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One Step at a Time #3

One Step At a Time #3

For this week, I have two photos taken on the first day of spring.

A tranquil wetland scene with bare trees, calm water, and sparse vegetation, creating a serene natural environment.

The proof that spring is here is that the Great Blue Herons are back. They have been busy building up their nests again at the Lyon Oaks County Park rookery.

A great blue heron perched on a nest atop a wooden post against a clear blue sky.

I was so thrilled with all the contributions from last week’s challenge. Each one had some images worth featuring.

Linda had some amazing bridge images that left me wanting to walk across it.
Donna shared images of one of her best hiking days EVER.
Terri joined in with some lovely flowers
Egidio caught up from last week by sharing two –
First some beautiful pollinators and second,
landscapes including Inca’s Death Steps

Can’t wait to see what you’ve got for this week!

All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.

An African Gray Heron was also featured on a earlier post, “More Than a Mouthful.“

55 responses to “One Step at a Time #3”

  1. heavenlyraindrops Avatar
    heavenlyraindrops

    Pepper, having a little trouble putting the link into your comments… says that I wasn’t verified by Nonce or something… anyways, hope this works. I did link back to your challenge from within my post, though. Blessings
    https://heavenlyraindrops.com/2026/04/06/foggy-uncertainty-of-life-god-holds-tomorrow/

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Interesting! I did see your comment come through yesterday. I have no idea what Nonce is but I will check on it. Thanks for letting me know.

      Reply
  2. Egídio Avatar
    Egídio

    Here’s my entry from a walk I took earlier in the week.

    https://throughbrazilianeyes.com/foreground-to-horizon-layered-nature-photography-from-big-bend-to-austin/

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Wonderful, Egidio. A trail that I would thoroughly enjoy walking along. 👏

      Reply
      1. Egídio Avatar
        Egídio

        Thank you. I like the tree canopy and small stream.

        Reply
  3. Linda Schaub Avatar
    Linda Schaub

    [Pepper – for some reason, “likes” are not showing up in comments only in this post. I was scrolling down to see where I left off and I know in my notifications I “liked” and you “liked” … I just wanted to mention it … hopefully just for this one post. I never “like” until after I send the comment and see it landed there at least a minute ago as WP and Reader are glitchy sometimes, but it looks like it wasn’t just me. I don’t usually read other’s comments, but noticed this today as I was looking to see if any other people I knew besides Donna were contributing.]

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Interesting. I will take a look and try to figure out what’s going on. Thanks for letting me know. 😉

      Reply
      1. Linda Schaub Avatar
        Linda Schaub

        You’re welcome – it didn’t happen in the other posts – I went back and checked. I thought I was losin’ it there for a minute as I remembered how it looked in Notifications. But that was the same for everyone, just in this post. Lately, on various blogs, if I make a comment, but haven’t pressed send yet, WP is sending my comment prematurely. I usually proofread it before I send it. Then it says “duplicate comment – you already said that!” So I’ll go to their actual blog site and there is my comment and I didn’t press “send” yet. Very strange.

        Reply
        1. Pepper Avatar
          Pepper

          Not sure what is going on. the post does show 47 likes so it must be working for some or off and on. I ran a systems test on my blog but it showed all is fine but I am not convinced. I did noticed that l”like”seems to be taking forever to load. Are you seeing it at all on your end? I may just have to wait until tomorrow to run it by WP.

          Reply
          1. Linda Schaub Avatar
            Linda Schaub

            Sorry, I logged off my computer shortly after I wrote this comment to you. I didn’t know we could run a systems test, but I think you self-host, so maybe that’s why? I was hoping it was not just showing up this way only for me. A few bloggers have issues with the “like” not working or loading slowly.

            Reply
            1. Pepper Avatar
              Pepper

              No problem. 😉

              Reply
        2. Pepper Avatar
          Pepper

          Talked with a very helpful WP Engineer this morning. All is back to normal. 😁

          Reply
          1. Linda Schaub Avatar
            Linda Schaub

            Oh, that’s good Pepper. I’m glad they could figure it out so quickly. I contacted them last week as I had to change my background on my blog to update it for tech reasons. I wanted to ensure I didn’t have to change my theme as I’ve had the same theme since I began blogging in 2013. They got right back with me and said just the background. Whew! I didn’t want to retool everything.

            Reply
            1. Pepper Avatar
              Pepper

              Great that they were able to help you too. I have found them very helpful whenever I’ve had an issue.

              Reply
              1. Linda Schaub Avatar
                Linda Schaub

                Same here Pepper … and they don’t use “geek-speak” which I like as well.

                Reply
                1. Pepper Avatar
                  Pepper

                  Me, too! I’d be completely lost if they did.

                  Reply
                  1. Linda Schaub Avatar
                    Linda Schaub

                    Yes, once they get too high-tech on me, I am completely lost, so I appreciate them.

                    Reply
  4. Bay Photos By Donna Avatar
    Bay Photos By Donna

    And here’s my contribution to this week’s challenge!
    https://bayphotosbydonna.com/2026/03/31/leave-nothing-but-footprints-3-duck-inn-trail-eastern-neck-nwr/

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      So glad you joined in, Donna. How I would love to experience this refuge some time. That first image of the trail looks so inviting. 😊

      Reply
      1. Bay Photos By Donna Avatar
        Bay Photos By Donna

        My pleasure! I looked and looked for a photo to show the ‘entrance’ but haven’t found it yet. A square container sits there with a 8-10 walking sticks, hand-made by one of the refuge’s volunteers. Use one to hike and put back when leaving! It’s another nice touch for this specific trail. 😊

        Reply
        1. Pepper Avatar
          Pepper

          That is such a great and thoughtful idea. Wish more places did that. 😉

          Reply
  5. Bay Photos By Donna Avatar
    Bay Photos By Donna

    Lovely marsh pond to hike around and gorgeous Great Blue Heron , Pepper! I see a second bird as well on the pond, left edge of photo is a Canada Goose. Where there’s water, there are birds! ☺️

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      What a great eye you have, Donna. I was wondering if anyone would spot the Canadian Goose. 👏

      Reply
      1. Bay Photos By Donna Avatar
        Bay Photos By Donna

        🤩

        Reply
      2. Bay Photos By Donna Avatar
        Bay Photos By Donna

        (p.s. my friend, letting you know it’s a Canada Goose, not Canadian. 😁 For real, you can upset some people calling it wrong so I’m here to protect ya! I was ‘corrected’ in the first year of my blog when learning birds, whoa, I was attacked by comment by someone I did not even know for posting goose photos and not their correct name when I called them Canadian Goose. 😉 I didn’t make that mistake twice🤣)

        Reply
        1. Pepper Avatar
          Pepper

          That is too funny! No worries. I don’t mind getting corrected. Gotta appreciate people passionate about the things they enjoy. 😉

          Reply
  6. niasunset Avatar
    niasunset

    Beautiful. Thank you, have a nice day, Love, nia

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Thanks! 😊

      Reply
  7. Egídio Avatar
    Egídio

    The promise of spring! Wonderful views, Pepper. I love the way the heron stands there.

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Thanks, Egidio. Last year there were 10 nests at this location. Hoping to see at least that many this year. 😊

      Reply
      1. Egídio Avatar
        Egídio

        You’re welcome. Spring is going slowly here in the Austin area. We are not the usual large number of wildflowers.

        Reply
        1. Pepper Avatar
          Pepper

          Are the bluebonnets blooming?

          Reply
          1. Egídio Avatar
            Egídio

            Yes, they are. Some areas are better than others.

            Reply
            1. Pepper Avatar
              Pepper

              Yay! I miss bluebonnets. 😉

              Reply
  8. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    Ah..it looks like I am subscribed by requesting emails. I look forward to seeing more of your pictures. One of my blogging friends is Sue Nash who is also a good photographer.

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      So glad you were able to subscribe. If you’d rather not receive the emails, I think you can unclick emails and you’ll still receive notifications on the reader.

      Glad you ad blogging friends with Sue. I do enjoy her posts. 😊

      Reply
      1. Chris Avatar
        Chris

        Okay, Pepper. I don’t mind the emails but I’ll remember what you have written.
        I enjoy Sue’s posts as well! 😊

        Reply
  9. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    Very nice pictures. I have no idea how to subscribe to your blog but I did ask to be emailed your new posts.

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment, Chris. Have a wonderful day. 😊

      Reply
      1. Chris Avatar
        Chris

        You’re welcome and thank you for the kind welcome, Pepper. I hope you have a wonderful day as well. 😊

        Reply
        1. heavenlyraindrops Avatar
          heavenlyraindrops

          Thanks to both of you. You’re both in my favs of bloggers!

          Reply
          1. Chris Avatar
            Chris

            Thank you, Sue. You are in my favs as well! 😊

            Reply
          2. Pepper Avatar
            Pepper

            You are very kind. 😊

            Reply
  10. Linda Schaub Avatar
    Linda Schaub

    That Heron looks so regal standing there, claiming its nest. And now the Heron’s hunt begins for nesting materials, a steady back and forth across the sky with sticks and light branches to reinforce the nest (which the pesky high winds we’ve been having are sure to mess with those construction efforts).

    Thank you for the mention. 🙂

    Here is this week’s walk taken in August last year, but saved for this week as we get closer to Easter and the subject of bunnies. This home has fascinated me for years and I visit several times a year, usually looking for a photo opportunity or a peaceful morning.
    https://lindaschaubblog.net/2026/03/29/ribbits-and-rabbits/

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Linda, this post is a delight. Full of whimsy, color, and fun without a need for rainbows. 😉

      Reply
      1. Linda Schaub Avatar
        Linda Schaub

        Thank you Pepper! I like when I find something whimsical to write about, like that mural of animals at the theatre I discovered last year. Fun stuff to supplement the nature photos.

        I mentioned the rainbows as Esther has posted several rainbow shots and she gave me an “assignment” of sorts a while ago to go outside after the rain and get some rainbow photos for a blog post. So, I told her that unless it’s a garden variety rain, I am usually glad the storm is over and just stay inside and say “whew, it’s over!” I have one rainbow post only – someone had drawn a rainbow on the asphalt path at Council Point Park and I put peanuts in the middle of the “rainbow” to entice a squirrel to go get them so I could take its photo. 🙂 I’ll put that Wordless Wednesday post in a separate comment so you can see it.

        Reply
        1. Pepper Avatar
          Pepper

          Love it! I have lots of rainbows inside my house, all drawn by my 6 year old granddaughter. One drawn in chalk in our basement and many painted ones hanging on our fridge. She loves rainbows! 😁

          Reply
          1. Linda Schaub Avatar
            Linda Schaub

            She must be very talented! I have seen a lot of rainbow chalk art when I’m out walking. But last year it was so hot, a lot of kids in the neighborhood or parks were not out doing chalk art. I like when I find chalk art as I use it for Wordless Wednesday.

            Reply
      2. Linda Schaub Avatar
        Linda Schaub

        The “Rainbow Connection” 🙂
        https://lindaschaubblog.net/2024/05/08/someday-hell-find-it-the-rainbow-connection-wordless-wednesday-be-brave/

        Reply
        1. Pepper Avatar
          Pepper

          What a wonderful post for Wordless Wednesday. It truly tells a story in a series of photos. Well done! 👏

          Reply
          1. Linda Schaub Avatar
            Linda Schaub

            Thanks Pepper! I used to post alot about the squirrels at this park and this post coincidentally was the day they tore apart one side of the park right after I left that morning. I had taken photos of the goslings, the Redbud trees – it was a beautiful Spring day. I like to have a little fun with my posts sometimes. 🙂

            Reply
  11. Eliza Waters Avatar
    Eliza Waters

    New migrants are arriving daily… hurrah!

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Yes, they are and I love it! 😁

      Reply
  12. Lynette d'Arty-Cross Avatar
    Lynette d’Arty-Cross

    They are such magnificent birds. A beautiful capture, Pepper.

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Thanks, Lynette. I look forward to seeing them come back every spring.

      Reply

Thoughtful words accomplish much.

error: All photos are copyrighted by Pepper Tron (aka Irene Tron & Heavens Sunshine). All rights reserved. Unauthorized use is prohibited.