Shadows on the Water

We have a small waterfall and pond in our courtyard, and late yesterday afternoon I noticed some interesting shadows being cast on the water by a Corkscrew Rush plant in the pond.

Corkscrew Rush is an ornamental perennial grass whose "leaves" are wound in tight, upright spirals reaching up to 24" tall.

It thrives in wet "boggy" areas in full sun, or standing water up to 4" deep. It is a perfect landscape plant for water features such as ponds or waterfalls, and can also be grown in containers.

Our plant is around three years old, and survived the unusually cold winter we had last year.

Now that I've probably told you way more than you want to know about Corkscrew Rush, I'd like to share some of the pictures I captured of the shadows it cast on the water yesterday.

The waterfall is always fun to photograph, and I especially like this picture of Harry, our Blue Heron.

There are three Little Gem Magnolias growing behind the waterfall, and this magnolia seed pod had fallen on the rocks at the top of the waterfall. You can click on the picture to get a closer view, if you'd like ...

Plants and grasses growing at water's edge around ponds and lakes are always pretty, but yesterday I discovered that sometimes the shadows they cast on the water are even more beautiful.

A Mississippi Courtyard and Waterfall: Outdoor Wednesday

I'd like to thank our gracious hostess Susan at A Southern Daydreamer, for taking the time to host our "Outdoor Wednesdays."

I always look forward to seeing what's going on in everyone's outdoors, especially now that Spring is here.

Speaking of Spring ... everything looks so lush and green right now that I thought I'd better get some photos of our courtyard and waterfall areas before the long, hot summer arrives (we've already had temperatures in the high 80's here in Vicksburg!).

I created a slideshow of my pictures, beginning at the front of our house outside the gate to the courtyard. Next, are views of the entire area, including the covered porch, patio area, side yard and path leading to the backyard, and the waterfall and pond, with connecting stream.

I hope you enjoy the slideshow. If you'd like to hear the music, turn your sound up before clicking on "Play."

I hope you have a happy outdoor Wednesday ... however and wherever you spend it!

A Blue Heron called Harry -- Blue Monday

I would like to thank Sally at Smiling Sally for taking the time to host our Blue Mondays.

Be sure and visit Sally and the other participants to see what they are sharing today.

I was playing around with my camera at dusk Sunday evening, and captured two rather whimsical (also known as out of focus) shots of our waterfall in our courtyard.

We have a metal sculpture of a blue heron we call "Harry," who lives in our pond, and I'd like to share these two pictures of Harry enjoying the early evening sights and sounds of the waterfall (you can click on the pictures to enlarge them, if you'd like) ...

Here are a few more pictures of Harry taken earlier in the day ...

And this last one is my lagniappe for "Blue Monday." I love the delicate little trailing blue flowers in this urn arrangement. They're called "Cabana Trailing Blue Bacopa" (I love my little "peace" sign, too) ...

I enjoy participating in Blue Monday, and look forward to seeing what everyone is sharing today. Thank you again, Sally, for being our hostess.