Willy Nilly Friday, November 9, 2018

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday, Orange You Glad It's Friday, Weekend Reflections,
and on Saturday, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

All of these photos were made last Saturday when we went with friends to look for Autumn leaf color.

1. Tennessee River (Sky Watch Friday)

Tennessee River in northwest Alabama, November 3, 2018

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2. Happy Fall Y'all

Waterloo, Alabama, USA, November 3, 2018

Not only do we say y'all here in the South, we write it, too!

3. Favorite Photo of the Week (Orange You Glad It's Friday)

Waterloo, Alabama, USA, November 3, 2018

Pond Cypress trees, Taxodium ascendens, in their Autumn foliage.

4. Rock Spring Nature Trail (Weekend Reflections and Saturday's Critters)

Lauderdale County, Alabama, USA, November 3, 2018

Rock Spring Nature Trail is a short walking trail that goes up and down a hill and alongside a pond. It is on the Natchez Trace Parkway just north of the Tennessee River.

It was a pleasant walk with pretty reflections in the pond.

On the pond at Rock Spring Nature Trail, November 3, 2018

The Autumn leaves were casting a yellow reflection at the edge of the pond, and I was quite pleased to get this photo of the turtles!

5. Heron and Crow (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Waterloo, Alabama, USA, November 3, 2018

The Great Blue Heron and the Crow (Raven?) spent several minutes together under a Pond Cypress tree. Do you think maybe they were talking about the chance of rain? (It did rain the next day).

Or perhaps the Great Blue Heron was bragging about what a large fish it caught and ate about 10 minutes earlier. It is absolutely amazing how much a heron's throat can stretch to swallow a large fish! (And their stomachs are very flexible, too).

Have a wonderful day!

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

For more on the color Orange, visit Orange You Glad It's Friday: Click Here!

For more photos of reflections, visit Weekend Reflections: 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,

Bridge with Reflection, November 3, 2018

The Weekend in Black and White and Weekend Reflections

Colbert County, Alabama, USA, October 29, 2018

The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge across the Tennessee River in northwest Alabama.

Here is the original photo, but I like it better in black and white!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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

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

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Willy Nilly Friday, November 2, 2018

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Orange You Glad It's Friday, Sky Watch Friday,
And on Saturday, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

1. Monarch Butterfly (Orange You Glad It's Friday)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, October 28, 2018

I was so excited to see a Monarch on my Butterfly Bush that I made a lot of photos!

I posted two photos on Monday, and now two more today. Don't be surprised if two or three more Monarch photos appear next week!

2. Tennessee River (Sky Watch Friday)

View of the Tennessee River from the Natchez Trace Parkway bridge in northwest Alabama, October 29, 2018

We had beautiful blue skies for our drive to Florence, Alabama, on Monday.

3. Favorite Photo of the Week

Colbert County, Alabama, USA, October 29, 2018

Great Blue Heron in late afternoon sunlight at Colbert Ferry Park on the Natchez Trace Parkway

4. Turtles (Saturday's Critters)

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, October 22, 2018

A large Softshell Turtle enjoying the sunshine, and...

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, October 27, 2018

… a few days later, a smaller Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle in the same spot!

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

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, October 27, 2018

Standing on one leg with the other leg tucked up under its feathers to conserve body heat

Have a wonderful day!

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

For more on the color Orange, visit Orange You Glad It's Friday: Click Here!

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

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

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

Black and White: Tennessee River, March 24, 2018

Lauderdale County, Alabama, March 21, 2018

The Natchez Trace Parkway bridge across the Tennessee River in northwestern Alabama.
It was a beautiful sunny day, but with a strong wind blowing.

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.
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Willy Nilly Friday, December 15, 2017

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday, and Good Fences

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

Ballard Park, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, December 14, 2017

Sunny, but cold and windy

2. Wildlife

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, December 11, 2017

Turtles enjoying a sunny day at a small pond near the Natchez Trace Parkway.

3. The Most Unusual Thing I have Seen This Week

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, December 8, 2017

This is NOT a real deer! It is painted on the back of a truck!

4. Beautiful Horse (Good Fences)

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, December 13, 2017

It is interesting to see the old weathered posts still standing next to the newer metal posts of this pasture.

5. Christmas Gift

I bought a pretty winter scarf to give my sister-in-law for Christmas, and then among all the Santas and Snowmen in the store, I found this lovely gift box for it.

Have a wonderful day!

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

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

For more fence photos, visit Good Fences Around The World: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Good Fences and Sky Watch, January 26, 2017

© Lea Holt - Lea's Menagerie

My computer is in the repair shop, so I am relying on photos from the past until I get it back. Looking in my archives, I found this sunset photo of the Tennessee River in October 2011.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

For more fence photos, visit Good Fences: Click Here!

For more sky photos, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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Spiny Orb Weaver, October 3, 2015

Camera Critters, Saturday's Critters, I'd Rather B Birdin', and Saturday Silhouettes

Camera Critters and Saturday's Critters

Spiny Orb Weaver Spider, Lee County, Mississippi, USA, September 15, 2015

Hiking a nature trail on the Natchez Trace Parkway, I almost walked into this spider's web. Luckily the spider was at head-height, and I saw it just in time. It is hanging upside down - those spots that look like eyes are just spots on its back.

Although Spiny Orb Weaver Spiders look fierce, they are non-aggressive and non-poisonous.

I'd Rather B Birdin'

Tishomingo State Park, Mississippi, USA, September 20, 2015

I always enjoy watching Great Blue Herons.

I was amazed to see this one lean so far forward without losing its balance!

Saturday Silhouettes

Colbert County, Alabama, USA, September 27, 2015

A skein of Canada Geese migrating south for the Winter.

Have a wonderful week-end!

For more Camera Critters: Click Here!

For more Saturday's Critters:  Click Here!

For more I'd Rather B Birdin':  Click Here!

For more Saturday Silhouettes:  Click Here!


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

Killdeer and Wildflowers, September 23, 2015

Wild Bird Wednesday, ABC Wednesday, Wildflower Wednesday, and Wednesday Waters

Wild Bird Wednesday and ABC Wednesday
K is for Killdeer

Killdeer, Guntersville Lake, Alabama, USA, September 11, 2015

The Killdeer, Charadrins vociferous, gets its name from its call, a shrill kill-deee, or killdeer, or sometimes dee-dee-dee. Their range covers most of North America and parts of South America.

Easily identified by the two black bands across the breast, Killdeer are the most common Plovers in the United States. (Weird how that rock looks like it has teeth).

Most often seen near water, Killdeer probe the mud to find and eat worms, snails, small crustaceans, and insects. Their colors blend in with the rocky shore. I didn't see the second one until I loaded the photos onto my computer!
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Wildflower Wednesday

On the Natchez Trace Parkway, Lee County, Mississippi, USA, September 13, 2015

Mimosa microphylla, Littleleaf Sensitive Briar, is a native wildflower of the southern United States.  It is a member of the Pea family, but its thumbnail-size bloom is nothing like what you expect from a Pea.

The thorny stems are weak so that the plant trails along the ground. The pinnate leaves react to being touched by closing up, hence the 'sensitive' part of its name. The leaves also close at night and on very cloudy days.

I think this pollinator is a Hoverfly, Milesia virginiensis, aka Good News Bee. It completely ignored me as I was down on my knees using my macro lens. It was systematically working its way across the bloom, getting nectar and/or pollen from each tiny port.

Wednesday Waters

Tishomingo County, Mississippi, USA, September 20, 2015

On Sunday we spent the afternoon at Tishomingo State Park. This view of Bear Creek was made from the bridge at the beginning of one of the hiking trails. Most of our trees are still green, but with cooler temperatures, we are beginning to see hints of Autumn color.

Hope You Have a Beautiful Day!

For more Wild Bird Wednesday: Click Here!

For more ABC Wednesday: Click Here!

For more Wildflower Wednesday: Click Here!

For more Wednesday Waters: Click Here!


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

Squirrels, Birds, and Bridges, July 18, 2015

Camera Critters and Saturday's Critters

 City Park, Booneville, Mississippi, USA

The most common squirrel here is the Grey Squirrel.  This one didn't want to yield the walking track to me!  I was able to get really close before it scampered off.

City Park, Booneville, Mississippi, USA

This Grey Squirrel has a genetic variation that scientists refer to as a color morph.  The Brown Morph causes its tail to be brown instead of grey. 

I'd Rather B Birdin'

Mockingbird, Booneville, Mississippi, USA, June 29, 2015

Always take your camera with you - birds are everywhere!  This Mockingbird was hopping along a hedge bordering a fast-food restaurant's parking lot.

Saturday Silhouettes

Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge across the Tennessee River, June 14, 2015

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Have a wonderful week-end!

For more Camera Critters:  Click Here!

For more Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more I'd Rather B Birdin': Click Here!

For more silhouette photos, visit Nick for Saturday Silhouettes: Click Here!


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

Deer Fence, July 9, 2015

Good Fences and Sky Watch Friday

Good Fences

This Deer Fence is at the end of a valley in Colbert county, Alabama, near the Rattlesnake Saloon Restaurant. (To see my post on the Rattlesnake Saloon: Click Here)

We did not see any deer on our most recent visit, but here is a photo from the Autumn of 2012.  The fence keeps the deer away from the restaurant and protects the deer from the hordes of people who come to eat there.

Sky Watch Friday

Lee county, Mississippi, USA, July 8, 2015

After a week of rain, we have sunny skies!

Have a Great Day!

For more Good Fences, visit The Run A Round Ranch:  Click Here!

On Friday, to check out the weather around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday:  Click Here!

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

Eastern Kingbird, June 17, 2015

Wild Bird Wednesday, ABC Wednesday, Signs, and Wednesday Waters

Wild Bird Wednesday

Eastern Kingbird, Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, June 1, 2015

The Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus, winters in the tropics and migrates north to breed in the United States and southern Canada.  They are aggressive in defending their nests, even driving away larger birds such as hawks.

Eastern Kingbird on fence near Tennessee River in northwestern Alabama, USA, June 14, 2015

Kingbirds belong to the Flycatcher family, and their primary source of food is flying insects.

ABC Wednesday
W is for Wings

Turkey Vulture, June 8, 2015, Prentiss county, Mississippi, USA

Turkey Vultures (aka Buzzards) are ugly in the face, but aren't their wings impressive? 
I spotted this one right after a rain.  He held this pose for a few minutes as if he was drying his wings.

Signs, Signs

Eagle nesting area, Shiloh, Tennessee, USA

About once a month we visit the Bald Eagle nest at Shiloh.  The area is fenced off to protect the eagles, but with a zoom lens it is possible to get photographs.

Young Bald Eagle, June 1, 2015

When we were there in May, this young eagle was still in the nest. On our June visit, it was on a limb below the nest.  The eagle parents will continue to feed the young eagle as they teach it to catch its own food (fish).  It will be several years before it has the characteristic white head feathers of a mature eagle.

Wednesday Waters

June 14, 2015

Natchez Trace Parkway bridge across the Tennessee River in northwest Alabama.

Have a Great Day!

For more Wild Bird Wednesday:  Click Here!

For more ABC Wednesday:  Click Here!

For more Signs, Signs:  Click Here!

For more Wednesday Waters:  Click Here!


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

Sky Watch Friday, May 29, 2015

Intersection of US Highway 78 and The Natchez Trace Parkway near Tupelo, Mississippi, USA

Sunday's clouds brought almost 5 inches (12cm) of rain on Monday.  Then on Wednesday we got 2 inches (5 cm) more. On Tuesday and Thursday the rain was limited to drizzles, sprinkles, and light showers. The forecast for the week-end: more rain.  But thankfully we have not had the terrible flooding that some people have endured.

All that rain made me a little bit crazy - I went on a shopping spree!  From head to toe: got my hair cut, ordered new eyeglasses (frames and lens), bought two dresses, a light sweater, underwear, and a pair of shoes.  If we get sunny weather next week, I'll be back to my normal, conservative, money-saving self.

Have a wonderful week-end!

To check out the weather around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday:  Click Here!

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