Posted on by Anne Sandler · 42 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #307 Tourist Attractions

It’s funny that Leanne Cole should pick this topic since my last trip took me to her home town, Melbourne. Here’s the story.

I’ve always wanted to go to Australia but never had the opportunity. When we did travel overseas, we were younger and I took pictures with a small point and shoot, and I can’t find those old prints. Back to Australia, last year my friend Sandy offered me an opportunity I couldn’t refuse, “We’re going to Australia, do you want to come?” she said.

I couldn’t say no! The “they” we were her family. The trip consisted of a cruise to New Caledonia from Sydney Australia. Sandy added on a week in Melbourne and several days in Sydney. After saying YES! I emailed Leanne, telling her I was coming. Leanne and I had a day-long photo outing to Monterey when she visited the U.S.

I absolutely fell in love with Melbourne. We have two rivers bordering Sacramento, but the Yarra River runs through Melbourne town, leaving the city with beautiful bridges, my favorite being the Webb Bridge.

Then there was the architecture. Beautiful buildings all around me. Here are some. I seemed to focus on the new structures. But the old were gorgeous too.

We did get to see the sites along the Great Ocean Road and stayed in Port Campbell for a few days. I’ll save those images for another day. I do hope to get back to Australia and see other areas where some of our bloggers live. Maybe if I wish hard enough!

A great big thanks to Leanne for taking me back to her home town. When you post your response, be sure to link back to her post and use the Lens-Artist tag. We have two more treats coming up for you this month.

July 20: Elizabeth of Albatz Travel Adventures will challenge up with PAIRS

July 27: PR of Flights of the Soul will challenge us with BALCONIES

So be looking for their posts. I hope you are having a safe and wonderful summer!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 36 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #261: Work in Progress

Aren’t we all a work in progress? Each day brings changes and new challenges. We work through them and we progress. This week Ann Christine asks us to show works in progress through our photos.

As I progress through my own photographic ability, I’ve learned that the things we photograph are also progressing. Some works in progress repeat year after year. For instance, the salmon swim upstream in the American River to lay their eggs. The Nimbus Fish Hatchery, raises Chinook salmon and steelhead for release to the American River. The salmon run occurs in fall, with hatchery operations taking place from the beginning of November through mid-December. The steelhead trout run occurs in winter, with hatchery operations taking place from January through February. In this series of images, the salmon are being diverted into the hatchery.

In addition to man helping nature, nature can handle things on her own. For instance, the London Bridge along the Great Ocean Road in Australia was once connected. However in January 1990 the middle collapsed and left the arch separated from the rest. Nature has a way of showing us that her force is a work in progress. Now the separated arch is called the London Arch.

Next is the WPA Rock Garden. I admire the dedication of the wonderful volunteers who keep this garden beautiful so we can all enjoy the flowers and small creatures. It is definitely a work in progress.

Last is the pride of work and ownership. Valley Oak Mill California, mills wool into yarn. Customers bring in their raw products and take home yarn. I visited this business as part of the Yolo Art & Ag project a few years ago and was impressed with the owner’s pride in her work. Her business is definitely progressing.

For me, I don’t want to stop progressing and working. I look forward to learning new things and meeting new people. As Ann Christine quoted Mark Twain in her post, Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection. 

Thank you to all our July guest hosts, especially Janet who encouraged us to not overlook anything. You all gave such creative responses to her challenge. And thank you Ann Christine to encouraging us to think about various works in progress. Please remember to link to her original post and use the Lens-Artists tag when you respond. Next week Amy will be providing our challenge, so be sure to look for her post.

If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info.