September 22, 2018

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

There is no object so large but that at a great distance from the eye it does not appear smaller than a smaller object near.  ∼  Leonardo da Vinci   “Small is Beautiful” is the photo word challenge Amy picked for the week.  It only seemed natural to show a couple of images taken from the 360 Restaurant in the CN Revolving Tower in Toronto during a recent visit with friends.  We were 1,151 feet (351 m) above the ground and this was taken through heavy glass restaurant windows.   All of us are baseball fans so seeing the ball field as the Toronto Blue Jays played the Cleveland Indians was…

September 12, 2018

FENCES: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

The photo word challenge Ann-Christine gave us this week is FENCES.  Have you ever made a conscience effort to look for fences as you go about your everyday life?  When doing so recently it was amazing how many I encountered on a daily basis but never really “saw” until now.  They have different personalities and play various roles in everyday life.  Some fences are strong and provide protection while others are old and broken down, they can be closed to offer privacy or open, friendly and inviting, appear rigid and controlling or short and decorative.  These photos of fences were taken in King, Ontario plus the southern part of Maine,…

September 5, 2018

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,…

August 28, 2018

COLORFUL: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

What is it about color that can make you happy or sad, relaxed or energized?  For the photo challenge this week Tina suggested showing happy colors and images.  Hopefully a few of the pictures selected will bring a smile to your face and brighten your day!   “Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up.” ∼  Allen Klein   This overjoyed alligator looks ready to grab someone walking by the local restaurant so he can treat…

August 24, 2018

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…

August 18, 2018

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…

August 10, 2018

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…

August 4, 2018

SOFT: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

  My favorite imagine of soft has to be this mother and calf expressing affection in a soft, tender moment.  These bottlenose dolphins live year around in the Kiawah River on the western end of Kiawah Island, SC by Capt Sams Spit.  These pods are among the few in the world who strand-feed which is a learned behavior taught over the generations.  Their favorite food is mullet; the dolphins work in groups to drive schools of mullet on the shore and then beach themselves to trap the fish and feed.  Many pictures of this unique behavior is on the internet, to read more search “Kiawah Island, SC bottlenose dolphins”.  …

July 24, 2018

TIME TO RELAX: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

In the hectic world of work deadlines, raising a family or looking after loved ones it’s often difficult to make yourself take a “time out” and allow your mind to wander and think about pleasant thoughts.   Sometimes even ten minutes is enough to revitalize your mind and energy.    “The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.”  –  Sydney J. Harris   What could be more relaxing and cooling than enjoying a delicious dinner in a beautiful venue as your feet are being warmed in the Caribbean Sea? We enjoyed many delicious dinners at The Flying Fishbone in Savaneta, Aruba during the winter months we spent…