u/roy_orbison_tears

There were many other butterflies present - including the little purple ones that look like flying pieces of paper and giant, skittish yellow ones.

Would love more information on this behavior and the species. Some sort of swallowtail? I think the big yellow ones we saw were also probably swallowtails, but I really don’t know much about butterflies, just that these were beautiful and looked to be talking to each other.

I used the photo techniques of light painting and ICM (intentional camera movement) to make these. Very little editing - just light and color from the fireworks, streetlights, and headlights in South Slope last night.

Apologies if this is overly abstract. I tried to lead with the most normal of the set, lol.

Hope everyone’s night went without incident.

I don’t know much about mycology, but I love the contrast of fungi against all the green. Would be grateful for any IDs!

This was a very interesting part of my journey - one that I will never forget.

Hello. I’m a photographer based in Appalachia.

In 2024, I took a Route 66 road trip in appreciation of Americana, abandoned buildings, roadside history, etc. I drove the road on every state it passes through - the longest stretch being in New Mexico. It was, hands down, the best trip of my life.

I was wandering around Tucumcari taking photos of old signs when a man noticed me and asked if I wanted a tour of the buildings he owned. He had recently purchased many of the shuttered businesses in town and most of them were still quite derelict. Allegedly, his plan was to revitalize Tucumcari by bringing the buildings back to life.

I know those words are often synonymous with both gentrification or just… things not really moving. He was a nice guy so I don’t want to rain on his parade, but I’m curious - does anyone have intel on whether that happened/is happening?

Regardless, it was an interesting time and I cherish these photos. I found Tucumcari beautiful as it was - full of history and rich color. It was one of my favorite destinations on the trip and I share this in deep appreciation of my time there.

Thank you for your time.

No idea what this sign was trying to say. WOW WOW WOW maybe?

I only made it 45 minutes because I’m pregnant and was sweating bullets at 9 am, but damn… I saw some cool buddies out there.

I walked from the interstate bridge to the Marquee this morning. It’s a short walk but it took me 2.5 hours because I was taking a photo every 30 seconds. I shot about 70 photos that I like and hundreds more.

Here is a selection of what stood out to me.

These are not all “beautiful” but I’ve tried to be honest and unbiased with what I’ve shared here. There are many things I didn’t photograph - people, needles, homes. Also local active businesses. So of course this isn’t the full story - just one person’s lens into one morning in the RAD.

Some remnants of Helene are included here. I haven’t photographed any hurricane damage until today, but that was not the focus of my walk. I mostly wanted to document change and how humans transform pain into art through graffiti, sculpture, gardening, memorials, and more.

I lived through Helene with you all and am not one for “disaster tourism,” but some documentation is inevitable in certain parts of Asheville, including the RAD. I’ve tried to be sensitive with what I’ve shared here - focusing mostly on transformation, color, light, texture, shape, and regrowth. I apologize if that does not come across.

Thank you for reading + looking.