Precious Moments, Bird House & Ivy, Not Figurines

More than figurines here, taken in the gardens of Precious Moments Chapel, Carthage, Missouri. 

Part of the Gaggle of Hundreds

Right outside of Tana's door, near Joplin Missouri, day after Thanksgiving, 2010.

November's Iris

No, this photo is NOT from Reflection's archives, this was taken in St. Louis, at the City Garden, mid November, 2010.  It is not the best photo, composition and sharpness lacking.  I was so surprised at finding this, I just snapped the photo.

I would think this iris is confused about the time of year, but, hey, I took delight in its confusion!

Fungi, Fungus, Mushroom, By Any Other Name, This One Was a Biggie

From the campground near St. Louis Missouri, this fungi, fungus or mushroom, or whatever you want to call it was 12 to 15 inches wide!  Photo does not show just how large it really was. 

Spectacular!

Budweiser Clydesdale

Taken in Saint Louis, Missouri on the Anheuser-Busch tour.  You can read all about it over at Reflections.

Happy Thanksgiving, from Reflections and Man

Sorry, no photos today. 

If you feel like reading today, you might enjoy last years post from Reflections, Thanksgiving, A New Appreciation Gained by Family Research.  (Hint, Captain Myles Standish makes an appearance.)

Man and I send our wishes for a fabulous holiday dinner and blessed family time for you and yours.  If you are traveling, safe rides.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.



*Graphic courtesy of About.com

Got Food?

Gallagher, to the left, standing on the small ledge of Tana's kitchen slideout.  (He is the only york to do that, we have not found that Cappy and Tilly ever walk the ledge.  Gallagher might be part billy goat.)

Chantilly, to the right, must of found a morsel, mmmm mmmm, good, mommie.

Please Name My Mystery Leaf, Lincoln Memorial Garden, Springfield, Illinois

You can see that this is one BIG leaf, compare to Man's hand.  Anyone know what kind of tree this comes from??  If so, post in the comments.  Thanks.

In the Land of Lincoln, Eight Points

OK, I normally would not do this, post the same photo here and over at Reflections From the Fence, but, I was so excited bout this guy, I just have to share him again.  The photo format here at Flora and Fauna allows for a larger view, so, here he is, in his larger view.

Sumac at Lincoln Memorial Garden, Springfield Illinois

I have no idea why, but, I am always drawn to sumac, maybe the bright red color?  There were several very tall bushes along the Lake Trail at the Lincoln Memorial Garden in Springfield Illinois.  Most were high enough that even with my 20 X zoom I could not get a photo that was in focus (needed a tripod).  But, did get this one:

The Moon Rises over Lincoln Memorial Garden Springfield Illinois

Fairhope Rose, Of Another Color

From the archives of Reflections, Fairhope Alabama Pier, November 2009, they have large Rose Garden down by the Pier with a large variety of colors and types.

Fairhope Alabama, Rose

From the archives of Reflections, Fairhope Alabama Pier, November 2009

The Horses of Mackinaw, In Green

On Mackinaw Island since there are no motorized vehicles you will see a lot of horses, horses pulling all types of conveyances, buggies, flat beds, cabs, and even a bit of topiary.

I hope you have enjoyed the Horses of Mackinaw.

The Horses of Mackinaw Island, They Pull - -

On Mackinaw Island (Michigan), there are no motorized vehicles, you walk, you bike, or you use some form of horse conveyance.  Here are a few of the ways you can get around:

Need a ride to the Grand Hotel?

Personal conveyances.

Pulling a delivery wagon, anyone

know what these strap like things

are on the horses backs?

You may need a delivery of drinking cups,

if so they will come via horse pulled wagons.

Yes, they can even bury you on the island,

and you will make your last trip pulled by horses.

*Did not see the UPS delivery truck on the island, yes, it is pulled by horse.

**This is part 2 of a three part series, come back tomorrow for a different kind of horse.

The Horses of Mackinaw Island, The Buggy Ride

Mackinaw Island, one of the most wonderful spots in Michigan.  You arrive by high speedy ferry boats, walk off the peer and step back in time.   (Or you can fly in, oh, oh, a memory trigger for Moi, maybe have to write about that over at Reflections.)

Mackinaw Island is the home of the Grand Hotel, where they filmed "Somewhere in Time", a great love story starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.

On the island, there are no motorized vehicles, you walk, you bike or you go by horse (or horse pulled convenience of some type.)

Man and I were there last in late July, 2009.  We took a buggy ride around the island, with a tour guide.  Here are some photos:

Our carriage, during a rest stop for the horses.

(Well, that is what the driver told us, and

yes, he IS talking on a cell phone.)

The view out the side of the carriage, is, mmmm,

better?  more interesting?

Man, getting acquainted.

*This is part 1 of a three part series on the horses of Mackinaw. You know what they say - - stay tuned.

Just a Couple of Quackers

From Reflection's archives, August 2009.

Above, taking a stroll in St. Joseph Michigan.

Contemplating life in South Haven, Michigan.

A Barrel of Pink Fun

From the archives, South Haven, Michigan, August 2009:

Sandpiper at South Haven

From Reflection's archives, August 2009, South Haven, Michigan

*Gosh I love a zoom lens!

Remembering Our Veterans

* Photo originally used on  "Lest We Never Forget", May 31, 2010.

The Last Sunset, Van Buren State Park, 2009

From the archives, Van Buren State Park, western Michigan, August 2009:

The Sea Gull On A Pole

From the archives, taken while sitting on the porch at the Grand Hotel, Mackinaw Island Michigan, July 2009.

Sea Gull, thanks to my zoom.

And,

Where

It

Really

Was

Standing