Road Through the Black Belt

Heading west from Selma, U.S. Highway 80 is a mostly four-lane road

 that traverses Alabama's Black Belt region. The area is named for the color

 of much of its soil, heavy clays suitable for pastures, ponds and clover,

 although it once grew a lot of cotton. 

Linking to Rurality and City Daily Photo Blogs

Catfish Country

West Alabama's Black Belt region is known for its production of farm-raised catfish,

 and travelers pass by many of the ponds along U.S. Highway 80 west of Selma,

 Alabama Highway 5 and Alabama Highways 25, 69 and 61. 

Linking to Scenic Sunday 

Fossilized Shells

Double click the photo for a larger view to easily see the fossilized shells in the stone. The stone was brought from Wilcox County for use in a local garden. The Black Belt area of Alabama once was covered by shallow water, and fossils of marine life are fairly easy to find.

Skywatch Friday, Hay Crop

Fair weather smiled upon the farmers this week, giving them time to mow, rake and bale hay.

This year appears to be a good one, agriculturally speaking, and Dallas County may well be headed for a bumper crop. I'm sure the cattle will be pleased come next winter.

Check out more skies, both fair and foul, from around the world HERE. Or better yet, join in the fun.

Black Belt Mud

Ahh, what with all the wet, dismal weather, I am stuck in the mud for want of lovely, sunshiny photos!

Anyhow, this is what Black Belt mud looks like...sticky, dark clay. This particular mud is a pasture road, and you had better be driving a 4x4 if you expect to get out!

This dirt is officially known as Blackland Prairie soil, which gives the Black Belt its name.