. Everywhere I looked it was a wonderland of just that. And then I caught sight of it, a quite large clump of Wild Oyster Mushrooms growing on the side of a hardwood tree. I took several images at different angles hoping to get a decent shot in spite of the dreary day.

I wanted a side angle image so you could see the beautiful white spore print, that pattern, we're all familiar with on the underside of Mushrooms. That spore print attaches to the stem, or technically, the stipe, by a decurrent gill. However, this Wild Oyster Mushroom has no stipes. Not all Mushrooms do. And before I fail to mention it, this Mushroom is the very thing Mushroom hunters hunt for, as they are very edible. Although I'd never pick one nor eat one I've picked out in the wild. I continued to make my way along the brook discovering more Toadstools, Lichen and Moss. I also found a gorgeous Brown Jelly Fungi which I'd never seen before and had to look up when I returned home. I promise to share that in another post. You can bet I've tucked this spot away in my memory for just another rainy day such as this. Hope your weekend was a nice one. Please Mother Nature, I could use some sunshine. ENJOY!

Otter Creek Park

Yesterday was an overcast day and in some areas of Louisville rain showers fell. Not being dissuaded, and after checking the radar closely, I decided to take the 45 minute drive out to Otter Creek Park which is situated just south of southwest Louisville.

Arriving at the park, the sun began to peek out between the clouds and blue skies were making an appearance. At times deep into the park, it reminded me a little of the Roaring Fork Nature Trail in the Smokies, minus the Roaring Fork, as some areas held more moisture than others. Wildflowers, dogwoods and wisterias were blooming in abundance. I happened upon these little slivers of fern, growing around the base of this tree, as I drove the route back to Blue Hole. This particular image is a favorite. The moss surrounding the base of the tree, bright purple violets blooming brightly, and the ferns sprouting up, perfect. With the moisture in this section of the park, it was nice to find the ferns attempting to take hold.

And least I forget, the Wisteria, which I learned after my Google search last evening, blooms white, as well as that lovely lavender, smelled fantastic. ENJOY!