What's New

I chose this photo to post at my profile because -like so many of my friends and followers, and hopefully me, there's so much more to it than meets the eye.  Literally. This annual migration means tens of thousands of birds fly thousands of miles to stop over every year like clockwork to refuel at this very spot.  The mountain ranges seen in the distance to the East and the West will drain melted snow - or not, and thereby dictate the success or failing of the many species that rely on this stopover every year.  I deliberately didn't edit, tweak, or photoshop this photo so read on why it's so important.   You'll see Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, species of ducks, and sandhill cranes to name a few, enjoying their layover, swimming side by side while they rest and refuel with much needed water and nutrition. Each season brings in new and different species of waterfowl and land animals to this unique section of the Rio Grande, all dependent upon our fragile climate ...

During the Pandemic, I hunkered down and decided to expand my little outside corner of the planet into something that could keep my hands and mind occupied but away from the stresses plaguing us all. I dug in, literally and studied and perfected a wildlife garden that to this day provides a wonderful and rewarding respite. In my efforts, I discovered a rather surprising and heretofore unrecognized gem in the world of wildlife gardening.  Palm trees of all things, especially the flowering Jelly Palms add a lot more than beauty and atmosphere to your landscape. The stately palm remains beautiful but also stays the same through most of the year, including the cold months in the deep south.  Suddenly however, sometime in Spring or Summer-depending on the particular species, a long pod develops on this particular palm, and then slowly begins drooping toward the ground.  After a short time, this 3ish foot long pod will suddenly pop open to reveal this beautiful spray of intrigu...

UPDATE!  On 10/13/21  Wicked Tuna began offering a new and delicious lionfish dinner at their 4123 US17-Business, Murrells Inlet location, known as "The Seafood Capital of the South."  We're hoping they will bring them back soon for 2023, whether it be there or in their newer Myrtle Beach location. Given our 2020 "new normal" this year in light of the stress of the pandemic, restrictions, and overall uncertainties, several friends have mentioned that they want something new and different to put a little excitement on their holiday dinner tables and asked if I had any suggestions.   Lionfish immediately came to mind!   Another adjustment for all of us in the throes of our "new normal" is that restaurants are not open or as available to us as in the past.  So now, many of us have stepped up to the plate and the stove-  literally as well, and are doing a lot more experimenting and finding a new joy and fulfillment cooking at home.  For thos...

  2020 will be on record for undoubtedly one of the most challenging and unusual years for all of us, with many of us unable to travel.  But we are a resilient bunch, and so we are taking more time to explore and make new discoveries in our great outdoors.    What better time than Fall to make new and beautiful discoveries, forge new bonds, and make irreplaceable memories.  Whether I'm exploring the  Blue Ridge Parkway in the east or making my way through the rugged terrain of the west, Mother Nature always helps me through difficult times. A shy nubbin buck peeks cautiously out from behind an apple tree where he spent the day enjoying fallen apples and a few up in the tree, as high as his small young legs could take him   I'm always surprised and enamored with the beauty of the BRP, and this area in Bedford, Virginia ranks at the top of my list for favorites to hike and photograph, or just to relax and revel in the beauty of it all.  Here on Lake...