Walking through Goat Island Park and Greenway was/is a fantastic way to unwind and reflect on the goodnesses I have been blessed with throughout my life and in the environment I currently dwell. God is so good, He’s so good to me. His artistic creations and colour palette are displayed in all the different places we meander through here on earth. The changing colour scheme with every season keeps me in awe of his mighty power to make all things new and beautiful in His time.
This season of change from Summer to Autumn the colours have become more subdued and neutral bringing out the amazing shades of brown, tan, red, and orange. Today, however, I am picturing signs of Autumn as seen through a black and white colour palette.
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Capture the beautiful Autumn colours. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
October 4th was World #Animal Day. This year’s theme is “Save Animals, Save the Planet.” The idea behind the theme is to highlight how protecting animal lives supports a healthier, sustainable planet. 2025 marks the 100th Anniversary of World Animal Day.
Many of us (speaking specifically for myself) do not see Safari, exotic, or any non domesticated animal species other than perhaps in one of the many Zoos around the world.
Here are a few photos I have captured of Animals living in a Zoo or Safari Park environment.
Lemur Riverbanks Zoo & Garden Columbia, South Carolina
Baboons Riverbanks Zoo & Garden Columbia, South Carolina
Giraffes Greenville Zoo Greenville, South Carolina
Chuma and Saied (2022) Greenville Zoo Greenville, South Carolina
Sadly, Saied, one of the African Lions who called the Greenville Zoo home since 2010 is no longer amongst us. Saied was a 15-year old African Lion who had a rapid and irreversible worsening of degenerative joint disease and spinal neurological issues. After much discussion, testing, and constant monitoring the Greenville Zoo staff had the hard decision to consult and come to an agreement on what was best for Saied. It was with a heavy heart that the consensus reached was to euthanize Saied and relief him once and for all of his suffering.
It is extremely important for us to recognize the value of the Animals which share our planet. They cannot speak for themselves, so we must speak for them. Each species which exist here on earth have unique ways in which they help to support life.
World #Animal Day is a reminder for us to maintain and continue protecting animals. Without the animals our very existence and survival would be nearly impossible and meaningless. When we protect the animals, we are essentially protecting ourselves.
God Bless. Remember we must protect the Animals to protect and preserve the earth and ourselves. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
These ruin images were captured by my dad when he and my mom visited my brother stationed in Germany while serving in the United States Air Force. These are various perspectives of the Heidelberg Castle Ruins they saw during their visit.
Elke from pictures imperfect blogis the host for this week’s Monochrome Madness. She has chosen a theme of Pets. I personally do not have any Pets. Most of the places I have lived over the years have not allowed for Pets. My family did have a few different dogs over the years. Unfortunately I do not have any photos of them. The one I remember the most was a Chihuahua Dachshund, that I would walk around our neighborhood.
Now to show you an array of Pets owned by family members, neighbours, strangers, or stray animals.
My Elder Son’s Dachshund My Aunt’s Chiweenie (cross between a Chihuahua and a Dachshund), MistyA Feral Cat born under our mobile home A neighbour’s Cat; Cat Home Outside her home Rabbits at The Schiele Museum Dogs playing in Dog Park at Goat Island Park and Greenway
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Capture the beauty all around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Early every morning when Coleman and I walk to the bus stop we look up in wonder at the Morning Sky.
Most mornings lately we have had cloudy skies; some white clouds and some dark thunderous clouds, but today not so.
Today, the skies were clear with “stars” shining brightly. What I did not realize until after Coleman was on the bus and I was back home was that the brightest “Stars” we were seeing were not actually “Star” at all.
What we really saw in the early morning skies were the planets Venus, Jupiter and more dazzling images.
Good Day! This being an off week for Monochrome Madness I am doing my own thing, not following with Sand patterns or fence posts like Leanne or Brian. Hope you will not tire of seeing my grandson, Coleman.
Today I am continuing the Coleman’s adventures in the Greenway from his birthday adventures. After cooling off in the Spillway, it was drying off time which (for Coleman) meant playtime in Schroering Forest Playground.
The Schroering Forest Playground is nestled amongst trees a short distance from the Domtar Forest Porch (featured here) where we relaxed sipping cool refreshing water.
Climbing Structure for ages 5 and Up
The climbing structure is Coleman’s favourite area to play in the Schroering Forest Playground. He has always loved to climb and is not afraid to climb anything (even though, I think his mom is sceptical). She’s probably worried he’ll fall, however, I’m not worried he climbs anything and everything anytime anywhere.
The Schroering Forest Playground was constructed in the Lake Haigler Entrance to Anne Springs Close Greenway in 2024. The intention of this unique playground is to reteach children how to play in the woods.
A mom (aka Coleman’s mom) watching her son enjoying the Playground.
The playscape and structures are specially crafted to help activate sensory skills, foster creativity and problem-solving through free play, reduce stress, increase physical activity, develop confidence in the outdoors, improve cognitive abilities and facilitate outdoor learning. Key features of the Schroering Forest Playground include a central climbing structure for older children and a corresponding structure for younger guests.
Coleman
I’ve been taking Coleman to play in the woods and interact with nature since he could walk. He prefers being outdoors and in the woods over being in the house any day. He enjoys hiking all the trails in Anne Springs Close Greenway and if he can combine hiking with playing all the better as far as he is concerned.
On Sunday, Coleman and I took a detour on our walk home from church. We stopped by the local Goat Island Park and Greenway to get a short hike in and permit him to play for a little while before heading back home.
A Stop at the Goat Island Playground
Instead of just using the main camera on my iPhone, I decided to use the fusion camera to do a bit of black and white photography.
The Calmness of the South Fork Catawba River
On Early Sunday afternoons we experience the Silent peaceful serenity surrounding the River and Trails.
Coleman sensing silent reflections in the South Fork Catawba River
While crossing the bridge over the river one can see the small white church we attended. All is calm and quiet as almost everyone has gone home.
Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church as seen from the Goat Island Bridge