Author Archives: Tom

About Tom

Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, Appalachian State University.

Strange Ice Structure in Wind-Whipped Winter Birdbath

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Tom

Our birdbath contained an unexpected and surprising structure on a recent January morning with freezing temperatures and near-constant overnight winds.  The structure consisted of a finger-like structure pointing at an angle of about 30 degrees of elevation in the general … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Still Life | Leave a comment

January Snowfall

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Tom

We have some snow today, and perhaps there will be more to come later in the day.   Still snowing in the afternoon!  These colorful bushes show off the snow really well.

Posted in Commentary, Plants, Still Life | Leave a comment

Reese

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Tom

We lost a friend of the family just a few weeks ago.  Reese was the rescue dog who lived with Lucy, Ben, Lyra, and Freddie Littler in Winter Park, FL.  She died in the vet’s office on December 2, 2020. … Continue reading →

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Choosing Gallery Photos

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Tom

Billie and I spent a month in Hendersonville, NC last summer to escape the heat and humidity of the South Carolina Lowcountry, and we enjoyed our stay so much that we went back in early November to explore real estate … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Landscape Photography, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Moving in the Time of Covid-19

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Tom

We moved this winter, just in time to get into our new digs before the Covid-19 pandemic made itself known in this country.  We left Sun City-Hilton Head (in Bluffton, SC) for higher ground, selling our home there and purchasing … Continue reading →

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Photography Fundamentals Workshop

Posted on November 1, 2019 by Tom

I just finished teaching the first offering of Photography Fundamentals Workshop Level 2, a workshop for beginning photographers in the Photography Club of Sun City-Hilton Head (PCSCHH).  It’s time to reflect on the effort and to decide whether it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | 3 Comments

And then they were gone…

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Tom

A day later, the fawns were still there, waiting patiently for Mama Doe to come back for them.  Apparently she leaves them in a safe location for a short time, then moves them along to another place before they attract … Continue reading →

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“Afternoon of the Fauns”

Posted on June 17, 2019 by Tom

Interesting experience this afternoon.  While walking our dog around the house, I happened upon a pair of baby deer under the cypress tree by the lagoon.  I first realized there was one lying under the tree when I saw the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Commentary, Wildlife Photography | Leave a comment

Easter Reminiscences

Posted on April 21, 2019 by Tom

Just four years ago, on Easter Sunday, 2015, Billie and I were in Paris and actually attended services at the Notre Dame de Paris.  It was a special opportunity that came with a very special river cruise that began in … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Travel Photography | Leave a comment

June 15 & 16 – Cruising the Inside Passage to Vancouver

Posted on July 9, 2018 by Tom

Our last days aboard the Golden Princess were spent cruising the Inside Passage to the port in Vancouver where our cruise ended on the morning of June 16.  The scenery along the way was eye-popping. One of the big surprises … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Landscape Photography, Travel Photography | Leave a comment