Nikon Wednesday 2016: #26

<blockquote>

<p><strong><em>Important:</em></strong> please keep your image under 700 pixels on the longest side for in-line viewing, and <em><strong>please keep the FILE SIZE UNDER 300kb</strong></em>. Note that <strong>this includes photos hosted off-site</strong> (at Flickr, Photobucket, your own site, etc).<br /><br />Are you <strong>new to this thread?</strong> The general guidelines for these Wednesday threads are <strong><a href="/nikon-camera-forum/00W7km" rel="nofollow">right here</a></strong>:<a href="/nikon-camera-forum/00W7km" rel="nofollow">http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00W7km</a>. This forum's moderators are allowing up to three images per week, so share some work!</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Personally, despite stomping around in many a farmer's field, I've never run into a hop yard. Common in many places, but not 'round these parts. These particular few acres of hops were being grown for local use by a relatively new brewery in Northern Virginia. We tasted our way through some of their hard work (the Irish Mahogany Ale was my favorite). So, here's a young-ish hops vine, climbing its way up a network of 12-foot high suspended ropes, soon to be harvested for its bitter but beer-vital cones. Shot something you've never seen before in person? Share some photos!</p><div></div>

<p>A couple of years old now, but here's something I had not seen until then....</p><div></div>

<p>I may have to go on another trip, because I think my sooper seekrit hideout has been spotted!</p><div></div>

<p>But I'm ready to go off hunting the wild beasts. Oh, there goes one now!</p><div></div>

<p>Midsummer festivities in Seurasaari. f = 36mm.</p><div></div>

<p>Midsummer bride and groom. f = 165mm.</p><div></div>

<p>More traditional dancing.</p><div></div>

<p>I had put this image in the critique forum; here is take 2.</p><div></div>

<p>I ran out of my Nikon battery...this is from the i-phone, sorry. <em>Long shadow...</em></p><div></div>

<p>Austin Symphony does a free concert in the park every Sunday.</p><div></div>

<p>A capoeira demonstration from a while back</p><div></div>

<p>One of our biggest employers here is Quaker Oats. We are its world headquarters. Interestingly, they've never hired a single soul that I've ever met. Someone basically has to die for there to be an opening. My wife worked there on a temp job contract and remarked that the culture is very close-knit and regimented. Good gig, if you can get it.</p>

<p>Anyhow, Quaker gets grain from all over the world. Here's a recent hopper car / billboard, taken on a recent biking expedition near the Quaker plant.</p><div></div>

<p>Street performer in the park</p><div></div>

<p>Peony in bloom</p><div></div>

<p>American Robin while hiking in the forrest</p><div></div>

<p>This one I had seen before, but not so early in the summer. The creature is about 15 mm in length.<br>

Better size, another try.</p>

<p>Another try with resize.</p><div></div>

<p><img src="/photo/18251238" alt="" />At a BBQ in Candiac Quebec, there was a flame to chase the the bugs away. Managed to grab a shot. I underexposed.</p><div></div>

<p>Male Eastern Blue Bird enforcing the No littering law.</p><div></div>

<p>Matt that is a very cool way to grow hops. <br>

That Irish Mahogany Ale sounds pretty tasty. <br>

I take it you'll be going back to the brewery. Ha Ha.</p>

<p>Hop harvest in the <em>Československá socialistická republika</em> in fall, 1972</p><div></div>

<p>I hopped to the nearby island and spotted some color. No brewski :<)</p><div></div>

<p>...</p><div></div>

<p>Restaurant downtown Montreal on Mountain street</p><div></div>

<p>Yes, John, I'll be back! And JDM: that was exactly how this brewery had their hop yard rigged. Some things just work, apparently.</p>