More from the North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains

A sunrise on the peaks and valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The foreground, prominent peaks and some of the mountain sides are bathed in sun light. The background is seeing some of the early morning light and one valley is covered with fog. The sky is highlighted in orange.
Sunrise in the Great Smokey Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, USA; OCT 2022

Here are a few more pictures from our recent trip to North Carolina.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

A cascade on the trail to Yellow Creek Falls near Robbinsville, North Carolina, USA. The river is flowing over a densely strewn set of boulders partially covered by brown, fallen leaves. The river is adorned by bright, yellow leaved trees.
Cascade on Yellow Creek in Autumn
Yellow Creek Falls Tail, US Route 129, Robbinsville, North Carolina, USA; OCT 2022

A view of a forest fading backward from a single, prominent tree at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The tree is adorned with some blue asters and yellow wildflower.
Autumn Wildflowers
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, USA; OCT 2022

A valley at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The darkened valley is just beginning to see the first light of the sun. The foreground is lit and fades into the background. There is a golden highlight in the sky opposite the position of the sun.
Sunrise in the Great Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, USA; OCT 2022

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

If anyone would like a copy of almost any picture in my library, for educational or research use, please contact me and I will happily share a digital copy with you.

Great Blue Heron Hunting

A couple of weeks ago, we visited the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary in Asheville, North Carolina. It was a lovely place with a board walk that meandered through a wetland. While there, a Great Blue Heron gave us the opportunity to watch it hunt and capture breakfast. I created a time lapse so I could share it with you.

Please click here to see video: Great Blue Heron Hunting.

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

If anyone would like a copy of almost any picture in my library, for educational or research use, please contact me and I will happily share a digital copy with you.

Great Smokey Mountains National Park

A view upstream of a river with trees on both banks that are covered in brightly lit yellow leaves. The stream is strewn with boulders creating cascades in the river. In the foreground are boulders that are covered by a deep green moss whose color is saturated by the sun light.
Boulders and Cascades
Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, USA; OCT 2022

We took a trip to the Great Smokey Mountains to see the autumn leaves. We were there towards the end of the peak autumn color. The trees and even the ground was covered with autumns finest color.

Our first day, we were treated to a low, thick layer of clouds. The mountains tops appeared to have a layer of smoke. The temperature was cold allowing the clouds to blanket the trees and such with a beautiful layer of frost and even some snow.

During the rest of our visit, the sunrise and sunset temperatures were quite cold. The mid-day was a perfect autumn day – sunny with a just a little chill. The bright sun saturated the colors.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

A mountain valley at early sunrise. The sun is casting an orange-yellow glow against a washed-out blue sky dotted with gray clouds. The mountain valley is forested. The trees are dark but adorned with autumn red, rust, orange and yellow.
Sunrise in the Great Smoky Mountains – 1
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, USA; OCT 2022

Winter’s Early Preview
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, USA; OCT 2022

A two lane paved road with trees on both sides. The trees have lost most of their leaves. The early morning sun shining through the trees with a reddish orange glow.
First Light on Frosted Trees
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, USA; OCT 2022
Fog and Frost
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, USA; OCT 2022

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

If anyone would like a copy of almost any picture in my library, for educational or research use, please contact me and I will happily share a digital copy with you.

Autumn Reflected in the Waters

Abstract photographic image of autumn leaves reflected in the waters of the Chattahoochee River.
Autumn Reflected in the Waters
Gold Branch Trail, Roswell, Georgia, USA; OCT 2022

This past week I walked in the forests along the Chattahoochee River. Autumn colors were just starting to appear. The sun was shining allowing beautiful reflections to appear. Leaf color is a prime feature of autumn but its more than just the leaves on the trees. I was blessed to have nature share with me the abstracts she painted in the river.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Abstract photographic image of autumn leaves reflected in the waters of the Chattahoochee River.
Autumn Reflected in the Waters
Gold Branch Trail, Roswell, Georgia, USA; OCT 2022

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

If anyone would like a copy of almost any picture in my library, for educational or research use, please contact me and I will happily share a digital copy with you.

Woodpeckers

A Red-headed Woodpecker perched on the right side of a tree trunk against a green background.
Red-headed Woodpecker
Roswell, Georgia, USA; JUL 2022

Since moving to Georgia, we’ve been visited by a variety of woodpeckers. We had a variety in California also but the only one in common is the Downy Woodpecker.

Though I’ve seen the Yellow-bellied Woodpecker here, I had to use an older picture from Florida because the one I got here wasn’t so good. Note the rings of holes on the tree trunk. Sapsuckers peck in rings around the tree trunk. If you see those rings, you know a Sapsucker has visited it.

The male and female Pileated Woodpecker looks almost identical but the male has a red patch above its beak.

The Downy and Hairy woodpeckers look nearly identical except that the Hairy is considerably larger and its beak is nearly as long as its head. The males of both species have a red patch on the back of their head.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

A Male Pileated Woodpecker perched on the top of a tree branch.
Male Pileated Woodpecker
Roswell, Georgia, USA; DEC 2021

A Female Hairy Woodpecker pecking on the left side of a tree trunk that is covered by  green lichen and brown fungi.
Female Hairy Woodpecker
Roswell, Georgia, USA; JAN 2022

A Male Downy woodpecker pecking on the left branch of a tree trunk against a gray background.
Male Downy Woodpecker
Roswell, Georgia, USA; JAN 2022

A Female Red-bellied Woodpecker on perched on the left side of a tree trunk against a gray-blue background.
Female Red-bellied Woodpecker
Roswell, Georgia, USA; DEC 2021

A Male Yellow-bellied sapsucker perched on the left side of a tree trunk against a green background.
Male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Six Mile Cypress Preserve, Fort Meyers, Florida, USA; FEB 2020

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

If anyone would like a copy of almost any picture in my library, for educational or research use, please contact me and I will happily share a digital copy with you.

A Walk through the Forest

Early morning light focusing on a twig with pine needles hanging from it.
A Vignette of Light
Big Trees Forest Preserve, Sandy Springs, Georgia, USA; JUN 2022

Last week, I visited Big Trees Forest Preserve in Sandy Springs, Georgia. It’s a suburb of Atlanta. It has several short trails that are easy to walk. I went specifically to photograph the light penetrating through the deciduous forest in the early morning. It was a fun hike.

By the way, compared to Calaveras Big Trees State Park in California, the big trees here look like match sticks. But they are quite beautiful none the less.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

A brook with rocks along the bank and yellow leaves floating on it.
Riding the Ripples
Powers Branch Creek, Big Trees Forest Preserve, Sandy Springs, Georgia, USA; JUN 2022

Early morning light filtering into a forest defining a path deep into that forest.
Beckoning Me In
Big Trees Forest Preserve, Sandy Springs, Georgia, USA; JUN 2022

Early morning light focused on a young tree against a large rock. If you look closely at the rock, it looks like a sleeping beast.
Awakening the Beast
Big Trees Forest Preserve, Sandy Springs, Georgia, USA; JUN 2022
Early morning light focused on the rocks along the bank of a small stream.
Morning Light on a Brook
Powers Branch Creek, Big Trees Forest Preserve, Sandy Springs, Georgia, USA; JUN 2022
Early morning light focused on a cluster of trees in a forest.
Showing Off
Big Trees Forest Preserve, Sandy Springs, Georgia, USA; JUN 2022

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

If anyone would like a copy of almost any picture in my library, for educational or research use, please contact me and I will happily share a digital copy with you.

A Few Birds

A Carolina Chickadee perched on a tree branch. Dark background.
Carolina Chickadee
Roswell, Georgia, USA; JAN 2022

Here are a few birds I photographed in the past few months.

Please click on caption to see images at higher resolution.

A Chipping Sparrow perched on and surrounded by tree branches.
Chipping Sparrow
Roswell, Georgia, USA; JAN 2022
A Spotted Sandpiper perched on one leg, on a rock, with blue water from the American RIver in the background.
Spotted Sandpiper; Breeding Plumage – note spots on the breast.
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, California, USA; MAY 2021

An American Robin perched on a tree branch.
American Robin
Roswell, Georgia, USA; DEC 2021

A White-throated Sparrow on the ground amongst dried leaves and grasses.
White-throated Sparrow
Roswell, Georgia, USA, APR 2022

 

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

If anyone would like a copy of almost any picture in my library, for educational or research use, please contact me and I will happily share a digital copy with you.

Some Interesting Birds

Rose-breasted Grossbeak perched on tree branch.
Rose-breasted Grossbeak
Roswell, Georgia, USA; APR 2022

Here are a few birds. One form California, the rest from Georgia.

Please click on caption to see pictures at higher resolution.

Red-headed woodpecker perched on a tree trunk.
Red-headed Woodpecker
Gold Branch Trail, Chattahoochee NRA, Roswell, Georgia, USA; MAR 2022

A pair of mourning doves preening while perched on a tree branch.
Mourning Doves
Roswell, Georgia, USA; APR 2022

Brown Thrasher on the ground with a worm in its beak.
Brown Thrasher
Azalea Park, Roswell, Georgia, USA; MAY 2022

Lesser Goldfinch perched on desert wildflower.
Lesser Goldfinch
Sailor Bar, California, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, USA; APR 2021

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

If anyone would like a copy of almost any picture in my library, for educational or research use, please contact me and I will happily share a digital copy with you.

Miscellaneous Birds

Carolina Wren
Island Ford, Chattahoochee NRA, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; JAN 2022

I have some bird photos in my Birds to Post folder that I have not yet posted. Today I thought I’d share them.

Black-billed Magpie
Prairie Dog Village, Devils Tower National Monument, South Dakota, USA; JUN 2021

Juvenile American Robin with Prey
Prairie Dog Village, Devils Tower National Monument, South Dakota, USA; JUN 2021

Gray Catbird
Hidden Valley, Somerset, Pennsylvania, USA; JUL 2020

Dark-eyed Junco – Slate gray Group
Hidden Valley, Somerset, Pennsylvania, USA; JUL 2020

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

If anyone would like a copy of almost any picture in my library, for educational or research use, please contact me and I will happily share a digital copy with you.

A few birds from the Okefenokee

Little Blue Heron perched on a tree limb among Spanish Moss.
Little Blue Heron
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA; APR 2022

Today I am sharing pictures of some birds we saw on a recent visit to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Please note that the Pelican was photographed at nearby Jekyll Island.

A notable part of the bird life we saw was about 50 Little Blue Herons clustered among some trees in a remote area of the swamp. Refuge managers speculated that a new rookery was being formed for this colony to rear its young.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Belted Kingfisher perched on a tree branch.
Belted Kingfisher
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA; APR 2022
Black Vulture perched atop a dead tree.
Black Vulture
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA; APR 2022
Little Blue Heron perched on a tree limb among Spanish Moss.
Little Blue Heron
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA; APR 2022
Turkey Vulture perched on a tree branch.
Turkey Vulture
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA; APR 2022
Atlantic Brown Pelican flying over open water.
Atlantic Brown Pelican in Flight
Jekyll Island, Georgia, USA; APR 2022

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

If anyone would like a copy of almost any picture in my library, for educational or research use, please contact me and I will happily share a digital copy with you.