March 15, 2019

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Tina challenges us to feature our neighborhood or someone else’s that makes us feel welcome or comfortable.  I have always felt comfortable around water so I decided to feature a few pictures of wildlife and activities on Kiawah’s beach, which is in our neighborhood and walking distance from our home.  Except for the first image, these other sights are fairly common.  I believe the quote below also implies being a good neighbor to wildlife, helping them to preserve their future. “To be a good neighbor is one of life’s richest joys!” – unknown   This Loggerhead turtle laid her eggs in the sand dunes and is very slowly…

March 1, 2019

CLOSEUP: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Leya invites us to show a few close-up pictures, “your own home is an endless source of motifs – and maybe a look into new worlds.”  I chose flower images because the delicate blending of multi colors, texture in the pedals and the intricate designs of each flower is so unique when viewed Closeup.  Most of these images were taken in our yard with either a Nikon 18 to 300 mm lens or 18 to 105. I did not use my micro lens but instead took Closeups of these flowers in the RAW format so I was able to crop close and show little details. A few other…

February 20, 2019

NATURE: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Patti asks us to showcase some of our Nature photography.  Most of these pictures were taken on Kiawah Island where there is an abundance of Nature shots everywhere – landscape, birds, animals, flowers, trees, the Atlantic Ocean plus magnificent colors in the sky created by the sun, moon and clouds. “In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.”  –  John Muir ——————————-   “Nature has a great simplicity and therefore a great beauty.” – Richard Feynman   Over the past year or so photographers everywhere have had the opportunity to capture breathtaking pictures of the moon.  This picture of the moon isn’t anything special but…

February 1, 2019

UNEXPECTED: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Leya invites us to show images defining the word UNEXPECTED.  Hum….extra thought was required as to how best define this word with photographs.  Finally, a decision was made – show three pictures which reveal an UNEXPECTED outcome after editing. Below are copies of three original RAW pictures and immediately beneath each top image is its edited version.  What was so UNEXPECTED to me was the different image revealed from each photograph!   “Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph.”  –  Matt Hardy                       “In many…

January 11, 2019

MY TRAVELS: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Amy challenges us show memorable pictures taken during My Travels.  Last week’s photo challenge was Favorite Pictures in 2018 and since traveling was the highlight of our year many of My Travel images were featured then.  (See Travel Pictures of 2018 under Recent Posts on the right hand side.)   To accept Amy’s challenge this week I decided to show some favorite pictures from previous trips to Florida. Disney World in Orlando is one of the more popular attractions in Florida.  Who doesn’t have a warm spot in their heart after seeing the Lady and The Tramp animated cartoon, or can resist smiling at some of Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog’s…

December 19, 2018

SEASONAL: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Tina challenges us to express what Seasonal means; I chose to do this with photographs.  My husband and I are able to experience the seasons in two different parts of the country.  Winter rolls in with freezing weather, complete with wind, snow and ice in Southern Maine; Kiawah Island, SC has a more moderate winter, although it can get a bit chilly at times.  Spring is a welcome relief with delightfully warming temperatures as new life begins to unfold.  And, summer days on Kiawah can heat up quickly and become humid before traveling north to Maine for more temperate temperatures.  The autumn months in Maine can be spectacular; gorgeous fall…

December 1, 2018

SPLASH: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Patti challenges us to show images of water.  She beautifully writes, “water is magical.  Its beauty, power and persistence are unsurpassed…”    What is it about an ocean, lake, stream, waterfall or just a puddle which can draw so much attention?  Water is truly magical because it is never the same – strong, angry, calm or picturesque when reflecting colors – and vital for all life.   “It is life, I think, to watch the water. A man can learn so many things.”  ∼   Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook _____________   “She loves the serene brutality of the ocean, loves the electric power she felt with each breath of wet, briny…

October 22, 2018

BIG Can Be Beautiful Too! : Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Tina challenges us to show our interpretation of BIG Can Be Beautiful Too especially since several weeks ago we were challenged to show pictures defining “Small Is Beautiful”! “Big” can be defined as considerable size or extent.  These photo interpretations meet this criteria:  Angel Oak, a majestic live oak tree, a 77 foot (23.5 m) scallop boat which drifted ashore during a stormy night and a seagull studying a large bronze statue.  Each image contrasts something Big and Beautiful next to something Small and Beautiful.   “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.”  ∼ …

October 18, 2018

CHANGES and/or CHANGEABLE: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

Amy challenges us to show pictures demonstrating Changes and/or Changeable events artistically and in nature.  The digital age of photography ushered in the capability of making photographs Changeable and to use one’s imagination to create “artistic images”.      Changes are obvious in nature; changing weather patterns, flocks of birds migrating to warmer climates, flowering plants dying.  A photograph is Changeable as its visual appearance takes on a new look; appearing abstract, artistic, dark and moody, colorful and upbeat, whatever the photographer desires.    “A thing of beauty is a joy forever and Nature is the most obvious thing that gives us joy forever. It is our duty to preserve Nature. The sight of greenery,…

October 1, 2018

LOOKING UP: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

When selecting photos relative to the subject “Looking Up”, I was amazed how many there were of the sky, tall buildings, trees, birds flying, etc.  Thank you Patti for choosing such an interesting phrase for the weekly photo challenge!   “Keep looking up … That’s the secret of life.” ∼ Snoopy   It is breathtaking to look up at this magnificent ship silhouetted against the beautiful blue sky and clouds.  The USS Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, launched in Boston, Massachusetts by the United States Navy in 1797 to protect American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and defeat the Barbary pirates.  She earned the nickname…