This week, Ann-Christine has challenged us to capture candid shots of people and/or animals.
This challenge was a difficult one for me because it’s hard for me to get good photos of people. Usually my candid shots are epic fails, either blurred or someone has a funny look on their face. As I searched through my photos I found some candid shots from our trip to Ireland and Scotland earlier this year.
On that trip we visited more than a few pubs. I couldn’t help but capture a few candid shots as we enjoyed a pint and dinner after a busy day of taking in the sights.
Bartender pouring our first Guinness pint at the Gravity Bar at the Guinness BreweryBartender at the beautiful Crown in Belfast, Northern IrelandDecisions, Decisions… in Edinburgh, Scotland
I loved hearing the music in the pubs and seeing the street performers.
Musicians in DublinMusicians at a pub in Dingle, IrelandIn the shopping district in GalwayBagpiper in Edinburgh, Scotland
I managed to capture a few people doing everyday things.
Waterville, IrelandDingle Boat Harbor, IrelandSurfers at Inch Beach, Dingle Peninsula, IrelandGiant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
I can’t end this post without including some candid animal shots.
A shepherd tending to his flock during a sheep dog demonstration in IrHighland Cow at Fernie Castle, Scotland
This week, Patti has challenged us to bring attention to the subject in our photo by filling the frame with that subject. I chose a selection of photos from this year’s butterfly garden.
Summer Sunflower
Zinnia in the butterfly garden
Mexican sunflower in the butterfly garden
Bee in the Butterfly GardenGulf Fritillary on Zinnia
Although several varieties of butterflies visited the garden this summer, the Monarchs have been few and far between until today. Early this morning, there were about eight different Monarchs feasting on the flowers.
Monarch ButterflyMonarch on milkweed in early OctoberMonarch on Mexican Sunflower in early October
This week, Tina has challenged us to capture the spirit of a place that is vivid in you memory.
My husband and I have been fortunate to be able to travel to most of the United States, parts of Canada, and a few other foreign countries. The one place that I think of most often is the state of Alaska.
It’s been six years since we towed our fifth wheel over 14,000 miles to Alaska and back. There are so many things that make Alaska memorable. The people are friendly and proud of their state. The mountains and glaciers took my breath away every where we went. I was constantly on the lookout for wildlife and often saw bears or moose beside the road. Sometimes we would be the only vehicle on the road for miles.
One of our favorite towns was Haines. We loved all the great people, the Hammer Museum, eagles and bears, and fresh Dungeness Crab for dinner. Probably best of all was the waterfront view from the campground. We enjoyed our cocktail hour searching for whales and watching the ships go by.
View from our campground in Haines
As we traveled around Alaska we would sometimes drive for miles without seeing another car. I was constantly on the looking for bears and moose.
Gorgeous scenery every where we wentMoose cow and calf crossing the road
One of our most memorable days was the day we left the fifth wheel in the RV park in North Pole and drove north on the Dalton Highway. After stopping at the Arctic Circle we continued on to Coldfoot, the farthest north we have ever traveled. At Coldfoot we turned around and arrived back at the camper after 10:00 pm and it was still daylight.
Behind a motorcycle on the Dalton Highway
On a wildlife cruise from Seward, the captain turned off the engines so we could hear the ice calving at Aialik Glacier.
Ice calving on Aialik Glacier on the Kenai Fjords trip from Seward
One of my favorite things in Alaska was seeing wildlife.
I’ll never forget the Orcas cruising close by our boat on a wildlife cruise from Valdez.
A pair of Orcas on Columbia Glacier tour from Valdez
The mama bear was too busy finding fish for her cub to pay attention to us.
Mama bear looking for more fish near ValdezBlack Bear Cub
There were more bald eagles in Alaska than anywhere else I’ve ever been. As we rode close to the shoreline on one of the wildlife cruises there were too many eagles perched in the trees to count.
We spotted this pair of Bald Eagles as we cruised by on a wildlife and glacier cruise from ValdezEagle soaring over bluff at Russian Orthadox Church in Ninilchik
Riding on a train and a taking a plane ride to land on a glacier after seeing Mount Denali up close were two of our favorite excursions.
A ride on the Alaska Railroad to the Hurricane TurnMount Denali from the air
It’s been over six years since we were there. One day we will return…
This week Amy has challenged us to show countryside and/or small towns.
We’ve traveled many back roads during our travels around the United States. As we drive along I love seeing the crops growing in the fields and knowing where our food comes from. I am grateful to all the hardworking farmers who grow the food and other crops that we need.
California VineyardIllinois CornCotton in ArkansasBarn in IllinoisRed Barn in the Midwest
Sometimes the countryside is filled with colorful wildflowers and other interesting sights.
Boots and Bluebonnets in TexasWhen traveling the back roads, you never know what you’ll see crossing the road
This week, Ann-Christine has challenged us to show what is magical to us.
What is more magical than an ancient castle? As we traveled through Ireland and Scotland earlier this year one of my favorite things was seeing the many castles.
For me, the most magical of all was Dunnottar Castle in Stovehaven, Scotland. Sitting on top of a cliff that juts out into the North Sea, it seemed to magically appear out of a thick fog.
Dunnottar Castle on a Foggy Day, Stonehaven, ScotlandThe North Sea was barely visible below Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, ScotlandA path led down to the sea at Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, Scotland
Occasionally the fog would clear just long enough for a clear view. Even without the fog, it was a magical site to see.
Foggy day at Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, Scotland
Wandering Dawgs 