Kelli Thompson Photography

08/25/2026

At the Obed Wild & Scenic River NRA's annual photo exhibition and reception last Friday, I also took second place in the Night Sky category with this shot of Nemo Bridge - Shadows in the Night.

There is a story here too. I use Dan Zafra's Capture the Atlas MW calendar by my desk to help remind me of good times and bad times for MW shots during the Milky Way season. Joe and I were watching the Tennessee Volunteers play someone on an early October Saturday night - it was a night game. We had it well in hand by halftime, so I grabbed one of my neighbors and headed up to Nemo Bridge around 10 pm. We went up on the bridge, and I was surprised to find the Milky Way in a slightly different position and over the ridge behind the bridge. I had some diffused light shining on it, and captured this shot. I like it because of the colored glow of the metal from the soft light, and if you look closely, you can see our shadows and the shadow of my tripod at the far end of the bridge.

I am by no means a night sky photographer in the category of some of my favorites like Dan Zafra and Dan Thompson who is here locally, but I've placed either first or second in this category every year the past four years at Obed. Maybe it's time I got a star tracker or experimented with stacking MW shots.

08/25/2026

Last Friday, Obed Wild & Scenic River NRA hosted its annual Photo Exhibition/Competition in Wartburg. I've always entered the Dark Sky portion, but this year, I also entered this shot in the Landscape category.

Joe and I went up to Lily Bluff one evening just past sunset to wait for the night skies - I think there might have been a comet we might see to get us up there. But I took this shot of the Fall colors as the blue hour light was fading away. I was pleasantly surprised that it took first place in the category.

Our granddaughter was with us, and she jumped up an down saying "I won! I won!" She told Poppa Joey later on maybe he could win something next year. :)

08/18/2026

Yesterday, I was honored to attend the End of the Fire for Anne, my sister-in-law’s sister, who was deeply involved in her Native American community and traditions.

In keeping with Anne's wishes, there was no conventional funeral. Instead, a sacred fire was lit at the time of her death and tended continuously for three days. Benches formed a circle around it, with an opening to the east. We entered from the east, walked clockwise, and were invited to place to***co, sage, or cedar shavings upon the fire while offering a prayer or blessing. At the western side of the circle rested some of Anne’s treasured ceremonial belongings—her headdress, drums, and eagle and owl feathers. The purpose of the fire was to guide Anne traveling from the west on her journey.

The eagle feathers pictured here held a particularly meaningful story. While visiting her tribe in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Anne asked whether she might receive eagle feathers for use in her ceremonial performances. Within days, a juvenile Bald Eagle was tragically struck by a vehicle, and Anne was entrusted with portions of its wings. She carried and cared for those feathers with great reverence.

At the end of the third day - yesterday, the fire was extinguished, bringing the gathering—and a beautiful time of remembrance, prayer, and farewell—to a close. It was quite moving to hear her friends and family talk about her - she was a character and wonderful person. When the time came for the fire to die, a light rain begin to fall just for a few minutes. I was grateful to be welcomed into such a meaningful ceremony and to have the opportunity to honor Anne’s life.

Godspeed Anne and fly with the Eagles.

08/12/2026

Joe and I needed a bit of water therapy yesterday so we headed out on the Clinch River after lunch. We planned just a short excursion - it was hot. But after we were headed back from Melton Hill Dam, we saw a fishing boat dead in the water. We stopped and gave them a tow upstream to the Hwy 95 launch. Our little short ride turned into a three hour tour, but there is always a reason when that happens.

We saw a Copper's Hawk flying high, a Bald Eagle flying high, two Osprey sparring and chasing each other, and a Beaver swimming across the Clinch almost right up to our boat. There is always a reason when your plans change, and maybe this was it.

08/11/2026

Without trees, mountains, fogs or rains, the Sun cannot create its own magic!

To me, it is hard to capture fog effectively. But I think it looks better in black and white. Fontana Dam/Cheoah River, Graham Co, North Carolina

08/05/2026

Who needed to see a beautiful ambassador Barn Owl get some loving today? Meet Thistle - one of Owl Ridge Raptor Center's Ambassadors. She is spectacularly beautiful.

A day late for International Owl Day

08/04/2026

08/03/2026

Happy August! My one and only shot of a Blue Grosbeak.

𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘬 by Kelli Thompson Photography

Taken in Cades Cove, this Blue Grosbeak in a field with blooming butterfly w**d is the August photo feature from our 2026 Photo Contest.

Entries are open now for our 2027 Photo Contest! Learn more at tnwf.org/photo

08/02/2026

I caught a good bit of this mom and her cubs a week or so ago. The wild cherries may be gone, especially since you see how mom was simply breaking off branches to get to them. I may have some more, so "bear" with me.