On the afternoon of Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, my front door was open.  Sunlight cast shadows against a wall, creating shadows of burning taper candles.  I noticed the flickering of the reflections of the flames and took this photograph.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

APRIL 26, 2019 COMMON ERA

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

Blackie, my mother’s rescue cat, enjoys watching the avian visitors.

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Source for All Images = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Source of All Images = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Above:  Flowers Near Ben Burton Park, May 15, 2015

Source of All Images = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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There is a clearing to one side of Ben Burton Park and its adjacent woods on one side of the Middle Oconee River.  This clearing, which also functions as a route to the park, contains, among other things, many flowers.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MAY 15, 2015 COMMON ERA

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Above:  A Wooded Trail Near Ben Burton Park, May 15, 2015

Source of All Images = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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There is, fortunately, no shortage of wooded trails near Ben Burton Park.

Here is one approach to the part of Middle Oconee River close to Ben Burton Park.  This route entails stepping over or walking around some large, fallen trees, however, so it might not be to the liking of some people.  I know other routes, however.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MAY 15, 2015 COMMON ERA

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Above:  A Wooded Trail Near Ben Burton Park, May 15, 2015

Source of All Images = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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I have walked in and near Ben Burton Park since 2007, when I moved to the area.  The trails have become familiar to me.  They have also proven to be sanctuaries for me.  This was especially true a few years ago, when I wanted to avoid a certain neighbor, who, mercifully (and against his will), moved away.  He was disturbing the communal peace, however.  I found peace in the woods.

One must, for the sake of safety, follow this trail, not walking off the cliff and falling to the trail below.

I take comfort, however, in the fact that, if the Middle Oconee River ever floods severely, nature has provided ways to prevent the water from reaching my front door, which is at the top of the hill one descends to reach the river and the park.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MAY 15, 2015 COMMON ERA

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Above:  A Tree Near the Middle Oconee River, May 15, 2015

Source of All Images = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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A tree in Ben Burton Park fell over into a second tree.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MAY 15, 2015 COMMON ERA

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Above:  A Turtle on a Rock in the Middle Oconee River, May 15, 2015

Source of All Images = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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The Middle Oconee River is home to a population of turtles.  I saw one resident today.

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One can, of course, enjoy looking at the river itself.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MAY 15, 2015 COMMON ERA

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Above:  The Creek at Ben Burton Park, Athens, Georgia, May 15, 2015

Source of All Images = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Ben Burton Park, on the west side of Athens, Georgia, sits on part of the former location of a hydroelectric plant.  One can still see remnants from that time on the premises.

One can see these structures from the parking lot, for example.

The metal structure has been in place long enough for a tree to grow around it.

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One of the main attractions of the park is the creek, which flows into the Middle Oconee River.

Here we see the creek flow into the Middle Oconee River.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MAY 15, 2015 COMMON ERA

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