Sunset at Lake Wylie

Sunsets at Lake Wylie are usually impressive; beautiful golden sunsets over the rippling water of the lake. From the western horizon, like a magician, the sun extends his golden wand over the lake water. At the touch, the sky and water seem to catch fire, melt and mingle togather. Sometimes passing clouds catch pink and purple hues from reflected light making for absolutely scintillating and serene sunsets.

Everytime I look at a sunset, I sit back and watch the magic unfold. I don't find myself saying, "add a little more red on the left corner, and put some more purple along the base, and use a little more orange in the water colour..." I don't find myself trying to control the sunset, but watch it with awe as it unfolds. I wish I could fully appreciate an individual the way I appreciate a sunset. Still working on it...

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is a botanical garden located in Belmont, one of the suburbs of Charlotte. It includes manicured gardens, natural surrounding areas including woodland trails, sparkling fountains and an Orchid Conservatory. During Christmas and New Year, nearly 60,000 holiday lights are on display at the garden transforming the garden into something ethereal. Just 30 mins from home, we visited the place on a evening. The holiday lights were beautiful but the heavy fog somehow dampened the visit.

Two angles at the entrace welcomed us to the Visitor's Lobby of the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

There was some Irish music along with some traditional dancing in the lobby. Some traditional Irish intruments were playing out beautiful tunes.

They had a full christmas tree made up of orchids. But then this place has an Orchid Conservatory.

Managed to capture the holiday lights decorated here from a good angle giving a different perspective.

There were lights of different colours. Some red, some blue, some yellow, some green. And some were white.

The beautiful lighted tunnel leading to the fountain.

Another capture of the lighted tunnel leading to the fountain.

The lights were decorated in the shapes of trees and birds. Saw one in the shape of a large butterfly.

Some christmas lights in the shape of flying birds.

Some in the shape of trees and colourful flowers.

Soldiers standing sentinel infront of lighted christmas trees.

There were some lighting in the Orchid Conservatory as well.

Hanging Rock State Park

Day off from office with no plans. No problems lets go waterfall hunting. Dada and I set out to Danbury which is a couple of hours from Charlotte. The drive was good and so were the trails. Just wish there was more water in the waterfalls but I guess in summer the falls here do go down to a mere trickle.

The Hidden Falls

In the bud

Stairs to the Falls

The Windows Falls

Windows Falls - Side View

Green Tunnel

Lake Wylie

Finally got down to creating my own blog. But after thinking for a few hours couldn't decide on a topic. All of a sudden a thought came, why not Lake Wylie? And I know why this thought wave generated. Lake Wylie has been the default place to go whenever I didn't have any other destination in mind. Located just 15 miles from the place I have called home for the past couple of years, this lake is a photographer's delight. A lovely place for boating and night-time fishing, the lake is characterized by a rich variety of colours which fill its skyline almost all throughout the year.