Down the road from my house is the Carolina Wildlife Management area. You have to be careful for hunters this time of year, but I stayed on the main path and didn't wander too far into the woods. I should get myself one of those orange vests if I plan on doing it again. :~) This first image was photoshopped a bit, I have an affinity for soft images, upped the contrast and used my favorite filter diffuse glow to achieve this look.

I am, therefore I create.......
--- michelleamarante.com

This second is part of some old fencing next to a very old broken barn....if I get some time later, I'll post the barn. I'm not sure if this was on private property or if I was still in the WMA.

I am, therefore I create.......
--- michelleamarante.com

I love that first one.. kinda looks like a fairy tale pic. :) - darkpen

WOW.. I envy you!! John and I are talking daily about "our" mountains in Maggie. We're SURE our little house just HAS to see us! But alas, - I don't think our car would agree to take us up there! I don't think she (yeah... it's a female car! lol) longs up there as much as we do. Thank you.. This was a very nice substitute, though!! Britt

The second pic is scarry. It's those barb wires!!!! No not another lashing!!! Bsteph

I love the contrast of the first pic, I love the subtle colourings of the second...nice images both of them! I always try to take my camera on walks, you'll invariably see something worth shooting. My problem is that I want to shoot everything!!!

2 questions here, Michelle... Is that really snow on the ground, or your favorite filter doing some overtime? It looks like snow, but it's been so warm this winter. I'm not aware of any snow cover in Tennessee or North Carolina. Second, I've always thought that old fence posts have a lot of stories in them, just like the one you have here. Have you seen the old self-supporting fences once common in your area? They use no nails or wire because back when they were used there were none available. If I may be so bold, here's a picture I took of such a fence in the Smokey Mts park, and they are very sturdy and strong. BTW, that first picture of yours needs to be printed and framed!

Love the post work on the first & the starkness & texture of the second.

elusive.chaos

"You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star...." (Nietzsche)

Thanks for the comments on these.... :~) the first one is one of my favorites. To answer Marshall's questions...those 2 pics were both taken on the same day, no filtering done on #2 there was snow on the ground but the snow had melted almost completely in that field because of the sun. In this area I have not seen any fences like that (nice pic) btw. The towns of Richmond and Hopkinton were established in the 1700's, of which Hope Valley is a village of both. I live on the Richmond side of Hope Valley. I don't know what kind of equipment they had, but all I've seen so far is barb wire and posts, but then again all the original fencing is probably long gone by now. We have tons of stone walls which I am sure are original......all thru the woods.... one can only wonder what happen to the homes who's boundaries they protected. Punk Clown......me too!

I am, therefore I create.......
--- michelleamarante.com

Love that 1st one - nice use of the filters! Second great texture too! (",)

Whooooops! Nevermind... I forgot youre from the Northeast. The Carolina Wildlife Management area made me think you were in North Carolina, and that seemed like too much snow. Guess I was just up too late. Wish we could get some snow. Our high today is supposed to be in the low 70s! In January!!