Have a ray of sunshine and light with you everywhere you may go.
~ Lailah Gifty Akita
Sunrises around here are irresistible to me. If I'm awake for them, that is. As the summer winds down, that orb in the sky dawns a little bit later each week, so the chances of catching one now and then will increase for a few months. This is one that I awakened to in mid July.
This little Ruby-throated hummingbird was sitting in the sun, just outside of our kitchen window. The photo was taken through the glass.
Sometimes the sun highlights the subject with such intensity that the background just disappears - at least with certain camera settings.
Other times, everything around it just shines. This White Admiral butterfly is just basking in the warm summer sun.
These little goldfinch beauties seem to create their own sunshine.
Juicy, red currants need lots of sunshine to ripen.
Occasionally, even a stormy sky can't resist allowing a bit of sunshine to peek through. I bumped up the colours considerably on this one.
Bee Balm soaking up the rays on a midsummer day.
Despite its name, this little Pumpkinseed Sunfish shouldn't be out of the water and in the sunshine for long. And he wasn't.
Leafy green tendrils reaching out to tickle the edge of sunlight.
Late in the day, the sun pours in from the west, illuminating Blueberry Island, across the bay.
A lovely Common Loon relaxing beside a sunbeam. Don't you just love that red eye?
Cats enjoy sunlight better than most of us. Skitty found the perfect patch of warming sunlight for snoozing. His little paw looked so photo-worthy to me.
It's rare that we get notable sunsets because we face east. On this evening though, we got the bounce off of what must have been a spectacular sunset for those facing west. Still, you can't complain about this view.
Thanks for sharing the sunshine with me. More photos coming up soonish.
48 comments:
Beautiful photos, oh, I do love them all, cheers Hilary.
You do know how jealous I am of that hummingbird shot!! Ours never sit for long and certainly not close to me. They are wary down at the end of the pond.
What a fine journey I just finished, going through these pictures. Especially love the hummer and the loon. So serene! :-)
Absolutely gorgeous pictures. I couldn't pick a favourite if I tried.
Beautiful pics, as always, Cuzzie. I especially loved the butterfly and the cat's paw.
I've been away from the computer for a bit and coming back to this post is a delight. Love (envy) your view of the morning and I want to tickle those kitty paws. Gosh you have such a great eye for seeing what I most certainly would not even notice. Love your work....passion. Oma Linda
I've never seen a hummingbird so still. Great pic.
And the cat's paw in the sun was soooooo soothing. Nap inspiring even.
Your photographs are always a treat. Have you gone swimming in your lake yet. Is the water clear and good to swim in?
love the sunfish! and the mad looking little hummer. :)
Beautiful, sensitive photos. The cat's paw is so exquisite.
You must have cleaner windows than we do, in order to get such a clear shot of that little hummingbird.
Lovely photos of bird, the lake, the plants and especially the kitty paws.
So you've had a very nice summer.
WOW...... these are fabulous! Your little hummer is amazing!!!
Great views, loved the hummingbird!
Hi Hilary, Nice to be back and reading and seeing your gorgeous photos again.
First, I'm so sorry to hear about your Auntie Gertie. It's hard to lose a loved one and realize a whole generation is gone. Sending hugs your way.
And also sorry to hear about your cat problem! I yiyi! That is not fun. I had a cat years ago that sprayed and it about did in.
I'm loving the red in the red currants photo-- The older I get the more that range of reds appeals to my senses. Although I'm loving the blues in the blue jays too!
The country road, barns and hay truck in a few posts back reminds me of the countryside of my youth. I was just back home driving along one and smiling the entire time.
Enjoy the sunrises when you can and sleep in the rest of the time!
xo jj
Seriously- You are a master photog!
I am AGOG. Your eye and proficiency make me want badly to get better (and to get a more serious camera!) Thanks so much
ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3
Beautiful photos! I love the sunrise, too....unfortunately, the way our house is situated, the tall trees around it and our neighbor's houses, the sunrises cannot be seen! I'll just have to enjoy yours! ;)
I never tire of your images. Keep them coming.
The fish is beautiful.
I think you must live in heaven. It's so beautiful.
And you have LOONS.
Heart be still.
Another great theme and wonderful photos all. The first one stands out for me, but I would be proud of any and all.
Being a botany kind of person I treasure your special shots. GAWJUS!! Oh, but the kitty paw……precious! Your talent is so special. Thanks again for sharing with us.
Gorgeous shots! I'm a big fan of sunrises too.
Just beautiful. The lake, the hummingbird, the loon, the dock. I want those currants.
I have a new camera, and I'm working on learning it better. A Great Blue Heron has been on the dock the past couple weeks. An incredible subject.
I am most likely to see the sunrise after a sleepless night, so don't appreciate it quite so much! You have such beautiful wildlife.
They are all lovely. I love the pics with black back ground. The stormy sky is amazing.
That first photo is a dream. Loved it. Your close-ups are unbelievable. Many thanks.
Greetings from London.
so many gorgeous image
Just stunning stuff.
Absolutely worth waking up for!
messymimi
Lovely pictures; hope you enjoyed your summer on the lake!
You're place is so beautiful and peaceful
What beautiful photographs these are, Hilary.
I just love that little hummingbird.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
wow, i am in awe of your pictures, hilary. excellent macro's, and that first one left me speechless!
happy weekend! xo
glorious! just glorious, all of your shots here.
and thank you for always remembering to check in on me from time to time. always appreciate your visits and enjoy your comments.
The common loon is stunning!
The paw of your Skitty too looks cute.
Great shots all.
Some very nice selections. I had never seen the White Admiral, we have a different one.
The secret to your success is this: your mix of words and magnificent photos... make people feel good inside.
AND... that includes me.
These photos are truly Sunshine at its best. U have been oooh-ing and awe-ing over each one.
Dawn in you little piece of Paradise and the Hummer...and Kitty's paw....and the tendril...I could go on and on. Beautiful!!
The fires are still raging in my area but we are safe. Homes being lost and so many acres are cinders. I believe the destruction is now up to 100,000 acres of gorgeous timber.
The hardest part of all of this is it was set on purpose. The have a man in custody now. Totally unbelievable!
I should have read my comment before hitting the button....
I - not- U have been looking...
They not- the have a man in custody.
Guess I need a second cup of coffee today!
The first shot and the last... both made me say ahhhhh.
Our home is surrounded by trees pretty much on all sides...that tends to happen when one lives in a forest. LOL Anyway, I don't get sunrise and sunset shots unless I meander off our property.
love love the hummer, the red currents, the leafy tendril. the others aren't too shabby either.
Glad the Pumpkinseed fish returned to the water, and enjoyed the Cat soaking in sunshine! :)
All your photos were so good. Difficult to choose one or two....... but the birds, the paw, the fish that you kindly let go, have suck in my mind....... oh and that unusual cloud formation and the wheat against the dark background.
Maggie x
Nuts in May
Oh, Hilary! What a breathtaking array of photos!!
I get the echoes of sunset bouncing off my easterly clouds on an evening sometimes, too. And have caught a couple sunrises once again as the days shorten. Can hardly wait to see your snowy winter photos! So beautiful there. :)
such beauty surrounds you … i am sure you know that the 7th photo .. that called the Eye of God …
More goodies. Soon they'll be gone. I do like the change, though.
Oh, I hate that my work keeps me so busy I lose track of the days...and of your posts! Love this one!
I love seeing your world through your lens. It is such a pleasure to visit your blog (and in this case, several times today as I slogged away at work!!)
Post a Comment