Crossing Over Cherokee Grove

The original name of Princess Place Preserve was Cherokee Grove.  On a small island they built a park with picnic tables and a gorgeous veiw of the marsh and river.

Rocking Chairs of the Marsh land

The Princess Place Lodge has rocking chairs on the back porch to sit and soak in the glory of the marsh, the wildlife, Matanzas River and the oak trees with thier branches drooping with spanish moss.  Close your eyes and the Rocking Chairs carry you back for a moment to the old Florida of the 1900's with the scents and sounds of the wildness and beauty of the area.

Bridge to Oysters Beds & Sand Bars

The bridge connected a small island to the Preserve and there were oyster beds and sand bars along the banks.  It was wild, serene and beautiful.

Nymphs & lively spirits of streams and lakes

Nymphs were lively spirits who lived near streams and lakes and protected trees in the forest. They definitely have been protecting these oaks for hundreds of years.

Matanzas River at Princess Place

Matanzas River runs from Princess Place Preserve, Washington Oaks State Park and Matanzas Fort.

Looking Glass at Princess Place Preserve

I wanted to capture the clouds reflection in the water. The looking glass for the Intracoastal waterway at Princess Place Preserve.  Did Princess Angela ever gaze into the water to see her reflection?

Princess Place Preserve - Old Florida

We decided to visit old Florida at Princess Place Preserve this afternoon.  It was purchased by Henry Cutting in 1886 and passed on to his widow Angela Mills Cutting Worden, who eventually married Boris Scherbatoff, an exiled Russian prince. Angela assumed the title of princess and it was then that the once named "Cherokee Grove" came to be known as "Princess Place.

Collage of Early Spring

The Eastern Red bud tree is in full bloom as well as the Indian Hawthorns and Camellia bushes Springs early arrival in North Florida. Warm weather brings vibrant colors and Red Cardinals.

Let's Go for a Ride - Stage Coach in Mosinee

This is a Stage Coach located in front of the Stage Coach Restaurant in Mosinee, Wisconsin.  I liked this photo because it is a reminiscing of the old western coach and how difficult it must have been to ride in one particularly during the winter months. Goodbye snow, this is the last of the snow photos I will be publishing.  Spring is in Florida and snow and ice is still plaguing the mid-west.

Beautiful Girl on a Beautiful Beach

Time to take my beautiful daughter to the beach.

It's time for Ocean Waves, Beach & Sand

There has been too many cold days.  It's time for ocean waves, beach and sand!

Vilano Marina at Dusk

One lone sail boat at Vilano Marina late this afternoon.  The sunset was a brillant red by the time the sun dropped behind the boat.

Vilano Beach Sunset

My daughter works in Vilano Beach and the last several evenings there have been spectacular views of the sun setting across the waterway.  This is a view of the sun setting over St. Augustine taken from the marina at Vilano Beach. 

Camilla Blossoms and the Birds are Singing

 I have six Camilla bushes that are over 8 feet tall and there are hundreds of blossoms lining my driveway.  Dark pink to multiple colors as well as white.  It is time for spring to finally chase cold weather away and bring out the flowers. The birds were singing like a choir, flying from bush to bush.

Little Robin on a Cold Winter's Day - Connersville, Indiana

Little Robin where is your winter coat?  The wind is blowing and ruffling your feathers.  Spring must come soon. Poor little Robin. You need to fly to Florida and escape the northern winter's cruel hand.  The Robins in my yard are singing and eating red berries and enjoying the sun.

Longwood Covered Bridge over Williams Creek

The Longwood Covered Bridge over Williams Creek.  A light snow fall covered the grounds in Connersville, Indiana.

Indiana - The hand of night

Snow covered corn fields in Indiana.  Dusk was approaching and a golden glow was lingering in the distance. Strange how the hand of night stretches across the horizon and swallows up daylight..

Big Texas Sky

Photo by DW Fallin who is traveling through Texas on a snowy cold evening.  Another snow storm hit the south this week and he was lucky enough to get caught in the snow in Texas.

The Snow Maidens so Graceful and Fair

Amidst The Snow Flakes and Fairies
The Snow Maidens dance
 From Forest to Meadow.  
Their shilhouettes we follow
Twirling on pointed toes
From Moonbeam to Shadow. 
Snow and ice are their friends. 
The Coated White Earth is their floor;
Center Stage from Heaven,
The stars shine on them,
Seeking no other.
Their eyes sparkle like Crystals
Amidst the Snow Fairies and Sprites,
They waltz in Solace
With Mystical Delight.  
From Winter's breathe they came
Twirling and dancing in the chilled air;
Through the forest and the fields
The wind whispers their name,
Brilliant and translucent---
The Maidens of Heaven's White Veil. 
By PL Fallin

Peace before the Storm

This peaceful scene was across the street from the hospital next to a very busy road.  It looked out of place in a commerical zone.  There was light snow on the ground and gray skies over head.  the trees towering over the house were beautiful.  The next day the roads were covered in snow and everything was in white.

Candle Light in the Fireplace

The light from the burning candles illuminates a large flame as they were engulf into the belly of a burning furnace but yet only the candle wicks are burning.  The pillars stand untouched like Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego.

In the Stillness of Snow

Sand Pointe - The Day Before the Winter Storm

Sand Point is on Saginaw Bay and the inter coastal was starting to freeze hard enough for some local resident's to ice fish.  The swings sitting on the manicured beach were empty; no one wanted to swing on this particular cold day. The snow storm hit that evening; I am sure the swings became burden-down with snow and the manicured lawn was no more.

Overcast Skies

The house looks dwarf compared to the trees towering over it.  The sky was gray and the overcast made the landscape look black and white. 

Sun Brust through the Gray

The sun desperately tried to break through the clouds; it did for a few moments and shined like a 'burst of fire' but not enough warmth to melt the icy earth before the clouds smothered it again.

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

Oh the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we have no place to go

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Merry Christmas Bad Axe, MI-Main Street

There are still towns in this country that celebrate Christmas with Nativity Scenes on main street.  Bad Axe, Michigan-Main Street.

Her Golden Crown touched the Cold Earth's Floor

The Weeping Willow tree had shed its leaves but the slim branches had a golden-brown color that made them stand out in the landscape.

After the Storm

My favorite photos are of barns.  After the snow storm there was no movement except for gusty winds.    Very quiet and still.  Where did all the wildlife and birds go?