Summer Solstice

Vi elsker vort land,
men ved midsommer mest,
når hver sky over marken 

velsignelsen sender...

We love our country,

especially in the summer,

when every cloud over the field 

is a blessing...

from Holger Drachmann's midsummer hymn

Last year Jim celebrated summer solstice near Copenhagen, Denmark where, since the time of the Vikings, people have gathered at midsummer to celebrate sankthans, or St John's Eve, by hosting picnics, parades, and bonfires.

On this first day of summer, Jim was following a procession of singers to the beach (where they were going to burn a witch effigy). When he spotted the rainbow, he turned and made this photo.

Jim recently discovered that he is of Danish descent, which may explain his good mood! Denmark is known throughout the world to be among the happiest countries and cultures.

However you are celebrating the solstice, we wish you a happy one!

M599 Denmark Rainbow

Exhibition Celebrates 125 Years of National Geographic

This year marks the 125th anniversary of National Geographic. They are proud to celebrate this milestone with a unique photo exhibition, “A New Age of Exploration: National Geographic at 125,″ on view at the National Geographic Museum in Washington D.C. This exciting exhibition explores the 125-year history of the National Geographic Society through pictures, video, and interactive exhibits. The exhibition will be on display through June 2014. 

National Geographic has also launched a touring version of their Anniversary exhibition in the beautiful and historic Øksnehallen in the heart of Copenhagen.  For the first time ever in Scandinavia, National Geographic has gathered more than 119 photographs by some of their most prestigious photographers.

National Geographic Exhibit - Øksnehallen, Copenhagen, Denmark

The exhibition includes specially selected photographs from some of National Geographic's most significant photographers: Nick Nichols, Jim Brandenburg and Steve McCurry.  They have included six of Brandenburg's images.

The exhibit is on display until July 18, 2013.  For more information, please visit Øksnehallen Facebook page.