Daily Photos

< July 2013 >

July 1, 2013
Umbrellas are now a necessary wardrobe accessory. I wonder what smokers think about as they sit in exile. Church revival. Welcome to my neighborhood. Ah, freshly squeezed!

July 2, 2013
Down the hatch! An unexpected pollinator. I guess I`m a pollinator too, if you look on my clothes and the bottom of my shoes. That evening sun go down. Who can we blame for this: UPS or FedEx? Little leash lost.

July 3, 2013
A quarter cup of sunflower seeds provides 27% of the daily value for selenium. `Introduction to Library Public Services` put to good use. On a windy day, you have to take things into your own hands. Somebody planted . . . something . . . in the park. I would never go to the trouble, but I`m glad others do.

July 4, 2013
The mayor of Dayton marched at the front of our parade. The candidate who wants his job marched at the back. Don`t rain on my parade. After 237 years, tarnished but still shining. Diesel the dog eats chicken breast with rice for dinner. Diesel the dog eats better than I do.

July 5, 2013
You missed a great vocal recital this evening. I recorded video and took photos simultaneously. She got married in that dress just a few weeks ago. Sorry, didn`t mean to leave out the shoes in that last shot. The song was in French, but I think I can interpret that look.

July 6, 2013
There were three police cars across the street, but once again Edward Snowden eluded capture. Outside, and below, my living room window. Some days it`s all we can do to hang on. See the nice new dent in my car? It makes it more aerodynamic. Look, honey, I got you a rose! What`s the matter?

July 7, 2013
Broken dreams. Guy on a building. Colorful decay. You run through the sprinkler while I take your picture. You can`t tell that I`m still in the city.

July 8, 2013
Double trouble. To be alone is not to be lonely. And then he JUST VANISHED! It`s how Paul Simon got started. I hope the barefoot guitarist (photo 4) borrows the empty shoes (photo 3) before walking near these ants (photo 5).

July 9, 2013
When I went out to lunch, I found this tiger swallowtail `puddling` for nutrients. It was still there when I got back. I`m not sure if this one is worth a thousand words. I`ve been at work on the same writing project for five years. Strangely, it keeps getting shorter, and that`s good. No more dent (see July 6 above). Not only was my car repaired in one day, but the customer service made a bad situation as good as possible.

July 10, 2013
Sunrise in Constantinople. Where every cat belongs: behind bars. Confine the cats, but free the flowers. My freshly painted car repels raindrops. Fortunately my freshly painted car was not underneath it.

July 11, 2013
Tiny fly comes face to face with even more tiny fly. Sunset is a better show than the evening news. Chances are low it will fall just as I stand under it. The song `Istanbul (not Constantinople)` has been running through my head since taking yesterday`s first photo. Subtle sunset.

July 12, 2013
Here`s looking at you. What, no frogs? I like the dragonfly`s shadow on the right. This is PROBABLY not the same bee seen on July 7 above. I helped nature out a little bit here by using my flash.

July 13, 2013
The paparazzi follow me everywhere. Around the bend. On the far-away island of Sala-ma-Sond, Yertle the Turtle was king of the pond. DR. SEUSS Wait, did that leaf just move? Trying to think of a good reason why this creature exists.

July 14, 2013
Celtic cross. We wear the mask that grins and lies, it hides our cheeks and shades our eyes. PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.` EDGAR ALLAN POE I don`t think old Wilbur needs this money where he`s at, but I could certainly use it to get myself some ice cream. Photography tip of the day: get a car with a sunroof.

July 15, 2013
Ruffles have ridges. `Is anybody in there -- body in there -- in there -- there?` Follow that cab, and step on it! Candy apple red -- after the candy apple fell into the dirt. Looks like rain.

July 16, 2013
Iron lion. Back alley reading room. Mostly, I just move data from one place to another all day. Backyard bloom. Exhausted after a day of tormenting smaller animals.

July 17, 2013
There are a lot of reasons why I am not very much like you. I can`t overestimate the significance of the fact that I haven`t watched television in over a decade. Trash day. Fledgling robin, uncertain whether to be afraid of me. In hot weather, it`s important to drink lots of fluids. Tree branches are projected onto the wall of my room.

July 18, 2013
Walking to work this morning, I hit my head on a rock. Wait, something important is missing (see July 12, 2004). I`m sure that little fan is keeping everyone cool inside. Here in the Oregon District, we care about your comfort. It is a universe unto itself.

July 19, 2013
It was 86 degrees at game time, but I was in the shade. Spectators sat on the other side of the field in the hot sun. A few fans tried to sit on the shady side where I was. But some people in uniform told them they had to leave. I was allowed to stay just BECAUSE I HAD A CAMERA.

July 20, 2013
Can`t I just stay down here? Fossilized dragonflies have a wingspan of over two feet. This bug refused to sign a model release without its agent. An engagement photo session was going on nearby, and it was difficult for me to avoid being in the background. Pollen in the eyes. I have that problem too sometimes.

July 21, 2013
I drop by this farmhouse kitchen every couple of years and always feel welcome. A photo of me is on the refrigerator. Bless the hands that prepare the pancakes. A future artist, proud of his creations. Taking refuge from the bugs. `NO RUNNING!`

July 22, 2013
I guess this proves that the screen is working properly. Remember last summer? What a difference rain makes. Clever camouflage. On a clear day, they fly a blue plane. The will to live is intense. Once she gets to work, she puts the car under her desk.

July 23, 2013
Appreciate them. They keep EVERYTHING alive. The botanical name of this flower is Lilium Cincinnatus Bengalis. A moment later, it flew straight at me. What`s black and white and red all over? I resort to pictures like this when it`s really hot or cold.

July 24, 2013
One hundred years ago, a great flood devastated Dayton. An extraordinary photo opportunity was missed because the geese were too lazy to fly away as the cyclist passed. Skies are deepest blue above, and flow`rs aflush. PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR The seagulls cry across the sky. PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR All useless recreational activities should be harnessed in order to capture the energy and feed it into the power grid.

July 25, 2013
Will someone put it back? (See July 18 above.) An eggbeater in the sky. Urban scarecrow. This picture could`ve been much better if only I had more nerve and quicker reactions. Some photographer I am. I do great with pictures that require no nerve or quickness.

July 26, 2013
Every summer, a wee bit o` Ireland comes to Dayton. Irish men carry knives in their stockings to deal with anyone who makes fun of their kilts. This was literally the first person I encountered at the Celtic Festival: 100% authentic. Irish beverage holder. Reels, jigs and dervishes.

July 27, 2013
The birds knew enough to stay out of the rain . . . . . . but not the runners. Off they go, to step in puddles and get splashed by cars. A large hawk watched the race . . . or was it a vulture? I was quite comfortable watching from my car, thanks.

July 28, 2013
A little slow getting up on a Sunday morning. Stand still, be quiet and wait for Nature to come to you. Butterflies are harmless and pretty and all that, but look at them up close and they`re just as creepy as any other bug. I don`t think I could have enjoyed the company of a human being as much as I did these bugs, birds and blooms. Sit on the ground for 28 minutes, take dozens of shots of the same flower, and maybe YOU can get photos like this!

July 29, 2013
It`s closed. It`s been closed. For a long time. What under the sun? `Kinsman,` a novel by Ben Bova, on a sidewalk bench. Does anybody else see the things that I see? Down among the bugs.

July 30, 2013
Smile and the whole world smiles with you. The green paint vandal strikes in Dayton. There were others, but I liked this one. Creepin. Welcome to

July 31, 2013
Wanna drinka watta? Ornithologists can`t agree whether baldness in cardinals is caused by parasites or an unusual molting pattern. A few minutes earlier, I had taken another picture of black eyed susans and it was nowhere near as good as this. An incontinent automobile is so embarrassing. A somewhat stylishly dressed young woman with a bike and backpack begs for money in the Oregon District, holding a hand over her stomach to demonstrate her hunger. No doubt she accepts all major credit cards.

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