Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge: Saturated in Red, White and Blue

Welcome to the Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge for July. This week’s photography challenge is inspired by a simple color trio: red, white, and blue. While these colors may represent different things around the world, they offer endless opportunities for creativity. Look for them in nature, architecture, street scenes, wildlife, flowers, food, or everyday life.

floral display

If you participate in the challenge, capture all three colors in a single image—or tell the story across a series of photographs. You can post images of all three colors or pick one to highlight.

I am also participating in Dan’s CFFC Crayola Box Challenge: Black.

logo

The United States Semiquincentennial celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.

Feeling Patriotic Around the House

“Ev’ry heart beats true ‘neath the Red, White and Blue.” — George M. Cohan

front porch
Our freshly built front porch!

With this year celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Independence, I couldn’t resist surrounding myself with red, white, and blue at home. Beginning around Memorial Day in late May, my home, garden, and patio gradually took on a patriotic touch.

garden flag 250 years USA
Garden Flag

breakfast

My breakfast of champions includes homegrown raspberries, blueberries and strawberries! This is my contribution to Brian’s Last on the Card.

Backyard Bird Decorations

Our resident Say’s Phoebes (western flycatcher) finally decided to fledge on July 1st. Four babies successfully left the nest. Honestly, it’s kind of a relief they’re out of the nest and exploring their new, big world. I enjoy their antics as they flutter awkwardly, barely sticking their landings, and cry for food, but you’ll see more of these cuties in future posts.

phoebe fledgling

Notice in the above image, one leg is dangling (speaking of awkward) as the red, white and blue floral arrangement swayed wildly … good thing these babies weigh mere ounces. This was a lucky shot!

Just a few feet away, this baby thought it would perch on the septic system D-Box. He knew I needed red and black in the image.

brown bird

We often see bald eagles flying by.

soaring eagle
My eagle image, against a reimagined sky.

“Our flag is red, white and blue, but our nation is a rainbow—red, yellow, brown, black and white—and we’re all precious in God’s sight.” — Jesse Jackson

Outdoors in Red, White and Blue

Our Independence Day holiday weekends involve being outdoors, especially when we lived near the Sacramento River Delta and water sports were our must-do activities. Between the windsurfers and stand-up paddlers, many were decked out in red, white and blue to celebrate the long holiday weekend.

man and dog
Hans and Brodie paddling July 4th 2017

I couldn’t resist restyling this image of Brodie.

black dog ball

We’re rooting for the American Soccer team this Monday as they play Belgium in SEATTLE! So much so, my Duolingo language app chose my Avatar’s uniform of the day!

graphic

Also sharing this week for Bird of the Week, Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday, and Kym & Sadje’s WQ Milestones.

red white blue swatch

Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders

The Sunday Stills weekly-themed photo challenge is simple to join. You have all week to share and link your post. Please use your own original images, whether new or from your archives. Your original images reimagined with AI tools in post-editing are also welcome.

  • Remember to title your blog post a little differently from mine.
  • Please create a new post for the theme or link to 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.

If you are participating in the photo challenge, I look forward to seeing how you interpret the various shades of red, white and blue this week. Creativity is encouraged, so please share your own photographs (old or new), poems, original short stories, and music inspired by the theme.

Join me next week as we explore the theme “Groups of Three or More.”

US flag

Erma Bombeck says it best…“You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.”

4th of July graphic

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© 2026 Copyright — Terri Webster Schrandt and secondwindleisure.com — All Rights Reserved


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70 responses to “Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge: Saturated in Red, White and Blue”

  1. All great photos. The eagle certainly rocks the black feathers, but I’ll give the CFFC favorite to Brodie this week. What a darling.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Dan! Brodie is the espresso version of the Boykin Spaniels. I’m enjoying the Crayola box challenge!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. I believe I’ve seen the two birds you have for the week. They are among the few north American birds I’ve seen. Glad you could join in the fun with the Birds of the Week.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They are cute, small birds and common all over North America. This family will be migrating south soon!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Fabulous post! We are very proud of our red, white, and blue!
    Your images are gorgeous. Love the eagle and Brodie holding the red, white and blue ball. I will be able to join you in this challenge tomorrow. Thank you always for your challenges!
    Happy July!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Nancy! We are indeed! I enjoyed making the small adjustments for Brodie’s ball and the eagle backgrounds.

      Like

  4. What a beautiful and patriotic post, Terri. You’ve captured the true essence of America. 🤍❤️💙

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww, thanks so much, Eugi! Hope you had a good holiday!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome, Terri. Our holiday was peaceful, except for a few fireworks. ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Wonderful red, white and blue, Terri

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I hardly read this, Terri: Semiquincentennial. Tongue twister.😁 Broodie looks so lovely, and his eyes drawn me in. Looks like a great time outdoors seeing your photos. Our flag is a combination of red, white, and blue, too.

    Happy Monday on Sunday!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I had to look up what 250 years is called. Thank you, Hazel, Brodie is a good boy!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Alright. My pleasure, Terri.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. I love all of these! Your porch with the red and blue featured looks so inviting and like a great place to relax.

    Quite the lucky capture of the little bird with one leg dangling – awkward or great balance? Either way, the bird photos are wonderful.

    Here’s my contribution to the challenge: https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/2026/07/sunday-stills-red-white-and-blue.html

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Kym! I’ll link this to your next WQ post!

      Like

  8. great colors and great post, Terri

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  9. You have a lot of very cool red, white and blue images here Terri, especially your flowers and decorations. I liked how you gave Brodie a red, white and blue ball in his mouth. Your porch looks great – Hans is very handy! Your home-grown fresh fruit looks tasty, especially in the oatmeal. My red, white and blue will be next Sunday, a display of 250 American flags, one for each year since 1776. I could put the post next Saturday instead or it could just be for “groups” – probably groups works best. Hope you saw a lot of cool fireworks. We had them until 2:00 a.m. nearby. Right now it is pouring for the third or fourth time today so that has put the kibosh on the steady flow of fireworks in the ‘hood since the last rain stopped a couple of hours ago.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Linda! It was a fun post to create. We had a massive aurora Friday night. I’ll look forward to whatever you decide. Rain is a good way to stop the fire works! I’m thankful everyone around here quits by midnight. Too long a story, but I’ll sleep better tonight!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. And let the 2026 auroras begin! We have had a few auroras predicted, but all of our rain/stormy weather is zapping our chances to see anything of substance. Yes, the rain stopped the fireworks and I could get to bed at a decent time finally. We’ve had more rain today – the backyard looks and feels like a jungle! I’ll probably just do groups to keep my posting schedule consistent, but either works and I’ve already dabbled in red, white and blue for the Bicentennial lookback.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Kirstin! Hope you had a great weekend!

      Like

  10. […] Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge: Saturated in Red, White and Blue […]

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  11. A quite red, white and blue post Terri. Hope it was a fabulous day of celebration. Love the Phoebes with the hanging leg. Breakfast does look quite good and all from your own garden, fabulous. A yummy last photo.
    Thanks for joining in 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Brian! It was a thrill to pick two cups worth of raspberries from our garden! Yep, the neighbor’s fireworks were impressive and loud. Once a year is no big deal…

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hope you managed to get some good fireworks photos

        Liked by 1 person

  12. so much fun to keep on celebrating with you,!

    I love your front porch so symbolic of you welcoming us into your life each week ❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, thank you, Carol. I never thought of it that way. ❤️ Hubby wants to install some railing which will give it a finished look.

      Like

  13. […] For Sunday Stills Saturated Red White&Blue […]

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  14. Happy July 4th weekend, Terri! 🎉 You have a lovely assortment of patriotic images here. Brody and ball is my favourite. 😀 Good luck to the U.S. tomorrow! ⚽

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Debbie, thank you so much! Brodie does love his ball! I’ll have to check the soccer World Cup stats. my hubby loves watching the games. We’re rooting for Canada too!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadly, Canada lost yesterday, but the men’s team has come a long way in a few short years. They’ll do better next time! 🤞

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Very nice.
    Happy 250th anniversary of USA.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. […] Sunday Stills: Red, White, and/or Blue […]

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Love the birds and the water photos. Hope you had a great fourth Terri. It was eerily quiet here! Here’s mine today: https://grahamsisland.com/2026/07/05/red-white-and-blue-and-yellow-too/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Graham! A noisy 4th but all good! Hmmm, eerily quiet, any ideas? My brother, his partner and our step-mom celebrated while they were all in Maui. Looked like fun!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Not sure why it was so quiet, but they’ve been cracking down on illegal fireworks here so maybe that has something to do with it.

        Liked by 1 person

  18. […] This week’s Sunday Stills color challenge theme is ‘Red, White, & Blue.’ See more responses here. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  19. I am a day late but Happy Independence Day, July 4th Terri. I love your patriotic spirit! Congratulations on the porch completion. Stunning.
    An enjoyable gallery. The Phoebes are so adorable.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Suzette! Many of us have been commemorating the 250th for weeks! Today at church many were dressed in red, white and blue, a day later! So you are right on time! We love those Phoebes and they’ll be migrating away soon! We hope mom and pop return next year.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You are very blessed, Terri..

        Liked by 1 person

  20. This is beautiful!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. […] Terri’s Sunday Stills – Monthly Color Challenge, July: Red, White and blue – July 5, […]

    Liked by 1 person

  22. The porch chairs, the red-white-blue dog ball, the shirts–I’ll be right there!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Heehee, thanks, Jacqui! Hope your 4th was special and not too crazy with fireworks!

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Great red, white and blue post Terri! Loved the eagle shot. Hope you had a great 4th!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Anne! The eagles are wonderful on their own merit, but why not adjust the sky a bit, right? We survived the neighborhood fireworks! Thank goodness they stop at midnight here. Unlike Sacramento… 😦 I hope you enjoyed the holiday as well.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Our rescue dog had a hard time with the fire works. She’s 7 years and doesn’t like loud sounds. It was a tough night. Like you, by midnight it was mostly over.

        Liked by 1 person

  24. A wonderful post on the Red/White/Blue theme. I saved my nation’s birthday post until Thursday. Check it out when you get a chance.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, John! We can celebrate all week and month for this auspicious occasion! Please link to mine when you go live!

      Liked by 1 person

  25. That little bird with his leg dangling 🩷 Lovely red white and blue images, Terri. Hope you had a great 4th! 🇺🇸

    https://betweenthelinesbookblog.com/2026/07/05/sundaystills-monthly-colour-challenge-red-white-and-blue-nature-photography-2/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Cathy! These fledglings are acrobatic as they wobble a bit upon their landings, too cute! We enjoyed a very noisy fireworks show in our neighborhood this year. Oh well!

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Terri, I love all of your red, white and blue! Your images are great and I love the Erma Bombeck quote! Here’s my contribution: https://wanderingdawgs.com/2026/07/05/cellpic-sunday-patriotic-fire-hydrants-for-america-250/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Beth! I borrowed Erma’s quote from another similar post! Too funny right?

      Liked by 1 person

  27. […] Also shared with Terri’s Monthly Color Challenge : Red, White and Blue […]

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  28. Happy Independence Day Terri.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Sadje! Fun and noisy this year!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I can imagine. A big landmark.

        Liked by 1 person

  29. I love your very patriotic post, Terri! Wonderful! God bless our beautiful country. 🙏🏻✝️🇺🇸🇺🇸

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Indeed, John! Thank you! More fireworks noise this year thanks to the new neighbors, but it’s one day a year and a reason to celebrate! Hope yours was enjoyable!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You are welcome Terri! It was peaceful at my home until I went to bed, had to put a pillow over my head to dull the fireworks noise! 😂

        Like

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About Me

I’m a former university adjunct Professor and retired recreation & parks practitioner living in North-Eastern Washington State near the Idaho border. Second Wind Leisure Perspectives is my blog about living a leisure lifestyle, including photography, friends, fitness, and fun.

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