Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Skywatch Friday

Long, long ago on a lake far, far away I would wake to magical, mystical sunrises. This sunrise dawned golden with a pea-soup fog. Lake and sky became one. Sunlight would burn through soon but before it could destroy the illusion the shoreline silhouettes were captured for eternity.

One magical mystical tree was a sturdy oak, arms stretched out strong yet graceful. The oak was perfectly symmetrical and beautiful in its symmetry.

However, this tree is my favorite of the two because it is imperfect. It appears to be a hickory based on the way its branches narrow into super-fine arteries toward the ends. But I could be wrong. There is no way to check today for not long after this image was taken a storm felled this tree. Today, instead of serving as a perch for birds this tree is a haven for fishes in the waters below. The ultimate in recycling.

See more sunrises and sunsets and luscious sky imagery by clicking through to Skywatch Friday.

Have a blessed day.
Debi

Skywatch Friday

A sunrise long, long ago on Wheeler Lake. I'm soooo late to the Skywatch Friday party! Have a great weekend, everyone.

The Lake

Gulls at Joe Wheeler State Park

Leaving soon to spend a few days at the lake. I'll be packing stuff up to move in between sitting on the deck enjoying the view for likely the last time. For Watery Wednesday I'm posting a favorite photo of gulls preening and resting and doing whatever gulls do. Enjoy, and I'll see ya on the flip side.

There is an internal battle flailing within my chest, which is bound up tight with both anger and angst. We received an offer on the lake house the day before Thanksgiving. Negotiations are ensuing because it is what we have to do. There are no threads of happiness to be found just now, and the only words I have are whining words. So, I will be silent for a bit. Silent and journaling (on real paper with real pen) and considering my own next steps. I'll return to post when inspiration of any sort hits me but for now please know that I will be reading your blogs, delighting in your adventures, reveling in your sightings, and sighing at your photography. Take care, my bloggy friends.

Skywatch Friday

After a delightful dinner and catching up with our good friends at the lake, we enjoyed a restful evening in the quiet of our house. No sirens, no dogs barking, no traffic noise...just peace and quiet. And stars. Lots and lots of stars. The sky was filled with white confetti scattered atop a deep black velvet. I slept deeply, rising naturally before the dawn. Slipping outside I hoped for a pretty sunrise.

I needn't have worried.

My neighbor's dock is the perfect place upon which to view sunrises. They graciously allow me to use it for photographing sunrises.

Oil lamps right outta Myst.

Sunrise reflection on the water.

Looking southeast down the channel.

Another neighbor's day dock perfectly silhouetted.

The sun makes its appearance, peeking over the hill as I peek through trees on the bank.

As the sun rose the world turned silver. What a lovely morning.

Check out skies from across the world at Skywatch Friday. That's where I'm going next, after I get a cup of coffee.

* for the record, I did choose a thumbnail but it didn't post! Must not clicked hard enough - LOL!

November Lake Visit

Friday afternoon found us winding through traffic, heading west to my beloved lake. Wheeler Lake is actually a wide spot in the Tennessee River. The river channel is across the lake following the opposite, southern bank. There, barge traffic and the occasional container ship rumble by, each secret in their mission, each compelling and comforting in their fashion. White tugs glowing in the lowering sun, we were pleased a barge timed its arrival in concert with ours.

The weather was perfect as we sat on the deck, feet propped up, shoes off to catch the balmy breezes, chatting easily and comfortably me, hubby and the teenager, who was visiting (a.k.a. "doing laundry") for a few hours before heading back to school. It was like old, good times.

The Giraffe Head Tree joined in the conversation and remained ever vigilant.

My loves, the red headed woodpeckers were raucously flitting overhead boring out nests and taking care of their autumnal RHW tasks. I love the way they use their tail feathers as a brace while doing their work. This snag has always been a favorite of theirs but I'm thinking this will be its last winter. The multiple holes have been reworked so often that you can see daylight through it.

The Coot Armada floated by several times.

My RHW buddy was observed filling the nest hole with hickory nuts and the occasional bug, dead and ground into the buggy stew. Maybe there are babies already in there? It seems late for babies but RHW's know their agenda far better than me.




The Golden Tree Hour is beginning to exhibit its masterful moments. By Thanksgiving it is perfect but this year we will not be there for the show. This oak is one of my favorites.

The hickory says "ME TOO!"

Gulls were flying way out into the lake system looking like snowflakes. Deadly snowflakes. Something was spawning. Puddles of boiling water attracted gulls by the dozens, swirling overhead before plunging into the rippling water and coming back up with a treat. We watched this show for a long time, then packed up and went to Carroll's house for dinner and dock sitting. No photos from our visit. It was a time I wanted all to myself so I savored each and every moment as though they were my last for they may well be. Next post - sunrise.

Skywatch Friday

An oldie but a goodie - Thunderhead over Wheeler Lake. Taken in 2003, this event was the maiden voyage of our boat, which I loved and miss. We popped open a bottle of champagne and dribbled a little on its bow for good luck. The storm moved north and missed us entirely (heading to the right of the pic). I've posted this photo on my blog before but today it just seems a good idea to do it again. Because you know why? Because we're going to the LAKE for an OVERNIGHTER! I'm so excited! We'll see friends and stay IN OUR HOUSE and I can say "Hi!" to the Giraffe Head Tree and check on the red headed woodpeckers and watch the sunset and sunrise! For about 24 hours I'll be in heaven, and then we'll come back down to earth.

Thus my entry for this week's Skywatch Friday. For more amazing skies around the world be sure to visit Skywatch Friday and visit everyone. Happy Weekend!

Skywatch Friday

Sunset
North Alabama
Wheeler Lake

Watery Wednesday

October 26, 2004
Sunrise over Wheeler Lake

One of the things I miss most about living on the water is the sky. Waking to the sunrise was easy because it came right into the window onto my face, bathing me in golden light that gently caressed. Usually, I was up well before the sun, sitting out on the deck, coffee and camera at hand, waiting, listening, soaking in the peace. Sunsets had to be enjoyed differently for a house blocked our western view. Instead, we relished watching the reflecting colors shift and swirl in the lake and the golden light dance upon the trees to the east. We called it the "Golden Tree Hour," for they lit up like candles. Because we faced the south we were positioned perfectly for storms driving up the channel or coming from the southwest. Rolling clouds and mist and whitecaps and winds that rocked the trees. We would stand outside until the first large drops pelted our faces before running into the house, laughing at our silliness.

The sky. Vast palette of color with rainbows and white cotton balls, peachy ropes that twist in the dying light, black silver-rimmed mammoth beings towering with lightning, gray udders stretching from here to there, cobalt with great white exclamation points, the sky never ceases to astonish. See some old posts here with photos of some amazing clouds that rolled across our skies.

Yesterday, we were all rocking and rolling due to thunderstorms and tornado warnings from one-ish until well past nightfall. I'm not sure what damage was done elsewhere in the area but for me and mine we are all safe. This is kind of an unusual entry for Watery Wednesday, but my brain sometimes goes off in a direction unbidden ... and I just let it. Enjoy!

Scenic Sunday

Storm's a-comin' on Wheeler Lake, November 2004. The Giraffe Head Tree is standing sentry. It was a rock 'n roll storm, wild and wooly, but all was well! Check out more beautiful scenes all over the world by clicking below - Happy Scenic Sunday!

Scenic Sunday

This week's Scenic Sunday - Sunrise over Wheeler Lake in luscious North Alabama.

Skywatch Friday!

Hurricane sunrise. Bands of leader clouds of a hurricane far, far away caused this brief but luscious sunrise over Wheeler Lake. Some may know the Hubs is still healing and I'm housebound and currently participating in Skywatch Friday using past favorite photos. Enjoy!

New England Asters

Gulf Fritillary
New England Asters
October 14, 2002
Sony Cybershot

We moved to the lake house in December 2001. Before the house was built I'd marked areas where flower beds would be created so that the sod guys wouldn't lay sod there. Right by the garage, in the showiest corner of the yard, I planted these New England Asters. They were a passalong plant from my mom, who had an original from her own mother's yard. These are family plants growing and blooming several generations later.

As best I know the term "passalong plants" might'a been coined by Steve Bender (Southern Living Magazine) and Felder Rushing (King of his own domain). They wrote a book together, published 1993, called Passalong Plants. My mom gave me a copy long ago. I've seen both these gentleman give talks at Master Gardener events and the like and I've never laughed so much in my life. They are truly artists at giving talks about that which they love best - gardening. They are both Characters, completely deserving the capital "C!" But, I digress.

This passalong plant was at first completely well behaved but over time it grew huge and ungainly, and even began dying in the circle so now it looks like a big donut. Every July I whack it nearly to the ground, whereby it pouts for a bit before bushing up perfectly rounded in time for autumn, filled to overflowing with blooms. And it's a good thing, too.

Because the butterflies and bees adore this plant! The second year it was in the ground it bloomed heavily, profusely, abundantly. That is when I discovered butterflies, really. Never noticed them much before, but when this Gulf Fritillary landed and began sipping I was enchanted. The Sony Cybershot was fairly new then and had an annoying shutter delay but eventually I got this shot. Only 5 megapixel and the colors are a little wonky, but it's a cool shot filled with wonderful memories of that first October at the lake house with my passalong New England Aster, discovering butterflies. Ah, bliss.

Spiritual Sunday

Wheeler Lake
July 2003

"I thank you God for this most amazing day,

for the leaping greenly spirits of trees,

and for the blue dream of sky

and for everything which is natural,

which is infinite,

which is yes."

e.e. cummings

Skywatch Friday!

My first Skywatch Friday post ever. This is sunrise over Wheeler Lake, a great widening of the majestic, ambling Tennessee River, in Northern Alabama.

Cold Front Approachin'

Wheeler Lake Sunset
Carroll Adams

Hurricanes can cause vivid, striking sunrises and sunsets on our lake. My friend Carroll took this photo of the sunset during Hurricane Earl's journey up the east coast. These aren't hurricane clouds, but instead (according to Mz. Adams) "just the cold front that came in from the northwest that pushed the hurricane out to sea." It's sorta yummy, like peach sherbet or a pina colada. Thanks for sharing, twinnie.

October 26, 2004

7:14am
Sony Cybershot
Wheeler Lake

This was one amazing sunrise. It's called with great fondness the Bozo Sunrise due to the vase-shape of red light emanating from the bright white sun that resembles the famous clown's hair. Since my photo days are limited, as are my energies, I'm going to trip down memory lane and revisit lots of photos from My Lake and River for some time. Please to enjoy!

Wheeler Lake Sunrise

The beach was, for me, a wonderful bonding and resting opportunity. However, we've been back a couple of weeks and I finally had the opportunity to visit my mom again at Wheeler Lake. We shared many a Sunny Beach Porch conversation in her white rocking chairs, sometimes with coffee and sometimes with wine.

From her porch we watched fat, bumbling June Bugs buzz from flower to flower, bumping and bonking into railings or siding. The Japanese Beetles have arrived. Smaller versions of June Bugs they are voracious and will denude crepe myrtles and roses and other plants. Her hummingbird feeders have been filled and we were delighted and amused by all manner of hummer activity. Butterflies aren't yet abundant. This weekend was stiflingly hot. Most times we were indoors. However, the morning of my departure I crept out while mom was still sleeping and watched the sun rise over the neighborhood before it got too hot. Just me and this mockingbird, my cup of coffee and the Canon.

There's not much to chat about this morning with you all but did want to share the little mockingbird photo. Today promises to be busy with lots of projects in the works. Hopefully, I'll have some news to share later and can post something of interest! In the meantime, please enjoy the little mockingbird sunrise!

Sunny Day on Wheeler Lake

November 1, 2009

The Last Lake Day

Above was the last sunrise I saw from our lake house before our temporary move to the city. I rose well before sunrise, made coffee and then stole outside to the deck to watch and record the sunrise. Fortunately for me it was a glorious one - all purples and magentas, pinks and violets, blues and fuchsias with a little bit of yellow and orange splashed in for contrast. The lake's surface was smooth, with ribbons of tiny ripples caused by the currents. The loons called across the waters and herons glided silently by except for the occasional croaking. An armada of coots were barely visible at the water's edge, heading westward on a mission. The Giraffe Head Tree was ever alert, her outstretched leg devoid of squirrels this early morning.

That I love this lake is evident in all that I do. It pulls on me like gravity. Eventually its tugging wins and I'm on my way, bags packed and camera charged, ready to orbit this heavenly body for a few days. Recently, our renters let hubby and I know that they would be out of town for a couple of weeks and invited me to come sit on the deck, peruse the yard and soak up the lakeside for as long as I wish. So, the first sunny and warm day we had I left this city life and took my new friend, Eve, to the lake. We had a Girl's Day Out - the third of our recent adventures!

The day was perfect! Sunny and slightly chilly in the morning but it warmed up nicely. After touring my mom's house we walked across the street to see my house. Standing on the deck admiring the Giraffe Head Tree we noticed about 20, give or take, birds way out in the water. Naturally, we didn't have our cameras but we THINK they were mergansers. Actually, we decided to declare them mergansers....just 'cause we could!

Afterward, we drove down the lane to my buddy Carroll's house. Carroll treated us to Mojitos on the deck (YUM!) in the sunshine. Chit chatting among ourselves we were entertained by trilling birds darting about the treetops - Cedar Waxwings! Of course we got photos - these are really cropped. The waxwings would swoop off a branch to snatch a bug in midair, then roll back to a branch to finish its snack. They were such fun to watch. We did NOT get a photo of the three of us together so you know what THAT means? Yep...we have to schedule another day trip!

This guy looks like he has long spurs on his feet!

At attention.

At this point we noticed another group of duck like birds floating westward towards us. At first we thought they were the mergansers but these guys were definitely different. Not as "pointy" as a merganser, nor as streamlined. Eve speculated what they were, then dashed to the car to get her birding book she brought and confirmed it - Blue Winged Teals. I've cropped these photos so you can get a decent look at them. They floated by in leisure fashion while the three of us excitedly pointed and laughed and took photos.

You can clearly see the blue patch on the one in flight.

Yay! Blue Winged Teals!

Landing. Yeah, these aren't the best photos but you have to remember we were excited!

Heading eastward toward the sun for a few minutes. The lighting's a little better.

Saying our goodbyes to Carroll, the waxwings and blue winged teals Eve and I headed back up the lane to meet my mom. Sitting on her front porch, mom poured us both a "bowl" of wine (she's very generous with her libations!) and chatted a bit - then realized we could be across the street sitting on the deck overlooking the lake! That's where we ended our afternoon on the lake, toasting to each other and the lake and the Giraffe Head Tree!

Sunny Day Pals!

Me and mom.

I leave tomorrow for my lake once more for there's an HOA meeting I must attend on Saturday - that's the bad part. However, during my time there I'll see lots of my friends and spend quality time with my mom - that's the GOOD part! If luck is on my side this time I'll get to go out and take some photos - there's an unexplored refuge close to Florence that's calling my name! Have a lovely week, everyone!