Tonight is our local fireworks display. We have yet to attend in the six years we’ve lived here. I have to say, right now, it sounds just like the thunderstorm that passed through around 4:00 a.m. this morning. The dogs don’t like it.

Thunder for the reverberation off the mountains and Highlands for where we live. (The high school band/sports teams, etc. are called the Highlanders.)

Previous to the start of the fireworks we were taking advantage of the pool. As you’ve already read here on the blog, we do it au naturel at night.

These were handheld on Program mode because I like the blur.

Maybe it’s because I am getting older and I don’t mind blurriness!

Or maybe it’s because I just like trying to be creative.

(Do you like any of these, and if so, why?)

P. S. DUH! I forgot to add that just before it got dark we were sitting in the cabana and Bella was out with us. Bella started barking and I thought at first she was barking at the dog that I thought I heard barking down the street. Then we heard it. That distinctive snort of a bear. I ran over to where Bella was and could see a bear just over the perimeter of our fence. We called Bella and got her inside so we could access the situation. For sure, a large bear, making protective noises just outside our fence. Momma again? Rick saw her pawing at the tree and when we looked up we could just make out the little Mickey Mouse ears of a cub in the crux of the tree. Probably the same bear, but we backed off and let her be. I guess she likes it around here!

How could I have forgotten about momma bear? Swimming makes me sleepy and forgetful I guess.

Or maybe it has to do with the “getting older” thing I mentioned before????

How cool that you have a neighborhood bear! I remember reading that bears were making quite a resurgence in New Jersey and Pennsylvania—in fact, weren’t the “officials” debating allowing people to hunt them? I can’t quite remember that whole story.

I like the way the light and water interact in those photos. The dancing ripples are a cool effect. Sometimes blurry can be good! In fact these photos remind me of one I took of my friend Pam in her swimming pool:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sreed99342/4935443321/

It’s always been one of my favorite photos, despite the blurriness.

Beautiful photos of the pool area. Can’t wait to be there.105 expected today and it was 103 yesterday. The humidity is supposed to be higher too. Code purple air quality day,the worst you can get.

Love the cabana. No skinny-dippping for me I’ll just watch! (NOT.)!!!

Steve, they have now allowed the bear hunt for two years in a row here in NJ. Not sure if this year will be the same or not. It was brutal and quite uncalled for. Instead of allowing the bear to have an equal chance, they baited them, lured them in and then were allowed to kill them. Sickening. We’ve had lots of bears and if you want to see more (including Fertile Myrtle with her FIVE cubs) you can just click on the bear tab under categories and it will bring up all the blog entires that included bears. If you follow the link above it will take you to photos I took of this bear last week which includes a link to a video of Myrtle and the five cubs.

Glad you liked the photos! I like playing around with the tiki torch reflections. Loved your photo from the link too! Very cool!

Bigsis, we will try to have some decorum when you are here and swim in our suits at night. It’s hot here too, just not quite at the 100 mark although yesterday it was mid 90’s with a heat index of 104 at the height of the day.

How great Mamma bear has made her home near you.  Your pool area looks very inviting - I love the first pic.

Joyce, we like momma bear’s choice of where to live! I always expect to have momma bear + cubs join us in the pool one day!