Animals

Thursday Thoughts – Close to the Water

/ Leya / 24 kommentarer

On our African adventure, the jeeps took us out on the savanna at least twice a day – early mornings and evenings. There are of course a multitude of beautiful antelopes here, and the Gnus are frequent. They have such funny, long faces and they eye you very closely before they turn away. I love the look of their satin skin and soft stripes at the neck.

The African Buffalo herds are matriarchal and the large herds can sometimes consist of more than 1000 individuals. The buffalo is one of the Big Five, very heavy weight and strong, and considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.

They are good swimmers and can stay for a long time just enjoying the water.

Their young are brown coloured to make it easier for them to hide in the grass.

Such thick and heavy horns are almost impossible to deal with – even for a lion.

I would not want to stand in their way when the herd is running.

Another beauty is the large waterbuck with its long, spiral horns curving first backwards, then forwards. The horns are 55-99cm. This couple was watching us from afar.

I wished time stood still and we didn’t have to leave…but it was time to slow down and return to the camp before dark. Thank you for joining the tour today!

Thursday Thoughts – Wildlife Close to our Hotel

/ Leya / 22 kommentarer

I love the idea of wild animals being so close to humans all the time. And the animals down here naturally feel more wild than those at home…( I guess the Africans feel the same when they visit us.)

Around Victoria Falls Hotel, there were these electric fences set up,

but before they were there – this sign was even more relevant.

Baboons roamed the streets and the forest, and the hotel had a guard to chase them off.

He told us he had a lot to do every day…

There were also many guenon monkeys around. A bit more slender and agile than the baboons.

Banded Mongoose was a new aquaintance to me. They are 12-18 inches, weight 3-5.5 pounds. They are one of few species that use tools – they throw eggs against rocks to break them.

This one had captured a snake – a fairly long one…

..and feasted on it for a long time. It was interesting to watch them. The mongooses are known for their agility, speed and resistance to venom. They can survive a bite from a cobra.

The Mongooses live in colonies and have a complex social system. They take care of their young together, which is rather unusual – only the banded Mongoose live in colonies though, the others are loners. I liked to watch them eat, play and taking care of their young. Fascinating animals.

Lens-Artists Challenge #387 – Shadowed

/ Leya / 38 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.

Favourite Images of 2025

/ Leya / 37 kommentarer

I hope you all had some Happy Holidays and are now ready for posting your favourites of 2025! As has become our custom, we are asking our followers to select their favorite images of the last year – whether they’ve been included in previous posts or not. This week, no single host will present the challenge. The entire team will share the challenge topic.

Here are mine – difficult to choose, and, of course I could have chosen other ones. But, with some for the beauty, some for the fun, some for the surprise and some for Love – I hope you will find something for yourself too!

This picture is my absolute favourite of the year – an endemic chaffinch sitting in a young girl’s hand in the forest in Madeira. A moment of peace and total connection with Nature. It fills my heart with gratefulness just looking at it.

I think I wrote in another post, that this year I didn’t do much photography – because I have started painting again. That is why one of my paintings is here in the gallery too.

Spring is the starter of Life – and everything…also my joy in photography. But it must be Spring at home, in Sweden.

In June we returned to Madeira, our hiking paradise for many years in the 70’s and 80’s. It was a joy to come back to the lush and beautiful nature there, but in the city so much had changed that I hardly recognized it. Despite the changes of time though, the country feeling remains – suddenly close-up cows in the middle of the road. Loved it!

Back home to Autumn, Winter and bird feeding in the moonlight. I do love my sweet sheep meetings every day on my dog walks – Milo believes they are his cousins.

Finally, a trip to the ice festival in Midieval Poznan, Poland. This is Restaurant Ratuszova with its amazing paintings in the cellar vaults.

We thank all of our followers for continued support and look forward to seeing the images you choose as YOUR favorites of 2025. Please remember to link your post to any or all of the Lens-Artists team members. Also, remember to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you.

We offer our best wishes for a New Year filled with peace, happiness, love and friendship. Anne will lead us next week on her lovely Slow Shutter Speed blog. Until then, stay safe, be kind and and find joy in the simple things.

Thursday Thoughts – Autumn Meetings

/ Leya / 15 kommentarer

The sheep are still out –

and the geese are gathering.

Robins are roaming my garden, the forests and parks. I hear their clicking sound where ever I walk. It is very comforting to have them around.

Many fields are still green – today we have 14 degrees C. Normally it should have been around 5.

Strange times, strange climate, strange world. I do not recognize it anymore. I cling to the beauty still there.

Lens-Artists Challenge # 371-Street Details

/ Leya / 44 kommentarer

This week, Ritva wants us to reveal the often-hidden, magical world, of the details we never take the time to notice anymore. I knew I didn’t have that many small details – but some bigger ones…

A surprising detail on a church in Spain…

More of Spain – Toledo if I remember it right! He really frightened me…

I did not see the cat at first, but loved it as it blended in perfectly among the stones in the wall.

What station is this in London? Of course it had to be London! Love British humour.

Sitting under a parasol somewhere in the world – this little visitor decided to pause on top. I could follow him jumping around – a bird trampoline!

New Zealand street – of course! They are very aware of environmental issues, trying their best to convey important messages to us all.

Turn Right…in Lodz.

Loved this gate – somewhere in the Mediterranian. The vine was a perfect match.

An old hand painted gem seen in Switzerland.

Somewhere in Madeira on a seaside road.

Thank you for this great challenge, Ritva! Last week, Sofia took us around the world on a journey to ancient sites, as she explored the details of architectural marvels and let us all join in the fun.

Next week is Tina’s turn to host, please go and visit her lovely blog Saturday 1st November. Hope you will join us again. Until then, keep smiling and stay positive.

Important; link your post to Ritva’s original post and Remember to tag Lens-Artists so we can all easily find you.

If you’d like to know more about the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.