These rank high among my joys of living:
Water rustling over boulders in mountain streams.
Reflections of distant shores upon placid rivers and lakes.
While viewing my Reflections collection, notice how water accentuates reflected images. Let these examples spur you to observe similarities and variances to bodies of water near you.
Words to live by: Photos are faint glimpses of your glory.
Poems wistful whispers of your truth.
(From a poem by Steve Madden called Reflections.)
SRE47V Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
Early morning beside the Tennessee River.
Seen from River Trail at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville TN.
SRE46H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
Mid-morning beside the French Broad River.
I walked Seclusion Bend Trail at Seven Islands State Birding Park when I noticed this reflection of overcast skies.
SRE45V Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
Early morning at Ijams Nature Center.
I wonder if quarry workers saw this view toward the end of Knoxville’s once-thriving marble industry.
I suppose water was pumped out of the work zone during quarry operations, and nature took a while after operations ceased to fill Mead’s Quarry Lake.
SRE44H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
I located an ideal Sunrise Spot among the trees beside the Tennessee River.
Another early morning master work gifted to me by Mother Nature!
SRE43V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
A late night view across the Tennessee River to its south bank, seen from Volunteer Landing in Knoxville TN.
SRE42H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
This is one of several Reflections I captured the week I camped at Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville TN.
Byrd Creek and Byrd Lake served as mirrors to reflect the natural beauty in the sky and on the opposite shore.
CMSP is ideal for experiencing the peace that nature affords us.
SRE40H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
This snippet of Knoxville skyline reflected on the Tennessee River prior to 7am one November day.
I walked along the river in Suttree Landing Park when I noticed this postcard image.
SRE39H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I celebrated time change Sunday by walking early at Ijams Nature Center in South Knoxville. This Tennessee River reflection happened just after 7am.
A day earlier, I presume darkness prevailed at that hour. I lazed at home in bed at that time.
SRE38H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I was steps from my SUV when I noticed trees reflected on the surface of the Cumberland River.
An easy stroll from there I witnessed the majesty of Cumberland Falls, a.k.a. Niagara of the South.
SRE37V Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I capture nice photos each time I mosey along the nature trail at Cove Lake State Park near Caryville TN.
A few yards from this location, I counted 28 Canada Geese grooming themselves in shallow cove water.
SRE36H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
Pleasant weather, splendid scenery, and cordial conversation made for excellent walking at Seven Islands State Birding Park one late September morning.
SRE35H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
This was my reward for arriving early to walk in Ijams Nature Center.
I added the image to InMyTreks.com and presented my Reflections collection to residents at a senior living center later in the day.
SRE34H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I am blessed to experience this reflection in solitude each time I walk to the edge of Mead’s Quarry Lake in Knoxville TN.
Drawn by its serene beauty, I enjoy this scene many mornings each year.
SRE33H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
River Towne Condominiums occupy a prime site on the south shore of the Tennessee River in Knoxville.
This River Towne reflection was visible from Neyland Greenway and Neyland Drive, both named in honor of General Robert Neyland.
Neyland rose to the rank of Brigadier General during his Army career. When not serving his country, General Neyland coached University of Tennessee football teams to win 173 out of 216 games, complete six undefeated seasons, and earn four national championships.
SRE32V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
A recent sunrise reminded me of this image from June 2022.
On both occasions I walked the River Boardwalk Trail in Ijams Nature Center beside the Tennessee River.
SRE31H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
On consecutive days I was late for the Tennessee River sunrise I hoped to catch.
This was my best attempt, at 6:40am on June 2nd.
Even at that early hour, the sun already crested a hill visible from River Boardwalk Trail at Ijams Nature Center.
SRE30H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
That’s weird! What caused concentric circles among the clouds in this image?
Here’s a hint: These trees are reflected in the Tennessee River near Forks of the River Wildlife Refuge.
Email me if you know the answer to this riddle. Or, if you want to know the answer.
SRE29V Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
A reflection of trees and sky beside Memorial Wall at Racheff Park & Garden in Knoxville Tennessee.
Racheff is a lovely and unique public park created by Ivan Racheff, a Bulgarian immigrant, lifelong bachelor, and imminent metallurgist.
Racheff’s property is now a certified arboretum. His home is now state headquarters of the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs.
SRE28V Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I joined a group of Southern Appalachia Nature Photographers for a stroll along Big Creek Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
This reflective image is at Midnight Hole where I saw two young men brave the cold April water in the popular summertime swimming hole.
SRE27H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
Shades of green in the trees reflected on the water at Cove Lake State Park near Caryville Tennessee.
Notice three Herons wading near the opposite shore. These two were among four white Herons I saw today.
I saw the Great Blue Heron snag and swallow a fish from the shallow water.
SRE26V Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
Sunrise clouds and their reflection on the Tennessee River create a magnificent work of art.
I captured this fleeting scene near the convergence of Holston and French Broad Rivers in Knoxville Tennessee.
SRE25V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
I enjoyed this winter scene while walking a paved path in Adair Park in North Knoxville Tennessee.
SRE24V Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
Trees and clear blue sky reflect on Byrd Lake at Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville Tennessee.
I was near a bridge at the terminus of Pioneer Short Loop trail when I captured this image.
SRE23H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Billowy, cotton-white clouds reflected on French Broad River on the first day of Winter.
I walked along Seven Islands Loop Trail at Tennessee’s first birding park when I captured this image.
SRE22H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
A solitary goose swims upon Mead’s Quarry Lake at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville Tennessee.
A manmade cliff, left behind when workmen ceased to quarry marble here, reflects on the lake’s surface and surrounds the graceful bird.
SRE01H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
Across the Tennessee River in Knoxville are Regal Cinemas corporate headquarters (at left) and One Riverwalk Apartments, which supplanted Baptist Hospital.
I noticed this reflection while walking on the opposite bank of the river along Volunteer Landing.
SRE02H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
After a night of camping at Lotterdale Cove Campground near Greenback, Tennessee, I walked a few miles to better appreciate the Tellico Lake cove.
This reflection got my attention early that November morning.
SRE03H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
This reflection of clouds on the Tennessee River caught my eye as I walked along the River Boardwalk at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The confluence of Holston and French Broad rivers is a few miles upstream from Ijams Nature Center.
SRE04H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
This image features Norris Lake, which formed after a Tennessee Valley Authority dam of the Clinch River was completed in 1936.
I walked the Dark Hollow Trail at Big Ridge State Park near Maynardville, Tennessee when I snapped this photo.
SRE05H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
Some Sundays after I attend church, I walk around downtown Knoxville, Tennessee.
I noticed this view after I crossed Tennessee River on Gay Street Bridge. Henley Street Bridge is seen at left.
SRE06H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
I camped several Autumn nights and hiked each day at Panther Creek State Park near Morristown, Tennessee.
The fallen tree in this image points to hills beyond Cherokee Lake at one of my favorite parks.
SRE07H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
This morning view is from the overlook in Panther Creek State Park. The overlook is reachable on foot by fit walkers; others can drive to it.
Islands in Cherokee Lake appear smaller, and some disappear, when Tennessee Valley Authority raises the water level in Spring.
SRE08H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville, Tennessee features a disc golf course that requires players to fly a disc across this lake on hole #1. *#%&@!
I was on the Victor Ashe course past 7pm when I scored this “golden hour” image.
SRE09H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
Another “golden hour” image.
I witnessed this Tellico Lake reflection one summer evening from my campsite at Lotterdale Cove Campground near Greenback, Tennessee.
SRE10H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
One more “golden hour” image of Tellico Lake from my campsite at Lotterdale Cove Campground.
Oh, the joys of camping!
SRE11H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
An ideal spot for solitude and reflection is Gilbert Gaul Trail at Fall Creek Falls State Park near Spencer, Tennessee. I captured this image while hiking the trail alone on my wedding anniversary.
For many reasons, Fall Creek Falls is Tennessee’s most popular state park.
SRE12H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
Walking trails often beckon me to Seven Islands State Birding Park near Kodak, Tennessee.
One Sunday, I skipped church and visited Seven Islands where I caught a pair of fishermen in mid-morning fog on the French Broad River.
SRE13H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
Carla and I observed shrubs covered with butterflies at this tranquil site near Robbinsville, North Carolina.
I cannot recall the side road we took to this heaven-on-earth setting. I hope to return there someday.
SRE14H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
I routinely walk along Volunteer Landing in Knoxville, Tennessee, to attend Vols and Lady Vols basketball games. At night, Henley Street Bridge is brilliantly lighted.
This was a good night. The Lady Vols won by 25 points.
SRE15H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
I noticed this vibrant image from an easy trail at Cloudland Canyon State Park above Rising Fawn, Georgia.
You might never guess from looking at the image that it was taken in January, just a few days after a winter storm blanketed the area with snow.
SRE16V Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
I enjoyed these Fall colors at Cove Lake State Park near Caryville, Tennessee. It is one of East Tennessee’s best for family outings.
Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park, which traverses eleven Tennessee counties and two time zones, passes near Cove Lake.
SRE17V Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
This impressive sky reflected on the Tennessee River as I walked at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee on September 11 2020.
I wrote a poem that day called Hikers Do It! The last line:
“Be a hiker and do it for yourself!”
SRE18V Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
A famous poem begins:
“I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.”
I took this photo at the entrance to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest in Western North Carolina. Later I realized trees are reflected in the display of Kilmer’s poem.
SRE19V Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
There are SO many good places to walk in and near Knoxville, Tennessee. We should call it World’s Most Walkable City.
This image was taken at Adair Park in the Fountain City area of North Knoxville. While in the vicinity, visit Fountain City Lake (a.k.a. The Duck Pond).
SRE20H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
For natural surface trails, I most often visit Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. Walking there produces physical and mental health benefits.
This reflection of clouds on the Tennessee River caught my eye as I walked one morning along River Trail.
SRE21V Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
I captured this image one drizzly December morning at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
This pond once served as a swimming hole for the Ijams family who lived there beginning in 1910. The nature park was established in 1968 and named in their honor.