#iPhonePhotography – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

Floral Friday/The #Flower Hour— 2026 June 26

Trio of

Hosta ‘Fragrant Bouquet’

As the months pass by it seems like there’s another plant deciding to bloom sharing its exquisitely alluring beauty for all to see and admire.

This variegated foliage plant, I had thought was just an ornamental landscaping element (to me) surprisingly blossomed recently. Coleman said to me, “Take a picture.” So I complied with his request and am sharing a couple with y’all.

The Hosta ‘Fragrant Bouquet’ also referred to as Plantain Lily is a fast growing perennial with variegated foliage and is highly aromatic with its summer blooms. It forms a lush, open mound of heart-shaped, apple-green leaves highlighted by creamy-yellow margins.

It has large trumpet-shaped flowers that range in colour from near-white to pale lilac. The sweet fragrance is said to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, however, I have not seen evidence of that on this plant.

It is planted next to a hydrangea bush and almost covering it completely as if hidden from view until it began to increase in growth and its blossoms became evident in the summer breeze.

Terri’s The Flower Hour #36

Carol’s Thursday Trios-2026.06.26

Also posting in remembrance of …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stop and smell the flowers. Admire them and the beauty found in nature. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monochrome Madness/Ragtag Daily Prompt Tuesday! (On the Trail)

Piedmont Medical Center Trail

This week’s Ragtag Daily Prompt of Trail fits perfectly into the activities which Coleman and I enjoy the most. This Trail is one we haven’t hiked in a while, but always enjoyed.

The Piedmont Medical Center Trail (a part of the Carolina Thread Trail system) runs adjacent to the Catawba River in Rock Hill/Fort Mill, South Carolina. The header image is of the Catawba River as seen from the Trail on the Rock Hill side.

The Trail on the Rock Hill side of the Catawba River is predominantly a smooth paved surface trail. The Trail on the Fort Mill side of the Catawba River is a natural surface trail. Coleman and I have hiked the Trails on both sides of the Catawba River. Coleman loves to be near the river, as well as in the river, whenever and wherever possible.

***Leanne’s Monochrome Madness***
**Ragtag Daily Prompt**
***Tuesday! Trail!***

Click on each image to enlarge.

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness-2026.06.24

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP): Tuesday! Trail!

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Location: Piedmont Medical Center Trail; Carolina Thread Trail; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike/Walk along a Trail. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The #Flower Hour #36 — 2026 June 23

Viola sororia

Click on image to enlarge.

Terri’s The Flower Hour #36

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take time to Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Smell the amazing fragrance of flowers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 CFFC: Crayola Blue (in my world)

Dan from No Facilities hosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our The Crayola Box of 8 – Blue . I have gone into my recent and archive files to see what I could locate to best represent this week’s theme. I will also be sharing Blue Along Trails as part of Friday’s CWWC post (Stay tuned to more Blue and feel free to share your blue with Cee’s Which Way Challenge as well as Dan’s CFFC challenge this week.

Here are my entries …

*Coleman*
*playing in sand Warlick YMCA Gastonia, NC*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Blue

God Bless. Enjoy your week. May it be filled with love, joy, laughter, and lots of fun. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Sunday Stills: Animal of the Month —Reptiles in the Carolinas

I’m joining Terri Webster Schrandt in her new Sunday Stills theme of Animal of the Month. This challenge will be for posting photos of an Animal, Bird, insect, reptile or other Creature of the Month. This month she also has a subtheme of Wild. I am focusing my images on Reptiles in the Wild areas of the Southeastern United States (mainly the Carolinas).

*Pond Slider*
*The Pond*
*The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC*

Terri’s Sunday Stills: Animal of the Month – Wild

God Bless. Have an adventurous week. Stay Cool. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Portrait #18 — 2026 June 22

Coleman Greets a Horse

On a recent visit to the Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman greets a Horse (with owner’s permission) with a gentle petting. Coleman loves to see the horses and pet them. However, it is always best (like we do) to ask the horse’s owner prior to petting a horse.

Coleman loves to see the horses and pet them. However, it is always best (like we do) to ask the horse’s owner prior to petting a horse.

*Coleman petting a Horse*
*at Anne Springs Close* Greenway

Monday Portrait-2026.06.22

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South 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.

Cell Pic Sunday: 2026 June 21

Catawba River
Catawba Indian Nation Greenway
Rock Hill, South Carolina

*Coleman*
*playing in the*
*Catawba River*
at the
Catawba *Indian Nation Greenway*
*Rock Hill, South Carolina*

Click on each image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.06.21

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Location: Catawba River; Catawba Indian Nation Greenway; Catawba Reservation; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

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

Silent Sunday: 2026 June 21

Plus XingfuMama’s Whatsoever Is Lovely

*Catawba River on the*
*Catawba Reservation*

*A Long Stretch*
*of the*
*Catawba River*
*at the*
*Catawba Reservation*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Silent Sunday-2026.06.21

XingfuMama’s Whatsoever Is Lovely Week 25 – 2026.06.21

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Location: Catawba River; Catawba Indian Reservation; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

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

One Word Sunday (#OWS) —2026 June 21 — Looong

Long Neck …

*Brachiosaurus at*
*The Schiele Museum*
of Natural History
Gastonia, North Carolina

Long River …

*Catawba River*
*Catawba Reservation*
*Rock Hill, South Carolina*

Long Road …

Click on each image to enlarge.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Long (2026.06.21)

God Bless. Have a safe and funtastic weekend. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Pull Up a Seat Week 25— At a Museum, Coleman Style #2

Coleman Style

At The Schiele Museum

of Natural History

In the Catawba Indian Village …

XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 25

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

Location: The Catawba Indian Village; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, 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.

Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way in Your Neighbourhood [06.19.2026]

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme for the Which Way Challenge is CWWC: Any Which Way in Your Neighbourhood 06.19.2026]. The Which Way can be Any Which Way you choose in your own neighbourhood as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.

For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

Here are my entries …

*Unity Baptist Church Easter Activities*

Click on each image to enlarge.

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.

Brian’s Yellow in (yellow out)

Marina from In Primo Piano’s yellow

Cath’s Which Way… {Spotto for Walking}

Rich from Serendipity’s The Yellow Trail

Dawn’s Down a Country Road

Dan’s The Crayola Box of 8 – Green — CFFC

Deb’s Which Way Challenge-Any Which Way in Your Neighbourhood [06.19.2026]

The Flower Hour #35: Floral ~~ABCs~~ (Not) 2026.06.19)

Thursday Trios-2026.06.19

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Have an Adventure. Enjoy the Beauty all around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us.

***Note: Next Week’s theme will be CWWC: Any Which Way with Blue Along a Trail, Pathway, or Walkway [06.26.2026]

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Wednesday, 2026 June 17(on 18) — Bounc(er)

Not sure if the shortened video will play or not, so let’s take a look at a baby in a baby Bounc(er).

*A close-up of Sophia Ruthann*
*enjoying her Bounc(er)*

Sophia Ruthann (at 6 months)
Standing & Bouncing
while leaning on the lounge chair

Click on images to enlarge.

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Wednesday – Bounce

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Home Place; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Monochrome Madness #62 2026 June 17

Jugs, Jugs, & More

(Inside & Out)

This week’s host for Monochrome Madness is Brian from Bushboys World. He has chosen a theme of Jugs for this week’s challenge. Jugs have been around for ages and made from varies materials like clay, glass, and even plastic. I much prefer sun-dried clay or glass-blown jugs to the more modern lightweight high-density polyethylene (plastic) jugs.

These are a few of the Jugs I have found in my archives to share with y’all.

Located in Fairies-Coltharp Cabin
Anne Springs Close Greenway
*Fort Mill, SC*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Brian’s Monochrome Madness #62-Jugs

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness (MM)

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm & EF-S18-55mm lenes; Apple iPhone 13 Pro; Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Locations: As stated above.

God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.

Monday Portrait #17 — 2026 June 15

Terry Leon Wilson

Forever in our Hearts

Eight years ago today we received a devastating phone call. A call that informed us of the passing, from this life, of Terry Leon Wilson. My daughter hadn’t seen her father since she was eight (8) years old, but that time span didn’t diminish the effects the news had on her (or myself).

He is one of the main reasons my daughter recently made a trip out west to Boulder City, Nevada. In the eight (8) years since his passing we hadn’t ever had the financial means to visit his grave. She met her Uncle Wayne (her dad’s only living brother) at the cemetery to be with her whilst she visited her dad’s gravesite.

The following are a few of the pictures she took while there …

Terry Leon Wilson
SP4 US Army
Vietnam
July 21, 1954 — June 15, 2018
Rest In Peace

Here are a few other photos from the cemetery …

***Southern Nevada Veterans***
***Memorial Cemetery***
***Boulder City, Nevada***

Now for a few from our time with him …

***Our Life with***
**Terry Leon Wilson**

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait-2026.06.15

Location: First Two Galleries – Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery; Boulder City, Nevada, 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.

One Word Sunday (#OWS) —2026 June 14 — Mural

Historic Landscape Mural

The Mural pictured below is of an historic landscape which is painted on the side of a shipping container. It is located right next to the nature park’s gardens and playground.

The Mural depicts a vintage steam train locomotive traveling along a railroad track chugging along beside a flowing woodland creek.

The Mural’s artwork serves as a historical callback to the early railroad lines that ran through the Piedmont region of Mecklenburg County, blending local transit history with the natural creek environments protected by the preserve.

Click on image to enlarge.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Mural

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: McDowell Nature Center and Preserve; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors and Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thankful for the freedom to live and hike in God’s amazingly beautiful landscapes and forests. Thankful you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Silent Sunday: 2026 June 14

Flag Day

*Flags Flying*
*at the*
*Southern Nevada Veterans*
*Memorial Cemetery*

Click on image to enlarge.

Silent Sunday-2026.06.14

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery; Boulder City, Nevada, USA

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

Cell Pic Sunday: 2026 June 14

Memories … of a Time Gone By

These images came up in my memories … a look back to 11 years ago in 2015. This was of a quality time I was able to spend with my eldest granddaughter, Alona. Sadly, that’s not possible nowadays due to conflicts between my daughter and her father, who prevents her spending any time with us.

Click on each image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.06.14

Camera: Apple iPhone XR

Location: Dinosaurs Alive Exhibits; Carowinds; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Have an Adventure. Spend quality time with family and friends. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The Green Berets — “De Oppresso Liber.”

U.S. Army
Special Forces Chapter 51, Las Vegas, NV
Liberator
Defender
Healer
Teacher
Builder
Soldier
“The Green Berets”

This Green Beret Memorial Statue is located in the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada. Thanks goes to my daughter for sharing this photo from her phone.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: Southern Nevada Veterans
Memorial Cemetery; 1900 Buchanan Blvd,
Boulder City, NV 89005

God Bless. Take Care. Help those in need. Spread Love and Kindness all around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

What you Looking at?

Ragtag Daily Prompt

2026 June 12

Hirsute!

Ragtag Daily Prompt (#RDP)-Hirsute!

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Greenville Zoo; Greenville, South 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.

Monochrome Madness #61 2026 June 11

The View From Underneath

Why go for the ordinary shot when you can capture the exceptional, unconventional, and unique beauty from a different and unusual perspective? I like to capture views from underneath bridges and/or trestles. The structural integrity and design in each bridge or trestle are unique and some with intricate characteristics and features.

*Looking at the*
*structural design*
*underneath a Footbridge in*
*Goat Island Park and Greenway,*
*Cramerton, North Carolina*

*The Beauty of the*
*Catawba River Flowing*
*underneath a Street Bridge*
*and the Structural Design,*
*Strength of Lines, and*
*the Sound Engineering System.*
*Founder’s Trail,*
*Fort Mill, South Carolina*

*Sound Structural Engineering Design*
*strengthens the supporting*
*interlocking network*
*increasing the lasting*
*Capabilities of the Trestle Bridge.*
*Founder’s Trail*
*Fort Mill, South Carolina*

The beauty of black and white/monochrome photography brings a unique perspective on how we see and experience the world around us. What will you photograph in monochrome this week?

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness (MM)

Cameras: 1) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens; 2-3) Apple iPhone 13 Pro Ultra Wide

Locations: As stated above.

God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.

One-Liner Wednesday 2026 June 10

Sadness through

a Baby’s Eyes

*“Her Eyes Carry a Heavy,*
Quiet Confusion
Forced Into Arms
She Does Not Know,
Only to Return
With a Gaze That Begs
*For Reassurance*
That Her Safe World
Still Exists.”

Click on image to enlarge.

#1LinerWednesday

Linda’s One Liner Wednesday

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

2026 CFFC: Crayola Yellow

Yellow Spotted

in the Neighbourhood

CFFC – The Crayola Box of 8

Dan from No Facilities hosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our The Crayola Box of 8 -Yellow. I have gone into my recent files to see what I could locate to best represent this week’s theme. I am also linking this Friday’s CWWC with Dan’s CFFC for a Which Way Challenge theme of Any Which Way with Yellow along a Trail, Path, or Road.

Here are my entries …

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge
Crayola Box of 8 – Yellow

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – The Crayola Box of 8-Yellow

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy your week. May it be filled with love, joy, laughter, and lots of fun. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Sunday, 2026 June 07 — Twelve

Twelve Tribes of Israel

While on a trip to Abilene, Texas to visit my maternal aunt (my mother’s sister) I went walking around her neighbourhood. I started out walking to try to get my 10,000 steps in like when I worked. (I got tired of just sitting around in her small home, I guess you could say I was restless.) Turned out that to reach my 10,000 steps I had to walk several blocks and keep walking some more. Now you’re probably wondering what all this has to do with the prompt Twelve.

It took walking more than Twelve long blocks to achieve my goal. Anytime I go walking, especially in a new area, I try to be observant of my surroundings and snap pictures of anything I find interesting. On this the Twelfth day of my visit, I came across a building called The Discovery Center. It had a wall mural of a dinosaur with a caption above it “In the Beginning God.” This captured my attention, so I thought why not go inside and see what it was all about.

The Discovery Center in Abilene is a Creation Museum dedicated to teaching the Bible and is based on a Creationist viewpoint of the Beginning of the world. It was established in 2001, featuring exhibits on biblical artifacts, fossils, Jewish history, and the RMS Titanic, alongside an onsite bookstore. One of the rooms inside the Discovery Center is called the Israel Room. The room has several displays depicting the history of Israel. The image above depicts a banner displaying symbols representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Each panel includes a name in Hebrew and a corresponding emblem based on biblical descriptions and traditional blessings.

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Sunday-Twelve

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: The Israel Room; The Discovery Center; Abilene, Texas, USA

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

Monday Portrait #17 — 2026 June 08

Patrick,

The Eastern Spiny

Softshell Turtle

Patrick is an Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle residing in an aquarium at The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Gastonia, North Carolina.

Spiny Softshell turtles are found in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. The state of North Carolina considers these species of turtles to be of Special Concern. Patrick, like other Spiny Softshell turtles, does not have a hard shell covered in scutes. He is covered in leathery skin instead.

Monday Portrait-2026.06.08

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium; Gastonia, 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.

One Word Sunday (#OWS) —2026 June 07 — Swirl

Swirls in Nature

Whenever Coleman and I go hiking no matter where we go we can just about always discover swirls. Sometimes they can be swirly lines on bents (piers), or found naturally in nature, or sometimes they can be something simple as a child’s scribbles of swirls and squiggly lines.

Here are a few examples of Swirls we have discovered while hiking.

Swirly lines on a bridge bent
Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway
Gastonia, North Carolina

Yes, Water ripples can be Swirls
The Pond; Nature Trail;
The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina

Now for the piece to resistance …

Swirls and Squiggles
made by Coleman
when he was 3.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Swirl (2026.06.07)

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

Cell Pic Sunday: 2026 June 07

*Southern Nevada Veterans*
*Memorial Cemetery*

Click on Image to enlarge.

John’s CellPic Sunday-2026.06.07

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery; Boulder City, Nevada, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a drive and/or a hike and see what nature has to offer. It’s a beautiful world just waiting to be explored. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Which Way Challenge 2026 (CWWC): Any Which Way on an Interstate, Highway, or Paved Road

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme for the Which Way Challenge is CWWC: Any Which Way on an Interstate, Highway, or Paved Road. The Which Way can be any Interstate, Highway, or Paved Road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.

For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

My entries this week were captured by my daughter on her recent adventure out west and driving through four states. I’ve already shared some of her photos and I will share more regarding one of the main reasons she went later on in the month.

Here are my entries … These include the Interstates, Highways, and Paved Roads she drove as well as some sights of the countryside seen through the windshield.

Click on each image to enlarge.

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.

Brian’s Granite Lookout (a short hike)

Dawn’s Which Way: Bluebell Trail

Pepper’s Light and Shadows

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Nature Trails

Eliza’s The Boardwalk in the Dunes in Merlimont, France

Rich from Serendipity’s Trail Ways

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)-Any Which Way on an Interstate, Highway, or Paved Road.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Locations: As Stated above with pictures.

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

***Note: Next Week’s CWWC: Any Which Way with Yellow along a Trail, Path, or Road [06.12.2026]

2026 Thursday Doors: June 04

Deep Gap Fire Department

The Deep Gap Fire Department provides fire protection and medical first response to Deep Gap, Rutherwood, Stoney Fork, and Cranberry Springs in Watauga & Ashe Counties in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. [This Fire Department services the areas where my ancestors lived and are buried. I have cousins whom still reside in the Deep Gap and Stoney Fork areas of Watauga County.]

The Fire Department was formed in 1964 as one of the first rural fire departments in Watauga County. The station has part-time paid firefighters staffing it between 8am -6pm Monday through Friday. It also has approximately 25 volunteer firefighters and EMT’s.

This current building was built in 1991 after outgrowing its previous station. The Bottom level consists of bay floor, admin offices and exercise room. The Top level is consists of a training room, Board of Directors meeting room, bunk room with bathrooms. Community Center, kitchen, Red Cross shelter, and Board of Elections polling station.

The main room used as a Community center is rented out by local groups for reunions and other such gatherings/events. My maternal relatives gather here every August for a reunion which is fun to attend when I am able.

Dan’s Thursday Doors-2026.06.04

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

2026 FOWC — A Harvest of Pumpkins

Fandango’s One-Word Challenge

The FOWC prompt for Tuesday is Pumpkin. Know I’m behind a couple of days, but still wanted to share these Pumpkins with y’all.

*Lake Haigler Entrance*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*
*Fort Mill, SC*

*Autumn Festival*
*The Schiele Museum*
*of Natural History*
*Gastonia, NC*

Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC)-Pumpkin

Cameras: 1-2 &4)Apple iPhone 14 Pro Ma; 3) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Locations: As Stated above.

God Bless. May you have a Stable of Love, Friendship, and Joy. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monochrome Madness #61 2026 June 04

Water Flowing

Upward & Downward

This week’s Monochrome Madness is hosted by Leanne Cole. She has chosen to challenge us to post images which show water flowing. Mine not only includes waterfalls, but also Spillways, Oceans, Dams, Lakes, Rivers and Garden Fountains. Water flows in many different ways from straight upwards to upstream and downstream, including over rocks and barriers.

Now to show y’all my entries …

*The Spillway*
*at Kings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, SC*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness #61-Flowing Water

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.

Wordless Wednesday — 2026 June 03

Little Mount Rushmore

Wordless Wednesday-2026.06.03

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

2026 Last on the Card — May 31

Brian from Bushboys World hosts a monthly challenge called Last On the Card. His rules are simple to follow if you’re interested in participating.

Here are The rules:
1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th or whenever your last photo was taken.
2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate.
3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do
4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments
5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard

Here are my contributions …

From my Canon EOS T7 (2000D):

*The Pond*
*The Schiele Museum*
*of Natural History*
*Gastonia, NC*

From my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:

Click on each image to enlarge.

#Brian’s Last on the Card-2026 May 31

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

2026 LAPC #400: The Rule of Threes featuring Florals

Tina with Travels and Trifles is this week’s host for the Lens Artist Photo Challenge. She has chosen a. Theme of The Rule of Three, not to be confused with The Rule of Thirds. I quite frequently post for Carol’s Thursday Trios so finding groups of three’s isn’t difficult for me. Whenever I am out and about I always look for possible three’s to use later on. For this challenge I am foxing The Rule of Three’s in Floral settings.

*Canna discolor*
*(aka Achira*
*or edible canna) Gastonia, NC*

*Flowering Dogwood*
(Cornus florida)
Native to the
Eastern North America
Official Flower of Tennessee

Oakleaf Hydrangea,
Hydrangea quercifolia
The Farm at
The Schiele Museum
*of Natural History*

*Rhododendron arborescens,*
*or smooth/sweet azalea*

Tina’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge (LAPC) #400-The Rule of Three

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #33

Carol’s Thursday Trios

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

One Word Sunday (#OWS) —2026 June 01 — Straight

Straight to the Heart

Western Slope Vietnam War
Memorial Park
Fruits, Colorado

Click on image to enlarge.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday (OWS): Straight-2026.06.01

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: Western Slope Vietnam War
Memorial Park; Fruita, Colorado, USA

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

Monochrome Monday(MM)/Monochrome Madness: 2026 June 01

Monochromatic at the Greenway

Visiting the Anne Springs Close Greenway, sometimes it’s nice to shoot in black and white instead of always in colour. The effects can be just as striking if not more dramatic and impressive.

These first images were taking while hiking along the trail towards and at Lake Haigler.

Lake Haigler
Lake Haigler Loop
Anne Springs Close Greenway

The next set of images were taken while Coleman was playing on the climbing structure in the Schroering Forest Playground.

***Schroering Forest Playground***
***Lake Haigler Entrance***
***Anne Springs Close Greenway***
***Fort Mill, South Carolina***

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Monochrome

Monochrome Monday

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens; & Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Locations: As Stated Below Images.

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

Cell Pic Sunday: 2026 May 31

Castle Valley Overlook

Click on Image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.05.31

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: 1-70/State Hwy 50; Sand Beach View Area: Castle Valley Overlook; Emery, Utah, USA

Which Way Challenge 2026 (CWWC): Any Which Way Along a Nature Trail (Paved, Unpaved, or Natural surface) [05.29.2026]

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme for the Which Way Challenge is CWWC: Any Which Way Along a Nature Trail (Paved, Unpaved, or Natural surface). The Which Way can be any trail found in nature as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.

For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

A Nature Trail can be found in Greenways, state or national parks, and even in some city parks. They can be paved or unpaved natural surfaces or even graveled. Wherever you find to walk or hike amongst nature are fantastic places to show your Which Ways this week. Coleman and I love getting outdoors hiking in nature amongst the trees, rivers, and lakes.

Here is our latest adventure hiking along Nature Trails …

Click on each image to enlarge.

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.

Dawn’s Memorial Day Bank Sign

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Signposts

Dan’s Travel Doors and Signs

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

*** Note Next Week’s theme: CWWC: Any Which Way on an Interstate, Highway, or Paved Road [06.05.2026]

2026 LAPC #399: Stuck in Place

On Haigler Loop

Egidio is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. She has asked us to limit our movement to within 10-15 steps in any direction from our focal point. Capture what we see from various angles and perspectives as we are Stuck in Place.

My images are all taken from within a few steps from Lake Haigler on the Haigler Loop Trail while hiking with Coleman.

I began taking pictures while Coleman sat on a bench looking out upon Lake Haigler.

Looking up from the same spot to capture what was hanging from the trees above the lake.

Then I turned around and saw interesting shoe prints on the trail. Here’s a comparison of the shoe print with Coleman’s shoe.

*Coleman’s shoe*
*next to a Horseshoe imprinted*
*in the trail*

Turning to the left and to the left we acquired these interesting views …

To the left …

*A sign indicating*
*the direction to the*
*Lake Haigler Spillway*

And to the right …

*Where is Coleman going?*
*Not to the bridge,*
*but where?*

Still to the right …

The Lake Haigler Spillway
Where’s the water?
The Spillway is so dry.
*Insufficient rain,*
*no water is flowing*
*from the Spillway.*

Egidio’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge-Stuck in Place

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens & Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Haigler Loop Trail; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South 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.

2026 Thursday Doors: May 28

A & W

My daughter stopped here, at A & W, coming and going for a bit of stretching and refreshment on her mini-vacation out west.

Dan’s Thursday Doors-2026.05.28

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: A & W Restaurant; 2020 N Townsend Ave, Montrose, Colorado, 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.

Wordless Wednesday — 2026 May 27

Lovely Afternoon View

*Lake Haigler*
*View from Haigler Loop Trail*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*

Wordless Wednesday

XingfuMama’s Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2026 Week 21

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere (WWE)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Ultra Wide Camera

Location: Lake Haigler; Haigler Loop Trail; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2026 CosPhoChal: Looking for Shade

Dale, the host of the Cosmic Photo Challenge, has challenged us to show areas we have found Shade during the hot, scorching days. Last week we had high’s in the high 80’s and low 90’s. The weekend brought about thunderstorms that are lingering around all week. I’m glad I was able to get out and enjoy visiting a few places with Coleman last week.

The following are a few of the places we found shade …

At Goat Island Park and Greenway …

*Shaded by the trees*
*while looking at the*
*South Fork Catawba River*

*Covered Picnic Shelters*
*provide Shade for a respite*
*from the Hot Sun*

*Sitting in a Shaded Picnic Shelter*
*Looking out at Shady areas*
*on the Playground*

*Coleman seeking Shade*
*in the Playground*

*Coleman and a friend*
*find Shade at the Swings*

At The Schiele Museum of Natural History …

*A Pig enjoys*
*the Shade*
*of the Pigsty*

*Shade at the*
*Covered Picnic Shelter*
*along the Nature Trail*
*at The Schiele Museum*
*of Natural History*

As you can see Shade can be found just about anywhere if you’re Looking for Shade. Most everywhere Coleman and I hike there are shaded areas if you desire to get out of the sun. Where do you Look for Shade?

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge-Looking for Shade

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 21

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Locations: As Stated in post.

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

2026 CFFC: Memorial Day and Like That

Lest We Forget

*Dedicated To Those Who Have Crossed*
*The Bar And To Those Who Will Follow*

*United States Coast Guard*

Dedicated By
The Chief Warrant Officers Association,
Silver State Chapter And Chief Petty Officers Association, Las Vegas Mavericks Chapter
11 November 1998

“To care for him who has borne the battle…
and for his widow… and for his orphan.”
Abraham Lincoln

Memorial Day
May 25, 1998

Donated By: Las Vegas Chapter 11
Disabled American Veterans

No Words are really necessary. May we never forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you to my daughter for capturing these images.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge-Memorial Day and Like That

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery; Boulder City, Nevada, USA

God Bless. Trust you had an awesome Memorial Day (Americans). Enjoy your week. May it be filled with love, joy, laughter, and lots of fun. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window – 2026 May 25

American Airlines Windows

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window-2026 May 25

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: American Airlines; Charlotte-Douglas International Airport; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have an adventurous week filled with love and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

One Word Sunday (#OWS) —2026 May 24 — Panorama

Panorama

*Lake Haigler*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*
*Fort Mill, South Carolina*

Click on image to enlarge.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday (OWS)-2026 May 24

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Lake Haigler; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

Remembering My Dad, A Korean War Veteran

Posting for John’s CellPic Sunday

Korean War Memorial
Southern Nevada Veterans
Memorial Cemetery
Boulder City, Nevada

My Dad
Nornal H. Waters HN
U. S. Navy
Korean War

Happy Birthday in Heaven, dad!

Click on each image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.05.24

Natalie’s Public Art Photo Challenge

Camera: Image 1) Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery; 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive; Boulder City, Nevada, 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.

Silent Sunday: 2026 May 24

The Western Slope

Vietnam War Memorial

Silent Sunday-2026.05.24

Natalie’s Public Art Photo Challenge (PPAC)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: The Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial; 340 CO-340; Fruita, Colorado, 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.

Will She … Won’t She … Most Definitely

While at Martha Rivers Park, my daughter (Coleman’s mom), decided she wanted to see if she could still climb a tree and hang upside down. Here is the progression …

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.05.23

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Martha Rivers Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. May you have a lovely week filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Pull Up a Seat Week 21— Coleman Style in a City Park #3

Martha Rivers Park

After Coleman’s end of year program on Tuesday afternoon we went to Martha Rivers Park, a city park in Gastonia, North Carolina, to allow him to run around and burn off steam and energy. It was a super hot day, so sweat was definitely happening. He did have tons of fun and other kids were enjoying the park for the afternoon as well.

As you may or may not have noticed, Coleman’s selections for Pulling Up a Seat are not always one’s typical seating choices for most people. The following are his choices on this day …

***Pull Up a Seat***
***2026 – Week 21***
**Martha Rivers Park**
***with Coleman***

Click on each image to enlarge.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 21

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Martha Rivers Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Floral Friday/The #Flower Hour/Spring Festival — 2026 May 22

Opuntia humifusa

The Eastern Prickly Pear, (Opuntia humifusa), is a cactus of the genus Opuntia. It is present in parts of the Eastern United States, southeastern Canada, and northern Mexico.

*A Trio of*
*Eastern Prickly*
*Pear Flowers*

It is a low-growing, cold hardy cactus that stands as the only widespread native cactus in the eastern United States region. It is widely celebrated for its ability to survive freezing winter temperatures, its vibrant summer blooms, and its completely edible parts.

Normally, it is stated the blooms appear around June-July. We have been having some extremely hot weather lately (feels like summer instead of spring). Guess nobody told the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus Blooms they weren’t supposed to bloom for another month.

After the cacti produce their flowers, it produces oblong, purplish-red edible fruits often referred to as “pear apples”. Wonder how tasty they’ll be.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #31

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026 – Week #10

Carol’s Thursday Trios

Also posting in remembrance of …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Thursday Doors: May 21

Flying J

Eagles Landing

Click on image to enlarge.

Dan’s Thursday Doors-2026.05.21

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: Flying J Eagles Landing Travel Center; Mesquite, Nevada, 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.

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Coleman Greets a Horse

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Coleman Style

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Jugs, Jugs, & More

(Inside & Out)

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Terry Leon Wilson

Forever in our Hearts

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Flag Day

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Ragtag Daily Prompt

2026 June 12

Hirsute!

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The View From Underneath

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Sadness through

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Yellow Spotted

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CFFC – The Crayola Box of 8

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Twelve Tribes of Israel

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Swirls in Nature

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Deep Gap Fire Department

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Water Flowing

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Little Mount Rushmore

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Straight to the Heart

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Monochromatic at the Greenway

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Castle Valley Overlook

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On Haigler Loop

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A & W

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Lovely Afternoon View

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Lest We Forget

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American Airlines Windows

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Panorama

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