Sunday Stills: Mid-Summer #Reflections

It is almost the end of July already. Wow, time passes quickly and there is only a month left of summer! Have you been busy this year? Seems like a good time to reflect on the year so far, while sharing your favorite reflections.

Boy, it is hot here in Eastern Washington. This past week, we saw temperatures climb to 98-100 degrees F (37+C). Makes one yearn for this snow scene…

Life in a Washington Winter
Reflecting on a Washington Winter

Although our area is safe (at this writing) we’re dealing with smoky conditions ranging from “unhealthy to hazardous” levels. Wildfires in Northern Idaho, and the seemingly never-ending smoke from wildfires in Oregon and Western Washington have surrounded us. Yes, the wildfires are hundreds of miles away, but the smoke is everywhere. I’ll save the smokey images for later in August.

Smokey orb over pine trees

Let’s go visit the water and cool off a bit, what d’ya say?

Close to Home: Lake Spokane

“The still waters of a lake reflect the beauty around it. When the mind is still, the beauty of the Self is seen reflected in it.” – B.K.S Iyengar

Quiet River Reflections
Reflections of Green and brown

Time for reflection at Lake Tahoe in Northern California

Lazy Summers at the Sacramento River Delta

“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” — Sam Keen

The Sacramento Delta is world-famous for its windsurfing and board sports during summer. The inland Sacramento Valley heat pulls in the coastal marine layer and creates magnificent winds for windsurfing, and eventually cools off the Sacramento area evenings with the delta breezes. But there are days where the wind does not blow and we get these calm waters.

calm delta water
Calm delta water

Calm Delta waters are also perfect for stand-up paddling!

two paddleboarders
Molten Delta Sunset
Delta Sunset “Sun Glitter”

Take Time For Reflections on Road Trips

Reflecting on our latest road trip through California. In San Diego, we visited a local lake and a wildlife preserve.

White egret and seagull
White Egret shares rocks with a seagull and 5 turtles
stork reflection
Black-necked Stilt admires his reflection
Black-necked Stilt admires his reflection

Three days spent in Bandon, Southern Oregon…

Sea Stacks Bandon Beach

“As water reflects the face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” – Proverbs 27:19

ocean sunset reflection
Sun Glitter, Bandon Beach, Oregon

As we spent our last night of our 40-day Spring Road Trip in Hood River, Oregon, we reflected on our good fortune, memorable views, excellent health and wonderful friends and family.

Hood River, Oregon

Sharing for Birds of the Week, Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday and Lens-Artists: Summer Daze.

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.
  • 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 this week’s theme! 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 Scenes from the Fair or Rodeo.

The themes for August are ready to view on my Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Page, which is updated monthly.

“It’s a smile, it’s a kiss, it’s a sip of wine … it’s summertime!”
― Kenny Chesney

awesome week bitmoji

© 2026 Terri Webster Schrandt | secondwindleisure.com. All rights reserved. All content on this blog is protected by copyright and may not be copied, reposted, or reblogged without written permission.


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45 responses to “Sunday Stills: Mid-Summer #Reflections”

  1. You’ve got such an array of beautiful reflection pictures. In September when I have time I will reflect on how busy this summer was!! The garden is calling and so is camping so I won’t likely be joining in this week.

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  2. Your July photographs are gorgeous, Terri. These wildfires are truly dreadful. The wildlife casualties are heartbreaking.

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  3. Terri, suck lovely reflections and photos!

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  4. I absolutely love those reflections. Wow! It’s odd to hear and see what folks are experiencing around the country. Our summer has been unusually milder than in previous years. We’ve only had a handful of days with temps at or over 100 F. We’ll see what this week holds.

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  5. You had me at “what d’ya say?”… My beloved Auntie Millie (who is not an aunt at all, but my mum’s best friend) used that expression regularly – lovely memories, thank you. Oh, Terri, what a wonderful post! Your images are all stunning – reflection shots are my favouites (I suppose because I’m mostly crap at them!). My favourite is the Delta Sunset! Brills! Well-done you!!! xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Haha, so sweet of you to say, thank you, Pam!

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  6. […] Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Water with Terri’s Sunday Stills-#Animal of the Month and her Sunday Stills-Reflections. The #Animal of the Month for me is the Fallow […]

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Beautiful summer scenes, Terri! No doubt people around the northern hemisphere are feeling the need for some snowy scenes… except here in North Dakota. Sure it’s been warm, in the mid-80s mostly, but often August gives us our warmest weather.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, John! Winter Snow and summer heat aren’t always something to look forward to for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Wow…just gorgeous, but more accurately there is almost two months of summer left. 71/2 weeks.
    But time does fly.
    Big sigh….

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Dawn! You are right, but our area seems to follow the meteorological seasonal calendar: Summer June 1 – Aug 31. And so on. Regardless it goes fast doesn’t it?

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  9. Those lake reflections are gorgeous, Terri, and I love the birds, especially that stilt reflection. The Bandon photos are beauties too. Here’s mine this week: https://grahamsisland.com/2026/07/26/on-reflection-2/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Graham! We love visiting the Gilbert Riparian preserve near Phoenix, so many birds and still water!

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  10. […] week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Reflections.’ See more responses here. Captions of the […]

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  11. A lovely post Terri

    Liked by 1 person

  12. […] For Terri’s Sunday Stills prompt, the theme is “Reflections.” […]

    Liked by 1 person

  13. I enjoyed all your reflection photos Terri, especially the birds. The Black-necked Stilt admiring his reflection was unique since his leg was bent a little and that was captured also in the reflection. We had smoky skies about 10 days ago and Detroit was the worst air quality in the world on July 16th. The City of Detroit is 12 miles from me. The smoky skies cleared up, but we have storms coming this afternoon, evening and tomorrow which is bringing more heat, humidity and bad air quality. This Summer has not been wonderful in my opinion. I will have some reflections in my post today and also on Wednesday for Wordless Wednesday

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  14. What a fantastic gallery, Terri! The Black-Necked Stilt is new to me but what a lovely bird. The pelicans too are fabulous. I love the first lake reflections particularly but they are all great.

    It’s been very hot here too, getting up into the 90s with wild fires in several areas. Much cooler today though, thank goodness. Have a great week ahead.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Cathy! Doesn’t it feel like the whole northern hemisphere is on fire? Sigh… cooler here today here too! Have a great week!

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  15. My post https://threebylisa.wordpress.com/2026/07/26/bayou-.reflection/.

    Another great subject for the week and wonderful pictures.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Lisa! Seemed like a great time of year to share these!

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  16. We have similar heat waves and smokey air here in southern Ontario, Terri, but you’ll never catch me yearning for winter! 😆 You have a beautiful gallery of reflection photos, and I love the birds as well. Never saw a Black-necked Stilt before! 😎

    https://thedogladysden.com/reflections-photography-music/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Debbie! I suppose those who had snowy winters get over it quickly 😁. I got over HOT California summers long ago. Winters are still fun, but not the fog.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Wowza! All these images are so very gorgeous! Nice work! We have a bit of the smoky air here in Coeur d’Alene (we’re on a 4-month RV trip and leave the area tomorrow). It makes for intriguing sunset photos!

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  18. It’s amazing there are such vast stretches of calm waters.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful summer daze Terri! I like how you fit in multiple challenges into one post.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Anne! The extra challenges are fun! This week’s theme from you brought back great memories of life and summers in Sacramento.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. What a rich collection of reflections. I’m off to see if I can find a few!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Judy! I look forward to it!

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  21. […] Terri’s Sunday Stills – Mid-Summer #Reflections – 26 July […]

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Beautiful scenes, Terri! Here in France and Spain also there are some wildfires doing a lot of damage since the last few days. People have been evacuated from some parts. I hope they get them under control everywhere 🌧️
    My entry here – https://flightsofthesoul.wordpress.com/2026/07/26/water/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, PR! Our skies are clearer today. Hope everyone there is staying safe!

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Stunning gallery, Terri. I love vistas of water. I love the special moments of the White Egret and Black-necked Stilt reflection. And the epitome of reflections… your gorgeous image of the sun at ..Bandon Beach is inspiring.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Suzette! It’s been a busy few weeks and I needed a simple SS post this week. Bandon, OR was such a great place to spend a couple of days (even if it wasn’t summer when we were there) 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You are welcome, Terri. I hope you get a chance to recharge during the coming days/weeks. Summer is so special a time.

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Gorgeous pictures and scenery

    Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re so very welcome Terri

        Liked by 1 person

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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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