Lens-Artists Challenge #65 – Pick a Place
“The place cast a spell on me, a lovely spell that seduced me one breath at a time.”
Brenda Sutton Rose
Last week Amy challenged us to share images of the countryside and/or a small town. This week we’re asking you to look a bit farther afield. Each of us at some point has visited a place that holds special memories. It may have been a small town, a big city, or even better, an entire country. We’d like you to capture the spirit of a place that is vivid in your memory. What was it that drew you in and why did it capture YOUR heart?
“There are places which exist in this world beyond the reach of imagination.”
Daniel J. Rick
My husband and I have been fortunate to experience some truly iconic places, most of which have appeared here on Travels and Trifles over the years. Among many others, we’ve been amazed by our safaris in Africa (always number one), Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, China’s Great Wall, the US National Parks, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and most recently, Old City Jerusalem. This week I’ve chosen to feature our visit to the small but enchanting country of Scotland.
“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.”
Seneca
Scotland is made up of some 30,000 square miles (79,000km) and has a population of just over 5 million. (By comparison New York City measures about 300 square miles and its population is over 8 million.) It includes 790 islands, 130 of them occupied, and is home to over 300 castles. Perhaps Scotland can best be understood by a single fact – their national animal is a unicorn 🙂 gotta love that!
“This place is special to me and I just wanted to share it with you.”
Anthony T. Hincks
I remember many things about Scotland, including the food (loved Cullen Skink, couldn’t make myself try haggis), the roads (1200 miles on narrow, winding, often one-way roads with a manual shift), the golf (my second-ever eagle), the people (warm, friendly and helpful), the castles, and of course the glorious vistas. Most memorable for me though was the incredible, ever-changing, other-worldly light. You cannot capture it with a lens, nor can you describe it in words. It was simply the most beautiful I’ve ever seen with an ethereal quality all its own.
“Let your heart hear the music – be moved by images, people and places… for that makes you more alive.”
Val Uchendu
In Scotland, if you don’t like the weather just wait a moment. Bright sun, dense fog, hard rain, dramatic storms – oftentimes within the space of an hour or two. The elements made for spectacular skies and yes, amazing light.
“There are some places that simply demand that a story be told of them.”
Mark Valentine
I couldn’t close without featuring some of the unique creatures dotting the Scottish landscapes. They were completely unfamiliar to me and having seen them I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Scotland really DOES have unicorns!
“Visualize a place that you really love, be there, see the details. Now write about it.”
Natalie Goldberg
Hopefully you’ve hung in there with me up to this point and are thinking about some wonderful memories of your own. As always Patti, Ann-Christine, Amy and I are hoping you’ll join us this week to share your own special places. Remember to tag your response Lens-Artists and to link it to my original post, rather than the reader version, to make sure we can all find you.
Last week Amy asked us to share some thoughts and images from the countryside and/or small town life. We hope you enjoyed the responses as much as we did. The feelings of fresh air along with peace and quiet came through loud and clear!
HAVE YOU SEEN THESE?
Pam at I Choose This gave us a tour of the countrysides in some far corners of the world
Svetlana of Svetlana’s Photography visits the unique countryside lives of the Amish
Henry of Fotoeins Fotografie shares his images of life in the small towns of Austria
New to Lens-Artists? Click here to learn how to join us.
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Such beautiful images, Tina…including the “wild”life!
Thanks so much Lynn 🙂 I found the wildlife so unique – especially the Highland Cattle. They look so adorable with those long bangs over their eyes. Somehow I remember a similar hairdo in my younger years LOL.
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Thanks.
Heart warming set of images.
R
Many thanks Thom, glad this one caught your eye.
Reblogged this on .
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I loved Scotland also…. almost surreal sometimes… frozen in time and yet refreshing ….
A perfect description GF – thanks for stopping by!
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Yes, you can’t beat Scotland on a sunny day, Tina. Great shots! I’m with you in my post about Tobermory! https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/2577833/posts/2429990642
Thanks Meg, we really enjoyed our trip
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https://nowathome.wordpress.com/2019/10/05/lens-artists-photo-challenge-65-pick-a-place/ Sorry for the late entry!!
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Please wait for me!!! I have a last minute submission before the closing time 🙂
http://www.travelways.com/monaco-one-day-visit/
Thank you for visiting!
No worries, thanks Tatiana!
Thank you Tina! 🙂
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My, my, the evolution of unicorn. In Scotland, they do create great stories of evolution. Them folks can tell tales and you can make our heart sing with your magnificent travels and trifles, Tina. I would pick Scotland, too!
😊 LOL I’m sure you’re right Perpetua! Thanks for the lovely comment. A singing heart is more than enough to make my day!
Hi Tina, I have FINALLY managed to create a post!! Here it is https://suejudd.com/2019/10/04/lens-artists-photo-challenge-65-pick-a-place/
Yay!! Thanks Sue!
😊😊😊
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Tina, loved seeing your beautiful pictures of Scotland. Would love to go there one day, if for no other reason than to looking for some unicorns!! My special place this week is Venice, here is my post: https://mycolorfulexpressions.com/lens-artists-photo-challenge-65-venice-italy-special-memories/
LOL just because we didn’t find them doesn’t mean they aren’t there!! Thanks for participating this week. Great to have you back
Thank you, it is wonderful to be here now plus we have a lot of catching up to do!
Scotland is such a beautiful country, I really like your livestock images. This was such a fun challenge for me! I went with Tanzania:https://wp.me/p2owKx-1gG
Cheers, Amy
Thanks Amy, it’s a wonderful country of friendly people and beautiful landscapes. Appreciate your joining us this week
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Some wonderful views of Scotland Tina!
Thanks Chris. It’s a lovely country
Scotland is indeed beautiful
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Always a treat catching up after being away. Warm wishes Tina as always.
Thanks Andrew-always great to see your name pop up!
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hi tina, i have been taking pictures for only a few years now, but i also like to take pictures. unfortunately, I do not have time to travel to another country / city due to illness.
as always wonderful pictures that you show in your blog, I am always happy to watch your pictures and where you have been and experience.
that’s why in Momment I only show pictures from my favorite city hamburg. here would be my contribution, also weeks theme,https://wp.me/p2AvI7-3gq, if you agree I change the title of my amount.
greetings robert
A wonderful choice beautifully done Robert. Thanks for joining us!
Tina…you captured the natural beauty of Scotland! My maiden name is Craig so it’s one of my favorite countries. Hope you had your eagle at Royal Dornoch and drove the Isle of Kintyre.
Please note my new email:peggymccarthy19@gmail.com
Hi Peggy – Had no idea you were following the blog – what a nice surprise! So glad you enjoyed this one. And in fact yes, I DID have the eagle at Royal Dornoch 😀!
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Such beautiful photos – I also enjoyed your commentary and titles and quotes! The hills definitely are alive :). I’ve never been to Scotland, but I can see why you were drawn to it. The light is a photographer’s dream!
My contribution:
http://oneletterup.com/2019/10/03/paradise-found
Many thanks OLU – off to visit your post shortly!
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Hi Tina. I couldn’t help but join you this time. Thanks for being a lovely hostess. https://restlessjo.me/2019/10/03/rio-arade-a-special-place/
Always my pleasure Jo, thanks for joining us!
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https://anjumwasimdar.wordpress.com/2019/10/03/for-lens-artist-challenge-65-by-tina-schell-pick-a-place-islamabad-the-beautiful-reflections-from-the-road/
Here’s mine: http://chava61photography.photo.blog/2019/10/02/lens-artists-photo-challenge-65-pick-a-place/
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I love all your challenges but responding to this one gave me a special kind of joy. Must have been your sparkling photos. Thank you so much! Here is my compilation of special places:
https://mexcessive.photo.blog/2019/10/02/lens-artists-pc-my-pick-of-places/
Well you’ve made my day MMM, thanks very much!
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enjoyed the heavenly view and all the animal smiles – Scotland is charming…
and for my entry – I went with Florida this week:
https://priorhouse.blog/2019/10/02/florida-the-sunshine-state-lens-artists-photo-challenge-65/
Thanks Yvette, it is indeed very charming, glad you enjoyed. And thanks for joining us this week as well.
🙂
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Hello again Tina, the other favourite place we love to spend time is in the forest, when the colours are just beginning to change: https://tranature.com/2019/10/02/wordless-wednesday-changing-seasons/
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Thank you for hosting this lovely challenge Tina and for featuring so many beautiful images from our country! We’re just back from a short break and chose one of our favourite places for this week: https://whippetwisdom.com/2019/10/02/wordless-wednesday-blessed-mountains/
Welcome back Xenia, and thank you! I thought of you as I was putting the post together 😊
Thank you dear Tina, so happy you had a great time here! 🤗💖🌲 xxx
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One of my( our ) favorite trips. Glad you posted these great photos……cause all I remember is driving a stick shift from the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the road. Loved every minute of it.