the Thrill of Capilano Suspension Bridge

I posted this originally 2013 and as I was looking for photos to show of what I have learned in photography and blogging I found out tons. This was post was so bad that had to redo it altogether. I have not edited the photos. But the post had only one view… that says all what can be said about learning curve.

Capilano Suspension Bridge takes you to the serenity of a West Coast rainforest, where lush greenery envelops you and the sounds of nature can be heard all around.
As you walk across this iconic bridge, suspended high above the emerald waters below, you’ll be mesmerized by the breathtaking views of towering trees and the rich biodiversity of the area.
The bridge stretches 137 meters (450 feet) across the Capilano River and is one of the longest and highest suspension bridges in the world, offering an exhilarating experience for visitors.The experience is not only about the bridge itself; the surrounding park is home to various walking trails, treetop adventures, and informative exhibits that celebrate the local ecology and history, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

The experience is not only about the bridge itself; the surrounding park is home to various walking trails, treetop adventures, and informative exhibits that celebrate the local ecology and history, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Summer

A Nordic summer night view of a full moon rising over a misty landscape is something to treasure
a full moon rising over a misty landscape, framed by a rustic wooden fence.

In the hush of a Nordic summer night,
The sky glows soft, a canvas of light,
Whispers of breezes dance through the trees,
While shadows play hide and seek with the leaves.
Stars blink awake, a celestial sight,
Laughter and dreams take gentle flight,
In this tranquil hour where time stands still,
The magic of summer our hearts shall fill.

for One Word Sunday: summer

Lens-Artists Challenge #353 – Stormy

Join us in welcoming Beth as she takes the lead on her first challenge with the Lens-Artists team! Let’s show her our support! Her chosen topic stormy – is bound to give us beautiful and impressive images.

A stormy sky with dark clouds and rays of sunlight breaking through, illuminating the turquoise sea below.

I live in an area of the world where we do not have any big weather events; there are no hurricanes or earthquakes to disrupt our peace. Our storms, compared to those experienced in many other places, are very mild and often quite gentle. Even our winter storms are mild relative to regions that face extreme and heavy snowfall. This rarity of severe weather is seen in my amount of stormy images and I capture stormy sky I will have fun with it – that is take many shots of it as it does not happen often. My photographs for this challenge predominantly capture stunning, impressive cloudy skies. I have never been able to capture a lightning for example – not skilled enough nor have the patience to wait for the moment in the rain.

Visiting our son in Oulu last year, we took the opportunity to explore the beautiful Narrikari Beach, a spot known for its stunning views and calm atmosphere. As we walked along the sandy shore, we couldn’t help but notice the storm brewing in the distance over the Baltic Sea, the ominous clouds rolling in like a thick blanket. The sky was so impassive, dominated by dark hues that hinted at the impending tempest, creating a dramatic contrast with the beach’s tranquil setting. We stood there, feeling the cool breeze on our faces, captivated by the natural beauty and the raw energy of the approaching storm, which made that day unforgettable.


Dark skies in Key West often signal the approach of a tropical storm, casting an eerie yet captivating shadow over the vibrant landscape. This dramatic backdrop accentuates the brilliant colors of the sea. The scent of saltwater combines with the rain, creating a refreshing aroma that fills the atmosphere, while the distant rumble of thunder adds to the symphony of nature’s awe-inspiring spectacle.


A coastal scene showcasing a stormy sky with beams of sunlight piercing through the clouds, as two figures stroll along the beach in Nice, France. The color of the water against the dark clouds, I just loved watching the changing sky.

Monaco was graced by fierce, moving clouds that, in a magnificent display, chose to twirl gracefully around us. Their presence made the sky into a striking canvas, creating a dramatic backdrop for these images!


Winter, snowing – heavily – maybe even a blizzard is something that does occur in winter.


A dramatic view of a rain-soaked road, with dark storm clouds overhead and lights blurred through the wet windshield.

Thanks for this week’s challenge Beth from Wandering dawgs. Don’t forget to check out and participate in her challenge here. A special thanks goes to Sofia and everyone who participated in last week’s Mellow challenge; it was a joy to end the week with the serene moments you all contributed. Lastly, we invite you to join us next week as Anne takes the lead again on her Slow Shutter Speed site. Until then, keep on smiling.

Interested in joining our challenge? Click here .

Loving the white flowers of summer

white wood forget-me-not is not native to Finland

The white lilac flowers against a blurred background, showcasing the beauty of nature.

My first Idea was for title forget me not the beautiful scent of lilacs 🙂 Too many words 😀

For Six Words Saturday

Monochrome Madness – Forests

You cannot escape forests here – they are all around us, enveloping every corner of the landscape. Approximately 75 percent of Finland’s land area is covered by forest, creating a lush, green tapestry that supports an array of wildlife and offers countless opportunities for exploration.

I have had a forest right at my doorstep most of my life, from playing in the forest as a kid to taking walks in it as an adult, allowing me to witness the changing seasons, from the vibrant hues of autumn leaves to the serene blanket of snow during winter, each moment reinforcing the connection I feel with nature. The soothing sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds provide a constant reminder of the peace that these natural havens can bring.

A misty forest scene and the beauty of our wooded landscape. This shot I took from my backyard

The birch trees, the inviting essence of a Finnish forest.

The tall, slender trunks of spruce trees amid lush undergrowth amd fallen branches
The natural beauty of the forest in Kirkkonummi

A black and white view of a forest path surrounded by tall trees, showcasing the beauty of woods

Posted for For Leanne’s Monochrome Madness.

Unforgettable Sunsets: Second Valley

One night would have been enough at BreakFree Hotel but we had already paid for two nights. In the morning, we spent couple hours at the empty pool area, and I managed to burn myself a little bit. I wasn’t cautious enough while spreading the suntan lotion. I must mention that the temperature had dropped from 38 to 24 degrees overnight.

Rest of the day was spent in Normanville and Carralinga. The haze made the coastline look super soft, giving it this dreamy vibe that kind of mixes the sky and sea together. Plus, the light shifts when you look around in different directions along the beach, casting a warm golden glow that really brings out the shapes of the land. It’s one of those spots where you can just chill and soak in the laid-back surroundings and the gorgeous views that are all around you.

Fortree Lookout had an old truck as attraction, we noticed several old trucks during our trip. Also the colorful water tank was interesting.

The sunset at Second Valley takes the cake for the day. First of all, I helped Asian male free a stingray from his fishing hook. I held the pole, and he cut the line. I asked him about the hook still in stingray’s jaw. He said that in salt water it can get rid of hook quite fast. Does it rust fast of something, I don’t know. Second Valley had all you needed for taking beautiful pictures. A dock, rocks and limestone coast.

Ever changing sky.


Text credit Mara Sillanmäki

LENS ARTISTS CHALLENGE #321: ICM

ICM photography is super cool! It takes us beyond what we see every day and shows a whole new world that often gets missed in regular photos. These are all new photos from the past week, I have tried this before, but I have been a stickler for sharp and focused shots, so I haven’t really experienced it other than accidentally – mostly. These are my results and I am happy with few of them.

Into the woods I go, sideway movement

So, ICM, is all about using a slow shutter speed while moving your camera around on purpose. Instead of capturing everything in a crisp, clear way, this technique lets things blur and create a dreamy vibe. Shapes and colors blend together, making for some really interesting images.

Path many times photographed, this time with a twist.

These shots capture the feel of a scene instead of just what it looks like. The crazy mix of colors and shapes can stir up emotions and thoughts in a way that regular photography just can’t. You can play around with it too—I did some swirling, vertical panning, and horizontal shifts to really make the most out of ICM. But this is a style like every other that need to be practiced. I think I would achieve best results in night photography without a tripod.

walk between the trees

When you share your post, please link it to Ann’s post and use the Lens-Artist tag. In the
meantime have fun learning and experimenting with ICM.

waves

Last week we all had fun picking images from the past as Sofia had us looking back last week. I enjoyed seeing your wonderful memories.  For sure memories are gold.

Next week is my week, and I hope you will join me in a discovery of photographs with emotions. Until then keep smiling.

Cellpic Sunday ~ stormy Weather

Johns Cellpic Sunday

Before thunderstorm on Saturday at the countryside. Love the contrast of the sky, and nature


Lilies of the valley

Lilies of the valley

Lilies of the valley are so beautiful and delicate, and yes also poisonous

Lens-Artists Challenge #301 – Floral


Lens-Artists #301 – Floral hosted by Sofia wrote: I sincerely believe it to be difficult to have photo of a flower that is not beautiful. But for this challenge, I’d like us to think of how we either capture them or how we process the image afterwards.

First I would like to say all my photos for this post are from past week. Somehow it feels like this year we skipped spring all together, we got summer temperatures now and all the flowers are in bloom at the same time. Most of them I’ve taken with my mobile, because last week I felt the camera’s to the summer house in the belief that there would be nothing to photograph, I was wrong. Everything seemed to bloom overnight. and to the how I capture them – mostly close-ups.

I have now real angle this week, my mind is all overloaded with new things and NUMBERs – my least favorite thing .

First here is a look at one tulip. I took a these few days apart, from different directions and I did some editing with lightroom app on my mobile.

The apple tree blossoms beautifully just few days ago and now the really warm weather , not at all normal at this time of the year has wilted them.

random flowers-

Last week Ann-Christine challenged us with the Delicate things, her recent travels to Japan gave us wonderful inspiration. I loved all your examples and how varied they were. This is what makes these challenges so interesting, we all think in different ways and that makes us grow as photographers.

Next week is John’s turn to lead, so please visit his unique site to see what he’s up to, I am sure looking forward to it.

If you want more information on the Lens-Artist Challenge, please click here.

a delightful change

Today is the vernal equinox, when night and day are roughly the same length all over the globe. I greet this information with joy.

Days grow longer and nights become shorter in the Northern Hemisphere as we approach the summer solstice, which falls on June 20th this year. This transition marks a period of increasing daylight, here (Finland) the daylight hours are expected to extend by approximately 5 to 10 minutes each day until the end of June. This gradual shift brings about a delightful change, the extended sunlight and the promise of warmer days brightens my mood as days grow longer and warmer.

Forest Pathway Tranquility.

A serene and secluded forest path, enveloped by tall, lush green trees in Queensland. Sunlight filters through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the smooth, inviting trail. It was a delight to venture along this winding path.

I could not resist, I did two edits of this photo.

Forest Pathway

For CWWC: March 7, 2024

Flower of the day – orange rhododendron

Stunning orange rhododendron is my splash of color therapy for you today. So vibrant, so gorgeous.

For Cee’s Flower of the Day.

pristine blanket of white

Yesterday it snowed once again, covering the landscape in a pristine blanket of white. As I gazed out of my window, I found myself without any desire to step out into the chilly weather. The snowflakes gracefully descended, gradually accumulating into a soft, glistening snow bank.

Window view
Lanterns

Sunset behind the hilltop

Today I caught a beautiful sunset from my patio, we had huge rise in temperature in the past two days and the snow covered trees are now gone. The trees still gave a beautiful contrast against the colorful sky

Sunset

Flower of the day – frosty rhododendron 

Frosty rhododendron 

For Cee’s Flower of the Day.

Last Photo for November 2023

Last Photo for November 2023 that’s what bushboys world wants to see with following rules and tags

Your last photo doesn’t have to be on the very last day of the month if you didn’t take any photos on that day. Maybe it was earlier in the month when the last photo was taken.

This one is from my Sony and a macro lens of the colorful berries, but my focus went a stray…

The view from my bedroom was taken with my iPhone 14, just because I spotted some blue sky, it was on the 29th.

So let’s see what you have for **

The rules are simple:
1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th November or whenever your last photo was taken.
2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate.
3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do

#TheLastPhoto and #LastOnTheCard

where to focus

I took two shots from the same spot, first one I focused on the vine in the front, and in the second on the pine tree on the hill.

October vibes

Posted for John’s Cellpic Sunday

Oak leaves
Pine tree on the hill

Flower of the day – 17/11/2023

I was looking for doors, but mainly found windows… and flowers. I found this one taken few years back. And, I thought to myself, this is rather good. It also worked well as monochrome. I’ll post it for next flower of the day.

Flower of the day 17 11 23

For Cee´s Flower of the Day.

Flower of the day 17 11 23 – in Monochrome

eerie yet captivating scenes

The misty air envelops the landscape, amongst the haze, the silhouettes of towering trees emerge, standing tall like guardians of the monochrome world. Their branches, devoid of leaves, reach out like skeletal fingers, creating an eerie yet captivating scene.

The silhouettes of towering trees emerge, standing tall like guardians

Do you agree the absence of color seems to enhance the mystical ambiance, as if nature itself has decided to paint this particular moment in shades of gray.

Misty hill in Monochrome

The mist weaves through the branches and settles on their trunks, giving them an otherworldly aura that is both haunting and beautiful. In this misty monochrome, the trees stand as solitary figures, adding a sense of mystery and intrigue to the landscape.

Dog walker

it is cold outside

Cold weather can certainly make you feel chilly. When it snows and ice forms, it adds an extra layer of coldness to the surroundings, no doubt about that.. Stay cozy and enjoy the winter scenery!

We here in south of Finland don’t have snow yet, so these are from my archives.

CFFC:  Anything that makes you feel cold

Mist – ethereal veil on the moss-covered hill

The gray mist gently settled over the landscape, casting an ethereal veil on the moss-covered hill behind your home. Despite the gloomy November weather, nature’s touch added a touch of beauty to the scene.

On this misty day, as you gazed upon the hill, the vibrant hues of green from the shrubs stood out, creating a vivid contrast against the muted backdrop. The moss, adorned with its emerald carpet, seemed to thrive in the dampness, adding a touch of tranquility to the atmosphere.

Misty hill top on a misty day

Amidst the shades of brown, the ferns gracefully displayed their weathered elegance. Their delicate fronds, now tinged with earthy tones, created an enchanting juxtaposition against the mist and falling leaves.

In this serene setting, the mist transformed the hill into a picturesque scene that captivated your sight. The occurrence of such beauty in November reminded you of nature’s ability to create moments of awe in every season.

Trees on Misty hill

November in Finland

November in Finland, a world of gray,
Where autumn whispers its final farewell,
Leaves relinquish their vibrant display,
And nature succumbs to the winter’s spell.

fallen leaves

The air is crisp, with a biting chill,
As frosty breath dances upon the breeze,
The sun, a timid presence on the hill,
Casting feeble rays through the barren trees.

The days grow shorter, the nights grow long,
As darkness blankets the land in its embrace,
A melancholic hymn in nature’s song.

Yet amidst the gloom, a flicker of light,
As candles glow in windowsills,
Warmth and coziness fill the bitter night,
A sanctuary from the winds that blow.

November in Finland, a somber sight,
A season of reflection, a time for respite,
Where nature’s cycle finds solace in solitude.