Lens-Artists Challenge # 388 – Your Journey in 5-10 images

/ Leya / 14 kommentarer

So, we have traveled by train through Zimbabwe and South Africa – I had only been to the northern parts, Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco before. And, honestly, I never thought I would go on a trip like this one…to the heart of the continent. But, some of my L-A friends have truly inspired me to make this journey. And I don’t regret it. One of the novels that’s made the greatest impression on me, is Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. (If you haven’t read this masterpiece, please give it a try – or see the prize winning movie with Marlon Brando.) It’s an intriguing continent, Africa.

These kind of varied trips are difficult to describe, and it can easily be a bit too much for both friends and readers. It might be a good idea to try a reasonably short version. What were the highlights, what are the memories that will stay with me forever? Maybe the big surprises? The animals, the people, the culture, the landscapes? This week it will be interesting to see how you choose to present a short or long trip (maximum 10 images), what will be your main points and why?

We flew from Copenhagen to the Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe to start our main journey from there. This Colonial style hotel has a magical view towards the falls. Not to mention its Victorian atmosphere – down to the smallest detail with dress code and grand piano.

Walking the whole stretch of the majestic falls made us both filled with awe – and soaking wet! ”Mosi-oa-Tunya” – means ”the smoke that thunders.” And the sound was indeed deafening.

As this was a once in a lifetime experience… we decided to do the helicopter flight over the falls. We were visiting during the high water season, when this is the world’s largest curtain of falling water. 1700m wide and 108m deep. ”Discovered” and named by David Livingstone in 1855.

The Zambezi River, above the falls, made for a sundown trip with crocodiles (look closely and there are two of them in the picture), hippos and bee-eaters among other things. In the background you see the Victoria Falls sending up steam and clouds.

After some astonishing days, it was time to board the famous Rovos Rail train – a new adventure! A South African man, named Rohan Vos, buys old trains, wagons and engines and restores them to their former glory. It felt like treading into an Agatha Christie movie. Dress code here too, and the local food served was extremely delicious. Breakfast and 5 courses twice a day. My sincere compliments to the chef (we saw the incredibly tiny kitchen they had to work in…).

The Diner cars were gorgeous, old time beauties. After three days on the train, stuffed and without the Milo excercise I am used to do every day, we finally reached the end station in Pretoria. (I promise – I rolled off that train…) From there, we went by bus and jeep to a private game reserve.

The wild life was wonderful of course. One of my favourites (from Tina’s treasures) is the Lilac breasted Roller. What a joy to see it with my own eyes!

One of the main highlights was the opportunity to see the big cats. On our first day at the camp, we came across two relaxing Cheetahs. I was overwhelmed, realising this was what I had been waiting for all along. Our camp was not fenced in, so the animals could walk freely through it – and they did every night. We saw footprints of antelopes, lions, monkeys and more every morning. After dark we had to rely on a ranger following us to our tent. He told us they see lions there at least twice a week .

Then, after some days with antelopes, ”Pumbas”, giraffes, zebras and birds, we met five beautiful, peacefully relaxing lions. I love this picture of one of the males who heard us coming and slowly turned his head to take a look at us.

Big cats are very special, and I chose to close with these wonderful creatures. So powerful, but somehow still looking gentle. I always had cats when I grew up, and there are many similarities between big and small. You never really know when, or if, they will strike…

There are many more stories to tell, but that will have to wait for another day. I haven’t even looked at all the pictures yet…

Thank you, John, for a lovely challenge, and thank you all for the great variety of answers! If you participate, please remember to use the Lens-Artists tag and link to my original post.

Next week, Anne will be our host – be sure to visit her beautiful site for more inspiration. Until then, stay safe and enjoy your precious time.

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Lens-Artists Challenge #387 – Shadowed

/ Leya / 36 kommentarer

As twilight’s gentle fall descends, where shadows and wind play hide and seek, as day surrenders, the mountains whisper tales.

– David Passarelli

This week, John wants us to consider how shadows shape our photos. ”You can take a literal approach and photograph an actual shadow, or lean into contrast and mood—shapes, silhouettes, or scenes where darkness adds depth and character to your subject.” Please visit John’s site for brilliant examples.

All my pictures in this post are from Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls Hotel, the Zambesi River and a small village without name) and South Africa.

Well, shadow is the first thing I seek when it is hot – just like these beautiful kudus did. But I suspect they were hiding from predators as well.

There are two primary types of shadows: form shadows and cast shadows. Form shadows are the darker, shadowed side of a three-dimensional object itself (not receiving direct light), while cast shadows are the shapes projected onto another surface by an object blocking the light source.

For this challenge I will stick to John’s examples. In these two pictures I tried to show shadows looking from the outside of a house and in, and the reverse. In the third one, below, there are both ways.

Find beauty not only in the thing itself but in the pattern of the shadows, the light and dark which that thing provides.

– Junichiro Tanizaki

Find the light of beauty even in the shadows of darkness.

– Christina Casinom

All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow.

– Leo Tolstoy

All shadows whisper of the sun.

– Emanuel Carnevali

Now, time to go to bed after a thorough help with the details…

Many thanks to Patti, Ritva and Beth for the last weeks’ inspiration. Unfortunately I could not participate due to travels in the wilderness without wifi – but now I am back on track. March is here, and next Saturday it’s my turn to host the challenge – hope to see you then!

To participate, simply create your own post responding to this week’s theme and include a link to the original post by John. Be sure to add the Lens‑Artists tag so your post appears in the WordPress Reader.

Thursday Thoughts – Cold Winds

/ Leya / 31 kommentarer

I know some of you are having tough weather – and so have we. Winds from the east are always icy and for some weeks now the cold has crept into the very marrow of our bones. Our birds are having a tough time so much feeding is needed – fat and healthy seeds. Some will still not make it even through the night. They have to take even bigger risks now, eating when it is almost dark.

I will soon be on my way to warmer places though – too warm for me I believe, but hopefully there will be much to see and enjoy – and easier to forget the troubles of this world. We are neither getting younger, nor healthier, my husband and I, so we had better make this trip now and stop postponing it. As there will be little possibilities for wifi, I will take a break until I am back home at the end of the month.

I wish you all a smooth February, stay well, take care – and see you again soon!

Ann-Christine

Lens-Artists #383, Looking back at #174 – Shapes and Designs

/ Leya / 37 kommentarer

Design is an opportunity to continue telling the story, not just to sum everything up.

― Tate Linden

Tina leads the challenge this week and she looks for shapes and designs. I believe the most common and the most used designs and shapes all originate from the natural world. If we manage well to copy them or be inspired by them, the results might be harmonious shapes and useful, beautiful designs.

Who hasn’t walked along a beach collecting beautiful shells? We admire their shape and structure and marvel at the power of nature.

This colourful tangle is intricate galls made by a gall wasp for its larvae – and Seattle offered a Chihuly version!

The urge for good design is the same as the urge to go on living.

– Harry Bertoia

Lotus and water lilies are important symbols and loved shapes in art ever since ancient times –

– here in the modern, immersive exhibition of Tutanchamon.

Be like a lotus. Let the beauty of your heart speak. Be grateful to the mud, water, air, and the light.

– Amit Ray

The structures beneath belongs to the very much used and loved ones in everyday life – originally designed by a spider. If you have walked into a spider web once, you know how incredibly strong it is.

Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf.

– Albert Schweitzer

Wonderful, isn’t it? Mother Nature will always be our master; for beauty, for harmony, and for the durability of construction. Many great artists declare they are deeply influenced by Nature, and one of them is Gaudí – my favourite. In my book, I believe every artist owe his or her skills to the natural world.

Design is not for philosophy it’s for life.

– Issey Miyake

Thank you for a great challenge, Tina, and many thanks to those who joined us last week in response to Egidio’s “Rejected” challenge. Wonderful! Finally, we hope to see you next week when Beth will lead us once again on her Wandering Dawgs site. Until then, please stay safe, be kind and enjoy every new day. We look forward to seeing your responses, and remember to link to Tina’s post and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you.

Thursday Thoughts – 3D Painted House and a King

/ Leya / 9 kommentarer

Impressive mural by Radosław Barek, featuring a 1920’s scenery. We struggled to find it – and finally, there it was. Hidden behind a hideous Christmas lit house.

And outside the cathedral – the three kings. I caught one of them where the light was magical.