Day-lilies

(photograph copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

Wild day-lilies bloom beside a corn field along a road near Millboro in rural Randolph County, North Carolina. I say wild, because even though the original stock probably started from garden plants at old homeplaces, day-lilies have spread along the roads and fields in our area, and during this time of year create a splash of color everywhere.

Willys Jeep



Odell Routh of Lineberry, North Carolina, south of Greensboro works on replacing the brake master cylinder of his 1946 Willys CJ2A Jeep in his garage at Routh Oil Co.. The vehicle is actually an “Agri-Jeep”, a post war, civilian model of the famous World War II military vehicle. Odell has long been a vehicle restorer, and currently has several he has restored and is working on, including another Willys, a 1948 four wheel drive pickup.


(photographs copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

Cousin Sarah

(photograph copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

I went up to Virginia Beach a couple of weeks ago to teach a digital camera workshop. While I was there, my cousin Sarah graciously allowed me to stay at her and her husband Don’s home. Sarah and I grew up together in Grays Chapel, North Carolina. Her family lived just a half mile or so down the road and all of us kids were like one family. I enjoyed our short visit. She is a gorgeous lady and a great hostess.

Beekeeper


I went with my son Tristan and his wife Christine this weekend to pick up a hive of young bees to place near our garden. We got the bees from master beekeeper Wally Swaim (seen below) of Level Cross, just south of Greensboro. Wally keeps hives, sells bee equipment and gathers wild bee swarms from trees and buildings. If you have a bee problem, he is the man to call. Bees in our area have suffered lately, and it’s not exactly clear as to why. It may be disease or parasites or even a genetic problem, but the bee population has dropped, which is not good for the pollination of fruits and vegetables. Tristan is hoping he can help, and maybe take a little honey as well.



Wally checks the health of a hive above, sans veil and only with the protection of a little smoke.

(photographs copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

Magnolia

(photograph copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

My Great-Grandmother’s 100 year old magnolia tree is in full bloom now in our front yard in Grays Chapel, North Carolina. We are fortunate to have several original plants and trees from when our house was built around 1880. This particular magnolia is huge and measures about 60 feet in height. It is the perfect climbing tree as 3 generations of kids will attest. Now it’s the perfect spot for our chickens to scratch for bugs.

Digital Photography Workshop


This past weekend, I had the pleasure of teaching a basic digital photography workshop in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The workshop was sponsored by my cousin Cory Routh who besides working for the State of Virginia as a marine biologist doing water quality work, runs a kayak fishing service in the Tidewater area called Ruthless Fishing. I hope the students enjoyed and learned something from the Saturday class. I know I enjoyed it. The workshop was held at First Landing/Seashore State Park on Cape Henry, a nice natural area with cypress swamp.

For more info on Cory’s company and kayak fishing, go to http://www.ruthlessfishing.com/.

(photographs copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)