Wildflowers and grasses in a meadow on the Blue Ridge Parkway

I had learned a new photographic technique at the Grandfather Camera Clinic that creates this effect — the flowers and grasses in sharp detail, the background blurry.  I’ve had great fun trying it out.  I like the random wildness displayed in this picture — the daisy-like flowers next to the two types of grass, the cheery sun-like flowers contrasting with the almost lacy grass and tall, straight grass.  Although I enjoy winter for what it is, I treasure having pictures such as this one to remind me on cold winter days of the pleasant weather of summer, easy to hike in and discover what nature has to offer on a particular day.  To remember the delights offered to us with no effort on our part, just there, doing their own thing, to add joy and splendor to our lives.

Horse on Blue Ridge Parkway Price Park

When I became interested in photographing the heart-shaped tree, this fellow and his companions were in the field.  They always stopped their grazing and came over, probably to see if I had apples or such to offer them.  They are not shy and hovered all around me, trying to nibble on my things and in the process slobbering on my camera and lenses.  But, they were friendly.  I hoped to get a picture of one of them looking directly at me for my ‘here’s looking at you, kid’ series.  Never did.