A Colorful Southern Summer

When the prairie at Longpan Park metamorphoses from withered yellow shades into vibrant greeness,summer—in its brilliant and lively way—shows its true colors.

The rain-moistened fields, the pristine beaches, the crystal-clear waters and the bright and blue skies provethat summer is a season of sunlight and showers. Even the waterfall at Shanhai in Jialeshui has revived,singing boisterously its melody.

During this fertile season life is unrestrained, exhibiting its strength. The Indian Barringtoniasurreptitiously blooms in the dead of night; the Simpleleaf Shrub Chaste Tree dons its light purple summerattire; the Sweet Autumn Clematis is a veiled bride in June; the fruits of the Sweet Viburnum tempt thepalette.

These gorgeous flowers absorb the rays of the sun, brewing their nectars, attracting droves of butterflies—the Golden Birdwing, the Common Rose, the Paper Kite, the Great Orange Tip all vie for the chanceto display their exquisite wardrobes. The cicadas cry in unison, louder and louder, until they bring thesummer to its zenith.

In the waning days of summer, in the clear sea waters, variegated corals and schools of tropical fish amongother sea life all share the waters. Summer in Kenting is as the summer in legends. The gentle summerbreezes resonate as though it were the epic music of life itself. Frogs adopt the choral role for the wateryareas. Snakes slowly slither out from their holes, seeking food under the cover of night. After the rains, thefluorescent and sprightly Green Peppe mushrooms play hide-and-seek with the fireflies.

Turning our gaze upwards, we find that Kenting has a dazzling starry sky. This star-speckled sky remindsus of ancient tales of lovers in times long since passed. It’s almost as though we had fallen into a mysticalmidsummer’s night dream.

• upper：A Colorful Southern Summer / Tsai Yung-Chun