Harvest season calls me home. There’s something alluring about working on the farm in the crisp autumn air. Waking up to the steady hum of the grain bin fans. Watching the setting sun transform the corn crop into a golden sea of stalks and husks.
There’s also a silent satisfaction in being a part of the choreographed chaos. Whether it’s sweeping out bins, transporting grain from here to there, relocating equipment from one field to the next, or being at the helm of it all – in the combine – fall farming has a way of making a person feel their hard work has somehow contributed to something greater, something beyond the field.
In an effort to capture the splendor of being home for harvest, I’ve prepared a photo essay showcasing the images I’ve collected throughout the month of October. I’ve selected 31 striking pictures to summarize my weekends spent on the farm.
Fall Fruit. A colorful assortment from the Banwart farm.
Home Sweet Home. Have a seat and stay a while.
Ripe for the Pickin'. Leafy husks conceal cobs and kernals.
Jungle Cat. A feline friend follows through the corn rows.
Blue Sunday Skies. The afternoon glow sets a striking scene.
Autumn Urgency. Corn from the stationary wagon spills into the hopper as it's conveyed from the auger to the bin.
All Hands on Deck. The combine pauses for a quick update from inside the cab.
Gold Rush. 'Bees wings' fly up in a flurry as golden kernals free fall into the moving grain cart.
Fence Row to Fence Row. Bountiful fields transform into bare countryside in the wake of the combine.
Mud and Mother Nature. Traces of harvest's battle with the forces of Mother Nature.
Standing Tall. The corn crop flutters in the shifting autumn breeze.
Parked Power. The red giant stands still and silent at the end of the work day.
Corn Collector. Remnants of corn kernals rest along the roller chains.
Tomorrow's Task. Raised corn head snouts indicate tomorrow's promise to capture the remaining corn crop.
Left Behind. A blanket of stover covers the fertile flatland.
Nightfall. The sun dips down in the west, casting a golden glow over the field residue.
Dawn to Dusk. It's finally quittin' time for the 240.
Bent, but Unbroken. Illuminated by the fading sun, corn stalks reveal their crooked configurations.
Tassels at Twilight. The stunning scenes of harvest season.
Nature's Glory. Brilliant colors paint the October sky.
Preparing to Pounce. A big pile of maple leaves becomes an impromptu playground.
Kitty Catnap. Two kittens soak up the midafternoon sunshine.
Puuurfect Weather. A young kitten buries herself among the sunlit maple leaves.
Memories of the Past. A solitary corn crib echoes farming practices from long ago.
Driver's on your Mark. A team of semis assemble in the empty end rows.
Awaiting Orders. A truck nicknamed 'Monica' stands idly by for the next load.
Evening Approahces. The sun begins it's descent, casting shadows in the open field.
Stirring up Dust. In the distance, a semi hurries along the horizon, racing the setting sun to deliver a final load to the local elevator.
Peak Position. The extended auger signals the grain cart for another release.
Last Glimpses. The last glimpses of daylight highlight the field's rolling features.
Golden Harvest. A final beam of light reveals a golden sea of stalks and husks.
