APED - A Picture Every Day: May 2016

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Tuesday's Highway Wildflower 05-31-16

Hello and happy Tuesday. I have another of my highway treasures for you. This is along Highway 73/74 between Greensboro and Candor, NC. I really enjoy the wildflowers decorating the roadways. They make a long drive less boring.

I hope you had a "less boring" Tuesday. Thank you for looking. Enjoy your drive, no matter where you're going. See you tomorrow.

Monday, May 30, 2016

Monday's Memorial Day "Eyes" 05-30-16

Hello and happy Monday. Today is Memorial Day. Memorial Day is designed as a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to this country. As I was driving home from work today in the rain, I noticed an interesting cloud formation - it looked like a pair of eyes through a mask. So, I fished around in my pocketbook and found my camera.

I could say things about this cloud formation. I could say that it's the eyes of the people who have fought and died for all of us to have freedom. I could say they're looking down on us making sure we remember and appreciate their sacrifices. I could say they want to see how we are taking care of this earth that they fought so hard to save. I could say they want us to remember that freedom is never free - that there is always a price to pay for freedom and we must remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I could look up to the sky, at these two "eyes" and say, "Thank you, thank you for your courage, thank you for your sacrifice, thank you for believing that I matter in the universe, because if you didn't believe that I matter, that others matter, that your country matters, you would have looked the other way. But you didn't. You made it possible for me and everyone left behind to have opportunities, to pursue our own dreams and desires, to love and be loved, and to remember what matters, who matters to us, and who made that possible. And today, when I look into your eyes in the sky, I remember, and, I AM thankful!"

I hope you also had a memorable day. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Sunday's Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values 05-29-16

Hello and happy Sunday. This is Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values on the campus of the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. From what I've read, it's the University's "goal to become the model of understanding and cooperation." You may want to go to their website and read all about it at: http://www.Ute.edu/sykeschapel/. It was a good, informative and short read for me and I hope you like it also.

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

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Saturday's Pre Holiday Fireworks 05-28-16

Hello and happy Saturday. The pre Memorial Day weekend is here and fireworks are on, mostly, everyones agenda. I went to the Smithsonian.com website and learned that fireworks have a Chinese beginning. They were heating bamboo over coals and found out that, if they left the bamboo on the coals too long, it would explode. Later, the Chinese invented a type of gunpowder, put it in the bamboo and, boom! These were used for battle and for celebrations. The firework colors are caused by an addition of combining different metal elements for specific colors. The Italians are accredited with the knowledge of inventing the aerial shells that give us so many "oooohs" and "ahhhhs" at fireworks displays. The anatomy of the inner shell is what gives the firework we see its shape in the sky. I have always enjoyed watching fireworks and appreciating all the people who work to keep me safe during the displays, but I've never really thought about what goes into the making of a firework until today. If you want to learn more fun facts about fireworks since I'm just paraphrasing a little here, go to http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/14-fun-facts-about-fireworks-180951957/.

I hope you have a happy bang of a Saturday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Friday at Home 05-27-16

Hello and happy Friday. Today is about coming home. The males are either at home or coming home to be with their loved ones who have been tending the nest. It's great to see our loved ones when they come home.

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

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Thursday's Bluebird of Happiness Fights With Himself 05-26-16

Hello and happy Thursday. Sometimes the mirror is not my friend. Some days, when I look into the mirror, I want to punch it, and say, "that's not me!" Some days, I look in the mirror and think, "my hair looks good today". Mostly, though, I avoid the mirror because I fight with it too much. I'll tell you who else should avoid the mirror - my friend Mr. Bluebird. I wanted to photograph this bird for weeks, now, but he's always been too far away. Who knew that a shiny red truck with big mirrors would bring him close.

As I was walking by my sliding glass doors on Sunday, I saw him out of the corner of my eye. I thought, "yay, a bluebird". Then, I looked again, and low and behold, he was fighting with the reflection of himself in the mirror. So, I grabbed my camera with the new, long lens and slid quietly out the door and onto the steps near the truck. I thought I might scare him away, but he was too intent on fighting with the image of himself on the mirror. I stayed out for a little while and got many good images and then went back inside. A little while later he was still fighting the mirror so I went out and got more images. An hour went by and he was still going at it with himself. His wife (or so I think it was) came by and tried to get him to stop. He would not. She sat on the electrical wire and called to him - he went a few times but did not stay long before he went back to the mirror.

After an hour of this poor bird battling the mirror, we took plastic bags and covered the mirrors so he couldn't see his reflection. We didn't fool him too much because he knew there was something there, he just couldn't find it. He even picked a fight with the back, very well tinted, window thinking it was another bird. This beautiful blue bird was just not going to be denied a fight.

A few more minutes passed with him furiously looking and attacking and we felt like, if he continued fighting, he was going to kill himself. I have never seen anything like this. Finally, we decided the best thing to do was move the truck! We moved the truck to the other side of the house and into the carport. We left the bags on the mirrors and also put bags on the car mirrors just in case.

This poor little bluebird was so very entertaining. I love to see bluebirds and I want to see this particular one again. He can come and sit on my truck anytime. I just don't want him to die while fighting himself. He is, after all, "The Bluebird of Happiness". He did give me happiness and I hope he comes by to give me more.

I hope you had a happy and entertaining Thursday. Thanks for looking, See you tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Wednesday's Walk 05-25-16

Hello and happy Wednesday. Today, let's take a walk through the wonderful Aviary at the Asheboro NC Zoo. So, not only does the Aviary have wonderfully exotic birds and flowers, it also provides a beautiful walkway with occasional grates for cool air to blow up from when it's too hot under the dome. If you get tired along your walk or your camera set up gets too heavy, there are a few benches to sit and recover. That's right - it's a great place!

I hope you were able to enjoy a great place today. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Tuesday's Lion Around 05-24-16

Hello and happy Tuesday. I know someone who's just lion around today. In fact, I think he lies around most of the time. Maybe that's why they're called lions - because they lie on the ground most of the time - haha. Some days I think I could lie around all day long and not do much. Other days I know that I am not able to do that - I have too many things I want to accomplish.

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

Monday, May 23, 2016

Monday's Peek-A-Boo Martin 05-23-16

Hello and happy Monday. Peek-A-Boo from my little female Purple Martin friend. She has been sitting in her gourd on her nest all day and now wants to take a peek to see what's happening near her house. Well, it's just little ole me looking for a Martin - found one. I have to admit that I have always enjoyed playing Peek-A-Boo.

I hope you found what you wanted today. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Sunday's New Life 05-22-16

Hello and happy Sunday. Yesterday, as I was travelling to a hardware store, I noticed this nice looking church on Grady Road in Mullins, SC and realized this was the church for today, It is called New Life Pentecostal Episcopal Church. I don't know what a Pentecostal Episcopal church is as I have always heard of one or the other, not both together, I looked on the internet and asked the question on what it meant to be both and could find no answers. So I looked up each one separately. I found that a Pentecostal Church seems to be more biblically literal in its readings while the Episcopalians use the Spirit of Christ for its biblical interpretations. The Pentecostal Church seems to be more politically conservative while the Episcopalians are more liberal. The Pentecostal Church is more likely to get up and dance and, filled with the Holy Spirit speak in tongues in church while the Episcopalians are more sedate, Sounds like a lot of opposites to me, However, we need differences in life, so why not in church? Part of this Church's motto is, "we walk in faith, not by sight", which is from Chapter 5, verse 7 of II Corinthians. Its Vision Statement is, "A people walking in excellence in the spirit of God". Sounds like there's a good marriage between Pentecostals and Episcopalians at New Life.

If you'd like to learn more about New Life Pentecostal Episcopal Church, check out their website at http://newlifepec.webs.com. You can also find You Tube videos.

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

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Saturday's Surprise Flowers 05-21-16

Hello and happy Saturday. I think these little flowers are nothing more than weeds, but they sure are intriguing. I searched the internet for their name but I found nothing that compared. Help me out if you can, If they are not weeds, they are very small wildflowers, I guess, that grow about 4-5 inches tall, They are in sandy soil. I'll include another picture below so maybe, if you've seen them before you can tell me what they are called. It was very nice to find this surprise while walking the dogs in the rain this morning. It was my "reward" for going out in the rain that I'm now sharing with you.

I hope you had a nice and rewarding Saturday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow,

Friday, May 20, 2016

Friday For the Home 05-20-16

Hello and happy Friday. Thinking about going home later - to your own little nest? Do you have enough stuff there to be comfortable? Well, it looks like someone needs more. This is a Sunbittern, found mainly between Guatemala and Ecuador and doesn't really migrate. I found this one at the Asheboro NC Zoo. Looks like he just wants to go home and make his bed. I hope it will be comfortable. It seems he's not going to let anything get in his way - even someone who just stands nearby and takes his photo.

I hope you had a good and homely Friday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Big Eyed Purple Thursday 05-19-16

Hello and happy Thursday. Today it's back to the Asheboro NC Zoo with a Purple Glossy Starling in the Aviary. I think he has the biggest eye I've seen in a bird this size, so I am going to name him "Walker, Texas Ranger" (even though this bird is from Africa and I am in North Carolina). If you've ever seen that TV show, you probably know the words to the song that Chuck Norris sings that says, "the eyes of a Ranger are upon you. Anything you do he's gonna see..." Yep, this bird sits high in the tree and he is watching! I think I'll behave appropriately - - and take his picture. :)

I hope you behaved "appropriately" today. Haha Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Wednesday's Stripes 05-18-16

Hello and happy Wednesday. Stripes are nice. In clothing, stripes going up and down are slimming, while stripes going across are "widening" In zebras, stripes are necessary. After all, without the stripes, they wouldn't be called zebras, now would they? They'd probably be called horses - maybe.

Anyway, we all need our own "stripes", our looks, don't we? We don't want to all look the same. We humans have different "stripes" inside and out. Say "yay" for individuality.

I hope your individual Wednesday was awesome! Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Tuesday's Green Woodhoopoe 05-17-16

Hello and happy Tuesday. Tonight I want to show you a Green Woodhoopoe, that you can also see in person at the Asheboro NC Zoo Aviary. There doesn't seem to be as much green as there is blue, but I didn't name the bird. This bird is from south of the Sahara Desert in Africa. There's a lot to read about the Hoopoes so if you're interested check out: http://karlshuker.blogspot.com/2011/03/hoopoe-hoopoe-wherefore-art-thou-bright.html. The history of the hoopoes goes back at least to Greek Mythology. Karl Shuker's blog is an interesting read.

I hope you had an interesting Tuesday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Monday's Mistake 05-16-16

Hello and happy Monday. Have you ever made a mistake? Well, of course you have! After all, you're human. How did it work out? Did you fix it? Or, did your mistake turn out to be something good?

Say hello to my mistake. I was taking pictures of the fireworks after the Knights Game in Charlotte on Friday the 13th and, while I was snapping away I, apparently, had my camera settings wrong. Looking at my pics later I noticed this. I was about to hit the delete button, but I just couldn't. For some reason I like it. I like all the circles and colors. I would like to decrease some of the bright circles but that would take a little more work and time than I have tonight, so they stay. For me, this mistake I'm ok with and I will continue to enjoy my mistake.

I hope you enjoyed a mistake you made today. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

First United Methodist Church, Conway, SC 05-15-16

Hello and happy Sunday. Today I'm taking you to First United Methodist Church in Conway, SC. This church and its facility takes up the entire block, and part of another block. The front of this side, to me, looks like a castle, so it must have been here a long time. The church formally began in 1828 with meetings at the home of Mrs. Jane Norman. In 1942 Mary Hillen donated the property at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Main Street where it still stands. Isn't that interesting? Methodist Bishop Francis Asbury made many visits to this area between 1745 and 1815, and I'm sure subsequent preachers were male. However, they inspired (or God did, or Jesus did, or the Holy Spirit did - or all three) two women - Jane Norman and Mary Hillen - to be instrumental in making sure this vision of the First United Methodist Church in Conway, SC, became a reality. I'm sure there were countless other unnamed men, women and children from 1828 to now responsible for everything necessary to continue the operation of this beautiful church.

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

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Saturday's Hugging Tree 05-14-16

Hello and happy Saturday. Have you ever hugged a tree? I have. Trees are great! Have you ever been hugged by a tree? Well, this lucky chimpanzee gets to feel the love from the tree. It looks like he's comfortably relaxing in a great space. I've never slept in or on a tree before, but I have slept below one. I've also relaxed in a hammock between two trees. Maybe those things count as feeling the love from a tree?

I hope you were able to relax some today. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow,

Friday, May 13, 2016

Reaching for Goals on Friday 05-13-16

Hello and happy Friday. Today is a great day. Today is the day you can go after what you want. Today is the day you get what you want. I have been told this for years, but I mostly believed that line for other people, not for me .... until today. Well, today I went back to the Asheboro Zoo with that new lens I told you about last week. I went to the Africa side because I felt like I could use all that zoom power. When I came to the giraffe, zebra, and ostrich area and saw this giraffe reaching for the leaves, and then, when his neck didn't get him close enough, he used his long tongue to get his food. It was then that it hit me - if this giraffe can go after and get what he wants, what he needs, against the odds, then why can't I? Why can't you? The answer is simple. You and I can get what we want and what we need. We just have to figure out how to do it and then - DO IT! So, lets take a tip from this giraffe and go after what we want, figure it, and keep working at it until you get it.

I hope you had a great "can do" Friday! Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Thursday Relaxing in the Rain 05-12-16

Hello and happy Thursday. It's been raining and gray today, but that won't dampen my mood - not at this place. There's still tons of enjoyment to be had even on a rainy day. So grab a drink, your fishing pole, a chair, and relax, sit back, and cast a worm. Whether you catch a fish or not, you're sure to catch a most relaxing time on the covered dock.

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

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Wednesday's Home 05-11-16

Hello and happy Wednesday. Have you been house shopping lately? It looks like this female Purple Martin has found her new home. I was very scared when I put the new Martin houses up in April, which was late in the year as far as they were concerned. It has been such a relief that, in the last couple of weeks, we have seen new Purple Martin pairs choosing the new gourds. Yippee! That means there will be more babies and then that means more Martins coming back next year, which means we can put up more housing for them. Color me excited!

I hope you had an exciting Wednesday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Tuesday Might Need More Deodorant 05-10-16

Hello and happy Tuesday. Or, is it rather, "Bye, bye, birdie"? Maybe the female Purple Martin is saying "Bye, bye, Tuesday". Or, maybe it just needs a little more deodorant? Haha. Who knows.

Anyway, I hope you had a great, uncomplicated Tuesday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Monday, May 9, 2016

Monday Love 05-09-16

Hello and happy Monday. I'm thinking a little love is in order today. I have for you a flower from the hibiscus that my sister, Toni, and I bought to pay homage to our mother, to her life, to her love of life, to her beauty - inside and out - to her adventurous spirit, and to all the love, laughter and adventure she brought to our lives and to those knew her.

I've always liked the hibiscus flowers, but I just never looked at them closely until now. There's more to them than just a pretty flower. They are beautiful - inside and out - just like our mom.

I hope you had a beautiful and love filled Monday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Happy Mothers Day 05-08-16

Hello and happy Sunday. It's Sunday and it's Mothers Day. What a great day. This is a photo of, I believe, Mary, virgin mother of Jesus, outside the Sacred Heart Church in Tampa, Florida. Sacred Heart Church was established in 1860. Mary, virgin mother of Jesus, is one of, if not THE most important mother of all time. After all, if she hadn't carried and delivered Jesus, there would be no such thing as Christianity. There are some religions that do not believe that Jesus is the Savior, but, I have read that those religions may still consider him a great prophet. I have always liked the Catholic Church, even though I am not Catholic, because of their love for women and the acknowledgement that women matter and that mankind cannot exist without us. And it makes me wonder why so many people and so many countries feel and treat women as inferior to men. All people are important. It's Mothers Day today. Let's celebrate our mothers.

I had the most wonderful mother and I will love her until the day I die and beyond. I hope that all of you had/have wonderful mothers as well. I hope you have all shown your mother some love and appreciation today. If you are a mother, I hope you were celebrated by those who love you.

With that said, Happy Mothers Day! Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Saturday's Prickly Pear Flower 05-07-16

Hello and happy Saturday, As I was walking the dogs yesterday, I saw these yellow flowers near the ground through some high weeds. We walked through those weeds to see these beauties and noticed they were blooming from a cactus! This cactus is almost like a ground cover so we had to be careful, especially the pups, to not step on the cacti, and I made a promise to myself to come back with a camera.

There are many cacti in this small area all blooming, which was great. An internet search determined that this cactus is an Eastern Prickly Pear or Opuntia Humifusa and also known as devil's tongue. I don't know why that is unless it's because the cactus is basically flat and has sharp bristles. After the flower dies, it leaves behind a little, red, edible fruit. I think I might try out a recipe or two for this fruit from a website called Epicurious.com. Finding this flower, and then finding out that it has a dual purpose in leaving behind an edible fruit and then finding recipes for this equals an awesome day for me.

I hope you had an awesome Saturday! Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Friday, May 6, 2016

Purple Martin Friday 05-06-16

Hello and happy Friday. For a little over a year now, I've been saving money to get this certain lens for my camera. It has a long range, like 150 - 600 mm, and, when I put it on my Nikon D5300, the range is even greater (225-900mm). That lens arrived today! It got here later in the day so I didn't have a lot of time to play with it before dark. The Purple Martins were coming back in for sunset so I started photographing. I got my chair and sat across the pond hoping not to scare them away. It worked on at least one, as you can see. This guy was at a focal length of 750mm, ISO 640, shutter time of 1/800 and f6.3. I didn't take the tripod out with me so this is a hand held shot with the vibration compensation on. He looks pretty good to me. I think I might keep this lens and also get accustomed to using my tripod - or start lifting weights, because this lens is HEAVY!

I hope you had a light and easy Friday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Fishing on Cinco de Mayo Thursday 05-05-16

Hello and happy Thursday. Happy Cinco de Mayo. So, I went fishing - with my camera - and look what I caught! I had to do a few things, like spotlight the fish and turn it into a pencil sketch to better bring out the fish. This is the way I fish - - with my camera! I don't need a license for it, either, just a camera and lens. (Although, a fishing license is less expensive.) :(

I hope you've had a terrific Thursday and Cinco de Mayo. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Wednesday House Hunting 05-04-16

Hello and happy Wednesday. Is it a good day for house hunting for you. It seems to be for this female Purple Martin. I put the new plastic gourds up, I thought, too late for the breeding season of the wonderful Purple Martins, but I wanted to show them that new housing was available and they would know this for next year. I'm happy to see that someone may be interested in the new abodes this year. I've even seen them going in and out of the gourds instead of just sitting on the top. Maybe she's told her guy that she wants that one for next year. I know I'd be happy with her choice. The more the merrier.

I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday, whether or not you were house hunting. I thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

In My Place Tuesday 05-03-16

Hello and happy Tuesday. Let's use our magic power wings and fly away. Oh, wait, we don't have wings. I guess we'll just have to stay where we are - or we could drive - or run - or walk. For today, though, I'm going to stay where I am. It's pretty good. Maybe where you are is pretty good, too.

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

Monday, May 2, 2016

Purple Flower Power Monday 05-02-16

Hello and happy Monday. How about a little flower power to start your work week? These beautiful vine flowers are called Clematis. I noticed them this past weekend and what a wonderful find! Sometimes I'm just in awe of the beauty I find when I least expect it.

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

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Sunday Church 05-01-16

Hello and happy Sunday. Today I've gone to New Spring Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Bennettsville, SC. What is the difference between a Missionary Baptist and a regular Baptist Church, you ask? Well, not that much from what I can find on the internet. It seems that most Baptist churches believe in missionary work. Apparently, though, the Missionary Baptist Church may have a board of members to oversee the missions. One of the websites I used for this was: http://people.opposingviews.com/beliefs-missionary-baptist-church-7156.html.

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