An early morning view of the beautiful snow at Shallowford Square.

Early Reward

As I approached Shallowford Square early on the morning of our recent snowfall, I was surprised to see not a trace of footprints in the beautiful snow around the Square. “Wow,” I thought, “It looks like I’m the first one here.”

Pure, unblemished snow is not only a serene sight, but for me it holds a hint of the sacred. As I made my way around the perimeter of the Square, photographing from various viewpoints, I just couldn’t bring myself to transgress the white beauty. I surely did want to move into the scene and take some close-ups here and there, but I hesitated to mar the perfection before me.

Why not simply enjoy the beauty from afar and allow others to experience the same serene sight? That’s what something deep within urged me to do. So I moved on, leaving the scene as I’d found it — pure and unblemished.

Perhaps on the next snowfall I’ll dare to move in and get the shots I relinquished that morning at the Square. Nevertheless, on that particular day, not violating the serenity at the Square seemed more important than the photos I might have taken.

Photo Gallery

Please visit the Shallowford Square photo gallery to enjoy a few more serene photos of the Square. Any thoughts you’d like to share in the Comment section?

© 2009 Deb Phillips - The Photo Gal for Lewisville Photos :: The Photo Adventure Blog by Deb Phillips | Permalink
Category: Nature Thoughts Site Search Tags: Shallowford Square, snow
2 Comments | Contact Deb

A Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (female) approaches a feeder.

Waiting

As of today, I have a heightened respect for wildlife photographers. They not only tend to spend a great deal of time waiting — waiting to capture the potentially elusive pose of some member of the animal kingdom. But very often they’re patiently waiting under uncomfortable — if not extreme — conditions.

I really shouldn’t complain, then, that it took me four hours to capture a few decent shots of this hummer, which I believe to be a female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. I stood the entire time, inside an enclosed sunroom, quietly watching the feeder that this hummingbird has claimed as hers the entire summer. (...)
Read the rest of The Hummer (214 words)

© 2009 Deb Phillips - The Photo Gal for Lewisville Photos :: The Photo Adventure Blog by Deb Phillips | Permalink
Category: Nature Thoughts Site Search Tags: animals, birds
4 Comments | Contact Deb

The blooms of a beautiful Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium superbum) hang in splendor before a blurred-out background of yellow daylilies.

Unexpected Beauty

Little did I know when I pulled out of the driveway one recent morning that I’d soon run smack-dab into mystery and majesty.

I was driving along Yadkinville Road, intent on checking out possible photo opportunities at a nearby farm, when I glanced toward one of the private drives in the Sattsgate development. There, I saw a lady tending a large, beautiful patch of yellow daylilies. I thought, “Wow! I’ve never noticed those beauties before! I’m turning around to check them out.”

When I got out of my truck, I introduced myself to Mrs. Barbara Brooks, a retired nurse. Our conversation went on for at least an hour, as Barbara graciously showed me around the floral paradise that surrounds the home where she lives with her husband, Dr. Joe Brooks, a retired N.C. State horticulturist. (You should also know that Dr. Brooks proudly drives a bright red — really clean — pickup truck with an NCSU plate on the front!)

To enjoy MORE PHOTOS of NATURE’S WONDERS at the home of Dr. Joe and Barbara Brooks, please continue to the NEXT SECTION. (...)
Read the rest of Mystery and Majesty (681 words)

© 2009 Deb Phillips - The Photo Gal for Lewisville Photos :: The Photo Adventure Blog by Deb Phillips | Permalink
Category: Nature Thoughts Site Search Tags: close-ups, flower photography, gardens/gardening, nature
4 Comments | Contact Deb

"Red," the redbird, apparently has made his home at the Veterans Memorial at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, North Carolina.

Avian Obsession

I suppose you could say I’ve become obsessed with him. I always look for him whenever I pass the place where we first met. And just catching a glimpse of him continues to cause my heart to flutter.

Yes, a little redbird has become a bit of an obsession for me. Almost two months ago, I discussed meeting the redbird I call “Red” in Birds of a Feather and Just Curious. I had initially spotted “Red” hanging around the POW-MIA monument at the Veterans Memorial in Shallowford Square.

Since that first encounter, I’ve caught a quick glance of “Red” at the Square numerous times when I’ve simply been driving by. And I’ve seen him every single time that I’ve taken a few moments to park and walk closer to the Veterans Memorial.

The Latest Sighting

Yesterday was no exception. I was keeping my little niece and nephew for the weekend, and they wanted to swing on the swings at Shallowford Square. After they’d swung for a while, I suggested that we walk over to look for the redbird. And, honestly, just like clockwork, “Red” made his appearance only minutes after we’d begun observing the area around the POW-MIA monument!

See for Yourself

If you’d like to experience a bit of the wonder of this little creature, try stopping by the Square sometime and observing the area around the POW-MIA monument from a distance. I think it’s likely that you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the appearance of a bird named “Red.”

If you do see him, please be sure to report back here in the Comment section. It’d be fun to hear from others who’ve spotted “Red.” (...)
Read the rest of Can’t Get Him Out of My Mind (313 words)

© 2009 Deb Phillips - The Photo Gal for Lewisville Photos :: The Photo Adventure Blog by Deb Phillips | Permalink
Category: Nature Thoughts Site Search Tags: animals, birds, Shallowford Square, Veterans Memorial
Leave a Comment | Contact Deb