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

COULD BE RUDOLPH

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 🙂.

GARDENS IN BLOOM

“If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”

Percy Bysshe Shelley

NESTING EGRETS

“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.

READY FOR ACTION

“Summertime is always the best of what might be.”

Charles Bowden

BEACH DAY WITH DADDY

“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 FOLIAGE

“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.”

John Howard Bryant

COLORS OF FALL

“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.

T’IS THE SEASON

“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