A Canadian Goose lands in the lake (Lexington, KY)
As I have traveled the country and even remained at home, I have fallen in love with nature and the glorious creations of God. Despite my penchant for visiting quirky and offbeat roadside attractions, it is the wonders of nature that enthrall me on the road and even in my own home town.
A bee doing its job with the lilacs in my back yard
Back in February I wrote a post about my favorite Animal Photos, but nature is not just about animals and birds and insects. It is also about sunrises, sunsets, trees, clouds, flowers and more. Nature gives me a better challenge to learn photography and manage my skills.
Autumn Colors on a horse farm near Lexington, KY
Living in Lexington, Kentucky offers me the opportunity to enjoy four real seasons…flowers in the spring, fall colors, nice summers and the occasional snows and ice of the winter. Everyday can provide a wondrous surprise.
Windblown icicles on a lamp in Lexington
Following are a few photos that provide a taste of nature’s glory as I have seen it through the lens of my camera.
MOUNTAINS
The Sawtooth Mountains as viewed from Stanley, Idaho
I love the mountains and perhaps one of the most breathtaking views I have ever had was taken in Stanley, Idaho on a beautiful spring afternoon. The Sawtooth Range and its jagged peaks epitomize the beauty of the Rocky Mountains to me.
Grand Tetons as seen from Driggs, Idaho
Mountains of Glacier National Park as seen from near Babb, Montana
SWAMPS
Cyprus in Caddo Lake as seen from Uncertain, Texas
Caddo Lake is the only remaining all natural lake in the state of Texas and it is also a swamp. I had an early morning visit there one February and really enjoyed the almost spooky serenity of the swamp and the moss hanging from the trees.
Caddo Lake in the morning
I learned to play with the camera a bit and with some color adjusting, I was able to make the above view of cyprus in Caddo Lake a bit more colorful.
FLOWERS AND TREES
Texas Bluebonnets mingle with Indian Paintbrushes near Cool, Texas
I love the amazing variety of colorful flowers that can be seen on the road. Driving from Weatherford, Texas to Mineral Wells, Texas in the spring, one can experience miles of flowers as seen above. A lovely experience!
A Row of Trees on farmland near Tripp, South Dakota
I love old trees. They provide protection, shade and beauty…even when leafless. One of my favorite tree photos comes from Missouri on a lonely back road.
Tree in Fog taken on a back road in Missouri
Trees are not the only plants out there though. I have discovered some awesome flower fields that are practically breathtaking, such as the tulip field and sunflower fields shown below.
Sunflowers near Seymour, Wisconsin
A tulip field on a back road near Woodstock, Ontario
And single flowers look nice as well, especially with bees on them!
Ox-Eye Daisy from McKee, KY
Bee in Flower taken in my back yard
I am also amazed at the delicate beauty of small flowers such as these below
Buckwheat flowers at Craters of the Moon. The blossoms are about the size of a US dime
Dogtooth Trillium was taken in Oxford County, Ontario
This asterisk was shot on Buckhorn Island, NY
Yellow flower shot at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho
The desert offers an amazing variety of plant life as well. I grew up around the desert never really appreciating the beauty that I now enjoy in later life. Here are a few desert photos.
This agave, also known as a “Century Plant” was shot near Sedona, Arizona in 1983
I took this Christmas cactus blossom at San Xavier del Bac in Tucson
This barrel cactus in bloom was also taken in Tucson, AZ
I really love the yucca against the white sand hills of White Sands National Monument
THE SKIES
Way above the plant life and animal life are the skies…the moon, the sun, the clouds. These too offer some life enhancing views.
I got this moon shot on March 19 late in the evening. This was its color. It was awe inspiring. Taken in Lexington, KY
I also took this on March 19 in the morning. It is the sun behind the clouds using the blue tinted glass from inside my car. Taken in Lexington, KY
This is a shot of the moon in the morning after the sun came up in Lexington
The sun rises in Lexington with a wondrous glow
And the clouds provide more fun viewing on their own. Here are a few shots taken while I drove around town in Lexington…
Wispy clouds on a winter morning, taken in February 2014
Cloud furrows? I saw these clouds one morning while filling up with gas.
I am still amazed at the formation. I wonder how these clouds could have formed these furrows so evenly.
Orange clouds of sunset over Lexington in January 2014
X Marks the Spot. Airline chemtrails sometimes criss-cross in the sky.
This was one of many X photos in the sky that I have taken, but certainly one of the most defined.
Watercolor skies over Lexington
I love the “Watercolor Skies” that sunrises and sunsets bring
The moon glows at dusk over Lexington
Morning sun shaded by clouds caught on a morning drive in Lexington
THE FOUR SEASONS
The seasons offer a plethora of natural scenes, each with its own kind of beauty….
Winter
Ice encapsulates berry covered branches
Jacobson Lake in Lexington, KY is iced over
Geese head south for the winter
Icicles decorate a plank fence in horse country
A male cardinal perches on ice covered branches
Spring
As winter leaves, the flowers of spring cover the ground and the trees
Dogwoods and Magnolias in full bloom in Charleston, Missouri
Redbud in bloom in Kentucky
Trillium only bloom for two weeks. This is Ontario’s Provincial Flower – taken in Sparta, Ontario
Cherry Blossoms at Lexington Cemetery in Spring
A brightly colored lily found in Woodford County, Kentucky
Beautiful blossom captured at a park in Seattle, Washington
Summer
Summer brings the heat and humidity in Kentucky, but also the amazing shades of green and evening shadows
A Blue Heron calls out on a summer day
Corn Rows can be seen all over the Midwest as summer nears its end
Birds convene at Jacobson Park in Lexington for the hope of a free bite of bread
An old tree stands tall on a summer day
Afternoon shadows on a late summer day
Geese take flight in Kentucky
Graceful blue heron in flight over the water
I love Blue Herons! They are probably my favorite bird…so graceful and majestic
Fall
When fall comes along the beautiful darker oranges, browns and yellows emerge. Like springtime, Kentucky has beautiful fall colors
So many different shades of orange and red in the fallen leaves
Horse farm country in the fall
Fall Colors in Lexington, KY
What is Autumn without the pumpkins?
More Colors of leaves
A Few More Favorites
Squirrel Prints in the Snow
Yellowstone Falls
Ducks float on the lake at sunrise
A squirrel hangs on a tree
Nature is awe inspiring. I feel so blessed to experience it all!!