APED - A Picture Every Day: February 2016

Monday, February 29, 2016

Does Monday Have You By The Throat? 02-29-16

Hello and happy Monday. Sometimes Mondays are hard days. Sometimes maybe you feel like Monday has you by the throat. Well, yeah, maybe, but at least you're not this lizard! This little guy started his day by minding his own business and then WHAM!, things went from good to very bad. Plus, it is just NOT going to get any better for the lizard. He fought a good fight, though.

But back to Monday. Some Mondays you feel like Monday has you by the throat like the lizard and some Mondays you feel like the egret, conquering every little problem that comes your way. Which were you today?

This picture was taken in Downtown Tampa, Florida. I was lucky enough to see the egret just when he caught the lizard. The egret is different from the ones I usually see - especially because it's smaller, has a yellow bill, some color on its chest, head and back, and is nowhere near the water! So, I looked it up and this egret is called a Cattle Egret. It likes to hang out in grassy fields (although this isn't one of them) and being around livestock (although there's no livestock around here either). I found out that the coloring on his chest, head and back comes about during breeding. Maybe this little Cattle Egret came to Tampa to find love. How sweet!

So this Monday, maybe you conquered all your problems and found love. What a great Monday you had. No more being the lizard. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Sacred Heart Catholic Church Sunday 02-28-16

Hello and happy Sunday. Today I have a magnificent church called Sacred Heart Catholic Church in downtown Tampa, Florida. Sacred Heart began in 1860 and is the oldest Catholic church on Florida's West Coast. I'm upset that my pictures do not really show you how beautiful this church really is. It is really incredible. I went inside this church and, even though I am not Catholic, I had to kneel and say a little prayer. I will show you other pictures another day. But, for today, knowing I was able to see and show you the oldest Catholic church on Florida's West Coast is very cool.

I hope you had a very cool Sunday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Saturday's Coot 02-27-16

Hello and happy Saturday. Today, I have for you an American Coot, found in the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. The white bill and white back of the tail was a "stand - out" for me. I had never seen a duck like this before. Actually, while reading up on the Coot, I found out that this is not a duck at all. It is a Rallidae, or rail bird, and more closely associated with a Sandhill Crane. You may have heard the expression, "you old Coot", or "he's an old Coot". It always tends to sound like an insult, but I don't take it as such. You see, Coots are tough and adaptable waterbirds. Being called "an old Coot" (meaning tough and adaptable), sounds pretty good to me. Except maybe leave off the "old" part.

Do you know any tough and adaptable people you might call "Coots"?

I hope you had a wonderful Saturday. I hope you appreciate all the Coots in your life - especially if one of them is you. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Friday in the Cattails 02-26-16

Hello and happy Friday. It's Friday in the Cattails! The Common Cattail is one of the invasive and exotic plants I spoke of yesterday when describing why a "Prescribed Burn" is necessary in marshes like the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. They did have a prescribed burn last week, but, I guess you can't get them all - the trick is to try and control them. I have to admit that I do like seeing the cattails when they're all backlit from the setting sun.

I hope you had a wonderful Friday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Thursday 'Gator Counting 02-25-16

Hello and happy Thursday. Let's do some 'gator counting today! This past Tuesday we traveled into the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge along the Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive. The "Drive" is only 4 miles through the refuge and it took us about 3 hours to complete it because we stopped so many times to get out and make photographs. (Rest assured you will see more photos of this drive.) When it came to the 'gators, we had stopped to see a big 'gator across a small canal and a couple of guys came up to us and told us about these babies on our side of the road. Naturally, our curiosity meant that we would get as close as we could to take photos while keeping a watchful eye on the big one across the canal. I've seen an alligator run before so I know firsthand that they move very swiftly, so I didn't want to take any chances on one running toward me while I'm looking at her babies! We were joined by a couple of older women as we were watching, which made me feel better because I thought I could outrun the other two women.

I also think it made it a little easier to see the babies because the Refuge had a "Prescribed Burn" last week . A Prescribed Burn is used to help with nesting areas along the marshes for waterfowl and to help eliminate invasive and exotic perennials. I am not sure what that meant for the alligators and their survival or where they went during the burn, but, since they still look alive, I guess they're ok.

How many little 'gators can you count? I didn't even realize how many were in the photo until I got home and looked a the picture on the computer screen. Those little prehistoric looking creatures don't look dangerous - yet.

I hope your Thursday counted as fun and non-dangerous. Enjoy the baby 'gator counting. Let me know what you see. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Bridge For Wednesday 02-24-16

Hello and happy Wednesday. This is the James P. Houlihan Memorial Bridge. It was originally constructed as a manual swing span bridge in 1922. In 1954 the entire swing span was reconstructed and electric mechanisms were put in place to swing the bridge for ships to pass. You can find this bridge in Georgia on Highway 17/State Route 25 crossing the Savannah River near Chatham County. It has been a long time since I have seen a swing bridge, so I was happy to run across this one so I could photograph and show you. There are only 2 swing span bridges left in Georgia. I looked up two websites for my blog so, if you want to read a little more about it, and see just how a swing bridge works, check out https://cdn.loc.gov/master/pnp/habshaer/ga/ga0800/ga0823/data/ga0823data.pdf and http://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=georgia/houlihanbridge/.

I hope your Wednesday was a great "bridge" for you to Thursday and Friday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Tuesday's Sticks of Fire 02-23-16

Hello and happy Tuesday, This is a sculpture called "Sticks of Fire" in the Henry B. Plant Park on the campus of the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. The sculpture is by O.B. Shaffer and was placed here in 1984. "Sculpture title alludes to legendary Indian meaning of the word Tampa "bringing light of knowledge and warmth of feeling to a people who don't just wish to exist, but to excel." " You can read more about this beautiful sculpture at http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM7HP7_Sticks_of_Fire_Tampa_FL, if you're interested.

Have a wonderful Tuesday. I hope you all "don't wish to exist, but to excel." So, let's excel today! Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow,

Monday, February 22, 2016

Moon over Monday 02-22-16

Hello and happy Monday. Today I have the last moon over our cruise from very early this a.m. Yes, I was up late - or early depending on the way you look at things. I'm told that the little star on the left near the water is Venus, which is appropriate since cruises have long promoted love. I mean, after all, you have to really love someone to stay in a cramped room on a cruise ship! Ha. Fortunately, for us, I felt like our room was big enough - and we had a small balcony that we fully enjoyed. The ship is huge! I did get lost a few times, and, I'm sure I didn't see everything. But, I saw this moon, Venus and the reflection on the water. Heaven and love - at least to me.

I hope you woke up to a little Heaven and love today and had a great Monday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Catholic Church in El Cedral, Cozumel, Mexico 02-21-16

Hello and happy Sunday. This Sunday I have for you, from the town of El Cedral on the island of Cozumel, Mexico, the inside of a Catholic Church dating back to the 1840s. This church is the oldest church on the island and it sits next to a much older Mayan ruin known as a fertility temple. The Catholic Church in El Cedral is still a place of worship on Sundays.

I hope you're having a great Sunday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Cozumel Saturday 02-20-16

Hello and happy Saturday. I have for you a panoramic that I took while aboard ship this afternoon while in port at Cozumel, Mexico. After years of being nagged and procrastinating I finally got my passport and we are now cruising! It is a great adventure and I hope that you all do it, if you haven't already. I feel as though I could go on many more cruises and maybe even for a longer period of time than just 5 days. Today we visited a Cacao Company in Cozumel and learned about chocolate making; then a Catholic church and history of the Mayans and then; a Tequila tasting. (I'm sure by now you know that more photos are forthcoming on today's adventure in Cozumel.) After the Tequila tasting we went back to the ship and took a nap after that (no surprise) and then back out to the port for a little shopping. The storm clouds appeared and it did rain a little, but it did not dampen our mood.

I hope nothing dampened your mood today and you had a bright and sunny day! Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Friday, February 19, 2016

Friday's Sunrise at Sea 02-19-16

Hello and happy Friday. As some of you will know, I am enjoying my first cruise. This is my first wake up aboard ship in the open sea and what a greeting I had! We are staying in a room with a balcony and I was able to see and photograph the sun as it rose over the horizon and I like almost all of the photographs. This one I like better because of the clouds rolling in and the sun rising behind them giving them some back lighting. With a sunrise like this, I can tell it's going to be an awesome Friday!

I hope you have an awesome Friday as well. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow,

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Thursday's Catch 02-18-16

Hello and happy Thursday. Today I was fortunate enough to watch and photograph as a Brown Pelican was fishing. The Brown Pelican plunge dives into the water to stun small fish, and then scoops them up along with a lot of water in his pouch. He then drains the water and a yummy meal is enjoyed. I'm not the only one paying attention to the fishing pelican though. Seagulls, just like the one here, try to steal those fish from his pouch as it's draining. I've read that a gull will even be so bold as to sit on the Pelican's head to steal fish. Now that's just rude!! Lucky for us that the Brown Pelican is still around to enjoy. Back in the 1960s and 1970s they were close to extinction.

So much of the pesticide DDT was in the water that these Pelicans were unable to incubate their eggs normally. Thanks to environmentalists and subsequent pesticide regulations the Brown Pelicans have made a wonderful recovery over the last few decades. If you want to find out more about the Brown Pelican, check out https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown_Pelican/lifehistory.

I hope no one tried to steal your food today and that you had a terrific Thursday. Thanks for looking, See you tomorrow.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Hungry Stare on Wednesday 02-17-16

Hello and happy Wednesday. This female cardinal seems to be saying, "I'm cold, I'm wet, I'm looking at you and I'm hungry!" Yes, even in the rain they must find food for themselves and the family, if they have one. Luckily for this little lady I keep bird seed on hand. Unfortunately, when it rains, the food in the feeder gets wet, too. Since the squirrels like bird food as well, I may need to get a squirrel baffle and I think that may keep the food dry when it rains. We shall see. If not I keep a dry supply of bird seed on hand and will think of a solution soon. I love the birds that visit my house. I also like the squirrels, but there's another solution to keep them happy.

I hope you had a wonderful and dry Wednesday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Leaning Tree Tuesday 02-16-16

Hello and happy Tuesday. Do you ever have one of those days when you feel a little unbalanced - maybe leaning to one side? I do. So does this tree. I've visited this tree a few times on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, and am always amazed and glad to see that it hasn't fallen over. Trees are so resilient. They make the best of where they stand and almost always find a way to grow toward the sun. Maybe we should take a lesson from the trees and keep doing our best to find the sun in our lives.

I hope you had a sun filled Tuesday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Azalea Monday 02-15-16

Hello and happy Monday. We have been having too many grey days where I live lately and I would like to see a little color tonight. So, I brought out one of my azalea photos that I took from my yard last October. This was after a rain and I love the water droplets on it. I also liked that it bloomed in October since it had already bloomed last spring. Today, this was just what I needed - to think bright, cheery, colorful thoughts to chase the grey away from my mind.

I hope you had a colorful and cheery Monday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Sunday at Locust Presbyterian Church 02-14-16

Hello and happy Sunday. Also, happy Valentine's Day. I drove by Locust Presbyterian Church tonight in Locust, NC and just had to stop and photograph it. Photographing at night is different and I'm afraid if you zoom in you might see some graininess - so please, don't zoom. There were a lot of people attending tonight and the church really looked alive. Since this church usually doesn't do Sunday night services I check their website and found that there is a Valentines Concert happening. I'm glad they had a good crowd showing the love. If you'd like to find out more about this church, go to http://www.locustpresbyterian.org/. I'm sure they'd like to see you if you're so inclined.

I hope you had a love filled Sunday's Valentine's Day. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Saturday Single or Mingle? 02-13-16

Hello and happy Saturday. Today I have for you water, land, sand, trees, a blue sky filled with white, fluffy clouds. It's just about a perfect day for me. What else would make a perfect day for you? Maybe a few friends and family to share all this beauty with, or would you prefer a beautiful day of solitude? Either way you go, at least you'll know that there will be other beautiful days ahead.

I hope you had a wonderful Saturday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Snow Blooming Hibiscus Friday 02-12-16

Hello and happy Friday. It snowed for a little while in my part of South Carolina this morning so I went outside to find photographic opportunities. This hibiscus is one of them. Poor thing - it thought it was ok to begin blooming. It didn't count on freezing temperatures and snow falling. The snow was pretty while it lasted for an hour or so, but it's gone now and the temperature rose a little, but it's still cold. Fortunately the temperatures should continue to rise next week and the little hibiscus will hopefully live to flower again. I guess it was just an over achiever.

I hope you had a great Friday. Thank you for looking. Stay warm and keep blooming. See you tomorrow.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Ugly Thursday or Beauty? 02-11-16

Hello and happy Thursday. Today is a Black Vulture portrait. Do you think he's a beauty, or ugly? He is a bird of prey, although mostly his prey is dead, he will fight a turkey vulture and will sometimes kill a live, smaller animal if needed. Vultures like to be in groups, so I guess you could say that they are also social creatures. I've read that they will hiss when threatened. I didn't have to worry about that as I was far away when I took this photo. Black vultures are interesting to look at as far as I'm concerned and, they serve a very useful purpose. Everything has its place on this earth. We are all important!

I hope you had a beautiful Thursday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

It's a Dam Wednesday 02-10-16

Hello and happy Wednesday. Today I have gone back to the Lake Tillery Dam. It is a beautiful dam (at least to me), and with the contrast of the blue sky, the look is really impressive. So, I guess on this Wednesday, I gave a dam - haha.

I hope you had a great Wednesday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Tuesday's Fly By 02-09-16

Hello and happy Tuesday. Like this Great Blue Heron, this day just flew by for me. There were a few "rocks" along the way, but they were overcome.

I hope you had a terrific "fly by" Tuesday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Marvelous Beach Monday 02-08-16

Hello and happy Monday. Yeah, so it's Monday - that doesn't mean it can't be good. Think about the little seagull on the beach. Think of watching it as it goes to and fro and then flies a few feet away. Think about watching the waves come in, then drag your problems out to sea again and again until you have no problems left. Think about walking the beach, walking with your feet in the water just at the edge of the shore. Think about reaching the pier, then walking on it to the end, seeing people enjoying fishing and camaraderie and sit for a while and enjoy the salt air blowing all around and smell all of the fragrances of the sea. Oh yes, such a marvelous Monday!

I hope you had a marvelous Monday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Sunday's Chuch at Gapway Baptist 02-07-16

Hello and happy Sunday. Today, while driving in the rain, we came upon Gapway Baptist Church in Mullins, SC. It's a lovely church with one gnarly tree in front. Gapway Baptist church was formed in 1775 and their slogan is "It's all about Jesus." They feel that, "Christ reached out to people of all ages and backgrounds and at Gapway Baptist Church we desire to do the same." That sounds like a winning attitude to me. If you'd like to read more about this church and their programs, check out www.gapwaybaptistchurch.lifewaylink.com.

I hope you had a sensational Sunday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Camellia for Saturday 02-06-16

Hello and happy Saturday. The camellias are blooming!! Yes. Remember the white camellia bloomed early? Now, the red or fuchsia. One of the blooms is actually red and white. I'm so fortunate that I have plants or bushes that bloom at different times during the year so I can make more photographs.

I hope you had a wonderful Saturday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Friday, February 5, 2016

Go Toward the Sun this Friday 02-05-16

Hello and happy Friday. A little background about today's pictures, I think, is in order. I have a "master suite" in my home that is separate from the rest of the house and it's what I consider to be a very large room. When my beloved mother was sick, I wanted her to move in and stay in this suite, which she did. When she passed away last April, I was heart broken - still am. I have been in that room many times since then and for a long time I could still smell her and felt like she was still there so I would sit for a few minutes, just never for very long. Anyway, I haven't been able to move back into and sleep in that room until last night. I'll tell you it was not easy, but I did it.

This morning, after going for coffee and returning to bed for a few minutes, I saw the plant. It's her Christmas Cactus with the only bloom trying to escape from the window. "How funny", I thought, Mama would sure get a kick out of this." And then I ran to get my camera so I could show you tonight.

Plants always seem to want to be in the light. This little bloom sure does. It's too cold outside for me to leave it, so it will stay inside for another month or so. But in the meantime, I guess I can raise the blind every day so it can soak up some sunlight. After all, my mother was a ray of sunshine in my life. At least I can let her plants have some sun, too.

We all need a little sun in our lives. I hope you were able to see the sun today.

I also hope you had a fantastic Friday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Thursday to the Moon 02-04-16

Hello and happy Thursday. Last year I was able to attend a work seminar in Orlando, Florida . I took a day before the seminar to go to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL. The USA was in a "Cold War" with Russia and space was the next frontier. The 1950s began a "space race" between the USA and Russia. Russia had launched "Sputnik" into space in 1957 and, not to be left behind, the USA launched Explorer I in 1958. That same year President Eisenhower signed a public order creating NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

In September, President John F. Kennedy gave a speech at Rice University concerning increasing the space program. Part of that speech is near the entrance to the Kennedy Space Center, named for - - guess who. That part is as follows, "For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. " We won the space race in 1969 when Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins landed on the moon on July 20th and Neil Armstrong subsequently walked on the moon.

To read more about our historic moon walk, please visit http://www.history.com/topics/space-race.

I hope you had a terrific Thursday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Wednesday's a Little Monotone 02-03-16

Hello and happy Wednesday. Sometimes, when everything around you looks bland and monotone, you want just a little color - like maybe a blue kayak, a yellow vest and an orange cap. It's hunting season so the orange cap is hopefully for our protection. (Fingers crossed that hunters will see us and NOT shoot.) So far, so good. Besides, a little color always lifts my mood. What about you?

I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Tree in Tree Tuesday 02-02-16

Hello and happy Tuesday. As I seek out more churches for Sundays I come across cemeteries (obviously). Even though I've driven by the church on many an occasion, once in a while something new will "pop-out" at me. Such is the case with this tree and the Woodmen of the World (WOW) monument almost blending together. Even as a young child I was fascinated with the WOW monuments and how they were able to get them to look so much like tree trunks. And now, I get to "blend" one of their monuments in with a live tree!

Joseph Cullen Root founded a fraternal organization called Modern Woodmen of the World in 1882. When the group dissatisfied him by 1890 he left that and founded Woodmen of the World, which is still in existence. WOW's purpose was "to minister to the afflicted to relieve distress; to cast a sheltering arm about the defenseless living ;... to encourage broad charitable views...".

Root wanted an organization dedicated to helping its fellow man. Today the fraternity is still in existence, although they stopped doing the monuments in the 1920s due to cost. Women and girls have been able to join the WOW since 1957.

If you are interested in learning more or even joining the organization, check out http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ar/county/greene/historywood.htm

I hope you had an enjoyable Tuesday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Monday, February 1, 2016

Lazy Day Monday 02-01-16

Hello and happy Monday. Ahhh, if it could only be a lazy day Monday like here at the Lake Tillery Dam area. I could sit here all day. You can't really see them from this photo but there were many Great Blue Herons, Cormorants and Seagulls in attendance.

I hope you had a wonderful lazy day Monday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.