Sunday Church Series - Independent Presbyterian Church

 I passed my church today, Independent Presbyterian . The crape myrtles were in full bloom and I made a u-turn for this shot!

Petal Soup

These lovely watermelon colored crape myrtle blossoms ( my favorite color) were floating happily in the birdbath at Charlie Thigpen's Garden Gallery at the Pepper Place.

It Must Be The Bird Feeder...

that attracted these two pink feathered gigglers to our Crape Myrtle tree!

Bare and Beautiful

Allée of crape myrtle trees

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

What most of you don't know is that I have a cadre of photography friends that often get the distinct pleasure (?) of critiquing my photos before they go up here. Sometimes I listen and sometimes I don't, and they know that. Today's photo got a positive but rather noncommital answer from Wayne, who is usually trying not to rock my boat. Bob Crowe , is an attorney so it's safe to say he's not scared of me or anyone else, and as always the silver-tongued lawyer, he said, "It sort of has a blend of autumn starkness and grace." Two thumbs up, more or less, so here it is! Thanks guys, the check's in the mail as always.

I chased the setting sun all over the gardens Friday. With Daylight Savings Time coming to an end, I'll need to get my act together if I'm going to take advantage of the afternoon light I love. I really liked the last rays on these polished trunks and branches.

My friend Daryl has persuaded me to enter this photo at Aileni's Monochrome Weekly. Please visit her site and and the amazing monochrome work shown there every week!

The Crape Myrtles are a Bloomin'

This time of year Birmingham is covered with the blossoms of the crape myrtle. They come in all colors of white, lilac, pink and my personal favorite that I call watermelon, shown here today. Birmingham 'eye candy' for sure!

TWO THINGS CHALLENGE: Texture/Pattern

This week's Two Things Challenge is Texture/ Shapes.  My top photo is obviously TEXTURE, a shag bark tree common in Birmingham. Isn't it just great?  You want to run your hands all over it don't you!  SHAPES, well again I am really stretching for this one.   The shapes of these crape myrtles at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens formed such a graceful ailee ( yes I know it needs an accent mark but i couldn't find it when I changed to French!) in the late afternoon sun.  For more interpretations of the Challenge this week click here.

100 Stranger Challenge

Several days ago I featured a street portrait that is part of my 100 Strangers Challenge.   Some of you expressed an interest in finding out the specifics.  I am including Flickr's official site so that you can read all about it.  As I stated, I decided I had enough on my plate so opted to just do a personal challenge and not actually join the Flickr group.  D.C. Confidential has jumped in and is getting her toes wet with some fine examples.  We simply share our latest efforts from time to time.  I have been keeping track of mine in a Web Album,  and have now added them to my Photography Web Site as well.  Let me know if I can help in any way.  The more the merrier!

The Tune du Jour is...."Autumn" from Vivaldi's Four Seasons

PARIS COUNTDOWN....14 DAYS! ( That's just TWO weeks!)

Discover The Vivaldi Orchestra!