~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #121: Focus on the Subject ~

For this week’s challenge I took an extended look back through my archives. Although one photo is a repeat, my goal was to provide fresh images.

Lines draw us into the scene

On our drive to Long Beach we cross over the John Day River at a point where there is a small community of boat houses, which became the subject of an afternoon photo adventure.

Patterns and colors draw our eye to the lighthouse

When it’s not shrouded in fog, North Head Lighthouse is visible from the beach where Jello and I walk. The mist was just burning off when I took this shot.

Doorways, arches & windows provide a focal point.

The view out to the Pacific Ocean from inside the North Head Lighthouse is one of my favorites.

Selective focus.

This Escargot captured my attention as it glided across a pathway. Both foreground and background are blurred, keeping our attention on the snail with its lovely crown.

Patterns and contrast.

You can barely see her, but that little black figure at the top of the path is Jello!

Looking right at you.

I’ll finish with this striking photo of a mature Bald Eagle letting me know to keep my distance!

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

Posted in Birding, bugs & critters, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature photography, pacific northwest | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Maybe Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch ~

Leucosticte tepbrocotis?

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~ Prayer For My Country ~ ©Lindy Low Le Coq ~

Walking through wind and rain this morning of November 3, 2020, I send prayers of thanksgiving to my fellow citizens;

you who stand in long lines

masked and socially distanced 

         wending your way to the voting booth.

Thank you for caring,

thank you for your courage, your tenacity

your belief that your vote and voice matter.

Quietly, as I gaze upon a stormy Pacific Ocean, from my heart across our vast country, I send blessings twined with an appeal; 

that we accept outcomes rendered 

from a full count of our votes, 

and be guided toward 

a renaissance of healing.

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

Posted in Being, nature photography, Poetry, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

~ Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Patterns in Nature ~

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

Posted in birds, Black and White Photos, Cee's Black & White Photo Challenge, mycology/mushrooms/fungi, nature, nature photography, pacific northwest | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

~ Report from the Edge of a Continent ~ Blue Moon at Sunrise ~

blue-moon sets at sunrise

all saints lower to skyline

dip under ocean

all souls rise once more

into a brilliant new day

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

Posted in Art, haiku, nature photography, pacific ocean, Poetry, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #120 – What A Treat! ~

What a treat:

to awaken to the rumble of the Pacific Ocean in the distance,

to breathe the essence of salt sea air on a crisp Autumn day, 

to feel the sun’s warmth on my shoulders, is it breaks through cloudy skies,

to see a Red-shafted Flicker dart above the meadow into tall evergreen trees,

to hear the cricket-croak of tree frogs returning,

to sip warm café-au-lait, while listening to the soft rhythm of Jello’s breathing, as she melts into her pillow.

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

Thank you Tina, for a wide open prompt. It helps to count one’s blessings in times of stress!

Lens-Artists Challenge #120 – What A Treat!

Posted in Beagles, Being, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature photography, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, Poetry, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday + Cee’s Flower Of The Day ~ End of Season Beauties ~

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

Posted in Cee's Fun Foto Challenge, flowers, landscape gardening, photography, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge 119: My Hideaway ~

Leya has invited us to show our favorite hideaway this week. As it happens, I have two special places to relax, write, read and think. When we’re home in Vancouver during the summertime, my hideaway is under a bower near the pond/waterfall feature in our back yard. The first photo below, features sunlight filtered through a sprinkler that is refreshing the garden and pond.

When we’re at Long Beach, Jello and I share the big barrel chair in the corner, where I can see out the picture window and sliding glass patio door. With my laptop nearby, and a candle warmer to keep my café au lait warm, I snuggle into the chair, often with Jello tucked in beside me. We are replacing the chair with a new, equally accommodating one soon. Jello can hardly wait!

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2020/10/17/lens-artists-photo-challenge-119-my-hideaway/

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

~ Wordless Wednesday + Cee’s Flower of The Day ~

Posted in Cee's Flower Of The Day, mycology/mushrooms/fungi, nature photography, pacific northwest, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

~ Lens Artists Photo Challenge 118: Communication ~ Jello Talk ~

I’ve loved animals all my life, and though my childhood dream of being a Veterinarian didn’t materialize, I did turn into a pretty good dog-whisperer.

Jello is the fifth Beagle we’ve welcomed into our family. She was four when we were blessed to become her forever home. This Christmas she will turn 10. What a lot of fun she continues to be!

Are we there yet?
I smell a deer!
I can see you, but you can’t see me Mr. Squirrel.
Rabbit hole.
Stinky poo.
I am NOT a water-dog.
Eclipses make me uneasy. Bring back the sun!
I’m outta here!
It’s hot, and I gotta pee.

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

Posted in Beagles, dogs, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, photography | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments