The deer in TN were plentiful and not as skittish as the Florida deer.
Forgotten Deer
Category: Tennessee
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.
Blue Birds
Successful birding trip to Tennessee. ID’ed many new species. Lots of history from the late 1700s and early 1800s as this area opened up to exploration by westerners. Saw some working coal mines, which are odd, because there are 50 or so cars in a parking lot and one small building underneath a coal elevator. At first I was curious where the people were – it was far too remote for a park and ride.
Finally music wise I got to go to the Ralph Stanley museum in Clintwood, Va, something I’ve wanted to do for years.
Song Sparrow
“Why do you try to understand art? Do you try to understand the song of a bird?” – Pablo Picasso
I found taking photos difficult in Tennessee – number one the birds were smaller and faster. Also, the mountains and trees seemed to block me in. I guess I just need the wide flatness of Florida.
Quote found at http://www.searchquotes.com/search/Bird_Song/
Singer
This little guy was singing his heart out. He’s sitting on a 4 foot high tube that has plants in it apparently creating a habitat for birds. There are several rows of these at the park.
Wildflower Wednesday
“In wildness is the preservation of the world” – Henry David Thoreau
Seven Islands State Bird Park is a Tennessee state park on the French Broad River. It is reported that 180 species of birds have been spotted here. Pretty good for 425 acres.
Quote found at http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Henry_David_Thoreau/21
Feeder Pics
I have a few pictures from bird feeders. Those are big in Tennessee, sure brings the birds in – not sure if money would be better spent on wildflowers and habitat. Certainly the birds would not be as reliable – but….
Return of the Red Belly
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Still no belly check. The red on this woodpecker’s head is magnificent, I wonder is it a regional difference (Tennessee vs Florida) or breeding plumage?
Quote found at https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/conservation
Misty Morning
Not a lot of scenery shots from this trip. However you can tell where the term “smokey” mountains comes from. While technically Sullivan county is not in the smokies it is among the foothills and shares almost daily mist with its neighbors. Also, sunrise is a challenge in the mountains – it takes a while to get over the hills.
Picture This by Frank 