Year's End, December 30, 2015

ABC Wednesday and Wild Bird Wednesday
Y is for Year End Review - Looking back on the year 2015, I noticed I have posted a lot of bird photos. And since this is also Wild Bird Wednesday, as a Year-End Review I am posting my favorite bird photos, one for each month of the year.

 January - Cardinal

February - Muscovy Duck

March - Mallard Ducks

April - Killdeer

May - Osprey

June - Canada Goose

July - Great Egret

August - Red-Tailed Hawk

September - American Coot

 October - Pigeon (Rock Dove)

November - Northern Mockingbird

December - Red Headed Woodpecker

In case you are wondering where are the Great Blue Heron photos, I'm holding onto my favorite Heron photo until Saturday. Hope you will visit my blog again then.

Happy New Year!

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

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

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

Ruby Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Corinth, Mississippi, USA, December 22, 2015

I photographed this sign on the back of a dog food truck while we were stopped at a traffic light. It was only later that I saw the Ruby Tuesday sign in the background. Ruby Tuesday is a restaurant with 775 locations worldwide (according to their website).

Have a wonderful day!

For more photos featuring the color Red, visit Ruby Tuesday Too: Click Here!

For more photos of signs, on Wednesday visit Signs Signs: Click Here!

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

Carolina Jessamine, December 28, 2015

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, December 27, 2015

The Carolina Jessamine vine is adding a splash of color to our rainy, foggy days.

Happy Monday!

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

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

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

The Barn Collective, December 27, 2015

Tishomingo County, Mississippi, USA, December 7, 2015

I like the little details in this photo: the tire tracks, the chain holding the gate closed, the shed.

Have a Great Day!

For more photos of barns, visit Tom for the Barn Collective: Click Here!

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

Deer, December 26, 2015

Camera Critters and Saturday's Critters

White-Tailed Deer, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 23, 2015

This deer standing beside the road seemed as much interested in me as I was in it. Notice how it is using the shadow of a tree to keep the sun out of its eyes (just as we would) to see better.

Hope you have a beautiful week-end!

For more Camera Critters: Click Here!

For more Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

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

Sky Watch Friday, December 18, 2015

ABC Wednesday
The letter X is formed by two lines that cross each other; an X is a cross

Evening sky, Cordova, Tennessee, USA, December 12, 2015

Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Merry Christmas!

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

I am also joining the Inspired Sunday meme: Click Here!

And on Monday, visit Blue Monday: Click Here!

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

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

Red-Headed Woodpecker, December 16, 2015

Wild Bird Wednesday

Red-Headed Woodpecker, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, December 7, 2015

Red-Headed Woodpeckers, Melanerpes erythrocephalus, may be seen all across the eastern half of the United States. They eat insects, seeds, nuts, corn, berries and other fruit.

They nest in dead trees or dead parts of living trees near fields or in open forests. Sometimes they excavate nesting holes in utility poles or buildings. They are very territorial and aggressive in defense of their nests. Predators include snakes, raccoons, hawks, falcons, and owls.

Have a beautiful day!

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

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

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, December 2015

Mississippi, USA zone 7

Christmas Cactus, December 12, 2015

I have a half dozen indoor cactus plants. Some bloom in November, and I call them Thanksgiving Cacti. Others bloom in December, and I call them Christmas Cacti. They receive the same amount of light and water; I have no idea why they don't all bloom at the same time.

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

and

Merry Christmas!

To see what is blooming around the world, visit Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day: Click Here!

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

Great Blue Herons, December 12, 2015

I'd Rather B Birdin', The Barn Collective, Camera Critters, Saturday's Critters, and
Saturday Silhouettes

I'd Rather B Birdin'

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, December 7, 2015

If you visit my blog often, you already know that the Great Blue Herons are my favorite birds (until the Hummingbirds return in the Spring!).

I set my camera for continuous shooting whenever I am photographing birds. I get a lot of duplicate photos, but occasionally I get an action series like this.

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I think this is a female Great Blue Heron; the males are already putting on their breeding plumage.

The Barn Collective, Camera Critters, and Saturday's Critters

Tishomingo County, Mississippi, USA, December 7, 2015

I had noticed this well-kept farm before, but we were always in a hurry to get somewhere. Then this past Monday we had extra time and no traffic on the road, so I was able to stop and get a photo.

There are several donkeys in the pasture with the cows to raise the alarm if coyotes come near. I have no personal experience with donkeys, but people say donkeys bray loud enough to scare predators away, and will kick like the devil if they get within range.

Saturday Silhouettes

Itawamba County, Mississippi, USA, November 25, 2015

Replicas of Christopher Columbus' ships, the Pinta and the Nina, made a stop at Mid-Way Marina on their way to the Gulf Coast.

 

"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship, and a star to steer her by."

John Edward Masefield, English poet and Poet Laureate from 1930 until his death in 1967.

Hope you are having a wonderful week-end!

For more Camera Critters: Click Here!

For more Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more I'd Rather B Birdin': Click Here!

For more Saturday's Silhouettes: Click Here!

For more barns, visit Tom (on Sunday) for The Barn Collective: Click Here!


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

Mockingbirds and Herons, December 9, 2015

Wild Bird Wednesday, Wednesday Waters and Sky Watch Friday

Wild Bird Wednesday

Northern Mockingbird, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 26, 2015

Northern Mockingbirds, Mimus polyglottos, can be found in most parts of the United States. They are known for their ability to mimic other bird's songs. Mockingbirds like to perch on the highest point of the landscape, and they vigorously defend their territory.

Northern Mockingbird, Itawamba County, Mississippi, USA, November 25, 2015

They eat a wide variety of insects, fruits and berries. It is usually the male that builds a rough nest of twigs, and the female finishes it with a lining of soft plant material. They raise two or three broods a year, and both parents feed the young birds.

Wednesday Waters

Tennessee River, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 26, 2015

Thursday, November 26th, was a gorgeous day to visit the river - sunny blue skies with a good breeze blowing. We walked along the concrete walkway that slopes down from the parking lot to the edge of the river.

Great Blue Heron

There were several Herons flying around, swooping down, attempting to grab fish out of the water. A lot of fun to watch!

Tennessee River, Pickwick Tennessee, USA, December 7, 2015

When we were there again almost two weeks later, we were very surprised to see that the water level was so high that it covered the end of the walkway!

Hope you are having a beautiful day!

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

For photos of water (with or without birds), visit Gemma for Wednesday Waters: Click Here!

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

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

Our World Tuesday - Ships, December 8, 2015

Mid-Way Marina, Itawamba County, Mississippi, USA, November 25, 2015

Replicas of two of Christopher Columbus' ships stopped for a week at the marina on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. The Pinta is in front with the Nina behind her.

The Pinta replica is a little larger than the original ship, but the Nina is the same size as Columbus' ship. They get their black color from the tar used to make the hull water-tight.

Replica of the Nina

The crew sails them as much as possible, but they have diesel engines as back-up power. I cannot imagine crossing the Atlantic Ocean on such a small sailing ship - no diesel power in 1492. And a lot of people at that time still believed the world was flat, and a ship would drop off the edge!

For more information, visit The Columbus Foundation: Click Here!

Have a Wonderful Day!

To see photos from around the world, visit Our World Tuesday: Click Here!

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

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

Autumn Leaves, December 7, 2015

Macro Monday, Monday Mellow Yellows, and Blue Monday

Bradford Pear Tree, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, December 3, 2015

Autumn leaves are so pretty against a beautiful blue sky!

But strong winds have blown a lot of the leaves down to the ground.

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I 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!

For photos featuring the color Blue, visit Blue Monday: Click Here!

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

Four Horses Barn, December 5-6, 2015

Camera Critters, Saturday's Critters, and The Barn Collective

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, December 3, 2015

Now that the cold weather is here, our neighbor's horses are staying closer to the barn.

Hope you are having a beautiful day!

For more Camera Critters: Click Here!

For more Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more barn photos, visit Tom (on Sunday) for The Barn Collective: Click Here!

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

Sky Watch Friday, December 4, 2015

Prentiss County Mississippi, USA, November 30, 2015

We had fog and rain at the beginning of the week. When I went to the mailbox on Monday, I saw these Vultures and hurried back to the house to get my camera.

Vulture, Prentiss County, MS, USA

Our forecast for the week-end: Near freezing temperatures at night with sunny days and high temperatures in the 50s F (10C).

Have a great week-end!

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

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

Monster Truck, December 3, 2015

Itawamba County, Mississippi, USA, November 25, 2015

I don't think this fence will hold him if he tries to escape!

Have a Fun Day!

For more photos of fences, visit Good Fences: Click Here!

NOTE Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Great Blue Herons, December 2, 2015

Wild Bird Wednesday, and Wednesday Waters

Last Thursday we went to our favorite bird-watching spot, Pickwick Dam, on the Tennessee River. When water is released through the spillways, fish come through, too, and birds gather to grab the fish before they have time to swim deeper into the water.

Pickwick Tennessee, USA, November 26, 2015

You can see some birds resting on the channel marker in the left foreground. The white dots are gulls; the larger grey dot at the end is a Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Heron, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 26, 2015

They challenge my ability to take in-flight photos. This photo is greatly cropped from a wider view. The grey background here is the side of the dam.

Great Blue Heron

I was able to get closer to this one on the river bank, but he was keeping a wary eye on me.
(But it is not as close as it seems, thanks to my zoom lens)

Have a Beautiful Day!

For more Wild Bird Wednesday photos: Click Here!

For more Wednesday Waters photos: Click Here!


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

The Last Flower of Autumn, November 30, 2015

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 17, 2015

I made this photo just a few days before we had a hard freeze.

Have a Wonderful Week!

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!

For a variety of interesting photos, visit Through My Lens: Click Here!

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

Gulls and Herons, November 28, 2015

Scenic Week-Ends, Camera Critters, Saturday's Critters, I'd Rather B Birdin',
and Saturday Silhouettes

Scenic Week-Ends

Pickwick Dam on the Tennessee River, USA, November 26, 2015

After eating Thanksgiving lunch with our cousins, we drove over to Pickwick to see if the Gulls and Herons were there.

Camera Critters, Saturdays Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Ring-Billed Gulls and Great Blue Herons

When water is being released through the spillways, the Gulls and Herons have a wonderful time fishing.

Gulls, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 26, 2015

Most of the gulls we see are Ring-Billed Gulls, but there are other kinds here, too.

Great Blue Heron

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Four Great Blue Herons

The Herons are well camouflaged as they rest after eating.

Great Blue Herons

This one is ready to go back for a second helping, just as we all did at our Thanksgiving feast!

Saturdays Silhouettes

Great Blue Heron, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 26, 2015

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Have a Wonderful Week-End!

For more Scenic Week-Ends: Click Here!

For more Camera Critters: Click Here!

For more Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more I'd Rather B Birdin': Click Here!

For more Saturday Silhouettes: Click Here!

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