Long after dark I heard noises outside and when I looked out, the field across the road had a large combine harvesting the corn so this will be the last sunset picture over the corn field until next summer.
Sunset over Corn Field
Picture of the Day for November 2, 2012
Just like when I shoot pictures of flowers, I often take close ups of the old barns I photograph and you can discover some interesting things that way. This barn had two large doors but the door hangers where two different types although the same brand of hangers. This Myers Sure Grip door hanger was patented in 1901.
The F. E. Myers, and Bros., was founded in 1870 by Francis and Philip Myers in Ashland, Ohio. They built hay tools, carriers, forks, winnowers and door hangers. They also designed and built the first double acting pump which pumped water on both the up and down strokes. They are probably best known for their pumps, and many of the older pumps still survive.
Looking through some of the old Myers catalogs, there may some old Myers equipment in the old wooden barn that was on my parents farm but the barn is gone now after the wind took it down. But maybe it is good that is gone or someone might have swipe the door hangers right off the door as I have seen this door hanger go for over a hundred dollars on auctions. I wonder what they cost back in 1901.
Myers Sure Grip Door Hanger
Picture of the Day for November 1, 2012
With a grey day with only a predicted high of 39 to start November off, I’m already dreaming of warmer fall days and so are the frogs. Apparently the water is already a might chilly as the frog yesterday hopped in for a swim but made a quick U turn and then flattened down in the deer track to catch the sun yesterday and to be out of the wind. I just had to pull my hood up while feeding the fish since I didn’t fit in a down in a hoof print track in the mud.
Warm Fall Day Down at the Pond
Picture of the Day for October 31, 2012
The word Halloween was first used in the 16th century and represents a Scottish variant of the fuller All Hallows’ Even (‘evening’), that is, the night before All Hallows’ Day or All Saints Day. And while scholars might disagree on the origin of Halloween, whether origin dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain or has only Christian roots, Halloween and its traditions has changed over the years.
When I was a kid growing up in the country, we didn’t go out Trick-or-treating since there were no city blocks to walk up and down to collect candy. But my mother said we could have any candy left over we had for visitors after the trick-or-treating was done. So the goal was to scare as many kids away so there would be more candy for me and my siblings.
Well hiding up in the trees howling and making creepy sounds over the walkies-talkies hidden in metal cans worked in scaring the kids. But it worked too good as less came the next years so mom didn’t buy as much candy so we didn’t gain much candy overall.
So if you see a big round hay bale painted as a large pumpkin, beware that there might be a candy hungry kid hiding behind it, waiting to scare you!
Halloween Round Hay Bale Pumpkin
Picture of the Day for October 30, 2012
The colder weather sure can be felt and it is making my cat unhappy, not because it is too cold for him, but because the chipmunks are not out playing for him to try to be the big hunter.
A chipmunk can gather up to 165 acorns in a day and I saw one that had three acorns stuffed in its cheeks. The chipmunk’s den contains at least two chambers, one with a cozy leaf-lined nest and the other used as a storage pantry for the chipmunk’s favorite foods, including nuts and seeds (the seeds from my bird feeder).
Chipmunks hibernate, but instead of storing fat, they periodically dip into their cache of nuts and seeds throughout the winter.
Chipmunk Hanging Out
Picture of the Day for October 29, 2012
When fall comes, the eye is drawn to the bright, colorful leaves so it is easy to overlook the fall flowers, especially if tiny ones. I was surprised to see the Forget-Me-Nots still blooming in October when I had photographed them in June, but there they were, along the stream bed displaying their blue, below a colorful hillside of autumn foliage.
The Forget-Me-Not, a tiny bright sky blue flower with a white ring and yellow center, was chosen as Alaska State Flower in 1949.
Forget-Me-Nots in the Fall
Picture of the Day for October 28, 2012
I started the red/yellow week on Monday so I could have ended the week with Saturday’s picture so both the yellow and red had equal showing, but like in baseball, the National League Championship Series went seven games to determine a winner. But since I like everyone to win, today’s picture will be both a red and yellow picture.
But like the windmills, the old wooden corn cribs are losing out to metal corn cribs or the more common metal corn bins. Corn cribs were first used by Native Americans. The early corn cribs had many designs, not all made from wood, but generally had some type of slats in the wall to allow air to circulate, drying the corn to prevent mold and decay. A roof to keep the corn out of the weather and elevated to prevent rodent infestation were common of the designs. They may have been a single long building, or one with two cribs and a center driveway. But whatever the style, they are disappearing like the wooden barns and windmills.
Corn Crib Wooden Slats
Picture of the Day for October 27, 2012
For today’s red picture, I also needed some blue in addition to the red as it has been a cloudy week but the sun is promised for today.
Red Barns
Picture of the Day for October 26, 2012
Continuing with the week’s red / yellow theme, the yellow ears of corn are making their way up an elevator to the top of a corn bin. Eventually the ears will find their way to the bottom door when it is ground for feed unless the squirrels or birds eat them first.
Traveling Corn
Picture of the Day for October 25, 2012
Since it seems that I started a yellow / red theme this week, it’s time for another red picture and this barn fits the bill for red and there even is a hint of yellow in the corn field.
I have been hearing the song God Bless America several times this past week, even the Fed Ex driver had it on when he delivered a package, and while there is not a line that says farm land, the prairie line will have to include this scene since it’s not a mountain or the ocean white with foam.
Red Standing Proud
