Rachel's Images

Due to the shutdown, we are spending almost all our time between the farm and home. Tonight’s sunset helped showcase the patterns in the trees across our yard. It gave it almost an abstract feel with a touch of realism.

I lay on my stomach, trying to get the composition I was searching for. Tulips are one of my favorite spring flowers. The lady who owned our home prior to us, planted many around the yard. I love watching them bloom.

The red blossoms on this tree stood out among the blue, cloudy sky and really brightened my day.

We had a family dinner at my brother and sister-in-law’s for the first time in a long time because of COVID-19. Paul and Sue’s back deck is surrounded by many trees – you truly feel as if you are having a picnic in the woods! Tonight, we were visited by many different varieties of birds as we enjoyed each other’s company.

The blossoms are blooming! I drove the backroads home from Hart tonight and enjoyed the sight of each and every one! I decided to do something a little different for my photo of the day. I used a slightly longer shutter speed to allow for some movement in the wind instead of the typical fully sharp blossom shot I normally would shoot.

I have watched these goslings for weeks. I knew that I wanted to make a photo of them and tonight seemed like a good night for it, as they were perched on a mound surrounding their mom. As I was getting in position, the mom and goslings swam off their mound. Two other geese started to come near, and the daddy scared them away. It wasn’t the photo I was going for, but it turned out better than I envisioned.

I was drawn to Lake Michigan this evening. I sat and enjoyed the sounds and the smells of the lake before making this image.

I love the ditch by my mailbox in the springtime. It is covered in yellow mustard weed and is a striking sight. I carefully made this image, showcasing one perfect stalk.

It is always fun shooting with others. Even though we might be a short distance from each other, we compose very unique images. Brad and I drove to Stony Lake today. We spent a good portion of the afternoon exploring woods of trilliums. The landowners are very generous to allow us to photograph these delicate flowers.

I was mowing my lawn today when a slight movement to my left caught my eye. This peering snake had eyes for me. As disgusted as I was, I knew it could make a cool photo for today. I hopped off and grabbed my gear. I gingerly walked towards the area to capture the snake. After I made a couple shots, it slithered away. It was only then that I realized how long it was! I ran quickly away in the opposite direction.

Growing up, some of my best memories are in the orchard at our family farm. Whether it was picking apples, playing baseball, or swinging on the tire swing, there was always activity amongst the apple trees. Joshua loves to climb this tree in my backyard, and while watching him one day, I noticed this specific clump of apple blossoms. I knew I had found my photo of the day.

Dogwood Trees hold a special place in my family’s heart. For years they had stopped blooming on our farm while I was growing up and we were worried they would never bloom again. Then, one year, they started up again! We have several of these favorite trees around the farm. This one looked radiant tonight.

My mom loves lily of the valley. We have many that grow around our garage at the farm. It seemed the perfect photo of the day to celebrate her 78th Birthday! Happy Birthday, Mama!

The kids, and several cousins were enjoying time together around Bespop’s pond today. Their laughter filled the air as they caught frogs, fished, and took the boat out. Suddenly, there was a difference in their voices. There was a huge blue racer climbing from tree to tree. This one terrified me way more than the, now small, snake I shot earlier in the week! The kids got a kick out of my squeals of terror each time it moved.

My mom loves her hummingbirds. They are often the topic of conversation with anyone who enjoys summer days on the farm’s porch. I sat most of the afternoon, working on my patience, and watching these fast birds. Finally, I was able to capture one in my lens that was sharp but showed movement in the wings.

Nikon D810. F22.0 at 1/160, ISO 3200. 60-600mm lens at 240mm. May 27, 2020 at 8:50pm.

Kasey is a forever lover of all God’s creatures. Including this frog….or these frogs?? You decide!

We adventured around the pond today. There are a couple new calves that the kids wanted to check out. Since we were close to the pond, we decided we should check for frogs and turtles. The dragon flies were very busy today!

The kids and I love having snowball fights in springtime, courtesy of these snowball bushes! I will often fuel my mom with blossoms so she can ambush the kids from the porch.

We always try to help as many turtles travel safely across the roads as we can. After we helped this little guy, I captured him in the safety of the grass.