Lens-Artists #317 – Walking the Neighbourhood

Earth is a small town with many neighborhoods in a very big universe.

– Ronald J. Garan, Jr.

Tina challenges us to walk the neighbourhood, and I decided to take Milo for this warm Autumn day walk. On opening the front door, I caught sight of one of our neighbouring cats waiting for a meal – in the shape of an innocent bird…

I turn right out on the street, and pass my favourite car (belonging to one of our neighbours…) I love the colour and the shape, but don’t even know what brand it is. We’ve had some heavy morning dew for a couple of days, and it stays with us for almost half of the day.

My ordinary morning walk passes by these lovely stone fences – there is a road in between those two. And on that road is always an old, yellow cat lying – sun or rain. He is totally deaf, but somehow everyone knows about him and he survives every car and every new year.

And I love that old wooden gate.

Now the sun has burnt the mist away, and further down the street I find a bucket of sand toys resting from yesterday’s fun.

As we pass by some more houses and hedges along the road, we finally get to the horses’ play ground. Milo finds a friend and the heat takes its toll – my curly friend will not move another step until he’s got his bath and a cool drink!

Next day, we went to our summerhouse – and I hope Tina thinks it’s ok to take a walk there as well… after all, it is a lovely place by the sea!

When we walk from the house and turn left, we must pass the apple trees to get to the road leading to our hike. I am always happy to find the old oak is still standing! I have to check on him a couple of times a year. When we pass one of the parked cars, I find this pretty young ”butterflytobe”, a Cossus cossus (Swedish name: större träfjäril). We walk by the lama meadows too, and I get a loving look (?) from a really handsome guy.

The beautiful cranes are leaving for warmer places. I hear and see them every day, but the geese are still here. Sailing gracefully on the quiet waters. Unfortunately we missed out on the ferry to one of the islands, and were told that last week was the last time to catch it. And there were no canoes for hire anymore – they still looked colourful and inviting though. Maybe next year?

I think we all get to understand each other a little better by sharing our neighbourhoods for this week’s challenge! Be sure to link to Tina’s original post and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you.

Finally, big thanks to Egidio and all of those who responded to his Fun challenge last week. There were fun responses throughout the whole week! Finally we hope you’ll join us next week when Patti once again leads us on her beautiful Pilotfish site. Until then, stay safe, be kind and enjoy every day.

Midsummer in My Garden

The old apple tree is now covered in wild honeysuckle and clematis Paul Farges. Finally we have reached 21 C after having a very chilly start to June. Which also means the strawberries are awake and we eat some every day! It is the old Sengana from my grandmother’s plants.

Wishing you all a wonderful Midsummer – if you celebrate it or not! In the Scandinavian countries it is a major feast with dancing and singing, good food and good friends gathering.

We celebrate the light and Mother Nature thriving – once more. A beautiful time of the year.

Thursday Thoughts – Van Gogh Alive

If you haven’t seen this exhibition, I do recommend you to go! I guess it has been shown in a great many countries by now – and finally here in Malmoe too.

Vincent Van Gogh has always fascinated me, his paintings as well as his grim fate. This digital exhibition is a wonder in both pictures and music. We stayed for hours, walking, sitting, being totally soaked up in his world. I also liked very much the concept of people getting portrayed as silhouettes against his works. An inspirational evening indeed.

If you happen to have this exhibition in your city, please go and see it – being immersed in beautiful images to enchanting music – what more can you ask for?

Lens-Artists Challenge #282 – Dramatic

Patti leads the dramatic week!

”This week, we’re asking the question: what makes a photo dramatic? Maybe it is processed in black and white, or it has vivid colors. Maybe a person, place, or object is captured from a unique perspective or it is a macro shot.”

If you wish, explain why your photo is dramatic and what you did to highlight the drama. Be sure to link to Patti’s original post and include the “lens-artists” tag. 

Dramatic – much depends on light and darkness, some photos can be naturally dramatic, and to some I have added to the touch of drama.

This tree is a natural dramatic one. The human face between the trunks was so obvious, and the light perfect.

Art often shows dramatic scenes, be it in paintings, sculptures or any other art. Beautiful dramatic art can often be found in churches.

Can a picture of a flower feel dramatic? I think so. It is the mood in the picture, darkness and light, and the strong colours. I have darkened it some to enhance the back light even more.

Dramatic waters in Iceland are frequent. Right now there are a couple of eruptions going on as well. In fact the whole country is dramatic, so it is impossible to leave out from a gallery like this. Believe it or not – nothing has been done to this image. It was taken right out of the camera.

The south coast of Iceland, a winter’s day on the black beach.

Houses can also be dramatic. Especially abandoned houses. I guess it is the emptiness and the feeling of everything falling apart that does it. Or maybe all our memories of horror movies? The photo is untouched.

Another house is in the header/opener: the Dancing House in Prague with dramatic clouds, leaning lamp posts and people hurrying by.

If we continue with dramatic skies, and add some B&W – the drama will be complete. Silhouettes of cranes also add to the drama.

Drama in macro photography is not impossible. The light comes from our Christmas tree.

As trees and forests are my favourite subjects, together with flowers, I must post from the Dark Hedges too…maybe the most dramatic beech trees I know of. And so dramatic that I did not find it best to use B&W. As for Game of Thrones – I haven’t seen it.

Last week, the entire team invited you to share your favorites from 2023. What a treat for all of us. Thank you! Next week, it’s my turn, Ann-Christine/Leya, to lead, so be sure to visit my site next Saturday for some inspiration.

Until then, stay healthy, hopeful, and curious.

Thursday Thoughts – By the Sea

Yesterday we decided to drive to the sea, as the cold has kept us mostly indoors for some days, -20 at home. When we approached the sea, the snow had almost disappeared. But not the cold …

Then the sun came out! Not the warming kind of course – but the cheering up kind.

We went for a short walk in the icy wind. There were not many birds to be seen, a couple of ducks and a lonely swan in the silent seascape.

Cold puffs rising from the water, gratefully breathing in the first rays of sun.

The next morning offered a glorious start of the day. Clear, pink skies and a windless scenery, land and sea in harmony.

We are so fortunate, that winter time we don’t have to rise early for the colours…because the sun will not be up until late. Around 8.30 now. Time well spent.