Category: Becky’s Squares

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monochrome Monday Madness in Flowers

Caltha palustris
AKA Ranunculaceae, Kingcup

Chester Thornless Blackberry
Rubus ‘Chester’

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Monochrome Monday

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Moving Forward — Wanna Race?

And they’re off …

Hey, What’s that Mini Kart doing on the track?

Look at them Go …

Number 1 is about to Catch Up

Watching Races at the Cajon Speedway was one of my dad’s favourite things to do on a weekend. It is not something he was able to enjoy that often, but he was thrilled whenever the possibility occurred. When he wasn’t able to go to the Speedway, he would watch NASCAR or the Indy 500 when he could get control of the TV away from my mom. My dad would have been 95 this week. He’s been gone now for 28 years, however, I still miss him.

Becky’s Squares -Renew/Moving Forward/Reconstruct

Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge-May Alphabet a D anywhere in the word

Location: Cajon Speedway; El Cajon, California, USA September 1970

God Bless. Thank you for watching the races with us. The Cajon Speedway races don’t compare to the Coca Cola 600 which many people watched this weekend, but for El Cajon and San Diego County it was an amazing pastime. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 OWS: Playing Around the Hedge

***Vintage plus a little splash , a little blur …***

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Hedge

One to Three Photo Processing Challenge-May 2024

Becky’s Squares-Reconstructed (Processing)

Cee’s FOTD

John’s Cellpic Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone XR Rear Camera

Location: Glencairn Garden; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Weekend FOTD: Silently Burgeoning

Cee’s Weekend FOTD-2024.05.25/26

Silent Sunday

Becky’s Squares-Renew/Burgeoning

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 CMMC: May —Alphabet a D anywhere in the word

Visiting “D” Places From

California to North Carolina

Movieland Doors
Movieland Wax Museum
Buena Park, California
in May 1966

Moving Forward on
TWEETSIE RAILROAD
Boone, North Carolina
***in July 1969***

It’s a Small World
Disneyland
Anaheim, California
***in June 1970***

Hopi House
Pueblo Indian Dwelling
Grand Canyon, Arizona
***in January 1971***

View from Angels Landing
Angels Landing Trail
Zion National Park, Utah
***in August 1971***

Becky’s Square Renew-Moving Forward

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Digital Conversion of my dad’s slides were done using Wolverine’s Digital Converter.

God Bless. Thank you for traveling back in time across America with us. We had fun moving forward with memories reconstructing my dad’s old slides to share and preserve. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Wordless Wednesday: 05.22

Lathyrus odoratus

Sweet Pea ‘Turquoise’

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 FOTD: 05.21 —

Appalachian Ragwort

Becky’s #SquareRenew – Burgeoning

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Macro Monday: 05.20

Windows to the Soul

Do you think the eyes being the windows to the soul are only for humans? Have you ever really looked into a horse’s eyes? What do you see? One can tell a lot about a horse by looking into the eyes. You can see his/her strength, calmness, his playfulness, gentleness, and/or her steadfast heartbeat.

Do you see yourself in the horse’s eyes? Does the horse see you as playful, gentle, generous, knowledgeable. and a kind calm steadfast friend?

Horses can sense the type of person you are. They can tell whether you are frustrated, stressed, or irritable. They can also tell whether you are relaxed, calm, trusting, playful, and/or friendly. Horses can sense your mood and respond accordingly.

“The eyes are the mirror
of the soul and
reflect everything
that seems to be hidden;
and like a mirror,
they also reflect the person looking into them.”

Paulo Coelho, Manuscript Found in Accra

The horses my grandson, Cole, and I visit at the Greenway can sense our love for them. They respond to his friendliness and calm loving manners. Sometimes they approach much closer than we expect, knowing they will receive gentle loving attention and affection.

I see their strength, their gentleness, their trusting spirit, and their responsiveness to our hearts and our touch. I also see the reflections of the beauty surrounding them within the Greenway. I can also see the reflection of myself in their eyes.

Macro Monday

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max – Telephoto Camera.

Location: Greenway Stables; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Moving Forward on a Mine Train

Disneyland’s Mine Train

Through Nature’s Wonderland

Going back to our Disneyland adventure let’s take. Look at another attraction we rode. We are taking a look at our ride on Disneyland’s Mine Train through Nature’s Wonderland.

The Disneyland Mine Train was an attraction through Nature’s Wonderland in Frontierland that ran from May 28, 1960 until January 2, 1977. It was previously called Rainbow Caverns Mine Train and later became Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

The Mine Train rode past the mining town of Rainbow Ridge where you could observe what a mining town would have looked like with a hardware store, the El Dorado Hotel. It allowed you to feel like you were in the old west. The train would take you through a tunnel and into Beaver Valley, where you could witness beavers at work chomping their wood, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, foxes and other forest animals.

After Beaver Valley the train moved forward going across a bridge by Cascade Peak, where you could feel the mist coming from the waterfall on your skin. At this point you could see jumping fish, mountain goats, and swimming bears.

The narrator would announce where you were coming to and what you would see at each destination. From Beaver Valley the train moved forward into Bear Country where you could see 2 large elk with their antlers intertwined, fighting each other.

From there the Mine Train would continue moving forward taking you in a circular shape around the Living Desert, with the other half being a forest filled with desert cottontails, rattlesnakes, waterholes, tortoises, badgers, and armadillos. The displays made everything seem so realistic and lifelike.

The last portion of the ride took you through Rainbow Caverns. In the Caverns you could see giant stalagmites, stalactites, and colorful falls on every side.And if you looked real carefully, you’d see geyser grotto, and the witch’s cauldron.

Thanks for climbing aboard and joining us for our ride on Disneyland’s Mine Train through Nature’s Wonderland adventure.

Becky’s #SquareRenew – Moving Forward

Pull up a Seat-Week 20

Location: Frontierland; Disneyland; Anaheim, California, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Monday Portrait: 05.20

Close Up with an Alpaca

***You wanna See Me?***
**Here I Am.**
**Do you Like What you See?**

This is one of several Alpacas 🦙 in the Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm. As you might can tell, he is not afraid of getting close to visitors. He would welcome your visit if you were ever in his neighborhood.

Monday Portrait

Monochrome Monday

John’s Cellpic Sunday

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 OWS: Splashiness Reconstructs the Esthetics

Different splashiness affects the Aesthetics of trail and the desirability to attract hikers and visitors to the Greenway.

One Word Sunday-Splash

Becky’s Squares-Reconstruct

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Dogwood Trail; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Whatsoever is Lovely for Sunny Sunday and Macro Monday 2024.05.19/20

Neotephritis finalis,
the sunflower seed maggot

Whatsoever Is Lovely Challenge-2024 Week 19

Macro Monday

Sunny Sunday

John’s CellPic Sunday

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Sending y’all my birthday wishes of happiness, good health, peace, and an abundance of love throughout 2024 and beyond. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 CWWC: Traveling Around Disneyland in 1965

Traveling back in time to December 1965, to a family day trip. Packed and loaded in our 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 with a cooler of drinks, snacks, and sandwiches; we began our approximately hour and fifty-one (1hr 51min) drive north moving forward through the city streets until turning onto CA-94 and eventually onto the recently constructed I-5.

Upon arriving at the Disneyland entrance, my parents purchased our admission and ride tickets. General Admission prices for adults at that time was $2.60 per adult and included a ticket for the Monorail. Junior prices were $1.80 and Children’s admission prices were $1.10. Tickets for the rides cost extra. A book of 10 tickets ranged from $3.00 to $5.00.

In 1965, the cost of admission was considered a lot of money. However, people considered visiting Disneyland was a worthwhile family adventure.

After our tickets were purchased and we entered the park, we selected what rides we wanted to ride. We went to each ride or attraction as a family unit, not venturing off individually. Our first ride of choice was the Monorail.

The Monorail was considered as a mid-century marvel and captured the hearts and imaginations of the theme park and Disney fans. The Monorail was a Highway in the Sky which allowed for a unique experience viewing the park from above.

Our next selection was to ride the submarine adventure. The attraction features vehicles that were designed to look like submarines. It required the E ticket was in the Tomorrowland area of the park.

The submarines took us on an adventure under the sea simulating fish and other sea creatures allowing us to imagine we were really being submerged and viewing the undersea life of a tropical lagoon.

Next up was the Autopia adventure. This was where we could get in cars and race around an enclosed track. We could imagine we were actually racing the other drivers.

***My mom getting out***
***of the Race Car.***

After a full day of adventures Moving Forward around the park, we selected a spot on the side of Disneyland’s Main Street to watch the Parade. The waiting was a time of excitement as we looked forward to the parade starting.

***Mickey Mouse riding***
***in a Vintage Car***
***with Goofy***

***1965 Disneyland***
**Santa Claus Float**

Well folks, that’s all for today. We had fun, but now it’s time to head home.

Cee’s Which Way Challenge-AnyWay

Becky’s #Square Renew/Reconstruct/Moving Forward

Location: Disneyland; Anaheim, California, USA

Photos were reconstructed from my dad’s slides using a Wolverine digital converter.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting Vintage Disneyland with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

A Gaggle Honks Honks Honks Loudly

***Geese Honk Honk***
***and Honk some more***
***as they Move Forward***
***around the Pen***

Embden Geese Honk
Seems really loud
when a Gaggle of Geese
are Honking as One.

Thursday Trios

Six Word Saturday

Becky’s #Square Renew/Moving Foward

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Presidential Garage & Doors of a Death Car

Roosevelt’s Little White House

Warm Springs, Georgia

Growing up almost three thousand miles (actually 2,512 by today’s calculations) away from my dad’s family in South Carolina; we only traveled the long distance every three (3) to five (5) years. My parents always drove straight through switching off driving every several hours and/or miles as deemed necessary.

On every family vacation to visit my dad’s family, my parents would plan places for us to visit during our trip. One place would always represent a place of historical significance. The other place would always be some fun attraction. Sometimes it’d just be our immediate family visiting the chosen places and at other times my dad’s sister’s family would join us.

On our trip in July of 1967, my dad selected The Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia for us to visit. The Little White House was the personal retreat for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States of America. It is located in the historic district of Warm Springs, Georgia.

When Roosevelt first started coming to Warm Springs (previously known as Bullochville) in 1924 it was to receive treatment for Polio. He loved the area tremendously, so he had a home built on Pine Mountain located close to Warm Springs. On April 12, 1945, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died in this home shortly after he began his fourth term in office.

In 1948, Roosevelt’s Little White House was opened to the public as a museum. Part of the Museum displays include his 1938 Ford V-8 convertible coupe and his custom built 1940 Willys roadster. Many of his cars were equipped with special controls that allowed the partially paralyzed Roosevelt to operate the foot pedals with his hands.

***Death Car used in movie***
***Similar to Car***
***FDR was riding in when***
*an Assassination* Attempt Occurred

There was a movie made in 1933 that depicted the attempted assassination on Franklin D. Roosevelt. It references the assassination of Chicago Mayor Anton Joseph Cermak and his who was mistakenly killed during the attempt on FDR. The Death Car shown here and in the museum is the car that was used during that filming.

To learn more about the assassination attempt on Franklin D. Roosevelt click on Death Car or to learn more about FDR click on his name.

Thursday Doors

Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge-Pick a Topic from my Photo

Becky’s #Square Renew/Reconstruct/Moving Forward

Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm

Pictures were Reconstructed from slide format to digital format via a Wolverine Digital Converter Renewing them for preservation and future generations.

Location: Roosevelt’s The Little White House; Warm Springs, Georgia, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and reminiscing with me. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 CMMC: May — Pick a Topic from my Photo

Luckily we had a beautiful sunny day on Sunday which enabled me to capture plenty of signs, and shots with words in them as Cee’s CMMC – Pick a Topic from my Photo requests us all to post.

Our visit to Anne Springs Close Greenway is extremely accommodating in the aspect of Signs and various Objects with Words.

Signs can be found all around the Reconstructed Children’s Farm ..,

***Ducks Signage***
***by Patterson Pond***

Along all the various Trails …

In front of buildings such as The Hangar …

Or on and in front of an Historic Tack Shed …

And even in a flower bed informing everyone about the Sylvia Epps Baker Metal Sculpture.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting the Greenway with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 CFFC: May – Outdoor Seating

We’ve been having a lot of thunderstorms lately, so for Cee’s CMMC this week I’ve dug into my archives (actually my dad’s archives) to select photos of Outdoor Seating. I’m combining this post with Becky’s Squares Challenge and XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge.

For this journey of discovery we are beginning in Southern California at Knott’s Berry Farm. We are Renewing a remembrance by exploring a time of a family outing my dad captured with his camera and had developed onto slides which I Reconstructed into digital formatting for better visibility and preservation.

***Stage Coach Ride***
***at Knotts Berry Farm***
***Buena Park, California***
***Circa May 1966***

The Stage Coach ride allowed people to seat inside the coach or on the Outside up top of the coach. Being up top allowed for a unique experience and perspective of the exciting surroundings.

Moving Forward we venture out towards the California desert for a weekend of camping and the freedom of the great outdoors for a time of refreshing recreation and a time for renewing the closeness of family togetherness.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Borrego Springs, California

We join friends from our church family at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for a time of food, fellowship, and tons of fun.

Whether we choose a seat at a table near the chuck wagon or close to an outdoor cook stove/oven is our choice. We may sit together or apart, however the point of the weekend is renewing and strengthening family bonds and friendships.

Moving Forward remembering the past by Reconstructing old slides renewing the photos for future generations.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Outdoor Seating

XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat -2024 Week 19

Becky’s #SquareRenew/Reconstruct/Moving Forward

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Contrasting B/W and Colorful Windows Squared

Hotel del Coronado

Good Day! Be sure to click on each photo for larger viewing.

The Hotel Del Coronado has been a living legend for more than One Hundred Thirty (130) years. It has proudly hosted U.S. Presidents, movie stars, celebrities, and royalty as well as many beach loving guests (tourists and locals) for many many decades of generations throughout history.

With Non-Squared

B/W & Color Windows

The Hotel del Coronado was built in 1888 after much dreaming, planning, and inspiration of its founders Elisha Babcock and Hampton Story. Babcock and Story enlisted a local San Diego developer, Alonzo Horton to help them survey Coronado beach in 1886. The natural beauty of Coronado inspired the founders to buy the island and build the magnificent hotel.

Babcock and Story created the Coronado Beach Company and then proceeded to establish several enterprises to support and develop the Coronado Community. Those enterprises included a ferry company, a water company, a railroad company, and an electrical power plant.

Construction began on the hotel in 1887 with approximately 250 men working the construction crew. It was built entirely wood using many different types from across the United States. The lumber used included Douglas Fir for framing, California Redwood for its exterior siding; hemlock and cedar was also made available for use. The Hotel’s lobby featured Illinois White Oak while the Crown Room ceiling was done with Oregon’s Sugar Pine. Each type of lumber was selected for their unique qualities to enhance the hotel’s beauty and ensure its longevity.

Coronado Island and The Hotel del Coronado are wonderful places to visit. The beautiful landscape, the beautiful ocean views, the stunning elegance of the hotel are sites to behold and experience. I have to admit I have never stayed in the hotel (too rich for my blood), however I have visited and walked along the beach with friends. A truly wonderful experience for sure and for certain.

Monochrome Madness-Windows

Becky’s #SquareRenew – Renew-Reconstruct-Moving Forward

Location: Hotel del Coronado; Coronado, California, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Squared “142” Numbers Game #21

This is my first time participating in Judy’s Number Game. My entry is being combined with Becky’s Squares Challenge

Getting out in nature always helps to renew my mind, refresh my spirit, and rejuvenate my soul. This view is from the side porch of the Gibson House.

On Sunday, Coleman and I drove into Fort Mill to visit the newly renewed and reconstructed Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm at the Anne Springs Close Greenway. The newly reconstructed children’s farm is accessible through the Greenway Stables Entrance. We are moving forward ( I know you can’t see our movements, but you can imagine them) to visit the Farm animals (chickens, rabbits, alpacas, and cattle.)

After visiting the farm animals, Coleman and I went back to the car to grab our snacks and put my backpack in it as my camera battery had died. So then I continued taking photos with my iPhone as we proceeded to Move Forward through the horse stables on towards the trails for a bit of hiking. We hiked along on the Dogwood Trail, made a loop onto Peach Loop to watch out over Lake Haigler before heading back to the car and home.

While gazing out over Lake Haigler, I reminisced for a short while remembering a time of apple picking, fresh apple cider, and fresh bread with a dollop of fresh homemade apple butter in Julian, California.

Now that I have your mouth watering for the delicious delightful aroma of fresh homemade apple delicacies, I trust you’ll have a wonderful rest of your weekend and a blissful weekend.

Judy’s Numbers Game Challenge – 142

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300 mm and Canon EF-S18-55mm lenses.

Location: 1-3) Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA; 4) Julian, California, USA

God Bless. Thank you for trekking along with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Birds of the Carolinas #6

The Carib Grackle

(Quiscalus lugubris)

The Carib Grackle also referred to as the Common Grackle is a tropical blackbird which is taller and longer than the typical blackbird. The plumage of Grackles are entirely black, however it has a beautiful glossy iridescent body that may display violets, purples, blues, and greens when the sun is shining on them in just the right manner.

Grackles eat almost anything and everything they can find. They commonly eat insects, minnows, frogs, lizards, berries, grains, and even small birds and mice. They will confiscate food from other birds. And sometimes as these Grackles pictured here are exemplifying HOPE for a few morsels of bread crust or crumbs that may get dropped on the ground or scattered for other birds.

The Carib Grackle’s song is a mixture of harsh and melodic musical squeaks, croaks, and whistles which seem to sound anywhere from guttural to high-pitched clear whistles. Some people have compared their singing as sounding like a rusty gate.

***Carib Grackle***
***Quiscalus lugubris in*** ***Monochrome***

If you see them foraging around your yard or picnic table they are scavenging and are hoping you’ll share your food (or at least some bread crumbs) with them.

Birds of the Carolinas

Bird of the Week 2024

Becky’s #SquareRenewal

Lens-Artists Photography Challenge #299- Hopeful

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Huntingtowne Neighbourhood; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. May all your hopes, dreams, and prayers be fulfilled. Take care of yourselves and have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 CWWC: 05.09 – #SquaresRenew

Traveling Eastbound and Down

Maybe Westbound and Forward

Today we are going backwards in time Reconstructing my dad’s slides to reminisce family journeys from 1963. These are from one of our vacations traveling from San Diego, California to Great Falls, South Carolina and back home again.We progressed along the interstate Moving Forward Eastbound and Down loaded up and truckin’ heading to see my paternal grandparents for the first time in five years.

***Coming or Going***
***Somewhere in Texas***

The Six Flags can be seen from Interstate 20 nearing the Arlington, Texas. They signify being close to the Six Flags over Texas amusement theme park.

Which way are we going? From the photo I’m not sure if we were headed east or going back west at this point in time as I can barely remember the trip.

***Stop*** 🛑 ***and Pay*** 💰 ***Toll***
***Texas Toll Booths***

Nowadays, there are over 50 toll roads in Texas. All drivers are required to pay the toll (fee) regardless of where you live. The first major toll road in Texas, which opened in 1957, was a 30-mile, six-lane stretch of highway between Dallas and Fort Worth. A drive from one end to the other cost 50 cents.

***Passing through***
***El Paso, Texas***

After a long tiring vacation visiting family in the Carolinas, we are passing forward through El Paso heading home to San Diego. At this point of our trip we are excited to be almost home (over half way back across country.

Cee’s Which Way Challenge-05.09

Becky’s Squares: Burgeoning – Move Forward – Reconstruct – Renew

Music Credit: ©️LegacyRecordingsVEVO; The Essential JERRY REED; YouTube.com (Original Recording released in 1977.)

Location: Traveling Interstate 10 & 20 in Texas

God Bless. Thank you for traveling with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Sunday Stills: Groups in Monochrome

Groups Moving Forward

It’s been raining quite a bit here with thunderstorms today as well as off and on all week. Therefore, I decided to comb through my arch to see what I could come up with to (hopefully) satisfy the themes. I’m combining Sunday Stills, Becky’s Squares-Moving Forward, Throwback Thursday, and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness (couldn’t find the theme for this one.)

The last two photos were taken by my dad on his 35mm camera. I’m not sure what brand of camera he used in the mid-60’s. These last two photos were taken in Disneyland in May of 1966.

***Duckling Paddling Forward***
***Behind their Hen***

***Ferry Boat with Cars***
***Moving Forward***
***Through the Water***

***The Ugly Bugs***
***Marching Forward with***
***Spectators Watching***

***Nutcracker Marching Band***
***Marching Forward***
***Along the Parade Route***

Sunday Stills-Groups

Becky’s Squares-Moving Forward

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Moving Forward Through the Desert

Come on along for the ride, we’re just gonna meander around through the desert here in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Growing up in San Diego, California my church youth group would practically make annual camping trips out to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Several church families would bring their dune buggies, dirt bikes and give rides to the enthusiastic youth.

Ever since that time period, I have loved to go camping and hiking. I love being out in nature and my grandson, Coleman is learning to love and enjoy it as well.

Pictured here are actually two separate church camping trips; one in May of 1968 and the other in June of 1969. Those were the good old days my friends.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2024-Week 18

Becky’s Squares-Moving Forward

Becky’s #SquareRenewal

Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm using Kodak Ektachrome Slide film.

Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; Borrego Springs, California, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Birds of the Carolinas #5

Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) can be spotted around ponds and lakes. I normally see them around the smaller lakes and ponds in and around Anne Springs Close Greenway.

Great Blue Herons can hunt during the nighttime as well as during the day. Interestingly they have a high percentage of rodents-type photoreceptors in their eyes that improve their night vision. They congregate at fish hatcheries, creating potential problems for the fish farmers.

Ardea herodias
Great Blue Heron
Anne Springs Close Greenway

The Great Blue Heron is a majestic sight to behold. Its subtle blue-grey plumage frequently stands motionless as it scan for prey or wades belly deep with long, deliberate steps. They may move slowly, but Great Blue Herons can strike like lightning to grab a fish or snap up a gopher. In flight, look for this widespread heron’s tucked-in neck and long legs trailing out behind.

***Informational Sign***
***includes***
**The Great Blue Heron**
***The Schiele Museum of Natural History***

Did you know that the Great Blue Heron is often seen as a symbol of patience? This I had not previously heard or known. Several Native American Tribes look at the heron as a symbol of patience and good luck. On the Northwest coast, people believe that if Native American fishermen spot a heron, it means good luck is with them, and they will have a successful fishing trip.

I have always considered the Great Blue Heron to be an amazing bird to observe. I did not ever realize that they were considered symbols or omens if you saw them. Evidently they are though.

In China, the Great Blue Heron represents strength, purity and long life. According to Native American tradition the heron symbolizes wisdom and good judgment. In ancient Egypt the heron was a symbol of creation while in Africa and Greece the heron was a messenger of the gods. Watching a heron fish also instructs us in patience.

Another interesting note regarding the Blue Heron is that it is believed to symbolize being calm, presence, being at peace, uniqueness, and balance. When seeing a Blue Heron one should take a moment to look inside yourself and ~~consider~~ nurture all aspects of yourself. Embrace who you are; your flaws (your weaknesses), your uniqueness, and ever your feelings of shame with self-love.

Birds of the Carolinas

Bird of the Week 2024

God Bless. May you have strength, purity, patience and long life. Take care of yourselves and have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Wordless Wednesday: 05.08

Be Wild

Be Square

Don’t Worry

Be Happy

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Gardner Park Neighborhood; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Floral Renewal Macro Monday

Hybrid Sweetbriar Rose
(Rosa ‘Lady Penzance’)

Becky’s Squares-Renewal

Macro Monday