Lens-Artists Challenge #24 – SEASONAL
“December, being the last month of the year, cannot help but make us think of what is to come.”
Fennel Hudson
OK, I’ll admit I used Photoshop to give this beautiful buck a bit of a Rudolph-red nose, but as the song says, “t’is the season” right? Speaking of seasons, for this week’s challenge we’re focused on the seasons and what they mean to you. For me, winter is a time of introspection. I like to snuggle in by a warm fire and listen to soft music while considering the year just finished and the one ahead. On warmer southern days it’s great to get outside and enjoy a bit of our mostly-mild winter. Full disclosure, I captured my image of the buck during our visit to Colorado over Thanksgiving. Here on Kiawah, neither we nor our deer get to see much snow 🙂.
“If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”
Percy Bysshe Shelley
“Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?”
Neltje Blanchan
One of the beauties of winter is that it is inevitably followed by spring. Emerging from winter’s gloom, Mother Earth seems to celebrate the return of warmth and color. While I am as happy as anyone to see the year’s pristine first snowfall, once the cold has settled in I am more than ready for it to fade away. The spring’s first blooms celebrate nature’s best efforts. The air is filled with the scent of new growth, carried in on the gentle breezes of the new season. For most of us it is a time of renewed energy and an appreciation of the nature’s many wonders. For a photographer there is no better time than the first blush of spring.
“Summertime is always the best of what might be.”
Charles Bowden
“it’s a smile, it’s a kiss, it’s a sip of wine … it’s summertime!”
Kenny Chesney
For me, summer is a time for relaxation and fun. Often, because the temperatures here in South Carolina can be extreme, my husband and I will travel during the summer months. Most years we’ll spend time with our families in the northeast, occasionally we’ll venture out west or even farther afield. Personally I don’t mind Kiawah summers but my Boston-born husband has little tolerance for it. Interestingly, it is by far the most popular season for Kiawah’s many visitors.
“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.”
John Howard Bryant
“No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face.”
John Donne
Ah fall – a perfect example of good news/bad news. First, it is glorious. Mother Nature dons her most beautiful colors to show us the best of what she has to offer. The air is crisp and clear and the very slight chill in the air is most welcome after the heat of summer. On the other hand, those colorful leaves are falling fast, days are getting shorter, and soon winter’s chill will once again be upon us. Perhaps autumn is teaching us a lesson on enjoying the blessings of each day as we cannot know what tomorrow will bring.
“May the splendor of the holiday season enlighten your life and warm your heart.”
Debasish Mridha
Here’s hoping you are enjoying a beautiful holiday season surrounded by family and friends. Remember to reach out to those who are not so fortunate and for whom this may be a difficult time.
We look forward to seeing your interpretation of our Seasonal challenge. Remember to link your post to this one and to tag it with our Lens-Artists tag. Last but not least, don’t forget to tune in next week for Patti’s challenge at her Pilotfish blog.
HAVE YOU SEEN THESE?
Last week Amy’s Celebrations challenge invited us to share our experiences around the world. Your responses offered some wonderful variety. For example:
John Steiner shared examples of amazing Christmas lights in his post at PhotosbyJohnbo
Sue of Words Visual took us all the way to Maramures Romania in her response here.
Mei-Mei of Jedibyknight shared a religious festival from her studies in Salamanca, Spain
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I once stuck a pair of antlers on my Deerhound and photoshopped her nose red. (I didn’t have a photo of a deer). I love the last macro shot of the Christmas baubles
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LOVE love love the nesting Egrets, Tina!
Here’s something seasonal from me:
https://babsjeheron.wordpress.com/2018/12/24/beautiful-great-blue-herons-peace-on-earth-2018-not-art-nbr-22/
Best, Babsje
Not surprised you singled that one out Babsje😊. Happy holidays to you
Ah, you know me too well when it comes to Egrets. Best, Babsje
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Such a beautiful post Tina…a wonderful ride through the seasons!! just love the ‘gardens in bloom’ ….stunning!! merry merry to you two as well🌹
Thanks April! Have a fun holiday
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I love to view the same scene in various seasons and I’ve posted four such time-lapse posts already. Today I show you the garden where I grew up through the year, but with several months missing since five years ago I moved about 777 km SW. Thank you for co-hosting this challenge and for your lovely themes. Happy holidays!
https://manjameximovie3.wordpress.com/2018/12/21/lens-artists-pc-garden-through-seasons/
My pleasure MM and Happy Holidays to you too
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Beautiful photos, I especially like the very last one, looks so cheerful! 🙂 Here is my post for this nice theme this week, https://doarnicol.wordpress.com/2018/12/21/anotimp-seasonal/ Wishing you a lovely holiday time!
Thanks Nicole
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Another great challenge – just what I needed for inspiration to post about the storm we ‘enjoyed’ at Long Beach!
https://lindylecoq.com/2018/12/21/lens-artists-photo-challenge-24-seasonal-storm/
Terrific Lindy, glad you enjoyed!
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Here is my contribution: https://chava61.wordpress.com/2018/12/19/lens-artist-photo-challenge-24-seasonal/
Thanks for joining us and Happy Holidays
Tina, what a great subject with such beautiful pictures and quotes!! If I had to pick a favorite or so, it would be the Gardens in Bloom, Nesting Egrets and Christmas Tree Ornament. Thanks for posting this! Here is my post: https://mycolorfulexpressions.com/seasonal-lens-artists-photo-challenge/
Thanks Sylvia, happy those struck your fancy!
We love your seasonal gallery Tina. Sadly we don’t have too much of a real winter in Norfolk, but we are still hoping and wishing for snow.
Wishing you and your family Happy Holidays and a healthy, good New Year. See you there! 🙂
The Fab Four of Cley,
Dina
Thanks Dina et al. Careful what you wish for! We had our first snow in 20 years last January. Such a mess when everyone is totally unprepared! Happy Holidays to you too
We had a week with snow here last winter too, pure chaos. “The beast from the east” caused many accidents and did a lot of damage. Some soft snow flakes would be lovely though …
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Thanks WM!
Great and timely challenge this week, Tina. I will be searching my archives for my own gallery of favorite seasonal images. Your shot of the people on the beach is my favorite!
Thanks John, looking forward to it
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Thanks for participating Bren
What a lovely seasonal gallery Tina. Wishing you and your family the happiest of holidays and a very Happy New Year. With warmest wishes…Andrew
Thanks very much Andrew – and of course the same to you. All the best! Tina
Hello again Tina, here is a contribution from my nature blog: https://tranature.com/2018/12/18/haiku-winter-greeting/
Thanks Xenia!
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Thanks for joining us with this amazing post Nurul
breathtaking shots Tina – not least the colours you bring out. Most of all I am taken with the child and father – not just the sandy bottom but all the emotions and clarity that makes such an excellent photo
Thanks for the lovely compliment Laura, and Happy Holidays to you and yours
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I think it’s fair to say there is a sense of excitement as a season begins and a touch of melancholy when it comes to an end. Have you played on a snow-covered golf course? One of my friends did using orange golf balls to spot them in the snow.
From our home to yours, our best for a merry, Merry Christmas. 🙂
PS – Finally got an Instagram account. The current name is @DR1779R, but may change when I can think of a better name.
Thanks David, I do agree on the changing of the seasons. I’ve not done either snow golf (we have so little snow here) but have done night golf with glow balls. A fun change of pace.
Merry Christmas to you and yours too – and yes, a new instagram name is definitely in order!!
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Beautiful photos Tina! Happy Holidays!
Many thanks Nicole, and the best of the season to you too!
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Hey, I like the Rudolph nose and the beach scene. The best of the seasons luv with or with photoshop, the photo is precious.
https://365daysblog.com/2018/12/17/344-350-of-365/
Thanks Kathleen 😊
Hi, Tina. Here’s my post on “Seasons.” https://pilotfishblog.com/2018/12/15/lens-artists-photo-challenge-24-seasons/ I’m glad to see the good number of reply posts for this theme.
Beautiful images Tina, I especially love your capture of Rudolph! Our contribution for this week is here: https://whippetwisdom.com/2018/12/17/haiku-winter-sun-2/
Thanks Xenia—happy holidays!
Thank you dear Tina, happy holidays to you too! 🤗💖 xxx
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Fantastically done! Thanks for sharing,
Pit
My pleasure Pit. Thanks for the visit!
You’re most welcome!
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Felt like I was in a space capsule fleetingly experiencing each season… a reminder of the beauty that is inherent in each….
Thanks Miss Linda. Enjoy the holidays with your little ones!
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Some nice, relaxing seasonal photos!
Mine’s a little drier.
https://stupidityhole.wordpress.com/2018/12/17/dry-and-wilted-plant/
Thanks SH!
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Thank you for having me 🙂
Yes Christmas is almost here Tina and I had an early taste of it. https://retiredfromgypsylife.wordpress.com/2018/12/17/a-holiday-down-the-road/ You have given us a beautiful over view of the seasons with delightful quotes for each one. Enjoy Christmas and best wishes for 2019
Thanks very much Pauline, wishing you a wonderful holiday season as well
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I love Rudolph’s red nose, you did a wonderful job with him. Stunning seasonal photos, Tina. We don’t have too much of different seasons here but I borrow a couple snow photos my daughter sent me. I have some from our travel but I like hers the best. Here’s my winter garden.
https://theshowersofblessings.com/2018/12/16/lens-artists-challenge-24-seasonal/
Thanks Miriam. It was easier than waiting to spot the real Rudolph 😊
You’re welcome, Tina. Yes, and it looks just the same as a real one. 🙂