Summer Solstice 2008

Today is the Summer Solstice, aka Litha, aka Midsummer. I went down to my spiritual home and did the things I do every year on this day, including putting new water from Gooseneck Cove in the antique glass vial I keep on my altar to represent the element Water. And of course I brought the camera along, so here are some shots from today's holiday ramble.

I went up to my favorite western overlook in Ballard Park to collect a new batch of granite sand to put on my altar to represent the element Earth. While I was up there I finally found a decent bug that would let me get close enough to use the macro setting. I have no clue as to who this is, but I love the colors:


Down in the meadow on the floor of the old quarry in Ballard Park the flowers are definitely hitting their Summer pace, like this Dwarf Dandelion:


and this Spotted Knapweed:

Well lookit this! Another bug sitting for the macro lens! This is a European Skipper:


Ballard Park is very, very fragrant right now because all the trails are lined with these Multiflora Roses:


Down Hazard Rd. to the Cove to collect the water. I looked across the Cove and noticed these dramatic piles of Summer clouds:




Down around the corner to the Green Bridge, where Ocean Drive crosses Gooseneck Cove, I found this Baby Donkey's Tail Sedum in full bloom:

All my hikes in this end of town end up at King Park at the south end of Newport Harbor. The clouds were dominating the sky here, too:


And as I was looking, the Madeleine ran into Newport Harbor under full sail:


And that's how I celebrated Summer Solstice.