Daily Photos

< July 2017 >

July 1, 2017
Shall I compare thee to a summer`s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Thy eternal summer shall not fade. Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow`st. So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, so long lives this, and this gives life to thee. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

July 2, 2017
Things are buzzing in the garden. Sure, I take photos -- but at the same time, I also listen, watch and learn, and it makes me happy and grateful. A lot of my best pictures are taken after I`ve decided that I`m finished taking photos for the day. Still trying to go home, but nature stopped me again. One more shot on the way home. Nothing`s wrong with my eyes if I can spot a frog the size of my pinky nail.

July 3, 2017
If you get to the fireworks show hours early, you`ll be sure to have the best view. We are all differently the same. Frankly, if I had to touch a lot of kids I`d wear gloves. America gave the world rock and roll, and other stuff. If I didn`t carry my camera around with me all the time, then there might just be a blank space right here.

July 4, 2017
You enjoy the holiday your way, and I`ll do the same. The early bird gets the smallmouth bass. A little sunscreen would be a good idea. Since I see about one monarch a year nowadays, I chased this one for a long time. Any amateur can get a shot of a butterfly sitting still.

July 5, 2017
Hanging around the Oregon District. It was just too pretty not to take this picture. In a mirror, I`m sure OIHO looks just fine. Beware of strange people in alleys. I don`t know about you, but I just can`t get started in the morning until I`ve had a face full of pollen.

July 6, 2017
Cuter than a button (see June 6, 2017). It`s a marvelous night for a moondance. VAN MORRISON The boneyard. Did you see that movie `The Jazz Singer`? Sunset becomes you.

July 7, 2017
Charles Darwin had difficulty explaining bird coloration. He said, `The sight of the feather in a peacock`s tail, whenever I gaze at it, makes me sick!` Thanks for doing your small part to keep all of us alive. This too is my town. Plural of deer is deer. Plural of killdeer is killdeers. Walking in a wicker wonderland.

July 8, 2017
I went outside today prepared to photograph little things (unlike on June 24, 2017). Butterfly House volunteer: `If you come back in three weeks, these caterpillars will have turned into pretty butterflies.` Little girl: `Me and mommy don`t have time.` Batman is nothing compared to this. Ooh, pollen in the eyes. I hate that. `Hello my baby, hello my honey, hello my ragtime gal!`

July 9, 2017
Beast No. 1 from this morning. A late sleeper. There were TWO family photo shoots going on nearby. Enjoy the flowers of summer while you can. Beast No. 2 from this morning.

July 10, 2017
The bunny`s entire life has been in preparation for this. Hands across America. Meanwhile, there`s jazz in the entertainment tent. Cows, chickens and pigs, yes I understand. But the usefulness of goats escapes me. Oh, the screaming!

July 11, 2017
Summer sunrise. I`ll be there at the grand opening on August 5. I took SO MANY photos of this heron today. Presumably this is the best one. It was just me and the waterfowl this morning. There`s a spot on your tie.

July 12, 2017
This might be the last time I go to the county fair. The current fairgrounds are going to be demolished soon. Making -- and reliving -- childhood memories. Rural royalty. Bunny loves the fan. Ready for the tractor pull.

July 13, 2017
The eternal conflict of man versus nature. Staring down the bidder who is about to take her bird. Last call for harness racing at the Montgomery County Fair. There won`t be a track at the new fairgrounds. She handled a calf that was many times her weight. Around the fairgrounds, there are SO MANY things you don`t want to step in.

July 14, 2017
The Montgomery County fair will no longer be held in Dayton. It was my only chance to hear roosters crowing. Somebody is really cleaning up at the fair. I first photographed the horse grooming competition on September 5, 2004. There used to be enough teams to fill the arena, but this year there were only three. The competitors watch the horse closely while they clean it, since an unhappy animal can be dangerous. I always leave this competition covered in dirt.

July 15, 2017
Flying dogs at the final day of the final fair. Future Farmers of America. Not surprisingly, demolition derby originated in America. We are a throw-away society with disposable cars. Pirates and mermaids on the midway. Oh, and he`s laying on a bed of nails.

July 16, 2017
The county fair is over, so back out to the prairie I go. I go through a mental checklist when I`m taking photos. `All right, I`ve got my flying bee picture for the day.` Thank goodness for a big telephoto lens. If a goldfinch is lemon, a house finch is strawberry. You can ride in this B-17 if you want -- for only $450.

July 17, 2017
I take way too many pictures of birds. HAPPY MONDAY! A quick snap that accidentally turned out well. Be careful where you sit. The joy of music.

July 18, 2017
I usually have a flash attached to my camera. I don`t always use it, but I sure missed it today when I forgot it. Looking for bees this morning, I got a goldfinch instead. .teertS htruoF I take way too many pictures of birds. Roll out the barrel.

July 19, 2017
One more step and I`ll have to change my socks. Struggling against the current and making no headway. Smart ducks -- and photographers -- stay in the shade. Deehhh-sperado, why don`t you come to your senses? You been out ridin` fences for so long now. The sidewalk Michelangelo is back in my neighborhood (see April 12, 2017).

July 20, 2017
Yesterday`s photos were a disaster. Today was better. Heat, humidity, screaming children and beauty. Nature girl in the prairie. Amy Grant`s 1982 album cover `Age to Age.` Much of what she wore came from her sister`s closet.

July 21, 2017
A mediocre day of pictures follows yesterday`s beauty. Reminds me of a grape breakfast cereal I used to eat. Maybe they finally figured out we don`t want them here. BRIDGE ICES BEFORE ROAD The brevity of our lives.

July 22, 2017
If you`re a caterpillar, it`s okay to eat all the time. The humble cabbage white is the state butterfly of Ohio. The double wing configuration and the `clubbed` antenna identify this insect as a skipper, not a butterfly. I HEARD lots of finches, but SAW only this one. Pondering the pond.

July 23, 2017
It was a slow, quiet and peaceful morning in the garden, and along the way some satisfying photos were taken. After this woodpecker scored, other birds wanted some. Home maintenance never ends. I had planned to take photos of a person this morning, but apparently she`s still asleep, so here`s a flower. Remember to stop and eat the flowers.

July 24, 2017
Let`s hope there`s not a fire. A quiet oasis in downtown Dayton. Getting some air. I stopped by the beach during lunch. One half of me feels more comfortable than the other.

July 25, 2017
I sure hope that I can get a better gull photo tomorrow (see July 26 below). Water, water, wonderful water. You think I don`t see you in there? You`ve come to the right place. Just a couple more weeks and it will be open.

July 26, 2017
I often wonder if sunflower seed are worth the trouble. This was a difficult shot. I`m here almost every day, at the river`s edge among the waterfowl and floating garbage. Yesterday`s wish came true (see July 25 above). Old Faithful.

July 27, 2017
Perfect -- for now. At one end of the Oregon District, an able-bodied young adult male asked me to give him money. At the other end of the Oregon District, a different able-bodied young adult male asked me to give him money. It`s been hot lately. It`s dangerous to walk past my house this time of year.

July 28, 2017
Friday fiddling. I call him Pat. Everybody seemed to be having more fun than I was. It`s the Dayton Celtic Festival! Also known as the the Dayton Ginger Festival.

July 29, 2017
`Come back next week and the library will be open.` Embraceable ewe. It was the perfect day for a summer festival. Just cooling off. Ginger serenade.

July 30, 2017
Why I open the garden gate quietly and walk in slowly. In the late nineteenth century, Tiffany & Co. produced stained glass dragonflies that looked very much like this. I was looking for last week`s rabbit (see July 23 above) but found this smaller bunny instead. Note the cottontail. As I took this picture, hummingbirds flew noisily past my head, so I had a good idea of what was coming next. Today was among the most rewarding experiences I`ve had taking nature photos. What a beautiful summer day!

July 31, 2017
It looks like Greek to me. Here he comes to save the day! It was kind of hot and sunny for a photo shoot. Soaking up the sunshine. This was a beautiful summer day worth singing about.

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