Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #123: Found in the Neighborhood

18Nov
by Oh, the Places We See
Red leaves in Plantation Springs, Knoxville TN

Thanks to Ann-Christine for the photo challenge this week: Found in the Neighborhood. As she states so beautifully: “There is so much to discover, if only you open your mind and all your senses.”

Branch with fall leaves, Knoxville, TN

We like to be out in nature so much because it has no opinion on us.

Nietzsche

We’ve been taking walks lately, not just for added exercise but also to revel in nature’s last bursts of color in our home town, Knoxville, Tennessee. We live in a condominium complex that seems fairly ordinary by design, but because the trees planted 20 years or so ago are now mature, we’re blessed with rich reds, golds, and oranges all around us, as you can see in the photo at the top. Even from our back door, we have a lovely view from our little porch.

View from back porch, Knoxville TN
Fall view from our backyard.

But if we drive to the UT campus, we see our favorite trees — those glorious ginkgo trees — showing off their fall best in front of the Frank G. Clement Residence Hall.

Gingko trees, UT campus, Knoxville TN
Even Smokey seems impressed.

At Lakeshore Park, the view of homes on Lake Loudon is almost calendar-worthy this time of year.

View from Lakeshore Park, Knoxville, TN
View from Lakeshore Park, Knoxville

Our favorite “Found in the Neighborhood” award, however, would have to to go this sudden spread of yellow ginkgo leaves on the sidewalk beside Knoxville’s East Tennessee History Center. Unexpected brilliance in a city setting.

Ginkgo leaves, downtown Knoxville TN
A sidewalk with color — downtown Knoxville

So, what did we find in our neighborhood in only one short day?

Trees, glorious trees . . . the essence of fall in Knoxville.

Orange leaves, Knoxville TN

Time spent among trees is never wasted time.

Katrina Mayer

If you’d like to participate in this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, link your post to Ann-Christine’s site and add the tag Lens-Artists.

Travel heads up,

Rusha and Bert

36 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #123: Found in the Neighborhood”

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much. We’ve had a pretty fall this year, and there were times when I wasn’t sure the trees would ever turn. What I’m looking at when I stand on my back porch is my neighbor’s condo. But the trees and the fence are pretty, making an average place seem pretty special. A lot can be said of a safe place to live surrounded by pretty colors! I’ve been remiss in commenting on other posts, but I did love your selections from beautiful Kiawah this week. I’m always amazed at your talent.

      Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much, Mike. Tennessee is pretty — especially in East Tennessee, close to the Great Smoky Mountains. We have lovely lakes, mountains, and foliage, so when we’re bored, we usually just get in the car and go for a ride!

      Reply

  9. Toonsarah

    Beautiful colours! I love the ginkgo trees, the view from your backyard and that final photo in particular 🙂 Our trees have been lovely this year but we’ve had quite a bit of wind lately and most are now well past their best.

    Reply

  13. kzmcb

    Gorgeous, gorgeous photos, all calendar worthy. What beautiful, rich colours. It’s always interesting when you live on the other side of the world and see a different season unfolding, via blogs.
    Thank you.

    Reply

  16. David

    You have pretty fall colors.

    My Knoxville story: my graduate research advisor lived in Knoxville when he was in graduate school at UT. He said his first winter there was quite different, especially when it snowed. They had 4 inches with one storm. Since Knoxville had no snow removal equipment, getting the streets sanded consisted of two guys in the back of pickup with shovels and sand. John said they had difficulty negotiating the streets themselves, trying not to go sideways or slide. (For the record, John is from Iowa.) He said after this particular storm, there was great controversy on whether they should buy some plow blades. They decided not to buy since accumulating snowfall is so infrequent.

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much for sharing this. I can remember snow deep enough to make snow angels and snow ice cream. But not so much lately. We have very little, and I hate that children don’t have memories of playing in the snow. We have other pretty seasons, but winter isn’t the best anymore.

      Reply

  17. restlessjo

    Those colours are absolutely glorious! If there’s anything I miss from my UK life it’s Autumn colour. It’s very subdued here 🙂 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

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