The Queen of Seaford

Sunday, September 14, 2025

Photo-a-Day Week 37

Welcome back to another weekly roundup of photos. Some garnered more attention on Facebook than others.

Day 251-

While playing with the dogs in the front yard, I looked to the back and saw an odd shape in the tree. Usually it is a bird, Mourning Dove or Red-bellied Woodpecker or Brown Thrasher. Turned out it was a squirrel! They don't normally sit up that high.

Squirrel in Silhouette

Also observed that morning was a pair of Bald Eagles soaring high in the sky. I only had my cellphone with me, so the photo isn't great. My choice for the photo of the day was the squirrel, while it also wasn't a great photo, it was a nice silhouette.

Day 252-

Since we have had Millie, our kitty, we have made sure to keep the door to the room to the toilet closed. As a small kitten she would love to play with the roll of toilet paper, unrolling it all the way to the cardboard tube. So, as a rule, we keep the door closed. I guess one of us left it open. Millie unrolled a nearly full roll of toilet paper. When she does that we say that she is having a party. This was a photo that got a lot of laughs.

When the Door is Left Open

Day 253-

While getting ready to water the containers with the hose, I re-encountered the Carolina Praying Mantis. The long, tall shadow made on the wall was impressive. Thought that it would make a good photo choice. Hope you agree.

I'm Still Here

Day 254-

It is Ironweed season. The variety I have growing in my yard is quite tall, perhaps Vernonia noveboracensis. This one grows 6-8 feet tall. I have found there is a nice, more garden-friendly-sized variety called Iron Butterfly. I may try to move these tall giants to a better space. It is a gorgeous shade of purple, and pollinators love it.

Ironweed

Day 255-

When we first moved here, I planted a variety of Panicum virgatum, a native grass. There are several varieties of Panicum virgatum. I have/had three different ones- Shenandoah, Heavy Metal, and Dallas Blues. This one pictured is either Heavy Metal or Dallas Blues. I can't remember which of these two I planted in which location. Shenandoah is smaller and has green blades that turn red in the fall. The two I can't remember specifics of location, are taller, and have bluer foliage. I will have to try and determine if this one is Dallas Blues or Heavy Metal. The morning light illuminated the seedheads so nicely.

Panicum

The rejected photo was the original photo, in color. I thought the black and white image showed the brightness of the seedheads better. Which do you like better?

Day 256-

This day's image is of something that sits on my dresser. It is the telegram that my dad sent to my mom's parents, my grandparents, telling of my birth! My dad was in the Army, and he and my mom were stationed overseas, telephone calls were unheard of at that time. A telegram was sent to announce my birth. It is faded and tough to read, but I love having it.

Telegram!

Day 257-

This beauty is a native plant growing in my side yard. I have others in various spots in the yard, this one is the largest. Deer love it, so many remain small. Its botanical name is Euonymus americanus, with many common names. Our favorite is Hearts A' Bustin' because of a song by Billie Joe Shaver. Another name is Strawberry Bush. You can see why it has these names. These drupes really pop against the green foliage.

Hearts A' Bustin'

This brings us to the end of another week. Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday, September 7, 2025

Photo-a-Day Week 36

How is it Sunday already? The days just zoom by so quickly! I hope everyone had a good week last week. Let's talk about the photos from this past week.

Day 244-

For those who were on the Memphis Fling, you might remember a planter that had a kaleidoscope focused on the blooms in the planter. I remembered that I had a small kaleidoscope in the drawer of our hutch. After a few trial shots of other items, I settled on using this one of Lantana camara 'Miss Huff', in full bloom.

Lantana Kaleidoscope

Here are a few other photos using the kaleidoscope. The first, taken in the house of an item on the hutch.

Once outside, I took a photo of the rose bush by the front door. It was fun to use the kaleidoscope to capture some photos. I might bring it out again during Christmas season.

Day 245-

We rotate hosting bridge, and this past week it was close enough to walk. The setting sun created long shadows as I walked east towards the gathering bridge game. Walking home in the pitch black night is always interesting. I was good until close to my house when I heard a sound, perhaps a fox, call out in the darkness. I turned on my cell flashlight to finish the walk to my house.

Walking to bridge

Day 246-

Resurrection Lily, Spider Lily, or Hurricane Lily, this fall-blooming bulb is always a treat to see. The botanical name is Lycoris radiata. I have them planted around the yard/garden but so far, these are the only ones blooming. I also have a Lycoris aurea, a yellow bloom. At one time I also used to have the pink variety, Lycoris squamigera, often called Naked Ladies. All the Lycoris bloom after the foliage fades.

Resurrection Lily

Day 247-

Fall is also the time when the Tea Olive blooms. Its fragrance is distinct. I have heard some say it smells like Fruit Loops to them. Osmanthus fragrans is an evergreen shrub that can be trimmed into a multiple-stemmed tree. I leave mine in its full form. Amazingly, this tiny bloom can have such a large fragrance, it perfumes the entire yard.

Fragrance Abounds

Day 248-

In the same drawer as the kaleidoscope, I found my birth announcement and a photo of newborn me! Stay tuned, there may be more archived items showcased.

Things You Find in a Drawer

Day 249-

Saturday was an SEC (Southeastern Conference) football game. For Mizzou fans, the game was against Kansas. Long-time rivals. (or arch enemies, depending on with whom you are talking) This is the Mizzou tiger logo, in a prominent position in the living room.

MIZ-

Day 250-

Today's gem is my dad's metal truck, Buddy-L. Not sure when my dad got this toy, but I remember riding it in my grandmother's backyard as a little one. I inherited this and it has spot on the shelf in the living room. My grandkids rode it around the living room this past Christmas, four generations of love.

Buddy-L

I tried a different view for the photo, but I liked the full side view better. The one below just wasn't a very good photo. It happens.

Another week's photos shared and explained. Hope you enjoyed it. See you next week.

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Photo-a-Day Week 35

We are already at the end of another week. Many of this week's photos are outdoor-oriented. As the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds migrate south, we have more visitors at the feeders and more territorial guarding happening. We have had much cooler temperatures, and it is lovely to be outside, enjoying the weather. So, on with the discussion of each photo.

Day 237-

Love how the sunlight hit this tiny bird's chest. She is guarding a feeder to the left of where this metal hummingbird ornament sits. Fiona is always on guard at the sliding glass door, barking at these little jewels.

Hummingbird on hummingbird

I was on the fence about which of the two photos to use. I used the one I did because the sunlight was brighter on it. Here's the 'reject', also a good photo.

Day 238-

We usually have the green Praying Mantis and its egg sacks around. Seeing a native one is a treat. The native mantis is brown, not green. This one was on our sliding glass door. As I was in and out, refilling the hummingbird feeders, I was worried I would disturb it before I got a photo. This was taken outside, with the trees and sky reflected on the glass.

Carolina Mantis

I did try a shot from inside the house. Not very good.

Day 239-

Driving back from the doctor, we drove past this old Wilson factory. I liked making it black and white. But wait, there's another photoshopped element. Check out the photo below the one used.

Closed Factory

Not only had I changed from black and white, but I was able to remove the truck from the front of the building.

Day 240-

On my way inside I walked past the rose bushes and saw the Katydid on the rose bush. Quick snap of the shutter captured it!

Katydid

Day 241-

One might think my garden is filled with insects, and perhaps you may be correct! I like getting photos of these beauties. It almost looks like this is another black and white photo, but it is as it appeared.

Dragonfly

Day 242-

Yes, another black and white offering. The sunlight sparkled on the spider web, and I had hoped that using a black and white filter would help accentuate the sparkle.

Sunlight on Spider Web

The original one for your viewing. Also tried to crop it to show the web closer. I decided that having the fern and downspout in the photo framed it better.

Day 243-

I like this tight little rose bud. The varied colors made me take notice today. It seems the colors red and white were what I was drawn to today as the discarded photo was also a red and white bloom.

Oso Easy Rose

Here is the discarded red and white bloom, a Salvia. Do you see the tiny ant on the left bloom?

This ends another week of the photo a day challenge. Stay tuned, there's more next week.

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