SPRING!

      All of a sudden, DAFFODILS!  Finally, this year, I actually went to my three favorite nearby sites to see how each one was faring -- during a single evening.  I felt I was visiting reliable old friends, and now I can introduce them to each other. 

     First were the scattered ones in an overgrown field along my dead end road.  I've always  assumed there once had been a house close by:  

 

 

    Next, the daffodils on the hillside, by the next bigger road we take to town.  I stopped my car in the road, put on my blinkers, since more than one car came through. Despite my camera in plain view, I know they all thought I was having car trouble, and they wanted to offer help. I figured I was safer with the car in view than if it were just my body, with no protection:

The title of this next view is Legacy. The house is long gone, but every year..... the daffodils.

 

        That same afternoon I went to visit with a neighbor and friend who's quite ill. I often have made photos back in where she lives, especially her flowers. I took just a few photos this time.  Her tobacco barn is old, and the front has been removed, but it's so interesting (to me) to see the innards that have been holding the place together for a long time.  As for the driveway, I say thanks, every time, that it's not mine.

 

     To end this post, a sunset photo, which I would not have seen were I not out and about visiting my favorite daffodils:

 

            

 Everyone, stay safe. It's not over yet. We each need to continue to do our part.

water falling, running, or frozen

         I have the idea of going wild about spring this year --- and starting with waterfalls.  This year there's a lot of work to be done to even get to the falls I have shown before, due to the damage caused by the recent ice storm. Getting to see those wild flower treasures we look forward to finding every April may be really hard to manage as well. The clean up priority has to be the nearby fire trail in order to assure access to it if need be. That's why I want to honor the creeks and the falls and the flowers that may be hidden to us this April while nature works to mend itself. I will show flowers in the next weeks.

        First I am going to try to load a vimeo of a creek on a normal day, several years ago. This can take awhile -- even overnight --  but it should work out in the end. I hope you will be able to listen to the water.

         

The creek continues, flowing toward the falls.

 Here's the top ledge of the second waterfall:

summer falls

winter artfulness

the big waterfalls, frozen and fallen

That day we heard the ice crash down just before we got there. Sometimes the top and the bottom touch in the middle!

summer view

        I can't resist leaving the forest's treasured spaces in order to share a long ago happy winter water moment at the pond.  It shows how you can't believe everything concerning water that you see.....

    There are so many more waterfall moods and photos, but these ones give a taste of the joy.

The eyes have it!

        Today's post is about spring, yes, but it's also about why an eye is so essential for a good photograph. I am grateful for mine. And it's wonderful to have a daughter and now a granddaughter who also have a good eye! Of course the eyes are helped by the concurrent ability to notice stuff, see something by itself or as it relates to a bigger whole.  I love living where there is so much to reward a good looking around. 

         First, just a few images via my eye, with their titles. There's never only one way to frame it, but it's fun to work with the balance from the start.  (I'm still pulled by real views, not ones I have set up, or altered.  It may be a luxury -- or old fashioned -- to stick with that deliniation, but that's what floats my particular boat.)

on the way

black and white in color

blue heron at Grayson Lake

tail detail

        NOW, some spring photos by my daughter, Rebecca Wright, in 2019. I'm not adding titles, because, obviously, they are not my images, but I might give a name or two because spring here was a forever time ago.

 

(garlic drying, from the garden)

(jack-in-the-pulpit)

(house and BARN)

(newly picked strawberries)

 

        

     One important purpose for today's post, actually, was to feature a photo by my daughter's daughter. I enjoy both her and her photo eye so much. You Go Girl!  Here is her photo of a crocus flower, from yesterday:

        I love her light, I love spring, I love that today's post is up before 7:15 p.m.!! Sometimes it happens. I'm always grateful for such unexpected moments.

still catching up

         This is my last chance (I hope) to share winter photos that are part of the SIXTEEN DAYS of ice, then snow, then more ice, that we've had.  Most of that time there was with no phone or no electricity because of the amount of territory covered in order to provide repairs.  I'm so glad our electricity is back, though I remain somewhat wary.  There are still trees and limbs ready to fall over wires. In any case, thanks be for all of the hard work across our region that eventually put us back together again. Now there are horrible floods across southern Kentucky.

         Some photos, not all picture perfect, but when the photographer is iced in, every other warm body is fascinating and picturesque.  When I first met this opossum, he or she was badly wounded with an open wound across the back. It looks like it healed, and I wonder if a white back is natural or simply showing the healed area.

If anyone wonders why I don't have my taxes done yet, they can blame the competition and surmise which I find to be more interesting....

By the way, Cardinals are Kentucky's bird.

It was very cold outside, and I assume the puffed up chest had something to do with that.  I don't have camera equipment to do birds, but I enjoy even this much of their presence.

This downy didn't move for many minutes! Did the rare feel of sunshine captivate him?

This is my favorite bird photo from the storm.

        At last I made it back home. This photo is me showing my friend/hostess, before leaving,  how I had found the most comfortable place in the whole house.  Thank you again, Tom and Molly, for 7 days of TLC.  Sorry I won those early Rummy 500 games.  Very rude of me. And sorry I didn't really get to take over your whole house.  Just a lot of it.  My blog is being contrary tonight, or I would add two photos of you making that delicious naan.

Happiness is kind friends laughing with you.

 Happiness is also seeing electricity repair trucks in every driveway when I am almost home: