I hope you all had some Happy Holidays and are now ready for posting your favourites of 2024! 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, so, of course I could have chosen other ones… but some of these just had to be in this gallery. I guess you know which ones I am thinking of…

Sometimes you find a door in the place you least expect. In a garden along the road, a short glimpse to the left, and I had to stop – to look, love and take a photo.

Somehow these two are look alikes – at least I think so. Take pride in yourself and let it shine! The Nice Festival was a feast to remember.

A walk in the forest close to my old school always brings many memories. Although I retired many years ago, I still love this place. It’s peaceful, and as always the forest is my temple.

The most wonderful moments of 2024 were captured in Japan. A serene and beautiful country where they highly treasure beauty and create beauty in everything.

My love for Wisteria did not fade in Japan – it reached unknown heights in the gardens we visited.

Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden in Kitakyushu was the most impressive one. I left a piece of my heart and soul there in its unprecedented beauty.

We also went to Holland again this year – but now for the Dahlia Festival in the Autumn. Holland is the Mecka of flowers, mostly bulbs like tulips – but wild poppies too.

To savour even more flowers and nature – an English garden tour came true in July. The beauty of an English garden is hard to beat.

And, in one of the castle gardens I fell in love with The Stumpery. It made my creative nerves tingle… and I have already started on my own project!

Swedish Autumn around my well known waters – is a must every year. I passed here every day on the way to my job, and enjoyed these waters and forests in every season. This truly is Autumn at its best.

Walking the cobbled streets of Saint-Paul de Vence in Alpes Maritimes can surprise and mezmerise you in many ways…

This lady unexpectedly showed up on my right side – she looked so relaxed. I secretely wished I could rest like that myself…

Lastly, I love the modern version of ”The Thinker” by Joseph Klibansky. It sits opposite to Rembrandt in Rembrandtplein, Amsterdam. It has got something to tell us, make us think about our ”modern” times, what, where and why…

We thank all of our followers for continued support and look forward to seeing the images you choose as YOUR favorites of 2024. 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 post. Until then, stay safe, be kind and and find joy in the simple things.