Prairie Coneflower

I thought I was growing Black Eyed Susans in my border, but when I went to look the flower up, discovered that they were more likely some kind of prairie cone flower.  Who knew?  They took a couple of years to establish themselves, and for the first two years were perpetually attacked by deer. They were in full bloom when we returned from vacation, and they're beautiful.  Here's my take (from memory, so kind of abstracted), and a picture of the border.  

Great Lakes Adventure

My family just returned from a two week tour through Michigan and Wisconsin.  We went up through Michigan stopping at Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes and Mackinac, and got as far north as Isle Royale.  Isle Royale is a 3 h ferry ride from Copper Harbor, MI on the Keeweenaw Peninsula.  We had flat, flat water on the ride out and then 2-4 foot waves on the ride back.  2-4 feet doesn't sound like much until you're on a ferry--whew baby.

If you haven't clicked through, please do--there are three more paintings.