A field of winter wheat It's ready to harvest Very ready. The kernels just fall out of the head of the plant when you roll it between your fingers. I've included a lot of photos of the wheat for no other reason that we're "city folk" and don't see it up close very often. I just like the stump. Beautiful view from Olga and Ric's kitchen window. Olga directs operations in her busy kitchen. Cathy, Stephanie, Hilary, David, Edna and Susan set out the appetizers. John, Shirley, Jenn and Graeme tucked in. They're hungry. Here comes the combine harvester. Vrooom, vroom. He can raise the cutting-and-collecting part. Who knew? This is the field on the road side of the house. This mobile hopper occasionally runs along side the combine, receiving its collected grain. Here's a shot of both of them. That's one of the two brothers, descending from the tractor. Jenn, Graeme, Cathy, Hilary and Shirley watch the harvester at work. I like this shot, the active combine visible between the tractor and its grain collection bin. We had to move our cars several times to clear a path for the big machines. Starting a new field. Shirley is very happy when she's holding Graeme. Cathy, Gerry, Hilary, Steve and Nana catch up on happenings. The tractor with bin on the left is receiving the wheat from the combine on the right. Ric getting wood for the Bandera smoker This is the Bandera smoker and Ric will hot smoke salmon when it's good and hot. Stitched panorama of the view outside the kitchen window. (Gerry's Photo) Ric spars with his fire. The combine is passing between the wheat fields. Graeme's wondering how he can get a ride on the tractor. Maybe Daddy can arrange something. Off to start the next field. The first shot from inside the cab. Combine at work. We're harvesting down by the cliff overlooking Lake Erie. Self portrait. Well, actually, it was an attempt to get a shot of the wheat hopper. Doug and Graeme go for a ride in the combine harvester. Wow! Hear's a better shot. The computer monitors things like moisture content and yield. You can see everyone watching (and taking pictures) as we drive by. I uncleverly forgot the name of the combine harvester guy. He and his brother own it. He tells me that in the *old* harvester, it was so loud we wouldn't have been able to talk. The combine is dumping its load into the tractor's towed bin. While we're harvesting! This is how close the tractor has to drive to the business end of the combine. Graeme is totally absorbed as he watches the harvester at work, from inside the air conditioned cab. One last (half) strip to do in this field. Good view of the house. Mommy is waving. (Gerry's Photo) Doug and Graeme are visible in the cab. (Gerry's Photo) Graeme is clearly silhouetted, driving the combine. Olga and Mrs. Hentz toast a good harvest. Olga, Graeme, Shirley and Jenn. What a wonderful day. This field is done. You can see the combine starting the next field. Field of straw Ta da. Smoked salmon. Good job, Ric! (Gerry's Photo) Ric is removing the fish from the smoker. Stephanie, Alisha, Hilary and David help to set the table. Graeme snacks on a scone and juice. Next, he's off to mow the lawn, just like the big harvester. (Gerry's Photo) Neat shot of Olga. Our bevy of beauties: Hilary, Stephanie and Alisha pose for the cameras. Meanwhile, David catches a snooze. Big smiles. Graeme and his Grammy are having a great time. Graeme loves big trucks. The hopper shoots the wheat into the big truck. (Gerry's Photo) Alan checks the mussels. (Gerry's Photo) Before the carnage. (Gerry's Photo) Dig-in everybody. No one needed persuading to fill a plate. Yum! Graeme sat at the head/foot of the table and ate heartily of the salmon. David proposed the first toast. Cheers! Eating, drinking and taking pictures. (Gerry's Photo) Friends reunited. And the harvest goes on ... Shirley and Graeme watch the combine harvester. Graeme has a picture of one in his "Big Book of Trucks" so he knew what it was called (we think). Enjoying the great food. (Gerry's Photo) I love Graeme's expression here. I've done an experimental edit on this one to selectively raise the brightness of the foreground people. (Gerry's Photo) Wine and merriment. Olga and Alan discuss mussels In the foreground, an elegant composition of the debris from the meal. In the background, Alisha, Stephanie and Hilary play cards. (Gerry's Photo) Playing cards. Checking the distribution of the wheat. Can you believe they filled this truck? Artistic shot back at the field that Doug and Graeme harvested. Graeme and his Daddy. They're happy. (Gerry's Photo) A small group of us walked out, along the road, and down to the water. (Gerry's Photo) There was once an old pier at the beach. This is all that remains. After the meal, a group of us hiked down to the beach. Lake Erie shoreline. Graeme and his Granddad cool off on the beach. (Gerry's Photo) Doug and John take Graeme for a walk. Or is it the other way around? (Gerry's Photo) Enjoying a quiet moment. (Gerry's Photo) Come on guys, take those shoes off! (Gerry's Photo) Scenic view. (Gerry's Photo) Doug playing with Gerry's zoom lens. Shirley, John, and Graeme are a LONG way away, across the soy bean field. Group shot. Missing are Cathy, Steve and Hilary who had to leave early.