Muscovy Ducks, January 31, 2018

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and Wednesday Around The World
D is for Ducks - waterfowl belonging to the Anatidae family of birds.

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, December 25, 2017

Muscovy Ducks, Cairina moschata, must be the ugliest Ducks in the world! I do not know what the fuss was all about, but this group at Ballard Park were raising their wings and advancing on another group of Ducks.

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, December 25, 2017

And this one at Veterans Park came to us as soon as we stopped the car, hoping we would give it leftovers from our lunch! The Ducks in the parks are used to people feeding them and have become almost tame.

Have a wonderful day!

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

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

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Big Bad Wolf, January 29, 2018

Monday Mural, Through My Lens, Our World Tuesday, and Ruby Tuesday Too

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Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, January 24, 2018

The Big Bad Wolf food truck began serving pork BBQ in December, but I have not tried it yet.
Do you like to eat at food trucks?

Have a wonderful day!

For more mural photos, visit Mural Monday: Click Here!

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

On Tuesday, please visit Our World Tuesday: Click Here!

For photos with a little or a lot of Red, visit Ruby Tuesday Too: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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The Barn Collective, January 28, 2018

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, January 24, 2018

I can't say for sure about this place, but long structures like these are sometimes used to raise chickens for eggs and meat - Chicken Barns!
(Actually, they were called Chicken Houses).
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Your bird for today is...

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, January 14, 2018

...a Killdeer!

Have a blessed day!

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

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Mockingbird, January 27, 2018

The Weekend in Black and White, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, January 9, 2018

I have had a bit of fun converting photos from color to black and white.

And here is the same Northern Mockingbird in color.

Same bird, same place, same day, but not the exact same photo.

Have a wonderful weekend!

For more black and white photos, visit The Weekend in Black and White: Click Here!

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

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Willy Nilly Friday, January 26, 2018

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday, and
(on Saturday) Saturday's Critters

1. The Eagles Are Nesting! (Sky Watch Friday)

Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, January 23, 2018

We had brilliant sunshine when we left home to drive an hour north to Shiloh National Military Park, but the skies were completely clouded over when we got there. That dark blob near the top of the Pine Tree is an Eagle's nest.

Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, January 23, 2018

I don't know if this is the male or female Eagle. Both parents incubate the eggs. Last year there were two eaglets raised in this nest; hoping for two more this year!

2. 🎜"Splish Splash, I Was Takin' a Bath 🎜
    🎜Long About a Saturday Night"🎜 - Bobby Darin

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, Saturday, January 20, 2018

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3. The Most Interesting Thing I have Seen This Week

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, January 24, 2018

I took the backroads behind the sawmill on my way home from Tupelo on Wednesday. It was very interesting to see them moving logs from one place to another.

The large hook they use to pick up the logs is suspended from the rail above and moves back and forth along the rail as needed. If you were the operator, you would have to climb those stairs every day to get to your work station!

4. Is It Time Yet?

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 24, 2018

The snow has melted, and the Narcissus bulbs are poking their noses out to check the weather. Hurry up, Spring!

5. Favorite Photos of the Week (Saturday's Critters)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 21, 2018

Barn Cat

I moved only a few steps to the left to get a photo with an entirely different mood to it.

Have a wonderful day!

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

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Willy Nilly Friday 5: Click Here!

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Thankful Thursday, January 25, 2018

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, December 26, 2017

Today I am thankful for the zoom lens on my camera that allows me to go from the photo above to the photo below without moving closer to the Heron.

Great Blue Heron

'Zoom' is an echoic word - a word originating as an echo of the sound something makes. In this case 'zoom' is an imitation of the sound made by an object moving quickly from one place to another. Though the word originated in the late 1800s, it came into everyday use in the early days of aviation (c. 1917) as pilots talked about zooming around in the sky. It was first used to describe a camera lens in 1936, meaning to move closer quickly.

As you zoom through your day (camera-wise or otherwise), remember to be thankful!

Have a beautiful day!

Let us know what you are thankful for, visit Thankful Thursday: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Little Things Thursday: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Cardinals, January 24, 2018

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and Wednesday Around The World
C is for Cardinalis cardinalis, Northern Cardinal - a North American bird

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, December 19, 2017

Male Northern Cardinal

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, December 19, 2017

Female Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinals are non-migratory songbirds of eastern and central North America. They eat many different kinds of seeds and fruit as well as a wide variety of insects. A feeder filled with black-oil sunflower seeds will attract them to your yard.

Have a wonderful day!

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

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

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Dog in the Snow, January 22, 2018

All Seasons, Through My Lens, and Our World Tuesday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 16, 2018

When it snowed last week, our dog enjoyed rooting around in the snow, and then licking it off her nose!

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Let us know what season it is in your part of the world, visit All Seasons: 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, January 21, 2018

Tishomingo County, Mississippi, USA, December 29, 2017

I could not get as good a photo of this barn as I would like to have. It is on the other side of a small hill - just imagine it is taller than it looks!

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Your bird for today is...

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 2, 2018

a Hawk!

Have a blessed day!

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Coots, January 20, 2018

Saturday's Critters, I'd Rather B Birdin', and The Weekend in Black and White

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, December 3, 2017

American Coots, Fulica americana, are year-round residents from Louisiana on the Gulf of Mexico westward to California and the Pacific northwest. Coots in the eastern and central parts of the United States migrate north to Canada in the Spring to nest and raise their young.

Their large feet allow them to easily walk on marshy ground.

The Weekend in Black and White

And they look pretty good in black and white, too!

Have a great day!

For more animal photos, visit Eileen for Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

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

For more black and white photos, visit The Weekend in Black and White: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Willy Nilly Friday, January 19, 2018

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

1. Our Barn in the Snow (Sky Watch Friday)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 16, 2018

Early in the week we had sleet followed by snow as the temperatures dropped during the night from Monday's high of 50F (10C) to 24F (-4C) on Tuesday morning.

The Road in Front of Our House

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 16, 2018

By late afternoon the skies were clearing, and the temperature was starting to drop down towards Tuesday night's low ... Oh my goodness! It was 8F (-13C) early Wednesday morning!

2. Wildlife (Saturday's Critters and I'd Rather B Birdin')

Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, January 8, 2018

Wild Turkeys, Meleagris gallopavo, use their strong feet to scratch the ground, foraging for acorns, nuts, grain, seeds, insects, and snails. When food is scarce they may eat berries, moss, ferns, and the buds of various plants.

You will most often see Wild Turkeys walking on the ground, but they can fly when they feel threatened, and at night they roost in trees.

3. What I am Reading

I went to the library yesterday afternoon and checked out 6 books.

'Scandal at Six' by Ann Purser
'The Careful Use of Compliments' by Alexander McCall Smith
'By Bread Alone' by Sarah-Kate Lynch
'Moriarty Returns a Letter' by Michael Robertson
'When Christmas Comes' by Debbie Macomber
'There's Something About Christmas' by Debbie Macomber

For 22 years I worked in a library, but never had time to read. Now I am catching up!

4. Good Food

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 16, 2018

Snow Cream!

A large bowl heaping up with fresh, clean snow
1 cup cold milk
1/2 cup sugar
Dash of vanilla extract

Transfer 1/2 the snow into a medium bowl and set it aside momentarily. Stir the sugar into the snow in the large bowl. Add the milk and vanilla extract. Stir well, and then stir in the rest of the snow. Serve immediately before it begins to melt.

Makes 2 or 3 servings.
You can find variations of this basic snow cream recipe on the Internet.

5. Favorite Photo of the Week

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, January 14, 2018

Great Blue Heron standing in a drainage ditch near a busy shopping center.

Have a wonderful week-end!

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

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Willy Nilly Friday 5: Click Here!

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.
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Thankful Thursday, January 18, 2018

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 15, 2018

Today I am thankful that (with snow on the ground and icicles hanging from the eaves) I have a warm house and a warm husband to snuggle up to!   At 7:00am it is 12F (-11C).

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Let us know what you are thankful for, visit Thankful Thursday: Click Here!

For a variety of interesting photos, visit Little Things Thursday: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Brown Thrasher, January 17, 2018

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and Wednesday Around The World
B is for Brown Thrasher

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, December 27, 2017

Brown Thrashers, Toxostoma rufum, are usually seen foraging for insects on the ground, but this one has been a frequent visitor to my suet feeder since the weather has been so cold.

Brown Thrashers live in the eastern and central parts of North America. Some birds are year-round residents of the southeastern United States; others migrate as far north as southern Canada in the Spring to nest and raise their young.

Have a wonderful day!

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

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

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day January 2018

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, Ruby Tuesday Too, Our World Tuesday, and All Seasons
Northeast Mississippi, USA zone 7
Clear skies, 25F (-4C) at 6:00am Monday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 14, 2018

Despite the below freezing temperatures and a sprinkling of snow on the ground, my Hellebores are vigorously putting up new leaves and buds!

Female Red-bellied Woodpecker, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, December 25, 2017

For an extra measure of joy in your garden, feed the birds!

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

and Happy Tuesday!

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

For photos with a little or a lot of Red, visit Ruby Tuesday Too: Click Here!

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

Also on Tuesday, please visit All Seasons: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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The Barn Collective, January 14, 2018

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 13, 2018

We were hoping for enough snow to have a winter wonderland, but it just barely coated the roof of our barn. Such a disappointment!
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Your birds for today are...

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 13, 2018

a Cardinal and a pair of Goldfinches at one of our feeders.

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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Black and White: Ducks, January 13, 2018

The Weekend in Black and White, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, January 5. 2018

The fountain was keeping part of the lake from freezing, but there were large sections that iced over. Why the ducks preferred to swim out to stand on the ice instead of staying on the shore is a mystery to me.

Have a great weekend!

For more black and white photos, visit The Weekend in Black and White: Click Here!

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.
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Willy Nilly Friday, January 12, 2018

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

1. All Around The Water Tank (Sky Watch Friday)

Baldwyn, Mississippi, USA, January 6, 2018

Last Saturday was sunny, but cold!
We are expecting freezing rain and snow today (Friday).

When I went around to the front to photograph the name on the water tank: Home of the Bearcats (the school sports teams), I noticed that all the birds were on the sunny side!

2. Did You Know?

"Only a thin layer of ice separates a truckload of cargo from lakewater as it travels across the Canadian tundra. How are roads engineered and built atop lakes?" U-Haul

Learn more about ice roads at U-Haul SuperGraphics - Journey on the Ice Roads

3. The Most Interesting Thing I Saw Last Week

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 5, 2018

Last Friday the electric power company trimmed the limbs off of trees that are next to the
power line that runs from the road to our house. When we planted those trees 40 years ago,
we never imagined they would grow to be so big. They just trimmed the limbs; they did not
cut down any trees.

4. Favorite Photo of the Week (Weekend Reflections)

Great Blue Heron, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, January 8, 2018

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5. Critters: Loon (Saturday's Critters and I'd Rather B Birdin')

Lauderdale County, Alabama, USA, December 29, 2017

I was very surprised to see it in north Alabama, but I think this is Gavia immer, the Common Loon. I am hoping that someone more familiar with them can give me a positive ID.

Have a Great Day!

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

For photos of reflections, visit Weekend Reflections: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Willy Nilly Friday 5: Click Here!

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.
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