July Events

I started out the month by taking a trip to North Carolina on July 4th. The trip was planned to go to Perry's Water Gardens to photograph the water lilies. We also visited the waterfalls between Franklin, NC and Highland, NC. Went onto Cashiers, and found a neat little park there. We just went for the day.

On the 5th we had a July 4th family get together, and I had a blast photographing the great nieces in the swimming pool.

On the 11th I started a roll to the point I was not sure what new thing I would see next when I walked out my back door. It started with my first EVER Monarch, and it was in my own front yard. Then the very next day I got to enjoy an American Painted Lady in the same spot. Then I saw an Indigo Bunting, don't see these often in East Tennessee, got a few photos, but not great ones. The same afternoon a Bald Eagle flew over. No camera in my hand. He was traveling like he was on a mission, so no time to grab the camera. He was so intend of his travels that we all discussed the possibility of him having been in the release programs and was headed back where he had been in captivity. (Don't even know if that is a possibility.) The next 2 days I saw a bird I had a hard time identifing. Luckily I had camera in hand both days. I knew he was some type of Flycatcher, with the help of my visiting bloggers it has been determined it is an Eastern Kingbird. Then the next day mixed in with the Orange Sulphurs was another Sulphur I had never seen before, and the following day the Barn Swallows showed up in my yard for the first time.The butterflies are out doing themselves this year, and the zinnia are just getting started.

On the 10th I met with Ashlei for pre-wedding day photos of her in her wedding gown. And then Brad & Ashlei's wedding was the 19th. The week following the wedding I spent a lot of hours in front of the computer viewing photos, and making a proof book for Brad & Ashlei, but I got it done before they got home from their honeymoon. I sure was glad too, because I was having withdrawals from not getting out to photograph all God's nature around me.

On the 26th we took a short trip (92 miles one way) to Spring City, where my husband's job is moving to beginning August 11th. We still are not sure what this will mean to us about our housing and church situation. While in Spring City we visited a small park adjacent to Watts Bar Lake, enjoyed and photographed the wildlife there, so we did get some enjoyment out of the trip.

The blackberry photos are because it has been a blackberry month. The bottom photo was right before I picked and ate the blackberries.

Naturally, all month we have spent time with our grandson, who is now 6 months old. He has his 1st cold right now, but it hasn't been too bad. He has 1week old twin 1st cousins (on his mother's side) that also contacted this same cold. Grayson (the girl) has been admitted to the hospital. Please pray for this family.

Ducks in Veterans Park

These Ducks were at the Veterans Park in Spring City, Tennessee this past weekend. My husband's job is moving to Spring City very soon, we went there to see the area. Although Spring City is still in East Tennessee it is too far to commute. We were scoping out the surrounding towns to see where we might be interested in living. No major decisions made at this time.

Insects flying around Eastern Bluebird

You can see why I have flycatchers in my backyard. I did not see the swarm around this Bluebird until at the computer.

American Robin

These American Robin photos were taken in the Village Green park in Cashiers, North Carolina when we visited July 4th.

Barn Swallows in our yard

First the Eastern Kingbird, then the Barn Swallows come. It is getting more interesting in the back yard everyday. I love the way they all line up together, with the same distance between each bird.

Hydrangea blooms

I have always been told the color of hydrangea blooms comes from the type of soil. Always had my doubts, due to moving the same plant to 4 different locations in East Tennessee and the blooms stayed blue. These 3 photos were taken outside my daughter's office window. Notice the pink and the blue blooms are so close to each other they can be seen in the same photo.
Hydrangea are another of my favorites, due to the first ones I remember were at my Granny Sorrells' house.

Brad and Ashlei's Wedding, July 19, 2008

The Ball Family July 19, 2008

Young Eastern Bluebird on sheppard's hook

I think this young one was curious about me.

Delicate Design Daylily

Delicate Design came from Oakes Daylilies Festival in 2007. The name is sorta misleading, due to the height. This one is 28" tall. The blooms are gorgeous. Can't wait until this one gets thicker (more blooms).

The Styles Family July 19, 2008

Ashlei before the wedding

Ashlei with Ty and Ellie Beth

Brad and Ellie Beth

They look so happy it puts a smile on your face.

Squirrel at Cherokee Lake Picnic Area

Not absolutely sure, but think this squirrel has a french fry.

Lavender Deal Daylily

Lavender Deal came from Oakes Daylilies Festival in 2005.
In the bottom photo the blooms look a totally different color. That is one of the characteristics of Lavender Deal. This post is for Teresa, she kept telling me she had a pink one blooming that I gave her. It ended out to be this one. She works days and she always sees it like the bottom photo. I work evenings and usually see it like the top 2 photos. The photo on the bottom was obviously taken on a weekend.

As you can tell by all the buds, this one is a great bloomer. How is that for a sales pitch?

Leprechauns Wealth Daylily

Here is Leprechauns Wealth. It is a little thing, the book says the blooms are 2 1/2 inches, and I think they are really that small. Leedra's Delight got the color from this as a ring. This one has not done as good with all the moving around, but it is suppose to be a rebloomer and I think it will come back in a few years. If we don't have to move it, yet again.