In our walks this month through Grand Rapids and Holland, Michigan, we have enjoyed the first glimpses of summer, which doesn’t linger long in this part of the world. That’s why I chose these shots of the transition from spring to summer as the subject for this week’s “transient” photo theme. Summers in Michigan are short-lived and precious. They are a brief burst of light and heat after months of winter gloom. Here are a few shots taken from Memorial Day to mid-June on our weekend walks.
“The flower bloomed and faded. The sun rose and sank. The lover loved and went. And what the poets said in rhyme, the young translated into practice.” ― Virginia Woolf, Orlando

Say Hello to Summer. Holland, MI. Shot with a Samsung Galaxy S7
A girl stopped to wave to us in the middle of her swim at a hotel in Holland, Michigan over the Memorial Day weekend. I admire her spirit to celebrate summer–no matter what the weather!
“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”
― John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America
In this shot of the weather vane at the farm at Meijer Gardens, you can see that the weather was starting to change.

Meijer Weather Vane. Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI. Shot with a Canon 70D.
“They are not long, the days of wine and roses:
Out of a misty dream
Our path emerges for awhile, then closes
Within a dream.”
― Ernest Dowson, The Poems and Prose of Ernest Dowson
Among the new green shoots and leaves, I glimpsed some early summer fruit.

First Fruit. Meijer Gardens. Shot with a Canon 70D.
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Is there anything as lovely and hopeful as flowers in bloom?

Lily Pad Mosaic. Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI. Shot with a Canon 70D.
I try not to complain about the winter cold and the summer heat and the gray days in between. I think too much time is spent complaining about the weather. Isn’t it a better use of our time to live and love and create and help bring some beauty into the world?
And so, I close with this wish: Have an inspiring and joyful week–no matter what the weather!
Categories: Photography
If you were British, oh you’d be complaining! Beautiful photographs, Patti. Have a joyful week!
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Hi, Sarah. Your comment made me smile! It’s a national past time to complain about the weather, then?? And thanks too about your kind thoughts about my photos! I am gratified that you find them beautiful. That’s what I’m aiming for!
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Certainly is a national past time!
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Nice set of images from your adventure.
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Thanks, Sally! I always enjoy when you stop by for a visit. 🙂
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Lovely photos – we live in the Chicago area and vacation on Lake Margrethe in Crawford County… summer is a state of mind. As a public school teacher, summer is last day of school to the first day of school and every day in between. Each day is precious and necessary in restoring the energy required to navigate the days until the next last day. Each season brings its own transience -!moving from one to the next. Stay warm, but above all enjoy summer.
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Thanks for your thoughts, Clay! I hope you enjoy your summer. I’m sure you have a lot of things planned for your break from teaching. I hope you have a great time. Enjoy these free and easy days!
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Your lily pad mosaic is one of the most stunning I’ve ever seen.
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Thanks so much, Bespoke. I am so glad you like this shot. I used a filter to deepen the colors and make them “pop” but all the rest was Mother Nature’s doing! I also am enjoying your site/writing. I plan a longer visit read several of your posts. I am curious what you have to say about risotto. I’m a big Italian foodie. 🙂
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wonderful shots Patti! We are having a grand summer so far too!!
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So glad, Cybele. I hope you have many lovely, inspiring summer days. 🙂
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Well said! A beautiful and wise way to enjoy nature. 🙂 Lively photos.
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Thanks, Amy! I’m so glad you think so. 🙂
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I love that Lily Pad Mosaic. The colours are so sharp and full of depth.
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Thanks so much, Jean! I love the colors too.
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I love that lily pad photo.
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Thanks so much, Amy! That pond is simply wonderful.
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