#PhotographyChallenge – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

Floral Friday/The #Flower Hour/Spring Festival — 2026 May 29

A Garden of

Echinacea purpurea

Unlike Terri or Brian, I have not seen any dogwood trees lately. I have, however, recently visited the Garden inside The Farm at The Schiele Museum of Natural History with a lovely variety of plants and flowers. I am focusing on the beautiful Echinacea purpurea, more commonly known as Purple Coneflower or Eastern Purple Coneflower.

Coneflowers are a popular native floral in a number of gardens (both private and commercial) in our part of the Eastern United States. They are a drought-tolerant perennial with daisy-like flowers. (It is a good thing these plants are drought tolerant since we are currently under water restrictions due to insufficient rainfall (even though it has rained here all week).

The coneflowers thrive in full sunlight and well-drained soil. All the plants and flowers in this garden are well cultivated and cared for. They have a long lasting blooming season from Summer throughout Autumn. Even though it is still Spring in our area, we have had summer-like weather and the coneflowers and other plants are thriving.

This year the garden’s Purple Coneflowers are in abundance and are a delightful attraction for pollinators (like butterflies & the bees in residence at the Farm) and provide seeds for birds. Coneflowers classic colour is purple, however, they also come in a variety of shades of pink, yellow, white, and orange.

A Gallery of
Purple Coneflowers
in a Garden

An interesting fact about the coneflowers is that every part of the plant is edible. Now I have not tried eating them as of yet, but the vibrant petals are said to have a mild, sweet , floral flavour. They make a colourful garnish for salads, desserts, or charcuterie boards. The young. tender leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked similarly to spinach. While the coneflowers are considered safe and nontoxic for humans and pets, you would want to avoid high doses due to the fact it is possible for them to cause upset stomachs. For further information about its culinary and medicinal uses check out Eat the Planet.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #32

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026 – Finale

Carol’s Thursday Trios

XingfuMama’s Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2026 Week 21

Also posting in remembrance of …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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

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

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

Sunday Stills: 2026 May 29 (24)

Greenway Babies

Baby Horses and their moms …

*Lily and*
*2 month old Murphy*
*(Born in 2024)*

It’s been amazing to visit Baby Horses born at Anne Springs Close Greenway over the years. I was lucky to have captured Murphy and Forest with their mothers.

Baby Alpacas …

My Grand-babies …

*Coleman (6 almost 7)*
*and Sophia Ruthann (5 months)*

Terri’s Sunday Stills Challenge-All About Babies

God Bless. Treasure your “babies” always. Capture the memories. Love to y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Thursday Trios: 2026.05.28

A Trio of Trios

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

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

Click on each image to enlarge.

Carol’s Thursday Trios-2026.05.28

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

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

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

2026 LAPC #399: Stuck in Place

On Haigler Loop

Egidio is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. She has asked us to limit our movement to within 10-15 steps in any direction from our focal point. Capture what we see from various angles and perspectives as we are Stuck in Place.

My images are all taken from within a few steps from Lake Haigler on the Haigler Loop Trail while hiking with Coleman.

I began taking pictures while Coleman sat on a bench looking out upon Lake Haigler.

Looking up from the same spot to capture what was hanging from the trees above the lake.

Then I turned around and saw interesting shoe prints on the trail. Here’s a comparison of the shoe print with Coleman’s shoe.

*Coleman’s shoe*
*next to a Horseshoe imprinted*
*in the trail*

Turning to the left and to the left we acquired these interesting views …

To the left …

*A sign indicating*
*the direction to the*
*Lake Haigler Spillway*

And to the right …

*Where is Coleman going?*
*Not to the bridge,*
*but where?*

Still to the right …

The Lake Haigler Spillway
Where’s the water?
The Spillway is so dry.
*Insufficient rain,*
*no water is flowing*
*from the Spillway.*

Egidio’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge-Stuck in Place

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

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

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

2026 Thursday Doors: May 28

A & W

My daughter stopped here, at A & W, coming and going for a bit of stretching and refreshment on her mini-vacation out west.

Dan’s Thursday Doors-2026.05.28

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: A & W Restaurant; 2020 N Townsend Ave, Montrose, Colorado, USA

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

Wordless Wednesday — 2026 May 27

Lovely Afternoon View

*Lake Haigler*
*View from Haigler Loop Trail*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*

Wordless Wednesday

XingfuMama’s Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2026 Week 21

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere (WWE)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Ultra Wide Camera

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

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

2026 CosPhoChal: Looking for Shade

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

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

At Goat Island Park and Greenway …

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

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

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

*Coleman seeking Shade*
*in the Playground*

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

At The Schiele Museum of Natural History …

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

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

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

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge-Looking for Shade

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 21

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

Locations: As Stated in post.

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

2026 CFFC: Memorial Day and Like That

Lest We Forget

*Dedicated To Those Who Have Crossed*
*The Bar And To Those Who Will Follow*

*United States Coast Guard*

Dedicated By
The Chief Warrant Officers Association,
Silver State Chapter And Chief Petty Officers Association, Las Vegas Mavericks Chapter
11 November 1998

“To care for him who has borne the battle…
and for his widow… and for his orphan.”
Abraham Lincoln

Memorial Day
May 25, 1998

Donated By: Las Vegas Chapter 11
Disabled American Veterans

No Words are really necessary. May we never forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you to my daughter for capturing these images.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge-Memorial Day and Like That

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery; Boulder City, Nevada, USA

God Bless. Trust you had an awesome Memorial Day (Americans). Enjoy your week. May it be filled with love, joy, laughter, and lots of fun. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The #Flower Hour #32 — 2026 May 26

Tragopogon porrifolius

*Common Salsify*
*Aka Vegetable oyster,*
*Purple Goat’s beard,*
*Jack go to bed*

The Common Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius), is a biennial root vegetable which can be grown alongside parsnips and carrots. The plant produces grass-like leaves and thin, carrot-shaped taproots that are typically 8-9 inches long. True Salsify features purple flowers that white roots.

Its white taproot yields a delicate savory flavour that is often compared to cooked oysters, asparagus, or artichokes. While we’re talking about flavour, when it’s cooked it has an earthy nutty taste which makes it highly prized by chefs for use in soups, stews, and purées. You may cook them in a variety of ways from boiling, steaming, roasting, or mashing them. Besides cooking them, the young, tender roots can be sliced or grated for salads. The young shoots, leaves, and even the flower buds can also be eaten raw. If you choose to eat them raw, do not overeat them since they may lead to gas or bloating.

Click on image to enlarge.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #32-2026.05.26

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026-Week #11

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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

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

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

Macro Monday – 2026 May 25

Dipsacus fullonum

The Teasel pictured here are grown in a garden at The Farm at The Schiele Museum of Natural History. The Garden also has purple coneflowers, Oakleaf hydrangeas, Roses, Wild Bergamot, Lettuce, Cabbage, and many more varieties some of which will be featured in later posts.

Click on image to enlarge.

Macro Monday (MM)

Terri’s The Flower Hour-2026.05.25

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026 – Week 10

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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

Location: The Garden in the Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Monday Portrait #16 — 2026 May 25

Sticking Out 👅 For You

*COW*
*The Farm*
*The Schiele Museum*
*of Natural History*

Click on image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait-2026.05.25

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

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

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

Monday Window – 2026 May 25

American Airlines Windows

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window-2026 May 25

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

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

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

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Thursday 2026 May 24

To Sow or To See a Sow

A adult female pig who has given birth is referred to as a Sow. Not sure if either of these pigs are female or have given birth, but maybe you’ll enjoy the pigs anyway.

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Thursday-Sow

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

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

God Bless. Happy Blessed Passover! Happy Easter! Have a wonderful day and week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

One Word Sunday (#OWS) —2026 May 24 — Panorama

Panorama

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

Click on image to enlarge.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday (OWS)-2026 May 24

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

Remembering My Dad, A Korean War Veteran

Posting for John’s CellPic Sunday

Korean War Memorial
Southern Nevada Veterans
Memorial Cemetery
Boulder City, Nevada

My Dad
Nornal H. Waters HN
U. S. Navy
Korean War

Happy Birthday in Heaven, dad!

Click on each image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.05.24

Natalie’s Public Art Photo Challenge

Photo Credit: 1)©️2026 Trisha L. Wilson; 2-4) From my dad’s photos, Nornal H. Waters.

Camera: Image 1) Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery; 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive; Boulder City, Nevada, USA

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

Silent Sunday: 2026 May 24

The Western Slope

Vietnam War Memorial

Silent Sunday-2026.05.24

Natalie’s Public Art Photo Challenge (PPAC)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: The Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial; 340 CO-340; Fruita, Colorado, USA

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

Will She … Won’t She … Most Definitely

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

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.05.23

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

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

Martha Rivers Park

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

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

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

Click on each image to enlarge.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 21

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

Floral Friday/The #Flower Hour/Spring Festival — 2026 May 22

Opuntia humifusa

The Eastern Prickly Pear, (Opuntia humifusa), is a cactus of the genus Opuntia. It is present in parts of the Eastern United States, southeastern Canada, and northern Mexico.

*A Trio of*
*Eastern Prickly*
*Pear Flowers*

It is a low-growing, cold hardy cactus that stands as the only widespread native cactus in the eastern United States region. It is widely celebrated for its ability to survive freezing winter temperatures, its vibrant summer blooms, and its completely edible parts.

Normally, it is stated the blooms appear around June-July. We have been having some extremely hot weather lately (feels like summer instead of spring). Guess nobody told the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus Blooms they weren’t supposed to bloom for another month.

After the cacti produce their flowers, it produces oblong, purplish-red edible fruits often referred to as “pear apples”. Wonder how tasty they’ll be.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #31

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026 – Week #10

Carol’s Thursday Trios

Also posting in remembrance of …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Which Way Challenge 2026 (CWWC): Any Which Way with Signs Part 2

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week we are continuing with the theme of CWWC: Any Which Way with Signs – Part 2. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.

For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

For this week’s Which Way Challenge I am tying into Dan’s CFFC theme of Leftover Signs. You may use any road, pathway, sidewalk, trail, paved or unpaved as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. Signs are always welcome and this week recommended in your Which Way.

The week I’m doing something different for my Which Ways. I am showing a gallery of Which Way Collages.

Here are my entries …

CWWC + CFFC
Any Which Way with (Leftover) Signs

Click on each image to enlarge.

Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.

For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.

Suzette’s For Deb’s Which Way Challenge 2026 (CWWC): Any Which Way with Signs 1

Brian’s When you get to the crossroads (just follow the sign)

Rich’s Road Signs

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Signs On The Road

Dan’s Travel Doors and Signs

**This will also tie in with Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – Leftover Signs. Feel free to link to his post as well this week. **

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

*** Note Next Week’s theme: CWWC: Any Which Way Along a Nature Trail (Paved or Unpaved, or natural surface) [05.29.2026]. ***

2026 Thursday Doors: May 21

Flying J

Eagles Landing

Click on image to enlarge.

Dan’s Thursday Doors-2026.05.21

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Location: Flying J Eagles Landing Travel Center; Mesquite, Nevada, USA

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

2026 CFFC: Leftover Signs

Dan from No Facilities hosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our Leftover signs . I have gone into my archives to see what I could locate to best represent this week’s theme.

Here is my entry …

Note: For Friday’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) I’ll once again be linking it with Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge – Leftover Signs. This will be Part 2 of the Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with Signs. [Please make sure your Which Ways are clearly distinguishable while posting any signs for this challenge.]

Click on image to enlarge.

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

Wordless Wednesday — 2026 May 20

Stormin’ the Castle

Coleman entering
the Castle Playground
Martha Rivers Park

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2026.05.20

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

God Bless. Have a sunshiny day. Observe Nature. Thankful for local wildlife. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The Macro #Flower Hour #31 — 2026 May 19

Hymenocallis coronaria

*Aka Cahaba lily*
*or Shoals spider-lily*

The Spider-Lilies are in full bloom in the Catawba River at Landsford Canal State Park. They are such a beautiful sight to see and admire. This is the best time to come on down to Landsford Canal State Park and enjoy the Shoals Spider-Lilies. You’ll be amazed at their beauty regardless of whether you walk along to shore to the viewing point or kayak down the Catawba River to get an up close view.

*The Shoals Spider-lilies*
*as seen from a Kayak*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #31-2026.05.19

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026-Week 9

Carol’s Thursday Trios (on Tuesday, oops)

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Location: Catawba River; Landsford Canal State Park; Catawba, South Carolina, USA

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

Monday Window – 2026 May 18

Marlin Quay Marina

Monday Window-2026 May 18

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

Location: 1508 S Waccamaw Dr.; Marlin Quay Marina, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, USA

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

Monday Portrait #16 — 2026 May 18

Cow

Click on image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait-2026.05.18

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

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

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

Silent Sunday: 2026 May 17

Die Frauenkirche am Hauptmarkt in Nürnberg

The Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)

It is a stunning 14th-century Roman Catholic parish church that serves as an architectural anchor for Nuremberg’s main market square, the Hauptmarkt. This church was visited by my parents as my brother took them around touring near where he was stationed in Germany.

Silent Sunday-2026.05.17

Location: The Frauenkirche; (Church of Our Lady); Nuremberg, Germany

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

Cell Pic Sunday: 2026 May 17

Brotherly Love

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.05.17

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

All the Colours of the Rainbow (Almost)

LAPC

Red …

“Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
From The Shawshank Redemption

Orange …

“The sky takes on shades of orange during sunrise and sunset, the colour that gives you hope that the sun will set only to rise again.”
Ram Charan

*Calendula officinalis, aka Mary’s gold,*
*common marigold, pot marigold*

Yellow …

“I really just want to be warm yellow light that pours over everyone I love.”
Conor Oberst

Green …

“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.”
Martin Luther

Blue …

“Good things are associated with blue, like clear days, more than singing the blues. Just the word ‘blue’ in the singular is full of optimism and positive connotation to most people.”
David Carson

Purple …

“Be different. Be original. Nobody will remember a specific flower in a garden filled with thousands of the same yellow flower, but they will remember the one that managed to change its color to purple.”
Suzy Kassem

Click on each image to enlarge.

Ritva’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge (LAPC)-Choose a Colour

Cameras: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; Apple 16 Pro Max; and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm & Canon EF-S55-250mm lenses.

God Bless. May the Sun shine upon you, may you be filled with love, hope, and joy throughout your journey. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Spring’s Lovely Pink Roses

The Rose bush keeps popping up with new blooms to delight the senses. I love roses and the new blooms are just in time for my upcoming bday.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Colour Challenge-Pink and Pastels

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #30

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026 #9

Also posting in remembrance of …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Canopy of an Old Oak Tree

Under & Shaded

Posting for Six Word Saturday and The Cosmic Photo Challenge.

This Quercus pagoda (Cherrybark Oak) tree is a an old Oak tree which is native to the Carolinas and the Southeastern United States of America. It is a fast-growing, long-lived deciduous tree. These trees are capable of reaching a height between 100-130 feet tall having a 40-70 foot spread. (I included a couple images of the base of the tree so you can get the idea of its spread.)

The Cherrybark Oak trees thrive in moist well-drained bottomland soils in full sun. This Oak tree provides an enormous amount of shade providing protection from the harsh sun. (If you look closely, you’ll be able to view Coleman playing under the Canopy of this Old Oak Tree.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.05.16 (Enjoy your break Debbie).

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge (#CosPhoChal)-Under the Canopy-2026.05.16 (Sorry, I’m a week late.)

Becca’s Sunday Trees #637

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. May you rest Under the Canopy of God’s Love and Protection. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Pull Up a Seat — Coleman Style in a City Park #2

T. Jeffers Park

Click on each image to enlarge.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 19

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

Which Way Challenge 2026 (CWWC): Any Which Way with Signs Part 1[05.15.2026] [Will Run for 2 Weeks]

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme is CWWC: Any Which Way with Signs. This theme will run for two weeks [05.15.2026-05.22.2026]. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.

For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

For this week’s Which Way Challenge I am tying into Dan’s CFFC theme of Informational Signs. You may use any road, pathway, sidewalk, trail, paved or unpaved as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. Signs are always welcome and this week recommended in your Which Way.

We encounter signs wherever we go. We might not always notice them or recognize their importance. Sometimes Signs can inform us of where we are or where we’re heading. At other times Signs can give us an informative history of a location. Still other Signs let us know what we should/can or cannot do. Let’s take a look at some examples …

Signs let us know our location …

*City of Rock Hill*
*River Park*
*Rock Hill, South Carolina*

Tunnel Trail
Two Way Traffic
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina

*Piedmont Medical Center Trail*
*No Motor Vehicles*
*Rock Hill, South Carolina*

*Ed Yount Trail*
*Watch For Wildlife*
*South Fork River*
*Gastonia, North Carolina*

Now we’ll take a look at a couple of more informative Signs about the history or nature of an area or trail …

*Nation Ford*
*(Gives an historical*
*perspective of the area)*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*
*Fort Mill, South Carolina*

*DSBG Eastern Bluebird Trail*
(Gives Information regarding
Bluebirds and the nesting
boxes they use.)
*Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden*
*Belmont, North Carolina*

Lastly, but not least, we’ll look at a gallery of images of Signs that let us know what we should/can or cannot do …

*Haigler Loop*
*Anne Springs*
*Close Greenway*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.

For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.

Steve with Dancing with Magpies’ CWWC Pathways, roads and signs for Deb’s Which Way Challenge

Serendipity’s Walking The World

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)-Any Which Way with Signs Part 1

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Informational Signs

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

*** Note: Next Week we will be continuing our exploration and sharing the theme of CWWC: Any Which Way with Signs Part 2 [05.22.2026]. This will also tie in with Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – Leftover Signs. Feel free to link to his post as well next week. ***

Monochrome Madness — 2026 May 14

Ancestral Cemeteries

This week is a free week for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness. I took my inspiration from Brian’s MM post on cemeteries. I decided to share some of the cemeteries my ancestors are buried within. They are spread from coast to coast and from sea to shining sea.

Here are my entries for our free Monochrome Madness week …

*St Thomas a*
*Becket’s Church, Hampsthwaite, North Yorkshire, England*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

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

Wordless Wednesday — 2026 May 13

Mimus polyglottos

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2026.05.13

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a sunshiny day. Observe Nature. Thankful for local wildlife. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 CFFC: Informational Signs (A Sneak Peek 👀)

Dan from No Facilities hosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our informational signs . I have gone into my archives to see what I could locate to best represent this week’s theme.

Here is my entry …

This is a Sneak Peek 👀 on what I will post on Friday. I am linking Cee’s Which Way challenge with a theme of Any Which Way with Signs with Dan’s Fun Foto challenge on Informational Signs. Hope to see y’all on Friday at the Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with Signs.

Click on image to enlarge.

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

The #Flower Hour #30 — 2026 May 12

Coreopsis lanceolata

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #30-2026.05.12

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026-Week 8

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Gardens of the Waxhaw; Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

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

Monday Portrait #16 — 2026 May 11

Unwanted Visitor —

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

We looked out our sliding glass door the other day. We were surprised (maybe startled would be more like it) to see along black snake not too far from the door. Snakes are fine anywhere but in our yard. (Our last place we also found a long black snake.) What’s up with that? You’d think we’d attract them somehow. However, we’d prefer them to slither through the woods, or anywhere else but here.

My daughter was brave (she did ask what kind it was first). She picked up the long black snake and escorted it off the property. Just so you know, the long black snake (our unwanted and unwelcome visitor is an Eastern ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis). It is a large, non-venomous constrictor which is commonly found in the eastern United States of America. It is known for its shiny black colouration with a black and white checkered belly.

Even though we prefer them not to be around, they are beneficial for controlling rodent populations. When they are threatened, they will vibrate their tail and strike. They will also stick their tongue out and hiss out anyone they think will harm them.

Click on image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait-2026.05.11

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Locations: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Macro Monday – 2026 May 11

Bigleaf Hydrangea

Click on image to enlarge.

Macro Monday (MM)

Terri’s The Flower Hour-2026.05.11

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026 – Week 8

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky — 2026 May 10

Click on each image to enlarge.

Skywatch Friday-2026 May 10

Hammad’s Weekend Sky-2026.05.10

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Cell Pic Sunday: 2026 May 10

Northern Mockingbird

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.05.10

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Gastonia, North 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.

Silent Sunday: 2026 May 10

Silent Sunday-2026.05.10

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: EpiscopalChurch of the Heavenly Rest; Abilene, Texas, USA

God Bless. Happy Mother’s Day! Have a wonderful day. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me.

Happy Mother’s Day! With Love, Coleman

Stem Explorers Pixel Art Challenge is a new Stem learning resource for Coleman.

It develops hands-on critical thinking skills such as problem-solving and spatial reasoning. The kit comes with 10 double-sided challenge cards with activities of increasing difficulty levels.

It is a screen-free learning adventure which engages Coleman in educational Stem play which builds essential coding concepts and mathematical skills through colourful, tactical building experiences. (I limit his screen time (tv) and do not allow him on a computer, hand-held device of any kind at this time.)

It develops Fine Motor Skills enhancing hand-eye coordination and dexterity while he places the pixel pieces to create patterns, designs, and completes structured challenges.

It is an excellent Versatile Educational Tool which can be used for independent play at home, in a home school, or in a classroom. It has multiple difficulty levels that will grow with Coleman as his abilities increase and will keep him challenged for several years.

The kit has Quality Construction which comes with one board and four hundred (400) durable, lightweight foam pieces that stay in place while he is playing/creating, they are safe for his hands and easy for him to manipulate.

Coleman really enjoys playing and creating designs with his Stem Explorers Pixel Art Challenge Kit and we would highly recommend it to any adult who interacts with young children. The age range for this Stem activity is 5+. I can see this being used by adults as well to keep their minds alert and stimulated.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.05.09

Created by: Coleman Leon Wilson (my grandson).

God Bless. Have a pleasant and wonderful Mother’s Day Weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Pull Up a Seat — Coleman Style in a City Park #1

T. Jeffers Park

***Pull Up a Seat 2026***
***Coleman + Sophia Ruthann***
***T. Jeffers Center & Park***

Click on each image to enlarge.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 16-17-18

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

Floral Friday/The #Flower Hour/Spring Festival — 2026 May 08

Happy Mother’s Day!

*Roses to brighten your*
*Mother’s Day Weekend*

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #29

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026 – Week #8

Also posting in remembrance of …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Lake Wylie, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers, and men don’t forget to honor the women in your life. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Which Way Challenge 2026 (CWWC): Any Which Way (Your Choice) [05.08.2026]

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme is CWWC: Any Which Way (Your Choice). The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.

For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

*Coleman*
*on a wooden path*
*crossing Lake Haigler*

For this week’s Which Way Challenge I have chosen to share a Which Way Coleman and I hiked back in 2022 when he was three years old. The hike along Lake Haigler Loop Trail at Anne Springs Close Greenway came up in my photo memories, so I thought y’all might enjoy seeing it as well.

Here are my entries …

Cee’s Which Way Challenge
(Your Choice)
Coleman on
Lake Haigler Loop Trail
Anne Springs Close Greenway

Click on each image to enlarge.

Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.

For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.

gwh photos2’s (CWWC) – Which Way Challenge: Any Which Way Capturing People Unaware

Dawn’s Which Way: Out for a Spin

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)

Cameta: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

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

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

*** Note: Next Week we will be exploring and sharing the theme of CWWC: Any Which Way with Signs [05.15.2026]. This will also tie in with Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – Informational Signs. Feel free to link to his post as well next week. ***

2026 Thursday Doors: May 07

Dan’s Thursday Doors-2026.05.07

Carol’s Thursday Trios-2026.05.07

God Bless. (More about the image in a future post … stay tuned for a future update.) Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

One-Liner Wednesday 2026 May 06

Click on image to enlarge.

#1LinerWednesday

Linda’s One Liner Wednesday

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

Wordless Wednesday — 2026.05.06

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2026.05.06

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: The Discovery Center; Abilene, Texas, USA

God Bless. Have a sunshiny day. Observe Nature. Thankful for local wildlife. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The #Flower Hour #29— 2026 May 05

“¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!”

Spiraea japonica ‘Walbuma‘

Aka Magic Carpet Spirea, it is a compact deciduous shrub grown in a landscape near the tennis courts at T. Jeffers Center.

It is cherished for its vibrant yellow-gold foliage, intense pink summer (even though it is only spring here) flowers and red fall colour.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #29-2026.05.05

Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026-Week 7

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Near Tennis Courts; T. Jeffers Center and Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

A Garden of

Echinacea purpurea

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Greenway Babies

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On Haigler Loop

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A & W

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Lovely Afternoon View

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Lest We Forget

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Tragopogon porrifolius

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Dipsacus fullonum

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Sticking Out 👅 For You

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American Airlines Windows

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To Sow or To See a Sow

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Panorama

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The Western Slope

Vietnam War Memorial

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Opuntia humifusa

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Flying J

Eagles Landing

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Hymenocallis coronaria

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Marlin Quay Marina

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Cow

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Die Frauenkirche am Hauptmarkt in Nürnberg

The Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)

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Brotherly Love

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LAPC

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Under & Shaded

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Ancestral Cemeteries

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Mimus polyglottos

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Coreopsis lanceolata

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Unwanted Visitor —

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

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Bigleaf Hydrangea

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Northern Mockingbird

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T. Jeffers Park

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Happy Mother’s Day!

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