Flora and Fauna

 Spring has been here for a few weeks. Creatures are appearing, bulbs are blooming, birds are nesting and the world is coming back to life! Here are just a few pictures of my spring harbingers!

Self Portraits Test 1

Playing with the slow shutter:

Grounded

Every year in April for as long as I have lived here, these butterflies return to the exact same spot by the creek and gather, sucking something, I'm guessing algae, out of the sand.  Being an especially delicate creature in human hands, it is surprising to see them crawling over one another and crowded so close together. When I think of butterflies I think of flowers and little girls and whimsey, I was shocked the first time I discovered them down at this particularly smelly and dank place that only gets water when it rains heavily, fluttering and pulsating in the mud.

The Georgia Renaissance Festival

Faeries and Dragons and Elves, oh my!!

I had a blast at the Renaissance Festival this year, some of the costumes were really creative and the food was better than expected. Apparently the turkey legs are a right of passage (this was my first time going to the festival), but the line was too long so I got corn fritters instead. I didn't take many pictures of the booths but if you are looking for anything fantasy related-costumes, masks, jewelry, tapestries, etc.-you are sure to find it there. For me, people watching was the main attraction:

         Watch out for these guys!

                                                                        Making Corsets

That's me!

                                              I snuck a picture of this guy sneeking pictures!

                                                          Now that's commitment!

                                                                   Dragon Swing

                                                       Princesses in line for refreshments.

                                                                      She caught me!

                                          Her hair was past her bum and it was real! Lovely.

             Great attention to detail on this family, except I don't think the bottled water was accurate.

                                                                Glass blowing tools.

                                                         Glass blowing demonstration.

                                                                       Worn out!

                                                           Lady pirate paraphernalia.

                                                              Green man, my favorite!