Monthly Archives: August 2012

Buttercup

Buttercup at age 7 3/4 years. She will be 8 in October!

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Nikon D5100 f/8 ISO 400 1/250 sec 68mm – Summer 2012

The Dutch Shepherd has been the perfect breed choice for our active son. She will help him guard or catch his chickens, accompany him on his bike rides or hikes, swim  with him, play fetch, and even participate in 4-H dog shows. And, although she has never yet met a person she doesn’t like, we still feel confident that she would protect her boy against an attacker. She butts in if family gets too rough and makes him squeal or laugh too loudly, and I think she would be more assertive with a stranger. Good Dog, Buttercup!

Moment of Rest

In the perpetual busy-ness that seems to constitute the life of a dragonfly, this moment of repose must feel especially restful.

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Nikon D5100 f/13 ISO 400 1/350sec 300mm – Summer 2012

Recently I was watching a large dragonfly when I heard an especially loud buzzing noise. Right there in front of me was a hummingbird (not much bigger than the dragonfly I had been focusing on)! He studied me for a moment, then perched on a branch overhead. I was too slow moving the camera into position. Apparently the hummingbird is just as busy as your average dragonfly, and away he buzzed, lost to sight in a second.

Togetherness

These two little oak galls seem to be leaning in to each other, as though to share secrets or offer comfort. Yes, anthropomorphism at its finest!

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Nikon D5100 f/5.6 ISO 800 1/250sec 195mm – Summer 2012

I was out at sunrise the other morning, watering the little fruit trees. These bright orange-yellow galls caught my eye. Their color is certainly enhanced by the glow of sunrise, and that is part of what caught my eye, but what I like the most is their attitude of leaning in toward each other, and the appearance of being cradled by the leaf.

Apple Blossoms in August?!

There I was, bleary-eyed from the dog waking me up early to announce the arrival of the neighbors cows on our 40 acres, a fact which bears no relevance to today’s post. After filling the horses’ water trough, I decided to water my baby fruit trees. They have had rather a rough summer, and they were definitely thirsty this morning. So I stood with the hose, raining down water on the hay mulch around each little tree, watching the water soak in and musing about what lives in the little holes I saw there. As the sun rose and the sky turned pink, I started playing with the camera’s settings, appreciating the rosy glow on the leaves – and the apple blossoms!?

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Nikon D5100 f/6.7 ISO 1600 1/250sec 300mm – Summer 2012

We are in Oklahoma, so perhaps any apples resulting from these blossoms might have a chance of reaching maturity. The frost date may be late enough… I hope some bees find them! I have 4 little apple trees, a Yellow Transparent, a Lodi (also a yellow apple), an Enterprise, I think… Hmm, I have forgotten the fourth variety. Tonight I will check to see which of these varieties it is that thinks August is an appropriate time to bloom.

Got an Eye on You

Bridger spotted this large spider (is it a tarantula?) at night and placed a can over him so I could make his portrait in the morning.

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Nikon D5100 f/8 ISO 1600 1/180 sec 300mm – Summer 2012


I love its glowing, green eye! When I zoom in, the eye is faceted like a jewel. Chickens were milling around when I removed the can. The spider wisely held perfectly still as I snapped his photo, and the chickens did not spot him.