nature

Fall is in the Air

/ Donna Robinson Photography / 4 Comments

The Fall colors really peaked in Atlanta last weekend. They were spectacular! All the reds, yellows and oranges were all aglow. With it also being the perfect Fall weather (albeit a little overcast), I decided to go on a little photography excursion and get a good walk in at the same time. So, I laced up my walking shoes, grabbed my camera bag and headed over to the Chattahoochee National Park.

I’ve shared photos of previous Fall walks at this park before, so I tried to capture a few different perspectives along with doing a little magic in Photoshop to add some pop to a couple of images.

The Canadian Geese have arrived and settled in on the river. Well, to be honest they never really left, it just seems like a few more have joined the pack this year.

The path in the park is very wide and is approximately 3.2 miles all the way around. On the weekends runners, walkers and bikers come from near and far to enjoy the scenery. But when I was there it wasn’t very crowded and at times it was like having the entire park to myself.

As I rounded the back side of the path, I was surprised to see this little guy still gathering nectar off these tiny daisies.

There are several trails that branch off the main path. Some connect to other parks; others just make a big circle back to the main path. I’m not sure how long this particular trail (below) is and what it connects to, but I just loved how it draws your eye through the canopy of trees. I also had a little fun in photoshop with this one applying an “Orton Effect.” If you’re unfamiliar with this effect, it’s designed to give your photos a little “dreamy” feel. What do you think?

Here is another image that I added the “Orton Effect.” This tree really caught my eye!

Back home this Maple made its debut, but it was short lived after an evening rain/wind managed to blow most of the leaves off.

But, hey I can’t complain about the colorful “carpet” of leaves it left behind.

“Autumn embraces change, even as she is falling to pieces.”

~Angie Weiland-Crosby

Bird Watcher or Watcher of Birds?

/ Donna Robinson Photography / 4 Comments

I’m not a “bird watcher” per se. I don’t run around in the park chasing birds with binoculars in tow, stretching my neck around trying to catch a glimpse of that unique, rare species which can only be found in the wetlands of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Actually, I find myself a little perplexed when I see the bird watchers because all they seem to be doing is looking, pointing and scribbling notes but not taking any photos of what they see. But, hey. I’m sure I look a little goofy at times running around with my camera gear hanging off my shoulders, squatting or standing on a ledge to get just that right perspective for the shot.

Having said all of this I do like to sit in our backyard and watch the birds………with my glass of wine and camera armed and ready. It’s something Michael and I enjoy during the warmer evenings of the year. And, if I’m honest with myself these “bird watching” sessions have provided some wonderful photo ops like these from the other evening:

It’s both relaxing and challenging at the same time. I’m always perched on the edge of my chair, constantly checking my camera settings with the ever-changing bird activity and lighting.

So, I guess you could say I fall into the “bird watching” category. Maybe it’s time I brushed up on the different bird species in the area and join up with a bird watching group. Nah, I’ll just hang out with our backyard wildlife.

So, what about you? Are you a “bird watcher” or “watcher of birds?”

Until next time,

~donna

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Bee & Pink Rhododendron, Blank, Notecard Set

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I don’t know about you, but I have a bad case of Spring Fever (literally and figuratively) when I look at this photo. It was a lucky shot in more ways than one. Lucky, I caught the bumble bee approaching the bloom and lucky I didn’t get stung in the process!

The story behind this flower? It’s part of two HUGE rhododendron bushes my father transplanted from a friend’s home in Mt. Mitchell, NC. Some 40+ years later these bushes/shrubs/trees are still thriving in his backyard.

I took this particular photo last season after spending about 10 – 15 minutes chasing the bumble bee around, snapping photo after photo until I thought I might have the right shot! Once I looked over the photos, I knew this needed to be on a notecard!

Each notecard set includes 8 notecards/envelopes and are packaged in a cream colored, organza, drawstring gift bag.

Keep for yourself or give as a gift, this notecard set will brighten anyone’s day!

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“Impatiently Waiting for Spring”

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We’ve been experiencing some beautiful Springtime weather in Atlanta. The temps were in the high 70’s just knocking on 80 this past weekend and we were running around in short sleeves, shorts and yes, flip flops! Surely the early Spring promised by Beauregard Lee (our resident groundhog) was here to stay?

Nope! Mother Nature has a way of reminding us she is still in control. The rain came in on Tuesday and the temps are starting to dip back down into the freezing zone with our weekend forecast indicating possible rain and snow showers (gulp). I guess it’s a good thing I resisted the temptation to begin my Spring gardening.

But one thing’s for sure with the weather so nice I couldn’t resist the urge to fill the Hummingbird feeders. There have been sightings already in the Atlanta area, so I thought why not?! They haven’t found their way to our feeders yet, but I’m ready for them.

I sure hope this change in weather is only temporary. In the meantime, I’ll be right here reminiscing over these sweet little beauties from last summer’s “30 Days of Hummingbirds” challenge while I find myself impatiently waiting for Spring,

~donna

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Escaping the Winter Blues

/ Donna Robinson Photography / 7 Comments

I can’t say that our winter here in Atlanta has been so cold that we had to escape. Afterall, we’ve had some warm, sunny days lately when the temperatures have hit the low 80’s. But winter is winter, and it does get cold, gray and rainy (like today).

By the time February comes along we’re ready for a winter escape. And since Michael’s birthday happens to be at the end of the month, we have a pretty solid reason for a road-trip. This year was no different!

We started with our usual halfway point, St. Simons Island, GA and visited with our dear friends Meg and Bart for the evening. It’s always great to visit our friends and this fun little island. If you’ve followed me since the beginning of this blog, you know that at one time we had a vacation home on St. Simons. You can read about our adventures in these posts:

  • SSI Casa de Playa – My first post ever and the name of our little beach house. Our friend Meg came up with the name.
  • Steeples I have Chased – A look at three (3) historical churches located on St. Simons Island
  • The Nutcracker – A cute little story about our Pecan Tree and an ingenious nutcracker my father brought home many, many years earlier.
  • Leaving SSI – Our journey on the island was short and this pretty much sums it up!

But I digress. Today’s post is really about our trip to Amelia Island, FL which is located about an hour south of St. Simons Island. It’s a quaint area and we were fortunate to find a hotel on the beach.

The beach on Amelia Island is wide and beautiful. Our first morning we headed out the hotel and walked three (3) miles (a short walk if you know me and Michael). The mist was just beginning to burn off as the sun was coming up.

A beach shot walking back to the hotel. The sea foam is so beautiful, this photo really doesn’t do it any justice!

Later that day we headed over to Fernandina Beach, FL which is about 10 miles north of Amelia Island, but they’re “technically” part of the same area. It’s a quaint little town, one we’ve visited on multiple occasions!

The main street is lined with shops and restaurants and some of the best antique shops filled with all types of local and national history. There was so much to see in each of the shops! But here are a few of my favorites.

Who doesn’t love an old truck! This one was parked outside the first antique shop we went into. I love the rust and the patina on the bumper.

My favorite booth! Just look at all the vintage cameras and how they’re displayed! Can’t you just imagine the stories each of these cameras have captured throughout the years?

I was a little mesmerized by this display case with all the vintage buttons. Do they even make these anymore?

Yes, “Life is a Beach on Amelia Island.”

Sunrise on our last morning. Had it not been for Michael, I would have missed this shot because I was too busy packing to head home.

Do you find yourself looking for a winter escape? If so, where do you go? Are you after more cold and snow or do you head to warmer climates?

Until next time! “Life is a journey, not a destination. You are the artist, paint what you will.”

~donna

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“Just Living is not Enough…….”

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“Just living is not enough. You must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.” ~Hans Christian Anderson

May you find your sunshine, freedom and little flower this week!

~donna

P.S. If you’re looking for unique greeting cards, prints or digital prints be sure to stop by my Etsy Shop by following this link: Shop Etsy: DonnaRobinsonPhoto

Fall is a Mosaic……

/ Donna Robinson Photography / Leave a comment

🍂”Winter is an etching, Spring a watercolor, Summer an oil painting and Fall is a mosaic of them all.” ~Shirley Horowitz

Here’s to the last of the Mosaic colors of Fall.

~Donna

~Looking for unique note cards, prints or digital prints? Then hop on over to my Etsy Shop by clicking or copying and pasting this link in your browser: https://www.etsy.com/shop/donnarobinsonphoto