#OptOutdoorsNC – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge/Monday Portrait — A BROWN Nilgai

*Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge -Brown*
*by Sue W & Gerry C*

We had a really fantastic time the other week when the family visited the Lazy 5 Ranch. With over 700 exotic animals there were plenty to capture. I in no way captured them all with my camera (not that I didn’t try), but there were too many to adequately capture while riding on the guided Wagon Safari ride.

With this week’s Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge colour theme being Brown, I decided I would combine it with the Monday Portrait challenge and show y’all one of the many Brown exotic animals which reside at the Lazy 5 Ranch. Which exotic animal is featured here today? … The exotic animals featured in this post are Nilgai.

Nilgai
Monday Portrait
Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge-Brown

The Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), also called Blueback, is the largest antelope in its native land of India. The name Nilgai comes from the Hindustani word nil, which means blue referring to the slate blue (blue-gray coloration of the adult male Nilgai and the Persian word gaw, which means cow. The females and juveniles are orange to a tawny Brown in their coloration. These shown here are female Nilgai.

It is a large horse-like antelope with sloping back which is found in grasslands and scrublands. Nilgai are herbivores that primarily eat grass, but also browse on leaves and fruits.

They are known for their shy nature and keen senses. Hindus regard the Nilgai as a close relative of the sacred cow. In an era of endangered species, an animal that is protected by religious is considered lucky.

Nilgai cows and calves tend to live in small herds while males live alone except during rut (their mating season). All males have short smooth horns and occasionally females grow horns. Females commonly give birth to two (2) offspring. When being chased a Nilgai can run up to twenty-nine (29) miles per hour (mph).

Click on images to enlarge.

Monday Portrait-2026.08.03

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge-Brown

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

Location: Lazy 5 Ranch; Mooresville , North Carolina, USA

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

Macro Monday – 2026 August 03

Swamp Water

Buffalo

The Swamp Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is also referred to as Asian Water Buffalo. It is the second largest member of the bovid family. It has great strength and high fat milk content which has led to its domestication throughout the world. These buffalo spend most of the day submerged, sometimes up to their nostrils, in the water of rivers or swamps. Did you know there is a reason for this? It serves two (2) major purposes.

) These Buffalo do NOT possess adequate sweat glands to keep themselves cool through sweat evaporation along, so remaining submersible allows them to regulate their temperature in the hot , humid Southeast Asia climate.
) The water protects the buffalo from all manners of biting insects that also inhabit the jungle. Their hooves developed as widely splayed in order to prevent them from sinking into the thick mud of swamps and river bottoms.

Water Buffalo eat grass, herbs shrubs, tree bark and other available greens. They are exclusively herbivores. At the Lazy 5 Ranch, as well as similar facilities, the Swamp Water Buffalos are fed free-choice, low-protein, high-fiber forage. They also rely heavily on coastal Bermuda grass, orchard grass, or Timothy hay. They provide freshly cut pasture grasses, sorghum, or maize fodder to simulate natural grazing. One other thing they do to guarantee they receive complete nutrition, the supplement the roughage with scientifically formulated pellets from exotic animal feed manufacturers like Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition or Zeigler Feed Manufacturing.

The visitors to the Ranch who desire to feed their swamp exotic animals during their tour are given buckets of compressed fiber pellets. The Swamp Buffalos love treats and will come up to the Wagons during a Safari tour to beg for handouts from the “treat” buckets. That is exactly what this particular Swamp Water Buffalo is doing, begging my daughter for treats from the feed bucket near her.

Click on image to enlarge.

Macro Monday (MM)

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

Location: Lazy 5 Ranch; Mooresville, North Carolina, USA

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

Cell Pic Sunday: 2026 August 2nd

Foraging

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.08.02

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Lazy 5 Ranch; Mooresville, North Carolina, USA

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

Hey Y’all, Wait Up … I’m Coming

Red Sindhi

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 belong to the heat-tolerant Bos indicus (Zebu) lineage. It is a specialized dairy breed originating from Pakistan.

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.

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.

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.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.08.01

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

Thursday Trios: (Oops on Saturday) 2026.08.01

Here Little Piggies

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).

Click on each image to enlarge.

Carol’s Thursday Trios-2026.08.01

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.

Wordless Wednesday — 2026 July 29

Milling Around

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2026.07.29

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. Stay Cool. Have a Fun Adventure. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Portrait – 2026 July 27

Greater Rhea

Lazy 5 Ranch

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.*

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.]

Click on images to enlarge.

Monday Portrait-2026.07.27

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

Note: The Rheas can run up to forty (40) miles per hour (mph). Did you guess right? If not that’s okay, then you learned something new.

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

Silent Sunday: 2026 July 26

At The Cross

Click on image to enlarge.

Silent Sunday-2026.07.26

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.

Which Way Challenge (2026) CWWC: Any Which Way (Your Choice) Week 1 —07.24.2026 -07.31.2026 Will run for 2 Weeks]

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 …

The Lazy 5 Ranch is 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.

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.

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.

Suzette’s For Deb’s CWWC Any Which Way Paved [in Black and White]

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Roads And Bridges

Marina’s Fence

Cath’s Which Way… {Monochrome Roads}

Dan’s Ain’t No Cure — SoCS

Dawn’s Which Way: Train Track in the Weeds

Marilyn’s My Way Or The Highway?

Dawn’s Around the Bend in BnW

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)

Next week we’ll continue with the theme of CWWC: Any Which Way (Your Choice) [07.31.2026].

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; 15100 Mooresville Road; Mooresville, North Carolina, USA

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

Macro Monday Portrait – 2026 July 20

Monarch

Monarch Butterflies are one of the most familiar and recognized species of butterflies of North America butterflies. The Danaus plexippus, which are widely known as Butterflies Monarch or Monarch Butterfly, are famous for their 3,000 mile annual migration.

North and South Carolina serve as a crucial geographical corridor for the Eastern migratory population. Monarchs are a welcome sight in the Carolinas and a sign of seasonal change. The Monarchs pass through the Carolinas twice a year. Once in the Spring and again in the Fall.

When we see them arriving in the beginning of Spring (late March and April) they are migrating northward. The first generation Monarchs stop to lay eggs on emerging native milkweed. The second generation continues the migration journey all the way into Canada. In the Fall (Autumn)the “Methuselah generation” (aka the “super generation”), the Monarchs born at the end of summer, fly southward towards Mexico from September through mid-October.

This Monarch and ones shown in other posts are maintained in a controlled environment in the Butterfly Bungalow at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina. To see more Monarch Butterflies check out my Whatsoever is Lovely post by clicking here.

Click on image to enlarge.

Macro Monday (MM)

Monday Portrait-2026.07.20

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

Location: Butterfly Bungalow; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take time to enjoy nature. Admire the beautiful flowers and plants. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Pull Up a Seat Week #29 — In a Botanical Garden #2

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***

Click on images to enlarge.

XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 29

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

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

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

Sunday Stills 2026 July 13th:

Groups of Three (3) or More

in the Gardens of

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Good Day everyone! This week Terri with Second Wind Leisure Perspectives has given us the prompt of Groups of Three (3) or More. I have selected Groups of Three or More in The Gardens at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Having selected floral Groups of Three (3) or More I am linking this post with Terri’s The #Flower Hour.

Click on rack image to enlarge.

Terri’s Sunday Stills-Groups of 3 or More

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #39

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Admire the beautiful Flowers. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

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

Coleman Style

At The Schiele Museum

of Natural History

In the Catawba Indian Village …

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

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

Location: The Catawba Indian Village; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Silent Sunday: 2026 June 07

Baptisia alba

*It is native to central*
*and eastern North America*
*and is typically found in open*
*woodland areas prairies*
*with tall grasslands.*
*However, in this case the plant*
*is grown in the landscape*
*and garden areas of*
*The Schiele Museum of Natural History*
*in Gastonia, North Carolina.*

Silent Sunday-2026.06.07

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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

Location: The Gardens; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; 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.

Floral Friday/The #Flower Hour — 2026 June 05

Monarda fistulosa

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**

Terri’s The Flower Hour #33

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge-What’s Flowering Where You Are?

Also posting in remembrance of …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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.

2026 Last on the Card — May 31

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

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

Here are my contributions …

From my Canon EOS T7 (2000D):

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

From my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:

Click on each image to enlarge.

#Brian’s Last on the Card-2026 May 31

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

Monday Portrait #17 — 2026 June 01

Barbados Blackbelly Sheep

Click on image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait-2026.06.01

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens

Locations: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; 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.

Silent Sunday: 2026 May 31

Going for a Swim

*Swimming Upstream*
*in the*
*South Fork Catawba River*

Silent Sunday-2026.05.31

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

Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; 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.

Thursday Trios: 2026.05.28

A Trio of Trios

Last Wednesday Coleman and I ventured over to Goat Island Park and Greenway for a relaxing afternoon after he got home from his final day of school for the year. We decided to take a walk along the Catawba River before heading to the playground to allow him some Funtime and to burn off excess energy.

You know what we saw? We saw a group of three Canada Geese enjoying themselves sunning and swimming along and in the South Fork Catawba River. We hadn’t seen the Canada Geese at the River since the freezing temperatures of winter came roaring in upon us. It was fantastic to see (at least a few of) them returning to the river and enjoying themselves in the waters of the Catawba River.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Carol’s Thursday Trios-2026.05.28

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

Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy your Spring/Autumn Summer/Winter whichever the case may be. Get outdoors and commune with nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 CosPhoChal: Looking for Shade

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

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

At Goat Island Park and Greenway …

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

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

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

*Coleman seeking Shade*
*in the Playground*

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

At The Schiele Museum of Natural History …

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

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

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

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge-Looking for Shade

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 21

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

Locations: As Stated in post.

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

Will She … Won’t She … Most Definitely

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

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.05.23

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

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

Martha Rivers Park

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

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

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

Click on each image to enlarge.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 21

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

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.

Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky — 2026 May 03

Picturesque Clouds Before the Rain

Click on each image to enlarge.

Skywatch Friday-2026 May 03

Hammad’s Weekend Sky-2026.05.03

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

One Word Sunday (#OWS) —2026 May 03

White

Click on image to enlarge.

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

Floral Friday/The #Flower Hour/Spring Festival — 2026 May 01

Happy May Day!

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #28

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026-Week 7

Carol’s Thursday Trios-2026 May 01

Also posting in remembrance of …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Silent Sunday: 2026.04.26

Mt Jefferson Presbyterian Church

Silent Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Location: Mt Jefferson Presbyterian Church; West Jefferson, 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 CosPhoChal: Green Gardens Spring New Life

Dale, the host of the Cosmic Photo Challenge has asked the question “How does your garden grow?”. We haven’t lived in our current location long enough to plant a garden, but nonetheless, a small garden does exist on the property. I have shown a few pictures in other challenges, however, I show other pictures not previously posted.

These are some of the Eastern Skunk Cabbage growing in the garden …

The next set is from our neighbours garden …

***Opuntia cochenillifera***
***Aka Prickly pear cactus***

Click on each image to enlarge.

Cosmic Photo Challenge (#CosPhoChal)

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026

Cee’s FOTD

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Home Gardens; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. May you be blessed with new adventures, new friendships, and an abundance of happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

One Word Sunday (#OWS) —2026.04.19

Need to Make a Call ?

Use the Black Payphone

Click on each image to enlarge.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday (#OWS)-Black

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus Telephoto

Location: Lower Trailhead; Stone Mountain State Park; Roaring Gap, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Capture the beauty all around you. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The Macro #Flower Hour #25 — 2026 April 07

Rhododendron japonicum

Aka Japanese azalea

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #25-2026.04.07

Macro Monday (MM)

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: N. Myrtle School Road; 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.

Beautiful Sunny Day to be Outside

In the Backyard

Absorbing Fresh Air

and Sunshine

A Gallery of Friday Portraits and Photos …

***Coleman and Sophia***
***Enjoying the Sunshiny Day***

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.04.03

Tina’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #391-Phone Photography

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Our Backyard; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Happy Passover and Easter! Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Beautiful Sunny Afternoon for Being Outside

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.03.28

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Our Backyard; Gastonia, North 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.

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.

Cell Pic Sunday: 2026 March 29

Framed by Limbs

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s CellPic Sunday-2026.03.29

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Neighbours Trampoline; From our Backyard; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. May the Lord God bring a ray of Sunshine into your lives and Sonshine into your souls. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Thursday Trios: March 28

One Duck,

Two Ducks,

Three Ducks

One, Two, Three Ducks running away from Coleman. Now that we live next door to chickens and ducks 🦆, Coleman has a penchant for pursuing and chasing our neighbours chickens and ducks.

Here are the Ducks he was chasing …

***One Duck, Two Ducks, Three Ducks***
**Thursday Trios**

Carol’s Thursday Trios-2026.03.28

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Neighbours Backyard; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2026 Pull Up a Seat —(Backyard Seating)

Coleman’s Choices

One never knows when Coleman will #PullUpaSeat or where he will #PullUpaSeat or what he’ll choose to #PullUpaSeat upon. It could be a chair, an outdoor fire pit, a Little Tyke Big Rig, or possibly a trampoline. Whenever he feels like Pulling Up a Seat, you can be one hundred per cent confident he’ll find something, somewhere to Pull Up a Seat.

This Friday (yesterday) was no exception. Here are Coleman’s choices …

***Coleman’s Choices***
**#PullUpaSeat**
**2026 – Week 13**

XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 13

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Backyards; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Silent Sunday: 2026.03.22

A Spring Visitor

Silent Sunday-2026.03.22

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Floral Friday/The #Flower Hour — 2026 March 20

Phedimus kamtschaticus

Click on images to enlarge.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #22

Also posting in remembrance of …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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

Location: The Rooftop Garden; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

The #Flower Hour #22— 2026 March 18

Red and Yellow Zinnias

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

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #22-2026.03.28

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Macro Monday — 16 March 2026

Megachile xylocopoides

feasting on a

Echinacea anguvstifolia

*A Megachile xylocopoides,*
*aka leafcutter bee*
*delights on the nectar*
*of the Echinacea angustifolia,*
*Aka narrow-leaved purple coneflower*.

Click on image to enlarge.

Macro Monday (MM)

Terri’s The Flower Hour

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: The Gardens in the Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; 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.

Silent One Word Sunday: 2026 March 15 — Speed

ATV Racing —

Who has the Speed?

Silent Sunday

Debbie’s One Word Sunday (#OWS)-2026.03.15-Speed

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

Location: Carolina Speedway; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Cell Pic Sunday: 2026 March 15

City of David

John’s CellPic Sunday-2026.03.15

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Sidewalk in Front; City of David; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. May the Lord God bring a ray of Sunshine into your lives and Sonshine into your souls. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Springing Up New Life Out of Old

First signs of Spring are slowly sprouting up out of the old dry branches of the hydrangea bush in front of the house. It’s odd to see old and new life together, but it’s also wonderful and beautiful. It reminds me that God has made me a new creation …

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
New King James Version

***New Life Growing Out of Old***
***Hydrangea Bush***

“And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!’And then he said to me, ‘Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.’”
Revelation 21:5
New Living Translation

God said it, and I believe it. He makes everything new, even the plants, flowers, … when He said everything, He meant absolutely everything is made new.

Dale’s The Cosmic Photo Challenge-First Signs of Spring

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #21-2026.03.10

Carol’s Thursday Trios-2026.03.10 (I know it’s not Thursday, better later than not at all.)

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #386-Juxtaposition (Yes, I know I’m a week late.)

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Home Garden; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. May you be blessed with new adventures, new friendships, and an abundance of happiness. 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 Cell Pic Sunday: March 08

Coleman’s Catch

of the Day

*Coleman*
*and the neighbours*
*Silkie Chicken*

Our new neighbours have chickens in their backyard. Sometimes they fly over the fence and wander around our backyard. While visiting with the neighbours, Coleman chased the chickens in between jumping on their trampoline. As you can see after several tries, Coleman caught one of the chickens. This one is a Silkie chicken; they are known for their fluffy, silk-like plumage. They are flightless, but they sure can run when being chased by a little boy.

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.03.08

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: Neighbours Backyard; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Where in the Playground is Coleman?

For Debbie’s

Six Word Saturday

We visited a new playground for Coleman … The T. Jeffers Center in Gastonia 1 mile away (3 minutes by car or 21 minutes walking) away from our new home.

He ran around from here, there, and yonder so quickly it was hard to keep visual tracking of his whereabouts.

*Playground at T. Jeffers Center & Park*

Where in the Playground is Coleman? Can you spot him? If so, let me know where you see him.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.03.07

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way (Your Choice)

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Any Which Way (Your Choice) for this week’s theme. 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.

Here are my entries …

Entering the Carolina Speedway …

This next grouping of Which Ways I am combining with Mama Cormier’s Thursday Trios.

In between the regular Monster Truck Wars competitions the event held a Power Wheels Truck race featuring the littlest and youngest “Monster Truck” drivers. These images are from the Power Wheels Truck race.

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.

Geriatri’x’ FOTOGALLERY’s Steps In Black And White

Suzette’s Dirt Road For Deb’s Any Which Way— CWWC

In Primo Piano’s Malibu

Cath’s Camera’s Which Way… {Getting There in Monochrome}

Dawn’s Winter on a Gravel Road at Sunrise bnw

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)-Any Which Way on Dirt Trails, pathways, or stairs in Monochrome/(Black & White)

Carol’s Thursday Trios-2026.03.06

For further information about the Which Way Challenge check out the home page here.

Camera: 1-4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 5-12) Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EG-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Carolina Speedway; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

**Note: For Friday, 2026 March 13 the theme for the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: will be Any Which Way on a Nature Trail (Dirt or Paved).**

2026 CFFC: Tools and Equipment (Found Working & at Rest)

Dan Antion from No Facilities , the host of Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) has chosen to start a new series of related themes dealing with Tools and Equipment. This is the fourth week of the new series for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge with Inventions which has a feature of Tools and Equipment.

Here are my entries …

*Ridgid RB40 Jobsite Toolbox seen along the Rocky Branch Trail*

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Tools and Equipment

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Make some funtastic memories. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Wordless Wednesday — 2026.03.04

Half Staff

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Edward D. Sadler Jr. Elementary School; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a terrific rest of your week. 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.

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Swamp Water

Buffalo

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Foraging

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Red Sindhi

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Here Little Piggies

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Milling Around

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Greater Rhea

Lazy 5 Ranch

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At The Cross

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Monarch

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Groups of Three (3) or More

in the Gardens of

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

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Coleman Style

At The Schiele Museum

of Natural History

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Baptisia alba

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Monarda fistulosa

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Barbados Blackbelly Sheep

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Going for a Swim

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Sophia Ruthann

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Picturesque Clouds Before the Rain

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White

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Happy May Day!

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Mt Jefferson Presbyterian Church

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Need to Make a Call ?

Use the Black Payphone

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Rhododendron japonicum

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In the Backyard

Absorbing Fresh Air

and Sunshine

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Anas platyrhynchos domesticus

Birds of the Week CLX

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Framed by Limbs

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One Duck,

Two Ducks,

Three Ducks

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Coleman’s Choices

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Phedimus kamtschaticus

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Red and Yellow Zinnias

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Megachile xylocopoides