I baked myself a poke cake for my birthday. The whipped topping is only on individual portions due to the fact my grandson is lactose intolerant. We couldn’t find any lactose free or nondairy whip cream.
I baked a strawberry 🍓 cake and poured strawberry jello over the top after poking holes in the top portion. This is my portion for today and it is delicious. Happy Birthday to Me!
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. Have a wonderfully funtastic week.
Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Sending y’all my birthday wishes of happiness, good health, peace, and an abundance of love throughout 2024 and beyond. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
I’m not sure if these are actually Cobalt Blue or not, but they’re the closest I have for this month’s color challenge for Terri’s Sunday Stills.
Here’s looking at the Blue Sky as we begin hiking on Dogwood Trail. Another day, another beautiful blue sky When we hike around Patterson Pond we spot a Canada Goose swimming in the Blue Waters.This is one of the views we saw when we were searching the skies for the Northern Lights.
Luckily we had a beautiful sunny day on Sunday which enabled me to capture plenty of signs, and shots with words in them as Cee’s CMMC – Pick a Topic from my Photorequests us all to post.
Our visit to Anne Springs Close Greenway is extremely accommodating in the aspect of Signs and various Objects with Words.
Signs can be found all around the Reconstructed Children’s Farm ..,
Ducks Signage by Patterson Pond
Along all the various Trails …
Trail Signs
In front of buildings such as The Hangar …
The Hangar
Or on and in front of an Historic Tack Shed …
Historic Tack Shed
And even in a flower bed informing everyone about the Sylvia Epps Baker Metal Sculpture.
Can you believe it? We are half through the month of May and one-fourth (1/4) of the way through twenty twenty-four (2024). It is already time for another ofClare’s Share Your Desktopwhere Clare asks us to share our desktops/wallpaper either from our desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphones.
Now it’s my turn to share my desktops/wallpapers with you. First up is from my iPhone followed by my laptop.
From my iPhone 14 Pro Max:
Personal Focus
Coleman
Hiking Focus
Coleman at a crossroads between Dogwood, Timberline and Peach LoopTrails
Reading Focus
Lake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway
From my HP Laptop:
Screensaver Wallpaper
Coleman
Desktop
Horses at Dairy Barn Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway
Location: Horse Stables; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fabulous rest of your week. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Sylvia Epps Baker Exceptional Equestrians Program Established in 1983 and renamed in memory of Sylvia, a loyal supporter of the Anne Springs Close Greenway from its inception.
The Carib Grackle also referred to as the Common Grackle is a tropical blackbird which is taller and longer than the typical blackbird. The plumage of Grackles are entirely black, however it has a beautiful glossy iridescent body that may display violets, purples, blues, and greens when the sun is shining on them in just the right manner.
Quiscalus lugubris
Grackles eat almost anything and everything they can find. They commonly eat insects, minnows, frogs, lizards, berries, grains, and even small birds and mice. They will confiscate food from other birds. And sometimes as these Grackles pictured here are exemplifying HOPE for a few morsels of bread crust or crumbs that may get dropped on the ground or scattered for other birds.
Carib Grackle
The Carib Grackle’s song is a mixture of harsh and melodic musical squeaks, croaks, and whistles which seem to sound anywhere from guttural to high-pitched clear whistles. Some people have compared their singing as sounding like a rusty gate.
Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris in Monochrome
If you see them foraging around your yard or picnic table they are scavenging and are hoping you’ll share your food (or at least some bread crumbs) with them.
Location: Huntingtowne Neighbourhood; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. May all your hopes, dreams, and prayers be fulfilled. Take care of yourselves and have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
When we see an infiltration of these Tipulidae we know summer is approaching and we do not want a burgeoning of them like we’re having with the cicadas.
TipulaLuna
Crane flies are harmless to people but can cause damage to plants and your lawn. Plus, they can be really annoying if they make their way into your house!
Acutipula
Most species of crane flies have no mouth parts, and the ones that do only drink nectar. Crane flies don’t bite. They don’t sting, either. Though they may show up in large numbers and can be obnoxious, crane flies are harmless.
True Cranefly
Crane Flies need a moist environment to survive and we have had more than our share of rain 🌧️ and thunderstorms ⛈️ practically daily as of late.
The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) can be spotted around ponds and lakes. I normally see them around the smaller lakes and ponds in and around Anne Springs Close Greenway.
Great Blue Herons can hunt during the nighttime as well as during the day. Interestingly they have a high percentage of rodents-type photoreceptors in their eyes that improve their night vision. They congregate at fish hatcheries, creating potential problems for the fish farmers.
Ardea herodias Great Blue Heron Anne Springs Close Greenway
The Great Blue Heron is a majestic sight to behold. Its subtle blue-grey plumage frequently stands motionless as it scan for prey or wades belly deep with long, deliberate steps. They may move slowly, but Great Blue Herons can strike like lightning to grab a fish or snap up a gopher. In flight, look for this widespread heron’s tucked-in neck and long legs trailing out behind.
Informational Sign includes The Great Blue Heron The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Did you know that the Great Blue Heron is often seen as a symbol of patience? This I had not previously heard or known. Several Native American Tribes look at the heron as a symbol of patience and good luck. On the Northwest coast, people believe that if Native American fishermen spot a heron, it means good luck is with them, and they will have a successful fishing trip.
I have always considered the Great Blue Heron to be an amazing bird to observe. I did not ever realize that they were considered symbols or omens if you saw them. Evidently they are though.
In China, the Great Blue Heron represents strength, purity and long life. According to Native American tradition the heron symbolizes wisdom and good judgment. In ancient Egypt the heron was a symbol of creation while in Africa and Greece the heron was a messenger of the gods. Watching a heron fish also instructs us in patience.
Another interesting note regarding the Blue Heron is that it is believed to symbolize being calm, presence, being at peace, uniqueness, and balance. When seeing a Blue Heron one should take a moment to look inside yourself and consider nurture all aspects of yourself. Embrace who you are; your flaws (your weaknesses), your uniqueness, and ever your feelings of shame with self-love.
God Bless. May you have strength, purity, patience and long life. Take care of yourselves and have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
The forward thinking of concerned citizens, volunteers, business partners, and in partnership with the Katawba Valley Land Trust; the ideas, planning, and reconstruction of certain areas into a Greenway of trails in Lancaster began to develop beginning in 2014. The Greenway includes numerous pedestrian connections with linkages to residential, commercial, and local school properties, trail heads, and nature centers, bridge crossings, and sidewalk improvements.
Comporium Communications Trail Access is the starting point for Coleman’s and my hike along the first phase of the Greenway’s Master Plan. The first phase of the Reconstruction of Land in Lancaster was completed in 2019. Our hike took place in February of 2022.
As we moved forward in our adventure, we encountered several informational signs which were a tremendous help in guiding us as we moved forward along the Greenway.
Coleman and I decided to move forward together along the nature trail towards creek overlook and eventually the Wetlands Overlook.
Here Coleman takes a minute to look out over the bridge at the creek below.
Coleman can’t resist climbing on the bridges railing at this next point or interest.
Informational Signs are located strategically throughout the Greenway. This particular one gives information about out the Lindsay Pettus Greenway and Lindsay Pettus himself.
The forward thinking of Mr. Lindsay Pettus and the many volunteers ensured the Greenway is and will continually be accessible to everyone regardless of their mobility needs.
St. Simons Lighthouse is one of only five remaining Georgia lighthouse towers. The Lighthouse and keeper’s Dwelling were built in 1872. The original Lighthouse which this Lighthouse replaced was built in 1810 by James Gould of Massachusetts, the first lighthouse keeper. The original Lighthouse was destroyed by Confederate forces in 1861 in order to prevent the beacon’s use by Federal troops during the Civil War.
St. Simons Island Lighthouse
The Lighthouse still serves as an active aid to navigation for ships entering St. Simons Sound, casting its beam as far as 23 miles to sea. The Lighthouse is located near the pier on the southern tip of St. Simons Island, Georgia, United States of America. Its purpose is to guide ships into St. Simons Sound and warns them of the many sandbars in the area.
Inside St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum
In 1972, the lightkeepers’ cottage was leased to Glynn County. The Coastal Georgia Historical Society spent three years restoring the two-story Victorian light keepers’ cottage at the base of the lighthouse, which was then converted into a museum.
St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum
Currently, the public can tour the museum and climb the 129 steps to the top of the Lighthouse for a view of St. Simons Sound and the surrounding area. The admission cost to tour the Lighthouse Museum and climb the 129 steps is $12 for adults; $6 for ages 6-12; $2 Military discount is offered with Valid Military ID. Children under 6 are free.
St. Simons Island Lighthouse and View from the Top
Some of the spectacular, panoramic views of the coast including Jekyll Island, the mainland (Brunswick), and the south end of St. Simons Island can be seen from the top of the Lighthouse.
The Keeper’s Dwelling is a two-story Victorian structure which was the home of the lighthouse keepers from 1872 up until the 1959’s. It currently houses the Lighthouse Museum and includes interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and period rooms that reveal the history of St. Simons Island and the life of a lighthouse keeper.
My Daughter, Trisha, climbed the 129 Steps to the Top of the Lighthouse so I could see the View.
Lily of the Valley Coloured by Me Via Zen Color App
Lily of the Valley is the birth flower for May. Traditionally, lily of the valley is known to symbolise humility, sweetness, the return of happiness and motherhood. Lily of the Valley may be May’s birth flower, but I much prefer roses 🌹 and carnations.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challengewas is a weekly themed challenge where Cee asks everyone to search through their photos and post photos they feel meet the criteria of the week’s current theme. This week Cee is challenging everyone to post photos of Locks, Keys, Knobs, and Handles.
My interpretation of this week’s challenge I know is different from what you might expect, but then again it is my insight for this challenge regarding Locks, Keys, Knobs, and Handles where I am focusing on Locks.
The Upper Lifting Locks Landsford Canal State Park
The land along the Catawba River, now apart of Landsford Canal State Park, played a vital integral role in the lives of the surrounding inhabitants for over a thousand years. It was used by the native people like the Catawba as a ford to cross the river, a long long time prior to Tomas Land acquiring the land in 1754.
The Ford’s importance as a river crossing was extremely significant during the American Revolution when it was used as a staging ground by Patriot general Thomas Sumter before the battle of Hanging Rock. The British Army under Lord Charles Cornwallis also used the ford as they withdrew from Charlotte after the Battle of Kings Mountain.
The Guardlock. Landsford Canal State Park
After the War of 1812, the Port of Charleston lost its significant importance to the Port of New Orleans. In an attempt to revitalize the port, projects were undertaken around the state to improve the ability of moving freight to and from the port and within the State of South Carolina.
One of those projects included constructing a series of four canal. The Landsford Canal construction was the last and northern most in the canal system. It was built under the supervision of Scotsman Robert Leckie by both Irish Masons and the local enslaved population. The Canal ran approximately two (2) miles along the Catawba River at its most treacherous point.
The Canal required a total of four lifting locks and a dread lock for the thirty-two feet of descent along its length. It was completed in 1823, was twelve feet wide, ten feet deep, and two miles long. Five locks raised and lowered barges through the thirty-two-foot fall of the river. Three bridges crossed the canal, and six storm culverts carried streams underneath it.
Today, Landsford Canal is the last of the Catawba River Canals and still accessible as well as one of the last in the entire state. The remains of the Canal still visible are the earthen walls of its upper side, four lifting locks and a dread lock. None of the bridges still remain, but the stone foundations are still intact. Ruins of stone culverts and retaining walls still stand in their original locations. The Canal Trail runs along the ruins of the old canal. Hiking the 1.5 mile length you can see the diversion dam in the Catawba River, The dead Lock upstream that let water into the canal, and the Lifting Locks near the south entrance. Along the way you can also see the ruins of much of the stone work and retaining walls. Interpretive signage points out major points of interest.
In Early May hundreds of visitors flock to Landsford Canal State Park. The majority of them are more interested in seeing the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies. I have hiked the entire length of the nature trail and found the historical signage interesting and informative.
TheRed-tailed Hawk is the most often-seen large hawk in North Carolina. It perches on telephone poles along highways and soars over open fields in search of food. [This Red-Tailed Hawk chose to perch on our electrical wires outside our back patio. The area outside our patio is a wide open grassy landscape area which seems to attract a wide variety of birds.]
Red-tailed Hawks like a mix of open country and deciduous forests, but they adapt to urban areas ( such as our Gastonia neighbourhood.) Red-tailed Hawks frequently can be seen perching on telephone poles, tall trees or snags along roadsides. They sit high mainly to rest, but constantly keep watch for the slightest movement down below.
Red-tailed Hawks eat mostly mammals, so they’re less likely to visit a popular feeder than a Cooper’s or Sharp-shinned hawk is. It’s very rare for a Red-tailed Hawk to go after dogs or cats.
The Red-tailed Hawk has a thrilling, raspy scream that sounds exactly like a raptor should sound. An interesting fact is that whenever a hawk or eagle appears onscreen, no matter what species, the shrill cry on the soundtrack is almost always a Red-tailed Hawk.
The Eastern subspecies (borealis) tends to have a plain red tail with neat black band near the tip. When the Red-tailed Adult Hawks are hunting, they often hang in the air scanning for prey below. This behavior is known as kiting. They also perch motionless in trees along roadsides or slowly scan for prey from its perch.
The American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is one of the most familiar birds in South Carolina and Southern North Carolina. It is a migratory bird of the Turdidae thrush family. It is commonly spotted in forests, woodlands, suburban areas, gardens, and parks. They are known to build their nests on trees, and sometimes even on man-made structures such as porches and garages.
The American Robin is very energetic and spry. It flits about on the ground searching for food. They fly to and fro from the trees to electrical wires just outside our back patio. It is mostly active during the daytime and gathers in large flocks at night. We can hear their songs way before we can spot the in the sky, in the trees or on our electrical lines.
The American Robin’s diet generally consists mainly of such delicacies as earthworms, beetle grubs, caterpillars, and grasshoppers, and a large portion of wild and cultivated fruits and berries.
We continuously hear them singing throughout the afternoon as we sit out back and Coleman plays in his sand Turtle. They are often among the first songbirds to sing as dawn rises or hours before, and last as evening sets in. One fact I learned recently is that the American Robin sings when storms are approaching and again when the storms have passed.
Interesting Facts about the American Robin are that they are protected throughout the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They are considered a symbol of Spring. A noted Quebec superstition is whoever sees the first Robin of Spring will have good luck. It is believed by some that the first robin of spring means it is a promise of new beginnings and renewal similar to how plants begin to grow and bloom in springtime.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; and established it on the waters.” — Psalm 24:1-2 NIV ( New International Version)
We managed to have a beautiful clear day yesterday (almost), so Coleman and I rode the bus to the Y for some fresh air and a bit of hiking.
All aboard, we’re on our way.
Before we begin our hike, it’s Coleman swing time. If we waited till later the school kids would have taken over and he couldn’t have been able to play.
Cameras: iPhone 14 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens with Altura UV & NP filter and also Altura Wide-Angle Fisheye attachments.
Location: Gaston County Warlick Family YMCA; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors and Enjoy Our Beautiful Earth. Thank you for traversing the trail with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 