This blog is for my insights on life, the Bible, hiking adventures with my grandson and whatever is important to me
Author: Deb L Waters
I am an avid reader. I read mostly Amish fiction but also read other novels. I enjoy romance, mystery, and Christian devotionals. I enjoy hiking in the outdoors, especially in Greenways and State or National Parks. I love my grandson. He is my favorite subject, so I'll post about him and his antics.
Judy invites us to join in with her to play “The Numbers Game #55.”Today’s number is 176. To play along, she suggests you go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find that include that number and post a link to your blog in herNumbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title.This prompt will repeat each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog in comments below.
Here are my contributions to The Numbers Game Challenge:
Signs can be found on almost any road, dirt road, trail or greenway. When Coleman and I go hiking we usually see a sign or two. It doesn’t matter if we are walking through town or hiking along a trail or greenway, signs help guide the way or possibly warn of danger. No matter the sign or location one can gather pertinent information and notice the different geometric shapes the signs represent.
Here are my entries for this week …
On the Road to the Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier
Share the Road Sign on Cramer Mountain Road
Fishing Line Recycling Bin Sign on left Park & Greenway Rules and Regulations Sign on right located on side of entrance to the Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier
Warning: Recommended Flow by the Catawba Riverkeeper Sign by the Ramp to the Fishing Pier
Ilex opaca, also known as American Holly, is a holly species which is native to the Eastern and South-Central United States. This Holly was loaded with its red berries bringing a bit of colour to the nature trail.
Seen while Coleman and I were hiking the Disc Golf Trail at Goat Island Park and Greenway in Cramerton.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Disc Golf Trail; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Be Observant. Show Gratitude. Love to all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week has been pretty cold ( low’s in the low 20’s), I know that’s not as cold as some of y’all see but it’s freezing for us. Therefore, I chose to go through my archive file of doors. Look out all the lines, angles, squares, and rectangles. Can you spot other Geometric patterns/shapes? Hopefully you’ll enjoy viewing Coleman’s antics as I fondly remember them. I am also linking up with GeometricJanuary and Throwback Thursday.
Coleman trying to open Refrigerator Door when he was two (2).
In this last photo (animation) we had a “lock” on the Refrigerator Door to try to keep him from getting into it. As you can see it didn’t keep him from trying.
God Bless. I’m Grateful for being allowed to watch Coleman grow up with all his antics, experiences, and expressions. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week’s Monochrome Madness is hosted by Dawn from The Day After Blog. She has given us challenge theme of Places of Worship. For this challenge I selected a few from current and archived photos to use this week.
Here are my selections:
The first three were taken in 2020 when I went walking around my Aunt’s town while I was visiting her in Abilene, Texas.
Church of Christ 5th and Grape St Abilene, Texas
The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest Abilene, Texas
The Galilee Baptist Church was built in 1963. Galilee Baptist Church 1011 Briarwood St Abilene TX 79603
The Westfield Presbyterian Church Westfield, New Jersey
Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church 51 8th Ave, Cramerton, NC 28032, USA
This last church is the church I attended all through my growing up years (from Kindergarten through College). It is currently known as Grace Church San Diego. When I attended this church it was known as Scott Memorial Baptist Church and was pastored by Dr. Tim F. LaHaye, co-author of the Left Behind series of books.
Grace Church San Diego Formerly Known as Scott Memorial Baptist Church 4637 Oregon Street San Diego, CA 92116
For this week’s challenge by Dan’s CFFCI decided to search through my archives to see what I could select for his challenge of Wide and Narrow. I believe these from my time in San Diego will work nicely.
El Cortez
The El Cortez was built from 1926-1927. At the time it was built, it was the tallest building in San Diego. It is located on top of a hill at the north end of San Diego.
When it first opened in 1927 and on through the 1950’s it was a renowned apartment-hotel. The large “El Cortez” sign (which is illuminated at night) was added in 1937 and could be seen for miles.
When I was in high school, several groups like the Kiwanis Club of San Diego would hold luncheons with guest speakers at the El Cortez. My American Government teacher allowed a few students during various weeks to attend the Kiwanis luncheon. He had one requirement for those who attended, that was to give a report regarding the speaker messages to the class the next class session. I was fortunate enough to have been given the privilege of attending of the Kiwanis Club luncheons at the El Cortez Hotel.
View of San Diego High-rises from across San Diego Bay. The Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel is one of several High-Rises located near Seaport Village.
The Manchester Grand Hyatt consists of two towers, the 40-story Harbor Tower built in 1992 and the 33-story Seaport Tower which was added in 2003. The taller of the two towers stands as the highest waterfront building on the West Coast. It has 40 floors and 1,628 rooms. It is also considered the largest hotel in Southern California.
1. Would you consider 2024 to have been a good year?
I would consider 2024 to be a mixture of good and bad. We had some hard trying times with difficulties, but with perseverance we made it through with the Lord’s strength and guidance.
2. What has been the highlight of 2024 for you?
I am not sure what I would consider the highlight of 2024 to be, however, the best of times I experienced throughout 2024 were the many hiking adventures I had with my grandson, Coleman.
3. Did you keep any New Year resolutions if you made any in January?
I gave up making New Year’s Resolutions a long long time ago. I’ve tried setting goals, but even those are sometimes not met. I did make my reading goal though.
4. Are you looking forward to 2025?
I am actually, for once, looking forward to experiencing new adventures with Coleman and possibly with my daughter on occasion. Hopefully, we can make the trip we’ve been wanting to take since June of 2018. The trip would be to go out to Boulder City (just southwest of Las Vegas), Nevada to pay our respects at burial site of my husband and my children’s father. And hopefully as down to San Diego, California to visit with his only living brother.
Gratitude:
“Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.”
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & Star filter attachment.
Location:South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week and enjoy nature. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Charlotte-Douglas International Airport; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Good Bless. Take time to be Grateful. Appreciate your Blessings. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This (PPAC)of Bigfoot ( also known as Sasquatch) is located on the Disc Golf Trail at Goat Island Park and Greenway in Cramerton, North Carolina. This is the first time Coleman and I hiked this trail since Hurricane Helene. After the flood damage to the trail in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene; the trail was blocked off prohibiting access temporarily until repairs could be completed. We did not recall seeing Sasquatch previously. Coleman was fascinated by the Bigfoot and had to check it out.
One week of the New Year is done and gone, looking forward to all there is to discover as we continue moving forward in 2025. Here is my First Monday Window for 2025 …
Monday Window is a weekly blog post challenge featuring one or more photos of windows, prominently or as the main subject.
Monday Window posts are published each Monday morning at 3:15 UTC.
To join the challenge, release a post featuring a window or windows any time during the week.
► Tag your post “Monday Window” (NOTE: Put a space between Monday and Window, no “s”, Window is singular.) The WordPress Reader will show most of the recent posts tagged this way (alas, not all).
► Add a comment to the latest Monday Window post and include a link to your latest Monday Window post.
Please visit the participating blogs.You will be delighted and astounded by the rich and imaginative offerings by the bloggers from around the world.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & Star filter attachments.
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Relax by the River. Be inspired to be You. Nature’s Beauty is amazing. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Relax by the River. Be inspired to be You. Nature’s Beauty is amazing. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coleman was playing with his small soccer ball on the bank of the South Fork Catawba River. He tried making a blockade to keep it from sliding into the water, but alas it failed. His soccer ball with its geometric shapes rolled down into the river.
These depict the travel of his soccer ball floating down the South Fork Catawba River, lost to him forever. Bye, bye soccer ball. Click on each image ( if desired) for larger enhanced viewing.
When Coleman and I visited the Greenway on New Year’s Afternoon we actually Pulled Up a Seaton a bench on the other side of the Pier. Couldn’t resist taking a picture of this one with the resident Muscovy Duck sitting nearby.
This Muscovy Duck was friendly with no qualms about approaching Coleman. ( Those pics are for a future post). It would come really super close to Coleman. When we first arrived Coleman sat down with his construction trucks and dinosaurs near his favourite tree. The Muscovy Duck seemed to think that tree was its spot. It appeared to be saying “Why are you in my area?” It walked all around Coleman and decided he was friendly enough, so he would share the area.
It wasn’t until some people came to the river with a dog that the duck switched locations to the area pictured above.
Location: At the South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Talk a Walk. Pull Up a Seat and Relax in Nature. Enjoy the Views. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
On January 1st, Coleman and I hiked a short ways to the Riverside Park and Greenway. While Coleman was playing in the sand by the South Fork Catawba River, snappy few shots with my camera. Being observant of my surroundings, I captured some fascinating GeometricJanuary shapes.
Look at all the joints holding the pier together. Amazing what you find when you look underneath.
Another angle 📐 of the underside of the fishing pier.
If you thought the architectural design of the joints on the underside were fascinating, then you would be astounded by the sun’s rays radiatingover the water. Don’t you think it looks radiant ?
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.
Location: Riverside Park and Greenway Fishing Pier; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton. North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take time to relax and enjoy yourself. Get Outdoors and admire the beauty in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week’s Which Way Challenge theme is Any Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails. You may post one or as many as you like, just make sure your Which Way is clearly distinguishable. Remember signs are always welcome.
Here are my Which Ways for this week …
These are leaf covered dirt trails at the Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier location in Cramerton, North Carolina. Coleman and I hiked them, on Christmas Day, to see where they’d take us. Unfortunately, due to unrepaired damage to the trails from Hurricane Helene, parts of the trails are unrestored and nonfunctional at this time.
This Bridge was barricaded declaring it was unsuitable and hazardous rendering it off-limits to hikers/pedestrians.
Many thanks to WoollyMuses, for their Which Ways. You might want to check out their Silver and/or Gold Which Ways.
Cameras: 1-5) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; 6-7) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura NP filter attachment.
Location: Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier Trails; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. Hope to see your Which Ways showing your Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails. I appreciate y’all very much.
God Bless. Happy New Year to one and all. Enjoy Nature. Take time to Smell the Flowers. I am Grateful for each and every one of y’all. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Side Garden; Cramer Memorial United Methodist Church; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. May your blessings abound throughout this New Year. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Back Shop North Carolina Transportation Museum
The Back Shop is the largest building on the grounds of the North Carolina Transportation Museum. When it was constructed in 1905 for Spencer Shops, it was the largest industrial building in the state. It was used for the complete overhaul of steam locomotives. The North Carolina Transportation Museum is located in Spencer, North Carolina. It is a great place to visit for “Kids” of all ages. Coleman enjoyed it when he was only two.
Location: The Back Shop; North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. I’m Grateful for the friendships I’ve made through the various blogging challenges on WordPress. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Where I live we still have a little over two and a half hours before 2025’s arrival. I do not normally do year end reviews and I’ve long since given up on making any New Year’s Resolutions. This year Sunday Stills is asking us to do an Annual Year in Review. Therefore, I decided to give a few tidbits of my 2024.
951 posts on WordPress
Written a total of 129.2K words in my WP posts
Participated regularly in blogging challenges. (I’ll miss Cee and her Challenges).
Commented on many posts
Had 10,153 views (for some this may not seem like a lot, but to me it is)
Had 4,125 visitors
Had 6,438 likes
Other Activities outside of Blogging:
Read 121 e-books
Read for a minimum of 30 minutes all 365 days
Read all 52 weeks of the year
Visited 5 cities in my area
Visited and Hiked at 14 different parks or greenways
Made many friends here on WordPress
My grandson started Kindergarten ( I’ve walked him to school most days)
My grandson hikes anywhere and everywhere with me
We moved out of an apartment and into a rental house one town over. (Coleman loves it. It is in walking distance to two greenways).
Now for my Floral Year in Review:
January Flowers (sad to say not many):
February Flowers:
Think I made up for only one in January
March Flowers:
April Flowers:
May Flowers:
June Flowers:
July Flowers:
August Flowers:
September Flowers:
October Flowers:
November Flowers:
December Flowers:
I am grateful for each and everyone who has visited, liked, and or commented on my blog. I hope to see y’all participating in the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) in 2025. Happy New Year!
Brian from Bushboys World invites everyone to post their Last Photo on the Card or smartphone. Here are Brian’s suggestions regarding his Last On the Card Challenge…
Your last photo doesn’t have to be on the very last day of the month if you didn’t take any photos on that day. Maybe it was earlier in the month when the last photo was taken.
Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 31st or whenever your last photo was taken. No editing. No explanations needed. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments on Brian’s Post. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment.
Location: Off Cramerton Mountain Road; Near Baltimore Fishing Pier; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week and enjoy nature. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
First off, let’s take a look at a TALL building in Abilene, Texas. I visited my Aunt (my mom’s sister) in 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since our plans of visiting other relatives didn’t pan out due to social distancing mandates, I took many long walks around my Aunt’s neighborhood. I was not just out for the exercise, but also to explore the area. I came across this Tall Building on one of my walkabouts.
The Enterprise Tower Abilene, Texas
The Enterprise Tower was originally known as the First State Bank Tower and then Bank of America Building. It was constructed in the early 80’s and completed in 1984. This is the tallest building in Abilene with its twenty (20) stories at Two Hundred Eighty-Five (285) feet (87 meters). It ranks as the 6th tallest building in West Texas.
And now we’ll take a look see at a building on the shorter side of things located at The Schiele Museum of Natural History’s Catawba Indian Village in Gastonia, North Carolina. The Schiele Museum is a favourite place Coleman enjoys visiting. [The museum also has Dinosaurs 🦖 🦕 on display.]
Early Log Cabin
Information listed on the sign in front of the Early Log Cabin …
This log house reflects the rapid change that the Catawba lifestyle was undergoing throughout Scots-Irish and German settlements of this region in the 18th century. This home is a native adaptation of the log cabins being built by these settiers. The first Catawba cabins were built of unhewn logs with shingle roofs and a central smoke hole. These smoke holes began being replaced with chimneys of stone and logs, as seen here, in the mid-1700s.
This Early Log Cabin is one of several different types of homes in the Catawba Indian Village that were once used by the native Catawba Indians in our area.
Photo Credit: 2020-2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved
Cameras: 1) Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max; 2) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
God Bless. May your blessings be long upon the Earth and be you experience tons of joy, peace, love, and happiness throughout the rest of 2024 and all throughout 2025. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Posting as part of WWE and Judy’s Numbers Game #54-175. This week I have decided to post photos from the Baltimore Fishing Pier instead of finding the 175 numbered photos. These all linked in a new album in my files. I thought you’d enjoy the photos I shot from the Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier. Enjoy the video.
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment
Location: Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take Care. Here’s to many happy days of love, joy, and laughter in 2025. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coleman and I hiked to the Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier on Christmas Day. Whenever we a near a lake or river, Coleman likes to throw sticks, rocks, or whatever he can find into the water. He likes seeing the ripple effect and even more so when he can get a big splash from whatever he throws into the water.
Here’s what I managed to capture from his efforts …
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment.
Location: Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. Have a wonderful week and a Happy New Year. I appreciate y’all very much.
America’s longest living President passed away yesterday, December 29, 2024, at the age of 100 in Plains, Georgia.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter Credit: 2014 LBJ Library
Former President Jimmy Carter was born James Earl Carter, Jr in Plains, Georgia on October 1, 1924. He served as our 39th President from 1977 to 1981. He was a distinguished Naval Officer, author and humanitarian. He along with his wife, Rosalyn, founded the Carter Center. He was involved in efforts to resolve conflict, promote democracy, protect human rights, and prevent disease and other afflictions. For many years the Carters volunteered one week a year for Habitat for Humanity.
President Jimmy Carter’s death comes just two years after his wife’s, former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, death. He went into Hospice care in February of 2023.
Jimmy Carter was a true humanitarian, working continuously to seek to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhancing freedom and democracy and ensuring to improve health. He was awarded the Noble Peace Prize in 2002 for his humanitarian efforts.
His son, Chip Carter made a statement “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” which I am in total agreement. He was a selfless man who tirelessly worked to improve life around the world, always seeking peace, demonstrating his unselfish love.
God Bless. May your days be filled with joy, peace, and love throughout this week and into the coming New Year. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Railway Cars located at The North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina. The Museum has several Trains, Train Engines, Airplanes, Antique Cars and other transportation vehicles on display for visitors to see for a minimal cost.
I took Coleman to the North Carolina Transportation Museum back in 2021 just after he turned 2. He loved seeing the variety of transportation vehicles on display.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment.
Location: Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier; Off Cramer MountainRoad; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Happy New Year! Venture into Nature. Take a Hike/Walk. Enjoy Life. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Helix/R coming soon to Cramerton has begun construction. The Helix/R Project is a privately funded partnership between Cramerton and the Carolina Thread Trail. The Helix was originally installed in Charlotte in 1983. It was donated to Cramerton in 2018. Its installation began this past week in Riverside Park and Greenway near the bridge. Riverside Park and Greenway is a part of the Carolina Thread Trail; connecting people to nature and the surrounding environment.
Coleman and I refilled our bird feeder today to the delight and contentment of Northern Cardinals as well as a variety of other bird species.
The birds have a tendency to jostle some of the bird seeds around while they are grabbing a bite and flying off. Some will stay awhile for a bit of contented munching while others snatch and flee to and fro. They do fly here and there spreading the word and then flying back for more.
After filling the feeder, we had some loose seeds, so instead of putting them back in the back we spread them out on the railing. Coleman loves to watch the birds eating the bird feed we put out. Today, the Female Northern Cardinals were displaying contentment, enjoying the feed we spread out for their content.
Location: As seen through our Front Window; Our Front Porch Railings; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Be Content with who you are. You are loved. Dwell in the Contentment of our Lord God. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Let this be a loving reminder That someone is missing today, Someone our hearts still hold on to, As we travel along life’s way. Someone who made life so special, For all those who gather here. Someone who won’t be forgotten, But cherished from year to year. And now, as we pause to remember, Let us all fondly recall, How dearly each of us loved her, And oh…how she loved us all!
God Bless. Happy New Year to one and all. Enjoy Nature. Take time to Smell the Flowers. I am Grateful for each and every one of y’all. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
My entries here are from The Lindsay Pettus Greenway’s Lighting of the Greenway. Whenever Coleman and I are hiking in a Greenway, State or National Park, we do not Rush; instead we take our time strolling through the paths and trails in taking everything there is to see. Nature is amazingly beautiful and peaceful, there is never a need to Rush. Take your time, relax and enjoy your journey.
Golden Snowflake
Silver and Gold Lined Pathway
Shining Brightly
Sparkling Snow Droplets Covering a Bridge
Can you sense the Snow ❄️?
Bonus: Gold at the Christmas Market
Please make sure your which way is the main object of your photo. Thanks.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i
Location: Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Season Greetings. Enjoy your holidays. Remember the Reason for the Season. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coleman and I spotted these flowers while hiking along the trail in Central Park the other week. There’s not much in this Wildlife Habitat that we could see, but maybe it’ll seem more appealing in the Spring.
Location: Wildlife Habitat; Hiking Trail; Central Park; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. As we approach 2025, may God watch over you, keep you safe, fill you with hope, joy, peace, and love. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Out of the Darkness and into the early Dawn as Coleman walked out the back door for us to head to the bus stop, he said look Grandma and pointed towards the back fence. He wanted me to see what he was seeing.
Here’s what he was seeing …
These were taken in the early dawn when it was still dark outside. I have cataracts and cannot see out of my left eye, it is difficult for me to see in the dark. Thus, these are not as clear as I would prefer but will still give you an idea of what Coleman was seeing coming out of the darkness.
Location: Our Backyard; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Come out of the Darkness and Dwell in the Light of Jesus. Hallelujah! Christ’s birth is the Reason we celebrate Christmas. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Today’s sightings at our bird feeder reminded me of a previous post. Today’s visitors were several Female Eastern Bluebirds. Therefore, I thought it’d be fitting to reblog my previous post Birds of the Carolinas #18.
Eastern Bluebird
The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) is one of many common species of birds in North and South Carolina. It is a small North American migratory thrush which is found in woodlands, farmlands, and orchards.
The Male Bluebirds have a bright head, back, and wings. Their breast is a reddish-brown colour. The females are lighter with gray on the head and back and some blue on their wings and tail. The females breast is lighter in colour than the males, and is more orangish.
Eastern Bluebird
The Eastern Bluebird is observed east of the Rockies, from southern Canada down to the Gulf States, and southeastern Arizona to Nicaragua. Bluebirds tend to live in open country surrounded by trees, but with little understory and sparse ground cover.
Eastern Bluebird
The Eastern Bluebirds pictured above were observed sitting on a wire outside my front porch in our area of Western North Carolina. They are social, and sometimes gather in flocks of over a hundred. Even so, they are territorial during the breeding season and may possibly continue to defend a feeding area throughout winter.
Eastern Bluebirds eat mostly insects, wild fruit and berries. Occasionally, Eastern Bluebirds have also been observed capturing and eating larger prey items such as shrews, salamanders, snakes, lizards and tree frogs.
Eastern Bluebirds can live for around six (6) to ten (10) years. The oldest recorded Eastern Bluebird was at least 10 years, 6 months old. It had been banded in New York in May 1989, and was found dead in South Carolina November 1999.
In spite of this, most bluebirds die within their first year of life. Even though Starvation and freezing are a danger to the young, that is not their largest threat. The largest threat to the Eastern Bluebirds comes from other animals including humans. Some of the animals which are dangerous and threatening to the bluebirds are rat snakes, racers, American kestrels, and domestic cats.
Take time to enjoy nature. Observe your surroundings, you might see interesting birds or other interesting finds. The birds in the above two photos were first spotted by my grandson and he insisted I snap a picture of them. One is never too young to observe nature and enjoy birdwatching.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Enjoy the show. Have a Happy Holiday Season filled with Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Judy from Life Lessons’ invites us to play along with her in her Numbers Game Challenge. Her instructions are simple, just go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find that include that number and post a link to your blog in my Numbers Game blog of the day.
Nornal Hule & Doyce Eileen Waters Taken in 1976 for their 25th Anniversary If they were alive today, it’d be their 73rd. Love lasts a lifetime and into eternity.
May God’s hope, peace, joy, and love surround you this Advent season.
Location: Allied Gardens Community; San Diego, California, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week and enjoy nature. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Melville Dairy operated in Burlington, North Carolina for forty (40) years from 1927 to 1967.
Original
It used Horse-Drawn Wagon during its early years of operation in and around Burlington. It was founded by brothers Ralph Henderson Scott Sr. and Henry A. Scott.
Monochrome
It first sold dairy products directly from the family farm in the Hawfields community. By 1935, the brothers had built a plant in Burlington to process and sell milk from their own farm and other local dairies. Eventually, 150 farms provided milk to Melville Dairy Products
Stylized
Coleman and myself saw this Melville Dairy Wagon on display when we visited The North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina back in 2021. [He loved seeing all the automobiles, carriage, airplanes and trains.] It was restored by Byron Hargrove Siler City, NC.
Al Generated Stylization
All information regarding this Melville Dairy Wagon was obtained from the NC Transportation Museum.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 
