#MondayPortrait – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

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.

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.

2026 Monday Portrait #14 —27 April

A Horse is a Horse,

Of Course

*A Work Horse on*
*The Living History Farm*
*Kings Mountain State Park*

Click on image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait-2026.04.27

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

Location: The Living History Farm; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Hope it’s not too hot for all y’all. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Monday Portrait #13 —20 April

Hee-Haw

Click on image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait-2026.04.20

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

Location: The Living History Farm; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Hope it’s not too hot for all y’all. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Monday Portrait #12 —13 April

Farm Mule

Monday Portrait

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

Location: The Living History Farm; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA

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

2026 Monday Portrait #11 —30 March

Anas platyrhynchos domesticus

Birds of the Week CLX

The Anas platyrhynchos domesticus, also known as the domestic duck. The ones pictured here are Indian Runner Ducks or referred to as Runner Duck.

*The duck to the right,*
*the white and fawn duck*
*is the Indian Runner Duck.*

The Indian Runner Ducks are unique in that they stand upright similar to penguins with a long slender body. Unlike the majority of ducks which waddle when they walk, the Indian Runner Ducks run. Runners have a straight-backed gait and move with a quick, running pace.

Don’t let the Indian name fool you, they actually originated from Southeast Asia. The Indian Runner Ducks were brought over from the Indonesian islands of Lombok, Java, and Bali to Europe and the Americas in the 19th century.

The Indian Runner Ducks ability to run and forage. Historically, they were herded into rice paddies to forage snails, slugs, and insects using them as natural pest controls. Having the runner Ducks in the rice paddies provided farmers with additional income and the Ducks provided natural manure beneficial to the rice crops, reducing the need for fertilizer.

The Indian Runner Ducks may be known as fast runners, however, they were not fast enough to stop Coleman from catching them. They are also known to be prolific egg layers, producing white, hen-sized eggs. The females are able to produce approximately 150 to possibly over 300 eggs per year. (Too bad these don’t fly over the fence between our yards. If they did I wouldn’t need to buy so many eggs.)

Monday Portrait-2026.03.30

Birds of the Week CLX

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Neighbours Backyard; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2026 Monday Portrait #10 —09 March

Rhode Island Red

Bird of the Week CLVIII

Our neighbours have several breeds of chickens in their backyard. They don’t always stay in his yard, sometimes they come a visiting. He has two or three Rhode Island Reds like this one and they tend to fly short distances until they are able to “jump” over the wire fence. When they do they are more than likely going to be caught by Coleman.

The Rhode Island Red is a popular, hardy American chicken breed (a friend in Texas as some as well). They are known to be excellent producers of large brown eggs (approximately 6-7 eggs per week). Even though most individual chicken owners raise them for their eggs, they are also an excellent source of high-quality meat. It is said that the Rhode Island Red Roosters could be aggressive and not ideal for small children or neighbours. (I think our neighbours Rhode Island Reds must be hens, since hens are more friendly and they haven’t pecked Coleman yet.)

Monday Portrait-2026.3.09

Bird of the Week CLVIII

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Telephoto

Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Keep your eyes open for interesting photography opportunities. They maybe lurking about in the least likely places. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Monday Portrait #9 —02 March

Preston Collins

& Shark Attack

On Saturday, we went to the Carolina Speedway to watch the Monster Truck Wars, America’s Wildest Monster Truck Show. Coleman didn’t know he was going until we arrived at the dirt track that he was going to be able to see the Monster trucks live and in person instead of on the television. (He loves Monster trucks and Dinosaurs, so this was a big win for him.)

After the show Coleman was able to meet a couple of the Monster Truck drivers; including Preston Collins, the driver for Shark Attack. Preston Collins, 24 years old, is a monster truck driver out of Liberty City, Texas. He has driven several monster trucks which include:

Velociraptor (2025)
Equalizer (3023-2025)
Outlaw (Dallas 2024)
Shark Attack (Various times including Saturday, February 28, 2026)
Monster Mutt Rottweiler (Edmonton 2025)
ThunderROARus (Las Vegas-Los Angeles 2025)
Jurassic Attack (2025-present)

His Monster Truck driving career began in January of 2023. He currently co-drives Shark Attack with Kayley Engstrom. They share full duties of driving Shark Attack regular version. Shark Attack is a custom Shark monster truck owned by Michael Harper.

Now that you’ve seen Preston Collins and Coleman and found out a little bit about him, let’s show you some of his actions while driving Shark Attack.

Shark Attack driven
by Preston Collins
Monster Truck Wars
Gastonia, North Carolina
February 28, 2026

You may have noticed all the smoke coming out of Shark Attack, he was allowed to show off his freestyle skills before the final face-off. Shark Attack was loosing momentum and engine power. By the end of his run his engine blew and he was not able to continue to compete in the final round of the competition. (Coleman thoroughly enjoyed watching all the monster trucks, but was enthralled with Shark Attacks actions, jumps, and spin-wheeling.)

Monday Portrait-2026.03.02

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

Location: Carolina Speedway; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2026 Monday Portrait #7 —16 February

Crotalus adamanteus

While visiting The Schiele Museum of Natural History, we paused to check out the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake .

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is also known by Crotalus adamanteus (its Binomial name).

It is a species of pit vipers belonging to the family Viperidae. They are indigenous to the Southeastern United States of America.

It is the largest rattlesnake species and one of the more heavily venomous snakes in the Americas.

This Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is safely encased behind a large glass window and is accessible by the staff. The staff do occasionally bring out various snakes and other animals for educational purposes.

Click Image to Enlarge.

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location:The Schiele Museum of Natural History; 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.

2026 Monday Portrait #6 —09 February

Didelphis virginiana

The Didelphis virginiana, also known as the Virginia opossum, the North American opossum, and is commonly referred to as the possum.

The Opossum is a solitary nocturnal marsupial typically about the size of a domestic cat. They frequently inhabit areas near food sources like trash cans, compost piles, pet food, and gardens. (If you live in a home with an unused dryer vent opening it’d be wise to close it off, possums will and have come into homes via those vents.)

Not only have I seen Opossums come into a home we lived in, we have also known them to eat pet food we have set outside for cats and dogs.

Have you encountered Opossums in your areas? This one is housed at The Schiele Museum of Natural History to help educate visitors about the habits and behaviors.

Click Image to Enlarge.

Monday Portrait

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

Location:The Schiele Museum of Natural History; 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.

2026 Monday Portrait #5 —02 February

Green Iguana

Click Image to Enlarge

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Ripley’s Aquarium; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

2026 Monday Portrait #4 —26 January

Winter Visitor

“In the heart of winter, the cardinal warms the soul.”

“In the heart of winter, the cardinal warms the soul.”

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Backyard; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, 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.

Minimalistic Portraits in Black and White

Ritva is the host this week for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge and she has chosen a theme of Minimalism in Black and White Photography.

Im not sure if all these are purely minimalistic or not, but these are what I have added recently in my photography journal. Most of these images are portraits I have recently taken of my newest granddaughter, Sophia Ruthann. In part of them I am holding her while taking her photo with my iPhone.

Here is a one at Myrtle Beach …

*Trisha (Coleman & Sophia’s mom)*
*with Coleman & Sophia Ruthann*

And now for a couple of non-family images …

*Ring-Billed Gulls*
*soaring over the Atlantic Ocean*
*at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina*

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #381-Minimalism in Black-and-White Photography

Monday Portrait

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Journal

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Cameras: 1-7) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 8-9) Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Locations: 1-6) Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina; 7-9) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

2026 Monday Portrait #2: 12 January

Friendly Beach Visitor

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

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

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

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

Click on images to enlarge.

Monday Portrait

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

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

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

2026 Monday Portrait: 05 January

First Portrait for 2026

We are in our first week of 2026; what a week it has been. We spent the week in Myrtle Beach relaxing, “sightseeing,”visiting various attractions, and enjoying time on the beach. [More about those activities to come in future posts].

For the first Monday Portrait of 2026, let’s check out the Southern Stingrays At Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This was Coleman’s first trip to the beach, he was extremely excited about being at the beach, as well as seeing the many different species of “fish” at Ripley’s Aquarium.

Let’s take a look now at the fascinating Southern Stingrays …

The Southern Stingray (Hypanus americanus) is a whiptail stingray which is typically found in tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, from as far north as New Jersey all the way down to southern Brazil.

Even though we didn’t actually see them in the Atlantic Ocean, we (especially Coleman) were thrilled to see & pet them at Ripley’s Aquarium.

*Coleman viewing*
*the Southern Stingrays*

It is adapted for life on the sea bed, as you can see here they swim very close to the bottom most of the time, but not always.

*Southern Stingrays*
*lying on the sea bed*

Southern Stingrays are nocturnal predators, they spray water from their mouths or flap their fins vigorously to disturb the surface in order to expose hidden prey.

*A Southern Stingray*
*on the Aquarium sea bed.*

Hypanus americanus exhibit wave-like locomotion using their pectoral fins. The wave-like locomotion allowed them to escape predators, forage efficiently, and generally maneuver quickly.

The Southern Stingrays were exciting and interesting to watch swimming and foraging in the aquarium at Ripley’s Aquarium.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Ripley’s Aquarium; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA.

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

2025 Monday Portrait: 29 December

Pig in the Greenway

Monday Portrait

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

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

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

2025 Monday Portrait: 22 December

Emden Geese

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

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

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

Monday Portrait

Bird of the Week CXLVII

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

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

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

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

2025 Monday Portrait: 15 December

Holstein Friesian

Click on image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait

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

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

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

2025 Macro Monday Portrait: 08 December

Calopteryx maculata

*Ebony Jewelwing*
*Broad-winged Dragonfly*

Click on image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait

Macro Monday (MM)

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

Location: Sesquicentennial State Park; Columbia, South Carolina, USA

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

2025 Monday Portrait: 01 December

Northern Mockingbird

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Telephoto

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Monday Portrait: 10 November

Equus

Equus is a genus of mammals that includes Horses, Donkeys, Asses, and Zebras.

These Jackasses were introduced to us by our former landlord. He brought to a portion of his land adjacent to our rental property to raise with the assistance of his daughters.

A Jackass is an adult male donkey, females are called Jenny. Jacks or Jackasses (male donkeys) are often mated with female horses to produce mules. At one time the more common term for the donkey was Ass.

From the 18th century, donkey gradually replaced ass and jenny replaced she-ass, which is now considered archaic.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Location: Lake Wylie, South Carolina, USA

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

2025 Monday Portrait: 20 October

Collared peccary

My longtime friend had an unexpected and seemingly unusual visitor around her garbage cans the other night. A visitor she had not witnessed before in her neighbourhood, nor had any of her neighbours.

What was this unusual visitor you might ask? It was the creature pictured here known by many as the Javelina. In Arizona the Collared Peccaries are known by their Spanish name Javelina. What are Collared Peccaries or Javelinas? You might think they are some type of pig looking at their stout and pig-like bodies, but they are not pigs.

In fact, they are wild, pig-like mammals common in Arizona deserts, woodlands, and grasslands. Javelinas are known for their social behaviour and adaptation to urban environments. Even though they are primarily herbivores, feeding on prickly pear cactus, mesquite beans, and other desert plants, they will also eat insects and are known for raiding garbage cans for easy food access.

Javelinas have sharp teeth and can be aggressive if they feel threatened. It’s best to keep dogs (pets) away from areas that Javelinas might wander. They can be an enormous nuisance to homeowners due to their attraction to garbage and gardens. Make sure to never feed a Javelina. Javelinas are most active during the twilight hours, specifically between dusk and dawn.

Javelinas can be found in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, through Mexico and south all the way down to Argentina. Javelina live in desert washes, saguaro and palo verde forests, oak woodlands and grasslands. Houses that are close to washes will likely have javelina in the neighborhood and are a usual sighting in Tucson, Arizona. [My friend lives in Maricopa, Pinal County, Arizona which is located within the Sonoran Desert a short distance south of Phoenix.]

Monday Portrait

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

2025 Monday Portrait: 29 September

A Horse is a Horse,

Of Course

Coleman loves to visit the Greenway Horses. They have a special way of communicating with each other.

*Jah, Jah, I know …*
*it’s against the rules*

Besides my caretaker is watching.

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

2025 Monday Portrait: 09 September

Porch Visitor

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Monday Portrait: 25.08

Dog Attendee

at the Concert

Click on image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Centennial Center; Downtown; Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

Unwanted Visitor —

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

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Sophia Ruthann

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A Horse is a Horse,

Of Course

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Hee-Haw

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Farm Mule

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Anas platyrhynchos domesticus

Birds of the Week CLX

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Preston Collins

& Shark Attack

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Didelphis virginiana

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Green Iguana

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Winter Visitor

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Friendly Beach Visitor

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First Portrait for 2026

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Pig in the Greenway

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Emden Geese

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Holstein Friesian

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Calopteryx maculata

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Northern Mockingbird

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Equus

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Collared peccary

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A Horse is a Horse,

Of Course

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Porch Visitor

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Dog Attendee

at the Concert

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