Relaxing in Mid-Missouri Country

There is something quite relaxing about spending a day in the country. It is great to get away from the hustle and bustle of life in the suburbs or city and spend a quiet day enjoying the sights and sounds of the country.

On Sunday, my husband and I took a road trip to some friends house in mid-Missouri. It was only about 45 minutes from our home in the St. Louis area, but oh what a difference. It was so very peaceful and quiet. We could sit on the deck and listen to the sounds of the hummingbirds at the feeders and walk down to the lake and enjoy the gentle stirring of the water in the breeze.

I hope your enjoy this pictorial tour of our day in the country.

photographs by Mary Beth Granger

Our friends have six hummingbird feeders hanging over their deck and it was wonderful to watch the hummingbirds. It seems that there was an endless stream of hummingbirds gathering around the feeders.

They are the most interesting little birds, with the wings fluttering so fast you can barely see them. I love the way they dart back and forth. One minute they are there and the next they are gone.

I found that by setting my camera on the sports setting, I was able to capture the birds in mid air. I took hundreds of photos. I was so excited to be able to capture so many photos of the little birds. At home I would spend hours just trying to get one good photo and here I had endless opportunities.

It was so very cool!!

It is so much fun to watch hummingbirds at their feeders. I have one in my backyard and look forward each year to seeing those fascinating little birds. I make my own hummingbird food by mixing 1 part sugar to 3 parts boiling water. I let it cool and then add to the feeders. The hummingbirds seem to enjoy it.

Our friend told us that people often fish in his little lake and the fishing is pretty good. Although we didn't fish on our visit, I can see where it would be a nice relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

This beautiful purple iris was planted near the lake.

This beautiful iris is a pale peach color.

Irises are grown from rhizomes ( a type of bulb-root) and their beautiful blooms usually last from 1-3 weeks. In Missouri they are seen in bloom in the late springtime.

I love this dark purple iris.

Here is a great song by Sarah Evans entitled Missing Missouri.

The trees make great reflections in the lake. It was great to walk down to the lake and just watch the quiet movement of the water. I found some peaceful scenes to photograph.