The murmuring pines and the hemlocks

"THIS is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,
Bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight,
Stand like Druids of eld, with voices sad and prophetic,
Stand like harpers hoar, with beards that rest on their bosoms."  Evangeline by Longfellow

Okefenokee "The Land of the Trembling Earth"

Fort Myers - Blowing In the Wind

"The answer my friend is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind." Bob Dylan

Come to My Window and Gaze Upon the LIght

This moment I feel thy gaze upon my heart like soft candle light.

Legend of the Southern Dogwood - A Tree Both Cursed and Blessed

The legend holds that the tree was once very large and because its wood was strong and sturdy, it provided building material for a variety of purposes. According to the story, it was the dogwood tree that provided the wood used to build the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
Because of its role in the crucifixion, it is said that God both cursed and blessed the tree. It was cursed to forever be small, so that it would never grow large enough again for its wood to be used as a cross for a crucifixion. At the same time, however, the tree was blessed so that it would produce beautiful flowers each spring, just in time for Easter.

Backwaters of West Point Lake

 A sunset is the diamond in the sky; a jewel that graces a lake and gives it a finishing touch for the end of the day.  Photos taken on the backwaters of West Point Lake near Franklin Georgia.

Spring in the Wildwoods

 

Nature has a way of reinventing itself at spring time in the purity of the wildwoods.

Under the Shade

A quiet place to sit and enjoy Pellicer Creek under the shade.

An Octopus Garden In the Shade

"I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus' garden in the shade
I'd ask my friends to come and see
An octopus' garden with me
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade."  Beatles 

Dark Clouds Drooping Over Pellicer Creek

The rain started as soon as I took these pictures.  I love the formation of clouds; their shapes take on characteristics of many creatures, earthly and sometimes Divine. 

Gothic Trees of Faver Dykes

The Spanish moss was heavy and the strong wind swirl around the trees.  Several of the tree branches were entwined like growing vines with far reaching fingers of hanging moss.  It was a most unusual scene. Should be in a Gothic movie.

Pellicer Creek

 

Pellicer Creek winds along Florida's east coast highways down to the Matanzas River. Pellicer Creek is a birding site with nature trails; it has more than one hundred bird species seen during spring and fall migrations. Definetly plan to go canoing on the creek later in the spring. 

An Old Wash Pot and a Rusty Red Truck - Aging Can be Beautiful

An old wash pot sits in the front yard and a rusty red truck is parked on the side.  I sure do miss my great-grandma Dink Brown!  She lived in a house similar to this one 50 years ago in Cherokee County. Someone must love this place; after all, the grass is cut, there are no weeds and the house looks as good as my great grandmas before they tore hers down.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!  I think this place is beautiful!

The Door Will Open through Understanding

Sometimes the door will open only when you understand why it was shut in the first place.  Some of us are ordained to be artist, teachers, writers, counselors...  Our emphasis should be "Lord, here's what I want" to "Lord, what do you want?

Fishing for Life's serene moments

This area was a favorite place to pull up your chair and cast a fishing line.  Fishing from the river banks is still popular on the Intracoastal creeks and rivers.  Quiet, blissful, a place to contemplate life's serene moments.

A Drowsy, Dreamy Influence Where Artesian Water flows....

"A pleasing land of drowsy head it was,
Of dreams that wave before the half-shut eye;
And of gay castles in the clouds that pass,
Forever flushing round a summer sky..."
Castle of Indolence, D. Knickerbocker

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.