Pink Perfection

It's that time of year when I visit one of my favorite trees in Vicksburg. No, it's not the majestic Gingko in the Vicksburg National Cemetery ... Or this old oak tree that's not too far away from the Gingko ... The tree I'm talking about is a rather nondescript little pink Dogwood tree located on a side street in a quiet neighborhood. It stands about 15 feet high and, in the four years since I've been photographing it, it has never occurred to me to take a picture of the entire tree. I guess it's kind of like that old saying about "not being able to see the trees for the forest." I don't really see the tree itself, because I get so caught up in capturing its exquisite flowers. I love standing underneath its canopy of pale pink blossoms, made even more beautiful with a brilliant blue sky filtering through its branches. There's just nothing like seeing God's masterpieces up close, and they never fail to awe and inspire me to think ... "Oh, Lord, my God, How great Thou art!"

One of God's Greatest Masterpieces

After waiting and watching for Spring for several weeks now, it almost sneaked up on me. The temperatures have been so warm that the dogwood trees seemed to pop into full bloom almost overnight — and I almost missed them! Last week, I was able to capture a few pictures of my favorite pink dogwood tree before its blossoms faded. This is my Father's world ... He shines in all that's fair ... In the rustling grass ... I hear Him pass ... He speaks to me everywhere.* If the dogwoods are blooming where you live, I hope you can take some time this weekend to get a closer look at them. They are truly one of God's greatest masterpieces. * Lyrics from the hymn "This is My Father's World" Words: Maltbie Babcock /Music: Franklin Sheppard

The Dogwood Tree

I hope you enjoy this and think of it every time you see a Dogwood tree. Be sure to turn your sound up if you would like to hear the music.

To Everything There is a Season -- Dogwood

Yesterday was another dreary day in Vicksburg, with a light mist falling and humid temperatures in the 70s, but that didn't stop me from venturing out with my camera. I've been wanting to get some pictures of dogwood trees now that their leaves are beginning to turn and their branches are loaded with bright red seed pods.

Some of the oldest and most beautiful dogwood trees in Vicksburg are at the Old Court House Museum (the subject of my post yesterday), and that's where I headed for my photo shoot.

As I walked around the courthouse grounds, the air was heavy with a soft mist and the heavenly scent of roses. Unfortunately, it was also heavy with pesky mosquitoes buzzing around me, but when the old clock in the courthouse tower struck ten o'clock, I forgot about the mosquitoes and the misting rain -- it was such a lovely morning and I was happy to be out enjoying it.

As I walked, I decided that the magnificent old courthouse would make a perfect background for my dogwood pictures, and I'd like to share those first. You can click on the pictures to enlarge them, if you'd like.

This is the clock tower that houses the
old clock that still keeps accurate time.

There isn't any dogwood in the next three pictures, but I want to show you the columns that grace all four sides of the courthouse. Aren't they magnificent!

I love those stately old columns, and can only imagine the stories they could tell, if they could talk.

Here are a few close up pictures I captured of the dogwood seed pods.

To everything there is a season ... and I think dogwoods are just as lovely in the fall as they are in the spring.

And Only God could turn this ...

into this ...