When they were built to last.

Recently I was asked if I would like to make a return visit to Israel this April. Well of course I would...but can't. Instead I thought I'd pull up some pictures I took on my last visit, April 2007. One of the things that so impressed me then was how structures built so many centuries ago are still "hanging in there." This set of arch pictures I took in Caesarea, a city built by the Romans actually during Christ's lifetime. It's amazing what can be accomplished when you build with a eye to the future.

Some new faces...

Black Bear

Red-ruffed Lemur

My grandson, Ethan

A kitten trying to hide behind a table leg.

A few new additions...

I think what is so fascinating with butterflies is their amazing diversity of shape, sixe, color and pattern.

This is a Blue Poison Dart Frog, native to Columbia (South America not South Carolina) and lives in the rain forests. It is deadly poison and its colors warn others of this. Native Indians have used this frogs poison on their hunting blow-gun darts to kill game for food.

Although its web is invisible this spider hangs beneath a florescent light fixture which attracts its dinner.

Trying to photograph a Red Wolf running across your field of vision is not an easy thing. This one went from sunlight to shadow with amazing speed which makes the best exposure almost impossible.

Remember when there was no color film?

So much of our lives today is spent in seeing "full color" we have almost lost sight (no pun intended) to the simple beauty of black and white. What full color is removed we are forced to focus on shapes and sometimes, I believe, we actually see the subject in an entirely different way. Above we are drawn to the stark, straight trunks of aspens which contrast with the foreground and the leaves of the forest behind and above.

A the flower challenges us to provide our own color and thus we become a part of the picture,
rather than just an observer.

The contrasts of line and curve are much more interesting when viewed without color,
even a pretty as the color is.

This gentleman, dressed in black and white in Jerusalem needed no color. His world was one of absolute
black and white both in dress and theology.

Backyard birds...

Because they are common in our back yard, like this male House Finch we take them as ordinary. They are, perhaps, to someone who has never seen them quite extraordinary. Sometimes it's a good thing to look again.

A common visitor to my feeders is this Chipping Sparrow.

Of course we all quickly recognize our little Chickadee

If you remember that song from the movie Song of the South" you remember. "Mister Bluebird on my shoulder..." Well this Bluebird claimed my mirror as his.

Ahhhh, at last a snow!

We don't get many snowfalls here in this part of North Carolina so
when it happens its grab my camera and snap away.
This was our lantern by the street.

I just had to photograph this as it's advice seemed a plaintive plea for spring.

Of course I always hope to get some snow here for a Christmas picture but I've had no such luck. On the other hand, perhaps I should be careful about what I wish.

This is far and away my most favorite barn and it's just a short quarter mile up my street. It is typical of so many Carolina farm barns.

It would be imposible of me not to have at least a couple of pictures of our dog, and best friend, Tiffany.

A walk with Tiff is a time of constant discovery...for both of us.

I believe, as does our cat Becca, that if God were to come back again he would be a Golden Retriever!

When she runs she does so with joy and gusto!

Tiff also believes in giving back love to others and is certified as a Social-Therapy dog by Therapy Dogs International, Paws4People, and Hospice. She would love it if you supported these worthwhile organizations as well.

Very few things in the natural world can be as peaceful or as dramatic as a sunrise or sunset.

This was at the southern end of the Sea of Galilee looking toward the east and the Valley of the Dove.

This, also very peaceful sunrise, was taken in Mt. Pleasant, N.C. on my way to have coffee.
Yes, even then I often take my camera.

This was a dramatic sunrise, taken from the interstate in Illinois, silhouetted a prairie. farm that looked like a small city with its giand grain elevators.
I'm glad I decided to get on the road early.

This is, beyond any doubt, the most unusual sunrise picture I been able to take. For just a very few moments the sun appeared to be on a pedestal. I can only guess that it was simply reflected in atmospheric haze as it cleared the horizon. This was at Litchfield Beach, S.C.

Often time pictures pop out of the woodwork...so to speak. These are times when you're so glad you just " happened" to have your camera.

Behold, the lamb...

A child at the zoo. "Mom, what's in here?"

Yummmmn!

On a very, very hot day in Washington, D.C., when I'd have sold my

 first-born son for a drink of water, I looked up and saw this.

There is a joy, a beauty, in the ordinary which should never be overlooked

A basket of peppers at a farmer's market.

a dove at our back porch bird feeder,

"stuff" in a violin makers workshop,

and a basket of fruit on our kitchen counter in the morning sun, all simple things yet each with a

with a wonderful and unique beauty.