Good Morning Dixie ...

“Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton

Old times they are not forgotten

Look away, look away, look away Dixieland

Oh I wish I was in Dixie, away, away

In Dixieland I take my stand to live and die in Dixie

For Dixieland, that’s where I was born

Early Lord one frosty morn

Look away, look away, look away Dixieland

Glory, glory hallelujah

Glory, glory hallelujah

Glory, glory hallelujah

His truth is marching on …”

                 ~ “An American Trilogy”

             ~ songwriters Don Reedman, Nick Patrick and Robin Smith

          ~ recorded by the great Elvis Presley
                                           ~ 1972

The peace of a beautiful southern fall morning floats along with the Colleton River in the Lowcountry of Beaufort County, South Carolina on a late October day in Dixie.

Wisp Of A Summer Morn ...

“Many a forenoon have I stolen away, preferring to spend thus the most valued part of the day; for I was rich, if not in money, in sunny hours and summer days, and spent them lavishly; nor do I regret that I did not waste more of them in the workshop or the teacher’s desk.”

                       ~ Henry David Thoreau

                                  ~ 1817-1862

                            ~ “Walden”

                 ~originally published August 9, 1854

To me, there’s nothing so beautiful in nature as a summer morning, and Thoreau’s words seamlessly flow through this image of milkweed basking in the morning sun that I shot on a brilliant August day at Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.

If we all had more sunny hours and summer days, how much richer – and happier – we’d all be.

Fording A Spring Morn ...

"Joy comes in the morning."
                            ~ Psalm 30:5

God's creation renders a soft spring morning
at Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania as an adorable dog splashes at the ford of the Jordan Creek.

This serene image paints why this is one of my
very favorite places to be and to photograph,
and radiates the words of Psalm 30:5, "Joy comes in the morning."

 

Sittin' Among The Buttercups ...

"... I need you more than anyone darlin'
You know that I have from the start
So build me up buttercup don't break my heart..."
             ~ "Build Me Up Buttercup"
                          ~ The Foundations
                                     ~ 1968  

Framed by buttercups, this groundhog emerges from its burrow by the creek to survey a picture perfect May morning at Trexler Memorial Park, 
Allentown, Pennsylvania.  

 

Bluesy Morning ...

" ... I look out my window and what do I see

I see a bird way up in a tree

I want to be free free

free - ee -ee -ee

I want to be free like the bird in the tree ..." 

                ~ "I Want To Be Free" ~

                    ~from the 1957 musical drama 
                          "Jailhouse Rock"                                           ~ recorded by the great Elvis Presley

  

Beautiful bluejay perched way up in a tree

soaks in a gorgeous sun splashed April morning

at Trexler Memorial Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania. 

                                  

Morning Reverie ...

"Flowing water is at once a picture and a music,
which causes to flow at the same time from my brain,
like a limpid and murmuring rivulet, sweet thoughts,
charming reveries, and melancholy remembrances."
                                                ~ Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr
                                                                ~ 1808-1890

The waters of the Monocacy Creek spill like memories between the 
morning sun and shadows dancing on the dam - commonly called 
Monocacy Falls - on a beautiful October day at Monocacy Park,
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in this high contrast monochrome shot.

The Magic Of Ordinary Days ...

"Simple days bring simple joys ..."
                              ~ Emily Lawless
                                              ~ 1845-1913
The sweet morning light of summer dances and shimmers into beautiful bokeh around a buddleia flower on the banks of the Jordan Creek at Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania ...
the magic of ordinary days.

Sweet Summer Morn ...

"Who made the mountains,
who made the trees
Who made the rivers flow to the sea
And who sends the rain when the earth is dry
Somebody bigger than you and I ..."

  ~ "Somebody Bigger Than You And I"
               ~ Written by Johnny Lange, Hy Heath & Sonny Burke

     ~ Recorded by the great Elvis Presley
                                             ~ 1967 
                                                                                                                 

God's handiwork creates a sweet and perfect summer morning at Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.

The serenity is palpable as an adorable beagle splashes near the ford of the Jordan Creek, the only other sound the chirping of birds.

This image paints why this is one of my very favorite places to be and to photograph, and epitomizes the words of my most favorite Gospel hymn, the beautiful "Somebody Bigger Than You and I," recorded by the great Elvis Presley in 1967. 

Color Tide ...

"First the tide rushes in
Plants a kiss on the shore ...
So I rush to your side
Like the incoming tide ..."
                              
                                     ~ "Ebb Tide"
                                                      ~ Carl Sigman, lyricist
                                                      ~ Robert Maxwell, composer
                                                                              ~ 1953

The morning sun sweeps and swirls the colors of
October like a dream in a crest of the
Little Lehigh Creek, Lehigh Parkway, Allentown, Pennsylvania.