I’ve learned to appreciate sunsets over land almost as much as those over water. With the Olympics done and no Tigers’ game scheduled Monday evening, I headed to farm country. I was mindful that the sun would set at 8:52 pm and watched for an open place to photograph it. While I got some nice shots along the way, I missed the actual sunset. Too many hills and trees. But the beautiful afterglow sky and first quarter moon scene made the effort worthwhile.
I began attracting more cardinals and fewer nuisance birds when I switched to safflower seed. Then I bought a new feeder that cardinals love. It’s a Brome Tube Solution 200 which allows cardinals, grosbeaks and other birds to face forward as they eat, which they prefer. It’s paying off as the juveniles in their variegated feathers are sticking around too.
Rose of Sharon shrubs are currently in full bloom. With their many varieties, I like the hibiscus-type flower the best, but the doubles are pretty too. They’re striking from a distance and close up.
From hilly Leelanau, I watched the golden hour turn into a sunset that reflected the hot humid weather we’ve been having.
As I traveled both peninsulas, I found several farms growing this fragrant shrub. Others were using it as accents in gardens. Both were striking.
