Beauty /  by Dave Hileman

Last fall Jill and I took a drive into the Smokies. Beautiful day, colorful day, perfect car for a nice mountain drive and a beautiful companion who is today celebrating her birthday. What a joyful time. And for this season, happy birthday, gorgeous.

Last One /  by Dave Hileman

No, there are more bears in the world but this Black Bear is the last bear I saw in Alaska. Most of the bear spotted in Alaska were grizzly, this was only one of three Black Bears I saw and, like many of them, this one was eating a salmon. What a great adventure spotting all these animals. A treat for sure. This bear was on the other side of a road, about 50/60 feet from a group of us on a small platform over the stream where it was designed to allow us to see them fishing, none were, but the evidence of a successful catch was clear.

LIGHT Housekeeping /  by Dave Hileman

This lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Light Station, was moved inland a number of years ago as were others on the Outer Banks of North Carolina due to the shifting nature of the ribbon of sand that arcs between the mainland and the Atlantic. It is a wonderful place to enjoy the sea, the culture and the beauty of this once remote now bustling fragile island.

LIGHT Housekeeping /  by Dave Hileman

Prince Edward Island (PEI) has several lighthouses along the coast, as expected for an island. They are different sizes and shapes but they are consistent with the white primary color and red trim. Several are still operating (or were 15 years ago) and a few were open for tours.

LIGHT Housekeeping /  by Dave Hileman

Another unearthed lighthouse photo I took is this complex on the shores of Lake Superior. This is Au Sable Light Station (Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Near Grand Marais). From an article about the LH:

“Built in 1873-1874, the light tower's base diameter is 16 feet with a height of 86 feet. The tower extends 23 feet underground and is anchored in bedrock. A brick oil building and fog signal building were built in the 1890s. All of the buildings on site, along with the tower and keepers' quarters, make up the light station.

The original keepers' dwelling was attached to the light tower in the back. In 1909, a new residence was built for the head keeper and the existing building expanded so it could accommodate two assistant keepers and their families. One family lived upstairs and one downstairs, with separate entrances. In 1945 the U.S. Coast Guard took over, replacing the civilian keepers. In total, the light station was continually staffed for 84 years, until the Coast Guard left in 1958.”

Housekeeping /  by Dave Hileman

I was doing a little light housekeeping on the photo files and wondering what category of photos I might post for a theme week. As I was pondering this question suddenly I saw the light. Introducing the first Light House Theme Week on TLT. Hope you are lit up over this event.

Our week starts with the Bass Island Light House on Mount Dessert Island, Maine. Home also of Acadia National Park. I have a few dozen photos of the light house at various times of day and perspectives, a favorite place to shoot when on MDI.

Yes, the theme was Horned Animals /  by Dave Hileman

And we saved the rarest for last. This unicorn is in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is a symbol of Scotland but the reason is cool. A symbol for England is the lion and in myth and legends, the unicorn is the mortal enemy of the lion. Good choice.

Moose /  by Dave Hileman

Early after sunrise, about 3 miles on a back road from the Grand Tetons National Park, I met this moose on his morning constitutional. The sun was hitting him at an interesting angle. He was a regal fellow. Love to watch moose!

Well, oops! /  by Dave Hileman

I erred and this did not post on time Thursday. Technically it did post on the right day just 16 hours later than it was intended to be unveiled to the world. Sorry if your day did not go well because you were so distraught by the lack of a timely photo to go with your morning coffee. .

Anyway, the Bison for your daily post of a horned animal, this weeks secret theme.

Caribou /  by Dave Hileman

The magnificent antlers on the caribou - this one is in Denali National Park, Alaska, seem like they would be almost unable to traverse the woods and brush they can navigate with relative ease.

Hmmm, is there a theme developing this week?

Big Horn Sheep /  by Dave Hileman

These are also, like the Mountain Goats from yesterday adapt at scampering across rocks in seemingly impossible ways. But they are not quite as “inclined” to pick the steepest places to try and walk. This specimen was on the road to the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park.

Mountain Goats /  by Dave Hileman

I watched them for an hour or more and still could not see how they stayed on the mountain. Just unbelievable. I was told they were there to lick some minerals that are present in the rocks. These were near to Glacier National Park.

Toadstools /  by Dave Hileman

Jill and I hiking among the toadstools. They are unique formations found in Southern Utah in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. The day we were there was hot and it was mid afternoon so our hike was limited to about 2.5 miles. Eerie shapes were abundant here.

When a smudge is not! /  by Dave Hileman

I was taking photos of this corn field. Mostly fairly close up. I know, why don’t I find something useful to do? However, that is what I was doing. Just before leaving the field I thought I would take a quick shot for reference about the field. When, later I was processing, i thought that I had a huge dirt spot on my sensor. But upon inspection it was a hang glider.