Lens-Artists Challenge #104 – SUMMER
“Summer is singing with joy, and the beaches are inviting you with dancing waves.”
Debasish Mridha
I’m happy to open this week’s post with a summertime view of Kiawah’s beautiful beach. As you can see, there are two parasails floating in from above, their pilots looking as if they haven’t a care in the world – if only it were so! We are fortunate to be experiencing lockdown in a place where the air is fresh and the sea is a short walk away. Never mind that our daily temperatures typically reach the high 80s Fahrenheit (32 C) and feel even hotter due to our high humidity. We count ourselves lucky to be able to experience nature’s bounty these days.
“I love how summer just wraps its arms around you like a warm blanket.”
Kelle Elmore
Our summers here on the island often include fairly violent but short-lived storms in the late afternoon/early evening. In the image above the clouds begin to gather and the pelicans, as always, are getting out ahead of it. In order to control social distancing, we are now required to reserve time slots at our community’s seaside pools. Yesterday my husband and I had briefly considered the 3:00 pm time slot. We laughed from the comfort of our home when at 3:15 the skies opened, thunder roared and lightning flashed. Then we felt a bit guilty thinking of the others who probably WERE using that valuable slot!
“Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly,”
Van Morrison
Yep, that’s me in a lovely self-portrait 🙂. The capture is from a day last week when we managed to secure a slot and the sun obliged perfectly. Note the lack of pedicure – one of many minor, annoying side effects of the pandemic. And no, the toes on my right foot did NOT get sunburned.
“There’s a magical sense of possibility that stretches like a bridge between June and August. A sense that anything can happen.”
Aimee Friedman
Summer on Kiawah also means fresh shrimp, which we can buy from our local market or, as shown above, fresh from the shrimp boats as they return from the sea. Truth be told, you haven’t tasted shrimp until you’ve bought it fresh and tasted its sweetness. Our area is famous for its lowcountry shrimp boils; complete with locally grown potatoes and corn on the cob, it’s summer on a plate!
“Rejoice as summer should…chase away sorrows by living.”
Melissa Marr
I’ll close this week’s post with an image I captured earlier this week from my window. A sweet and very thirsty deer had traveled our long driveway to the front courtyard to drink from the bubbling water element. Typically we see the birds dropping in for a refreshing dip but this was a first for sure! I guess we’re not the only ones feeling the heat of summer.
Thank you for joining us this week and as always for your support of our challenge. We hope summer in your part of the world is a happy one for you and yours, pandemic notwithstanding. (I appreciate the thought in Ms. Marr’s quote above and intend to follow it to the letter 🙂) Please be sure to link your response to Amy’s original challenge here, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you. We hope to see you next week for a breath of SPRING right here on Travels and Trifles. Until then, as always, stay safe out there!
what a great reminder of what summer normally looks like…but as we all know things don’t always look like what they really are but if we concentrate enough we can escape into the photos & dream!!
Amen Girlfriend!
Such wonderful photos as usual
But the “summer on a plate” writing was well
Done –
The fresh shrimp
– from the markets or boats –
Sounds like the best
Thanks Yvette – the fresh shrimp are amazing, but seasonal. Sadly the shrimp boats are a dying breed thanks to inexpensive foreign competitors and the high cost of operations.
That is sad….
Beautiful shots Tina.
Thanks Rupali
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Great post and images, as usual. I love your island! 🙂
Thanks Ana, me too 🙂
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Oh dear is the star. Hmmm . I can literally taste the fresh shrimp and make sushi. Wear sunscreen, Tina. Don’t let your toes get burnt.
LOL, thanks Perpetua. It does seem like my little 4-legged friend is the week’s favorite.
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So much ocean/beach, so little time. Now we all need to see a family of deer lying on beach sand, getting their tan-on at an ocean beach!
😊 actually Henry the deer do come up and play in the waves on our beach. I e never seen that anywhere else. I’ve never seen it first-hand but friends have and I’ve seen many photos of it.
I enjoyed your beautiful Pictures in Paradise 🙂 What a wonderful place to live, especially in the summer. I’ve never eaten shrimp straight off the boat, but it sounds heavenly. Yes, that last quote is definitely worth remembering.
Thanks OLU, glad you enjoyed. Yes, it’s a bit easier to be stuck in place when the place is so beautiful
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You’re welcome! You are lucky to be surrounded by such beauty 🙂
Some wonderful summer images, Tina! And that shot of the deer is awesome!
Thanks Sue
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Thank you for sharing your fun take on your region’s summer world with us, toes and all! You do live in a beautiful area. I’ve never had a pedicure, so I’m not missing those appointments thankfully. I do have plenty of friends who are missing them though. I think those shops have opened up here though. Appointments needed to get rays of sunshine, wow. Glad you did get one that was free from rain. I’m jealous of your shrimp access. I would love to taste fresh-caught shrimp, versus the frozen version we have here in WI. That deer is adorable, I like how it looked right up at you for the photo op.
Thanks Shelley – the deer was quite a pleasant surprise!
:-)!!!
I loved that shot of the pelicans in flight. Do you have deer over for a drink every summer, or is this special? Across the world wildlife is coming out as the sounds of cars and other machinery fade. What you say about prawns may be true for all fresh catch. I love the times when we eat at a beach from a fisherman’s fresh stock (for us it is a pleasure for all seasons except the monsoon).
LOL, the deer as a one-and-done but hopefully she’ll be back. As for the fresh shrimp, I’m sure you’re right I.J., fresh ANYTHING is always better!
Beautiful shots Tina. I agree with you – we are lucky to be here and not experiencing the pandemic in the big city.
Thanks Gina. Although these days it seems we may be on the wrong end of the wavy ☹️
Sent from my iPhone
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Summer and the beach just seem to go together. Liked your first and last shots in particular. I see I’m not the only one with deer visitors in my yard.
Thanks Siobhan, yes we do so love the little deer don’t we?!
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I have never spent so much time at the beach….. somehow reserving spots at the BC is so adverse to how we have experienced life as we know it here! Loved the sea gulls…. that little deer will probably be returning…. they never forget a good fountain!
I know just what you mean Miss L – I’ve enjoyed biking and walking the beach even when reservations are impossible to come by!!
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Great summer post. Especially liked the sense of free flight in the pelican shot.
Thanks Jane. Perennial favorites except for some underneath their flight path 😊
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Excellent, Tina. I miss the Low Country. The beaches by Sea Pines Plantation were never even close to crowded, though I was there in summer too often. I miss the oodles of shrimp, too. Outstanding.
‘…though I was NOT there in summer too often. Great packed sand beaches for bike riding.
Thanks John, we love it here although the heat of summer can be a bit daunting!
No I did not notice the absence of the pedicure south of those pedigreed legs. Not even when I expedited my search and went on a zoom in expedition – did find some sunburnt toes though…
Must have been special to photograph the dear deer
😊 Thanks for checking Abrie – and yes, the deer was a lovely surprise. I’m hoping she comes back !
We had a great time in North Carolina. My husband went wreck diving. Your photos reminded me of that trip.
I would love to have a deer visiting me, but we only have squirrels and stray cats, in addition to birds.
Your husband is clearly braver than I am Miriam! NC has a beautiful coastline, not very different from ours at all.
Kiawah summer – what more is there to ask for? Love your summer images – and my favorite is the deer drinking form the fountain. So lovely. Happy to hear you can enjoy the beach too in your beautiful corner of the world.
Stay safe and well out there – someday we will feel free again.♥
Your lips to God’s ears as they say Ann Christine. Many thanks.
♥
Lovely shot of the deer in your yard, Tina. As always, your images of Kiawah leave me wanting to visit the island.
Should the pandemic allow, my family is planning for next year’s reunion in North Carolina. Maybe we can sneak into South Carolina for a visit. It’s one of the states from where I haven’t written about. If that happens, I’ll be looking for advice on places to visit in your state.
Thanks John – you should definitely plan a side trip to SC. There is so much to see here, especially for a history buff like you! Would love to show you around our fair city and it’s beautiful coast!
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Looks like you rise up singing Tina…
https://studiotionghan.com/2020/07/06/lens-artists-challenge-104-summer/
Thanks for joining us Tiong
Lovely light summer captures, Tina.
Thanks Cornelia, much appreciated
I knew you’d have beautiful photos for this theme!!
Thanks Nora-I expect nothing less from you 😊
Thank you for sharing your lovely part of the world. We are having a heatwave up here too . And the birds and squirrels are thirsty and need the little bath filled up twice a day. I love the photo of that deer. He or she may be back now he knows there is water there. have an enjoyable week.
Fingers crossed, thanks Anne. They are the sweetest things aren’t they?!
I hadn’t imagined that you’d have to reserve beach time on somewhere like Kiawah, Tina. Temps sound much like here. Not much cooler on an evening. I don’t dare complain 😘💕
Typically not Jo but nothing is typical this year. Social distancing means fewer availability hence the need to reserve. I don’t dare complain either!!
Photos of water now seem even more unusual than they did when we lived in the Midwest, Tina. 🙂 I think summer for many people means water of some sort. I’m the odd (wo)man out–to me it means mountains and I’ll be there in less than two weeks. Can’t wait!! But your images are refreshing and that last one is very cute. We’ve had much higher temps but thankfully NOT the humidity or it would be unlivable. May your week be blessed with beauty.
janet
Thanks Janet. I too love the mountains in the summer. Typically we visit my brother in Colorado but not this year unfortunately. Enjoy the cool temps out there!
After Arizona, I’ll appreciate them even more. 🙂 Mountain photos coming up tomorrow for my “summer” entry. What else?
Yay – will be a nice change from the beach!
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No beaches here anyway, just desert. 😉
Wonderful images of summer from your point of view, Tina! I have a few of my own leg shots as I lounge about, somewhere in my archives. The deer’s expression is so sweet, glad it could slake its thirst! Summer is here for us, too, with temps in the 90s and low 100s again. At least we can head to our delta campground each weekend.
Thanks Terri, yes we seek refuge from the heat but the ocean breezes help quite a bit. The humidity…not so much!
Stunning images, Tina and what a treat the little deer must have been. Summer and good weather help to keep everyone optimistic in the midst of the pandemic for sure. We’re out of lockdown but confined indoors by winter storms so your photos are a salve.
Oh no, winter storms! Then again you should have some great images for the upcoming Winter challenge a Wendy 😊
Hehe, I wish. Rain, rain and more rain in our part of the world this year.
Beats fires though, right Wendy!?
What a beautiful place you live Tina. My friend who lives in the UK has recently had a deer come to her bird bath to drink too.
Thanks MM. I suppose the wildlife suffer the heat just as we humans do
Yes, as we all stay a little closer to home, I think you may have won the lottery. Beautiful place to be ‘stuck.’ 🙂
It is that, but I could do with about 10 degrees lower! Your New England summers may be short but they are definitely the place to be!
The shrimp sound amazing! Looks like paradise where you are. Beautiful!
Thanks Kelly. It can be, but maybe not in the heat of summer. Usually we’d be traveling about now but we know why that’s not happening at the moment don’t we 😢
You have very elegant feet – mine are short and dumpy, a bit like the rest of me!
LOL Jude, why do I not believe a word of that?!
Seriously! I have hands like spades too! 😂
Summer summed up! What great images!
Thanks Margaret, glad you enjoyed
So beautiful Tina, have a nice Sunday!!!
Thanks Paulo, and the same to you!
thank you for these gorgeous photos of Kiawah beach, Tina! what a beautiful place to live and i know exactly what you mean by the sweetness of fresh shrimps. it is something i never miss when i am in the philippines. 🙂 🙂 the deer photo is so cute! love it! 🙂
Many thanks Wilma, if one has to be stuck in place there aren’t many better 😊. The deer was a special treat
Okay, I didn’t need to ask the question (legs). Hope your 4th went well. Last night, a good one for the girls … a 1-2-3 sweep and a champagne spray. The girls have an event later today. Tomorrow is travel day – we go home.
Have a great week. 🙂
Our 4th was pretty quiet since all normal events were cancelled David. Much like the horse show I suppose. Glad your girls did well!
Beautiful photos of Kiawah beach, Tina. I love the pelicans shot! Thirty summer visitor is my favorite. 🙂
Thanks Amy, it’s really a lovely beach and because we are a barrier island the waves are quite gentle. Great for kids
A beautiful place to enjoy Summer Tina! The beach looks very inviting 😀 xxx
It is indeed Xenia although I’ll admit I prefer it in the winter when we have it to ourselves 😊
Tina, I love your summer pictures, you captured the real essence of it here on Kiawah. Must admit my favorite is the visiting deer!
Thanks Sylvia. Yes she was quite a surprise. I was only sorry she hadn’t stopped by last week for our “surprise” challenge 😊😊
We have so much to be thankful for and I , for one, am so glad you take the time to capture it and remind us of it with these photographs.
Aw thanks Gin. We do indeed have much to be thankful for. Hope alls well out there. So glad the kids are nearby this year!
What a lovely collection of summer images, Tina. I love your self portrait!! I’m glad you’re still able to enjoy some summer fun. It’s a bit tricky these days, isn’t it? Take care and I hope you and B stay well.
Tricky indeed Patti! All good here altho I envy you your New England summer at the moment 😊. You be well too!
Thanks, Tina. 😊
What a lovely area you live in, Tina!
Thanks Sue. We feel fortunate to have found it when we decided to leave the cold northeast winters behind 😊.
Wonderful! I haven’t a cl use where it actually is!
LOL, South Carolina coast very near Charleston SC.
Ah, right!
I’m reading this beautiful summer post while outside is raining. I love both.
Me too Poorwa. We do get our share of refreshing summer rains which are always welcome on hot summer nights
Absolutely!
As always, your photos are not only beautiful but they also capture perfectly a story you want to tell. I’d love to be living the story that is summer on Kiawah, but actually, I’m happy to be where I am since my son got married yesterday here in Knoxville. It doesn’t make me long for the sand, birds overhead or even a deer lapping water any less. You live in a stunning place in the world. Thanks for sharing it for all to see.
Huge congratulations Rusha, hope the wedding was perfect! No worries, kiawah will still be here when you get around to it but your son’s wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event!!
Thanks. I’m hoping to return to Kiawah someday!
Summer visitor. I enjoy driving in the country. A deer will appear and watch me. Love it.
Thanks Cathy, I always love seeing them too. They are the sweetest things with those big eyes!
I love this post and your photos! My favorite is the deer drinking from your fountain. We are experiencing similar summers (except no deer here). We just had a low country boil for two on Friday with fresh Georgia peach cobbler for desert and shrimp salad for lunch yesterday with the leftovers. One of my favorite meals!
Oh yum! I should have thought of the peach cobbler. Nothing better than fresh summer peaches. Thanks Beth
We truly are blessed to live here…love the pelicans, I’m always mesmerized by them. The little deer captured my heart…
Thanks Laurel, me too. Love when the fly overhead in a perfect formation. The little deer was quite a surprise!
Perfectly captured a typical summer day on Kiawah!
Thanks Barb, fortunately you can’t feel the heat in the images!