Lens Artists Photo Challenge #331 – Resilience

Anne of slow shutter speed has asked us to show resilience in our photos. She describes resilience this way: “Resilience refers to the ability to successfully adapt to stressors, maintaining psychological well-being in the face of adversity. It’s the ability to “bounce back” from difficult experiences.”

Resilience in Nature

One of my favorite examples of resilience in nature is the life cycle of a butterfly. The following gallery illustrates the phases of a Monarch butterfly. They must be resilient in each phase of their life in order to survive. After a female Monarch lays her eggs on milkweed, caterpillars emerge from the hatched eggs and eat the leaves of a milkweed plant. The caterpillar then crawls to a place to form a chrysalis and transforms into a butterfly inside the chrysalis. A new Monarch butterfly emerges from the chrysalis to begin the cycle again.

Resilience of Humans

Cancer Survivors are some of the most resilient people I’ve ever met. Their life is changed forever when they hear the diagnosis of “you have cancer.” Meeting other cancer survivors and hearing their stories of strength and courage can bring hope to others going through cancer. Many survivors participate in walks or meet in support groups in order to help each other and bring awareness to their disease.

Many thanks to Anne for her challenge Lens-Artists #331 – Resilience

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #330 – Favorite Images of 2024

All of the Lens-Artists hosts once again have challenged us to show our favorite images of 2024.

My Favorite Flowers

My header image of Dogwood blooms in the spring is one of my favorites from last year. The camellias brought bright color to my winter garden last year. This one was blooming in January.

My Favorite People Image

These two cooks were working hard grilling lobsters on the Viking Sea during our February West Indies cruise. I love the smile on the face of the cook in the middle.The lobsters were as delicious as they look.

My Favorite Bird image

While at the Savannah Scottish Games we stopped to see a presentation of Birds of Prey from the Oatland Island Wildlife Center. Wassaw, a rescued American Bald Eagle, seemed to pose for me.

My Favorite Wildlife Image

This iguana ignored the people in their beach chairs on the beach at our hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

My Favorite Sunrise and Sunset

I watched some beautiful sunrises and sunsets last year. This sunrise in coastal Georgia and sunset on our West Indies cruise are my favorites.

My Favorite Landscape Image

The famous Pitons in St. Lucia are a beautiful sight to see from the water.

Two Random Favorites

The Tybee Island Lighthouse went through a major renovation last year. Even though the old paint had been removed the lighthouse proudly flew the American Flag on Memorial Day.

I loved the yellow umbrellas on the beach in Tortola.

Many thanks to all of our Lens-Artists hosts for this challenge and for all the challenges from 2024. I’m looking forward to seeing what we are challenged with in 2025.

JohnBo Journeys with JohnBo Lens-Artists #330 – Favorites of 2024

Tina Travels and Trifles Lens-Artists #330 – Favorite Images of 2024

Egidio Through Brazilian Eyes Lens-Artists #330 – Favorite Photos of 2024

Ritva Ritva Silllanmaki Photography Lens-Artists #330 – Favorite images of 2024

Sofia Photographias Lens-Artists #330 – Favorite Images of 2024

Ann-Christine Leya Lens-Artists #330 – Favorite images of 2024

Anne Slow Shutter Speed Lens-Artists #330 Favorite Images of 2024

Patti Pilot Fish Blog Lens-Artists #330 – Favorites Images of 2024

A Look Back at 2024

Our year was filled a little wandering, a Caribbean Cruise, a high school graduation, a hurricane, and many quiet days. Health issues for both of us kept us close to home most of the year.

January

Our plans for January were to spend a quiet month at home. It’s a good thing we didn’t have any plans because in early January two major things happened. My 16 year old car died and we had to replace it.

I also tripped going up the stairs to our house and broke my left arm. I was happy to hear I wouldn’t need surgery. I wore a brace on my arm for weeks. It took a while before I could use my left had so I learned how to do many things with one hand. That’s a skill I hope I never have to use again. The good news is I am right handed!

February

We were scheduled to go on a two week Caribbean cruise in February. My doctor gave me the go ahead to go with my broken arm so off we went. It was a challenge getting through the airports with our luggage but we made it to Puerto Rico for a two night stay before boarding our ship. The ship, the crew, the islands, the sunrises and sunsets, and the food were amazing! It was a great getaway.

I couldn’t have gotten through the trip without Henry! I’m grateful for Henry and the staff at the hotel, the crew on the ship, and the drivers and guides who helped me get on and off of boats and buses.

March

March was filled with St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations.

Wandering Dawgs celebrated 11 years of blogging in March. Thank you to everyone who follows the blog and reads the posts. I appreciate all of your kind comments.

April

The spring flowers in our garden were beautiful this year.

May

May began with a day at the Savannah Scottish Games. Later in the month we had a great visit with our daughter’s family when we traveled to attend our granddaughter’s graduation.

June

We stayed at home all of June. I enjoyed a few walks on the beach.

July

July was another quiet month at home with more walks on the beach.

August

August was hot but the heat didn’t keep the hummingbirds away.

September

Butterflies were feeding on the nectar of our garden flowers before Hurricane Helene came roaring through in September. We lost power for two days and had to get a new roof after the storm. We were very fortunate and our hearts go out to those who are still suffering because of this powerful storm.

October

My Meyer Lemon tree lost most of it’s leave in the hurricane but over 30 lemons survived. On a beautiful October afternoon we spent the afternoon at Ft. Pulaski.

November

Instead of a turkey this year we celebrated Thanksgiving by making our family’s secret recipe Brunswick Stew. Making the stew brought back many happy memories of family gatherings when we all took turns Stirring the Stew.

December

In December I harvested over 30 Meyer Lemons just before we were expecting a freeze. We took a road trip and stopped for a picture of the UGA Football Barn Sign along the way. If you are not familiar with American college football, we are huge fans of the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Our Grand Dog Jack enjoyed his new bed on Christmas Eve.

I learned a long time ago that no one knows what tomorrow will bring. When health issues and doctor’s appointments slowed us down this year we cancelled a couple of trips we had planned and made the best of the time we spent at home. I’m grateful for all of the places we have been over the years and hope to be able to make some more trips close to home in the future.

Don’t put off doing the things you dream of. Cross off those bucket list items while you can. Every day is a gift!

Wishing you good health, happiness and much joy in 2025!

Shared with Terri’s Sunday Stills Year in Review

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #329 – Last Chance 2024

All of our Lens-Artists hosts have asked us to share some of the images we loved that didn’t quite make it into any of this year’s Len-Artists challenges. Here are a few of my favorites.

Many thanks to all of our Len-Artists hosts for this challenge. Here is a link to Tina’s Lens-Artists Challenge #329 – Last Chance