B&W: Gulls, November 17, 2018

The Weekend in Black and White and Weekend Reflections

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 11, 2018

Gulls don't swim as fast as they fly, but they can go fast enough to make waves!

The original photo (for Weekend Reflections)

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 11, 2018

And speaking of Gulls, there were a lot of them flying back and forth, trying to catch the fish that came through the spillways at Pickwick Dam on the Tennessee River when we were there on Sunday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Willy Nilly Friday, November 16, 2018

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday,
and on Saturday, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

1. Pickwick Lake (Sky Watch Friday)

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 11, 2018

A jet contrail cuts across the sky above Pickwick Lake. The structure on the right is the lock and dam.

2. Favorite Photo of the Week

Great Blue Heron, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 11, 2018

If you want to see long-legged wading birds, remember to look up, too!

3. Autumn Color

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 6, 2018

Yellow on yellow!

4. Pony (Saturday's Critters)

Tishomingo County, Mississippi, USA, November 5, 2018

I see several ponies and horses here whenever I drive by, but they seem to prefer the far side of the pasture. Finally, I saw a pony close to the road - and a real cutie it is!

5. Pileated Woodpecker (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 10, 2018

I glanced out the window as I went to the kitchen to make myself a cup of hot tea, and look! a Pileated Woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus, on a dead limb of my apple tree!

If you see a tree with rectangular pieces of bark chipped away, it is most likely the work of Pileated Woodpeckers. They are searching for insects to eat. They supplement their insect diet with fruit, berries, and nuts, and you may see them at suet feeders, too.

Have a wonderful day!

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And on Saturday,
For more animal photos, visit Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more bird photos, visit I'd Rather B Birdin': Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, November 2018

Northeast Mississippi, USA zone 7
September was hot, October was pleasant, November is cold!

Last week's blooms on Encore Azalea

For November's Bloom Day, I had planned to show off my Encore Azalea, but over the weekend our nighttime temperatures dropped below freezing. The shrub itself is fine, but the blooms are no more.

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 14, 2018

So to make myself feel better, I bought an Amaryllis Bulb Kit complete with large bulb, potting medium, and a pot. The directions say to soak the potting medium in warm water so that it swells to fill the pot, then plant the bulb. Blooms in 4 to 6 weeks. Maybe I will be showing its blooms for our next Bloom Day!

And if you think you cannot participate in Bloom Day in the Winter, go buy yourself a blooming houseplant, and join in the fun even when it is freezing cold outside!

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

To see gardens around the world, visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Barred Owl, November 14, 2018

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, Wednesday Around The World
And on Saturday, I'd Rather B Birdin'

S is for Strix varia, the Barred Owl

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 3, 2018

As we were driving home from a friend's house late in the afternoon, a Barred Owl, Strix varia, flew across the road in front of us and lit in a nearby tree. I made several photos, admiring the beautiful pattern of feathers on its back and tail.

And then, it swiveled its head around to stare at me over its shoulder!

Barred Owls are birds of prey that usually hunt at night, catching and eating small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Have a wonderful day!

For more on the letter S, visit ABC Wednesday: Click Here!

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For an interesting variety of photos, visit Wednesday Around The World: Click Here!

And on Saturday, please visit I'd Rather B Birdin': Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Tree Following, November 13, 2018

Tree Following and Our World Tuesday

Tree Following is a fun meme and easy to join! Just select a tree, photograph it once a month as it goes through the seasons of the year, and post a photo on your blog between the 7th and 14th of the month.

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, October 30, 2018

I am following a Red Maple tree, Acer rubrum, that was planted as a memorial to a child killed in an auto accident. The leaves began showing Autumn color late in October, and I am glad I made this photo then. We had wind and rain that knocked off a lot of the leaves last week.

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, November 6, 2018

It still has pretty leaves, but just not as many as before.

Have a great week!

To see who else is Following A Tree: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Our World Tuesday: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Lettuce! November 12, 2018

Harvest Monday and Through My Lens

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 9, 2018

I planted Black-seeded Simpson Lettuce in September to see if it would grow here in north Mississippi in the Autumn. Yes, it will! I planted the seeds in large tubs to make it easier to protect the plants from frost.

When the weather forecast for last Friday night was for below freezing temperatures, I picked most of the leaves, and covered the plants by draping a thick layer of old towels over the tops of the tubs.

Some of the lettuce leaves went on ham sandwiches for Saturday's lunch, and I used the rest to make salads on Sunday night.

We have rain today, so the lettuce plants are uncovered, getting a good drink of water. By covering them on the colder nights, I hope to get another picking or two of lettuce - in November!

Have a wonderful week!

For more garden harvests, visit Dave for Harvest Monday: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Mersad for Through My Lens: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.