Argon One

clark preserve winter

2012-01-05T22:17:00.000-06:00

clark preserve winter: 04, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Even though the day was a bit cool in the wetlands, it had been almost seven months since I last visited this place, so I spent a lot of time walking, observing, listening to the sounds of the wilderness on this day. I was the only person on the boardwalk. It was so quiet, the forest seemed loud. I could hear each rustle of the fallen leaves on the boardwalk as the winter wind blew them about. Tree branches brushed against one another, making scraping, cracking sounds. Even the wind was loud. It was a perfect day.

Exposure: 0.4 sec
Aperture: f/20.0
Focal Length: 55mm
ISO Speed: 200
Self-timer; tripod

of an abstract nature

2011-12-16T22:14:00.000-06:00

of an abstract nature, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

a little bit of snow

2011-12-08T22:11:00.000-06:00

a little bit of snow, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

haleakala

2011-12-05T22:08:00.000-06:00

haleakala, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Lol. This is me in 1976 standing on the rim of Haleakala Crater, Maui. That's a Canon TLB hanging by my side.

shattercone [top view]

2011-11-30T17:51:00.000-06:00

shattercone [top view], a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Dolomite cones formed by meteorite impact shock waves
300-million-years-old

Wells Creek Impact Crater
Cumberland City, TN

crater center

2011-11-30T17:13:00.000-06:00

crater center, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Paul is standing at the center of the Wells Creek Basin Impact Crater. I, and about a dozen others, had the unique experience of visiting the point of impact of this 300-million-year-old asteroid/comet meteorite crater. This is the remains of a mighty explosion which occurred when a fiery meteorite came screaming southward into the atmosphere, Slamming into the earth, creating a two-rim crater: one rim about 7 miles in diameter and another at the impact point about 2 miles in diameter and perhaps a half mile deep.

Since this event happened 300 million years ago, there is much speculation. No metallic minerals [iron and nickel] were found at ground zero, therefore many believe this was the impact of a comet, a fiery ball of ice.

Our quest on this day was to collect shattercones. The next post will be an image of one of the shattercones I collected on this field trip.

autumn in the wetlands

2011-11-26T17:06:00.000-06:00

autumn in the wetlands, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

This was taken just minutes before sunset on a cool, 45ºF afternoon. The setting sun bathed the wetlands and the boardwalk in sepia tones. As the sun began to dip below the trees I had to turn around and head back to the parking area before reaching the river.

the dunes

2011-11-22T16:43:00.000-06:00

the dunes, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Between press checks on a recent trip to Erie, Pennsylvania, I had an opportunity to visit Presque Isle. The day was cold [40º] and very windy. I had to keep moving as I walked along the beach of Lake Erie to stay warm. Once I moved inland, the wind was not so much a factor and the hiking was very comfortable.

bicycle

2011-11-19T16:37:00.000-06:00

bicycle, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Taken on the blue trail bridge in the Lucius Burch Natural Area. I saw the bicyclist coming so I waited until he got on the bridge before clipping the shutter.

mousetail landing

2011-11-14T22:50:00.001-06:00

mousetail landing, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

I took a day off from work to go to Mousetail Landing State Park and Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park to shoot fall pictures... sunny day, high around 60, no wind, just a great day all around.

schrouded in fog

2011-11-13T19:58:00.003-06:00

schrouded in fog, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

on the streets

2011-11-13T19:58:00.001-06:00

on the streets, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

misty morning

2011-11-13T19:56:00.003-06:00

misty morning, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

crossover

2011-11-13T19:56:00.001-06:00

crossover, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

memphis cottonfield sunset

2011-11-13T19:55:00.001-06:00

memphis cottonfield sunset, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

along the banks of the wolf

2011-11-13T19:53:00.003-06:00

along the banks of the wolf, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

dreamscape

2011-11-13T19:53:00.001-06:00

dreamscape, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

trees and rockets

2011-10-27T21:30:00.003-05:00

trees and rockets, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

interwoven

2011-10-27T21:30:00.001-05:00

interwoven, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

I've been doing a lot of experimenting with blurs lately. I'm pretty happy with some of them.

impressionist fall colors

2011-10-26T16:28:00.000-05:00

fallen

2011-10-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

fallen, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

swiftly through the dismal swamp

2011-10-24T20:49:00.001-05:00

in the dark of dungeon keep, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

tall grasses and the forest beyond

2011-10-23T10:52:00.001-05:00

tall grasses and the forest beyond, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

waves of grass

2011-10-22T00:54:00.001-05:00

waves of grass, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

forest blur

2011-10-22T00:53:00.001-05:00

forest blur, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

art and pottery

2011-10-14T22:01:00.001-05:00

art and pottery, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Last weekend was the 39th Annual Pink Palace Arts and Crafts Fair. My wife and I have had a booth at this fair for 29 years. She's a spinner [of fibers like sheep, llama, alpaca, angora, cotton, flax, etc.]. I'm her assistant. I card the wool [comb the fibers with a drum carder to make sure the fibers are all aligned] before she spins it. This 4-day fair is one of the highlights of our year. It's like a family reunion. Artists and craftsmen from all over the country gather here once a year. We go out together for dinner[s] and catch up on the happenings since our last "reunion".

climbing tower

2011-10-10T22:43:00.001-05:00

climbing tower, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

...at the Childrens Museum of Memphis [CMOM].

trail blur 01

2011-10-10T22:40:00.001-05:00

trail blur 01, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

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cascade

2011-10-10T22:35:00.001-05:00

cascade, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

I was arriving for work just as the sun was coming up over the horizon and I could not pass up an opportunity to shoot this small, cascading waterfall in the courtyard.

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standing among the sunflowers

2011-09-07T22:00:00.001-05:00

[329] standing among the sunflowers, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

perfect partners

2011-09-07T21:56:00.001-05:00

perfect partners, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

my shadow guides me

2011-09-05T10:08:00.001-05:00

[328] my shadow guides me, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

late afternoon sun
shines directly in my eyes
i have to turn to see
my shadow there behind

we walk for miles
my shadow and me
in silence
without words

the path turns north
my shadow
walks beside me on the right

its not until i see
my shadow there in front
that i know its not far now
my shadow guides me home

-- Mike B

near sunset

2011-09-04T17:12:00.001-05:00

[327] near sunset, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

champion of the world

2011-09-04T17:11:00.001-05:00

[324] champion of the world, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

well, maybe not champion... but second place... not bad! yesterday was the last day of a month-long health challenge where i work. exercise, nutrition and prevention were all factors in the challenge. 295 teams signed up. some teams had several members. most teams were one-person teams. i was a one-person team. when the challenge first started my pledge was to hike 8 miles every tuesday and thursday after work. it became obvious early on that would not be enough if i wanted to actually be a contender, so i changed my strategy to hiking at least 8 miles every day for the entire month of august. at the beginning of the month it took me about 2.25 hours to complete 8 miles. by the end of the month i had improved my pace to less than 2 hours to complete 8 miles. i also increased my mileage from 8 to 10 miles a day. on the final day, i tallied 12 miles! an added benefit of this month-long challenge is that i lost 6 pounds.

in orienteering and hiking, your pace is very important. if you have a consistent pace, you can accurately measure distance between points. to determine your pace: [01] measure off a quarter-mile distance [many trails have marker posts every quarter-mile]; [02] hike the distance between those markers, count your steps -- every time your right foot hits the ground add one; [03] record your steps at the end of the quarter-mile; [04] multiple by 4 -- 4 quarters in a mile]; [05] divide 5280 by the number you calculated in step 4 -- 5280 feet in a mile; [06] the resulting number is your pace.

using this formula, on moderately level ground [some slight elevation changes], i hike 255 steps in a quarter-mile, 1020 steps in a mile, therefore my pace is 5.176. using this pace i can measure just about any trail. you don't have to count the whole time you're hiking. just count the first quarter of a mile. make a note of the number of steps and the amount of time it took you to hike that distance. when you're finished with your hike, make a note of how much time the entire hike took and do the math.

overgrown

2011-09-04T17:10:00.001-05:00

overgrown, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

most of the time these trails are very well maintained. fallen trees removed from the path. overgrowth trimmed away. but this summer has been atypical. many of the trails are overgrown. that's fine on less-traveled paths, but these trails get a lot of use by hikers, bikers and horse-riders. i can't tell you how many times i've had to step off the trail to let a horse or a bike pass. on sections of the trail like this one it becomes an issue. since i am a barefoot hiker, i don't especially want to step off into the unknown. poison ivy. thorns. chiggers. snakes.

late afternoon light

2011-09-04T17:09:00.001-05:00

late afternoon light, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

it is amazing to me that each time i venture out into the parks and natural areas near where i live, i make new discoveries and find trails or sections of trails that i have not hiked before. this section of trail really caught my attention. bathed in afternoon sunlight, the colors were awesome. this image doesn't do it justice.

the downside

2011-09-04T17:08:00.001-05:00

[315] the downside, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

barely standing

2011-09-04T17:06:00.001-05:00

barely standing, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

during the rainy season this is a very wide stream.... but not today.

the crew

2011-08-08T23:07:00.001-05:00

[300] the crew, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

High Adventure Explorer Post
1989

Sixth in a series [left to right] Christopher, William, Jeremy, Teipei, Cactus, Scott, [Jessica is sitting between Scott and Jennifer], Jennifer, Lee, and that's me behind the camera.

breaktime

2011-08-07T21:41:00.001-05:00

[299] breaktime, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Dismal Swamp
Big Hill Pond State Park
Pocahontas, TN
1989

Fifth in a series. In this image Jessica, Cactus and Jennifer are taking a break before entering Dismal Swamp.

It's important to structure your backpack team. For each hike [or for each day of an expedition] I would assign a first guide and second guide for the team. The first guide was the navigator and set the pace for the entire team. No one hiked in front of the first guide. The second guide always brought up the rear. No one hiked behind the second guide. Cactus was always our second guide, not because he was a slow hiker [he could out-hike any one on the team] but because he had a great amount of hiking knowledge and he always carried the trail first aid. Each member carried their own small first aid kit, but Cactus' kit included things like braces, big bandages, aspirin, snake bite tools, and plenty of moleskiin [for blister repair]. Cactus always wanted to know exactly where the team was, and if he was the second guide, then he knew no one had fallen too far behind.

As adviser my responsibility was to ensure that the hike was going well, the pace was good for everyone [although it was not unusual for there to be as much as an eighth of a mile between the first guide and the second guide] and lend assistance to anyone who might having difficulties along the trail [pack repair, boot repair, minor trail first aid, advise and instruction]. I would start the hike at the front to check the pace set by the first guide, slow my pace until I was at the back with the second guide, checking on each hiker along the way, quicken my pace until I caught up with the first guide.... and then do it all over again.

To ensure that we stayed together as a team, we scheduled a 5-10 minute break once every hour [10 minutes for the leaders, 5 minutes for the slower hikers]. The first guide would also stop at every major trail junction until the entire team was there, so no one would take a wrong turn. We studied the trail maps before embarking, but young hikers don't always pay close enough attention to the details of the map... we learned from past experiences.

checking the map

2011-08-06T20:15:00.002-05:00

[298] checking the map, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Dismal Swamp
Big Hill Pond State Park
Pocahontas, TN
1989

Fourth in a series This was taken on a shake-down backpack trip to Big Hill Pond, in preparation for a week-long, 80-mile expedition on the Appalachian Trail during the summer.

Scott, Lee and Williams are taking a break to check the trail map and get their bearings. Three trail essentials on a backpack trip: [01] a current, well-oriented trail map; [02] a compass; and [03] a whistle, just in case you get lost.

thoughts on backpacks

2011-08-05T22:28:00.002-05:00

[297] thoughts on backpacks, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Big Hill Pond State Park
Pocahontas, TN
1989

Third in a series. In this image are Teipei [tee-pay], Lee and William, all members of our High Adventure Explorer Post in the late 80s and 90s. Notice that they all have on external frame packs. In the early years of our post we all had external frame packs, but after hundreds of miles of backpacking, in all kinds of weather, all types of terrain, we began to research pack types and hip suspension systems [the adjustable padded belts on backpacks] and as a team we collectively decided that internal frame packs were better. In external frame packs, the heavier weight is placed near the top of the pack. This placement is better for the wearer's back but it tends to cause hot spots on the hips, as well as instability when traversing rocky or other extremely unlevel terrain. Internal frame packs hold the load closer to the wearer's body, with the heavier weight being packed in the center of the pack, close to the back. The hip suspension systems on internal packs fit more snug and secure and tend to be far more comfortable with less movement. The only downside with internal frame packs is the tendency of the wearer to perspire more because the pack fits so snug against the back.

I used a Jansport K-2 external frame pack from the 70s until the late 80s and thought I would never find a pack I liked better. Then I got a Mountainsmith Frostfire internal frame pack in the late 80s. I'm still using it today. I know there are probably packs out there there that I would love to own, but my Mountainsmith still works great for me. It's seen a lot of miles...well over 5,000.

after capture the flag

2011-08-05T00:04:00.000-05:00

Grassy Point Shelter
Big Hill Pond State Park
1989

Second in a series. William and Scott [a new member of the High Adventure Explorer Post] enjoy a game of chess following an intense wide-area game of Capture the Flag.

This image is from a weekend shake-down backpacking trip, during which we talked about the gear the team members brought on the trip [or didn't bring] and then discussed what gear was absolutely necessary on up-coming long backpack trips and what gear could be substituted or eliminated. For instance, in this image there are at least three items that could be eliminated or substituted. [01] The old-style lantern sitting on the ledge in the background would definitely not be part of a long trip [4 days or more]. The lantern could be eliminated all together. A small Maglite lightweight flashlight [or something similar] can provide all the light you need, without you having to deal with a fuel-consuming, heavy, space-needy lantern. [02] Even though a full-size chess set is awesome to have, it is not very practical on a backpacking trip. The board is big and awkward to pack. If you absolutely cannot be without your chess set, find or make a cloth board that can be rolled or folded and stored easily in your backpack, without adding a lot of weight. Bring small, lightweight chess pieces stored in a heavy duty ziplock bag or a small, clear, plastic container. [03] Blue jeans are not the best choice for hiking and camping. When they get wet [during a rain or when fording a stream] cotton stays wet and heavy for a long time. Choose lightweight, quick-drying clothing for all your hikes.

Always take size, weight and practicality into consideration when planning for a long backpacker.

grassy point shelter

2011-08-03T20:12:00.002-05:00

[295] grassy point shelter, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Big Hill Pond State Park
Pocahontas, TN
1989

For several years I was the adviser for a Co-ed High Adventure Explorer Post. My backpacking buddy, Cactus, was the assistant adviser. The main interests of the post were: backpacking first, then activities like rock climbing, rappelling, scrambling, spelunking, canoeing, whitewater rafting, orienteering, wilderness survival, trail first aid and disaster preparedness. The pre-requisite for being a member of our post was that the members had to also be members [and leaders] of a scout troop until they turned 18. Cactus and I figured if they were leaders in a scout troop then they already knew the basics of camping and hiking.... things like fire-building, camp set-up, cooking, care and maintenance of equipment like tents, backpacks, stoves, boots.... you get the idea.

Anyway, one of our favorite places to backpack and camp was Big Hill Pond. I still go there once or twice a year. Whenever we were preparing for a one or two-week expedition in the Smokies, we would go to Big Hill Pond to fine-tune our equipment, shake-down our packs [determine what gear we would actually use on a longer trip and what gear we could leave home], test drive new boots or a new backpack stove.... those kinds of things. We learned a lot of useful things about packing light during our shake-down trips. For instance, if you saw half the handle off of your toothbrush, that saves an ounce of backpack weight. If you remove your food from the containers it came in from the store, put it in heavy duty freezer ziplocks and label each bag with its contents and which meal it is intended to be used, you can save a pound or so from your pack weight [based on a week-long expedition]. The food thing also saves you a lot of time spent searching in your backpack for the right food at the right meal. Organization means everything on a long trip!

Cactus and I had an outstanding post. The young men and women in our post knew what they were doing. We limited membership to no more than 15 members. As the members graduated high school and went on to college, new members were added. In the image above [and for the next few postings to follow] we had a couple of new members. This was their first backpacking trip with us. And like almost every backpack trip we went on, it rained off and on. It was great to have a shelter on this trip, instead of tents. That's Christopher [a newbie] hanging off the top bunk of the Grassy Point Shelter.

squirrel

2011-07-29T20:45:00.002-05:00

We have a three-year-old schnauser-poodle [schnoodle] doggie named Mollie and Mollie is an avid squirrel chaser. She never catches one but she certainly tries very hard. I had a dream about Mollie last night. I opened the door just like always and Mollie darted out into the yard. To my surprise and Molli’s the squirrel didn’t run as they always do. Instead this little squirrel confronted Molli and bite her on the nose. Just a little snip. It didn’t even break the skin but Molli was embarrassed that she had been snipped. She lay down with her head on her front paws and looked up at me with those big black eyes as if she was asking “what went wrong?” I sat down in the grass to comfort her and all this time the little squirrel is flitting around Molli, taunting her, threatening to pop her on the nose again. I whispered to Molli, “don’t worry sweetie, I’ll get that mean ole squirrel.” I turned around just as the little squirrel rose up on it’s hind legs, front paws raised in the air, and let out a terrifying vampire-squirrel squeal and lunged toward me. That’s when I woke up.

I’m keeping a close eye on Molli’s backyard adventures from now on!

visit to happy days tree farm

2011-07-28T20:43:00.000-05:00

Isn't this an awesome looking stand of pine trees? I had the privilege of visiting the Happy Days Tree Farm recently and this is a typical scene from the property. How often do you think about where the paper you use comes from? It comes from trees just like these. Did you know that trees are our only renewable natural resource? When you use paper, you help grow more trees. For every tree that is harvested from sustainable forests in the United States three are planted. There are more trees in the United States today than there were 50 years ago. Growing trees is just like growing any other crop, except it takes a little bit longer to grow trees than it does to grow corn.

What you shouldn't be using is plastic. Plastic is full of chemicals. It comes from petroleum, which is not renewable. Plastic does not degrade easily when thrown away. Paper, on the other hand, can be recycled into more paper, comes from a renewable resource, degrades easily when thrown away or composted. Think responsibly. Use more paper, not more plastic.

snake stories

2011-07-18T23:29:00.000-05:00

I often stop by the wetlands of the William B. Clark Nature Preserve on my way home from work, as I did this past Friday. At the moment there is a lot of construction going on at the entrance to the wetlands. A new bridge is being constructed and as a result there has been a lot of damage to the trail along the river bluff [uprooted and downed trees along and over the trail]. I began my Friday trek into the wetlands as I always do, stepping over trees to find the trail. Only a hundred yards or so away from the parking lot I spotted a huge water moccasin lying across the trail. I waited for a few minutes and then gently persuaded him to move on by tossing a couple of sticks in his direction. Slowly he took the hint and slithered away. Only a few yards from that encounter I saw the tail of another water moccasin sticking about a foot out of snake hole right beside the trail. Once again I waited and after a while the tail disappeared totally beneath the trail. I walked on for another fifty yards or so and encountered the third water moccasin beside the trail. I have only seen one other moccasin on or near the trail in the three years I have been walking this trail. My theory is that the recent flooding in May and the current construction have shifted and loosened the ground in this area, making it easier to navigate and more desirable to inhabit for these wetland creatures. I have decided that I will give the wetlands a break for a while [perhaps until winter]. There are many other hiking trails for me to enjoy until these active moccasins go underground for the winter. It's not like a bite from one of these snakes will kill you [although it's not out of the question], but it would definitely make life uncomfortable for a few days. Why risk it.

My encounters on Friday reminded me of a childhood event. Back in the 1950s when I was about 7 years old, growing up in the mountains of North Carolina, my Aunt Jo came to visit us one summer day. My mother and I were standing near the backdoor when we caught sight of Aunt Jo running down the hill past our house as fast her legs would carry her. Not far behind her came a snake [a black racer], hot in pursuit. Every few yards the snake would raise up out of the grass, as if he were looking to see where she was, then he would drop back to the ground an keep going. Aunt Jo didn't stop until she reached the bottom of the hill, jumped a stream [we called it 'the creek'] and started up the next hill towards the woods. Only after she looked back and saw that the snake had stopped at the creek did she stop running. That has got to be one of the funniest memories from my childhood. Every time I see a black racer or a king snake I think of Aunt Jo.

Here's another story from my childhood. My brother is six years older than me. He has always been an explorer. He loved taking off into the woods in search of a new adventure. One day, when I was about ten years old my brother came home from one of his adventures with a beehive he had found attached to an old, rotten tree limb lying on the ground. He showed it to all of us and then stored it away in a back room. The hive stayed in that room for several weeks until one day he retrieved it and brought it into the living room to show my dad. Just about the time he said "look what I found", snakes started pouring out of the beehive. Dozens of little bitty black snakes were racing all over the living room floor. My dad was yelling, my mom was screaming and I was standing on the couch as my brother ran to the front door and tossed the beehive into the yard. For hours he was crawling around on the floor looking for, collecting, and dropping these little snakes into a big bucket. It's funny now, but I didn't sleep really well for a long time after that.

playful cubs

2011-07-18T23:27:00.000-05:00

Admission to the Memphis Zoo is free on Tuesday afternoons, so I paid the zoo another visit to take a few more pictures. The day was a little cooler than normal so all the animals were very active. These grizzly cubs were having a great time playing tag and splashing in the water beneath the waterfall. I stood by watching them play for a long time.

2595

who's watching whom

2011-07-11T21:04:00.000-05:00

During a recent visit to the Memphis Zoo [which just happens to be the best zoo in America right now], my family and I stopped by to see the gorillas. Much to our amusement, this gorilla came right up to the thick, plexiglass barrier and sat in the cool shadows watching us watch him. We made eye contact several times and I wondered what was going on inside his brain. What was he thinking about? Was he thinking "I'd like to chat with you and get to know you a little bit"... or was he thinking "if I could get out of this place, I'd scare the fool out of all you humans." Or was he sending out a plea for help, for compassion, for freedom? Or was he staring blankly into space, and we just happened to be in his line of vision? I'll never know.

the blue trail bridge

2011-07-11T21:03:00.000-05:00

The light was just perfect for this shot. Crossing this bridge is the last bit of trail before returning to the parking lot after a nice, three and a half mile hike on the blue and yellow trails of the Lucius Burch Natural Area.

the wooden people

2011-07-11T21:02:00.000-05:00

While hiking on the boardwalk through the wetlands of the William B. Clark Nature Preserve recently, I came across these wooden people. They appeared to be heavily involved in conversation and paid no attention to me at all as I stopped to take their picture.

I wonder what it's like to be a wooden person? I wonder if they were talking about the bench they were standing on, or the boardwalk that got them to the bench they were standing on. After all, trees are people too.

huh.

wedding day

2011-06-12T22:03:00.002-05:00

How do I begin. I suppose the rehearsal and dinner is a good place. The rehearsal was an event in itself. 7 bridesmaids. 7 groomsmen. 14 distinct personalities. All hilarious. Add the bride and groom, their families, out of town guests and we have a party of 35. The venue for the dinner is a Memphis Barbeque establishment and to our surprise, our party room is upstairs. One small problem. We have four seniors in our group who cannot negotiate stairs.... at all. The establishment had two solutions. Seat the seniors downstairs at a table by themselves while the rest of us eat upstairs... or carry the seniors upstairs [how humiliating would that be]. My sweet, youngest daughter, Kelly, came to the rescue. Kelly and Jennifer discussed the situation, then Kelly pulled the manager off to the side and told him she didn't want her grandparents and the groom's grandparents to have to sit downstairs alone. She wanted the manager to find tables together for 35 downstairs and he did. From that point on the party was on. Thank you Groom Adam and his mother, Katherine, for an awesome meal and great time with family and friends [some old friends and some brand new ones].

The wedding was so unique and absolutely awesome. Sherri and Jennifer had been working on the plans for months. We had planned for the ceremony to take place outside under the gazebo in the downtown square of our town, with the reception to follow in The White Church [ renovated and totally cool old building that has been repurposed as a museum and event location]. There are weddings in The White Church every week, but Sherri and Jennifer thought there would be too many people attending to have it in The Church. With temperatures record-breaking high these past few days, the decision was made to move the wedding to The Church. I had not been inside The Church until the morning of the wedding and when I saw it I immediately thought it to be perfect! The chairs arrived and Sue, a great friend of the family, and I coordinated the placement of them. The Bride's Room was bustling with activity, and the Groom's Room as well. Sue, Jennifer P, and Susan decorated and arranged the reception area. Rainey [Kelly's friend and co-worker this summer in Nashville] and Jeremy [Kelly's boyfriend] became runners, and decorators, and sign planters. Kelly added her special touches. On a table, at the entrance to the Hall, a bare, metal tree with spirally branches stood on a table with note cards [which Kelly hand-crafted and decorated the night before] filling a wire basket. A lone sign on the tree stated "Fill this tree with notes of encouragement, words of wisdom and tips for a happy marriage as Jennifer and Adam begin their new life together." By the end of the day the tree was full of notes and so was the white, tatted, linen cloth beneath the tree.

Music from violin and acoustic guitar, played by friends of the bride and groom, filled The White Church, mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom were escorted to their seats, the groom and his groomsmen, dressed in cool gray tuxedos and black Converse filled into the room. One by one the beautiful bridesmaids walked down the aisle to their places. The maid of honor, our beautiful Kelly, made her way down the aisle. And then it was my honor to escort my wonderful, beautiful daughter to meet her waiting groom. The attending minister, Jeff Jones [whom Jennifer and Adam and their families have known for years through college mission trips and his awesome work with the Baptist Collegiate Ministries on campus] gave a sometimes funny, sometimes moving, always entertaining introduction of the couple to all the friends and family in the audience. The ceremony, exchange of vows and rings, the blending of blue and light blue unity sand into one vase, the presentation of roses [one rose each to the groom's mother and grandmother by the bride and one rose each to the bride's mother and grandmother by the groom], the pronouncement and introduction of the new couple was all very moving and memorable.

During a brief intermission, the groomsmen, ushers, several men from the audience of 200, and I transformed the Hall into a sitting area for the reception. Chairs were moved into random spirals, almost like the petals of a flower, leaving room for a small dance floor. Jennifer had wanted to have a first dance with her new husband and with her father from the first day of wedding planning. The DJ/announcer provided us with an incredibly nice mix of slow, 80s and 90s rock music for the reception. Adam and Jennifer danced their first dance to "Brown-eyed Girl" and Jennifer and I danced our first dance to "Turn Back the Clock", one of my favorites by "Johnny Hates Jazz". I never knew a dance with my daughter could make me so nervous, but it did. All eyes were on us, but after only a few seconds my focus was totally on her. She is such an incredible daughter. Glowing. Beautiful. With such a beautiful smile and sparkling eyes. I love her beyond measure.

the day before

2011-06-10T15:46:00.002-05:00

Jennifer gets married tomorrow. Her best friend flew in from California day before yesterday, preceded by a letter informing Jennifer that Thursday [yesterday] would be a day of adventure. Morgan swept Jennifer away yesterday for a time of sword fighting and dueling. Morgan is a trained stunt double in Hollywood and Jennifer has always loved swords. After the sword fights came laser tag and then "Pirates of the Carribean" with Morgan and two more best friends. Top it off with dinner and a movie at Morgan's parent's home and Jennifer was in by 3am.

Today belonged to Kelly, Jennifer's sister. Kelly drove in yesterday from Nashville, where she is spending three months as a summer missionary. Rainey, Kelly's summer co-worker came with her. Kelly called several of her and Jenn's mutual friends and planned a kidnapping. Early this morning Kelly woke Jennifer up with coffee from Starbucks and a surprise visit from several friends. They pulled Jenn away for breakfast at Perkins and a bit of shopping. As I write this, Jennifer and Kelly are off on one last single-sisters-shopping adventure.

Tonight is the rehearsal and dinner. Tomorrow is the big day.

one week to name change

2011-06-03T07:16:00.000-05:00

One week from tomorrow and my oldest daughter will be married. She has grown up so fast. I still think of her as a teenager, but she passed the adulthood milestone years ago. She will be 24 in just a few days. As the first-born all the cautions and concerns and restrictions of first-bornhood applied. Jennifer experienced earlier curfews, more strict homework guidelines, closer strutiny of friends, tighter reigns than her 3-year-younger sister. I wish we had read the handbook on parenting before we began parenting. We were so cautious with Jennifer. The result of our caution helped her mature quickly though. We weren't bad parents... just cautious. When Kelly came along, we were less restrictive with her. When Jennifer experienced new adventures in her life, Kelly usually experienced the same new adventures, except three years younger than her sister. From all I've heard and read over the years, that's the way it usually goes. The younger experiences life earlier, with more freedom.

In my own life, I am the youngest of six children. I honestly feel like my siblings resented me a little because I got more freedoms than they did as they were growing up. To be perfectly honest, I would have loved having the restrictions and the attention they got as they were growing up. Being the youngest in a big family almost makes you invisible. I came and went as I pleased and as a result I left home at an early age, made it on my own, moved away from the hometown I grew up in, and have missed my family ever since. I visit once or twice a year, but the rest of my family still live in the same area we grew up in [except my brother next up from me who moved away for a while, but now lives within an hour or two of home]. I live 10 hours away. I don't wish this fate on my daughters. I would love to have them both live next door to us forever, but I also know that is probably not going to be the case. Where ever they settle down, that will be their home, and Sherri and I will visit... often.

So as we prepare for the wedding, I wish my daughter and her husband-to-be the best life has to offer. They look good together. They love each other. They are ready for this new adventure in their lives. I know I'm going to be emotional. It's different with daughters. Sons keep their name. Daughters give up their name and take on a new one. I miss her already. They'll be fine. They'll do well. They will experience life as it should be... together. We welcome our new son-in-law into our family with open arms. Today is his birthday... 25. That's a good age to be a husband.

Best wishes Jennifer and Adam. God bless you and guide you.

Love, Dad

BTW: happy birthday Adam

racing into the light

2011-05-29T00:54:00.001-05:00

racing into the light, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

william b clark nature preserve

eerie

2011-05-26T23:20:00.002-05:00

eerie:, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

sometimes when i am on this boardwalk in the early evening, just as the sun is setting, it can be very eerie as the sounds of the night begin to fill the air.

tunnel ahead...

2011-05-26T23:19:00.001-05:00

tunnel ahead..., a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

turn on headlights.

on the boards

2011-05-22T22:30:00.001-05:00

[220] on the boards, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

setting sun

2011-05-22T22:29:00.001-05:00

setting sun, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

taken in the william b clark nature preserve.

stand

2011-05-15T22:41:00.001-05:00

[216] stand, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Stand in the place where you live
Now face North
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven't before
Now stand in the place where you work
Now face West
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before

If you are confused, check with the sun
Carry a compass to help you along
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around, so

Stand in the place where you live
Now face North
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven't before
Now stand in the place where you work
Now face West
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before

Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around
If wishes were trees, the trees would be falling
Listen to reason
Season is calling

Stand in the place where you live
Now face North
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven't before
Now stand in the place where you work
Now face West
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before

If wishes were trees, the trees would be falling
Listen to reason
Reason is calling
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around

-- R.E.M.

1918

[215] no more walks in the wood

2011-05-14T18:55:00.001-05:00

[215] no more walks in the wood, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

No more walks in the wood
The trees have all been cut down
And where once they stood
Not even a wagon rut
Appears along the path
Low brush is taking over

-- The Eagles

I don't know if this song was written as a remembrance, or as a foretelling of the future, but I remember walking and hiking in the woods when I was a boy. Tall trees, cool breezes, long days, quiet times. Just me and the forest. I had an entire untouched mountain right in my backyard. Literally in my backyard. I would step out of our house, walk 50 yards to the banks of a small stream, and when I crossed that stream I began my climb up the mountain.

That area was clearcut a few years ago to make room for [yet another] housing development. There are roads all over that mountain, winding through neighborhoods that weren't there when I was a boy. No more walks in the wood.

share the well

2011-05-13T23:35:00.001-05:00

[213] share the well, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Share the well
Share with your brother
Share the well, my friend
It takes a deeper well
To love one another
Share the well, my friend

Do you think the water knows
Flowing down to the mountain thaw
Finally to find repose
For any soul who cares to draw
Some kindred keepers of this earth
On their way to join the flow
Are cast aside and left to thirst
Tell me now it is not so

All god's creatures share the water hole
The blessed day the monsoon comes
And in his image we are woven
Every likeness every one
From kashmir to karala
Under every banyan tree
Mothers for their children cry
With empty jar and bended knee

You know i've heard good people say
There's nothing i can do
That's half a world away
Well maybe you've got money
Maybe you've got time
Maybe you've got the living well
That ain't ever running dry

-- Caedmon's Call

1780

honey locust

2011-05-11T18:34:00.000-05:00

honey locust, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Seen on the banks of peterson lake. Cypress trees in the background.

it's better to light a candle than curse the darkness

2011-05-07T00:16:00.001-05:00

[207] it's better to light a candle than curse the darkness, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Several people are associated with this proverbial saying, notably John F. Kennedy. It was first spoken in public by Peter Benenson, the English lawyer and founder of Amnesty International, at a Human Rights Day ceremony on 10th December 1961. The candle circled by barbed wire has since become the society's emblem.

Darkness has long been a metaphor for ignorance or evil. The Bible contains hundreds of references to darkness, referring either to the period of ignorance before the realization of faith (i.e. prior to 'seeing the light'), death, or to the Devil (The Prince of Darkness). For example, in Romans 13:

13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

the high road

2011-05-03T22:30:00.001-05:00

[204] the high road, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

even in the midst of flooded ground there are a few dry trails in the mid-south.

1742

floodwaters of 2011

2011-05-03T22:29:00.002-05:00

floodwaters of 2011, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

the rain has stopped for at least a few days, but the water will keep rising for days, and stay for possibly weeks after that. this image was taken only a few hundred yards from the entrance to the lucius burch natural area and almost a mile from the river! under normal conditions this is not a lake.

1913

biker

2011-05-01T22:34:00.001-05:00

[203] biker, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

as i approached this trail junction i spotted a trailbiker. my first thought, "great the trail is open through here". as he approached i asked him about the trail and he told me that it was only open for a couple hundred yards and then it was overrun by flood waters. i hiked down the trail as far as i could just to see the flooding.

1905

buttercup field

2011-05-01T22:33:00.002-05:00

buttercup field, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

even in the midst of flooded land everywhere, there are fields of buttercup and clover on the high grounds. flooding like we are experiencing is sad, but not nearly as sad as the devastation through mississippi and alabama. my prayers are with the people in those areas that have lost everything and those who have lost loved ones.

1874

trail engulfed by the wolf river

2011-05-01T22:32:00.001-05:00

[200] trail engulfed by the wolf river, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

the wolf river overflowed its banks on wednesday. more rain on the way. this image was taken about a half mile from the river, but you can see the trail disappearing into the water behind me. the flooding this year is even worse than the flooding this time last year.

1855

black racer

2011-05-01T22:31:00.002-05:00

black racer, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

the wolf river flood in the lucius burch natural area has forced the woodland animals out of the forest and onto the few trails that remain above water. i spotted this black racer about two feet off the access trail. he was about 40 inches long and he looked very nervous; constantly moving, coiling and uncoiling. this image is a little blurred because i couldn't get him to stay still long enough to get a better shot. moments after this shot was taken, he was out of there, heading for the underbrush.

every year innocent snakes, like this black racer, are killed when they are mistaken for venomous moccasins, cottonmouths and copperheads. know your snakes. this non-venomous black racer has a shiny black body, with a white nose and a gray belly. he can grow to be as long as 60 inches.

1856

walkin on fallen trees: storm damage

2011-04-26T21:05:00.002-05:00

[197] walkin on fallen trees: storm damage, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

recent straight line winds have been toppling trees everywhere. this tree is lying across the blue trail. it has to be at least 4 or 5 feet in diameter [12.5 to almost 16 feet in circumference]. fun tree to walk on.

1748

trilobites

2011-04-25T21:19:00.002-05:00

trilobites, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

250 million-year-old fossils. seen at the memphis mineral, fossil and jewelry show.

4358

trail glove 01: day one

2011-04-18T17:43:00.000-05:00

[189] trail glove 01: day one, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Day one with the Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove. I feel like a kid at Christmas! My Trail Gloves came in and I hit the trail at lunchtime. I ran 3.5 miles on the blue and yellow trails of the Lucius Burch Natural Area and it was awesome! I haven't run these trails in years... since I started barefoot hiking. It's easy to avoid obstacles in the path while hiking, but running is whole different ballgame. Sometimes you just don't have enough advance notice to step around a root or a pebble when your running. But now.... I have Merrell Barefoot Trail Gloves.

These are the coolest shoes. Here are just a few of reason I like them:
[01] I love to hike barefooted, and these shoes are the closest thing to barefooted that I have found.
[02] They fit like a glove, but not tight. They fit snuggly against my feet, with no slippage.
[03] They are extremely light weight at 6.2 ounces.
[04] They are extremely flexible. I can twist them into a ball.
[05] The mesh upper is breathable. It feels like air-conditioning as I'm running the trail.
[06] The shoes are zero-drop [same thickness at the toes as at the heel], so I feel like I'm running barefooted.
[07] The Vibram soles flex and bend with my feet. I can feel the trail beneath them. It cushions the rocks, roots and other obstacles, but I still feel a connection with the trail.
[08] The are easy to get on and off.
[09] No socks required.
[10] They look like shoes... not awkward or weird!

Merrell, you did good!

Argon[one]

1769

trail glove 02: running trails

2011-04-18T17:42:00.000-05:00

trail glove 02: running trails, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Day one with the Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove.

Argon[one]

1768

trail glove 03: hiking trails

2011-04-18T17:41:00.001-05:00

trail glove 03: hiking trails, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Day one with the Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove.

Argon[one]

1766

trail glove 04: walking on small trees

2011-04-18T17:40:00.004-05:00

trail glove 04: walking on small trees, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Day one with the Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove.

Argon[one]

1771

trail glove 05: walking on big trees

2011-04-18T17:38:00.000-05:00

trail glove 05: walking on big trees, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Day one with the Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove.

Argon[one]

1774

trail glove 06: traversing bridges

2011-04-18T17:37:00.000-05:00

trail glove 06: traversing bridges, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Day one with the Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove.

Argon[one]

1772

trail glove 07: traveling gravel paths

2011-04-18T17:36:00.000-05:00

trail glove 07: for traveling gravel paths, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

This has been a guided tour of my first adventure with the Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove... a great multi-purpose shoe.

-- Argon[one]

1773

the grace card

2011-04-16T22:02:00.000-05:00

Tonight my wife and I went to see The Grace Card. We had heard comments about the movie. Some saying the acting was a little bit cheesy. Some saying the storyline was predictable. Some saying the message was powerful. Well, all three "some says" are correct. Some of the acting was little bit cheesy, and the storyline was predictable, but my wife and I didn't go with preformed expectations. We went to hear the message and it was powerful. We live and work in the Memphis area. Just like many other large metropolitan areas, there are still divisions among its people. There are still times of tension and times of anxiety but there is also hope for the future. We could say that the generation of our children is making progress, but our generation has made progress as well. I remember growing up in the fifties and sixties [especially the sixties] and there was a tremendous amount of anger and tension. My father never learned grace. I could have grown up to be like him, but my mother was very graceful. She taught all her children to look beyond the anger. Understand the anger and the tension. Meet it head on with prayer and grace and understanding [not judgment]. My mother is 93 now and suffers from dementia. She can't remember anything that happened five years ago or ten minutes ago. When she reads her Bible, she forgets what she read almost as soon as she reads it. But she remembers the past in vivid detail. She remembers the hard times we had as a family when my siblings and I were young. She also remembers that God brought us through it all. She lived [and still lives] the words of Ephesians 2: 8. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

So practice grace, experience grace with your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, strangers, foes, those you like and those you must learn to like, those that are easy to love and those who are not, Play the grace card. Pray for one another daily, ask forgiveness, grant each other the same, and be a friend.

shadow with tripod

2011-04-16T16:30:00.001-05:00

[187] shadow with tripod, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

until about a year ago, i carried just about the least expensive, light weight tripod i could find at wal-mart or traget. i found that those tripods wore out quickly and i would have to buy another one in 3 or 4 months. i took a field trip to a real camera store and discovered the manfrotto line of tripods. most of them are in the $150 to $300 price range, but i found one manfrotto tripod that is just perfect. it's the compact MKC3. it cost around $70 and it works just as well now as it did when i bought it about a year ago. i can use this one tripod for my all three cameras: the sony cybershot, the canon sx210 is, and the canon digital rebel xti.

1535

walkin on fallen trees: natural bridge

2011-04-14T23:02:00.001-05:00

[185] walkin on fallen trees: natural bridge, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

this tree was uprooted last month during a major storm in our area. straight line winds of near 100mph came screaming through, wreaking havoc along the way.

1521

standing among the shadows

2011-04-13T23:03:00.002-05:00

[184] standing among the shadows, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

I'm rather excited about a pair of shoes that I just ordered yesterday from Merrell. If you have been following me for a while on Flickr or Blogspot you know that I really enjoy barefoot hiking. I used to get looks of askance quite often as I hiked the local trails, but I've noticed that me hiking on the same trails with people wearing shoes doesn't seem to bother anyone anymore. I attribute this change to Merrell, Nike, Altra and other companies who have been promoting barefoot running and shoes which mimic barefoot running and hiking with their minimalist approach.

My wife got me a pair of Nike Free Run shoes for Christmas and they are soooo comfortable. They are very light and the soles are extremely flexible. I love wearing the Free Runs. I've been reading about minimalist shoes a lot lately and have discovered a couple of great ones. One is The Adam by Altra. It's not available to the general public until next month, but it is a true minimalist running shoe. I want a pair. Merrell also has a great shoe called the Barefoot Trail Glove, and that's the ones I ordered. I tried on a pair of them the other day and they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. They only weigh 6.2 ounces, are so flexible that you can fold them into a ball, fit like a glove and have zero drop on the sole. That means the sole is the same thickness at the toe as it is at the heel. It's like hiking or running barefooted, except with a Vibram sole.

So you might not see as many barefoot hiking pictures once the Trail Gloves arrive. Heck, I might even start trail running again. I gave that up a few years ago when I started barefoot hiking, but this could be the beginning of a whole new chapter! Wish me luck.

1509

far more

2011-04-11T22:20:00.001-05:00

[182] far more, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.

-- John Muir

05387

it gave us a glimpse of the possibility

2011-04-11T00:14:00.001-05:00

[181] it gave us a glimpse of the possibility, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had. It wasn't the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility.

-- John Lennon

05410

sustainable world

2011-04-10T00:16:00.001-05:00

[180] sustainable world, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself.

-- Nelson Mandela

I love this quote by Nelson Mandela. I got to see him in person several years ago when he won the International Freedom Award.

Sooo.... living in a sustainable world means change. You and I must change our habits. Change the way we use our natural resources. The way we live.. Sustainability means caring about the environment. Caring for the environment and our impact on it. Creating a smaller footprint. Using our natural resources wisely. Using less energy. Less water. Less plastic. Use paper instead of plastic whenever possible. Buy products that are packaged in paperboard rather than plastic. Check the labeling to ensure that they are sustainable products. Paper is made from trees... the only [only] renewable resource. Gas, coal, oil, minerals, water.... these are not renewable. Pay attention to what you buy and what you use. We can make a difference. We have to make a difference.

05808

dance into the light

2011-04-09T22:52:00.001-05:00

[178] dance into the light, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

It's there in the eyes of the children
In the faces smiling in the windows
You can come on out, come on open the doors
Brush away the tears of freedom

Now we're here, there's no turning back
We have each other
We have one voice

Hand in hand we will lay the tracks
Because the train is coming to carry you home

Come dance with me
Come on and dance into the light
Everybody dance into the light

There'll be no more hiding in shadows of fear
There'll be no more chains to hold you
The future is yours - you hold the key
And there are no walls with freedom

Now we're here, we won't go back
We are one world
We have one voice

Side by side we are not afraid
Because the train is coming to carry you home

Come dance with me
Come on and dance into the light
Everybody dance into the light

Do you see the sun - it's a brand new day
Oh, the world's in your hands, now use it
What's past is past, don't turn around
Brush away the cobwebs of freedom

Now we're here, there's no turning back
You have each other
You have one voice

Hand in hand you can lay the tracks
Because the train is coming to carry you home

Come dance with me
Come on and dance into the light
Everybody dance into the light

-- phil colllins

05681

by this river

2011-04-07T23:49:00.002-05:00

[174] by this river, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

Here we are stuck by this river
You and I underneath a sky
That's ever falling down down down
Ever falling down

Through the day as if on an ocean
Waiting here always failing to remember
Why we came came came
I wonder why we came

You talk to me as if from a distance
And I reply with impressions chosen
From another time time time
From another time.

-- Brian Eno

1634

sandy bluff

2011-04-02T23:19:00.001-05:00

[173] sandy bluff, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

it's been almost a year since a huge flood swept through this area. where i'm standing in this image was under water. the area in the lower right quarter of the image was washed away. many sections of the trail were destroyed and have since been rerouted. i didn't think this trail would ever be as nice as it was before the flood, but it is actually better now. the flood washed river sand over the area and most of the yellow trail along the bluff is still sandy. some areas are 5 or 6 inches deep in sand.

1452

wetland blur 4

2011-04-01T19:57:00.005-05:00

wetland blur 4, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

boardwalk through the william b clark conservation area

wetland blur 3

2011-04-01T19:57:00.004-05:00

wetland blur 3, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

boardwalk through the william b clark conservation area

wetland blur 2

2011-04-01T19:56:00.003-05:00

wetland blur 2, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

boardwalk through the william b clark conservation area

wetland blur 1

2011-04-01T19:55:00.002-05:00

wetland blur 1, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

boardwalk through the william b clark conservation area

the grotto

2011-04-01T19:54:00.002-05:00

[172] the grotto, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

this is like my favorite part of the riverwoods natural area. the trail descends into an area filled with grape vines, privet and a variety of trees: elm, sugar maple, oak, sycamore, loblolly pine, sweetgum, river birch and others. the descent is by way of a stairway with steps carved from fallen trees. i can spend an inordinate amount of time in this section, reading, listening to the sounds of nature, and it always seems to be a few degrees cooler here than in other parts of the forest. the horseshoe shaped trail eventually ascends back to the main trail by way of another hand-carved staircase. on my last visit to the grotto i was saddened to discover that plans are underway to cut a new road through the riverwoods natural area. clearing has begun. it's days are numbered as may be the days of the entire natural area. i'm not happy about this development at all.

[155] blinded

2011-03-31T22:17:00.001-05:00

[155] blinded, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

polar bear

2011-03-31T22:07:00.002-05:00

polar bear, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

a day at the memphis zoo.

zebra and gazelle

2011-03-31T22:05:00.001-05:00

zebra and gazelle, a photo by Argon[one] on Flickr.

a day at the memphis zoo.

rusty now the rushes

2011-03-26T23:14:00.000-05:00

The feathers of the willow
Are half of them grown yellow
Above the swelling stream;
And ragged are the bushes,
And rusty now the rushes,
And wild the clouded gleam.

-- Richard Watson Dixon

a reflection of us all

2011-03-26T23:11:00.000-05:00

My role in society, or any artist or poet's role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all.

-- John Lennon

cougar track

2011-03-26T23:05:00.000-05:00

i saw this track on the trail the other day. it was huge. larger than my fist. about 5 inches across. my first thought was that this was a cougar track, but now i am not sure. cougars normally do not leave claw prints; dogs do. normally, dog toes all point forward. this one definitely has cat characteristics. the toes fan out rather than all pointing forward. normally dog tracks show a definite gap between the pad and the toes. cats do not. this one does not. but if you draw an x between a dog's toe pads the lines of the x do not cross the heel pad. with a cat the lines of the x would cross into the heel pad. this one does not cross into the heel. so i'm confused. i still think this is one huge cat track. if you have tracking experience, please fill me in.

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