"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!