Luckily we all have a last chance for forgotten pictures or those that just did not fit in. My chosen pictures are from a glorious poppy field in Denmark this summer. I already posted one or two from that day, but there were so many more that I loved. I had a delightful hour in their company. Lying down was the favourite position, even if it is a bit harder to get up again these days.
While driving down a small gravel road, I caught sight of this wonderful field and urged my husband to make a photo stop. And he did – he too loves poppies and their irresistible colour. There is something special with this flower…it only thrives where it stands. Pick it up and it will die in a few minutes. Its slender and fragile beauty is otherworldly.
Treading slowly into that field was one of those dreams come true that I always have at this time of the year.
The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance of those who died or suffered in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. And aside from the connection to war, the red poppy symbolizes resilience and hope. These flowers are known for their ability to grow in not-so-good conditions. In this sense, the red poppy points to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of adversity and tragedy. Maybe that is why I wanted to lie down among them –
A big thank you to John, for last week’s Challenge – Winter. That challenge brought me more lovely Winter than I have had looking out of my windows these last weeks…
As we approach the close of 2024, the Lens-Artists team will be on hiatus, returning on Saturday, January 4. As is our tradition, we will open the New Year with our Favorite Photos of 2024.
Thank you all for a great year of photography, creativity, support, empathy, thoughts and discussions – I am so happy we can meet here and stay in contact! This world is not always a comfortable place, but You make it warmer, friendlier and a better place to live in.
Wishing all who celebrate a Happy and Joyful Christmas, and everyone Happy Holidays! One last wish I have – that of a better New Year for us all on this planet, Earth. Imagine…
Leya 
thank you
I love these colorful poppies. Happy holidays!
Thank you and the same to you!
How gorgeous! Stunning! I love your photos!
Thank you so much, Patti! I will try to visit everyone as soon as I can – busy times around Christmas!
Fields of poppies were among my favourite sights in rural France and then I realized that they stood where the trenches once passed. So ironic. Thanks for these beautiful photos, and stirring that memory.
This week my response is https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2024/12/16/misfits/
Thank you for loving them, and for telling me about the trenches – feels apropriate thinking of what the flower stands for.
Stunning photos!
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Oh my Ann-Christine, these are glorious! I don’t think we have them anywhere near us so perhaps they need the cold to flourish. In any case I so loved meandering through the field with you. Your opener is absolutely exquisite.
Thank you, Tina! I think I remember poppies in the mountains over there somewhere? Might be that cold is good for them.
Oh, what a way to end the year! With hope and resilience and so much beauty. Thank you, Ann-Christine.
♥ Thank you for a lovely comment!
I love poppies and I’m so glad this challenge gave you the impetus to share these beautiful images!
Thank you, Sarah! Bright in all this grey!
Wonderful photos Leya, where my favorite among wild flowers can be found, the lovely poppy.
Thank you, Anita! Hope all is well, and God Jul och Gott Nytt År! 💖
God Jul och Gott Nytt År från ett regnigt Cypern.
Vem är det som håller i årets sista tema. Tänkte vara med men hittar inte till vem jag ska länka.
Ingen! Det är bara att posta! Kul!
Tack då vet jag ☺️😃❣
All the best to you and your family, Ann Christine. May 2025 bring you more poppies.
🥰 Christmas hugs en masse to you and yours🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
These are lovely, a beautiful remainder of what is to come if we patiently wait. The first photo brings to mind Claude Monet painting. Love this post. Thank you for being an inspiration
Oh, these poppy portraits are so beautifully captured. I have enjoyed this post.
Thank you, Jude – they are lovely flowers, so fragile and short lived.
Thanks so much for taking us to this glorious field of poppies, and for sharing those words too.
I am glad you could come. They are special…and so are You!
Oh, what a lovely thing to say. You ae too, and you’re a member of a very special blogging team.
😘
Wonderful
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Stunning pictures, gorgeous flowers and beautiful words ❤️
♥ Thank you, Becky!
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Beautiful shots. Wonderful light.
Thank you, Marie!
Wow! What a gorgeous field! I’m so glad for this challenge that gave us a chance to post photos such as yours. Your ending message is very touching.
♥ Thank you so much, Egidio! I am now stressed out with the Christmas chores, but will visit everyone as soon as I can!
Amazing Poppy fields and photos Ann-Christine 😀
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Those poppy fields are glorious. I can well imagine you wanting to lie down among them.
Yes, I think we all hope for a better 2025, but my gut intuition suggests it’s only going to get worse. It doesn’t matter where you live on the planet, climate change and extreme weather is making its mark. Today is our first extremely hot day at 43C (about 110F) in my inner Melbourne suburb. Cool change tonight thanks goodness.
Reading and writing from just south of Sydney, could not agree more with your comments . . . and, it is not just the weather, is it . . .?
Yes, you’re right. I am concerned about the local and international conflict as well. I just don’t understand how any country can justify killing innocent lives. Everyone on this planet is someone’s Mother, Father, Grandparent or sibling – even the soldiers in the attacking force. I don’t watch TV anymore, but do watch the occasional video in my YouTube feed to get an overview of world news.
When it comes to some countries – they make up a fake world that suits their purposes… I have stopped reading evening papers and our TV is nowadays sending positive glimpses as some of the last news. We must find hope and comfort.
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I don’t want to think about it, Vicki…but I think you are right. And 43 would have totally knocked me out.
I’m ‘different’ – I sort’of ‘need’ to know the latest ‘new’ around the world BUT am certain that in every country one has to know which station to watch/listen to . . . I am a centrist slightly leaning left but do watch (and laugh and swear!) totally right-wing stations just to know how other people think! Many people here have never thought about such differences – news is news!!! Leya – 43 degrees is hot but one learns to live with it 🙂 ! In my neck of the woods we have been told that every day next week is at least 34C !!!
Yes, it’s good to listen to different news stations. Everyone should! I am the same as you are. I love BBC and CNN and sometoms watch other news from other countries as well. What drives me completely crazy is news from dictator countries, especially the big one east of us…
I love the poppy images as a contrast to winter.
♥ A contrast they are indeed!
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I remember being a small child often in a car driving Tallinn > Tartu . . . lots and lots of fields in-between. I drove my parents literally crazy when the poppies were blooming just like this – the car just HAD to be stopped so I could go into the fields to ‘touch’ 🙂 ! Except – we had as many cornflowers twixt them as the poppies ?
Ah – and I miss our cornflowers. Unfortunately they don’t seem to be as resilient as the poppies.
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