Ironweed Field CVPS Photowalk, August 27

This is my favorite of the shots from the photowalk, a grasshopper, staring right down the lens.

Argiope, aka big, honkin' spider. Seriously, about three inches from end to end.

Fern fronds. We got to the field around 7 am, so everything was completely covered with dew. The spider webs were beautiful. Got one good shot, and will post it when I find it again.

Wingstem, a prairie wild flower. The ironweed field is full of them, more even than ironweed.

Yay!! Done with August!

Instagram and Most of the Rest of August

Found an app for the iPad called Instagram- does square photos with old-timey looking filters. This shot is of the lights at Panera Chapel Hill. 8/26.

Two shots of the groundhog making herself at home in a pot of squashed geraniums. Butthead, you are so lucky you're cute! 8/28.

Unsquashed geranium, upper deck behind the machine-gun emplacement. 8/29.

Spotted this deer family right before the CVPS photo critique at Hines Hill Conference Center. 8/30.

Chuck took me to Strickland's for custard after showing off his new kitchen counter top, sink and faucet. 8/31.

Almost up to date with August. Still have the photowalk to post, with a big honkin' spider.

With Dog as My Co-Pilot

Lisa and I spotted this weird bimopecycle at Art in the Park on Sunday. Hard to say how it worked, but the pooch was having a good time people watching. 9/11

Mmmmm...

This is such a cool-looking bug, and I was so excited to find it, I spent about an hour on bugguide.net trying to figure out what it was. It's a buzz-killing bagworm. Rats. And they're all over the spruces, too. This one was on an apple and wrapped itself in apple leaves. The ones on the spruce are covered in dried pine needles so they look like broken branch tips. Time to call the tree guy, before the bagworms eat all the leaves. 8/23

 Chuck at Panera, 8/24. Used a couple of filters on this, don't remember what. Isn't he cute?

A hot air balloon, floating by at dusk. 8/25.

Wretched snacker on tomatoes, eggplants, and petunias, a pox on you!! He doesn't really look worried, does he? 8/25

Back Yard Spiders

Spiders are not the most attractive bugs, but they do hold still long enough to get their pictures taken. This one is Cross Orb Weaver.

And this is a Banded Argiope. Smaller than the one's I've seen in the fields along the Cuyahoga, but big for a garden spider.

8/22.

Aug, 19 - 21, Coming Home, Tomatos and Rainbow

Sootie was glad to see me after four days in Rochester. He's a social guy and he always lets me know that he's glad I'm home. 8/19

Golden Boys from the garden in evening light - the light really made them look pretty, almost glowing. 8/20

A rainbow after a quick, fierce storm. 8/21

Printing Workshop in Rochester, NY

Seven people in my business unit were at RIT in Rochester, NY, for an offset printing workshop this week. Good workshop, but hard to sit still for 3 1/2 hours at a time. This is one of the many vineyards we passed along Rt. 90 in New York (8/16).

This is a shot of sunset outside my window (8/16):

RIT has a pretty courtyard on the campus, with umbrellaed tables, shade trees and a covered terrace with cushioned couches. The fountain has a tall green glass part, and smaller jets coming from the pavement. Very peaceful. Lots of groups, chatting and enjoying the weather. (8/17)

Thursday night, I had dinner on my own - just not up for another 2 1/2 hour dinner watching sports on TV. Went to kitsch purgatory (Cracker Barrel), then out for a walk. played a little bit with the Queen Anne's Lace. Couldn't decide which I like better, so am posting them both. (8/18)

 

We're on our way back right now, can't wait to be home!

(written on my iPad, in the car. Typo central!!)