This fish is called a Dolly Varden but I am not sure I recall correctly. This fisherman was fishing for this type of fish and he was showing the large dorsal fin to us. He said they were fun to catch on light tackle.
Confidence /
“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the mountaintops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem. Shout, and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah, “Your God is coming!” Isaiah 40:8,9 NLT
Commentary unnecessary!
Fighting Squirrel /
Well, maybe not, but he looked ready to protect his stash of acorns. Deep in the forrest along a trail.
Test Drive /
The carriages were not operational last Saturday but this one was being driven by one of the workers, either checking out a repair or just exercising the drive train.
Sign of the Times (2 photos) /
Cindy and I squeezed in a walk in Colonial Williamsburg Saturday with our son, Gregg. It was short but nice on a day with fabulous weather. But the streets were mostly empty and the shutters tightly closed on all the exhibits and historic buildings. There had been demonstrations over several days and one, apparently on Friday. So there were precautions taken to protect this important place. But it was sad to see the ebb and flow of people absent on what was stellar weather for the area.
The church (1715) is privately owned and an active Parrish and they covered the stained glass windows, the courthouse dates from 1770 and the shutters were tightly closed.
Other /
I did see two deer meandering across the swamp having a nice breakfast. You can see deer almost everywhere and often along the interstate or in a yard but seeing one in this setting is so much more satisfying and they appear more interesting. Anyway if you are keeping score, one bird, two deer. Sounds like a kid’s book.
One /
We were in Williamsburg for a very brief visit arriving Friday night and leaving Sunday morning. We had three meals with folks, a couple of errands, I had a meeting and so on. It was busy. I did not think I would even get out to shoot any photos but Tiger throught otherwise. Tiger is Tom’s cat and chooses to get up at 5:30, so of course, I was up at 5:30. So I slipped off to the board walk behind Jamestown HS in a nice swampy area where there are an abundance of birds. I have not been here for a long time so I was excited. That was short lived. No ducks, no waders and in nearly an hour one bird. A Phoebe. ONE. Not my morning for the swamp but it was still great to get out. Meanwhile my friend, Dennis, https://www.thewanderinglensman.com, was a short distance away photographing Ospreys. Nice photos, lots of birds.
On Down the Street /
Williamsburg’s Fife and Drum Corp on D.O.G street.
Pool /
On this particular Flag Day, we would do well to be reminded where rest, and blessings come from, or rather, from whom. “So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills” Deuteronomy 8:6,7 NLT.
Cold Winter's Day - Different Perspective /
This is one of or the most photographed places on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mabry’s Mill. I shot this on a trip from a Galax area church heading home. It is converted to B&W and from a very different angle than the usual wheel and pond. Just for fun I then tried to give it an “old” photograph with a crop as well.
The Builder /
Busy, busy, busy.
One More /
Last shot from our “day out of lockdown.” Passed this defunct and decrepit restaurant at the edge of a small town and expect that in its day it was the place to be, meet your friends, impress your new girlfriend and come for a special occasion. Now just waiting for someone who wants the old sign or the space for a gas station. Institutions that endure are the exception and they take a great deal of vision, work, adjustments and good fortune to do so. Herb’s was not among those places. (But I love the sign’s font!)
Three Perspectives -- and a question for you (3 photos) /
On our Sunday ride we were about an hour from Raleigh on our way back home but on a small two-lane road in a very rural part of NC south of I-40/85 in an area known for pottery - we passed a few shops but none were open. I saw this field with the wild flowers blooming and thought photo opportunity. So I turned around and found a driveway about 100 yards away and no one seemed to be home, so I parked and walked to the field. Now the road was narrow and had a steep ditch on both sides and not too far from the curve so the occasional traffic was an issue. I could not use my tripod and could not stand on the road so just a narrow strip of steep culvert to shoot from - moving each time a car or a big truck passed. I shot three perspectives one emphasis on the crop field, one on the sky and one more balanced. Love to know which one you think is the more complete image. Of course, all of them would be better with a nice green John Deere about 2/3 across the field, but you get what you get.
Number One
Number two
A Ride /
One of the great joys I have had is simply out riding, looking, enjoying the drive. I rarely do that with no destination or purpose anymore but weeks of not going anywhere have made me anxious to be out a bit. So on Sunday (church on-line) we went for a ride. I took three photos and we made a couple of stops but only to stretch our legs kind of thing. We had lunch packed for the day. One small town well south of Raleigh, not sure right now, I saw this building across from the courthouse and took a quick shot. Just a neat reminder of a long gone past that still marks a lot of places.
Lake Clark NP Bears Bonus /
I would highly recommend the salmon, it is fresh today. Particularly if you are as hungry as a bear.
Lake Clark NP Bears VII /
Thanks for joining us and just a reminder, “A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.” Proverbs 28:15 NLT
Bear in mind, there is a bonus coming!
Lake Clark NP Bears VI /
Time Out. Just waiting for the instructors to arrive: BJÖRN, OSBORN & URSULA.
Lake Clark NP Bears V /
“Well this is better because it is not a stupid bird and it was in the water. Also ‘Stick’ does begin with the same letter as salmon. Clearly you are smarter than the average bear and I don’t want to be overbearing with you but you need to bear down and focus on the salmon or else you will be spending tomorrow in time out.”
Lake Clark NP Bears IV /
“Well, son, you do get credit for the stalking. But if you can bear in mind the lecture series we had last month, you may recall this is a stupid bird. It is not a salmon and no matter what skill you bring to bear, it will fly away. Let’s go back and try this again.”
Lake Clark NP Bears III /
The lesson on how to fish. Remember that salmon is one of the bear necessities of life for these grizzly critters. Therefore you teach a bear to fish so he can provide for himself. Today is the intro to Isaac Walton’s Book of Fishing for ursus arctos horribilis.
