More Mandarin Ducks

you are not too old 

and it is not too late 

to dive into your increasing depths 

where life calmly gives out

it's own secret

~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Two more Mandarin Ducks, Black Mountain NC

 One of the few feral populations 

of Mandarin Ducks in the US. 

Print Available - HERE 

 

Peppermint Tulips

Nothing reminds us of an awakening more than rain.

~ Dejan Stojanovic
 

During our Black Mountain visit of April 2013 - we traveled down the road to the North Carolina Arboretum.  What a Magnificent place!  It rained the entire time - so I didn't get out the BIG Camera - but took some shots with my iPhone.  If you ever get a chance to visit - I would highly recommend it.  Fantastic trails to walk along and awesome flowers and trees!   I think that was the most time I had ever spent out walking in the rain and it was AWESOME!   

Quite Refreshing to my mind and body.

I don't know what kind of tulips these are - but they reminded me of Peppermints :)

floral art

Lake Tomahawk - Black Mountain North Carolina

Not every lake dreams to be an ocean. Blessed are the ones who are happy with whom they are.

~  Mehmet Murat ildan

During our visit to Black Mountain, NC we stopped by  Lake Tomahawk.  This is an iPhone shot taken during our walk around the lake. 

Nuthatch in the Dogwood

The muffled syllables that Nature speaks 

Fill us with deeper longing for her word; 

She hides a meaning that the spirit seeks, 

She makes a sweeter music than is heard.

― George Santayana

 

River Otters

"Oh, thank you!  That feels good!"

River Otters at Western NC Nature Center

Print Available - HERE 

Friends - I Need a Favor - Three Actually!

Hi Friends!!  This is a pic of my Son Junior, and my Grandson Conner at a recent check-up.

Isn't Conner Adorable?!

This was taken by my daughter-in-law Whitney.

She has submitted it in a FaceBook contest.  

If this pic has the most votes - she'll win a photo session from a photographer in her local area.

Now this is where YOU come in.

I need you to do Three things.

#1 - LIKE the SM Photography page on FB - HERE 

#2 - LIKE the PIC on the SM Photography page - HERE 

#3 - Comment "VOTE" on the pic 

I sooooooo appreciate your help with this! 

Thank you so much!

Mandarin Duck

It is often while you are looking for something else entirely that you make the most amazing finds. 

~ Marissa Moss

I couldn't have been more amazed to find this Mandarin Duck during a visit to Black Mountain North Carolina.  At first I thought it was a Wood Duck.  According to Wikipedia Black Mountain is one of the few places in the US with feral populations. 

Available - HERE