Nature Paints the Countryside with Color

In the six years of living here at the Coast, I don't believe I've seen a prettier --- and more sustained color drenched countryside. The above photo taken of leaves floating in a creek several miles away -- complete with all the little specks of "stuff" floating by. My days have been busier than a one-arm paper hanger and my postings not so frequent...but it was nice to take a take off and record some of the beautiful color around. The golds have been especially spectacular.

Dragon Boats Race

Residents of Oriental have nurtured a kinship with Dragon lore, images, eggs -- you name it. One develops a certain kind of craziness you know, living a few steps from  the edge of a continent, a bit isolated and rural. Yesterday, they staged the first of hopefully many, dragon races. These boats pack about 20 rowers with a drummer and someone who steers (22 in all) and I had only a few minutes to click off a few shots in the heat and humidy

Painting as First love...

For all my dalliance with Photography and writing Poetry, Painting is really my first love and most closely identifies who I am. It gets harder and harder to get to it these days with the constant administrative right-brain work that I've been doing these last few months as President of the Pamlico Arts Council. "Winged Opus" (watercolor) was a part of the series for the show "Feathers, Fins & Things" several years ago.

Images that Sear the Mind - Tar Baby vs St. Sebastian

Much has happened over the last couple of weeks --- including the loss of a dear friend and close neighbor. In fact, we co-owned, Kinu, my dog --- together briefly. Seems I've also been traveling more than usual. And, reflecting as I do, here by the river....I went back in my files to look at this piece of sculpture on display at the NC Museum of Art. This work is by a Jamaican-American, Michael Richards (1963-2001) who was killed in the NYC 9/11 tragedy and eerily, it seems to forecasts Richards' own death. Cast from his own body, planes pierce the body like arrows reminiscent of St. Sebastian.

Watching Dragonflies

There's something magical about watching dragonflies. Seeing them is one of the real treats of summer, in my opinion. Their wings are such delicate engineering accomplishments. I once watched this exquisite red dragonfly get caught by a lizard...right outside my front door. He'd been so happy just seconds before. This photo was taken this past weekend at the NC State Museum in Raleigh at their waterlily pool. Luckily, there weren't any lizards nearby. And that new museum building is so contemporary and beautiful.

Sunrise on the Neuse

There is a proposal for 11 squadrons of F-35B aircraft at Cherry Point which is a few miles downriver from us. Research that I've done registered an F-35B landing at a noise level of
109 dB. Deafening. And we are looking at 176 of these babies flying overhead aroung 2014. The prospect is frightening. This tranquil surrounding may not be so tranquil after 2014. Not to speak of home values.

Looking at more gulls....

I look at gulls a great deal living around here. They're pretty fascinating birds and I love to hear the sounds they make. I have a number of gull photos. This one I decided to play with to create a soft watercolor impression.