Good Fences, September 29, 2016

Good Fences and Sky Watch Friday

Pickwick Lake, Tennessee, USA, September 23, 2016

Last Friday we went to Pickwick Landing State Park to eat lunch at the Pickwick Inn Restaurant. This is the view from our table. The balcony railing counts as a fence, right?
I think the birds are House Sparrows.

Our weather this past week: clear skies in the mornings with afternoon clouds, but no rain.

Hope you are having a beautiful day!

For more fence photos, visit Good Fences: Click Here!

For sky photos from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Heron in a Tree, Sptember 28, 2016

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, September 23, 2016

Great Blue Herons, Ardea Herodias, are the largest North American Heron. Those farthest north migrate south for the Winter, but as long as their favorite fishing places do not freeze over they may choose to stay in the same place all year. They usually nest in trees or bushes near bodies of water.

Getting these photos was a case of being in the right place at the right time. We had just finished eating lunch at the Pickwick Inn Restaurant and stepped outside onto the balcony to enjoy the view of the lake. I am sorry I did not get a photo as it flew by right in front of us, but when it lit in a near-by tree exactly at eye level, I was able to get several good photos.

Hope you are having a beautiful day!

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

On Saturday, please visit Anni at I'd Rather B Birdin': Click Here!

Also please visit Saturday's Critters: Click Here! and Camera Critters: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Asiatic Dayflower, September 26, 2016

Asiatic Dayflower, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 18, 2016

Blog Anniversary, September 26 - 5 years, 800 posts!

For more information on Asiatic Dayflower, Commelina communis: Click Here!

Have a wonderful week!

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

For more photos featuring the color Blue, visit Blue Monday: 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!

To see what else is going on in the world, visit Our World Tuesday: Click Here!

For more wildflower photos, visit Gail for Wildflower Wednesday: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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The Barn Collective, September 25, 2016

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, September 15, 2016

It is hard to tell if this was a barn or a house, but I think it was a barn. A couple of trees propping it up are the only reason it is not flat on the ground. If only it could talk...

Have a blessed day!

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Lake Guntersville Critters, September 24, 2016

Guntersville, Alabama, USA, September 9, 2016

Lake Guntersville is on the Tennessee River in eastern Alabama. We saw several interesting critters while we were there. Do you see the white bird swimming about halfway between the lakeshore and the pier?

It is a Ring-Billed Gull, Larus delawarensis. When it reached the shore, it settled down on this rock as if it were a nest.

I believe these are Mallard Ducks, Anas platyrhynchos. Aren't those babies cute?

A Green Heron, Butorides virescens, was wading in the shallow water looking for food.
I think that is an eel that it is eating.

Have a wonderful week-end!

For more Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

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NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Good Fences: Dove, September 22, 2016

Mourning Dove, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, September 21, 2016

As I have said before: The best fences have birds on them!

Have a wonderful day!

For more fence photos, visit Good Fences: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Mallards, September 21, 2016

Male Mallard Ducks, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, September 12, 2016

Mallard Ducks, Anas platyrhynchos, can be found in many places around the world. They are able to breed with other duck species, creating hybrids that may outnumber the native ducks. As usual in the bird world, the males are more colorful than the females.

Female Mallard Duck, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, September 12, 2016

The females lay 8 to 10 eggs in a down-lined nest hidden in marsh grass or a brush pile near the shore of a pond, lake, or marsh. Soon after the female begins incubation of the eggs, the male abandons her and does not help with raising the ducklings. Mallards eat fish and other water creatures, and may graze on grass and grain.

Hope you are having a great day!

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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The Barn Collective, September 18, 2016

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, September 6, 2016

It was only after I loaded my photos onto the computer that I noticed that the cloud looks like it is coming out of the top of the silo!

Have a blessed day!

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

If you like the color Blue, visit Blue Monday: Click Here!

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Critters: Deer, September 17, 2016

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 8, 2016

Deer are so pretty; I love seeing them. But they come right up to the house and eat my flowers! I made this photo through my dining room window.

Hope you have a happy day!

For more Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more Camera Critters: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Sky Watch Friday, September 16, 2016

Sky Watch Friday, Today's Flowers, and Floral Friday Fotos

Sky Watch Friday

Lake at Ballard Park, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, September 15, 2016

We have had a week of fluffy white clouds, but only a few scattered rain showers. When I was at Ballard Park yesterday, the temperature was 97F (36C). A few ducks and geese were enjoying the water, but a lot more of them were on the bank in the shade.

Today's Flowers and Floral Friday Fotos

I did not have a lot of Sunflowers this year, but I loved every one of them!

Have a wonderful day!

To see weather-related photos from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

For more flower photos visit Today's Flowers Click Here! and Floral Friday Fotos Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day September 2016

Northeast Mississippi, USA zone 7

Moonflower, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA

The Moonflower vine, Ipomoea alba, opens its blooms at sunset and closes them at dawn. (They may stay open longer on cloudy days). I made this photo about an hour after sunset using my macro lens at 1/30 sec. The light source? An ordinary household flashlight held by my husband!

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

To see gardens around the world, visit Carol for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Ring-Billed Gull, September 14, 2016

Ring-Billed Gull, juvenile, Guntersville, Alabama, USA, September 9, 2016

Ring-Billed Gulls, Larus delawarensis, can be seen along the east and west coasts of North America and on major rivers and lakes. They may be seen farther inland as they migrate. They eat fish, earthworms, insects, and grain. And they will search through garbage looking for food discarded by people.

It takes three years for the young ones to attain their adult plumage. Juveniles, like this one, will exchange their speckled feathers for pure white ones, retaining the bluish-grey feathers on their backs. Though this is the only one I saw at the lake that day, Ring-Billed Gulls are usually seen in flocks, and you may see a mixed flock of gulls and terns.

Have a wonderful day!

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

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Guntersville Lake, September 12, 2016

Guntersville Lake, Guntersville, Alabama, USA, September 9, 2016

Temperatures were hot, but there was a nice breeze blowing when we went to a picnic at Lake Guntersville last Friday. Friends, fun, food, fellowship!

As an extra bonus, this Green Heron showed up searching for food at the lake's edge. He kept those yellow eyes on me, but he didn't fly away as some birds do as soon as they see me with my camera. Wonderful, beautiful bird!

Hope you have a great week!

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

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

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

And on Tuesday, please visit Our World Tuesday: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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The Barn Collective, September 11, 2016

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 4, 2016

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Have a blessed day!

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Green Heron, September 10, 2016

When we were at Guntersville Lake yesterday, I saw a bird run along the shore and disappear behind a large chunk of driftwood. I approached quietly. Stood and waited.

Guntersville, Alabama, USA, September 9, 2016

In a few minutes it stuck its head out to see if the crazy lady with the camera was still there!

It must have decided I was okay; it let me take several photos.
(juvenile Green Heron, Butorides virescens).

Have a wonderful week-end!

For more Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more Camera Critters: Click Here!

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Phlox, September 9, 2016

Prentiss county, Mississippi, USA, September 2, 2016

My Phlox have had a difficult year. Deer ate the tender tops, leaving only a few buds to bloom.

And now they have fallen victim to the nectar-robbers (like this bee) that pierce the stem of the bloom to steal the nectar without pollinating the flowers. Who knew there was so much crime and drama in the plant world!

Hope you a having a great day!

For more Today's Flowers: Click Here!

For more Floral Friday Fotos: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Good Fences, September 8, 2016

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 7, 2016

I was delighted to find this pretty fence with an arched entryway.

Hope you are having a great week!

For more fence photos, visit Good Fences: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Goldfinch, September 7, 2016

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, June 11, 2016

The American Goldfinch, Carduelis tristis, is a well-known bird all across the United States. Sometimes called "Wild Canary" they are seed-eaters and readily come to backyard feeders. Both these birds are males; the females are a duller yellow.

Have a wonderful day!

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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The Barn Collective, September 4, 2016

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, August 31, 2016

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Have a blessed day!

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

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Critter: Praying Mantis, September 3, 2016

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, August 28, 2016

The Praying Mantis gets its name from the way its front legs resemble hands folded in prayer. It is the only insect that can turn its head 180 degrees (a half-circle). Praying Mantis' are usually welcome in the garden as they eat many insects pests, though they may eat beneficial insects as well.

Have a wonderful week-end!

For more Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more Camera Critters: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Sky Watch Friday, September 2, 2016

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, August 27, 2016

Rain while the sun was shining produced a rainbow Saturday afternoon.

When I moved down the road a little piece, the perspective changed so that the end of the rainbow was right there in the soybean field. But as any farmer can tell you, there is no pot of gold in farming.

Have a great day!

For more weather-related photos, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

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