On the rolling hills of southwestern Wisconsin, the cattle are enjoying a nice summer day. Tomorrow sounds like a wet and humid day, which some of the humidity could be coming from “corn sweat”. The transpiration from corn puts a lot of moisture back into the air, as an acre of corn can give off 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water each day, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Office.
Cattle Grazing on Rolling Hills
The weather, with lower dew points and comfortable temperatures, make it a perfect Sunday for a summer hike, especially along rushing water where you can soak your feet after a long hiking adventure.
Summer Sunday Hike
While vegetables and flowers may be shown at the fair, this native orchid would not be on display and it is very difficult to grow in a garden. And after blooming two years in a row, I have not spotted the Lesser Purple Fringed Orchid this year yet, so I might have to wait another 35 years before spotting another one again.
Missing Orchid
A calf in the May sunny pasture doesn’t know that she or he could be watching a lot of people wandering pass in July if it was selected to go to the fair. And I don’t know who would be more curious about the other.
Calf in May Pasture
At fairs and livestock shows around the state this week, the warm temperatures meant short sleeves and shorts type of weather and definitely not coat temperatures. So the wool breeds of sheep were wearing their “wool coats” in the hot weather compared to the meat breeds which have been sheared short.
Sheep Wearing Winter Coats
Before the rain moved in this afternoon, the tiny blue flower along a creek bed caught a few rays of sunshine. The Forget-me-not flowers are often overlooked as the blossoms are only about a quarter to a third of an inch across.
Forget-Me-Not
A walk through the woods today, with the rain, would be a damp adventure and some fallen limbs have weathered many rainy storms and are slowly returning to the ground.
Weathered Log
The mist from a waterfall would have felt good on this warm, humid summer afternoon. The Manabezho Falls drops twenty five feet across the 150 foot width of the river, which in the late summer and fall, may form many little waterfalls compared to the springtime full rush of water.
Waterfall Mist
Tonight’s sunset didn’t have many clouds to bounce the colorful sun rays off, but a prior day’s sunset did have some clouds to capture the array of colors.
July Sunset
As the temperature and humidity climbed today, nature walks were more comfortable early in the morning or late evening, to view the wildflowers blooming in the fields.
Hot Summer Day
