The Beauty is in the Details

     Well, I haven't really been anywhere new lately.  I haven't had many adventures since I lost Don.  This is not to say that I haven't been taking pictures but, it's just different.  I have discovered that I do really enjoy writing.  I usually have a plan before I start my Blog.  But not today.  So, I'm going to put together some things that have caught my eye over the last few months.  I guess we'll see what happens. 

Well, I guess this is as good a place to start as any.  Lately I find myself getting wrapped up in the details.  The little things in life that we often overlook.  There has been a new Wildlife Management Area acquisition here along the Georgia coast.  The Altama Plantation

  which is just a stones throw off the interstate.  So of course I had to go check it out.  As I am riding down the many dirt roads and trails, I noticed these little yellow wildflowers, you can't help but notice them, just about everything else is brown or going brown.  I don't care for winter.  I like the spring, when everything wakes up and is alive.  Anyway,  I stopped at this little cluster of flowers and found this one with some kind of bug perched on it.  But I started looking at it and it is an interesting and pretty bug.      Another thing you also can't help but notice are the red maple leaves, they so colorful and vibrant.  Now believe it or not as I was riding down the dirt road I actually spotted the little fly on the leaf.  I guess I just get amazed at how detailed and intricate they are and all we as people want to do is swat them away.  Now I'm not saying that's a bad thing; I don't like them flying around my face or buzzing my ears and of course the usually have a ferocious appetite.

 

Then of course, everywhere we look in the south we see either palm trees or palmetto bushes.  But have you ever taken the time to notice the color change in the leaves, the patterns, color transitions and lines that make up that one frond.  The sun was just hitting this one and it caught my eye.  I don't know why but  I really like this picture.  I'm weird and I know it...and I'm ok with that.

 

I had one of my friends come see me at an Art Show shortly after Don passed in December and I remember him saying that he was looking forward to seeing if my focus would shift on my photography.  I didn't think much of it before, I have always found beauty in the details of a dragonfly, butterfly or a flower, but never intentionally thought about the patterns and lines on leaves, flowers and believe or not fungus.

 

I found this unusual fungi in the woods along the Little Satilla River in Zirkle not far from the old Dam.  It was on a dead tree, that was lying on the ground, but only on one branch.  When I first saw it, I was thinking seashells.  It was just layers and layers of these pieces that look just like seashells to me.  Anyway, maybe it just me being weird again... I don't know, but I found interesting.  Remember, I told you I didn't have a plan on where this was going to go.  As for the little mushrooms, I just thought they were a cute little colony.  Again all bunched up around one dead tree branch.  I guess it show that life can come from death or that death and decay actually feeds new life. 

Gracie and I were walking through the woods later that day and it was so quiet.  I couldn't hear anything other than Gracie moving through the leaves and the wind blowing through the tree tops.  I got that peaceful feeling that you sometimes get knowing that you are alone, the only one here, just you and nature.  I can't really explain it, but then again it didn't last very long.  Because as I am walking around in the woods, my eyes are everywhere but right in front on me and I came within a gnat's butt of running into this big, fat, ugly Golden Orb Weaver's web.  I feel pretty sure that I have covered the topic of spiders and I before in my writing.  To say I hate spiders is a bit of an understatement.  I would rather walk up on a snake or an alligator than walk into a spider web.  The first thing I think of when you feel that creepy web across your arms or God forbid your face is:  Great, I just crosses a spider highway, the question is where was the spider along that highway and is he now hitchhiking on me.  So you ask, if I despise spiders...why would I stop and take a pic.  Because, I can appreciate the beauty in the details....from a distance of course.  I can appreciate the beauty in the spider, no I really can't.  They are creepy.  That's enough of that. 
Gracie and I got back in the truck and headed down another dirt road (without the spider I may add).  Our last stop was at a clearing in the woods.  You could just picture Bambi and Thumper prancing through here looking for berries.  Apparently, that is exactly what happens here, when I came across this old homemade tree stand in this grand oak.  I love the way the weathered wood works up the tree, the resurrection fern growing and climbing up the tree.  It looks like it has been along time since anyone has used this stand, but I can almost picture them with their back propped against the tree and rifle in hand.
Well, I hope my ramblings have not bored you, I just feel the need to write and I think everyone should take the time to see the beauty in the details.  Until next time, take care.

A Nice Little Day Trip.....Trying To Upright My World

  It's been a long time and  don't want to explain...'cause it will make me cry.  If you want to know why or where I have been, you can check out my Blog: No Frills Debbie....Just My Life at http://nofrillsdebbie.blogspot.com/.
Today I traveled a familiar route but with different results.  I was alone and the rivers are flooding, which makes for some good photo opportunities.  I say I was alone, but not really, I had my puppy Gracie with me and I had Don in my memories.  I would like to share with you what we saw and did today!

 





So here is my riding partner for the day.  My youngest fur baby, Gracie the Spoiled Little Poodle!  She really is a good girl.

So this was the first dirt road we encountered this morning on the way to the Zirkle Dam.  I have written about Zirkle before, if you need backgrounds info just check out my previous posts.  Today the water should be high and give us a little something different, not to mention it is just a beautiful and quiet place.  A Special Place.

Well, I am on my own today, so I don't think we will travel these mud puddles that look like they could swallow my truck.... on foot we shall go!

These are the remnants of the steel dam.  Usually you can see at least part of the dam all the way across the Little Satilla River, not today.  But it is so quiet except for the sound of the rushing water, birds singing and squirrels chattering.

 I was looking at the moss on the tree and I was surprised at how intricate and beautiful it is when viewed up close.  And then I found some interesting Fungi on a fallen tree branch and it looks so much like the shells and clusters you can find on the beach.  Nature is so simple, yet so beautiful.

 

Then on the way to Lumber City, I drove passed this little building, I don't know why but it caught my eye.  I pulled another U-turn and went back.  I don't know if it was the contrast of the colorful and patriotic American Flag and the sun washed wood...either way I like it!

As I was approaching the bridge, I saw the freight train crossing and was really surprised, I didn't think they used this bridge anymore.  I pulled the truck over and jumped out to try a get a good shot, but I missed the engine and this is all I could manage.  I cannot believe how high the water is.  I never knew the Ocmulgee River was that wide.  Last time I was here, you could just about wade across the river.  It seems so weird, I usually park next to the trees on the boat ramp....Not today!

We also saw so Georgia Snow....A cotton field!  Now that is my kind of snow

 Gracie and I continued onto McRae so I could get a pic of the windmill and old house.  Which looks bad, but it looks a lot better than it did the last time I saw it.  I think someone bought it and is cleaning the area up.

Then of course I had to stop in Gardi to once again photograph the Old Altamaha Apiary.  This is another I don't know why...but I like this old building.  And by the looks of the cracks in the walls it may not be around too much longer.

 Once again, I apologize for having a long lapse in posts.  My whole world has been flipped upside down.  It is going to take me some time to get back in the groove.  But I will get there.  Until then, remember to take the time to notice the Beauty That Surrounds Us.