Favorite Photos
~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #104: Summer ~
Hydrangea blossoms
Ā Ā Ā shades of blue velvet richness
mood indigo ~
From rich vibrant tones to soft pastel hues, Hydrangea are one of my favorite summer show-stoppers!
Birds, are everywhere in my summer gardens. They keep the grounds free of bugs and are a delight to watch as they glean and raise their young.
At the end of a day, I love to relax on the love-seat by the pond and enjoy the light filtering through vine maple leaves as the sun lowers into the west.
Water – the essence of life. Ā From running through sprinklers as a kid, to still going fishing with my family every year, water is a central summer feature.
It has been a cool beginning of summer here in Vancouver, USA. Today the temperature is predicted to reach a high of 80Ā° f (27Ā°Ā c) for the first time this July!Ā
Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.š¾
Thanks to Amy for this week’s Lens-Artists weekly photo challenge!Ā https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2020/07/04/summer/
~ Wordless Wednesday ~
Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.
š¾
~Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #103: Surprise ~
Sometimes I take a photo, like the one below, of a subject (Bufflehead duck) and I’m disappointed when the featured subject is unclear.
Then, when I look at the same photograph as a composition, I am pleasantly surprised!
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Northern Harriers course low over the marshes and meadows frequently, yet in three years of attempts, my efforts to get a good photo were always blurry or just of the sky or marsh with no bird to be seen! Capturing this shot of an adult male carrying a twig to its nest, was very gratifying.
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For a few days a female House Finch appeared at our living room window, looking very much like she wanted to build her nest right there!
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Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology hosts Project FeederWatch, a Citizen Science program from November thru April (https://feederwatch.org). Creighton and I have participated for the past 12 seasons. This winter we were visited by a bird we’d never seen before.
When I entered my weekly report, Cornell experts questioned if I had the right identification. The cautious bird, a Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis), came to our feeders for about a month – such a lovely surprise!
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In May, a young American black bear rambled across the meadow while Jello and I watched from the living room (https://lindylecoq.com/2020/05/19/sunday-surprise/). A week or so later, as we walked back from the beach, I was startled to hear Jello discharge a guttural growl. Looking toward her, I saw a black bear emerge from the dune grass and cross the trail right in front of us. Jello’s hackles were up and she took off after the bear. I yelled my one word command for all similar occasions: STOP! …and she did!
Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we continue to navigate uncharted waters.
š¾
I wish I could say I’m surprised that my country is leading the world in novel corona virus infections. Sadly, I’m not surprised – I’m embarrassed, disgusted and impatient to replace the current administration. We can do better.
Thank you Leya for sending me looking for happy surprises – or at least surprises with a happy ending!
https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2020/06/27/lens-artists-photo-challenge-103-surprise/
~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Perfect Pairs ~
House Finch – Carpodacus mexicanus
Mallard Duck – Anas platyrhynchos
Canada Goose – Branta canadensisĀ and Mallards
Caspian Tern – Sterna caspia
Bald Eagle – Haliaeeetus leucocephalus
Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we continue to navigate uncharted waters.
š¾
~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge # 102: A Quiet Moment ~
Quiet moments for me happen when what I see is in harmony with itself and fills me with a sense of internal peace.
Being a true introvert, I relax when I have the opportunity to quiet my brain and focus on the beauty of nature.
Seeing wild birds in their natural habitat, essentially oblivious to me, is an extra special delight.
Because she is photogenic and a true expert, I have many portraits of Jello engaged in her own quiet moments.
Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we continue to navigate uncharted waters.
š¾
Thank you Patti, for suggesting we feature times and places that bring us peace.
~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Downy Fledgling ~
Mama Downy Woodpecker left – female fledge right
Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.
š¾
~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #101: One Single Flower ~
Our host this week, Cee Nuner, is a master photographer with flowers one of her specialties. As a lover of gardens and flowers this challenge took me into my archives as there are few blossoms in my soggy gardens right now!
Cala Lily, Oriental Lily, Balloon Flower, Daffodil in snow and Wake Robin. Looking into the blossom, sideways shots, and facing down.
Hellebores (Lenten Roses) face forward, and face down.
Cala Lily and Tulip in lovely yellow tones.
Thank you Cee for your many wonderful challenges over the years!
Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.
š¾
~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #100: The Long and Winding Road ~
āThe arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.ā
Martin Luther King Jr.
While at the University of Washington in 1970, my husband and I joined the student protest that closed I-5, on May 5. Along with several friends, we were there to object to the illegal and inhumane war our country was waging on Vietnam and Cambodia.
Photographer – Paul Thomas – Seattle Post-Intelligencer
On January 21, 2017, with two girlfriends, I attended the Women’s March in Portland, Oregon. From his first appearance as a candidate to this very moment, Mr. Trump has made it clear he is not qualified to be President of the United States.
In the ensuing years, often I have said, “things will change in the USA, when young people are angry enough to march in the streets.” Now it is happening, and I salute those who put their feet where their heart and head are.
We no longer accept going in circles as leadership.
We’re sick and tired of being tangled by lame old reasons why not justice for all?
The old is unravelling, and we find ourselves on a path to a changing future.
Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.
š¾
Thank you Tina for another soul-stretching photography challenge!
