Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #135 – A Glimpse into Your World

Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy. – Anne Frank

This week, we welcome Sheetal as our special guest host, with the theme A Glimpse into your world. ”Show us the things you love that makes your world spin or things about your world that make you delirious with joy.” Sheetal tells an interesting story of music and travel – and of The Beatles!

Many things in life fill me with joy, but few things make me ”delirious” anymore. I guess that comes with age…but I always strive to keep my eyes and mind fresh and open. My most enchanted moments are always with Nature and all its living creatures, with Flowers and Light. Together they make my world complete and whole. I must live close to nature and just like Monet, “I must have flowers, always, and always.” And Light. With these few images from my Nordic home, I want to show some of the moments when I felt totally immersed in the beauty and wonder of our planet.

Secret gardens
16000 cranes arriving at Hornborgasjön, early morning, 3 am

One of the strange things about living in the world is that it is only now and then one is quite sure one is going to live forever and ever and ever. One knows it sometimes when one gets up at the tender solemn dawn-time and goes out and stands out and throws one’s head far back and looks up and up and watches the pale sky slowly changing and flushing and marvelous unknown things happening until the East almost makes one cry out and one’s heart stands still at the strange unchanging majesty of the rising of the sun–which has been happening every morning for thousands and thousands and thousands of years. One knows it then for a moment or so. ― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

Nordic Light – Sweden

Nature is so powerful, so strong. Capturing its essence is not easy – your work becomes a dance with light and the weather. It takes you to a place within yourself. – Annie Leibovitz

Nordic Light – Norway

Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself. – Desiderius Erasmus

Nordic Light – Denmark

I really just want to be warm yellow light that pours over everyone I love. – Conor Oberst

Nordic Light – Iceland

By almost any measure, Iceland is one of the world’s most unique lands. – Roger K. Sandness

And the Nordic Light – is purely Natural.

Remember: Always walk in the light. And if you feel like you’re not walking in it, go find it. Love the light. – Roberta Flack

Thank you for last week’s fun challenge from Tina – and thank you All for showing us more useful tricks to enhance forgettable pictures! Very creative. As always, please remember to link your responses to Sheetal’s original post, and to use the Lens-artists tag to help us find you. Until next week, stay warm, well – and even a bit delirious with joy? We are looking forward to seeing what makes Your world spin!


Spring Equinox

Gdansk Part II: The Waterfront and Mariacka

Sun, sun, and we walked along the Waterfront towards the Big Crane, built 1444. In the Middle Ages this was the biggest crane in Europe. It was used for loading and unloading ships, and also for masting the big sailing-ships.

Flowers and amber salesmen were everywhere, and we enjoyed the sailing-ships and the sun.

The beautiful old building on the other side is the Maritime Museum.

Through the Maria Gate we reached the most genuine medieval street  – Mariacka. It felt totally genuine despite the renovation.

Here the houses are lower  with terrasses out to the street and old gargoyles looking at you as you are passing by. A night here might be a bit scary…

Shops and galleries everywhere – mostly selling clothes and amber jewellery…but what about this one with canons?

 

On leaving Mariacka, we met these beauties. A friend of mine used to have this breed, also two of them. Bedlington terriers.

Keeping the beauty!

Newer gargoyles – but just as special and intriguing.

The Maria Church and the Royal Chapel- a total breach of style…The Maria Church is the biggest gothic brick-church in the world. They say it takes 25000 people.

And then the Covered Market, originally built in 1896. A skeleton of steel and on the bottom old excavations. Also a brick building, and outside, a lovely market where we bought delicious plums.

 

One Trip EVERY Month Challenge: Hornborgasjön

Marianne has begun a new challenge where you take one trip every month, near or far, and take photos or write all about it. Join her here http://eastofmalaga.net/2014/01/20/new-challenge-one-trip-every-month/

Here’s how:

  • Each month, visit somewhere and then write about your trip or describe it using photographs – whichever suits you best.
  • Don´t forget to title and tag your entry ’One Trip EVERY Month Challenge’, and link back to this page.
  • Display the Challenge logo on your post or in your sidebar.
  • HAVE FUN!

I had been dreaming of Hornborgasjön since I was a teenager – being an avid bird watcher for years. But somehow we never went. Spring is a busy time of the year and Hornborgasjön is situated in the middle of nowhere. Finally, I got to see it. Thanks to my son moving to and studying in Skövde, some kilometres from this famous lake.

Parking our car – we heard them clearly – the cranes.

Walking towards the lake was a dream. The sound of the cranes was not as dominating as I thought it would be. The graceful birds were thrown out in a string of pearls along the water pools.

 

And more cranes were flying in …

A breathtaking 19 800 cranes were there this sunny day. Together with…

 

ornithologists and photographers…

…and of course children! Playing quietly when bird watching got tiresome…

I never got tired of course. Fascinating birds in a beautiful environment on a delightful morning – what more could I ask for?

Five o’clock the next morning we were back to see the birds flying in, from their safe resting places out in the lake, to have breakfast with us.

 

For more of my pictures, a closer view and more information about the graceful cranes and Hornborgasjön, click here.

 

 

Ese’s Weekly Shoot & Quote Challenge: Wings

Birds have wings; they’re free; they can fly where they want when they want. They have the kind of mobility many people envy.

Roger Tory Peterson

The soul has illusions as the bird has wings: It is supported by them.

Victor Hugo

More wings are to be found here.

Ese’s Weekly Shoot & Quote Challenge: Awakening

Life is a magnificent manifestation where if we honour Sacred Mother Earth, rivers of love will flow freely. New levels of spiritual awareness are upon us and by recognizing their beauty we can inspire every aspect of our lives. Let your soul be an oasis of transformation that takes your life to the next level and fulfills your dreams. Rejoice in your awakening, the future is now and love is in every breath you take.

Micheal Teal

For more of my visit to Lake Hornborga last weekend, and the 19 800 cranes, resting and dancing – visit my Warden Spirits blog!

For more lovely awakenings, visit Ese here.