Landscapes – Weekly Photo Challenge
“A landscape image cuts across all political and national boundaries. It transcends the constraints of language and culture.”
Charlie Waite
I loved the opening quote by Charlie Waite. There is so much strife and discord in today’s world, yet there is never a quarrel with the beauty of the natural world we all share. How nice that Cheri’s challenge this week gives us the opportunity to share some of the beautiful landscapes we’ve seen around the world.
“It’s an immensely liberating feeling when you’re out in the landscape, concentrating on creating a photograph, and you’re absolutely flying.”
Charlie Waite
As I’ve often noted, I’ve been very fortunate to see some amazing places around the world. Again, I agree with Charlie that the exhilaration one feels when experiencing a special place, especially for the first time, is hard to match. I am particularly drawn to the magnificence of nature, but also appreciate some of the man-made beauty I’ve seen as well. Two wonderful example of man making the most of nature are China’s Great Wall and the wonderful temples of Angkor Wat, both shown below.
“Photographs – especially those of people, of distant landscapes and faraway cities, of the vanished past – are incitements to reverie.”
“A path is a prior interpretation of the best way to traverse a landscape.”
Rebecca Solnit
While it is easy to appreciate the glories of exotic places, some of the most wonderful landscapes can also be found in our own backyards. The captures below were made in areas much more accessible to those of us in the US.
“All landscapes ask the same question in the same whisper. ‘I am watching you — are you watching yourself in me?’ “
Lawrence Durrell
I find that not only exhilaration, but also a rather spiritual feeling of tranquility can be found when we stop to appreciate the beauty around us. While the photograph just above was made here on Kiawah, I’ve also experienced some wonderful moments of the peace that only nature can provide in more faraway landscapes such as those below.
“We travel to see beauty of souls in new landscapes.”
Lailah Gifty Akita
So many places, so little space 😄. Wishing you all the peace that nature can give.
To see the landscapes of some other bloggers, click here.
What an amazing series of photos, really shows off your great work!
Thanks very much Mark – glad this one caught your eye!
Beautiful photos and quotes Tina. I’ll probably never get to see the Great Wall – but I can’t see it’s majesty in your photo
Tina, one thing is for certain ~ you have traveled to some mighty beautiful places. Incredible shots, each one had me thinking “I’d sure like to be there…” and one, followed by another and yet another…quite a path and I think you opened it up so well with The Bridge To Beauty shot. Onward to more such places this year. Cheers.
Your lips, God’s ears as they say Randall!!! Headed to the Pacific Northwest this summer, hoping for many more glorious landscapes along the way. Thanks for stopping by.
Great collection. My favorite is the opening shot.
Thanks Andy! All fond memories for me 🙂
Knew you would have some amazing shots for this challenge Tina…very nice. 🙂
Thanks Andy!
Tina — lovely colours and compositions! Every single frame in this post is a treat to the eyes.
Thanks so much Uday – always great to hear from you!
Tina, you certainly are lucky to have such a lovely record of the places you have been!
Lucky to have a record, even luckier to have been able to go in the first place! Thanks Sue
Your photography is superb Tina, you manage to capture not only the beauty of the scene but the feeling of awe that looking at it gives a “spiritual feeling of tranquillity”
What a wonderful compliment Pauline, thanks so much. Of course, conveying the feeling of the experience is the goal of every photographer so your comment means a great deal to me.
Thank you for taking us along on your fabulous trips and for sharing such spectacular photos.
Always my pleasure Dor, thanks for stopping by!
Tina, such beautiful landscapes! I especially love the one of Shangri-La!
Many thanks Grace – Shangri La was indeed amazing!!
Great global tour!
😃 thanks Jane!
Wonderful and breathtaking!!! Thanks a lot!!! The Angkor Wat is wonderful, super atmospheric..It promises a world full of adventures and smells… And I really love the way you have cropped the Botswana one… It is simply perfect!
Have a good week Tina!
Thanks so much Ilargia – great to see you again! Welcome back.
As always simply stunning photography. 😀
Many thanks Elle!
All the world to choose from and my favourite, a ‘little’ Scottish precipice, Tina 🙂 Have a happy week!
🙂 Thanks Jo – Scotland had so many glorious landscapes it was hard to choose! My ever-patient husband was an amazing companion as I had him stop at every turn 🙂
Stunning collection Tina.
Hope all is well with you and your family.
Thanks CTB, great to hear from you! Best to you and hubby!!
Thanks Tina. Take care _CTB 😀
Do you know what a fantastic collection of images. I love the Botswana shot.
Many thanks Edith – appreciate your visit and comment.
Beautiful photos, and such meaningful quotes as well. Charlie Waite’s quote is so insightful. A beautiful scene of nature has the potential to make everyone stop and see that each of us live in such beauty in this amazing world. And Susan Sontag! Photographs certainly capture and preserve the beauty of what has been, each of them a time capsule in itself.
Yes, there is always something wonderful to appreciate around us wherever we may be. All we got to do is slow down and take a look 🙂
Amen to that Mabel! It’s so important to see with your eyes and heart before trying to capture with a lens. Thanks for sharing your thoughts as always.
Beautiful.
Thanks SS!
The colours in the Alaskan photo are just breathtaking. My absolute favourite.
Thanks so much Claudette – it was that beautiful and then some in person!
Your stunning photos made my heart expand on this Monday morning. Thank you for making my day more beautiful.
What a lovely comment, thanks very much Kalpanaa
Reblogged this on My Blog.
Many thanks for the reblog!
What a beautiful post ! 🙂
Thanks !!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Regards,
Aliosa.
My pleasure Aliosa, thanks for your visit and comment
Stunning. All of them! Your eye for color and composition is amazing!
Many thanks Diane!!
What a beautiful post, Tina! All these landscapes are breathtaking. And I know what you mean with the peace and spiritual oneness we can experience in nature.
Many thanks Tiny, yes nature has an amazing ability to soothe us doesnt’ it?
Such a lovely selection Tina!
Thanks very much DWW
Wow!
Thanks!
I love seeing all the photos of “exotic” places (are my places exotic to others?) and I also love seeing the daily beauty of what’s outside my window and in “my” park. Taking photos really makes you look at things and that’s worth a lot, even if the photos aren’t always as wonderful as yours.
Have a marvel-filled week, Tina.
janet
Many thanks Janet – and the same to you! Yes agree, any place is exotic to those who don’t live there LOL
Beautiful collection of photos. 🙂
Thanks very much Imelda
Wow, these are all so gorgeous. I’m so glad I don’t have to pick a favorite! 🙂
🙂 Thanks Linda
As always, an amazing set of landscapes for the challenge. I love the misty Angkor Wat photo. When I went to Cambodia, my camera got stolen and my pics from that trip are all from a disposable camera ! It was pre-smartphone obviously !
Thanks WC – what a sad story about Angkor Wat – I would have been crazed to be there with no camera!! A disposable???? OMG!!!
Such breathtaking landscapes, Tine. Your quotes are as always very ponderable and well chosen. Wonderful post. 🙂
Thank you Sylvia – some glorious places in this world, aren’t there?!
That’s for sure, Tina. 🙂
Lovely set of landscapes TIna. You are a lucky girl. Including Angkor Wat must have been divine inspiration. 🙂
LOL, an all-time favorite capture and an all-time favorite memory my friend! Happy to have shared it with you
I guess great minds think alike.
This post reminded me of the very broad spectrum of travels you have experienced and shared with us thru the years… . How blessed we all are
And how blessed am I my friend?! Thanks for your encouragement.
Excellent, Tina! Your images and the quotes are stunning, I can’t choose one 🙂
Thanks so much Sandra, happy you enjoyed!
Just glorious! Thanks for sharing your world views with us. Love the quotes as well.
Thanks very much Patti!
Absolutely stunning set of images, Tina….an embarrassment of riches!
Thanks Sue – a very lucky lady indeed!
😀
Simply stunning Tina! I can’t even chose a favorite as they are all so wonderful!
Thanks Nicole, glad you enjoyed!
An embarrassment of riches here in your landscape shots, and I feel lucky, as you do, to have seen so many of them in person. Every one is a gem; the lighting in each is so different and spectacular. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Lex – Loved your April Fools Post!!!
Amazing views.
Thanks Rabirius
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a very beautiful gallery
Many thanks Mitza!
A landscape tour around the world. These are fantastic photos, Tina.
These are magazine cover shots!
Thanks Amy – your lips, God’s (or magazine publisher’s) ears!!
Some wonderful landscapes Tina!
Many thanks Adrian
What a life you have led! And how lucky we are, that you share your memories with us each week! xx
Have led and hopefully continue to lead Grace!!! Thanks very much for the lovely compliment!
I don’t have to travel far to see the beauty in the landscapes you shared with us! Thanks Tina.
Never thought of it that way Ruth, thanks very much!!
I await your weekly posts eagerly! Once again, you present us a stunning gallery of quotes and photos.
What a lovely compliment Lindy, thanks so much!
Amazing gallery!
Thanks Rupali!
Tina, what a fine collection of landscape pictures, each one worth hanging on a wall at any exhibit or museum!
What a lovely compliment, thanks so much Neihtn
Oh what beauty thanks so much for sharing a bit from your extensive travels.
My pleasure MDW – the world is an amazing place!
Beautiful compositions and post processing–Sunrise, Angkor Wat is my favorite.
Beautiful images, Tina. Being able to travel and see other places is a real gift, isn’t it? You’ve been to some very wonderful corners of our planet. Thank you for sharing.
and what a great quote at the beginning, by Charlie Waite. it brought to mind a visit to the far eastern corner of the former West Germany, when there were still two Germany’s, long before I had a digital camera. The country had been divided rigidly along the old borderline between specific Bundesländer (the German equivalent of states in the USA).
This resulted in a somewhat jagged line, and standing in a particular spot, it was possible to look across a landscape that, as the crow flies, alternately covered West Germany, East Germany, and back to West Germany again. It also meant that for one of the villages of East Germany, its train station happened to be situated on the ‘wrong side’ of the border, and so it stood, stranded and unused in West Germany, as a silent monument of how senseless such arbitrary borders can be.
It had no effect on the birds that flew across the meadows, but it prevented people from connecting. And yet to look at the scene, it really was but one landscape. Had all but forgotten that story until I read your quote.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Kris, Thanks so much for sharing that story – it really illustrates the quote perfectly doesn’t it?! Glad I was able to push that memory up from the depths 🙂
Thanks very much Carto – yes the Angkor Wat photo is a personal favorite – photo as well as memory!