IN THE FIELD: Last Blast Of Summer

A few weeks ago I took this photo of a Rose Of Sharon blossom on one of the last absolutely perfect summer days. It was mid morning, the sun was shining, the air was cool, and the sky was blue with puffy white clouds scattered about.

I will have to remember to go back to the archives and view this image in February when the temperatures are in the 20’s and the wind chills are in the single digits.

f3.5

1/200th

ISO 200

cloudy WB

 

IN THE FIELD: Exit Stage Left

While I was stopped at a traffic light the other day, I looked to my right and happened to notice this doorway on the side of an old restaurant. It was in the middle of the wall with no steps leading down to the ground. Huh?

Luckily I was able to get a quick shot off just as the light turned green. As I was looking at the photo on the computer, I could see the outline of a set of steps on the side of the building. Why the steps are gone and the door remains functional, is a mystery.

Lately I seem to have developed the ability to discover objects with no clear meaning. Fences that do not enclose anything, signs that make no sense no matter how many times you read them, and doorways that lead to nowhere.

f4.5

1/3200th

ISO 200

cloudy WB

IN THE FIELD: More Explanation Needed

Am I missing something here?

Does this mean if a person is handicapped and they park here, a $50 to $300 fine is in their future? Or does it mean if you are not handicapped and you park here, a $50 to $300 fine is coming your way?

I realize sometimes a sign can only be so big, and only so much info can be printed on it. But I still I think a little more thought should have gone into this one.

f 5.6

1/500

ISO 100

cloudy WB

IN THE FIELD: Exotics Close to Home

A few weeks ago, on a hot sultry morning, we were walking the pups at a very leisurely pace through our neighborhood. We headed down a street we don’t normally frequent, but our canine companions insisted. Sometimes it’s best not to argue with a terrier.

The short street is lined with tidy homes surrounding a cul-de-sac. As we waited for the doggies to finish smelling whatever it was that had their total focus, I noticed these tropical beauties growing in a front garden of one of the homes. I didn’t have my camera with me on this muggy morning,

After we returned home with the dogs and they were settled, I grabbed my gear and headed back to the house where I had seen these hibiscus plants. I asked the homeowner it I could photograph the exotic flowers growing in the garden. She was happy to oblige my wishes, and in return I presented her a print of the photo.

f 3.5

1/640th

ISO 200

cloudy WB

IN THE FIELD: Farm Fresh Sculpture

This past weekend we took a leisurely drive out in unexplored farm country. The rolling hills and pastures were covered in green grass and stands of corn waiting to be harvested.

As we drove along a winding road, we came across several fields of recently harvested hay which was formed into huge bales. Curiously, the hay bales were stacked three to a stack and seemed to be placed randomly throughout the fields.

My wife and I have been around farming communities most of our lives, but have never seen hay bales standing like sentinels in a field before.

These stacks of hay reminded us of the sculptures on Easter Island. Perhaps the farmer was in a creative mood the day of harvesting and was thinking the same thing.

f 6.3

1/500th

ISO 200

cloudy WB

IN THE FIELD: Late Bloomers

A few weeks ago I was walking up an embankment by a creek’s edge heading for the shade provided by a stand of maple trees. It was cool by the creek, but once I got away from the water I needed relief from the hot sun. In the shade of the old trees was a rather sizable grouping of Hosta plants. I have no idea which variety they are, but the leaves were some of the largest Hosta leaves I have ever seen. Not only was it nice and cool under the trees, but it sure was a pleasant surprise to see these plants blooming this late in the summer.

f 2.2

1/500 th

ISO 100

cloudy WB