Such sadness fell over my house a week ago last Friday as my best friend, Bear departed the world for a life of no pain, fields of flowers and rainbows.  Bear and I shared a fabulous life together for 15 years.  He was a sweet soul who loved everyone and every dog and even every cat.   The afternoon before he went on his journey a beautiful storm came through complete with gorgeous colors and a rainbow.  How appropriate for my sweet friend.  I will miss you Mr. Bear and you will forever be in my heart.  With love, Mom.

After the storm, sliver of the afternoon sun highlighting the trees across the lake.

Golden and lilac light over the village.

The golden road

Me and Bear in 2006.

All the prints in this post are available in print form!  Click here to order.

Summer storms in the winter, where are you spring?

Never fear a freezing cold morning in early March for spring is just around the corner.   Tornados rolled in on Friday, snow was predicted on Monday morning.   The daffodils and saucer magnolias are out and the sun is re positioning.  Sunday morning brings the time change.

A dainty spider web covered in dew

bubble on a branch

shiny and wet morning road

saucer magnolia buds

daffodil in the morning light

dew on daffodil petals

saucer magnolia blossom in black and white

saucer magnolia blossom

the sky after the storms on Friday

This past weekend was the season two taping for the Bluegrass Underground PBS series.   To get an idea of what all it takes to produce this series 333 below ground in the Volcano Room of Cumberland Caverns watch this video by Craig Havighurst.   This was shot during one of the days of the first season filming.   This year it was bigger and better, more lights, more crew, more cameras, a production trailer, a green room, I could keep going… wow!! Three days of incredible talent.  Twelve bands, four a day, the first night time performances.   Two big headliners:  The Civil Wars and Vince Gill.   Lots of people.  Lots of walking from here to there to shoot.    Can’t wait to see what happens for the next season.  Thank you Todd Mayo for giving me the opportunity to photograph these historic music moments!

I am going to present my first favorites from the weekend.

Friday night was The David Mayfield Parade, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, The Del McCoury Band and The Civil Wars.

The David Mayfield Parade

David Mayfield

"Get Down on Your Knees", my favorite Del McCoury performance of the night!

Del McCoury

Waiting for Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver emerging from the cavern behind the stage.

Doyle Lawson

The Civil Wars during "Barton Hollow".

Joy from the Civil Wars.

John Paul from the Civil Wars

Saturday we listened to Sarah Jarosz, Jim Lauderdale, The Time Jumpers and Vince Gill.

Sarah Jarosz and band on stage.

Jim Lauderdale before his set

Jim Lauderdale

stage secrets

Birds eye view of The Time Jumpers on stage in the Volcano Room

Velvety vocals

Vince Gill with the Time Jumpers

Vince Gill with his band.

Sunday’s line up was The Vespers, The Black Lillies, Scott Miller and the Commonwealth and Jerry Douglas.

The Vespers during sound check.

Phoebe and Callie of The Vespers

The Vespers Band

Trisha from The Black Lillies

Cruz from The Black Lillies

The Black Lillies

Scott Miller

Scott Miller playing harmonica and guitar.

Scott Miller and The Commonwealth

Jerry Douglas

Jerry Douglas and band with PBS camera boom

Check out all these musicians and support their music!

The David Mayfield Parade

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver

The Del McCoury Band

The Civil Wars

Sarah Jarosz

Jim Lauderdale

The Time Jumpers

Vince Gill

The Vespers

The Black Lillies

Scott Miller and the Commonwealth

Jerry Douglas

Several years ago I photographed a wedding in this church.  It is located off the highway that takes you to Fayetteville, Tennessee.  It is in a itty bitty town called Bee Spring.

I have been reminiscing today.  Looking back at images from a trip I took in July of 2003 to shoot a wedding on the beach at Amelia Island, Florida.

Big Red Church Door

Church Entry

Mailboxes and Crutches

Pigeons and Fog

Rainy Day Meter

Ghost in the Fort

Fish Sign

My home away from home on Amelia Island, Elizabeth Point Lodge.

South Carolina.

"Downtown" Amelia Island.

A beautiful morning spent walking with Lilly, the dog, at Shelby Bottoms Greenway in Nashville.

Bird House

Winter Tree on Flood Field

Shadows on Icy Pond

Tree Shadows on Icy Pond

Nesting Box

Happy Switch Grass

Bridge Grid

Icy Wetland

Nesting House on a Tree

Lush Trail

Morning Trail