Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, January 2019

The northeast corner of Mississippi, USA zone 7
When I made these photos yesterday it was cloudy and cold, 38F (3.3C).
We have had a lot of rain, but no snow yet.

Hellebores!   I have had these so long that I don't remember their individual names.

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And a promise of things to come - buds on the Daffodils, Narcissus 

Northern Cardinal in an evergreen Holly Tree, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 5, 2019

Remember, for birdsong in the garden, feed the birds!

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

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The Barn Collective, January 13, 2019

The Barn Collective and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, January 7, 2019

Our neighbors raise beef cattle, but of course, there were none near the road when I stopped to get a photo!
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Your bird for today is...

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 10, 2019

. . . a Woodpecker at the suet feeder at my house.
I think this is a female Downy Woodpecker, but I am not sure.

Have a blessed day!

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B&W: Natural vs. Commercial, January 12, 2019

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, January 6, 2019

Great Blue Heron in a tree on the banks of the Tennessee River with the paper mill across the river in Counce, Tennessee, in the background. (The trees are bare only because it is Winter).

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Willy Nilly Friday, January 11, 2019

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

1. A Sunny Day! (Sky Watch Friday)

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, January 6, 2019

We have had a long string of rainy days, so when Sunday dawned bright and clear we had to get out and go somewhere! We drove up to Pickwick Dam on the Tennessee River to check the water levels and look for birds. Only a few of the spillways were closed; most of them were open to relieve the high water upriver.

There were a few Great Blue Herons fishing in the turbulent water, and we saw a flock of Coots on the other side of the dam.

2. Favorite Photo of the Week (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, January 6, 2019

Great Blue Heron: living life on the edge!
If you look closely, you can see that one of the heron's toes is exactly even with the end of the tree limb.

3. Growing Lettuce in the Winter!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 8, 2019

I sowed lettuce seeds in large tubs in September. I did it as an experiment to see how long I could keep them alive during the Winter. I cover them at night when our temperatures are below freezing.

We have had days of milder temperatures with plenty of rain. It encouraged the lettuce to produce enough new leaves for us to have salads earlier this week.

4. Possum in a Pear Tree! (Saturday's Critters)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 8, 2019

When we went outside early Tuesday morning to see why our dog was barking, we found an opossum in a tree just outside our back door!

Our dog settled down after she got our attention, but she was still keeping a close eye on it. We told her what a good girl she was, and petted her, and praised her. We let her keep it treed for about an hour, then we tied her in the front yard so that the opossum could escape back to the woods.

5. Birdwatching is Fun!

female Belted Kingfisher, Lee County, Mississippi, USA, January 3, 2019

I see a bird...

… and the bird sees me!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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And on Saturday,
For more animal photos, visit Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

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Thankful Thursday, January 10, 2019

Home of the Bearcats: Baldwyn, Mississippi, USA, January 8, 2019

I am thankful for sunny skies!
We have had a lot of grey drizzling rain days; a clear sky is so welcome.
The birds on the water tank are Vultures, but we call them Buzzards (Nature's clean-up crew).

Have a blessed day!

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Great Blue Heron, January 9, 2019

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and My Corner of the World
A is for Ardea herodias - Great Blue Heron

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, December 23, 2018

Great Blue Herons, Ardea herodias, are common across much of North America. Look for them wading in shallow water, standing completely still or slowly stalking fish. When their prey is spotted, they strike quickly and swallow the fish whole.

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, January 6, 2019

And sometimes you may see them up in trees near their favorite fishing spot!

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, January 6, 2019

Ardea herodias, Great Blue Heron: a compact body with a short tail, long legs, long neck, a sharp bill, and powerful wings.

Have a wonderful day!

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