Catching Light - Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

September 1 - a quiet Labor Day here in the U.S. and a favorite holiday because it's not too early to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall. I see the first hints of fall around the lake at Bernheim Forest. Brilliant skies reflected in the lake, grasses along the water's edge just turning and catching the light. A quiet and welcome time of the year. Enjoy. (Click on image to enlarge.)

 

Linking to Nature Footstep Inspiring Photography: Catching Light .

Mosaic Monday - Tree Hieroglypics

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Recently I found this interesting tree in Cherokee Park whose trunk was decorated with many "hieroglyphic" carvings. In the lower right the traditional symbol for love, but what do you make of the rest? I see something definite in each carving. What about you? Can you also see a face in profile in the leaf shadows on the tree?

Linking to Mosaic Monday.

Friday Fences & InSPIREd Sunday - Small Town Charm

 

 

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This is the First Presbyterian Church right on main street in the small historic town of Shelbyville.  The church is small and cleanly designed.  I haven't been in the sanctuary, but would think that the light would be fantastic through that front window.  The fence surrounding the church is wrought iron in keeping with the church's simple architecture.

Beside the church there's a small garden where the ornamental grass and peeling bark of the river birch trees take center stage in the fall:

Linking to Friday Fences and InSPIREd Sunday .

Mosaic and Macro Monday - Trees

This was the view from Belnap Bridge looking downstream of Beargrass Creek in Louisville's Seneca Park around 8 a.m. yesterday.  It was a cloudy rainy sort of day.  I came here to get some photos of an especially interesting tree on the left side of the creek.  For the past couple of weeks I've been on a bit of a blogging break because of some ongoing Internet/DSL issues.  While offline I've been using Catherine Anderson's The Creative Photographer, Exploration Cards to Expand Your Creativity for inspiration on photo shoots.  Anderson suggests that you explore themes--pathways, reflections, everyday ordinary, etc.--when taking pictures.  One theme that she suggested was "trees"--take photos of one particular tree at different times of the day, different seasons, weather.  I chose this spot on Beargrass Creek for the water interest as well as the tree.

This tree is wonderfully graceful with its multi-trunks and branches that extend out over the water.  In the first photo I was standing on the hill looking down on the tree.  The second photo I shot from the right creek bank so you can see the twisting tree trunk:

Here are some closeups and macros of moss, lichen and fungi growing on the branches.  And, based on the leaf shape, I think this is an elm.  But I'm no tree expert, so if anyone thinks differently let me know! (click on the collages for a larger view)

A few more shots of the tree (note the tube swing for summer fun), the creek waters, and bridge:

And finally, a closeup of Belnap Bridge and some plant macros growing over the stone wall of the bridge:

Periodically I plan to go back to this spot for more photos, especially with change of seasons or different times of the day.  It will be interesting to see the changes.

Linking to: Macro Monday 2 and Mosaic Monday .

Kentucky Derby Traditions - Planting Flowers

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The whole city of Louisville--and actually all of Kentucky--is in a fever of preparations for Saturday's great Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.  We have visitors from all over coming to Louisville for the festivities, as well as the millions who watch the race on television. So everyone wants their homes to look extra good.  For most, that means planting flowers now that we're safe from frost.

This morning I stopped by Paul's Fruit and Vegetable Market in Middletown to see what they're selling in annual plants this year.  Paul's is a great place for fresh fruits and vegetables year round and specialty items produced in Kentucky.  At this time of the year they're a good place to buy flowers in great variety as well.

Here are some full sized photos of the most interesting plants--or best photos from today's shoot. Disclaimer:  I'll try to identify the plants, but if I get it wrong just ignore me.  I'm interested in other things now and not quite the keen gardener I used to be. . .

hibiscus

hydrangea

scabiosa

marigolds galore

fuchsia

rex begonia

Asiatic lilies

chenille plant

tuberous begonia

mixed containers ready to go

Here's hoping your Derby horse runs fast and your hat stays dry this Saturday at the Kentucky Derby--and that your flowers look great all summer!

Friday Fences - Old Stink Eye

What could this be staring at the photographer between the fence pickets?

While she got the stink eye, here's what the photographer was trying to capture: an all-time favorite spring combo of lilacs blooms and Japanese bloodgood maple leaves.

Edits:  PicMonkey special effect Dark Edge.  Linking to Friday Fences at Life According to Jan and Jer .

Wild Bird Wednesday - Robins, Cardinals and Dogwoods

This past week we're into "dogwood" winter -- cool days and nights, some rainy days, and dogwoods in full bloom.  Took these two photos of a robin and female cardinal in the tree in my front yard.  They look good together, don't you think?

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday .

Barn Charm - Horses on a Spring Day

I spotted this riding stable and horse barn in eastern Jefferson County, not 20 minutes drive time from downtown Louisville.  It was a windy, sunny spring day and the horses were enjoying the weather as much as I.  Here are a few more views:

Linking to Barn Charm at Bluff Area Daily .

Friday Fences - Willows Say Spring

A sure sign of spring - the willow tree in the park is soft green, almost leaving (leafing?) out.  And there's just enough fence in this photo to qualify for Friday Fences, I hope. Since our host Janis at Life According to Jan and Jer is so fond of wagon wheels, maybe she'll let me pass this week. :-)

Macro and Mosaic Monday - Spring Yellow

The neighbor's forsythia blooms over my fence.  Hello Spring!

Linking to: Macro Monday and Mosaic Monday

Friday Skywatch and Fences - Spring Dawn

A welcome sight earlier this week.  After the first two weeks of spring bringing only cold, rainy, snowy weather, finally a promise of sunshine in the dawn sky.

Also glad to see that my neighbor's forsythia blooms have survived the cold temps.  However, those boards, blocks, and logs crammed under the fence do not make me nearly as happy.  The entire perimeter of the fence looks like this--all due to Chet the Digger's winter's work.  Right now the only remedy I can think of is a "pawectomy".  Your suggestions?

Linking to Skywatch Friday and Friday Fences .

First Spring Sunset

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This chilly sunset for the first day of Spring promises--or threatens, depending on your point of view--more cold snowy weather to come.  Even significant snow by Sunday evening.  Suits me fine, but I know some of you are winter weary.  Hint:  look closely at the last photo and you can plainly see that tree leaves are ready to come out.

Linking to Skywatch Friday.

Waiting for Spring

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Are you looking for signs of spring this weekend?  If so, here's some encouragement.  All these photos were taken in my neighborhood between March 9-22, 2012.  So, while the only thing going on now is the tree canopies are "softening" and crocus and dafs are budding, soon there'll be a repeat of this colorful show.

Meanwhile, here's one way to celebrate sunshine and temps in the mid-60s:

Oh, and not ten minutes ago I heard a lawn mower running.  That's a sign of spring that I could do without!

Skywatch Friday - February Sunset

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Just a reminder, February skies can look like this.  Although, perhaps not today where you are.  These sunset photos taken on 2-16-13, and all these wonderful changes happened in about ten minutes.

Skywatch Friday

Skywatch Friday - Pastel Skies

Late January sunrise-pastel skies 

Skywatch Friday

Mosaic Monday - Winter Trees on Baringer Hill

Baringer Hill in Cherokee Park is a favorite spot for runners, walkers, and dog frolics all year round.  And then in the winter when Louisville gets its rare snow the hill is full of sledders.  Any time it's a beautiful high overlook for the park.  On this day in late January the bare trees were wonderfully highlighted against blue skies.

Linking to:  Mosaic Monday at Dear Little Red House

Beargrass Creek in February

Beargrass Creek branches through Cherokee and Seneca Parks in Louisville, Kentucky.  Throughout the parks are several stone bridges designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of landscape architecture, when he laid out our parks system in the late 1800s.

If you enjoy water photography be sure to check out Nature FootstepWaters for Sunday to see entries from all over. Or, even better, link to your own water photos.

Macro Monday - First Snow

Just after Christmas we got our first significant snowfall of the winter.  How significant you can tell from how much is on the fence and viburnum branches.

And here's a longer view of the backyard.  This was Chet's first snow.  Later this week I'll share some photos of him enjoying this novel stuff.

For more closeups from all over, or to enter your own macros, be sure to check out Lisa's Chaos here every Monday.

2012 in Review - Favorite Photos

Out of the bazillion or so photos I've taken this year, thought it might be fun to choose a favorite for each month as a way to reflect on how 2012 rolled along. Note: the one I've chosen may not be the best photos I took for that month. I just liked it for one reason or another above all the others.

January - sharp shinned hawks roosted in a tree in my back yard long enough for a photo op.

February - Good Old Dog Willie in his twilight.

March - pink dogwood in bloom

April - Chet, aka Bubbles Riley, 3 mos. old and in his new home on his new sofa

May - Chet the Good Eater after 1 cup of pup food and 2 mini  beggin' strips

June - a soft, natural sunset--straight out of the camera, no fiddling

July - 4th of July fireworks display from my deck

August - Garden 9 on the Historic Louisville Garden Tour

September - Moscow, Russia lights on Moscva River from the Red October Chocolate Factory

October - Bernheim Bridge over Beargrass Creek, Seneca Park, Louisville

November - sunset on the Ohio River, Railroad Bridge connects Louisville and Indiana

December - Olivia M, a thoroughbred beauty, on the Offuit Cole horse farm, Old Frankfort Pike, near Midway, Ky

So, that was an enjoyable way to look back at 2012.  I've enjoyed sharing photos with all of you this year.  Happy New Year friends,  and all the best to you and yours in 2013.