Summer has burst into the middle of winter this week in San Diego. (Sorry east coast and mid-west friends…I know your weather has been brutally cold!) Blue skies, warm sun, and lengthening days have put many in great spirits. And this warming trend has people reaching for their summer wardrobe…flip flops are back in evidence, along with sundresses, tank tops, and the ever-present shorts. You can see some confusion about the seasons in the ways kids are dressing this week. I watched a second grader on the playground the other morning in his shorts and t-shirt…and thick gloves and ugg boots! His mother, who was watching him nearby, said he insisted on the gloves, and had even worn them to sleep overnight!

A week ago, our third graders club at school hosted a school-wide spirit day: Sports and Hobby Day. And students came to schools dressed in their favorite sports gear or somehow showing their interests through their attire. One of my students showed her artistic flair through her hair-do, sporting paintbrushes extending from her ponytail.

Later that same day, we headed out for an opportunity to engage in a popular new skill game that our students have become obsessed with. Kendama is a wooden skill toy from Japan—a ball on a string attached to a carefully crafted wooden handle. Since not all the students had Kendamas, my teaching partner asked students to gather in triads with the goal of having the Kendama owners share what they have learned so far and give those without Kendama a chance to try out this game. It was Ms. Esther’s last day with us before she flew back home to Australia, and at 85 Esther is a most enthusiastic learner! (She had shared her skydiving DVD with us before lunch.) It was such a spirited exchange to watch this second grader teach Ms. Esther how to use the Kendama…and then to watch her joy at trying! (He coached me too—this is not an easy game!)

With a kitchen remodel underway, my cats have spent their days cooped up in our upstairs bathroom. So when we get home at the end of the day, they are quite ready to come out and explore the house. In some ways they seem to be getting more exercise than usual (they are 16 year old cats)…seeming energetic and spirited in the evening. After all that running up and down and exploring every nook and cranny of new in the kitchen, I love that I caught this big wide spirited yawn of Jack with Phil resting in the background!

Over the weekend, we headed off to the beach for a low tide walk…my first in bare feet in a while. These boys caught my eye…both because of the brilliant green of the wetsuit and because they were so animated and playful. I just love their spirited energy!

And with my telephoto lens in place, I explored taking pictures of seabirds. The light was just right for capturing reflection in the wet sand and there was enough light for colors to be brilliant. I love the spirited mood of this seagull caught in mid strut!

Yesterday was the warmest day all week. 85 degrees at the beach! At the end of the work day, before the sun began to set, I headed to the beach just to see what was going on. There were lots of people on the beach…engaged in lots of spirited play. I was nearly beaned by a flying object as I watched waves instead of people playing while walking on the beach! My eye was drawn to this red bucket…and the spirited mood of summer on this February afternoon.

So, even if it is not summer in February where you are, where do you see spirited activity?  Go out in search of that energy of spirit, in nature, with your pets, in the cold, in the warm…  (And you may see some “colder” looking photos from me next week…I just arrived in chilly Chicago!)

You can post your photo alone or along with some words: commentary, a story, a poem…maybe even a song! I love to study the photographs that others’ take and think about how I can use a technique, an angle, or their inspiration to try something new in my own photography. (I love a great mentor text…or mentor photo, in this case!)

I share my photography and writing on social media. You can find me on Instagram and Twitter using @kd0602. If you share your photos and writing on social media too, please let me know so I can follow and see what you are doing. To help our Weekly Photo community find each other, use the hashtag #spirited for this week and include @nwpianthology in your post.

So go out in search of spirited…it might just raise your spirits!  Can’t wait to see what spirited looks like through your lens.