At Long Last Blue Skies

After a month of rain and gray weather we have had a week of never ending blue skies and have been spending as much time outdoors as possible. The leaves are gathered and the outdoor chores are finished for the season. Time for hikes and watching the sun set.

Sunny days also make the best light to photograph my hand dyed fabrics. Indirect sunlight allows me to photograph the truest colors. Reds and pinks can wash out in incandescent light.

I was finally able to photograph my new snowflake ornaments and add them to my Shady Grove Studios shop. Gray skies do not encourage sales.

The fields have turned to straw and the white tailed deer have changed their coats to a dull brown. It is a good camouflage for the fall.

Lately we have seen this big guy chasing the girls around. Sometimes he is followed by young bucks that are no match for him.

Wishing you well from sunny Wisconsin! Chris

P.S. Check back on Sunday. I will be hosting another giveaway of items from my Etsy shops.

Wildlife and Random Thoughts from the Shady Grove

Common Wood-Nymph

Hundreds of dragonflys will fill the fields of the Shady Grove in another week or so.

Eastern Comma

Our valley

Candian Thistle an invasive species, but oh so beautiful and stately.

This boy is just starting to show his antlers

Yearlings feed on the apple trees

and play tag outside my studio window.

Groundhog's Day

The day started like this, a misty morning and a deer enjoying breakfast outside my studio window.

A little later I spied these two groundhogs behind the house.

They are summer guests this year, lodging in the old chicken coop.

At day's end we watched the sunset.

Local Attractions

In late October and early November the local male deer go through a rutting season. My husband and I had a chance to see the "rut" in action. Five bucks were competing for the affection of one doe in the field behind our house. It was quite a sight to see. This buck was by far the oldest and strongest of the bunch and also the victor.

--Friday night you will be able to see the largest full moon of the year. The moon is closest to the earth this time of year. Look for high tides in coastal areas.

--In the early evening on Sunday, December 14, there will be a "window of opportunity" to view for Geminids meteor shower in a dark, moonless sky. Between the times that evening twilight ends and the time that the bright waning gibbous moon rises, there will be about an hour of dark sky available.

Barley Harvest

We live in an area with many Amish neighbors. It is not uncommon to pass more horse and buggies on the road than cars. The barley has been harvested and sits stacked in the field. I love this time of year. The grasses are turning pale shades of brown after going to seed.

I finally had my camera with me and had a chance to photograph the doe and her fawn. I see them every morning grazing in the apple orchard next to the house. This is the clearest shot I have been able to get of these two. The fawn is very active and hard to catch standing still.

Perseids Meteor showers will be at peak in the early am on August 12th. Look to the sky just after the moon sets.

Allow the world to live as it chooses, and allow yourself to live as you choose. - Richard Bach