Berry Surreal Dreams

The sun has gone on vacation.

Alternating pouring rain and light drizzle make going out with the camera a little dangerous, for the camera that is.

Eyelids heavy. Chin down to chest. Regular deep breathing. Dozing off. In a dream state, we go out the front door onto the covered front stoop. The brilliant bejeweled winterberry hollies dazzle dipped in moisture.

The cardinals are going to be nice and plump next March when the berries have ripened to perfection.

This is a gothic technicolor dream.

It seems a surreal spectacle.

But it is no disturbing nightmare.

Moody and mysterious with timeless magic just beneath the surface.

A portal into the ceremony of 3D.

This seems more familiar as we navigate the land of elemental foothills in freefall.

Sputter, fluster, muster. Head shake. We must have been sleep walking with the camera again.

~~~

The first groups of photos is of the winterberry hollies growing in front of the main house. Ilex verticillata ‘Sparkleberry’ and I. verticillata ‘Winter Gold’ are in full berry. Their consort, I. verticillata ‘Apollo’ is starkly naked, allowing his harem to shine. There is more information about them on the post from last year that can be seen by clicking here, Sparkleberry And Winter Gold. The out of focus photographer image was snapped by Gail as she was trying out the Canon Powershot SX1 IS. Our royal we-ness snapped the rest with the same camera, while in a lucid dream state.

Frances

Falls With Friends

There was magic in the air.

The Earth’s magic.

We have been here before, many times. A post was written about it last fall that can be read by clicking here. There is more information on the area in that story.

It never gets old.

It was a gorgeous day and there were others at the falls.

With recent heavy rains there was more water than ever, both rushing down the rocky slope of the falls and along the river on the other side of the bridge. There were several brave souls kayaking.

There was new terrain traveled. We had never hiked up the mountain beside the falls before. Because…

…We are usually alone, but not this time. This time we had an intrepid leader, a fellow Tennessean and fellow garden blogger. Yes, dear readers, the person posing so playfully for the camera is none other than our dear friend Gail of Clay And Limestone. She and her husband, Mister I don’t blog or garden, drove from Nashvile to the Fairegarden this past weekend for a couple of days of fun and frivolity.

Armed with cameras and being led by Fearless Leader, we explored the wildflowers of the Blue Ridge province of the southern Appalachian Mountains. There was much to see as we followed the trail up down and around the rocky slope. Ferns of all types were captured in pixels by gloved hands, it is much more chilly at the higher elevations. We could hear the sound of the falls and the excitement grew as we hiked onward. When the water came into view, the sun was shining brightly on that side of the mountain, forming the rainbow in the mist shown in the opening image. It took our breath away.

The moist spray was conducive to moss magnificence. With most of the deciduous tree leaves fallen to the ground, the rays of golden sun illuminated the moss like a spotlight on a star performer.

It was a memorable day shared with good friends, our husbands also enjoyed the road trip. The falls were truly awe inspiring to us all.

Words are inadequate…

…For both friends and falls.

~~~

There was also some garden perusal, plant purchasing from our favorite Mouse Creek Nursery by both of us and a car load of plants dug from the Fairegarden to go live at Clay And Limestone, among other things, during the visit. A wonderful Tennessee wildflower book, plants and seeds were bestowed upon us for which we are most grateful. We wish to thank Mister I (C) for bringing my dear friend and being such good company for The Financier while Gail and I chatted nonstop.

Frances