2013 2nd Annual Gardendale Turkey Trot

Whereas last year's Inaugural Gardendale Turkey Trot was a smallish cluster of runners gathered on a pleasant Thanksgiving morning, this year's congregation made it a much bigger affair.

Runners receiving instruction at the 2nd Annual Gardendale Turkey Trot, Alabama

More than 90 runners and walkers (and one David Crockett on a bicycle leading the way) gathered on a clear but frigid late autumn morning, not only to run so as to justify the gluttony that would occur later in the day, but also to donate coats and clothing for the Firehouse Shelter. In addition to the runners themselves, the Turkey Trot was sponsored by a number of local businesses (seen on Run Gardendale's Turkey Trot event page), including Buffalo Wild Wings, where the event commenced and concluded.

With options to run 3, 4, or 5 miles, runners and walkers of all ages and experience levels congregated to participate in a very successful 2nd Annual Gardendale Turkey Trot.

The photos found in the above slideshow can be found at the 

2013 2nd Annual Gardendale Turkey Trot Gallery.

Orb Weaver Spider Crouched for the Pounce

Orb Weaver Spider Crouched for the Pounce, Fultondale, Alabama
Find this and other arachnids at the Galleries, here.

Honey Bee Wrapping up the Summer Harvest

Honey Bee Wrapping up the Summer Harvest on the Rails to Trails at Black Creek Park

Hornworm Devouring my Tomato Plants, Fultondale

Several months ago, I notice that my tomato plants were being ravaged by some critter, but I could not seem to find the culprit for some time.

Initially, I suspected grasshoppers, as I had intermittently seen them grazing on my plants, but this appeared to be a much more systematic approach.

And then I spied this fat, well-fad monstrosity of a hornworm, engaged at that very moment in the act of feasting on my tomato plants. So I did what any gardener would do: I took a few photographs of him, then I ended him.

 Hornworm Devouring a Tomato Plant in Fultondale, Alabama

This and other insect photos can be found on my galleries, here.

Fog-Laden Swamp at Shady Grove, Gardendale

Fog-Laden Swamp at Shady Grove on Newfound Creek in Gardendale, Alabama

Muted Colors in the Mist at Shady Grove

Muted Colors in the Mist on the Swamp at Shady Grove in Gardendale, Alabama
This and other photos can be found in the Galleries, here.

Heavy Morning Mist at the Swamp at Shady Grove

Heavy Morning Mist at the Swamp at Shady Grove

on Newfound Creek in Gardendale, Alabama

Foggy Morning at Shady Grove, Gardendale

Heavy Fog Blankets the Swamp at Shady Grove on Newfound Creek in Gardendale

Dilapidated Purina Plant Overwhelmed by Kudzu

This dilapidated Purina Plant in Marion, Alabama, was long ago abandoned and left to be reclaimed by whatever or whomever would have it.

And as tends to the case in the Southeast, those viny tendrils began to slowly and inevitably creep in from the outlying woods. And once they had covered the grounds and reached the building, they began their trajectory upward in an undeterred effort to envelop that facility whole.

Perhaps that famed statement should more rightly have been: "Now, I am become Kudzu, the destroyer of worlds."

This and other photos can be found in the gallery: "Elsewhere in Alabama"

Kudzu-Overrun Purina Plant in Marion, Alabama

Purina Plant in Marion, Alabama, overrun by Kudzu

Morning Mist in Monochrome, Bibb County, Alabama

Morning Mist in Monochrome in rural Bibb County, Alabama

Misty Golden Pastures in Morning Light, Bibb County

One of my favorite things about Autumn is the early morning fogs that can be seen settling in the valleys and around the crests of Alabama's hill country. This golden pasture was seen in rural Bibb County, Alabama.

Eastern Box Turtle at the Cahaba River, Birmingham

While recently hiking along a swampy inlet along the Cahaba River in Birmingham, Alabama, I came across these deceased Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina). 

Something had damaged his shell quite badly, along the rear right quarter. But he, nevertheless, crawled to a peaceful place along the water to shuffle off his mortal coil. 

And by the time I saw him, he was being relegated to his place on the food chain, as can be attested to by the fly seen resting atop his shell.

Picnicking with the Carolina Anole

Before Darby spotted him and sent this Carolina Anole skittering off in search of higher ground, I was able to photograph this fellow who spent a good deal of the summer tucked away in the umbrella attached to our patio furniture, where he seemed to be well-fed and well-contented.

Carolina Anole on a Picnic Table in Fultondale, Alabama