We've had the last weekend of the summer, officially speaking, as Labor Day marks the arrival of fall.
And, as is often the case, also marked a birthday for me--my last, before turning fifty.
A time to reflect.
To think about the passing seasons of one's life--
spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Summer has gone so quickly.
Already the air has turned toward fall.
Autumn always was my favorite time of year.
canoe by edge of Jackson Lake
See more Skywatch here. 
Come along in Red Canoe as she explores the quiet backwater of Ohio's State Parks and the scenic streams and rivers of the Midwest. Discover the beauty hidden beyond the water's edge, quietly waiting, past access points, often only inches deep!
Come browse my photography site, Nature Remains: nothing but a photograph, for full-page slide shows of my favorite images and opportunities to purchase them.
In Spring of 2008, I began the study of 2 vernal pools on my property as part of the Ohio Vernal Pool Partnership monitoring program.
My 2008 journal includes the first photos and findings, as I studied this fascinating wetland area just a few steps beyond my backdoor...
2009 photos and findings,
2010,... again!
Now, 4 years later, another season is just days away!
Travel beyond the Midwest has taken me to some beautiful places. Usually off the beaten track, these places are WILD!
Acadia National Park
New River Nature Festival
Olympic National Park
Pictured Rocks and the UP
Voyageurs National Park
(click on the text above each photo for a quick get-away)
A regularly appearing feature, "Have you seen..." takes a closer, more patient look at things usually not seen in a flattering light.
Take a look!
Each spring, as winter lessens its grip and days warm with the first fragrant breezes of a new season, we collect sap from our Sugar Maples and produce just enough syrup for ourselves for the coming year.
The progress of this year's backyard endeavor is illustrated here.
Summer 2008, the tiny jewel of the avian world, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, nested just feet from my front door. Pictures of her nest and the changing lives within are collected in this journal.
From life the size of a pea....
Cats that come to stay
(click on the text above each photo for stories in these collections)
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46 comments:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! Judging from your posts with their news ,reflections and observations on your home, family,the world -at- large, and the natural world , I would say you are aging more than gracefully -- in fact with grace, joy and wisdom -- and bringing all that, and more, to those fortunate to read your blog.
Yes, Happy Birthday! Don't worry about 50 ... it is really very painless. I'm 54 and had some of my best years since turning 50. Sometimes I say I'm glad I'm old! ... and have all "that" behind me as I watch the younger generation struggle through the processes of life.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Great photo of reflections.
A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, Nina. Many happy, happy returns of the day.
Beautiful photos!
beautiful reflection sky and Happy birthday also :D
I hope have time to stop at my SWF post : in here and here Thanks
Stunning shots Nina. The fifties are not that bad - hapy birthday
Good reflections, I like the second photo the best.
A very beautiful reflection - especially the clouds, seen only in the water.
Such beautiful reflection! I love that 2nd shot too! Looks like a great place to just read and relax:)
Mine is HERE.Thanks! Happy SWF!
HAPPY BIRHTDAY...it is worth it that you have posted a marvelous photo. as it is really lovely to see it with the sky…
check out mine here:HERE
Happy birthday. Rock your last year in the 40s. Congratulations. And happy skywatching.
Nina: Love your reflective shot on the lake.
great photos. The 2nd one is my favorite. Happy Birthday
Lovely and peaceful. Happy Birthday and then some.
I really like both your shot:) Great SWF post!
Petunia's SWF post
Great shots.
Lovely reflection - particularly as I'm sure you'd not have been able to see the sun or the clouds as clearly in the sky!
I love your photos! They are wonderful :)
Beautiful photos Nina. Don't worry about turning 50. I can say from experience that it isn't painful.
Great shot! I'm right there with you on the fifty-express too. Gulp.
How clear and shapely the clouds are in this beautiful reflection! Lovely.
Happy Birthday! It's not so bad on this side of 50 but mentally it is a milestone. Love both your photos but for some reason the canoe by the shore is very moody and poetic. It seems to hint of life's journey and either the end or the beginning of something. Nice post.
Very nice shots! And a fantastic reflection!:)
The sky reflected is pretty, but capturing the sun in the reflection is what makes this photo special. Very nice.
Beautiful photo of reflections, thank you for sharing this lovely patch of sky.
Great photo - I like the effect of having the sky visible only in the water & reflection.
Happy birthday!
Labor day is special to my family. We all go down to the river and kayak up and down it, enjoy some live music and barbecue with some friends. It's a great time.
Happy birthday, the best part of your life only starts when you become a grandparent. Growing old is great, being old not so. Anyway, being old is only a state of mind, there is no need to stop
"growing".
Love your up-side-down world sky photo where the sun shines up your skirts.
Beautiful, I love the reflection of the sun in the 1st one and the 2nd one is very romantic. Happy SWF.
The reflection is absolutely gorgeous! It is just stunning!
this is soooo good! nice SWF entry!
Great photos!
I love the reflection! This shot is perfect!
Skywatch Friday: Universal Sky
Beautiful photos, and so appropriate for your title and your thoughts today.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, and Happy Birthday! Trust me, being 49 sounds pretty good to me:)
Me again...I just noticed your photos of the hummingbird nest on your sidebar. How amazing to be able to witness this up close! I've never even seen one of their nests before; it looks as though they decorated it with flowers!
great shot
Both pics are such a romantic way to celebrate a birthday! Happiness always!
Great shots. I love the sun reflecting in the water in the first one. Thanks for sharing.
This are incredible beautiful reflections, outstanding really!
Love them. Thank you for sharing them with us! :-)
happy birthday!
love the pics!
Happy belated birthday Nina.
Sky reflected in water is a real favorite of mine, and this is one of the best! Great capture, especially the sun.
Hey Nina, you fellow Nature lover, beyond Nature love....you're like me a healthy Nature fanatic!!! :) :) I read this and see in you the same intense PASSION for Nature that I have. AND the detail with which you see it....I relate to that as well.
I think my favorites are GREEN ON GREEN, WOOLY BEAR, the IRON WEED....SO SO SO BEAUTIFUL!!!! Your photos (for me) express the detail with which I also see Nature. Sometime maybe I will post my better photos. Way back I had several stolen so I don't post them any more (people copied them and posted them as their own). I was wondering what you use for a camera and lenses? Could you let me know.
I LOVE the hummingbird slide show. Absolutely breathless. ALSO, your bit on the sidebar titled: "I'm Out There" You could have been writing about me...beautifully expressed!!
This is truly a stellar site and beautiful beyond what any words can convey....like Nature. Thank you for sharing such beauty. So many people have forgotten their connection to Nature and we must remind them. Thank you for doing so in SUCH a precious way. It means a lot to me.
Beautiful sky watch captures...great reflections!
Happy B~day! :)
Happy skywatching!
Cat
A very Happy Birthday!
Just great photos of reflections.
Wonderful pictures!
And Happy Birthday!
Your photos from the mantids are impressive!
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