Wildflowers - vibrant colors, happy bees, lovely scents - as we edge into summer enjoy the beauty all around.
One More Look /
at the John Cooper Cabn
Just a short walk to this the oldest of cabins in the Cades Cove area, built in 1812 by John Cooper and lived in for more than 150 years.
Magpie /
This bird of striking color and song “is thought to rank among the world's most intelligent creatures, and is one of the few nonmammalian species able to recognize itself in a mirror test. Magpies have shown the ability to make and use tools, imitate human speech, grieve, play games, and work in teams.” That if from Wikipedia. This bird was photographed near Banff, Canada. Love to see these birds and hear their songs. Reminds me of my Western trips.
Tulips /
I took these in my makeshift studio, when you read studio, hear table in the basement with a work light. Maybe someday.
Need Coffee? /
Well, this is a coffee shop (rebuilt, not original) that served the likes of Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Wythe, George Washington and many more well-known people of the 18th century. Today you can get a sample size hot chocolate. Coffee? Well there are several options near but not at the coffee shop. However if you wish to talk about the onerous taxes of Great Britain, this is the place. Or if your subject is the even more burdensome taxes of the Commonwealth of Virginia, well, give it a try.
Sunday Post /
I don’t usually write on Sundays, just a photo, but today is different. My beautiful wife, Jill, founder and director of Knoxville Christian Arts Ministry (KnoxCAM) is stepping down from both roles after 17 years. She has written stories and music, wrestled with schedules and details. worried over access to the prisons, led countless practices, held interviews, produced three movies, and worked hours to make this group the best it can be, drawing out of us a beautiful, inspiring and God honoring work. Thank you Jill. Wow!
“To God be the Glory Great Things He has Done.”
A long and (not so) winding road... /
This is a portion of the original US 40 looking west in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. US 40 also known on this original portion as the National Highway runs from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois. Here it follows the route that George Washington took with the British under General Braddock during the French and Indian War ( as well as Geo Washington earlier starting said war about 5 miles from this location. ) This first national highway was officially designated in 1806 with toll houses on the route, a few of which are still standing. Later US 40 was re-aligned from Atlantic City, NJ to its end in San Francisco, CA. Now it ends near Salt Lake CIty Utah. I hope to travel the portion from Cumberland to Vandalia sometime this year. Might see why is shares another nickname with US 66, Main Street of America.
Full Power, Flaps UP! /
This Canada Goose was working hard to lift off from this lake.
Impressionism /
This beaver is gliding silently across a Degas painting in north central Pennsylvania.
Those Eyes! /
This Osprey is on a nest in the James River near Jamestown, VA. His gaze was intense as I set up to photograph the bird from the shore.
Vermont Covered Bridge /
Somewhere west of Woodstock, VT in the early fall. It is still passable.
Fresh, yup! /
Ready to be picked. I harvested 15 strawberries from our farm as well.
Sunday Scripture: Photo is a remnent of enslaved home near South Boston, Virginia /
This would make a great puzzle! /
Some scattered leaves in along a trail in Georgia.
Rings /
These very large sculptures appear scattered across a large area at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Yet if you get to the right spot they line up nicely. Especially in the later afternoon light.
Another view of the John Cooper Cabin /
If you tour the loop at Cades Cove, the John Cooper cabin is about 1/3 mile off the road on a paved trail. There is also the old road that you can walk that goes to the cabin. At the cabin there are two other divergent trails if you wish a longer hike. Not too much traffic on these trails but pretty.
Red-necked Grebe /
This one is from Alaska and found in a wild life preserve north of Anchorage. Beautiful bird.
"Come and sit a spell." /
View from the front porch of the John Cooper cabin in Cades Cove built about 1818 and lived in until 1957.
Big Bear /
Driving through Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Easter Sunday evening. I stopped to photograph some turkey. (see last Saturday’s post) and while I was shooting inside a fence toward a large meadow, a bear emerged from the woods directly behind me. One large male Black Bear. I moved toward my car a few feet not sure which way he was going and took a shot of him. Then moving even closer to the car (although the top was down on the Miata, so more like an entree bowl to that bear) but he stayed on a course about 40 feet from me and heading out into the meadow. I get a few shots of him traveling in the grass toward the bottom and, I think, a stream. He even smiled for the camera as he crossed the field - so quite a friendly bear. Right?
