Day #212 - Crossing

Nice, new shiny railroad crossing sign!

Day #211 - Pollen Crazy

I walked by this funky plant to find many bees flying on it, practically going crazy for the pollen! I'm not quite sure what kind of plant it is, but I love the different look it has on the top and the bottom.

Day #210- Echinacea

I seem to be gravitating toward flower shots whenever possible this summer. I love echinacea- both as an herb, and a subject to shoot!

Day #209 - The Light Comes After the Darkness

After the rain, the sun creates a sort of beauty, as its rays bounce off the droplets, making such a wonderful picture!

Day #208 - Tire

I love the designs on this tire! Even though it's not supposed to be decorative, it sure looks pretty cool!

Day #207- Sharp

My son and husband have been preparing siding, flooring, and wall boards from scratch for our camp. They've cut most of the logs, milled them, dried them, cut them into boards, and in some cases planed them smooth as well. It's a lot of work, but has saved a bunch on lumber! Today was cutting and planing day for the latest camp wall boards. Can't wait until they are installed!

Day #206- Christmas Fern

I walked out to one of my garden beds this week to find that my hosta plants had received their annual trimming....well, nibbling actually. Some creature came around for the second year in a row and nibbled them right down to the stems. Fortunately, said unnamed critter doesn't prefer Christmas Fern, and left it alone! Now if I could just get it to selectively nibble the weeds from the lawn...

Day #205 - Chimes

These chimes look beautiful with the sunset in the background! The chimes are definitely making quite a bit of noise in this wind!

Day #204- Delectable

Although I wish I could take credit for these "yummies", my summer job supervisor is responsible! She's taking a cake decorating course, and apparently each week has brought in one of her creations to test out on us. These were lemon-blueberry cupcakes with fresh blueberries. What not to love?

Day #203 - Blueberries!

July is the perfect month for blueberries! To my surprise, our blueberry bush had exploded with delicious, ripe blueberries! I love fresh food!

Day #202- Creepy Crawly

I wouldn't normally post two pictures in one post, but this is an exception. We've begun seeing these bugs in the dooryard. I think they are a type of pine borer. Make a LOT of racket inside pine logs! The body on this guy was about 2 inches (5 cm) long, not even counting the antennae. Take a look at the shot of the front face and you'll see some serious-looking chompers! I don't think these bugs will bite humans...but I'm not taking any chances either!

Day #201- Forest Flora

Spent the day at our camp yesterday, as I had the day off from my summer job. Much like the tree fungus I posted a few days ago, mushrooms were all over, popping up under the trees. I didn't even notice the interesting way the sun had poked through the branches above until I began processing this pic. Interesting!

Day #200 - Beat the Heat

It was yet another day at the lake, but this time full of relaxation and fun, including a small kayak trip down to the head of the lake! This was one of the best ways to beat the heat!

Day #199- Condensation

Another super-hot day today. Can't wait for a break in the weather pattern. Pulled out a tangerine spritzer, and in no time it was soaked with condensation!

Day #198 - Tracks

Railroad tracks always seem "photogenic". I thought this picture of tracks during the summer would be a nice contrast from the picture I took in the winter! Which one do you like better?

Day #197- Morning Rays

It's been HOT this week. So much so that I've taken to walking in the early morning before work. As I was out this morning, I noticed the sun's rays breaking out from behind a mass of clouds. I was disappointed that they didn't show up as clearly in this shot as to my naked eye. Hoping for cooler walking soon!

Day #196 - Freshwater Snail

While spending a lovely day at our lake camp, I ventured upon this shell of a freshwater snail! I love the contrast on the shell, which makes for a great picture!!

Day #195- New Bloom

Nature amazes me. When I went to bed, this lily looked like it's sibling to the left. When I looked out the next morning- bam! Amazing!

Day #194 - Cemetery

Every time I step foot into a cemetery, I feel a sense of history. Luckily we have a cemetery right down the road! The history seems to shine through the picture!

Day #193- "A Fungus Amongus"

At least with all the rain we've had there's no lack of funky-looking fungus around!

Day #192- Rough Around the Edges

Went walking through the local cemetery this afternoon. Was intrigued by this large headstone from the late 1880's. Loved how the edges had been purposely cut in a rough manner. Makes you wonder about the personality of the person buried here.

Day #191 - Just Keep Swimming

This little fish reminds me of the most important lesson I ever learned from a movie: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" (Finding Nemo). This lesson is perfect to get through an 8 1/2 hour shift at work!

Day #190- Lacy

I love July- always plenty of flora to capture out and about!

Day #189 - Threaded

Summer is a time to do many things you may not be able to during other months, like sewing! It's a great way to beat the heat, inside with air conditioning of course!

Day #188-Culverts

They are building a sidewalk near our house. Lots of construction vehicles, and lots of materials. Who would have thought they'd need this much culvert?

Day #187 - Anxiously Waiting

With these weird days of having both rain and sunshine, Graham is taking full advantage of getting outside whenever he can!

Day #186- After the Storm

It's been a while since we've gotten a strong thunderstorm. Late yesterday afternoon we made up for lost time. It was quick, but potent. The rain suddenly fell in torrents, with several loud, close strikes. And then just as quickly it was gone. As the sun came out afterward I noticed this hanging plant decorated with many glistening raindrops!

Day #185 - Relaxation

The 4th of July is a time for food, fireworks, and the lake! The lake was perfect for such a hot day!

Day #184- Calling All Engines

So if you're a 20-year old college guy and you get a free fire hydrant that you don't need, what do you do? Sand it, re-paint it a brilliant red, and flip it for extra money! So if you're the mother of said college student and you need a picture for the day's Project 365, what do you do? Hmm....

Day #183 - A Cat's Best Friend

Just chilling in the garden with.... a bunny? At least it wasn't real!

Day #182- What Am I? #18

So it's been over 40 days since the last Macro Monday post. Long overdue! This should be a fairly easy one! Have a go!