We are happy to have Joanne of Joanne Mason Photography as our guest host this week. She writes: “This week’s challenge is to share some photographs of things/people/places that are inspiring and that you want to share. Tell us the circumstances of your photograph and why you want everyone to see it.”
When I first read Joanne’s challenge the first thing I thought of was the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The majesty of the Grand Canyon must be seen in person to appreciate. Photos can’t portray the feeling of awe when seeing this natural wonder.
According to the Grand Canyon National Park website: “Entirely within the state of Arizona, the park encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homelands of 11 present day Tribal Communities, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—a mile deep canyon unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors from both north and south rims.”
I was 8 years old the first time I saw the Grand Canyon. I saw it again in 1985 when we took our children on a trip from Georgia to see it when they were 10 and 14. Both trips were to the south rim of the canyon. I don’t remember my feelings when I was 8 but I remember the feeling of wonder I had when seeing it as an adult.
The third time I saw the Grand Canyon was in 2006 when we were on our first RV trip in our fifth wheel. We camped just outside the National Park on the North Rim of the canyon and drove to the park to walk along a trail along the rim. Again I had that feeling of wonder when looking at the vastness of the canyon. All of these canyon images were taken on the North Rim. The Colorado River can be seen at the bottom of the canyon in the featured image.



Leeanne included a beautiful gallery of orchids in her post. She didn’t include any ladyslippers because she didn’t have any photos of them in nature. She asked us to feel free to post photos of ladyslippers in nature if we had any. Leeanne, these ladyslippers from a trail in Itasca State Park in Minnesota are for you!


Thank you to everyone who responded to Tina’s City Mouse/Country Mouse challenge last week. Be sure to check back on Saturday, October 4 at noon Eastern Time when John will be our host.
I hope you will join in for this week’s challenge. Be sure to tag your post with Lens-Artists and include a link back to Joanne’s post Lens-Artists #367 – Everyone should see this
For information on how to join the Len-Artists challenge please click here.
Every Day is a Gift

Your images of Grand Canyon and the Lady slippers are beautiful.
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Many thanks. The Grand Canyon really is a magical place. And I just stumbled upon the ladyslippers on a trail in Minnesota.
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Your photos of the Grand Canyon are amazing. I can only imagine what it must feel like to witness this in person. Wow! Yes, everyone should see this.
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Thanks Suzanne! I hope you will get to see this in person. You won’t be disappointed.
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Spectacular visuals and writing on The Grand Canyon (I’ve got to see it!!!), but I fell over myself zooming in on those “ladyslippers” that I have never seen in the natural world before. Incredible! Wonderful share!
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Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope you will get to visit the Grand Canyon one day. The ladyslippers were a surprise as I walked along a trail in Minnesota.
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Absolutely stunning vistas of the Grand Canyon. Great photography! Love the lady slippers closeup, a delight.
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Thanks Suzette! I’m really glad you enjoyed the Grand Canyon photos. The ladyslippers were a surprise along a trail in Minnesota.
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You are welcome, Beth! Discovering beautiful flowers along the way is such a great joy. Thank you for sharing!
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You keep picking favorite places of mine, Beth. All I can say is that you have good taste. Grin.
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Great minds think alike! Thanks Curt!
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Love the landscapes and the beautiful state flower of Minnesota. I haven’t seen the yellow variety, only the pink.
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Thanks Rebecca! I didn’t know it was the Minnesota state flower! I just knew when I saw it that it was special.
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Oh wow! I am envious of those gorgeous shots of the Grand Canyon. They’re exquisite, Beth. I enjoyed your writing about your history with the Grand Canyon. A great post…. And then, wow again! The ladyslipper photos are also great. Love the image with two flowers. Thank you for such a fine response to the challenge.
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Joanne, thank you so much! As soon as I saw your challenge I knew I wanted to feature the Grand Canyon. I’m so glad you enjoyed the images. When I saw you were looking for ladyslipper photos I had to search my archives for them. They were beautiful to see beside the trail. Thanks for this great challenge!
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The Grand Canyon is amazing! And your images are simply beautiful.
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Thanks Anne. It’s a special place and even more amazing in person.
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Wow! I agree with you on the Grand Canyon. Doesn’t matter how many pictures you see, absolutely nothing compares to the jaw-dropping wonder of standing there looking out at the vista. It was the first time nature brought tears to my eyes by the sheer beauty of it all. And those lady slipper orchids – gorgeous!!! Never seen orchids that big in the wild. Thank you.
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Thanks Pam! It’s hard to imagine how big and beautiful the Grand Canyon is until you see it in person. I’m glad you have seen it and understand. The yellow of the ladyslippers caught my eye as I was walking along the trail in Minnesota.
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I have never been to the Grand Canyon, but I am sure it is awe-inspiring. I really enjoyed reading your descriptions of it.
Those lady slippers are a beauty of a different sort. Absolutely exquisite, a jewel of a flower.
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Thanks Laurie! I hope one day you will be able to see the Grand Canyon in person. So glad you liked the lady slippers.
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As I have an appalling head for heights, the Grand Canyon is one wonder of the world that I am happy not to have seen.
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Thank for your comments. I can relate to your fear of heights! I had to stay back from the edge when I took these photos! There are also overlooks with railings.
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Even the railings wouldn’t help me.
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I totally get it!
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Beth, you’ve captured the views of the canyon expertly, and you’ve given me sights that I should see, having never before been to the north rim, only the south.
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Thanks John! We decided to go to the North Rim on that trip because we had already been to the South Rim twice (Henry actually back packed into the canyon one year). Also, it made sense to see the North Rim because we were going to the Utah National Parks after that. We didn’t encounter any crowds when we were there. That was almost 20 years ago so that could have changed by now. North or South, the Grand Canyon is still incredible to see.
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Absolutely a perfect choice for the week Beth, I so agree! I’ve not spent nearly as much time there as you have but my brief visit is still a very vivid memory. I don’t think anyone could forget a visit. And good on you for the lady slippers! Terrific post.
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Thanks Tina. I knew I wanted to feature the Grand Canyon. When Joanne asked for lady slippers I knew I had to include those. So glad you liked the post.
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What a wonderful collection — plus bonus images! Excellent post. I love the Grand Canyon North Rim.
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Thanks Egidio. We loved the North Rim, too. We camped outside the park in a campground surrounded by the Kaibab National Forest. It was a beautiful drive to the park. We never experienced any crowds. I don’t know what it’s like now.
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Beautiful photos – we saw the west rim – what a site to behold
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Thanks Nora! The Grand Canyon is spectacular now matter where you are when you see it. I’m glad you got to see it in person.
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Beautiful images! The Grand Canyon is on my list, the desire is deeper now seeing your photos! Nature is incredible
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Thanks Pamela. I hope you are able to see the Grand Canyon in person one day.
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Breathtakingly beautiful, Beth, and yet I’m pretty sure it would be even more in person.
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Thanks Sofia! You are so right. It is even more spectacular in person.
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