It's the Dog Days of Summer

Late summer really isn't my favorite season. Did you know the term "dog days of summer" likely originated with ancient Greeks and Romans who apparently associated the rising of Sirius, the Dog Star, alongside the sun in late summer with the intensified heat of the season?

Cart Creek bridge at Flaming Gorge, Utah, with old-fashioned film look

I get so grumpy about hot weather, and everything feels harsh and brittle to me. I always wish I could hibernate in a cool place through the whole month of August and first week of September. However, on a positive note, late summer is the perfect time to find new ideas in

Fresh Palisade peaches ready to be turned into dessert

old work and to update earlier projects, all while staying indoors and avoiding the heat!

It's also the right time to fully savor one of the most wonderful of summer flavors -- peaches!! Particularly, Colorado's Palisade peaches, which are large (sometimes as big as a grapefruit), juicy, sweet, and oh, so delicious! It's like eating three-dimensional sunshine. Every August, I look forward to finding my first fresh peaches from farmers' markets or roadside stands with the goal of making the browned-butter

Almost peach crisp!

peach crisp that's such a highlight of summer for us.

Recently, I've been working on -- and reworking -- some previous images that I plan to upload to my website. I was rather pleased with the very 1960's look of the top image of Cart Creek bridge that I took earlier this summer while we were in Utah. This attractive little bridge was completed in 1963, so the 'old film' effect is right in line. I chose that treatment because the smoky, pale sky on the original was too bland. Most of the other photos in this post are also

"Early Breakfast" - warm version

older files I've taken a new look at during these hot days.

Here, I reworked an older image taken on an icy, misty morning with a pair of Canada geese backed by two sandhill cranes mirroring their positions. I've always liked this photo -- love the light reflections on the water below the geese and the mist rising -- but I've had a hard time figuring out

"Early Breakfast" - cool version

what I wanted to do with it. I'm still not sure which variant I like better, so I'm asking for your thoughts about your preference. You can post in the Comments, or email me at the link at the bottom of this post. Be sure to view them at full size; it shows the chin strap on the upright goose better, and you'll really be able to see the frost on the foreground plants.

I've been working on a few other photos, including this one, "94 Cents a Gallon," of an old gas pump at an abandoned garage and cafe in southeastern Colorado. It has this wonky feel because, even though the

"94 Cents a Gallon"

gas pump and utility pole are straight, the tanks in the background both lean slightly to the right. I decided to leave it alone just for the bit of discomfort it projects. Here again, I'd love to hear from you with any suggestions you may have on improving the colors or feel of this image.

Interestingly, the gas pump would have been changed out if the business had not failed -- the highest price it could show was $0.99.9. It may date from the 1960's as unleaded fuel was introduced during the 1970's.

The final image I've been reworking is "Rockpile Blues." This is of a well-known formation along Highway 24 in nearby Teller County, unofficially called Frog Rock for the shape of one of the smaller rocks. Sadly, a couple years ago, someone decided to paint the specific stone green to try to emphasize its froggy appearance, but only managed to make it ugly. The good news is that the paint faded pretty quickly, so it's very nearly back to its original condition.

I've struggled for years to get a decent photo of this rock formation. My favored 'ideal view' would be from the middle of the very busy highway, and a lot too close to a blind curve for

Rockpile Blues

safety. There's a very narrow pullout a short distance away, but walking back to the rock pile is dangerous. Therefore, I've tried to make sure I have my camera ready with a fast shutter speed, window rolled down, and me prepped to take the shot. Usually, I haven't gotten the combination of shutter speed and readiness in sync. This was captured the morning after a snowstorm, so road conditions kept traffic at slower speeds, and the sun had come out, making a super fast shutter speed possible. For this specific version, I wanted to see how it resonates with a moody, stormy, blue-toned effect. Again, post comments!

As always, I'm so grateful to all of you who read my posts every month and who follow me on social media. Keep watching my website for new images, shop my new, easier-to-use online store, and email me to let me know what you think!