Walk in the Woods: Found an Oak Apple Gall

I found this interesting growth in the woods on a recent walk.  It's a bit of a mystery. At first, I thought it was an egg shell. But, an internet search reveals more intriguing answers. My searches identified it as an Oak Apple Gall. There are plenty of oak trees along this path.  But, they don't seem to have much gall. They just stand there and sway a bit in the wind.  But, an oak apple or oak gall is created when a tiny gall wasp lays eggs in the tissue of an oak tree.  The oak grows an abnormal ball around the wasp larvae that shelters them and provides sustenance until they hatch. 

Oak Apple Gall

Then, when the larvae are mature enough, they chew their way out and the Oak Apple Gall falls away to dry completely out on the forest floor.

Kodak Pixpro FZ55 16mp camera with 5x optical zoom (Amazon.com)

If you need a casual camera with a bit of zoom, check out the Kodak PIXPRO FZ55. It's a 16 megapixel camera with a 5x optical zoom. You can check it out here with my Amazon affiliate link.

Big City Wonders: Bank of America Plaza Building in Atlanta

My commute takes me near the 25th tallest building in the United States and the tallest building in Georgia.  It's the Bank of America Plaza that stands between mid-town and downtown Atlanta. The building is 1023 feet tall (312 meters) and has 55 stories of office space. 

The Bank of America Plaza shrouded in fog

The Bank of America Plaza is a building that definitely grabs your attention from many vantage points in the area. It also plays with the clouds and the sun and passing aircraft in interesting ways all day. While it doesn't move, it is very good at photobombing. It shows up everywhere. For a building that was built in only 14 months, the Bank of America Plaza has presence.

The Bank of America Plaza peeking over the shoulders of other buildings

Like a vain celebrity, the Bank of America Plaza can't avoid a mirror. It knows it looks good. That's why I like taking pictures of it from any angle.

The Bank of America Plaza checking itself out in a mirror

Big City Wonders: Sabine Woman Sculpture in Atlanta, Georgia

I recently tried a different route home from work and spotted an interesting sculpture.  It's called Sabine Woman. It was commissioned in 1968 and created by sculptor Dorothy Berge. The steel sculpture stands 30-feet high and stands at the corner of Peachtree Street and 15th Street in mid-town Atlanta.

Sabine Woman Sculpture in Atlanta, Georgia

If you are looking for a camera to capture casual photos of big city wonders, you might try this Kodak Pixpro C1. You can check it out using my affiliate link here to Amazon.com.

Wildlife Photography: Squirrel Eating Lunch

This squirrel was having a great time hanging out on a tree, eating lunch, and being just low enough to taunt our dog. I think he's chowing down on remnants of a pine cone.

A squirrel eats lunch

It's amazing how quickly a cellphone camera (Galaxy S21FE) can acquire a subject and be used to zoom in for a nice photo.

Commuter Photo: Atlanta Skylines and Byways

For most of 2026, I've been commuting to mid-town Atlanta. Traffic, parking, the walk to the office--It's all a pain. But, it has opened up new areas of the city, new photo subjects, new times of day, and new light to me as a casual photographer.

Of course, my shots tend to be quick. I've got places to be. But, it also means the shots are real. I can't stand around taking pictures when I was supposed to be in a meeting five minutes ago. These shots are of lines and light and urban scenes that catch my eye.

Wildlife Photography: A Chipmunk on the Nature Trail

Nothing brings you closer to nature more than walking a dog everyday. You'll often  get to see what your dog sees, hears, or smells. A cell phone in your pocket can make every wildlife encounter a photo opportunity. This Chipmunk is a good example.

A Chipmunk in witness protection

If you're looking to take good wildlife photos without spending a fortune, you might try a bridge camera with a high magnification zoom. Something like this Kodak Pixpro AZ528 with a 52x zoom might be perfect for the casual photographer.

Kodak Pixpro AZ528 (Amazon photo)

You can use my Amazon affiliate link here to take a closer look at this camera.  If you buy it, this blog will get a small commission.

Photographs of the Rostrum in Marietta National Cemetery

The Rostrum at Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, is a very special place. A Rostrum is a raised speakers' platform that is used for special events and commemorative ceremonies. This one was built in 1940 and is used for Memorial Day commemorations.

The Rostrum in Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia

As a photographer, I like the way that the ceiling of the structure seems to reflect light downward and all around the building in certain lighting conditions. It does give a spiritual aura and a sense of higher light. While this Rostrum has replaced prior structures in the cemetery, I think it is a fitting architectural statement and the perfect place to commemorate the veterans buried in the cemetery.

The Rostrum at Marietta National Cemetery

The gate to the cemetery is inscribed with the words:  "Here rest the remains of 10,312 Officers and Soldiers who died in defense of the Union 1861 - 1865." The cemetery is full. While the remains of some more recent veterans are buried in the cemetery, the vast majority of those buried are casualties of the Civil War. When people toss around terms like civil war in contemporary politics, these graves should give us all pause.