A Wonderful Day to Give Thanks
A Wonderful Day to Give Thanks, flowers tend to dress up any thing we put them on. Whether it is our tables for special holidays like today, or like this old brick walkway, that has beautiful iron railings and worn bricks leading into a rose garden in this particular park. Video Below showing the flowers as we walk through this park.
They added cascading mum plants to this entry way, which changes the look to a more colorful vibrant entrance on it now. What I can not share with you here is the wonderful aroma coming from these flowers. I never realized mum plants smelled this good, but when you get enough of them together it is amazing.
Happy thanksgiving for many folks today, I hope everyone can enjoy a peacful day with family and friends or just spend some time out in nature. That is where I like to be the most.
Thank you to all of you who happen to come across my blog post here, I appreciate the time you take to view these photos and leave comments. I enjoy reading your words and am thankful for all the kind thoughts that you share every day. I enjoy sharing what I see through the lens of my camera with you and hope it brightens your day.
Happy Thanksgiving
A Wonderful Day to Give Thanks
October November Flowers to Remember
October November Flowers to Remember, Mums the word this November. I posted this first picture a couple of weeks ago and we went back to the same park yesterday and they had changed the flowers on the bridge to cascading mums. A beautiful sight to remember with colorful autumn mums.
All these colors have a way of brightning up ones day here in November.
October November Flowers to Remember
Ship and a Boat
Ship and a Boat, what is the difference? Well, I have always been facinated with ships, I don’t get to see them to often unless I am near the ocean of course. I have always thought about how they made the first boat and as time went by they now make ships like this one below.
We were driving by a ship yard and saw this huge ship being built for the Navy. I don’t know what it is, but there were actually 3 of them being built so I had to snap a photo of this one.
Of course as you walk by any marina down south, the boats are quite pretty. Or I guess you would call these yachts. These by the way are all for sale sitting here and they did not have prices posted on them. I can probably guess they are not cheap.
Then a huge container ship was headed our way so we sat on the edge of the dock and watched in amazement, just to see the sheer size of this thing up close is something to me. I have seen them way out in the waters before. But never this close.
Ship and a Boat
Don’t Forget to Look Up
Don’t Forget to Look Up, well I went for a walk to my favorite little lake here and they have a dock over the water and some benches to sit on. I walked up to the benches and sat down one early morning. I was enjoying the view in front of me and then I looked up and to my surprise, right above me stood this beautiful Egret bird, as quiet as it could be.
I slowly raised my camera up to photograph this bird high above me. Then it flew off, what a fun surprise this was. Sometimes I focus to much on what is right in front of me and I miss the beauty that surrounds me from above looking down at me.
Don’t Forget to Look Up
Life on the Beach
Life on the Beach yes another photo with people in it. But, actually I was watching the Blue Heron bird standing on the beach by the water. The people just happened to be in the background. (video below)
I do post photos here a little ahead of the videos I make for You Tube, the videos take a little bit longer. But if you would like to see the videos that go along with most of my post you can check them out here at this link and there is a subscribe button as well to be notified when I post videos. Adventures Outdoors Photography by Sandra J You Tube
I try to put them on You Tube every Tuesday when I can, it is a way to make my photos come to life. Thank you all for visiting this blog and commenting, I do appreciate it and enjoy conversing with you and meeting new people through this thing called blogging.
Have a Wonderful Weekend
Life on the Beach
New Birds to the Collection
New Birds to the Collection, well this first photo is a new bird to my eyes. It is called a green heron. It was at dusk when I took this photo, so it does not show the beautiful color this bird really is. It is a short stocky bird to say the least.
The Green Heron is one of the world’s few tool-using bird species. It often creates fishing lures with bread crusts, insects, and feathers, dropping them on the surface of the water to entice small fish.
This one is a Blue Heron, but I am thinking it might be a younger one. It is a lot smaller than the ones I usually see and its feathers were much bluer than the adults.
Of course one can not be on a beach without seeing the sandpiper birds. They are so commical to watch, they walk so fast, well they always look like they are running. They are not vey shy, they come right up to you most of the time to check out what you are doing on their beach.
New Birds to the Collection
Precious Are We
Precious Are We, these two lovely ducks were walking along in the park. One looks a little ruffled, maybe it is the younger of the two. I added some flowers to the photo because they just looked like they should be enjoying flowers on this beautiful Autumn day. But there was another duck not far behind them. A grumpy looking duck to say the least.
Now it could just be the dark feathers around his eye, but he looks like he is having a bad day, giving my the ole stink eye like some of the deer did last year when I photographed them. 🙂
He is unique, but I have to say his feathers are just as beautiful as the two from above.
His back feathers look like a warm throw blanket, with a beautiful design all his own.
Precious Are We
Two by Two
Two by Two, I took this photo of these two pelicans flying in unison and I was thinking, I wonder how many other photos I have of just two birds and I was surprised to find the photos placed below. None of these photos are photoshopped. They are exactly how I saw them. Two by Two
Two by Two – the Two Tablets were spoken by Him, to restore creation, to to become one as they should be for eternity.
The Two Tablets are the inside chambers of your Heart, “Love your Father” outside the chamber, “Love your Neighbor”.
Two by Two
Morning Noon and Night
Morning Noon and Night, there is always something going on at the beaches. From people just walking on the beach to fishing with very tall fishing poles. (video below)
To pelicans sunning themselves during the heat of the day. You can find them easy enough during the day stitting on a post in the water, cleaning their feathers.
But come sunset, the beaches empty out, the lights are low. That is when we enjoy a walk on the beach the most. Just remember to bring a flashlight if you lose track of time.
So the evening and the morning were the second day and the dry land could appear.
Sunrise of Gold
Have a Wonderful Weekend
Trees of the South
Trees of the South, I love photographing trees, in the south the moss is what captures my eyes. Elegantly flowing from the tree branches above. Natures way of celebrating the outdoors by decorating the trees with natural tinsel.
Trees of the South
Eye Catching Colors
Eye Catching Colors, Green and Red. Wonderful colors of Christmas as well. I see roses in bloom down here in the south still and the palm leaves are such a vibrant green. Especially when the sun is shinning through them. It amazes me to see flowers in bloom here in November.
I am so used to seeing snow this time of year, so to see all this color right now is heart warming to say the least. He promises He will water the seeds we plant and bring them to life.
Eye Catching Colors
Hot Sand Hot Sand
Hot Sand Hot Sand, or just doing a little dance. It is a very windy day and the sand is blowing giving these photos a nice whitish background. The birds don’t seem to mind the sand blowing, but the salt spray tends to leave a sticky residue on your glasses, cameras and skin.
Hot Sand Hot Sand
Master Kingston Shrimping Boat
Master Kingston Shrimping Boat, it is a shrimping boat but I think it is doing better at catching birds. 💕😉
We are off for the weekend,
Have a Wonderful Weekend
The Hidden Lake of Reflections
She Blends Right In
She Blends Right In, there is a small lake in the campground we are at which is the home to this one alligator. When the sun is shinning in the late evenings, it blends right in to its surroundings as the cover photo. This is our first sighting of an alligator.
They are such a strange looking animal, I was wondering what they eat, especially in this small isolated pond. There are lots of turtles swimming all around it. So I am guessing if it is hungry enough that would make a meal.
There is a board walk over looking the pond, that is where I am standing looking down on it. I will put photos on tomorrow of the pond itself. The reflections are mezmerizing in the late afternoons.
She Blends Right In
For the Love of Pelicans
For the Love of Pelicans, who’s bills hold more then their bellies can. 😉
The two pelicans species I have photographed here in the mid west. The Great White Pelicans and the Brown Pelicans. Yesterday I talked about the difference in their size.
They do look similar with their actions and how they hold their heads. But,
The White Pelican has the largest wing span reaching 108 inches across. Their wings are beautiful and uniform which makes them glidge effortlessly above. They swim on the water and catch their fish by scooping them up in their bills.
The brown pelican is made for speed and diving. Their wings spans are shorter, their feathers on the wings are ragged and torn.
Because, they dive sometimes from as high as 60 feet. Air sacs beneath the skin on their breasts act like cushions. Also, while diving, a pelican rotates its body ever so slightly to the left. This rotation helps avoid injury to the esophagus and trachea, which are located on the right side of the bird’s neck.
This is how a Brown Pelican catches food, diving in head first. They can’t be all pretty and preened when nose diving all day for food.
Have a Great Weekend
For the Love of Pelicans
The Beautiful Brown Pelicans
The Beautiful Brown Pelicans
I am back in my favorite place, where I can see the Brown Pelicans everyday. Those of you who have seen my blog post from way back know that I have photographed a lot of the Great White Pelicans and I photographed them in Iowa of all places. But the brown pelicans are only found down south on the ocean waters.
The biggest difference between the two types of Pelicans is the color of course and then their size. The White pelicans have a wing span of 108″ and the Brown pelicans have a 78 inch wing span. I will show the difference on tomorrow’s post.
The Beautiful Brown Pelicans
Deep Thoughts by Blue Heron
Deep Thoughts by Darren the Heron, My Heart Will Go On as I stand here alone on this beach, looking out over the water wondering where she went.
Play the video at the end and then look at the pictures again. That is what I was thinking when I first saw Darren the Heron standing alone on the beach looking out over the ocean.
Deep Thoughts by Blue Heron
Nothing But Water
Nothing But Water, the Gulf coast stays fairly calm in this area. So you can see sun sparkles on the water for miles on end. Video below
Nothing But Water
I Am
I Am the One that created you, I gave you my life, my breath within you. I gave you words within you to raise yourself from the dead to become like us.
I am the One who gave you hands, to use your talents to create life around you.
Then He left; I heard His voice in the silence of my heart.
Sunset by the Dock of the Bay
Sunset by the Dock of the Bay; I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Watchin’ the tide roll away, (lyrics by Otis Redding)
Have a Great Weekend
The Sunrise of Gold
The Sunrise of Gold ; Gold It is worth more in your heart then in our hands.
The Sunrise of Gold
Blue Heron on Vacation
Blue Heron on Vacation, one thing about the birds when you get down by the ocean is, they are not to afraid of people. So they stand right next to you which is great for photo opts. You will find them near people especially if they have a fishing pole in their hands, looking for a easy meal.
Blue Heron on Vacation
Doing Some Crabbing
Doing Some Crabbing, not being crabby, 🙂 Watching the Gulls find tiny crabs for their meal today along the waters edge. It was sunrise here on the gulf coast so the water is reflecting the golden hue of the sun as it rises this morning.
A beautiful morning as the water gently recedes from high tide and a view down the beach of hotels lit up in the morning light. This is one of our favorite places to be, the Gulf Coast.
Doing Some Crabbing
A Rose By Any Other Name
A Rose By Any Other Name, The importance of a person or thing is the way it is; not because of what it is called.
A name is just a label to distinguish one thing from another. It neither has any worth, nor gives true meaning. Only an individual or thing has a worth when it deserves it; for example, even if we call a rose by an entirely different name, it would smell the same as it does by its name “rose.”
Let the mist of your breath come across my face and wash the dust from my eyes. Let your hands help me stand up. So that I may stand in your presence.
A Rose By Any Other Name
Camping Near the Ohio River
Camping Near the Ohio River, the leaves have not changed color here yet as we stopped to camp for a few days. Early morning campfires are going as the smoke is highlighted by the sun rays through the trees.
You can see the bridge off in the distance where you can travel across it and enter Kentucky, yes the Ohio river between Illinois and Kentucky.
We have camped here a couple of times. I took this photo below a couple of years ago from the same park. Sunrise at the Ohio river.
A few photos of the critters around the park are always fun to take. I am guessing this is a ground hog and I don’t think he is seeing his shadow this fall yet. That might be good news.
And these guys are just basking in the morning light. Turtles are always fun to watch.
Camping Near the Ohio River
Harvest Time in the Mid West
Harvest Time in the Mid West, as we left Iowa on our journey south. I had to take some photos of the daisies growing in the ditches along the country roads of. An abundance of food for the little insects during this time of year and of course what is Iowa if one does not stop and take photos of the tall ornamental grasses around the lakes and Corn. Lots and lots of corn.
Harvest Time in the Mid West
Railway or Railroad
Railway or Railroad, what is the difference between the two names? I always call them railroads, it looks like a road when you are standing in the middle of them and they appear to go on for ever in some areas. I do love photographing them and watching trains go by when I can.
But, railroad is a permanent road consisting of fixed metal rails to drive trains or similar motorized vehicles on while railway is a track, consisting of parallel rails, over which wheeled vehicles may travel.
Does that statement make sense, not to me it didn’t when I first read it. So I investigated some more.
What is the difference between Railway and Railroad Then?
• Meaning:
• The meaning of both railway and railroad is the same. They both refer to the track on which a train runs.
• Usage:
• In most of the English speaking countries including UK and even Canada, the word that is used to refer to a system of trains running on rails made of iron is railways.
• On the other hand, railroad is the term that is used in the US for trains running on rails.
• Interestingly, railway is the word that is reserved for trams or streetcars in the US.
• Practice:
• Often companies change their names from railroad to railways and vice versa when there are mergers or takeovers to distinguish themselves from earlier companies.
Both railway and railroad refer to the train track. However, US uses railway for tram tracks while using railroad to train tracks.
Just some fun facts today 🙂
Railway or Railroad
The Old Become New Again
The Old Become New Again, I love photographing bridges. The architecture alone is quite impressive on these massive bridges that not only are a way of transportation across rivers, but they also remind me of adventure, what is on the other side. A thought of keep moving and learning cross my mind when I see bridges.
This bridge below is the Centennial Bridge in Davenport Iowa, crossing over the Mississippi River, very old but so pretty at night with all its lights on.
This bridge is new, up river from the first bridge. New design and look compared to the architecture of old.
As we travel south, there will be a few bridges to cross I am sure. As like this one in Illinois.
But as always, adventure awaits after every bridge crossed.
Have a Wonderful Weekend
The Old Become New Again
