Birds and Bees and Turtles, December 30-31, 2014

Wild Bird Wednesday, ABC Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Wild Turkeys, December 25, 2014, Prentiss county, Mississippi

We often see wild turkeys in the fields after the crops are harvested.  Turkey hunting is popular with bow and arrow enthusiasts during the 6 week Spring hunting season and a 4 week season in the Autumn.  The Mississippi Department of Wildlife estimates our state's wild turkey population to be 250,000 birds.


ABC Wednesday
Y is for Yellow Jacket

Yellow Jacket on the side of my car, November 28, 2014

We think of Yellow Jackets as bees, but actually they are wasps.  I was very surprised to see this one so late in the year, as they are a lot more common during the warm weather months. Their sting is painful, but not dangerous except to people who are allergic. 


Outdoor Wednesday

Pond at Old Town Overlook, Natchez Trace Parkway near Tupelo, MS, USA

The weather on Christmas Day was so nice that turtles came out to sun themselves, giving me a great opportunity to use my new camera: a Canon PowerShot SX520 HS.

 

 

 

Happy New Year!

 

 

For more bird photos, visit Stewart for Wild Bird Wednesday:  Click Here!

 

For more photos featuring Y, visit ABC Wednesday:  Click Here!

 

For more outdoor photos, visit Outdoor Wednesday:  Click Here!

 

 





Carolina Jessamine, December 28-29, 2014

Carolina Jessamine Vine, December 2014

We've had enough rainy days to keep the Jessamine well-watered, and enough sunny days to bring out the blooms.

A bit of yellow is especially cheering in the Winter.

Have a wonderful day!

For more macro photos, visit Macro Monday 2:  Click Here!

For more photos featuring the color yellow, visit Monday Mellow Yellows:  Click Here!

Walking Trail, December 26, 2014

My red blood counts are still too low, so that I have very little energy, but I try to exercise as much as I am able.  Last Saturday was such a pretty day, my husband and I decided to try the walking trail at the Natchez Trace Freedom Hills Overlook in Northwest Alabama.

The trail is not very long but it is steep.  When you think you are near the top, the trail turns a little curve and goes on up again!  I did not walk very fast, and I had to stop and rest a couple of minutes.

One good thing about walking slowly is that you notice small things like this crack in the paved walkway.

Amazing what you will see if you look closely.  I have a fondness for moss.

The view from the top was not spectacular, but for me it was the journey that was important.  I felt rather proud of myself.  And I made it safely back down, though there were a couple of really steep places I was concerned that I might lose my balance.

A few days later our weather reverted back to the cold, cloudy days we've had most of this month, and we are again walking around and around in the shopping mall.

Have a wonderful week-end!

To see skies from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday:  Click Here!

And on Saturday, please visit Scenic Weekends:  Click Here!

Christmas Greetings! December 23, 2014

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

If you can find time in this busy season,
please visit

Our World Tuesday:  Click Here!

and

Ruby Tuesday Too:  Click Here!

Squirrel, December 20, 2014

A raccoon tore the top off the bird feeder, making it easy for the squirrels to reach right in
and help themselves!

Have a wonderful week-end!

For more animal photos, visit Camera Critters:  Click Here!

And join Eileen for Saturday's Critters:  Click Here!

Cloudy, December 18-19, 2014

Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, Itawamba county, MS, USA, near Walker's Bridge

We've had a week of cloudy skies. A light drizzling rain began on Thursday.

To check out the weather around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday:  Click Here!

Goose on the Lake, December 17, 2014

Wild Bird Wednesday, Water World Wednesday, and ABC Wednesday
W is for Waterfowl

Canada Goose, Branta Canadensis, at Ballard Park, Tupelo, MS, USA

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

I'm joining three memes today:

Wild Bird Wednesday:  Click Here!

Water World Wednesday:  Click Here!

ABC Wednesday:  Click Here!

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day December 2014

Northeast Mississippi, US, zone 7

I really cannot believe that my December Bloom Day post is about a weed - a WEED!
But you have to go with what you have, don't you?

Actually Goldenrod is an important native wildflower much loved by bees and other insects.
I apologize for calling it a weed.

I don't think I've ever seen Goldenrod bloom this late in the year.  We've had temperatures well below freezing at night, but it has survived in a sunny spot on the south side of the house protected from the cold north wind. All the other Goldenrods I have are just brown stems with dry fuzzy seedheads.

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

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

Sky Watch Friday Mushroom, December 12, 2014

If small woodland creatures lived under mushrooms, this would be their view of the sky.

We've had cool temperatures and partly cloudy skies this week.

Happy Sky Watch Friday!

Hope you have a wonderful week-end!

To see skies from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday:  Click Here!

ABC Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday, December 10, 2014

ABC Wednesday
V is for our Veterans

Pontotoc, MS, USA, September 2014

Veterans Park, Tupelo, MS, USA, December 2014

Happy Wednesday!

For more 'V' photos, visit ABC Wednesday:  Click Here!

For more outdoor photos, visit A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday:  Click Here!

Shooting into the Sun, December 5, 2014

Lake at Ballard Park, Tupelo, MS, USA, November 30, 2014

For many photos it is best to have the sun at your back. However, you should face the sun to best catch the light glistening off the water.  But you already knew that, didn't you?  Before I retired I worked at a college, so sometimes I fall back into tutoring mode. (This is straight out of the camera - Canon PowerShot G9).

Happy Sky Watch Friday!

And have a wonderful week-end!

To see skies from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday:  Click Here!

And on Saturday, visit Scenic Week-ends: Click Here!

ABC Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday, December 3, 2014

ABC Wednesday
U is for Unusual


Spirea, November 28, 2014
 

Spirea usually blooms in the spring, but this year there are a few Autumn blooms -
very Unusual!

Outdoor Wednesday

November 30, 2014

This small lake is at Ballard Park in Tupelo, MS, USA. Attached to the far side of the footbridge is "Happy Holidays" to be viewed from across the lake.  It is just one of many Christmas decorations throughout the park that are lit up at night.  This year November saved its best day until last.  The 30th was a mild, sunny day - temps reached 75F (about 24C)!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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

For more outdoor photos, visit A Southern Daydreamer:  Click Here!

Spirea's Autumn Color, December 1, 2014

Spirea, November 28, 2014

When most of the trees have lost their colorful leaves and have gone to sleep for the Winter, the Spirea is just coming into its Autumn glory.

I was surprised to see that it is already forming its buds for Spring.

Have a beautiful week!

For more photos featuring the color Yellow, visit Monday Mellow Yellows: Click Here!

For more macro photos, visit Macro Monday 2: Click Here!

Sunny Days, November 28, 2014

November 24, 2014

We've had beautiful sunny skies this week, but temperatures feel like Winter instead of Autumn.

Have a Beautiful Week-end!

To see skies from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday:  Click Here!

Blooming Today (in my kitchen), November 26, 2014

ABC Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

T is for Thanksgiving Cactus

First bloom on Thanksgiving Cactus, November 26, 2014

Outdoor Wednesday

Frost on the Encore Azalea

We awoke this morning to 28F (-2C) and a heavy frost.

Happy Thanksgiving!
If I were to write down all I am thankful for, I would need a sheet of paper a mile long!

For more on the letter 'T' visit ABC Wednesday:  Click Here!

For more outdoor photos visit Outdoor Wednesday:  Click Here!

Macro Monday and Monday Mellow Yellows, November 24, 2014

Oxalis, November 10, 2014

Have a wonderful day!

For more macro photos, visit Macro Monday 2:  Click Here!

For more photos with a little, or a lot, of yellow, visit Monday Mellow Yellows: Click Here!

Camera Critters and Scenic Week-ends, November 22, 2014

October 2014

She was abandoned and in poor health when we got her as a puppy almost 5 years ago.  Her ancestry is unknown, but our veterinarian thinks she is part Chow.  We think she is just perfect!

November 6, 2012

Our Autumn colors have already come and gone this year.  This photo is from 2 years ago.

Have a wonderful week-end!

For more Camera Critters:  Click Here!

For more Scenic Week-end photos:  Click Here!

Spirea, November 19, 2014

ABC Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday
S is for Spirea

Spirea is a group of about 100 shrubs native to the northern hemisphere. I am not sure which Spirea I have, as it was here when I moved in over 30 years ago. I think it may be 'Ogon'

Buds begin to form in late Winter or very early in the Spring.

Blooms are small, but there are thousands of them!



In the Spring, every stem is completely covered with tiny white blooms.

November 2014

And then in the Autumn, it puts on a beautiful red/orange display.  My Spirea is in
part shade/mostly sun and requires very little care. A great shrub for all seasons!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

For more 'S' photos, visit ABC Wednesday:  Click Here!

To enjoy more outdoor photos, visit Outdoor Wednesday:  Click Here!

NOTE: Word verification keeps popping up.  I think I have turned it off.
Please let me know if it shows up when you comment.  Thanks!

Chinese Parasol Tree, November 17, 2014

Autumn color, Chinese Parasol Tree, November 11, 2014

Hope you have a beautiful week!

For more macro photos, visit Macro Monday 2:  Click Here!

For more photos featuring the color yellow, visit Monday Mellow Yellows:  Click Here!

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, November 2014

Mums, November 13, 2014

As our the weather gets colder, it is more difficult to find plants still blooming.  These Chrysanthemums are the only blooms I have in my northeast Mississippi, US, zone 7 garden.
But considering the blast of cold weather this week (below freezing at night), I am grateful for whatever blooms I can find.

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

To see what is blooming in gardens around the world, visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens

Mockingbirds, November 12, 2014

Wild Bird Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Mockingbird perched atop a metal sculpture, September 2013

The Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, is known for its ability to mimic other bird songs.  Occasionally you may hear one mimicking a dog's bark, a rooster's crow, or other sounds common in its territory.  During the breeding season, males sing constantly to attract females and to proclaim their territory. They aggressively defend their young, diving at people, cats and anything else they see as a threat.

October 2014

They are year-round residents of the southeastern United States.  Their diet consists of berries, insects, spiders, worms, etc.  You can attract them by filling feeders with suet, raisins, apple slices or bread, and providing a source of water. 

Outdoor Wednesday

October 22, 2014, Lawrenceburg, TN, USA

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

For more bird photos, visit Wild Bird Wednesday:  Click Here!

For more outdoor photos, visit Outdoor Wednesday:  Click Here!

Mellow Yellow Macro Monday, November 10, 2014

Sweet Gum leaf touched by frost.

Hope you have a beautiful week!

For more macro photos, visit Macro Monday 2:  Click Here!

For a little (or a lot) of the color Yellow, visit Monday Mellow Yellows:  Click Here!

Looking Up and Looking Down, November 7, 2014

Looking Up


November 4, 2014, Lee county, Mississippi, USA

On Tuesday afternoon clouds began to move in, bringing just over an inch of rain on Wednesday.

Looking Down

November 4, 2014, Prentiss county, Mississippi, USA

I was surprised to see these Wild Violets blooming.  I've always thought of them as Spring flowers.

Have a Beautiful Week-end!

To see skies from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

If you enjoy flower photos, visit Floral Friday Fotos:  Click Here!

Wordless? You Must Be Joking! November 5, 2014

Booneville, Mississippi, City Park, October 24, 2014

For more Wordless Wednesday photos:  Click Here!

For more Outdoor Wednesday photos:  Click Here!

Clematis Seedhead, November 3, 2014

Seeds, Double White Clematis, October 25, 2014

The bloom is gone, but the memory lingers! 
We had our first frost yesterday morning.

Have a wonderful week!

For more Macro photos, visit Macro Monday:  Click Here!

Leaves Floating on a Pond, October 29, 2014

Please visit  Wordless Wednesday  and  Outdoor Wednesday 

Mushrooms, October 25, 2014

October 21, 2014, Straight Out of the Camera

It must be all the rain we had a week ago.  Mushrooms are popping up everywhere. Though I looked at pages of mushroom photos, I still do not know what these are.

October 21, 2014, Prentiss County, Mississippi

There was a circle of them by the side of the road.  As you can see, they are really huge and have a very short, almost non-existent stem. Certainly poisonous, so I left them there.

Have a wonderful day!

For more Straight Out Of Camera photos:  Click Here!

For more Weekly Top Shots:  Click Here!

Sky Watch Friday, October 24, 2014

We've had a week of beautiful sunny skies. The trees are just beginning to show a little Autumn color. All my potted plants are still out on the porch.  I'll have to bring them in before we have frost, but the weather forecast is for another week of mild temperatures.

Geranium, October 20, 2014 

One of my Geraniums has decided to bloom again before it goes indoors for the winter.

Begonia, October 20, 2014

I thought this Begonia was probably dead, but I took it outside in the Spring with my other potted plants. It perked up over the Summer and is now completely covered in blooms!

Hope you have a beautiful week-end!

To see skies around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday:  Click Here!