The Yucca Gloriosa, also known as Spanish Dagger, is a native evergreen yucca in the southeast USA on the coasts of North Carolina south to Florida. [This plant is in the Piedmont region of North Carolina.] It grows as a shrub or small tree and can grow up to 16 feet tall but is relatively slow-growing.
Yucca gloriosa
The leaves are in a basal rosette on younger plants and are sword-shaped with sharp tips. Eventually, it will develop a woody trunk with a more tree-like form. [This particular Yucca plant is a shrub with bayonet like leaves which are crowded in the lower area and spread outwards at the top. The plant is heat, humidity, drought and salt tolerant and can tolerate some cold and snow.
TheYucca gloriosa(Spanish Dagger) attracts the Yucca moth (Tegeticula yuccasella) for pollination as well as the larva feeding on the seeds. It is said that the Yucca plant flowers also attracts bees and hummingbirds, however, I have not seen them around it as of yet.
Camera: 1-2) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 3) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stop and enjoy the flowers. Have a lovely day. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
It is Springtime, the Canada Geese are flocking to the rivers. In the past few days as Coleman and I have visited the South Fork Catawba River and Goat Island Park and Greenway, we have noticed more and more Canada Geese enjoying the riverbanks as well as swimming and gliding in the waters of the South Fork Catawba River.
Here are a few photos of Canada Geese Trios captured this week.
Camera: 1-2) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 3-6) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fabulous week. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Be sure to check out Friday’s Which Way Challenge. This week I am allowing y’all to choose your own Which Ways to share with us all.
To do so, simply share the photo* you have set as your wallpaper;
Provide as little or as much detail as you wish;
Use a pingback, or post a link here so I know you have joined in on the fun;
Then finally, share the fun around.
I am sharing my Wallpaper from both my Laptop and my Smartphone. I enjoy looking at different images each month. Most of which revolve around Coleman (my grandson) and nature.
Here are my Desktop Wallpaper and Screensaver for my Laptop:
From My HP Laptop:
Desktop Background Wallpaper
Coleman in Goat Island Playground
Desktop Screensaver
Canada Geese South Fork Catawba River Goat Island Park and Greenway
From My Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:
Personal Focus
Coleman Goat Island Park and Greenway
Reading Focus
Coleman sitting on a pipe at Goat Island Park and Greenway
Hiking Focus
Coleman Tree Climbing at Riverside Park and Greenway
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.
Location: South Fork Catawba River; South Fork River Trail; River Link Greenway; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a sunshiny day. Observe Nature. Thankful for local wildlife. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Anas Platyrhynchos also known as Mallards are one of several varieties of duck species, which include both resident and migratory birds. The Mallard is the most abundant duck in North America, often found in a variety of habitats. Even though apparently abundant, we have not seen many of the Mallards in or around the Catawba River.
The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a widespread dabbling duck with a long body and high tail. The Mallard is easily identified by the male’s iridescent green head, white neck collar, and black tail curl. Females and juveniles have mottled brown bodies and dull orange bills. Both sexes have iridescent blue wing speculums. Mallards breed in fresh marshes surrounding lakes, ponds, beaver ponds, impoundments, open swamps, and such like areas, however, they do have a propensity to avoid nesting in brackish marshes.
Mallard ducks in the South Fork Catawba River
Coleman and I went hiking on the South Fork River Trail, a part of the Carolina Thread Trail, in Goat Island Park and Greenway on Saturday watching a partial day without rainfall (it rained again after we were safely home). While hiking the trail, Coleman and I were looking for the Turtles that often sun themselves on logs in the South Fork Catawba River. What were spotted prior to the Turtles were a pair of Mallards standing on a log checking out the River area. [This was the first time we’ve seen the Mallards in this region of the South Fork Catawba River.]
As we continued our hike we did encounter a lone Turtle sunning on a log which dove quickly into the river. But alas, we ventured on down the trail to find more Mallards on logs and in the river. It was fascinating to see and watch them especially since we had not previously seen the Mallards in this section of the Catawba River before.
Mallards feed in the water by tipping forward and grazing on underwater plants. They almost never dive. They can be very tame ducks especially in city ponds, and often group together with other Mallards and other species of dabbling ducks.
Mallards are able to live in almost any wetland habitat, natural or artificial. Look for them on lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, and coastal habitats, as well as nearby city and suburban parks and residential backyards.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.
Settings: f/6.3 • 1/320 • 250mm • ISO800-2000
Location: South Fork Catawba River; South Fork River Trail; River Link Greenway; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get outdoors and enjoy nature’s beauty and natural wildlife. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The last of the cars we were able to see at the Cruz-In was this stunningly beautiful Classic Red Camaro. The sun shining down upon it was like it was saying look at me … am I not the best car you’ve ever seen.
Judyfrom Life Lessonshosts The Numbers Game.I’m a week behind, but I figured better late than not at all. Her number for the Numbers Game Challenge #71 is 192. I didn’t have any luck finding photos matching 192, so I am doing as suggested in showing images of a common word.
To play along, 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. 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 album.
My Word I am using is Coleman. I am posting the images in a video format for your enjoyment.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.
Location: Centennial Center; Downtown; Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers and those as close as a Mother, and those soon to be Mothers. Treasure your family and remember the Mothers who only remain in our hearts. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Sky watching can be dramatic, colourful, and amazing to see the changes the sky displays from minute to minute and throughout the days and weeks. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Any Which Way with Shadows for this week’s theme. Shadows can be on any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Here are my entries for this week’s Which Way Challenge – Any Which Way with Shadows …
My Which Ways with Shadows are a mixture of paved pathways, sidewalks, and dirt trails. Hope you enjoy the hike with Coleman and myself.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Locations: Gastonia and Cramerton, Gaston County, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a hike/walk. Enjoy nature’s beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; 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.
As Coleman and I were walking up from the River by the White Church Coleman noticed a wind chime. He decided to go check it out & see how the chimes sounded.
Coleman rings the Wind Chimes
See the Sky Reflected in the Window
Side Windows of Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment.
Settings: f/4 • 1/320 • 55mm • ISO100
Location: Centennial Center River Access and Observation Pier; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a lovely day. Relax and enjoy the outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion & Ultra wide Cameras
Location: Center & Eighth Streets; Downtown Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Pull Up a Seat — Wherever You Desire and Enjoy a Time of Relaxation. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cameras: 1-3) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max ( 2-3 edited in Pixlr); 4-5) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens (unedited)
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy the Sunshine ☀️. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment
Settings: f/5.6 • 1/320s •250mm • ISO3200
Location: Goat Island Playground; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina
God Bless. When’s the last time you played Hide & Seek? Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Brian fromBushboys Worldis the host for the Last on the Card Challenge. The rules are simple, just post the last photo from SD card and/or the#lastphotofrom your phone. It doesn’t matter if it was taken on the 31st or not. It can beThe Last Photowhenever it was taken. No editing. No explanations needed. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments. Use the tags The Last Photo and#LastOnTheCard.
Here’s my Last Photos for April.
From my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
A Trio of Canada Geese Goat Island Park and Greenway
A few of our neighbours have been having construction or landscaping work down on their properties to improve their home and gardens. This truck was near the corner where I wait for Coleman’s bus to arrive bringing him back home.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion Camera Muted B/W
Location: Corner of South Main & 7th Street; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. What’s new or unusual in your neighbourhood? Have a great weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island 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.
Go to Places change from time to time especially whenever our dwelling places change or as we progress through the ages. Our interests may change, our surroundings may change, regardless of how or when changes occur we tend to develop new ideas and locations for our “Go to Places.”
Currently, my “Go to Places” depends on Coleman’s interests and selection of the day. Whenever we go hiking we go to one of two Greenways within walking distance from our home. It just so happens that both of these “Go to Places” contain Any Unpaved Roads or Pathways. More often than not Coleman prefers to hike along unpaved nature surface trails or off the beaten pathways out in nature.
Here are our Unpaved Roads and/or Pathways … Coleman leads the way to one of his favourite “Go to Places.”
An Unpaved off the beaten Pathway at Riverside Park and Greenway
Coleman’s favourite spot at Riverside Park and Greenway “The Big Sand Pit”
Be sure to click on the links below to see what others have as their Which Ways.
Location: Off the Beaten Path Trail; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take a hike/walk in Nature. Commune with the beautiful landscapes, the trees and flowers, and (maybe) natural wildlife. Refresh your soul. Renew your mind. Life is a journey … relax and enjoy it. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Whenever one goes hiking in the woods it is wise to be mindful of your surroundings. Pay close attention to your environment using all of your senses in order to identify potential hazards and navigate safely.
Thus look up to be aware of any changes in the weather; look from side to side observing for wildlife, uneven terrain, and potential hazards like deep drops or slippery rocks. Look downward and backward always being aware of your direction and the surrounding landscape, and use a map and compass if available.
Pay attention to the feel of the ground under your feet and the temperature to make certain you are staying on solid footing and avoiding cold and damp areas.
UpDown Sideways
Coleman and I go hiking/walking practically every week, sometimes several times during a week. Looking up occasionally ensures the weather is still good, no storms or cold temperatures encompassing. We always look around us being on the lookout for any wildlife (lizards, snakes, birds, etc.). Looking down the path to make sure no tree limbs, rocks, or other obstacles are on the trails to ensure our safety. We don’t want any preventable accidents like scrapped knees, arms or injuries to occur if at all possible.
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing views. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”
Beauty is all around us, to see it all one must look up, down, sideways, and all around you or you might miss out on something truly special and beautiful.
“Life Is Meant for Spectacular Adventures. Let Your Feet Wander, Your Eyes Marvel, and Your Soul Ignite.”
Location: Set 1) Rocky Branch Trail; Set 2) Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the beauty in Nature. Take a hike/walk. Find your inner peace. Always be aware of your surroundings. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
As I was sitting on the swing on the front porch keeping an eye on Coleman playing in the yard, I noticed the picturesque skyline filled with amazing cloudscapes. I grabbed my iPhone, changed the settings to muted black and white using the camera’s fusion mode I captured the view I was seeing .
1linerWeds (Badge by Laura @riddlefromthemiddle.com)
“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Location: Downtown; Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take time to enjoy the beautiful flowers. Enjoy a walk. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Happy Easter Everyone! Have a wonderful day. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This is a bonus Train post (CWWC )/(CFFC) for this week showing what was seen on the Railroad Tracks up the road from our home and across from Coleman’s school bus stop. I also added Coleman’s Train. I’m also linking this post to Dan’s Thursday Doors and Debbie’s Six Word Saturday (sorry if it’s a tad bit over).
May the Trains of time bring your Easter basket filled with joy, happiness, and peace this season and always.
Host this week for Monochrome Madness is Dawn from The Day After. She has chosen a theme of Everything Spring.
Springtime in the Carolinas entails anything and everything from Spring sports like T-Ball for Coleman, to Kayaking through the Catawba River, to simply rolling in the grass at an outdoor concert, to the beauty of Spring flowers. And who can’t forget about the Spring festivities surrounding the Easter Egg Scramble. Let us not forget what this Holiday Season is all about. It is not about the Easter eggs hunts, even though the children enjoy them, it’s about the Crucifixion of Jesus and his Resurrection. We celebrate that “He is Risen!”.
Coleman running to home plateOsteospermum African Daisy ‘Blue-Eyed Beauty’ YellowA variety of Spring Flowers Coleman finding Easter EggsColeman with a “brown” Easter BunnyPetunias Flowering Dogwood Kayaking in the South Fork Catawba River Coleman ready to catch a grounderGarden Tulips Gerbera Daisy Coleman rolling in the grass Centennial Center Park Coleman swinging from a rope Goat Island Park & Greenway Seasonal Annuals in a VaseColeman hiking Rocky Branch Trail Seder Supper
“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.”
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i
Location: Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. May God bless you at Easter and keep you all year through. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
One of the cars at this past week’s Cruz-In was this 1969 Mercury Cyclone CJ. The Mercury Cyclone was marketed by Ford’s Mercury Division from 1964-1971. The Mercury Cyclone was first introduced in 1964 as the Mercury Comet Cyclone. The Cyclone replaced the S-22 as the performance-oriented version of the Mercury Comet model line. It was positioned as a muscle car representing the Mercury brand in racing as a clone of the Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt.It was often overshadowed by the Mercury Cougar.
The Mercury Cyclone Cobra Jet (CJ) was added to the Cyclone line in 1969. The Cobra Jet’s engine was a 428 cu in (7,014 cc) which generated 335 hp (250 kW). It featured a blacked-out grill; dual exhausts; 3:50:1 axle ratio; engine dress-up kit which included chrome parts; hood stripes; and a competition handling package.
[My maternal grandfather owned a Ford Fairlane. My Dad worked for Ford in the Parts Department for over 35 years.My parents never owned anything but Ford’s throughout their life.]
Location: Parking Lot; First Baptist Church of Cramerton; 235 8th Avenue; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. “May your heart be lifted with the hope of renewal and the joy of spring.” Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
According to Dictionary.com the definition of sinuous is having many curves, bends, or turns; winding: a sinuous path. Most of the trails Coleman and I hike have many sinuous paths that twist and turn around bends and hills, up and down going back and forth curving this way and that way constantly winding down or up a sinuous route along the trail.
Coleman hiking along the Rocky Branch Trail
“Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. We can embrace, or resist, the journey. The choice is ours.”
Location: Rocky Branch Trail; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take a hike. Enjoy the Outdoors. Embrace the journey. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coleman and I go hiking/walking almost every week unless the weather prohibits it, like rain, freezing cold, snow. I’m partial to a mildly warm climate to spend our days outdoors. We see many interesting stuff on our hikes/walks, some cooler than others.
Five Cool Stuff Coleman found interesting on one of our hikes this past weekend.
This Starling kept flying back and forth from the top of The Graham & Gayle Bell Pavilion to a tree on the edge of The Centennial Center Park. It captured Coleman attention seeing it fly to and from.
Spotless Starling
When we were crossing over the Goat Island Bridge, a family was looking out into the water at something. Of course, Coleman was curious to see what they were looking at so he moved closer to where they had been looking. Coleman thought it was cool to see the turtle (Eastern river cooter) sunning on small log.
Eastern River Cooter
Looking over the opposite side of the bridge as we were leaving, Coleman spotted a Kayaker in the water. He finds it fascinating to watch them and probably wishes he could be in one paddling through the river. What made this particular Kayaker so cool, to him, was the man had his son in the kayak with him enjoying an afternoon on the river.
Kayaker & son in the South Fork Catawba River
Coleman finds cool and interesting stuff even walking home or in our surrounding neighbourhood. Some of our neighbors enjoy decorating their yards for the upcoming holiday. This being the season of Easter approaching, Coleman thought it was cool to spot the large Easter Eggs in one of the yards and had to point them out to me.
Easter Egg Yard Decorations
After visiting the Cruz-In in uptown Cramerton after our hike back from the Easter Egg Scramble, Coleman seemed thrilled to try out his new Bubble Wand that was given to us. It was cool to watch him blow bubbles and then try to pop them. As he kept blowing bubbles he eventually learned to catch them and then release the bubbles back into the air.
God Bless. Enjoy the Outdoors. See if you can find Cool Stuff in your area. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
To do so, simply share the photo* you have set as your wallpaper;
Provide as little or as much detail as you wish;
Use a pingback, or post a link here so I know you have joined in on the fun;
Then finally, share the fun around.
I am sharing my Wallpaper from both my Laptop and my Smartphone. I enjoy looking at different images each month. Most of which revolve around Coleman (my grandson) and nature.
Here are my Desktop Wallpaper and Screensaver for my Laptop:
From My HP Laptop:
Desktop Background Wallpaper
Coleman at his 1st T-Ball Game
Desktop Screensaver
Coleman by the South Fork Catawba River Riverside Park and Greenway
From My Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:
Personal Focus
Coleman practicing fielding for T-Ball
Reading Focus
Coleman at Riverside Park and Greenway
Hiking Focus
Coleman hiking on the Disc Golf Trail Goat Island Park and Greenway
We walked to the First ever Cramerton Cruz-In during the early afternoon in the uptown parking lot of First Baptist Church. The Cruz-In was supposed to go from 10:00am until 2:00pm. We (Coleman & I ) started walking that direction around 1:00pm in hopes of still being able to see the antique automobiles. As we were walking we noticed some of the cars had already started leaving the Cruz-In. We got lucky and spotted this 1931 Ford Model A Coupe driving our way. I did the best I could with a moving auto to capture it with my iPhone.
1931 Ford Model A 5 Window Coupe
I tried to capture most of the Antique Ford’s windows, from front to back and the left side windows. I’m just glad we managed to see it even if only as it was leaving the area. It turned out that most of the cars left at the same time and only a few were left when we arrived. I guess the owners didn’t feel obligated to stay the full length of the Cruz-In.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 