Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Photogenic farms

21 Comments

As most of you know I love to photograph farms. And on my way back from Northport this week I drove, slowly, through miles and miles of farmland. It was all so beautiful that I was constantly stopping to catch a shot, and there were many more that I didn’t get. Those were recorded only in my memory.

I’ll show you a few of the beautiful farms I saw on my trip home. A trip that usually takes four hours took almost twelve. And I loved every minute of it. I hope you do too.

What is it about barns that are so photogenic? This first one is not far south of Northport itself, still ‘up north.’ I’ve photographed it before, and while I was parked on the side of the road two more cars drove up and stopped.

Tucked into the hills.

Tucked into the hills.

I guess I’m not the only barn lover out there. I especially liked the wild sweet peas blooming in the foreground, and the way the barn is set against the hills behind it.

And with nowhere to turn around to continue on my way I wandered down a back road that dead ended with this view. How could I resist?

Fields of grain.

Fields of grain.

Sometimes getting a bit off track will find you a beautiful place few get to see. I never mind getting lost when I’m out with the camera and unlimited time.

Further downstate (which to you that don’t live here means further south) I came across the windmills. Once again I was on a road I hadn’t planed on traveling. But the faster way home was under construction, so there you go. Another nice surprise.

Making electricity.

Making electricity.

I got off the freeway and drove down empty country roads to get up close.

Power amid the corn,

Power amid the corn,

They are controversial. Some people love them. Others don’t. There’s a hum that comes from them that I suppose could be annoying to those that live under the giant wings. I think they are beautiful, but I think the final vote should be from those that live with them day after day.

As the sun got lower in the sky I couldn’t stop shooting. There was beauty everywhere, and more than once I turned around to go back and get something. Like this tractor in a shorn field set against a wall of clouds.

Resting after a hard days work.

Resting after a hard days work.

And these wagons filled with bales of straw, glowing in the last bits of evening light.

Full up.

Full up.

And who wouldn’t stop and turn around when a field of sunflowers nodding in the late day sun suddenly appeared?

Makes you smile.

Makes you smile.

Even after hours on the road I was sorry when the light and my photo shoot came to an end.

So much beautiful farmland. So little time.

From years past.

From years past.

Author: dawnkinster

I'm a long time banker having worked in banks since the age of 17. I took a break when I turned 50 and went back to school. I graduated right when the economy took a turn for the worst and after a year of library work found myself unemployed. I was lucky that my previous bank employer wanted me back. So here I am again, a long time banker. Change is hard.

21 thoughts on “Photogenic farms

  1. A drive through such beautiful country is special. Having the time to turn around for a photo of things that grab your attention – priceless.

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  2. My only objection to those wind turbines is the toll they take on the lives of migrating birds. Can’t quote you the statistics, but they’re deadly.

    Your long slow trip was very worthwhile, I would say.

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    • Did not realize that Judy. Good to have that input.

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    • I have a friend who is both a birder and strong advocate for alternative energy, and I put this question to him. He says it’s not difficult to locate wind generators outside migration paths, and when that’s done correctly the bird loss is minimal. I’ve asked him to write a Forum piece for our local newspaper, because so many people who otherwise support renewable energy sources worry about the birds, and it takes a knowledgeable person to put the facts before the public, but he has not yet found time. Newer models of wind towers are also less deadly to birds. And finally, cats and cell phone towers kill more birds every year than do wind towers, but I never hear anyone worrying about the cell phone towers. Wonder why….

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I remember when we drove through california seeing miles of those windmills along the mountain ridges – they are kind of beautiful and ugly at the same time

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  4. What a lovely day dallying along your way home, taking your time. And lovely photographs you got for doing it. A field of sunflowers is on my photography “bucket list”!

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    • I couldn’t really get the ‘field’ as I was up close to it and no way to see it all from the level I was. But I got some nice shots of the sun shining through the blossoms.

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  5. Dawn, these photos are simply stunning! Each one is a feast for the eyes, and together, they showcase Michigan’s beauty. Kind of like those ads for Pure Michigan, you know? They make me want to visit every time I see one! You’re blessed to have had such a restful day!

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  6. These are such beautiful shots, Dawn. I wish I could have been with you on that drive. In a way, I guess I was since I get to see it through your eyes and lens. 🙂

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  7. Hi Dawn, Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog! It is nice to meet you! I really enjoyed all your photos, barns are few and far between up here so we must photograph them while we can! 🙂

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  8. I love the farmland! And I’m a huge fan of that Port Oneida barn – that exact patch of sweet pea (and the barn in another image) is what’s in the Milky Way image I recently shared. Fortunately, I hear that area of the park wasn’t damaged much in the recent storm.

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  9. I love your first shot. And I really love the idea of taking side-treks through the countryside to stop and shoot when the mood hits. I don’t go many places a lone, and hubby is kind of a get-where-you’re-going guy. Which works out nice when you are in a crowded arena trying to get out the doors, to your car, and home, but not so well when you are in the mood to wander. You’re doing great with your photography.

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    • Yes, the meandering photo hunt usually works better on your own. My husband is a get where you’re going kinda guy too. But once in awhile, when we’re on vacation, he will stop because he knows I want to take a picture of something. I hope you get out and about soon!

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