Thursday, May 21, 2009

Georgia State Symbols




Undoubtedly the most famous and well known of all the Georgia State Symbols, the Peach became the official state fruit in 1995. Georgia has been called the Peach State for quite some time because of the delicious peaches that are grown here!





In 1979, the Azalea became the state wildflower. Azaleas can be found covering much of our state and come in a variety of colors. These flowers bloom from March until August. An interesting thing about these lovely flowers is that they are actually mildly poisonous!!! When these flowers are eaten by animals, they can cause stomach and heart problems.




Our state’s official vegetable, the Vidalia Onion, is internationally known as the “world’s sweetest onion.” The interesting thing about these onions is that when the seeds are planted anywhere other than the areas surrounding Vidalia and Glennville they produce a normal hot onion. In fact, onions grown anywhere else in the world cannot be called Vidalia Onions- the name is attached to the location in which it is grown.




Our state reptile, the Gopher Tortoise, is one of the oldest living species native to Georgia! The group of land tortoises that it belongs to originated in North America over 60 million years ago!!! The Gopher Tortoise digs burrows up to 40 feet wide and 10 feet deep, which provides shelter for the tortoise and more than 3 dozen other animal species. This is another one of our symbols who’s population is declining. In Georgia, the Gopher Tortoise is categorized as a Threatened Species- they are also listed that way in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. In Florida the Gopher Tortoise is considered a Species of Special Concern, South Carolina lists the species as Endangered! The Gopher Tortoise was designated as Georgia’s official Reptile in 1989.



The Green Tree Frog became Georgia's State Amphibian during the 2005 legislative session, making it the newest state symbol. The idea for this bill came from kids just like you!! The Green Tree Frog was chosen because it has very porous skin and can't live in a heavily polluted environment. The class hoped that it would draw the public's attention to pollution. Even kids can make a difference!!

The Live Oak has been around since the first settlers of Georgia came here. They are especially abundant on Georgia’s coast and islands. It became the official State Tree in 1937. The natural curves of these trees made them ideal for ship building during the early days of Georgia’s settlement.





Yep!! One of your breakfast favorites, grits, is the official State Prepared Food of Georgia!! The dish was chosen in 2002 because its made from corn, which is one of Georgia’s chief crops.




Did you know that nearly half of the peanut crop in the United States is grown right here in Georgia? Georgia has 14,418 farms with peanuts and about 5,000 active farmers. Sylvester Georgia is the peanut capitol of the world!!!! The peanut was adopted as our state crop in 1995.




The Tiger Swallowtail became Georgia’s official state butterfly in 1988. Its bright yellow and black markings make it one of the most beautiful butterflies in Georgia.





In 1970, the Brown Thrasher became the state bird of Georgia. Much like the Green Tree Frog, this animal, too was chosen by students. The Brown Thrasher can be found in neighborhoods and fields throughout Georgia. These birds eat lots of different things, like bugs, small animals, fruit and nuts. Brown Thrashers have long curved beaks that help them find food.





The Cherokee Rose became the official State Flower of Georgia in 1916, making it the second oldest state symbol next to the State Seal. Its name comes from the Cherokee Indians who lived in Georgia many, many years ago. There is an Indian legend about this flower. According to the Cherokees, when the Trail of Tears started in 1838, the mothers of the Cherokee were crying so much that they were unable to help their children survive the long, hard journey. The elders prayed for a sign that would life the mother’s spirits to give them strength. The next day a beautiful rose began to grow where each of the mother’s tears fell. The rose is white for tears; a gold center represents the gold taken from Cherokee lands, and seven leaves on each stem for the seven Cherokee clans. The wild Cherokee Rose grows along the route of the Trail of Tears into eastern Oklahoma still today.





The Honeybee is not only the state insect of Georgia,

but its also the state insect of Kansas, Arkansas, Maine,

Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina,

Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and

Wisconsin!!

Quite a popular insect!!

The honeybee was chosen as our state insect in 1975

because of its contributions to Georgia through honey

production and helping with agriculture pollination.






The Bobwhite Quail has been Georgia’s official State Game Bird since 1970. These birds have become increasingly popular to hunt in Georgia and their population is quite large.




With fishing being so popular in Georgia, it seems only fitting that we have a State Fish. In 1970, the Largemouth Bass became the state fish. These fish are among the most sought after in Georgia- at one time- the world’s largest Largemouth Bass was caught in Georgia!
FOR MORE STATE SYMBOLS, CLICK HERE.

7 comments:

fux said...

So beautiful to come here and see how is the world like!
Sometimes we don't think the world is so different!
One day I'll dedicate to you a post about my city.
I'll inform you.
kisses and many thanks for your nice words left on my blog.

Estrellita said...

Hello O t manary,

I´m Natalia from "Como si tuviera Alas"
Thanks for your comment!
It´s pretty to receive good wave from so far away.
I´m from Argentina, Buenos Aires.

I´m visiting your blog, pretty photos and nice places!!! I hope to know it at some time. It´s so beatifull!

(sorry If I have some mistake but I´m not speak english very well)...

kisses

Natalia

Toni said...

Ot, Your idea of posting the Georgia State Symbols is fantastic! I love how you informed us and showed us those nice photos! Being a Southern gal I can identify with so many of your posts! You are a wonderful photographer...love your butterfly photos! Thanks for your encouraging words on my blog. I am fairly new to this and hope to at least post a couple photos a week. I am also doing a blog with family and friend photos. Blogging is fun!

Estrellita said...

Hola!
Muchas gracias por escribirme en castellano!

A mi también me gustó mucho tu blog, (el único problema es que me cuesta un poco leer en ingles) Las fotografías son muy lindas. Las sacas vos? Viajan y sacan fotografias?

¿Así que sos de Brasil? Qué lindo! Me gustan muchas cosas de Brasil. Sobre todo la música. Escucho mucha música brasilera, Marisa Monte, Chico Buarque, Caetano, Moska, Maria Bethania, es preciosa la música de brasil!.. Y tambié voy a aprender a bailar zouk acá en argentina en una escuela de danzas brasileras.
¿Hace mucho que vives en EEUU?

Te cuento de lo que hago yo... Soy diseñadora gráfica y también ilustradora (hago dibujos para una revista infantil).
Hace un tiempo después de trabajar muchos años en una empresa, me quedé sin trabajo y entonces ahí surgió lo de hacer estos accesorios. Antes también los hacía, pero sólo para mi y mis conocidos... Y ahí empecé y armé el blog, y llamaron de varios negocios que querían venderlos, y bueno, así surgió todo... Luego se sumó mi mamá que hace todos los tejidos. Y a veces no puedo creer ni yo como creció el proyecto.
Los accesorios están hechos todos a mano, con materiales textiles: cintas, lanas, hilos, botones, puntillas, de todo uso.. Y quedan todos diferentes, así que el que tiene uno sabe que no va a haber otro igual. Eso es genial.

No hay problema con enviar algo hasta allá, lo puedo enviar por encomienda... Así que si hay algo que te gusta, me puedes decir que modelo quieres y elegir el color y yo lo hago especialmente para la persona que quieras.

¿Cómo llegaste a mi blog? es increíble como uno puede conectarse así, no? estando tan lejos..

Me alegra que nos mantengamos en contacto! Es un gusto para mi!

Otro abrazo para ti!

Natalia

Unknown said...

i like the frog :-)

guia's A.B.E.S.1984 blog said...

Hi O.t.manary!!!

Very nice blog... very educational... so informative...

Have you been in the Philippines? :-)

scrappy jen d said...

Hello there in beautiful Georgia!
Thank you for your comment on my Dutch blog!
I love The United States, cause my relatives live there. Never have been to Georgis, but one of these day's I will! Coming summer I will go to Miami, Orlando and the State of Oregon.
Bye, bye, Jen.