“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8
Welcome to the mountains. We concluded last week’s SSS post with a Rocky Mountain sunset so I thought; why not begin this week with springtime high in the Appalachians. Quite a view from 5,000 feet near Maggie Valley, NC!
A native plant to the east and plains, the black-eyed-Susan grows in a lot of places these days. I thought maybe it was just my vision but I always thought the stamen (center) was brown and not black. I found out that it isn’t just me…the center is brown according to the experts. I learned the name probably came from an old English poem where black-eyed-Susan was used to describe the flower and the name stuck. That might only be legend but it sounds reasonable to me! The “Susan” is Maryland’s state flower.
I apologize for the poor quality of this pic taken by an inexpensive trail camera but I chose to show it anyway. Why? Because bobcats are rarely seen, especially in the daylight. I have spent countless hours in the woods over the course of many, many years and I have only seen a bobcat a few times. This camera is only about 150 yards from our carport and we have pics of this cat 4 consecutive days, twice in the daylight hours. It’s made itself at home on my jogging trail!
I asked last week if anyone knew what this would be when it grew up and not many seemed to guess. An invasive that grows fast and when it is all grown up…
…it looks like this! I like the way a cane break appears and we have canes growing in two areas but well away from everything. Not recommending it as a good thing to plant however!
I think she was saying to her PJ…you want me to do what? You must be kidding!
It is lace time and Queen Anne is in fashion in fields and along roadsides.
Gold mound spirea has been a nice, low maintenance perennial that we have enjoyed having in the garden for several years.
And the bees enjoy the spirea even more than we do! I took this on Friday, which was World Bee Day. Seriously, Pam told me it was a day to celebrate bees. The day is recognized every year on May 20 to raise awareness of the importance of these pollinators. I never knew!
If I go 30 miles north and gain about 1,000 feet in altitude I can now celebrate Mountain Laurel!
I know such a scene likely does not interest normal people and it takes someone strange like me to appreciate this. But this trail to the water is really worn and well used. I found it last week and couldn’t help but investigate as it was obvious that a number of different critters were using it…evidenced by the various tracks. A close examination revealed fresh tracks of raccoon, deer, opossum, turkey, and several sizes of canine or feline type prints (coyotes, fox, bobcat perhaps?). I hope to have time to place a camera here to find out what’s going on. Rain in this week’s forecast may change the creek level.
Oak leaf hydrangea is now beginning to bloom along shady areas in nearby woods and along the creek. Like goldenrod in the fall, the oak leaf bloom has a majestic, royal appearance to me.
I saw an odd dead leaf hanging from an otherwise healthy looking green leafy tree branch and then it moved. Are there any moth experts who might help out here? I sure don’t know what this one is called!
I thought I had discovered a very rare plant when I came across this one but my app that helps with identification tells me it is a Jack-in-the pulpit. Maybe rare to me because I don’t encounter many of them, but I understand it is a fairly common plant. It likes the shady woods where there is moisture and plenty of decaying leaves. Pollinated by gnats, the plant is very toxic to humans and animals!
This is a fine way to close out another day, another blessing!
Have a super week!
”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
I’m looking forward to traveling to North Carolina this week to observe the woods and see some of the things I have learned from you. That picture of Emma Kennedy is so precious!
Thank you, Nancy. Enjoy your trip to NC!
Oh my goodness, that bobcat is a little close for comfort! Wonder what he weighs? Speaking of bees, we now have carpenter bees eating my new porch roof! Does Butch have any eradication methods? I bought 2 bee traps (not cheap!), then a friend said don’t waste your money on those. Her infestation was so bad, they were even eating her cedar porch furniture! Are you in the path of the Saharan dust storm? It is supposed to arrive here today, and our weatherman says it will produce spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Happy Sunday!
Good morning, Roxanne. We are constantly battling carpenter bees. I will check with Butch to see what he has been doing and email you. I think we are in the path of the dust storm. We are expecting rain, hopefully over the next few days! Happy Sunday!
Good morning Butch and Pam. Your mountain high is the altitude where we live, 5365 feet. It took a year for me to acclimate from coming from sea level! After 32 years still can’t go to a higher altitude. The bamboo is invasive but the shoot was fascinating. I didn’t know either that May 20 is Bee Day. I haven’t seen a single bee so far this year. Ek is so pretty. That question might be, you don’t have chocolate milk? Might I suggest carrying a large stick with you on your trail because on our farm in the middle of nowhere in SD there is a mountain Lion. I saw him and he is huge. And if you have bobcats there is a possibility you have mountain lions. Yikes!
Alice, I think you are right about the chocolate milk. Butch always has a large walking stick with him. We currently do not have mountain lions and hopefully they won’t be migrating our way. We now have black bears, but they have not shown up on any of our trail cameras.Have a lovely week, dear one!
I love the picture of EK. Growing up so fast! She is so pretty.
Bobcat so close to your house is scary. They will kill dogs. Our neighbors dog disappeared.
Butch, please watch out for snakes. We have already killed one in our yard.It was not poisonous but I could not relax knowing it was there. It was very close to me when I saw it.
I’ve been working everyday in my garden in the mornings. Too hot later in the day!
Have a great week.
Thank you, Bonnie. Snakes have been out with Butch seeing two copperheads, they are extremely poisonous. We are in desperate need of rain and hopefully we will get some this week!
Pam and Butch, That bobcat sighting is amazing! It looks healthy. EK has beautiful hair and eyes. The mountain laurel is so pretty. That moth has some unique markings. It’s cooler here. The rain yesterday dropped the temps into the high 60s from the low 90s. We’re loving it even though it’s still raining a bit. It was way too hot for May. Enjoy your week! Clara ❤️
The bobcat is definitely large. EK has a fun personality. Clara, we desperately need rain and it is in our forecast. Enjoy your week ♥️
I needed this post full of beauty. I’m so glad you’re here. One day I have to see that view. God bless you both. Love, Karla 💕🙏🏻
I sent you an email. God bless you, Karla 🙏🏻♥️ 🙏🏻♥️🙏🏻
You’re email is so precious my friend. 🙏🏻💕😭❤️❤️❤️
Love, hugs, and prayers!
I feel it! Tomorrow’s the day I meet with oncologist ❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🥰💛
Praying, my friend!
Today! I’ll update you soon. Love you! ❤️
Wonderful pictures and stunning verse. Emma is so cute! Hugs and blessings.
Thank you sweet Maristella!
Love the view of the NC mountain tops! EK is a doll, her hair is such a pretty color! We used to have a bamboo patch in the corner of our yard, it is pretty, but yes, invasive…Have a lovely Sunday, looks like a rainy week ahead…
Jenna
Thank you. Jenna. EK is so much fun ! Yes, keep
Keep the cane at bay!
Emma is so adorable. Your grands have the most beautiful eyes. That bobcat sighting is amazing. Happy Sunday have a beautiful start to the new week. xoxo Kris
Thanks so much, Kris. wishing you a most beautiful week!
How majestic is the creation with which He surrounds us…and Butch’s eye captures so much of it beautifully to share with us. We had a corner neighbor who “enjoyed” his little bamboo patch until the passing years surrounded the entire property and needed to be freed so one could see the house again… invasive, indeed. That Maggie Valley shot is awesome…But the shining centerpiece is the lovely blue-eyed EK who just steals one’s heart away. Have a blessed
Sabbath in the Lord.
Thank you my sweet friend ♥️
I was waiting for today’s posts I knew it would be beautiful. Now, my curiosity is up as to what is visiting the trail to the water. I hope you can set up a trail camera and all those who visit there. Thank you so much for taking me along on you ventures.
Thank you, Nonie. He set up a trail cam, so we shall see!
Good morning, Pam and Butch. My goodness, that Bobcat is too close for me. Be careful in those woods. Little Emma is growing too fast and is so pretty. Spring has been glorious here. It is unfolding slowly and we have only had a couple of really warm days. The makes me happy because the sun isn’t so strong that it destroys the blooms.
Have a lovely day and week ahead!
Thank you, Sandra. Enjoy your slower spring!
I’m not sure I’d feel too happy about seeing a bobcat ambling around! He hasn’t missed any meals, has he?! I love the arrival of Queen Anne’s Lace and all the flowers are looking wonderful. I always enjoy your Sundays.
I am not happy about the bobcat being so close. I also love Queen Anne’s Lace!
The first picture captures my heart!
We love the mountains!
Oh what a lovely Sunday Morning Stroll… thank you Butch. The picture of EK is adorable! She is growing up pretty darn fast!
The canes and the shoot are incredible.
We have Bobcats here in our neighborhood… they are beautiful creatures. They shy away from us unless they are protecting their young.
I’m so happy to be able to read your Blog Posts once again.
Happy Sunday Friends!
Thank you, Nancy. Butch says the bobcats are shy. However, they make me a little nervous.
Very interesting! WV is so similar to AL in many of the discoveries you find, Butch (bobcats, jack-in-the-pulpit, etc). That bobcat on your jogging trail – scary! I sure hope those are away from your property and where you guys travel back and forth to yours and your son’s home!
Could that leaf-like critter be this?: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Paonias-excaecata