Shortly after the sunset came the moonrise-- and it was pretty wonderful. Nakasero Hill. Kampala, Uganda. 17 June 2008.

The sun sets at virtually the same time everyday at the equator (funny, it rises at virtually the same time every day, too!), and that takes a bit of getting used to. One evening, while enjoying a beer on the porch as the sun was beginning to set, I got lucky with this shot of a raptor. I don't know what it is, but I wouldn't want to be a rodent anywhere near it. Nakasero Hill. Kampala, Uganda. 17 June 2008.

And here's a side view. Nakasero Hill. Kampala, Uganda. 14 June 2006.

I have absolutely no idea what this is-- but it is stunning. I'm in Uganda making a video and was looking for "beauty" shots for the video when I came across this flower. If I had to guess it's in the pitcher plant family. It hangs from a very small vine (you can see it just off center at the top of the photo), and there were no others like it nearby. Nakasero Hill. Kampala, Uganda. 14 June 2008.

I've been blessed by TWO beautiful gardens recently-- my friend, Katie's, and now my friend Colin's. An oasis of tranquility! I haven't looked on a map to see exactly where I was when I was at Colin's house, but it was somewhere near Salisbury. Wiltshire, England. 10 June 2008.

The Holy Trinity. Fort Worth, Texas. 27 May 2008.

Hmmmm.... remind you of anything? Fort Worth, Texas. 27 May 2008.

A slightly more macro look at the gardens at Katie & Gayland's. This echinacea was blooming just outside the front door of the guest. Fort Worth, Texas. 27 May 2008.

Bougainvillea. Chapel Garden. Fort Worth, Texas. 26 May 2008.

Rose of Sharon. Chapel Garden. Fort Worth, Texas. 26 May 2008.

Rose of Sharon. Chapel Garden. Fort Worth, Texas. 26 May 2008.

Chapel Garden. Fort Worth, Texas. 26 May 2008.

My friends Katie and Gayland have the most amazing garden-- almost two acres of Eden in delightful arrangements of greenery, flowers, sun, shade and sitting areas. The most magnificent is probably the Chapel Garden-- this is the entrance to it. Fort Worth, Texas. 26 May 2008.

When they got to the rose bushes, I drew the line. It took a few taps on the window, but eventually they took off for greener pastures. Kalamazoo, Michigan. 20 May 2008.

...REALLY, R E A L L Y long lashes!

Kalamazoo, Michigan. 20 May 2008.

And, my, but what long eyelashes you have! Kalamazoo, Michigan. 20 May 2008.

Who knew that deer have dog noses? Not me until just a few hours ago, when one decided to come nibble on the yew bushes next to where I'm working. Our noses were about 48" apart, so I had a pretty good view. Kalamazoo, Michigan. 20 May 2008.

I could post tulip photos until the cows come home, but I'll stop here. Holland, Michigan. 4 May 2008.

Tulip time. Holland, Michigan. 4 May 2008.

Tulip time. Holland, Michigan. 4 May 2008.

Tulip time. Holland, Michigan. 4 May 2008.

Being on sabbatical means that I have time for some of the things that I enjoy but that otherwise end up being pretty low on my priority list. So instead of working last Sunday afternoon I got to go to Holland (Michigan) and photograph some of the millions of tulips in bloom. Holland, Michigan. 4 May 2008.

The city of Holland, Michigan, does tulips like no one else. There's a tulip festival, and (literally) millions of tulips in bloom. It's actually possible to avoid the crowds by parking on or near one of the "tulip lanes" and walking down the street. Holland, Michigan. 4 May 2008.

The surest sign that winter is over is this trillium that appears each year in the midst of the pachysandra in front of our house. Kalamazoo, Michigan. 4 May 2008.

The one day in London that was clear coincided nicely with the few hours we had to play. We took the opportunity to wander through Kensington Park, stopping to check out the Princess Diana memorial. London, England. 22 April 2008.

London was as much in bloom as Canterbury, and the small roads in the Kensington neighborhood were wonderful to wander through. London, England. 21 April 2008.

My maternal grandfather's name was Russell Hirst, so it was fun to see this antiques shop in Notting Hill. I was tempted by an antique fiddleback chasuble that they had, but the L450 pricetag slowed me down. London, England. 21 April 2008.

Canterbury in bloom-- the wall to the old city. Canterbury, England. 20 April 2008.

Tulips in Canterbury. Canterbury, England. 20 April 2008.

Everything was in bloom on a recent trip to the UK. This was taken not far from the Canterbury East train station. Canterbury, England. 20 April 2008.