Machines

Lens-Artists Challenge #…- Country Mouse/ City Mouse

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Tina asks us to post on the classic Aesop fable ”City Mouse/Country Mouse”. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, its moral is that no matter how appealing someone else’s life may seem, there really is no place like home. (That is what Dorothy, in The Wizard of Oz, famously said too)

I love visiting interesting big cities with all their possibilities for

culture

and architecture,

and thriving technology, like the Shinkansen in Japan.

But – as much as I love this, there are always crowds, all these busy people that never let you sit alone and contemplate. Each single person can make a wonderful meeting – but crowds…

So, after every trip to a big city, I am completely happy with coming home. Musing in my own little corner of the world. I guess this is what most of us feel. Balance is the word.

Crowds of flowers are OK with me – a morning in my garden makes my heart melt. The simple things are the best.

And a walk with Milo a silent Autumn evening, like today’s (exactly this minute when I am posting) Autumnal Equinox, has my heart as well.

Then, about the mouse… I could not find one, but maybe two very good mice catchers might do?

We hope you’ll join us this week, remembering to link to Tina’s post in addition to using the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you. Many thanks to all who participated in last week’s Longing challenge, by Egidio. We enjoyed all of your creative and very varied responses. Now we are excited to announce next week’s guest-host: Joanne of Joanne Mason Photography, we hope you’ll join us again then. Until then, stay safe and be kind.

Thursday Thoughts – The Castle Garden, and…

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Back at Tjolöholm this Thursday again – for some more treasures. Surely you would want to visit with me again?

Before a walk in the garden, a short overview of the unusual and impressive lamps in the castle. All ordered by the lady of the house, Blanche, and all from Osler in London. My favourite is the first one, looking like underwear laundry…

The garden had the same Swedish architect as the house – but I guess Blanche had her say about things as well –

The Tudor style and the plants worked so well in harmony with the stone colours – everything was a treat.

Plants in every corner, colours and textures – how I envied the people who got the opportunity to work here.

Of course there must always be roses, always…

…and little children rambling on their own.

And, finally – I give you: The vacuumcleaner!

Lens-Artists Challenge #121 – Focus on the Subject

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In this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #121 Patti says : ”  Focus on the Subject, we invite you show us an image that uses leading lines, patterns, color, contrast, selective focus, freezing the action, doorways or arches, or the eyes of humans or animals to draw our attention to the subject. ”

In Sweden we are at the end of the grand Autumn colours, and I just had to send you inviting lines into one of my beautiful forests.

Patti talks about colour defining/deciding focus – and below is a typical example – in fact many ingredients are demonstrated in this one: colour, light and lines co-operate to make me take out my camera here. The motif is not a spectacular one, but the silo stands out!

Doorways or arches are constant attention drawers. Last week’s countryside tour made me capture some very different subjects.

The first shot from the spectacular library building in the middle of a vast beech forest. The owner, Michael Ehrenborg, lived at Hovdala Castle in the 18th century, and wanted a library in the forest to study science in solitude. Sadly enough he died before the octagonal building was finished – and it was left to rest and return to nature.

The castle itself is still standing and very much alive. Here framed by chestnut glory.

On my way home again, I decided to visit an old friend of mine. Kaj-Arne, a farmer who has stayed true to his farm and animals all his life. Evening light is not the best photo light these grey days, but through the barn door I managed to catch a glimpse of his pretty goose in the company of one of his friendly cats.

This last image fascinates me, because it was the light and colours that caught my attention – but what is the subject? So many frames … but I end up looking at the lonely, ugly chair. I could have concentrated on the beauty of the window, but the chair interested me. I was just walking down the stairs, seeing the left side, ordinary, rather drab…and then this fantastic window. What is Your focus in this image? I believe this is one of the many magical things with photography – we can all look at things differently…

Next week, we’re thrilled to announce a new guest host – the talented and creative Ana of Anvica’s Gallery is going to lead LAPC #122, so be sure to visit her site on Saturday, November 7th.

Looking forward to seeing your creative answers! Please include a link to Patti’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag so that everyone can find your post in the WP Reader. Once again, special thanks to all of you in our creative community for your continued participation. Be sure to stay safe and well.

On the Wings of the Dragon…

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…we flew to Bhutan, Druk Yul, Land of the Thunder Dragon. This is the country launching GNH – Gross National Happiness – instead of GNP. I asked people I met if they really were, Happy. And, they said yes, they were. I can understand why.

Through the windows I could see the Himalayas, snow capped mountains welcoming me a second time. In 1986 I went to Nepal and India, but haven’t been in these parts since. I fell in love with Nepal. And now I am passionate about Bhutan.

Paro, Buthan, is said to offer one of the three most dangerous approaches and landings in the world. You could almost reach out and touch the mountain houses…

It was difficult to take photos, but I had to try. Druk Air indeed has got some skilled pilots.

With surrounding peaks as high as 5,500 m (18,000 ft), Paro airport is considered one of the world’s most challenging airports, and only a select number of pilots are certified to land here. I heard they were 14.

Flights to and from Paro are allowed under visual meteorological conditions only and are restricted to daylight hours from sunrise to sunset. We flew early morning.

The spectacular and dangerous left turn in the valley before landing had us all holding our breath. And, in a way we never let that feeling go…

The most beautiful airport in the world?

We were of course met by the Royal Family – portraits of the King, or of his whole family, were present everywhere in Bhutan. Even as pins on the men’s Gho (national dress).

It may be small, but the arrival hall is exquisitely decorated. Finally we are at the entrance to the land of Happiness. The last Shang-ri-La.

Fresh Air and Art – The Modern Łódź Fabryczna

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Vivi entered the B&W Challenge in my recent post…and if you look closely, you can see she is very impressed by this new railway station – and so was I – exploring it for more than an hour. Originally it was meant for high-speed-trains, but due to the latest estimated cost of 10 billion Euro, the high-speed line was put on hold.

Anyway, air and space, light and art – you cannot but feel good here!

Łódź Fabryczna is the largest and most modern railway station in the city. According to Wikipedia, it was originally constructed in the centre of Łódź, at the initiative of industrialist Karol Scheibler in 1865.

Art exhibition in two levels!

The old station was closed on October 16, 2011, and in June 2012 it was demolished to make way for the building of a new station below ground level. It reopened on 11 December 2016.

Today, we also noticed that our Swedish company, SKANSKA, is working the construction site nearby. What they are building? I have no answer to that.

 

 

 

 

Black &White Sunday: Structure

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Paula, at Lost in Translation, asks for a structure this week….well, here is one – but I do not remember what it was used for. Looks like a …what do you think?

 

 

SL-WEEK 38: Yellow

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Yellow is a very special colour. It symbolizes a variety of things; for example the sun, being false (in the language of flowers) and power – only for the emperor of China.

I love yellow, but cannot wear it. Others can with elegance – like houses, vehicles and flowers.

Sylvain Landry –

 

A Danish house

2012 044

Cars are quite OK…

Spring crops before the storm

CFFC: Doors and Windows

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Doors and windows for Cee – here are two examples showing windows as doors and doors as windows. I hope that counts!

– The doors are windows in the Danish trains, and the header showing the same phenomenon in China. In a Chinese garden you will find many of these round doors, looking like and working as windows as well.

 

Travel theme: Move

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For Ailsa’s Travel theme this week – move – here.

Right now it’s harvesting time and the farmers are on the move – and so are many migrating birds and birds of prey. (On the photo a great kite) So…

…animals are my first thought when I hear ”move”… horses, yes,  and…

…a newcomer like this little puppy is full of life and joy!

Or this newcomer, making me absolutely nervous…trotting away in the middle of all traffic. Didn’t move away from the cars…just kept walking…straight on…determined…