“There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss too many of them.” ~ Jo Walton
The Summer Solstice officially arrives this Thursday, June 20.
We continue our exploration of the Great Outdoors with the onset of the mid-year solstice. Tell us more about your winter solstice for those in the Southern Hemisphere.
Upcoming Sunday Stills themes will continue to focus on the great outdoors with the subthemes as listed here:
- June 16 Sunrise/ Sunset (this week)
- June 23 Plant Life in the Great Outdoors
- June 30 Landscapes
The summer months find us choosing to stay home here in Eastern Washington. In June, we get our first light at 4:00 a.m., while our last light ends at about 10:30 p.m. We can get a lot done around the home and property while staying close to air conditioning and cool lakes. Between sunrises and sunsets, we see birds and wildflowers enjoying the sun.
“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.” — James Dent
The Sun Shines in the Wildflowers
When we moved here in early 2021, I was pleased to discover that sunflower season begins in April and lasts until mid-October. For the sunflower lover I am, this was good news. When I took this photo in April, I wanted to capture the sunflowers and the raging river behind them to get a sense of spring here in Eastern Washington.
In June, the Common Blanketflower (aka Coneflowers or Gaillardia Aristata) replaces the Arrowleaf sunflowers, soon to be followed by domestic sunflowers that bloom in July through mid-October.
“Sunflowers know the secret of life is to follow the sun.” ― Clifford Thurlow
A Dog’s Sunset
My daughter reminded me that it was two years ago this week that her sweet dog Gideon died from injuries from a coyote attack. This is her photo. While we focus on Gideon, we also see the beach scene and sunset behind him.
My little Aero, Gideon’s younger brother, left us four months later from cancer. The two dogs spent many happy years together, especially at the Sacramento River Delta. We still miss them.
Sunrises and Sunsets of the Windy Kind
Our interests in wind and paddle sports often dictated where we could see a sunrise or a sunset. At the Sacramento Delta, sunsets were the norm. We watched the sun sink into the western sky, a well-deserved treat after a long day on the water.
In these images, while we focus on the detail of the wind turbines or the paddlers on the water, the setting sun from behind has stolen the show.
“Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.” ~ Charlotte Whitton
Over several winters, we had the itch to join our fellow windsurfers in Baja Sur, Mexico, near La Paz, which fronts the Sea of Cortez. The winter sunrises were there to be seen if one arose by 7:00 a.m.
But a rare Baja pink sunset was always welcomed!
The Summer Solstice Portends Summer Smoke
The Summer solstice, unfortunately, brings the onset of wildfire season in the American West. Smoky sunrises and sunsets are the norm for many summer days.
“One way of celebrating the Solstice is to consider it a sacred time of reflection, release, restoration, and renewal.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach
Note: This post was curated before I was aware of the Lens-Artists challenge BEHIND. I’m always thrilled when I can combine both themes.
Also sharing for Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday.
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders
The Sunday Stills weekly-themed photo challenge is easy to join. You have all week to share and link your post.
- Remember to title your blog post a little differently than mine.
- Please create a new post for the theme or link a recent one.
- Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
- Tag your post “Sunday Stills.”
- Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post.
- I also recommend adding your post’s URL to the comments.
As the sun sets on this post, I wish a Happy Father’s Day to the fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, and grandfathers in your lives and mine.
I can’t wait to see how you interpret this week’s theme! Creativity is encouraged, so please share your photographs (old or new), poems, original short stories, and music inspired by the theme. Join me next week as we explore Plant Life in the Great Outdoors. Have a wonderful week.!
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