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…
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…
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…
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.” ∼ …
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,…
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…
ACTION: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
Patti selected the word Action for this week’s Photo Challenge. When thinking about what to present, wildlife images immediately came to mind. Wild animals and birds spend most of their life being active; always vigilant and searching for food to survive and raise their young. “Your way of life is determined by the actions you take.” ∼ Akiroq Brost Beautiful Maine Bobcats (Lynx rufus) like this one are fairly common in many parts of the state. It was mesmerizing watching this cat slowly saunter back into the woods when hearing someone approach in the distance. Fortunately, bobcats are reclusive animals and tend to avoid people. Their diet consists of rabbits,…
EVERYDAY MOMENTS: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
Amy suggested the photo word challenge of the week. When thinking of images to best illustrate my interpretation of everyday moments these came to mind, demonstrating everyday moments birds and people enjoy. “Every moment in our lives is a miracle we should enjoy instead of ignoring.” ∼ Yoko Ono This pair of Roseate Spoonbills are enjoying an everyday moment plus their time together while bathing and grooming their feathers. Since this was taken mid-day they will probably rest soon before catching more shrimp and aquatic insects in the shallow water. It’s a real treat to see these beautiful birds in southern Florida, this image was taken in Bonita…
PATTERNS: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
When thinking about the photo word of the week, I realized patterns are visible in most everything we see. And to become aware and appreciate the multiple patterns which make up a scene or object, one needs to stop a moment and “really look” at their surroundings. “Find beauty not only in the thing itself but in the patterns of the shadows, the light and dark which that thing provides.” ∼ Tunichiro Tanizaki ——- Bailey Island Bridge, or Cribstone Bridge, was originally built in the 1920s and its unusual pattern design is deliberate so it can withstand the tides and winds of Maine. According to the website Atlas Oscura, “the…
BLUE: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
When searching my photo archives I was surprised to see so many pictures where blue is the dominate color. Just wish I had a pair of blue suede shoes to show! “Blue is the only color which maintains its own character, in all its tones it will always stay blue; whereas yellow is blackened in its shades, and fades away when lightened; red when darkened becomes brown, and diluted with white is no longer red, but another color – pink.” ∼ Raoul Dufy —————- “I see skies of blue and clouds of white, bright blessed days and dark sacred nights, and I think to myself what a wonderful world.” ∼ Louis Armstrong Several…