My Photo Published

I'm thrilled once again to see that a picture I took on Labor Day was good enough to be published today in our newspaper, The Vicksburg Post, that I had submitted.  I put this picture up on my September 9th post of the towboat, Jimmy Sauls, that was headed down the Mississippi River.  As I took the picture, a dragonfly flew in front of my camera.  I did not realized it until I downloaded it on my computer.  To me, it looks like a small boat headed towards the towboat but when I zoomed in, you can tell it's a dragonfly.  Below is the caption that they wrote under my picture.


Marian Love Phillips saw this dragonfly, in the foreground, as being in competition with a tow making its way down the  Mississippi River, although she said she didn't see the bug until after shooting the traveling boat.


Photos submitted should be current and of interest to the public, either because of their subject matter or their oddity, or the photographic skill itself.  I am truly honored to have another one of my pictures published.  It really makes for a happy Sunday! 

Jessica's Wedding Day

Our granddaughter, Jessica, is getting married today and unfortunately we will not be able to attend.  I know it will be a beautiful wedding and we are looking forward to getting pictures from our family after the big event.  Happy Wedding Day Jessica from your Grandpa Bob and Step-Gran Gran.  We both wish you and Braddock much happiness as you began a new life together!  xxoo

Happy 13th Birthday Lucy!!

Today is my granddaughter, Lucy's, 13th Birthday and she's officially a teenager now....so look out!  Her Mom is throwing her a Birthday Party bash and I'm looking forward to attending.  I'm also hoping to take her to the famous Christmas Place Plantation and Hunting Club, for a Youth Hunt, in November in the Mississippi Delta so she can harvest her first deer.  I took her brother, Ethan, last year but unfortunately he did not get one but had a great time trying.  He's 16 now and over the age limit for a Youth Hunt.  Wishing my dear Lucy a very Happy Birthday and I can't wait to visit with her this afternoon and celebrate her special day.  Gran Gran loves you so very much! xxoo  (Photo taken May 15, 2010)

My 3rd Cousin In Iraq

My 3rd cousin, SPC Clayton Liebherr, is serving in Iraq and my first cousin, Mary Ann, sent me a few pictures of him last week.  Since then I have found a site on Facebook called, 1-14 Infantry Battalion, Charlie Company, loaded with pictures of the troops, including his company.  This is a great way for family and friends to keep up with their loved ones so far away.   Here are a few pictures of Clayton with his fellow soldiers in Iraq.

SPC Liebherr passes out humanitarian aid to children.

Local villagers show members of Charlie Company the new school that was recently built.

Soldiers passing out humanitarian aid to children.

From left to right: SPC Liebherr, 1LT Joo, SPC Marino, SPC Hanko, SPC Phan, SSG Johnson, and the platoon terp Raul enjoy a meal with IA and IP.

Clayton is in the middle of the sign with blond hair and his gun between his legs.

1st PLT at Patrol Base Gaines Mills from the album: Charlie Company by 1-14 Infantry Battalion

The Winner is....Michael Grimm!!!

I was so happy to see that Michael Grimm won America's Got Talent last night.  He is from Waveland, Mississippi and his grandparents had raised him and he wanted to win this talent show so he could give back to them...and he did!  They had lost their home when hurricane Katrina hit and now they live in a trailer in Picayune.  I do wish Michael all the luck in the world! This video audition was made on June 1, 2010.

Happy Belated B'Day John Kirk!

Yesterday, was my Godchild's birthday and I totally did not remember until I went to bed last night. Here he is with his Dad, Charlie, Sr., youngest brother Michael, with his deer, oldest brother Charlie, Jr., and John Kirk in orange vest.  John Kirk is a Professor at Wichita State in Kansas. He and his wife, Melissa are expecting their first child in a few weeks.  I have known this family since I met Charlie, Sr.'s wife, Jeanette, back in early '70's while working for the Corps of Engineers.  She is my best-est girlfriend in the whole wide world and these boys have all slept in the same baby bed that my four daughters had slept in. I don't know the story behind his brother's nice buck harvest but hope to tell you about it one day.  I did asked John Kirk to tell me, but he said he did not want to take the pleasure away from his brother.  Happy Birthday Godchild and I love you very much!

Above The Earth

This is a collection of aerial photography produced by Yann Arthus-Bertrand.  It is a result of a 5-year airborne odyssey across six continents.  It's a spectacular presentation of large scale photographs of astonishing natural landscapes.  Every stunning aerial photo tells a story about our changing planet.  I will be posting each week a few of his photos for your enjoyment.  (Click on pictures for a closer view)

Cattle, Argentina

Coal mine in South Africa

Military cemetery in Verdun, France

Sha Kibbutz, Israel

Suburbs of Copenhagen, Denmark

Joe's Trail Cam Pix

Joe became one of my followers over the weekend and I went over to check him out. The name of his blog is Massanutten Game Trails and he hails from Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley.  Joe is a hunter and got his first trail camera a couple of years ago and had so much fun using them that he has invested in three Moultrie's trail cameras to check out deer, bear, cubs, coyote, fox, wood ducks and even fish with his cams.  His camera even shows the temperature at the time it takes the picture.  His trail cam partner, Dawson, is always ready to go with him.  Joe had been following another blog and decided one day last month to start his very own blog to share some of his pictures and experiences.  His trail cams are mounted on a farmer's land where he is able to hunt and in turn helps the farmer with his chores.  It's a win, win situation.  I have not approached Joe about joining our Outdoor Bloggers Summit yet, but anticipate that he will support us and enjoy the friendship of other hunters in our great wild outdoors.  

Double Antlers?

These pictures were sent to me yesterday by my friend Steve on Facebook.  This deer was seen in Colorado Springs and this BIG BOY wanders the downtown streets.  He probably won't get shot, but will be hit by a car, he said.  There are two separate base antlers on each side, plus big drop on the right side.  WHOA, what a deer!

Thunderhoof?

What a crown of antlers!  Unbelievable!

Where Were You...

When The World Stopped Turning

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
~Alan Jackson

Rehabbed Eagle Injured Again

Last week there was an article in The Vicksburg Post about the bald eagle that I had posted on back in April being injured again.  It was nursed back to health and released earlier this summer under the care of wildlife rehabber Becki Bolm.  The female, believed to be about 3 years old, was found in the road at Tara Wildlife Preserve, unable to fly, on July 23.  Just 33 days earlier, Bolm had let the eagle go after a previous 10-month rehab from injury and malnutrition.  An exam revealed the eagle had a large bruise and sore at the bend in her left wing.  Staff at Tara had been watching out for the eagle since her release on June 20 and in mid-July began to notice her on the ground and flying low to the ground.  She soon was found on the road and recaptured.  She was sent to Jackson for evaluation and after x-rays were not sure how the eagle was injured, but know she was not shot.  She is being housed in a "huge 6-foot cage that has been built for her" and will be taken to LSU in about two weeks to see if she is healthy enough to be released.  If not, she can train her to a glove for feeding and care.

In the meantime, the eagle is eating baby chicks, rats and mice, some frozen and provided by Bolm, and some hunted from the mice and rat houses Bolm maintains to keep the bird's hunting skills sharp.  "She'll need to kill about 25 rats before I can let her go," she said.

The species was removed from the federal endangered and threatened species list in 2007, but remains protected under the Migratory Bird Treat Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.  It is illegal for anyone to possess the birds, their feathers, nests or eggs without a permit.  Native Americans, however, are able to keep bald eagle feathers, which are used in sacred ceremonies and customs.

Flowers, Butterflies and Bees, Oh My!

My friend, Mike Johnson, aka, mrjbigfoot, of CamoSpace, sent me another beautiful video he made during the long Labor Day weekend of flowers, butterflies and bees from Ohio.  I hope you enjoy as much as I enjoy showing it to you!

Towboat "Jimmy Sauls"

Living in a river city all my life I've enjoyed in recent years coming to the overlooks and watching the river traffic. The mighty Mississippi River in itself is spectacular to see but with the added pleasure of watching the boats and towboats really makes it nice.  I do miss the paddle wheel steamboats, American, Delta and Mississippi Queens.  They were awesome to watch going up and down the river.  This past Monday, Labor Day, we were out and about and drove by the overlook near the bridges and as I glanced north one was coming down the river.  It was towboat Jimmy Sauls making it's way south heading towards Natchez, MS.  Here are a few shots that I took on a nice and pleasant Labor Day.

Towboat ~ Jimmy Sauls

Note in the picture that it looks like a small boat headed towards the towboat but in actuality it's a dragonfly that flew in front on my camera while taking the picture.

Sparrow Watching

Took this picture the other day of a sparrow at the Louisiana Circle before it flew away.  I'm using it as my wallpaper on my computer and may submit it to our hometown paper for publication.  I thought it turned out really nice and the green from the kudzu in the background outlines the bird nicely.   (Click to enlarge)

A Happy Allie Cat

Allie Cat

Our new cat, Allie Cat, is adjusting well to her new environment.  Here she is piled up on the sofa pillows enjoying the good life.  She was given to us by our next door neighbor when she moved away.  Allie is 3 years old and has pretty crystal blue eyes.  She gets along real well with our peek-a-poo, Katie.  I think Allie Cat is one happy kitty cat!

Maloney Circle

It was a beautiful Sunday here in Vicksburg and we decided to take a short drive (north and south loop) through our National Military Park.  As we were exiting the park we drove pass Maloney Circle and I decided to check it out.  I have lived here all my life and have drove pass this place a million times but never stopped to see what was beyond the old historical bridge.  As I walked over the bridge, I took a picture of the Kansas City Rail Road tracks beneath the bridge.  Here are some pictures I took of my short walk across the bridge to Maloney Circle.
    

Union plaque at the entrance of Maloney Circle.

Backside of Maloney Circle.

Architectural design of the bridge.

Labor Day Camping

Yesterday, we drove to the Louisiana Circle to see if any barges were going up or down the river.  As we turned in we saw one going up in the bend of the river.  While glancing across the river on the Louisiana side we saw a bunch of tents and people on the sandbar camping out.  Sure looks like a fun way to spend a Labor Day weekend!  Here are some pictures I took of the surrounding area...even got the birds in on it!

Birds taking a safe place at the Louisiana Circle with the Riverfront Park below near the MS River.

Another barge coming up the MS River.

It's towboat, Francis Benedict pushing the barges.

I would certainly call this a birds eye view! 

Sharing Dave's Cam Pix

This is some yummy stuff!

What was that?

Here's looking at you babe!

You are not welcome...get out of here, NOW!

Dave set up one hunting blinds this morning and checked on one camera. He said that these are just a few of 28 pictures and video clips shot over the past couple of weeks.

D. Robert (Dave) Quick
I want to Finish Well
I want to end this race
Still leaning on His Amazing Grace

Member: Community Christian Church
Member: Pilots 4 Christ
Member: Christian Outdoor Fellowship of America
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