Our pink grapes seem to have trouble turning brown and falling off while ripening, and we lose more than we get to eat! Still, they are so pretty when they are green, and we certainly enjoy the ones we do eat! Year by year, the two vines produce more and more grapes so we always look forward to "next year." These grapes are like life, or what it can be when we focus on hope and all that is good!!!

Clover & Leaf: A Play of Natural Color

http://www.zazzle.com/clover_sweetgum_postcard-239650946994092187

When I saw this sweetgum leaf off a tree in my backyard a little before Thanksgiving of last year (2011), I knew I had to capture it on the camera. The natural art of this single leave is phenomenal. Then, I thought about the background and knew that the colors of the sweetgum leaf would contrast nicely with a bed of clover not far out in the yard.

Pumpkins

I love pumpkins and the autumn season. Almost every year I select a pie pumpkin for photographing. We have a few sweetgum trees around the yard that give up their pretty leaves every October. They are perfect for fall photos. So, this is my pumpkin picture for 2011!

Amazing Blooms

This bush in the yard is just covered in blooms this spring. They do not last long and are already falling off, but they are beautiful. The bush is only three years old and I just love it. This photo does not do the bush justice, of course. Somehow, deep reds do not come out quite right with my camera, but the colors are bright. A deeper fuchsia in actuality, the bush drops the flowers and the leaves turn a pretty, dark purple-green.

Cardinal Neighbors

Yes, the days are warmer now, and the birds are making their nests around the yard. I love having the birds nearby. With up to seven pairs of cardinals who come to the feeding station on the coldest days, I am usually sure to see two or three in the morning and evening. I love the males and females, but the red feathers of the males make them show up better in photos most of the time.

This particular photo I took right inside my home. The cardinal was about four feet away in the bushes right outside my sitting area window. He did not stay long after I snapped one shot. They usually do not like to see me so close pointing something at them.

February Sunset

Recently this spectacular sunset displayed itself across the backyard. It was amazing! Different parts have a splendor all their own. Then the entire scene was out of this world! I just had to keep on snapping pictures to get as much of it as possible. This particular photo seems to show the best of that evening's sky.



Fun in the Snow!

I think I took this photo on Christmas Day. We have had more snow in TN than usual this winter, but not so much as some states have received! This terrier mix is my little buddy! We enjoy the yard together! She is with me when I take most of my yard shots.

She loves to play in the snow--if it isn't too deep. When it starts touching her tummy she is done!