Night Moves...

Bob Seger's Night Moves is one of my oldy favorite songs.

So the past few days with the 'new' moon phase arriving, I've been spending quite a few nights trying to 'catch' star trails and the Milky Way.

That meant spending some time in the tent so I could just pop out of the flap and see the night sky. That did not worked out well since I missed that night sky but got to see some amazing Saturday morning fog and the Crescent Moon over the Meadow.

I decided to try it again on Saturday night.

I went out to the camp with the intention of seeing the night sky appear and getting some amazing shots.

Hmmm. That didn't happen either. The dogs and I spent a little bit of time out at the 'camp'. It was hot and sticky, but I thought it would be nicer at the campsite. It usually is.

But.
It wasn't.

It was horrible. I could handle the humidity and the heat, but I couldn't handle the mosquitoes! There were hoards of them!

It was so bad that when Hannah came up to me, she had mosquitoes all over her nose and face. I abandoned the 'camp' and headed home to the 'safety' of the house.

At home there was a very slight breeze from the southwest that hadn't been drifting through the trees. I decided to try going out much later and seeing if I'd get eaten alive.

Thankfully, I wasn't!

I experiment quite a bit when 'shooting' the stars and the night sky. I really wanted just to get the Big Dipper the first night.

I got part of the Big Dipper along with a bit of clouds and even a firefly squiggly.

So I tried another shot with a longer time of exposure. The clouds moved through and again and there were more firefly squiggles.

I thought, okay, now I've done that, now I need to try the Milky Way. 

The first shot is turned to black and white. This was the night that had a few clouds. The clouds were an odd color as well as the Milky Way. Everything had a weird green tint.

[I am still trying to learn why I get the odd colors, is it stray light from a town 3 miles away or is my color balance just really awful. I need to study that some more. Sometimes I do a great job and at others? I suck.]

I quit after an hour or so of trying to get a proper shot. 

Oddly enough, I wasn't bothered by the hoards of blood sucking mosquitoes.

So I went back to the old standby of doing another Star Trail. If I were a true Astro photographer, I'd seek out a wonderful exotic place and position the Milky Way over a barn or some other scenic place. But I am not that good at it, so I spend my dark summer nights practicing over and over again in my own yard. 

Travelling to another location seems to be frivolous for me since I am still learning.

Plus--> I have pretty good dark skies in my hollow.

I really like this Star Trail shot. There are little tiny streaks of green in the sky from the Fireflies flying above the camera. By this time, the clouds had moved away. 

So maybe I was getting just a bit better with the star trails and I still sucked big time with the Milky Way. [That just means I can practice more late at night!]

I'm not one to give up. The next night was supposed to be clear. Just as the stars came out, I decided to try for the Big Dipper once more. In the shot below, I can see where it is...just barely. 

Our little house is right below the Dipper. I rather liked the blue in the night sky in the early evening.

I tried again when it got a bit darker and cropped the photo. 

Now I can see the Big Dipper. 

Mission accomplished!

I wanted to try another star trail so I set it up. 

It wasn't exactly where I wanted it to be, but I decided to just go with it. 

There is something about the streaks of stars that appeal to me. 

The night sky is

so incredible even in a boring setting.

 

Failures of the Milky Way:

Maybe one day I will be successful. I have really good luck sometimes and really poor luck other times.

I wonder sometimes if it is light reflection from far off and if humidity has an affect on how the camera sees the night sky and the Milky Way.

In my head, I was photographing this instead. 
[sky swapped--> which I don't believe in doing. I want to truly do this proper!]

😢

I keep studying and learning, that is what feeds my curiosity. Eventually, I'd love to say that I've done a shot just like the one above on my own.

I can adjust my white balance more to a lower Kelvin temperature [I know this doesn't make sense to others but apparently the right temperature should be somewhere between 3600-3800 for a pleasing bluish night sky.
I've looked at a filter that is supposed to cut light pollution, but not sure I want to drop $ into something that is more of a hobby for sleepless nights.

I think I'll watch some instructive videos for my particular camera to see if I can improve my star photos.

It would be a good choice today with temps outdoors that are rising to 95 this afternoon.

I could go out this evening and try some more skies. After all the sky will be dark.

It would also be a great day for a nap and reading a mystery.

After all, a year ago, I got pretty close to what I felt was satisfactory.

[View from the porch]

A place in the forest...

No internet. Spotty cell service. 
A comfy tent bedroom.

Peace.
No walls, open air.

Stars.

Magical blinking lights.

Surround sound.

Coyote calls.

Barred Owl songs.

Deer whistles.

Songs from a Brown Thrasher.

Bird calls.

Campfire.

Smells.

Fog in the meadow.

Dew.

The sound of leaves sighing in the breeze.

No noises other than those made in the forest.

A light show like no other.

Morning mists in the meadow.

A stunning morning view.

Good company.

Where the Earth Breathes

The morning mist hangs low and still,
Upon the green and silent hill.
The ancient trees hold back the wind,
And leave the busy world behind.

A hidden creek flows soft and slow,
Through mossy stones and fern below.
No hurried step, no frantic sound,
Just quiet grace upon the ground.

The golden light begins to fade,
Across the cool, protected glade.
The forest rests, the shadows fall,
And peace settles over all.

~~~Author Unknown

6th Graders

Once upon a time I considered becoming a teacher for a living. I got through two years of college and went on to doing a month as a Pre-Student Teacher.

It was a smart move by the college program to see if young students really had the calling to become a full fledged teacher.

I walked into the classroom to meet the students on that first day. 20 sets of eyes turned to look at me curiously. I felt fear trickle down my spine. I observed the class for one day and suddenly was sure that I would never survive a day in front of students. They would eat me alive.

I changed my major then next day to something completely safe and boring. Those 2nd Graders had terrified me. I was about 20 when that happened. I was positive that if I stuck with Teaching, kids would literally eat me alive.

The second thing that used to bother me to no end was public speaking. I had to give a speech while in college and I recall it was one of the worst moments of my life. My hands got slick and sweaty, my breath kept escaping me, and I knew I'd die of a heart attack any moment. Somehow I got through that experience without expiring and vowed never to speak again in front of more than two or three people.

I've had 40 years since that happened. I've done a lot of things since then. Maybe I'm just comfortable with who I am now.

I received a text from a teacher at the local school wondering if I'd like to come and do a presentation at Camp for the 6th grade. She was looking for something involving nature, something different.

I didn't really think too hard about it. I didn't even think about that day that those 2nd Graders shook my soul. I texted back yes. We made the arrangements and my presentation was going to be billed as "Nature Hike and Wild Food."

When I arrived at 'Camp', I spoke with the teacher and told her that I was going to have to 'Wing' it as I'd never been in this valley before and didn't know what plants were growing along our proposed hike route. She was fine with that.

I went to the meet up spot and watched curiously as a mixed bag of 11 and 12 year old girls and boys showed up. They pretty much ignored my presence under the tree and talked about their cabins and whatnot.

We started the hike in a well groomed area. I asked the kids if they'd ever hunted Morel Mushrooms, many hands went up. I asked about Wild Ramps or Leeks, less hands but still a few.

I asked if they knew what Garlic Mustard was. They knew. Did they know what it looked like? Curious faces. No not many did.

I found a plant and held it up.

There was a bit of curiosity in their eyes but not much.

I explained that this was a plant brought overseas by Europeans years ago. They used it apparently to spice things up and it may have had some medicinal purposes also.

There was sort of a shrug with the attention. I could hear their minds working. Big Deal.

So I grabbed a leaf and chewed on it. There was the hint of taste of garlic with another flavor. I made a face and said, "Oh this does indeed taste like garlic a bit!" Suddenly I had their attention. I picked another plant and held it up.

Hands reached out and they asked, "Can be try it?" Suddenly the group was passing the plants around, sniffing it, some grabbing a leaf and cautiously tasting it.

I spit mine out and took a drink of water.

"I could use that to flavor a salad or piece of chicken, but I won't be eating it plain!"

The kids started looking for Garlic Mustard as we walked. They would point to it and ask to pick it.

I found some Wild Parsnip and pulled out my gardening blade. I pulled it up and explained that this too was a plant that was brought over from Europe and was closely related to the Parsnip that was planted in normal gardens. However, one could safely dig them up in the spring and eat the roots. I cautioned that it takes a lot of work to make a meal, but I thought it was delicious as a treat.

Old photo of gathering wild parsnips

I asked them if they knew how nasty this plant was in the summer. They did and they told me how the plant could burn you and hurt you. I spoke about foraging and the best way to do it would be with someone who had a lot of experience so they wouldn't get the wrong plant.

We moved on after everyone got to smell the parsnip roots. They told me it smelled like carrots or parsnips or turnips.

The hit of the day was golden rod. We were looking at Jack in the Pulpits when one youngster brought me a dried out stem with a gall in it. They asked me what made it.

I pointed to the new golden rod coming up on the ground and then took the stem with the 'gall' in it.

I told them that insects burrow into the golden rod and then there is an egg laid. I thought a 'bug' should be inside the 'gall'.

I related a story of how my Grandmother and us kids would walk the fields in the fall to find these along with milk weed pods for a dried 'flower' bouquet. My Grandmother would sometimes paint the golden rod stems and the milk weed pods.

I asked if anyone knew the real technical name of these 'galls'.

I received blank looks and shaking heads.

I reached over and boinked the nearest student on the head gently. "There's your nobbin...there's your Nobbin' Knocker!"

There was lots of laughter and suddenly everyone was looking for Nobbin' Knockers. Some were going to keep them and some were going to take the gall apart to find the bug inside.

One of the girls had come up to me at the start of the hike and asked how long was the hike? I'd answered about 45 minutes. The look on her face was horrified.

On the way back to camp she was disappointed that the hike was so short. She had been having fun.

It struck me on the drive home that I'd been with groups of students all day long and had not once been struck by fear, dread, sweaty hands, or anguish. I hadn't worried about what I'd say or do. By the third hike out I'd figured out what might peak the students' interests.

And believe me. Holding a 11-12 yr old group of kids' interest is not an easy thing to do.

I had a blast.

Two Sisters Camp

This is sort of a Grandma & Grandpa Camp for non biological grandkids. Grace and Evelyn are not my grands at all though but they are staying with me for most of the week.

I've known Mom and Dad for years.  I taught Mom in 4H when I was a leader in a time long ago and far away. I find it fitting that their children can spend some time at our farm and do some learning about equine and riding.

Yesterday was our first full day. And wow what a day it was.

The girls had some very long faces when mom and dad pulled out and drove away. I thought "Uh oh, I am in for it. The kids are going to be so heartsick and homesick, they won't make it very long."

Well, that hasn't happened so far.
We ate breakfast and before we went out to do chores I sat with the girls and we made out a menu for the week and made up a grocery list.

Then we headed out for chores. Rich came too. The girls got busy with feeding the hounds and putting out hay for the equine. Grace I could tell right off had eyes for 15. And why not? Everyone who has met her has really fallen for the little bay horse.

We did so many things yesterday. I'm not sure I can keep track of them all. So perhaps I'll just try and make a quick list.
Chores
Groceries
Fred introduction:
The first 'lesson' in riding an animal is how to be safe around an animal. We spent the cool morning hours learning about how to safely lead Fred. How to make Fred make right and left turns while leading him. How to stop him and back him up.
Fred is a pony mule and does well with kids. He can also be a bit of a challenge. I thought of using Siera to teach the girls about leading with a rope and halter. However Siera is too polite and too good.
Fred is just about perfect, but will make the kids work for it.
If it was too easy, it wouldn't be a good lesson.

After Fred
Painting on the porch
Art

Goat visit
Play in neighbor's goat pasture
Climb trees
Laugh
Silliness
Pick berries
Fill the old stock tank aka Mt. Tank
Play in the water
Take 15 out
Apply lessons from the morning to 15

What Grace didn't realize, is that she was actually training 15. 15 was learning that a sponge bath with a towel was a nice thing, that someone fussing over her mane was a very pleasant thing.
15 has always been very quiet and has nearly impeccable manners when being groomed. It was interesting to watch Grace and 15 interact. At first 15 was fairly wide eyed and watched Grace carefully.
By the time Grace was done with her, 15 was so comfortable she was dozing in the shade.

Play in Mt. Tank
Take Morris swimming

I have to give the old dog credit. He went along with whatever the girls wanted to do. He was busy most of the afternoon following them so he could just be near them.
They asked me if Morris could go in the stock tank and swim. I said only if they helped him back out.

Chores
Second lesson with Fred
In lesson two with Fred the girls learned how to mount and dismount. They learned the importance of an emergency dismount. Grace is tall so the challenge of mounting Fred was not an issue.
Evelyn is small so there was a challenge to get up in the saddle. However Evelyn is an avid climber and an athlete like her sister. Getting mounted soon became a non issue.
The girls learned balance and how to ride with poise. We first learn to ride and sit a saddle with no reins in hand and no stirrups. Fred was good, the girls were excellent.


Evelyn jumped in when I started to put the hamburgers together. She helped make them. I was surprised a little but it was a very pleasant surprise.

Grace engaged Rich in conversation and they chatted while Eve and I worked on supper. I could tell by the tone of Rich's voice that he was really enjoying it.
Rich had spent most of the afternoon taking a nap and had stayed inside because it was so hot and humid out.

We cleaned up and everyone decided that it was time for bed. Morris went up the stairs last night to sleep with the girls. His skipped his spot on the couch for better sleeping quarters. He rarely passes up an opportunity to snuggle with a kid if they are willing.

This morning I woke up early as I usually do. I thought about the girls visiting. Outside the fog was dense and I could see that the dawn was going to be amazing. So I stepped out on the porch to watch the sky change colors.

The fog glowed as the sky brightened. The colors began to change from a pale pink to a dark pink, to nearly a brilliant red and then just before everything faded, the fog turned orange ...
and day two began.

Then it hit me. Two Sisters.

Okay. This week I'd call it: Two Sisters Camp

I went inside and made coffee. Day Two had begun.

Grandma & Grandpa Camp Countdown ~ 16 days

This is the first year of what I hope to have many of...

A week's vacation for the Grand-kids at Grandma and Grandpa's farm and woods.

I've been asked over and over by the eager kids wanting to know 'what' are we going to do at G&G camp?

Well.

We could get muddy feet if we so choose.
We can go to parks, we can hike, we can fish, we can bake, cook, and paint things.

We can play.
We will get up when we wake up and go to sleep when we are tired.

We may go into the garden and pull some weeds.  

Grandkids will make their beds and pick up after themselves.

Maybe there will be a 'Kid Parade'.  I need to get in touch with my neighbor's daughter who wanted one last year.

At G&G camp there will no set time that we have to do this or that...
The clocks will be there for reference but not for a schedule.

There may even fun with Chinese Lanterns.

16 days left to the start of 'Camp'.

Morris is in training.
Grandpa is talking about it...
the mules are talking about it...

Are you kids counting the days????