The Barn Collective, July 31, 2016

Madison County, Tennessee, USA, July 25, 2016

A hot day, a bright shiny barn.

Have a blessed day!

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Critters, July 30, 2016

Saturday's Critters, Camera Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, July 12, 2016

This is a Softshell Turtle, but I have not been able to determine which Softshell it is. I was intrigued by the patterns on its head and neck. Instead of having hard bone-like shells, these turtle's shells are like thick leather, firm at the center, but more pliable around the edges. As soon as it saw me, it turned and splashed into the water.

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, July 11, 2016

This Great Blue Heron was taking a brief rest on a nesting platform. I did not see any birds actually nesting there this year.

And we have lift-off!

Have a wonderful week-end!

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Rose of Sharon, July 29, 2016

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 28, 2016

Althea or Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus, with Swallowtail Butterfly

(The seed pod on lower left is a Wisteria vine that I must prune before it takes over).

Happy Friday!

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Good Fences, July 28, 2016

Jackson, Tennessee, USA, July 25, 2016

I found this rustic fence at Cypress Grove Nature Park, a preserve for wildlife, waterfowl, trees and plants. When the weather cools off a bit, we plan to return to walk the nature trails.

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Hope you are having a wonderful week!

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Hummingbirds, July 27, 2016

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 12, 2015

Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, Archilochus colubris, are the most commonly seen Hummingbirds in the eastern United States. These tiny birds, only 3 1/2 inches (9 cm) long, migrate south to Mexico in the Winter, many of them making a 20 hour flight across the Gulf of Mexico.

The male (on the right) flashes his brilliant red throat feathers to warn other males away. The female's throat feathers are an off-white color. They eat tiny insects and sip nectar from flowers. They are attracted to red, tubular flowers and will come to Hummingbird feeders such as these on my front porch (filled with a 4 to 1 boiling water to sugar mixture. Cool before filling feeders).

It is not necessary for feeders to have perches. Hummingbirds are experts at hovering, and can even fly backward. Usually they come to us early in April and leave by the first of October.

Have a Happy Day!

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Wildflower, July 25, 2016

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 22, 2016

Hope you have a beautiful week!

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The Barn Collective, July 24, 2016

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, July 22, 2016

Almost gone. Yes, the tree is growing inside the silo.

Have a Blessed Day!

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Critters, July 23, 2016

Saturday's Critters, Camera Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, July 12, 2016

We are having very hot weather - mid to upper 90s F (over 35 C). I think these turtles are enjoying the Summer weather much more than I am!

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, July 11, 2016

Doesn't this Great Blue Heron look happy with its catch?

Have a wonderful week-end!

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Swallowtail, July 22, 2016



Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, June 28, 2016

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilio glaucus, on Butterfly Bush, Buddleia

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Happy Friday!

 

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Ringed Turtle-Dove, July 20, 2016

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA

Ringed Turtle-Doves, Streptopelia risoria, may be found in city parks and suburban areas in the southern United States. They are closely related to the Collared Doves of Europe and Asia. They have been kept as caged pets for so long that they have lost many of their survival skills. Those that escape captivity (or are released by their owners) depend heavily on people who maintain year-round bird feeders or who feed birds in parks. They eat grain, seeds and fruit.

I saw this pair of Doves behind a restaurant near a residential area. They are probably surviving on food scraps from the restaurant and visits to bird feeders.

Hope you are having a great week!

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Marigolds, July 18, 2016

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 17, 2016

Marigolds, Tagates erecta, are very easy to grow, love full sun, and tolerate hot Summer temperatures. They range in color from pale yellow to dark orange.

Have a wonderful week!

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The Barn Collective, July 17, 2016

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 1, 2016

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Have a blessed Day!

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Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, July 2016

Northeast Mississippi, USA zone 7
We are in the midst of a very hot Summer, but thankfully we have had adequate rain.

The butterflies are loving the Butterfly Bush, Buddleia.

Marigolds have been steady bloomers all Summer.

I bought this Cypress Vine, Ipomoea quamoclit, at a Master Gardeners' plant sale in Tupelo. I had never seen a white one before.

This Hibiscus was a surprise. Birds must have brought the seeds.

A Butterfly Milkweed that I rescued from the side of the road several years ago. I rescued another one last year. I am thrilled to see both of them blooming this year!

My Geraniums are beginning their second flush of blooms. This pink one is a little ahead of the others.

Crepe Myrtles, Lagerstroemia, are profuse bloomers, and will make small trees if left to grow into their own shape. Stop the severe pruning known as Crepe Murder!

While photographing the Crepe Myrtles, I caught a glimpse of movement on the ground - a bird bathing in a rain puddle! (The pink on the ground is blooms blown off the Crepe Myrtles).

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

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American Crow, July 13, 2016

Saturday's Critters, Camera Critters, I'd Rather B Birdin',
ABC Wednesday, and Wild Bird Wednesday

A is for the American Crow

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, May 22, 2016

The American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos, is a common bird across most of the United States and Canada. They live in woodlands, farmlands, and suburban areas. In large groups they can be destructive to crops, but to their credit they consume huge amounts of grasshoppers, cutworms and other harmful insects. Crows are intelligent birds, and may be kept as pets if they are captured very young.

Have a Great Day!

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The Barn Collective, July 10, 2016

Savannah, Tennessee, USA, July 2, 2016

I don't know this barn's history, but it looks like it has had a long and interesting life!

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Have a Blessed Day!

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

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Critters, July 9, 2016

Saturday's Critters, Camera Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, June 19, 2016

I heard something hit my living room window, and when I went outside I found this little bird laying there stunned. I rubbed his back with my finger, and it lifted up its head. I ran into the house, grabbed my camera, and got a photo before it flew away. I think it may be a juvenile Northern Parula, Parula americana.

Osprey Update:

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, July 4, 2016

The Osprey chick is almost ready to leave the nest! It stood up in the nest and flapped its wings a few times. Then it rested a minute, and stood up and exercised its wings again. We will go back to check on it on Monday.

Hope you are having a great week-end!

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Sky Watch Friday, July 8, 2016

Sky Watch Friday, Today's Flowers, and Orange You Glad It's Friday

Sky Watch Friday

Pickwick Lake, Tennessee, USA, July 4, 2016

Cloudy skies did not stop the fun at the lake on Independence Day. This is the view from the Pickwick Inn Restaurant. They had a buffet of the traditional 4th of July foods: hamburgers, BBQ pork, BBQ chicken, potato salad, slaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, and peach cobbler. Delicious!

Today's Flowers and Orange You Glad It's Friday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 6, 2016

The Tiger Lily, Lilium lancifolium, is a native of China, Japan, Korea, and far-east Russia. It is one of a very small number of plants that produce bulblets at the leaf axis along the stem.

Have a wonderful week-end!

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Good Fences, July 7, 2016

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, June 28, 2016

This fence goes into the water to let the horses get a drink.
(Please excuse the glare; the sun was straight in my face).

July 1, 2016

You know I like birds with my fences. There they are: Canada Geese!
(Same place, 3 days later)

Have a wonderful day!

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Mourning Dove, July 6, 2016

ABC Wednesday and Wild Bird Wednesday

ABC Wednesday
Z is for Zenaida macroura, Mourning Dove

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, June 11, 2016

Mourning Doves get their names from their call: a low, mournful coo, coo, coo. They can be found all across the United States and parts of southern Canada. Their Winter range extends down through Central America. In some places the Mourning Dove is hunted as a game bird, but in other places it is protected as a song bird.

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, May 22, 2016

Mourning Doves are often seen perched on utility lines. You may see them on the ground, eating seeds, and they will come to bird feeders in the Winter months. Identifying characteristics include their small heads (relative to body size) and their long pointed tails.

Have a great day!

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Bluegrass Festival, July 4, 2016

Savannah, Tennessee, USA, July 2, 2016

Last Saturday we went to the Bluegrass Music Festival in Savannah, TN.

This pretty gazebo, decorated with flags and patriotic colors, was a perfect place to set up the sound equipment.

The Snow Kone Factory - cups of shaved ice and fruit-flavored syrup

It was a hot day (91F, 33C), but snow cones helped relieve the heat.

Happy Birthday America!

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The Barn Collective, July 3, 2016

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, June 30, 2016

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Have a blessed day!

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Great Blue Herons, July 2, 2016

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

Our birding trip to Pickwick was rained out on Monday, so we went again on Wednesday.

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, June 29, 2016

The Herons were very active, swooping around and splashing down to grab fish for their lunch.

That's a keeper!

And down it goes!

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, June 29, 2016

Great Blue Heron silhouetted against the water coming through the spillway at Pickwick Dam.

Have a Wonderful Week-End!

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Sky Watch Friday, July 1, 2016

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, June 27, 2016

On Monday we went to Pickwick on the Tennessee River to check on the Ospreys nesting there. After only few minutes, we were back in the car - Rain!
But I did get a photo...

Ospreys, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, June 27, 2016

The Osprey chick has grown so much, I'm not sure which birds are the parents!

Happy Friday!

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