A wild pink rose with a tiny green grasshopper growing along the side of our country road.
“Some people complain because God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses among thorns. ~Unknown
country road
Laying low
“Hello Rabbit’, he said, ‘is that you?’
‘Let’s pretend it isn’t,’ said Rabbit, ‘and see what happens.”
~A. A. Milne
Killdeer
This Killdeer brought a bit of drama into my afternoon walk when she suddenly let out a loud shrill and ran frantically in short spurts across the road in front of me and into a freshly planted farm field. She was obviously trying to lure my attention away from a nest she had hidden in the grass nearby.
“When in danger, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!” ~Unknown
Blue cornflower
“Blue thou art, intensely blue; From whence came thy dazzling hue?” ~James Montgomery
Black-necked Stilt
I spotted this lovely Black-necked Stilt strutting around on its long, slender pink legs in some wetland not far from the Mississippi River. It was quite focused on its task of foraging for food.
“I dressed and went for a walk – determined not to return until I took in what Nature had to offer.” ~Raymond Carver
Going on a safari
While our granddaughter was here visiting during Spring break, we decided to go on an adventure and explore the Tennessee Safari Park, located in Alamo, Tennessee. According to their website, Hillcrest is a farm that has been owned by the Conley Family since 1858. A number of crops are still grown there, but presently it is best known for the large collection of animals that they have assembled and are sheltering from around the world.
When you enter the park, you are given the option of purchasing tubs of feed that can be fed to the animals, some rare and endangered, while driving around 3.5 miles of winding farm roads. Just roll down your window and the animals, which roam freely around the farm, will come to you. Be ready for up close and personal interaction.
After the driving tour, we parked our car and strolled around the Walk Thru area of the farm.
Our granddaughter really enjoyed seeing and petting the animals, and it was a nice way to spend the day with family.
“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” ~Stephen Covey
Muskrat
This muskrat was intently feeding upon vegetation on the edge of a flooded farm field near the Mississippi River. His concentration was so focused upon his task that I was able to take several photos before he realized I was there. Finally he looked up, spotted me, dove underwater and quickly swam away.
“Courage consists not in blindly overlooking danger, but in seeing it, and conquering it.” ~Jean Paul
Skeins of geese
Noisy strings of geese making their way across the farm fields of Northwest Tennessee.
“One swallow does not make a summer, but one skein of geese, cleaving the murk of March thaw is the spring.” ~Aldo Leopold
Purple sky
The vaulted void of purple sky
That everywhere extends,
That stretches from the dazzled eye,
In space that never ends;
A morning whose uprisen sun
No setting e’er shall see;
A day that comes without a noon
Such is eternity.
~John Clare
Wild Daffodils
No flower means spring to me more than the daffodil. I look forward to the time of year when the wild daffodils spring up in the fields and along the roadside. Oftentimes, they mark the spot where a house once stood but is now long gone. Over the years, the bulbs reproduce and leave bright yellow clusters for all to enjoy.
… When all at once I saw a crowd
A host of golden daffodils
Beside the lake beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze …”
― William Wordsworth
walking on a country road 