Morning in the Mountains

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I captured this wonderful sight on an early November morning last year at Hazel Mountain Overlook on the Skyline Drive in Virginia. The day started very foggy and cloudy, but as the sun came up it started to break through the fog and clouds. We came upon this sight a few minutes later.

Another Sign of Spring

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Crocus blooms are usually our first sign that Spring is getting closer. There still might be more snow and cold to come, but these bright and colorful blossoms mean that warm sunny days are ahead. The little bee in the third blossom is a nice bonus.

Can Spring Possibly Be Here?

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Yesterday was a bright, warm, Spring-like day, and although I enjoyed it, I was surprised to see these beautiful daffodils in bloom in our front yard. I love those cheery, sunny blossoms, but they've opened about three weeks earlier than last year. I hope we don't have any more freezing weather, but it's a long time until Spring really gets here.

Beauty in the Conservatory

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I've mentioned several times that Betsy and I have season tickets to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. While we enjoy the beautiful gardens, we almost always visit the Conservatory when we are there. I'm not up on all the names of the gorgeous blossoms we see, such as the beauty above, but my breath is always taken away by what we find in the Conservatory. It's a good thing there was a 'Do Not Touch' sign, or I would have touched this just to convince myself it was real.

Rainbow on the lake

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Earlier this month Betsy and I walked around two of the small lakes here in Fairfield Glade. It was a beautiful but chilly day with bright sunshine and blue skies.

One of the lakes, Mirror Lake, has a fountain. As we were walking back to our car I noticed a rainbow created by the fountain. I was able to capture the rainbow in this photo.

Rutledge Falls

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Betsy and I went to Rutledge Falls one beautiful sunny afternoon after visiting with my Dad in Tullahoma, Tennessee. There was plenty of water going over the multi-tiered falls, and I like the way the lights and shadows made patterns on the falling water.

Shrimp Boats A-Comin'

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Betsy and I go to the beach at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, each year. If the truth be known, we go for the seafood as much as for the sun and sand. We can see shrimp boats like this working off shore opposite our room, and then drive to Calabash, where many of these shrimp boats are docked, for a delicious seafood dinner.

Little River Canyon National Preserve

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Betsy and I have visited Little River Canyon National Preserve near Fort Payne, Alabama several times. The Scenic Drive along the rim of the canyon offers several overlooks with views of the canyon and river below. This photograph of the river taken in February, 2010.

Little River Falls

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One of the places Betsy and I enjoy visiting is Little River Canyon National Preserve near Fort Payne, Alabama. There are many lookouts with beautiful views, but one stop we especially enjoy is at Little River Falls near the head of the canyon. This picture of the falls was taken in February, 2010.

Trees in Winter

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There are many trees in the Glade. In Spring and Summer they are lovely shades of green. During Autumn they are brilliant yellow, golds and reds. Winter occasionally clothes them in white.

From My Archives: Clarence Iris

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I find that pictures of beauty to come helps get me through gray winter days. Clarence is a re-blooming iris in our front flower bed, so we get to enjoy it's pretty blossoms in both Spring and Autumn.

Blue Winter Skies

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In winter on the Plateau there are no leaves on the trees, no flowers, and what grass there is is often brown. Fortunately we often have this beautiful blue sky to add color to our days.

Pine Needles in the Snow

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I really don't appreciate cold weather, and it's cold when pine needles collect snow and ice. But even I will admit that pine needles can look pretty when decorated this way.