The Great Outdoors (Summer Shorts 2)

Summer is too lovely a time not to spend outdoors. Like last post, here are just a few photos taken over the past week or two.. and not a whole lot more. Please remember to click on each photo to enlarge.


With a car tire as a back drop, these yellow flowers seem to glow in the sunlight.



Tiger Lilies will soon bloom - but not yet.



These wispy, purple wildflowers however, are in full bloom.




The path back home. Reluctantly leaving the creekside cedar grove.



How long do you figure before summer's growth covers up this large branch?



A peek at the water fountain in Frank's back yard, though the lattice fence.



A tiny moth on the netting of the backyard tent. We sit there some evenings enjoying nature but avoiding mosquitoes. Photographed from the inside of the tent. The moth is on the outside.

Back soon with more Summer Shorts.

Summer Leftovers

The air has changed. Nights are cooler, days are shorter and the wind brings scents of autumn.

Some of the birds have changed their tunes to reflect the shift in seasons. I can hear the voices and laughter of the children who attend the nearby school. The bell rings and all is quiet.

I haven't seen a Monarch butterfly in a few weeks. The park paths are strewn with fallen leaves, berries, acorns and apples. Trees are showing subtle signs of changing colour. Deep greens are yellowing, and brilliant shades of scarlet demand my awareness that autumn has begun.

This summer has passed all too quickly, and like every year, I'm unwilling to relinquish it to the next season - the one that bridges it to winter. With that in mind, I have a few leftover photos from the past couple of months. Some have been warmed over and re-spiced with Photoshop.

Dig in and enjoy.



Looking up through the branches of Frank's magnolia tree. Summer had just begun. (please click to enlarge)



A very pregnant feline enjoying a piece of cheese. This was about a week or two after Frank wrote about her here. (please click to enlarge)



Mourning doves look so pretty in the morning sunlight. (please click to enlarge)



This duck was waddling along the dock as I approached but decided he needed to return to the pond. (please click to enlarge)



It was a very damp summer - a good season for mushrooms. This one was growing from the bark of a tree. (please click to enlarge)



Bunnies were everywhere. (please click to enlarge)



While visiting my sister in Port Dover one day, we took a boat tour around Lake Erie and through a creek, passing this colourful tugboat along the way. (please click to enlarge)




A partly consumed mug of beer sits beside the grill, and catches the sunlight while Frank cooks dinner. (please click to enlarge)




Kerri over at A Little Piece of Me is a wonderful photographer who had a great idea about what to do with her photos that didn't turn out quite right. She created a second blog called Kreations by Kerri where she displays her Photoshop-enhanced images. I thought I'd try my hand at a couple of my own and might just continue displaying some of them from time to time. These leaves growing out over the water's edge captured the sunlight nicely, but were otherwise unremarkable. I applied an airbrush filter to get this effect. Thanks for the idea, Kerri! (please click to enlarge)



An ocean ripple effect added a bit of a shimmer to this image of Benny and a bench bathed in the light of the setting sun. (please click to enlarge)



Thi sunset takes on a gritty appearance by applying "film grain." (please click to enlarge)

Sum Sum Summertime

There isn't much that I don't like about summer. I love the sights, sounds and fragrances which represent my favourite season.

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On those particularly hot days, you might want to relax under the shade of a large umbrella and enjoy the garden.

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Flowers, such as these Bleeding Hearts are in full bloom.

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This stray bell-shaped flower took root in the crack of a patio stone, and grows right beside the step.

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This small yellow blossom, found shortly after a light rainfall brightens its surroundings like the emerging sunshine.

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This little bug seemed to reflect the colour of the surrounding foliage.

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Here's a bit of perspective which shows how tiny it was.

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The early evening sun filters through from behind this tree, casting a long shadow. This is my favourite time of day.

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Late-day sunshine seems to saturate its surroundings with intense colour. The bark of these trees almost appear to be lit from within.

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A short while later, this park bench glistens like gold in the setting sun.

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The rising moon and setting sun provide soft contrasting colours behind this dead tree's silhouette.

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As the day grows dark, two birds bid each other "goodnight" with their song.

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A Canada Day firework set off at the end of our street. With this, I wish a Happy 4th to our Amurikan pals, from your friends north of the border!