a sleepy pelican watches out for manatees in the area.

Are you my next dinner?

mantis at large!

closeup of this browned mantis... what a lovely creature

on the prowl?

waiting patiently while i photograph the little guy/girl

Found this little creature hanging out inside, at one of the cabins i was painting.

first shot i had to take once i got to the parking lot for the clingmans dome trip

just arriving at the trailhead of clingmans dome.... very cool early evening.

from the trailhead to clingmans dome again.

An almost desolate and erie evening, looking down from Clingmans dome trailhead

such a great evening, watching the moon, in wonder.

after the tread back down from clingmans dome, i sit watching every moment of this horizons change. breath-taking.

On the way back to gatlinburg from clingmans dome (which the dome is on the north carolina side) I had to take that picture that so many millions before me have taken, haw haw.

Is this absurd or what? However quite entertaining. I think i drove back and forth on this loop about 4 times that night. =)

Overlooking Gatlinburg, after the trip up to Clingmans Dome, i went down to gatlinburg soon after this picture, to get a mocha latte.

After sunset, it was quite chilly up at the clingmans dome trailhead. this was taken october 16th 2004. it was about 34 degrees.

One of a zillion evergreens, lifeless. But still, there is obvious hope for a new blightless growth.

During the falling of the sun, this tree seems to brighten up a bit.

You can almost smell the breeze in this one. Another rendition of an autumn evening approching.

Waiting waiting waiting. It was easy to just sit there and stare and tell the sun "see you soon again".

Autumn has arrived on this amber valley. Stopping on the way home from work, i take the time to "take the time".

hidden beneath the the rapids

Comming out of the waterworks.

head of water drowning farther

upclose and not so personal.

the simplicity of it all. still experimenting with new faces

Discovering new ways with faces, glass, and water!

Journeys may beggin here one day. At the top of this mountain where Clingmans Dome Exists.

Whatever this Picture tells you, I leave it to your own imagination. =)

And some trees demand independence!

An insect not indiguous to america has blighted these evergreen trees to near extinction in the higher elevations.

One lonely Spruce looking for a friend. Only the rays from the sun give it hope.

From the road below, heading up to the parking lot of the trailhead to clingmans dome, you can see the top of the observation tower. to the right of center.

Glingmans dome, there is a spiral ramp going up to this observation tower, with a full 360 degree view and this is the highest point in the smoky mountains national park!

A super view looking to the west on this late afternoon. I'm pretty impressed with my new camera as well.

One hell of a view from up on Glingmans Dome in the Smoky Mountains. The Appalachian trail crosses through the area as well. sunday 10-03-04