Wild Weekly Photo Challenge-People in Nature / Weekly Photo Challenge-Beyond

“See beyond what the eyes can see, believe beyond the inspiration.”

Felix Y. Siauw

FOCUSED BEYOND THE PEAKS

This week, the Weekly Photo Challenge is “Beyond”, and the Wild Weekly Photo Challenge is” People-in-Nature” . My visit last week to Sedona, Arizona presented me with opportunities to address both. For two lovely days, my husband was the perfect sherpa as I shot to my heart’s content all over this amazing area.

SUNRISE BEYOND THE MOUNTAIN

“Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.”

Gerard Way

I overcame my sincere dislike of waking early to catch the sunrise over the red rocks. It was quite cold but consequently most of the tourists decided to stay in their warm beds and we had our chosen post to ourselves, except for one other photographer (top) and a lovely sunrise seeker (above). Perhaps because we were in one of the Sedona “Vortex” areas, we all communed nicely with one another and with glorious nature.

VORTEX AT CATHEDRAL ROCK

“Vision. It reaches beyond the thing that is, into the conception of what can be. Imagination gives you the picture. Vision gives you the impulse to make the picture your own.”

Robert Collier

Apparently, the five vortex locations of Sedona are well-known, and are sought by many, such as the two women above, for their spiritual energy (yep, those little black spots are two people at the end of the plateau!). The vortexes are purported to facilitate prayer, meditation and healing. For me, simply observing the incredible beauty of the environment was more than enough to energize me.

BEYOND THE CACTI

“Quiet the mind, and the soul will speak.”

Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

THE GREAT BEYOND

After sunrise, the day warmed up beautifully and we journeyed to another vortex spot, The Chapel of the Holy Cross, to shoot the beautiful light just before sunset.

CHAPEL OF THE HOLY CROSS

“Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.”

Voltaire

Finally, a shot which for me rather defines the mysteries of Sedona. If you are open to it, whether because of its beauty or because of its mysterious vortexes, for at least a few moments you can bridge the divide between everyday life and the power of spirituality.

BRIDGING THE CHASM

I’m participating in the online adventure travel and photography magazine LetsBeWild.com’s Wild Weekly Photo Challenge for bloggersThis week’s Challenge is: People in Nature!

For more BEYOND Weekly Challenge Posts, go to here.

And last but not least, this post is also linked to Ailsa’s Travel Theme of the week “UP”. Check it out here.

Tags: Beyond, Cactus, nature, photography, Red Rocks, Sedona, Up, Vortex, weekly challenge, Wild Weekly Photo Challenge

53 thoughts on “Wild Weekly Photo Challenge-People in Nature / Weekly Photo Challenge-Beyond”

thelonelyauthorblog on November 25, 2015 at 9:05 am said:

Beautiful shots.

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Cris on April 15, 2014 at 2:19 pm said:

Thanks for the link. It certainly did my memory a lot of good to see these wonderful photographs. You are well worth following. 🙂 That’s what I think.

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- Tina Schell on April 15, 2014 at 2:31 pm said:
  
  Hmmm….and you may be my new favorite commenter 🙂 Seriously, many thanks Cris!
  
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  - Cris on April 15, 2014 at 2:37 pm said:
    
    LOL 🙂
Virginia Duran on March 3, 2013 at 5:40 am said:

Amazing church indeed! While doing research for my post I found this masterpiece but it was from thr 50’s so didn’t include it. I will love to read a post about it with more pictures! Thanks for sharing this 🙂

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Wayne Marshall on February 11, 2013 at 1:49 am said:

Hi

I’m looking for a quality website such as travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com to place some advertising on your site. You will be pay to display advertising.

Let me know if this is of interest and we can hopefully come to some agreement.

Kind Regards,
Wayne

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- Tina Schell on February 11, 2013 at 7:38 am said:
  
  Hi Wayne. Thank you but I am not interested.
  
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Island Traveler on January 30, 2013 at 6:04 pm said:

A lot of times, life’s responsibilities and demand make us forget to enjoy and savor life itself. Today, you reminded us to truly see, breathe and cherish nature and everything around us. ““See beyond what the eyes can see, believe beyond the inspiration.”” Thanks.

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- Tina Schell on January 30, 2013 at 6:24 pm said:
  
  My pleasure 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
  
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fgassette on January 29, 2013 at 8:13 pm said:

Love your photos. They bring back memories of my trip to Sedona.

Thank you for visiting my blog today. I appreciate the time you took to stop by. May your day be filled with joy and peace.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!

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- Tina Schell on January 29, 2013 at 8:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Francine. Such an amazing place.
  
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pleisbilongtumi on January 29, 2013 at 6:18 pm said:

Those are so stunning photos! Thanks a lot for stopping by m blog. I would say your blog is amazing

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- Tina Schell on January 29, 2013 at 7:58 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much! And yours is beautiful!
  
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Peripatetic Eric on January 29, 2013 at 11:52 am said:

Beautiful images of a beautiful place. The quotes really add to the feeling.

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- Tina Schell on January 29, 2013 at 12:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks Eric! Love your title 🙂
  
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Pingback: 1-24-13 Weekly Photo Challenge Beyond #3 (Going Beyond) « The Quotidian Hudson
Playamart - Zeebra Designs on January 22, 2013 at 10:58 pm said:

the great beyond is an amazing image!

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- Tina Schell on January 22, 2013 at 11:20 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Lisa! A lovely compliment from a wonderful artist!
  
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  - Playamart - Zeebra Designs on January 23, 2013 at 12:01 am said:
    
    it all but glows!
The Retiring Sort on January 22, 2013 at 2:23 pm said:

This is a great selection of sots!

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- Tina Schell on January 22, 2013 at 3:27 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much for your compliment and for stopping by!
  
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poppytump on January 22, 2013 at 2:17 pm said:

Lovely colourful post a very alternative arty place from what we gathered ! The rocks just sing out with colour there .
Tina you obviously captured the shots we would have got if we had possibly had more time when we travelled through there .. Big 😉

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- Tina Schell on January 22, 2013 at 3:25 pm said:
  
  Thanks PT! We were very lucky with warm weather in January and lovely light both days. Lots more shots, have to do a Sedona post one of these days. Glad you enjoyed 🙂
  
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Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Beyond « KnowledgeKnut
Thomas Peace (author) on January 21, 2013 at 8:24 pm said:

That initial quote from Felix Y. Shaw (of “See beyond what the eyes can see, believe beyond the inspiration.”) sure resonated with me! Here is why: I posted the following in Twitter on Jan. 19th: Thomas Peace ‏@tom8pie
Listen with what is deeper than what can hear.

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- Tina Schell on January 21, 2013 at 8:29 pm said:
  
  Love it Thomas! Thanks for stopping by!
  
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Pingback: Photo Project: 52 Bolivian Sundays [week 3, 'Beyond'] « 3rdculturechildren
Jerry Stolarski on January 21, 2013 at 5:44 pm said:

Reblogged this on PhoPort.

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elisaruland on January 21, 2013 at 4:44 pm said:

I’ve never been outside of Phoenix on my visits to Arizona, so it was a treat to see Sedona through your lens. Beautiful!

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- Tina Schell on January 21, 2013 at 5:12 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Elisa!
  
  Sent from my iPhone
  
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april kanew on January 21, 2013 at 3:58 pm said:

Simply CALMING……great eye!!

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- Tina Schell on January 21, 2013 at 4:04 pm said:
  
  Thanks April!
  
  Sent from my iPhone
  
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Gracie on January 21, 2013 at 1:39 pm said:

These are excellent photos for the challenge, Tina.
You’ve captured some amazing scenery.

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- Tina Schell on January 21, 2013 at 3:15 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Gracie. Lots to be captured!
  
  Sent from my iPhone
  
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sandy buffie on January 21, 2013 at 10:13 am said:

Wow!! These photos are beautiful. I can feel the energy just looking at them. Thanks for taking me there!

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- Tina Schell on January 21, 2013 at 12:15 pm said:
  
  Thanks sandy! Lots more to come 🙂
  
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Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Beyond « Dibbler Dabbler
Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Beyond « Dibbler Dabbler
Amy on January 21, 2013 at 9:21 am said:

Beautiful post, Tina! I love how you said about bridge the between everyday life and the power of spirituality. Thank you for your insights!

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- Tina Schell on January 21, 2013 at 9:36 am said:
  
  Thanks so much Amy!
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
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Susan Palmer on January 21, 2013 at 8:24 am said:

Thanks to your commanding shots and commentary, Sedona is now on my bucket list. Bailey as a sherpa~that’s a hoot!

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Suzie on January 21, 2013 at 7:55 am said:

Beautiful, Tina. I enjoy the visual and emotional links! Suzie

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- Tina Schell on January 21, 2013 at 8:01 am said:
  
  Thanks Suzie!
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
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SimplySage on January 21, 2013 at 7:17 am said:

Forgot to mention—great quotes, too!

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- Tina Schell on January 21, 2013 at 7:57 am said:
  
  🙂
  
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SimplySage on January 21, 2013 at 7:16 am said:

Exceptional!

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- Tina Schell on January 21, 2013 at 7:57 am said:
  
  Thanks so much Alexandria!
  
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Sharon Buehler on January 21, 2013 at 6:43 am said:

Thanks for giving us a peek at “the great beyond”. It’s beautiful.

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- Tina Schell on January 21, 2013 at 7:56 am said:
  
  Thanks Sharon!
  
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Jane Iwan on January 21, 2013 at 6:41 am said:

Tina, great to see the Sedona area through your lens. Especially liked the great beyond.

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- Tina Schell on January 21, 2013 at 7:56 am said:
  
  Thanks Jane! Have to do a full post on it, just wanted to submit for the theme. It was fantastic but I’m happy to be home.
  
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Jane Lurie on January 20, 2013 at 11:48 pm said:

Interesting shots. Glad you loved Sedona!

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- Tina Schell on January 20, 2013 at 11:55 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jane – focused on the themes 🙂 Good to be home.
  
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