Bee on pink zinnia

In this top photograph it appears the bee is covered in pollen.But in the next 2 photographs I think it might be a pollen sack that Ecobirder mentioned several days ago.

This is the first post I prepared after getting ADSL, love it! It is sooooooo fast. I now agree with Ecobirder, don't know how I was blogging without ADSL. That was the disadvantage of where I live. We finally got it on our country road (think I had a little to do with that one). It is GREAT! Won't have to sit in front of the computer nearly as much, can get out and take those photographs to post.

If on occasion the photographs are small again, it means I prepared either the photo size or the actual post before I got ADSL. Not to worry, they will go right back to the larger size.

Thank you to everybody that has sent comments and encouragement about my hand. Prayer and the COLD water did it. Can't tell anything happened.

Mockingbird in the trees

This Mockingbird started out glaring at me. But then decided to ignore me.

Mockingbird at Rock City birdhouse

This Mockingbird is at a Rock City barn birdhouse. 30 years ago barns all over East Tennessee were painted very similiar to this birdhouse. As the barns became less frequent these birdhouses became popular in the same area. It reminds us of times gone by. Don't know that I have ever seen a bird actually use one.

Butterlies on the milkweed

These were taken in July behind my house in the hay field. Not too good of hay, but great for the butterflies. Notice the 1st photograph has a Skipper, Buckeye, Variegated Fritillary and a bee all on the same bloom.I went in the house and came back out and captured the Monarch.


I also saw American Painted Lady, but did not get a good photograph of it.

By the way, my hand is good. I kept it in ice water as long as I could stand, then out for a few minutes and back in. Did this for about 1 hour, looks like I am not going to have any problems. Will be able to tell later this evening I am sure. I hope the hummingbird enjoys what I was making him.

6th blog award

This award came right back at me, from The Tile Lady. I am like Darla was about a week ago, don't have a clue who to forward it to now. I greatly appreciate the award, but I have just given to so many people. It is hard to pass it along without repeating myself.

So this time I am just going to acknowledge the wonderful award and enjoy blogging some more.

I have burned my left hand this morning with boiling water, and I write with my left hand. Thank goodness I am unusual, I do everything else with my right hand. I am just thankful I already had post ready for the next several days.

Brave little Goldfinch

All summer I tried and tried to catch the Goldfinch on the sunflowers, but they would not even let me get close.Here I sat minding my own business.
And this little one just jumps down on the limb, right above my head.

Looks at me, like "What are you doing there?"

"If I don't look at you, you won't be there!"

Gives me a hateful look (dont' you think?) as if to say "What are you still doing there?", then took off.

He wanted to jump down on the wall and get the seeds I had spread out, but wouldn't with me there. Actually he was closer to me in the tree than he would have been at the seed.

Oh Boy, what have I found?

"OH BOY, OH BOY, OH BOY!!!!!" "THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!"
The top photo reminded me of my 8 month old grandson when he sees food. Mason swings his arms as much as this Chickadee is flapping his wings.

Black Eyed Susans

Never have understood these flowers being called Black Eyed Susuans. The center looks dark brown to me.

Either way, I have always liked them. They look really good with Coneflowers and dark daylilies. I only have a small batch now, hope to have more next year.

Sunflower's Life cycle

The Sunflower requires a person to start with the macro. The bud is just so awesome.

These were freebies, one plant in 2007.
20 plants in 2008.
The Goldfinch did a good job on these, I just didn't do a good job of photographing them at it.

Then to the burn pile.

4th and 5th blog award

I have received my 4th award and 5th award at the same time. I am so amazed that I am being recognized again for my photography. It really encourages me. I was trying to decide who to pass award number 4 to when I realized I had received the same award from another blogging buddy. Award numbers 4 and 5 were given to me by Denise and The Fishing Guy.This is such a beautiful photograph in itself. I thought it was a Sky Watch Friday photograph when I first saw it (it would be a great one!), and it might have been at one time.

I am going to be unconventional in passing this award along...

1st goes to Hap from New Hope, as far as I know he does not have a blog. Hap so willingly helps us all when we cannot identify what we have photographed. I don't know how to let Hap know so if any of you can please ask him to drop by to see his award. Hap, I really appreciate the support you give to us all as we are attempting this blogging adventure.

2nd to Knoxville Girl at http://knoxtndailyphoto.blogspot.com/

3rd to The Tile Lady at http://daughterm.blogspot.com/

4th to Dewdrop at http://dewdropinsga.blogspot.com/

5th to Brit' Gal at http://britgalusaphotos.blogspot.com/

And did I mention my daughter is expecting twins in May 2009???? Yes, I am excited!!!!!

We are having twins....grandchildren that is

We found out Thursday evening our daughter, Wendy, is having twins. She has posted her announcement on her blog, which you can view by clicking here for the update. She has 2 posts about it on her blog, to show all the post currently displayed on her blog click here.

They find all this 'stuff' out so early now days. She is only 7 weeks now, due May 6th. They have already seen both babies (she calls them beans at this stage) on the ultrasound and have heard both heartbeats.

If you are looking for new blogs to follow :) this is Wendy's writing blog. I am sure she would love encourgement during her pregnancy.

She also has a blog about the TV show Bones, if you like the show her blog has a very large following, as of this afternoon the visitor counter at the bottom was 141, 026. If you want to check it out, here it is www.obsessedwithbones.com

By the way Wendy is the reason I blog. She suggested it, and it sounded great, which I have been enjoying all the friends I am making.

Sky Watch/overlooking Cataloochee Cove - GSMNP

You can see why the Smokies are called the 'Blue Ridges' from these photos.

I took these as we left Cataloochee Cove. I posted some last week on Sky Watch Friday from around the same time, the other end of the same parking lot. This is the last of the Cataloochee Cove photos. I hope you have enjoyed the Cades Cove series and the Cataloochee Cove series over the last couple of weeks.

Please visit Sky Watch to see sky photos from all over the world.

Last of the elk photos Cataloochee Cove - GSMNP

I like these 3 photographs the best of all the elk photographs I took while we were at Cataloochee Cove, especially the last one.

Some more information to go with the earlier post with Elk information. Elk once roamed the southern Appalachain Mountains and elsewhere in the eastern United States. They were eliminated from the region by over-hunting and loss of habitat. The last elk in North Carolina was believed to have been killed in the late 1700s.

In Tennessee, the last elk was killed in the mid 1800s. By 1900, the population of elk in North America dropped to the point that hunting groups and other conservation organizations became concerned the species was headed for extinction.

I hope you have enjoyed the photographs and information about the elk in the Smokies.

Grazing elk Cataloochee Cove - GSMNP

Elk bulls spar in Cataloochee Cove - GSMNP

I thought when animals spar it was dangerous.These 2 bulls went at it in slow motion. Lasted one or two minutes and then they slowly backed away from each other.
The bottom photo is the same as the 2nd. I cropped it. Notice the left bull elk has a tag number of 4. This is the 4th elk introduced to the cove. He has something wrong. According to the park ranger he cannot breed and does not grow a proper antler. He has an antler like this one every year. The ranger said the other bulls are not threatened by him at all during breeding season. They know he is harmless.

The ranger had an old antler from this elk to show everybody he grows this type every year.

Streams in Cataloochee Cove - GSMNP

I have now attached this to Watery Wednesday. Please visit Watery Wednesday to check out this new one. It was not working earlier today, but appears to be ok now.

These are just various streams throughout Cataloochee Cove. This cove is just as nice as Cades Cove, in it's own way. Can't believe I had never visited it before.

Won't these be beautiful when the leaves begin to turn?

And Linley will be coming home just in time to see the fall colors. Happy Birthday, Linley! We sure are glad you survived Ike, and got the t-shirt as you said. I know the mountains and change of colors is what you missed the most, so thought these photos were as good as any to wish you a Happy Birthday!!