Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography
This blog is for my insights on life, the Bible, hiking adventures with my grandson and whatever is important to me
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max 24mm f1.78
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Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
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Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max Main Camera —- 24mm f1.78
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit : Deb L. Waters
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John’s Cellpic Sunday
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
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Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters
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Ragtag Daily Prompt Saturday: Vanish
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
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Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge–Pick Your Topic from My Photo
Kammie’s, Oddball Challenge
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All of the butterfly 🦋 photos I’ve captured so far were all taken within the grounds of Anne Springs Close Greenway. First photos are of Eastern Tiger Swallowtails shot with an iPhone 13 Pro.
Male tiger swallowtails are bright yellow with black tiger stripes on the tops of their wings. You can sometimes find groups of male swallowtail butterflies gathered on the ground around mud puddles or other damp spots. This is a behavior called puddling. The butterflies are sucking minerals and other substances out of the damp ground. (This behavior can be seen quite often at the spillway at Anne Springs Close Greenway.)
Other butterflies found within Anne Springs Close Greenway:
Nature Photo Challenge– Butterflies
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters
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This week Di is asking us these questions;
Children aside, do you celebrate your birthday/anniversary or is it just a normal day for you?
For me, my birthday is just an ordinary normal day. It is not recognized by my children. Oh, I wish and long for acknowledgement, but henceforth it does not come and by nightfall I am disappointed.
Do/did you always give your child a birthday party when they were young?
I did not always give my children a birthday party. However, when I did it was usually just with family including cousins.
If your child was born on Christmas Day (or a few days either side of the 25th), did they have a ‘half birthday’ in June, two presents/celebrations, or something else?
None of my children were born near Christmas, but I do have a good friend and an “old” neighbor who was born the day after Christmas. If I remember right, and I might not, his parents tried to make his birthday special & not just combine his birthday with Christmas.
I do have a daughter that was born on “traditional” Memorial Day (traditional meaning before they made it always on a Monday). We tended to celebrate her birthday with the patriotic theme of red, white, and blue.
Would you prefer to give your child a party, or take them and a few friends on a special outing?
A party is nice, but also a lot of work and expense. When my children weren’t so young, I took them out to a restaurant of their choosing. I remember, in my teen years, my parents took me out for my birthday at the restaurant of my choice with cake and present(s) at home afterward.
As a side note, today’s my birthday. I spent the day with my grandson, Coleman (But then again, I usually do). We took the city transit bus into downtown. His first time on a bus ride. First time for both of us in this area (we only moved here in February). We rode the bus downtown and then walked a short distance and hiked the Highland Rail Trail. (He loves to go hiking). The paved trail was just 1.8 miles in length one way. We stopped shy of the end of the trail and walked back to the bus station to wait for the bus to return home. (Coleman was ready to go.) After my daughter got home, she insisted on us going out to eat for my birthday. We hadn’t done that in over three years. We went to a new to us restaurant called Noodles & Company. World Kitchen. It serves many different times of noodle dishes. Italian, Asian, Vegan, and more. I had the Zucchini Pesto with Grilled Chicken. It was delicious. My grandson had the kids grilled chicken, but he was too antsy to sit still and eat. (He fell asleep shortly after we got back home). I did very much appreciate her thoughtfulness. My sons couldn’t bother with acknowledging my birthday. I am thankful for my online friends new and old who sent their birthday greetings. No body wants to be forgotten on their birthday even if they don’t care for celebrations.
#Keepitalive
#SYW
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
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Terri’s Sunday Stills Challenge. This is also my entry for Kate’s Whatsoever Is Lovely Challenge.
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters
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Leanne’s Monochrome Madness
Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters
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This week Cee asks us to share photos of catching people unaware. These photos were taken from the Duke Kimbrell Trail of the Matthews-Belk South Fork River Corridor which is a part of the Carolina Thread Trail network of Greenways, trails, and blueways.
The people were enjoying a day on Lake Wylie with their families and friends. They were completely unaware that someone hiking along the was taking photos of their activities.
The young girls were enjoying Stand-up Paddle boarding on the waters of Lake Wylie as their family watched and gave any necessary advice and/or assistance.
As you can see one is having fun with stand-up paddle boarding and another chose to sit and kayak along through the water.
This activity may still be fairly new to them as it seemed they didn’t venture too far away their families Pontoon.
Coleman and I had fun to stopping along the trail to watch their activity. Coleman would probably have preferred to be in the water along with them.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Catching People Unaware
Also Posting for Alive & Trekking’s Which Way Photo Challenge.
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens.
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Sofia of Lens-Artists Photo Challenge-Art in the Park
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens.
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This month my desktop scrolls between two photos. One from my archives and one current photo.
From my Archives:
From my Current:
Clare’s Share your Desktop; May 2023
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters
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Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters
Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens.
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Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #175
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens
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Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens with Altura Wide Angle Fisheye Lens.
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Nature Photo Challenge #12: Trees
Alive & Trekking’s Which Way Photo Challenge
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters (All except # 3)
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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.
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.
Photo Credit : Deb L. Waters
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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.”
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
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Photo Credit: 2-6; ©️Deb L. Waters
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John’s Cellpic Sunday
Photo Credit: (c)Deb L. Waters
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
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These sky pictures are from a friend, captured from the Caribbean.
Photo Credit: Jim Elder
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The above photo is of the church I grew up in as a child. It holds many memories for me. The church was originally founded in North Park, San Diego in 1912 as Scott Memorial Baptist Church, in memory of U.S. Army chaplain Winfield Scott. My family and I began attending this church approximately in the Spring of 1958. The exact time I am not really sure about. I know we moved to San Diego in April of 1958. [My mom attended First Baptist Church of San Diego beginning in her pre-teen years. My maternal grandmother served as a cook for that church until shortly before she passed.]
Scott Memorial Baptist Church is where I first learned about God, about his love. grace, and forgiveness. It is the church I was baptized in at the young age of seven. It was where I learned to memorize scripture, study the Bible under the marvelous leadership of our Youth Pastor Jeremiah Riffe. It is through their youth program that I learned to enjoy hiking and camping.
This church has undergone several changes over the years. For example, after twenty-five years under the same pastoral leadership the leadership changed, and a new senior pastor was introduced. More pastoral changes occurred over the years as well as changes to the name of the church.
This photo is of how the church looks at the present time. The leadership has changed, the name has changed, however, the teachings are still built on the foundation of Biblical Truth with a message of God’s Grace, love and hope anchored in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. They believe in making resilient disciples who direct their lives to live as Christ lived and taught. The building is the same and the teachings are primarily the same. It doesn’t matter that some of the people has changed, or the staff has changed, or that the name has changed and now goes by Grace Church San Diego. When I look at it or see the activities through the eyes of my friends, I still see it as a special place and it will continue to have special meaning for me.
Terri’s Sunday Stills: #Sacred Spaces – Churches, Temples and Spiritual Centres
#TBTMemory #IRememberWhen
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Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
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Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
WHATSOEVER IS LOVELY CHALLENGE-2023 WEEK 20
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S 18-55mm Super Macro and Altura for Canon Wide-Angle Fisheye Lenses
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Not sure if these all fit the category of abstract or not, but these are my entries anyway. What do you think? Will they suffice? Hope you enjoy them regardless.
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Selection to Pull Up a Seat:
And Just Because:
XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Photo Challenge
Photo Credit: Deb L Waters
Cameras:
First Photo – Canon EOS Rebel T3I with CanonEF-S 18-55mm with Altura Fisheye Wide-angle Lens for Canon
Second – Last Photo — iPhone 14 Pro Max
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These Artistic Doors 🚪 are all painted by local artisans. They are displayed in various locations throughout and around the Gardens at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont, North Carolina. For the next few weeks I’m going to post different Artistic Doors for Thursday Doors.
Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T3i with Altura Wide-Angle Macro Fisheye Lens for Canon EF-S 18-55mm.
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Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T3i with Canon EF-S 18-55mm with Altura Wide-Angle Fisheye Lens for Canon
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Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge: Red, White and Blue
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XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Photo Challenge
Photo Credit : Deb L. Waters
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
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The Scilla Peruviana is also known as the Portuguese Squill. It is a spring-blooming bulb with striking, lavender-blue flowers. The flower heads can be as large as a softball, with star-like florets that open gradually over a period of 3 weeks or more. The plants have long, strappy leaves similar to a hyacinth, and grow 12-20” tall.
Information from www.longfield-gardens.com/article/all-about-scilla-peruviana.
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S 18-55mm Super Macro Lens
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
WHATSOEVER IS LOVELY CHALLENGE-2023 WEEK 19
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Ragtag Daily Prompt Saturday: Bucket
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters
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First up is a Water Fountain located at Glencairn Gardens. It was taken when I took my Aunt Irene there for a visit to see the spring flowers in May of 2019.
Next is a Coca Cola water Fountain located inside Carowinds taken back in August of 2018 when my granddaughter, Alona and I paid a visited.
Then we see Coleman observing the water spraying out of the Fort Mill Dam. This was taken when we visited in May of 2021.
The last photo is I shot I captured of Coleman playing with the Water hose . I loved how the water was sprinkling up towards him. It was taken where we lived at the time in Clover, South Carolina in September of 2021.
Cee’s Black and White Challenge
Jez’s WWE challenge
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L Waters
Coleman and I took a 4.3 mile long hike along from the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens Persimmon Trail connecting to the Carolina Thread Trail on Duke Kimbrell Trail and ending with connecting to Worrells Walk back up to the Gardens.
After the long hike Coleman deserved some . Sprinkler Smashing Stupendous Funtime. Here is a video of showing the Sprinkler Fun he enjoyed.
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Altura Fisheye Macro Lens for Canon.
Debbies One Word Sunday: Busy
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for sharing in Coleman’s Sprinkler Funtime. I appreciate y’all.
Nature Photo Challenge–Yellow
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Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
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Ashe County Cheese is Carolina’s oldest cheese plant, producing quality cheese since 1930. We are located in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains.
I found it fascinating to watch the process of cheese being made from the viewing area and I would recall a visit to Ashe County Cheese and gift shop if you are ever in the area of West Jefferson, North Carolina. They sell over 20 varieties of original Ashe County Cheese as well as their own county butter, homemade fudge and everyone’s favorite, fresh cheese curd. They also offer other fine cheeses, locally made wines and a variety of gifts, souvenirs and old fashioned snacks and candies. The cheeses are fabulous and make excellent gifts. My son loves the Jalapeño cheddar and Smoked Ghost Pepper. I , on the other hand, am partial to the lactose free cheeses like the Garden Vegetable. All very delicious and pleasing to the palate.
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Video created through Google Utilities Movie feature.
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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.
John’s Cellpic Sunday
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
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A Fisheye Lens:
Through and Under Bridges:
Osborne Mountain:
The Cosmic Photo Challenge: The view through…
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
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Posted as part of Terri’s Sunday Stills Challenge.
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Jez’s WWE challenge
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L Waters
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Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
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From my iPhone 14 Pro Max:
From my Canon EOS T3i:
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Leanne’s Monochrome Madness
Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters
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Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 