Unexpected Visitor

"Unexpected Visitor"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I like my unexpected visitors when photographing nature:) 

Location: The Atlanta Botanical Garden

Getting There

"Getting There"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

"Mouflon are found throughout various countries in central Asia, from Turkey in the west, to Pakistan in the east." http://www.arkive.org/mouflon/ovis-orientalis/

This sheep though was photographed at the Wild Animal Safari, in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

Mature male's horns are curved in almost one full revolution, so this male is getting there:) Another photo of a mouflon sheep can be found in my header photograph. 

They are beautiful creatures!

Luminous Light

"Luminous Light" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Last year, while I was at the Blue Ridge Mountains Writers Conference, I went for my traditional hike on the beautiful trails found there. I knew there had been a forest fire because I saw the charred forest as I drove into Black Mountain, North Carolina. More than 700 acres were charred in the fire.

I have never walked through a forest after a fire, so I wanted to soak in what I saw. I tried to document the scenery before me and tried to be astute as I may never have this opportunity again.

I witnessed new life as ants were milling around and new trees and shrubs were blooming. Besides the little bit of new growth, everything was black.

I wanted to photograph a charred tree but found difficulty keeping the light from bouncing off the black bark that produced luminous colors. I even placed my translucent diffuser between the sun and my camera to help block the light, but it did not work. But, I am tickled by the results achieved in my photograph. 

Location: Black Mountain, North Carolina

Twin Frost Flowers

"Twin Frost Flowers"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

With the right temperatures…..in the mid to lowers 20’s, plus the right vegetation….in this case white crownbeard, plus being at the right place at the right time usually equals finding beautifully sculpted frost flowers. 

My friend Don Hunter introduced me to frost flowers last year that he photographed at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. I had never heard of them, but saw his photographs on Facebook and knew I wanted to photograph them too. I went last year with my photography friend Heather to photograph them for the first time. It was amazing to see these beautiful ice sculptures.

Frost flowers form when the sap inside the plant push through and freeze which forms beautiful ribbon of ice. The flowers are very delicate and need extra care so they won’t break as I pick the unwanted vegetation away. I am very particular and want a perfect photograph, but I am disappointed to find a beautiful flower and break it before I photograph it.

I looked ahead at the weather for this week and saw Tuesday and Wednesday mornings would be good days to possibly photograph the flowers, so I asked Don what he thought. He thought perhaps Tuesday morning would be best. He, Heather and I went yesterday and were delighted to find our little friends.

I am not a morning person and I do not like the cold, but I will do what it takes to get the shots I want. There are photographers more dedicated than me that get up most mornings before sunrise and repeatedly getting out in the freezing cold, but not me.

 

Yesterday, I photographed “The Twins” frost flower, aptly named and found by Heather. The swan frost flower was a blessing the Lord showed me last year. The Lord knows I love birds, and I was delighted to find a frost flower in the shape of a swan!

Thank You!

"Thank You!"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I wanted to take the time at the beginning of this new year to thank my followers on Blogger and on my other social media Twitter , Google+ , Flickr , YouTube  and Facebook . I appreciate your comments. Feel free to share on social media as it will hopefully all help my work in the long run:) Click on the links to take you to my other sites.

Fine art prints can be purchased on my nature and wildlife photography website: https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

I love wildlife and nature photography and the beauty found in God's nature. Hopefully, through my photos, you have seen a glimpse of His wonder and glory. I am looking forward to what He shows me this year! 

Thanks again:) ~ Judy 

Location: Grand Cayman Island

Looking Forward to 2016

"Looking Forward to 2016" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I am looking forward to 2016 and what it may bring, but I am not fearful or anxious about the future. I hold unto the many truths in the Bible: 

      25“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" 26“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" 27“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" 28“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these." 30“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!" 31“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?" 32“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." 33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." 34“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25-34

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Happy New Year! 

Location: Gulf Shores, Alabama

Looking Back to 2015

"Looking Back to 2015"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

As I look back to 2015, I find myself blessed in many ways: I am thankful for the opportunity to have my photography on Guideposts.org, I celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary with my wonderful husband by going on a cruise, my son graduated from high school, my daughter graduated from college, and my family was healthy.

The year did not go by without any hardships, but that is life. I am not promised an easy life as a Christian, but I know Jesus is right beside me helping me through my adversities. Notice the willet is missing his foot, but he is still moving forward! 

The Lord showed me many miracles this year and even used a hummingbird to affirm what He wanted me to do in a particular situation. I am thankful and abundantly blessed! 

Location: Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Alabama

The Chase

"The Chase" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

One of the more challenging tasks of photographing nature and wildlife for me is photographing butterflies. They flit and flutter with no rhyme or reason from one flower to the next.

I photographed this butterfly in the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. It is a great opportunity to photograph them as they are in an enclosed space….although that does not guarantee an easy photograph.

YouTube Interview with wildlife & nature photographer Judy Royal Glenn

"YouTube Interview with wildlife & nature photographer Judy Royal Glenn"

This link click here is a video interview with wildlife and nature photographer Judy Royal Glenn from Athens, Georgia. In her interview, Judy shares her passion for photographing nature and wildlife, and talks about the roll the Lord has in her photography. Cinematography by Kidd Fielteau. 

Location of video: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Winter 2015 is Here

"Winter 2015 is Here"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Today may be the first day of winter, but it is warm in the Conservatory at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia where abundant orchids and plants thrive.

I went yesterday to the Garden with a cinematographer/photographer yesterday, so he could interview me about my nature and wildlife photography. He wanted to also video me in action as I photographed this lady slipper orchid. I will post the interview soon. 

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

Hello

"Hello"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I love finding wildlife in nature. It is a surprise for the wildlife and for me!

 Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

A Shining Star

"A Shining Star"

 Judy Royal Glenn Photography

The Hoya plant is native to Asia including India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. This photo shows just the flowering part of the plant.

So much of our Heavenly Father is reveal through His nature and the wonderful designs found in it. I am sort of mesmerized by its design.

The middle of the flower is shaped in the form of a star and has a neat texture. It looks like a shining star….possibly like the one that shined at Jesus’ birth. 

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

A Tad Too Long

"A Tad Too Long"

Judy Royal Glenn Photograph

I wanted to post a photograph shot at a different angle than the "Moonlit Christmas Tree at Driftwood Beach" photograph I posted last week. 

In this photograph, Emory helped me paint the tree red again while I took a long exposure. I wanted to photograph the tree with the stars in the background. We started talking, and I forgot to look the time, so I ended up getting star trails in my photograph.

I still like the outcome of the photo:)

Ring Around the 'Horsies'

"Ring Around the 'Horsies'"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

While I was in Alabama on my birding trip, I passed two horses being encircled by cattle egrets.

King Tide 2015 on St. Simons Island….a Matter of Perspective

"King Tide 2015 on St. Simons Island….a Matter of Perspective" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

When I walked out on the beach on St. Simons Island, Georgia last week, I became very excited by what I saw. I witnessed waves larger than I have ever seen on the island. They were huge!

The reddish egret I was photographing closer to the dunes was scared off by a dog. It flew and landed close to the waves. I waited till a large wave formed before I took the shot.

I researched a little about the 'king tide' and found the term is used to describe as especially high tide. A 'king tide' occurs when there is an alignment of the gravitational pull between the sun and moon and occur twice a year.

I don't know how high the tides were on St. Simons but, I read they were predicted to reach 9.9 feet on Tybee.

This photograph is a matter of perspective. The seagulls close to my camera look large while the egret is dwarfed by the huge wave. 

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia