When Coleman and I were near completion of our hike his mom met us along the trail. The first picture is of Coleman Pulling Up a Seat near his mom in front of the horse stables. The next two pictures of him choosing to Pull Up a Seat along the Dogwood Trail which we were hiking. For Coleman it does not better whether or not he has a chair, a log, or just decides to Pull Up a Seat upon the ground. He will Pull Up a Seat whenever and wherever he pleases.
The Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris deffinis) is a moth of the order Lepidoptera, family Sphingidae. It mimics a bumblebee in appearance. It is sometimes called a “Hummingbird Moth” due to its ability to dark quickly from flower to flower, and its ability to hover over nectar sources.
The Snowberry Clearwing is hovering from flower to flower, which are called Phlox Carolina ‘Gypsy Love’. The Phlox carolina ‘Gypsy Love’ have narrow, pointed foliage and pink flowers in early summer. The Carolina Phlox are native to the southeastern United States. They are an herbaceous perennial boasting broadly cylindrical clusters of lavender to pink or white flowers over a long season.
Hello, my community circle of friends. We do live in a big world in the atmosphere of Earth. We all share a common interest in a blogging universe. We want to share our voice, with the world. We may share it through our words, through our photography, or through our stories. Regardless of our methods we all share a love with our circle, our community of friends both online and in person, within our vast differences and our commonalities.
Thank y’all for being my friends, for being a part of my community, for being within my circle of friends, and sharing your photos, your gracious comments, your interests, your challenges and also your encouragement. I am blessed to be in this community, having each of you in my circle of friends. Thank you!
Disc golf, formerly known as frisbee golf, is a flying disc sport in which players throw a disc at a target; it is played using rules similar to golf.
Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill recently installed a Disc Golf Course which can be accessed through their Adventure Road Entrance. The first “hole” is just off the first parking lot.
Hole 1 141 ft Par 3Hole 1 Basket
The sport is usually played on a course with 9 or 18 holes (baskets). Players complete a hole by throwing a disc from a tee pad or area toward a target, known as a basket, throwing again from where the previous throw landed, until the basket is reached.
Hole Information Disc PadColeman climbing to Basket 2“Hole” Basket 2 with Coleman
The Greenway’s Disc Golf Course consists of 9 “holes” which wind around through the woods near Lake Crandall. Coleman and I didn’t bring a disc with ( discs are not provided ). I’m not sure that he’s ready to land a disc in the baskets yet. He still needs to learn how to throw one first.
Hole 3 126 ft. Par 3Coleman hiking to next BasketBasket 3Coleman at Basket/Hole 3
Usually, the number of throws a player uses to reach each basket is tallied (often in relation to par), and players seek to complete each hole in the lowest number of total throws. Par is the number of strokes an expert player is expected to make for a given hole or a group of holes (usually 9 or 18).
Have you ever played Disc/Frisbee Golf? I actually have never played Disc Golf even though in my youth I has thrown a Frisbee a time or two. Maybe one day I’ll give it a try. I’m sure the Disc Golf Course at the Greenway will get much use given time. It was only I stay couple of months ago so people need time to become aware of its existence.
Double the Warning South Fork River Access McAdenville, North Carolina ( Shot on iPhone 14 Pro Max)It takes 2 to practice Jousting Mallard orwild duck and a White Pekin Duck
These Vintage Oars and Paddles are just a few of the ones on display at the Warlick YMCA located in Gastonia, North Carolina. These evoke the memories of summers on the lake canoeing and kayaking and having the most fabulous time of one’s life.
Skyscape/Cloudscapes over Carowinds Charlotte, North Carolina (taken with an iPhone X in May 2018)Skyscape/Cloudscapes over Port of Galveston Galveston, Texas (taken with an iPhone 11 Pro Max in February 2020)Skyscape/Cloudscapes South Carolina Welcome Center Fair Play, South Carolina Looking at Lake Hartwell State Park landing (Taken with an iPhone 11 Pro Max in April 2020)Skyscape/Cloudscapes Dairy Barn Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina (Taken with an iPhone 13 Pro in December 2022)Skyscape/Cloudscapes Horse Road Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina (Taken with an iPhone 14 Pro Max on May 22, 2023)Today’s Cloudscapes from our Backyard Gastonia, North Carolina (Taken with an iPhone 14 Pro Max)
Playground at Gable Oaks Apartments in Rock Hill, SCPlayground at Gardner Park Elementary School Gastonia, NCPlayground at Schiele Museum Gastonia, NCMy grandson’s preferred “playground” out on a trail. Persimmon Trail Carolina Thread Trail Belmont, North Carolina Chewbacca
Trees 🌲 in Anne Springs Close Greenway Horse 🐎 Stables Entrance Fort Mill, South Carolina Coleman amongst Trees along the Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway Blue Star Entrance Fort Mill, South Carolina Trees 🌲 and Tree 🌲 Reflections Anne Springs Close Greenway Lake Haigler Entrance Fort Mill, South Carolina (Photo Credit: Larry Underwood)Hammock all set up for Relaxation Surrounded by Trees 🌲 Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, South Carolina Coleman hiking along Persimmon Trail lined with Trees 🌲🌲 Belmont, North Carolina Where did Coleman go? Is he hiding within the Trees 🌲? He’s hard to keep up with, I always have to tell him to slow down & wait for me to catch up. Persimmon Trail from Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens Belmont, North Carolina
The New Braunfels Railroad Museum resides within the 1907 International and Great Northern Depot. In October of 1986, the New Braunfels Historic Railroad and Modelers Society was granted a long-term lease of the closed depot. At that point the restoration and museum efforts were begun. It interior was painted and the exterior was repainted to match one of the previous remodels of the depot. Brick pavers and new sidewalks were added to aid in the preservation of the museum artifacts and displays. Then again in 2007 the members undertook a compete make-over of the display area. This included new custom-made display cases, track lighting, and additional displays of items that had previously needed to be stored. Displays include a rare velocipede from the late 1800’s; several restored baggage carts, a complete telegraphy system and its history; a history of “standard time”; area specific photos; lanterns, timetables, passes, uniforms, and various other “tools” required of the railroad employee to sufficiently get his job done.
New Braunfels Railroad Museum Railroad Depot Circa 1890
I visited the New Braunfels Railroad back in February of 2020 when I made a took a bus trip to Texas to visit relatives. When they had appointments in the New Braunfels area I would tag along and walk the streets sightseeing to see interesting sights in the area. I found the museum to be fascinating and enjoyed my self-guided walking tour.
The Eastern Gray Squirrel is particular known in other parts of the world as simply the grey squirrel. It is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus. It is native to eastern North America (my part of the country), where it is most prodigious and ecologically essential natural forest regenerator. These squirrels I’ve seen before in several campgrounds, Greenways, and along several hiking trails in the area. I usually see them more in the country and not so much in the city near apartments or townhomes.
My grandson woke me up early to watch the squirrel on our back fence eating the dog’s food. He was fascinated watching the squirrel. Most squirrels I’ve seen do not have as long a tail as this Eastern Gray Squirrel. This shot he seemed to be saying; “Why you looking at me? Can’t you see I’m enjoying my breakfast at your expense? Thank you, I appreciate the food.”
Coleman on bench outside log houseColeman on Farm Bureau benchColeman on ledge of Gazebo Coleman sideways on bench near Grist MillGotta love ❤️ Coleman’s expressionsColeman on backless bench by PondA Rock 🪨 is as good a Seat 💺 as Anything for ColemanColeman fascinated looking 👀 at a leaf🍃 sitting on a wood & metal bench
It’s been raining a lot off and on so to relieve boredom I decided to play around with the utilities feature in Google Photos. There are features where you can make collages, animations, and movies. The following is the movie & collage I made.
The stream by the Grist MillDown further along the trail To the Pond Where ColemanThrew small stones to make splashes rippling the Water And on around toward the other side looking for the Turtles 🐢 finding abstract reflections.
Blending in … Can you see me? What am I?First, I’ll Swim this Way…Then, I’ll Swim That Way…
If you noticed me, you guessed I’m a turtle. I love to swim in the pond here at Schiele Museum of Natural History. You can spot me in the pond if you look closely. The pond is located along the Nature Trail.
The Schiele Museum of Natural History is located just a short distance of where we live in Gastonia, North Carolina. If you’re ever in the area, I’d encourage you to stop by & visit the Museum and take a walk around the nature trail.
This week’s features are from a neighbourhood creek we saw while taking a long walk. The Duharts Creek is located in the Gastonia – New Hope Acres area.
I’m a little behind in posting for this challenge. Hope y’all don’t object that I go ahead and post it now. we don’t usually get birds flying or landing so close for a really good close up to be taken and i usually only have my cell phone handy when they do soar through the area this close to watch and observe.
I took these shots with my iPhone 14 Pro Max through our kitchen window, I didn’t want to scare them off by opening the back door.
There were a few of these flying back and forth though our small back patio. These birds are called Great-Tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus). When one first looks at the Grackle one might assume it was a never type of black bird, however, the subtle iridescent purple of the head, neck, back, and underparts stand out against the black wings and lower body. The tail on males is long and is often described to be diamond-shaped. Females are typically dark brown on the head, neck, back, and underparts instead of the iridescence that males possess. The bright yellow eyes are especially noticeable on the darker males.
I’m a little behind for this particular challenge, but that’s okay, better late than not at all. This one took a bit more time and thought into what I would post. I decided to post my dad’s cameras as he is the reason behind my love and enjoyment of photography.
I do not have a picture of my dad holding his camera, however, when my mom passed ( 23 years after my dad) my brother gave me my dad’s camera case which included his camera, lenses, and flash. This meant a lot to me because my dad and I were close. Having a small portion of what meant a lot to him brings some joy.
One of his Camera casesMinolta XG-7
My dad started taking pictures way being I was thought of. I remember him taking pictures with this camera whenever we went on family vacations, during birthdays, holidays and extended family gatherings. Most of his pictures he took using 35mm film he had developed onto slides. When I was in high school I won a moped & sold it so I could buy my own camera just like my dad’s.
His other Camera case with his “newer” Minolta camera & lenses Minolta 7000 Maxxum
Just by looking at the camera, one can tell he got a tremendous amount of use out of it. This camera is one he bought after I was out of the house. The one I remember the most is the Minolta XG-7. He never went on a trip without his camera. I am thankful I also have my dad’s slides which I have slowly been attempting to digitize. It is still a very slow work in progress.
Nornal Hule WatersMy Dad & I My mentor, my dad, Nornal Hule Waters
This month my Desktop switches between three photos.
Coleman Color Pop Crowders Mountain State Park Kings Mountain, North Carolina Coleman resting against a crooked tree Crowders Mountain State Park Kings Mountain, North Carolina Whales Ocean Conservancy.com
Ford Model T1928 Essex Super Six 4 Pass Rumble Seat Coupe1908 Ford Model S1915 Buick 1967 FORD GALAXIE XL 2 DOOR HARDTOP
My dad always enjoyed attending car shows. He worked for Pearson Ford for over 35 years. He would watch NASCAR races whenever my mom wasn’t watching other sporting events. All of my dad’s life, he owned nothing but FORD cars. Growing up we all went to the cars shows together. My very first car I own was one my family owned. It was a 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 White 2 Door Select-a-Shift with Blue interior. I’ve never owned another car like it again. It was a great car that lasted me for a good 20 years.
Coleman on a Wooden Swing Ashbrook High School Gastonia, NCColeman on an Honor Monument Al Hess Cross Country Trail In Honor of Alfred John Hess Jr. Ashbrook Cross Country Coach
Multiple Shades of Green Lake Crandall Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina Coleman in Light Green Kayak Andrew Jackson State ParkElaeagnus umbellata (Autumn Olive)Laurus nobilis, Aka Bay Laurel, True Laurel, & Sweet BayEuphorbia seguieriana Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens Belmont, North Carolina Coleman & Alona Ashbrook High School Greenwave SignLight Green Flag Shirt Mental Health Awareness Til Valhalla Project.ComCee’s Midweek Madness Challenge
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
You can find small things just about anywhere if you slow down, open your eyes, and are observant about your surroundings. These are a smidgen of the small things I’ve observed over the years.
Small Kitten Small Melanoplus (Grasshopper)Small Flowers Ranunculus californicus commonly known as the California buttercupSmall Home (AKA Tent)Small Island in Lake at Andrew Jackson State Park Small Child
It wasn’t hard to find logs while my grandson and I went walking through the backwoods of our neighborhood. The following is what we discovered.
Log 🪵 with Tree Fungus Stacked Fire 🔥 Logs 🪵Logs 🪵 in FirepitCut Logs 🪵Fallen Tree 🌲 Log 🪵More Cut Logs 🪵Loose Cut Logs 🪵 and Branches Logs 🪵 entwined with Green Leaves 🍃
Hopefully this will be okay. These are old photos taken in nature of a close family member taken a long time ago by a maternal family member and given to me by my maternal grandmother.
I’m not sure if my grandmother took this photos or another family member. To me it does not matter so much as it does who is in the photos. The first four were taken prior to 1940 in Coshocton, Ohio. This last photo was taken in Florida when they went to find work picking fruit most likely during one winter when work was hard to come by in Ohio.
So, these might not be what you normally think of when you think of things found in nature, but why not display people in various settings out in nature. Pictures tell a story, better than a thousand words. What relation do you think the family member is to me? These were all taken before the family member turned nine. The experiences and stories left untold except for in the photos leaving the recipient to wonder what life was really like back then.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 