Category: #OptOutside

XingfuMama’s Whatsoever Is Lovely Challenge-2025 Week 1

Monday Window is a weekly blog post challenge featuring one or more photos of windows, prominently or as the main subject.

Monday Window posts are published each Monday morning at 3:15 UTC.

To join the challenge, release a post featuring a window or windows any time during the week.

► Tag your post “Monday Window” (NOTE: Put a space between Monday and Window, no “s”, Window is singular.) The WordPress Reader will show most of the recent posts tagged this way (alas, not all).

► Add a comment to the latest Monday Window post and include a link to your latest Monday Window post.

Please visit the participating blogs.You will be delighted and astounded by the rich and imaginative offerings by the bloggers from around the world.

See Monday Window posts in Reader

2025 Weekend Sky: January 5 – Week 1

Beautiful Skies

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #253

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens and Altura UV & Star Filter attachments

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

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

2025 Silent Sunday: January 5

*South Fork Catawba River*
*Riverside Park and Greenway*

Silent Sunday

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #253

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & Star filter attachments.

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

God Bless. Relax by the River. Be inspired to be You. Nature’s Beauty is amazing. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Cell Pic Sunday: 01.05

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #253

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

God Bless. Relax by the River. Be inspired to be You. Nature’s Beauty is amazing. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

GeometricJanuary Floating Down the Catawba River

Coleman was playing with his small soccer ball on the bank of the South Fork Catawba River. He tried making a blockade to keep it from sliding into the water, but alas it failed. His soccer ball with its geometric shapes rolled down into the river.

These depict the travel of his soccer ball floating down the South Fork Catawba River, lost to him forever. Bye, bye soccer ball. Click on each image ( if desired) for larger enhanced viewing.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #252

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV and Star-6 Filter attachments

Location: Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Pull Up a Seat with a View by the River

& a Companion

When Coleman and I visited the Greenway on New Year’s Afternoon we actually Pulled Up a Seat on a bench on the other side of the Pier. Couldn’t resist taking a picture of this one with the resident Muscovy Duck sitting nearby.

This Muscovy Duck was friendly with no qualms about approaching Coleman. ( Those pics are for a future post). It would come really super close to Coleman. When we first arrived Coleman sat down with his construction trucks and dinosaurs near his favourite tree. The Muscovy Duck seemed to think that tree was its spot. It appeared to be saying “Why are you in my area?” It walked all around Coleman and decided he was friendly enough, so he would share the area.

It wasn’t until some people came to the river with a dog that the duck switched locations to the area pictured above.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 1

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #252

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: At the South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Talk a Walk. Pull Up a Seat and Relax in Nature. Enjoy the Views. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 GeometricJanuary Squaring #4

Becky’s GeometricJanuary Squares

On January 1st, Coleman and I hiked a short ways to the Riverside Park and Greenway. While Coleman was playing in the sand by the South Fork Catawba River, snappy few shots with my camera. Being observant of my surroundings, I captured some fascinating GeometricJanuary shapes.

Here are my Squares for GeometricJanuary #4 linking to Becky here. I’m also linking to RDP Wednesday-Radiant and FOWC-Joint.

*Riverside Park and Greenway*
*Fishing Pier*

Look at all the joints holding the pier together. Amazing what you find when you look underneath.

Another angle 📐
of the underside
of the fishing pier.

If you thought the architectural design of the joints on the underside were fascinating, then you would be astounded by the sun’s rays radiating over the water. Don’t you think it looks radiant ?

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness #24 – The best from your year

Fandango’s One Word Challenge (FOWC)-Joint

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP):Wednesday-Radiant

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #252

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.

Location: Riverside Park and Greenway Fishing Pier; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton. North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take time to relax and enjoy yourself. Get Outdoors and admire the beauty in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monochrome Madness #24 – The Best from 2024

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

2024 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails

This week’s Which Way Challenge theme is Any Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails. You may post one or as many as you like, just make sure your Which Way is clearly distinguishable. Remember signs are always welcome.

Here are my Which Ways for this week …

These are leaf covered dirt trails at the Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier location in Cramerton, North Carolina. Coleman and I hiked them, on Christmas Day, to see where they’d take us. Unfortunately, due to unrepaired damage to the trails from Hurricane Helene, parts of the trails are unrestored and nonfunctional at this time.

This Bridge was barricaded declaring it was unsuitable and hazardous rendering it off-limits to hikers/pedestrians.

Many thanks to WoollyMuses, for their Which Ways. You might want to check out their Silver and/or Gold Which Ways.

Cameras: 1-5) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; 6-7) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura NP filter attachment.

Location: Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier Trails; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. Hope to see your Which Ways showing your Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 GeometricJanuary Squaring: 01/03

Finding Geometric Patterns in ordinary objects is easy to do if you’re observant. Here is my entry for Becky’s GeometricJanuary for day three …

*Geometric shapes*
*in, on, and around*
*a golf ball in the sand.*

Becky’s GeometricJanuary-2025.01.03

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: By the South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Strong. Take Care of Yourself. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Thursday Trios: January 2

Rabbits in Garden

*It takes Three*
*to Watch*
*over the Garden*

Carol’s Thursday Trios-01/01/2025

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Side Garden; Cramer Memorial United Methodist Church; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. May your blessings abound throughout this New Year. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Thursday Doors: January 2

GeometricJanuary

NC Transportation Museum

*The Back Shop*
*North Carolina Transportation Museum*

The Back Shop is the largest building on the grounds of the North Carolina Transportation Museum. When it was constructed in 1905 for Spencer Shops, it was the largest industrial building in the state. It was used for the complete overhaul of steam locomotives. The North Carolina Transportation Museum is located in Spencer, North Carolina. It is a great place to visit for “Kids” of all ages. Coleman enjoyed it when he was only two.

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: The Back Shop; North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. I’m Grateful for the friendships I’ve made through the various blogging challenges on WordPress. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Wordless Wednesday: January 1

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment

Location: Riverside Park and Greenway on Route to the Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

A 2024 in Review in Flowers

Dedicating this post

to our beloved friend, Cee.

Where I live we still have a little over two and a half hours before 2025’s arrival. I do not normally do year end reviews and I’ve long since given up on making any New Year’s Resolutions. This year Sunday Stills is asking us to do an Annual Year in Review. Therefore, I decided to give a few tidbits of my 2024.

951 posts on WordPress
Written a total of 129.2K words in my WP posts
Participated regularly in blogging challenges. (I’ll miss Cee and her Challenges).
Commented on many posts
Had 10,153 views (for some this may not seem like a lot, but to me it is)
Had 4,125 visitors
Had 6,438 likes

Other Activities outside of Blogging:

Read 121 e-books
Read for a minimum of 30 minutes all 365 days
Read all 52 weeks of the year
Visited 5 cities in my area
Visited and Hiked at 14 different parks or greenways
Made many friends here on WordPress
My grandson started Kindergarten ( I’ve walked him to school most days)
My grandson hikes anywhere and everywhere with me
We moved out of an apartment and into a rental house one town over. (Coleman loves it. It is in walking distance to two greenways).

Now for my Floral Year in Review:

January Flowers (sad to say not many):

February Flowers:

*Think I made up for only one in January*

March Flowers:

April Flowers:

May Flowers:

June Flowers:

July Flowers:

August Flowers:

September Flowers:

October Flowers:

November Flowers:

December Flowers:

I am grateful for each and everyone who has visited, liked, and or commented on my blog. I hope to see y’all participating in the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) in 2025. Happy New Year!

Sunday Stills: Annual Year in Review

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

Love to all from Coleman and myself.

2024’s Last ‘Last on the Card’ —December 31st

Brian from Bushboys World invites everyone to post their Last Photo on the Card or smartphone. Here are Brian’s suggestions regarding his Last On the Card Challenge…

Your last photo doesn’t have to be on the very last day of the month if you didn’t take any photos on that day. Maybe it was earlier in the month when the last photo was taken.

Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 31st or whenever your last photo was taken. No editing. No explanations needed. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments on Brian’s Post. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard.

Here are my Last on the Card photos:

From my Canon EOS Rebel T3i:

From my Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max:

Brian’s Last On the Card

God Bless. Have a Happy New Year and blessings all year long. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Words for Thought #48: 12.31

All Praise to God

Think About It Tuesday

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment.

Location: Off Cramerton Mountain Road; Near Baltimore Fishing Pier; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

CFFC: The Tall and the short of It

First off, let’s take a look at a TALL building in Abilene, Texas. I visited my Aunt (my mom’s sister) in 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since our plans of visiting other relatives didn’t pan out due to social distancing mandates, I took many long walks around my Aunt’s neighborhood. I was not just out for the exercise, but also to explore the area. I came across this Tall Building on one of my walkabouts.

The Enterprise Tower was originally known as the First State Bank Tower and then Bank of America Building. It was constructed in the early 80’s and completed in 1984. This is the tallest building in Abilene with its twenty (20) stories at Two Hundred Eighty-Five (285) feet (87 meters). It ranks as the 6th tallest building in West Texas.

And now we’ll take a look see at a building on the shorter side of things located at The Schiele Museum of Natural History’s Catawba Indian Village in Gastonia, North Carolina. The Schiele Museum is a favourite place Coleman enjoys visiting. [The museum also has Dinosaurs 🦖 🦕 on display.]

Information listed on the sign in front of the Early Log Cabin …

This log house reflects the rapid change that the Catawba lifestyle was undergoing throughout Scots-Irish and German settlements of this region in the 18th century. This home is a native adaptation of the log cabins being built by these settiers. The first Catawba cabins were built of unhewn logs with shingle roofs and a central smoke hole. These smoke holes began being replaced with chimneys of stone and logs, as seen here, in the mid-1700s.

This Early Log Cabin is one of several different types of homes in the Catawba Indian Village that were once used by the native Catawba Indians in our area.

Dan’s CFFC

Cameras: 1) Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max; 2) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. May your blessings be long upon the Earth and be you experience tons of joy, peace, love, and happiness throughout the rest of 2024 and all throughout 2025. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier

Lovely View

of the

South Fork Catawba River

Posting as part of WWE and Judy’s Numbers Game #54-175. This week I have decided to post photos from the Baltimore Fishing Pier instead of finding the 175 numbered photos. These all linked in a new album in my files. I thought you’d enjoy the photos I shot from the Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier. Enjoy the video.

Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier

Water Water Everywhere #252

Judy’s Numbers Game #54-175

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2024 Week 52

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment

Location: Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take Care. Here’s to many happy days of love, joy, and laughter in 2025. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

A Few Ripples and a Splash

Water Water Everywhere

Coleman and I hiked to the Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier on Christmas Day. Whenever we a near a lake or river, Coleman likes to throw sticks, rocks, or whatever he can find into the water. He likes seeing the ripple effect and even more so when he can get a big splash from whatever he throws into the water.

Here’s what I managed to capture from his efforts …

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #251

WWE

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment.

Location: Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 Monday Window: 12.30

North Carolina

Transportation Museum

Railroad Car

Railway Cars located at The North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina. The Museum has several Trains, Train Engines, Airplanes, Antique Cars and other transportation vehicles on display for visitors to see for a minimal cost.

I took Coleman to the North Carolina Transportation Museum back in 2021 just after he turned 2. He loved seeing the variety of transportation vehicles on display.

Monday Window

Ludwig’s Monday Window

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Telephoto Camera

Location: North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, North Carolina, USA

2024 Weekend FOTD: 12.28/29

Wood Spurge

The Which Way Challenge (CWWC) is all about capturing the means we travel from place to place such as roads, walkways, trails, and rails. The roads could be paved or unpaved, gravel, or dirt. Walkways could cover sidewalks, hallways, or pathways. Trails are paths we travel through Greenways, Local, State, or National Parks. Also permissible are any kinds of signs and any bridge angle.

Cee’s Weekend FOTD

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens

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

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

2024 Silent Sunday: 12.29

Hanging Out

At South Fork Catawba River
Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier

Silent Sunday

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment.

Location: Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier; Off Cramer Mountain Road; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Happy New Year! Venture into Nature. Take a Hike/Walk. Enjoy Life. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Cell Pic Sunday: 12.29

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Near the South Fork Catawba River; Off Cramer Mountain Road; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

Helix/R Project Coming Soon to Cramerton

The Helix/R coming soon to Cramerton has begun construction. The Helix/R Project is a privately funded partnership between Cramerton and the Carolina Thread Trail. The Helix was originally installed in Charlotte in 1983. It was donated to Cramerton in 2018. Its installation began this past week in Riverside Park and Greenway near the bridge. Riverside Park and Greenway is a part of the Carolina Thread Trail; connecting people to nature and the surrounding environment.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Photographing Public Art Challenge (PPAC)

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment; Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 RDP: Contentment

Cardinals Contentment

Coleman and I refilled our bird feeder today to the delight and contentment of Northern Cardinals as well as a variety of other bird species.

The birds have a tendency to jostle some of the bird seeds around while they are grabbing a bite and flying off. Some will stay awhile for a bit of contented munching while others snatch and flee to and fro. They do fly here and there spreading the word and then flying back for more.

After filling the feeder, we had some loose seeds, so instead of putting them back in the back we spread them out on the railing. Coleman loves to watch the birds eating the bird feed we put out. Today, the Female Northern Cardinals were displaying contentment, enjoying the feed we spread out for their content.

RDP Wednesday: TODAY

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Friday! Contentment

Birds of the Week XCVI

Birds of the Carolinas

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: As seen through our Front Window; Our Front Porch Railings; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Be Content with who you are. You are loved. Dwell in the Contentment of our Lord God. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Which Way Challenge (CWWC) — Which way with the colors of Silver and Gold

This week’s theme will be CWWC: Which way with the colors of Silver and Gold. I will be looking forward to seeing y’all’s Which Way Challenge posts.

My entries here are from The Lindsay Pettus Greenway’s Lighting of the Greenway. Whenever Coleman and I are hiking in a Greenway, State or National Park, we do not Rush; instead we take our time strolling through the paths and trails in taking everything there is to see. Nature is amazingly beautiful and peaceful, there is never a need to Rush. Take your time, relax and enjoy your journey.

*Sparkling Snow Droplets*
*Covering a Bridge*

Bonus: Gold at the Christmas Market

Please make sure your which way is the main object of your photo. Thanks.

Thank you GERIATRI’X’ FOTOGALLERY, Cee with FOTD, WoollyMuses, sharing your Which Ways.

Possible Upcoming Topics:

CWWC: Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails
CWWC: Roads with any signs
CWWC: Which way with the colors of brown or black

CWWC: Any which way with people in it

CWWC: Roads with vehicles and or traffic

CWWC: Any which way with in black and white
CWWC: Any which way with lines
CWWC: Any animal in your which way

Which Way Challenge (CWWC)

Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge: Things that are #Metallic

One Word Sunday-Rush

Cameras: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i

Location: Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Season Greetings. Enjoy your holidays. Remember the Reason for the Season. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Thursday Trios: 12.26

Wildlife Habitat Flowers

Coleman and I spotted these flowers while hiking along the trail in Central Park the other week. There’s not much in this Wildlife Habitat that we could see, but maybe it’ll seem more appealing in the Spring.

*Metal Flowers*
*Wildlife Habitat*
*Central Park*

*Close-up of Door*
*in building*
*behind the Flowers*

Carol’s Thursday Trios-12.26

Cee’s Flower of the Day (Does Metal Flowers count?)

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Wildlife Habitat; Hiking Trail; Central Park; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. As we approach 2025, may God watch over you, keep you safe, fill you with hope, joy, peace, and love. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 RDP: Tuesday 12.17 — Darkness

Out of the Darkness and into the early Dawn as Coleman walked out the back door for us to head to the bus stop, he said look Grandma and pointed towards the back fence. He wanted me to see what he was seeing.

Here’s what he was seeing …

These were taken in the early dawn when it was still dark outside. I have cataracts and cannot see out of my left eye, it is difficult for me to see in the dark. Thus, these are not as clear as I would prefer but will still give you an idea of what Coleman was seeing coming out of the darkness.

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Tuesday! Darkness!

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Our Backyard; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Come out of the Darkness and Dwell in the Light of Jesus. Hallelujah! Christ’s birth is the Reason we celebrate Christmas. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Reblog: Birds of the Carolinas #18/Bird of the Week #LXXXVII

Today’s sightings at our bird feeder reminded me of a previous post. Today’s visitors were several Female Eastern Bluebirds. Therefore, I thought it’d be fitting to reblog my previous post Birds of the Carolinas #18.

Eastern Bluebird

The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) is one of many common species of birds in North and South Carolina. It is a small North American migratory thrush which is found in woodlands, farmlands, and orchards.

The Male Bluebirds have a bright head, back, and wings. Their breast is a reddish-brown colour. The females are lighter with gray on the head and back and some blue on their wings and tail. The females breast is lighter in colour than the males, and is more orangish.

The Eastern Bluebird is observed east of the Rockies, from southern Canada down to the Gulf States, and southeastern Arizona to Nicaragua. Bluebirds tend to live in open country surrounded by trees, but with little understory and sparse ground cover.

The Eastern Bluebirds pictured above were observed sitting on a wire outside my front porch in our area of Western North Carolina. They are social, and sometimes gather in flocks of over a hundred. Even so, they are territorial during the breeding season and may possibly continue to defend a feeding area throughout winter.

Eastern Bluebirds eat mostly insects, wild fruit and berries. Occasionally, Eastern Bluebirds have also been observed capturing and eating larger prey items such as shrews, salamanders, snakes, lizards and tree frogs.

Eastern Bluebirds can live for around six (6) to ten (10) years. The oldest recorded Eastern Bluebird was at least 10 years, 6 months old. It had been banded in New York in May 1989, and was found dead in South Carolina November 1999.

In spite of this, most bluebirds die within their first year of life. Even though Starvation and freezing are a danger to the young, that is not their largest threat. The largest threat to the Eastern Bluebirds comes from other animals including humans. Some of the animals which are dangerous and threatening to the bluebirds are rat snakes, racers, American kestrels, and domestic cats.

Take time to enjoy nature. Observe your surroundings, you might see interesting birds or other interesting finds. The birds in the above two photos were first spotted by my grandson and he insisted I snap a picture of them. One is never too young to observe nature and enjoy birdwatching.

Birds of the Carolinas

Birds of the Week Invitation LXXXVII

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 CFFC: All about buildings: Colorful buildings

For the second week of Dan hosting CFFC he has chosen a theme of All about buildings: Colorful buildings.

Here are my entries for Dan’s CFFC:

Dan’s CFFC-Colorful Buildings

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

2024 Numbers Game #53 – 174

Judy from Life Lessons’ invites us to play along with her in her Numbers Game Challenge. Her instructions are simple, just 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.

Here are my entries for this week’s Numbers Game Challenge:

Judy’s Numbers Game #53-174

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

2024 Monday Portrait: 12.23

High Horse

Horse “Signage”at
The Cowboy Way Tack Shop
Treadaway Blvd
Abilene, Texas

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Telephoto

Location: The Cowboy Way Tack Shop; Treadaway Blvd; Abilene, Texas, USA

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

2024 Weekend Sky: 12.21/.22

From Haziness to Cloudy

The first half of the week our skies were nothing but hazy skies where we live. By Wednesday the haziness of dawn slowly disappeared as the day progressed. By mid-afternoon noon I was pleased to see the beautiful blue skies despite the various clouds scattering hereabouts.

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

2024 Cell Pic Sunday: 12.22

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

2024 Silent Sunday: 12.22 –

Prunus caroliniana

Silent Sunday

Which Way on Xmas – Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

2024 Weekend FOTD: 12.21/.22

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Stelle di Natale
Aka Christmas Star, Poinsettia

Cee’s Weekend FOTD

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

Delighted Seeing the Bird Feeder Activity

After we moved into our new place Coleman insisted, we needed a bird feeder. He watches the bird feeder every day to see if any birds come to eat from it. It was slow in the beginning, but after the birds investigated the feeder and spread the word, we have had plenty of activity on the feeder. However, the majority of activity seems to occur in the mornings after Coleman goes to school. He is delighted when he can see birds enjoying the feeder.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

2024 Numbers Game #52 – 173

Variations of 173

Here are my entries for this week’s Numbers Game Challenge:

Judy’s Numbers Game #52-173

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

2024 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): December Week 3 — Which way with the colors of Red and Green

The Which Way Challenge (CWWC) is all about capturing the means we travel from place to place such as roads, walkways, trails, and rails. The roads could be paved or unpaved, gravel, or dirt. Walkways could cover sidewalks, hallways, or pathways. Trails are paths we travel through Greenways, Local, State, or National Parks. Also permissible are any kinds of signs and any bridge angle. Remember to ensure your “Way” is visible and the main focus of your photo.

This week’s Theme for the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) is Any Which way with the colors of Red and Green.

My Which Ways this week are from the Cramerton Christmas Parade and Goat Island Park and Greenway. Remember signs are always welcome in the Which Way Challenge.

*Goat Island Bridge*
*Cramerton, North Carolina*

*Coleman’s Which Way*
*Goat Island Playground*

*1962 Chevrolet Corvair 700 Wagon*
*with Christmas Tree on Rooftop*

Please make sure your which way is the main object of your photo. Thanks.

Next week’s Which Way theme will be CWWC: Which way with the colors of Silver and Gold.

I deeply appreciate all those who joined in this past week’s Which Way Challenge. Check out the following to see their Which Way’s on Which Way Challenge (CWWC): December Week 2 — Any Which way with a Christmas holiday theme:

Which Way Challenge: Any With a Christmas Theme – Marianne Villanueva

Which Way Challenge (CWWC) – Holiday Theme – Chava61 from This and That

CWWC: Which way with the colors of Red and Green

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge-Red

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Downtown Parade Route; Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Season Greetings. Enjoy your holidays. Remember the Reason for the Season. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 CFFC: October — Commercial buildings or store fronts (2)

This post was originally drafted before Cee went into the hospital and was unable to continue with the challenge. I know I already submitted one post for this challenge, but since I found this post in my drafts I decided to go ahead and post this as a second CFFC post for this challenge.

My contributions for Dan’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge this week are shown below.

The Longaberger Co. Headquarters
Newark, Ohio

Huntersville Oaks Hospital
Atrium Health Foundation
Huntersville, North Carolina

Partners Behavioral Health Management
Veterans Services Facility
Gastonia, North Carolina

Pump House
Southern Restaurant
Rock Hill, South Carolina

Comal County Courthouse
(Gerichtsgebäude)
New Braunfels, Texas

Old Weather Bureau Building
Department of Agriculture
Abilene, Texas

Dan’s (No Facilities) CFFC-Commercial Buildings or Store Fronts

Dan’s (No Facilities) CFFC-Commercial Buildings or Store Fronts

Cameras: 1, 4-6) Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max; 2-3) Minolta XG-7 35 mm

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

2024 Thursday Trios: 12.19

Mushrooms Shaded Seating

Coleman and I visited a “new to us” park this past week. The name of the park is Central Park located here in Cramerton. According to the Cramerton website, Central Park prides itself natural surface mountain biking trails, walking trails and a natural stream running the length of the park.

While we were hiking along the trails, we had a difficult time distinguishing between the walking trails and the mountain biking trails. Some of the trails had water running across them from the creek (stream).

Alongside one of the trails we came across this unique seating arrangement with tall mushrooms which provide shade for hikers taking a bit of a rest.

Remember for larger enhanced viewing you may click on each image.

Carol’s Thursday Trios

Cameras: 1-3) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF75-300mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment; 4-5) Apple iPhone Pro Max

Location: Central Park; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Walk amongst the Trees and/or alongside a creek, river, or lake. Happy Holidays. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us.

2024 Wordless Wednesday: 12.18

Wreaths Across America

Miramar National Cemetery; U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs; San Diego, California

#wreathsacrossamerica

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Location: Miramar National Cemetery;
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
San Diego, California

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

2024 CFFC: December 17 — Commercial buildings or store fronts

Thank you once again Dan for taking on the Fun Foto Challenge. I know this is a huge relief for Cee. It is also wonderful for those of us who have been previously enjoying participating in this challenge. I for one will look forward to all you have to bring in this CFFChallenge.

Now on to show you may take on Commercial Buildings or Store Fronts. I have dug into my archives for this week’s challenge; some much older than others, however, I hope you enjoy them all.

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

2024 Words for Thought #46: 12.17

Joy

Sing for Joy to the Lord as the Shepherds did celebrating the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. — Psalm 95:1

Think About It Tuesday

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Cramer Memorial United Methodist Church; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 Macro Monday: 12.16

Floral Macro

Macro Monday