Taking a Break

Working in the winter time means going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark, so I don't have a chance to get outside and take pics.  But as soon as the sun decides to stick around a little longer in the day, I'll be back on track posting pretty pics!

Dust Bunnies

I have always hated the term "dust bunnies."  Dust doesn't look like bunnies and naming it after a cute little animal is weird considering the 80% of dust is actually dead skin.  So anyway dust bunnies are dumb, but if there really were dust bunnies, I think these are the things that you would clean them with or maybe where the dust bunnies would live... I don't know.  There's just something about this funky weed that reminds me of dust bunnies.  

Berries & Shrooms

Another twofer

  It's amazing to me that mother nature can create such vibrant and rich colors like these beautiful holly berries and this weird mushroomy seaweed thing.  

Pebblemint Bark

This looks like a little kid glued pebbles to a tree.  I love it. 

Plumes

I can't believe this is a plant.  These plumes look like they belong to an exotic bird.

A Twofer

Again, I'm posting 2 pics bc yesterday was a bit nuts.

I found this charred log on the beach.  I love love love the colors and the layers.

The silhouette of the berries on this tree remind of Dr. Suess.  They're so simple and sneetchy.   

Stumped

Love the texture, the shape, everything.  This weather worn tree stump almost looks like a wooden flower.  

Man Created, Nature Manipulated

I missed yesterday so I'm posting two pics.   The neon green on this fence post is so bright it almost looks like someone spilled a bucket of paint, but it's just mossy stuff.  

Root Beer Float

Doesn't this look just like a root beer float?  I love the amber color of the water and those bubbles are so frothy.  A lake made of root beer and ice cream, that would be awesome.

To Scale

Normally I don't equate death with beauty, but this guy was lying in a perfect curve and his scales were such a beautiful color and had so much texture.  I thought he was awesome.

Cracked

So traditionally mud isn't the first thing that comes to mind when searching for beauty, but the texture of this dried mud is so interesting.  It reminds me of what I think elephant skin would look like up close.  I love it!

Twisted

I don't know what would cause this, but isn't this awesome?  It's like a twisted breadstick.  Cool.

Monkey Rocks

I know I keep putting up pictures of rocks, but aren't they awesome?  I've always loved rocks and even considered majoring in geology so it's no surprise that I find it so easy to see the beauty in these amazing rock formations.  I found these rocks down by the lake.  Can you see the monkey face in the middle?

Eagle Eyes

Yesterday we went to Dollywood.  We rode the rides, saw a show, watched some guy blow glass, but by far the most majestic thing we saw were the bald eagles.  I've never seen an eagle up close, actually I don't know if I've seen an eagle period, but they were truly beautiful and it's clear why this bird has been given the honor of representing out nation. 

Water Logged

I love what water does to things.  This rock is usually totally submerged.  

Last of the Leaves

I love fall, it's my favorite season.  It's pretty much over out here, but these leaves are still holding on to their last bit of color.  The sun rays make them even more vibrant.

Tree Shells

Exploring today at Panther Creek State Park, I found this massive tree invested with mushroomy sea shell looking things.  I'm sure they're not good for the tree, but I love the shapes and the colors.  

Sky Kelp

I love the way these gingko branches jut out toward the sky.  It looks just like sea kelp.

Cherokee Sunset

Sunset last night over Lake Cherokee.  Awesome.  

Apricots?

I love the orange color of these... things against the sky.  I squished one and it smelled like apricots, but I have no idea what they really are.  I found this tree on an island in the lake.  The water is so low, I could walk to it.

The Rock

I love this rock.  It's so sculptural and oddly feminine.  I found it after pulling off the highway and sloshing through mud to get to the lake shore which has been greatly extended since they've drained the lake.  Next spring this rock will be under 15 feet of water.