The Day the Sun Stood Still
A wee bit late of June 21, the formal date of the summer solstice — celebrated throughout human history as an astronomical turning point, when daylight reigns supreme. The word solstice is derived from the Latin solstitium, from sol (sun) and stitium (to stand still), because it appears as though the sun actually stops during the solstice. For a few days after the solstice, the sun rises and sets at its northernmost point on the horizon, before slowly migrating southward again for the next six months.
From the midsummer festivals with bonfires and feasts, to the festival of St. John the Baptist, to Kupala Night and more, may your days of worshiping the sun be filled with blessings!
The harbinger of good times: Pan with a companion dragonfly
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FeyGirl
Serenity Spell 
Catching that dragonfly with clarity makes that sculpture photo truly gorgeous. Great way to commemorate the solstice.
Thanks so much! I was thrilled to discover this sweet little sculpture — he was so beautiful, but tucked away in an area of the gardens still in development. But I was even more thrilled to spy that sweet dragonfly keeping him company! 🙂
Great moment on the statue! Happy Solstice.
Happy Solstice to you as well! Isn’t it sweet how the dragonfly is keeping him company? (Even more so, since he was in a part of the gardens that was in development — I’m sure he was lonely, wink.)
That’s a great effect with the statue.
Thanks! I like how it turned out, with the fade — but pure luck, since I was focusing on the wee dragonfly. 🙂
I always find it interesting that astronomically speaking we are constantly in flux. We go from the longest day of the year, first day of summer, the summer solstice–then onto the autumnal equinox, first day of fall, where day and night are equal—-then onto the Winter Solstice for the shortest day—and day lengthens gradually til there is the Vernal Equinox or first day of Spring where day and night are equal again….and the cycle continues. What I like most really are the longest days and staying on Daylight Savings Time all year round!!
Thanks for welcoming us to a magical summer with your dragonfly so poetically perched on the finger of Pan!
You’re so very right…. EVERYTHING, in all parts of nature, reflects a cycle — this may just be the biggest one we see; the one by which we’re all affected!
I just adore this sculpture – he was a part of the gardens under development (at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens), and lonely. I like to imagine the dragonflies were keeping him company. 🙂
Is this great beauty in your front yard~
Ah, I WISH! I would *love* to have him…. He was standing all alone, in a part of the gardens under development at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. So that little dragonfly was keeping him company. 🙂
Me too!
Did you get to see Sam Champion while you were there???
He left GMA and now has a morning show on the Weather Channel.
Love him~
Ooooh, no! But you know what, I’ll keep my eyes out. I’ve actually seen several personalities — by accident — and I had no idea who they were, of course. I knew by the mumblings around me, hah! 🙂
He had to give up his weekend show about Ocean Rescues for this I guess. Miss him there. He is so sweet.
Give him a HUG for me when you “run” in to him~
BTW Don’t you love Atlanta??
We always stay over there on our way up North each year. It’s about the half way point.
Superb photo! Thank you for sharing it. Happy sun worshipping!
Alison
Thanks so very much! It’s hard not to worship the sun here in the South, hee….
Happy sun worshipping to you as well!
As always – ABSOLUTELY STUNNING photography!!! Thank you for picture and interesting info. Mari
And as always, you’re so *incredibly* kind!! THANK you! 🙂
I hope that you’re enjoying the increased sun in your parts!
Oh for sure – the weather has been perfect. Like the case of the 3 bears – mine follows the littlest bear (not too cold, not too hot, JUST RIGHT!!!)
Nice photo of the dragonfly. And happy solstice, all this daylight is wonderful.
Thanks so much…. I was thrilled to spy him keeping that solitary statue company — while this section of the gardens was in development.
YES, I imagine you’re thoroughly appreciating the increased sun in your neck of the woods, heh!! Happy Solstice to you!
Oh wow… Love this
Ah, thanks so very much! It’s actually one of my favorites, too. 🙂
A sweet image of summer. Enjoy every moment of the warmth. I am. And so grateful to be doing so.
Thanks so much! I’m a bit late in my replies (hee)… As we approach fall, right? Although, it’s obviously still quite warm in the South. 🙂
Thank you very much, FeyGirl, for the wishes – and right back at you. Life may be short, but at least at this time of year, the days are long! xo
Thanks so much! I’m a bit late in my replies (hah!)… I write this as we approach fall, right? Although, it’s obviously still quite warm in the South. 🙂
Do you know what I love most? The damaged finger. See it? It’s a great affirmation that great beauty can exist despite imperfection – the tattered butterly, the one-legged gull, the limp-footed dragonfly all have their beauty, to be celebrated.
Happy solstice “season”!
Ah, ditto! I love that you saw that…. And phrased it oh-so-perfectly. I’m a huge fan of the seemingly damaged; there’s such beauty.
It’s like what the Japanese do, with their broken pottery: fill it with gold! (Kintsugi.) The theory: When something suffers damage, it shows a history: and is more beautiful. 🙂
It’s Summer already?? I couldn’t see the calendar due to the sweat dripping into my eyes.
What a beautiful, and appropriate photograph. A male Blue Dasher paying homage to the “god of the wild”.
How good to see a post from you, Stranger! Do it again.
Wally – From Steamy Central Florida
Hah! I’m so incredibly late on my replies (my apologies!!), that I see this as we approach FALL! Although, as of course you know well… It’s still a hot-zone in the South! 🙂
I’m trying to return to my wee blog, it keeps me sane and happy. Which is ALWAYS good, yes?
wonderful capture of the dragonfly on Pan!! I love the composition!
Thanks so VERY much! I give all the credit to pure luck of the moment. 🙂
I’m so thrilled to have found you and your absolutely beautiful work! It’s just heavenly.
I love this image!
Thanks so much! I admit, I do too… I just made it into cards for myself! 🙂