Seeded Earth

Seeded Earth

Seeded Earth © 2008 Bo Mackison

I’m thinking I shot the background photograph for some new business cards for Seeded Earth Photography – without intentionally doing so. Simple and descriptive at the same time. A fitting piece for a photographer based in Wisconsin and the Midwest.

The plants are just peeking above ground in this field in late May. Photographed near the tip of the peninsula of Door County in Northeastern Wisconsin.

 

Barn Doors at Sunrise

Barn Doors at Dawn

Barn Doors at Dawn © 2008 Bo Mackison

Three story barn. Three doors. At sunrise.
Door County WI.

Heirloom Iris, A History Exposed

Garden Iris, Exposed

Garden Iris, Exposed © 2008 Bo Mackison

A yellow iris from stock that my grandfather grew when I was a young child, nearly 50 years ago. It is a deep golden yellow and it’s mahogany markings are stunning. This photo shows the very depths of the iris flower, at it’s very core.

This view is fitting – it represents the origins of my love of gardening and nature. My grandfather and I spent hours together each day from early spring to late fall out in his gardens. There I learned to tell the difference between a flower and a weed, to plant a seed and transplant a plant, and to care for a garden and then reap its rewards – beautiful flowers, luscious vegetables, and deep satisfaction and joy sharing in the beauty of nature and her gifts.

A Mystery? – No, It’s a Willow Pine Gall

Mystery Pod

Willow Pine Gall © 2008 Bo Mackison

Can anyone out there identify this? Looks like a small tree or bush, about 2 feet high, and I found it growing in the Ridges Sanctuary in Northeastern Wisconsin’s Door County.

Warehouse Graffiti

Anderson Warehouse Graffiti

Anderson Warehouse Graffiti © 2008 Bo Mackison

When I was in Door County, Wisconsin last weekend, I stopped in the village of Ephraim and visited one of the more famous buildings on the peninsula. (The county is the northeastern bit of Wisconsin that sticks out into Lake Michigan like a thumb.) The building is famous enough – it’s even on the National Register of Historical Landmarks.

Historically, here at the Anderson Warehouse – built in 1895 – visiting boaters have “signed” the warehouse walls with their boats’ names and the year or years they have docked here.

The city fathers of Ephraim have even posted a sign which “encourages boaters and visitors to continue the tradition by being creative but tasteful when adding nautical names to the walls.”

They give some instructions: “Inappropriate words or symbols will not be tolerated. Do not use spray paint, carve or scratch the wood.”

And then they give a warning: “Persons caught defacing public property inappropriately will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.”

NOTE the word inappropriately. You have everyone’s blessing to deface the public property all you wish, as long as you do it appropriately.

Anderson Warehouse Graffiti

Anderson Warehouse Graffiti © 2008 Bo Mackison

I love some of the boats’ names: Desire III, My Sin, Big Bender III, Easy Rider. I really do understand the temptation to be creative when naming your craft. I own half of a little fishing boat and I have always wanted to christen it King Lure, but the other owner refuses. I don’t understand why . . .

Graffiti

Grafitti © 2008 Bo Mackison

Lots of birthdays, marriages, anniversaries are noted. It’s rather fun to read.

Graffiti

Bo © 2008 Bo Mackison

And look, I even found my own name! I’m thinking every town should have a graffiti wall of their very own.