It's going to be a hot, stay be the air-conditioner day! Since I don't like to be out when my skin leaks, I decided to get my morning constitutional early. The light was warm and soft so I went back and grabbed my camera.

These crows and starlings were resting in this old snag. It made for a nice silhouette. I decided to make this one into a sketch.

 

 And he's off!

A house on the way has bunches of gorgeous hollyhocks. I've got to get me some for my back fence. This shot (above) put me in mind of the cycles of life.

With the dew

It was a pretty morning. And now to start the day!

It's the weekend of Jackson's Civil War Muster. Each year in late August reenactors Gather at Cascades Park to recreate the Union and Confederate armies. During the afternoons on Saturday and Sunday they stage a battle for the crowds of visitors.

This year the numbers were down. It may be a fading pastime as the average age keeps going up and younger people become fascinated with other things.

I didn't want to endure the heat and humidity of the afternoon battle so I walked the camps this morning and took a bunch of portraits. Since we're going back in time, I decided to give them a sepia treatment. Here's twenty. And I really did leave out way more than I included.

Drill

This young man was coordinating the drummers.

He was proudly part of General Hood's troops flying the Bonnie Blue Texas State flag from the era.

General George E. Pickett

A Colored Regiment from Michigan participated too.

Mr. President

General Robert E. Lee

General Custer

Tavern Keeper

Since time only runs forward, this is as close as most of us will get to life in the early 1860's. It's a nice place to visit, but I sure wouldn't want to live there.

It's been a while since I posted new pictures to this blog. Lots of Facebook posts but nothing here.

Today I decided (spur of the moment) to visit the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing. The day was beautiful and the park inviting. Except they charge extra for out of county guests both for parking and for entrance. Still, it wasn't unreasonable.

The first exhibit was—shall we say—less than compelling. They had a pair of grey foxes that were nine years old. They needed to be retired. They looked ratty and they tottered like really old foxes. It was not an auspicious beginning. But then, things began to pick up.

I spent most of my time around the big cats. They were even reasonably cooperative. You have to shoot through either wire mesh or thick, protective glass. It's not ideal but it's as good as it gets on the cheap.

What do you mean there's a hole in the fence!

They had two otters near the exit. They are indeed clowns.

One more look at the eagles and I was ready to head for home. I think Binder Park has the edge when it comes to zoos. Both offer their own unique collections of animals. And both offer lots of opportunities to take pictures.