Drain Cover

Another in my series of industrial art work. Like the colors, the wetness, the numbers, the grid, and the fact that people walk over this thing everyday and probably don't even look down to see it. Again, this looks like something I would like to paint. The layering and textures really inspire me.

Chimney Swifts

After an amazing meal at the 5&10, which must be the best restaurant in Athens, we came upon a massive swirl of hundreds of chimney swifts in the sky near dusk. This picture does not do justice to what I saw by a long shot but the beauty of the moment is what I want to capture here. The birds kept circling above that chimney in the center of the frame. Periodically a swift would go in. Sometimes a whole group in a line would go in. There happened to be a birder there watching and taking pictures and he told us they were migrating to central and South America and that they gather in these masses and sleep in chimneys or other vertical safe houses overnight. We watched until they were all inside the chimney resting for the night.

Purple Surprise

The day I got back to Athens I took the dogs for a walk in the woods and came upon this stunning purple flower with extra dark purple bonbon looking things. I am always stunned by the small beauty everywhere, you just have to look.

Storm Sky Illinois

Taking pictures while I drive is probably not one of the safest things I do. Not as bad as texting and worse then talking on phone while operating a motor vehicle. Came upon this storm on my way to Urbana for my overnight. This was the rolling in part right before I got hit with the major rain.

Redneck Wedding

One of the reasons I was in Wisconsin was to go to my brother' wedding. A picture of the bride and groom shown here right after they got hitched at the hitching post which is to the left. Across the river behind them is upper Michigan. The wedding took place on a piece of property once owned by my grandpa Rudy (Rudolf). The last time I had been to this place was when I was maybe 7 or 8 years old. At that time I came up with my brother and my mom's parents Nick and Elfrieda. I remember having the best time playing outside in the rain, in my swimsuit. My brother and I just splashed around in the puddles. I also remember Rudy's Russian girlfriend who had bleached blonde hair and was very nice to me. Right after the pictures the happy couple took off on some ATVs with their wedding party and had a private celebration in the woods.

Giant Cross

If you are ever driving on interstate 57 in Southern Illinois you might get a chance to see this gigantic cross. It seems to appear from nowhere. I took a driving trip at the end of August to Wisconsin and came back to Georgia in September and took very few pictures. Today I am doing a mass download of the few images I took and thoughts that go with them. I wonder what other people think when they see this thing. My first thought it you are trying to hard. My second thought is what the heck is that thing made of and how much did it cost.

Athens Sign Art

I love when people change standard signs and offer up another interpretation. This one is behind the Bottle Works and made me and my lunch partner laugh.