April 24, 2021

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #144 Taking Flight

“No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.”  William Blake The phrase, Taking Flight, made me think of birds although it can easily describe other things flying like butterflies, bees and balloons.  Looking through my photo archives, I found pictures showing several species of birds Taking Flight that I’d like to share.  (Double clicking each image shows a larger version).    These two pictures are of the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) as he gracefully glides through the air, so quietly he can hardly be heard in spite of his size.  These owls are the largest common owl in the eastern United States with a wing…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Birds, Kiawah Island SC, LENS-ARTISTS, Nature, Photography

October 10, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #117 PHOTO WALK

This week Amy invites us to take a walk with our camera.  Taking the time to look around at sights which are normally taken for granted.  It was shortly after sunrise on a cool, foggy Maine morning when I grabbed the camera for a photo walk.   “In nature, everything has a job.  The job of the fog is to beautify further the existing beauties!” – Mehmet Murat Jldan  There are several ponds close to our neighborhood so instinctively I headed there.  What a lovely sight.  The sun was trying to break through the fog, bright light reflected off marsh grasses and a few ducks out for a morning swim.  Ordinally,…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Maine, Photography

August 20, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #110 Creativity During Covid

This week Tina asked us to share a few things we did over the past few months when the covit pandemic created a worldwide social recession.  “Creativity is the gift that keeps on giving” – Eric Maisel Catching up on long overdue projects around the house, spending more time learning from webinars and working to improve my photography skills became more of a priority. My husband and I spent mornings on the beach.  Exploring with my camera was both mentally and physically rewarding as he walked around enjoying the scenery.  It was during this period a few photography friends spotted a reddish egret – white morph hanging out with some…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Birds, Kiawah Island SC, LENS-ARTISTS, Lifestyle, Photography

April 23, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #93 MORNING

This week Ann-Christine selected Morning for our weekly challenge.  She is asking us to share a few things we do when starting off our day.  Generally, I am an early morning person and find myself heading to the beach first thing, even before a morning cup of coffee!  Am not sure what draws me there, probably the tranquility and sound of waves crashing on the shore, the salty smell in the air and nature’s beautiful colors gently painting the sky and ocean.  Since no two mornings look the same, I am also curious as to what might have transpired overnight.  Maybe there will be deer tracks in the sand next…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Atlantic Ocean, Kiawah Island SC, Landscape, Loggerhead Turtles, Photography, Sunrises

March 28, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #89 A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

This week Amy suggested using the title from the book, “A River Runs Through it” by Norman Maclean as our photo challenge.  What is so important about a river?   It is a source of life for all of nature and also man plus it symbolizes the power of nature and fertility.  I live close to the Kiawah River which runs between Kiawah Island and Johns Island and the mainland area surrounding Charleston, SC.  The river is in a constant flux of change as well as the wildlife that depends on it for survival.  The images below offer a glimpse into some of the life by the river. This river is…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Bottle Nose Dolphins, Capt Sams Spit, Kiawah Island SC, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography, Wildlife

February 21, 2020

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #84 NARROW

Amy picked the word “Narrow” for our photo challenge this week.  I decided to begin with this photo featuring a narrow strip of beach, separating the Atlantic Ocean and Kiawah River, at Captain Sam’s Spit which only appeared at low tide.  In addition to wildlife resting on this narrow area, pods of resident dolphins live and play in the Kiawah River.  Notice the curious bottlenose dolphin in the foreground, quietly observing the birds on the bank.  This was taken on the west end of Kiawah Island, South Carolina.    Two narrow channels have been cut out as the ocean tides change twice a day, creating this tidal pool shown in…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Atlantic Ocean, Capt Sams Spit, Kiawah Island SC, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography, Travel

November 1, 2019

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: #69 SEEING DOUBLE

This week Tina suggests we feature pictures showing “two of a kind” or Seeing Double in a photo.  It can be people, animal, or things shown in sets of two. A fun topic to think about!   Two youngsters playing while the parents watch close by.  Not sure whether they are siblings or friends but it is almost like Seeing Double and they are two of a kind.  Wish I can say this was taken in the wild, instead these elephants live in the Wild Kingdom Park at Disney World in Florida.   Belgian Draft Horses enjoying each other’s company on a beautiful fall day in Maine!  This particular pair always…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Nature, Photography

June 7, 2019

WILD: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

Tina asked us to think about the word Wild this week and show examples of something Wild.  Wild animals, birds, flowers, weather, Wild behavior….this list could go on and on.  Since I enjoy being outside it seems that where ever I go untamed, Wild birds seem to be everywhere, happily chirping, calling to each other or sounding an alarm if another bird has invaded their space.  Sometimes if I’m lucky, many different species can be found congregating in a favorite area as they socialize between meals or share a feeding area.  It’s interesting to watch the behavior among the different species although if you get too close they immediately take…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Birds, LENS-ARTISTS, Nature, Photography

May 24, 2019

DELICATE: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

DELICATE is the photo challenge word for this week.  Ann-Christine wants us to think about different ways this word can be portrayed with pictures.  Such as a Delicate touch or colors, perhaps butterfly wings and new growth on plants and trees.   “This is what it means to be loved… when someone wants to touch you, to be tender…”  – Banana Yoshimoto   A Delicate, gentle touch from this boy as he strokes the back of our dog in a loving way.        “The colors of the (water and) underwater rock are as pale and delicate as those in the wardrobe if an 18th-century marchioness.” – William Manchester…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Kiawah Island SC, LENS-ARTISTS, Nature, Photography

April 6, 2019

HELLO APRIL: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

This week Amy challenges us to say “Hello April!” with a few of our photographs.  The advent of April is magical with renewed beauty and life all around.  The sun begins to get warmer although April breezes add to slight chill in the air. New life appears on plants and trees while many birds and animals begin caring for their young. “April hath put a spirit of youth in everything. (Sonnet XCVIII)” ― William Shakespeare           “A gush of bird-song, a patter of dew, A cloud, and a rainbow’s warning, Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue – An April day in the morning.” – Harriet Prescott Spofford…

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written by Sylvia - Posted in Birds, Flowers, LENS-ARTISTS, Photography