old remedies

The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is the most popular Christmas season plant. It was introduced into the United States in the late 1820's from its native Mexico by our first ambassador of that country, Joel Robert Poinsett. The plant was first known and probably is still best known for the bright red leaves or bracts that surround the inconspicuous, small, yellow, true flowers known to reduce fevers. Poinsettias may be purchased in colors ranging from white and cream through the various shades of pink and red.

For more information on the Poinsettia click here.

festival of lights

Someday, perhaps the inner light will shine forth from us, and then we'll need no other light 

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1739-1842) German writer and polymath

This is a photo of me basically just playing around with my camera and shutter speed. I left the shutter open for about 10 seconds and pointed it at my Christmas tree. To get this affect the camera cannot stay still so needless to say I moved the camera around and around and this is what came out! I don't know about y'all, but I think it's kinda cool lookin.

it won't be like this for long

...He lays down there beside her

Till her eyes are finally closed

And just watch'n her it breaks his heart

Cause he already knows

It wont be like this for long

One day soon that little girl is gonna be 

All grown up and gone

Yeah this phase is gonna fly by

He's try'n to hold on

It won't be like this for long... -Darius Rucker


Every time I look at this photo, I just can't help but to laugh. I think its so funny to see the wrinkles in her little forehead. She holds it like that all the time. I'm still trying to compare her lines to my lines. I haven't quite figured it out who's lines she has yet! 

Christmas time in the city

Last night I was fortunate enough to stop again in the "Queen City," also known as Charlotte, NC, on my way home from visiting my little baby girl. I am still learning the city so I am not sure where all the good photo spots are. Right now I'm simply just driving around and if I see something that strikes me I find a parking spot and make my way to the place I want to shoot. Thanks to the Christmas season, the city is decorated beautifully with lights, huge ornaments like the one in the photo on the left, and Christmas reefs. I just wish it was a little warmer outside because I almost froze walking around. Well, come to think of it, it wouldn't seem like Christmas if it wasn't freezing! 

hold fast

Hold fast to your dreams, for without them life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly. -Langston Hughes (1902-1967) American Writer

This little bird evidently flew into a window at my work and could not fly away immediately. So, one of the salesman picked the bird up and placed it on this limb. Me being the photographer that I am had to take advantage of the opportunity to get up close and personal with this bird without it flying away. I hate the little fella is injured but he made for a great photo. 

let it snow

Kindness is like snow-it beautifies everything it covers  -Unknown

These are a couple of photos I took about a year ago with my old camera. This waterfall is located on along the trail to get to the major waterfall called Red Fork Falls (to the left, during Autumn) on Unaka Mountain. Nonetheless, it is just as beautiful. For better photos of Red Fork Falls click here to see how the great Peacock does it!

the queen city

Nicknamed the Queen City, Charlotte and the county containing it are named in honor of the German Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg, who had become queen consort of British King George III the year before the city's founding.

The Bank of America Corporate Center (tallest building in the photo on the right) is the tallest skyscraper in Charlotte and the tallest between Atlanta, GA and Philadelphia, PA.

On my way home from visiting my daughter this weekend I decided to do what I have been wanting to do for a while now; stop and take some photos of Charlotte. I wish I had some more time to explore. Maybe next time!

our best hope

Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future

  -John F. Kennedy (35th President of the United States)

Here are a couple of photos of  my two beautiful nieces, Hailey & Addison after Thanksgiving dinner. I finally got Addison (the little one) to look at me in the top photo!

busy bee

The busy bee has no time for sorrow.  

-William Blake (English poet, painter, and printmaker)

naptime

No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap.  -Carrie Snow

This is one of my favorite photos so far of my daughter, Madelyn. As of today, she now weighs 5 pounds and 13 ounces. She definitely holds the key to my heart...good luck getting it from her!


Here is another one of my favorites taken after her bath. Needless to say, she doesn't take a likin' to bein' naked too much.

live forever

“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.”

This body of water here is not part of the Congaree National Forest but when I saw this pond I couldn't help myself but to pull over and take advantage of this great shot. Hope y'all enjoy it as much as I do! 

rejuvenate yourself

Nature rejuvenates so quickly, so completely. Though we often view ourselves otherwise, we are nature.
-Jeb Dickerson

the swamp

Congaree Swamp is the largest remnant of old-growth floodplain forest remaining on the continent! Experience champion trees, towering to record size amidst astonishing biodiversity. Congaree National Park also houses a museum quality exhibit area within the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, a 2.4 mile boardwalk loop trail, over 20 miles of backwoods hiking trails, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and more. Click here for more information.

congaree national park

The primary significance of Congaree National Park is demonstrated through its unique bottomland hardwood forest communities, the overall height of the forest canopy and associated number of national and state champion trees, as well as the presence of a well-preserved, biologically diverse, and dynamic river floodplain ecosystem.

This morning I rose early and ventured out to Congaree National Park. I was not able to be out there long because of work but it was still nice to get out this morning. I can't wait to go back when I get more time; if I get more time.

as we forgive

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us -The Lords Prayer

Mount Pilot

Pilot Mountain, peaking at 2,421 feet (738 m) above sea level, is one of the most distinctive natural features in the state of North Carolina. It is a remnant of the ancient chain of Sauratown Mountains. The Saura were the earliest known inhabitants of the region. Its original Native American name is Jomeokee, for "great guide" or "pilot” a very useful landmark for the Native Americans as well as later European hunters throughout the region.

This weekend's adventure took me up to Pilot Mountain, North Carolina to visit my daughter. Pilot Mountain is located just outside of Mount Airy, also known as"Mayberry," which is the home of the Andy Griffith Show. Autumn is in full swing up there making for some very pretty scenery!

madelyn denise

A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankrolls smaller, homes happier, clothes shabbier, THE PAST FORGOTTEN, and the future worth living for. - author unknown

Pictured above is my daughter, Madelyn Denise, born November 2, 2010 at 10:51 pm. She was 6 lbs exactly. Needless to say, she already has me wrapped! 

high cotton

We were walkin' in high cotton
Old times there are not forgotten
Those fertile fields are never far away
We were walkin' in high cotton
Old times there are not forgotten
Leavin' home was the hardest thing we ever face  - Alabama, High Cotton

Another valuable resource on the land of the Tinker Creek Huntin' Club. 

tinker creek

Deer hunting is one of my favorite things to do during the Fall. This stand here is called the "Condo Stand" here at the Tinker Creek Huntin' Club looking over a peanut field. The huntin' club, Tinker Creek, got its name from the actual creek that runs through part of the property. A few years back I harvested the biggest buck of my life so far. That's definitely a day I won't ever forget. 

Tinker Creek Huntin' Club - Williston, SC

Princess Ariel

Nothing on Earth so beautiful as the final howl on Halloween night. -Steve Almond (American short story writer)

Great picture of  my other niece Hailey or should I say "Princess Ariel" from The Little Mermaid on Halloween!