Lens-Artists Challenge #201 – Three of a Kind
“There are three ingredients in the good life: learning, earning and yearning.
Christopher Morley
This week Ann-Christine challenges us to think in threes – either with triptychs or in other ways. Because our glorious but ephemeral magnolia blossoms are everywhere at this time of year I was out and about with my Fuji to capture some of my favorites. I’ve included three of my them in my opening triptych. This year’s blossoms seem bigger and more beautiful than ever. Perhaps they too are anxious to emerge from the isolation of the past two years.
“Three things cannot long be hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth.”
Confucius
Those who follow me know how much I love the birds here on Kiawah; among my many favorites, the beautifully pink-colored roseate spoonbills. I chose a few of my recent images to put together the triptych above. One of the few benefits of climate change, these birds are seen more and more frequently around our island each year.
“Understanding is a three-edged sword. Your side, my side, and the truth.”
J. Michael Straczynski
I loved the interesting patterns of these sheep we came across in Scotland. They seemed as interested in us as we were in them. How cooperative of them to be a threesome for today’s challenge 😊.
“Harmony, balance, and rhythm. They’re the three things that stay with you your whole life.”
Daniel James Brown
I’ll close with an image of one of my favorite subjects, the beautiful elephants of Botswana. We are finally recognizing their level of intelligence as well as the way they love, communicate with and protect each other. Our limited understanding of the other creatures with which we share our planet is only now beginning to be known – and what amazing things we are learning every day.
Thanks to Ann-Christine for her invitation to share our threesomes. As always, we look forward to seeing your responses – please be sure to link them to her post here, and to use the lens-artists tag. Thanks also to all who responded to Amy’s “Every little thing” challenge last week. It was great to see so much variety among the many approaches. Next week’s challenge will be hosted by Sofia on her Photographias site. Her subject will be Minimalism/Maximalism – simple or flamboyant, plain or “more is more”, your choice. Until then, as always please stay safe and be kind.
Interested in joining the Lens-Artists challenge? Click here for more information.
Travels and Trifles 
Love the roseate spoonbills, Tina. They are stunningly beautiful birds. You have outdone yourself with the magnolias, absolutely exquisite work. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I just commented on the diversity of your photography, and then you wow with another genre of photography of still-life with your amazing opening magnolia triptych. The matching message too is something that comes from my philosophy as well: learning, earning and yearning. Not sure if there is a better basic recipe than this 🙂
I’ve enjoyed reading your comments Randall – many thanks for each and all of them. The thing I love about photography is that it causes me to pay attention to the world around me, things I might not have noticed before I picked up my lens. There is much to love about the world around us, despite the issues that continue to plague us. Photography helps us to see both sides and to find the balance we all need. Enjoy your time in the mountains – what better way to renew one’s spirit!
The magnolia – Wow! So beautiful in its simplicity.
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You know what they say about good things coming in threes??? Your gallery is wonderful. I love the flowers, and your wonderful menagerie! Great shots, as always.
Thanks Patti – I enjoyed this one.
Wow, so elegant – loved these!
Lovely photos! You know I am a big fan of animals and nature. I especially like your elephant photo–they’re irresistible.
Thanks Dawn – I agree on the elephants, they’re such amazing creatures.
Beautiful selection! I really like your magnolia images. The black and white gives them a classic, elegant feel.
Thanks very much Donna – exactly what I’d hoped!
Gorgeous sets of threes, Tina! I’m always quite taken by your pink Kiawah flora and fauna! Those spoonbills are such a delicate, happy pink! But ya gotta love the cute sheep! My neighbor has three goats that we walk by every day. They trot over to greet us each time. What is it about the face of goats and sheep that looks like they’re smiling?
Well personally Terri, I like to think they ARE smiling 😊!. Thanks for stopping by and for your lovely comment.
Those sheep are fanatstic; they do seem to be very curious up here 😂
They were indeed Jez – and stood quite still for my lens. I think they thought perhaps I’d make them famous LOL.
😂
Nice of the sheep to smile too, LOL. 🙂 🙂 🙂 (Three smiley faces in keeping with the theme.)
😊Thanks David. They were really cute and very curious about us.
The three magnolias are to die for, Tina. Unforgetable!
Many thanks Sofia – this year’s blossoms are among the best ever.
Love the Spoonbills!
Thanks Jim – their coloring is amazing
Your photos are as usual so beautiful! I really enjoyed them all!
Thanks very much Aletta
SWEET!!! So the roseate spoonbills N the elephants r darling but the sheep truly moved me…the patterns r quite incredible !! Happy Memorial Day
Thanks April, and Happy Holiday to you too. Sadly I suppose it means the tourists are back or will be very soon!
Great choice of images – I especially love the magnolias, they look so elegant in B&W 🙂 But I have to argue with your ‘Three Spoonbills’ heading as I can clearly see four 😆
LOL, you are absolutely correct Sarah! Of course I mean three images but indeed one of them has two birds. I’m surprised you’re the first to mention it!! Thanks for the visit and comment.
Love your take, Tina.
Thanks Rupali
Great examples, Tina. Magnolias in BnW is beautiful. Love Three Spoonbills, they are special. I rarely see them here. Three little sheep are fun!
Thanks Amy – yes this was an excellent year for the magnolias – they’re so beautiful but dont last very long at all. Glad you enjoyed
Absolutely stunning photos! I love taking pictures of magnolia blossoms, but sometimes I need a stepladder to reach them! We don’t have as many blooms on the lower branches, or so it seems. Also, I’ve never seen spoonbills photographed any better. Just wonderful! Happy summer.
Many thanks Rusha – these blossoms were on newer trees, probably planted within the last year or two, so the blossoms were much more accessible than most – and they were huge! Happy summer to you too!
Love the three magnolias and Christopher Morley quote.
So true!
Love the trios of 🐘 and 🐑
LOL for your little trios symbols Philo! Glad you enjoyed these.
What a fabulous theme! Those 3 magnolias are extra awesome!
Many thanks Frank. It was a fun challenge to put together. I was happy to have an opportunity to showcase those magnolias, they’ve been truly exquisite this year.
What a stunning set. The magnolias are grand, and I wouldn’t mind seeing a post with three of those monochrome triplets. Are you sure little is a good adjective for those sheep?
LOL, you’re not the first to point out the “little” sheep I.J. I guess when compared with the elephants they are! Then again, they really were a bit larger than the more common white sheep. As always, it’s all relative isn’t it?!
Wow. Yes, the magnolias are REALLY artistic!! Love the ‘phants and sheep too!
Thanks John – hard to capture their purity and scent but they really have been beautiful this year.
I like the magnolia photos – each one is beautiful!!
Thanks Nora, honestly they’ve been exquisite this year. Starting to fade now but they’ve had quite a run!
What a marvelous collection of threes! Good response to this challenge Tina.
Thanks Anne, it was a fun exercise this week.
T-🐻, Loved this week’s challenge. Wanted more of the same. You know I love me animals. Thank you. Dar
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Thanks Girlfriend! Yep, you’re as big a sucker for the critters as I am ♥️
Tina, you showed several ways to do trios or triptychs. That’s a mouthful, isn’t it? I love your elephants. They aren’t as showy as the birds or the sheep but they look so innocent and comfortable in their environment. At home in the mud. 🙂
LOL we should all be so happy in a mud bath Marsha! Thanks for your visit and comment. In my mind nothing beats the elephants for their obvious love and caring for each other.
And their intelligence. Even without ever knowing one up close, I’ve read so much about how impressive they are.
Lived the Sheep waiting to be photographed 😊
Thank you Indra – they do seem to be awaiting their moment in the lens, don’t they?!
Sorry … it should have been ‘Liked’ 😊
The magnolias so perfectly in balance with each other as three. I love that you kept them black and white.
The elephants? So glad you spoke of their intelligence and how are beginning to understand more about the creatures we share earth with.
Always a pleasure.
Thanks very much Donna. This year the magnolias have been especially beautiful. And the elephants – truly life changing to be among them in their natural environment. I really wish everyone could experience it.
I hope so for us, that is for sure. WE have just walked into full time retirement, but we will be patient for a bit. Thanks again. Donna
Hi Tina
The spoonbills have so much detail and color and so I found them pulling me in-but all of your threesomes were selected well –
I had to smile at the clever quotes with the three of a kind (wow – wonder how you seem to find such an array of quotes – )
And then the elephants reminded me that the Ringling Bros circus is RETURNING – but without animals – which is a very good idea
Because many folks advocated for the elephants especially – hmmmm
😊☀️
Thanks Yvette – yes the spoonbills are really quite beautiful, especially in flight. And I did see the announcement about the circus – very happy they’re no longer keeping animals captive. Once you’ve seen them in the wild you realize how cruel it is to take them from their homes and families.
☀️😊
The magnolia flowers are so beautiful. Love the birds, elephants and sheep too
Thanks Karina, glad these gave you a smile
Wonderful choices, Tina! On the wall for them all – and extra important with the magnolia in monochrome. What a treat! The spoonbills are extraordinary beautiful and your African elephants! Also love the sheep, their colours and size are extraordinary. I think you had fun with the triptychs, and it seems many others had too. Including me!
Absolutely Ann-Christine! It was a terrific challenge choice with lots of wonderful responses in and more to come. Thanks for the lovely comment
♥
🙂
Nicely done, Tina!
Thanks Sue!
You’re welcome!
All wonderful! Especially loved the sheep and the elephants! Have a blessed Memorial Day – remember our service people…
Many thanks Laurel, both for the visit/comment and for the reminder. All too easy to forget.
Those spoonbills knock me out every time I see your photos of them. Such delicate color and so photogenic. Actually, I love all the photos, and thank you for such appropriate, timely quotes.
My pleasure Lindy – thanks for your lovely comment as always. I must agree, as much as I love all of our birds, the spoonbills are really special. Perhaps because they’re relatively new to our island but also because their coloring is marvelous and their beaks are SO unique!
The elephant photo is wonderful. Their love and communication are quite amazing. The sheep are adorable! I do believe the one on the right is smiling at you, Tina. He is so cute!
LOL I guess someone once taught him to smile for the camera Lois! And it’s hard to beat a trio of elephants. They are simply enchanting. We loved watching the youngsters especially, and the care that the matriarchs took of them was wonderful to watch.
The spoonbills are so pretty, Tina. And I love the expressions on the sheep. As for the Header, I need a closer look because I’m on my phone at the moment. It’s Rafa time 🤣💟I’ll look properly later.
LOL, thanks Jo – enjoy your Rafa time! You’ve seen the header before, it’s 3 images of our lovely pink sweetgrass of autumn.
Exhausted from watching Rafa 🤣💟 I nearly burnt the Yorkshire puddings!
😂😂
The magnolias are stunning, you captured the light and the shadows so well. Then there are the three sheep. Somehow I’ve always seen white ones so these were delightful.
Terrific trio, Tina. 😊
Many thanks Sheetal – it was only the second time I’ve seen sheep that weren’t white. The first time was in New Zealand where they raised sheep in various shades of browns and beige to be made into sweaters and blankets. Of course I had to have one of those blankets but am allergic to wool so we use it as a throw on our bed 😊
Lovely images, though I would argue that those sheep are not little! 😂
Excellent point Jude – altho next to the elephants they are LOLOL. As sheep go, honestly, they were pretty large
Beautiful images Tina, such a lovely selection for the challenge 💜
Thanks very much Xenia
“There are three ingredients in the good life: learning, earning and yearning.
cjsmissionaryministry@gmail.com
Beautiful choices Tina. I loved the magnolias and enjoyed the sheet and elephants. And I can’t leave out the quote by Michael Straczynski, “Understanding is a three-edged sword. Your side, my side, and the truth.” How true!!
I loved that quote too Anne – so true indeed. Thanks for the lovely comment.
Fabulous gallery of threes Tina. Love the Elephants 🙂
Thanks so much Brian – they’re hard not to love aren’t they?!
One of my favourite animals 🙂
All great choices, Tina, but that triptych of the magnolias in black-and-white are truly deserving of being printed and displayed as a set.
Loved your comment John, many thanks. This year the magnolias were incredible. Actually I just may print that one to hang as they are such an iconic part of the lowcountry.
Indeed! Incidentally, we are about 4 1/2 hours from Kiawah Island this weekend. We are visiting family near Raleigh, NC.
Funny we’re headed to NC Saturday. Ships passing in the night!
Brilliant choices of photos T. Especially loved the sheep and elephants. Always look forward to your blog.
😍 Many thanks birthday girl!