While many enjoyed the day off during this holiday, there are always some who have to ‘labor’ on this Labor Day, like the clerks working at the gas station when I filled up with fuel today and those employed at other business still open during the holiday. Farmers often work during the holiday, especially if it is a dry day to get the hay baled.
Farming Labor
The long Labor Day holiday weekend marks unofficial end of summer and many people this weekend are trying to get that last trip or adventure in before school starts and winter comes. And on this warm Sunday day, it would have been a good time to be on the lakes enjoying water activities, even if it was just a boat ride viewing rock formations like these sea caves, called Cave of All Colors in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior.
Cave of All Colors
In the past in rural America, the windmill could be seen on many farms to pump water. One brand frequently found in around this area was the Aermotor, which was produced in Chicago starting in 1888. The weekly maintenance was reduced to once a year when in 1915, the auto-oiled windmill included an enclosed gear case. The company was sold in 1958 and after several other company transfers, moves and name changes, the name was restored in 2006 to the original name that was established in 1888…The Aermotor Company, when the company was purchased by a private group of West Texas Ranchers.
The Aermotor
The underside of the Yellow Garden or Writing spider doesn’t catch your eye like its bright yellow back does, but the zigzag in its spiderweb does stand out. The dense zigzag of silk is known as a stabilimentum, but its purpose is disputed. Some say it acts as camouflage for the spider to hide behind, to attract insect or even warn birds that there is a web present.
The Zigzag
The last day of August was cooler than normal but at least it was a dry, sunny day and the flowers were soaking up the sunshine.
Sunny Flowers on a Sunny Day
A small flock of these birds were busy running up and down the beach, trying to stay out of the waves coming in, as they looked for food.
Beach Birds
Local stones and rocks found near the Silver River area were used on the bridge over the Silver River in Keweenaw County in Upper Michigan. The Silver River Culvert, built in 1930, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
Silver River Culvert
Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds are not the only creatures going after the flower blossoms for nectar. Other insects are drawn to blossoms, including this ant on the swamp milkweed blossom, but I do prefer seeing a butterfly sitting there instead.
Ant on Swamp Milkweed
Sundays in the past often meant having family dinners at home or with other relatives like with grandparents, but now with a more mobile society, family members are often doing various activities separately on the weekends.
Sunday Dinners
The old shack might not be much but it could provide a little bit of shelter on this rainy day, although it probably would be mighty chilly in the winter.
Little Old Shack
