Camp Bluebird, April 29, 2019

Through My Lens, All Seasons, and Our World Tuesday

Tishomingo County, Mississippi, USA, April 26, 2019

I spent the weekend at Camp Bluebird for Cancer Survivors at the Fellowship Christian Retreat at Crow's Neck on Bay Springs Lake.

The theme for this year's camp was the Olympic Games. We played our own version of the Olympics using paper plates for the Discus Throw, and foam 'pool noodles' for the Javelin Toss. But the most fun was the Ring Toss - throwing a foam-rubber ring over your partner's head and shoulders while they stood still with their hands at their sides. If your ring went astray and landed on someone else, it was a point against you!

We stayed in cabins at the north end of Bay Springs Lake. The lake is part of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway - the main body of the lake is much wider than this.

Just one of the many activities of the fun-filled weekend was building Bluebird houses. Each camper made one to carry home with them.

For our craft session, we made recipe card holders. There was a wide range of paper designs to choose from. We glued them to ceramic tiles and sealed them with the kind of sealer used for jig-saw puzzles when you want to frame them. I got this recipe from Taste of Home magazine.

A clothes pin glued on the back gives it legs to stand upright, and a smaller clothes pin at the top holds the recipe card.

There was a raffle to help raise money for next year's camp. I considered the $15 I spent on raffle tickets to be a donation, but I won these pretty boxes!

We were served Friday night supper, three meals on Saturday, and Sunday morning breakfast, and between meals there were plenty of snacks available.

We started our days with a nature walk and ended with a campfire. It was a wonderful time for cancer survivors to relax, have fun, and celebrate life!

Have a great week!

Joining in today with Through My Lens, All Seasons, and Our World Tuesday

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

Willy Nilly Friday, April 26, 2019

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday, Floral Friday Fotos, Weekend Reflections,
and I almost forgot, Wildflower Wednesday was this past Wednesday, April 24

1. Bald Eagle (Sky Watch Friday)

Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, April 20, 2019

We had a beautiful sunny day for our drive to Shiloh National Military Park last Saturday. This tall pine tree is the nesting place for a pair of Bald Eagles. There are signs asking people not to get closer to it than the split-rail fence. We parked on the far side and walked around on the road.

We were told there was one eaglet in the nest. There were a half-dozen people standing around with binoculars and cameras, hoping to get photos of the parents bringing food to the baby bird. We considered ourselves lucky to see the head of one of the adults peeking over the edge of the nest.

2. Gardening

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 23, 2019

I am not able to make a big garden like I would like to have, but I can plant in containers! For just the two of us, five tomato plants will be enough. I bought these plants and set them out last week. From front to back: Red Beefsteak, Big Boy, Big Beef, Early Girl, and Better Boy. Red Beefsteak is listed as an Heirloom Tomato; the others are hybrids. All are indeterminate types. I brought only two tomato cages from the barn to the house to make sure they would fit around the containers; I will get the others before the plants are big enough to need them.

3. Favorite Photo of the Week

Ballard Park, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, April 21, 2019

Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias. I see Great Blue Herons fairly often (I know where to look!), but I rarely catch one in flight, so I was delighted to get this one flying low.

4. Turtles (Weekend Reflections)

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, April 21, 2019

I found these turtles in a pond near the Natchez Trace Parkway. You would think that with the bright yellow bottom shells they would be Yellow-bellied Sliders, but when I looked them up, I discovered there are several different kinds of turtles with yellow bottom shells!

5. Spiderwort (Wildflower Wednesday and Floral Friday Fotos)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 23, 2019

Spiderwort, Tradescantia, is a genus of wildflowers native to the Americas from Canada to Argentina. They were introduced to Europe in the 17th century and are now grown in many parts of the world. There are many color variations. I found these on the side of the road and moved them to my garden.

I will be away from my computer for a few days. I will visit your blog when I get back.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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

For more reflection photos, visit Weekend Reflections: Click Here!

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

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

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

Thankful Thursday, April 25, 2019

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

I am thankful for Camp Bluebird for Cancer Survivors. I am 5 years in remission (leukemia), and I praise God for every day of it! The north Mississippi Camp Bluebird is this weekend. We will stay in cabins on beautiful Bay Springs Lake. Food! Fun! Fellowship!

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 Kingbird, April 24, 2019

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and My Corner of the World
P is for Pittsburg Landing

Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, April 20, 2019

Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River was the gathering point for the Union Army in April of 1862 during the American Civil War. The Battle of Pittsburg Landing (now referred to as the Battle of Shiloh) cost thousands of lives, and was a major loss for the Confederate Army. The Military Cemetery is just up the hill from here on the left. The battlefield is now Shiloh National Park and is open to the public at no charge.
For more information on Pittsburg Landing - National Park Service: Pittsburg Landing

Now, on to happier things!

The bird is an Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus, a common North American flycatcher. As their name implies, flycatchers catch insects, usually in mid-air. They supplement their insect diet with fruit and berries. They are migratory birds that spend the colder months in Mexico and Central America, though some visit the southwestern United States.

After I had time to admire and photograph its beautiful tail and wing feathers, it very obliging turned around to give me a front view!

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 My Corner of the World: Click Here!

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

Ballard Park, April 23, 2019

Our World Tuesday and All Seasons

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, April 21, 2019

Ballard Park is a nice little city park with a walking track through a wooded area. The small structures you see are exercise stations to encourage people to stretch and do simple arm and leg exercises.

When we were there Sunday afternoon, there were wildflowers blooming under the trees. I think these are Wood Sorrels (or some kind of Oxalis).

There is a small lake with ducks and geese. Children (and adults, too) enjoy feeding them, and there are two children's playgrounds for their entertainment, too.

I was surprised to see a Great Blue Heron there with the Canada Geese!

It flew when people got too close, but landed again not far away.

And of course, there are squirrels!

The park also includes acres of sports fields, but I was more interested in the natural world side of it.

I hope you have a beautiful day!

Linking today with Our World Tuesday and All Seasons

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

The Barn Collective, April 21-22, 2019

The Barn Collective, I'd Rather B Birdin', and Through My Lens

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 6, 2019

This old barn may not be here much longer if those vines are allowed to take over.
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Your bird for today is...

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 20, 2019

… a female Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo.

Have a wonderful week!

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!

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

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

Happy Easter! April 21, 2019

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 21, 2019

A shirt for today and every day by Girlie Girl Originals™

Happy Easter!

Willy Nilly Friday, April 19, 2019

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

1. Storm Clouds (Sky Watch Friday)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 18, 2019

Strong winds began moving storm clouds into our area on Thursday morning. By nightfall we had heavy rain with more rain in the forecast for today (Friday).

2. Good Food!

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, April 15, 2019

At IHOP (International House of Pancakes): a Double BLT (bacon, lettuce, tomato) sandwich with fresh fruit (grapes, pineapple, watermelon). I tell myself that the healthy fresh fruit cancels out the fat in the bacon!

3. Star of Bethlehem (Floral Friday Fotos)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 17, 2019

Star of Bethlehem, Ornithogalum umbellatum, is a tiny member of the Lily family. It is native to the Mediterranean region, but is now grown in other parts of the world. The leaves in this photo are Wood Violets that are threatening to smoother them out. I probably need to move them.

This photo, while not as pretty as the one above, shows the Star of Bethlehem foliage. You see the green streak on the outside of the buds - when the flowers open the green will be on the back of the petals.

4. Turtles (Saturday's Critters)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 16, 2019

The collective noun for a group of turtles is a bale or a nest. I would like to suggest: a log of turtles!

5. Chipping Sparrow (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Prentiss County, Mississippi, April 6, 2019

There are a lot of sparrows, and it is sometimes difficult to tell them apart, but I feel sure that this is a Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina.

They eat grass seeds, insects, and small fruit. I most often see them foraging on the ground. It looks like this one is collecting material to build a nest.

Happy Easter!

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, April 18, 2019

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Thankful for wildflowers!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 17, 2019

I love flowers, and a flower that will grow without any help from me... well, I am thankful!
This is Lyre-leaf sage, Salvia lyrata. Bloom color ranges from white to purple.

I am thankful I have room in my yard to let it spread. If your space is limited, you probably should not grow it as it self-seeds and may be invasive. After it blooms, we mow it down, knowing it will be back next Spring.

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.

On The Nest, April 17, 2019

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and My Corner of the World

O is for On The Nest

female Mallard Duck, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, March 20, 2019

It is Spring in the northern Hemisphere - the time for birds to be On The Nest! Thanks to the power of a zoom lens, I got the photo without getting close to her sitting On The Nest.

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 My Corner of the World: Click Here!

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

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, April 2019

The northeast corner of Mississippi, USA zone 7

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 14, 2019

For you who live in the eastern half of the United States, the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are back. If you do not have your feeders out yet, they may just pass you by in favor of your neighbor's garden!

I have a few Daffodils, Narcissus, still blooming

Encore Azalea 'Autumn Royalty'

Snowball, Viburnum

Red Buckeye, Aesculus pavia

Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora'

Wisteria

A double white Clematis (Sorry, I have forgotten its name).

Virginia Spiderwort, Tradescantia virginiana, a wildflower I rescued from the side of the road last year.

Pink Dogwood Tree, a cultivar of the native White Flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida.

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

To see flowers from around the world, visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens: 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, April 14, 2019

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, April 3, 2019

As you may have guessed from the looks of this barn, horses live here.
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Your bird for today is...

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, April 11, 2019

… a Canada Goose.

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, April 12, 2019

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

1. Blue Skies! (Sky Watch Friday)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 10, 2019

We had rain Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, but clear skies for the rest of the week. The white you see on the left shore is a dogwood tree.

More rain is in the forecast for the entire weekend, starting today (Friday).

2. Farming

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, April 11, 2019

Be careful! There are some really big machines on the roads at this time of the year!

3. Mayapples (Floral Friday Fotos)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 10, 2019

Mayapples, Podophyllum peltatum, are wildflowers native to the eastern half of North America. They spread by underground roots, and over time will form great masses of plants. I bought two at a plant sale last year, and now I have three!

The small delicate flowers form at the leaf axis. Plants that have only one leaf do not bloom. Look for them in open woodlands as they prefer dappled shade.

4. Insects (Saturday's Critters)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, March 14, 2019

The weather was still cold a month ago when I made this photo of our first bee. Now with warmer weather, they are everywhere!

Corinth, Mississippi, USA, April 8, 2019

I was intrigued by the shadows cast by this Cranefly on our car.

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, April 11, 2019

Let the weeds grow! They are food for the butterflies!
Thanks to RedPat at Occasional Toronto, I have identified the butterfly as an American Lady.

5. Red-winged Blackbirds (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, April 7, 2019

A male Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, March 12, 2019

The mottled brown color of the female Red-winged Blackbird gives her camouflage protection on the nest.

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, please visit Eileen for Saturday's Critters and Anni at I'd Rather B Birdin'

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