“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.”
Proverbs 3:19-20
It was just above freezing yesterday on the river but the Coosa was lazy, calm, and peaceful. Thinking about our friends in the northeast this weekend reminds me I have no reason to grumble and complain about the weather!
My pileated woodpecker had a friend but there was no cooperation from the pair as far as getting together and posing for a pic. I am trying a new lens and hoping I can learn enough to capture some close ups when wildlife is not thrilled that I have infringed upon their territory.
Since it is late January, and then add the fact that I have been under the weather most of last week, I take what comes my way and try to be thankful. Not being able to roam like I often do, I depended on what would come to me or at least be close by. I would say these would not be considered the GOAT animals, but are happy just to be free goats. Truly, they were not fenced and literally roaming free with a few others in an old cotton field.
A lot of progress has been made in the clean up around the old barn. Once grown over, we can now see it quite well from the house. Of course, it is better in the winter. Still more to do. Isn’t that always the case??
I suppose EK is teaching little brother how to enjoy his toy? Or maybe she is busy enjoying his toy! Either way, it seems to be working out fine!
Allow me to bore you with some close ups as I am excited that I can stand on my sidewalk and zoom in to see what’s growing way up in the air on a nearby tree. I do think it brings some bright color to a winter day!
These white pelicans were about a half mile away but I noticed that dozens of other birds were flocked around them, in the air and on the water. Are the pelicans drawn to the other birds or are the other birds drawn to be near the pelicans?? Maybe one is aware that the other knows where the best fishing is?
These two love birds (doves) are having a discussion about the future. I think he is trying to convince her that spring is around the corner and is asking her to be his Valentine. Just my opinion of what’s going on!
Another “this old house” that I discovered which has been hidden from view. Someone had done a lot of clearing, and with the bareness of winter, I spotted it. These places have stories that we will never hear…this is where our imagination takes over!
I know we’ve never mentioned that we live only a few minutes from the beach, but it’s true. And on a 33 degree January afternoon, it is never crowded.
The gazebo was available also. I had the place to myself. Seriously, this is a small out of the way recreation area with walking trails, access to swimming, picnicking, and other warmer weather activities. Only a few miles from us, I believe a lot of people are not aware of it.
The new lens is helpful when wanting to get a closer look at a hawk. I first thought this was a Cooper’s Hawk but another look tells me it may be a Red-shouldered Hawk. Mature Red-shouldered Hawks have brown eyes and are bigger than the Cooper’s. What do you experts say? We see a lot of hawks this time of year, and a number of different varieties. Red-tails are very common.
We have featured water a lot today so why not include a canal in our throwback pic, Venice, Italy, 2013!
PJ was not fond of my selection of this photo. But allow me to defend myself. This hickory tree, backdropped by our Appalachian foothills, has more mistletoe than any tree I have seen around home, and I had never realized it. That would not be an interesting fact at all except I made this pic from my driveway and the tree stands in the pasture right in front of us every time we leave the house. Summer leaves camouflage the mistletoe, but it cannot hide in the dead of winter.
And what can be said about another beautiful winter sunset…it speaks for itself!
Have a blessed week. Hoping to see you in February!
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
You’re already mastering your new lens! Great longshot photos, and area surroundings. Happy Sunday. Hope you’re both feeling back to your norm again.
Thanks Rita. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Fabulous photos, a zoom lens is a huge asset isn’t it? I couldn’t get some of the shots I get of wildlife without mine, you are going to have a great time with yours. I agree, Butch, the mistletoe is interesting.
Yes, Carole he will enjoy the new lens!
You have such a talent for making the ordinary special, Butch, and really teaching us to “stop and smell the roses” and appreciate what is right in front of us! I look forward to more wonderful captures with your new lens. I hope you both have a happy and healthier week!
Jenna
Thank you, Jenna. Butch will definitely enjoy the new lens!
Pam and Butch, We hope you are feeling better today. January is a tough month it seems as the temps change so drastically. We’ve been ill also but are better now thank goodness. The close up shots are excellent! The nature shots are always welcome. Those berries have such clarity and beautiful color against the sky. The birds are all interesting. The children are so cute and really play well together. That’s a lot of mistletoe! The sunset shot is fantastic! Enjoy your day. Clara ❤️
Thank you so much, Clara. I am so glad you all are feeling better. Take care of yourselves!
Butch I pray that your health has been fully restored today. I love the old house overlooking the water. I see the chimney that I imagine was in the kitchen where an old wood stove cooked many good southern meals. And why wouldn’t a child or kin want to take care of this treasure?
I am pleased that many of the old building you show us are being cleaned up .Now for what reason other than to clear away what the lack
of care had brought. Love the two grands playing together. The mistletoe has taken over the tree. Maybe a sprig can be retrieved for Valentines Day?
Thank you, Alice. I love your thoughts on the old house. Wishing you a blessed week!
What a great set of beautiful pics with your new lens. You have so many places to wonder and just free your mind and soul and capture some beautiful pics right outside your own door. That is such a gift to have. Hope you begin to feel better as the new week starts. Have a great Sunday. xoxo Kris
Thanks so much, Kris!
Another Sabbath journey of discovery with Butch….the placid river belying frigid temps, the haunting and haunted(?) vacant buildings, the red headed moppet guiding a precious novice, the hidden details disclosed by the zoom lens, the view of a
canal in Venice – no passport needed – and the overall blessing of being guided by one with such a discerning eye. Here is
hoping the Everyday household is well on the mend and ready to face whatever adventure comes along this week. I itch
to restore that “this old house”…it seems wonderfully sited. That gazebo was created by an “artist”… Thank you for your sense of vision in it all…
Thank you dear one. I hope you are doing well!
Good Sunday morning, Butch and Pam. Another series of beautiful photos. Love the ‘little ones’ enjoying themselves. They are simply beautiful. I love Emma’s hair and her bow. And baby brother looks so happy with her. Your sunset photo is glorious. I do hope you both will be feeling better soon. Have a wonderful week.
Thanks so much, Sandra. Wishing you a warm and cozy week!
Beautiful and peaceful pictures. You live in a wonderful place. I am glad to know you are on the mend. Have a lovely week ahead. Hugs and blessings.
Thank you dear one. Blessings!
Love the photo of the hickory tree with the mistletoe.
Yes, it is interesting for sure!
Butch it’s time to get Pam under that tree full of Mistletoe!
Out here in the desert Mistletoe is quite invasive.
So a zoom lens… well I’m looking forward to all your pictures! How exciting! For you and for us.
I didn’t know you lived so close to a lake. Can you kayak on it? I love kayaking when we are in Pennsylvania.
The Littles are growing so quickly. Enjoy every minute!
Happy Sunday Friends!
Yes, we can kayak on the lake. Maybe we should do that. Have a great week my friend!
You will have fun playing with your new lens and be surprised at some of the results.
Linda, he is definitely having fun!
So sorry you have been under the weather and hope this week is much better. Your new lens is “da bomb”! You really captured some incredible shots. I love your red barn. Miss EK is looking very much like a Valentine with her jaunty red bow!
Thanks so much, Roxanne! Have a lovely week!
Dear friends, it is always a pleasure to read and enjoy such beautiful images. I love nature, especially this one that you show because it is not usual to be able to see it in the environment where I live.
Each season of the year has its own personality and this one you show is really beautiful.
I love the photos of the grandchildren… how handsome!!!
I send you a big hug
Dolores
Dolores, siempre estoy tan feliz de saber de ti. Me encanta que te gusten las fotos. ¿Como esta tu hombro? ¿Sigue recibiendo terapia? Cuídate mi amigo. Enviando abrazos
Great photos, Pam. Did you take them or Butch? You live in such a heavenly place!
Thank you, Katie. We both take photos and we are both amateurs ☺️
We were in Venice September of 2013.
I love my zoom lens and wish it had more distance. I would really like one that could do the moon.
I’ll be glad when yall feel 100%.
Glorious sunset.
We were there in October. We had a zoom, but this one has greater distance. It is very heavy, though!
The sunsets at your house never cease to amaze me! They remind me of when I used to live in Oklahoma. I worked at a nursing home, and in the evenings, I would go stand outside by the fence surround the facility and look at the sunsets. Oklahoma sunsets were so vivid and amazing, like the ones you feature here. God never runs out of different designs, does He? Fingerprints, snowflakes, sunsets, so many unique, individual creations that prove His power time after time!
God is the Creator and Designer, He knows no bounds!
Congratulations on your new zoom lens. You have already captured beautiful images with your new lens. The woodpecker, the old barn, the mistletoe, and all the other images are delightful. Wyatt is quite the handsome boy and beautiful sister showing him how to navigate. Precious! I will be praying for restored health. As usual, the sunset speaks of the Glory of our God.
Thank you always for your sweet comments, Dianne!
Beautiful photos! I love the old barn. I hope you’re feeling much better now!
Thank you, Michelle!
Butch, I hope that you are feeling better. It seems everyone you talk to right now is under the weather. I pray this is behind us soon. As always, you have shared some wonderful photographs of nature. The sunset is gorgeous, and I love the photo of the old barn. Wishing Pam and you and blessed week ahead!
Thank you sweet friend. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Thank you for showing open water! And I like seeing the mistletoe tree. We think of it for Christmas but it fits well for the approaching Valentine’s Day, too! Bummer about feeling poorly but I hope by the time you see this comment (because I’m woefully late again!) you are well on the mend.
Thank you so much, Jeanie. Wishing you a lovely week!
Beautiful photos, and a lovely area to take them!
Thanks so much!