Wednesday 19 August 2015

High Summer

 There's a shimmering haze on the meadows
from acres of wheat painted gold
draped all across the landscape
as far as the eye can behold
new life begins for sweet 'Peony'
crops ripen and swell


some have time to stand and stare
whilst others scratch hard for a living
Artichoke 
 Cleome
Gentle, carefree, halcyon days, but 
stop! more time is needed
before I let you go

53 comments:

  1. Gorgeous shimmering gold in the wheat meadows. It makes me think of Far from the Madding Crowd, which I am currently re-reading after seeing the new film. And music too, like 'Fields of Gold'. The barnyard animals all look wonderful in the summer colours, having a good time in the sunshine. A lovely post...before the Autumn falls.

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    1. Dear Patricia - Far from the Madding Crowd was a lovely film, I really enjoyed it, and I am pleased that this post made you think of it - thank you

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    1. Thank you for your visit and kind comment

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  3. Those cattle intrigue me, do you know what breed they are? And Peony has a name and a number - or maybe the name is her bloodline?

    Ms Soup

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    1. The cattle are an old English heritage breed - 'English Longhorns' and should not to be confused with American or Texan Longhorns which emanate from Spain. All cattle born on or after 1 January 1998 must be double tagged within 20 days of the animal being born except dairy cattle which must be fitted with at least 1 tag within 36 hours of birth. One ear tag bears the animal's unique number, the crown logo, country code, and herdmark - the other contains information which may help the farmer manage his herd, for example the animal's name.

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    2. Thanks for that information Rosemary. I'm always interested to hear about unusual cattle breeds.

      Ms Soup

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  4. Wonderful ending of summer images!!! Beautiful flowers, fabulous animal photos and gosh, the fields of gold. What could be more beautiful at this time of year! xx

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    1. It is a beautiful time Amy, but I feel some melancholy that summer is whizzing by too fast.

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  5. Yes, the summer is really good this year with some rain so now and than, but lots of sunshine too.

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    1. We have had a lovely summer this year, but I know that is not true of all parts of the UK

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  6. a beautifil presentation dear Rosemary !
    well done, very nice pictures... saluti

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    1. Greetings to you too Massimo and thank you for your kind comment which is much appreciated

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  7. Hello Rosemary, In Cleveland one get the feeling that the country is not too far away, but in Taipei it seems that there is no escape from the city. Your photographs were a perfect pick-me-up, especially since a new typhoon is predicted for tomorrow.
    --Jim

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    1. Batten down the hatches Jim and keep safe - Taipei sounds as if it is a very large city indeed.

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  8. Exactly my sentiments Rosemary. I don't want see the season end. It has only just begun.

    I can see your golden wheat fields swaying in the breeze. Each photograph was a surprise and a beautiful surprise.

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    1. Why does summer pass so quickly Gina? Already it is now getting quite dark here by nine in the evening.

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  9. Summer always goes too fast, while winter lingers forever.

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    1. I suppose that if we didn't have the winter then we would not appreciate the summer so much - hope you are enjoying your break

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  10. Oh Rosemary,
    Your photos are lovely, really clear. That new camera with you using it takes an awesome photo.
    The wheat does shimmer, the animals are good as are the flowers...

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    1. Thanks Margaret - as I think I mentioned previously it is only a little point and shoot but seems to have a good lens.

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  11. Must be time to head south. I have never seen a chicken like that second one! Pretty post. Janey

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    1. They are heritage bantams Janey but I don't know what type. Although you cannot see it clearly the cockerel and the hen both have funny feathered feet and legs - a bit as if they were wearing fluffy ugg boots! They are quite comical little birds.

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  12. Dear Rosemary,

    Your photographs are beautiful, as always. We'll get you commissions from National Geographic yet! I've never seen such unusual chickens with feathered feet like that. I look at these handsome birds and wonder what a strange evolution they have gone through!

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    1. The feathers are doubtlessly some sort of protection, but from what? The weather perhaps?

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    2. I don't really know much about these funny little comical bantams. They are called Pekin bantams and originally came from China. They come in a variety of colour-ways and I think that people treat them more like pets letting them run about on their lawns. They are supposed to be very friendly and don't mind children cuddling them, and they have very small eggs.
      These were running about on a lawn at a special garden we visited last week which I will show soon.

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  13. The wheat is stunning. I don't really know what "high summer" means; does it refer to the end of summer or the height of it?

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    1. High summer means that everything has now reached its potential, the tomatoes are ripe, the fruit is ready and the crops have been or are being harvested.

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  14. Wonderful high summer pictures Rosemary, you will understand these are all my favorite subjects. I love the golden wheatfields, but I suppose the combines have been on the fields by now, here the farmers were very busy with the harvest the last few weeks. I scrolled up and down from the calf to the pretty cow and wonderful chickens to the vivid colours of the flowers, I enjoyed it very much!

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    1. Thank you so much Janneke for your very kind comment, you have made my evening knowing that you enjoyed so many of the images that were in this post.

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  15. Beautiful pictures Rosemary and it's definitely an absolutely amazing time right now. High summer. I do like that word. Every morning I take a walk for about an hour and it has been lovely to follow the changes of summer. From light green to more of a yellow tone. All the fields just waiting to be harvested. It sure is a lovely time of year. And a always, your pictures are gorgeous Rosemary.

    Take care my dear and have a wonderful day.♥

    Charlie
    xx

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    1. It is interesting the way in which so many of us see the seasons in colours - yes, we are in a pale golden period at the moment which in a few weeks will turn to orange, russet and red. I then I think of winter being silvery, ice-blue, grey, black and white. What a joy when that white eventually turns to snowdrops and the new spikes of green appear again.
      Happy days Charlie♥

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  16. We noticed that last night it was dark earlier than usual...oh high summer looks beautiful in your images but definitely doesn't seem to be here at the moment!

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    1. Yes, the nights drawing in really do have a profound impact on our psychic and impress on us just how quickly the summer season is passing by.

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  17. What a lovely photographic poem in praise of summer! Enjoy the rest of summer to your heart’s content, Rosemary.

    Yoko

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    1. Thank you Yoko - I wish the same for you too

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  18. I couldn't agree more Rosemary. Beautiful photo's to accompany your post!

    Enjoy the rest of the summer!

    Have a good evening!

    Madelief x

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    1. Thanks Madelief - we must make the most of every minute, hour and day, that is left to us of summertime

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  19. It does feel like autumn is racing towards us at a fast pace but I too don't want summer to end, just yet! xxx

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    1. It is strange how you suddenly get that feeling that summer is reaching its conclusion about half way through August - lets hope that 2015 decides to bestow an Indian Summer on us, that would be very welcome.

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  20. Those are fantastic words and pictures it's a shame that we are beginning to smell and see signs of autumn. Sarah x

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    1. I like that Sarah - smell autumn, and it is true. A couple of days ago following some rain I opened the patio doors and there was really strong backend of summer smell in the garden.

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  21. Beautiful photos. I am so going to love following your blog. Glad I found you.

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    1. Your generous comment is appreciated, thank you for your visit and for following.

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  22. How lovely landscape. The cows are so nice and I love the checkered chicken.
    Your photos are again so beautiful.

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    1. The chicken is very comical looking with her fluffy feet - thank you Orvokki

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  23. Beautiful post and photographs, the golden fields of wheat are the epitome of high summer.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the photos - I always feel a momentary touch of sadness at this time of year, but it will soon pass

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  24. Lovely lovely high summer...beautiful and lazy pictures - love it!
    Have a great weekend Rosemary!
    Titti

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    1. Thanks Titti - hope the sun shines for you and that you have no mishaps this weekend - just a happy time

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  25. I love these photos of your idyllic countryside. I have to make it out to your part of the world. I want to see it with my own eyes and drink it all in. Peony looks like a sweetheart :)

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    1. Peony is going to grow up to be a large heritage breed longhorn cow, but in the meantime she was extremely interested in watching us, watching her.

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