Monthly Theme Day - Celebrating Summer

Every first of the month, the City Daily Photo community members post a photo that interprets a single theme.  This month, the theme is Celebrating Summer.  Please follow this link to see all the wonderful photos from round the world!

As for my interpretation, it might take a bit of explanation.  I am an Amateur Radio operator - a ham.  My call sign is KC2HIZ.  One of my hobbies is radio contesting - in particular, microwave radio contesting.  I'm a member of the RPI Radio Club and one of the things the club likes to do is to carry a bunch of gear up to the summit of Mt Greylock, MA.  We build these towers, then climb them and put these dishes on them.  Actually, there are 6 other towers we set up but this was all I could fit into one frame!  I'm on my tower, looking roughly southeast.  What a view!  For me, this is how I celebrate the start of summer.

Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
F Number	7.1
Focal Length	14.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/500
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	160
Advanced Scene Mode	Off
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Milkweed flower

I don't suppose most people consider the common milkweed to be a garden flower, but it has a lovely aroma and deserves some consideration on that basis alone.  Plus, it feeds Monarch butterflies, and that certainly adds to its cachet.

Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
F Number	5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/125
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	160
Advanced Scene Mode	Off
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Fiddleheads

The fiddlehead ferns are popping up.  In a week, they'll be a foot tall and double that in another week.

Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
F Number	5.6
Focal Length	42.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 84.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/80
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	250
Advanced Scene Mode	Off
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

It's creeping myrtle

I thought this evergreen was partridge berry but now that I see the flowers, I can tell that it's creeping myrtle.  This is considered invasive here in New York, but it doesn't seem to be expanding outside the hollow where  I found it.

Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
F Number	5.6
Focal Length	42.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 84.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/80
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Advanced Scene Mode	Off
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Vale violets

I'm not sure I'd call these white, but they aren't nearly as purple as the wild violets in my yard.  These were mixed in among the skunk cabbages at the bottom of Vale, near the Cowhorn Creek.

I couldn't resist the Latin pun.

Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
F Number	5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/100
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	320
Advanced Scene Mode	Macro (7)
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Violets

The violets popped right up in the front yard.  I haven't even had a chance to clear out last year's old leaves yet.

Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
F Number	7.1
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/200
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	800
Advanced Scene Mode	Off
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Trillium

The red trillium is native here, and only blooms in the early spring.  I was fortunate enough to catch this one back lit by the sun while walking in Vale Cemetery.

Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
F Number	5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/160
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO	160
Advanced Scene Mode	Off
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire