ok, so this image a day thing doesn't seem to be working out. Maybe I need to rethink this and post an image a week. That may be more do-able for me. Gee, what a way to start 2010. Well, it's not like anyone is really looking at this blog anyway. So, here is a shot from Cades Cove of the first snowfall of the season. Love snow, but I'm sure if I lived up north where they had it all the time, I wouldn't think so.

Image of the day...

Ok, so I already failed on posting an image a day. I took 4 days off for Christmas. So, lets try getting in the habit again for the new year.
My image today was taken a couple of weeks ago in heavy frost in Cades Cove. The cove always has a magical appeal to me, but in frost and snow, it is really something else. This tree is probably the most photographed tree in the Great Smoky Mountains. From the other side, you get a view of the mountains behind it. I liked how the dark woods made the frost covered branches stand out more and the wispy strand of fog that rolled in made it even better.

Image of the day...

This is our new puppy, "Scout". She is now 4 months old and quite full of herself. She has added a joy to her family that can't be explained. I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Image of the Day...

My image of the day was shot last week on a frosty morning. When I go out photographing, I try to see the big picture and well as the small. Frost is so magical and the details of it close-up are fascinating.

Image of the Day...

River Otters. All I can say is there are several critters that I have yet to see and photograph in the Smokies. River otters were one of those. Well, the other day I finally saw them in Cades Cove and was able to get a couple of decent shots of them. I was so happy. Now I'd like to find a fox, bobcat and owl to my collection. Photographing wildlife gives me an adrenaline rush. It's so exciting every time. Even if it's a deer which is something that I'm sure to see with every visit to the cove.

Image of the Day...

My first image of the day after an 11 month hiatus from blogging is one that I took a couple of weeks ago in Cades Cove. Wow! What can I say about Cades Cove? Well, it's the most wonderful place to photograph that I've ever been to. I won't say in the world, because the world is a big place that I have yet to venture to. So for now, it is the best place to photograph in my world. Most of my photos will be from the Smokies and Cades Cove. I used this image on my Christmas card this year. I started the tradition of making my own cards when my children were very small. Probably about 12-13 years ago. The cards have improved and evolved over the years and I believe are expected from me by friends and family. One constant on the cards is the inclusion of photos of my children on the inside with some design of my own on the cover. So this year I used this photo on the front with the "orton" effect added as well as a bit of photoshopping skills. It has been a big hit and I will probably start the new tradition of using one of my own photos on the front. I had never done this before and I don't really know why. So, here is the first of many of my favorites I plan to add daily. Enjoy!

The Carter Shields Cabin in Winter

Cades Cove

Great Smoky Mountains

Wow! What a year...

Been off of this blog thing for almost a year. After I finished the 365 challenge I sort of got burned out and then just forgot about it.
So, now I'm back. If you've searched my name, you've found this blog and are possibly interested in what I have to offer. Well, mostly what I have is my photography. So that is what I will share here. Probably an image a day and possibly a story to go along with it. I have been incredibly busy out photographing over the last several months, so lord knows I have a lot of images to share.
I have a new website where photos are available for sale. If you enjoy a photo or two a day from me, perhaps you'd like to see more. So visit my site at http://www.debcampbellphoto.com/ or my flickr site.

The Deer Whisperer

Sometimes I feel like the deer whisperer. The deer and bucks seem to gravitate toward me lately. I was in the woods recently off the road in Cades Cove. I had seen one bigger buck far off the road and pulled over. I got out and walked into the woods just a little to get a better look at him. A few minutes later I hear footsteps and rustling and this guy (the one right above this post) comes out of the pines toward me. He wasn't a bit startled. Just started eating acorns off the ground as I continued to photograph him. Anyway, after I got done with him, I continued on down the road and saw 4 more young bucks and several does and older fawns with no spots. The last few times I've been up to the Cove, I've gotten some decent shots of bucks. Here are a few of those.

Good Morning

I knew the sun would rise again. For so many days we didn't see it.

3 days of rain

After 3 days of rain, I was feeling like I need to get out. So I went up to the mountains to see what the river and falls looked like. They were full to the brim and the water was very swift so I didn't get too close. Would some of you northerners send some snow down my way. That would be awesome!