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

When does summer begin for you?

June 1 is the beginning of meteorological summer. June 21 is the beginning of astronomical summer. Larry Weber, a naturalist up in Duluth, Minnesota that I follow, defines the beginning of summer as “when the open field flowers begin to outnumber the woodland flowers.” I like Larry’s definition the best, and have adopted it for myself, and I think I can even refine it further (for me personally) as when I first notice the musk thistles on the roadside. Today was the day. Happy First Day of Summer everyone!

musk thistle or nodding thistle (Carduus nutans)