August's Last Sunset

taken:
day seventy three
08.31.12

As the sun sets on the last day of August, over Lake Mille Lacs, the evening becomes drowsy, dreamy and quiet.

Evening Stroll

taken:
day seventy two
08.30.12

Just a small and curious beetle taking an evening stroll around the center of a daylily.

High In The Sky

taken:
day seventy one
08.29.12

Sunflower season is always in full swing by the end of August. Just in time to round out the summer with happiness high in the sky.

Potential

taken:
day seventy
08.28.12

This sunflower, tightly clenched, was filled with potential and promise. In days it could become a splendid summer beauty. Unfortunately, on day seventy one {the day after this photo}, this blossom was gone. Totally gone. All that was left was an empty stem and a bit of sadness. I'm pretty sure this young sunflower made a little treat for a passing deer. I hope it was tasty, at least.

Grasshopper On Goldenrod

taken:
day sixty nine
08.27.12

Just a little grasshopper on a billowy Goldenrod flower cluster.

A Day At The Lake

taken:
day sixty eight
08.26.12

My view from the docked pontoon at my in-law's cabin. I spent the day lounging in this cozy spot as the boys swam, paddle boated and fished off the dock nearby. A prefect day, the kind that summer is legendary for.

Draped With Texture

taken:
day sixty seven
08.25.12

This interesting moss grows along the shoreline at my in-law's cabin in Willow River, MN. Draping the lawn with texture, it looks prickly, spiky, a place to be avoided, but it's actually soft and kind of spongy. I find mosses so intriguing and mysterious, reminding me of a lush fairytale land from another place in time.

Brilliant And Cheerful

taken:
day sixty six
08.24.12

One of the brilliant and cheerful sunflowers growing in our garden. A sure sign that the last half of summer was in full swing.

Sunup To Sundown

taken:
day sixty five
08.23.12

We look forward to it all year, the Minnesota State Fair! My mom, my boys and I go every year together. 

We got there just after sunup this year, and we were there until just after sundown. The street lights were still shining as we started our State Fair adventure. 

After a long and full day, the sun set through the storm clouds that were approaching, filling the sky with rays of fading sunlight. Luckily we left just before the rain began to fall.

It was a great day, filled with indulgent fair food, Kidway rides, Midway games, people watching, lots and lots of walking and more. A truly fun day!

Along The Swamp

taken:
day sixty four
08.22.12

On a walk down our newly found nature trail these are the grasses that grow along the swampy portion of the path.

Golden Glow

taken:
day sixty three
08.21.12

I love how these golden native grasses glow in the evening sunshine.

Cosmo And The Sky

taken:
day sixty two
08.20.12

Just a simple 'Bright Lights' Cosmo towering over the garden, cloaked by the happy summer sky.

Small And Sweet

taken:
day sixty one
08.19.12

A small and sweet moth, with bunny-rabbit-like fur and big bright eyes, hanging out on a cheerful marigold. What a cuddly little guy!

Wispy

taken:
day sixty
08.18.12

The fluffy and wispy tips of a dandelion seed head. It's natures beauty and annoyance all in one, since most people see these dainty seeds as lawn invaders.

I took this shot using the Reverse Lens Technique. It's a way to get a macro shot without having a macro lens. I used my Canon 35mm f/2.0 by simply removing the lens from my camera and reversing it {holding it up to the lens opening backwards}. You have to hold it in place the entire time {unless you have a fancy adapter} and be careful because you are exposing the back of your lens. Also, it's super super hard to get a focus because you focus by moving forward and backward. It's tricky but a fun challenge! If you have the patience it's definitely an exciting way get some interesting macro shots.