I’m as much intrigued by the branches as the young hawk. I wonder if anyone has done a study about how much of a hawks day is spent watching!
Quick Shot
Category: beauty
Georgia Gators
“Good judgement is the result of experience and experience the result of bad judgement.” – Mark Twain
Slightly different quote theme to go with my title. This is a regional reference, With one of our state university mascots being the gator (in fact the inventors of Gatorade), Georgia is a natural rival. So the title will surely make some cringe.
Back to nature, with a brief encounter I did notice the behavior of the Gerorgia alligators is altogether different than ours at the wetlands. Going to need to investigate.
Quote found at https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/paradox
Forgotten Deer
The deer in TN were plentiful and not as skittish as the Florida deer.
Bird Monday
“None of Nature’s landscapes are ugly so long as they are wild.” – John Muir
Nothing ugly about a swamp – just a thoughtful quote. Okefenokee swamp is the largest swamp in North America. The Seminoles called it the land of trembling earth. Very impressive, although the small bit I was able to see was completely altered by man through canal digging and wood harvesting.
quote found http://vault.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/writings/favorite_quotations.aspxat
Couple o Birds
The bluebird is either a juvenile or female – the males are completely blue.
The European Starling was first brought to the US in the early 19th century by Shakespeare enthusiasts. Now among the most numerous song birds in the country. Wonderful coloring.
We will be leaving Tennessee after this. Next couple of posts will be from the Okefenokee Swamp on the Georgia – Florida border.
The Martha
“I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be in” – Martha Washington
It was certainly easy to be happy sitting on the lawn of the Martha hotel and listening to bluegrass music. ETSU is East Tennessee State University, they have a fabulous ethno musicology program – among other great studies.
Quote found at http://www.great-quotes.com/quotes/author/Martha/Washington
Cultivated Flowers
Here are a couple of flowers seen growing in front of the Martha hotel in Abingdon, VA. The Martha is the site of a former women’s college – Martha Washington College. Now has been added to my list of historic places to stay. We had a lovely brunch there.
Cliff Swallows
“The perch swallows the grub-worm, the pickerel swallows the perch, and the fisherman swallows the pickerel, and so all the chinks in the scale of being are filled” – Henry David Thoreau
This was my first encounter with cliff swallows, they build their nests from mud under bridges. Probably used to build them on cliffs but…. This park was in Kingsport, TN.
Can’t say enough about Thoreau, he saw the connections in nature at a time when most folks were just killing stuff.
Quote found at http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/swallows/
Daisy
Can’t say enough about the Seven Islands State Bird Park – if you are ever in eastern Tennessee / Knoxville area – this is a must see. In addition to hiking there are facilities to launch a kayak or canoe.
Vineyard
“High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water.”- Mark Twain
The setting for this winery was idyllic. It was somewhat off the beaten path and they had space for picnics. Oh and the wine was quite good.
Quote found at https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/wine?page=1
Picture This by Frank 