Brian from Bushboys World invites everyone to post their Last Photo on the Card or smartphone. Here are Brian’s suggestions regarding his Last On the Card Challenge…
Your last photo doesn’t have to be on the very last day of the month if you didn’t take any photos on that day. Maybe it was earlier in the month when the last photo was taken.
So let’s see what you have for November
The rules are simple: 1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 31st or whenever your last photo was taken. 2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate. 3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do 4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments 5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard
For the past month of moving, unpacking, trying to organize our “Sweet, Sweet, Home” (as Coleman calls it); I have only been out photographing with Coleman and my iPhone. So here’s my last photo from November.
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.
Click on each photo for enlarged viewing of images. These were taken at Hume Lake Christian Campgrounds in Hume, California by my dad back in 1979 with his Minolta XG-7 35 mm camera. Fun and relaxing times can be had at Hume Lake.,
The Olympic Games are only held every four years. They are an athletic festival/competition that originated in Ancient Greece. Athletes from all over the world compete in various sports competitions. Athletes train for years for the opportunity to participate in the Olympic Games.
This year the Summer Olympics are currently taking place in Paris, France. There has been much controversy surrounding the Opening Ceremonies which took place on Friday. I’m not discussing the specifics or opinions regarding the controversy.
I am interested in discovering whether you are watching this year’s Olympic Games. I am watching/ following how the United States athletes are performing during their Olympic qualifying Trials and Final Medal matches for their respective events. I believe the athletes have worked extremely hard to achieve their goals of becoming an Olympian and should be supported for their efforts.
If you are watching the Paris Olympic Games, are you watching every single game/competition or are you just watching and enjoying specific events? As for me, I am only watching/following specific sporting events like swimming and gymnastics.
Did your children complete/play in sporting activities while they were growing up? My daughter participated in ROTC Drill Team competitions during high school. My eldest son participated in Taekwondo (aka Tae Kwon Do), football, and swimming. He concentrated on swimming and competed in many swim meets from twelve (12) through eighteen (18) years of age. His best events were the 100-meter, 200-meter butterfly even though he competed in all strokes including the individual medley and team relays.
These pictures show him swimming the butterfly in the California Interschlastic Federation’s (CIF) State Swimming Championships in 1999. He was there competing with his High school Swim Team.
These may not be at the same level as the Olympics, but many Olympic Athletes begin their training through local clubs, training programs, or their high school or college athletic programs.
We begin our journey in n July of 1972, having made it from California to Georgia we stop for a bit of fun. We were glad to pull into the park and finally be able to get out of the car and stretch our legs. After traveling cross country for days we were more than ready to enjoy some fun and excitement.
Driving into Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain, Georgia
We enjoyed a time of Sun, Sand. and Water Fun relaxing on the beach.
Sun, Sand. and Water Fun
Next, we moved forward to wait our turn for a ride on one of the Paddle-boats. The paddle-boats are large Riverboats which give tourists and guests a thirty minute ride out on Stone Mountain Park Lake. [From what I have discovered, the Riverboats no longer operate on Stone Mountain Park Lake.]
Riverboat Marina Complex Area to wait for a Riverboat Cruise 🚢 ride.
Moving forward out into the lake aboard the Scarlet O’Hara, we had an opportunity to see a uniquely captivating side of the park. The Scarlet O’Hara was one of two (2) paddle boats in the Stone Mountain Fleet that once cruised the lake delighting guests with the beautiful scenic views. It was a side wheeler which could carry up to One Hundred Fifty (150) passengers on board.
Scarlet O’Hara
The Henry W. Grady was the name of the other Stone Mountain paddle boat. It was designed to carry approximately three hundred (300) passengers. Its sole purpose was to be used for private party charters.
The Riverboats departed the Riverboat Marina Complex approximately every half hour moving forward into the lake giving guests a chance to enjoy the waterways, and the beauty surrounding Stone Mountain. The short cruise lasted about twenty (20) to thirty (30) minutes. While out on the lake on one of the paddle-boats you might have noticed the sunken remains of the very first riverboat, the Robert E. Lee, seen at the bottom of the lake.
Location: Stone Mountain Park Lake; Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing in our memories of cruising on a Riverboat. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Lake Haigler is one of the most favourite areas for hiking and fishing at the Greenway. Love to see the many beautiful views and reflections around the Lake.
Patterson Pond
This previously unnamed Pond has recently been given the name of Patterson Pond. It is located at the Children’s Farm accessible from the Greenway Stables Entrance. Beautiful day for observing amazing reflections.
Steele Creek
Steele Creek can be seen from several of the Greenway trails while one is hiking. Here you can see the shimmering ripples and the beautiful reflections of the trees.
Lake Haigler
Lake Haigler is a 28-acre lake in the Anne Springs Close Greenway. It was built in 1952 by Colonel Elliott W. Springs. It was named for a great Catawba Indian King.
The Lake is periodically restocked with Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Shellcracker, and Channel Catfish.
The Lake Haigler Loop is a 3.3 mile pedestrian-only loop which wraps around the 28-acre Lake Haigler. It is generally considered an easy hiking/walking route. It takes approximately an average of 1 hour 10 minutes to complete the entire loop. This extremely popular area is excellent for birding, fishing, and hiking. You’ll have plenty of opportunities for exploring and photography at this location if you’re ever in the area to visit.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens with Altura CPL filter attachment.
Location: Lake Haigler; Lake Haigler Loop; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA.
God Bless. Enjoy your week and have a fabulous weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We had a very beautiful sunny weekend. It was warm and windy day. We decided it was a lovely day for hiking at Anne Springs Close Greenway. Due to the massive abundance of vehicles parking at the Lake Haigler Entrance for the Artisan Market I chose to park at the Dairy Barn Entrance. There was another reason for parking at this entrance as well; they charged extra at the other entrance because of the Artisan Market. Who wants to pay extra? I certainly didn’t, not in addition to my membership for the Greenway.
The Dairy Barn Entrance has a few different trails that can be accessed with various sites and scenery to observe. We hiked down the Blue Star Trail which leads down to the Greenway’s Spillway passing horses and the Faires/Coltharp Historic Cabin along the way.
Coleman loves to stop and watch the horses. Moving along, to crossover the Spillway we had to walk across the Swinging Bridge. We stopped on both sides of the Spillway to observe the water flowing down, around, and under the Swinging Bridge.
I bought a Sedremm Compatible with 58mm Star Filter set containing 4 Points, 6 Points, and 8 Points for my Christmas present to myself.
On this week’s visit to the Warlick YMCA I tried out using the 8 Point Star Filter attached the my Canon EF-S55-250mm lens on my Canon EOS Rebel T3i. I think some of the shots came out pretty cool looking, mind you I am only barely learning to use the Star filters.
We’ve had a lot of rain off and on lately, so I thought I would do a little wishful thinking and dreaming of spending time at the Catawba River near the Fort Mill Dam with Coleman. Therefore I created a video compilation of a previous time we enjoyed exploring trails along the Catawba River and the Fort Mill Dam.
Looking Down upon the Water 💦Looking Up at a Ray of Sunshine Peeking through the Clouds Looking Downward upon the Grist MillLooking Upward through the Trees to the Stormy Sky
Camera: (1-2) iPhone 14 Pro Max Main Camera (3-4) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EG-S18-55mm lens with Altura (for Canon) Macro Wide-Angle Fisheye Attachment
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.
Hopefully this counts, it not a lake, river, creek or any other waterway. Instead it is of a Splayground, or in other words a Splash Pad.
I took Coleman to Lineberger Park where there is a Splash Pad known as Splayground. I believe he had tons of fun. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and wished he could have stayed longer.
Coleman running through the Splash 💦 Pad
It’s a delight when I can bring a smile to my grandson’s face and watch him enjoying himself having a fabulously funtastic time.
Dale of The Cosmic Photo Challenge prompt is Freestyle this week.
Since this is freestyle week I decided to let you visit with me on one of the hikes Coleman and I took this past week. This hike was a little bit different in that we had my daughter, Coleman’s mom, along with us. On Tuesday we needed to be out of the home for awhile because a pest control company was going to come in and spray per the Complex management.
Therefore, we decided to go hiking in one of Coleman’s favorite places. The place we chose was Anne Springs Close Greenway about twenty minutes or so from our residence. Mind you now my daughter is not fond of hiking at all. When we arrived, we should them my membership card and proceeded to park. We thought Trisha, my daughter, was just gonna sit and relax near the canteen while Coleman and I hiked. It didn’t exactly go like we had thought. You see, Trisha brought her dog along with on our adventure ( he had to be out of the home as well).
Lake Haigler
Chewbacca, Trisha’s dog, decided he wanted to hike with us, therefore she had to tag along. We walked down to the lake and proceeded along the trail, Lake Haigler Loop, around the lake.
Haigler Loop
Coleman loves to run along the trail. I prefer a slower pace since I normally take many photos along the trail of the various sites we see. Often we observe different angles around the lake, seeing flowers, butterflies, sometimes turtles, bees, and even dragonflies.
Brazilian Vervain (Verbena brasiliensis)
At other times we see amazing reflections in the water.
Reflections in Lake Haigler
I love seeing various creatures feasting on the nectar of wildflowers her at the Greenway.
Black Swallowtail, Eastern Bumblebee, and Delta Flower Scarab Beetle feasting on Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis.
Further down the trail as we hike around the lake I notice what appears to be a shape of a triangle formed with the reflections in the lake.
Triangle formation from the water reflections. Surrounding Tree Reflections plus water shimmering
As we keep going I slow down observing butterflies flittering to and fro. Naturally I stop to snap a photograph. Meanwhile, my daughter’s trying to convince me to stop taking pictures. Guess what? She didn’t convince me, not one single solitary moment.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Pearl Crescent Butterfly
Next on our hike we come across a dragonfly and several turtles along the edge of the lake.
Widow Skimmer Dragonfly Turtles sunbathing on a log
By this time my daughter is tired and wants to get this hike over with. Naturally, Coleman and Chewbacca want to keep going. They’re enjoying the outdoors adventure. Hence, we keep chugging along.
Water Reflections Water Ripples
After awhile we decide to pull up a seat and relax a bit before finishing our hike. But first there’s more to observe as we near the picnic tables along the backside of the lake.
Trisha, Chewbacca, with Coleman leading the way. [He knows the trails better than most adults]. Ngaro Wīwi Priocnemis monachus delighting on Angelica genuflexa
Finally to a spot to snack relax near the water’s edge.
I hope you enjoyed trekking along with us on our hike around Lake Haigler. God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all.
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.
Fountain @ Glencairn Gardens Rock Hill, South Carolina
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.
Fountain ⛲️ @ Carowinds Charlotte, North Carolina
Then we see Coleman observing the water spraying out of the Fort Mill Dam. This was taken when we visited in May of 2021.
Fort Mill Dam Fort Mill, South Carolina
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.
On New Year’s Day (1st Day Hike), I took a hike with my grandson, Coleman from the Adventure Road Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway. It is a tradition to hike on the first day of a New Year, at least amongst hikers.
First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. Kids and adults all across America participated in First Day Hikes, and enjoyed the beauty of a state park, a national park, a local park or greenway. First Day Hikes are free to participants each year.
StumpyPondAt Adventure RoadAnne Springs Close GreenwayFort Mill, South Carolina
Coleman and I actually did two hikes on the 1st day of 2023. These pictures are from our second 1st day hike.
View from Royal Caribbean Triple Boats. – RDP – Monday – TripleBoats 🚤 Ships 🛳️ Boats 🛥️ Ships 🚢And even more Boats 🛥️ and Ships 🛳️ In Open Waters 💦Zooming Along In the Gulf of Mexico Toward Carnival Cruise 🚢 Ships 🛳️
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 