Wrap yourself in the stillness of blue ~
settle into its soft calm ~
drift along with its infinite possibilities ~
to that place of peace within.
Step lightly into the freshness of green ~
feel the gentle touch of graceful grasses ~
rest your eyes on lush abundance ~
breathe-in the spicy fragrance of majestic trees.
Thanks to Tina for this challenge!
Lens-Artists Challenge #149 – Cool Colors – Blue and Green
Wishing everyone safe travels as we navigate outward once again. Please stay safe.🐾
What a fun challenge Leya has presented for us this week! I am currently in Long Beach, WA – one of my favorite “spots” to enjoy nature.
Watching this beautiful mature Black-bellied Plover stride across the sands was a thrill to behold!
At the grassy dune edge of the beach, all manner of life leaves signs of existence. Spots of bird and mouse footprints, dots of sand being tunneled up and falling in on itself. So many patterns of unseen life.
In four plus years walking this beach, I’ve encountered only two stranded starfish. Notice the sweet daisy flower pattern in the middle. Spots and dots abound in our natural world.
Little daisy flowers flourish in the wet grasses here. Sometimes pure white, and often shades of pink to lilac, they are a cheerful spot of light on overcast days.
I will close with spots and dots of light dappling on the surface of Crescent Lake, Oregon.
Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate onward. Please mask-up and stay safe.🐾
https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2021/05/15/lens-artists-photo-challenge-148-spots-and-dots/
Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate onward. Please mask-up and stay safe.🐾
Amy invites us to walk through gardens this week. Though I have enjoyed other public gardens, the one I love most is the one I have created over the thirty plus years I’ve lived at my home in Vancouver, WA. Here are a few highlights.
Above, spring blooming shrubs along the front gardens by the street, below a foundation planting of large Rhododendron bloom in the front yard. After the Rhododendrons fade, a glory of mop-head Hydrangea provide interest all summer into fall.
The pond and water stream are a major feature in the back yard. Comfy outdoor furniture is available to lounge in the shade.
Below, three shots of the view north from the pond sitting area.
But wait! There’s more! However, I am out of time, so if you are interested in seeing more of my gardens, browse through my blog and enjoy.
Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate onward. Please get vaccinated and until then, mask-up and stay safe.🐾
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #147: Gardens
Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate onward. Please mask-up and stay safe.🐾
Flowers are blooming, shrubs are alive with fragrance and color, and spring is in full swing. Last Wednesday, I posted landscape shots of the front yard, and today I offer details of some of those lovely bloomers.
Rhododendron thrive in the Pacific Northwest. Their broad evergreen leaves provide an understory cover for birds, and their brilliant blossoms, while short-lived, are a vibrant addition to spring gardens.
This particular Lilac is so fragrant folks walk across the street to breathe in it’s essence.
I was pleasantly surprised to find this pot of Sweet Alyssum and Chrysanthemum wintered over and is quite exuberant in it’s place on the entryway to our home.
Self-seeding and a sun-lover, Columbine is a welcome wildflower.
A transplant from my sister’s garden, Calla Lily is a graceful, sensuous addition to my spring gardens. Thanks to Patti for this challenge. With an overcast sky, and no wind, I was able to use the macro feature on my camera to take these photos today. What a treat!
Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate onward. Please mask-up and stay safe.🐾
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #146: Focusing on the Details
Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate onward. Please mask-up and stay safe.🐾
What I love is being in nature – somewhere near water. Here are some photos of favorite places.
Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate onward. Please mask-up and stay safe.🐾
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #145: Getting to Know You
From the middle of a thicket of vines, or on the ground amid dense marsh grass, a rattled trill calls out in defiance of my presence. Wrens are notorious for sounding like they are scolding – this one seems more so because it is essentially invisible. My attempt to get a clear photo finally panned out with one clear shot after many blurry images or simply snaps of empty brambles!
Marsh Wrens forage low to the ground feeding on insects and spiders. Males build up to six spherical nests and females choose one to line and lay eggs. (Birds of the Puget Sound Region)
Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate onward. Please mask-up and stay safe.🐾
Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate onward. Please mask-up and stay safe.🐾
