Simple + Southern Sunday No. 606

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭34‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This old dead tree near the river behind the house is not such a bad thing to have in the landscape, at least not if you are a Bald Eagle. It is a thrill to have America’s National Bird visiting and flying over our place from time to time. Still an amazing sight to me each and every time I see one. One was circling over the highway directly over my truck as I drove through town last week and I parked and watched until it was beyond my vision. It has been 15 years since the first time I saw a Bald Eagle while standing in our back yard. I’m always looking up!

While on the subject of birds, this is what a bird sees when it flies over a patch of zinnias. I suppose this is a “bird’s eye view”. It is a great place to eat and to hide while doing so…

…like Gold Finches tend to do. He still doesn’t want to show his face. Look at those tiny feet wrapped firmly around that stem! 

With July 4 arriving next Saturday, and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence celebrations going on across the land, I thought I would let the garden show off a little “red” …

…”white”…

…and “blue”!

A common bird that isn’t commonly seen is the Eastern Towhee. He may not fit the patriotic colors of  the day, but since we rarely see this bird I thought he deserved a spot. These birds stay mostly in the underbrush and enjoy thick overgrown type habitat so they aren’t noticed. I happened to look out the window and see this male in the open part of the back yard. 
 

While sitting in my hummingbird hideout and not seeing a hummingbird for a while, I noticed there were quite a few colorful, close by, garden reminders of the upcoming very special July 4th holiday! 

PJ captured the Sunshine Cottage late one afternoon as light was fading. I love photos that allow the nearby foreground scenery to kind of “frame” the main subject. This pic to me does just that, so I had to borrow it!

Homemade ice cream will be a part of our 4th of July. Some that live with me, and near me, sort of looked at me with strange looks when I planted vinca in an ice cream freezer. So, in order to prove that they were the weird people, last week I placed a small American flag alongside the vinca. I think it’s a perfect combination, being ice cream is always part of our summer holiday festivities. And besides, this was an old freezer that we never use anymore! They can poke fun at me all they want, but I think it is a novel idea!
 

I roamed around the city and took notice of a lot of preparations for local July 4th, 250 year anniversary celebrations and activities.

Pam and I drove by and saw this on Thursday. We had never seen it, but with cars behind us and no place to park we drove on. I dropped back by on Friday however. While there, a lady who worked in this brick building saw me and walked over and asked if I’d like for her to make my photo by the mural. I agreed, but in order not to spoil the picture I will not be showing that one. I learned this was the office of a local realtor who had recently commissioned an artist to paint the mural. We had never seen it because it is brand new, placed here especially for this year’s July 4th!
 

I may get in trouble for this one but I couldn’t resist. Today’s throwback is from this weekend in 2014. I think these two were making a statement, and a good one at that!

I showed up yesterday to get some miles in at the wildlife park on the trail I frequent, and discovered it had been taken over by many runners. A local group was sponsoring a half marathon and I had no idea it was going on. I passed by and carried on as usual and had some sense of accomplishment when I came back through their finish line later. I decided to allow them all to stay, even though no one had checked with me before setting up this event…I liked their red, white, and blue tent!!  

Chinook (I think that’s what they are called) helicopters have been flying over a lot lately, particularly out back to our south. It is part of a training route is what I understand. I kept waiting and hoping for perfect timing to catch the chopper as it passed in front of…

…this, but they stopped flying a few minutes too early. I guess it was time to head home for supper! This will be the full Strawberry Moon tomorrow.

Maybe the chopper crew experienced a little of this before calling it a day. A chopper to the south, the moon to the southeast, and a short time later this in the west was a nice ending to a summer day in the outdoors!

We wish you a Happy July 4th. And Happy Birthday America!!

“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