“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
Love all the red, white, and blue pictures celebrating the USA. The mural is beautifully done. Wishing y’all a Happy July 4th! God bless the USA.
Thank you Rachel. Much to celebrate and be thankful for. We hope you have a great week as July arrives!
Butch and Pam
I just Love “Start-Finish” — that’s so much fun. You’ve had some fabulous bird sightings and Pam’s cottage is looking just charming. Happy week!
Thank you Jeanie. I pretended to myself that I went the distance with the other runners. Actually several didn’t finish because of heat exhaustion but I think they were to be ok. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Don’t know about a icecream freezer as a flower pot but maybe I better ask Pam the interior decorator. Shes really good at detail.
Loved the many different pics today and especially the red white and blue. The picture of Seth and his wife to be cause me to think, a lot of water has gone over the dam. Happy Independence Day Richardson’s.
Thank you Alice. Isn’t it amazing how much and how quickly water flows over the dam? I do have a new ice cream freezer that will be put to use with making good stuff and not standing idly by as a planter. We hope you have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
So fun looking at all the celebratory reds whites and blues you found..especially interesting is your icecream maker!
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We are planning some icecream churning for the 🇺🇸4th🇺🇸 too!
Also enjoyed your photos of your majestic eagle and our military watching over the land!
Photos of your family are always such a treat and the moon, the sunsets…sigh…
Have a wonderful 4th of July celebrating in those beautifully cared for gardens and your loving home…God bless youall and God bless America as we celebrate the 250th birthday together❣️
Thank you Sue. We will really be ready for the ice cream as the more normal 95 degrees and above are predicted starting today. We did escape most of June with it a little cooler than usual. The old ice cream freezer tub was a 6 quart and took too long and didn’t freeze well. I’ve looked at it for 2 years wondering why I even kept it. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Love that you found Red, White and Blue in nature. Always love your pictures. Happy New Week as we head on down to the 4th. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. The red and white are a bit more plentiful than blue if I’m thinking plants and animals but a bluebird happened by while I was waiting on a hummingbird. Have a good week and a Happy 4th!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday! Thanks, Butch. I always enjoy your beautiful photos. Happy 4th of July!
Thank you Sarah. It’s getting hot and just in time for the holiday. We hope your week is a good one and Happy 4th!
Butch and Pam
That eagle is magnificent! We have a pair of Eastern Towhees that nest on our property every year. I’ve been seeing them on the ground under the bird feeder, eating what falls to the ground. They never go to the feeder itself, preferring to eat off the ground. I have not seen a hummingbird this year. Not one.
Thank you Carole. The Towhees stay hid mostly from us. Maybe all the hummingbirds are up on the mountain at The Swag? We hope you have a great week and a good holiday weekend!
Butch and Pam
Wonderful photos, birds and blooms are a few of my favorite things. Enjoy the 4th!
Amalia
xo
Thank you Amalia. I was just sitting in the blooms watching for the birds but the heat convinced me to wait until late afternoon. Have a great 4th of July weekend!
Butch and Pam
Happy upcoming 4th, Richardsons! Our state capitol is decking itself out, building a huge ferris wheel much like the one at the National Mall, as part of our state’s 250th festivities. It takes 4 days to assemble, was trucked in from I don’t know where.
Love your red, white & blue and that majestic eagle and the beautiful mural!
Thank you Rita. You should make an attempt to get on that ferris wheel along with thousands of others. I’m not sure all that’s going on here locally but we hear there will be things like hot air balloons etc. Enjoy your week and Happy 4th!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday Pam & Butch, I love the wonderful God Bless America mural, and your Bald Eagle capture was absolutely stunning! I would love to see one one day. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Fourth and America’s 250th celebration. ❤️🤍💙
Thank you Mary. I figured you might often see eagles on your lake? The mural was done by a guy named Bill and I had not seen his work on other murals but he’s good. Enjoy your week and have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!
Butch and Pam
Lucky you finding all the red, white, and blue all over the city streets today! Enjoy your Independence Day!
Thank you Mary. I’m definitely seeing the red, white and blue everywhere. We hope you have a wonderful week and a great 4th!
Butch and Pam
I’m looking forward to the 250th celebrations
Thank you Gail, we are too. Hope you have a wonderful week and weekend to celebrate!
Butch and Pam
Can’t say it enough; love the photographs; always beautiful & delightful to see!
Thank you Vivian. We hope you have a delightful week and a great holiday weekend!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful photos… Wonderful sky! Happy Fourth! God bless America.
Thank you Maristella. This 250th celebration is a really big deal for us. We hope you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Hello Butch and Pam! What a thrill to have spotted that bald eagle! I am enjoying all the patriotic displays popping up everywhere and wish they could stay up all the time. And I really love all the interviews with foreign visitors to the World Cup proclaiming Wow, America is the greatest country on earth. Yes, we are! If you crank out any peach ice cream, please have an extra bowl for me!!
Thank you Roxanne. We too love all the displays and reactions we are hearing from people from around the world who experience life in a very different way back home. Peach is a favorite, ice cream and fried pies. Praying all goes well for you tomorrow. Have a Happy 4th!
Butch and Pam
Happy 4th to you and Pam, Seth & family too! Love their flag photo and when I do something I might get in trouble for (with family)…I convince myself to use Admiral Grace Hopper’s mantra…”It is much easier to apologize than it is to get permission.” or the more familiar quote “It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission” 🥰. Your Eastern Towhee (and Florida’s) is similar to the Spotted Towhee we had when living in N.M. About the only difference I see is the N.M. towhee has little white ‘markings’ on their shoulder area. I have heard some people call them ground sparrows altho I don’t think they look like a sparrow at all. Their bird song is a great way to identify them.🫣. We will be celebrating the 4th with home made ice cream and chocolate sheet cake…a favorite picnic combo of ours as well as the usual picnic fare. Happy 250 years to our great country….The Captain and I are proud to be an American and are praying our leaders will go back to trusting God as our founding fathers did. Blessings!
Galations 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Thank you Kari and thanks for that good verse. I knew there was a spotted version of the towhee but I guess it doesn’t live in these parts. I’ve heard them called overgrown sparrows before. Ice cream seems to be a part of most 4th menus. We have many blessings, our wonderful nation being one of them. Have a Happy Independence Day weekend!
Butch and Pam
I’m a day late, but loved the red, white and blue nature photos, and of course the bald eagle, and Seth and his adorable wife! The mural on the building was a happy sight, too. Enjoy this week leading up to the 250th birthday celebration of our USA! ❤️🤍💙🇺🇸
Thank you Kitty. Getting hot here now and I imagine it’s definitely heating up out your way. It wouldn’t be the 4th of July without it. Enjoy your week as well and have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Butch and Pam
Such a fabulous picture of the bald eagle – wow – and love the Gold Finch in the zinnias. I think the vinca idea was brilliant. The mural is beautifully done and it looks like there are grand preparations underway to celebrate the historic upcoming 250th birthday. It will be fun and memorable for all. Happy July 4th and have a fantastic week!
Thank you Kim. I needed support for my vinca idea. The rest will come around when I serve them ice cream this weekend. It is a special time of celebration and we appreciate your thoughts and wishes. We hope you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
I enjoyed all the birds, blooms and the red, white and blue! You could be a photographer for Birds and Blooms magazine! Sorry I am so late commenting. We went away for the weekend. Happy 4th of July!
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Thank you Nancy. We hope you had a great weekend away and enjoy the upcoming holiday weekend. Happy 4th to you!!
Butch and Pam
The bald eagle is a magnificent bird! He is so majestic. The mural is beautiful. Love all the nature shots. The Chinook looks like it can handle most jobs. It’s a workhorse for our military. The tiny little finch and hummingbirds always fascinate me as they are so delicate. Enjoy your 4th. It’s going to be as hot as a firecracker! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. It’s already hot as a firecracker and the 4th isn’t even here yet. Our guys have our hay on the ground and I don’t want it to get wet but we are sure needing rain. I was able to get some more finch and hummingbird pics yesterday. Have a wonderful 4th of July!
Butch and Pam
So wonderful to stop by and visit with you all, even though the 4th’s festivities are now behind us. May the Lord bless you and your family always!
Thank you and may God bless your family, dear one!
Pam