~ Weekend Sky #147 – June 7 ~

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

“Life often interrupts even our most cherished routines. But the sky, in all its quiet vastness, remains—unchanged, patient, and always waiting.” Hammad Rais

April, 2025
May 2025
June 7, 2025

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

Posted in clouds, nature photography, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, Weekend Sky | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Long Beach WA this Week ~

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

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

Posted in nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, Report from the Edge of a Continent, travel, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #352: Mellow ~

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

This week Sofia invites us to continue our break from the harshness of everyday life with the theme Mellow. In the northern hemisphere it’s late spring/early summer. It’s time to relax in soft tones and shapes, to enjoy the season’s warm glow and quiet environments and find places where “there’s no sense of urgency; everything is calm and mellow.” My first image exemplifies just such a venue; dawn at Crescent Creek, with sunlight creeping over the tall evergreen trees, mist rising from the stream, and lovely wildflowers in the meadow.

Crescent Creek Sunrise

Light is a key element of mellow images. Soft, suffused lighting and golden hour glow are especially effective in creating a sense of comfort and warmth.

Tone is another key to mellow photographs. Be the colors pale and creamy or vibrant and rich, out-of-focus backgrounds deepen the dreamy impression.

Mellowness invites us to be quiet and simply contemplate life in the now. Our moon rising in a light blue sky above a golden dune-grass berm asks that we honor our earth, her living plants and creatures, and her celestial neighbors.

Moon Rising

Even with the Pacific Ocean surging toward land, my final photo stirs the sensation of time standing still; a realization that in this moment “life floes on within you and without you”. George Harrison

Time Stands Still

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

A big thank you to Sofia for a challenge that is “right up my alley”.

Posted in Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, Report from the Edge of a Continent, travel, weekly photo challenge | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #351: Books ~

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

For this week’s challenge, Ritva invites us to “share our most creative photographic interpretation of anything related to books.” Her post is gorgeous, and you can find it here. Creighton and I love to read. Our bookshelf sometimes gets stacked to the point where it is impossible to see the books alphabetized behind, as the stacks in front grow. Luckily, I had recently re-arranged the chaos to a semblance of order.

Ritva asks us to show what significance books hold for us, and suggests we highlight the “beauty and allure of books.” Neither Creighton nor I have opted to read books on-line. We both love the feel of a book in our hands, the sound made when turning the pages and the fragrance of paper and ink. I especially love illustrated books, like this one.

The Wind in the Willows, (Kenneth Grahame) illustrated by Arthur Rackham.

Handmade books are another joy to behold. A dear friend from high school, judi goldburg, has encouraged my writing and illustrating over the years. Her hand-pressed volumes of poetry are unique and lovely. https://judigoldberg.wordpress.com/

Reference books are also favorites. Yes, I can and do get a lot of information on-line, however having resource books, like my bird identification ones, are essential!

I’ll close with a classic stack of bibles. The large one is from Creighton’s maternal grandmother’s, maternal grandfather, and has his signature on the first page, dated 1874. The earliest date entered in the Births registry is 1843.

A big thank you to Ritva for another intriguing challenge. Before I go, I want to apologize to Anne (Slow Shutter Speed) for not participating in last weeks challenge. We all get whelmed at times, and last week it was my turn. Trying to take on something completely new & out of my comfort zone wasn’t in the cards for me, though the concept and possibilities are tempting!

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

Posted in Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, photography | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #449: The first thing I thought of when I saw this photo! ~

Posted on May 23, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

With so much ongoing turmoil in our world, Tina invites us to continue to find pockets of serenity and share some humor through our photography. The challenge is to choose amusing/interesting photos, and caption them with what the photo brought to mind when seen. So, here goes – take off your serious-thinking cap and sit back for a bit of silliness!

Hey, come on in, the water’s fine!

Hellooooo in there…

Bottoms up!

…in the name of love…

“Here’s our chance – full steam ahead!”

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

Posted in Beagles, birds, Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, photography | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #348: Serenity ~

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

This week, Egídio asks us how we find serenity, and invites us to bring it into our photography. Serenity comes to me when my mind and body are in equilibrium, creating a state of being at peace with myself in the world, and having a sensation of calmness and tranquility. Even if only fleeting, these moments sustain me through stressful times.

Serenity starts with breathing fresh air! It renews my body and mind, as I shed stress and begin to relax.

Sunlight in natural settings provides powerful sensations of calm to my spirit. Whether its filtered as in the above photo of sunrise mist across the dunes, or bright as sunlight filtering through stately fir trees, below .

Colors evoke emotions in people. Blue, green and pastel shades all tend to bring me a feeling of calmness. Blue as the sky and water, green of the living flora on earth, and gentle pastels of sunrise, sunset and of filtered light.

The rippling rhythmic sounds of water summons a sense of peaceful harmony. Streams, lakes and rivers all offer places for quiet contemplation. Though the Pacific Ocean is not always calm, sometimes it is sublimely so, as in the photo below.

I could go on and on! It’s no secret that I love being out in the natural environment, so there are many photos in my posts that present the elements that create a sense of serenity for me. Thank you to Egídio for this challenge which encourages us to find space and place in our lives to re-center and renew.

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, weekly photo challenge | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #347: Break the Rules! ~

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

As anyone who has taken a class in the visual arts and photography knows, there are rules that help make an image stand out from its surroundings. This week Ritva encourages us to forget about the rules and present photos “with a carefree spirit, that allow our spontaneity to shine through, and infuse each shot with authenticity.” To that end, I have not cropped or enhanced the shots in this post in any way. When my husband saw this first image he said, “I like it, just as it is!”

Little did I suspect there would soon be a challenge that is perfect for this odd angle shot!

Impressionism is a favorite artistic style of mine. Above, the peeling bark of the trees fascinated me and the photo was taken simply to capture that texture. Clouds reflecting on water with reeds and their shadows, created another impressionistic image. The incubation space for butterfly pupa is strangely surreal, with each chrysalis in a different stage of metamorphosis. If you look carefully, you will see a faint reflection of me taking this photo.

Smoke from wildfires around Odell Lake last summer (2024) created light and shadow that made for several unusual photos. This one feels like the boats are floating in air as the sky and lake blend into the distance.

Thank you to Ritva for an opportunity to show some of my photos taken by instinct and emotion! For more guidance on Ritva’s challenge, go to her post here.

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

Posted in Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, travel, weekly photo challenge | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #346: Cinematic ~

Posted on May 2, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

Sofia leads this week’s challenge to present photos that have a cinematic feel. She explains; “the main objective is to take a shot that is part of a story, there’s mood and a sense of location; our image is but a snapshot of a much wider situation.” For more in-depth illustrations you can see here post here.

Sunset Hummingbird

Backlighting is a surefire way to add mood and emotion to a story. Above, a usually colorful hummingbird becomes a black silhouette set upon the lovely hues of a Pacific Ocean sunset.

Palouse Wind

Molded by winds, the rolling hills of the Palouse country in southeastern Washington State, are a renown agriculture region that now hosts a newer crop; wind turbines for clean energy.

Soaring Eagle

On the western coast of Washington State, a mature Bald Eagle soars over the forests and bays of Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco. Colors, textures, light and motion all add to a cinematic appearance.

Razor Clamming

Above, a few people hunt for Razor Clams in the surf at Long Beach, WA. This nearly monochrome photo with four distinct textures, creates a sense of depth and an almost ethereal atmosphere.

Surfin’ Beagles

Sofia’s statement; “By capturing our subject in movement, we are freezing the story in that particular moment,” sent me looking through my vast collection of Daisy & Max photos! This one is especially cinematic with the texture and light of the surf, waves and clouds not to mention both beagles charging along the shoreline. 🐾🐾

A big thank you to Sofia for this challenge, and also to all the Lens-Artists hosts for providing challenges that help me/us focus on creativity at least for a little while!

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

Posted in Beagles, Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, travel, weekly photo challenge | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #345 ~ My Go-To Places ~

Posted on April 25, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

The reason I’m late getting this week’s Lens-Artists challenge posted is because the weather has been perfect here in Vancouver, WA for “playing” outside in my gardens. The pond was in sad shape at the end of winter, so I put quite a bit of time and energy into shoring it up and making sure the pump is working well and the plants are healthy, because this sylvan space is my number one Go-To place to relax and revive my spirits from spring through autumn.

Surrounded by tall Douglas Firs twined with Vine Maple, a small waterfall supplies the lovely sound of running water which attracts birds while the pond provides a habitat for koi, frogs and other critters.

Whether I’m reading, writing or thinking, the tranquility of this space always does the trick. Max likes to curl up on the loveseat next to me, while Daisy patrols the grounds or searches in the pond for the elusive Koi.

After completing this post, I will pack up the truck and head out to my other Go-To place for renewal; our condominium at Long Beach, WA.

Creighton took this snapshot of me with Daisy and Max in my favorite spot inside our condo; the big purple chair. From here I can see out the windows across the marsh/meadow to the berm and beyond. We stay here a couple weeks a month between mid September, through mid June, and leave it available for guests during the busy summer season.

A big thank you to John for his wonderful challenge and reminder to nurture ourselves by seeking out and being in places that help us get centered and stay sane. You can find his beautiful post here.

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

Posted in landscape gardening, Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, travel, weekly photo challenge | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #344 – Abandonment ~

Posted on April 17, 2025 by Lindy Le Coq

This week Anne Sandler invites us to show and tell our thoughts on the theme of abandonment. There are many synonyms for this word, each with different nuances; desert (someone), evacuate (something), give up (activities), give way to (emotions). In her post here, Anne provides eloquent photographic examples of all these potential interpretations. To keep it simple this week, I’ve narrowed it down to; leave behind, or in the colloquial, to leave high and dry.

After strong winter storms, these By the Wind Sailors (Vallela Vallela) washed up all along surfs edge at Long Beach, WA. They live on the surface of warmer oceans using their sails to float with the wind on ocean currents, and their stinging tentacles to prey on young fish and other small animals. After being stranded on land they dry into crunchy treats for beach gleaners.

Gooseneck barnacles attach to objects floating in the ocean and hitch a ride. In this way they filter food and are only found on land when marooned on a beach.

Another casualty of strong winter storms are ocean kelps, which get ripped from the ocean floor, pitched into tangled heaps and tossed ashore. Above left, a form of laminaria, right top, bull kelp and below it dried bull kelp.

A few years ago, a young Gray whale beached near the part of Long Beach where I go for walks. It smelled mighty bad that first year, though by the next there was little left of it. Humans had harvested what they could make profit from, and the beach gleaners did the rest. The last I saw of the creature was this one bone resting in the surf.

Jellyfish (Cnidaria) are plentiful in all of earths oceans, warm and cold, deep or shallow. Research reveals they may be older than dinosaurs, and they have not yet been negatively affected by global warming. I always feel sad when I find them abandoned on shore after heavy storms, so I’m happy to learn they are not endangered.

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 , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments