“I have held your hand in darkened rooms, where all is muted greys and hushed and still…”  -Lea Higgins McNulty

Photo from July 31, 2012.

Snapdragon harvest. Taken July 31, 2012.

This Red Tailed Hawk was moving from one power line pole to another, just landing in this pic. Not as crisp as I’d like, but his wingspan and form are beautiful.

July 31, 2012.

After my walk, I was home sipping coffee when this Red Tailed Hawk perched on the power line pole! I took several pics to get a only couple in focus (I didn’t have the tripod handy). Note this was not taken with an iPhone. Seems obvious!)  Used a telephoto lens to get closer. July 31, 2012.

Now that I see this on my computer screen and not just on the iPhone screen, I see it’s a *bit* over processed! But I like the black and white (sort of B&W) version so I’ll leave it here for posterity. I love that every time I visit these cows, one of them is very interested in me and friendly, almost, and the others completely ignore me. Even when I talk sweetly! :-)

July 31, 2012.

Post script: Yes, the earlier pic (same image, different edit) is a bit dark and makes recognizing the faces a little harder! :-)

These Belted Galloways live near us. They are still very young. They were thinner early in the spring summer but seem to be filling out. They have a nice new shady pasture to graze in, now. The other one is in the sun and is probably too hot for them, especially this summer!

Field walking. So much to see! 

July 31, 2012.

Field walking, as we close out the month of July. 

July 31, 2012.

This is a Red Osier Dogwood, and is among those plants native to Michigan. We planted two of these as young saplings a few years ago. We bought them from the County Extension service, which is a great thing to do, btw, as they have great deals on young plants in the spring and in the fall. This plant has done very well in our yard and is pretty in all seasons. They are doing well despite our dry summer, and appear healthy. They bloom in spring and on and off, it seems, during the summer. They are making new blooms now, near the end of July. I’m enjoying them each year as they have gotten more established now. The blossoms, while very small, mirror the four petaled blossoms of the larger blooming dogwoods. 

July 31, 2012.

Field walking this morning. This tree is in the middle of a pasture and has been left untended for some time, it appears.  I am interested in knowing what it is, so I’ll check in some of my resources… While I am very interested in knowing the plant world around me, I am still such a newbie to this! I would have enjoyed studying Botany in school. Now I learn on my own! :-)

July 31, 2012