“I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.”
Psalm 7:17 ESV
If you are ever in central Tennessee and have the time, check out Fall Creek Falls State Park. The park contains over 30,000 acres with a lot of waterfalls and hiking trails. We are fortunate to live only two and one half hours away, and also happen to know some folks who have spent a few days there this past week. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is the highest free falling falls east of the Mississippi River!
This is another reminder of childhood. That may sound strange but the reason really isn’t too far out. I knew about a state called Texas. Texas was big, and everything there was big, so we always heard. It was a place far away and I never dreamed I would possibly go there. So, anything that was bigger than normal had to be from Texas. Such was the giant red and black ants. What else could they be but Texas ants? I called them that back then, and I still do when I see one today. But for the record, these are red velvet wasps, not ants. This female has no wings and can really sting. Males look more wasp-like, have wings, but do not sting.
And also for the record, I’ve been privileged to visit Texas many times. It is a wonderful place…and still big!
The buzz around our crepe myrtles can be heard a ways off, even by me with my poor hearing. The honeybees are out back in huge numbers each day when the sun hits these blooms. It is the sound of life and future life, all wrapped up in these busy insects. I can easily understand the origin of the term “busy as a bee” after simply observing them for a few minutes one morning!
I was amazed at a discovery I made while trimming a lot of the lower branches off our large magnolia last week. Most of the articles I read a couple of months ago during the “2024 cicada days” stated cicadas mainly laid their eggs in oaks and a few other deciduous trees. Almost every small lower magnolia limb I trimmed away looked like this, the results of cicadas depositing eggs!
It is hot and dry again now, but days of rain showers brought quite a variety of mushrooms to shady areas of the woods and yard. I called this one a fancy beach umbrella!
One of the best pork dishes I’ve ever had, served over one of my favorites, polenta. You may notice the yellow chunks that are part of the toppings. I would’ve never thought of putting this together, but roasted or grilled fresh peaches were added. The combination was fabulous!
While trimming and working beneath the magnolia I mentioned earlier, I encountered this imperial moth. When I pulled back a pile of leaves it came fluttering out quickly and my first alarming thought was that I had disturbed a copperhead. Only for a second of course, but the coloring I suppose was what caught my eye.
This suspension bridge at Fall Creek Falls State Park (FCFSP) might have you just-a-swingin’ should you venture across. I’m not sure if the group at the end have already crossed or if there is discussion concerning whether to cross or not!
Lantana is a plant that is a must, year after year. It blooms all summer, requires very little attention, and attracts so many pollinators. I start out with 5 plants that are about the size of my fist, and by August they cover an area as big as a room!
This nice wide hiking trail is one of many trails in FCFSP if that is your interest. A hotel and golf course are also available if camping and hiking isn’t your style!
I’ve featured hummingbirds on a couple of posts this summer, but this one absolutely just fluttered in my face as if to dare me to take a photo…so I did!
This snowberry clear wing hummingbird moth was at just the right angle for me to catch the lantana yellow shining through the transparent portions of its wings. I have mentioned that my grandmother always called this particular moth a queen bumblebee. I must now give her credit as I have read that a common name for this species is bumblebee moth, because it looks so much like a bumblebee. Hats off to granny!
I followed the moth all around the lantana trying to get a ‘face on’ photo which I’d never been able to accomplish in all my attempts…until Friday!
Pam shared with me that she had managed a photo of a hummingbird moth while she was actually out making pics of zinnias. She was thrilled that this one stopped by. She mentioned that she knew I had taken a lot of moth photos that day and wouldn’t need another one. But, when we viewed her shot, we found that she had seen a hummingbird clear wing, a bit rare in our area. They are very identifiable by the red coloring and look somewhat different from the more common snowberry!
This type afterglow reflection off high clouds after sundown has been happening often over the last few weeks. The light makes everything look like a fairy land. I think we may have also had some of the Saharan Desert sand in the air that day. I know it has arrived a couple of times recently in the more coastal regions to our south but I’m not sure if it made it this far north…but the sky had the appearance regardless!
A small tree came up several years ago in the woods at the very edge of the yard where I mow. It grew and began to hang over and rake my face every time I mowed. I would normally cut such a bothersome shrub down, but it looked so much like a crepe myrtle I decided to leave it. I kept telling Pam about it and that I was having to duck every time I mowed that edge. And guess what…as of last week it is blooming and is definitely a crepe myrtle. I suppose we can thank a bird? The nearest one this exact color that I am aware of is over 1/2 mile away!
Green unicorn caterpillars don’t show themselves much or maybe the green is such good camouflage we never see them. The caterpillar that turns into a hummingbird moth looks a lot like this and as you can see, hummingbird moths are plentiful around our garden!
I took this pleasant and peaceful afternoon scene with my cell phone last week on a walk to our mailbox. It is a blessing just to walk to the mailbox!
Wishing for you a pleasant and peaceful 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! What a beautiful waterfall and park. Maybe I would try that suspension bridge since it had the netting…or maybe not. Today you put a name to a lot of flying insects we see around here, thank you! My hummingbird traffic has really picked up, and this summer I have seen the most dragonflies ever. My constant refrain is “it’s so hot”. We got 1/8” of rain from Debby but my sister got close to 16” on the coast. Thankfully, her house is high and dry. Wishing you a wonderful week, full of sweet tea and rain showers!
Good morning to you Roxanne and thank you. I think we have more dragonflies too. I made a close up photo of one but haven’t put it in a post. Pam thinks he’s pretty ugly. Glad your sister doesn’t live in an extremely low area, that’s a lot of rain. We may not get the rain but we can make sweet tea. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Goodness Butch. What a fine post filled with fun information. Isn’t it so much like God to make the most beautiful colorful tiny creatures? Some have a big bite however. You show who you are through many of your pictures, the saved crepe Myrtle for one. I thought the frilly mushroom was a flower at first . I hope you burned the limbs with all the eggs. I think the people at the end of the swinging bridge are thinking “not me”. Lowell flew the sands from the Sahara desert across the continent years ago. So dangerous.
Thank you Alice and good morning. I’d never thought about how that dust could impact flying but that makes sense. It is amazing how some of the tiniest of critters have the biggest bites. I’m glad I don’t know from experience but people say the red and black wasp (my Texas ant) really hurts. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Oh, my, what wonderful photos, love the evening light on the shed. Wonderful photos of nature’s creatures. I’ve never heard of a red velvet wasp, and hope I never meet one. The clear winged moths are fascinating!
Thank you Carole and a good Sunday morning to you. We’ve had a number of evenings lately where the clouds were just right to reflect a really weird light, different but pretty. We’ll try to keep the wasp here in Alabama. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Oh my! That mushroom is striking — I’ve never seen one like that before. And three cheers for keeping the bees happy! The afterglow at the cottage is such a lovely image. But then so is every photo here. Have a terrific new week!
Happy Sunday morning to you Jeanie and thanks for your comments. With all the mushrooms I see that was a new one to me too. Hope your week is terrific as well!
Butch and Pam
Good morning everyone. Beautiful pictures of God’s creation. Hummingbirds are amazing, I was surprised to see one hovering near my car in the grocery store parking lot. Those wasps are scary looking sting or no sting. We have an abundance of those wild mushrooms here after the three days of rain we received. The temperature will be in the fifties both Monday and Tuesday morning here in PA. The pork dish looks delicious. We bought peaches from the local Mennonite owned orchard, they made a delicious peach crisp. We are looking forward to the various apples they sell. Fall is on the horizon and both myself and my Husky dog are happy about that! Take care.
Good morning to you Maryann and thanks for sharing. Temps in the 50’s would definitely make us feel like fall, sounds really nice. Hopefully those temps are there because the 3 days of rain are gone and drier air has arrived. I was thinking of how it would be if a hummer got in your car. They get in houses and that’s a real challenge. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Good Morning Friends!
What a lovely Sunday, Stroll. I enjoyed seeing the Hummingbird Moths and the different variations. We had one visit here for several days a few weeks ago. They are fun to watch!
The new Crepe Myrtle is such an incredible surprise addition! How wonderful!
I enjoyed seeing Sunshine Cottage in that dreamy glow. It would make a pretty watercolor painting.
The glorious sky image took my breath away. God places so much beauty in front of your camera.
Thank you for always sharing your Every Day Living!
Happy New Week to you Both!
Good morning Nancy and thanks for your kind words. There is so much beauty around and I have to remind myself to pay attention to it. I think I remember reading that there are 4 different kinds of hummingbird moths in the US. I wonder if there’s even a different one that visits PA. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday Pam and Butch! Love the photo of Fall Creek Falls State Park, just beautiful! I would pass on the suspension bridge, yikes! I’m not a fan of bugs of any kind, but I know they are necessary for our environment, especially the bees. The pork, peach and polenta dish sounds amazing, I love combining sweet peaches with savory ingredients. I hope you both have a wonderful week ahead!
And a happy Sunday to you Jenna. I know everything has a purpose but we do have to wonder about some bugs. It sounds like you might have experience with dishes including fresh peaches. Like you, I’m not necessarily a fan of high places that move around under me. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
The Saharan sand reached our area in west Tennessee, so you probably got it too. We had air quality alerts from the dust. We’re enjoying the last day of less humidity due to north winds from the spin of Debby which did a lot destruction from the rain and high winds. The Sunshine Cottage looks magical in that light. Fall Creek Falls is an amazing state park. We’re probably 6 hours away but have visited it once many years ago. We hope to go back at some point, but when going east to the mountains, Gatlinburg beckons and is a straight shot on I-40 versus the twisty roads to get to Fall Creek Falls. I have to prepare myself for Fall Creek Falls as I still get car sick on winding roads. Of course by now, the roads may be wider. I’m going to investigate that possibility. The moths are interesting and that red wasp is scary! It looks painted; God does create some amazing creatures. The hummingbird shot is lovely. Have a great Sunday! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara and we hope you are having a wonderful Sunday evening. I think based on your comment and others about the Saharan sand we probably did have some of it. And yes, Fall Creek Falls is a little off the main paths for sure. A lower humidity and a north breeze this afternoon made for a pleasant evening to sit outside here too. Wishing you a great week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful park. I have never seen a unicorn caterpillar. Very interesting creature. The red wasp is another new one to me. Such great pics. Happy Sunday. Have a great week. Hugs. Kris
Thanks Kris and a happy Sunday evening to you. I’m thinking the little horn on the caterpillar is actually on the tail end. It always moved in the opposite direction. A lot of crazy critters around. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Butch mentioned that it is a blessing to walk to the mailbox. I hope he is feeling well and not ill. It surely is through the dear Lord that we live and move and have our being. I understand that Scripture more and more, it seems. May He bless both of you today is my prayer.🙏❤😊
Thank you Cheryl. I’m doing so much better and was just thinking that there is beauty in so much, even walking to the mailbox. I’ve seen times I couldn’t walk to the box so I’m always telling myself not to take anything for granted. We appreciate your prayers. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
This year, bc we had both types of cicadas, there were too many cicadas to lay eggs on just oak trees. They had to find other spots like your magnolia. That’s my theory
Thanks Gail. That sounds reasonable as far as the cicada numbers. They don’t seem to have left any type tree out. As aggravating as they were, I hope we can be around when they emerge again. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Today is filled with photographic revelation … we are so fortunate to have your eye and curiosity.
Fall Creek Falls is a TN treasure and I have descended from the upper ridge to the falls’ base…going
down more challenging for me than the return ascent. The area is a treasure trove of discovery. I
still carry images of those unforgettable scenes and experiences. A place to meet God if you have not already done so. The umbrella word – deep gratitude. My, the wonderful results of pairing fruit with
a dinner recipe.. peaches, apples, etc. not to mention that fabulous banana foster dessert concoction.
That haunting image of Sunshine Cottage in that glow…what a capture. How you fill our Sabbath
with uplifting content and vision. A blessed day, dear ones…..
Thank you so much Mary. We shared with our family your thoughts on Fall Creek Falls. No one in our family had ever been in the park, although I was often very near when I traveled Tennessee in my working days. We remember bananas foster from times in New Orleans. I hope my curiosity doesn’t get me stung or bitten by something. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Wonderful post. Thank you for your encouragement! Happy Sunday.
Thank you Maristella. We hope all is well way down south at your place. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I noticed you had a cooler weekend! We were in Huntsville and it was very nice. Back home today and it is dry and very hot.
Great shots of the hummingbird moth. I haven’t seen any this year.
Your pork dish sounds delicious.
Have a great week. Bonnie
Thank you so much Bonnie. Hope you had a nice visit to Huntsville. It is breezy with low humidity today and we enjoyed sitting out in the garden with the grands this afternoon. Maybe we need to send you some moths. Y’all have a great week also!
Butch and Pam
I enjoy your Sunday musings Butch and Pam…beautiful pictures and I learn so much from your strolls and patience waiting on great plants to bloom and insects to “land” for photos. I have a lilac colored crepe myrtle that is loaded with blooms and I have to confess I pretend they are lilacs because we can’t grow lilacs down here in Florida. LOL. When we lived in New Mexico, we had fire ants which sting lasted for days so I am no fan of any ant, red or otherwise.🥴
The cottage is so pretty with that “glow” and I have seen similar here and it is mesmerizing.
The waterfall and sunsets are special …isn’t our God awesome?
Blessings In Christ
Thank you Kari and we are glad you enjoy. I remember huge fire ant mounds in New Mexico but I have fond memories too, like eating a cheeseburger and a piece of homemade pie at the Pie Town Cafe in Pie Town. An interesting little place with an old windmill museum. Nothing wrong with pretending about lilacs or other things too. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Oh my goodness, that pork dish looks amazing. Where did you get that? My husband loves pork and polenta but the addition of grilled peaches sounds heavenly. I’m going to have to try to make something similar.
Those hummingbird moth caterpillars look a lot like the ones that eat all our tomatoes. Could they be the same?
We lived in Texas for over 35 years. I remember those wasps – they are really unusual but oh they can sting.
Thank you for sharing your journey. Love everything. Your posts always brighten my day.
Thank you Lisa. The pork dish was at Bottega Cafe in Birmingham and it was amazing. Not sure which caterpillars eat tomatoes but something eats ours too! I now know those red and black ant-like wasp are widespread but in our minds as kids they had to be from Texas. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Oh my goodness – that last photo of the sky is just beautiful (i just love sky shots and they are difficult to get in the city). Those red ants/wasps are kind of scary and I hope you don’t get bitten. The glow of the sunshine Cottage looks amazing and what a fantastic pic of the hummingbird!! The moths are pretty cool too. The pork, peach, and polenta dish sounds delicious – my mouth is watering. I would definitely do that suspension bridge and the falls are gorgeous. Have a lovely week!
Thank you Kim for your gracious comments. Those red and black wasp seem to mainly want to get away or get out of sight. It’s those fire ants around here that can be on you before you realize it. Yellow jackets are bad in September and they usually nest in the ground. Don’t know if you have those or not. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam