#OptOutdoorsSC – Page 5 – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

2024 Monday Portrait: 11.18

Lama pacos

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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 Children’s Farm with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Monday Portrait: 11.11

Highland cow

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

Birds of the Carolinas/Birds of the Week LXXXVIII

Black Muscovy Duck

Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) is a duck native to the Americas. Small wild and feral breeding populations have also established themselves in the United States, particularly in Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, the Big Island of Hawaii, South Carolina, as well as in many other parts of North America, including southern Canada.

Muscovy Ducks are large with the males growing to about 76 cm (30 in) long, and weighing up to 7 kg (15 lb). The females are relatively smaller, and only grow to approximately 3 kg (6.6 lb), roughly half the males’ size. They are predominantly black and white, with the back feathers being iridescent and glossy in males, while the females are more drab. The amount of white on their neck and head vary , as well as their bill. Their bill can be yellow, pink, black, or any mixture of these colors. (The Muscovy Ducks we saw all had a pinkish bill with one having a touch of black on the end.)

The Muscovy Ducks are a non-migratory species normally inhabits forested swamps, lakes, streams and nearby grassland and farm crops, and often roosts in trees at night. ( The Muscovy Ducks we saw are located near Patterson Pond at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.)

Their diet consists of plant material ( such as the roots, stems, leaves, and seeds of aquatic plants and grasses, as well as terrestrial plants obtained by grazing or dabbling in shallow water for small fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, spiders, insects, millipedes, and worms.

Muscovy Ducks, one of the oldest species of fowls domesticated in the world, have several spiritual meanings associated with them. They are associated with love and relationships in some cultures and with luck, prosperity, and even new life and fertility in others. The ducks also represent inner strength and courage. thethe Celtic culture that if you dream of a Muscovy duck or spot it while awake, it’s a sign to trust your intuition and strength and not give up in the face of challenges. According to Celtic culture if you dream of a Muscovy duck or spot it while awake, it is a sign to trust your intuition and strength and not give up in the face of challenges.

Black Muscovy Duck
Flapping its wings
after coming out of the water.

The Egyptians believe the Muscovy duck has healing powers and can resurrect the dead, making it a sacred animal. The Egyptian culture sees Muscovy ducks as a symbol of starting afresh. Therefore, seeing a Muscovy duck in your dream is interpreted as a sign of resurrection.

We enjoyed watching the Black Muscovy Ducks swimming in Patterson Pond, as well as them flapping their wings as they came out of the water, shaking the water off to dry themselves.

Birds of the Carolinas

Birds of the Week LXXXVIII

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

2024 Judy’s Numbers Game #46 — 167

For Judy’s “The Numbers Game #46” Game she invites all to play along. Here are her ideas on how to play along in this challenge. This week’s number is 167. To play along, go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find that include that number and post a link to your blog in my Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title.

Judy’s Numbers Game #46-167

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2024 Week 44

God Bless. Take Care. Don’t be Upset and Angry about Political Results; Remember God is in Control. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Greenway Autumn Squares: 11.06

For C & B

I miss Cee when I do not see her posts and pray she is well. I love Squaring for Becky & appreciate all she & Cee do for our blogosphere.

#Square flower

#AutumnSquares

Cee’s Flower of the Day

FOTD

Becky’s Squares

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

God Bless. Thinking of Cee & Becky. Pray you’re feeling better. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Monday Portrait: 11.04

Horse Lovin’

Monday Portrait

Macro Monday

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

Coleman atop of Round Hay Bales

Pull Up a Seat

On A Trio

of Haystacks

Carol’s Thursday Trios

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2024-Week 43

Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge

#AutumnSquared

Becky’s Squares

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

2024 Thursday Doors: 10.31 — Hobbit Doors

*in primo piano – photos*
Dan Antion’s Thursday Doors photo

Hiking along Steele Creek Trail at Anne Springs Close Greenway, Coleman and I stopped to pay a visit to the Hobbit’s Homes before continuing on our way. If you’re not looking carefully you could miss seeing the Hobbit’s Homes hidden within the tree.

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Becky’s Squares

#Autumn Squared

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Dairy Barn Entrance; Steele Creek Trail; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

RDP: Friday – Thankful/SATURDAY — PUMPKIN

Out of Hardship

Comes Blessings

For the past few months, we have been in unrest. I live with my daughter and grandson whom I take care of while she works. Up until recently (like three months ago) her husband (who never liked my being there) was also in the home. He moved out leaving my daughter with a whole heap of debt and a rental amount she could not afford without his assistance. He really didn’t think he should contribute to the financial obligations before he moved out and definitely didn’t think so afterwards even though his name was also on the lease. this made it difficult for my daughter to find another place to live; one in which she would be able to afford. Thus, creating extreme hardship and high levels of stress and anxiety.

***A Pile of Pumpkins***
***Ready for Children’s Pickin’***

After much searching and reaching out to anyone and everyone she finally found another place for us to move to. Just one catch, the landlord was still working on the house, and she didn’t have the financial resources to move in immediately. Therefore, we had additional expenses of staying in a motel for a week until everything could be completed to satisfaction. during this transitional period my grandson was missing several days of kindergarten and speech class.

So, what do you think I did? Since we couldn’t provide transportation to his school, I took him to enjoy one of his favorite pastimes, hiking. Coleman and I went hiking three days in a row to his delight. In the mist of trials, it was a blessing to enjoy being out in nature spending quality time with him. Our motel for the week was a short distance from his favorite hiking place, Anne Springs Close Greenway. Therefore, where else would I take him but to the Greenway, of course. These Pumpkins were seen on our fourth day of hiking. They were situated at the Lake Haigler entrance to the Anne Springs Close Greenway. The Greenway also had other fun Fall/Autumn activities set up for the children to enjoy. During this week we visited three of the five entrances to the Greenway. Each entrance offers different trails and activities for visitors to utilize and enjoy.

I am extremely grateful for my daughter and her strength and persistence in searching and locating a place for us to live and feel at peace. Home is the nicest word in our vocabulary right now. We are all thankful for having a home to live in. Thankful to be out of the motel. Thankful to be out of turmoil. Thankful to be relieved of a heavy load of stress and worry. I know, all our troubles and worries should be laid in the hands of God, our Heavenly Father. It is difficult sometimes to lay everything at his feet and not continue to worry.

We (mostly me) still have a tremendous amount of unpacking to do but alas, it will all get done in due time. I am still processing the fact that we have a home to live in. Understanding that we are all safe and can relax and enjoy our home (it is a rental, but it is our home for now). Coleman has his own little room, with his own bed (he had been having to share mine). He has a fairly good size yard to play in and we don’t have to worry about him not having enough space to run and pay. This home is a blessing, and I am truly thankful for being allowed to share it with my daughter and grandson.

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Saturday_Pumpkin

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Friday_Thankful

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Pumpkins) Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA; Home) Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 Wordless Wednesday: 10.30

Beautiful Day for a Hike

*(Original)*
*Hiking amongst the*
*Autumn* 🍂 *Leaves*

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

#AutumnSquared

#Square flower

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Becky’s Squares

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2024 Week 43

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Dairy Barn Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 Numbers Game #45-166

Play along with Judy’s Numbers Game; this week is Game #45 with the number 166.

To play along, go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find under that number and include a link to your blog in my Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title.

All my photography this week has been done with my Apple iPhone as we have been in transition, moving from one place to another and having to stay at another place in between locations further a week. Therefore, I am choosing a theme of Coleman in the Greenway fur this week.

Judy’s Numbers Game #45-166

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Lake Haigler entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 Monday Window: 10.28 —

Downtown Lancaster Windows

Monday Window

Ludwig’s Monday Window

Photo Credit : Deb L. Waters

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

2024 Monday Portrait: 10.28

Greenway Cows

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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.

2024 Monochrome Monday: 10.28

Squaring in Monochrome for C & B

Monochrome Monday

Cee’s Flower of the Day

#Square flower

Becky’s Squares

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Stables Entrances; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 Silent Cell Pic Sunday: 10.27

A View Thru the Trees

***Lake Haigler***
***Anne Springs Close Greenway***

Silent Sunday

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

2024 Weekend FOTD Squared for C & B

Tithonia rotundifolia

**Mexican sunflower,**
the **red sunflower**

#Square flower

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Becky’s Squares

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Stables Entrances; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

Coleman’s Fascination with Watching “Flychines” Fly

Coleman has been fascinated with “Flychines” (better known as Airplanes) since he was about two (2) years old. He loves to watch “Flychines” fly through the skies. He enjoys watching them takeoff and land whenever possible. Yesterday he had a terrific view and ability to observe “Flychines” flying into Charlotte-Douglas International Airport while his mom was working at the airport.,

https://videopress.com/v/ZbdkZ7te?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

Airplanes ✈️ Flying into
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport

The video was created through Google Photos Highlight Video creator. In watching this video you’ll be able to see what Coleman was seeing and possibly understand his fascination with “Flychines.” Be sure to look closely, if you do you might just notice the windows on the Airplanes.

Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Fascination

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Ludwig’s Monday Window

Monday Window

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Charlotte-Douglas International Airport; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

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

Caring for Cee & Becky with Autumn Squares

I miss Cee when I do not see her posts and pray she is well. I love Squaring for Becky & appreciate all she & Cee do for our blogosphere.

Autumn in the Greenway

*Tithonia diversifolia: Mexican sunflower*

*Autumn* 🍂 *Leaves* 🍁
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*

Helianthus angustifolius L.
Aka Swamp Sunflower,
*Narrow-leaved Sunflower*

I am also linking this post to Judy’s Numbers Game #44-165 using Autumn 🍂 as my theme for the Challenge.

#Square flower

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Becky’s Squares

Judy’s Numbers Game #44-165

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2024 Week 42

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2024-Week 42

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Lake Haigler and Stables Entrances; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 Thursday Doors: 10.24 — Open Work Truck Door

As Coleman and I were hiking toward Lake Haigler on Tuesday afternoon, we saw a work truck in the middle of one of the wider trails. We paused to speak with the men from the truck. They were there to repair the railings on a bridge damaged by Hurricane Helene. They stated that it took four days to cut and clear Seventy-Two trees which had fallen due to the strong winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Helene. The workers have a tremendous amount of work to still do to continue repairing the damage and destruction caused by Hurricane Helene here at the Anne Springs Close Greenway.

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Lake Haigler Entrance (near Lake Haigler); Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 Thursday Trios: 10.24 — Rustic Giddy Up Horses

These Rustic Wooden Horses were in a fenced off area near the Children’s Schroering Forest Playground at the Lake Haigler Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway.

Carol’s Thursday Trios

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Schroering Forest Playground, Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

Monochrome Which Way in the Greenway

Cee’s Which Way My Which Way

I’ve been missing Cee’s posts this week. I pray she is doing alright. This week I am again posting a Which Way My Way showing Which Ways in Monochrome. My grandson, Coleman and I had the privilege of hiking in our favorite Greenway on Tuesday. I only had my smartphone with me; I chose to take some of our adventures in monochrome and silvertone via my smartphone features. I hope you’ll enjoy them.

***Coleman Enjoying Lake Haigler***
***Anne Springs Close Greenway***
***Fort Mill, South Carolina***

I hope y’all will share your Which Ways with us. I am linking to Cee’s Which Way Challenge and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness.

Cee’s Which Way Challenge-10.24.2024

Which Way My Way

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

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

2024 Wordless Wednesday: 10.23 — Amazingly Beautiful View of Lake Haigler @ ASCG

*Coleman*
*Looking Out Upon*
*Lake Haigler*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*
*Fort Mill, South Carolina*

Wordless Wednesday

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #242

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

God Bless. Click on image for enhanced viewing. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very, very much.

Hurricane Storms Cause Erosion on Trails

Mason Bend Trail
Fort Mill, South Carolina

Hurricane Storm damage is heard all over the news and online media. What you hear about are the most heavily affected areas communities and immediate surrounding areas. What you do not hear about is how the storms affected other areas within the outlying areas of the Hurricane’s path. Trails in the Piedmont region of the Carolinas are southeast of the majority of heavily damaged areas, but still affected at a lesser impact level.

The Trails still need maintenance and repairs even though they are not as horrific as those in Western North Carolina. South Carolina Trails still endure erosion and other damages caused by the strong winds and heavy rains that occurred during Hurricane Helene’s passing through the area. The photo above pictures just one of the hiking trails that suffered severe weather damage erosion in South Carolina not far from where I live.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

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

2024 Monochrome Madness #19: 10.17 — Steps and Stairs

This week Aletta from nowathome blog is hosting this week’s Monochrome Madness challenge. She has chosen a theme of Steps and Stairs. Feel free to join in on the fun and post your monochrome photos of Steps and/or Stairs.

Here are my selections for Aletta’s Monochrome Madness Challenge.

*Schiele Museum Nature Trail*
*Gastonia, North Carolina*

*Crowders Mountain State Park*
*Kings Mountain, North Carolina*

*Lake Haigler Loop*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*
*Fort Mill, South Carolina*

*Gibson House*
*Greenway Stables Entrance*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*
*Fort Mill, South Carolina*

Aletta’s, from nowathome, Monochrome Madness

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

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

2024 Wordless Wednesday: 10.16 — Almost

A Place of Quiet Reflection

“Art is not a reflection of reality, it is the reality of a reflection.”
~ Jean-Luc Godard

“It’s on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly.”
~ Claude Monet

Wordless Wednesday

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Throwback Thursday

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #241

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Lake at Garden of the Waxhaws Trail; Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 Monday Portrait: 10.14 —

Coleman’s Horse Affection

Monday Portrait

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

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

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

2024 Macro Monday: 10.14 — Red Leaf

Macro Monday

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF75-300 mm lens.

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

2024 Weekend FOTD: 10.12/.13

Perennial Garden

Andrew Jackson State Park

Cee’s Weekend FOTD

God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Smell the Flowers. See the Beauty in Simplicity. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Our Which Way Relaxing Hike — AJSP

This week Cee is allowing us to post any type of road, path, step, bridge or sign. I have chosen to post some paths, steps, dirt trails, and wooden paths and bridges along the Lake Nature Trail at Andrew Jackson State Park. I took these photos when was camping there the summer after my mom passed. It was a relaxing, peaceful, meditative experience of communing with nature.

Cee’s Which Way Challenge-10.10.2024

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Throwback Thursday

Camera: Apple iPhone XR and iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Nature Trail; Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 CMMC: October Fern Green Color

Green in the Garden

Green by the Lake

Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all ever much.

2024 FOTD: 10.09 — Helianthus agrestis

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Camera: iPhone 11 Pro Max

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

God Bless. Take time to smell the flowers and enjoy nature. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Sunday Stills: Plant a #Tree — Watch the #Leaves Change

Plant a Tree

Let it Grow

Into the Trees

We Love to Go

“Trees exhale for us so that we can inhale them to stay alive. Can we ever forget that? Let us love trees with every breath we take until we perish.”
― Munia Khan

“When one plants a tree they plant themselves. Every root is an anchor, over which one rests with grateful interests, and becomes sufficiently calm to feel the joy of living.”
— John Muir

I feel right at home when I am walking through the forest of trees whether I am alone or out hiking with my grandson. Being in the woods has a calming effect on me. It is relaxing and uplifting at the same time; a time of reflection and communing with God, the Creator of all things on Earth and in Heaven. The Autumn hues of the leaves are beautiful and mesmerizing. Autumn is a great time for observing the changes in nature. I love to be out in the forest amongst the trees all year round. It is so much better than being cooped up in doors. Enjoy the views of the trees and nature I and my grandson love to roam and wander through on a regular period.

“In a forest of a hundred thousand trees, no two leaves are alike. And no two journeys along the same path are alike.”
— Paolo Coelho

“Together we can preserve the forest, securing this immense treasure for the future of all these our children.”
— Chico Mendes

Terri’s Sunday Stills-Leaves and Trees

All Quotes from One Tree Planted.

God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Have a walk amongst the Trees. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Mainly Orange — Autumn Orange +

— Autumn Orange

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Mainly Orange

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

Firetrucks Gather for Fire Safety Presentation

Three Red Firetrucks +

Ludwig’s Monday Window

Carol’s Thursday Trios

Throwback Thursday

Camera: Apple iPhone XR

Location: Walmart Parking Lot; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 Cell Pic Sunday: 10.06

God Bless America

*American Flag*
*Held by 2*
*Ladder Fire Trucks*

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Weekend Sky

Throwback Thursday

Camera: Apple iPhone XR

Location: Walmart Parking Lot; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 CWWC: October Week 1 — Any Which Way

Cee is back and allowing us to post any type of road, path, step, bridge or sign this week for her Which Way Challenge. This week I have mixed it up with a little new with a little from my favourite place from my archives. Hope you enjoy!

*Highway 200 leading from Lancaster to Great Falls, South Carolina closed due to Hurricane Helene.*

*Nature Trail Andrew Jackson State Park*

Cee’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)

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

Bird of the Week LXXXIV — Carolina Gull

What is most commonly referred to as the Carolina Gull is the Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla). Laughing Gulls can be typically observed swirling over beaches like Springmaid and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. Laughing Gulls provide sights and sounds evocative of summer on the East Coast. Large numbers of these Gulls at beaches, docks, and parking lots, where they wait for handouts or fill the air with their raucous calls.

In the Northeast, Laughing Gulls are summer visitors. However, in the Southeast and along the Gulf of Mexico they can be spotted year round along the coasts.

Some interesting cool facts about Laughing Gulls are:

The male and female Laughing Gull usually build their nest together.
The Laughing Gull is normally diurnal, or active during the day. During the breeding season it forages at night as well.
The adult Laughing Gull removes the eggshells from the nest after the eggs hatch.
The oldest known Laughing Gull was at least 22 years old when it was killed in Maine in 2009, the same state where it had been banded in 1987.

Bird of the Week LXXXIV

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

2024 CMMC: October Week 1 — Close Up or Macro

Close-Ups Around the Greenway

Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge-Close Up or Macro

Cameras: 1-2) iPhone 13 Pro; 3-4) Canon EOS Rebel T3i

Location: Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 CFFC: October — Old buildings: barns, sheds, houses

Old Buildings Houses, School, & Church:

Old Sheds:

Old Barns:

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Old Buildings

Throwback Thursday

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. Please Pray for Hurricane Helene Victims, Relief Workers, & Volunteers during this difficult time. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Monday Portrait/#Seven for September: 09.30

7 Riverbanks 🦒 Giraffes 🦒

This week I am combining Monday Portrait with Becky’s Squares-#Seven for September. I am posting Seven (7) Giraffes from 7 years ago in 2017.

Monday Portrait

Becky’s Squares

#Seven for September

Throwback Thursday

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Location: Riverbanks Zoo & Garden; Columbia, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 Weekend FOTD: 09.28/.29 — Helianthus tuberosus

Helianthus tuberosus L.
Jerusalem Artichoke, Sunchoke

Cee’s Weekend FOTD

Camera: iPhone 13 Pro Wide Camera

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

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

2024 LAPC #317 – Walking Around the Neighbourhood

For Tina’s Lens-Artist Challenge this week I chose to show a recent neighbourhood belonging to a friend which we meandered around to check out the area. Our friend’s neighbourhood is in southern Lancaster County in South Carolina.

We enjoyed our stroll through the neighbourhood; hope you enjoyed sharing our walk.

Tina’s Lens-Artists Challenge #317 – Walking the Neighbourhood

Becky’s Squares

Xingfumama’s Pull Up A Seat challenge

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Springdale, Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

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

A Look Back at Penguins from 2017

Posting for Becky’s Squares-Seven for September Challenge and Bird of the Week LXXXII

1(or 2) + 1 + 2 + 2 (or 3) = 7 (or 7)

While visiting the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina we were able to observe the King Penguins. King Penguins have a mobile nest – right on top of their feet! Who would have guessed? The female will lay one egg and both parents will take turns incubating the egg by balancing it on top of their feet under a warm fold of skin.

King Penguin nest sites are on sub-antarctic islands surrounding Antarctica. They spend long stretches of time at sea. [Except those found in zoos like the Riverbanks Zoo.) They eat fish, krill, crustaceans, and squid.

Riverbanks Zoo supports penguins of all species by encouraging sustainable seafood consumption through Seafood Watch. Riverbanks’ Satch Krantz Conservation Fund and Field Conservation Associates have also supported sustainable guano harvest in Peru and chick bolstering and rehabilitation in South Africa.

Becky’s Squares

Throwback Thursday

Bird of the Week LXXXII

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Location: Riverbanks Zoo & Garden; Columbia, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 Flower of the Day: 09.26 — Heliantus Anuus

Sunflower

Cee’s Flower of the Day

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

2024 CFFC: September – Piles or Stacks

Here are entries for this week’s CFFC:

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – Piles or Stacks

Cameras: 1 & 3) iPhone 14 Pro Max; 2, 4-5) Canon EOS Rebel T3i; 6) iPhone XR

Locations: 1-5) Gastonia, North Carolina; 6) Babyland General Hospital; Cleveland, Georgia, USA

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

Flashback Seven Years to 2017 —- A Fun Drive

Destination Fun

Blue Ridge Parkway

Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway from South Carolina to the Virginia Border and back down to Pisgah National Forest and then on into South Carolina once again was a trip I’ll always remember.

It has been seven years since I made that trip with my eldest son. We took the drive on his birthday weekend in October 2017. We stopped at various milestones along the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the beautiful views and tour a few different places along the route. We stopped at Stone Mountain State Park in Roaring Gap, North Carolina and hiked the Stone Mountain Loop Trail beginning at the Upper Trailhead. We continued driving the Blue Ridge Parkway once we left Stone Mountain State Park; we drove to Wilson, North Carolina (Wilson was my married name & the surname of my children.)

On the adventure South on the Parkway, we took a detour to my Cousin Jim’s Produce Market for some fresh produce & a break to stretch our legs. Before we arrived at Jim’s Produce, we stopped for a photo by the Doc and Merle Watson Highway sign ( Doc & Merle Watson are my fourth cousin & fourth cousin once removed respectively).

Venturing further south, we stopped at several more milestones to enjoy the beautiful scenery and views overlooking the valley. We stopped for supper at The Pisgah Inn’s restaurant. The food was delicious and the views were spectacular. The Pisgah Inn is located in the Pisgah National Forest amongst the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway (Blue Ridge Pkwy Milepost 408.6, Waynesville, NC).

It was a lovely and enjoyable trip, not just for the scenery, but always for the quality time spent with my son. Click on each photo for enhanced viewing. Have a wonderful day!

Lens-Artists Challenge #316 – Destination: Fun

Becky’s Squares

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Memories

Throwback Thursday

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Location: Various locations along the Blue Ridge Parkway; North Carolina

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing in our adventure memories. If you have the opportunity I’d recommend driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. You’ll enjoy the scenery as much as we did. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Thursday Trios —

Waiting For Guests

Carol’s Thursday Trios-09.21

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Waiting

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2024-Week 38

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Springdale, Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 CPC: The nights are drawing in

Soon Nightfall will begin earlier and earlier, as Autumn approaches the sunsets come more quickly (or so it may seem) and we adjust accordingly. These are some of my favourites, hope you enjoy them. Click on each photo to enlarge for enhanced viewing.