Thankful Thursday, February 28, 2019

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 26, 2019

We are having a few Spring-like days before Winter returns next week, and I am thankful!
I am also thankful that last week's storms passed without major damage in our immediate area.

This is a Spirea, but I am not sure of its exact name. It really shines in the Spring with its masses of tiny flowers, and it has golden-orange foliage in the Autumn.

Have 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.

Hawk, February 27, 2019

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and My Corner of the World
H is for Hawk - a North American bird of prey

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 18, 2019

Red-shouldered Hawks, Buteo lineatus, live in the eastern half of the United States and extreme southeastern Canada. Their primary sources of food are small mammals, lizards, snakes, and amphibians. And occasionally they kill and eat other birds.

Have a great 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 My Corner of the World: Click Here!

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

The Barn Collective, February 24, 2019

The Barn Collective and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 13, 2019

This old barn is being torn down. I think they sold the tin roof and some of the wood.
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For your birds today...

Turkey Vultures, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 13, 2019

I thought Vultures would be a good match for that poor old barn. In fact, I made the two photos on the same day and only a few miles apart.

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.

Willy Nilly Friday, February 22, 2019

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

1. View Through The Car Windshield (Sky Watch Friday)

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, February 19, 2019

Rain, rain, and more rain all week long! We have had over 10 inches (25cm) of rain this week, and it is still raining this morning (Friday).

Saturday morning update on the rain: Our rain gauge holds 6 inches (15cm), and there was an inch and a half (4cm) in it last night. This morning the gauge was running over, and it is still raining. I am so thankful that I live on a hilltop!

2. Good Food!

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 3, 2019

At Outback Steakhouse: Pork Chop Dinner with Spicy Creole Sauce, Homestyle Mashed Potatoes, Sauteed Mushrooms, Honey-Wheat Bread with Butter, and Iced Tea. And you can be sure that the second pork chop was just as delicious as the first when I re-heated it the next day!

3. Favorite Photos of the Week

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 18, 2019

With a strong wind blowing, this Red-shouldered Hawk was having trouble keeping its balance.

It was constantly adjusting its position, so I got a good look at the tail and wing feathers pattern (an important key to identification).

Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus.

4. Turtles (Saturday's Critters)

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 6, 2019

We had a few days early in February that were warm enough for the turtles to come out to enjoy the sun.

5. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 6, 2019

The glow from the late afternoon sun highlighted its yellow belly. Sometimes the yellow on the belly is not very noticeable. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Sphyrapicus varius, are medium-sized woodpeckers that breed in Canada and the northeastern United States. Their Winter range extends down through the southeastern United States and into Mexico and Central America.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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.

Thankful Thursday, February 21, 2019

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, February 20, 2019

Thankful for rain! With our nighttime temperatures near freezing, it could have been sleet or snow! This is the two-day total (in centimeters and inches) that we poured out Wednesday afternoon, and there is more rain in the forecast for today and tomorrow.

It has flooded the fields...

… and beat down my flowers. But as I said before, I am thankful it was rain instead of sleet or snow!

And if you do have snow and ice, I pray that you stay safe and warm.

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.

White-throated Sparrow, February 20, 2019

Wild Bird Wednesday and My Corner of the World

(Click on photo to see it at its best)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 6, 2019

White-throated Sparrows, Zonotrichia albicollis, are migratory sparrows that breed in Canada and the extreme northern parts of the United States. We see them here in the southern US only in the Winter. They are ground-foraging birds so you may see them under bird feeders eating the spilled seeds. They also eat wild fruit, berries, and insects.

This is only the second time I have seen a White-throated Sparrow. The first one was at Big Hill Pond State Park, Tennessee, on January 29, 2015. So you can imagine how excited I was to see this one here at my house!

Have a wonderful day!

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

For an interesting variety of photos, visit My Corner of the World: Click Here!

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

The Barn Collective, February 17, 2019

Alcorn County, Mississippi, USA, February 9, 2019

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Your birds for today are...

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 15, 2019

… a Cardinal (female) and a Red-breasted Nuthatch sharing a feeder. We have learned to leave the lids off the feeders; otherwise, the Raccoons will tear the lid off and scatter the seeds all over the ground. Better to just give them easy access!

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.

Hawk! February 16, 2019

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

(Click on photos to see them at their best)

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 3, 2019

If I made a list of my favorite birds it would start with Herons, then Hummingbirds, and Hawks third…

But now I think I will move Hawks into first place!

UPDATE: Thanks to Anni at I'd Rather B Birdin' for ID - juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus

Have a wonderful weekend!

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, February 2019

The northeast corner of Mississippi, USA zone 7

If our temperatures hover around freezing (a bit above in the day, but below freezing at night), our weather is clear and cold. If the temperature begins to rise, we can be sure that rain is on its way!

I have forgotten the name of this Spirea that is just beginning to bloom. Later in the month the entire bush will be completely covered with these delicate little blooms.

Hellebores!

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And then there are Daffodils!

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Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 7, 2019

And last week I saw our first wildflower of the year! - the tiny Spring Beauty, Claytonia virginica

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

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

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

Lettuce! February 14, 2019

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 9, 2019

Thankful to have home-grown lettuce in February! I planted Black-seeded Simpson Lettuce in large plastic tubs in September. I cover them with old bath towels when our temperatures drop below 40F (4C). There have been stretches of cold weather that I have had to keep them covered for several days.

Lettuce grows slowly in cold weather, but it does grow!

I have to add a lot of store-bought ingredients (peppers, peas, cheese, carrots, cucumbers, croutons, etc.) to make a salad, but picking my own lettuce makes it special. And I add canned chicken or canned tuna for enough protein to make a salad a meal.

But what I am most thankful for today is that my doctor referred me to a Diabetic Foot Care Clinic. It was a very pleasant experience, and my feet look and feel much better, but I knew you did not want to see before and after photos of my feet!

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.

Mallards, February 13, 2019

Wild Bird Wednesday and My Corner of the World

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 2, 2019

The most common ducks in the world: Mallards (male and female), Anas platyrhynchos

Have a great day!

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

For an interesting variety of photos, visit My Corner of the World: Click Here!

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

Furry Feline Friends, February 12, 2019

ABC Wednesday and Our World Tuesday
F is for our Furry Feline Friends - Cats!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 28, 2019

One of our cats, Big Jay, likes to roll around on the ground...

… and if I don't brush him off as soon as he comes in, all that dirt is transferred to my bed!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 12, 2019

Our other cat, Buzz-Girl, likes to walk around on the clock radio, pushing the buttons on top until the music comes on!

Have a wonderful day!

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

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

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

The Barn Collective, February 10, 2019

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, February 8, 2019

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Your bird for today is...

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, February 5, 2019

… an American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos. His color was muted on that foggy day; on a sunny day he is a very dark shiny black!

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: Lake in the Fog, February 9, 2019

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, February 5, 2019

Pickwick Lake on a foggy morning.

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, February 8, 2019

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

1. Groundhog Day (Sky Watch Friday)

Ballard Park, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 2, 2019

According to folklore if there is enough sun for a Groundhog to see its shadow on February 2, there will be six more weeks of Winter weather. If there is any truth in it, well... you can see what a nice sunny day it was!

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It was very enjoyable to just sit in the sun and watch the children play.

And the skateboarders were enjoying the ramps and the paved walkways.

We are back to our normal Winter weather this morning (Friday), 31F with an expected high of 40F (4C) with a cold wind blowing.

2. Good Food!

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, January 26, 2019

At Outback Steakhouse: Sweet Chook O' Mine Sandwich (grilled chicken with shredded lettuce, bacon, and cheese) with Aussie Fries. Delicious!

3. Favorite Photo of the Week

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, February 5, 2019

When we met friends for lunch at the Pickwick Inn on Tuesday, the sun was just beginning to break through the fog. In the Summer when the lake water is deeper, the yellow marker floats to outline a  swimming area.

4. Muscovy Ducks (Saturday's Critters)

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 2, 2019

Muscovy Ducks have beautiful feathers. It is kind of sad that their faces are so ugly.

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5. Rufous-sided Towhee (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 31, 2019

I always carry my camera with me because you never know where you might see a bird. I found this male Rufous-sided Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus, perched on an old junked car.

When he saw I had a camera, he tried to hide in the bushes!

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, February 7, 2019

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 28, 2019

Hellebores!

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.

Eastern Bluebirds, February 6, 2019

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and My Corner of the World
E is for the Eastern Bluebird - a small thrush of the eastern half of North America

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, January 13, 2019

The male Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis.
Eastern Bluebirds are cavity-nesting birds that forage on the ground for insects. They supplement their insect diet with wild fruit and berries, and you may attract them to your feeders with mealworms.

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, January 13, 2019

The female Eastern Bluebird.

Have a wonderful day!

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

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

For an interesting variety of photos, visit My Corner of the World: Click Here!

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