Ask most nature photographers what is their favourite season, they would rank them in this order: autumn, winter, spring, summer.

Ranking summer as the least favourite season may be perplexing to most sun worshippers, but that is precisely the reason we photographers find this the toughest season in which to photograph. Long bright sunny days with the sun high in the sky are difficult conditions. The high contrast between shadows and glaring highlights produce unflattering images.

What I hope for are stormy days with great clouds at sunset and calm mornings. Other than that, I'll enjoy the barbecuing and camaraderie that summer brings.

Here are a few images I've made this summer, showing that there are photos even under the brightest conditions.

June 30-1 Often closeup images can be made, even on a sunny day at noon. This is of Mossy Stonecrop on Manitoulin alvars.

June 30-2 Wildflowers are abundant this year because of all the rain. This field of Buttercups I photographed near Massey on an overcast day.

June 30-3 Clouds are important on a sunny day. A bald blue sky would have made me pass this scene, photographed near Iron Bridge.

June 30-5 Fresh greens and reflections in calm water early in the day produce pleasant images. This I photographed at Silver Lake in Sudbury.

June 30-4 Optimum time for photograhing is at sunrise, when conditions are calm and the light falls on the scene at an oblique angle.

June 30-6 We nature photographers have to seek out other subject matter at this time of year. These flags I photographed in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.