Here's Looking At You Deer!

A Biggon!

Sharing Angel Puckett's picture of a huge snake killed near Cannonsburg, MS.

Our New Miss Mississippi

Our New Miss Mississippi ~ Hannah Roberts

~Miss University of Southern Mississippi ~

Hometown: Mount Olive

Age:  21

Talent:  Violin

Platform:  Pages of Love

Biography:  Roberts is a student at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she is majoring in biochemistry.  She is a National Barry M. Goldwater Scholar, a presidential scholar and a HEADWE scholar.  She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, the Eagle Connection and the Kappa Delta Sorority.  She is listed in "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

1st Runner up ~ France Beard ~ Miss University

2nd Runner up ~ Laura Lee Lewis ~ Miss Riverland

3rd Runner Up ~ Ivey Swan ~ Miss Hattiesburg

4th Runner Up ~ Meredith Thomas ~ Miss Delta Blues

AQ Last Visit Until November

Yesterday, the American Queen came to our historical city of Vicksburg, MS, once again to drop off her passengers for a tour but this will be her last visit until November 10th. I was able to get downtown to take a few pictures before she departed at 1:00 p.m. On my way home I stopped by the Louisiana Circle to take one last picture of her as she headed northbound in the pouring down rain going to Memphis, TN.

Docked at the waterfront downtown, Vicksburg, MS, in the Yazoo Diversion Canal.

The American Queen peeking up over the Vicksburg Riverfront Murals on the floodwall. Notice on the murals below her stacks is a picture of the Sprague which was the largest steam stern wheel towboat ever built for inland river service.  She was launched in 1901 and went into service in 1902.  "Big Momma" as she was affectionately called, burned on May 15, 1974. 

At the Louisiana Circle and just coming out from the mouth of the Yazoo Diversion Canal.

Close-up of the American Queen coming into the Mississippi River.

There she goes in the pouring down rain northbound to Memphis, TN.  

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

Charges For Killing Back Bear

A Meridian man has pleaded guilty to federal charges of obstructing a federal investigation into the killing of a protected Louisiana Black Bear in east Mississippi.

Federal prosecutors said in a news release 28-year-old Travis Butler arranged on January 4, 2014, for a taxidermist in Quitman to mount a Louisiana Black Bear illegally killed in Whynot community of Lauderdale County.

When a federal and state investigation began into the killing, Butler persuaded the taxidermist to conceal the Black Bear's hide.

Butler pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Jackson.  He will be sentenced September 3.

He faces a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison under the Endangered Species Act and faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison for obstruction.  

Picture Published Today

ATTRACTING A MATE:  Marian Love Phillips took this photo of a hairy woodpecker preening while sitting on an tree limb in her yard.  

It was so nice to open up our hometown paper, The Vicksburg Post, to see another one of my pictures published.  I really appreciate it and many thanks to the Post for considering my picture worthy to be accepted. 

Having A Fun & Happy Summer

My great grandson, Ian, is 7 years old and having a fun and happy summer. His Mother, Victoria, took these cute picture of him playing in the water.   

I love my great grandson so much and he brings me so much joy. I have another great grandson, Tidus, who lives in Montana but don't get to see him as much and they are only six months apart.  I am truly blessed.  

Coming Out Party For Black Bears in MS

June has been like a coming out party for black bears in Central Mississippi and being caught on camera.
 

A photo was shared over the weekend of a bear that was in a tree in the resident's front yard in Satartia, MS.  Bears have also been spotted in Clinton on Pinehaven Road and along Highway 18 near Pentecostal Drive.  Sightings have also been seen in Yazoo County.  Motorist in the area should proceed with caution.

Anyone who sees a bear should call Animal Control at 769-257-1899.  

Wildlife biologist said the bear population is growing and young bears are being pushed out of their homes. "These little young guys are just wandering everywhere," said Richard Rummel, of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.  "They will hit a creek bottom, a river bottom, any wooded area.  

They are kind of looking for their own home range."   Black bears can cover a lot of ground.  Tank, a black bear at the Jackson Zoo, was released in north Mississippi and then captured again a year later in Mobile County, Alabama.

Busy Week For Miss Mississippi Contestants

Thirty contestants vying for the crown in the 2015 Miss Mississippi Pageant arrived in Vicksburg Saturday - a decrease from the 41 contestants that competed last year.

The first Miss Mississippi was crowned 81 years ago and this will be the 58th year the competition is held in the River City.

A week of events are scheduled, beginning with the annual parade to be held today at 7 p.m. along Washington Street, the first public appearances for the contestants.

Wednesday begins three nights of preliminary competition at the Vicksburg Convention Center leading up to Saturday night's live televised pageant, during which the top 10 will be named and a winner will be chosen to represent the state at the Miss America Pageant in September in Atlantic City.

Other events throughout the week include autograph opportunities, a Miss Mississippi Ball on Friday night following the preliminary competition and a Miss Mississippi Awards Ball Saturday held after the crowning.

A judge's seminar will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

The free seminar is geared toward anyone interested in becoming a judge.

Anyone can become a judge, but it is not a paying job.

Contestants ages 17-24 are divided into three groups for preliminary competition, which consist of private interview, talent, evening wear with on-stage question and swimwear.

The theme of this year's pageant is All That Jazz, said Amy Jackson, producer of the Miss Mississippi Pageant.

Madolyn Hardy of Belzonia was crowned the first Miss Mississippi in Biloxi and four women from the state have been crowned Miss America ~ Mary Ann Mobley of Brandon in 1959, Lynda Lee Mead of Natchez in 1960, Cheryl Prewitt of Ackerman in 1980 and Susan Akin of Meridian in 1988.

By Terri Cowart Frazier ~ The Vicksburg Post

Miss Mississippi Pageant Week

Published on June 18, 2015
David Blackledge, executive director of the Miss Mississippi Pageant tells us about the 58th annual competition to be held at the Vicksburg Convention Center June 24-27 in Vicksburg, MS.

My Grandson's 25th Birthday!

Carl shown in the Cedar Hill tree stand at Homewood Hunting Club in Claiborne County, MS.

Today my grandson, Carlton "Carl" Thomas, turns 25 years old.  We used to go hunting together and had a wonderful time.  I was so happy the day he got his very first deer a 5 pt. buck.  It was also written up in our paper, The Vicksburg Post which read - Carlton was hunting with his Gran Gran, Marian Phillips, during youth weekend (2003) when he got a 5-point buck somewhere around the Big Black River.  The deer weighed 150 lbs. and he used his Gran Gran's .270 to make the nearly 100 yard shot. 

That was one of the best days of my life and I'm sure Carl would agree that it was a great and memorable day for him as well. Wishing my grandson, who now lives in Wisconsin, a very Happy Birthday and I will always cherish our memories together hunting in our great wild outdoors. I love and miss you so very much!  Have a happy day!  Gran Gran

Carl with his very first deer, a 5-point buck taken at Jasper Bottom Hunting Club in Claiborne County, MS.  I am one proud Grandmother!

Happy Birthday Sonya!

My oldest granddaughter, Sonya Michelle, is 31 years old today. She is shown here in her younger days with our cat Billy Bob who has since gone on to kitty heaven.  Sonya has always been a big lover of animals.  Wishing my sweet granddaughter a very Happy Birthday and many more to come!  I love  and miss you very much! Gran Gran

In Honor Of Nature

One Of My Favorite Flowers

Black Eyed Susan

Camo-Clad Women

My Great Coyote Story

My Facebook friend, Mike Johnson, put a lot of time and effort into doing a great video collage of all his photos and video footage of the neighborhood coyotes, with map, note cards and narration.  It's titled "My Great Coyote Story!"  It's 9.5 minutes long but well worth your time to see his pictures of wildlife in our great wild outdoors! A very nice presentation, Mike!

Hunting Advice

A Family Portrait

My youngest daughter, Marian Suzanne (Suzi) lives in Virginia and is shown here with her two daughters, Emma (7) and Kate (2).  Suzi and her husband Dennis recently celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary.  Wishing them many more years of happiness with their two adorable children, my granddaughters!  Love you all very much! Mom/Gran Gran  

Bridges Disappeared

I knew I was going to get into some rainy weather while out running errands this afternoon. I decided to head over to the Mississippi River for a quick look see.  As I approach the Louisiana Circle the bottom fell out. As you can see from the photos the bridges gradually disappeared during the torrential downpour.  You could not see the bridges at all.  I had to keep rolling my window down to get the effect.  Thank goodness I have leather seats. First time I have ever taken pictures like this at the circle and thought it turned out to be a rather cool disappearing effect.        

A Gun is...

In Memory of Dad

My Dad was born on June 12, 1916 and would have been 99 years old today had he lived.  Thinking of you on your birthday Dad and I love and miss you so very much. 

Until We Meet Again

We think about you always,

we talk about you still, 

you have never been forgotten, Dad

and you never will.

We hold you close within our hearts, 

and there you will remain,

To walk and guide us through our lives

until we meet again.

2014 Buffalo County WI Bow Hunt

Published on June 11, 2015

First week of November 2014 hunting with Rutting Ridge Outfitters in Buffalo County, WI. Jon connected on a beautiful 140" whitetail on the 3rd day of his hunt.  Please enjoy the 1st video that we've ever produced and watch our channel for more videos containing hunts, product reviews, etc.

www.antlerscore.com
www.ruttingridgeoutfitters.com

For promotional and/or business inquiries, please email jon@antlerscore.com

Rolling On The River

In the last two days we have had three paddle wheel cruise ships to grace our waterfront in my historical town of Vicksburg, MS. The "newest" ship the American Eagle came in Tuesday and today the American Queen the "largest riverboat ever built" and the Queen of the Mississippi docked.  I made a trip to town to take some pictures and visited with some of the passengers who were from Australia. The American Queen was leaving at 1:00 heading north to Tennessee and not sure what direction the Queen of the Mississippi was going.  We are so fortunate to have tourist to come from all over the world to see our civil war town of Vicksburg, The Key To The South!

The Queen of the Mississippi on the left and the American Queen today.

Full view of the American Queen from atop the hills of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

The Queen of the Mississippi docked at the Exit as I was coming down the hill to park.

The American Queen peeking up over the Vicksburg Riverfront Murals that are painted on the flood wall.

The Queen of the Mississippi!

The American Queen!

Three buses are used to take tourist around our historical city and the hallowed grounds of the Vicksburg National Military Park.

 A close-up of American Queen!

The couple in blue are from Australia and getting ready to embark. 

The American Eagle docked at the waterfront yesterday.  

A statue of a catfish taken at the Children's Art Park at Catfish Row across from the waterfront.

Catfish Row Museum coming soon!

"The Mississippi Delta begins in the lobby of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis and ends on Catfish Row in Vicksburg." - David L. Cohn, author, Where I was Born and Raised

Love This Sign

M/V Mark W. Secrease Southbound

I made a trip to Riverwalk Casino south of town on June 2 and was fortunate to get the M/V Mark W. Secrease making it way southbound on the Mighty Mississippi River.  

Sometimes my camera on bright days will not take great pictures.  I had to brighten this picture up some.   

Took the next two pictures with my cell phone and you can see the difference.  Looking north towards the bridges in my hometown of Vicksburg, MS.

A beautiful day with blue skies and puffy clouds with the M/V Mark W. Secrease heading southbound to it's destination. 

(Click on pictures to enlarge)