~ Lens-Artists Challenge #367: Everyone Should See This ~

Posted on October 4, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

Joanne Mason of Joanne Mason Photography is the guest host for this week’s challenge. In true Lens-Artists style, she offers a wide open subject that gives us plenty of leeway. Thank you, Joanne! Those of you who follow my blog know I love the Long Beach Peninsula in the state of Washington. So, of course, I think everyone should see it! Most people end their west coast journey at Astoria, if not before. Should you get as far north as Astoria, consider taking a drive across the Megler-Astoria Bridge, an awe-inspiring 4 mile span across the mouth of the Columbia River, from Oregon to Washington.

When you reach the Washington side, head north on HWY 101 to Ilwaco, just a 12 mile jaunt. At the one stoplight, go straight and you will enter one of the least disappointing places you are likely to find in the Wild-Wild West, Cape Disappointment State Park.

The Peninsula is 20 miles of history and natural beauty. Since I’m already late getting this post finished, here are some to the places I’ve visited, and invite you to enjoy! https://www.evergreencoastwa.com/

On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾

Congratulations to Joanne for taking the plunge! It’s a big responsibility, and I thank you for a very inviting subject. Sorry to be so late. It’s just the way my life is right now!

Posted in Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, travel, weekly photo challenge | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #366: City Mouse/Country Mouse ~

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

Tina takes us on a journey to present our world through the lens of Aesop’s Fable,” The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse.” In her post here Tina invites us to show differences and similarities between the two environments. As always with Lens-Artists, we are allowed to explore the themes in our own creative way, so today I’m offering a little different spin.

Oh, I’m a country mouse, for sure! You can’t see me, because I am burrowed under the dune grass in a nice nest I’ve dug into the sand for myself and my family.

Lots of other animals roam through my beach-side meadow, but they don’t bother me. There’s plenty to eat here with lots of grains I can store away for winter, and bugs I can catch when I’m out and about.

Dogs like to sniff after me and try to pounce, but I’m fast enough to get away – they sure have fun trying to catch me though!

What I have to watch out for is the Birds of Prey, like this Harrier. They live in the trees nearby and scout over the meadow all day long. They float slowly, very close to the ground, and if they see me out foraging, I’m their next meal. Yikes!

Eagles and Hawks also thrive in this part of the country, and they have sharp eyes that can spot me from far away, before I even know they’re on the hunt. So, even though living out here in my country meadow by the beach is generally tranquil and plentiful, I still have to be careful. I love it here though, and wouldn’t have it any other way!

On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾

Posted in birds, Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, Report from the Edge of a Continent, weekly photo challenge | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #365: Saudade ~

Posted on September 20, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

Egídio asks us to present photos that “reveal an emotional state of melancholic or profoundly nostalgic longing for a beloved yet absent someone or something.” First, I love this Portuguese word; saudade. Often, I’m taken by a memory that is melancholic or nostalgic, though somehow neither word, alone, captures the essence of the impression. These are elusive whiffs of thought that cause an instant ache when I summon the feelings of the moment, and at the same time, I understand it cannot be re-created.

For thirty years (1983-2013), Creighton and I had our summer vacation at Beach Haven Resort, on Orcas Island. It was a perfect place for me to begin to decompress after another year counseling at a large suburban high school.

We took our 10 speed (alpine gearing) bicycles with us, and every day explored different parts of Orcas, and then ventured further, taking the Ferry to other Islands. Eventually we challenged ourselves to a yearly bicycle pedal from our cabin at sea level, to the top of Mt. Constitution. These photos were taken by Creighton (around 1987) on the road from Moran State Park to the summit, a rise of 1800 ft (548 meters) in 4.8 miles (7.7 K).

Those were the days! There is no way we could make that ride now. Age and balance have taken their toll. Still, I loved visiting the islands and would enjoy returning sometime.

Throughout the summer months Creighton and I stay at our home in Vancouver, WA to avoid the tourist season, and to allow our Long Beach, WA condominium to be available for guests. By mid-August, I start to feel the sense of longing to get back out to the fresh ocean scents, the absence of freeway noise and no air traffic thundering above me.

And, here we are. Which is why I’m so late getting this post completed! Last night’s sunset was another stunner, and the roar I hear in the distance is of the ocean, not of traffic. I feel so fortunate!

Above all, I long for a President of the United States, and an administration which understand, believes in, and upholds their pledge to abide by the Constitution of the United States.

On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾

Thank you to Egídio, for this little trip down memory lane, and an opportunity to count my blessings and hope for better times.

Posted in Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, nostalgia, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #364: Quiet Moment ~

Posted on September 9, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

Ritva invites us to showcase photographs that create a calm and soothing atmosphere; “images that evoke feelings of peace and contemplation.” Finding quiet moments that provide a sense of serenity is central to my mental well-being, so it was a delight to look through my archives for photos that radiate the nature of tranquility.

Miller Lake, a natural fresh water beauty in the Cascade Mountain range of Oregon. Its lovely blue tones invite me to relax.

Looking up to a clear sky through leafy branches, encourages me to take a deep breath and contemplate the beauty all around me. Even in my own back yard!

A couple walk together on a misty morning, low tide at Long Beach, WA.

Long Beach, with the gentle flow of tide sparkling in afternoon sunlight, washing away my cares.

An Anna’s hummingbird supping on Fuchsia blossom nectar represents the essence of harmony and balance in my world.

On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾

Here’s to Ritva and all the Lens-Artist hosts for providing us challenges that keep us engaged and often sooth our souls.

Posted in Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature photography, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, travel, weekly photo challenge | Tagged , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #363: Virtual Scavenger Hunt ~

Posted on September 4, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

This week Anne invites us to showcase 5-10 photos that exemplify something from the 20 specific categories she suggests. With this wide-open theme, I decided to select only nature photos, which helped me include some shots that I might not ordinarily feature. My first image, a Dune Rune, features both wavy lines and a very cool shadow

In order to flourish, mushrooms and toadstools need moisture. Once open, they provide lovely little cups that catch water.

Alloniscus is a wood-louse that navigates under the sandy beach at night, and is a major contributor to my collection of Dune Runes. Below, is an almost perfect circle!

So smooth and soft we know not to handle the wings of a butterfly. Below, a Monarch with it’s distinct color pattern, feeds upon daisies.

Zigzag lines were etched in the sand by the Pacific Ocean as the tide receded.

A big bouquet of kelp glistens in the sun at low tide. Why am I taking photos of this, I asked myself. Well, because it’s pretty and has such a wonderful bumpy texture!

Nature provides the template for designs. Milkweed seed-heads are among the many that draw my attention and beg to be photographed.

“…as small as a world and as large as alone.” ee cummings

Thanks to Anne for another opportunity to feature some overlooked photos in my archives!

On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾

Posted in butterflies, Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, weekly photo challenge | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #362: Sports, Sporting Events and Fun Games ~

Posted on August 29, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

This week Beth hosts the challenge asking us to feature sports activities. I thought about it all week; the different sporting events I’ve been to (football, baseball, basketball, formula 1 auto racing, rodeos, hydroplane racing…) and all the competitive and fun runs I participated in, and the years of bicycling with my husband sometimes camping, other times on day rides, all happy memories now. Although I walk every day, it’s for my health and socializing, not competitive. The only true sport I am involved in these years is fishing with my family. We don’t compete with each other or with other boats. For us fishing is a team sport that requires the expertise of all who are in the boat!

Most important is having the boat and all the gear required to be successful, which my brother-in-law and sister provide. They also know how to operate it and where we might have luck catching fish, and with what!

Once the lines go in the water, the anticipation begins!

My niece Marie knows how to catch fish. Her expertise has been cultivated by her parents who make sure she has opportunities to put a line in the water every year. Her faith, based on indigenous beliefs, includes a ritual of kissing each fish she catches with a blessing of thanks, before slipping it into the icy cooler.
“I want to make sure the fish spirits know that I honor their sacrifice,” she told me when I asked about her motivation. “I need those spirits on my side!”
As she pulled in a third Kokanee while I had none, I mused about this. In our family there is a multi-generational ethic of respecting the earth and her creatures. We leave places we visit in better condition than we found them, and we are stewards of the waters and land. We process what we harvest and share it with our family and friends. My husband Creighton, who is mostly vegetarian, calls the fish I bring home “honest food.”
Before long, I had a strong strike and with the help of my sister Diana’s expert netting, my first fish of the day was in the boat.
“Let me kiss it,” Marie exclaimed. “It doesn’t matter who catches it, I like to kiss all the fish we catch.” After she blessed it, I too kissed my fish and then placed it on ice.
Moments later, as I was letting my line out, Marie shouted, “fish on,” and started reeling in. I had just set my line, when it popped off and to my amazement I had a fish as well! Diana netted Marie’s and then mine for our first “two-fer” of this fishing trip. Marie and I each kissed both fish, put them in the cooler and bated our lures. Within a few minutes after getting our lines down, it happened again; I had a strike and was reeling in when Marie got a strike too. Diana steadfastly managed the net to help us get first one fish in the boat, empty the net of fish and lure, and turn around for the second one. This happened at least 7-8 times – maybe more – we lost count, but all agreed this was a new “two-fer” record for our boat!

On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾

Hope everyone has a fun, safe Labor Day weekend. Thanks to Beth for giving me an excuse to show some of the joy my family and I have with fishing!

Posted in fishing, Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

~ Lens-Artist Challenge #351: Looking back to #20 – Doors ~

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

Doors. Hmmm. Dear Sophia asks us to show our best photos of doors, from near and far, from humble to ornate. As it turns out, I have very few shots of actual doors, however since doors are portals – gateways to what lies beyond – I’ll start with a couple nice entryways. Arches invite us to visit the space beyond.

A necessary accessory of living in buildings, doors keep the cold out, let fresh air, friends and sunshine in, and provide a modicum of protection from unwanted intruders.

In the wild pioneer west of the USA, there was no need to make a door beautiful. It was a functional and necessary component of a building. What mattered more, was (and is) that which lies on the other side of the entrance.

As I write and post this, I’m sitting on my deck with a gentle cool breeze this morning. By afternoon, and for the next 5 days the temperature will be in the range of 95-100ºF (35-38ºC). That’s when I say, God bless my heat pump! Thanks to Sophia for providing beautiful examples of doors around the world. See her post here.

On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾

Posted in architecture, Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, pacific northwest, photography | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #360: Found at the Fair/Market

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

This week Anne-Christine invites us to share photos from Farmers’ markets, fairs, carnivals or other summer memories. With very hot weather this past week, I didn’t make it to our county fair, and the next similar opportunity is after this coming week-end. Consequently, I decided to feature the one Farmers’ Market that is nearby and open most of the year. When I visited at 10:30 in the morning the temperature was already 83°F (28.3°C).

I had hoped to get some corn, but I was just a day or two early. There’s plenty of farm fresh produce inside protected from the heat.

They also sell a wide variety of preserves.

After taking my photos and drooling, I came home with fresh peaches, raspberries and seedless blackberries.

Today, the weather is seasonably cool with a little bit of rain, which we need badly. The berries were consumed by the end of the day I visited Bi-Zi Farm, and the peaches are just about ready to slice! Thank you to Leya for prompting me to visit a favorite Farmers’ market.

On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾

Posted in food, Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, pacific northwest, photography | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #539: Lines, Colors & Patterns ~

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

John challenges us to demonstrate how we use lines, colors or patterns in our photo compositions. He promises extra credit for showing two or three elements in one shot! Lines clearly define the subject in my first example taken on the deck of an almost empty Washington State Ferry, headed from Anacortest to the San Juan Islands, in October.

The top and side rails of the Ferry, along with the bench seat and windows lead our eyes to the Ferry bow and on toward Rosario Strait and islands of the archipelago.

The Martha Jordan Birding Trail in Leadbetter State Park, WA is arched over with fresh green foliage in May. It’s a quiet place where I can take the beagles and enjoy being surrounded by beauty.

This shot features the line of the path leading toward the distance, with lovely shade patterns crosshatching the ground. Bright sunlight at the end of the passage adds to the harmony in this photograph.

City Park in St. Louis, MO, features sculpture, architecture and natural elements in a harmonious blend.

I’ve always liked attempting to combine hard lines of man-made structures with the soft edges of nature. In this photo, they co-exist quite nicely. The straight lines, wavy glass and bright blue sky reflection on the building is interrupted and softened by dark green branches and the warm tones of autumn tinged leaves. Also, notice how the upper branches of green are echoed in the wavy glass.

A bright blue sky background to the lacy pattern of leaves and branches make a cheerful display. There’s something about this combination, green on blue, texture on clear color that always invites me to take a picture!

I’ll finish today with a favorite I’ve featured before, however try not to over use. Taken during a very low tide, on Long Beach, WA.

We can see that as the tide receded, deposits of foam created asymmetric lines that stretch on to the horizon. In the sky, fluffy clouds repeat the undulating pattern the Pacific Ocean left on the beach. Clouds on the left and mist over the ocean also draw our eyes to a foggy North Jetty.

Thank you John for continuing to emphasize the tools of photography that help make interesting and worthwhile images! https://photobyjohnbo.com/2025/08/02/lens-artists-challenge-359-tools-of-photo-composition-lines-colors-and-patterns/

On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾

Posted in Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #358: Live and Learn ~

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

Tina reminds us that “as we age it’s important to maintain our social lives, to stay mentally and physically healthy and to challenge ourselves to learn new things.” This week she invites us to showcase things we’ve learned about any subject of our choice. Sitting outside on my deck, it seems fitting to feature gardening. When we had our house built 40 years ago, we asked that as many trees as possible be saved. Through the years I have stewarded this sylvan refuge.

To learn what would thrive, I studied gardening resource books (now internet), talked with family and friends, and tried things out, focusing primarily on perennial and native plants. Some worked well, other quickly faded. We now have seven tall Douglas Firs, five Vine maples, one Bigleaf maple and a large stand of holly in this east-facing back yard. Understory plants include rhododendron, hydrangea, Japanese Ajuga, various viburnums and a carpet of shade loving ground covers. From early spring to late fall this is my favorite place to be (when not at the beach!) and it’s a year-round sanctuary for birds.

Top left clockwise: adult Pacific Steller’s Jay, adult male Varied Thrush, fledgling Red-breasted Nuthatch, Mourning Doves, adult feeding fledgling Northern Flicker, aka Red-shafted Flicker.

From sunup till late afternoon, my front yard has a lot of sun exposure. This is where lilacs bloom in spring, followed by rhododendron and hydrangea, and by mid-summer rudbeckia and echinacea join the perennial color-riot. In May I plant annual vegetables, herbs and companion plants in raised garden beds. Again, I learn what works through research, and trial and error.

Our neighborhood abounds with bunnies, and a good many hop between our front yard and our neighbors yard. Years ago I learned they devour carrot-tops, lettuce and sweet peas, so I only put in plants they historically avoid; tomatoes, zucchini, basil, thyme, rosemary and sage. Things were looking good in the veggie gardens this spring until one morning I noticed that all three of the Genovese basil I’d inter-planted among tomatoes, were gone! When I saw that the lower leaves of some heirloom tomatoes had been chewed upon, I immediately placed plastic netting around the base of the tomato cages, and they have rebounded.

Then I fashioned a plastic netting cage to the back of my other tomato bed and planted sweet peas and basil inside. They are doing well, and once in a while I see a bunny looking through the net longingly.

I could go on from here, as the bunnies gnawed down my gladiolus and started in on the one artichoke I’d planted just for fun. I net-fenced it along with some chewed upon snapdragons and calendula, and now they’re doing fine. This fall I’ll put in fresh gladiolus bulbs and fashion a bunny-proof fence around that bed. So we Live and Learn! Stay curious and you will never be bored. Thank you Tina for another wide-open challenge. I wish all the green thumbs out there a plentiful harvest.

On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾

Posted in birds, flowers, Gardening, landscape gardening, Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments