May Events

May has been a great month for photography. What month isn't? I just walk outside and I find so much to photograph it is hard to go back inside to check out what I have captured on 'film'. I am so glad I am no longer using film. Partly due to such freedom of being able to shoot from all different angles to see what turns out best. Also partly due to cost, but I really like seeing the photo so quickly. I don't think I could ever go back to film, because of the limitions. Just think, I put off converting to digital until my Canon AE1 had seen it's last and I had no choice but to purchase a new camera.

It has been so much fun watching the Eastern Bluebirds, Goldfinch, Sparrows, Tree Swallows, Purple Martins. The first brood of bluebirds are already learning to fly.

The iris have just about stopped blooming. The lilies are beginning to bloom, and when they are gone the daylilies will be in full force. The daylilies will bloom until frost because I have so many different varieties.

During May I did some assignment photography with Safe n' Sound on location. I really enjoyed it, because it was different than my normal nature photography. I met with Brad and Ashlei for their engagement portraits, which we did on the river bank in Newport. I also had an outdoor outing for portrait photos with Lindsey and Mason. The attached photo is from Lindsey and Mason's outing. You can't see their faces, but it radiates her love for Mason. Although it was not my pick from the day it is Lindsey's favorite.

I went to Lake Junaluska with the Methodist Women from my local church. It was a great weekend of spiritual uplifting, and I also took some great photos there. My camera is with me everywhere I go.

We went over to Douglas Lake one evening just for fun photos.

I ended the month by joining the Southern Appalachian Nature Photographers. I look forward to upcoming events with this organization.

Clematis

The clematis are showing the signs of having some rain too. We sure are thankful for the rain.

Daisy ????

Think this is possibly a daisy, but not sure. Any ideas? It was also loving the rain we have had the last 2 days. This one is a potted plant.

Lilies

We had much needed rain late Tuesday and Wednesday. These lilies are pretty with the rain drops on them. The top photo is either an Asiatic or an Oriental Lily. The bottom photo is one of my Orienpet Lilies.

Tree Swallow posing

Beautiful Tree Swallow. He seems to like me,

he poses for me when I go in the yard now.

Goldfinch

This female Goldfinch put on a show for me this morning. Even hanging onto the side of the house.

Douglas Lake sunset

Douglas Lake (Dandridge, Tennessee) sunset. Makes you understand the attraction to the lake.

'Lollipop' Lily

The lilies are beginning to bloom, and are gorgeous, but I cannot help myself. I have to also get some macro photos.

Eastern Bluebirds

Eastern Bluebirds are gorgeous, the male's color is so vibrant.


The female is just as beautiful even though not as vibrant in color.

Peony Photos

Peony, early stages of the bud.
Peony blossom beginning to open, I think I like this stage the best.

Peony blossom fully open.

Sunset and the Moon

The sunset was yesterday, the moon was around midnight.

Wildflowers

Ox Eye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)
Golden Ragwort (Senecio aureus)


Sometimes the simpliest of things can be the most beautiful, like these wildflowers found in East Tennessee.

Ox Eye Daisy

I like the simplicity of this one. In was in the hay field behind my property.

Lupine at Lake Junaluska

This past weekend was the first time I had ever seen Lupines. Lake Junaluska has them everywhere in their flower beds. They are in several colors, and they are beautiful. I did verify the name.

Lake Junaluska, North Carolina

These 2 photos are of the cross on the hill overlooking Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. This past weekend I attended a Spiritual Enrichment Experience with the Holston Conference United Methodist Women. I had never been to Lake Junaluska before, it is a gorgeous location to grower closer to God.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

This year's first ruby-throated hummingbird of the season at my house in East Tennessee.

Sparrow

Several photos of a sparrow.
He does not seem to be afraid of me. He even appears to be curious about me.

"What are you looking at???" he seems to be saying.

Eastern Bluebirds learning to fly

Daddy Bluebird showing junior he does NOT have to be afraid of the scarecrow.

Mushrooms

Obsessions in photography. I have so many of them. Mushrooms were probably the first things I tried to get right down with to photograph. I now have a book to try to identify them. Still looking.Both of these photos were taken in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Butterflies in the future

This is a sure sign spring has arrived, even if it is a little cool out today. I had so much fun photographing butterflies and moths last summer because I had so many in my yard. Hopefully this means I will get to enjoy them again this year.

Tree Swallows versus Eastern Bluebirds

First I saw the Eastern Bluebirds at this house in my neighbors yard although this house is not a standard bluebird house.

(They don't know what our specs are for their houses!!!)

Then 5 days later I get the shot of Tree Swallow coming out of the same house. Guess the Tree Swallows are going to run off our Bluebirds. Any suggestions?

Bee on blue flower

These photos were taken outside the Mills Convention Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee this spring.

Pair of Eastern Bluebirds

These Eastern Bluebirds were landing, and they look like they were going to lose their footing. You can see in the 2nd photo they got their composure back.This is the house the Tree Swallow was in a couple of weeks ago.

Owl in captivity

These owl photos were taken at the headquarters of the Birding FotoFest in St Augustine, Florida this past April. (See April Events post). I know we prefer photos from the 'wild', but I still thought these were worth posting. Hope you enjoy them.

Giraffe in Jacksonville Zoo (Florida)

These giraffe photos were taken at the Jacksonville Zoo, in Florida during my visit in April. (See April Events post) The top photo is the baby, the bottom is the daddy.

Lack of water for boat

We just think in East Tennesse we have the market on lack of water on our lakes. This was taken on the Tolomato River close to St Augustine, Fla. Guess he was going to have to wait on high tide.

Pipevine Swallowtails

As with all butterflies, it is hard to believe the difference when looking at them in flight and when they land and are flat. The Pipevine Swallowtail really frustrates me as a photographer. It seems I can only them get them on ugly backgrounds. These were taken in the GSMNP, but it happens in my yard too. As all butterflies, they do like wet dirt, or as we would call it, mud.