It's happening - Spring on my block

Took a walk this morning. Turned around to get the camera...
What was I thinking to go alone.

Savings time in effect....are you the right kind to move forward with it?

***** DingDingDing - we have 30 entries for the March contest*****

This filled up fast in my opinion. I'm also glad we got 30 entries without much ado and beautiful they are.

I will post them right after the winners for the Winter contest are announced, and then probably start the preliminary threads a bit sooner than I planned to.
But first I will post them for you to see for a couple of days.
It's been a good while since we had blind entries.

We have the goods.
Thanks everybody.
It's been fun so far.

*****My breeding little Halle the finch says: Here's looking for three more March entries*****

Sad Beast of a House in the Southern Wild

On my way home from the now infamous quarry I've been showing you my friend took me by this house where, since she knew the owners, I wasn't even trespassing for a change.

I have such conflicted feelings when I am near a place like this, and they are legion all around me.
One of course is the beauty, and it grabs me, and I don't want anything to happen to it.
Another is the history, so obvious, so poignant, so transient.
A third is the harsh knowledge that it's wrong and sad to have so much deterioration and dangerous, unsanitary leftover breeding ground for trouble all around us. All of you know all about it, wherever you are.

While my chain is already pulled, I JUST a few minutes ago found out that the ice house in Asheville I photographed and brought to you is razed. And the buildings I photographed next to it had all their graffiti sprayed over, and now there are impenetrable rails around those and where I took photos right after Christmas no one is allowed to tread.
It's a way to get out the homeless, and also a way to keep folks like me safe

I feel like my photos are very precious to me now, almost holy, and infamous to boot.

Now, back to the house we saw.













The last one actually looks sort of OK - but I cropped it to be more pleasing and I lost the huge vulcher that was sitting like a black trashbag in the upper branches of the tree.

Can't help it -6 more from the Quarry- I managed to get the telephoto shots out of the other camera

*****Entry Progress Report March***** I know you are curious

The photos that are coming in defy description in their beauty and variety.
As well they should, they are your favorites!

We now have 21 submissions - so if you want one in there - go for it! We may easily fill it up.


To recap for those who have not read all my verbiage:

Theme: "A photographer's favorite"
Longest side should not exceed 800 pixels, other than that most anything goes.

Your entry should be sent to me in a private message as a direct link, because this is a blind submission contest.


I'll be revealing them on the 12th if not before, photos, not names.

edited to say:
22 submissions received, Tues. 10 am
23 Tues. Noon
24 Tues. pm
25 submissions Tues. 10:30 pm

Wed March 6 - mid morning - still 5 entry spots left

For car lovers who know what a "Tucker" is (I sure didn't)

A friend sent this to me, and it may interest some of you who enjoy a prettily photographed old car

http://www.laubly.com/1948tucker.htm

*****Too many of you are still sitting on your precious works***** Needing submissions for March

Just like my precious finch Halle you are sitting on your favorites and not producing them for me.
Her eggs will hatch around the 12th.
How about it. I need 18 more photos.

Edited to say:
PLEASE

Acres of dead Kudzu are finally letting me see the Quarry - come look!

A year ago I read in the paper about an old abandoned quarry that was given to my city by the company that oncemined it. I searched and found, and could not see much of anything. It was tightly fenced all around with razor wire and the Kudzu was so tight in there it was impossible to see. I found a hole in the fence, went in with great care and got terrified by some huge animal that ran past me, saw bit of turquoise water but was too scared to stay.

Today I took a taser gun, a pepper sprayer, wore big boots, and begged a courageous friend to go with me. I figured the dead Kudzu would afford me a view.
So here are a few shots showing you what we found.

I must tell you off the bat I took two cameras. For reasons I don't know one won't download, but the photos are on there. So I may be forced to show you a few more from today another time.


Arrival, and sure enough, there is some visibility - but no entry



Peering through the dead vegetation



The fence is covered with dead stuff, looking for a hole in the fence



We're in







Just like this picture



Walking along the outside rim again, we're really high up!



And in leaving I'm passing this beautiful Sycamore. I think that's what it is