Willy Nilly Friday, November 30, 2018

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

1. Clear, but Cold (Sky Watch Friday)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 28, 2018

A lot of our trees have lost their leaves, but there is still some Autumn color to be found.

2. Good Food!

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, November 22, 2018

Grilled Tilapia on a bed of Creamed Spinach with Buttered Corn and Steamed Broccoli with Honey-Mustard Dressing (as a dipping sauce for the Broccoli) at IHOP (International House of Pancakes).

3. Amaryllis Lily

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 29, 2018

Soon I will have red blooms to add to my Christmas decorations!

If you look closely you can see there is another bloom stalk coming, too. Planted two weeks ago.

4. Donkeys (Saturday's Critters)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 5, 2018

There is not a lot of grass this time of the year, but there is a large round bale of hay for them to eat at the other end of their pasture (and more hay in storage for them).

5. Starling (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Guntown, Mississippi, USA, November 20, 2018

European Starling, Sturnus vulagaris, on a red rooftop.

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!

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, November 29, 2018

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

American Coot, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, December 3, 2017

Today I am thankful for migratory birds! Because of bird migration I can enjoy seeing many more birds than I would otherwise. This photo of an American Coot is from last year. When we go to meet friends at Pickwick Lake on Monday (for lunch at the Pickwick Inn), I hope to see that the Coots and other migratory birds have returned.

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!

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

Mourning Dove, November 28, 2018

Wild Bird Wednesday and Wednesday Around The World

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, October 23, 2018

Zenaida macroura, Mourning Dove

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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.

Wildflower Wednesday, November 28, 2018

The fourth Wednesday of each month is Wildflower Wednesday!

Lauderdale County, Alabama, USA, November 3, 2018

The bright red seed capsules of Euonymus americanus burst open in the Autumn giving this shrub its common name: Hearts-a-burstin'. It grows to be 4 to 6 feet tall, and is native to the eastern United States. It may be found growing in shady areas with moist soil in USDA zones 5 - 9. Deer eat the stems and leaves; birds enjoy the seeds.

Have a wonderful day!

For more photos and information on native plants, visit Gail at Clay and Limestone: Click Here!

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

Killdeer, November 26, 2018

Good Random Fun, Through My Lens and Our World Tuesday

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, November 25, 2018

Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus, playing 'King of the Hill.' Three birds challenge the 'king' without success.

And an approach from the other side was not successful either.

Then one Killdeer created a diversion by running across in front while the other two approached from each side! The game could have gone on longer if a car had not come along the street behind them. They all flew away calling 'killdeer, killdeer,' and I remembered I had things to do so I went on my way, too.

Have a wonderful week!

Please visit Good Random Fun, Through My Lens, and Our World Tuesday

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

The Barn Collective, November 25, 2018

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 24, 2018

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Your bird for today is...

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, November 22, 2018

… a Northern Mockingbird!

Have a blessed day!

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

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

B&W: Electric Power, November 24, 2018

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 11, 2018

Pickwick Dam on the Tennessee River generates the electric power for our area.

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.

Willy Nilly Friday, November 23, 2018

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

1. Thanksgiving Day (Sky Watch Friday)

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, November 22, 2018

We had pleasant temperatures and beautiful blue skies on Thursday.

2. Good Food!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 22, 2018

In September I sowed lettuce seeds in large plastic tubs. Since our nighttime temperatures began to drop below freezing, I have covered them each night. Now I am picking home-grown lettuce - in November!

3. Animal Shelter

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, November 7, 2018

The Tupelo-Lee County Humane Society recently moved into their new building.

It includes a clinic where the animals can be spayed or neutered before they are adopted.

4. Camouflage (Saturday's Critters)

Tishomingo County, Mississippi, USA, November 5, 2018

A pony trying to hide from my camera!

5. Eagle (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Pickwick, Tennessee, November 5, 2018

Because of the mottled brown and white feathers on its back and its dark beak, I think this is a juvenile Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus.

The young Bald Eagles do not have the white head and tail feathers of the adults until they are about five years old.

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!

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

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

Happy Thanksgiving! November 22, 2018

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 5, 2018

Make every day a Thanksgiving Day!

Have a blessed day!

Please visit Little Things Thursday and Thankful Thursday

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

Red-breasted Nuthatch, November 21, 2018

Wild Bird Wednesday and Wednesday Around The World

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 4, 2018

The Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis, is a migratory songbird of North America. In the Summer they breed all across Canada and in the mountainous areas of the United States.

And in the Winter they come south! I am very happy to see them at my feeders.

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.

The Circus is in Town! November 20-21, 2018

ABC Wednesday, and Wordless Wednesday
T is for Tents - portable shelters made of cloth, supported by poles and ropes pegged to the ground

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, November 18, 2018

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Have a wonderful day!

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

For more photos and less words, visit Wordless Wednesday: Click Here!

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

Heron in the Fog, November 19, 2018

Through My Lens and Our World Tuesday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 3, 2018

Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, at a small pond on a foggy morning

Have a wonderful week!

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.

The Barn Collective, November 18, 2018

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 11, 2018

I was looking for Autumn color and found a barn!

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Your bird for today is...

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, October 22, 2018

... a Killdeer

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.

B&W: Gulls, November 17, 2018

The Weekend in Black and White and Weekend Reflections

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 11, 2018

Gulls don't swim as fast as they fly, but they can go fast enough to make waves!

The original photo (for Weekend Reflections)

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 11, 2018

And speaking of Gulls, there were a lot of them flying back and forth, trying to catch the fish that came through the spillways at Pickwick Dam on the Tennessee River when we were there on Sunday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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

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

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

Willy Nilly Friday, November 16, 2018

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

1. Pickwick Lake (Sky Watch Friday)

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 11, 2018

A jet contrail cuts across the sky above Pickwick Lake. The structure on the right is the lock and dam.

2. Favorite Photo of the Week

Great Blue Heron, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 11, 2018

If you want to see long-legged wading birds, remember to look up, too!

3. Autumn Color

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 6, 2018

Yellow on yellow!

4. Pony (Saturday's Critters)

Tishomingo County, Mississippi, USA, November 5, 2018

I see several ponies and horses here whenever I drive by, but they seem to prefer the far side of the pasture. Finally, I saw a pony close to the road - and a real cutie it is!

5. Pileated Woodpecker (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 10, 2018

I glanced out the window as I went to the kitchen to make myself a cup of hot tea, and look! a Pileated Woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus, on a dead limb of my apple tree!

If you see a tree with rectangular pieces of bark chipped away, it is most likely the work of Pileated Woodpeckers. They are searching for insects to eat. They supplement their insect diet with fruit, berries, and nuts, and you may see them at suet feeders, too.

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!

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.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, November 2018

Northeast Mississippi, USA zone 7
September was hot, October was pleasant, November is cold!

Last week's blooms on Encore Azalea

For November's Bloom Day, I had planned to show off my Encore Azalea, but over the weekend our nighttime temperatures dropped below freezing. The shrub itself is fine, but the blooms are no more.

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 14, 2018

So to make myself feel better, I bought an Amaryllis Bulb Kit complete with large bulb, potting medium, and a pot. The directions say to soak the potting medium in warm water so that it swells to fill the pot, then plant the bulb. Blooms in 4 to 6 weeks. Maybe I will be showing its blooms for our next Bloom Day!

And if you think you cannot participate in Bloom Day in the Winter, go buy yourself a blooming houseplant, and join in the fun even when it is freezing cold outside!

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.

Barred Owl, November 14, 2018

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, Wednesday Around The World
And on Saturday, I'd Rather B Birdin'

S is for Strix varia, the Barred Owl

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 3, 2018

As we were driving home from a friend's house late in the afternoon, a Barred Owl, Strix varia, flew across the road in front of us and lit in a nearby tree. I made several photos, admiring the beautiful pattern of feathers on its back and tail.

And then, it swiveled its head around to stare at me over its shoulder!

Barred Owls are birds of prey that usually hunt at night, catching and eating small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Have a wonderful day!

For more on the letter S, 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!

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

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

Tree Following, November 13, 2018

Tree Following and Our World Tuesday

Tree Following is a fun meme and easy to join! Just select a tree, photograph it once a month as it goes through the seasons of the year, and post a photo on your blog between the 7th and 14th of the month.

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, October 30, 2018

I am following a Red Maple tree, Acer rubrum, that was planted as a memorial to a child killed in an auto accident. The leaves began showing Autumn color late in October, and I am glad I made this photo then. We had wind and rain that knocked off a lot of the leaves last week.

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, November 6, 2018

It still has pretty leaves, but just not as many as before.

Have a great week!

To see who else is Following A Tree: Click Here!

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

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

Lettuce! November 12, 2018

Harvest Monday and Through My Lens

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 9, 2018

I planted Black-seeded Simpson Lettuce in September to see if it would grow here in north Mississippi in the Autumn. Yes, it will! I planted the seeds in large tubs to make it easier to protect the plants from frost.

When the weather forecast for last Friday night was for below freezing temperatures, I picked most of the leaves, and covered the plants by draping a thick layer of old towels over the tops of the tubs.

Some of the lettuce leaves went on ham sandwiches for Saturday's lunch, and I used the rest to make salads on Sunday night.

We have rain today, so the lettuce plants are uncovered, getting a good drink of water. By covering them on the colder nights, I hope to get another picking or two of lettuce - in November!

Have a wonderful week!

For more garden harvests, visit Dave for Harvest Monday: Click Here!

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

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

The Barn Collective, November 11, 2018

The Barn Collective, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 5, 2018

I think that is a cow and two donkeys in front of the barn, and in the pasture is…

a herd of donkeys!
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Your bird for today is...

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, November 5, 2018

a Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura.

Have a blessed day!

For more barn photos, visit The Barn Collective: 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.