Ah, the souls of those that die
Are but sunbeams lifted higher.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
In loving memory of my Mother-in-law, Charlotte. Our loss is heaven’s gain.
nature
Field of sunflowers
One of the fields near our house is growing a crop of sunflowers this year. Immature sunflower buds turn their heads during the day to track the motion of the sun (heliotropism). Generally, by the time they mature and their heads become heavier, they face the east in order to catch heat from the early morning light. The majority of the sunflowers in this field are facing east, but there are still a few that appear to be “looking around”.
“Wherever light is, no matter how weak, these flowers will find it. And that’s such an admirable thing. And such a lesson in life.” ~Helen Mirren
Queen Anne’s Lace
Presently, our country road is lined in places with rows of Queen Anne’s Lace. The beautiful white wildflowers give the roadside a magical appearance.
… Her lawn looks like a meadow,
And if she mows the place
She leaves the clover standing
And the Queen Anne’s Lace!
~Edna St. Vincent Millay
A colony of Great Egrets
This colony of Great Egrets was hunting for food in a flooded field close to the Mississippi River. Watching as they waded around among the Butterweed was a stunning sight.
“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” ~Mary Davis
Frogs on a log
While visiting the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, I was able to spot a couple of frogs — a Green Frog and a Gray Treefrog. They were both sitting on logs, soaking up some sun.
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Well,
if I were a belly-floppin’ frog
I’d sit in the sun on a little old log,
and I’d doze
doze
doze…
with my eyes closed
closed
closed…
if I were a belly-floppin’ frog
Ribbit!
~Unknown
Overflow
Due to heavy rains, the Mississippi River recently overflowed its banks and went beyond the tree line. These photos were taken on the levee near Tiptonville, TN.
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Rain water also encroached on the land surrounding Reelfoot Lake. This brought some animals in closer than they might usually come.
“Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it …” ~Song of Solomon 8:7
The duck family
We saw this duck family in a nearby pond. Though the drake was present, the mother duck was definitely the one in charge. It was fun watching her lead and guide the ducklings around, both in the water and out.
“Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother.” ~Unknown
Around the corner
As we rounded a curve in the road, there sat two rabbits — an older one and a younger one. The older rabbit quickly hopped away, but the younger rabbit lingered there a little longer and continued to enjoy the delicious grass.
“Life is so extraordinary. Wonderful surprises are just around the most unexpected corners.” ~Rosamunde Pilcher
Broadhead skink
The adult male broadhead skink is brown or olive brown with an orange head and wide jaws. I encountered this one on a boardwalk at the lake. He was moving along in a hurry, but then realized that I stood between him and the place he wanted to go. He stopped, uncertain about whether or not to proceed. Finally, he mustered up his courage and moved forward, and I politely stepped out of his way.
“You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward.” ~Unknown
Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak
The Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are once again migrating through on their journey to their breeding grounds up north. Like clockwork, they stop over each spring to rest and dine on seeds from the feeders before continuing on their way.
“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” ~Ecclesiastes 3:1
walking on a country road 