Humongous Fungus, April 30, 2018

"Did you know...
This single organism (Amillaria gallica) in Crystal Falls (Michigan) weights 110 tons and spans 37 acres. Could it have originated from a single spore more than 1,500 years ago?"

Counce, Tennessee, USA, April 29, 2018

Another mural brought to you by U-Haul.

For more information on this Humongous Fungus: Click Here!

Have a wonderful week!

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Camp Bluebird, April 26, 2018

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Today I am thankful for Camp Bluebird For Cancer Survivors!

Once a year North Mississippi Medical Center and the Telephone Pioneers sponsor a three day camp for cancer survivors at Bay Springs Lake. We stay in cabins on the lake shore, enjoy various entertainments and activities, build bluebird houses, and fellowship with other cancer survivors. There will be inspirational speakers and lots of food, too!

If you are an adult cancer survivor, your oncologist (or Google) can find a Camp Bluebird for you in your area. I highly recommend it. I leave for camp tomorrow and will be away from my computer until Sunday night.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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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Clover, April 25, 2018

Wildflower Wednesday and All Seasons
The fourth Wednesday of each month is Wildflower Wednesday.

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, April 2, 2018

White Clover, Trifolium repens, is native to Europe and central Asia, but has been introduced worldwide. It is a herbaceous, perennial plant that is an important food source for Bumblebees and Honey Bees. And it is beautiful as a border along driveways and sidewalks.

It is also sown along with various grasses as a forage crop for cattle.

Have a great day!

For more on wildflowers, visit Gail for Wildflower Wednesday: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit All Seasons: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Pelicans, April 25, 2018

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and Wednesday Around The World
P is for Pelecanus erythrorhynchos - American White Pelican

Lauderdale County, Alabama, USA, April 5, 2018

American White Pelicans are large fish-eating birds that hunt their prey from the surface of the water, instead of diving into the water as their Brown Pelican cousins do. You may see them in groups working together to drive fish into shallow water where the fish are easier to catch.

They are migratory birds, spending the winter in Mexico and the southern parts of the United States before flying northward to breed on inland lakes as far north as central Canada.

Have a wonderful day!

For more on the letter P, 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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Creative Jewelers, April 23, 2018

Florence, Alabama, USA, April 5, 2018

I found this mural in the alley behind Creative Jewelers in downtown Florence, Alabama.
It is signed and dated: Jake White 6-4-15 (June 4, 2015).

Have a wonderful week!

For more murals, visit Monday Mural: Click Here!

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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The Barn Collective, April 22, 2018

Tishomingo County, Mississippi, USA, April 1, 2018

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Your bird for today is...

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, April 21, 2018

a Northern Mockingbird!

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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Willy Nilly Friday, April 20, 1018

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

1. Pecan Tree (Sky Watch Friday)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 19, 2018

We have had plenty of sunshine this week, but it came with strong winds. At 9:00am Thursday morning it was 48F (8C).

2. What I am Reading

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 17, 2018

'The Alice Network' by Kate Quinn
'The Perfect Poison' by Amanda Quick
'The Purloined Puzzle' by Parnell Hall
'Murder With Macaroni and Cheese' by A. L. Herbert
'Lord of the Privateers' by Stephanie Laurens

My favorite from this group, 'The Alice Network,' is set in Europe during and immediately after World War II.

3. Teals (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, April 11, 2018

When I first saw these ducks, I thought they were Mallards. But as I zoomed the camera in on them, I knew they were not. The vertical white stripe on the males' heads identifies them as Blue-winged Teals, Anas discors.

They are migratory birds that come south to spend the winter, and then go north to their breeding grounds in the spring. There were three males and two females. I don't know why
I did not get all five of them in one photo.

4. Groundhog (Saturday's Critters)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 15, 2018

The Groundhog, Marmota monax, can be found throughout much of the eastern United States, all across Canada, and into Alaska. Their diet consists of a variety of green plants, but may occasionally include insects.

5. Narcissus (Floral Friday Fotos)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 18, 2018

Narcissus are a genus of perennial flowers of the Amaryllis family. There are many varieties, but the flowers are usually some combination of yellow, orange and/or white. Grown from bulbs, they are commonly called jonquils or daffodils.

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:
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, April 19, 2018

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 18, 2018

Today I am thankful that the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Archilochus colubris, have returned to my feeders. The yellow cups filled with plain water above the feeders prevents ants from getting to the sugar-water in the feeders. (I found them at Tractor Supply Company).

To attract Hummingbirds, hang sugar-water feeders and plant a profusion of nectar-producing flowers. You may have only a couple of birds at first, but don't give up - more will come!

And I am really envious of you folks who have Hummingbirds all the time!

Have a wonderful 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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Ospreys, April 18, 2018

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and Wednesday Around The World
O is for Osprey - a North American raptor

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, March 2, 2018

Look for Ospreys, Pandion haliaetus, near open water with a plentiful supply of fish, their primary food.

Ospreys add new material to their old nests each year; the larger the nest, the longer it has been in use.  Hopefully they will raise another family this year high atop this electric power structure at Pickwick Dam.

Have a wonderful day!

For more on the letter O, 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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Iris, April 16, 2018

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

Bearded Iris, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 13, 2018

Friday was a beautiful sunny day, but Saturday brought heavy rainstorms, and colder weather moved in on Sunday.

Have a wonderful week!

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

For seasonal photos, 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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Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day April 2018

The northeast corner of Mississippi, USA zone 7

Bird Alert!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 13, 2018

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are on their way north. If you live in their migratory path, put the feeders out as soon as your nighttime temperatures are above freezing.

We have not yet mowed the grass this year, so we have plenty of wildflowers blooming. I think this is a fleabane (Aster family).

Wild Violets have formed a large patch under the apple and pear trees.

Another native plant, the Red Buckeye shrub attracts Hummingbirds, Bees, and Butterflies.

The Flowering Dogwoods (native to the southeastern US) are blooming down in our woods.

My mother-in-law bought this pink Flowering Dogwood many years ago, so she gets credit for this one. She lived to be 92, and I inherited all her plants - a beautiful legacy.

The Hellebores blooms are faded, but still hanging on.

If I remember correctly, this is 'Blue Moon' Phlox.

Clematis buds - the promise of things to come!

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Go Back in Time, April 14, 2018

Hardin County, Tennessee, USA, April 2, 2018

An Amish community is a great place to buy fresh vegetables, honey, fruit preserves, relishes, and other homemade items.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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, April 13, 2018

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

1. Birds, Birds! (Sky Watch Friday)

Colbert County, Alabama, USA, April 5, 2018

There were a lot of birds flying low over the Tennessee River when we were there last Thursday. The tower in the background is in Florence (Lauderdale County), Alabama.

2. Guard Rail (Good Fences Around The World)

Colbert County, Alabama, USA, April 5, 2018

This fence is around an overlook on the Tennessee River - a peaceful place to sit awhile.

A closer view of the fence

The view upriver with Wilson Dam in the background

3. The Birds and the Bees (Saturday's Critters)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 2, 2018

Domestic Turkeys - a tom and two hens at a neighbor's house

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 3, 2018

Bees in a flowerpot on my front porch

4. Favorite Photo of the Week (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Colbert County, Alabama, USA, April 5, 2018

We saw a flock of Cedar Waxwings, Bombycilla cedrorum, near the Tennessee River in northwest Alabama. They were flitting around in the trees so quickly that just as I would focus on a bird, off it would go! Finally one settled down and posed very prettily for me.

5. Bearded Iris (Floral Friday Fotos)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 11, 2018

Bearded Iris are perennial flowers that grow from rhizomes or bulbs. They have been
hybridized to produce a wide range of colors.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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

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

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

For more flower photos, visit Floral Friday Fotos: 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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Birds! April 12, 2018

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Colbert County, Alabama, USA, April 5, 2018

Today I am thankful that we had a wonderful afternoon along the Tennessee River last Thursday! As we walked along the shore near Wilson Dam, we were astonished at the number of birds we saw there.

Pelican, Gulls, Grebes, Coots, Cormorants!

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And my favorite bird - the Great Blue Heron!

It was a wonderful experience, and I am thankful for it.

I hope you 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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Kingfisher, April 11, 2018

Wild Bird Wednesday and Wednesday Around the World

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 31, 2018

Belted Kingfishers, Megaceryle alcyon, are common birds near North American rivers, streams and ponds. Look for them perched on tree branches or utility lines over the water, looking for fish near the surface. They supplement their fish diet with insects and berries.

Have a wonderful day!

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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Tree Following, April 10, 2018

Tree Following and All Seasons

Tree following is a once a month meme that highlights trees as the seasons change. Anyone can join: just choose a tree and photograph it once a month, then post to the Tree Following Link-up between the 7th and 14th of the month.

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, April 9, 2018

The tree I am following this year was planted in the park in memory of a child that was killed in an automobile accident. I think it is a maple, but I will have to wait for leaves to appear to make a positive identification.

After a colder than usual winter, we have buds!

Have a wonderful day!

For more tree photos, visit Tree Following: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit All Seasons: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Monday Mural: Jazz, April 9, 2018

Monday Mural, Through My Lens, and Our world Tuesday

Florence, Alabama, USA, March 21, 2018

I did not see an artist's name on this, and could not find it through an Internet search. Thank you to whoever it is!

With this small brick stage nearby, it looks like a great place for outdoor concerts.

Have a wonderful week!

For more mural photos, visit Monday Mural: 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, April 8, 2018

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 1, 2018

Though the grass is green, the trees seem reluctant to leaf out.
And with good reason - It is 29F at 6:00am this morning!
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Your birds for today are..... Vultures!

Lauderdale County, Alabama, USA, December 29, 2017

Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus

Hardin County, Tennessee, USA, April 1, 2018

Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura

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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