Blue Beetle

I saw this Blue Beetle crossing a logging road I was on while sharpening my chainsaw, and went over for a closer look.
I believe the Beetle was sucking the juice from leaves. I unmercifully hounded the beetle as it crossed the road, and I think these are the best two photos.


Update: I couldn't resist, so I uploaded a short movie I took of the beetle in action. Sorry about the focus, the little digital camera wouldn't focus so close on movie mode.

A Sign of Spring

I should know the name of this flower, but it escapes me for now.
Photo taken two weeks ago in Haywood County.
I have an incredible number of photos awaiting upload, but my internet connection currently does not like uploading files.

Accident at the Dellwood Exxon Intersection

I witnessed an automobile accident today, and was lucky enough to have had prior training and experience to be able to render appropriate assistance to the elderly female in the maroon car. Many other witnesses also came to the aid of the other people in the pickup.

Within minutes, sheriff's deputies and First Responders were on scene, with EMS not far behind.

I am proud of the professionalism exhibited by the other good Samaritans on scene, and of the volunteer fire fighters, First Responders, and the EMS Personnel.

I took a few photos while I waited to be interviewed by the NC Highway Patrol after they had conducted their initial investigation of the scene.

The accident happened at the four-way intersection on Dellwood Road and 276. I travel the road everyday, but sadly, that's the best I can do. I have known it as the Dellwood Exxon Intersection for years. The pix...





The car that was T-Boned by the pickup.



This is where the truck ended up after flipping at least twice. (I wasn't exactly counting.)



Firefighters apply foam to the truck before righting it to safeguard against sparks igniting a fuel fire.

Close Call With A Chainsaw

I had a close call Thursday morning at work. Check out the photos...


This is what the saw did to my pants....



And this is what happened to my leg...



Two cutters broke the skin, one to a lesser degree, and another left a 3 inch mark.
Gotta be more careful!!!

The Claw

These roots look like a claw frozen in the act of ripping a rock from the ground.
Photo taken in Haywood County.

Enjoying The View

This Red-Bellied Woodpecker just sat on the tree branch looking out over Jonathan Valley for a few minutes, then flew off into the woods for brunch.

Don't Look At Him...

"Don't look at him, son. It'll only encourage him to keep looking at us."
Taken Saturday in Franklin, NC.

Awakened Early

I found this critter, along with several others, inside a dead tree I cut down.
Photo taken in Haywood County near Jonathan Creek the day before yesterday.

Moonset Over Cowee Bald

I took this photo this morning on 441 North, looking west.

Lunar Eclipse of March 3, 2007

Here is a slideshow of some photos I took of last night's lunar eclipse, which was the first one I was able to photograph, and as such, I experimented a lot with various settings on my camera. The camera was a Kodak Z710.
There is another lunar eclipse due for August, and I hope to get some better shots out of it.

Bugs in Trees Part 1

As I've been cutting trees this winter, I have occaisionally run across bugs that have taken shelter inside the trees. I'll have more photos later, detailing me digging a bug out of a tree, but here is one I think is a cockroach.
If anyone knows the common name or scientific name, I'd appreciate the information. Do they have bug guides like they have guides for trees, birds, clouds, and rocks?

Top of City Hall

This is the top of the Asheville City Hall I shot last Thursday before the Flashlight Vigil began.