Photo Challenge – Wandering Dawgs

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #402 – Looking Back to Lens-Artists Challenge #1: Wonder

June 17, 2026Posted in PhotographyTagged Lens-Artists, National Parks, Nature, Photo Challenge, Wonder33 Comments

For this challenge Sofia is looking back to our first Lens-Artists Challenge: Wonder. Sofia explains her challenge like this: “We’re looking for the moments, places, people that we treasure, the little stories behind a shot that stuff our lives with meaning and joy.” You can visit Patti’s original challenge at Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Wonder.

I believe the world in incomprehensible beautiful – an endless prospect of magic and wonder. – Ansel Adams

I am grateful I have been able to experience many of the wonders in America’s National Parks. Some are huge, some are tiny, some are living, some took thousands of years to create. They all brought me joy. Here are just a few wonders I fell in love with.

The ancient mountains of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the rugged peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

Ancient Giant Redwoods in Redwoods National Park and Palm Trees in Everglades National Park.

The amazing landscapes created by nature in Yosemite Nationanl Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.

Moose in Denali National Park and a Bugling Elk in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The serenity of a waterfall and an old homestead surrounded by tall trees wearing their autumn colors.

Tom Branch Falls, Great Smoky Mountains NP

I can’t leave out the wonder of discovering small things like a butterfly on colorful wildflowers.

Last week Patti challenged us to Focus on the Subject. I enjoyed all of your beautiful responses. Thank you to everyone who joined the challenge..

Many thanks to Sofia for this week’s challenge. If you would like to join the challenge please be sure to tag your post with Lens-Artists and include a link back to her post Lens-Artists #402: Looking Back to Lens-Artists Challenge #1 – Wonder.

Be sure to check back on Saturday, June 20 at noon eastern time when John will be your host for the challenge.

If you don’t want to miss any of our challenges you may want to think about subscribing to the Lens-Artists team members websites: Tina, Patti, Ann-Christine, John, Sofia, Anne, Egidio, Ritva, Beth.

For information on how to join the Lens-Artists challenge please click here.

Every Day is a Gift

Terri’s Flower Hour #35: Can you guess these flowers?

June 16, 2026Posted in Flowers, Nature, PhotographyTagged Floral ABC's, Flowers, Photo Challenge, pink blooms, Texas wildflower, The Flower Hour, wildflowers29 Comments

Let’s have some fun identifying plants. Terri’s theme of Floral ABC’s is to post three flowers starting with the letters A, B and C. Can you guess guess the flowers in these three photos? You can check your answers at the end of this post.

Sharing with Terri’s Flower Hour #35

A: Azaleas, B: Bluebonnets in Texas, C: Camellia

Every Day is a Gift

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #401 – More Tips on How to Focus on the Subject

June 9, 2026Posted in Birds, PhotographyTagged Focus on the subject, Hot Air Balloon, House Finch, Lens-Artists, Nature, Photo Challenge42 Comments

For this challenge Patti has given us tips on how to focus on the subject in our photos.

She asks us to “Select 2 or 3 tips and then use them to compose several photos. In your post, share your photos. Try to limit them to 4. Identify what tip you used. For an extra challenge, post a “before and after” photo of the same scene/person/object. Identify how you could improve the first shot and then reshoot it, using one of the tips mentioned here.”

Vary your subject placement

I placed this curious House Finch on the right and also used negative space and selective focus to blur the background

Get Closer to the subject

I used a telephoto lens to get close to this little bird

Use Negative Space

The colorful hot air balloon stands out from the negative space of the blue sky

Use Leading Lines

The leading lines of this road draw the eyes to the beautiful green fields on the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Last week Tina challenged us to use the Rule of Threes in our photos. Your responses were wonderful. Thank you to everyone who joined the challenge..

Many thanks to Patti for this week’s challenge. If you would like to join the challenge please be sure to tag your post with Lens-Artists and include a link back to her post Lens-Artists #401: More Tips on How to Focus on the Subject.

Be sure to check back on Saturday, June 13 at noon eastern time when Sofia will be your host for the challenge.

You can stay up to date on all of the Lens-Artists challenges by subscribing to the Lens-Artists team members websites: Tina, Patti, Ann-Christine, John, Sofia, Anne, Egidio, Ritva, Beth.

For information on how to join the Lens-Artists challenge please click here.

Every Day is a Gift

Sunday Stills – Bikes

June 1, 2026June 1, 2026Posted in PhotographyTagged Bicycle, Bikes, Photo Challenge, Sunday Stills25 Comments

“Bicycle, Bicycle, Bicycle

I want to ride my

Bicycle, Bicycle, Bicycle”

…. lyrics from “Bicycle Race” by Queen

In honor of National Bike Month, Terri ‘s challenge this week is Bikes. When I saw Terri’s topic the song “Bicycle Race” by Queen immediately popped into my head.

I haven’t ridden a bike in a long time. My balance just isn’t what it used to be.

Riders in 2008 Tour de Georgia Bicycle Race

Bicycle Built for Two used as a decoration on a restaurant wall

Many thanks to Terri for her Sunday Stills challenge Bikes

Every Day is a Gift

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #400 – The Rule of Three

May 30, 2026Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, WildlifeTagged American White Pelicans, Lens-Artists, Magnolia Blossoms, Nature, Palm Trees, Photo Challenge, Puffins, Rule of Three, Whooping Cranes51 Comments

Tina introduces us to the rule of three for this challenge. The rule says that images with three subjects make them more interesting and memorable. Our challenge is to include images with three subjects.

I’ve included a few images of groups of three I found in nature.

The Three Gossips, Arches National Park, Utah

Last week Egidio challenged us to be creative while we were stuck in one place for 30 or more minutes. Your responses were wonderful. Thank you to everyone who joined the challenge..

Many thanks to Tina for this week’s challenge. If you would like to join the challenge please be sure to tag your post with Lens-Artists and include a link back to her post Lens-Artists #400: The Rule of Three.

Be sure to check back on Saturday, June 6 at noon eastern time when Patti will be your host for the challenge.

For information on how to join the Lens-Artists challenge please click here.

Every Day is a Gift