Driving Scary Narrow Bridges Over Mississippi and Ohio Rivers

     

What a fun trip driving crossing these two narrow steel cantilever bridges across the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Currently, the Mississippi River Bridge is closed for repairs and will reopen again in the Fall of 2024.  They are a bit narrow at about 20ft wide. Hang on to your hats and fold in your mirrors. A few folks have had their mirrors removed as the oncoming semi trucks got too close to the head on traffic. We hope you enjoy this short drive across two nostalgic bridges that take across the Mississippi River Bridge through Missouri, Illinois and Cairo Bridge to Kentucky.   #travel #oldbridges #Thursdaythoughts #narrowbridge #cantileverbridge #scarydrive #scary #truckers 

Hummingbird Takes A Break

This year, we haven't put out any hummingbird feeders. Didn't seems to matter because the hummingbirds have still decided to visit. We rarely ever see them stop flying to perch and rest for awhile. So....it was nice to watch this little one stop and take a break on our wreath hanging from the porch rail. Last year, we wove the wreath from left over muscadine vine cuttings. Who what have thought our little bird would choose this for a rest? It's wonderful to see all the different birds and wildlife around our home. Everyday seems to bring something new. This is one of the many treasures of living in the Western North Carolina mountains. #birdwatching #Tuesdayvibe #nature #NorthCarolina #hummingbird

Remarkable Butterflies Mating Dance

This week, we had an amazing opportunity to see the official North Carolina State Butterfly. This is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail that is found in 100 different counties in North Carolina. They live along the edge of the forests, garden, tree lines, rivers, creeks and streams. It was amazing to walk out on the deck and witness and then be able to capture their unique sort of courting dance. They began this hap hazard kind of interesting mating flight...circling, flapping and fluttering around and around. it began from about 20 ft up in the air until just a few feet off the ground. Then, they flew along the forest edge into the poplar, oaks and hickory trees. Just an amazing beauty to witness over a short couple of minutes. Life on the farm in the Western North Carolina mountains is marvelous.

#Nature #NorthCarolina #Mondaythoughts #mountains #Butterfly

Carolina Wren Just Laid Her Eggs

We just did a video on how this Beech tree was harvested from the forest on our farm and shaped for our garden. Just days later, a Carolina wren found it to be the perfect place to make a nest. They're probably one of the noisiest birds we have around own home that's tucked away in the woods. If you leave anything out, and it looks suitable for a nest, that Carolina wren will find some material and you'll see a nest appear over night. After looking closely at the tiny nest, it appears it found some of the shedding hair from our Blue Heeler as the perfect nesting material to add with the other fine twigs and pine needles. We'll keep an eye on the progress and hope to see a few birds hatch and fly away. Another beautiful day on the farm in Western North Carolina. #nature, #birdwatching, #Wednesdaythoughts

Elusive Scarlet Tanager Visits

What and amazing opportunity The Lord has allowed me to see this morning. For many years, I've tried to film or photograph the vibrant colored Scarlet Tanager. It usually lives high above in the trees and only one other time has it even shown up at our house where I could capture some blurry footage. Today, it appeared to have caught a moth or insect in it's beak and was perched among the fresh new leaves on a nearby maple tree. It's a wonderful time to experience all the beauty of the Western North Carolina mountains. #nature #wildlifevideo #birdwatching #MurphyNorthCarolina #CherokeeCountyNC #Jesus

First Baby Bluebirds Hatch 2021

Nice to see the Bluebirds have returned and have hatched another clutch. Actually, there is one more egg to go. So, we'll check back later and see if it was also successful. Usually, they'll return 2-3 more times and send the new ones flying in a matter of a few weeks. Mom and Dad are busy searching for insects and quickly returning to feed the hungry babies. In a short while, they'll go from being completely bald, to fuzzy and then new feathers. Such is mountain life in Western North Carolina.

Blue Heelers Love To Swim- Go Jasper!!!

Some people know them as blue heelers, others call them Australian cattle dogs. Either way, our dog Jasper can never get enough of swimming and playing catch. He's not really that interested in bringing it nicely back like a retriever but, he'll sure chase and catch anything you throw to him. He has a lot of energy and this is a great way to tire this puppy out. He's about 14 months old now. Super smart and always surprising to see his new funny antics. It didn't take him long to help with the new herd of sheep. Eagerly, he waits and looks for instruction to direct where we want the sheep to go graze in a new pasture.. Really..he's an amazing dog and we're so grateful to have him on the farm.

Check out Jaspers' new video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2HiwrYqFEc&feature=youtu.be

To see more about our heirloom sponge farming, please visit us at www.luffaranch.com.