Lindy Low LeCoq

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #60: Framing the Shot ~

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Lindy Le Coq

Windows offer a challenging way to frame shots. Sometimes the results are lovely, as in the photo below.

Pacific Ocean view, from a window in North Head Lighthouse, Ilwaco, WA

Because many of my photos are taken in natural settings, I often frame with flora to add dimension.

p1020883 Suffused sunset view from Beach Haven, to West Beach and Waldron Island, WA

P1090894 Megler/Astoria bridge, view from Fort Columbia State park, WA

Crescent Creek shot Sunrise at Crescent Creek, OR

Another challenging way to add interest, is to use natural and manmade frames.

View from Anacortes pier Anacortes Ferry Landing, WA

Version 2 Driftwood at Long Beach, WA

Structures and walkways often provide lines that direct our eyes to the subject as in the photo below.

Marina at Port of Ilwaco, WA

For this challenge I looked back through my archives to photos taken long ago, and stored on an older computer. Thank you Amy, for a prompt that took me into the “way back machine”!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #60– Framing the Shot (08/24/2019)

Posted in Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature photography, pacific northwest, photography, travel | Tagged crescent creek, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Long Beach Peninsula, nature photography, Orcas Island, pacific northwest, photography, travel | 17 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Lindy Le Coq

Version 2 P1100116

Poecile rufescens

Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)

Posted in birds, landscape gardening, nature photography, ornithology, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged birds, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, landscape gardening, nature photography, Wordless Wednesday | Leave a comment

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge # 59: Angles ~ Viewpoint ~ Point Of View ~

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Lindy Le Coq

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From my point of view, things (in the USA) are rather topsy turvy. That’s what I like about the angle of this photo – the only viewpoint from which I could capture the length of the huge pole with a large metal spike in its side.

As the cool waters of Crescent Creek rushed underneath this small bridge, a metal ladder caught my eye.

Dyslexics like me, undiagnosed and self-taught, see through the upside down and backward of things to find truth.

P1100274 To land upon, and find balance atop this snag took effort. Wings spread wide with feathers angled into the breeze, head thrust downward, while claws grip tight. This immature Bald Eagle reminds me that the USA is yet a young nation. From my point of view, we are teetering, learning, yet I have faith that we will survive our current president and his administration to thrive and rebuild alliances.

“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” Harriet Beecher Stowe

Yes, I’m an optimist – my glass is almost always half-full. This point of view keeps me going forward, looking in all directions for possibilities and solutions. “No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.” Helen Keller

Thank you Leya, for another thoughtful challenge.

To see other interpretations of the challenge and/or add your own, click the link. https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2019/08/17/lens-artists-photo-challenge-59-angles/

Posted in Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature photography, pacific northwest | Tagged crescent creek, inspiration, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Long Beach Peninsula, nature photography | 5 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Lindy Le Coq

Posted in Beagles, dogs, landscape gardening, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged beagles, jello, landscape gardening, Wordless Wednesday | 2 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge # 58: Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue ~

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Lindy Le Coq

When first introduced to Torquay pottery, I loved its rustic look. Through the years, my collection grew, and in my research I’ve learned that some pieces truly are antiques.

The name Torquay is given to ceramics by several potteries working near Torquay, England, from 1870 until 1962. So, some of my items are old, some are newer, and all but one are accented with distinctive blue dots or lines.

Whether old or new, they all have characteristic designs with scenes of cottages, ships, birds, or flowers, and proverbs that remind us how to go about living a good life.

Torquay potteries included Watcombe Pottery (1870-1962); Torquay Terra-Cotta Company (1875-1905); Aller Vale (1881-1924); Torquay Pottery (1908-1940); and Longpark (1883-1957). (Kovels.com)

The rooster tea cup (Droon yer sorrows in a cup o Tea) is from Longpark, c. 1920-1930. Though most pieces have marks, many simply say Made in England, so identifying the original maker and year is difficult.

The one piece with no blue on it is from Watcombe c. 1901-1920, and is the oldest in my collection. With a name like Le Coq, this rooster crowing Bon-jour was a true find!

In less than a month, my hubby and I will celebrate our 50th or “golden” anniversary. Patti’s theme, one so often connected to weddings, was a sweet reminder of years gone by!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #58: Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue

Posted in antiques, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge | Tagged antiques, collectibles, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Torquay pottery | 11 Comments

~ Discoveries ~

Posted on August 15, 2019 by Lindy Le Coq

During the week I was at Crescent Creek with my sister Diana, we took an afternoon drive east to the Crane Prairie Marshes. She had seen White Pelicans there a week or so earlier, but they had already moved on.

Crain Prairie Reservoir – La Pine, OR

However, there were quite a few Widow Skimmer Dragonflies darting about. After trying to get close up shots with my iPhone, and nearly tumbling down the embankment, I took a regular photo shot of one that had landed a distance away in this shrub.

Yes, that’s my finger! But do you see the dragonfly? Looking at this snap, I remembered it was my last ditch effort to get a photo, so that I might identify the bug. What a happy discovery to find, upon closer inspection, I got it! And now I know it’s name!

Widow Skimmer Dragonfly (Libellula luctuosa)

Widow Skimmers live near warm waters. The water source could be a pond, marsh, small lake, or lagoon. Water is necessary for a skimmer’s first life stage, and adults are often found near wet places, too. Transparent wings on males and females have similar thick black bands on either side, but males have a long abdomen that is light powdery blue, but females are yellow and black. Come mating season, adults have no trouble pairing off despite these color differences. Unlike some other species where males guard egg-laying females, Widow Skimmer males leave the female by herself, ‘widowing’ her as she lays her eggs just under the surface of the water. (https://www.insectidentification.org)

deschuteslandtrust.org

Diana found this moth languishing in the grass by the side of the road when we stopped to look for the pelicans. We took pictures of it and then placed it in a nearby tree for protection, with hopes it might survive.

For me, taking photos of beautiful living creatures is only half the fun. The other half is discovering just what they are!

Posted in bugs & critters, Entomology, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, travel | Tagged bugs & critters, crane prarie, deschutes national forest, dragonfly, Entomology, moth, pacific northwest | 4 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Lindy Le Coq

Posted in nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged crescent creek, crescent lake, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, Wordless Wednesday | Leave a comment

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #57: Taking A Break ~

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Lindy Le Coq

Being the in-house barista and omelette-chef in our home, it is always a welcome break to be treated to brunch.

When we stay on Long Beach, we often go to Bailey’s Bakery & Cafe in Nahcotta.

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Some folks consider walking a chore, an inconvenience. Not me! To walk anywhere in nature, and especially along the shoreline at Long Beach, is one of my favorite ways to break away from the 24/7 routine and renew myself.

Park in downtown Sandpoint, Idaho

Even ardent walkers need a break now and then!

Jello likes to rest in the shade, as we finish our walk at the dog park!

Being among friends in a relaxing atmosphere with no immediate demands, is an interlude I cherish.

In the above photo, Creighton and our friend Stephan solve the worlds problems, while enjoying wine at Beach Haven, Orcas Island.

I love this photo that dear friend Jocelyn took when Creighton and I visited her at Priest Lake. Here we are toasting being together at Elkin’s Resort.

IMG_E1020 After a day of romps at the beach, Jello telegraphs to Creighton and me that it’s time to pause our activities and just enjoy being here.