A Gardenia Grows In Dixie ...

“Can words describe the fragrance of the very breathe of spring?”

              ~ Neltje Blanchan

                     ~ 1865-1918

     ~ Neltje Blanchan De Graff Doubleday was a United States scientific historian and nature writer who published several books on wildflowers and birds under the pen name Neltje Blanchan. Her work is known for its synthesis of scientific interest with poetic phrasing.

The sunlight of a southern morning in spring wraps itself around a fragrant gardenia bloom, illuminating its beauty on a late May morning in the Lowcountry of Beaufort County, South Carolina.

Waitin' On Supper ...

 “May my heart always be open to little birds who are the secrets of living.”

                   ~ ee cummings

                         ~ 1894-1962             

A sweet tree swallow fledgling waits for its mother to deliver supper to the nesting box on a beautiful late spring evening in early June at Trexler Memorial Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

While there are young or eggs in the nest, adult tree swallows frequently dive bomb intruders, including curious humans, and attempt to drive them from the area – I personally know this to be true, and so does my camera!

Green On Greens ...

“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.”

                    ~ Pedro Calderon de la Barca

                           ~ 1600-1681

A small green heron is perched in a tree overlooking the pond on a warm July evening at Trexler Memorial Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania.