8.29 - Wild Grapes

8.29.12 Wild Grapes • © Margaret Helthaler

Wild grapes and dappled sunlight on a beautiful late August morning.

8.28 - Painted Lady and Black Eyed Susans

8.28.12 Painted Lady and Black Eyed Susans • © Margaret Helthaler

A burst of late August color…

8.25 - Kingfisher

8.25.12 Kingfisher • © Margaret Helthaler

I began bird watching the summer I was ten years old. I found a bird book when I was visiting my grandmother and I would sit on the front porch and refer to its pages as I watched the Barn Swallows swoop along the fields or caught sight of the flashy orange breast of a Baltimore Oriole. However, the discovery that excited me the most was when I was able to determine that the persistent trilling call I’d hear from the nearby creek, made by a bird resembling an oversized blue jay, belonged to a Kingfisher. So it was particularly appropriate that the pinnacle of my bird-watching experience that summer occurred when I was standing on the bridge spanning the creek and a Kingfisher landed on the railing a mere three feet away with a small fish clasped within it’s shiny black beak. For a breathless moment I stood in awe, taking in every detail of the sight before me. To this day, when I hear the trilling call of a Kingfisher, I am reminded of that moment.

8.24 - Monarch on Loosestrife

8.24.12 Monarch on Loosestrife • © Margaret Helthaler

Butterflies and flowers are right up there with unicorns and rainbows - a pleasant way to start the day. :)

8.23 - Getting Ready for Winter?

8.23.12 Getting Ready For Winter? • © Margaret Helthaler

On a whim, I decided to hang a right out of my driveway when I went for my walk this morning. While this western route doesn't feature the sweeping vistas of fields and mountains offered by the opposite direction, the wooded stretch of road forced me to focus on smaller details in the landscape. Otherwise, I may have missed this little guy, sitting perfectly still on an old stump, cheeks bulging with his winter harvest...

8.22 - Verdant Wetland

8.22.12 Verdant Wetland • © Margaret Helthaler

The high waters of early summer have receded from the overspill by the Rondout Reservoir - making way for a rich carpet of new green grass. The pungent wet earth glistens in the morning sun.

8.21 - Crescent Moon At Dusk

8.21.12 Crescent Mood At Dusk • © Margaret Helthaler

I didn't make it out for a morning walk, but I did manage to squeeze in an evening bike ride. Thanks to bikes fitted with lights, we enjoyed the last bit of waning daylight and were greeted by singing Katydids and this crescent moon as we neared the end of our ride.

8.20 - Old Lock On Barn Door

8.20.12 Old Lock On Barn Door • © Margaret Helthaler

Sometimes beauty is in the little details...

8.19 - Three Trees Across A Brook

8.19.12 Three Trees Across A Brook • © Margaret Helthaler

Enjoying Day 2 on the Esselstyn Family Farm during the Farms 2 Forks Immersion weekend in Hudson, NY.

8.18 - Red Barns

8.18.12 Red Barns • © Margaret Helthaler

First look at the Esselstyn Family Farm upon arriving at the Farm 2 Forks Immersion weekend in Hudson, NY. It was the beginning of a wonderful weekend: beautiful location, informative and entertaining speakers, and delicious food!

8.17 - Blue Heron

8.17.12 Blue Heron by Shore • © Margaret Helthaler

8.17.12 Blue Heron in Flight • © Margaret Helthaler

My husband was the first to spot this elegant creature hidden among the branches on the shore of the Rondout Reservoir.

8.16 - Maple Tree

8.16.12 Maple Tree •  © Margaret Helthaler

A large maple tree stands majestically near a bend in Sundown Road...

8.15 - Beautiful Catskill Barns

8.15.12 Hasbrouck Barn • © Margaret Helthaler

8.15.12 Neversink Barn • © Margaret Helthaler

I haven't been out for a morning meander for several days, and while I had to postpone my walk again this morning, I decided to hop in my car and quickly capture some shots of local barns along roads I often travel by automobile but seldom walk. The picturesque setting, angles and textures of the two barns shared above frequently catch my eye as I drive along the back roads of the town of Neversink and neighboring communities.

8.9 - Katydid

8.9.12 Katydid • © Margaret Helthaler

This image was actually captured on August 7, but I was feeling uninspired this morning, so I thought I'd cheat a little and share the 8/7 runner up. I found this little guy (lady?) sitting on a post along the road. The Katydid song always reminds me of the bittersweet end of summer. I use to spend summers with my grandmother here in the Catskills and I knew as dusk began to fall earlier and the Katydids began to sing our time together was nearing an end...

8.8 - Where Are The Sheep?

8.8.12 Weathered Barn • © Margaret Helthaler

After convincing my friend to meet me at my house for our morning walk, I had a momentary lapse of memory (this seems to be happening more often as of late...) and hopped in the car and proceeded to drive to our regular meeting spot at the appointed hour. Once I arrived, I remembered we were meeting at my house and quickly turned around. As I drove past this farm on my way home I saw the sheep were near the road by the stone wall fence. Thinking this would make a great shot, but not wanting to keep my friend waiting, I decided we would extend our walk so I could return and capture the image. But alas, our four mile walk was for naught, the sheep had wandered back to the barn by the time we arrived. So I was left to focus on the lovely textures of one of the barns instead…

8.7 - Ducks on the Rondout

8.7.12 Ducks on the Rondout • © Margaret Helthaler

We encountered many fine feathered friends on our walk along the Rondout this morning.

8.3 - A Pear In A Pear Tree

8.3.12 A Pear In A Pear Tree • © Margaret Helthaler

The fruits of the flowering pear tree.

8.2 - Blue Heron on the Rondout

8.2.12 Blue Heron on the Rondout • © Margaret Helthaler

These magnificent birds are always a pleasure to watch.