Lens-Artists Challenge #250 SKyscapes or Cloudscapes

This week Amy of The World is a Book challenges me to select a few cloudscape photos.

Having had a long period of drought, I value a cloudy sky. I especially like those puffy white clouds that I can imagine all sorts of stories. Usually, the summer skies can be a bit drab. Beating hot sun, and not a cloud in the sky. At that time a nice cloud cover is welcome. Sunsets and clouds are beautiful. A cloudy winter’s day can give me a feeling of moodiness. Clouds with the anticipation of rain can be welcome. Or if it goes on for too many days, it can make me want to stay in bed longer.

I often take a photo of the clouds with the thought that I might want to exchange a boring, bland sky for a cloudy one. It never happens, but I do have a fun library to look at when it can to this challenge.

Puffy clouds to imagine stories

Clouds at the shore

Sunsets and clouds

Wonderful cloud formations in Sedona Arizona

Clouds take their place in landscapes

Clouds in winter

This moody Livermore sky would work for a scary Halloween theme

Airplane View of clouds

That is all folks. When you go outside be sure to look up! Or out, or down!

My photo collection has over 200 cloudy images. It is fun to go back and review my collection. One of the perks of participating in these Lens-Artist challenges. What are your thoughts?

Lens-Artists Challenge #244 Glowing Moments

Siobhan from Bend Branches created this challenge. “What glowing moments have been special in your life?”

I looked up the definition of “Glow” and found that I was looking through my library and paying attention to lighting.

Flowers

Lighting from the back is my way of capturing flower power.

Tulips and daffodils are a sign of spring.

Backlit pink tulips, and a narrow depth of field soft daffodils

Captured this flower in high-key lighting

This little beetle found its way on a California Poppy

Sunrise and Sunset always emit a glow

Sedona, Arizona offers a great opportunity to capture sunrise and sunsets. In August, it is best to get up early for sunrise, take an midday nap, and watch the sun go down. Plan to eat a later dinner.

Water glowing

Slow shutter speed captures a water glow of a fountain

Painting with light

Playing with glow stick and flashlight as I paint with light

Slowing down the shutter speed can make for some interesting effects.

Thank you for taking the time to view my idea of glowing moments. Enjoy your own glowing moments, stay safe, and be kind!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #229 Perfect Patterns

This week Ann-Christine challenges me to find perfect patterns and tell us why I think they are perfect.

Animals

An answer to an often-asked question, “Are zebras black with white stripes or white with black stripes?” The answer is, “Black with white stripes!” Shave one and you will find black skin beneath. When exploring this fun fact I learned that scientists still have not discovered the reason for their stripes. Not an easy question to solve so it seems. No matter, I still find them perfect.

Giraffe spots are unique. And by the way, their tongues are long so that they can forage on trees that others can’t eat.

Plants

This cactus flower will bloom once at night. In the morning it will be done. I learned this from my neighbors, Bob and Bea. I received an urgent call one night and was told to come over quickly. Worried, we rushed over. The cactus was blooming, and they didn’t want us to miss it. I was relieved since these neighbors were elderly. They gave us a cactus we named, Bob and Bea, and it bloomed after many years. That is until a neighborhood squirrel thought this cactus was tasty.

This squirrel came each afternoon and ate until there was nothing left. So much for saving for a rainy day.

Found on the coast of California, I love the papery look of these colorful flowers.

Lots of other flower patterns some perfect, and some almost. Which one do you like?

Natural World

Taken many years ago on The Big Island. Currently, lava is flowing again.

Sedona rock formation. Inspiring and peaceful

Magnificent!

Art inspired patterns

Color, reflection, and repetition are all captured in one photo.

The back of this caned chair creates a comfortable pattern.

Skyscraper hotel patterns. Privacy, view, interest, or lighting? Why?

That is all I can say about seeing the world and discovering all the perfect patterns that surround us. Do you have any perfect patterns around you?

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #213 Here Comes the Sun

Amy provides my new challenge this week. This week, our theme is “Here Comes the Sun”. I will explore the sunlight and things under the sun, whether it’s in the morning, middle of the day, and/or before the sun goes down.

I’m not a super early riser, but if I want to capture exceptional images in Sedona, Arizona I made it a reason to set my alarm. I arranged a family reunion in Sedona. The family met in Sun City West where my parents lived and carpooled up to Sedona, It was August 2005, and it was my mother’s 80th birthday. My brother and I shared a room, and with my new dslr Nikon D70 camera, we headed out each morning at 4:30 a.m. It’s true, “The early bird catches the views”. Peaceful, quiet, and no crowds!