Chattanooga Zoo

I recently got a deal on a membership to the Chattanooga Zoo. So there will  be more pictures of animals coming. Thought I would share a few of what I saw on my quick jaunt through the flora and fauna the other day. 

Hello, me!

So I haven't picked up my camera in about a week. I had planned to on several days, but something always got in the way. Finally this morning, when I woke up at 630 and could not go back to sleep, I took that as a sign that it was time. JK, I actually did quite a bit of other stuff and eventually ran out everything that I could do and not wake up my room-mate. So I set up the tripod and played in front of the lens.

I thought my kids would appreciate this look...

Small Town America

So I felt like stretching some of the creative writing muscles I had not used since high school. My goal is to give you a mental image that will take you back to the place you have been through that seemed like a whole other world. I hope you like it. Mrs Stephens, this one is for you.

The day was hot and the air was thick. Time dragged on despondently. Leaves rustled in a listless breeze, an almost pathetic attempt at displaying life.

The city was a small and quiet one. Old houses alongside older trees and roads. The local children ran and played in the small dilapidated park. Old men gathered on the steps of the archaic courthouse to hear the same stories they had been telling for years. Every once in a while, a mother would call out and the group of children would expel one from its membership.

To the stranger and interloper, this town was like many others. Worn out and woe-be-gone. Run down and decaying into oblivion. But to the denizens, it was security and peace and happiness. Families grew old and became young at the same time. The generations passed on like a marching band moving off the scene.

My time there was short, but it left an impression. I see the history of what once was with the sadness of the inevitable irrelevance. Newer, faster, and better would soon be replacing the hand me down, the eventual for the patient, and the simply good enough.

What would become of this place? Would time allow it to pass gracefully on to the next generation? Would it wither and die juxtaposed against the furious pace of progress? Would it thrive as a hallmark of a bygone era? Would it adapt and become wholly new again? To these questions and many others, only time will tell…

And the June winner is...

Michelle! Congrats! She won two 5 by 7 prints!

In other news, I am excited that I have some new business cards on order. I have been procrastinating getting these done, but decided to go ahead and do it. It is a little easier to hand someone a card than to hunt for a pen and scratch paper... :-)

Also, I expect that I should reach 2,000 total hits this month (about 500 this month alone). I am at 1,989 right now, so any day now. Thanks for everyone's support. It couldn't have been done with out you. It has been continual growth from November to present. You guys are awesome! It has been a great start!

Updated Chattanooga National Cemetery

Took advantage of a better sky to re-do some of my previous shots. Hope you like. BTW don't forget to check out the June contest here. Still lots of time left to enter and win!

Tending the Fallen

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

--  Thomas Jefferson 

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

June Contest

For this month's give-away, I am going to do two 5 by 7 prints. The lucky winner will get both of them. The first will be of my Spring Redbud Tree. The other will be the Fall Leaf on the Path. As in past entrees, there will be three ways to enter. The first way is to share this link on Facebook. Another way is to use your google user name to become a follower. The final way is to subscibe via email. That can be done using the Follow by email box at the side of the page. Whichever way you choose, be sure to let me know by commenting below or emailing (damoncorwine@gmail.com).

I am going to keep this one open through Saturday the 24th. At that point, I will use my in house randomizer (a.k.a. my kids) to pick a number for the winner. Also don't forget to check on the free download for the month of June.

Good luck to all. Can't wait to hear from you. Let the contest begin!

Checking in with everyone

First, let me say Happy Flag day! Also a shout out to my son. Today is the anniversary of when I adopted him. That is way more important to me, but less relevant to most of you. Just wanted to put out a quick greeting and a couple of pictures for all of you. Work has been busy and my photography business has picked up as well. Summer is shaping up to be a very busy season. I am just about 3 weeks away from my vacation trip to my sister's house. I hope to have lots of pictures to share from that trip.

Anyway, Here is a look at a little park near my work. The man-made fountain has a waterfall that allows mist to drift over people sitting on the benches. It is a quiet peaceful place where lots of homeless people hang out. Let me know what you think. I think I like the black and white better, but the color appeals to me as well.

Must love dogs...

I spend Friday night and Saturday morning dog-sitting for my Aunt. She is definitely a dog person. Here are her two dachshunds. Hope you like. Don't forget to check out the download for the month of June. I really like it and I hope you do as well.