2024 Jan 7, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Decatur, Alabama

 What a beautiful day for traveling. We rode to the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, where we saw many Sandhill Cranes and various ducks at the Visitor's overlook buildings.

The newly remodeled Museum was opened. We saw Sandhills and whooping Cranes, Belted kingfishers, Snakes, Alligators, Geese, ducks, hawks, butterflies, otters, northern flickers, and many other animals.

Several empty display cases are waiting to be filled. We saw several friendly people. They were happy to be outside after this last cold spell. 

Sandhill & Whooping Cranes at the Museum 

Belted Kingfisher at the Museum

We stopped at Logan's Roadhouse for lunch. Hubby ordered a salad, steak, and baked potato. I ordered a chicken salad with Roadhouse dressing.

Steak and baked potato at Logans Roadhouse 

On our way home, we saw a Bald Eagle on a Paul Bunyan Power Line near the demolished Paper Mill in Town Creek. 

The eagle made a squawking sound when it saw me. It was letting me know to leave. 

We saw several terns perched on the light poles as we crossed Wheeler Dam. 

Our last stop was Wheeler Dam, where we saw a few White Pelicans, terns, and many cormorants.

2023 Dec 14, Christmas Card Lane Ditto Landing, Big Spring Park Tinsel Trail Huntsville & North Pole Stroll Athens took AVA

 Today, we stopped at Jack in Athens for two cheesecake pies and a scoop of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream for Ava. 

We strolled down North Pole Lane to see the Christmas Trees in Athens. 

North Pole Stroll 

We stopped at Murphy's to refuel.

We stopped at RSA so Ava could see the rockets. 

RSA Rockets 

We rode to Ditto Landing to stroll along the Tennessee River and see the Christmas Cards dotted along its banks. 

Ava loves animals. This was her favorite.

Hubby stopped halfway down while Ava and I strolled to the end, stopping to take pictures. 

A few people were walking, while others were riding bicycles along the pathway.

We stopped at Chick-fil-A South Huntsville for lunch. Ava and I ordered a kid's meal with ice cream, and Hubby had a chicken sandwich. 

Our last stop was at Big Spring Park's Tinsel Trail. There are lots of Christmas trees on both sides of Big Spring. 

This is Ava's favorite at Big Spring Park. 

Hubby sat in the car while Ava and I strolled up and down and around the park. 

We stopped to feed the ducks and fish. 

Feeding the Ducks and fish 

2023 Jan 7, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Event

 Yesterday, Hubby and I visited Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, an event held at Joe Wheeler State Park. 

There, we meet up with a group from Oak Mountain in Birmingham. 

Groups were coming from several other places.

There were so many cars that the park ranger had to direct traffic. Many parked along the side of the road, and many parked across the highway. Next week is the big event for Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, and I'm glad we went today. 

Hubby and I walked to the new observation building, where we saw the five Whooping Cranes with my new scope.

We also saw thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Ducks, and geese. 

Cypress Trees 

Next, we took the Cypress Tree Trail, a walkway across a wooden bridge surrounded by Cypress Trees.

We could loudly hear Blue Jays calling out to each other. We heard White-breasted Nuthatches (what we call upside-down birds). We heard Red-winged Blackbirds, European Starlings, and Eastern Phoebe, and we saw and heard a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

We walked to another observation station and saw no cranes, but we saw several Robins hopping around looking for food.

Hubby returned to the car, and I walked to the two-story Observation building that offers a fantastic enclosed view of our winter surroundings.

View of Sandhill Cranes, Ducks, and Geese from the Observation building

I met several members of a Gatlinburg photo club there. They said they would set up a booth at Gatlinburg's Wildlife Week and told me to look for them if I went that week. 

I saw a small boy enjoying kicking and picking up gravel as his family walked to the Observation building.

We returned to the car and rode across the road to see more cranes.

We only saw a few, but met several women from the Birmingham Area.

They were taking pictures. We did see a couple of white egrets.

Our next stop was a target to pick up a couple of boxes of Skinny Popcorn. 

For lunch, we stopped at Whataburger, where I ordered a #1 Hamburger with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, mustard, and pickles, along with fries.

It was an overcast day with rain hanging in the air.

Later that night, Hubby and I enjoyed dinner with my sisters and brother-in-law. After the meal, the girls and I played UNO and dominoes.

Had a wonderful day.

2022 Feb 1, Day trip to Lake Guntersville Birding Guntersville, AL

 Today, we rode to Lake Guntersville, stopping at Lake Guntersville Park on Sunset Drive. 

We stopped at McDonald's in Decatur for some apple pies and drinks before heading to Guntersville. 

We sat on a bench near the water's edge, and then I heard this pecking sound. I looked up, and to my surprise, I saw a red-headed woodpecker pecking on a rotten tree. He flew from the rotten tree to a Sweetgum tree. I followed it from tree to tree. Then, I spotted a sparrow scratching in the dirt for food. When it saw me, it flew up into the trees.

Red-headed Woodpecker 

Another of my favorite birds, the downy woodpecker, was aimlessly pecking away on a rotted stump. It was challenging to take a picture because the downy was in shadow, but I managed to get some good photos.

Downy Woodpecker 

We also saw several Canada Geese, white and spotted ducks, and lots of white terns.

We could hear several fish crows above in the trees. Also saw and heard several bluebirds. 

We rode to Marshall County Park, where we saw several ducks and a great gray heron. We also saw a marker of Major Paramoris' Federal Bombardment of Guntersville. 

Major Paramores Federal Bombardment of Guntersville. 

The hill to the immediate left was the site of the 1862 shelling of Guntersville during the War Between the States.
On July 28, 1862, a Federal force under the command of Major J.W. Paramore placed two Parrott guns on the hill. It shelled Guntersville from 7 A.M. to 6 P.M. Captain Cyrus Loomis' First Michigan Battery carried out the shelling, which sent more than one hundred of Guntersville's women and children to the ravine south of town for protection.
The rifled Parrots' guns fired six-pound projectiles greater distances than older smooth-bore cannons and enabled the Yankees to reach across the Tennessee River. Trenches had to be dug to steady the Parrot's guns, which can still be seen atop the hill.
Most shelling concentrated on cotton warehouses and boat construction facilities south of Henry Island, which are now inundated. The Federals attempted to send an attractive force across the river but failed. 
As a result of the bombardment, several homes near the riverbank were burned, and many other homes suffered damage from the shells, including the Nickels and Gilbreath residences. 

Fortunately, both these houses still stand today.
The Chattanooga Daily Rebel reported that the shelling resulted in only two deaths. One was the wife of military General Samuel King Rayburn.

We left Guntersville and rode to Hartselle, stopping at Kroger's Grocery for bottled Mountain Dews and other items. 

We ate a late lunch at O'Bryan's, where I ordered a sirloin Steak with sweet potato and a Diet Coke.

We came home from the old paper mill road, where we saw a red-tailed hawk.

We also stopped at Wheeler Dam, where we saw several American White Pelicans floating down the Tennessee River and a couple of Gray Herons flying overhead. 

American White Pelicans 

It was a great day for birding. 

2021 Feb 8, Day Trip to Huntsville, Alabama

Hubby and I rode to Huntsville today for my entomologist appointment. You know the drill by now. Stay in your car and call the office to let them know you are there. They will call you back when you can come inside. Once inside the building, you will have your temperature taken, and you will be given a sticker to place on your shirt or blouse indicating that you are cleared to enter the building. Once inside, I checked in; after a short wait, I was called back to the waiting room. The pressure in both eyes was checked, and both readings were 15; the optic nerve in both eyes was also checked, and no changes were noted. I had taken my big camera with me; I wanted to get a few pictures of the waterfowl and colorful fish that swam at Big Spring Park, so that was our next stop. On our way to Huntsville, the thermometer in the car read 35 and showed snow, but it turned out to be a beautiful day. The sun was shining, with little wind and a slight chill in the air. I took my coa,t but never had to put it on.

Canadian Geese 

We then rode to Braham Spring Park, where we saw Canadian Geese, Mallard Ducks, and a few starlings eating and swimming at the park. I said it's such a beautiful day. Let's go to the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in Decatur. We entered I-565, and not far past the airport, the traffic was bumper-to-bumper because they were working on the road and merging into one lane. We then turned onto I-65 only to find out they were working on the interstate and merging into one lane. We finally made it to our turn-off, and Hubby said, 'What do you think about getting lunch at Libby's in Priceville?' I said that sounded good, for I love old fried catfish. I was not disappointed; I ordered one piece of fillet with coleslaw, hush puppies, onion, baked potato, and iced tea. I could not eat it. I also got a to-go box.

Catfish plate @Libby's in Priceville, Alabama

We then rode to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge to see what was left of the Sandhill Cranes, and to my disappointment, there were just a few. The visitor center and the observation building were both closed. There was a wooden wall with holes cut out to view the fields, but no birds were visible. We stopped at Jack's in Decatur for a Diet Coke and two strawberry Cheesecake pies. Our last stop was the Wheeler Dam to see the waterfowl. Saw a few White Pelicans, so we didn't stop. When we got home, I went outside and filled both bird feeders, and I saw more birds at home than I had at all the places we had stopped. We have Cardinals, Wrens, Finch, Tufted Titmouse, Mourning Doves, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and Downy Woodpeckers, just to name a few of our backyard birds.

2018 Dec 18, Christmas Trees, Cards, Cranes and Ducks Athens, Decatur, & Madison, Alabama

Today, Hubby and I visited the North Pole Christmas Tree Stroll at Big Spring Park, Athens.

North Pole Stroll Athens, Alabama 

Mallards, White Ducks, and goldfish greeted me as I approached the pond at Big Springs.

I enjoyed two(Grinch) buttermilk pancakes with a hint of green, topped with sweet cream cheese icing and red candy hearts. Crowned with creamy green whipped topping & 2 link sausages at IHOP in Madison.
My Hubby ordered fried fish, shrimp, fries, toast, and a stack of three buttermilk pancakes.

Grinch Pancakes 

fish, shrimp, fries, toast 

Hubby drove us through the larger-than-life Christmas Card Lane, showcased in front of some of the historic homes in Madison along Front and Church Streets.

Thank You for Visiting Christmas Card Lane

Magical Christmas Tree Trail, Madison, Alabama Different sponsors of Madison decorate a tree, and the trees are located on both sides of the Main Street Cafe.

We rode to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in Decatur via I-65, where workers were working on the bridge over the Tennessee River, causing traffic backup. 

View of Decatur from the bridge, where the traffic was backed up 

We walked down to the overlook to see the Cranes and ducks. Not as many sandhills and Whooping cranes as last year.  

We saw thousands of Sandhill Cranes, but only one White Whooping Crane
The Whooping Crane, at 5 feet tall, is the tallest bird in North America and one of the most endangered. They are named for their whooping unison calls. 

Our last stop was Founders Park in front of Old Historic Bank to tour the Enchanted Forest Christmas Tree Stroll. 

Enchanted Forest Christmas Tree Stroll in Founders Park, Decatur 

By the time we finished, it was beginning to get dark, but the solar-powered lights had not come on. 
By the time we arrived home, it was dark. Hubby stopped at McDonald's for a hamburger, fries, apple pie, and Ice Cream. I ate a piece of the fish he had left over from lunch. 
Uploaded some of my pictures after I arrived home.

Sunset 

Wheeler National Wild Life Refuge at Visitor Center

• National Wildlife Refuge System

  The National Wildlife Refuge System is a network of United States lands and waters managed specifically for wildlife. 

  Units of the system stretch across the continent from the icy north shores of Alaska to the balmy Florida Keys and beyond to tropical islands in the Caribbean and the South Pacific.

  
  

  
  

  "Born of Necessity...Managed with Care"

  
  

  U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service
  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for protecting and conserving our country's wild birds, mammals, and fish for the enjoyment of all people. Cooperating with states and other countries, the Fish and Wildlife Service carries out several programs to preserve our priceless wildlife heritage.
  
  
  Refuges
  Migratory Birds
  Fisheries 
  Federal Aid 
  Law Enforcement
  Ecological Services
  
  U. S. Department of the Interior

  
  

  Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge 
  Established in 1938, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge protects and manages 35,000 acres of wetlands and forests for wildlife and provides various recreational opportunities for visitors.
  
  Waterfowl and wildlife
  Thousands of migratory waterfowl each fall, including 26 species of ducks and four species of geese, arrive at the refuge to overwinter. Sandhill cranes are numbering in the thousands, and it is also winter here.
  
  More than 500 wildlife species, including songbirds, wading birds, hawks, deer, turtles, and snakes, inhabit the refuge. Twelve of these species are federally listed as threatened or endangered.
  
  Habitat
  Wheeler Wildlife Refuge comprises diverse habitat types, including bottomland hardwoods, wetlands, pine uplands, shoreline or riparian woodlands, agricultural fields, and backwater embayments. These habitats provide excellent feeding, resting, and roosting sites for wintering waterfowl and Sandhill cranes, as well as nesting sites for migratory songbirds and many species of resident wildlife.
  
  Wildlife Management
  Local farmers cultivate several thousand acres of cropland on a share agreement. During harvest, a portion of the crop is left in the field as a food source for waterfowl and other wildlife. Each fall, the refuge plants wheat to provide green browse for wintering geese.
  
  Water control structures are used in wet areas to control water levels. This type of management provides food for waterfowl by encouraging the growth of native plants in moist areas.
  
  Refuge Lands Within Redstone Arsenal
  Highways
  Secondary Roads
  Refuge Boundary
  Visitor Center
  Wildlife Observation
  Boating
  Flint Creek Environmental Area & Universally Accessible Fishing Pier
  
  Recreational Opportunity
  The Visitor Center offers wildlife exhibits, a gift shop, a large auditorium, two walking trails, special events, and refuge information.
  
  The Wildlife Observation Building, located a short walk from the Visitor Center, offers a unique setting for viewing wildlife. December through February, when large concentrations of waterfowl and Sandhill cranes are in the area, is a good time for viewing, especially just before sunset.
  
  Fishing is a very popular activity on the refuge. Six improved boat launch areas provide access to miles of water in Wheeler Reservoir and adjacent creeks where bass, crappie, bream, and catfish are often caught.
  
  Hunting for deer, squirrel, rabbit, opossum, raccoon, feral hog, and quail is allowed on Wheeler NWR. Special regulations apply, and a refuge hunting permit is required. Waterfowl hunting is not permitted on the refuge.
  
  Wildlife Photography is encouraged on the refuge. One fully enclosed, permanent bend near the observation pond may be reserved for a special use permit.
  
  Environmental Education/Interpretation is an essential program at Wheeler NWR. Organized groups may reserve dates for presentations, wildlife tours, and outdoor classroom activities.
  
  Nature Trails, ranging in length from 200 yards to 3 miles, provide opportunities to observe birds and other wildlife. The Visitor Center has maps and additional information.
  
  The Visitor Center is open daily. The hours are from March through September 9–4 P.M., Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday
  Phone:256-350-6639
  Website: www.fws.gov/wheeler

🚗2017 May 30, Tuesday, "A sportsman paradise" & Pink Palace Museum Memphis, TN

Hubby and I rode to Memphis, Tennessee, which took about three hours.
I had a runny nose, and I sneezed the whole trip.
We stopped at Walgreens in Corinth, MS, and bought some Flonase Nasal Spray recommended by the Pharmacist.

Bass Pro Shop 

Bass Pro Shop at the Pyramid on Bass Pro Drive in Memphis was our first stop.
Once inside, we saw a sign that said, "Welcome to Paradise"! A sportsman's paradise!
Swimming in the water below us, we could see schools of a variety of fish and swamp-covered trees everywhere.
We stopped to see the alligators, which were behind glass walls and staring at us.

Swamp Covered Trees & Elevator

We saw a 27-foot elevator that was lit up with red, green, and blue lights.
We paid ten dollars to ride the elevator to the top, where we listened to a pre-recording about the store and caught a big fish.
We exited the elevator into a restaurant, where we were greeted by a hostess. She asked us if we wanted to eat at the restaurant or just take in the breathtaking view of Memphis.
We said we just wanted to walk out onto the balcony and see the view below.

View from Balcony 

Once outside, we could see downtown Memphis, the roaring Mississippi River, Mud Island, the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge, and the train bridge. There was another balcony with a view of the Mississippi River, houses, apartments, and piers.

View from Balcony 

We visited the Ducks Limited Museum, where we saw a variety of guns, ducks, and trophies, among other things.
We saw the Big Cedar Lodge, wildlife creations, taxidermy, & aquarium full of fish.
The smell of cinnamon-glazed roasting pecans, cashews, and almonds filled the air.

Our next stop was the Pink Palace Museum.
You can visit the Museum on Tuesdays at 1 P.M. for free.

Hubby and I walked up the grand staircase to the third floor to see the animatronic dinosaur exhibit.
This was an excellent area for children to touch models of dinosaurs' claws, bones, and teeth, play with rubbing stamps, and watch a video.

Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs

We saw the first Americans, the History of Memphis, log Cabins, slavery, the Civil War, the first automated grocery store (Piggly Wiggly), Yellow Fever, the evolution from saddlebags to science, Clyde Parke's Miniature Circus, cotton, and Thomas Harwell's mummy casket.

It was after 2 P.M., and we were hungry, so we rode to Joe's Crab Shack.
Hubby ordered the Crab Legs bucket, and I ordered fish and chips. We both ordered water with lemon.

Fish & Chips at Joe's Crab Shack, Memphis 

In Memphis, we also rode past several old historic homes, & the Liberty Stadium.
Around 3 P.M., we started for home and arrived around 6:30 P.M.