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Category Archives: Summer

Mighty Mushroom

13 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Flora and Fauna, iPhoneography, Lifestyle, Nature, Summer, Virginia

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Flora and Fauna, garden, garden photography, iPhoneography, lifestyle, mushroom, nature, nature photography, summer, Virginia, Virginia garden, Virginia plants

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Rainbows and Green Orbs

06 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Flora and Fauna, Inspiration, iPhoneography, Nature, Photography, Summer, Virginia

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

apple, black walnut, Central Virginia, chestnut, countryside, double rainbow, farm, Flora and Fauna, green apple, green pepper, Inspiration, iPhonography, lifestyle, nature, pepper, photography, rainbow, rainbow photo, storm, summer, trees, Virginia, walnut, weather

Double rainbow in the Virginia countryside after the storm. © 2012 EddinsImages


It has been a week since the Eastern United States was hammered by a fast-moving, deadly storm. Here in central Virginia, after an eerie, silent stillness with no warning of what was to follow, we were blasted by a sideways, screaming wind. Nothing else… just wind. Then, the wicked, other-worldly tempest brought-on wild, non-stop lightning in the clouds above – as if someone was flicking a light switch on and off, on and off. The lights flashed all around us without pause. There was still no sound, except the roar of the wind. Later came lightning that was lower in the sky, accompanied by rumbles of thunder, downpours of rain, and hail. Throughout it all, most devilish was the incessant wind. Many likened the 70-plus mile-per-hour wind to the scary roar of a train.

We took the rampage seriously. After returning home safely during the first-half of the storm, my husband sat inside the house with the front door open, listening, for the sound of an approaching tornado. My son and I retreated to the far side of the house, opposite the ancient maple tree outside, wary that the tree would fall into the house. We learned after-the-fact that this unusual storm is called a derecho – a widespread, fast-moving weather event that features intense, straight-line, damaging winds and sometimes thunder and lightning.

And, sadly, for many in Virginia, that very scenario was a reality. Most tragically, however, is the fact that when it was all over, just an hour or so later, lives were lost, property was severely damaged, and, for a great number of families, power was out. Today, one week later, the clean-up continues. Many families remain without power. We’ve seen working power crews here from as far away as Texas. I am so very sorry for families who lost loved ones.

Even so, Mother Nature has a way of recovering. First, there was the double rainbow outside my barn. Even without electricity at the barn, seeing the rainbow brought me a feeling of hope.

Green chestnuts fall to the ground early during a Virginia storm. © 2012 EddinsImages


Then, throughout the past week, I’ve been finding little fallen orbs of nature… beautiful trinkets dropped by trees and plants. And each is green.

Close-up of a ready-to eat green pepper that survived windy weather. © 2012 EddinsImages


Green, the color of nature. The color of rejuvenation. The color of life.

A handful of black walnuts picked-up from the grass below after stormy weather in Virginia. © 2012 EddinsImages


So, with these verdant little reminders of our future and all that is good in life, we rebuild, replant, and reclaim.

Fallen green apples and their seeds ensure that more, beautiful apple trees will grow for future generations. © 2012 EddinsImages


Live goes on…

Country path leads under the double rainbow. © 2012 EddinsImages


All photos taken with an iPhone 4. © 2012 EddinsImages

Swimmy Summer Fun Photo

05 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Family, iPhoneography, Lifestyle, Photography, Summer

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Tags

family, funny face, kids, photo contest, summer, summer fun, swim team

Swim meet funny face! © 2012 EddinsImages

I know… I know… it is unusual – unheard of, really – for me to post just one photo… However, for once, here it is! Herewith, I present my contribution to Blissfully Domestic’s Summer Fun Photo Challenge. This week’s topic is Fun/Playtime.

Photo taken with an iPhone 4. © 2012 EddinsImages

Lifeguard Rescues Tree Frog

26 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Flora and Fauna, Frogs and Toads, Home and Garden, iPhoneography, Nature, Summer, Wildlife

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Tags

Amphibian, animals, Biology, closeup photography, Flora and Fauna, Frog, frog species, Gray Treefrog, Hyla chrysoscelis, Hyla versicolor, iPhoneography, nature, treefrog, Virginia, wildlife

Gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor) rescued from the pool. © 2012 EddinsImages

Two days ago, the lifeguard at our local pool rescued a frog from the pool skimmer. Based solely on looks, I have unscientifically identified the little darling (the frog, not the lifeguard) as one of two Gray Treefrog species native to Virginia. According to the Virginia Herpetological Society, the way to distinguish the Gray Treefrog, Hyla versicolor, from the very similar-looking Copes Gray Treefrog, Hyla chrysoscelis, is by their found location and their different calls. My friend was silent, so, because of our location in the state, I’m going with Hyla versicolor.

Without a doubt, this beautiful little amphibian is one of the most endearing, gentle creatures I have ever had the pleasure to see and hold. I was completely bewitched by the little froggy’s charm and expression. And, my found friend had the most sublime, silvery and green glimmery, shimmery skin… almost ethereal. And under froggy’ arms and legs was a rich, golden-butternut color.

I do worry about my froggy friend because pool chemicals are dangerous – often deadly, in fact, to many animals. I learned many years ago while working on an environmental education program that amphibians are especially sensitive to environmental changes and toxins. Scientists know that changes in amphibian populations are often the first indicators that something is wrong in an environment. In fact, as our world becomes more polluted and humans continue to alter our natural environments, amphibians become more and more likely to disappear… forever.

After a dip in the pool, this little Gray Treefrog finally found safe haven nestled high in a tree. © 2012 EddinsImages

Hopefully, our lifeguard made this save in time. And, the last I saw, my charming little froggy friend was nestled high in the leaves of a dogwood tree. But seeing his little face here does remind me to take care when it comes to wildlife and nature… it is all to easy to take what we have for granted. Someday soon, saving frogs may not be as simple as scooping them out of the pool.

Author’s Note: My research indicates “gray tree frog” and “gray treefrog” are each used [correctly] to indicate the same animal species. I’ve used the contraction in my text.

All photos taken with an iPhone 4. © 2012 EddinsImages

Summer Fun Challenge: Water Photos

15 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in iPhoneography, Lifestyle, Summer

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

feet in water, floating in water, hands photos, iPhone, iPhone 4, iPhoneography, lifeguard, lifestyle, outdoor pool, photo contest, Photograph, pool, pool photos, red nails, shadow photos, summer fun, summer in Virginia, summer photos, swimming photos

Recently, I signed-up to join Blissfully Domestic’s Summer Fun Photo Challenge where Angela England hosts a different photo challenge topic during each week of the summer. Results are posted on Fridays.

Feet in the pool. © 2012 EddinsImages

Week One’s task was to photograph Water, and the topic is open to any interpretation.

Pool stripe. © 2012 EddinsImages

So the other day, I hopped over to the pool, iPhone in-hand.

Summer pool shadow. © 2012 EddinsImages

No doubt, folks thought I was a bit looney as I waded into four feet of pool water with my iPhone.

Pool stair. © 2012 EddinsImages

Regardless, I managed to keep my iPhone safe from the dangerous waters!

Pool legs and red umbrellas. © 2012 EddinsImages

And, people at the pool thought I was even nuttier, probably quite narcissistic, as I spent the afternoon in the water taking pictures of my own hands and feet.

Red-painted nails in summer pool. © 2012 EddinsImages

Okay, okay… so I got a little help from my husband taking the photo of my two hands (after all, I couldn’t push the button). However, it was frustrating because he couldn’t see what I saw, so, quickly the team photo tactic was abandoned.

Lane line close-up. © 2012 EddinsImages

One time, the life guard called out, “Are you trying to get a photo of your ring?” Ummm… not exactly…

Painted pool fingers. © 2012 EddinsImages

And, I snapped a more shots of the pool.

Pool feet and black umbrella. © 2012 EddinsImages

Hummm… what to we have here? A crack in the stair?

Pool stair close-up. © 2012 EddinsImages

Then, more shots of my legs. They looked cool.

Distorted legs in pool water. © 2012 EddinsImages

Another quick look around to see what I missed…

Pool number 4. © 2012 EddinsImages

Then, it was time to get out and hit the pool deck.

No Diving. © 2012 EddinsImages

All in all, it had been a lovely day at the pool, don’t you think?

Shadow over the kiddie pool. © 2012 EddinsImages

The topic for next week’s Summer Fun Photo Challenge is Technology…  not in my comfort zone, for sure!

To join the fun, visit Blissfully Domestic’s Summer Fun Photo Challenge. Each week we’ll get a different theme and each Friday we post results. Here’s what’s ahead…

  • June 15, Week 1 = Water
  • June 22, Week 2 = Technology
  • June 29, Week 3 = Fun/Playtime
  • July 6, Week 4 = Light
  • July 13, Week 5 = Family/Home
  • July 20, Week 6 = Money
  • July 27, Week 7 = Travel
  • August 3, Week 8 = Friendship/Love
  • August 10, Week 9 = Food
  • August 17, Week 10 = Learning

So grab your camera, and join in the summer photo fun!

All photos taken with an iPhone 4. © 2012 EddinsImages

Fiery Garden Flowers

12 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Flora and Fauna, Flowers, Home and Garden, iPhoneography, Nature, Summer

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

cala lily, cala lily "Captain Melrose", daylily, daylily "Stella de Oro", Flora and Fauna, flower photogaphy, flower photos, Gaillardia, garden photography, Hemerocallis "Stella de Oro", iPhone 4, iPhone Photography, iPhone photos, iPhoneography, June, macro photography, orange daylily, Pink flower, pink rose, Pink Traviata rose, rosa Pink Traviata, spring flowers, Spring garden, Virginia flowers, yellow daylily

It’s been raining here for two days, providing lots of water for my just-planted garden perennials. I am a little bummed because just before the rain, some of my roses were about to burst open. Now, the partially opened buds, especially those of gorgeous and dramatic “Pink Traviata” rose, are heavy and rain-sodden. I’ll have to wait for the next round of buds to see gorgeous flowers in full-bloom.

Rose Pink Traviata (color pushed to red). © 2012 Eddins Images

And, this is the second wave of nearly-open buds to get drenched this season. Sad as this is for my flower-greedy eyes, my new plants and their roots will have a marvelously moist season, with lots of sun in-between, so that they may become well-established.

With that in mind, I can wait a little longer for my pretty flowers to show themselves in full boom.

Meanwhile, I snapped some photos the other day when the sun was bright and temperatures were really, really, high.

Bright as the sun, fiery Gallardia. © 2012 EddinsImages

With temperatures close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it was sweltering HOT in the garden… and the flowers didn’t seem to mind a bit.

Sunny, orange daylily. © 2012 EddinsImages

Focusing on the bright colors of my garden offerings, these vivid red, pink, orange and yellow flowers reflected the sun’s sweltering early-June heat.

Screaming pink and yellow “Pink Traviata” rose. © 2012 EddinsImages

Still early in the season, and with summer not yet officially here, I can only imagine what July’s searing summer temperatures will bring!

Even in shade, this lily puts-out striking green, yellow and russet heat. © 2012 EddinsImages

So, while I wait for the rain to subside, I’ll quench my desire for more sunny days with these photos of hot flowers waiting for me in the garden.

Beautiful cala lily “Captain Melrose” loves part-sun. © 2012 EddinsImages

Even in shade, their bold and intense colors, like those in cala lily “Captain Melorse” are striking and exciting to the eye.

Who doesn’t love popular golden-yellow hemerocalis or daylily “Stella de Oro?” © 2012 EddinsImages

When the rain finally subsides, one again my brilliant garden beauties will be bursting with dramatic, fiery colors. Best of all, they will be even bigger, bolder and better than before.

All photos taken in natural light with an iPhone 4. Photos © 2012 EddinsImages

School’s Out… Time to Remember, Rejoice, Relax!

07 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Family, Flora and Fauna, iPhoneography, Lifestyle, Nature, Spring, Summer

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Tags

coming of age, Flora and Fauna, hiking, iPhone Photography, Middle school, National History Day, nature, nature photography, relaxing by the stream, school graduation, spring, summer, Virginia, walking

Woodsy feet relax at the little babbling brook. © 2012 EddinsImages

Yesterday was the last day of middle school for my son. It is hard for me to imagine that in the fall my only child will begin high school. A competitive swimmer and honors student who has earned all “A”s this year, he placed first and second at the regional- and state-level National History Day competitions. This weekend, we’ll be in Washington, DC, at the national competition… I’m so very proud of his accomplishments!

Today, I’m taking the morning to welcome summer.  Although it is cool for June, it is sunny outside, the birds are singing, and I am going to enjoy a thoughtful, long walk past misty fields, grazing cattle, pastel mountains, roadside flowers, and meandering brooks with polished rocks and shy little frogs.  I’ll be thinking about how our lives have changed, and I’ll be remembering how far my son and I have come since his dad passed away when he was just a little boy. That’s when we left New England behind to start our new life in Virginia.

And, I’m going to celebrate and rejoice how proud I am of my son and how much I adore my husband today.

Then, I’m going to listen to the cheerful songs of my favorite mocking birds and the gurgles and ripples of the little babbling brook at the bottom of the hill.

I will sit and relax while I welcome the lazy days of summer in Virginia.

Photo taken with an iPhone 4.© 2012 EddinsImages

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  • Beloved, Award-winning Toy
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  • Mighty Mushroom
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  • Swimmy Summer Fun Photo

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