One’s life is full of many different kinds of celebrations; weddings, birth of a child, celebration of someone’s life, events, holidays and this list can go on. December is the month many people all over the world traditionally celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, St Lucia’s day, Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Omisoka, Boxing Day, to name a few celebrations. The holiday seasons are rejoiced with parades, festivals, parties, family time, gifts and laughter. To celebrate this season, we recently visited Naples Botanical Garden in Southwest Florida to see their “Night Lights in the Garden”. It was a wonderful evening as people roamed the Garden enjoying the festival of lights while…
HAPPINESS IS … : Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
This week Ann-Christine invites us to share what “Happiness Is” means to us. This topic made me think about what is important and what brings happiness in my life. “Happiness, not in another place but this place…not for another hour, but this hour.” ∼ Walt Whitman ——— “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” ∼ Mahatma Gandhi Happiness Is being with my husband, family and friends as we laugh and share good times together while making memories. Fun times spent cooking in the kitchen, dinner table talk, quiet time, walks, biking and traveling together. “Happiness is a warm puppy.” ∼ …
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…
DOORS AND DOOR WAYS: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
This week Tina invites us to show pictures of Doors and Doorways. Do you think the appearance of a door or doorway is important? Actually, it has been said it only takes about 10 seconds for someone to form a first impression, either positive or negative. Think about doors and doorways, could this also apply to them? Can’t doors and doorways to be inviting, happy and attractive? Radiate warm, welcome feelings or cool and foreboding ones? “My favourite words are possibilities, opportunities and curious. I think if you are curious, you create opportunities, and then if you open the doors, you create possibilities. ∼ Mario Testino ———- “Libraries allow children to ask…
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,…
WINDOWS: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge
This week Ann-Christine challenged us to show pictures of some interesting windows we have seen. She suggested we look for “what/who is standing or sitting by or at the window …. find an interesting something standing or hanging in the window…or perhaps seen through the window!” Below is an eclectic collection of recent window photos I encountered. Each window image has it’s own unique personality plus a story to tell!! “Your desire to be near a window is your desire to be close to life!” ∼ Mehmet Murat ildan Colorful art surrounds the window and doorway at this house in Montreal, Canada. Topaz software created the smooth, glassy look. …
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…
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…
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…