The Oncoming Pollen Season

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Virginia Pine In Bloom 5220” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

The big blue truck idles slowly through the forest edge to the bench where my wife and I had a mobile home parked early in ourlife together. I had refused to move the small pines when they were only a few inches tall. We moved from that spot decades ago and now these pines form a privacy shelter for the site.

In mid Spring in our area the pine sends out clouds of airborne pollen that coats everything. In some years we joke about the Department of Highways needing to bring out the snow plows and clear that pollen from the roads.

Image Titled “Virginia Pine 5220b”

They are really just getting started in these photos. I have seen days when the breeze would pick up and the pollen coming from the pines looked like smoke rising into the air. They really go into production in a few weeks. The pine pollen can be real trouble for those of us who suffer from allergies but there might be a little benefit from all that yellow stuff floating in the air. Some herbalists say that pine pollen not only stimulates the immune system ( thus the allergic reaction) but might also prevent some types of cancer, increase testosterone levels, promote weight loss and lower blood pressure. ( This is according to a quickie Google search and only presented as trivia)

I asked Google how much pine pollen humans ingest per year without trying to but she didn’t seem to have an answer. I suspect that it’s quite a bit because there’s so much of it this time of year. The loblolly pine (not pictured ) can produce as much as 5 pounds of pollen per season per tree. When you consider that my home state of West Virginia is the third most forested state in the USA that’s a lot of pines pumping pollen into the air. We have to be getting enough to have a little effect on our nutrition.

( For more about the food value of Virginia Pine check out Forage Friday post #22)

As I ponder the oncoming pollen storm provided by the pines in my area I decided to head back to the house and make sure that my snow shovel was accessible. Just in case the pollen falls overnight. 😉

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

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Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

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Do You Like Butter?

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Buttercup 5920” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

There was test that all Appalachian kids had to pass. In the Spring when the Buttercups were in bloom we had to pass a trial by nature in order to find the answer to one of life’s most important questions. “Do you like butter?” If the buttercup casts a yellow glow onto your chin then all who were gathered could see that the answer was yes. Amazingly, everyone passed! We all liked butter. Not margarine ( which is now referred to as “plant butter”.) It had to be “actual butter from the utter”.

Those were the days when magic was real. A buckeye in your pocket was a sure way to have good luck and a Granddaddy long legs ( also known as a harvestmen) could certainly point you in the direction of lost cattle.

Every Spring my lawn is blessed with a carpet of Buttercups. The bright yellow polka dots always make me feel like a kid again. And while the buttercup’s powers of divination are based on childhood games and excuses to giggle they do still have the magical ability to make me smile.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

Hello Friends and thank you for your support of my page. If you have enjoyed the photos or the writings please let me know by commenting and sharing my work on your social media. I also want to invite you to Follow Lloyds Lens Photography on Facebook

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

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If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

Dogwood And Memories

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Dogwood Flowers 5220a” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

The crystal blue sky is flawless as I ease my way up the old logging road towards the spot where I used to play as a kid. I’m amazed at how much the landscape gas changed in 40 years. Once, there was only the trees and bushes on either side of the road and the road itself was mostly compacted mud. The trees formed a little dome here and in the middle of the road was a large puddle. It was only a few inches deep but it seemed to be 20 feet across. It was about this time of year that we’d start finding frog’s eggs floating in huge masses. We’d catch tadpoles and newts to be a pet for the day here. As I looked around at all the changes one of the consistencies was the Dogwood Flowers. I used to mark the spots where I found them because I knew that there would be a Dogwood snag close by. When a Dogwood tree dies naturally it tends to stand for a while and only the butt of the tree rots. The result is a walking stick that you can just break off at ground level. Then, you wedge the top of the tree between two larger trees and you can break that pretty accurately. The Dogwood stick wasn’t really as strong as one that was cut and cured but it was strong enough for a young boy on a day hike.

Image Titled “Dogwood Flowers 5220b”

Today, I mostly appreciate the Dogwood for its beautiful flowers but during the time when I actually had to use a cane the one I carried most was made from a Dogwood that was taken from this very spot. At some point in my youth I decided that I wanted a hiking stick that was a little nicer than the ones that I would just pick. So I got out a hatchet and cut a nice straight one. It was actually too large to be practical but this was my first woodworking project. I took it home where my dad and grandfather helped me to peel it and sand it down smooth. Even today I find something therapeutic about sanding wood. The end of the stick finally cracked several years ago so I cut it down again and put a regular handle on it. I still have it today. It occasionally sees use but for the most part it’s now a carrier of my memories.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

Hello Friends and thank you for your support of my page. If you have enjoyed the photos or the writings please let me know by commenting and sharing my work on your social media. I also want to invite you to Follow Lloyds Lens Photography on Facebook

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

Orange Azalea In May

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Orange Azalea 5920a” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

The Orange Azalea is definitely one of my favorites. It seems like the point where this one blooms marks the last cold snap. Well, more or less the last one.

Image Titled Orange Azalea 5920b shows the bush’s likeness to living flame

Like the red maple keys this azalea make my imagination well up with images of the plant storing up the heat of the sun until it finally erupts into flames. The unopened buds even resemble fire with their conical form.

It’s also a favorite of the local butterflies. They all gather on it every year when the flowers open. I’m not certain that they’re native to the area but the do seem to grow wild. I don’t really see as many of them in the woods as I did when I growing up but we actually called them honeysuckle. Which they’re not. I have also noticed that the hummingbirds are attracted to them and when they bloom that means that I should be watching for the hummingbirds to return.

Image Titled Orange Azalea 5920c

The blooms are short lived. In a few weeks they’ll be scattered across my lawn but for now they are pure joy!

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

Hello Friends and thank you for your support of my page. If you have enjoyed the photos or the writings please let me know by commenting and sharing my work on your social media. I also want to invite you to Follow Lloyds Lens Photography on Facebook

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

The Bumblebees Of April

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Bumblebee 42820″and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

I approach the Azalea cautiously in the warm afternoon sun. The loud buzzing sounds as much like a squadron of WW2 bombers as it does anything else. The bush was full of these massive bumblebees! ( technically this is a carpenter bee) Some of them were over an inch long! While not as friendly as the honeybees they have never been aggressive towards me. Sometimes even even allowing my cellphone to hover over them as close as 4 inches while I take a snapshot. The floating believe the lie between the flowers exploring each one in detail before moving on. They are solitary bees and because they bore holes in wood to make their nests they can do a bit of damage to structures. But before the arrival of the Europeans to North America they were one of the main pollenators. The bug bruiser of a bee shows no concern as I move in for a decent shot. I stood and watched as they worked side by side with a honeybee. Overall, it was one of the most peaceful moments I’ve had in a while.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

Hello Friends and thank you for your support of my page. If you have enjoyed the photos or the writings please let me know by commenting and sharing my work on your social media. I also want to invite you to Follow Lloyds Lens Photography on Facebook

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤