Saturday, August 13, 2016

Last Days of Summer..


"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you
because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it,"
~ Roald Dahl


Do you see it?  I took many photos of wildflowers this summer in an open space park near my home, and as I was editing them I almost cropped this photo to concentrate on the flower. At the last moment I saw the beetle hanging onto the blade of straw in the upper left corner.  If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you will see the beetle was looking at me!


"Blessed are they who see beautiful things in
 humble places where other people see nothing."
~ Camille Pissarro


I also captured this ant clinging to a flower stem with my camera lens.....



"To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles."
~Mary Davis


...and three beetles on this daisy.


"Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don't they should, 
for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers."
~ Ray Bradbury


My husband and I have been "busy as bees" this summer. We drove up a 14,000 foot high mountain, visited a historic ranch, two historic houses, and a fort that was on the Santa Fe Trail when immigrants crossed this country in covered wagons and Native Americans lived on the plains.  We attended a lavender festival and saw two operas in a 1872 opera house in an old Gold Rush town. We enjoyed barbecues with our family and had fun with our grandchildren. Now we are looking forward to an upcoming visit of a niece and great nephew from New York.


If you truly love nature you will find beauty everywhere."
~ Vincent Van Gogh

As the month of August winds down I'm taking a little break from my blog to enjoy the end of summer.  A little more time to enjoy the flowers, hummingbirds and young fawns that I see in my backyard, and a few more family barbecues and last trips to the community pool.  I will be back soon!  



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22 comments:

Billy Blue Eyes said...

You have had a busy time though we are only just half way through August & the summer, does winter come early there? There are still weeks to enjoy it yet

Terri Steffes said...

Great minds think alike! Bloom for my end of summer post in Tuesday! Love the photography!

Yvette said...

A good time to take a break, Pat. You have been a very busy bee all this summer. Reading about your exploits, I thought: How does she do it? I don't seem to have the energy to do much of anything some days. But then I remember, hey, I'm older than you! (That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.) HA!

P.S. Great photos too. As always.

Linda W. said...

Love all those "hidden" bugs in your photos. Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Barbara said...

This is a beautiful post, Pat, both the photography and the quotes. Yes indeed, that beetle had his "bug eyes" on you! (smile)

You did a good job of capturing our landscape at this time of summer!

Breathtaking said...

Hello!:) Enjoy your break! If you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed your nature photos, you will have a good time.:)

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Beautiful pics, we are seeing the weather give us an ever more slight break just recently. We needed it.

ellen b. said...

Lovely captures and quotes Pat! Enjoy your break!

podso said...

Your photos are exquisite. Love the detail and the beauty you discovered as you looked closely. A good lesson for all of us, and a very similar theme to my post this weekend about an artist who saw so much beauty around here in the small things. I hope you enjoy your blogging break and family and your visitors. I'm looking for fall but it may be awhile!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Lovely photos with great quotes, Pat. We must look closely to see the magic that is everywhere! Enjoy your family time and I look forward to hearing all about your great adventures. ♥

The Gathering Place said...

Pat,Your summer sounds lovely. Mountains, music, family time -it doesn't get any better than that. Enjoy your break!

Michelle said...

The first photo of the beetle hanging on is excellent! Enjoy your blog break!

eileeninmd said...

Hello pat, this summer seems to have flown by. You have visited many beautiful places. I love the wildflowers and photos. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

Pondside said...

I hope you have a wonderful time enjoying the last of summer and your special company from back East, Pat.
Those photos are incredible - quite a little series!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Enjoy the rest of the summer Pat! You've posted some beautiful pictures from your busy summer and you definitely deserve a break ;>))! Don't you love finding a surprise when you download your pictures (like that little beetle posing for you on the blade of grass).... Colorado has the most beautiful wildflowers!

Judy said...

Beautiful captures of blooms and insects. Enjoy your break and what is left of summer! I'm always reluctant to say farewell to summer.

diane b said...

Its true there is beauty in nature all around us even in our own back yard. Love your photos and quotes. Enjoy your break and your visitors.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Your photos are beautiful and so are the quotes. Enjoy the rest of your summer, Pat.

handmade by amalia said...

Enjoy your break, summer will be gone before we know it.
Amalia
xo

Mary K. said...

Pat those are stunning photos. I cannot capture the flowers properly let alone insects on the flowers. I hope you have an enjoyable and relaxing break

Betsy Banks Adams said...

All the critters are busy this time of year preparing for winter --and stocking up on the food/nourishment..... Our birds seem to be eating more than usual... I guess they are 'bulking up'.....

We are still in the PAIN of HEAT and HUMIDITY... It's hard to enjoy the ending of summer YET --since summer is still HERE... ha ha... BUT--in my blog today I mentioned a HINT of Autumn here....

Have a great week.
Hugs,
Betsy

Barb said...

You captured lots of little visitors who like the wildflowers, too! I like seeing that cactus blooming - such a lovely color.