Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Outdoor – Walks or Roads

1 februari, 20181 februari, 2018 / Leya / 20 kommentarer

Outdoor – Walks or Roads for Cee’s challenge. Please join in the fun!

Driving a (to me) new road, I tried the GPS we got from a friend this Christmas – I am old fashioned…never had one before – and it lead me to a dead end street. The road was closed. At first I was disappointed…but, looking out of the window on my left hand side, I saw an iron fence, and behind that, a path twisting and winding through a beautiful landscape. Of course I had to walk that path – and Totti did not say no.

Having accidentally found this lovely hiking path, I plan to return in spring (if I can find my way back to this spot…) – would love to see the beeches green and the water merrily sing along with the birds.

Only the big ones left…

29 januari, 2018 / Leya / 10 kommentarer

So – I have finished re-potting most of my plants. Only the big ones left…

I even tried putting some of my succulents in glass jars – seems that is going to be popular again. Photographing through the glass gives me a tiny – world – feeling. A bit distorted, but I guess all our worlds are.

It is already dark, but I sit in my chair and feel good about having done this much in three days. Now to the cleaning up…not my favorite thing, but that has to be done.

Good night to you all – with a photo from the lovely walk yesterday. Cheers!

Today’s Indoors and Outdoors

27 januari, 2018 / Leya / 15 kommentarer

This morning the sun decided to shine from a blue sky – and I decided to start re-potting my plants. Everything is much easier and much more fun with the sun shining in.

Every year around February I take on this task, which usually lasts for three to five days including window cleaning ( so I can see my little friends better…) and the whole house.

Starting up with the first plants

Love this spotted begonia

Not much in flower now – but some orchids are…

…different phalaenopsis mostly.

This little beauty is called Chirita tamiana.

After lunch, Totti says he wants a long walk – and the weather is still lovely – so…

Two hours out, then the sun is fading, and we are heading homewards. All happy for this beautiful day – and Totti had his many rolls in the grass, and water splashing as much as he liked…

Two stomachs hungry for dinner now!

Thursday Thoughts – Memories From Last January

25 januari, 2018 / Leya / 13 kommentarer

Most photos this month were from the Galapagos Islands and our beautiful ship – Cachalote – Here are some of my favorites. In the header, me and my lovely mockingbird!

Our lovely crew…

…and our brilliant guide, Juan – planning the next day for us – excellent mapping!

Cachalote

Red-billed Tropicbird – a true beauty in its gracefulness

On our way exploring

Volcanic Islands all of them – and here at Sullivan Bay – strikingly beautiful.

The sealions were so adorable…

My absolute favorites on this trip were the iguanas – especially the land iguanas. We were so lucky to find an iguana up in the cacti – they love eating them, but rarely have any success in climbing them.

I would not mind going back one day – to see the other islands as well. Each island has its own specific flora and fauna. Mostly untouched by humans – and therefore, animal kingdoms.

Most well-known are these giants, of course

Snowy Mist

21 januari, 201821 januari, 2018 / Leya / 20 kommentarer

Snow arrived during the night, and then the temperature rose above zero C. I had a lovely forest walk with Totti – light shifting and no wind.

The first half hour, there was not much mist, but …tangible silence.

Have you ever noticed how the colours – the few colours there are during winter –

seem to stand out in the mist?

With the fading light, you feel like walking inside a movie landscape. And you keep looking for a glimpse of the sky – just to stay real.

And for well known landmarks…

…to keep track of where you are.

In the open landscape, the sight is even worse – luckily the snow reveals my path.

As a farewell of this beautiful day- the light returns for my last 10 minutes of hiking.

Enhancing, Destroying – or Just For Fun?

19 januari, 2018 / Leya / 21 kommentarer

I have been playing around with Photoshop, and Nik filters. I wanted to show this little island, Tylö, in three different interpretations. In the first picture – in the header – it lies hidden in a haze, seen from the attic window of the hotel building.

In the second one, you see it in a B&W conversion, a bit old style, with only the sea in front and behind …

…and in the last picture, you see the island the way I did through my camera lens.

It is not the same picture, but the same island photographed. I would love to hear your thoughts and reflections: Which interpretation do you prefer? Why? What feeling/mood comes up when you look at one of these pictures?

Do you like to enhance/change your own pictures much before posting, or should they go as true and ”natural” as possible?

Wish you a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

17 januari, 2018 / Leya / 13 kommentarer

Finally – A Bright and Sunday Hike

8 januari, 2018 / Leya / 24 kommentarer

My winter moodiness lifted today

10 degrees below zero (C) – a frosty, crisp and clear day!

Hiking for some hours – breathing and staying outdoors as long as…

…the sun was up

By 3.pm it is time to go home

As we turn back, the sun is setting and the rays are orange warm

The leaves of 2017 lingering still, basking…

I turn around for a last shot – and the forest is glowing. Soon only the highest tree tops. I cannot say how grateful I am for this day. Not to talk about Totti – rocketing through the forest, rolling in the cool frostiness, barking with joy.

Thursday Thoughts – The Importance of Balance

4 januari, 2018 / Leya / 16 kommentarer

Magnificent Gran Canaria. Thinking of climate changes and how the tiniest changes in temperature will give massive domino effects. And already do. On everything living. There are examples all around you, if you just take the time to see them. Then imagine…

Just look at, for example, the importance of water – Some simple pictures from an ordinary vacation speak of what small changes in water supply can do to an arid island.

Just take away some water here…

…and this will be the result

Just add some water here…

…and this will be the result

Yes, they are simple examples – but things to consider if you find it difficult to see what is happening to our world. Nature is a Wonder of balance, and we must stop abusing her and disturbing the delicacy in which she is made. Which path do you want to follow – the ”fighting for a better world” or the simple ”adapting to whatever happens” one? Do we really have a choice? I think we have.