What is a quiet hour? Is it when you are meditating? Reading a book? Taking a walk? For me it’s all these things and also when I have my camera in my hand. I can be in a noisy touristy area or out in the country; with my Fuji, I don’t hear any noise. Guest host SH wants to know how we enjoy our quiet hours. I might be twisting this challenge, but for me a quiet place is one that brings me relaxation and peace. So here we go.
I especially like visiting our Northern California beaches, especially when they are too cold to attract swimmers or have black sand. I can sit and enjoy the solitude, watching the gentle wave come ashore.


I do find trees so relaxing. With or without leaves, their branches are so expressive and inviting. They can form a canopy welcoming you down a path, or in Autumn, treat you to a colorful display of oranges, reds and browns. Your eyes act as a portal. bringing in all the beauty and silence that feeds your body with calmness and joy.


I do enjoy walking down country paths that take me from my suburban life. Fortunately I don’t have to go far to experience the quiet of country life. It’s about 45 minutes from my home. I’m even getting used to getting lost when looking for County Road 18, 16 or 19! I get so relaxed getting lost on these roads, passing farms, wineries, and orchards. I never know what photo delights I’ll find.




Ponds and creeks are in abundance here. If I need a water fix, I don’t have to drive to the ocean. Their calm movement, seasonal changes and water fowl delights my camera.


These are just some of the places I consider quiet places. Thank you SH for having me revisit places that give me relaxation. When you respond, please link to his original post and use the Lens Artists tag. Before our holiday break we enjoyed Ann-Christine having us look back. What fun! Egidio is our host next week. Until then stay safe and live in gratitude.
Wonderful photos and twist on the challenge Anne. Like you, I enjoy the solitude of many places in nature. Your beach and country road images look particularly inviting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Brad! Nature brings us wonderful solitude, but she can also bring devastation. We have to honor her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely. No wonder these scenes bring you peace and contentment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Margaret!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photographs Anne and all these quiet places have a wonderful calming energy of their own 🩵✨️ xxx
LikeLike
Thank you Karina! Places do have energy. That’s why we are able to relax when in nature. Mt. Hood’s, a volcanic mountain in Oregon, told me it wasn’t finished yet. I just got that feeling. So far so good.
LikeLike
Lovely photos. Very serene and pretty.
Thank you!
LikeLike
So serene and pretty!
Thank you!
LikeLike
Beautiful choices this week Anne – I especially loved your farmlands. So different from our environment here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Tina! I love our countryside too, especially since they are so close.
LikeLike
Anne, what a fun and beautiful post! the tree section is my favorite. Also, I have to agree that getting lost with that beautiful scenery surrounding you is not a bad thing. Great images!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Egidio, and farms also have old rusted equipment. I love to photograph that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, the quiet moments in Sacramento! You captured the essence of the Sacramento valley and rural areas so beautifully, Anne. Nothing is better than a walk in the autumn woods under Sacramento’s amazing tree canopies. Apple Hill and the areas near Sutter Creek were my favorite places to visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Terri! Sutter Creek is a favorite of mine too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must admit when I’m taking photos I still hear the noise, but the thing I never seem to notice is how cold it is, that is until I stop.
These are wonderful images Anne and places I would love to visit and take photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Leanne! It’s amazing that our focus on what we’re taking a picture of blocks out noise, the weather and pain.
LikeLike
serene and soothing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Yvette!
LikeLiked by 1 person
;0)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful choices this week. Trees and water are so relaxing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you I. J.! I do love trees!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All these images induce a big happy sigh. So peaceful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Tish! I’m glad to have induced a happy sigh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All so peaceful images, Anne. I especially like the one with the windmill.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Donna! The windmill picture was taken at Rush Ranch near Fairfield. It’s a beautiful place to visit and they don’t mind photographers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anne, I especially love the two country path photos, especially the first with the tree arches above the road. Beautiful collection.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks John! I love tree canopies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your take on the challenge and I agree with you that all these places can provide tranquillity and a sense of quietness. Like you I’m very drawn to uncrowded beaches and to trees 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sarah! An ocean away and yet we are alike in our choices.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anne, I can feel the quiet in all of your beautiful images. You and I both find quiet in the same kinds of places. I would love to take a walk on one of your country paths.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Beth! The next time you’re out in Northern California, we will meet and walk through a country path!
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are absolutely beautiful, Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sofia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you completely about where the quiet places are. Out with the camera, you look as you relax, and finding the beauty in nature is really balm for the soul. Your selections are wonderful and make me feel contented as I wander along with you a bit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your lovely and understanding comment N!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great pictures of the trees growing near roads, Anne. I especially liked the first one where they arch over the road.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful set of images, Anne! Enjoy these quiet moments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Amy, I do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful eaceful places!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I meant peaceful 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Nora, understood! Typos happen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful pictures. We are of like minds. I love the tranquility in each image.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Joanne! Nice to know I’m in good company.
LikeLike
Looks like my kind of ‘quiet hours’.
If I joined this challenge, it might just look like a series of images the same as yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Vicki! I’d love to see your pictures.
LikeLike
Anne, I’ve/my nature blog lost the Classic Editor option a couple of days ago and I am not likely to learn how to use the Block Editor. Too many keystroke to do a simple post for my liking. There is no dropdown in the Block/Classic top left hand corner of ALL POSTS for me anymore. I swear I didn’t do anything, just assumed it was a 24 hour WordPress glitch, but this morning when I checked it was still absent.
The Classic option is there on my other 2 blogs with the same Theme, so I guess I should open the current and the other blog and compare the settings?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, I use the Classic Editor and don’t do any fancy stuff with my blog because I don’t want to take on any new learning challenges. Why don’t you check with the “Happiness Engineers” at WordPress. It’s probably something simple. Good luck!
LikeLike