Posted on by Anne Sandler · 49 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #341: Personal Favorites

Every time I think a challenge is probably the most difficult, there’s another one coming along. This time, Tina is asking us to pick no more than five of our favorite photos. I don’t know about you, but it’s much easier for me to pick favorites from someone else’s images.

I know you expect me to post flowers, but in this photo, the praying mantis was what I was after.

You also know I’m a member of our local zoo. I happened to be talking to a docent when I think we woke up this flamingo. Quick shot!

I happened to be invited to photograph a super moon that was to appear near our State Capitol building. So glad I was there.

I miss our annual Sacramento Music Festival, especially seeing Tom Rigney and Flambeau.

My fifth and final picture is…yes, a flower. A lotus.

Thank you Tina for this wonderful exercise and trip down memory lane. When you post your five favorites, please link to Tina’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we saw portraits of all kinds. It was beautiful and fun. Next week Egidio will be challenging us, so stay tuned! In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 30 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #252: What’s Bugging You?

Talk about a loaded question! There’s a lot about life that bugs me, but I’m sure Donna of Wind Kisses meant strictly nature’s kind when she presented this challenge. When I’m out and about with my camera, all bugs are worthy of a photo, but if they should come into my house, they need permission first.

When I lived in Florida as a child, my mother had a daddy long legs spider living behind a dish in a cabinet. She never killed it and told us to leave it there because it ate other insects and unwanted bugs. We never had bugs in our kitchen.

In one visit to the WPA Rock Garden, Marlene and I (really Marlene) spotted this wonderful and big spider.

Also on this same outing, Marlene spotted a couple of praying mantises. It was amazing that when they feel threatened, they just stay still. The green mantis wasn’t camouflaged on the white flower, but the brown one had a better background on the brown leaves.

On another outing my friend Linda and I went downhill to photograph ladybugs. Unfortunately we had to climb up the muddy steep hill to get back up. It was worth it though.

One insect we always try to capture with our cameras is the dragonfly/damselfly. I honestly can’t tell the difference. Their colors are simply beautiful.

And what would we do without our busy bees. I give them lots of room since I’m allergic to them. I’ve found if you just let them do their work, they will leave you alone. We have an understanding, the bees and I.

I saved the most beautiful for last, the butterfly.

Some bugs are beneficial like some spiders and bees, but they are not welcome in my home. They never ask permission first!

Thank you for responding to my Buildings and Structures challenge last week. I enjoyed seeing all of your responses that were varied, educational and well photographed. And, thank you Donna for letting me reminisce about my mom and her spider. When you respond to this challenge, please remember to link your post to Donna’s and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Next week, our guest host is Brian of Bushboys World. Be sure to look for his post on Fragments.

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

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 28 Comments

Lens-Artists Challenge #200: Every Little Thing

I like photographing little things with my macro lens. Sometimes I don’t even use a macro lens to get close. Amy us challenges this week to post “every little thing that makes you smile.” So, here are some close ups that are still making me smile.

How about small flying things like a butterfly, praying mantis and bee.

Every year we get baby geese around our pond. While they are so cute, the dads won’t let you get close. This little one was walking with its family and I had a long lens!

Or getting down low to photograph small mushrooms in the grass, capturing their caps and folds.

And, of course, getting close to capture the small details of flowers like a rose and a backlit daffodil.

These are some of the small things that make me smile. I believe we need to keep looking for things small and large that bring us happiness and make us smile. Thank you Amy for the reminder.

I’ve enjoyed seeing all your responses to John’s Mechanical and Industrial challenge last week. Remember to link your response to this challenge to Amy’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Next week Ann Christine will be hosting LAPC. Be sure to look for her post.

 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/