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.
Eastern Bluebird
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.
Eastern Bluebird
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.
The morning glory plants entwine themselves around structures, growing to a height of 2-3 m (6 ft 7 in – 9 ft 10 in) tall. Their leaves are heart-shaped and the stems are covered with brown hairs. The flowers are trumpet-shaped, predominantly blue to purple or white.
These Purple Morning Glories are located on the side of a small hill below railroad tracks up the street from our home. I found it interesting how they are entwined with the gravel as they climb the hill and how they rise up towards the sky in the mornings.
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.
in primo piano – photos Dan Antion’s Thursday Doors photo
While walking about our new town, I notice doors, windows, and the entire surrounding sites that might capture our interest. These are a couple we spotted this week while we were on our walkabout.
South Fork Commons United methodist Church Cramerton, North Carolina
This “Church” building is on the other side of the Railroad tracks from where we now live. I am not sure if any church services are available at this location. When I try to Google information regarding the church all I receive is information about South Fork Commons Apartment Homes. I am wondering if it has gone by the wayside the same as previously posted Mayworth School turned into Mayworth School Apartments. Maybe more investigation will determine the answer I am seeking.
Seen on a lower level of a house across from the Greenway
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.
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.
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.
As Coleman and I were walking along the trail (and even a little off trail) around the Riverside Greenway, I noticed a marshy area where the flood waters were still surrounding many plants and vegetation. Other areas where the flood waters had recently receded were still mushy and difficult to walk through, but Coleman is a trooper and loves to explore everything. With all the devastation caused by the storm and strong winds, I was amazed to see signs of new plant life sprouting in amongst the tremendous amount of leaves near fallen trees. No matter how things may seem, God is in control. New life begins once again.
“The marsh did not confine them but defined them and, like any sacred ground, kept their secrets deep.”
From Where the Crawdads Sing. – Delia Owens
Marsh in Riverside Park and Greenway
“Every day is a fresh beginning; Every morn is the world made new.” – Sarah Chauncey Woolsey
New Growth after the Storms
“Every moment is a fresh beginning.”
– T.S. Eliot
New Life Beginning Anew
“Be a miracle that grows. Live deeply from the soul.”
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.
I love capturing reflections, especially reflections in water. Coleman and I just happened to hike along a portion of the South Fork River on Saturday. It was a relaxing time walking along the (new to us) Riverside Greenway in Cramerton which runs alongside the South Fork River. We saw quite a few amazingly beautiful reflections in the river. Here an only a small portion of what I managed to capture with my iPhone.
We have recently moved to Cramerton, North Carolina. Wherever we are living, Coleman and I enjoy walking around the area seeing all the beautiful sights and interesting places we can discover.
On Friday after Coleman got off the school bus, we walked up the street; under a railroad overpass; past the post office, the fire department, the entrance to Goat Island Park and Greenway; continuing onward and upward until we reached the Community Center and playground. [The playground at Goat Island is temporarily closed for repairs due to Hurricane Helene damage from its wind and flooding.] The following are some of Cramerton’s Public Art displays around the town.
WWII Soldier And his Daughter Town Of Cramerton, North Carolina
Welcome to Cramerton Wall Mural
Genuine Cramerton Army Cloth Wall Mural
Metal Wind Spinner Cramerton Recreation Center
‘Goat in a boat’ greets Cramerton residents, visitors Wall Mural
Concrete Fireman Statue & Coleman Cramerton Fire Department
We hope you have enjoyed our walking tour of Cramerton’s Public Art.
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.
What’d you know? October is over and the year is almost over with Thanksgiving and Christmas on the way. Before you know it it’ll be 2025. Where’s this year going? Why’s time passing by so quickly?
We have been in transition for the past few months, in between homes; packing, unpacking, being without part of our belongings for a week. Everything in chaos for several months, needing to move and difficulties in finding a place to move to caused lots of stress. During this time period of chaos and confusion, I wasn’t able to go anywhere with my Canon; therefore my only photos this past month have been taken with my iPhone. Here is my last photo for October.
I’ve been missing Cee’s posts. I pray she is doing alright. This week I am again posting a Which Way My Wayshowing Which Ways in My New Neighbourhood. My grandson, Coleman and I are beginning to roam around our new neighborhood investigating what interesting things and places we can find in the area. Here are a few shots from yesterday’s walk through the neighbourhood.
We recently moved and our new to us rental home has a swing on the front porch which Coleman claims is his swing. We haven’t had a swing on a porch since we lived with my uncle years ago. The beautiful views from our front porch are amazingly beautiful (even the view that is not of the sky).
All Saints Day is a Christian observance held on November 1st, (the day after Halloween), in honour of all the saints of the Church, whether they are known or unknown. It is also known as All Hallows’ Day, the Feast of All Saints,the Feast of All Hallows,the Solemnity of All Saints, and Hallowmas.
All Saints’ Day on November 1st was established by Pope Gregory III as a reminder that people are not just destined for life on earth, but also in Heaven. Some people also celebrate All Souls’ Day which is on November 2 which commemorates the faithful departed.
Those who celebrate All Saints’ Day usually gather to remember those who have passed away, especially war veterans, going to cemetaries to light candles. Some of the churches which hold services to celebrate and honor All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day are the Catholic Churches, Lutheran Churches, Anglican Churches, and Methodist Churches. Besides holding masses or religious services, usually on the first Sunday in November for many, lighting of candles (in church, home and sometimes at gravesites) are lit as an acknowledgement that our loved ones in Christ are not gone forever, the light that was lit in their hearts when they came into the family of God continues to shine in the presence of God. An intercessory prayer is also performed, asking the saints to pray on their behalf and sing songs such as “Holy, Holy, Holy or “Shall We Gather At the River” or similar songs appropriate for worship service.
I was raised in a Baptist church which didn’t hold special services for All Saints’ Day and/or All Souls’ Day. I didn’t know about these days until attending a United Methodist Church later on in life. It is a way to honour and remember those who have passed on; respecting and believing they are enjoying eternal life with the Lord.
Happy All Saints’ Day!
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
I do not celebrate Halloween, however, I know many of y’all do. Therefore, I am wishing everyone that celebrates Halloween a fun-filled day of fun, joy and happiness.
Today, was the first day of Coleman catching the school bus to take him to his new school. We have to be at the corner stop 🛑 sign, up the slight hill from our new home for him to get on the bus, by 6:30 in the morning. It is still dark at that time of the morning. [Just my opinion, but I do not believe little children should have to be up so early or get on a bus in the dark to go to school.]
Anyway, on our walk to the bus stop this morning we saw a house with Halloween lights and decorations all lit up. I’ll have to keep our front porch light off this evening. No candy will be given out from our home and I do not give Coleman any candy. We need to read labels for all prepackaged foods due to his allergies to dairy, soy, and nut allergies.
Here’s a couple of examples of what we saw on our walk to the bus stop. Click on images for enhanced viewing.
Halloween Decorations
Lighted Halloween Decorations
And as a bonus I’m throwing in a couple of photos of Coleman at the bus stop.
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.
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.
Who Wants a Pumpkin?
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.
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.
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.
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.,
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.
in primo piano – photos Dan Antion’s Thursday Doors photo
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.
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.
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 Wayshowing 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
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.
The Springs House in Lancaster, South Carolina started off small and then blossomed with the growth of the textile industry. Built between 1820 and 1830, the original home was much smaller than the grand manse it is today. The House was remodeled and expanded in the 1850’s after having a series of owners. In 1888, the property was purchased by a business called Heath, Springs & Company. Leroy Springs, a Textile Magnate, made the house his home.
Springs House Lancaster, South Carolina
Leroy Springs founded the Lancaster Textile Mill, one of the largest textile mills in the state and possibly the country. Springs also directed several other mills in the Upstate, and the resulting economic boom led Lancaster into an era of prosperity. [The Springs Mills in Lancaster stopped manufacturing in South Carolina after 120 years of manufacturing production, thus closing both the Grace and Close plants in 2007.]
In 1902, Springs assumed full ownership of the house and remodeled it to its current state in 1907. The house remained a residence until 1957 when the town purchased it and utilized it as its city hall until 2000. Today the Springs House serves as the Lancaster County Council for the Arts. The Springs House is listed on the National Register of Historic Houses.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 