Author Archives: Phill Gibson

About Phill Gibson

I'm from Huntsville, Alabama where I work as a Software Engineer and part-time banjo instructor. My wife Miiko and I worship at Rivertree Downtown. I've been playing various instruments since my teen years. I started mandolin and dulcimer at about age 17 and banjo at 20. I love just about all kinds of music. In terms of banjo styles, I play and teach Scruggs, melodic, clawhammer, and 2-finger styles. I'm also very keen on theology, being a Trail Care Partner with the Land Trust of North Alabama, photography, urban planning, architecture, astronomy, ATM (amateur telescope making), birding, martial arts, and about 30 other distracting hobbies to a (mercifully) lesser extent.

Is Overpass Weaving Legal?

Posted on April 22, 2021 by Phill Gibson

Admittedly that’s an odd question for most folks, even in the context of urban traffic flow. However, I suspect that many thoughtful drivers in Huntsville, Alabama know exactly what I’m talking about. To explain why, let me give some background … Continue reading →

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Sunset Cross

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Phill Gibson

Jet contrails crossing, March 7, 2021

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Alum Falls

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Phill Gibson

The main waterfall in the Green Mountain Nature Preserve, Huntsville. This was taken early on an very overcast autumn morning. Still, it needed a 4x neutral density filter and a tripod for an exposure of about 1 second. Usually, I … Continue reading →

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Limestone Rock Patterns

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Phill Gibson

Doesn’t this look like ribs? Or shark gills? No, I’m pretty sure it isn’t a petrified shark! But still, I wonder how these patterns could have come about? It also bears a resemblance to the cave formations know as bacon, … Continue reading →

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Along the Singing River Trail

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Phill Gibson

Backwaters of the Tennessee River along the first section of the new Singing River Trail. As stated on their website: “The Singing River Trail is a vision for a long-distance trail in North Alabama that connects our communities, provides active-living … Continue reading →

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Standing Out Amongst Crimson Clover

Posted on April 17, 2021 by Phill Gibson

Seen along the first section of the new Singing River Trail in North Alabama. Is this pink/lavender bloom also Crimson Clover, or an interloper?

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Awaiting another game

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Phill Gibson
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Should I Always Wear My Finger Picks When Playing the 5-String Banjo?

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Phill Gibson

When I first learned to play the five-string banjo (not the second time), I read the admonitions to always wear your finger picks. I kept to this rather faithfully, but there were a few occasions when I would just pick … Continue reading →

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Early Home Defense

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Phill Gibson

Trail Art along the Tennessee River at Ditto Landing, Huntsville, Alabama. “Early Home Defense” is indeed the name on the small plate at the base of this piece.

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Great Blue Heron

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Phill Gibson
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