Coleman and I found the Wagon Ride at the Lazy 5 Ranch to be very interesting and I’d say educational. Coleman enjoyed seeing the many different types of exotic animals including the Red Sindhi cow which followed the Wagon for quite a ways as if it wanted to have an exciting adventure as well.
Red Sindhi
Red Sindhi belong to the heat-tolerant Bosindicus (Zebu) lineage. It is a specialized dairy breed originating from Pakistan.
Bos Indicus
The Red Sindhi yield substantial volumes of milk (averaging 4.5%-5% fat) even under extreme heat and stress (like we’ve been experiencing) and low quality forage. At the Ranch they are well fed and maintained.
Zebu aka Red Sindhi belong
The Red Sindhi are compact, smaller and rounder in comparison to the Red Brahma. The hump is well developed in bulls, but much smaller in cows.
Red Sindhi female
Its colouring is a Deep Red, ranging from yellowish-brown to dark brown; males are typically darker than females especially on the head, feet, and tail.
These images were all taken while looking out the back of the Wagon; noticing the Red Sindhi and other animals following behind and eventually alongside the Wagon. They really were delighted when the Wagon stopped off and on during the Safari ride. They knew whenever the Wagon stopped they could get feed from the Lazy 5 Ranch guests.
While traveling on the wagon Ride around the Lazy 5 Ranch we spotted Vietnamese Pot-bellied pigs in groups of three. Imagine that, how nice of them to group themselves as trios for my photographic adventures.
The Vietnamese Pot-bellied Pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) at the Lazy 5 Ranch were originally from the jungles of China and Vietnam. They were introduced into the United States as pets around 1985. Their backbone is bent like a saddle, which causes the abdomen to nearly drag on the ground. It is due to this effect why they received the pot-bellied name. At birth piglets normally weigh approximately one (1) pound (lb). They grow to a height of 10-12 inches (in) and a weight of about 125 pounds (lbs).
Vietnamese Pot-bellied Pigs Thursday Trios
Pot-Bellied Pigs are intelligent and can be taught to do simple tricks and to walk around on a leash. However, at the Lazy 5 Ranch they are free to roam around the pastures, pathways and around the many, many other exotic animals at the ranch. At the Ranch they are not taught any tricks, they do enjoy the feed. While on the Wagon ride you are allowed to feed the animals roaming about, some even approach alongside the Wagon begging for handouts (they know the visitors have feed buckets which they’ll gladly make disappear).
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Lazy 5 Ranch; Mooresville, North 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.
XingfuMama hosts the weekly challenge Whatsoever Is Lovely. The challenge is simple. Just reflect back over your week and see what is lovely, whether a thing or a moment, share in a post what is precious and lovely to you.
This week I am continuing with Whatsoever is Lovely to me; Beautiful Flowers & Butterflies #3. These images were taken on Coleman’s & my recent visit to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina. The first area we visited was the Butterfly Bungalow. We had not previously visited the Butterfly Bungalowsince the times we’ve visited Daniel Stowe Conservancy before were in the Springtime.
For this post I am focusing on the Giant Swallowtail (Polygonia comma). The Giant Swallowtail is the largest butterfly located in North America. It is known for its black wings with striking yellow stripes and its large wingspan. The Giant Swallowtails can have a massive wingspan of up to six (6) inches long.
Interestingly, their abdomen and outer wings are a light yellow shade with red and blue markings along the bottom of their wings while they have black and yellow stripes directly above their heads.
These Giant Swallowtails (Polygonia comma) are also referred to as Eastern Comma. They can typically be seen in shaded areas or near bodies of water. The Eastern Comma feed on sap, rotting fruit, dung, salt and minerals. They are a confident , aggressive, and social butterfly.
These Giant Swallowtails are feasting on Pycnanthemum incanum, aka Hoary Mountain Mint. The Mountain Mint is a hardy, aromatic perennial in the mint family which is native to eastern North America. It is known for its silvery-white foliage with clusters of small white to lavender flowers that bloom during the summertime. It is an excellent magnifier pollinators like bees, butterflies, and wasps. (I prefer watching the butterflies to bees or wasps.)
These pictured here are maintained in the controlled environment of the Butterfly Bungalow inside the Gardens of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.
Location: Butterfly Bungalow; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Bely, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a lovely weekend filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Greater Rhea at the Lazy 5 Ranch roam freely amongst the many various Exotic animals within the pathways as well as in the grassy areas. Sometimes you can spot one by itself while at other times they’ll be in pairs, near Elands, or even alongside the Wagons that carry visitors around the Ranch.
Here are a few Greater Rheas we saw during our Adventure …
A Rhea next to the wagon & Coleman’s hand. Monday Portrait Greater Rhea Lazy 5 Ranch
The Rhea (Rhea americana) is the third largest flightless bird in the world. They are smaller than African Ostriches and have three toes instead of two. The single male bird builds the nest for all the females in his harem to lay their eggs. A single male may incubate up to 50 eggs while in solitude. [Hey, guys how would you like the responsibility to incubate the female’s eggs?] Rheas rapidly run on long legs and travel in family groups of approximately six (6) birds except during the mating season. The mating season is when flocks of about twenty-five (25) congregate. How fast do you think Rheas can run? [Answer noted near end of post.]
Coleman and I were able to observe FallowDeer at the Lazy 5 Ranch home to over 600 Exotic Animals from more than 6 continents. The Lazy 5 Ranch could be compared to a small Safari Zoological Park. At the Lazy 5 Ranch you can either drive your own vehicle through on a Safari tour of the Ranch or opt to take a Wagon Ride (which we did). With the Wagon Ride, there is a driver guiding the horses pulling the Wagon giving al overall commentary of the Ranch, informing us about the various animals we were seeing, and as well as giving a bit of history on how the Ranch came to be in existence.
Here we spot a Fallow Deer in a pond of #Water where looking closely you can see the deer’s Reflections in the #Water.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Lazy 5 Ranch; Mooresville, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Admire all of God’s creatures great and small. Enjoy nature’s beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter Attachment.
Location: Lazy 5 Ranch; Mooresville, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take time to enjoy the flowers. Get Outdoors and commune with nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Before get into our adventures let me tell you that one of the reasons we went on our adventure was to give Coleman a special outing before his birthday (today’s his birthday). Coleman turned Seven (7). The first gallery of images show Coleman Pulling Up a Seat while waiting for the Wagon Ride.
Happy 7th Birthday Coleman!
This next gallery depicts Coleman feeding some of the Exotic Animals that came alongside the Wagon we were riding on during our Safari adventure around the Lazy 5 Ranch.
Coleman Feeds Exotic Animals at Lazy 5 Ranch
The last gallery illustrates Coleman feeding Giraffes during the Safari Wagon Ride plus showing a bit more of the Wagon.
Coleman Feeding the Giraffes on a stop during the Wagon Ride at Lazy 5 Ranch
This week is a free week for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness; instead of following her lead on Profusion I am combining my Monochrome Madness post with the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge’s theme of Adventures. I’m sharing a few Black and White images of our Adventures at the Lazy 5 Ranch.
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Location: Lazy 5 Ranch; Mooresville, North Carolina, USA
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.
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 I’m allowing y’all to choose your own Which Ways for this week and next with the theme of 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.
When I began preparing this post after last week’s went live I had thought of sharing a hiking adventure Coleman and I had two years ago in 2024. However, best laid plans do change occasionally as did mine for this week.
We had an incident with Coleman this week (I won’t go into details, but prays are appreciated). This is a special week for Coleman so his mom chose to take us on a special adventure up in Mooresville, North Carolina to the Lazy 5 Ranch.
I am sharing a few images of our adventures here with y’all.
Arriving at Lazy 5 Ranch …
Arriving at Lazy 5 Ranch Cee’s Which Way Challenge
The Lazy 5 Ranchis approximately an hour’s drive north of us in the City of Mooresville, North Carolina. It is privately owned and operated by Henry Hampton. It receives no federal or state funding. Henry Hampton has been raising exotic animals for over 50 years. He started out with the exotic animals at his own home and allowed school groups to visit viewing the animals from the opposite side of the fence.
Exotic animals follow the Wagon Wagon HorseColeman feeding an ElandScotch Highland Cattle A Variety of Exotic animals Gazing up the hillLlamaGiraffesCee’s Which Way Challenge Exotic Animals at Lazy 5 Ranch
In May of 1993, Mr. Hampton’s dream became a reality and The Lazy 5 Ranch officially opened. It opened with just five (5) staff people and only two (2) operating wagons. We chose to have a Wagon Ride with the driver commenting on the animals we were seeing instructing everyone to remain seated as long as the Wagon was moving. We could move around or stand to take pictures when the wagon was stopped.
EmusOur Wagon Driver & Horses Axis Deer & Vietnamese Pot-bellied PigsWagon Horse Our Wagon Horses Wagons Only signNilgaiThe Exotic Animals roam the pathways Coleman after we left the wagon Our Wagon Ride Plus Exotic Animals We Saw Cee’s Which Way Challenge
The Lazy 5 Ranch has grown tremendously since its beginning with over 600 animals from six (6) continents. The animals can be viewed everyday all year long by horse drawn wagon or from your own personal vehicle while traveling along a 3 1/2 mile safari ride. As you can see, I have only shared a fraction of what we saw on our adventure visiting the Ranch.
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.
The whole family went on an adventurous outing on Monday (unusual for our family). Coleman’s mom and I discussed where we might could go Sunday evening and decided it would be an excellent idea for us all to go with her driving. Where did we decide to go?
We chose to go on a wagon ride at the Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville, North Carolina. Why did we decide to spend the day together and not just have Coleman and myself go somewhere together? This coming Saturday is Coleman’s birthday. He’ll be turning Seven (7) and we wanted to do something special for him when his mom and baby sister, Sophia, could join us.
Of course, I brought my camera along and not just my iPhone. An outing like this doesn’t happen often; I needed to capture the adventure so we could enjoy the memories.
Here is just one set of trios from our adventure …
Axis Deer
As per the Lazy 5 Ranch’s Guidebookthis beautiful set of Trios are Axis Deer(Cervus axis). The Axis Deer are also known as Chital Deer which means spotted in Hindustani. Interestingly, the Axis Deer retains its spots throughout its lifespan (approximately 22 years). They are available to be seen at the Lazy 5 Ranch year round.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Lazy 5 Ranch; 15100 Mooresville Road; Mooresville, North 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: I’ll be sharing more about our adventure at the Lazy 5 Ranch in future posts.
When you think of Castle Windows you probably think of ancient and/or historical castles, however, these windows are in a Castle Playground at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina. The Castle Playground is a fairly new playground inside the botanical gardens for children to climb, explore, and basically have an all out Funtime while at the Stowe.
Monday Window Castle Playground Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
On the day Coleman and I were at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden it was extremely hot and humid and we only saw one other child at the playground. Being so hot Coleman only had a short time to play before we moved on to the Tunnel Fountain for him to enjoy some water time.
The gallery of images above show the Castle Windows. The ones gallery below shows what Coleman is looking out the Window at and holding. For an active boy he was skeptical and yet excited to swing out the Window and repel down to the ground.
XingfuMama hosts the weekly challenge Whatsoever Is Lovely. The challenge is simple. Just reflect back over your week and see what is lovely, whether a thing or a moment, share in a post what is precious and lovely to you.
This week I am continuing with Whatsoever is Lovely to me; Beautiful Flowers & Butterflies #2. These images were taken on Coleman’s & my recent visit to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina. The first area we visited was the Butterfly Bungalow. We had not previously visited the Butterfly Bungalow since the times we’ve visited Daniel Stowe Conservancy before were in the Springtime.
The best time of the year to visit the Butterfly Bungalow is during the Summer. Why do you think Summer is the best time to visit. Let me tell you. It is the best and only season to visit the Butterfly Bungalow due to the fact that it is a seasonal attraction that only operates from late May through early September, the warmest months of the year.
For this post I am focusing on the MonarchButterfly. The Monarch Butterflies eagerly feast on Buddleja davidii (Butterfly Bush) because it functions as an elite nectar source. The nectar of Buddleja davidii is rich in sucrose, glucose, and fructose which offers a dense spike of immediate energy. The blooms of Buddleja davidii emit a powerful sweet, honey-like aroma that attracts Monarchs from a distance.
Below are Monarch Butterfly photos I took on our visit …
Monarch Butterfly on Summer Lilac aka Buddleja davidii (Butterfly Bush)
Buddleja davidii (Butterfly Bush)
These pictured here are maintained in the controlled environment of the Butterfly Bungalow inside the Gardens of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.
Location: Butterfly Bungalow; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Bely, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a lovely weekend filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
SIX WORD SATURDAY The Fountain Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Belmont, NC
This fountain at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden looks so refreshing! It is located near the entrance to the Lost Hollow: The Kimbrell Family Children’s Garden. Coleman is having fun playing nearby.
The fountain spray is a powerful, tall column of white, frothy water shooting dramatically upwards. It crests at a significant height before cascading back down, creating a lively splash and ripples in the water below. have loved playing nearby.
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment
Location: Fountain near Lost Hollow; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stay Cool. Stay Hydrated. Spread joy and happiness all around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome! This week I’m continuing with sharing various benches and chairs at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina. It is still extremely hot and humid here in our region of North Carolina. Here are a few more benches and chairs that are scattered here and there around the Gardens.
Here are my entries for this week …
#PullUpaSeat #DanielStoweConservancy Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
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 Any Which Way in Black and White On Asphalt Roads or Paved Pathways. In choosing the Black and White theme for this week’s Which Way Challenge I am honouring the memory of Cee’s Black and White Challenge. The Which Way can be any paved pathway, sidewalk, paved trail, 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.
Here are my entries …
Cee’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) Cee’s Black and White Challenge (CBWC) Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
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.
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North 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 (Your Choice)[07.24.2026]
Last week I shared the entrance Doors to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; this week I sharing Doors within the Gardens.
Door leading to the Gardens Don’t recall offhand what this was used called William H. Williamson, III Orchid Conservatory William H. Williamson, III Orchid ConservatoryColeman approaching the William H. Williamson, III Orchid ConservatoryDaniel Stowe Botanical Garden Dan’s Thursday Doors
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic rest of your week and weekend ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with w. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dale, the host of theCosmic Photo Challenge, has challenged us to post a few close-up shots for this week’s challenge. Coleman and I had just recently visited the Butterfly Bungalow watching the butterflies fluttering to and fro from flower to flower feasting on nectar and/or pollen till their hearts content. Therefore, I thought it might be worth it to share a few close-ups with you.
Eastern Giant Swallowtails
First, in the image above we are viewing two Eastern Giant Swallowtails enjoying the tasty delight in the butterfly feeder.
Next, let’s take a closer look at the Butterfly feeder. Not only are the Swallowtails having a delicious feast of the sugar water solution mixed with fruit to provide them with energy, but severe black ants are joining in to sample it as well.
And finally for a close-up view of the Eastern Giant Swallowtails themselves. Observe the delicate line, pattern, and color details in the design of the Swallowtails wings. Notice their distinctive appearance with their prominent antennae that are dark, slender, and distinctively club-tipped. Its legs are also slender, dark, and segmented allowing it to grip the edge of the feeder.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Butterfly Bungalow; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Be observant of all creatures large and small that call our Earth home. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We are still experiencing extremely high temperatures and humidity. For the past month Coleman and I had not ventured outdoors (mostly my not wanting to be in the heat, Coleman doesn’t care one way or another what the temperatures are like. He prefers the outdoors.) Not wanting to have either of us (especially me) to get overheated and/or dehydrated, we stayed home and indoors (much to Coleman’s displeasure.)
Due to irritability (mostly mine), my daughter insisted we take her car and go visit Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. She even handed me the cash to cover the entrance fees.
After visiting the Butterfly Bungalow, the Prairie Castle Playground (for Coleman playtime), we walked through the various Perennial Gardens to the Tunnel Fountain. The Tunnel Fountainis a dynamic water arch display near the Canal Garden. It was at the Tunnel Fountain where Coleman found his Reprieve from this summer’s extreme Heatwave.
Coleman enjoy a bit of Reprieve from the Summer Heatwave with Splash-time at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Location: Tunnel Fountain; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stay Cool. Stay Hydrated. Spread joy and happiness all around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
[Let me know if you’re not able to view the video.]
Welcome, I’m thrilled you stopped by for a visit. This week I’m holding off on Further Adventures of Coleman Pulling Up a Seat at Anne Springs Close Greenway. Instead I’m posting a few benches from our recent visit to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina.
It was an extremely hot and humid afternoon here in our region of North Carolina, so a few benches scattered here and there around the Gardens were a welcome relief to hydrate and catch (at least mine) our breath before venturing on around the Gardens.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location:
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.
Who’s Harebrained idea was it to come here? It is blazing hot in this extreme heat. Why would anyone think a Harebrained idea like this was alright to leave an air conditioned building to walk around sweating would be fun?
Yesterday’s temperature was 90°F with a heat index of 98°F. Not the recommended temps for walking or hiking outdoors. I asked earlier who had the Harebrained idea to go spend time outside in this heatwave. Where did we go?
Coleman and I were sick and tired or being cooped up indoors. We had been avoiding going out into the extreme hot weather we’ve been experiencing. A person go only take so much of being trapped indoors before anxiety attacks. My daughter (having a day off) suggested Coleman and I go out and visit the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. So that’s who suggested the Harebrained idea of leaving air conditioning and visiting the Stowe Gardens.
This are the entrance doors to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden …
Entrance Doors to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Belmont, NC
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic rest of your week and weekend ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with w. I appreciate y’all very much.
It was another extremely hot and humid day in the Carolinas. Despite the heat, Coleman and I ventured out to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden to check out the new additions (more on that later), the flowers in bloom, and the Butterfly Bungalow (in a future post).
This is the pathway where we began our adventure towards the Gardens and the Butterfly Bungalow.
Coleman in the Shadows at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
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.
I’m a few days behind, lots of stuff going on right now. I started this on time, but needed time to ponder over my thoughts and reflect on Debbie’s One Word Sunday choice of Inspiredfor this week. I may be taking a different approach than some of you in that my train of thought is based on what inspires me.
“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.”
— Aristotle
Quote by Anne Springs Close
As some of you may realize, Coleman and I enjoy (if not thrive) in nature. Nature inspires me to relax, reevaluate, and reflect on my life. It inspires me to strive for peace and calmness in my everyday life. Nature’s Beauty and Stunning Views inspire me to capture it to preserve the memories which I love sharing with others.
“I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”
— Anne Frank
The Jane Spratt McColl Wildflower Meadow A Dedicated Native Habitat Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina
The core inspiration for the Jane Spratt McColl Wildflower Meadow is based on a lifelong friendship, native roots, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.
The Wildflower Meadow was designed with the follow key elements:
The lifelong friendship between York County native Jane Spratt McColl and the preserve’s namesake, Anne Springs Close.
The garden was designed to mimic the historical, untamed Piedmont prairies that once covered parts of the Carolinas.
A primary ecological catalyst was creating a controlled habitat specifically optimized to save the Schweinitz’s sunflower, an endangered species endemic exclusively to the Piedmont region of the Carolinas.
The physical layout includes the Path of Honor. It was inspired by a desire to let community members permanently weave their own stories into the landscape. Visitors can dedicate plantings to loved ones, transforming the conservation project into a living memorial.
“To the attentive eye, each moment of the year has its own beauty, and in the same field, it beholds, every hour, a picture which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Coleman in the Walkway of the Wildflower Meadow
“May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.”
Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Greenway Gateway; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Commune with Nature. Be inspired by its beauty, serenity. and peacefulness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
God Bless. Spread love ❤️ around for all to see. Have a great weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Sophia Ruthann is growing, learning, increasing in her abilities to move about via crawling, climbing, and standing all at just six (6) months of age. She shows emotion and determination in going after what she wants.
When she’s on her mat on the floor she crawls over to her big brother (aka Coleman). When she’s hungry, if I’m in the kitchen, she crawls into the kitchen as if saying where’s my food.
Besides her bottle of formula mixed with rice cereal she also eats various teething biscuits (she has 2 teeth now), oatmeal, baby food jars of fruit and vegetables as well as vegetables I purée for her. She enjoys gripping food with her hands like her teething biscuits, Melba toast, strips of Vienna sausage, as well as holding spoons while I feed her.
Sophia Ruthann playing with Little Tikes Blocks in a Box
She plays with her toys like her teething ball, her Stuffed Stitch, a red toy that was once my eldest son’s toy, and her teething elephant. She climbs from the floor to a lounge chair and then onto the couch, especially if her brother is sitting on the couch.
I just bought her some Little Tikes SoftBlocks that look similar to Lego Duplo Blocks except these are made from food-grade, BPA-free materials, these pliable blocks double as safe teethers and are completely noise-free when knocked over. The other day I was trying to eat while sitting on the lounge chair and she kept standing by it and trying to grab my plate. She had been curious about the box the Blocks came in so I placed her in the box with her new soft blocks. She was thankfully entertained with the simplicity of being in a box and able to play with her soft blocks. I was grateful that, with her entertaining herself, I could enjoy my chicken and roasted vegetables.
III 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 with Blue Along a Trail, Pathway, or Walkway [06.26.2026. The Which Way can be Any Which Way you choose in your along any trail, pathway, or walkway with blue 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 …
Coleman on Trekker LoopColeman on Trekker LoopLake Crandall Anne Springs Close GreenwayTrekker Loop along Lake Crandall Adventure Road Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman Archers Loop Anne Springs Close GreenwayColeman at Lake Crandall Coleman at Lake CrandallColeman at Lake CrandallColeman at Lake CrandallColeman at Disc Golf Course Coleman on Trekker LoopColeman Archers LoopColeman on Lake Crandall PierColeman on Lake Crandall PierLake Crandall Anne Springs Close GreenwayLake Crandall Anne Springs Close GreenwayColeman on Fern Forest Trail CWWC Cee’s Which Way Challenge CFFC Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Crayola Blue
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.
Location: Trekker Loop, Archers Loop, & Fern Forest Trails; Adventure Road 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.
Next Week’s theme: Which way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way Along a Dirt Trail (aka with Brown) [07.03.2026]
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 Greets 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
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.
Dan from No Facilitieshosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our The Crayola Box of 8 – Green . I have gone into my recent files to see what I could locate to best represent this week’s theme. Thank you Dan for the link-up withCWWCwith CFFCfor a Which Way Challenge theme of Any Which Way with Yellow along a Trail, Path, or Road. There is still time to participate if you’re interested. I am linking this post with Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge-(Ever)Green.
Here are my entries …
Coleman in a Green Greenway shirtRiverside Park and Greenway Cramerton, North Carolina Daniel Stowe Conservancy Trailhead store trails Belmont, NCBald Cypress Tree Daniel Stowe Conservancy Trailhead store trails Belmont, NCDaniel Stowe Conservancy Trailhead store trails Belmont, NCHaigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South CarolinaHaigler Loop/ Wagon Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCLake Haigler Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCLake Haigler Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCColeman at Lake Haigler Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCLake Haigler Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCHaigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCHaigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCAnne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCThe Garden at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCThe Garden at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCThe Garden at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCThe Garden at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCThe Garden at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCThe Garden at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCColeman on the Nature Trail The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCGreen Bench Nature Trail The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCCee’s Fun Foto Challenge Dan’s CFFC The Crayola Box of 8 – Green
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Anne Springs Close Greenway, Fort Mill, South Carolina; The Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia, North Carolina; Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Trailhead Store Trail, Belmont, 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.
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
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.
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.
Coleman and I hiked along Wagon Loop a couple of weeks ago. Wagon Loop is one of 25 unique trails in Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
This trail follows part of Steele Creek and connects to Haigler Loop, Blue Star, Steele Creek, North Steele Creek, Ford Gap, Muscadine and Wild Azalea trails. You can access the trail behind the Williams Education Center or off Haigler Loop.
Can you spot all three?
The distance for the complete Wagon Loop trail is 1.4 miles in length.It meanders through forested landscapes, creeks, and open fields (like this field of cut and rolled hay bales). It is often combined with Muscadine, Billy’s Walk, and the Lake Haigler Loop trail for a longer hiking experience.
Three Hay Bales in a Field
As you meander along the Wagon Loop trail you’ll pass by several points of historical significance such as the Nation Ford Trail. The trails are well maintained, however, I would recommend you wear a good pair of hiking shoes. There are exposed tree roots and when the rains occur so does the mud along the trails.
A Trio of Hay Bales (Oops, plus one)
There is a few to enter Anne Springs Close Greenway of $17 per adult, youth (ages 3-12) $8 (kids under 3 are free). The Greenway does offer memberships which I recommend if you live near the Fort Mill, South Carolina area. To find out more about the Greenway’s memberships click here.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Wagon Loop; 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.
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 with Yellow along a Trail, Path, or Road. The Which Way can be any Trail, Path or Road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For this week’s Which Way Challenge I am linking with Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – The Crayola Box of 8 Yellow. Please feel free to connect with his post by clicking here.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Yellow Flowers along Rocky Branch Trail Cramerton, NCDSBG Eastern Bluebird Trail Daniel Stowe ConservancyBelmont, NCColeman on the Rock Wall at The Schiele Museum of Natural History’s Nature Trail Coleman & his mom on Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCYMCA Trail Sign Gastonia, NCColeman by a YMCA Trail signColeman Piedmont Medical Center Trail Rock Hill, SCSytz Trail System Warlick Family YMCAYellow Leaves by the Pier Riverside Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCRocky Branch Trail Belmont, NCDaniel Stowe Conservancy (formerly known as Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden)Riverwalk Trail, aka Piedmont Medical Center Trail Road signs on way to the Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier Cramerton, NCYellow Flowers along Rocky Branch Trail Cramerton, NCYellow Sign on Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway Yellow Bush Lineberger Park Gastonia, NCWhich Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way with Yellow along a Trail, Path, or Road
And as a Bonus I’m adding a few Yellow Flowers … For Cee’s Flower of the Day, Bren’s Floral Friday, & Terri’s The #Flower Hour.
Heliopsis helianthoides, aka rough oxeye, smooth oxeye and false sunflower.Lance-leaved Coreopsis, Lanceleaf Tickseed, Sand CoreopsisBarbarea vulgaris, aka Yellow Rocket Yellow RocketcressYellow Pansies The Schiele Museum BrassicaHeliopsis helianthoides, aka rough oxeye, smooth oxeye and false sunflower.Solidago nemoralis Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)Solidago nemoralis, aka gray goldenrod, prairie goldenrod, & dyersweed goldenrodCoreopsis lanceolata L. Aka Lanceleaf Coreopsis,Cee’s Flower of the Day, Bren’s Floral Friday, & Terri’s The #Flower Hour
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.
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 in Your Neighbourhood
Sometimes when Coleman and I are out and about hiking or visiting a museum like The Schiele Museum of Natural History I will try to capture objects, like doors, the majority of people wouldn’t ordinarily think to capture with their cameras. These I’m sharing today are ones more obscure than others you might expect to see.
Wait just a minute, I’ve got something to show you in the car. Looking in through one door and out through anotherOutbuilding door & a “Little Library”Side Exit not Used by mostWonder how many children use the Little Library Door?Sometimes used, sometimes not. Obscure or Not Doors at The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take Care. May your week by filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
“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.”
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Pollinator Garden; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature’s beautiful creations. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Fragaria virginiana, is also known Scarlett Strawberry and Wild Strawberry. It is a flowering perennial that produces edible fruit. It spreads by runners making it an easy choice for use as groundcover. It can also be used as erosion control holding soil on slopes.
Fragaria virginiana
Wild Strawberries are native to North America, from Newfoundland and Alberta in Canada , south down Georgia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma as well as the states in between like North and South Carolina. The plant produces small white flowers in the Spring with tiny, highly flavorful red berries following in late spring and early summer. They are primarily pollinated by a diverse mix of native bees, hoverflies, and small butterflies.
North Carolina’s native Wild Strawberry
These Scarlett Strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) are grown in the garden in The Farm at The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina. The Garden also contains several bee hives providing the bees which pollinate many of the flowers grown here.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: The Garden; The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; 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.
Xylocopa micans, Aka Southern Carpenter Bee feasting on a Cornus foemina, Aka SwampDogwood or stiff dogwood
These Swamp Dogwood Flowers are located on the banks of Lake Haigler by the Hunter E. Martin Kayak Launch on Haigler Loop at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Cornus foemina, aka Swamp Dogwood or Stiff Dogwood
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.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South 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.
Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) is also referred to as wild bee balm, Appalachian Bergamot, Eastern Bergamot. It is a hardy, perennial wildflower native to North America and is in the mint genus family. It has distinctive lavender-pink blossoms, aromatic foliage which has an exceptional ability to attract pollinators and historically has been used for medicinal purposes.
It serves as a pollinator magnet drawing an enormous amount of bumblebees, native bees, predatory wasps, and butterflies. [The Garden where these are planted also has a section of four beehives with plenty of bees to help pollinate the flowers grown therein.]
For those interested in expanding their palates, you might want to try tasting its edible leaves and flowers. They add a spicy, citrusy, oregano-like kick to salads, jellies, and meat dishes. Also may note that historically the leaves have been used, by indigenous peoples, to brew teas to treat colds, flus, and digestive issues.
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Terri’s The #Flower Hour
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: The Garden; In The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; 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.
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.
I-15 S towards Boulder City, NevadaI-15 NI-15 Nheading towards Arizona I-15 N near Mesquite, NevadaI-15 N near Welcome to Arizona sign 1- 70 Castle Valley Landscape Emery, UtahSan Rafael Reef View I-70 Emery County, Utah Ghost Rock East I-70 Emery County, UtahWelcome to Colorful Colorado State Line Sign on the Colorado/Utah Border on Interstate 70 Blue Mesa ReservoirHighway 50 West of Gunnison, Colorado Curecanti National Recreation Area Highway 50 West of Gunnison, ColoradoGunnison-Crested Butte Airport Gunnison, Colorado Welcome to Utah Grand Country Border I-70W/US-6/US-50WCee’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) Interstates, Highways, and/or Paved Roads
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.
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]
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
![Which Way Challenge (2026) CWWC: Any Which Way (Your Choice) Week 1 —07.24.2026 -07.31.2026 Will run for 2 Weeks]](https://gfpacificbeeintrospection.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-1-1.jpg?w=489)
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 