Photo Challenge – Lens-Artists: Small

Amy has chosen “Small is beautiful” as our prompt for this week’s challenge.

First, we did evacuate to our daughter’s due to Hurricane Florence.  Hubby went back today and says we did not have any damage and didn’t even lose power.  Lucky for us, Flo made a turn back to the north and we were spared the brunt of it.  However, there has been severe flooding and more is expected throughout the week as the never ending rain from Florence will cause the area rivers to overflow.

I did remember to bring my flash drives and memory cards with me along with all of my lens, filters, etc (fearing the worst) and I’ve gone through them while my grandson was napping and went looking for “small” subjects.  

I love capturing these small treasures although it can be quite frustrating so nothing makes me happier when I realize I’ve gotten focused shots.

Gulf Fritillary on Zinnia 2Hanging SpiderBee on Blue 4Grasshopper on Crinum MooreiThe Wasp

This last photo was an assignment for the Photoshop class I just finished.  We were instructed to composite an impossible scene.  I had just taken the photo of the dragonfly and added my grandson to it.  I liked it so much I promptly added him to some other scenes and may post them one day.

Red Dragonfly 1 with Carter

You can see responses from other bloggers here:  https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2018/09/15/lens-artists-photo-challenge-11-small-is-beautiful/

You can see more of my photography here: photographyinpearls.photoshelter.com

 

 

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Photo Challenge – Lens-Artists: Fences

This week we are asked to share our favorite fences.

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These first photos were taken at Mt Mitchell in the Great Smokey Mountains, the highest point east of the Mississippi.  

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At a height of 6,684 at the summit, it did feel like we were literally in the clouds.

Belted Galloway Cow

These Belted Galloway cows are residents of a plantation outside Charleston.  We were invited to an “Eclipse” viewing party next door.  They were in a field further down from the party so I’m not sure how or if the eclipse actually affected them. 

Oaks in Shadow

Oaks line the entrance at Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant.  

Pink Clouds

While technically not a fence, I had to include this shot of the pink sky taken at North Litchfield Beach a year or so ago.  

Goat Island

Also in the technically not a fence but I’m including it anyway category is this picture of the marshwalk in Murrells Inlet.  The marshwalk runs behind several restaurants and most have bands during the summer.  You can enjoy the view and the music while having a great meal and then stroll down the pier for a better view of the inlet.

You’re actually looking over “Goat Island” where there are a few goats and some peacocks too.  If you look closely, you can see them in the distance.  When bad weather is coming, they are moved inland for safety.  

Hurricane Florence is knocking on our door and all coastal counties are under mandatory evacuation orders.  I’m leaving in the morning and I’m sure the goats will follow.

To see responses from other bloggers, click: https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2018/09/08/lens-artists-photo-challenge-10-fences/

You can see more of my photography at photographyinpearls.photoshelter.com

 

 

 

 

 

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Photo Challenge – Lens-Artists: Action

So this week we are asked to share some “action” photos – anything on the move.  

Dog Action

Saturday was a beach day for us.  We packed a small cooler, grabbed the towels, chairs and umbrella and headed out to a relatively quiet stretch of beach.  That’s where my “action” ended for the day – well, at least the next few hours.  

Bike Action

Occasionally, I would lift my head up to check out the clouds and the kids playing around us. 

Floating Action

And  I managed a few shots of this osprey in action…

Diving ActionOprey Action

but unfortunately, both the osprey and I missed the perfect capture.

Wave Action

And the last shot of the day….

You can see responses from other bloggers here and you can see more of my photography here.

 

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Cee’s Black and White Challenge – Sculpture, Statues, Carvings

I can’t believe I almost missed Cee’s challenge this week!  I live five miles from Brookgreen Gardens, the first sculpture garden in America and founded by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. 

I go to walk the gardens often – always with my camera in hand.  I’ve taken so many photos there that I’ve published a book with some of my favorites and I’m working on a second volume.  You can see Volume 1 here.

Cycle of Life - Paul Howard Manship BW 1

 

Cycle of Life by Paul Howard Manship BW 3This sculpture is titled Cycle of Life and was sculpted by Paul Howard Manship who has several of his pieces throughout the gardens.  

You can see more of my photography here.

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Photo Challenge – Lens-Artists – Colorful

Tina of Travels and Trifles is hosting the challenge this week and she has asked us to show color – to recognize and appreciate the joy that color brings to each of us.

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In February 2017 I was diagnosed with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) with second stage liver damage.  It’s unknown what causes the disease and there is no cure.  It’s devastating news and you might wonder how this applies to joyful color.

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In search of answers, I found and was accepted in a 72 week drug study being done at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).  The study involves taking twice daily medication (drug or placebo) and traveling to MUSC on a regular basis for bloodwork and scans.  I’m nearing the end of the study and while the study probably won’t help my situation, I feel better knowing that I’m doing something about my disease and will probably participate in other planned studies.

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I can’t say enough about MUSC and the fantastic staff.  And MUSC is doing more than just treating patients.  They have taken one block in their campus and are turning it into a green space.  I’ve been taking photos at each visit and plan to put them together in a book when finished.  It’s only in phase 1 now but it’s already a beautiful space with lots of color.

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At one visit I found the planters along the edges of the space full of colorful pinwheels.  You can see them more clearly in the photo above with the two women enjoying the space and the sun.

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So thank you MUSC and staff for bringing color and joy into each patient that walks through your doors.

Please visit the responses from other bloggers at https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/

You can see more of my photography here: photographyinpearls.photoshelter.com

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Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Everyday Moments

This week our challenge is to share photos of those everyday moments in our life.  

Evening Commute

Morning Commute…

The TV was on as I was reading Amy’s challenge and a Planet Earth episode was on.  I’m always fascinated by any nature show and it’s interesting how much animals are just like us so today I’m sharing some of their everyday moments.

Kids Off to School

Getting the Kids Off to School….

Bath Time

Bath Time…

Cormorant Gets A Catch

Lunch time…

Babysitting

Babysitting…

Wood Stork Congregation

Bed time…

You can see responses from other bloggers at https://wordpress.com/tag/lens-artists

You can see more of my photography here:  photographyinpearls.photoshelter.com

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Lens-Artists Challenge – Patterns

This week Ann-Christine has given us the prompt of patterns.  My choices this week all come courtesy of Mother Nature.

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The tide was going out as we got to the beach and we set up shop directly behind a small tide pool.  The tide pool was a favorite gathering place as small children played in it, the balls from a bocche game ended up in it and the birds came to check it out also.  

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I had watched this seagull for quite some time as he tried and failed to catch dinner.  So I was just as excited to see him catch his meal as I was to capture the shot.

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This gull was afraid to get his wings wet.  He would venture out into the surf but immediately turn around as the next wave came in so I’m not quite sure how he expected to eat that night.  But the pattern and colors under his wings are beautiful.

You can see responses from other bloggers here:  https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2018/08/11/lens-artists-photo-challenge-patterns

You can see more of my photography here: photographyinpearls.photoshelter.com 

 

 

 

 

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Lens-Artist Challenge – Blue

For this week’s challenge, Patti has asked us to share out interpretation of blue – whether it’s the time of day, the color or the mood.

Blue Sky

The beach is different every day.  The sky can be any color imaginable.  The surf can quietly lay down or thunder as the waves hit the beach.  Sometimes the air is so still and oppressive that it’s unbearable without the shade of an umbrella and sometimes the wind blows so hard that the grains of sand pellet you mercilessly.   So there’s always a sense of anticipation as you walk through the access to see the mood of the beach that day. 

Blue Sunset

The most vivid colors of the sky are at sunrise and sunset.  I’m not a morning person at all so sunrise photos are a rarity for me.  This photo was taken at Huntington Beach State Park.  I had gone there to get photos of the birds coming home to roost and stayed to watch the last traces of the sun. 

Blue Beach

This last photo is my latest Photoshop effort.  I would play with it 24/7 if I could.  It’s definitely blue!

To see responses from other bloggers, please click here:  https://pilotfishblog.com/2018/08/04/lens-artists-photo-challenge-blue/

You can see more of my photography here: photographyinpearls.photoshelter.com

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Lens-Artists – Soft

This week, Tina is hosting the challenge and she has asked us to show our interpretation of soft.  Many thoughts came to mind but I was just back from a visit with my oldest and her family and already missing the hugs and kisses from my youngest grandson.  

Baby Soft 2

He’s almost 2 1/2 now and much more interested in showing me his cars, trucks and tricycle than snuggling and cuddling – although we still snuggle close together in the rocking chair when reading – and thank goodness, he loves to read!

Baby Soft 3

So for now, I’ll try to get in as much snuggling time as possible and cherish the memories as he grows up.

Baby Soft 1

For Tina’s post, click here: https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/

You can see more of my photography here: photographyinpearls.photoshelter.com

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Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Time to Relax

Amy at shareandconnect.wordpress.com gives us this week’s prompt – “time to relax”.

Between working 50 – 60 hours a week, blogging, taking classes and running to doctors appointments, I have little time to just sit and relax.  But despite that, living at the beach makes it simple for me to follow Amy’s suggestion.  

The beach is less than a mile from home and work so it’s easy to grab my camera and pop over to the beach for a quick walk before heading home.  And with the soft light at that time of day, I always get a beautiful, calming shot.

And on the weekends, hubby and I get the chairs, umbrella and towels together and we sit at the water’s edge for a couple of hours.  Watching the tide come in and roll out, seeing the children playing in the surf and watching the sun setting is the best prescription for what ails you.

Beach Buddies

Here’s my original picture…

Beach Buddies 2

and here’s my edited version after last week’s Photoshop class.

To see entries from other bloggers, please click here: https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/

You can see more of my photography here: photographyinpearls.photoshelter.com

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