#iPhonePhotography – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

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 …

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

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 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

Photo Credit: 1)©️2026 Trisha L. Wilson; 2-4) From my dad’s photos, Nornal H. Waters.

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.

Wordless Wednesday — 2026 May 20

Stormin’ the Castle

Coleman entering
the Castle Playground
Martha Rivers Park

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2026.05.20

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Martha Rivers Park; Gastonia, 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.

Cell Pic Sunday: 2026 May 17

Brotherly Love

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.05.17

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; 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.

Spring’s Lovely Pink Roses

The Rose bush keeps popping up with new blooms to delight the senses. I love roses and the new blooms are just in time for my upcoming bday.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Colour Challenge-Pink and Pastels

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #30

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026 #9

Also posting in remembrance of …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Canopy of an Old Oak Tree

Under & Shaded

Posting for Six Word Saturday and The Cosmic Photo Challenge.

This Quercus pagoda (Cherrybark Oak) tree is a an old Oak tree which is native to the Carolinas and the Southeastern United States of America. It is a fast-growing, long-lived deciduous tree. These trees are capable of reaching a height between 100-130 feet tall having a 40-70 foot spread. (I included a couple images of the base of the tree so you can get the idea of its spread.)

The Cherrybark Oak trees thrive in moist well-drained bottomland soils in full sun. This Oak tree provides an enormous amount of shade providing protection from the harsh sun. (If you look closely, you’ll be able to view Coleman playing under the Canopy of this Old Oak Tree.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.05.16 (Enjoy your break Debbie).

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge (#CosPhoChal)-Under the Canopy-2026.05.16 (Sorry, I’m a week late.)

Becca’s Sunday Trees #637

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. May you rest Under the Canopy of God’s Love and Protection. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Pull Up a Seat — Coleman Style in a City Park #2

T. Jeffers Park

Click on each image to enlarge.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 19

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: T. Jeffers Center and 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.

Wordless Wednesday — 2026 May 13

Mimus polyglottos

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2026.05.13

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, 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 #Flower Hour #30 — 2026 May 12

Coreopsis lanceolata

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #30-2026.05.12

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026-Week 8

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Gardens of the Waxhaw; Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South 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.

Monday Portrait #16 — 2026 May 11

Unwanted Visitor —

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

We looked out our sliding glass door the other day. We were surprised (maybe startled would be more like it) to see along black snake not too far from the door. Snakes are fine anywhere but in our yard. (Our last place we also found a long black snake.) What’s up with that? You’d think we’d attract them somehow. However, we’d prefer them to slither through the woods, or anywhere else but here.

My daughter was brave (she did ask what kind it was first). She picked up the long black snake and escorted it off the property. Just so you know, the long black snake (our unwanted and unwelcome visitor is an Eastern ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis). It is a large, non-venomous constrictor which is commonly found in the eastern United States of America. It is known for its shiny black colouration with a black and white checkered belly.

Even though we prefer them not to be around, they are beneficial for controlling rodent populations. When they are threatened, they will vibrate their tail and strike. They will also stick their tongue out and hiss out anyone they think will harm them.

Click on image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait-2026.05.11

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Locations: Unity Community; 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.

Macro Monday – 2026 May 11

Bigleaf Hydrangea

Click on image to enlarge.

Macro Monday (MM)

Terri’s The Flower Hour-2026.05.11

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026 – Week 8

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Gastonia, North 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.

Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky — 2026 May 10

Click on each image to enlarge.

Skywatch Friday-2026 May 10

Hammad’s Weekend Sky-2026.05.10

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Cell Pic Sunday: 2026 May 10

Northern Mockingbird

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.05.10

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Gastonia, North 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.

Silent Sunday: 2026 May 10

Silent Sunday-2026.05.10

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: EpiscopalChurch of the Heavenly Rest; Abilene, Texas, USA

God Bless. Happy Mother’s Day! Have a wonderful day. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me.

Happy Mother’s Day! With Love, Coleman

Stem Explorers Pixel Art Challenge is a new Stem learning resource for Coleman.

It develops hands-on critical thinking skills such as problem-solving and spatial reasoning. The kit comes with 10 double-sided challenge cards with activities of increasing difficulty levels.

It is a screen-free learning adventure which engages Coleman in educational Stem play which builds essential coding concepts and mathematical skills through colourful, tactical building experiences. (I limit his screen time (tv) and do not allow him on a computer, hand-held device of any kind at this time.)

It develops Fine Motor Skills enhancing hand-eye coordination and dexterity while he places the pixel pieces to create patterns, designs, and completes structured challenges.

It is an excellent Versatile Educational Tool which can be used for independent play at home, in a home school, or in a classroom. It has multiple difficulty levels that will grow with Coleman as his abilities increase and will keep him challenged for several years.

The kit has Quality Construction which comes with one board and four hundred (400) durable, lightweight foam pieces that stay in place while he is playing/creating, they are safe for his hands and easy for him to manipulate.

Coleman really enjoys playing and creating designs with his Stem Explorers Pixel Art Challenge Kit and we would highly recommend it to any adult who interacts with young children. The age range for this Stem activity is 5+. I can see this being used by adults as well to keep their minds alert and stimulated.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.05.09

Created by: Coleman Leon Wilson (my grandson).

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

2026 Pull Up a Seat — Coleman Style in a City Park #1

T. Jeffers Park

***Pull Up a Seat 2026***
***Coleman + Sophia Ruthann***
***T. Jeffers Center & Park***

Click on each image to enlarge.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 16-17-18

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: T. Jeffers Center and 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 08

Happy Mother’s Day!

*Roses to brighten your*
*Mother’s Day Weekend*

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #29

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026 – Week #8

Also posting in remembrance of …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Lake Wylie, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers, and men don’t forget to honor the women in your life. 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 (Your Choice) [05.08.2026]

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 is CWWC: Any Which Way (Your Choice). The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or 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.

*Coleman*
*on a wooden path*
*crossing Lake Haigler*

For this week’s Which Way Challenge I have chosen to share a Which Way Coleman and I hiked back in 2022 when he was three years old. The hike along Lake Haigler Loop Trail at Anne Springs Close Greenway came up in my photo memories, so I thought y’all might enjoy seeing it as well.

Here are my entries …

Cee’s Which Way Challenge
(Your Choice)
Coleman on
Lake Haigler Loop Trail
Anne Springs Close Greenway

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.

gwh photos2’s (CWWC) – Which Way Challenge: Any Which Way Capturing People Unaware

Dawn’s Which Way: Out for a Spin

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)

Cameta: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

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

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 we will be exploring and sharing the theme of CWWC: Any Which Way with Signs [05.15.2026]. This will also tie in with Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – Informational Signs. Feel free to link to his post as well next week. ***

Wordless Wednesday — 2026.05.06

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2026.05.06

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: The Discovery Center; Abilene, Texas, 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 #Flower Hour #29— 2026 May 05

“¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!”

Spiraea japonica ‘Walbuma‘

Aka Magic Carpet Spirea, it is a compact deciduous shrub grown in a landscape near the tennis courts at T. Jeffers Center.

It is cherished for its vibrant yellow-gold foliage, intense pink summer (even though it is only spring here) flowers and red fall colour.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #29-2026.05.05

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026-Week 7

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Near Tennis Courts; T. Jeffers Center and Park; 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.

Monday Portrait #15 — 2026 May 04

Sophia Ruthann

She turns Five (5) Months on Friday.

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Locations: Unity Community; 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.

Monday Window – 2026 May 04

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

City of Gastonia

Fire Headquarters

Monday Window-2026 May 04

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: City of Gastonia Fire Headquarters (Shot from across the street); Gastonia, 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.

Macro Monday – 2026 May 04

Packera aurea

Aka Butterweed, Golden Groundsel
Golden Ragwort

Macro Monday (MM)

Terri’s The Flower Hour-2026.05.04

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026 – Week 7

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: T. Jeffers Center and Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy the Spring-like weather. Ours is bouncing back and forth from the low 60°’s to the low 80°’s. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky — 2026 May 03

Picturesque Clouds Before the Rain

Click on each image to enlarge.

Skywatch Friday-2026 May 03

Hammad’s Weekend Sky-2026.05.03

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2026 Last on the Card — April 30

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):

*Coleman at*
*Kings Mountain State Park*

From my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:

Click on each image to enlarge.

#Brian’s Last on the Card-2026 April 30

God Bless. Have a 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 03

Visiting T. Jeffers Park

*At T. Jeffers Park*
*with Coleman & Sophia*
*(Look carefully to spot Coleman*
*… might need to enlarge)*

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.05.03

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: T. Jeffers Center and Park; Gastonia, North 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.

One Word Sunday (#OWS) —2026 May 03

White

Click on image to enlarge.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday (OWS)-2026 May 03

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Mount Zion Restoration Church; 2311 Crescent Lane; Gastonia, North 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.

Silent Sunday: 2026.05.03

Mount Zion Restoration Church

Click on images to enlarge.

Silent Sunday-2026.05.03

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Mount Zion Restoration Church; 2311 Crescent Lane; 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.

Connect with Nature … Hug a Tree

“Be kind. Stay green. Hug a tree.”

“When you hug a tree, you’re not just showing affection – you’re slowing down and reconnecting with nature.”

cultivatinggreenspaces

“Hugging a tree isn’t a strange act — it’s an exchange. A moment of grounding. A way of remembering that we are part of something bigger.”

Author unknown

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Location: The Cultural Center Trail; Catawba Nation Greenway Trail; Carolina Thread Trail; Catawba Indian Nation; Catawba Reservation; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless Enjoy Nature. Hug a Tree. Peace be with you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Deep Gap Fire Department

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Water Flowing

Upward & Downward

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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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The Western Slope

Vietnam War Memorial

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Opuntia humifusa

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Flying J

Eagles Landing

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Brotherly Love

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Under & Shaded

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Mimus polyglottos

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Coreopsis lanceolata

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Unwanted Visitor —

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

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Bigleaf Hydrangea

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Northern Mockingbird

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T. Jeffers Park

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Happy Mother’s Day!

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“¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!”

Spiraea japonica ‘Walbuma‘

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Sophia Ruthann

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City of Gastonia

Fire Headquarters

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Packera aurea

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Picturesque Clouds Before the Rain

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