I was relaxing on my hammock in the shade of the Locust tree next to the house the other day. I don’t often see it from this angle, and realized what a nice photo this view would make. Hard to believe this tree traveled home from the nursery in the back of our old station wagon more than 40 years ago!
Storms in the area created some impressive clouds yesterday. Most of the storms passed us by again, but we have picked up an inch of rain so far today, and there could be more on the way.
The flowers on my back deck are putting on a lovely show. It takes a lot of watering to keep them happy, but it’s worth it!
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August 3, 2017 | Categories: Flowers, Nature, Outdoors, Photos, Seasons | Tags: nature, outdoors, Photos, weather | 2 Comments
Hot, humid weather or rain has kept me cooped up in the house for several days, but cooler, drier air has finally moved in and I have been able to catch up on some mowing, and snap a few photos.
My resident Barn Swallows have young in the nest and escort me when I mow, swooping around my head like miniature fighter planes, catching the bugs I stir up. I so enjoy their company!
I decided to see if I could grow some decorative gourds in a container next to the deck. To keep them from spreading all over the lawn, I trained them up the fence of an unused dog pen. It did not look promising at first, but now it looks like I will have at least a few to decorate my table in the Fall.
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July 26, 2017 | Categories: Nature, Outdoors, Photos, Seasons, Weather | Tags: nature, outdoors, Photos, Seasons, weather | 2 Comments
It used to annoy me that I no longer have the ability to sleep in. It seems I no sooner retired than I started waking even earlier than I did when I worked!
I have made peace with it now. Being an early riser does have its rewards, and this morning I was up in time to see mist forming as the sun came up. I have come to enjoy the peace of early mornings, and like having the barn chores done before 6:30, and the horses and barn cats enjoy an early breakfast!
These colorful flowers grow outside the guard hut in the State Park. Not sure what they are.
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July 21, 2017 | Categories: Flowers, Nature, Outdoors, Photos, Uncategorized | Tags: nature, Photos, weather | 2 Comments
Areas to the north and south of me have had lots of rain lately. There has even been serious flooding to the north, but somehow the promised rain kept skipping my area. After waiting all day for storms which never arrived, I was really surprised to see a rainbow just before sunset, a couple of weeks ago.
The unsettled weather did make for some interesting cloud formations. I love to watch the storm clouds build.
The Day-lilies next to the barn are in full bloom. They are so colorful and forgiving. They require absolutely no care, which suits my limited gardening skills perfectly!
Looks like rain has set in for the whole morning now, so our mini-drought is over. Hoping it will dry out before the day is out.
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July 10, 2017 | Categories: Flowers, Nature, Outdoors, Photos, Weather | Tags: nature, outdoors, Photo, weather | 4 Comments
Saturday promised to be too warm for working outside, and Lake Huron was calling, so I once again headed East.
I headed north from Port Huron, stopping first at Port Hope, then continued on to Lexington.
The jetty at Lexington Harbor has a paved walk, which takes you right out into the Lake, where a stiff breeze tempered the heat, and offered wonderful views.
Today is going to be even warmer, and I will soon have to break down and put on the AC. I much prefer open windows and fresh air, but as the outside temperature approaches 90 degrees, I reluctantly close the house up and flip the switch, grateful that I have this option.
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June 12, 2017 | Categories: Outdoors, Photos, Seasons, Weather | Tags: nature, outdoors, Photo, weather | 2 Comments
It has been a sad and difficult week for me, and I was becoming quite depressed. But after complaining for so long about the nasty weather, I was determined not to waste a beautiful, sunny Saturday feeling down, so I set off for my favorite nursery to buy and photograph some flowers.
Coming upon an unexpected road closure and getting lost on the way there was just the way my week had been going, but I resisted the urge to simply give up and go home, and eventually found my way there by an alternate route.
The nursery was crazy busy as it always is the Saturday before Mother’s Day, but the colors and scents did help to lift my mood.
We are not usually safe from frost here until the end of May, but since all my plants will be in containers, I can plant some early, and bring them in for a night if need be.
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May 15, 2017 | Categories: Flowers, Nature, Photos, Seasons, Weather | Tags: Gardening, nature, Photos, weather | 6 Comments
After a wet and chilly start, and some frosty nights, May is finally bringing some truly Springlike weather. The woods were so beautiful this morning with the tender new leaves such a vivid green, a photograph really cannot do it justice!
The windless morning made this part of the lake a reflecting pool.
It is a good year for Lilac, and I could not resist bring some into the house. The sweet smell fills my living room.
The warmer weather has inspired me to put out my hummingbird feeder. I have heard Orioles in the Park, so I have put some grape jelly out in hopes of attracting them to my deck. No takers yet, but soon I hope.
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May 11, 2017 | Categories: Flowers, Nature, Outdoors, Photos, Seasons | Tags: nature, outdoors, Photos, weather | Leave a comment
I was hoping when we turned the calendar to May, we would be blessed with some really Springlike weather, but rain and cold seem to be the order of the day.
Yesterday was warm and sunny, but today we are back to a cold rain, and the forecast is for more of the same for the rest of the week.
The pasture is lush and green, and normally my horses would spend all afternoon out there chowing down, but today they are huddled in their shelter, unwilling to brave the chill. Now that the longer days are here, they like to stay out until after eight o’clock, but it looks like I will have to bring them into the barn early tonight and give them extra hay.
The exceptionally wet weather is producing a fine crop of Dandelions. Although they are a terrible nuisance in our lawns and flower beds, they really are quite beautiful, and I read something the other day, encouraging us not to kill them as bees rely on them because they are one of the first things to bloom in the Spring.
Managed to get some shots of my apple blossoms before the rain spoiled them. The wind made it quite challenging. Anyone who considers flower photography ‘Still Life’ has never tried to photograph them on a windy day!
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May 4, 2017 | Categories: Flowers, Horses, Nature, Outdoors, Photos, Seasons | Tags: Horses, nature, Photos, weather | 2 Comments
Our weather seems to be playing a belated April Fool’s joke on us. I awoke this morning to about an inch of snow on the ground. Poor light and rain have discouraged me from taking the camera out lately, so I am glad to be able to post a few more photos from my visit to Dow Gardens.
They have a nice collection of orchids, and the camera really doesn’t do them justice. They are so beautiful and exotic.
This Giant Swallowtail was attracted to a lady’s flowered blouse and rested there for quite some time, giving many people a great photo-op!
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April 7, 2017 | Categories: Butterflies, Flowers, Nature, Photos, Seasons | Tags: nature, Photos, weather | 2 Comments
I did not expect to be taking outside shots when I visited Dow Gardens, but even with the river still ice-covered and snow on the ground there were many attractive areas.
The brief walk from the entrance to the Conservatory revealed this lovely waterfall.
This red bridge is one of three at the gardens, designed by Alden B. Dow.
As March draws to a close, Spring still seems to be dragging her feet. Yesterday brought us a rain/snow mix all day, and today is just cold, wet and dreary. So glad I have these sunny pictures to remind me of a pleasant day out.
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March 31, 2017 | Categories: Nature, Outdoors, Photos, Seasons, Uncategorized | Tags: nature, Photo, weather | Leave a comment
