Summer Tanager, September 30, 2020

Wild Bird Wednesday, My Corner of the World, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Click on the photo to see it at its best.

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 21, 2020

I feel pretty sure that this is a juvenile male Summer Tanager. If any of you more experienced birders think differently, please let me know. Summer Tanagers, Piranga rubra, are migratory birds who breed in the southern United States. Their migration may take them as far south as the middle of South America. The females and juveniles are yellow; the males are red. Judging by the few red feathers among the yellow, this is a young male beginning to get his adult feathers. I was surprised to see it here at my house. It is the only one I have ever seen.

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!

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

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

Peppers, September 29, 2020

Harvest Monday, Our World Tuesday, and All Seasons

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 29, 2020

First I need to say I do not know the name of these peppers. A friend, who did not know what they were, gave the plants to me at the end of May. They bloomed very well, but were slow to develop peppers. It was only a couple of weeks ago that we began to get a harvest.

They are mild like a bell pepper. These will go into the large green salad we are having for lunch today.

Hope you have a wonderful week!

I am linking in today with Harvest Monday, Our World Tuesday, and All Seasons

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

Willy Nilly Friday, September 25, 2020

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday, Floral Friday Fotos, The Weekend in Black and White,

and on Saturday, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'.

Click on the photos to see them at their best.

1.This Week's Weather (Sky Watch Friday)

Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, September 20, 2020

We began the week with cool but sunny weather. A very nice day to visit Shiloh National Military Park!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 25, 2020

The rain began Wednesday, and continued on Thursday. The skies are still overcast this morning (Friday). Saturday's forecast is for a high of 78F (25C) with partly cloudy skies.

2. Kerria (Floral Friday Fotos)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 15, 2020

Kerria japonica 'Plentiflora' is a large, sprawling shrub. Careful pruning (after the flowers fade) is needed to keep it in a pleasing shape.

3. Wildflower Seeds (The Weekend in Black and White)

Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, September 20, 2020

The wildflowers are busy spreading their seeds!

4. Praying Mantis (Saturday's Critters)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 16, 2020

A Praying Mantis on one of my Hummingbird feeders. They eat insects, so I think it was waiting for bees to visit the feeder. I was surprised to learn that there is a larger non-native species of Mantis brought to the United States in the 1800s (to help control insects on crops) that is large enough to catch a Hummingbird! Just to be on the safe side, I noticed the Hummingbirds were visiting my other feeders, but not this one.

5. Eastern Bluebird (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 20, 2020

a female Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis.

Tomorrow, September 26th, is my blog anniversary - 9 years!

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 more black and white photos, visit The Weekend in Black and White: 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, September 24, 2020

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Click on the photos to see them at their best.

Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, September 20, 2020

I am thankful for cooler weather! On Sunday we went to Shiloh National Military Park, and walked some of the trails. I am doubly thankful for that nice weather, especially since yesterday and today are rainy days.

I am thankful for the fragile beauty of tiny wildflowers!

small flag at the base of a tree along the trail

And I am thankful to live in the United States!

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.

Northern Mockingbird, September 23, 2020

Wild Bird Wednesday and My Corner of the World

Click on the photo to see it at its best.

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 15, 2020

The speckles on its breast help to identify this bird as a juvenile Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos. As it matures, the breast feathers will become a light gray (almost white) color.

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.

Autumn! September 22, 2020

Our World Tuesday and All Seasons

American Civil War Battlefield, Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, September 20, 2020

Though we are not yet seeing leaves turning red and yellow, our temperatures are much cooler!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

I am linking in today with Our World Tuesday and All Seasons

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

Willy Nilly Friday, September 18, 2020

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday, Floral Friday Fotos, Signs 2,

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

1. Cloudy Skies (Sky Watch Friday)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 14, 2020

We had 3 inches (7cm) of rain last Saturday, and partly cloudy skies with a few showers this week. Actually, I stopped here to photograph the Egret, and thought the sky was interesting, too!

Great Egret, Ardea alba.

2. Spider Lily (Floral Friday Fotos)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 18, 2020

Spider Lilies, Lycoris, are members of the Amaryllis family of plants.

In late Summer or early Autumn they produce showy umbels of funnel shaped flowers.

They are perennials that bloom on bare stems; the leaves appear after the blooms fade.

3. The Ten Commandments (Signs 2)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 15, 2020

The Ten Commandments are not multiple choice.

4. Portrait of a Grasshopper (Saturday's Critters)

Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, September 8, 2020

It's not often that I can get a Grasshopper to pose for me!

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

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, September 13, 2020

The Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus, an American Plover, is most often seen near fresh-water ponds, mudflats, and sandbars.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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

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

For more photos of signs, visit Signs 2: 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.

Eurasian Collared-Dove, September 16, 2020

Wild Bird Wednesday and My Corner of the World

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, September 13, 2020

As you can guess by their name, Eurasian Collared-Doves, Streptopelia decaocto, are not native to North America. They apparently escaped from a pet shop in the Bahamas and flew to the southern United States. Now they can be found across much of the US and Mexico. Like other Doves, you can attract them to your yard by offering seed and grain on the ground or in a platform feeder.

Have a blessed 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.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, September 2020

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, Our World Tuesday, and All Seasons

The 15th of each month is Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

The northeast corner of Mississippi, USA zone 7b

Click on the photos to see them at their best.

There are still a few blooms in the topmost branches of Althea, Rose of Sharon, a tall shrub.

My Encore Azalea 'Autumn Royalty' is full of blooms.

Turk's Cap, Malvaviscus arboreus

The Spiderworts I found on the side of the road and moved to my garden are almost finished for this year.

It is no surprise that Asiatic Dayflowers are commonly called Mouse Ears! They are cute little things, but they can become invasive and difficult to control.

Honeysuckle is another invasive plant that has to be kept under strict control.

Cypress Vines, Ipomoea quamoclit, have feathery leaves and tiny star-shaped blooms.

For a look at things to come, my Spider Lilies, Lycoris, will probably open up tomorrow!

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

To see gardens around the world, visit May Dreams Gardens: Click Here!

To see what's going in various places, visit Our World Tuesday: Click Here!

Whatever season you are in, it is always fun to visit All Seasons: Click Here!

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

Pine Warbler, September 12, 2020

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

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 5, 2020

Here in northeast Mississippi, Pine Warblers, Setophaga pinus, are year-round residents, but their migratory range extends north into southeastern Canada and west alongside the Mississippi River. They eat insects, seeds, and fruit.

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.

Sky Watch Friday, September 11, 2020

Click on the photo to see it at its best.

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, September 8, 2020

We have had partly cloudy skies this week with cool morning temperatures, but later in the day, our temperatures are rising to about 90F (32C). Pickwick Lake and Dam is part of the Tennessee Valley Authority's system of locks and dams to produce electricity, create lakes for fishing, boating, etc., and improve navigation on the Tennessee River.

Have a wonderful day!

To see skies around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

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

Soup Recipe, September 8, 2020

Our World Tuesday, All Seasons, and My Corner of the World

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 5, 2020

Here in the southeastern United States, after a hot Summer, we are beginning to get cooler weather, especially in the mornings. And naturally, cooler weather means it is time to start thinking about soups! 

Lea's Vegetable Soup

Potatoes, as many or as few as you want, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces

One large Carrot or several smaller ones, cut into bite-sized pieces

One Sweet Yellow Onion, peeled and sliced

One clove of Garlic, peeled and cut into tiny pieces

Olive oil for sautéing the onion and garlic

One can of Beans, undrained (I like the dark red kidney beans to give more color to the soup)

One can of Fire-roasted Whole Kernel Corn, undrained (Del Monte)

One Chicken Bouillon Cube with Herbs and Spices (Wyler's)

One packet or cube of Ham Flavoring (Goya is the brand I like, but whatever you have will be good)

Directions

Put cut up potatoes and carrots in a soup pot. Add enough water to cover. Add cans of beans and corn with their liquid, and turn heat to medium-high. While waiting for the soup to boil, sauté the onion in olive oil. When the soup is boiling, add the garlic to the onion and sauté for one minute more. Add onions and garlic, and any oil in the skillet, to the soup. Add the chicken bouillon cube and ham flavoring. Stir well, turn heat down to a low boil, and cook until potatoes and carrots are tender.

I like the soup just the way it is, but my husband adds fresh-ground black pepper. Enjoy!

Have a blessed day!

I am linking in to My Corner of the World, All Seasons  and Our World Tuesday

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

Grackle, September 5, 2020

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

Click on the photo to see it at its best.

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, August 28, 2020

I spotted this juvenile Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula, on top of a car in a grocery store's parking lot!

Have a blessed day!

I am linking in today with Saturday's Critters and I'd Rather B Birdin' 

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

Great Egret, September 2, 2020

Click on the photo to see it at its best.

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, August 29, 2020

Great Egret, Ardea alba.

Have a wonderful day!

For more bird photos, visit Wild Bird Wednesday

For an interesting variety of photos, visit My Corner of the World

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