"Mind If I Join You?"

An open-air safari buggy proved just too enticing to one of the wild animals on display at the Glen Rose Animal Reserve. Luckily, I was armed with my trusty Nikon and squeezed off a shot of this majestic intruder. In this close proximity, you suddenly realize how misleading their size can be as you acknowledge one another nose-to-nose.

"Metro Barn"

In the spirit of some of my recent posts where I went "rural", here's a shot that would appear to be on the north forty of someone's ranch. Actually, this is a barn sequestered slap-dab in the middle of Metropolitan Dallas. A small pocket of land still untouched by urban development, the limited area still offers stables, grooming and riding for those adventurous enough (and well-heeled enough) to keep a horse for their week-end diversion.

"Tractor Graveyard"

While traveling a farm-to-market road out of Paris TX to Honey Grove, a large, manicured pasture played host to an assemblage of tractors all neatly spaced, row after row, not unlike the used car lot at an auto dealership. In varying stages of deterioration, these John Deere, International Harvester and Ford tractors were obviously fertile sources for obsolete or hard-to-find parts. One must assume an enterprising individual saw the opportunity to provide a service to his fellow-farmers, and a mini-industry was born. It would have been nice to get closer to squeeze off some additional shots of this unique phenomenon, but the sign prominently displayed on the barbwire fence read "Beware of Dog". And for some reason, I had a feeling that this landowner, whomever he might be, wasn't kidding.

"A Christmas Wish"

The Week-End Warrior was securely ensconced, precariously hunkered down between the sharp thorns of treacherous rose bushes, his trusty (and obviously brand-new) cordless drill in hand, prepared to fulfill his wife's fervent request, "Honey, can you fix the fence?" Maybe next year Santa will leave a tool belt under the tree so dear, old Dad will not have to resort to using his daughter's discarded doll carrier to carry his equipment. Faded denim, power tools and a hot pink "Classic Cruiser"....just not the image for the serious handyman.

"Creative Insulation"

This is a prime example of desperation becoming the Mother of Invention. After all, what do you do with an exposed three-spigot water line standing unprotected at a motorhome pad in the dead of winter? Simple enough: you rely on what every red-blooded American handyman has come to know as the answer to all mechanical problems: duct tape. With a little foam rubber and a jumbo roll of the distinctive silver tape in hand, this dilemma is no longer a concern. Voile! Another problem solved thanks to American ingenuity.

"Limo Lore"

The stories that could be told as this stretch Lincoln Town Car transported revelers to weddings, anniversaries, proms and graduations would probably defy logic. But probably the most interesting story would be how this once luxurious coach ended up deteriorating in a field in South Central Texas.

"Hanging Hot"

Just the color sends up a warning that these peppers are hot, hot, hot. Displayed prominently at the Santa Fe Farmers Market, these culinary delights can also be utilized as decorative touches in your kitchen, patio or anywhere you want attention-getting color. And if you're really brave, you could also spice up a bland dinner with the spicy tastes of New Mexico cuisine.

"Italian Precipitation"

Neither the rain nor vehicular traffic seemed to phase shoppers as they made their way through the narrow streets of Florence during an afternoon storm. The overcast skies and colorful umbrellas only seemed to enhance the beauty of this beloved Italian city.

"Feeding Frenzy"

It didn't take long for this Hilton Head beach picnic to attract a noisy choir of gulls to participate in the festivities. Whether it was "tuna salad sittin' on a Ritz", peanuts, Fritos or morsels of raw shrimp, these airborne gourmets were eager to capture anything thrown

their way.

"Just Plum Tuckered Out"

Even with the excitement of Ft. Worth's famed Stockyard, a man's gotta grab a little catnap from time to time. This candid shot, captured in front of one of Cowtown's famed beef emporiums, confirms that a Texas-sized rib-eye, when consumed midday, can result in an unplanned siesta on a summer afternoon.

"Colorado Paintbrush"

Regardless of the time of year you visit the scenic Rocky Mountain State, there is always something to capture photographically. Be it a 14,000 foot mountain peak, a pristine stream, or just a meadow awash with the colors of the season, you need do nothing more than open your eyes to the splendor around you.

'Bottoms Up'

It was a little strange on a recent photo excursion to capture artistic tributes to the deceased to find "adult beverages" in abundance at certain cemetery plots. This takes the old adage "Dying for a drink" to a new level. I know, I know....I've got a sick sense of humor. With that acknowledgement, I will close with the sincere wish, "May light perpetual shine upon the souls of the departed".

"Super Bowl Countdown"

With 48 hours and counting, Dallas continued to be hammered by Mother Nature. Friday morning's forecast was for a 'dusting' of snow, with clear skies to follow. That prediction was not even close with snowfall totaling more than 6 inches as seen in this shot outside my home. Thankfully, the sun emerged in time to provide a glorius Saturday for the thousands upon thousands congregating in the Dallas-Ft.Worth Metroplex for the big Packer-Steeler confrontation Sunday evening.

"Rolling Home"

A flatbed, void of cargo, is heading home through the Rockies, having delivered its load...an accomplishment often going unnoticed. But as I sit at my computer, iced in and held captive in the throes of a vicious winter storm rampaging through "Super Bowl" Dallas on this early February morning, I marvel at how our commerce system still manages to deliver the goods. The post office for years has had the reputation of getting the mail out through hail, snow, ice and storm. But while you're applauding our resilient mail carriers, give it up for the truckers, pilots, forklift operators, and those hardy souls on the loading docks and tarmac who somehow seem to get the goods to us year round.

"Mellow Cello"

If the colors, textures and flora are not enough to entice you to enter this new gallery along Santa Fe's famed Rodeo Drive, perhaps some classical cello will cause you to pause and experience the creativity that abounds. On a casual stroll last fall down this narrow, winding midway of art, a little night music added yet another dimension to an already delightful evening.

"Prickly Situation"

On a road trip to capture the famed Bluebonnets of Texas, one never knows what's around the next curve in a less-traveled, farm-to-market road. In this case, an abandoned pickup was just too colorful not to record. Obviously, whatever had been in the bed of the truck proved to have a proclivity for pollination when it came to cactus. The real question begging to be answered regarding this particular vehicle might be "What was the original color?" The hood was white as can barely be seen in it's current condition. But the body is red. Or is that rust? Or does it really matter? Whatever the color it might have been, this pick-em-up truck has certainly seen better days. Unless you're a photographer, and then this old Chevy is in its prime.

"Movie Inspiration"

If you remember the Academy Award winning movie, "Forrest Gump", the opening scene was a feather floating down from a church spire as it eventually landed in a town square, but more importantly near a park bench occupied by actor Tom Hanks who played the title character. The inspiration and the focal point of this cinematic sequence was the towering spire of this church, located in one of the many historical sections of Savannah, Georgia.

"Afternoon Stroll"

A sunny afternoon beckoned a young couple to load up the stroller for a walk through the historical streets of Savannah. If you look closely, you'll see one young rider playing peek-a-boo with the photographer as his young pup protectively rides "shotgun" on this Sunday outing.

"After the Rain"

Following a spring thunderstorm, two strollers enjoy the late afternoon solitude and beauty of a family cemetery located in the historic Monteagle Methodist Assembly campground. The stately trees and unhurried lifestyle are a hallmark of this area which is located only minutes from the campus of University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.

"Contrasts"

From colorful art deco graphics to reflective, modern skyscrapers, Ft. Worth can transport you from one era to another in the blink of an eye. The city's motto, "Where the West Begins" hardly does this vibrant metropolis justice considering it's known for The Kimball Art Museum, the fabled Will Rogers Coliseum, The Ft. Worth Livestock Show and Casa Manana Theatre. And probably the newest bragging right is the fact that Ft. Worth is home to the 2010 Rose Bowl Champion TCU Horned Frogs from Texas Christian University.

"Charleston Sunset"

With barely enough light to make out the details of the twin "A" landmarks supporting the bridge spanning the bay at Charleston, an early evening drive proved too dramatic not to capture for my blog.

"Sand, Surf & Sunburn"

The wide open, pristine beaches of the Carolinas beckon and what better way to enjoy the coastline than to stake your area, throw down a chaise lounge or two and spend the afternoon engaged in idle chit-chat? Hopefully, part of the routine included the slathering of a good coat of protective UV screen to avoid the painful aftermath of too much sun. What makes this stretch of Atlantic seashore-- from Myrtle Beach down to Hilton Head and beyond-- even more appealing is that you never know but what over that next sand dune you could find a world-class resort and seaside golf course.

'Dead Heat'

Two late afternoon cyclists appear to be neck and neck as they cruise White Rock Lake, a pastoral retreat in the center of a bustling Dallas metropolitan area. Home to the increasingly popular marathon, "The Rock", the lake provides a welcome respite from the bustle of the big city with trails for hiking, jogging and biking, as well as picnic areas for family outings and special events.

"Rafting by the Rails"

You might say that the "prodigal photographer" has returned after more than a year's absence.

But I'm back with renewed determination to again post regularly and share, as my blog says, "life through my Nikon". Which, by the way, is not the same Nikon used for this and so many other postings in the past. An unfortunate home break-in two days before Christmas resulted in a very depressed photographer sans equipment. Thankfully, the equipment has been replaced, as has my desire to share. And this, my first posting back, is one taken along side a winding highway in North Carolina where a happy crew of rafters waged a losing battle against a passenger train carrying a load of tourists while everyone enjoyed the magnificent scenery in their own way. I'm happy to be back, and this will be "Day One" of multiple postings 'cause I've got some catching up to do!