Good morning. Summer summers along. #Photography #Today #Summer #Chicago #bloomscrolling #Bees

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Close-up photograph of a large, black and yellow carpenter bee resting on the wavy fringe of a passionflower. Bright yellow pollen dusts the bee's back. The flower features intricate, squiggly purple and white filaments with pale green stamens extending above, surrounded by lush green leaves in direct sunlight.

#silentsunday #landscape #summer

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An area of mowed grass gives way to a meadow of taller grasses and a shallow ravine where a few deciduous trees grow. The sloping hill to the right is a farm field that is usually planted but this time lies fallow. the corner of an old cement shed with a tin roof and windows on the two walls that are visible is on the right and stands beneath the branches of an old tree. the sky is clouded by fog that has mostly lifted, though some is still evident in the distance. Photos I take at this farm sometimes remind me of Andrew Wyeth paintings.

#silentSunday #summer

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A fallow farm field resplendent with fox tails takes up the bottom half of this photo. The fox tails give way to a corn field. In the distance on the left are deciduous trees shrouded in mist.

The Wake of the Setting Sun.

Monday, July 27, 2026. Wolverine Lake, Michigan.

#photography #sunset #michigan #summer #reflection #abstract #AbstractArt #art #MastoArt

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Photograph of sunset light reflected on a the wake from a boat on a lake, forming abstract horizontal lines of black, blue, and pink.

Last Summer adventure photos from this morning in case you like seeing a happy dog as much as I do.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

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Golden lab is fetching a stick while running on the beach. The Pacific Ocean is behind her.

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Golden lab running and running and running on a sandy Pacific Ocean beach.

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Golden lab is sitting and waiting for me to walk around the sand dune she is perched on. Fields and hills behind her are golden brown as we are getting little rain.

More early morning Summer adventure.
I told her that early birds get the worm.
Summer says early doggos get the beach adventure.
She knew as soon as we hopped out of bed that today was the day.
She fetched my hat and shoes while I started the coffee maker.
Much fun.
We were so early the wildflowers weren't open yet.
If all keeps going well we will get back on track adventuring five days a week.
We both understand our priorities though.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

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Golden lab is stampeding around the driftwood piles on a sandy beach.

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Golden lab at the start of the trail to the beach. She is coming back to see while I'm going so slow.

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Golden lab takes frequent breaks to peruse the countryside and let me catch up.

Summer was overdue for a good run on the beach.
We set everything up last night so we could get out the door in record time. We were driving before the official sunrise. I knew we had to get there and get back.
My husband has really bounced back and slept all night so everyone was feeling good.
The sky was overcast and it felt like the world was still asleep.
Summer was excited as was Grandma.
Good morning Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Garden colours

#Photography #bloomscrolling #summer

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An image of flowers among tall green eaves in a summer garden. In the foreground, orange-petalled sneezeweed with brown cones dotted with yellow patterns. In the background, blurred pink echinacea and the vague shapes of white daisies.

One of my sunflowers is wearing a party hat 🌻🥳

#sunflower #bloomscrolling #blueskies #bees #summer #garden #gardening #nature #sunnyday #bright #colourful #saturdaysky #flowers #zonnebloem #bloemen #tournesol #sunshine

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A large towering sunflower against a bright blue sky. There is a bee sitting on the flower and another bee is flying towards it, looking absurdly happy somehow even though I have no idea if bees can even have facial expressions. One of the leaves of the sunflower is sticking up behind the flower itself like a cheerful green pointy hat.

Good morning. Summer summers on. #Photography #Today #Summer #Chicago #bloomscrolling

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A vibrant close-up of large, pale green-yellow Limelight hydrangea flower heads blooming in full sunlight. Green foliage frames the lush blossoms, with a two-story white house and a brick building visible in the soft-focus background under a clear blue sky.

Kind of a long night and then off to the VA clinic early. They are trying to help us to stay out of the hospital this weekend.
Really nice people.
The deck builders came early so they could double as dog sitters while we went to town.
The deck floor has been installed and the stairs will be built Monday. The redwood for the railings/windbreak sides has been gifted to us and was milled from a fallen tree on a friend's property.
We are blessed.
The kindness and generosity of our friends and neighbors is humbling and uplifting.
Summer told them they could go home early today to have a nice weekend.
She is an excellent project supervisor.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

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Golden lab is taking her first nap of the morning after a busy awake night. She is lying on a sofa next to an older man who is resting his hand on her back.

Good morning. Summer summers along. #Photography #Today #Chicago #Summer #Bloomscrolling

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A vibrant, pom-pom-shaped bright yellow marigold flower in full bloom takes center stage. Its densely packed, ruffled petals form a round, textured sphere. The background is softly blurred, showing lush green foliage and out-of-focus red and pink zinnias.

Summer is hiding again.
I decided to crawl around on the floor to take her picture.
Big mistake.
Instead of posing or just looking adorable for the photo she dove in to lick my face.
She has no self control when one of her humans gets to close. She sees such a maneuver as an open invitation.
She is so sweet and brings the joy to our house every single day.
I'll survive a few Summer kisses.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

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Summer is under a table in her super secret hiding place.

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Summer is coming out from under a table heading right for my face to give me a kiss.

Summer adventures

#photography #bridge #footpath #stream #summer #reflection #trees

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A footbridge with a couple pf people on it is seen crossing a shallow stream. Trees are seen on both sides and clouds fill the distant sky. Rocks and some tall rushes are seen in the bottom foreground.

Summer is exhausted after supervising the deck construction all day. Tomorrow morning the rest of the deck floor will be installed. We can actually step out the door to a solid surface now.
So exciting.
#Summer

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Golden lab is sleeping on her blue pillow on a sofa. She is resting her head on her front paws.

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Brown deck floor that has been recently installed.

Shades of orange and green sunset, Scoville Reservoir, Wolcott, Connecticut. June 9, 2021, 8:11 PM.

#hiking #photography #outdoors #landscapephotography #nature #Connecticut #summer #forest #sunset #sunsetphotography #lake #summertime

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Beneath a pale blue gray sky with a few long, hazy clouds we are standing on the shore of a lake covered with hundreds of green lily pads. The far shore is densely wooded, as are a small island in the middle of the lake and the tip of a peninsula not far off our shore. A small thicket of water grasses and leafy aquatic plants is just offshore at our feet. The recently set sun is painting the sky near and along the horizon vivid orange and casting a bright golden sunlight off the bottoms of many of the clouds.

I lost my words yesterday.
The day before I was pushing to get so many chores done I logged 20K steps. I was seriously tired.
Yesterday morning started out with a grandson dogsitter coming out so my husband and I could go to a doctor appointment together. The deck bros needed for me to choose deck railing and stairs choices and I had to face my deferred housework. It felt like a lot all at once.
The doctor was clear that if my husband gets as sick as he did last week I should drive him to San Francisco. He says there are no providers, here in Humboldt, who know enough about the medical challenges we face. He says they can't make informed decisions even if they mean well. He said that he is impressed at how we manage four different health care systems as well as we do.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm the right person for this job.
Today is already better.
Good morning Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

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Golden lab is lying on a grandma lap providing the comfort that only she knows how to dish out.

Good morning. Summer summers along. #photography #Today #Chicago #Summer #Bloomscrolling

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A vibrant, large dark red hibiscus bloom dominates the foreground with textured, crinkled petals spreading outward from a central stamen tipped with yellow pollen. Deep purple-tinged foliage surrounds the flower, with a soft, blurred background showing greenery, pink blossoms, and a clear blue sky.

Fawn, The Pond, Mountain Road
Late July, 2022

#nature #TBT #summer

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A white-tailed deer fawn, still sorting it's spots, stands in shallow water with it's hind quarters to the camera, but looking backward and downward as if interested in something in the water. Assorted plants that grow along the edge of this shallow part of the pond provides the background.

Kyōto is getting very close to 40 degrees as the week drags on.
There’s only one thing for it…🙈

#Kyoto #京都 #Japan #monkeypark #Arashiyama #嵐山 #Iwatayama #ArashiyamaMonkeyPark #嵐山モンキーパーク #summer #kyotosummer

18 days before the first day of autumn (丑の日 'the day of the ox') people come to cleanse their feet (and hands).
The 'ashitsuke shinji' ritual (足付け神事) is said to guard against chilblains and beriberi.

It's likely that Konoshima-jinja's mitarashi festival is the city's oldest.

#tradition #summer #festival

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A colourful mess of candle wax, remains of votive candles.

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Sweeping the Mitarashi Pond for lots items and stray candles.

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Sacred area at the end of the Mitarashi Pond at Kitano Tenman-gu.

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Choosing a votive candle before entering the Mitarashi Pond at Kitano Tenmangu.

The end of the month is quickly approaching!! Do you have your pet’s preventatives ready to go at home for August 1?? If not, don’t worry! Our pharmacy team is here to help make the process simple for you. Make the most of the last full month of #summer by checking one thing off the list now! If you’re already an Angell client, you can request refills at https://www.mspca.org/veterinarycare/hospital-locations/boston/pharmacy-at-angell/

#pet #pets #animal #animals #massachusetts #dog #dogs #cat #cats #dogsofmastodon

Good morning. Summer summers along. #Photography #Today #Chicago #Summer #bloomscrolling

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A close-up shot of a vibrant, magenta-pink zinnia in full bloom, featuring dense layers of tightly packed petals forming a domed shape with a pale yellow center. In the soft-focus background, lush green foliage and partially blurred red and orange zinnias are visible.

Goodnight, Sun.

July 27, 2026. Wolverine Lake, Michigan.

#photography #sunset #sun #michigan #summer #art #MastoArt

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Close-up of a large orange Sun with sunspots setting in a "V" formed by trees in silhouette against a black background.

From The New Yorker-
by Cerise Zelenetz
#Summer

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4 panel comic strip labeled "What I've done this summer" each of the first three panels features a person standing next to a window air conditioning unit with varying weather showing in the window 1st panel "Waited for it to cool down" 2nd panel "Waited for it to stop raining" 3rd panel "Waited for breathable air" the 4th panel is that person sitting in a movie theater and " Saw 'The Odyssey" and waited for it to be over"

Last Summer adventure photos from our walk this morning.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

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Golden lab is standing on a giant driftwood log waiting for me to catch up. This is where we start hiking over the dunes to the beach.

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Golden lab is jumping off the driftwood log and is in mid air.

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Golden lab is coming back to encourage me to keep walking on the trail to the beach.

Summer adventure photos from this morning's walk.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

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Golden lab is running on a trail to the beach. She is happy to be here.

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Golden lab is running on a sandy beach with a stick in her mouth.

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Golden lab is standing on the beach looking at the camera.

Wild morning.
Summer and I were awake at first light.
I wanted to get her walk in early.
She was excited because she knows something fun is in the works.
When I opened our front door to let her out she took off like a rocket.
Summer has wheels.
It turned out that some deer were pulling the netting off of our roses. Summer wasn't having it because this is her front acre after all. I yelled at her at the top of my voice because I didn't want either Summer or the deer to get hurt.
The deer decided that even the prospect of tasty roses wasn't worth Summer's ire.
It all worked out.
They moved on to the neighbor's garden.
Clearly I can scream my guts out and no one but Summer is coming to my rescue.
Good to know.
We finally made it to the beach.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Good morning. Summer summers along. #Photography #Today #Summer #Chicago #bloomscrolling

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A vibrant pink zinnia in full bloom, featuring dense, layered petals forming a sphere shape against a lush green background.

Monday moonlight.

July 27, 2026. Wolverine Lake, Michigan.

#photography #moonrise #moon #reflection #art #abstract #michigan #summer #MastoArt

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Photograph of moonlight on a reflective lake service, leaving a pale white pattern of abstract swirls on a blue background with black shadows to the left.

Sunset swan.

July 27, 2026. Wolverine Lake, Michigan.

#photography #sunset #michigan #summer #art #bird #swan #birdsofmastodon #MastoArt

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Photograph of a swan in silhouette, swimming into a bright orange vertical streak of sunlight reflecting off a lake.

More Summer Humboldt Bay adventure.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

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Golden lab is standing in the grass on a sand dune along the trail to the bay. The sky is cloudy.

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Golden lab is stampeding down the shoreline of Humboldt Bay. She ran and ran.

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These crabs were scurrying everywhere. Hundreds of them. This one was about six inches across.

Some nights I sleep better than others.
Last night I worried instead of sleeping.
I know better but it's best to let my brain consider all of the possibilities and then move on again.
Since sleep wasn't happening I jumped up at first light to get Summer out for a much needed run.
All of our favorite spots were full of people who looked like they were camping. None of these places allow overnight so there's that.
We moseyed down the hill to our trail of last resort on Humboldt Bay. This trail is for hunters to access the bay but is deserted in the off season.
The tide was out so Summer stayed on the shore and out of the standing water.
She was a good girl and fun was had.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

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Golden lab is running through the grass in a brackish bay marsh.

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Golden lab is running on a sandy trail.

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Humboldt Bay at very low tide on a cloudy early morning.

Here’s a
#MondayMorningMinute
with #nature here on #WorldBeeSanctuary.
Take a moment.

#pause

Go do some #good.
Have the best week you can.
If you’re not having a good week - tell someone.
And if someone tells you -
Listen.
Really #listen.
#mentalhealth
#wellbeing
#summer
#life #health
#bees #wildflowers
#monday

Good morning. Summer summers along. #Photography #Today #Chicago #Summer #Bloomscrolling

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Close-up profile of a vibrant deep red zinnia in full bloom, with a garden of soft-focus magenta, red, and yellow flowers blurred in the background.

And there goes the Sun, fading away into the Apocalyptic grey smoke just in time for me to head back inside to watch tonight's #Monsterdon

July 26, 2026. Wolverine Lake, Michigan.

#sunset #photography #smoke #summer #michigan

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Photograph of a fading pink sun setting into a grey sky over trees and a lake.

More Summer gardening photos.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

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Golden lab is retrieving an empty black plastic flower pot. She is running on the grass.

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Golden lab is sitting on a doormat next to her black flower pots.

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Golden lab brings the plastic potting soil bag to the garage.

We have been dilly dallying away most of the day but Summer said the garden was calling her.
She promised that she would do most of the work.
How could I refuse.
Watering got done.
Some wire on the gate had come loose and was hazardous so I tried to fix it with zip ties.
Didn't hold so I used string. It looks funky but it works for now.
We planted a new fushia.
Unplanted spent green bean plants to make way for new lettuce and we thinned out the baby apples.
Summer did all the fetching and hauling.
I let her keep the pots for now so she has a collection to show her pal.
Summer is a very smart dog who always gets her flower pot. Even when it hides.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

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Golden lab is supervising a garden project. She is standing in the grass.

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Golden lab is bringing me a black knee pad.

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Golden lab is running with purple garden gloves in her mouth.

If anybody’s looking for me I’ll be low in the long grass with the BFT…
Strictly on a need to know basis though!🤫
Wild Flower Hour.

#wildflowerhour
#BirdsFootTrefoil
#wildflowers #July
#summer #nature
#worldbeesanctuary

A bird’s voice chinks and tinkles
Alone in the gaunt reedbed –
Tiny silversmith
Working late in the evening…

—Norman MacCaig, “July evening”
published in THE POEMS OF NORMAN MacCAIG (Birlinn, 2009)

https://birlinn.co.uk/product/the-poems-of-norman-maccaig/

#Scottish #literature #poem #poetry #20thcentury #NormanMacCaig #summer #naturepoetry #naturewriting

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Norman MacCaig July evening A bird’s voice chinks and tinkles Alone in the gaunt reedbed – Tiny silversmith Working late in the evening. I sit and listen. The rooftop With a quill of smoke stuck in it Wavers against the sky In the dreamy heat of summer. Flowers’ closing time: bee lurches Across the hayfield, singing And feeling its drunken way Round the air’s invisible corners. And grass is grace. And charlock Is gold of its own bounty. The broken chair by the wall Is one with immortal landscapes. Something has been completed That everything is part of, Something that will go on Being completed forever.

#SilentSunday 🤝 #FotoVorschlag

#photography #nature #naturephotography #plant #grass #ears #summer #backlit #bloomscrolling

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Vertical image of partly opened bushgrass ears backlit by warm sunlight.

Good morning. Summer summers along. #photography #Today #summer #Chicago #bloomscrolling

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A honeybee foraging on a vibrant yellow marigold in full bloom with magenta flowers blurred in the background.