345: Up

Up at the county fair

Last week’s The Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge was Up.  I’m a little late to the party, but I’m hoping it will be considered fashionably late and my tardiness will be excused.

While we were at the county fair last weekend, I made it a point to look up.  I like to use new photos for these challenges when I can, but won’t balk at using something from the archives if necessary.  (A hint of things to come?)

A theme or challenge is a good way to get me to stretch a bit, creatively speaking.

Last year, as part of a NaBloPoMo theme (it should be noted NaBloPoMo has been around longer than the WordPress PostADay challenge, and I was glad to see WordPress acknowledge that), I spent a whole month looking up.  You can start here if you’re new to the Bogs blog and are curious as to how that worked out.  It was fun.  But I also have admit it wasn’t too challenging as I’m frequently looking up.  The main challenge was to avoid posting a month of cloud photos.  The main highlight was getting Freshly Pressed for this post.

I looked up at all sorts of things, from statuary in a cemetery to city buildings to geese flying overhead.  Two of my favorites from that month are The Star Barn (because I had an opportunity to get close and photograph it rather than just look at it from the highway as we passed by), and In Flight (the pelican will explain why).

Although I did spot some other “up” things to photograph at the fair, I concentrated mostly on the Ferris wheel.  I like Ferris wheels as long as I’m on the ground looking up.  I don’t mind too much riding on one either, as long as the person I’m with doesn’t rock the gondola (too much).  The biggest wheel I’ve ever had the pleasure of being on was the London Eye back in 2000 when M and I lived in London for a good part of a summer.  Ferris wheels, like hot air balloons and fireworks, are what I think of as sky flowers.  Or flowers in the sky.  Take your pick.

The day after the fair M and I were out back flying kites with our oldest granddaughter.  It was very windy that day due to Irene.  A big gust came along scaring Emma soon after she had control of the kite.  It almost picked her right up off the ground.  One of the nice things about being a grandma is that I’m well grounded.  Emma spent the rest of her kite flying time hanging on to me, and I’m happy to report that she wasn’t swept away with Irene’s winds.

On my walks around the pond lately I can look up and see all the berries on the bushes surrounding the pond.  It looks like the birds have already been at them.  I’m not sure what kind of berries they are.  Anyone else know?

Viburnum berries

The heat and humidity continue unabated.  I think these past two days have been the worst of the summer.  I did not want to go outside.  Yesterday evening the air was filled with clouds of gnats.

The white spots that make the photo look grainy are the swarming insects.  I didn’t let them deter me from going for a short boat ride around the pond.  Boat season will be over soon, and the pond is in need of aeration.  It’s looking yucky (as my oldest granddaughter would put it).  It needs some rain and wind to freshen it up.

Today's view of the pond

Today’s walk around the pond is not for the squeamish.  Whenever I walk through the meadows, I know there are lots of eyes upon me…

There are a lot of praying mantids scattered about, and I’ve gotten good at spotting them.  Today I found one that had just captured its lunch.

It’s a yellowjacket which, frankly, I’m glad to see somebody out there is eating.  In a few more weeks the yellowjackets will be everywhere.  Eating or drinking can be hazardous when they’re out and about.  I was once stung on the tongue by a yellowjacket that had crawled into my beer can while we were on a picnic.  I didn’t see it in the can, took a sip, and yow!  So you can see why I am not a fan of the yellowjacket.  I realize they have a place in nature’s grand scheme (they are predators of some pest insects).

The next photo is a close-up so if the previous photos bothered you, don’t look.  I’ll wrap this up now so you won’t have to scroll any further.  Thanks for dropping by the Bogs and joining me on my walk today.  I hope you’re having a great weekend.  🙂

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