Guardian readers September 1, 2009

Been there photo competition August 2009

It may have been a 'blink-and-you-missed-it' summer but undeterred readers still captured the essence of the season

Baby asleep on lilo — Alan Hurndal: 'Ivy Blandford, aged six months takes like a duck to water in the Puglian sunshine on holiday in Italy.' Photograph: Alan Hurndal

Lone girl on beach — Benjamin Arthur: 'A girl on the beach in Nusa Lembongan, Bali, contemplates the view. Her parents seemed to the struggling with her younger siblings and I got the feeling she was on the beach just trying to escape for a moment.' Photograph: Benjamin Arthur

Boy being sprayed with water — Chris Mole: 'This is very much a 'back garden' shot taken at our home of one of the children enjoying summer - simple pleasures (when there isn't a hosepipe ban!)' Photograph: Chris Mole

Snoozing in a beach hut — David Meredith: 'Having a quiet snooze in Southwold, Suffolk.' Photograph: David Meredith

Peaceful lake — Emily Gionis: 'The stillness of the water, shirtless man, and blue sky all indicate just how hot is was on this day at Vermilion Lakes, Banff, Canada.' Photograph: Emily Gironis

Canoeists in the rain — Julie Allen: 'My daughter and friends kayaking on the Cam in Cambridge on the first day of the school holidays.' Photograph: Julie Allen

Plants and sky — Julie Tese: 'The tall sedge grasses were swaying in the wind - with all the wild flowers among them, the sun coming and going. It was a real English summer day feeling.' Photograph: Julie Tese

Close up of a sunflower — Neil McCabe: 'Sunflower in Savignac de Duras, south-west France.' Photograph: Neil McCabe

Girl walking through field — Ollie Seuri: 'This is a photo of my girlfriend in a cornfield near Helsinki, Finland, in early August. It really captures some serene summer vibes. Finnish evening light works always in summer time.' Photograph: Ollie Seuri

Lofoten Island harbour — Peter Williamson: 'Mortsund harbour, Lofoten Islands, Norway. An idyllic summer's morning looking across the harbour with a fishing boat perfectly reflected in the still, clear water.' Photograph: Peter Williamson

Tug of war — Sandra Kochis: 'A picture says a 1000 words at the Frome Agriculture and Cheese show.' Photograph: Sandra Kochis

Sunbathers in Green Park, London — Cindy So: 'The equation for a perfect summer: mobiles off, shoes off, no work, no boss, no fuss. Just your loved ones and the sun. Works well at all locations including busy Green Park in London.' Photograph: Cindy So

Mont Blanc range — Herve Groleau: 'This picture was taken just below the "passage du d'rochoir" in Haute-Savoie (France). We had just finished pitching our tent in this very exclusive spot when the wonderful pink-orange light of the distant sunset started to set the whole Mont-Blanc range ablaze.' Photograph: Herve Groleau

Skimming stone — Katy Morrison: 'A stone skims across the surface of the Dead Sea towards Israel.' Photograph: Katy Morrison

Storm brewing in Jewel Cay — Leo Texier: 'Jewel Cay, Bay Islands, Honduras. Waiting for a tropical storm to hit.' Photograph: Leo Texier

The Matterhorn mountain — Maja Siefarth: 'The Swiss Matterhorn is the perfect mountain, even in summer. One of the few places where postcards don't need to lie.' Photograph: Maja Siefarth

Woman in a field of sunflowers — Olly Denton: 'This is a photo of my girlfriend in a field of sunflowers in Umbria, Italy. She lives in Japan and I currently in England and we reunited for a week in Italy for the summer hols. This was on the evening of our last day there, both of us happy that we'd had a great time, but sad to be leaving Italy, and each other.' Photograph: Olly Denton

Young girl in flowered headress — Winning photo Peter Leyden: 'This young Swedish girl is in a pensive mood as she leaves for the traditional midsummer festival at the community park near her parents' stuga (cottage) in the archipelago.'

Judge Natalie Mayer said: 'While this image doesn’t present a very obvious interpretation of the theme, what could be more summery than a girl wearing a flowery garland to a midsummer festival? I like the way this little girl is simply but boldly framed with the doorway, I love the gentle play of light on her dress, and I can’t help wondering what’s on her mind.' Photograph: Peter Leyden

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