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.

Siberian Iris (dark purple)

Another flower I got from John and Lindsey's first home. There will be plenty to share when they are ready for them.

Pale lavender ruffled iris

The iris was originally at John & Lindsey's first home. Someday I know they will want it back, and hopefully by that time I will have plenty to give back and still have some.

Brad & Ashlei's engagement photos

Saturday I met with Brad and Ashlei for their engagement portraits. It was a beautiful setting close to the river, and we all had a great time.

Various Iris

All 3 of these iris I received from friends. The top one from Brenda Joines, the middle ones from Charlene, and the bottom from Chris Vann. My iris garden is beautiful this year, partly due to these 3 friends being so generous with sharing. Thank you!

Colorful Rose

Just a pretty rose I saw along the road. Had to stop and take a photo.

French Lavender

Another one I photographed then had to find out the name of the flower. Ends out this one is a herb, which I kinda thought just from looking at it. Thanks to Teresa for finding out the identity.

Bleeding Hearts

I always know nice spring weather is coming when I can see the beginning of the Bleeding Hearts start to pop through the ground.The daffodils are here before nice weather, so I don't usually believe until I see the Bleeding Hearts start to appear.

Burnt Orange and White Iris

This iris was also taken in Nancy Keck's yard. See Nancy out working in her yard alot when I drive by. I just had to stop on my way to a photo 'shoot' yesterday.

Linum-Wildflowers

These photos were taken in 2 different locations in Knox County, East Tennessee. The top photo was taken in Nancy Keck's yard (Thanks Nancy). I did not know the name, Nancy was told Linum. Checking my wildflower book I find a blue variation that is only in Shelby, Davidson and Knox Counties in Tennessee. The yellow version is throughout Eastern U.S.

Mason and Lindsey

I met with Lindsey and Mason yesterday for portraits. These are a few of the photos.

Eastern Bluebird on birdhouse

This Eastern Bluebird was trying to get his mate to accept this house.They ended out in a different house on our property. Tree Swallows got this house after the Bluebirds decided they would go elsewhere.

Iris "Local Color"

"Local Color" is an iris I bought in the East Tennessee Iris show several years ago. It never bloomed at my last house, but I still brought it with me. It was worth the wait.

Assignment for Safe n' Sound Creative Technologies

Today I had a photography assignment for Safe n'Sound Creative Technologies. This is a photo of an AMX touch panel taken on location.

Mason John Harrell

This is my one and only grandchild. He is 3 months old. My favorite subject to photograph.

Pink Dogwoods

Spring is in the air, just waiting to be photographed.

IntVeld Family from the Netherlands

Sunday evening the IntVeld Family from the Netherlands performed at our church, Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Dandridge, Tennessee. They are great and have a awesome Christ filled message to share. This past week they performed at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge 2 days, so it was wonderful to have them with us in our growing church.

Bud Ogle's Place-Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Since it is Sunday, it is church and family day. So I am using a photo taken in April while attending the Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Goldfinch at feeder

After the photography class this morning I have spent most of the afternoon outside. Bird watching can be fun, but sometimes I don't have as much patience as I should with it. Guess that is why I photograph still things (flowers, fall colors, etc) so much. Sometimes I even have to give up and go next door to Bill and Gwen's yard. That is where I took this one.

Flaming Azalea

I am going to a photography class this morning, this photo was taken earlier this week in my front yard.

Dark Iris

God is great! Just walk outside to see it.

Tree Swallow

Early this morning I went outside to photograph the flowers while they still had dew on them. Before I made it back inside the Tree Swallows caught my attention at one of my Bluebird houses. I took several photos, but I think this is my favorite.

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About your blogger

I am mostly a nature photographer, my favorite being macro photography. I am branching out to portraits, weddings, and architectural photography. I usually post a couple of times each day. I do not change my photographs with photoshop. The only changes I make are to Sepia or Black and White when the photograph is screaming at me to try it. I have a large amount of photos to choose from and the post each day is not necessarily a photo taken that day.