Darby, Surveying the Landscape for Adventure

Having frolicked through the frigid waters that eventually flow into Black Creek, alongside the Rails to Trails in Fultondale, Darby ascends the banks and surveys the landscape to determine the next adventure that's on her horizon.

Darby, the Queen of her Domain

Darby is the Queen of her Domain, and the Ottoman in her Purchase.

Decrepit Culvert at Black Creek, Fultondale

Presumably, when the railroad above this culvert was built many moons ago, the structure here was much more squared than what it has become now. In apparent danger of eventual collapse, this culvert allows the passage of one of the many streams that feeds Black Creek in Fultondale, Alabama. Hopefully, despite appearances, it has many good years of service left.

Late Winter Dandelion in Monochrome

A Dandelion has sprouted in late Winter, the forebear of Spring to come.

Ants Scavenge a Dandelion in Late Winter

Before Winter's heavy curtain falls revealing the promise of Spring, the storehouses deep within the labyrinth grow thin and the pangs of hunger set it. The laborers are sent out to scavenge for whatever can be found in this dreary hour. Dandelions and other winter flowers are combed for any treasure they might contain. Finding little, the ant invaders move on tirelessly attempting to meet the needs of the tribe.

Darby Surveying with a Snow-Powdered Nose

After romping through the snow with an overly zealous fervor, Darby takes the time afterward to survey the destruction her raucous behavior has visited on the previously pure sheet of snow. Her keen sense will notify her if she has left any patch undisturbed, where she might go root about with her snow-splashed nose.

Romping in a Winter Wonderland with Darby, Fultondale

With a second winter storm in as many weeks that visited us in Birmingham in mid-February 2014, this time dropping four inches of powdery snow, our Golden Retriever could not be contained inside. Renewing her enthusiasm for water in all its forms, Darby can be seen here at full tilt making laps around the yard as though it were the Talladega Super Speedway.

Moss-Tinged Bark on an Evergreen, Marshall County

Moss-Tinged Bark on an Evergreen near Lake Guntersville in Marshall County, Alabama

Serpentine Landscapes in Marshall County

Serpentine Landscapes in Marshall County, Alabama

Great Blue Heron in Flight at Lake Guntersville

Great Blue Heron in Flight at Lake Guntersville, in Lake Guntersville State Park, Alabama