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.

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. 

Vintage 1966 Lamborghini 2R Tractor at the Savoy Automobile Museum

Lamborghini Tractor Photos

One of the coolest exhibits at the Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, is a pair of Lamborghinis. The first one to catch my eye was this beautiful 1966 Lamborghini 2R Tractor. 

1966 Lamborghini 2R Tractor

Powered by a 2.2 liter Diesel engine that put out 39 horsepower, it was a far cry from the modern Lamborghini sports cars that we see today.

1966 Lamborghini 2R Tractor Lettering

But, the paint and restoration of this tractor are superb and it is a thing of functional beauty.

1966 Lamborghini 2R Tractor

It has long been part of supercar legend and lore, that Ferruccio Lamborghini started to make sportscars because Enzo Ferrari dismissed his concerns about problems he was having with his Ferrari. The Savoy Automobile Museum is also blessed to display a Lamborghini Muira sportscar. It was neat to see both a Lamborghini sports car and a Lamborghini tractor in one place. I'll save the sportscar photos for another day.

Photography Find of the Day

If you are interested in an inexpensive entry into the world of film photography, you might check out the Kodak Ektar H35N Half-Frame Camera.

The Kodak Ektar H35N Half Frame Camera (Amazon photo)

If you are interested in an inexpensive entry into the world of film photography, you might check out the Kodak Ektar H35N Half-Frame Camera. It takes 2 photos per frame of 35mm film.  You can check this Kodak out here through my Amazon Affiliate link.

Cellphone Photography: TKE Elevator Test Tower Construction on a Misty Night

Here are some cool photos I took using my Samsung Galaxy S21FE smartphone camera. It was a foggy night and the lights were playing just right on a local construction site. This is the Thyssen Krupp Elevator (TKE) headquarters in Cobb County, Georgia, back when it was under construction.

The TKE elevator test tower in Cobb County, Georgia, under construction

The TKE test tower has grown into the tallest building in the Atlanta suburb of Cobb County, Georgia. It stands 420-feet high and is the largest elevator testing facility in the United States. It has 18 elevator shafts for testing and demonstrating TKE's state of the art products. It is the centerpiece of TKE's North American headquarters. On one foggy night back in 2021, I was able to get some cool photos of the facility as it was being built.

TKE North American Headquarters under construction

The adjacent building serves as the company's North American headquarters. It was eerily lit when I took these photos.

Photography Find of the Day

Does anyone make a new 35mm film camera in 2025? Yes, Pentax does. Check out the Pentax 17.  It's a half-frame camera with zone focusing (for 6 zones) and electronic exposure control.

Pentax 17 - A New 35mm Film Camera

This film camera takes photos with the same dimensions as cell phone photos. You turn the camera sideways to take a landscape oriented photo--just like a cell phone camera. It takes 2 photos per frame of 35mm film.  You can check this exciting new Pentax here through my Amazon Affiliate link. In this bundle, you get 3 rolls of Kodak Gold ISO200 film, a camera battery, and a cleaning cloth. 

Car Photos: 1954 Studebaker Commander Starliner Custom at the Savoy Automobile Museum

Sometimes it can be difficult to photograph a car in a museum setting and handle the reflections from lights and keep other people out of the photo.  Other times, the lighting can work out just right. The curves of this 1954 Studebaker Commander Starliner Custom coupe did amazing things with the museum lighting at the Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville, Georgia.

1954 Studebaker Commander Starliner Custom Coupe

Here are some other photographs that I took of this great looking car. It looks like something Batman would drive.

1954 Studebaker Commander Starliner Custom Coupe

Here is the interior of this custom car. I love the steering wheel and dashboard.

1954 Studebaker Commander Starliner Custom Coupe (interior)

It's amazing to see a car that's long and lean with curves in all the right places.

1954 Studebaker Commander Starliner Custom Coupe (Rear view)

For these photos, I used my Galaxy S21FE cellphone. It's hard to beat the convenience of a cellphone for casual photography. I was able to take these photos while touring the museum with my wife.

The Savoy Automobile Museum is located outside of Atlanta in the historic city of Cartersville, Georgia, on the edge of the Appalachian mountains. 

1953 Studebaker Starliner Model and Collector Tin by AMT (Amazon Photo)

If you are interested in building a model of the 1953 Studebaker Starliner, Amazon offers a cool one from AMT that comes in a collectible tin. It's a Level 2 model to assemble and would require paint and glue. You can get this Studebaker on Amazon here.

Flower Photos: Spring Flowers in Atlanta 2024

Spring has been sprung for a few weeks now here in Georgia.  But, there have been plenty of spring showers to go with them.  Fearing that thunderstorms would wipe them out, I took these quick photos of some local spring flowers on a damp and rainy day.

Looking Down into a Red Tulip

All of these photos were taken with a Samsung S21FE mobile phone and I think they turned out brilliantly.  The main photography technique I used here was stopping the car, getting out, and taking photos when I had the opportunity.  I think the rains have beaten down many of these flowers in the past couple of weeks so I'm really glad that I did.

Pink and yellow flowers that provide a brilliant backdrop for tulips

Overall, when you look at the entire flowerbed, the effect at this condo building is quite dazzling.  As I look at this photo now, I wish I could have maneuvers to hide fire hydrant.  A different perspective would have put it behind the tree in the background.

A flower bed arrangement popping with red tulips and color

The angle below provides a more interesting perspective with fewer distractions. In this shot, I tried to focus on the second tulip in the flowerbed instead of the tulip in the foreground.  I'm not totally sure it worked since the foreground is really dominated by the first tulip.

Focusing at the tulips beyond the foreground

We'll close this one out with another down the snout view of a tulip.  This cell phone camera is truly amazing.  Sometimes, it is difficult to justify excursions with a more proper camera.

Another shot down into a tulip

For more information on how to photograph flowers, check out Creative Flower and Plant Photography by Molly Hollman on Amazon.

Bird Photo: Great Blue Heron

Here is a quick shot of a Great Blue Heron near a community pond close to the Chattahoochee River and the Cochran Shoals Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.

Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is a majestic wading bird commonly found across North America, from Alaska and southern Canada to Central America, with some populations migrating to the Caribbean and northern South America for winter. Standing up to 4.5 feet tall with a wingspan exceeding 6 feet, this heron is often seen stalking shallow waters in marshes, estuaries, lakes, and rivers, patiently hunting for fish, crustaceans, and small vertebrates with its sharp, dagger-like bill. Its slate-blue plumage, elegant neck, and slow, deliberate movements make it a striking subject for photographers. While some herons are year-round residents in milder climates, others migrate seasonally, often forming loose colonies during breeding season in wetlands or forested areas near water.

[For more information on birds found in Georgia, check out the Birds of Georgia Field Guide on Amazon.]