As we left the bird sanctuary on Thursday, we headed in the general direction of Chelsea; with side excursions down some gravel roads infested with biting flies. We didn’t get out.

Along the way we came across a couple of personal ponds. They both appeared to be spring fed. I enjoy the abstract, almost impressionistic, quality of water reflections. Here are some of the images plus proof that we made it to Chelsea.

Boat, Pond, & Sky

Boat & Bush

Shoreline

Bubbles and Waves

Diving Board & Bridge

Yes, we made it to Chelsea. No, we weren’t riding bikes!

When I left our condo to meet Pat, my spouse asked where we were headed. I replied “to gravel roads, blue skies, and the bluebird of happiness”. We found all three.

We went to the largest Audubon site in Michigan: The Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary. As we stepped out from the woods, we were greeted with acres of wildflowers. These photos (click on the link to see them all) are all from that location.

One curious few minutes occurred when I unwittingly must have come near a bluebird nest. All at once I was attacked with fly-bys from bluebird Migs or F18s. They would fly directly at my face or the back of my head (never from the side) and then when they were 10-12 inches away, fly over my head. I stood transfixed for a few minutes and enjoyed the aerial display. Hope you enjoy the wildflower images and one guest of the flowers.

Pat and I were south of Homer, Michigan in Amish country. We found the kind of gravel roads we seek and it turned out to be a day of wildflowers (and a few other things). I could not get a poem out of my head as we enjoyed a very beautiful morning. The poet is Gerard Manley Hopkins. Maybe the images will speak to you in your own reflection on the beauty of the world around us.

God’s Grandeur

Still Tree Persisted

My friend Pat posted a delightful account of the last ramble we took at https://imissmetoo.me/2017/06/11/precious-time/  . You can compare her subject matter with mine to see how we often see things differently . . . part of what makes for the joy we have in our outings.

Pat is an extraordinary friend. Our outings are usually the highlight of my weeks.

I offer one photo from that outing that I did not post because I was having trouble making it look like I felt upon seeing the new-growth trees.

With Pat back from her hiatus, we took to the open road on Tuesday. We look for roads less traveled in part because we can drive slower and see more. Here is some of what we saw.

Wilbur?

Canadian Air Corps

Spring Flowers

Corn

Break Time