It is hard to believe that it has already been 15 years since I took this image of Sophia in the back part of our farm. We were spreading milkweed seeds with the hope that we would see more milkweed plants - and more monarchs - in future years.
By doing this each year that we have lived at our farm, we have many more milkweed plants now than we did in 1995 when we moved here. We are seeing a positive impact of our actions.
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Waterlogue continues to be something fun to experiment with as I try different photographs I've taken in it. The original photograph that I used was of the sun setting behind the forested hill overlooking the rocky shore of Lake Superior in Grand Marais.
We are seeing now a combination of migratory and local birds now. This morning, in the backyard alone, I saw a White-Throated Sparrow, Black-Capped Chickadee, Nashville Warbler, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Cardinal. These are only a fraction of the birds we see at our farm. Planting hundreds of native flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees at our farm is truly making a difference and drawing a wider diversity of birds here!
My sister and I went to our favorite parade again this year. Held in Osceola (Wisconsin), the parade this year was over 1 1/2 hours. There were so many handouts in addition to candy: hotdogs, popsicles, pop, rulers, and more. Even the dogs got dressed up and walked in the parade.
One of the highlights of Taco Daze in Scandia that the Scandia-Marine Lions sponsor is the Firefighters' Waterball Competition. The goal is for competing fire departments to try to move the metal ball to the opponent's side. Whoever does this, wins.
The original photograph is of a migrating monarch on one of many swamp milkweed plants that are blooming in the west pasture near the seasonal pond. By using the Waterlogue app, I can change the image into a watercolor image.
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One of my favorite parts of the Minnesota State Fair in the Ag-Hort Building is the floral kaleidoscopes. Each year, the flowers and arrangements change. As you spin the flower pot and look through the kaleidoscope, the images change.
I am enjoying using the Waterlogue app and seeing how taking one of my photographs can be transformed into another digital image. This image was from a photograph I took of a Fjord horse in Grand Marais that was walking through a pasture filled with white flowers.
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The one thing that I wish I had was a better camera with a longer lens. I wouldn't have to crop the image so much which would result in a better image.
Nonetheless, for me, sometimes photographs - even if they aren't ideal in all respects - remind me of exciting experiences, like these do from being on the St. Croix River yesterday. Seeing such majestic birds - like the eagle and the osprey - was such a highlight of my day. The eagle flew slightly above eye level by the pontoon boat. It was unexpected and exhilarating for everyone on the boat to see!
This month, there were more ospreys along the St. Croix River between Stillwater and Bayport. (Last month, when we were on the pontoon boat ride with the Scandia-Marine Lions and Let's Go Fishing, there were many more eagles and cormorants.)
Last month I coordinated a pontoon boat ride through Let's Go Fishing for members of the Scandia-Marine Lions Club. One of the things I enjoy doing is taking photos of the Lions so that they have current photos of themselves. I do this not only for the club's membership directory, but at their meetings and events. When I post the images on the club's Facebook page, their friends, family, and neighbors see them and comment. They like seeing their friends and loved ones having fun and living life to the fullest.
All four of our dogs have been adopted from Northwoods Humane Society in Wyoming (Minnesota), and each comes with his or her own story. Briefly (and in the order of the photographs):
- Aspen - rescued at only six weeks from a high-kill shelter in the south and brought to Northwoods. We adopted her at eight weeks - very early in a puppy's life. She is a Siberian Husky-American Staffordshire Terrier mix.
- Cooper - adopted at six months old. As a German Wirehaired Pointer-Golden Retriever mix, he has a tremendous amount of energy. He thrived when doing obedience and agility training, and still enjoys showing what he remembers.
- Scooby - adopted at ten years old with his brother, Danny. Both lived with a woman and her abusive boyfriend. The woman fled the situation, leaving Scooby and Danny behind. The boyfriend threatened to kill the dogs. The police got involved, rescued the dogs, and brought them to Northwoods. Scooby is a Terrier-Pug mix.
- Danny - adopted at six years old with his brother, Scooby. Both he and Scooby were overweight and had not been receiving proper medical or dental care. Since being adopted, both are at a healthy weight and have had the dental and medical care they needed which have included surgeries. Danny is a Terrier-Chihuahua mix.
