YELLOW THROATED WARBLER

This is the bird that started it all!  Seen at Bisset Park in Radford, Virginia - September 2007.
  I didn't know what it was until I did some research found here: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Yellow-throated_Warbler_dtl.html

A great website for identifying birds.

This little bird "Sparked" me and I have fallen totally in LOVE with birds - and butterflies - and
bugs.  You could say this bird sparked my love for nature!

An Entry Somewhere

Every exit is an entry somewhere else.

Tom Stoppard

Bee From Bisset Park

Bee at Bisset Park - Radford, Virginia

OUCH!

I believe this to be Jimson Weed.  Very prickly!

Experience The Mysterious

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.  It is the source of all true art and science. 

~ Albert Einstein

A Hint of Fall

It has felt very much like fall over the last week. Today it has been much hotter. Some of these shots are from my front yard. Others are from various local spots that were showing a bit of color.

Fence Shadow

This morning I read that those who live in big cities spend 54 to 72 hours per year stuck in traffic. I think that it is actually a lot higher than that. I used to live in a Washington DC suburb and was one of those that would get stuck in traffic. All of that changed in 1996. I have been telecommuting for 11 years now. I do have to travel at various times throughout the year, but most of the time I work from home. And I live in a semi-rural area - so there is very little traffic - except on game days!

During my workday yesterday, I looked into my backyard and the fence was casting a nice shadow. I got my camera and tried to capture it. I realized that there was a "feeling" associated with this picture. There was a beautiful blue sky. It was a nice crisp morning. The "feeling" I had when I took this picture was Thankfulness. I am so thankful that God has provided me with a wonderful job in which I can earn an income, provide for my family, and still be a "stay at home" mom.

There have been many days when I have felt that I have created this life of mine, all on my own. This fence shadow shows me how much I'm NOT in control and I am so thankful that HE is.

FOGGY FARM

I have debated with myself whether to post this picture or not. It is a bit out of focus and has other issues I'm sure. But for some reason, this picture "speaks" to me, so I thought I would post it today. It was taken early in the morning with the fog near the ground, which was actually what I was trying to capture.

Sharing Moments

B&W version of Green Leaves

I have been learning how to use Photoshop Elements for editing/enhancing my photos. This is a B&W version of the green leaves that I took this morning. I haven't really done much with enhancing my photos up to this point. I would love some advice! Are there any guidelines as to what type of pics look good in B&W? Any and all comments are appreciated!

In Love with Leaves

  Autumn 

when I fall

head over heels

in love

with leaves 

Dragonfly

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

~ Confucius

Looks like a leaf..........

The Butterfly that Looks Like a Leaf

I think it is a Question Mark Butterfly....see the little markings on the wings?

Image made at the Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, Virginia

Live All You Can

Live all you can; it's a mistake not to.

 ― Henry James

The Sounds of Fall

I LOVE the sounds of the Geese as the flyover.  

BLUE JAY FROM BELOW

I was under this blue jay when I took this one. Usually they don't let me get close enough, but since I was under the tree that this one was in, I guess it didn't see me as too much of a threat. The cardinal is still eluding me! Hopefully I'll get a pic of one of those soon.

MONSTER TURTLE

Ok, maybe not a monster, but really big! I think this is a snapping turtle but not sure. There was also one right beside this one. You can just see the snout of the 2nd one(if that is what it is called) coming up out of the water on the right. (click on the picture to enlarge).

The Way of Peace

This is the way of peace - overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love. 

~ Peace Pilgrim

60 Years - And Still Going Strong

What an absolutely wonderful weekend! As I mentioned in my last post, my parents celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary yesterday. My brother, sisters, myself and my hubby, along with the 3 grandchildren were there to celebrate with them. We all had such a wonderful time!

Three Generations of Grapes

Grapes from a 3rd generation Grapevine.

First from my Grandfather, then cultivated by my Father, and now cultivated by my Brother.

I have wonderful childhood memories of eating the grapes straight from the vine.