Hawk, February 28, 2018

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and Wednesday Around The World
H is for Hawks - medium to large raptors in the genus Buteo

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, January 1, 2018

I was surprised to learn that what we call Hawks here in the United States are called Buzzards in Europe. Buzzards in the US are Vultures.

This is the same Hawk. It flew down to the ground after I photographed it on the fence post.

Have a wonderful day!

For more on the letter H, 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.
.

Spring Beauties, February 28, 2018

Wildflower Wednesday is the 4th Wednesday of each month.

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 19, 2018

Claytonia virginica, Spring Beauty, is usually the first wildflower I see here in northeast Mississippi each year. They are only 4 or 5 inches tall, and the pretty little blooms are about the size of your thumbnail. They are native Wildflowers in eastern North America, and their botanical name honors Virginia botanist John Clayton (1694 - 1773).

Happy Wildflower Wednesday!

For more wildflowers, visit Gail at Clay and Limestone: Click Here!

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

Rain! February, 26, 2018

Macro Monday 2, Through My Lens, All Seasons, and Our World Tuesday

Narcissus, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 24, 2018

We are getting a lot of rain! Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - for a total of 8.1 inches (20cm). Hope we have sunshine today!

Have a wonderful week!

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

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

And also, please visit All Seasons: Click Here!

And on Tuesday,
To see what is going on in other places, visit Our World Tuesday: Click Here!

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

The Barn Collective, February 25, 2018

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, January 24, 2018

.
.
.
.
And your bird for today is...

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 23, 2018

...a Sparrow! Try to ignore the thorn on the bush that makes its bill look too long and sharp!

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.
.

Willy Nilly Friday, February 23, 2018

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

1. Sunshine! (Sky Watch Friday)

Corinth, Mississippi, USA, February 18, 2018

After an entire week of rain, Sunday morning was bright and sunny!

2. Wildlife (Saturday's Critters)

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 22, 2018

When the turtles crawl out of the water to sun on the rocks, you know Spring is coming.

3. Farming

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 22, 2018

Winter Wheat is planted in the Autumn and harvested in late Spring or early Summer.
It sure brightens up cloudy Winter days!

4. Spring Beauty (Floral Friday Fotos)

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 19, 2018

Claytonia virginica, Spring Beauties, are tiny wildflowers that grow close to the ground.

No bigger than the tip of your finger, you have to bend over or kneel down to appreciate them.

5. Favorite Photos of the Week (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 17, 2018

Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis

This is the same Hawk. It flew up, made a circle, and settled down on another fence post.

Have a wonderful day!

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

For more flower photos, visit Floral Friday Fotos: Click Here!

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

And on Saturday, please visit Saturday's Critters and I'd Rather B Birdin'

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

Daffodils, February 22, 2018

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 20, 2018

Today I am thankful for Daffodils (Narcissus). Their bright smiling faces are so cheerful!

They are available in a lot of different colors.

This double one is named 'Butter and Eggs'

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.
.

Grackle, February 21, 2018

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and Wednesday Around The World
G is for the Grackle - a member of the Blackbird family

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 17, 2018

The Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula, may be seen in flocks of other Blackbirds in the eastern and central two-thirds of North America. Though they are a bit larger than other Blackbirds, you might not notice them unless you are close enough to see their iridescent feathers.

Grackles feed primarily on seeds and insects, but occasionally catch small fish, frogs, salamanders, and mice.

Have a wonderful day!

For more on the letter G, 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.
.

The Barn Collective, February 18, 2018

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, February 1, 2018

When the trees are all leafed out, this barn is barely visible from the road. There are horses living here, but no volunteers for a photo!
.
.
.
Your bird for today is...

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 1, 2018

a Duck!

From the green feathers on its head and the curled tail feathers, I suspect it is Mallard hybrid.

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.
.

Eastern Towhee, February 17, 2018

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 20, 2018

Eastern Towhees, Pipilo erythrophthalmus, are very secretive birds, preferring to nest in dense thickets. Look for them foraging on the ground for insects and seeds. If you live in the western part of the United States you may see their cousins the Spotted Towhees, Pipilo maculatus. They are very similar, but have small white dots on their wings near their shoulders.

Have a wonderful week-end!

For more animal photos, visit Eileen for 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.
.

Willy Nilly Friday, February 16, 2018

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

1. Our Country Mourns

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 15, 2018

Flags are at half-staff for the 17 who died in the Florida school shootings on February 14th.

2. Wildlife (Sky Watch Friday)

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, February 9, 2018

When we were at Pickwick Dam on the Tennessee River last Friday, the skies were quickly becoming overcast. The spillways were open, and hundreds of Gulls were there catching fish.

Fish coming through the spillways are near the top of the water. The Gulls try to grab them before they can swim deeper.

3. The Most Interesting Thing I have Seen This Week

Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, February 9, 2018

We wondered why the John F. Secrest with its barges was stopped at the far shore of the Tennessee River. It wasn't long before the mystery was solved.

The Addi Belle came around the bend from the other direction.

Though they are called Tugboats or Towboats, actually they push the barges.

As soon as the Addi Belle passed on its way downstream, the John F. Secrest reversed away from the shore and maneuvered its barges back into the middle of the river.

And there it goes!

The John F Secrest is owned by Ingram Barge Company, and the Addi Belle is owned by Tennessee Valley Towing.

4. Beautiful Cat (Saturday's Critters)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 6, 2018

Our neighbor's cat is so fuzzy and fluffy it is not easy to get a clear photo. The brown horizontal fluff is its tail wrapped around its front feet. Its legs are light brown, and all that white is chest, neck, sides, and hips! I think it must be a Persian mixed with Siamese.

5. Favorite Photo of the Week (I'd Rather B Birdin' and Weekend Reflections)

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 11, 2018

If you are a regular visitor, you already know that Great Blue Herons are my favorite birds!

Hope you have had a good week

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 photos of reflections, visit Weekend Reflections: Click Here!

And on Saturday:
For more animal photos, visit Eileen for 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.
.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, February 2018

The northeast corner of Mississippi, USA zone 7

My Hellebores have had buds for a month, but the weather has been so cold they have hesitated about opening. We have had milder temperatures and lots of rain this past week,
and I think that encouraged the buds to begin to open just in time for Bloom Day!

To add music to your garden,

Goldfinches, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 27, 2018

...feed the birds!

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

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

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

Fox Sparrow, February 14, 2018

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and Wednesday Around The World
F is for Fox Sparrow

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 26, 2018

I was trying to photograph a small flock of Goldfinches and Pine Siskins under my bird feeders when I noticed a larger bird with them - a Fox Sparrow! I made this photo through my dining room window so it is not as clear as I would like it to be.

Fox Sparrows, Passerella iliaca, are migratory birds that we see here in the southeastern United States only in the Winter. Their Summer breeding grounds range from the Pacific Northwest area of the United States to Alaska and all across Canada. They vary in color from east to west, so the Fox Sparrows you see may be slightly different than this one.

Have a wonderful day!

For more on the letter F, 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.
.

Is it Spring? February 12, 2018

Through My Lens, All Seasons, and Our World Tuesday

Female Northern Cardinal, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 8, 2018

Sunny skies, budding trees, birds singing: is it Spring?

Oh how I wish it were, but no, not yet. Some of our coldest weather comes in February.

Have a wonderful week!

Today I am linking with Through My Lens and All Seasons

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

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

The Barn Collective, February 11, 2018

The Barn Collective and Weekend Reflections

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, January 24, 2018

This one looks like it fell victim to strong winds or possibly a tornado.
.
.
.
Your birds for today are ...

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, November 27, 2017

...Wilson's Snipes, Gallinago delicata

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, December 11, 2017

.

Have a blessed day!

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

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

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

Kingfisher, February 10, 2018

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

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 31, 2018

Belted Kingfishers, Megaceryle alcyon, can be seen all across North America. Birds that nest in Canada migrate South to the United States and Mexico in the Winter, but in many parts of the US they are year-round residents. The brownish-orange 'belt' identifies this one as a female.

Look for them perched near ponds or streams of water. You might see them dive head-first into the water to catch a small fish to eat.

Have a wonderful week-end!

For more animal photos, visit Eileen at 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.
.

Willy Nilly Friday, February 9, 2018

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

1. Abe's Grill (Sky Watch Friday and Signs Signs)

Corinth, Mississippi, USA, February 4, 2018

A fast-moving rainstorm came through our area in the early morning hours on Sunday, but by noon the skies were clearing, with the afternoon hours being brilliantly sunny.

Abe's Grill - Hot Biscuits, Country Ham, and Red Eye Gravy!

2. Pretending To Be A Tree

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, January 24, 2018

When this cell phone tower was built there were trees on all sides, and it blended in so well you hardly knew it was there. But now that the land has been cleared for commercial development, it looks really odd!

.
3. Good Food

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 7, 2018

At Mugshots Grill, the Pineapple Bond Sandwich: grilled chicken and grilled fresh pineapple on toasted sourdough bread with fried potatoes. I can't believe I ate the whole thing!

4. Little Free Library

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 8, 2018

Have you ever seen a library as small as this one?

No library card needed. Nothing to sign. No due dates. Just open the door and get a book. If you have books you no longer want, you can add them to the shelves for other people to enjoy.

I donated three books, and took this one home with me: Ken Follett's 'Lie Down with Lions'

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

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, February 5, 2018

This Great Horned Owl lives at the Pickwick Wildlife Rehab Center. We were told that birds in rehabilitation centers must be tethered until they adjust to living in a cage. Otherwise, they throw themselves against the bars, causing further injury. Since owls are the symbols of knowledge and wisdom, they have named him Owlbert Einstein!
In case you don't already know: the 'horns' are feathers.

Have a wonderful day!

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

For more sign photos, visit Signs, Signs: Click Here!

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

And on Saturday please visit Saturday's Critters and I'd Rather B Birdin'

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

Thankful Thursday, February 8, 2018

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday
And on Friday - Floral Friday Fotos

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 7, 2018

Last week I had buds on my Hellebores; today I have blooms!
Oh, how thankful I am for flowers that bloom in cold weather!
At 7:00am Thursday it is 27F (-3C).

Have a blessed 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!

For more flower photos, visit Floral Friday Fotos: Click Here!

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