Fall Flowers

It seems such an odd time of the year for these beautiful flowers to be in bloom! This first picture is from the Internet, because it was so much better than the closeups that I made at my sister's house.

I made the following pictures in my sister's yard on Nov. 11th.

I have always called these Sasanqua Japonica but when I look that up, Google calls them Camellia Sasanqua Japonica.

Either way, they are beautiful when a big bush of them are in full bloom!  This one shrub is probably 15-20 feet tall!!!

Alas, my sister is not very mobile at this time, and she has not ventured out in the yard where this is blooming. 

Today, I'm thankful for my sisters and that they share the beauty of their yards with me.

Odds and Ends

Fog & Frost

Our front lawn one day last week.  29 degrees!

Since it has frosted and killed most of the flowers, the Gulf Fritillary Butterflies have been frantically sipping the last drops of nectar.

The Bluebird is a little indignant that some other kind of bird wants to share 'his' water!

This plant is getting happy, now that the weather is cool. 

It looks kind of like a Petunia, but it is a Calibrachoa.

The Bluebirds are checking out the houses.

 I didn't get to see many Monarchs this year, but this one came by the other day.

The Bluebirds have been keeping us entertained.

They almost fight over getting the bath tub!

Is this little guy an Eastern Pheobe?

Comments may take a good while to post.  We're 'on the road again'.

Making Lemonade!

Just because life hands you Lemons, doesn't mean that you can't make Lemonade!
Just because you have to go to the doctor for some tests, (as my Hubby did on Friday), doesn't mean that you can't have any fun that day.  It was a non-invasive test and he got a good report.  This is fog rising off the water as we left home early that day.

We did a little shopping and went by the Co-op Nursery where we made the rest of the pictures below.

I bought Pansies and planted them in two planters by the garage door.  I like coming home and seeing their happy little faces welcoming us home!

Good Morning!

This morning we had a few thin clouds and a pink sunrise.  This is looking southeast across the highway from our house. 

This shot shows the cotton field that is ready to be picked. 

All summer long, we have been greeted by this prolific blooming Lantana when we pull into the garage.  I need to plant a few more of these next year for even more color .

This Lantana is huge and still attracting lots of butterflies, skippers, and.......

Even a few Spiders!!! Eeeeek!

The Autum Joy sedum has gone through several shades of pink, rose, and now is almost rust colored.

This House Finch is enjoying a drink of fresh water.  The Bluebirds are coming by late in the afternoon for a drink and a bath.  I meant to buy a pretty water bowl, but they seem to like this Tupperware one just fine:-)

There are still a couple of Hummers that expect me to keep feeding them.  We have had a light frost here and I think it's time for them to go South for the winter.  Guess their instinct will tell them when to go.

Today, I'm thankful for the faithful group who come to Bible Study every Wednesday night.

Autumn Joy!

Autumn Joy is the name of this pretty Sedum.   The Bumble Bee and Wasp like it, too!

We are enjoying the last Roses of summer.

A pair of Brown-headed Nuthatches dash in to get a few seeds from the feeder.

One of  'our' Hummingbirds seemed to be guarding the Butterfly Bush.

This one thinks it's easier to drink the nectar from the feeder.

Finally, I caught one sipping from the blossoms!

This Eastern Bluebird is checking out the church.  Is he looking for a winter home?

A day or so ago, Jeep got a picture of a female Summer Tanager, which is yellow and gold all over.  Today I saw a flash of red in the trees and ran for the camera.  He was way up high in a tree and this picture is severely cropped, but this is the male Summer Tanager, which is red all over.

Today, I'm thankful for the beauty of Nature!