Photo Challenge – Page 12 – Wandering Dawgs

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #352 – Mellow

June 11, 2025Posted in Photography, SunsetTagged Calm, Lens-Artists, Mellow, Photo Challenge, Relaxing, Yellow39 Comments

This challenge from Sofia is Mellow. She asks us to “Show us what gives you a mellow mood of calmness and cosiness; your favourite spot to relax, a beautiful scenery, a nice cup of coffee with a delicious slice of cake… and convey that sense of relaxation, with subdued warm tones, soft shapes and focus.”

The featured image is a sunset over a Georgia salt marsh. I hope the rest of the images bring you a sense of calm.

Mellow Yellow Hibiscus

A swing at the beach is calling my name to sit and chill out while listening to the waves of the ocean

What better way to end the day than with with a Mellow Yellow Sunset

Last week Ritva’s challenge was Books. I loved seeing all of the books and libraries from so many book lovers. Next week will be my first week hosting the Lens-Artists challenge. Look for my post on Saturday, June 14 at noon Eastern Standard Time.

Many thanks to Sofia for this challenge Lens-Artists #352 – Mellow

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

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #351 – Books

June 3, 2025Posted in PhotographyTagged Books, Lens-Artists, Long Room of Old Library, Photo Challenge, Reading35 Comments

This challenge from Ritva is a topic near and dear to my heart – Books. She asks us for “visual representations that highlight the beauty and allure of books, reflecting the passion of those who are truly bookworms amongst us.”

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

I’ve been a bookworm ever since I learned to read in elementary school. As I got older I never lost my love of reading or of libraries.

Long Room of the Old Library at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

When we visited Dublin, Ireland the first place we went was Trinity College to see the Book of Kells and the Long Room of the Old Library. Being surrounded by all of these beautiful, ancient books was a book lovers dream. I wanted to pick one up and look inside but of course that was not allowed.

My Bookshelves

Our home has a book case in almost every room. They are filled with collections of all kinds of books – novels, cookbooks, travel books, reference books, you name it. There is no rhyme or reason to the way the books are shelved. Even though I love the feel of a book in my hand I mostly read digital books these days.

Three of my favorite pastimes are photography, blogging and reading. When I’m in the middle of a good book everything else gets set aside. I’m in the middle of two books now and I’ve got several books I’m waiting on from the library. Thanks to Anne’s mention of “Travels with Charlie” I just added that one to my must read book list.

Last week I enjoyed seeing all of the creative responses to Anne’s Zooming challenge. I love learning new things and for some of us (like me) it was a new technique that was fun to do. I hope you will join us for Sofia’s challenge on Saturday, June 7 at noon Eastern Standard Time.

Many thanks to Ritva for this challenge Lens-Artists #351 – Books

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

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #350 – Zooming

May 28, 2025Posted in PhotographyTagged Intentional Camera Movement, Lens-Artists, Photo Challenge, zoom effect, zoom technique, Zooming29 Comments

Anne has challenged us to create images using a zooming technique. She tells us “Zooming is part of the Intentional Camera Movement family, but instead of moving the camera, you are just moving the lens back and forth.”

I had never heard of this before reading Anne’s post so I spent a lot of time experimenting with different subjects. I had a lot of fun even though I ended up deleting more photos than I kept.

The featured image is of an oleander bush in my back yard. It was one of my final attempts at zooming.

I started out taking night photos of the lights on my neighbors docks. I didn’t use a tripod and I tried many different settings on the camera. Most were epic fails but I liked the way this next photo turned out.

My next images were taken during the day looking up at trees in the woods of rural Georgia.

Last week Tina challenged us to add captions to our photos that would make us smile. Thanks to everyone who rose to the challenge and not only made me smile but sometimes made me laugh out loud!

Ritva will be leading next weeks challenge so be sure to look for her post on Saturday.

Many thanks to Anne for introducing me to Zooming with this fun challenge Lens-Artists #350 – Zooming

Are you interested in joining the Lens-Artists challenges? Click here to learn how.

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #349 – The First Thing I Thought Of ..

May 17, 2025Posted in PhotographyTagged Lens-Artists, Photo Challenge, The First Thing I Thought Of..31 Comments

What are You Looking At?

Tina wants us to have a little fun this week. She has challenged us to create captions for our photos that will hopefully make you smile. I still laugh whenever I see the bird in the above featured image.

We were in a small tour bus in Alaska looking for brown bears when we stopped to observe a mama and her cubs. When this curious cub got close to the bus and stood up our guide started up the engine and we got out of there in a hurry.

I was photographing Roseate Spoonbills that were nesting in the trees at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm when this Sponbill looked right at me.

You can take my picture now!

As we were driving along a remote road in Alaska this moose decided to cross the road in front of us. We slowed down and followed him until he ran back into the forest.

The Laurel and Hardy Museum in Harlem, Georgia had many great displays featuring this famous comedy duo.

*Here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten me into!*

The sky was filled with hot air balloons soaring above me at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

*Up, Up and Away in my beautiful balloon!*

Cheers!

I am excited to announce that I am joining the Lens-Artists team as one of the weekly hosts. I am honored to join this group of incredibly talented photographers who bring you these challenges every week. I’ve had fun participating in these challenges for several years and now I’m looking forward to hosting and seeing all of your responses. A huge thank you goes out to all of the Lens-Artists team for inviting me to join them.

I hope some of these made you smile! Many thanks to Tina for this fun challenge Lens-Artists #349 – The first thing I thought of

Learn how to join the Len-Artists challenge by clicking here.

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #348 – Serenity

May 12, 2025Posted in Nature, PhotographyTagged Lens-Artists, Photo Challenge, Serenity33 Comments

Egidio has challenged is to find serenity in our photos. He asks us to “look for serenity to lift our spirits and calm our minds”. In the featured image above I find serenity when I stop to enjoy the beauty of flowers.

Here are a few of my favorite things that bring me serenity.

Watching the birds at my back yard bird feeder

Spotting a fawn on a morning walk in the woods

I learned a long time ago that life can change in the blink of an eye and none of us know what the future will bring. I have learned the importance of making the most of every moment. Taking the time to enjoy the simple things in life brings me peace and serenity. Every day is a gift.

Many thanks to Egidio for this challenge Lens-Artists #348 – Serenity

Learn how to join the Len-Artists challenge by clicking here.