Category: #GetOutdoors

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a terrific rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 SYD: 15 January

Clare from Clare’s Cosmos invites everyone to join her in Sharing Your Desktop (SYD). Below are her suggestions for participating in the Share Your Desktop Challenge . [Clare is taking a break from WP, so this maybe the last Share Your Desktop Challenge for awhile. I will miss her and pray she’ll one day return. All the best to you Clare. Take Care.]

To do so, simply share the photo (not a screenshot) 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

*Ring-Billed Gulls*
*at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina*

Desktop Screensaver

*Coleman walking along*
*the wet &* sandy seashore
looking for seashells at
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

From My Apple iPhone 16 Pro:

Personal Focus

*Coleman holding*
*his baby sister,*
*Sophia Ruthann*

Reading Focus

*Coleman on the*
*sandy seashore at*
*Myrtle Beach, South Carolina*

Hiking Focus

*Coleman walking*
*on the seashore at*
*Myrtle Beach, South Carolina*

Click on each image for enlarged viewing.

Clare’s Share Your Desktop-January

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

God Bless. You are & will be missed Clare. Take Care of yourself. You are Valued & appreciated. Having a Wonderful Week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Markets for Monochrome Madness #51 — 2026.01.15

This week’s host for Monochrome Madness is Sarah from Travel with Me. As our first theme of 2026, she has chosen Markets. Be sure to check out her post to see her take on Markets by clicking here

I haven’t been to any kind of market other than grocery stores in years. I did, however, manage to find a few market photos in my archives.

Here are my contributions …

Outdoor Markets …

Another Outdoor Market …

A Spring Market at
Anne Springs Close Greenway

Grocery stores are also referred to as Markets … Here’s ours …

Like I stated earlier I didn’t have much as you can see, maybe next time I’ll have a better selection. Until then, happy shopping, happy photographing.

Sarah’s Monochrome Madness-Markets

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness #51

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

Wordless Wednesday: 2026 14 January

Murrells Inlet Marina

*Taken from Crazy Sister Marina*
*of Marina in Murrells Inlet*

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2026.01.14

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2026 Week 2

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL Filter attachment.

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Marina; Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a terrific rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Monday Portrait #2: 12 January

Friendly Beach Visitor

This Shiba Inu dog was visiting Myrtle Beach from New Jersey. Before Coleman greets or pets any dog he asks permission from its owner.

The Shiba Inu was a very friendly older dog that was all too happy to have a rest and take pleasure in a bit of petting attention from Coleman.

The Shiba Inu is a small-to-medium, fox-like hunting dog breed from Japan. They are known for their loyalty, good nature, and charming appearance.

It is considered to be an alert, affectionate, and independent breed with high intelligence. It can also be somewhat stubborn and strong-willed. (We saw no evidence of stubbornness, only very affectionate and even tempered)

Click on images to enlarge.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Near the 2nd Avenue Pier; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy a walk/hike out in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window: 2026.01.12

*Kitty by a Window – 2*
*— AI creation by PR*

The Wicked Tuna Restaurant

Last Friday while we were visiting Myrtle Beach, Coleman and I took a stroll along the beach northward towards the 2nd Avenue Pier. He was looking for seashells by the seashore as we walked along the water.

*2nd Ave Pier*
*Wicked Tuna*
*Myrtle Beach, SC*

At the 2nd Avenue Pier is a restaurant called The Wicked Tuna. (We did not stop and try out their menu, maybe another time).

The Wicked Tuna is a premier waterfront dining establishment, a place where friends gather for a unique culinary experience. The restaurant offers fresh handmade cocktails (I’ll skip those), the freshest seafood (I enjoy quality Tuna Steaks), steaks, and sushi (not a sushi fan, but my daughter is).

*2nd Ave Pier*
*Wicked Tuna*
*Grill • Sushi • Rooftop Bar*
*Myrtle Beach, SC*

The Wicked Tuna is known for its “Hook to Plate” fresh seafood philosophy, stunning ocean views and rooftop bar. (The views of the Atlantic Ocean were stunningly beautiful as Coleman and I walked along the seashore down to the pier and back to our resort hotel.)

The Wicked Tuna has a second location in Murrells Inlet overlooking the MarshWalk. Every week their fishing fleet heads out into the Atlantic Ocean to catch the freshest Grouper, mahi-mahi, sea bass, and snapper off the Carolina coast. They only serve fish caught locally by their own boats which are then cleaned and prepped on-site in their fish house.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window

Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge-Aquamarine/Icy Blue

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: The Wicked Tuna Restaurant; 2nd Avenue Pier; 110 North Ocean Blvd,
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

2026 Sunday Stills/Sunday Stills Monthly Colour Challenge: January — Aquamarine, icy blue

This month Terri with Second Wind Leisure Perspectives is challenging us to post images in Aquamarine and Icy Blue colour pallets. Here is what I have found which I believe fit into the colour pallets scheme.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s Sunday Stills

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S18-55 & EF-S55-250mm lenses and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Locations: Murrells Inlet & Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

2026 OWS: 01.11 — Forward

Let’s Keep Moving Forward

*Ring-Billed Gull*
*Myrtle Beach, South Carolina*

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Forward

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

2026 Weekend Prompts Weekend Challenge. ->Reversible <->elbisreveR

Anything that works against you can also work for you
once you understand the
Principle of Reverse.
Maya Angelou

The way it actually
works is the reverse.
You must first be
who you really are,
then do what you
need to do, in order to
have what you want.
Margaret Young

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge-Reversible

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EG-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

Walk This Way – Come Join Me

*Ring-Billed Gull*
*Walking on the Seashore*

Yesterday, I tagged Debbie’s Six Word Saturday thinking Friday was Saturday. So, I’m posting another on Saturday for Debbie’s Six Word Saturday challenge.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy your weekend. Here’s to sunny days ahead. (Our weekend is cloudy & rainy). Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026 — Any Which Way (Your Choice)

Happy 2026 Everyone! This week I’m allowing y’all to make your own choices for the Which Ways Challenge. I’d love to see your first Which Ways for 2026. I’ll be sharing our very first 2026 images this week.

The next images were taken while walking along the beach with their first steps into the Atlantic Ocean.

Coleman, Sophia, & their mom
Walking along the beach
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Click on each image to enlarge.

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Brian’s CWWC: Any Which Way with People

Suzette’s For Deb’s CWWC Which Way With People

Marina at In Primo Piano’s People

Dawn’s Walking on the Walking Mall with People

Cath at Cath’s Camera’s Which Way… {Are You Going My Way?}

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s People

Lisa at Daily Musings’s CWWC: Which Way With People

Deb’s Which Way Challenge

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take Care. Stay Safe. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Note: Coming up Next: CWWC: Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs [01.16.2026]

A Peaceful Afternoon (By the Ocean)

Leanne’s

Monochrome

Madness

*Three Seagulls*
*by the Atlantic Ocean*

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness-2026.01.08

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

Wordless Wednesday: 07 January

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2026.01.07

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2026 Week 1

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a terrific rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Gift of Adventure (at the Beach)

Ragtag Daily Prompts

We a well into the beginning of 2026. Coleman started back to school today, so now I have a few minutes to reflect on the past couple of weeks.

Hopefully y’all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s Day. Ours was truly an eventful Christmas holiday extravaganza. Of course it was exciting to watch Coleman receive his Gifts on Christmas Day, which he totally enjoyed. We kept telling him beforehand that he had to listen and behave or “Santa” wouldn’t bring any toys. You know what? “Santa” brought a few toys anyway. Coleman mostly received new clothes, which he was just as excited to get especially his new shoes.

Setting aside the Gifts, we decided to not let 2025 Dwindle away being bored at home. Instead, we chose to leave our little town and go on an amazing Adventure.

Where did we go on our big Adventure? Coleman’s mom was thinking about going to the mountains. Coleman wanted to go to the Beach. So, where do you think we went on our little Adventure? Yep, you’re right, we went to the Beach.

As 2025 was Dwindling away, we packed our bags, loaded up the car and headed out of town for our mini vacay Adventure. Sorry, we didn’t get any pictures of the car all loaded up, but we (I mean I) began snapping plenty of photos from the moment we arrived, all through our many Adventurous activities, and all throughout our entire mini vacation.

***Arriving, Checking in,***
**& Checking out our surroundings.**

After checking in and bringing everything (and I mean everything) into our room for the week (actually six days), Coleman and I decided to head down to the Beach. We did not want to Dwindle our time away inside the room for one minute longer. Instead, we wanted to begin enjoying the Gift of Adventure immediately.

***Coleman’s very first time at a Beach.***
***First time seeing the Atlantic Ocean.***
**First time his feet touched**
***the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.***

And thus our Gift of Adventures begins …

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Wednesday-Dwindle

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Thursday-Gift

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP): Tuesday! Adventure!

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D.

Locations: 1st 4) Cramerton, North Carolina; Rest, 5-8) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. It’s been an Amazing Adventurous beginning to 2026. We didn’t let 2025 Dwindle away. We enjoyed the Gift of Time away together. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Tumultuous Skies (at the beach)

Ragtag Daily Prompt

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Tumultuous

RDP Monday: Tumultuous

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Ninth Floor; Captains Quarters; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Hoping you do not experience tumultuous times in the days ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window: 2026.01.05

Kitty by a Window – 2 — AI creation by PR

Crazy Sister Marina

On Monday afternoon, our first day of our mini vacay, we drove down to Murrells Inlet to go out on a sightseeing boat run by Crazy Sister Marina. We were supposed to be able to see some dolphins, however, my eyesight isn’t very good in the evenings, so I wasn’t able to see what others (including Coleman) was seeing (more on that at another time).

Instead I’ll show you a few of the Crazy Sister Marina windows, both on shore and on the boat.

On the shore …

*Viewing the boats*
*through the windows*

On the Boat …

*Many Reflections*
*within the Boat’s Window*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window

Cameras: 1-2) Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL Filter attachment. 3-4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Crazy Sister Marina; Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, USA

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

2026 OWS: 01.04 — Messy – Crowded, Cluttered Beach

*Myrtle Beach*
*Cluttered with*
*Crowds of People*
*and Seagulls*

Click on image to enlarge.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Messy

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Atlantic Seashore; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

2026 Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky: 01.03

Friday, a beautiful sunny afternoon was a perfect time for a walk along the beach. Observing the ocean, searching for Seashells, and enjoying the beautiful sky views.

***Coleman walking the***
***Sandy Shores of Myrtle Beach***

Click on image to enlarge.

2026 Skywatch Friday-01.03

Hammad’s Weekend Sky-2026.01.03

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take Care. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The #Flower Hour — First Florals of 2026

Terri from Second Wind Leisure Perspective is the host for The #Flower Hour. I am posting my last 2025 Floral images (December 31,2025) as my first Flower Hour post for 2026.

Hydrangea +
The Peace Rose,
formally Rosa ‘Peace’

Terri’s The #Flower Hour 2026

Also posting to Remember …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: By Dinopark; Broadway at the Beach; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Wishing y’all the best life filled with love, peace, and joy in 2026. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 31 December

*Coleman –*
First Time at a Beach
Atlantic Ocean
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2025.12.31

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

God Bless. Have a terrific rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

RDP: Evanescent Sea and Sky

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Evanescent

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Skywatch Friday-Last for 2025

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens plus Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

2025 Monday Portrait: 29 December

Pig in the Greenway

Camera: Canon EOS 2000D ( Rebel T7) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

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

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Happy New Year! Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky: 12.26

Skywatching at Goat Island Park and Greenway … The sky was beautiful and captivating amazingly drawing attention to the Creator of all that is, was, and will be.

Click on image to enlarge.

2025 Skywatch Friday

Hammad’s Weekend Sky-2025.12-19

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take Care. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 CosPhoChal: A Combination of Winter Hikes

This week Dale has chosen a theme of A Winter’s Walk for this week’s Cosmic Photo Challenge. Instead of just one winter walk I decided to do a combination of several different Winter Hikes which Coleman and I have taken over the years.

Here are my contributions …

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge – A Winter’sWalk

#CosPhoChal

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Pull Up a Seat on a Jude’s Bench — ASCG Trekker Loop

Looking through my photos I ran across a bench from one of our hiking adventures I don’t think I’ve shared before, so I thought I would share it today.

*A lone Bench*
*by Lake Crandall*
*& Lake Frances*

Jude’s Bench Challenge-2025.12.22

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 51

Pull Up a Seat Challenge — *Pull Up a Seat*

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: By Lake Crandall; Trekker Loop; Adventure Road Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a blessed Christmas Holiday Week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 CFFC: 22 December — Festive or Bland

Looking Blandly

Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Festive or Bland. With so many challenges seeking Festive images I chose to go Bland instead for this week’s Fun Foto Challenge.

Here are my contributions …

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Festive or Bland

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

Note: You might want to take a look at this Friday’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) (another one of Cee’s challenges) to see the new ideas for the new theme of CWWC: Any Which Way with vehicles — This CWWC will go live on Friday 12/26 just past midnight EST.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF75-300mm lens

Location; Warlick Family YMCA hiking trails; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Macro Monday: 22 December

Ipomoea pandurata

*Aka Indian Potato; Man-of-the-Earth;*
*Manroot; Morning Glory;*
*Wild Potato Vine; Wild Sweetpotato;*
*Wild Sweetpotato Vine*

The Wild Potato Vine is a perennial, deciduous, tenacious flowering vine similar to Morning Glory and Sweet potato vine. It is native to North America and grows primarily in South East Canada to Central and Eastern United States of America. It is showy with large heart-shaped leaves, purple stems, and white flowers with pink to purple centers.

An interesting fact is that the Wild Potato Vine roots are used by Native Americans for poultices, infusions, read for treatment of a variety of medical problems. The roots can be eaten cooked, but raw, are a purgative. (A purgative has a strong laxative effect.)

Click on image to enlarge.

Macro Monday (MM)

Terri’s The #Flower Hour

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S75-300mm lens

Location: Green Trail; Warlick Family YMCA; Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Monday Portrait: 22 December

Emden Geese

*Embden Geese*
*Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm*

Embden (Emden) Geese are a German breed of domestic geese recognized primarily for their pure white plumage and striking bright blue eyes. ( I know it’s hard to see their blue eyes from the picture, but they are blue) The Embden is one of the oldest and most popular breeds around the world.

These Embden Geese reside at the Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm at the Anne Springs Close Greenway. Children of all ages are welcome to come visit them, but trying to pet them or pick them up is not recommended. Feed for them can be purchased at an extra cost to the entrance fee.

Bird of the Week CXLVII

Camera: Canon EOS 2000D ( Rebel T7) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Settings: f/5.6 • 1/100s • 70mm • ISO100

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

God Bless. Have a wonderful Christmas holiday week. Merry Christmas! Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window: 2025.12.22

*House Windows*
*at Lake Norman*
*from across the lake.*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window

Terri’s Sunday Stills – Winter Wonderland (Solstice)

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

2025 RDP: Sunday —Infructescence

These Bald Cypress trees are resilient and have the ability to grow in very wet conditions, even standing in water. These are grown near the South Fork Catawba River in Riverside Park and Greenway.

The Cypress cones are the reproductive structures of Cypress trees that develop from the tree’s flowers. What you see here are the female cones, often called seed cones. The little red droplet on the bottom cone looks like resin which is characteristic from a cypress tree.

The Cluster of Bald Cypress cones you see is a perfect example of an infructescence. These cones are actually modified seed cones, and once they mature, they’ll release seeds. It’s interesting to learn how plants develop these unique structures to disperse their seeds. The mature cones contain seeds that are a very important food source for local wildlife, including squirrels, waterfowl, and other birds.

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) – infructescence

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Sunday Stills – Winter Wonderland and Monthly Color Challenge: Cobalt Blue

Sunday Stills
Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge

This week I am combining Terri’s Sunday Stills with her Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge with the themes of Cobalt Blue and Winter Wonderland (Solstice).

First off, how about some Blue on Blue in the Gulf of Mexico (now called Gulf of America) from a cruise I took back in 2020. We were in the middle of the Gulf heading towards Cozumel, Mexico. It’s amazing how except for the other ships at sea, all one sees for miles and miles in practically Blue on Blue.

*When the Water & Sky Meet*
*Cobalt Blue*

Now for some Winter Wonderland (this isn’t Solstice, but it is having some 🥶 Winter Wonderland Funtime.

*Coleman and his mom*
*enjoying some Funtime*
*in the Winter Snow.*

I know we are currently in December with today (the 21st) being Winter Solstice, but we don’t usually get Snow in our area until January and/or February. The top photo was take in February of 2020 & the Bottom picture was taken in January of 2022.

Happy Winter Solstice to all of y’all.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge – Cobalt Blue.

God Bless. Have a wonderful Winter Solstice and a fantastic week. Merry Christmas! Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Floral Silent Sunday: December 21

Viola x wittrockiana

Silent Sunday

Terri’s The #Flower Hour

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Gibson House; Greenway Stables and Farm Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a bright beautifully terrific week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 RDP: Friday! — Mountaintop View

Ragtag Daily Prompt- Friday!Mountain!

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Location: Mount Jefferson State Natural Area; 1481 Mt Jefferson Rd, West Jefferson, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 The #Flower Hour #11 — Last Chance Holiday Florals

Revisiting Christmas Florals

Terri from Second Wind Leisure Perspective is the host for The #Flower Hour #11. This week she is giving us a Last Chance to share our Holiday Florals. Having already posted several Holiday Florals I dug deep into my archives to reshare some Christmas Florals with all of you.

Poinsettias are a popular Christmas floral, however, you probably don’t see this one around your everyday Christmas displays.

*Euphorbia pulcherrima*
(Stelle di Natale)
Christmas Star, Poinsettia

Let’s now take a look at a different Christmas floral known as the Christmas Berry. The Christmas Berry is a compact shrub with dark green elliptic leaves, but are crimson red when young in early spring. The shrub tolerates moderate shade and grows in well drained soil.

Next, we are admiring a succulent known as the Christmas Kalanchoe, a popular house plant known for its vibrant, long-lasting flowers in colors like red, white, pink, and orange. It is a succulent that thrives in bright, indirect light and well-drained soil, making it a great festive gift for the holidays.

And finally, we are changing colours from red to green for our Christmas florals. This plant was seen at Anne Springs Close Greenway’s garden at the Stables Entrance. It is a Helleborus orientalis, often referred to as Christmas Rose, or Lenten Rose. It is a winter-blooming, broadleaf evergreen, clumping perennial in the Ranunculaceae or buttercup family.

Helleborus orientalis
Aka Christmas Rose,
Hellebore, Lenten Rose

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #11

Also posting for:

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Have a very Merry Christmas Holiday Season. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Thursday Trios: 18 December

Three Horses,

Three Riders,

One Trail Ride

As stated in my Monochrome Madness post, Coleman and I saw several horse owners at Anne Springs Close Greenway taking advantage of a beautiful afternoon to enjoy riding their horses on the trails.

I’m also linking this post to XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge.

Here are a few of the horses and riders we saw visiting the Greenway taking advantage…

***Three Horses, Three Riders, One Trail***
**Pull Up a Seat**
***Anne Springs Close Greenway***

Click on each image to enlarge.

Carol’s Thursday Trios

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 50

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

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

God Bless. Enjoy your weekend. Spend time Outdoors and admire Nature’s beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Visiting the Horses and Trails (at the Greenway)

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Whenever Coleman and I have the opportunity to visit Anne Springs Close Greenway we almost always (but not always) visit the horses. Coleman loves horses. The Anne Springs Close Greenway has five different entrances to the Greenway for hiking, mountain biking, or just visiting.

Last Saturday, Coleman and I went to the Greenway Stables and Farm Entrance to visit the Farm animals and (of course) the horses.

We arrived late due to heavy traffic and congestion on the roads leading to the Greenway Stables. Therefore, we only had a short amount of time to visit the farm animals.

*One last look at the Farm*
*animals before venturing*
*towards the horses.*

Moving on to hiking and visiting the horses stabled at the Greenway. We saw and visited with several owners who were there to enjoy a ride on their horses along the trails.

*Trailing behind a horse*
*& rider down Dogwood Trail*

*Still hiking along Dogwood Trail.*
*The rider is up around the bend.*

The Greenway has several horse stables scattered along the Dogwood Trail and are maintained by the Greenway staff. Quite a few of the horses are privately owned and as the sign says you’re not supposed to pet or feed the horses. However, some of the owners will allow Coleman to pet their horses. If an owner’s horse is skittish the owner will not recommend petting it or coming too close.

*Coleman visiting horses*
*at one of the*
*Greenway Stables.*

We recommend checking with a horses owner before petting them. The owners are not always present, but when they are they are friendly and usually willing to answer any questions about their horses.

An AI sketch rendering
of few Greenway horses
enjoying their feed.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Camera: Canon EOS 2000D (Rebel T7) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

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

God Bless. Have a funtastic rest of your week. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

LAPC #378 – Last Chance for 2025

Tina from travelsandtrifles is the host this week for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. Tina is giving us the opportunity for one Last Chance to share photos we have taken and loved throughout 2025 and hadn’t had an opportunity to share for one challenge or another.

Here are some of my favorites from this year that I believe I haven’t as yet shared with y’all …

***Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #378***
**Last Chance**

Tina’s Lens-Artist Challenge-Last Chance

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

2025 SYD: 15 December

Clare from Clare’s Cosmos invites everyone to join her in Sharing Your Desktop (SYD). Below are her suggestions for participating in the Share Your Desktop Challenge .

To do so, simply share the photo (not a screenshot) 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.

I will only be sharing a small portion of my Desktop/Wallpaper images that I am seeing. The reason being I have been required to not post any pictures on any form of social media at this time of our newest family member, aka my new granddaughter.

Here are my Desktop Wallpaper and Screensaver for my Laptop:

From My HP Laptop:

Desktop Background Wallpaper

*Coleman at*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*
*Horse Stables*

Desktop Screensaver

*Muscovy Ducks*
*in Patterson Pond*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*
*Fort Mill, South Carolina*

From My Apple iPhone 16 Pro:

I have two images alternating on my Hiking Focus for my iPhone …

*Coleman petting*
*a rider’s horse*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*

Click on each image for enlarged viewing.

Clare’s Share Your Desktop-December

Cameras: Canon EOS 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

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

Monday Window: 2025.12.15

Gibson House

Christmas Decor in
alignment with Window

*Pull Up a Seat*
*in front of the Windows*
*and Enjoy the View*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window

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

2025 Monday Portrait: 15 December

Holstein Friesian

Click on image to enlarge.