“He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.”
Psalm 33:5-6 ESV
Not a sunrise, but the rise of our first sunflower of the season. Some of the sunflowers are so tall we may need a ladder to make photos. Or maybe a drone shot will work when all are blooming? I think the gold finches we’ve been seeing, mostly passing by, will start hanging around now that the sunflowers are beginning to bloom. They love the sunflowers. We are fond of them too!
Today is Flag Day in the US. June 14th is also the birthday of the US Army (1775). The flag has undergone many changes since the adoption of the flag by the Second Continental Congress in 1777. The current flag has remained the same since 1960, when the 50th star was added on July 4!
I was wandering down the hill in front of the house to take in a sunset, when I turned around and decided I really liked the way this older chaste tree was looking against a late afternoon sky. This particular tree had looked unhealthy toward the end of last year and was slow to green up, but seems to currently be doing very well.
The younger chaste tree in the cottage garden has always greened up and grown faster than the older tree, yet it did not bloom any earlier. They were about equal as far as bloom time.
Packing on the pollen…we are always glad when we hear the hum of bees in the crape myrtles, especially honeybees! The constant buzz would have been exciting to Winnie the Pooh!
I saw this bright mushroom water tower at the edge of the woods while I was mowing. It was at least 12 inches tall and did remind me of a water tank. I didn’t attempt to identify it, but I don’t know that I’ve seen one quite so tall!
This is everyday living in the south, a vegetable plate with cornbread! How about a rundown of a few of the items…pole beans, peas, cream corn over polenta, fingerling potatoes, greens, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and a fried green tomato! You probably know who ordered this!
Pam noticed this cardinal because he was so colorful sitting alone on top of the post. He is probably the one we see in the garden every day, but she noticed that it appears something green is in his mouth? We can’t figure out what it might be. What does it look like to you?
I tell Pam each season that I simply must have a petunia of some kind. She says OK, as long as you dead head it every day. This is my 2026 petunia and PJ has even bragged on it because the color is exquisite. She even made the photo! It is a keeper. It was common when we were growing up here in Alabama and in the country to see petunias planted inside old tires. Most of the time the tires were painted white. Mine is in a nice tall urn, but I have been tempted to plant one in a tire for old time sake!
I’m considering placing my camouflage chair under this canopy with the hydrangea behind me for my hummingbird hideout. I have been unable to catch a hummer still for any length of time for good photos this spring. Nearby, and in front, would be our crocosmia. It should bloom soon, and it is a hummingbird magnet with its fiery red blooms. Besides, this wouldn’t be a bad place to rest in the shade even if hummingbirds don’t come by!
If a hummer won’t show up and pose, then a clearwing hummingbird moth is a great substitute. This one was visiting a pot that is only a few feet from the hideout I was considering in the previous photo. Pam wandered by and the moth was working away at the garden verbena!
I won’t offer an explanation because I have no idea what was the point or purpose of this sitting at the edge of one of the walking paths in the wildlife park. I did a little research, wondering if some weird cult-like symbols or meanings might be tied to such, but found nothing much to give me any thoughts. I was on a long walk and came upon this a half mile from anyone or even a parking lot. I came back by 30 minutes later to find it still there so I made a photo!
I think we all realize how, in the human population, members of the same family can look very different and live very different lifestyles. I don’t know why I find it unusual when it comes to the plant world, it is common there too. This Floating Primrose Willow belongs to the same family as the evening primrose. The evening primrose looks totally different and is found growing on dry hillsides and roadsides while this relative is very much aquatic. I’ve been showing it on post, but all before the yellow blooms had burst forth. This plant is natural here and also in Australia and South America. I’m seeing it is gradually taking over an open water spot I have always called the mallard pond…it’s considered an invasive in many places.
A southern catalpa tree by the lake caught our eye one afternoon while we were riding along in the closing light just wondering what we might happen upon. As kids, we always called these cigar trees, and you can see why! The tree is the exclusive host of the catalpa sphinx moth caterpillar, which is prized by southern fishermen as fish bait! My great aunt had a large catalpa tree that I remember as a boy. I recall seeing guys coming by pulling boats and stopping to get what they called catawby worms. I guess they were fishermen that she knew from the neighborhood.
I walked on down the path from the catalpa tree and spotted this little guy. I have been posting blue herons and egrets lately, but this is a heron that is not seen very often and a neat thing for us to accidentally come across. This is an uncommon Black-crowned Night Heron. This heron prefers the coastal marshes much to our south. People also don’t see this one because it is mostly nocturnal, coming out at dusk and feeding in the shallows at night. It was about sunset, and he flew off right after the photo was taken, headed for his nighttime feeding spot! I believe we were fortunate to get this pic!
An Appalachian Foothills post-sunset sky as seen last Friday from our dining room!
A June sunset over Lookout Mountain as seen across Weiss Lake is never disappointing, and it’s 10 minutes from home. We have to check it out from time to time.
Next Sunday marks the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of astronomical summer. Enjoy this final week of spring, or autumn for those ‘way down south’!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
A beautiful sunset behind Lookout Mountain. That is mysterious about the water bottles and insulated tumbler. Maybe someone was offering them free for the taking? Strange place to leave them. The male cardinal has a large, green caterpillar in its mouth. I remember my grandmother always picking “Catawpa” caterpillars off the Catalpa trees to use as fish bait. She would put them in an old worm box with sawdust. Sometimes she even froze them to use later. It always grossed me out! I loved to fish, but very seldom baited my own hook and never took fish off my line once caught. I will bait my own hook now as long as it’s not crawfish used as bait! Now my husband takes all fish off my line.
Thank you Rachel. I used those caterpillars for bait a few times years ago. I haven’t been fishing in a long time but it was always enjoyable. I do recall sawdust in boxes of worms. We agree, the cardinal does appear to have a green caterpillar. Have a great final week of spring!
Butch and Pam
Great photo of the Black-crowned Night Heron, I’ve never seen one of those before. Beautiful sunsets!
Thank you Carole. We rarely see a night heron. I’ve seen them but had not in a long time. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
The South has so many wonderful, beautiful plants, animals, and veggies we don’t often get to see…thanks for such a delightful post this week!
I’ve seen people mark a trail by stacking rocks one atop another…but not so much with thermos and cups??
Your petunias are so pretty!
Happy Flag Day 🇺🇸
Thank you Sue. We have found stacked rocks and other trail markings but those cups left on a fairly well used public walk I suppose was someone wanting to do something strange. At least when I made that walk a couple days later the stuff was gone. Hope you’re having a good Sunday and have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I have never seen that type heron. We get the more common blue herons and egrets in our area. I also don’t get outside very much near marshes so that could be the reason too. The flowers and trees are exceptionally colorful. We’ve had a lot of rain the past couple of days so it should help with the drought situation. The vegetables look delicious! There’s nothing better than fresh veggies. Enjoy your day. Clara❤️
Sorry, I didn’t finish my thought above about outside and the marshes. I really enjoy seeing what you discover on your treks outside. I always learn something new!
Thanks again Clara. I feel very blessed to be able to get out and see everything!
Thank you Clara. I don’t think we’ve had rain since Monday but we noticed on radar several times that your area seemed to be getting rain. I rarely see a night heron but the others I see almost every day because of the type places I walk and we live close to the river too. We hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I think that you pretty cardinal had a nice lunch of green caterpillar that day. Certainly not as delicious as that vegetable plate must have been.
Thank you Karen. Pam’s veggie plate was as good as it looked but maybe a green caterpillar is a delicacy for a cardinal. Have a pleasant final week of spring!
Butch and Pam
Good Morning. I love how much I learn each week Butch about the flowers, plants and animals. Your pictures alone tell a beautiful story but I love when you give us history or the names and how things grow etc. I like the saying of when a cardinal is near someone we love that passed is letting us know they are near. I think that could be Pam’s loved dad letting you know he is at peace and in a place so beautiful he had to send this cardinal to let you know.
Have a wonderful Sunday and great week ahead. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. We’ve had a cardinal or two hanging out in the garden all spring. Pam was familiar with the saying about the cardinal, but I wasn’t familiar with the saying ( or could have forgotten which is a definite possibility). I guess I might put too much information in some captions but there’s always a lot of interesting new things I discover. We hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I remember when our Sunday School had us add to the pledge of allegiance, In God We Trust. I just googled when that took place and it was under President Eisenhower that the phrase was added in 1954. Your comment of adding the 50th star that caused me to remember that. Can’t tell what the cardinal had in his beak but I’ll guess it was a juicy worm. They are beautiful birds. I’ve seen many honey bees this Spring but not at my house. They are needed for many plants to provide food for the human race. Haven’t seen that type of heron but many heron are here and live on a pond created by Boulder Creek. Love the sunset picture over Weiss Lake. And now I set myself down to gather courage to deal with shorter days after the 21st and hotter days. Much love Richardson’s.,
Thank you Clara. I had forgotten the details about In God We Trust. Thanks for the reminder. I thought I was the only person who gets down immediately after June 21 because the daylight starts getting shorter, but it always bothers me. Weiss is a beautiful lake and we are fortunate to live only minutes away. Have a blessed last week of spring!
Butch and Pam
Pam and Butch, thank you for another wonderful SSS! I always enjoy spending a few minutes catching up on your week and beautiful photos. The garden is looking lovely, and I especially enjoyed seeing the seasonal blooms and signs of summer settling in. After our ongoing drought here in North Carolina, I find myself appreciating every flower and green leaf even more. As always, your post is a perfect blend of beauty, encouragement, and Southern hospitality. Wishing you both a blessed week ahead filled with sunshine and blooms. 🩷
Thank you Mary. We did go from Monday until today without rain but recorded a half inch this afternoon. A good rain for the garden and a break for me too…except the weeds. Summer is upon us but so far the heat has not been quite as bad as June typically is. Hope you have a great final spring week!
Butch and Pam
Greetings Butch and Pam! My darling mother would have clamored for that vegetable plate! She loved to make turnip greens and cornbread, then sit in the swing with a cup of “pot likker” and cornbread before dinner. We kids always said Yuck, that stinks! The cardinals have been plentiful this year, but not many goldfinches. I happened to look in the garage and found a nest built inside Poppy’s dog crate! The little Carolina wren flew out when she saw me, leaving 2 tiny eggs for a moment. I put out seed and water for her and she is so used to me checking on her now, she just quietly stares back. We had a catalpa tree on the bank of our pond and I cut it down…oh my goodness, the guys who like to fish here were not happy! Your garden is looking beautiful, as always.
Thank you Roxanne. I remember pot likker and that smell and thought turnip greens were terrible. Now I like them a lot. Cornbread too, but I am a meat eater that needs some of that along the way. I saw goldfinches again today but they aren’t spending time in the garden just yet. We have a skunk now that seems to have become comfortable with us and the garden so something else to deal with. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I saw crocosmia at the Ditch but had no idea of the name. Thanks for that — and for all these lovely images!
Thank you Jeanie. I always forget that name “crocosmia” and have to ask Pam or look it up. Hummingbirds here probably favor it over other plants when it begins to bloom, which should be this week. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Yummy veggies plate Butch and of course it is for our dear Pam…looks so delish! Butch, you always treat us with a feast for our eyes and leave us always wanting more, which is why we all look forward to the next installment of SSS. The sunset pic over Weiss Lake, The Black Crowned Night Heron, the brilliant petunias (I never liked the job of dead heading each and every one), the Catalpa tree like at my grandma’s house, (as a child, I always thought they looked like brown green beans) are all so beautiful and your narrative is so interesting. I do hope you get some great photos of the sweet little hummingbirds from your hiding place. When we lived in the mountains of N.M. we were blessed with hummers all summer long. They were not the least bit frightful, but very bold, as we had feeders at almost every window at the ranch house. I shouldn’t admit this, but I would watch them for hours. We,…I, …am grateful that you take the time each week to share your daily walks and discoveries with us on Sundays. In my humble opinion, you are sharing one of your God given gifts, according to Romans 12:6-8. Thank you both for yet another Blessing on this Lord’s Day.🇺🇸 ❤️🤍💙🌸🦋👒🐝🦆🧚🏻🫠 🙏🏻
Thank you Kari. Yes, the veggie plate was definitely Pam’s but I love them too, just add me a little meat along with them. The hummers were around this afternoon but a thunderstorm came by and afterwards I didn’t see another one. The grands were here all afternoon so I had plenty to do anyway. We have enjoyed visits to NM and I think it is a beautiful place…but isn’t all creation beautiful! Romans 12 is extremely rich in words for everyday living. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Petals, plants and pure peace while enjoying a plate full of yummy vegetables!
Thank you Mary. I find myself enjoying too many full plates lately and I’m thinking it’s time to employ some discipline and cut back a bit. Hope you enjoy this final week of spring!
Butch and Pam
A lovely post Butch as always!
I could only guess the Cardinal has a juicy green grub in his/her beak, lol!
And Love the sunset photos!
Blessings to you both, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. I’m thinking you are exactly right about the green grub. We hope your Sunday was a good one and that you have a great final week of autumn!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful photos! I wish you a blessed week!
Thank you Maristella. We had a wonderful afternoon with the grands so it’s off to a good start. We hope you have a blessed week as well!
Butch and Pam
What gorgeous sunsets! I have been having trouble seeing our sunsets because the sun goes down quite late. I will try hard this week cause I love your pictures.
As for the gorgeous cardinal, are there any green beans growing nearby? Looks like a green bean to me. They like green beans. At least that’s what Google AI says. lol! Your hummingbird moth is always fun to see, and so is a night heron. We have night herons here, too, but they come out at dusk. I have only seen one once.
Thank you once again for a lovely stroll through your neck of the woods.
Have a lovely week, my friends.
Thank you Nancy. The longer daylight I really like but it also makes it more difficult to get sunsets and sunrises.We don’t have green beans but I do know a neighbor that has a large vegetable garden every year. I need to ask out of curiosity if they raise green beans. Interesting for sure. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I’m so happy I was able to be here to read your words, see these phenominal photos, and share a late “Happy Flag Day” with all of you!
I learned SO much in this post! From the family of floating primrose, the Sphinx Moth, the night heron–and let’s talk about that beautiful hummingbird moth and colorful Cardinal! Was it a type of green worm? I can see it too!
The water bottles–hmm…interesting! I would hope it would be filled with water for those who might need it? One never knows!
The first sunflower, the bees, the magnificent petunia, and that plate of southern food all made me smile!
God bless all of you so much. You share so much beauty of our world. The sunset “closes” this post perfectly–as do the verses that serve as bookends, Butch.
Please let Pam know that I was able to get to KC for my granddaughter’s bday. Typing and texting still make my arm and elbow hurt. Several appts coming up so I’m happy when I’m able to visit. I hope to get to the cottage tomorrow, too.
God bless you all!! ❣️
Thank you Karla. We too are thrilled when you can join us. We just keep going out and seeing what’s around us and glad we’ve been given another day and able to get out. One day at a time. We travel the same paths regularly but it is amazing the changes and surprises from week to week. We hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Thank you both so much. I understand about the changes and surprises in the same paths–I love the different views.
I’ve been blessed to go to appts with my parents. Perhaps Pam and I can catch up after my next treatment is over (next Thursday) in regards to my Daddy’s heart and his eyes. Each day is a miracle! I’ll not take it for granted!
God bless you all!
I can’t quite make out what the cardinal has in its beak but I hope it was a tasty snack! They are very rare to see in our neck of the woods. Great shot of the heron too – I had to Google it to be sure, but they are also rare here (but sometimes seen) preferring the wetlands apparently. That first sunflower is amazing! although I’m not so sure about that tree with the brown things hanging down from it lol. Beautiful sunset shots. I hope your new hideout surprises you with wonderful hummer shots. Oh, and the petunias – what a glorious color. They are staples here in the summer because they are so hardy. Dead-heading is a given, but it could be worse – it could be a calibrachoa. Have a great and wonderful week!
Thank you Kim. Pam and I looked at calibrachoa a lot because it was around in abundance everywhere plants were sold. We said no, thinking it wasn’t the best choice. For some reason I think there was more of it available than any other flower. Million bells are similar but the blooms seem bigger and it does better for us. I’m finding not many people remember seeing a night heron. They will be in the marshy wetlands. We hope you have an enjoyable week!
Butch and Pam
I’m intrigued by the 3 water bottles on the side of the trail! I’m thinking it was 3 little kids who left them there. Probably got distracted or interested in something they saw and never thought to come back and get them. Your posts are always filled with so many interesting things! God bless you all!