Wishful thinking? Can a grasshopper have wishes? I know a grasshopper can be very aware of me, the photographer!
Frozen in Time - Grasshopper - 2010
When I moved to one side to get a better view of him, he would  edge around the twig to the other side where I could not see him as well. I finally had to use one hand to kind of wave at him so that he would edge away from my hand into the view of my camera. I caught him, though!
In early February our pasture is a wasteland. The drought, severe heat, and hungry horses reduced a formerly lush, green meadow to dry dirt. There is hope, however. A lone survivor stands amidst the brown dust.
Survivor Photographed February 2012
It may be short – stunted even – but it has produced seeds! Â May it reproduce wildly all over the pasture!
Meanwhile, I admire the sunlight glinting off its seed fluffs.
Still bedewed with water droplets from his frigid early morning drink, Blaze’s fuzzy little muzzle is silhouetted against the sunrise.
Refreshing! - Winter 2011
Well, miniature daggers – pointy, sharp, and gleaming.
It is so amazing that these crystalline structures form overnight! They transform the world; as the sun rises it strikes sparks from each individual crystal so that the entire outdoors glitters and glows, magically transformed. Then that very sunlight that sparks the transformation melts it all back to common, everyday water.
Glittery, shiny, glinting. Rhinestones and sequins? No, the world is gleaming with millions of frosty crystals!
Only the early riser enjoys this glowing treasure, as the warmth of the sun’s rays almost instantly converts all those crystals to shimmering water droplets, then evaporates them.
Do today’s fashion designers realize how closely they follow the fashions of nature?
Fashion and nature: beaded and fringed dress, spiraling around the body. 
It was actually this morning, when attempting to photograph frost crystals, that I started to think about nature and fashion. I will post one of this morning’s photos later, I hope, after my battery has recharged (and my camera’s battery, lol) and I have examined the photos.
Still, turn this upside down and I can imagine a flapper’s dress, can’t you?
Today is bright and sunny, triggering today’s afternoon flashback. It is quite a cheerful looking day. But step outside and your mood may change; it is brisk, to put a nice spin on it. Cold, frigid compared to recent days in the 60s.
Does this summer sight help you smell and hear echoes of summer? 2011
Looking out the window, feeling the heat through the windows, called to mind this summer afternoon in Harlan, Iowa, 2011. Warm in the sun, slightly less warm in the shade. Humming insects, gentle lapping of waves, soft susurating breeze…
My sweet, friendly Morgan mare, Elle, stands at the fence. She would stand around to be stroked and scratched all day long and never get tired of it.
Blue Flag Elegance - Autumn 2010
When I walk out our door, or when I feed the chickens for Bridger – anytime Elle can see me – she whickers a greeting. It’s like having a dog who loves me, only better!
This is another flashback to warmer, sunnier days. Last spring I set out to photograph the wild plum blossoms – and revel in their heady scent.
Happily for me, it is more interested in nectar than in my blood - Spring 2011
As I moved around to find blossoms highlighted by sunlight, I was not the only one interested in the sunny, sweet smelling blooms. In fact, there were numerous visitors of many sizes and shapes, but the most astounding to me was this odd creature. I realize it sort of resembles a bumblebee, but I do not think it is a bee at all. What it most looks like to me is those cartoon mosquitoes with pointy proboscii (is that a plural for proboscis?). Only this one is dressed for cold weather, rather like an Eskimo, and his/her face is all whiskery like a Schnauzer. Of course, now I have exited the realms of science and, rather, entered cartoon-landia, but none-the-less, I wanted to share this marvelous little creature. 🙂 And I loved the light sparkling off the fur on his back!
Actually, this is one of Bridger’s black hens. He really likes his Black Giant hens; they are good layers, very friendly, and forage for themselves. Or, they are willing to follow him around hoping for handouts! Bridger is known to share muffins, sandwiches, apples, cantaloupe… pretty much anything he is eating he will share with a nearby hungry hen 🙂
She Lays Eggs for Gentlemen - 2011
Hawken, however, gets a little unnerved by those chickens following him around, especially one large Welsummer rooster who runs up behind him (sounding like a person, as he is two-legged and runs kind of heavily), then stops and pretends he is not really following if Hawken looks around at him. Yes, we are amused by the little things in our lives 🙂
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