Sky Watch Friday

I shot these pics Tuesday morning, starting before sunrise and ending as the sun appeared over the trees.

5:08 am

5:19 am

5:22 am

5:28 am

5:48 am

Wild Rivers Whitetails

The Wild Rivers Whitetails deer farm is right across the road from our house. There have been a couple eagles hanging out in one of the pens lately, so I did something I never do; I went across the road and sat by the fence with my camera, hoping to get a shot of an eagle. I never saw the eagles, so I got some pics of the deer instead. As soon as I got near the fence, all the deer ran to the back of the pen, but then they got curious about me and started to come closer. I got pics of a few does and a pretty nice buck, with his antlers still in velvet.

Vintage Tuesday/4 Seasons

I’m multi-tasking again.  I’m posting this old vintage tractor in all 4 seasons.  The thing with the jar on top next to it is a cream separator.  This tractor and cream separator are in a small clearing in the woods behind our house and all that remains of an old homestead.

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Spring

Sunday Afternoon

I took a walk in the woods yesterday afternoon to see if I could find anything new, and of course, I did.  I especially like the Indian Pipes.  I’ve posted pics of them already, but couldn’t resist posting some more.  They contain no chlorophyll, hence the lack of color.  Very unique.  I like that in a flower…

Indian Pipes

Enchanters Nightshade

Black Eyed Susan

Lopseed

Daddy Long-Legs

Pearly Everlasting

Shepherd’s Purse

And last, but not least…. the Wisconsin state bird.

Mystery Flower Update

On Friday I posted 2 flowers that I couldn’t identify, and after going through my reference books again I finally found out what one of them is.  The flower pictured below is a “Maryland Figwort”.  According to the book, the common name figwort refers to the early use of the plants in the treatment of hemorrhoids, an ailment once known as “figs.”  The plants were also used as a tonic; in the 1800’s, an infusion of the roots was given as a treatment for insomnia and anxiety.  Hmmm, you learn something new every day I guess.  Now if I could just figure out what the other flower is.

There’s No Such Thing As “Too Many Wildflowers”

I just can’t seem to get enough of them.  I love the wide variety of flowers that I find wherever I look, especially the ones that are a little more rare.  To find one of these unexpected treasures is a real gift.  Here’s a few pics I took on my walk yesterday.

Canada Thistle

Butter & Eggs

Spreading Dogbane

Bull Thistle   (beautiful but deadly)

Fireweed

Beetle on a milkweed leaf.

Random Saturday

Once again, a few random shots from the archives.

Old Blue Bucket

Toad

Hendricks Creek

Old Barn Door

Eeeeewwwww!!!  Need I say more?  I think not.

Sunrise, July 18, 2008

Mystery Flowers

I found 2 flowers that I can’t identify.  I’ve looked through several reference books and can’t find a thing.  This first one is only about 1/2 inch long, total height of the plant is about three feet tall and it has a square stem, which makes it a member of the mint family.

This little white flower comes up every year in the tall grass at the edge of our yard.  I also found it at the end of our neighbors driveway mixed in with bellflowers.  The blossoms are less than 1/2 inch across and the height of the plant is about 2 feet or so.  I think it may be a cultivated plant and not necessarily a wild one.  If anyone can tell what these are, I’d be most thankful.

Oh yeah, almost forgot; I took this one at sunrise today.  Have a great weekend!

Sky Watch Friday

I took the first 2 shots about 1/2 hour before sunrise this morning and the third one just as the sun was peeking over the trees.

Wednesday’s Treasures

I had a very nice, peaceful walk in the woods tonight.  Here’s a few things I found.

Monarch Caterpillar.  I’m hoping to someday find a cocoon.

Milkweed

Indian Pipes

Monarch Butterfly