That Beautiful Season... Summer

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....

Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape

Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The flower is the poetry of reproduction. It is an example of the eternal seductiveness of life. ~ Jean Giraudoux

Love comforteth like sunshine after rain. ~ William Shakespeare






Anyone can shoot a moose that's just standing there. If you really wanna brag, hang a pair of chipmunk ears on your wall. ~ Jass Richards






Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity. ~ John Ruskin






Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them? ~ Rose Kennedy






A flash of harmless lightning, A mist of rainbow dyes, The burnished sunbeams brightening, From flower to flower he flies. ~ John Banister Tabb






I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. ~ Emma Goldman





The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness. ~ John Muir






Oh, if you’re a bird, be an early bird
And catch the worm for your breakfast plate.
If you’re a bird, be an early bird—
But if you’re a worm, sleep late. ~ Shel Silverstein






Swinging clusters of red, the hedges are full of them, red-currant red, a graceful ornament or a merry smile. ~ Denise Levertov






Sing loud for the sunshine. Pray hard for the rain. ~ Led Zeppelin






Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature. ~ Gerard de Nerval

I know my visits are few and far between, these days. I've not been home much but I did have the foresight to schedule blogs posts for the past several days. I hope to catch up with all of you very soon, and create a few more posts - so I can spend some more time away from home/at Frank's.

Eye Catchers

Almost anywhere I wander, I'm lucky enough to be surrounded with wonderful things which catch my eye. Scroll down and I'll share a few of them with you.



After a rainfall on a windy day, this simple oak leaf, with all of its water droplets, looked so pretty to me.




Once the rain ended, the sky slowly cleared. This was how the sun looked when it found a hazy break in the clouds above. I thought it looked a bit like a full moon but it was early afternoon. And I wasn't drinking.




While walking one evening, I glanced down to see these green leaves and an older rusty leaf laying in such a way that reminded me of a cartoon carrot. This time, I'd only had a bit to drink. Can you see it?




All around my pond, the wild chicory is in bloom. It's such a simple, yet lovely flower.




Earlier in July, we had a few rainy days followed by some lush vegetation growth - including these mushrooms.




The early morning sunlight creates long shadows when it dances on this row of trees standing tall like sentinels to the pond below.




On a hot, humid day, there's nothing like a bit of ice to cool you down.




Like looking into a crystal ball, you can see much of my surroundings in this bubble. It only lasted a few seconds before Benny jumped and took a bite out of it.




Late day sunlight illuminated this otherwise darkened berry branch. Gotta love the colours of summer.

Thanks for joining me. I hope my eye-catchers were pleasing to you too.

This was a scheduled post. If all goes according to plans, we're probably back up at the cottage for a few days. I'll be around to read comments and catch up with your blog posts shortly after I return.

Leaves of Senses

In my previous post, I introduced you to some of the beautiful birds which visit my local park and pond over the course of a day. Today, I'd like to show you some of the flora which attracts many of the birds and insects that inhabit this area and others. Please remember to click on each photo to enlarge it.


Since late in the spring, one branch of this berry-producing tree has been bright orange. Every other limb sports nothing but green leaves and berries, so this isn't its autumn foliage - just a colourful contrast to the rest of the tree. It's where the robins in the previous post were perched. (please click to enlarge)





Here are some of the ripened berries which the birds find so tasty. (please click to enlarge)





And from a different perspective. (please click to enlarge)





This tiny bloom is only about one centimeter (less than a half inch) in diameter. (please click to enlarge)






These lily pads were found at Mill Pond - a twenty minute drive from home, in the center of a small town. They reminded me of a Claude Monet painting. (please click to enlarge)





These colourful wildflowers grow along the park path. They attract birds, bees, butterflies and my camera lens. (please click to enlarge)





Snapdragons are emerging everywhere throughout the fields near Frank's place. He'll probably stop by and comment about how its petals remind him of.. something. (please click to enlarge)





In his front yard, this tiny leaf had fallen and was clinging to the tip of a larger leaf. I thought there was something tender and endearing about it. (please click to enlarge)





In his back yard, these tiny purple Clematis buds... (please click to enlarge)





.. grow into these large, profuse blooms. This photo was inspired by my dear bloggie friend Protege of Life Work and Pleasure, who has been keeping us abreast of her Clematis plant's growth with weekly updates since spring. Consider checking out her blog - she always has something wonderful to share. (please click to enlarge)

And thank you all for sharing your time with me. More pics in a few days.