“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 ESV
A late afternoon walk at sunset in the Appalachian foothills is often rewarding, even on a hot July evening. It is even better if you remember the insect repellent!
I locate personal hiding places in the garden and attempt to be patient and very still in order to get a nice pic of one of our ever-on-the-move hummingbirds. One briefly appeared, and I thought I was quick enough to make it happen. But no, there was no hummer in this photo, however a goldfinch, thinking he was well hidden, was spying on me. Actually, he was very well hidden!
After not seeing a hummer return over the course of about 10 minutes, I grew impatient and relocated my hideout. Normally I am not much for conspiracies, but by this time I am wondering if the local goldfinch group is up to something!
I finally decided to move again after 20 minutes and only seeing a hummingbird zip by hurriedly. The next location, with zinnias to my right and sunflowers to my left, surely had to be the best spot to get the hummer pic I was after! Right?? This was too much…I will try another day.
Of course there are other benefits of sitting still in the garden, other than getting bit by mosquitoes and being spied on by birds. This little one was well behaved and only ate white clover, at least while I was watching.
I usually take note of the elderberry when it is in bloom along our roadsides. So many people believe elderberry is very beneficial for medicinal and health reasons. I decided to follow along as the berries formed and ripened this season. The berries are small but it appears there will be an abundance of fruit on all the plants PJ and I have observed. We hope to check these again as they progress.
If I cannot get a little bird to stop nearby and be still for a second, then why not enjoy what does visit my hiding places. Last year we did not see many Eastern Tiger Swallowtails. That was puzzling to us since they had always been quite common. There seems to be more of them stopping by this year.
When a helicopter swings over the trees and is headed toward your pasture on a steep angle and seemingly at the spot where you are standing…it is either time to move or time to use your camera. I did both but there was no need to move. A very daring but good pilot was spraying a crop just across the river and a couple of the necessary loops apparently required some tricky maneuvering. No need to offer me a ride.
Not everything I spotted from my hidden places was as pretty as birds or butterflies. But bugs are part of everyday living. I believe this prehistoric looking creature is a leaf-footed bug. Harmless, but kinda ugly, and I understand can give off a bad odor. What we commonly call stink bugs are part of this group too if I am not mistaken; I am far from being knowledgeable when it comes to insects!
Pam and I took a drive last week through nearby, river bottom, farm country. We enjoy seeing things grow. This cotton field was looking good backdropped by a typical summer sky. An abundance of corn and soybean fields were also thriving.
I hope by now you don’t feel overcome by birds and butterflies, but I could not resist this Gulf Fritillary and all the colors in this photo!
One day this ‘luna rose’ (rose mallow hibiscus) had 6 blooms as large as dinner plates. You have to enjoy them quickly, as each bloom is here today, gone tomorrow!
This green mound is actually part of the dam east of the power house/turbines at Weiss Lake. The lake is just over the levee. Pam made this nice photo and I thought it was a great scene. She says I am in this pic, but I don’t stand out enough to spoil the view. I’m not sure about that, but will examine it a little closer.
April of 2012 and something has our attention to the left. Well, something has PJ and me doing some serious looking. Our future daughter-in-love is fine with relaxing in the sun. Perhaps she was contemplating a wedding (which did occur later that year)!
So, what were we so interested in that kept us staring and even had me with a pair of binoculars in my lap? A bald eagle nest with an eaglet that hatched in March was in the top of a large pine on the river bank just northeast of our house. The nest was active for several years. The best viewing with no disturbance was from the boat, and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to watch the adult eagles work on the nest, sit on eggs, and feed little ones.
OK, it’s not fair to tell you what we were staring at and not show you. Our cameras and lenses were not as good in 2012 as today, but we managed to get a lot of decent pics anyway. Feeding time!
This old dead tree was near the big pines and was a favorite perch. I guess it offered an unobstructed view of the river. Bald eagles love fish!
When we were in Alaska a number of years prior and saw so many eagles it was a thrill. We never dreamed of the possibility of seeing bald eagles sailing over our house, which we do at times, much less having an active nest a quarter mile away! I saw one last week.
Since I’ve focused on other mallow family plants like luna rose and cotton, we may as well finish with another one. The 3 newly planted (2021) Rose of Sharon shrubs by the Sunshine Cottage are doing quite well.
Have a blessed 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
Good Morning Folks!
What a lovely stroll we went on today. I enjoyed all the bugs, butterflies, and blooms. I did find Butch on the hill that is part of the dam. Great picture!
In the boat picture, your future daughter-in-law looks like EM! I had to take a double look!
Eagles are always a welcomed sight, but then to capture their beauty with an awesome camera shot is nothing short of fantastic!
Thanks for such a beautiful morning stroll. Enjoy your Sunday!
Good job finding Butch! Thanks so much, Nancy. Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam
Good morning! I spotted my first monarch and heard the first cicadas this week. We’ve had so.much.rain, we’re almost double our July avg for the 2nd year in a row. EM looks just like her momma! Thank you for the photos amd commentary.
I lost my first reply, Rita. We need rain, showers all around this past week and we didn’t receive a drop. We never see the monarchs until the middle of October. I love chasing them to get a photo. Yes, EM looks just like her momma. Happy Sunday!
Pam
The eagle photos and the insect captures are amazing! Thank you for the lovely eye candy and Happy Sunday!
Thanks so much, Jenna. Enjoy your day!
Pam
Good morning my friends! The bald eagle photos are incredible, what a thrill that must have been! The bird and butterfly pictures are beautiful too. Pam. I’ve been picking my Rose of Sharon blossoms and discovered, even though the blossom is short lived, the other buds open up in my arrangements. And may I add how shocked and saddened I was about the passing of Phyllis Hoffman DePiano…she was the epitome of a gracious Southern, Christian hostess.
Good morning, Roxanne. Great idea to use the Rose of Sharon blooms and wait for buds to open. I remember doing that a few years ago. Love their soft lavender color. I was very saddened to read of the passing of Phyllis. I hope her sons keep her vision alive! It is a hot day here, stay cool!
Pam
Good Morning. Oh your pictures Butch are always stunning. You capture nature at its best. Have a beautiful week ahead. Hugs. Kris
Thanks so much, Kris. Happy Sunday!
Pam
Good morning Butch and Pam. I had not heard that Phyllis had passed. She was so admired by many and a wonderful Christian . Life is abundant at your house. The birds, bees. Butterflies, bunnies and beautiful flowers. I found you Butch in Pam’s picture but if you had not told me I wouldn’t. And the goldfinch hiding. What beautiful color. Hoping you have a blessed day and week ahead.
Thank you, Alice. I have been so saddened since reading of Phyllis’s passing. I hope her sons will keep her vision alive through her magazines. Are you having a heat wave out there in Colorado? Happy Sunday dear friend!
Pam & Butch
Yes we are having a heat wave but it’s Summer and we have a very short season of warm weather that I can’t complain. We have very little humidity so it doesn’t feel as hot as where you live.
Thank you, Alice. Today, we are getting haze from the Canadian fires.
I love all the colorful photos. The goldfinches, eagles, and butterflies are so pretty. You have so many colorful blooms. Enjoyed the stroll. The mosquitoes are relentless but on this stroll I not only stayed cool but no bites! Have a great Sunday. Clara ❤️
Thanks so much, Clara and we are glad that you enjoyed. Yes, the mosquitoes are really bad this year. It has been so hot and we need rain. I hope you all stay cool!
Pam ♥️
Needless to say, this Sunday’s entry is redolent with vision, beauty and intriguing snippets. How
fortunate to capture the Eagle’s nesting, the flowers abloom in your gardens, the Appalachian foothills alive with butterflies, birds and that precious bunny. Outstanding photos. What a profound
loss in the passing of Phyllis, departing much too soon before the fullness of her talents was realized, although her accomplishments, both personally and professionally, far surpassed what most mortals come to realize. Sadness will be sprinkled with the usual joy when my next issue of Victoria arrives.
Thank you, Mary. I am very saddened by the passing of Phyllis. Yes, there will be sadness sprinkled when her magazines are delivered. Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam
Beautiful pictures. I am so glad you take the time to see the beauty life has to offer and to share it with us. I am trying to do more of that.
I am so happy to hear from you, Nonie!
Pam
Love that swallowtail photo, just gorgeous. Cute little goldfinch, spying on you.
Thanks so much, Carole !
Pam
Thank you, Maristella!
Pam
Stunning post as ever. Love this peaceful and sunny post… Hugs and blessings.
Thank you, Maristella!
Pam
Loved all your photos but the zinnia and goldfinch, Yellow Swallowtail, and Gulf Fritillary, are dreamy. The eagle is quite a capture and how nice you have them nearby to enjoy. Fun to see the resemblance between mother and daughter. I love looking at old photos.
I’m sorry you haven’t gotten much rain. It has rained every day here and sometimes twice.
I’ve never seen a hibiscus as large as yours. Exciting!
I read the obituary for Phyllis on line and was in tears reading the list of people they thanked that helped her. She will be missed.
Happy Sunday and have a great week.
Thank you, Bonnie. Yes, EM looks just like her mama. Wishing you a delightful week!
Pam
Lots of wildlife here and some gorgeous photos, thanks for sharing, Sandi
Thanks so much, Sandi!
Pam
Oh, this is so good – and capturing images in Mother Nature is balm for the soul!
Thank you, Mary! We love being outdoors and observing!
Pam
A lovely post as always Pam & Butch.
Blessings to you both, Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer
Pam
Jennifer, you didn’t post last week. I missed you.
Awww, thank you Pam I’ll be back this week ❤️
Oh my. Those pictures of the bald eagle are amazing – what great shots! Love all the butterflies and bugs and so delighted for you that the Rose of Sharon is doing well. The hibiscus – oh my goodness, I hardly know what to say. Does is really only last a day? What a gorgeous flower! Thanks so much for the fabulous walkabout today and wishing you both a fantastic week ahead!
Thank you, Kim. I am always so happy for you to visit. Enjoy your week!
Pam
What an amazing post, filled with so many beautiful photos! I so appreciate your blog and all you do here. As you know, I hold them back to read and peruse when I am able to really focus on them. They are such an encouragement to me. May the Lord continue to bless you all.