Click on the image for a larger, hi-res version (on
Flickr).
A wild bigleaf hydrangea shrub (Hydrangea macrophylla), illuminated by riparian morning light.
On Glenn Creek in Melton Park
DeKalb County, Georgia, USA.
23 May 2025.
Hydrangea macrophylla — commonly known as bigleaf hydrangea — is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae, native to Japan, that has become naturalised in the Americas. It is is a deciduous shrub growing to 10 feet tall (3 m) with large heads of pink or blue flowers in summer and autumn. The opposite, serrated leaves can grow to 6 inches (15 cm) in length.
Helianthus tuberosus — commonly known as Jerusalem artichoke, sunchoke, sunroot, wild sunflower, or earth apple — is an herbaceous perennial edible root vegetable that is a species of sunflower in the Asteraceae family. It is native to the eastern and central United States and parts of Canada.
Helianthus tuberosus grows 5 to 10 feet tall (1.5–3 m). The leaves have a rough, hairy texture. The flowers are yellow, 2-4 inches in diameter ( 5–10 cm), with 10–20 ray florets and 60 or more small disc florets. The flowers are briefly fragrant, giving off a light, vanilla-chocolate perfume.
The plant's tubers are edible, similar in texture to water chestnuts, with a nutty flavor. They may be boiled, mashed, roasted like potatoes, or eaten raw. They do not contain starch like potatoes; instead contain inulin, which converts to fructose, and may be tolerated better by diabetics. The knobby tubers are harvested in the fall, approximately two weeks after the flowers fade (October-December).
Despite its common name, Jerusalem artichoke is not an artichoke and not associated with the city of Jerusalem. The 'artichoke' in its name comes from its similar taste. 'Jerusalem' is believed to be a corruption of the Italian word 'girasole,' meaning sunflower. Italian settlers in the United States likely referred to the plant as girasole because it resembled sunflowers.
Click on the image for a larger, hi-res version (on
Flickr).
A field of native lanceleaf coreopsis (coreopsis lanceolata), initially planted along a city street, now blooming wild every spring season.
DeKalb County, Georgia, USA.
5 May 2026.
Seen along (and planted by) the East Decatur Greenway (part of a 342-mile network of off-road trails in and around the metro Atlanta, Georgia area, built and maintained by the non-profit PATH Foundation for walkers, runners, skaters, and cyclists).
Coreopsis lanceolata — commonly known as lanceleaf coreopsis, lanceleaf tickseed, lance-leaved coreopsis, or sand coreopsis — is a North American wildflower, a species of tickseed in the Asteraceae (daisy) family, native to the south-central US. It typically grows to 2 feet tall (60 cm) in prairies, glades, fields, and roadsides, thriving in sandy and rocky soils. The plant produces yellow flower heads singly at the top of a naked flowering stalk, each head containing both ray florets and disc florets. Each flower measures 2-3 inches across (5–8 cm).
The genus name comes from the Greek words koris meaning "bug" and opsis meaning "like" in reference to the shape of the seed which resembles a bug or tick. The specific epithet means lance-shaped referring to the leaves.
A jewelry artist was using a street mural as a backdrop for her product photos when she glanced my way. I captured the moment, unposed. Her clothing complemented the mural's pastel tones. Her hat bore the phrase, "Live. Laugh. Love." The image isn't askew; it's the slant of the city street that creates the illusion of tilt.
Joe Alterman is an Atlanta-based jazz pianist, composer, and storyteller known for blending joyful swing, deep groove, and heartfelt narrative into every performance. A bandleader with an international touring career, Alterman has performed across the U.S. and Europe and released numerous acclaimed albums spanning solo piano, trio, and soul-inflected jazz. Deeply influenced by mentors such as Les McCann, Ramsey Lewis, and Ahmad Jamal, his music emphasizes melody, feel, and emotional connection over flash. In addition to performing, Alterman is a radio host on Atlanta’s NPR affiliate WABE and a sought-after cultural curator, weaving history, humor, and humanity into his concerts. Whether on stage or over the airwaves, his mission is simple: to remind listeners that jazz is joyful, accessible, and very much alive.
The Inman Park Festival & Tour of Homes takes place in Inman Park, one of Atlanta’s oldest and most scenic neighborhoods. First developed in the late 1800s, Inman Park features an abundance of historic homes and several scenic parks.
The Festival began in the early 1970s as a means to attract attention for revitalization efforts in the community. Now, it is a full weekend jam-packed with events: music, kids' activities, a Tour of Homes, a marvelous street parade, an artists’ market, not to mention some of the city’s best people-watching. It is organized annually by the Inman Park Neighborhood Association on the last full weekend in April.
