Elizabeth's Secret Garden

  Amongst the hustle and bustle of city life, it can be challenging to find a refuge or place that still has a wilderness atmosphere. William B. Umstead Park has been sojourned by many people, but it still possesses that wildness. It is tucked away amidst the growing cities of Raleigh, Cary, and Durham. The park encompasses 5,579 acres. The spaciousness provides a sanctuary for beavers, deer, and a multitude of bird species.   Some of the scenic views look more like framed pictures than standing there in real life. Specifically this photo I captured had that whimsical feel. There are three man-made lakes. Big Lake is made available for canoe rides. My family went back for a second time to experience the canoeing. We were able to rent a three seat canoe for $5. We took turns since there were four of us riding. The payment includes an hour of riding and it is $3 for each additional hour, but believe me when I say an hour is more than enough! Your arms will tell you when the ...

  Moringa, commonly know as the the Miracle Tree has the ability to change lives. It truly can be a miracle in the lives of those living in poverty. I first took interest in this plant because of it’s high nutritional content and medicinal value, but soon discovered how it has the ability to meet an even greater need, poverty alleviation . Can you imagine the joy that comes when you wake up in the morning knowing that your life is making a difference? Please read on to discover how you can help my family accomplish this and it starts simply with a plant called Moringa. So what makes Moringa so special? How can it help to lift people out of poverty? Moringa leaves are packed with nutrition that can change the lives of malnourished children, pregnant mothers, the elderly, and HIV/AIDS.  I did some research and was astounded to find the following amounts of just how much nutritional value it has! The fresh leaves from the Oleifera variety have 7 times the vitamin C in oran...

My family’s most recent nature park exploration was Durant Nature Park. We went early morning to avoid the intense afternoon sun. We took a hike around the perimeter of one of the lakes. There are two lakes and fishing is allowed as well as canoeing during the warm months. The park is located in North Raleigh just north of I540.  The park is enjoyable for young children. They have a playground and offer summer camps for ages 6 – 12.   The Bird and Butterfly Garden is near the north parking lot trail head. I was able to capture some nice pictures in the garden. There were not many butterflies except a Tiger Swallowtail. As for the birds, “There are at least 160 bird species have been recorded in the park, including scarlet tanagers, summer tanagers, blue grosbeak, brown creeper, red-headed woodpecker, brown-headed nuthatch, various owls, yellow-billed cuckoo, belted kingfisher, hummingbirds, acadian flycatcher, blue-gray gnatcatcher, and wood thrush.” (Source for bird list ...