Hummingbirds! March 31, 2019

They are back!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 29, 2019

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are back from their Mexican vacation!
(I have got to wash my windows so I can get better pictures).
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Your barn for today is...

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 13, 2019

… old, but well-kept and still being used.

Have a blessed day!

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

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

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

Willy Nilly Friday, March 29, 2019

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

1. Farming (Sky Watch Friday)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 28, 2019

No rain this week. The fields are dry enough that farmers can break up the ground to prepare for planting.

2. Kerria (Floral Friday Fotos)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 28, 2019

Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora'

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3. Favorite Photo of the Week

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, March 20, 2019

Welcome to the neighborhood!

4. Not My Cat (Saturday's Critters)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 28, 2019

Though our dog gets along well with our cats, she does not like trespassers. I had to tie her to let this cat get down from the tree and go back to its own home.

5. House Sparrows (I'd Rather B Birdin')

male House Sparrow, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, March 20, 2019

House Sparrows, Passer domesticus, are very common North American birds, and are quite handsome if you take a moment for a closer look at them.

female House Sparrow, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, March 20, 2019

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Have a wonderful weekend!

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.

Thankful Thursday, March 28, 2019

Wildflower Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, and Little Things Thursday
Thankful for wildflowers!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 26, 2019

Viola sororia, Common Blue Violet, is a native North American wildflower that grows east of the Rocky Mountains. There are several color variations ranging from light blue to purple.

We have great masses of them, and we wait until they finish blooming before we mow the yard. The leaves you see here are grass and weeds!

Have a blessed day!

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

For more wildflowers, visit Wildflower Wednesday: Click Here!

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

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

Bald Eagle, March 27, 2019

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and My Corner of the World
L is for Leucocephalus meaning 'white head' as in Haliaeetus leucocephalus, an Eagle with a white head

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 2, 2019

Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Bald Eagle, is the national emblem of the United States.
'Bald' is a misnomer that arose because of the contrast between the dark body and the white head, but the 'leucocephalus' in the scientific name correctly states White Head.  Bald Eagles typically nest in the tallest trees in the forest so that they have a clear view in all directions. Their main source of food is fresh-caught fish, but they also kill and eat small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. If food is scarce, they may resort to scavenging in garbage dumps and competing with Vultures for carrion.

Have a wonderful day!

For more on the letter L, 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, March 24, 2019

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 13, 2019

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Your bird for today is...

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, March 20, 2019

… an American Robin, Turdus migratorius. Spring is here!

Have a blessed day!

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

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

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

Willy Nilly Friday, March 22, 2019

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

1. Sunshine! (Sky Watch Friday)

Baldwyn, Mississippi, USA, March 16, 2019

The sun is shining, trees are budding, birds are singing!

Common Starling aka European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris

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2. Good Food!

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, March 6, 2019

At Taziki's Mediterranean Café: Mediterranean Salad with Grilled Salmon - mixed lettuces with garbanzo beans, roasted red peppers, red onions, diced tomatoes, roasted pecans, feta cheese, and char-grilled Atlantic salmon. The pita bread was delicious, and I tried two salad dressings. The dark one, balsamic vinaigrette, was tart; the lighter one, a Greek dressing, was milder. Every bite was absolutely delicious!

3. Train

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, March 7, 2019

Well now, is the train coming or going?
*Answer below

4. Warm-up Exercise (Saturday's Critters)

Canada Goose, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, March 20, 2019

To increase your strength and flexibility, stand on one leg and s-t-r-e-t-c-h!

5. Cedar Waxwings (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, March 18, 2019

You have to look closely to see these two Cedar Waxwings, Bombycilla cedrorum, eating berries.

Have a wonderful weekend!

*The train is going away. The red engine is pulling the grey engine.

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, March 21, 2019

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, March 20, 2019

It is Spring! Trees are blooming, and I am thankful for each new day!

There will be a Cherry Blossom Festival here at Ballard Park in Tupelo on March 31. Activities will include Japanese food, music, origami, and a bonsai display. Y'all come!

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.

Kingfisher, March 20, 2019

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and My Corner of the World
K is for Kingfisher - small to medium-sized, brightly colored birds found in many parts of the world

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, January 17, 2019

A male Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon

Have a wonderful day!

For more on the letter K, 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, March 17, 2019

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, March 11, 2019

I did not get this barn from the best angle, but I could stop in the road for only a few seconds.

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Your bird for today is...

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 25, 2019

… a Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura

Have a blessed day!

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

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

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

Birds and Other Critters, March 16, 2019

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

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 15, 2019

I often hear our resident male Towhee's two-note call, but yesterday he started singing a series of trilling notes - it must be Spring! I have not seen the female recently (both are rather secretive), but I am sure she is around here somewhere.

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, March 12, 2019

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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

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

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

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, March 2019

The northeast corner of Mississippi, USA zone 7

Northern Cardinal, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 12, 2019

First of all, I want to say that I hope you have birdsong in your garden!

Our Pear Trees are blooming!

And I have red and pink Hyacinths.

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Snowflakes, Leucojum, are sometimes confused with their Snowdrop cousins, Galanthus.

Oxalis

This Spirea has tiny blooms,…

… but there are lots of them!

Narcissus!

For Spring Foliage and the promise of blooms to come! - Sedum telephium 'Munstead Red' Stonecrop

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.

Thankful Thursday, March 14, 2019

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Be thankful! Spring is coming!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 13, 2019

Wild Violets are blooming at the edge of the woods

Question Mark Butterfly, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 11, 2019

The first butterfly of the year!

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.

Junco, March 13, 2019

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and My Corner of the World
J is for Junco - a North American Sparrow

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, January 27, 2019

The Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis, is a migratory bird that may go as far north as Canada and Alaska to raise its young in the Summer before coming South for the Winter. But in the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains it is a year-round resident. They eat seeds and insects and may come to backyard feeders in the colder months.

Have a wonderful day!

For more on the letter J, 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 Colective, March 10, 2019

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 8, 2019

A horse lives here, but it must have been on the other side of the barn the day I stopped to get a photo.
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Your bird for today is...

Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 3, 2019

… a Northern Mockingbird looking for food scraps (a bit of tomato?) in a fast-food parking lot.

Have a blessed day!

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

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

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

Willy Nilly Friday, March 8, 2019

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

1. Pickwick Lake (Sky Watch Friday)

Highway bridge over Pickwick Dam, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, March 5, 2019

It was clear and cold (temperatures hovering around freezing) when we met friends for lunch at the Pickwick Inn Restaurant on Tuesday. You may have seen news reports of the devastating floods along the Tennessee River. Floodwater was still over some of the roads when we were there a week after the river crested.

Weather note: Now just when we were beginning to think Spring is here, we are having our coldest weather of the year - nighttime temperatures in the low 20sF (-6C).

Saturday morning update: Milder temperatures and more rain in the forecast for the weekend.

2. Favorite Photos of the Week

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 2, 2019

We did not see this Bald Eagle catch its meal, but we watched it eat for about 5 minutes until something startled it, and it few away. This is the only time I have ever seen a Bald Eagle here, only five miles from my house!

Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus luecocephalus

3. Spring Snowflakes (Floral Friday Fotos)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 2, 2019

Spring Snowflakes, Leucojum vernum, are members of the Amaryllis family whose Latin name means 'white violet.' They are natives of Europe, but have been naturalized in many other parts of the world.

4. Turtles (Saturday's Critters and Weekend Reflections)

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, February 24, 2019

A sunny day in February brought the Turtles out! But they have gone back into hiding now that our weather is cold again. January and February are usually our coldest months, but March is the coldest this year.

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5. Carolina Wren (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 28, 2019

Carolina Wrens can be found in the eastern United States from near the Great Lakes southward. They are ground-foragers, eating a wide variety of insects, and will come to suet feeders in the Winter.

Only the male sings, and he has a very loud voice for his small size!

Carolina Wrens, Thryothorus ludovicianus, are non-migratory songbirds that mate for life.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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

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

For more reflection photos, visit Weekend Reflections: 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.