This challenge given to us by Aletta, of Now At Home, brought me back to 2020, the year of lockdown. There are many things I treasure like family, friends, health and our pets. But in 2020 one thing was clear, I truly treasured my weekly photo outings. My senior photo buddies and I created a photo pod and went out in our cars (some separate and some together), met at a designated outdoor spot and spent a couple of hours enjoying photography. Later we would have lunch outdoors (when restaurants opened to outdoor service)–a perfect ending to a brief respite.
I’m showing you some images from my 2020 calendar. I’m sure a lot of these are repeats, but I treasure each and every one of them. If it weren’t for photography, I would have been clawing at my front door, screaming “Let me out!”










Fortunately, my front door doesn’t have any claw marks thanks to photography and friends!
Thank you for all the great interpretations of last week’s challenge “The eyes have it.” I enjoyed them all. When you respond to Aletta’s challenge, please remember to link to her post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Next week Jez Braithwaite of Photos by Jez is hosting Seeing Double so be on the lookout for his post.
July will continue with:
July 16, Andre of My Blog–Solaner is thinking about Summer Vibes.
July 23, Tracy, who posts at Reflections of an Untidy Mind, has chosen Surrealism.
July 30, Sarah Wilkie, who hosts Travel with Me, asks you to share Three Favourite Images.
I’ll be back in August with “What’s your groove?” Until then enjoy your summer and stay safe.
If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, just click this link and join us: https://photobyjohnbo.wordpress.com/about-lens-artists/
All gorgeous Anne – your flower photography is always very special. I know just what you mean about photography during the worst of COVID. I don’t know how I could have made it though if I lived somewhere where nature wasn’t surrounding me. The outdoors was my salvation with photography a close second!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Tina!
LikeLike
Each one is gorgeous. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Pepper!
LikeLike
So much beauty in your photos, Anne, it´s almost possible to feel what it meant to you, being able to go out and click.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Sofia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous images Anne, what a blessing you have all this natural beauty on your doorstep! 🧡 xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Xenia! I do feel blessed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anne! It is a little chilling to feel that the 2020 year is now becoming more of a memory – very glad for that
and your wonderful photos are true treasures
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Prior! 2020 was quite a year. Not one to repeat.
LikeLike
Spectacular, Anne, I see why these are your treasures! Love the bald eagle. During the lockdown, at least we could still ride our bikes along the American River Bike Trail, so I get how our hobbies kept our sanity. Just walking the dogs and photographing flowers in the neighborhood was refreshing. Thanks for the list of LA challenges for July.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Terri! The people who had indoor hobbies were at a disadvantage!
LikeLike
Such amazing shots.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Rupali!
LikeLike
A beautiful calendar, for sure, Anne. Interesting that in the WordPress Reader, only one photo showed. I had to go directly to your blog site to see the entire gallery. Another bug in WordPress software, I guess.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks John! I usually go into the reader and then click on the post which takes me into a blog. WP has a lot of bugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fabulous set of images – I can see why your treasure them and the time spent photographing them. I know just what you mean about photography helping you to get through the lockdowns, I felt the same 🙂 I especially love your flower photography, you really have a talent for capturing the beauty of flowers.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Sarah! I’m sure we’re not the only photographers who shot treasures during lockdown. And thank you for enjoying my flowers. I enjoy taking their photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous images, Anne! Nature and photography were so calming and joyful during the pandemic–I totally agree. It was the same for me, too. Your images are treasures.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Patti! I think we all experienced the same thing worldwide.
LikeLike
One of a favorite joke was how engineers determined bees, given their tiny wings, shouldn’t be able to fly. However, as bees (and bumblebees) can’t read, they didn’t get the memo.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the humor today. I think a lot of us had to toon out negative messages. Take care.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing your treasured photos with us Anne! 2020 was a year that we will not easily forget!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Aletta! This was a great challenge. Yes, we will remember 2020 throughout the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Photography was an outlet for a lot of us that year I think. My photo stream for 2020 is full of mundane things around the house, and out of the window. Not at all like your wonderful shots. That sunset is hyper-real! And the insects and flowers are also so beautiful.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you I. J.! Photography was my only get away that year. When we did go out, we saw people bike riding, walking, fishing, etc. Those outdoor and solitary activities got a lot of people through that year. I bet your shots around the house are not so mundane. I think still lifes are more difficult.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean. I never expected to live through such times. The first two pictures are amazing. I can imagine how having such things within reach would have helped.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! I also think desperation also helped get me out of the house. I was lucky to have like minded and healthy friends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you could have those precious opportunities to photograph and make treasured memories. Very amazing selection of photos.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLike
Amazing gallery, Anne 👏 Easy to see why you treasure those shots 😃
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Jez!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful. For many of us our cameras were our solace during lockdown
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Karina! I am so thankful for this wonderful hobby.
LikeLike
Sounds like a wonderful weekly outing. Beautiful photos too 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I do enjoy my weekly outings. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Wonderful post. See my comment.
LikeLike
I love your 2020 calendar, Anne! I love your close-up flower captures. Thanks for sharing.
So glad we can travel again. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Amy! Another two months before I can travel. Can’t wait.
LikeLike
So so beautiful, Anne! The birds are lovely and the flowers gorgeous.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Ann-Christine! It was an extraordinary year.
LikeLike
Completely stunning, Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Tracy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so talented!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kally!
LikeLike
Super Cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike