Color photo. A blue-roofed pop-up shelter, next to a lake. Two people are in its shade, sitting in front of a table, their backs to the camera, as they face the water. Life vests hang from the shelter above them, and a stand up paddle board rests on the grass behind them. Next to the shelter is a sign advertising rental rates for paddle boards.

A phrase that repeats in my mind every year, when we get to high summer, is “the days are just packed”. It’s the title of a collection of Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes comic strips, the cover of which depicts the two of them relaxing in the branches of a tree.

Long summer days, packed with activity, or packed with absolutely nothing, or packed with a mixture of the two.

Wherever you are, I hope the season is treating you well, and that you’re getting some time to enjoy it. We all deserve some packed days.

Gear: Nikon Z7 II, Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S

Color photo. A blue-roofed pop-up shelter, next to a lake. Two people are in its shade, sitting in front of a table, their backs to the camera, as they face the water. Life vests hang from the shelter above them, and a stand up paddle board rests on the grass behind them. Next to the shelter is a sign advertising rental rates for paddle boards.
Color photo. A lane of short grass, green and gold, runs between two rows of lavendar, each a different type, pale purple on the left and vibrant purple on the right. The lane leads to a white fence in the distance, beyond with is a line of trees. Above is a sliver of blue sky.
Color photo. A Blue Dasher dragonfly sits at the end of a stalk of brown grass. Beyond it are blades of vibrant green grass. It's translucent wings glitter in reflected sunlight.