”Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”
— Rachel Carson
“I don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.”
– Anne Frank
“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.”
– Gary Snyder
He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.
– Albert Einstein
Sofia asks us for wonders. In post number 1, I featured the endemic Elliots Storm-Petrel galapagoensis; ”Elliot” after the man who discovered the bird and “Petrel” refers to Saint Peter walking on water. ”Storm” was the part given to it by the sailors, who believed the birds were warning them about a storm coming their way. To get three OK photos I spent hours on deck and clicked hundreds of shots. I still think it is one of the greatest wonders I have witnessed.
The whole world is a wonder, and so is everything in it. It’s wondrous to see the tiniest ant at its daily work, it’s wondrous to see the sun rise and set, it’s wondrous that we are here, on planet Earth. I only wish we took better care of her – the only home we have.
From the greatest mountains…
…to the endless plains,
from the waves of desert …
… to the deepest jungle –
from the oldest creatures…
…to the youngest member of a family.
And from different religions to different peoples.
When we understand that everything is connected, it’s clear we must live in peace and harmony with each other in order to preserve our home and to survive.
Sofia says: ”We’re looking for the moments, places, people that we treasure, the little stories behind a shot that stuff our lives with meaning and joy.” Remember to link back to Sofia’s original post and to tag Lens-Artists so we can easily find you.
Last week we had Patti’s challenge on the importance of how to focus on our subject. A great, technical theme that rendered fantastic photos and differrent approaches. Thank you all for the inspiration.
Next week it’s John’s turn to lead us, Saturday 20th June. Until then, stay well. I will be in Greenland from tomorrow.
If you want to know more about the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.
Tina leads this week, on Gratitude. And I would have loved us here in Scandinavia to also have a Thanksgiving holiday. We all have things to be grateful for, even if we sometimes cannot see them for all the troubles in our world. Thank you, Tina, for reminding us with this theme – we cannot be grateful enough for what we have been given.
Remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
– Epicurus
Those who follow me know that my gratefulness always include Mother Nature and her wonderful gifts, and the opportunities to travel and learn about the world and our fellow inhabitants. Here are some things that come to mind almost every day – big or small:
My country lives in peace since more than 200 years – and no nuclear war has touched us. May it never happen to anyone, anywhere in the world.
I’m grateful for the trees and forests that grow close to me – the fresh air and the freedom to walk everywhere I want in nature – ”The Right of Public Access” (Allemansrätten) – in Sweden.
I have my wonderful family and a lovely grandchild who is my sunshine.
And, I am grateful there is still snow in the world – and Robins…
Hopefully, our seasons will continue to bring us joy. Another Spring will arrive with fragrant flowers and trees reaching for the sun, making our spirit shine.
Friends – I am grateful for having many good friends – in the blogosphere as well. I also have some old and very longlasting friends. This photo is from Holland in September where I met up with my mathematics professor, Wim, whom I first met on a hike in Lapland more than 35 years ago. To honor Sweden, he wore a Swedish t-shirt with Dala Horses!
In these dark days, I think maybe Light is our greatest gift – let there always be Light.
– Light in all its intrinsic meanings.
Thank you, Patti, for all the Details we could enjoy and be amazed at in last week’s challenge! Now we hope you’ll join us in this week’s Gratitude and please link your post to Tina’s original using the Lens-Artists tag. Next week it is my turn, Ann-Christine/Leya, to host the challenge – until then, keep your light shining!
We welcome Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes as our guest host this week! He challenges us to show how we recharge our batteries when we need more energy.
As long as I can remember, walking, hiking with family to beautiful places has been my medicine.
One of the best ways to recharge is by simply being in the presence of art. No thoughts, no critiques. Just full-on absorption mode. ― Dean Francis Alfar
– Listening to the sounds of nature
– maybe alone in the forest
– or with Milo (and all of my dogs…)
Soft, clear light is a magical recharger, walking along the shore, listening to the waves.
Not to talk about the levada hikes in Madeira, they are the ultimate rechargers. Enjoying the fantastic views, the heavenly scent and listening to the rippling water – the stillness. Your senses filled to the brim. But unfortunately Madeira is not that close to home…
At home I go to my secret garden to easily recharge my batteries. Just walking, pruning, planting – or sitting in a comfortable chair watching everything grow. To follow the birds nesting and the seasons glow fills my heart.
Another way of recharging is photography, playing with my photos in different software, making double exposures or looking at macro worlds. Then, like a tree in spring, I will feel elevated, lifting my eyes again, towards a new day with new promises.
Many thanks to Donna for last week’s wonderful Time challenge. We truly enjoyed your many different interpretations, and hope you’ll join us for this week’s challenge too. Please remember to link to Egídio’s original post, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag for our Reader section. Finally, Tina will lead us next week, so, be sure to check her out next Saturday at noon, EST.
Learning to distance yourself from all the negativity is one of the greatest lessons to achieve inner peace.
― Roy T. Bennett
Tina is our host this week, and she wants to know how we find peace in this busy world. For me, it’s a struggle, but in short, I need alone time and to immerse myself in Nature, Beauty and Art.
A combination of architecture – old and new – and books, is just perfect. It is enough for me to enter a library – any library… But, an exquisite one, like the Long Room in Trinity College, Dublin, is unforgettable. There is an atmosphere around all these books, the authors’ aura peacefully descending on you.
Art – especially otherworldly and fantastic art, like this of Yasec Yerka, expands my mind and thoughts. Yerka’s Surrealistic art is inspired by old masters like Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel. I often sit in my armchair and wander through his books, resting in peaceful wonder.
On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.
– Jules Renard
Looking at beauty in the world is the first step of purifying the mind.
– Amit Ray
Lose yourself in nature and find peace.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Time spent amongst trees is never time wasted.
– Katrina Mayer
Wander often. Wonder always – Anonymous
Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
—John Muir
Thank you for all your inspiring images and words on Alone time! I enjoyed every piece of them, and I think we also got to know each other a bit more. This week Tina is taking last week’s theme a bit further – hopefully we will get many ideas on how to find peace in this busy world. Please visit Tina for more inspiration, and don’t forget to use the Lens-Artist’s tag when you link to her original post.
Next week it is John’s turn to lead, make sure to visit his site for more about the challenge.
Amy is back hosting, and she comes with the sun! Please visit her beautiful site for more inspiration!
I will pick some of my favourite suns over the years – as
According to the Beatles:
Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s alright
I have mostly caught sunsets, I know, but to me they are the most spectacular ones. In the header – millions of suns in Spain, and the flowers for Ukraine to be free and shine again.
Iceland an early winter morning
A winter morning at home, Hovdala
– and a misty summer morning at Lake Grecken, Sweden
My beloved son enjoying the sunset at our summer house
This is my favourite image. Walking alone along the old gravel road with my first lagotto, Mille. The soft warmth of that summer night is still lingering in my memory whenever I look at this image.
Iceland again – because I love this country so much… and already missing it again…
Welcome to share your images of “Here Comes the Sun”– from anytime of the day. Special thanks to Patti for last week’s “Motion” theme. Through her lens and techniques, we have learned the art of capturing motion. Thank you for sharing your fun, creative motion/movement photos!
Please link your post to Amy’s original and tag your post, so we can find you in the reader.
Next week, I, Leya/Ann-Christine, will be your host – until then, stay tuned, take care and be kind.
What are your local vistas? Where do you photograph when you don’t have a lot of time or are not on vacation? This week, show us your local vistas – Anne Sandler of Slow Shutter Speed, is our host!
I think you know that nature is the most popular vista in my vicinity, but we also have several castles in our neighbourhood, all within a 30 minutes’ drive. Wanås castle with its beautiful surroundings is often visited – sometimes with friends
Bosjökloster castle in spring glory – also known for its exhibitions and tasty food.
Without a car, my dogwalks are often photographed as well… In any season, any weather, at any time of the day. With or without a dog…
Interesting studios in a nearby town can be visited for a fee, and you will be guided by one of the artists.
Back to the castles, maybe my favourite is Hovdala, every year used for jousting and medieval fun.
It is always a treat to go there, for beautiful nature, for exhibitions – and for very good food.
Last week, Sofia lead us into an exploration of minimalism and maximalism. What a treat! Many of us discovered our personal preferences for one or the other, but some people enjoyed using both. Next week, we have a special guest host–Sylvia Bacon, who will lead LAPC #204, so be sure to visit her site. Until then, stay safe and kind.
Remember to link to Anne’s post as you share your local vistas and use the Lens-Artists tag.
If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, just click this link and join us: https://photobyjohnbo.wordpress.com/about-lens-artists/
Sofia’s Bokeh – an amazing theme. Go to her lovely site for more inspiration!
As Nature is my greatest source for photography, achieving a fine bokeh is always one of my aims. It makes the viewer rest in the image, rest in the harmony and magic of nature. Bokeh images also convey something of my own feelings in that very moment. I do agree with Sofia – it is the feeling that does it.
I will try to explain some of the ways and situations where I’m aiming for bokeh. Most of these photos were made with a tele lens, but for focusing on small details I use a macro lens. Aperture priority.
In close-up or macros of flowers and their inhabitants – or guests – I want the background to be totally soft, almost non-existent.
In real macros, maybe there is only one detail in focus, which means almost the whole picture is blurred.
This image is a favourite, with one of my most loved tulips as the main subject. The use of strong colours and contrast adds to the special impression. The only thing I would like to change in this image is the placing of the tulip – it should have grown from the left hand side…but the image needed the leaves to come alive, so, I had to accept the way nature wanted it!
Another variety for bokeh is the harmony of colours in almost the same hue, paired/contrasted with interesting and different structures. What is your impression – is this image soft or rough?
According to Sofia, many people see this kind of background as the essence of Bokeh. Late evening light adds to a lovely, speckled bokeh, and I had to go back to this stellar magnolia from some years ago, because last year it froze after one day, and this year it did not even unfold – black buds only…
Finally – who doesn’t love droplets, large or small?
Thank you, Sofia, for inviting us this week to primarily think of out-of-focus areas on our photos. ”Are they an important component of your shot? What is bokeh for you and how do you achieve it?” We are looking forward to seeing your softly blurred areas and their story.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful celebrations with us last week. If you join us for this challenge, please link to Sofia’s post and tag Lens-Artists so we can easily find you. More information on the Lens-Artists Challenges here.
Leya 
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