Saturday, April 19, 2014

Butterfly Hike At Panola Mountain


Beautiful hike up Panola Mountain today...it was a scheduled Butterfly Hike but as it was a very cool rainy day we did not see one butterfly!  No matter, I always want to hike the mountain and I was hoping to see the lilies that bloom there only in the Spring.

The lake at the base of Panola Mountain is a very nice sight at any time of the year, but with all the Spring greens and the dogwood trees that are still blooming, it was truly stunning.
 
Once again, it was a nice group of people and Phil was our guide, the same guide that took us on the wildflower hike!  Thanks, Phil! I will remember to bring a pad and pen on our next hike to take notes so I can remember more of the birds and plants that you tell us about!
The moss was emerald in the rain and the diamorpha  was beautiful with their white blooming flowers.  Remember that Panola Mountain has restricted access so you can see how it grows when it is not trampled upon by large groups of people!
 



We were lucky that we only had a light drizzle.  You can see how overcast it was!
This is called a Fringe Tree and the blossoms are very showy!

Panola Mountain is covered with such a diversity of plants that it is a stunning sight. 
 
I was very happy to see these lilies!  They are atamasco lilies and they are lovely.
 
 
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,
While God is marching on.

(This is the last verse of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, written by Julia Ward Howe.) 
 
 
 
Even though we didn't see any butterflies today, this is Georgia and it will be sunny and hot very soon and there will be lots of butterflies to enjoy.  For today, the cool mist and fresh air was wonderful!  Happy Easter to everyone!

41 comments:

  1. Kay- You always have the most beautiful pictures. Those lilies are gorgeous! Happy Easter to you and your family-xo Diana

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    1. Thanks, and guess what...I took all of these photos!
      Thanks for your well wishes, we celebrated my Dad's birthday with my family on Easter Sunday too, so it was great!

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  2. Dear Kay, these photos are wonderful.......I am fascinated by the different flora you have in your part of the world. I noticed the dogwood in the background of the lake photo...We used to have so many more of them here in ne Ohio, but they've been dying out all of my adult life.......

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    1. Oh yes, the dogwoods have been lovely this year! They seemed to have lasted a long time, and I am glad that were still blooming for Easter!

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  3. And I wish you all, again I think, (but could be wrong) a Blessed and Joyful Easter.

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    1. We are an Easter people, and I can never hear it often enough, thank you!

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  4. Happy Easter Kay to you and your lovely family. Beautiful photos as always - you have some gorgeous flowers and scenery over there in Georgia - maybe I'll be lucky enough to see it one day. x

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    1. Yes, Julie! You would love this area, especially in the Spring or Autumn!
      Hope you had a lovely Easter too! xx

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  5. Happy Easter! The pictures were all just beautiful.

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  6. A blessed and beautiful Easter to you, Kay and family!

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Looks like you decided not to comment. Peace be with you.

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  8. Hi again Kay, thanks for the nicely done post - see you on the trail again sometime soon.
    Jeff #panolamountain

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    1. Hey Jeff!
      This was an AWESOME hike in the cool weather, but I don't think I have to tell you this, I think you might have been the leader in the hike at 10AM on this same day, am I right? Thanks also for having a link to this post on the Friends of Panola site, that is great!!
      See you on the trail sometime soon? YOU BET!!

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  9. Is there anything more beautiful than wildflowers? Even the smallest are exquisite. And those lilies!!!

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    1. I know, Debra, these wildflowers just blow me away! And I was happy to see the lilies, they might have been beaten down a bit by the rain, but that's okay, they were still pretty.

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  10. That is beautiful! Have a blessed Easter. Sandie

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    1. Thanks, Sandie. Happy Easter to you and your family as well.

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  11. Your photos of Panola Mountain are lovely. What a beautiful place to hike. Hope you had a wonderful birthday. Thanks for your lovely comments. Much appreciated!

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    1. Hey Paul!
      Thanks for YOUR lovely comments. Hope you are doing well these days, keeping busy but not TOO busy, you know, just a nice balance, right? Take care!

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  12. I could easily live in a cabin overlooking that lake...contentment. :)

    I hope you've had a safe and Happy Easter, Kay.

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    1. Ah, you must have a crystal ball! The people who once owned this land had a house beside this lake and they could just walk up the mountain any time they wanted to! Luckily, it is now a state park and can be enjoyed by everyone, especially ME!!

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  13. Gorgeous photos!! Happy belated birthday, Kay! From Dave in DC

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    1. Hey David!
      Thank you! And hey, I took these photos because Richard had to work!
      Your photos of the blossoms from D.C. have been lovely too. ( I look at Richard's FAcebook, even though I don't have Facebook myself!)

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  14. Beautiful pictures as always, and o dear -- happy belated birthday!! A blessed Easter to you and yours dear friend :)

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet lady! And a blessed Easter to you and your wonderful family too!

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  15. Butterflies or not, that looks like a great hike. We got outside this weekend as well and did see 2 small butterflies. The Mrs. was less happy about the 9 snakes older boy and I counted.

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    1. The English side of me sees a snake and I find them fascinating...the Georgia side of me is just freaking out!! This dual nature of mine is for real!

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  16. Looks a stunning area. When my sister comes over from Australia on holiday she always enjoys, damp, cool, drizzle conditions here as it's a welcome change for her after the heat where she lives. Woodland and slabs of rock can be equally magical when wet and sparkling. Happy Easter in the USA.

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    1. I know just how your sister feels...the misty coolness is very refreshing when you more used to blazing hot steamy days!
      And I thank you very much for the Easter wishes.

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  17. Your photos are breathtaking!! How blessed you are to see such beauty.
    I love how you added the verse to your post....so appropriate for the day.
    Thank you for visiting Seashells and Lavender over the weekend.
    Enjoy your week!
    Debbie

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    1. Hey Debbie!
      You have a lovely blog! And I'm glad you liked that from the Battle Hymn of the Republic, I always loved that song and I memorized that last part as a kid because I loved it so.
      Please visit me again! :-)

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  18. The penultimate picture (that means second last) was the best!
    Horrid drizzle but lovely walk!

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    1. No, it was a delightful drizzle!
      And you cut me to the core that you don't think I would know the meaning of the word "penultimate". I am GUTTED! (HA! , not really, it's a wonder I did know the word, honestly!)

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  19. Hi Kay, hope you all had a wonderful Easter! So glad you made it on the butterfly hike (butterflies or not!).....that lake really was stunning. Still hoping to make it there one day.....I love all the wildflowers. The lilies are amazing! XOXO

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    1. I loved this hike without butterflies, just like you loved your beach without hot sunny weather! If you ever get to the Atlanta area, I hope you will let me know! Take care! xx

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  20. Beautiful pictures of a beautiful place, with or without butterflies! Is there another walk scheduled to (sort of) make up for this one? Glad you had the same good guide!

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    1. Thanks, Meike!
      I bet the next walk up Panola will be a sunny one, and we will see butterflies galore on that one! I will let you know!
      And when Phil is the guide once again, I will think of your comment and will call him "the same good guide"! :-)

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  21. Oh wow! I loved these photos! It's so gorgeous on Panola mountains. You don't need butterflies. There's so much beauty already there.

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