
“Surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies.” ~Laura Ingalls Wilder
Take time to enjoy the everyday things around you, not matter how simple they may be.
~donna
Today I’m joining a VERY talented group of photographers and their weekly “Lens-Artists Challenge.” I’ve wanted to jump in a quite a few times but when fellow photographer, Anne Sandler popped up as the lead for this week’s challenge I knew it was time to join in.
In this week’s challenge Anne invites us to explore color and the way it influences our images. To me, color brings so many emotions and feelings to a photograph. Like the blend of orange, yellow and gold in a sunset over the ocean which bring about the feeling of peace and relaxation at the end of long day.

Or how about the colors of a garden? We try to keep a variety of colors in our garden because they attract so many birds and critters. All of the different colors and the critters they attract bring on the feelings or joy and happiness and are the perfect pick-me-up to brighten anyone’s day!




Even in the wintertime when the ground is covered with snow a subtle pop of color can bring life to any dull or gray image.

Sometimes, though, when I take photos, I do see them only in black and white. Like this photo of an old antique barn my husband and I stumbled upon years ago in the North Georgia Mountains. It was a cold, snowy, December day and the only way I could visualize this photo coming to life was in two colors – black and white. For me, there are times when it’s necessary to strip away the other colors to see and feel the soul of the photograph.

So, how did I do for my first lens challenge? Many thanks to Anne for this fun and thought-provoking topic. I’m looking forward to seeing what next week’s challenge has to offer.
Until next time!
~donna
P.S.
–Interested in joining Lens-Artists? Click here for more information
I’m not a “bird watcher” per se. I don’t run around in the park chasing birds with binoculars in tow, stretching my neck around trying to catch a glimpse of that unique, rare species which can only be found in the wetlands of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Actually, I find myself a little perplexed when I see the bird watchers because all they seem to be doing is looking, pointing and scribbling notes but not taking any photos of what they see. But, hey. I’m sure I look a little goofy at times running around with my camera gear hanging off my shoulders, squatting or standing on a ledge to get just that right perspective for the shot.
Having said all of this I do like to sit in our backyard and watch the birds………with my glass of wine and camera armed and ready. It’s something Michael and I enjoy during the warmer evenings of the year. And, if I’m honest with myself these “bird watching” sessions have provided some wonderful photo ops like these from the other evening:





It’s both relaxing and challenging at the same time. I’m always perched on the edge of my chair, constantly checking my camera settings with the ever-changing bird activity and lighting.
So, I guess you could say I fall into the “bird watching” category. Maybe it’s time I brushed up on the different bird species in the area and join up with a bird watching group. Nah, I’ll just hang out with our backyard wildlife.
So, what about you? Are you a “bird watcher” or “watcher of birds?”
Until next time,
~donna

⛳It’s Masters Week here in Georgia and that means the Azaleas are in full bloom. I don’t know how they do it, but I don’t think I can ever remember a year when the Azaleas weren’t in bloom for the famous golf tournament.
While these particular Azalea clusters aren’t from Augusta National, they are from a pretty special person’s backyard……my 94-year-old Dad’s backyard! He has a few of these shrubs, along with rhododendrons that are well over 40 years old! Obviously, he takes really great care of them to get blooms like this!
A popular notecard set in our collection, “Azalea Clusters” includes 8 notecards/envelopes and are packaged in a cream colored, organza, drawstring gift bag.
Keep for yourself or give as a gift, this card will brighten anyone’s day!

I don’t know about you, but I have a bad case of Spring Fever (literally and figuratively) when I look at this photo. It was a lucky shot in more ways than one. Lucky, I caught the bumble bee approaching the bloom and lucky I didn’t get stung in the process!
The story behind this flower? It’s part of two HUGE rhododendron bushes my father transplanted from a friend’s home in Mt. Mitchell, NC. Some 40+ years later these bushes/shrubs/trees are still thriving in his backyard.
I took this particular photo last season after spending about 10 – 15 minutes chasing the bumble bee around, snapping photo after photo until I thought I might have the right shot! Once I looked over the photos, I knew this needed to be on a notecard!
Each notecard set includes 8 notecards/envelopes and are packaged in a cream colored, organza, drawstring gift bag.
Keep for yourself or give as a gift, this notecard set will brighten anyone’s day!
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