before I say goodbye

I made a group shot of these musk thistles six days ago. Since then, they have been in a vase on my (still-new-to-me) kitchen island. My husband just informed me that the water in the vases were giving off a musty smell. So before I dumped them outside so they could self actualize into compost, I decided I needed one last individual portrait. Musk thistle, you are a thorny villain almost to rough to handle, but you sure are photogenic.

musk thistle or nodding thistle (Carduus nutans)

too tired to type

It seems a shame not to talk about the magnificence that is wild blue flag iris–a northerners’ fresh water lakes birth right.Steve and I have been spreading seeds every fall and this year we finally have a real legit colony. But we have been repairing our dock all day, and my arms actually ache from labor. Enjoy this northern native beauty. I will catch up with you tomorrow. xoxo, MJ

wild blue flag iris (Iris versicolor)

served up perfection

When you live on three heavily wooded acres on a lake there is lot of annual upkeep that doesn’t even include the house itself. While our house is still brand new, and doesn’t need any fixing, the woods, gardens, and dock needed a ton of attention after our year away in nearby rental apartment. We had a punch-list with about 20 items on it this spring, and we are now down to the last and biggest item: Dock Repair. For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you will know that we have a 100 yard boardwalk through cattails between our house and the lake. The boardwalk is ridiculously poetic, and the wabi-sabinesss of it is part of its charm. But winter lake ice takes it’s toll every winter. We started repairs today, and will be at it all week. One of the perks of being waist deep in the lake for hours on end will be the new STILL subjects I am bound to come across.

American White Water-lily (Nymphaea odorata)

on patience

White flowers was one of those subjects I had to be in the mood for when I was working on white. Because photographing a white flower on a white background was tricky, and took a little patience. Most days I don’t have a lot of patience. Like today. But I didn’t need patience today. I now have a black background. And that has made all the difference.

Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

a freebie

My husband and I have been repairing a deck at one of our rental properties this week. While I has cleaning the job site, my chosen role, I saw this still-fully-intact cottonwood catkin on the ground and pocketed it. When I got home I placed it beside my computer and promptly forgot about it. Until it exploded. So I gingerly picked it up and placed it on my black background. I love this photo. And the ease with which it happened.

cottonwood tree catkin gone to seed fluff