Macro Monday – first frost photography of the year. The delicate frost crystals transform even the simplest plants into something very festive, highlighting every edge and texture and catching the soft, cold morning light.
The first two images show the green leaves of lady’s mantle (Alchemilla), their surfaces covered with delicate frost and sharp ice crystals that trace the edges and veins of each leaf. The crystals catch the light and give the leaves a subtle, shimmering texture that emphasizes their soft, rounded shapes. The third image focuses on sunlit grass and a Wood Cranesbill leaf, where the low, warm sunlight filters through the blades and leaf surface, revealing fine details, gentle color shifts, and the contrast between lingering moisture and the first signs of frost.
A delicate layer of frost crystals blankets green leaves, grass, and fallen autumn foliage.
Sunlit frost crystals shimmer across a patch of wild green leaves and grass.
Sunlit grass and Wood Cranesbill leaf sparkle under a delicate layer of frost.
For John’s CellPic Sunday I am posting photos from this weekend. We have had weather from rain to drizzle, to partly sunny moments, to morning frost. It should not be a surprise where these are taken; we named this place Mettänen (it means wooded) 31 years ago. Back then it had lots of trees on it, but it is a relatively small lot of land. Nowadays it has become much less wooded, but the name still describes it rather well. As you know if you have been reading my posts regularly, my grievance has been the tree we had to cut down; after this weekend only two big stumps from our birch trees remain. The branches went up in the smoke in the air someone was very busy.
The water puddles in the road gave really nice reflections, the morning mist and smoke added a nice touch to the scene, at least I thought so.
We did wake later this morning—it is Sunday—so most of the frost had begun to thaw, but there were still some to be found around ten in the morning. There is no escaping it, winter is coming in slow steps.
At Mettänen we had a really wonderful night sky last night, and I once again tested my iPhone’s capability to capture the stars. I am amazed by what it can do—the sky was so clear, the stars were sharp and bright, and the whole scene felt almost magical. The October night sky in all it’s glory.
I remember standing by the lakeside, watching this quiet scene unfold: a weathered wooden dock stretching gently across rippling pale-blue water, beneath a dark, textured sky that seemed to invite a moment of stillness. Along the dock, I noticed a tall lamp post, a red life preserver, mooring poles, a coiled metal ladder, and even a small broom-like object near the edge—subtle signs that people had recently passed through, though the place felt utterly calm. Then my eyes were drawn to a vivid, rainbow-like arc of refracted light glowing above the water near the center, an ethereal focal point that brought a soft sense of hope into the muted, vintage-toned scene, with the dock quietly grounding everything in reality.
I was so happy to capture these round rainbows, never before or after seen similar
The image shows a full-circle rainbow, captured over a pier and a lakeside landscape during rainfall, something I had never seen before and have never seen again, a rare view that many people never get to witness. Rainbows are, by their optical nature, always perfect circles, a quiet reminder to me that even when we only see a part of something, there is often more wholeness than meets the eye. From the ground, we usually don’t see this phenomenon in its entirety, because the ground and the horizon hide the lower part, making the rainbow appear only as an arc. In this moment, however, a full circle formed thanks to raindrops that were exceptionally close to where I was standing, allowing me a more complete glimpse of this gentle natural wonder.
The image shows a full-circle rainbow, captured over a pier and a lakeside landscape during rainfall.
Why I saw this was the low October sunlight shines directly from behind me and there is a very dense rainfall right between me and the pier, the light has time to refract and reflect back also from the raindrops lower in the air before they hit the ground or the water. In this case, the entire 360-degree circle becomes visible in front of the photographer.
For this challenge, Egídio invites us to explore “Where Does It Lead?” in whatever direction speaks to us. To get us started, here are three ways to approach the prompt: the most literal reading is a path itself—a trail you can follow on foot or on wheels. The compositional reading is not about what the path is, but how it guides the eye. The interpretive reading opens the prompt up wide—to tracks and traces, or metaphor.
This time I focused only on paths and roads that felt somehow different from the others. The first three images share a similar, warm color tone that guides the eye forward like a soft leading line, before the mood slowly cools and slips into gentle blue tones. The surfaces, bends, and intersections in the roads seem to echo this change in light, moving from a comforting glow to a quieter, more distant feeling as the colors fade toward blue.
Two children explore a sunlit forest trail surrounded by vibrant golden autumn foliage.A sunlit wooden dock extends across a tranquil lake, framed by colorful autumn forest, leading to the deep endA tranquil sunset spreads golden light across the water as a traditional boat glides on Chapora River in Goa, but where are we heading.
Aerial view of a sprawling sea city,It can lead to so many places, view to Länsiväylä in Espoo, Finland with highways winding across wooded islands and blue waterways.
A rugged trail in Crete winds through rocky terrain and evergreen trees beneath dramatic snow-dusted mountain peaks, but where does it lead us?
A winding coastal road follows a tranquil fjord beneath mist-covered, snow-dusted mountains.
I want to thank all of you who shared your thoughts on my music theme. It was so much fun to read your responses, and I loved seeing how many of you have a similar taste in music. I also learned a lot about artists, genres, and traditions from different parts of the world, and your insights have given me new ideas and inspiration for future playlists and projects.
Egídio, thank you for leading us this week; I had fun in my quest to lead us somewhere. When joining in, remember to tag your entry with Lens-Artists and link it to Egidio’s original post. Next week, Tina will feature a new challenge, which will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in then to her lovely site to learn more about the challenge.
For this first image, I did not need to make any edits; nature offered a monochrome view of a misty woodland lake, seen through a dense frame of tree trunks, tangled branches, pine needles, and dark green leaves. Water droplets on the camera lens create soft, translucent blurs across the image, while the pale gray sky and fog-muted water give the scene a quiet, atmospheric mood. The subdued palette of mossy greens, brown-black branches, and silvery white highlights emphasizes the rainy autumn setting.
A tranquil misty lake shimmers through a frame of moss-covered trees and leafy branches.it started to rain, I am remaining in the car,There was a rainless moment of this to capture this moody lakeside scene framed by leafy branches, reeds, and weathered shoreline rocks beneath a cloudy sky
Golden sunlight filters through an autumn woodland, illuminating a carpet of colorful fallen leaves that rustle softly underfoot, their reds, ambers, and golds glowing gently in the quiet, cool air. This is such a joy to have experienced, way back. I edited an old photo that glows because it has been dull, gray, and rainy all day.
Golden sunlight filters through an autumn woodland, illuminating a carpet of colorful fallen leaves.
I am impressed with the contrast of the dark sky and the bright light and the trees and colors of the leaves 🍂 🍁 and I only had to open the front door to see it🌥️
This is my view from my study And looking at the steps leading to the parking lot Still some leaves 🍂🍂🍃🍁left birch and maple trees
Dusk comes early now, and October is finally showing its real mood. A low golden light shines through the bare trees by the quiet sea, and the water reflects a thin path of light on its small waves. A small floating winter swimming hut rocks gently in place, waiting for the first thin ice to form and for the brave swimmers who will arrive with their steaming breath and quick, sharp laughter. The air is cool and smells faintly of salt and wet wood, and I can feel the early darkness settling in as everything prepares for the slow change of season. The bare trees stand out dark against the sky, perfect for silhouette photos, and when I am lucky enough to catch a soft Nordic sunset behind them, it feels as if the whole shoreline pauses for a moment while I take the shot.
Golden sunlight filters through bare trees beside a tranquil sea illuminating the rippling water and a small floating winter swimming hole hut waiting for the ice and swimmer’s Bare trees stand in silhouette against a glowing sunset over a calm sea
It’s Thursday, but I am still silent as it is Wednesday. What a relief; sometimes it’s hard to say something when it’s a pretty image—oh well, I did end up saying something. Oh, one more thing: my imagination started to roam; I made up a village life under these roofs, and one house even has a skylight.
A cluster of delicate woodland mushrooms rises from lush moss beneath a young evergreen tree.
A misty meadow glows beneath a softly colored morning sky, with wild grasses stretching toward a tree-lined horizon.
Misty meadow, barely waking,
Tall grasses breathe in ribbons of gold,
cool air combs their seed-soft crowns.
Fog drifts low, a quiet tide,
folding the tree line into its pale pocket
of green and embered amber.
Morning light loosens from a pastel sky,
rose and lavender sifting down—
the whole field scented with leaf-soft autumn,
with the hush of a season turning
so gently you can almost miss it.
Finding these little gems of color and detail is a joy, and there’s no need to go any farther than the front door—just step outside, wander through the yard, and let your eyes linger on the quiet corners where beauty has been hiding all along. I think this is a buckthorn leaf, whatever it is the colors are lovely,
A vibrant autumn leaf shifts from golden yellow to warm crimson against a softly blurred green background.A vibrant autumn leaf hangs among green foliage, glowing against a softly blurred woodland background.Sunlit green and autumn leaves glow with warm golden color in a softly blurred natural setting. I like the shadow that falls on the green leaf.
Yesterday, October first, was a lovely day here, where I spent most of my time outside. Sunny, blue skies and warm air wrapped around me as I sat on the patio and looked at the maple tree behind our barbecue, glowing in rich yellow. The leaves almost seemed to shimmer in the light, and I felt the need to go and take a photo.
Lately, I’ve been spending more time looking in that direction, as our yard is a total mess with all the log piles and construction going on. It’s a bit chaotic, so my eyes keep drifting toward the one calm, beautiful corner. Once again I got off the topic, rambling on, but that’s how my thoughts wander when I’m out there.
I took several directions to see which angle would be more favorable, moving a little closer, then stepping back to see how the light hit the leaves from different sides. Then I took a short stroll to find other spots of color in my yard, framing each scene so that the mess stayed invisible and only the quiet, bright parts showed through.
I liked this shot the best.
Golden autumn leaves glow among birch and evergreen trees beside a rustic log shed.
Golden autumn rowan tree leaves glow in the sunlight against field and a lush woodland backdrop.
An old log cabin with a bright roof emerges through birch trees and autumn foliage of ferns.
A week with no particular theme for Monochrome Madness. So I had two choices, totally different, other than that they are both in monochrome – or black and white. One of them you might remember from a recent post, and I wanted to let you see how it converted to B&W – I thought it worked really well and gained a slightly different mood.
This is how I would describe the first image: A quiet black-and-white scene opens onto a still lake, its surface edged by a rocky, forested shore. Tall pines and slender birches rise along the right, while the far woods soften and disappear into a pale, overcast mist. The water lies glassy and mute, holding the trees and sky in a dim reflection. To the left, a small dock and, nearer the viewer, a single fishing float offer the slightest trace of human presence. The pared-back tones and unhurried composition leave the image hanging in a contemplative, almost hushed mood.
The mood is different in them the other image shows a calm lake bordered by a rocky, forested shoreline of tall pine and birch trees. The glassy water reflects the dense woodland in long vertical patterns, while a small dock extends into the lake on the left and a floating marker sits in the foreground. Soft mist or haze lightens the distant trees and bright sky, creating a quiet, minimalist atmosphere.
The third photo is a set of stairs leading to an inviting porch in autumn, full of texture and gentle light. Which is your preference, and what draws you more: the familiar image transformed, or the quiet promise of that autumn porch, mayne with some candles in lovely lanterns?
A black-and-white view of a weathered wooden porch, framed by ornate columns and leading up to a quiet double do
I took these this morning, first sunny day in a week, it was so welcome sight. This path leads to my summer house, sharing them with Johns Cellpic Sunday
A sunlit autumn path winds through a colorful birch and evergreen forest.
This week it is Anne´s turn to host us with a great theme, MOVE YOURSELVES. Photography, to me, is about showing what I see and how I compose it. You need a camera, a willingness to really look, and the freedom to move toward your subject to find the right angle, distance, and light. It is as much about quiet observation as it is about action, taking the time to notice small details and relationships in the scene. In the end, it is always a return to the basics: seeing clearly, moving with intention, and framing the moment in a way that feels true. Anne challenge is all about that.
A close-up of three glossy red wild rose hips nestled among vivid green leaves.
Last week here in Finland, we had miserable weather. Rain, drizzle, low clouds – the day never really got bright. Yet with rain come droplets, and I’m known to show a lot of love toward that subject. On days like this, I slow down and simply watch how the droplets gather on leaves, branches, , each one holding a tiny, upside‑down world inside. The light is soft and diffused, wrapping gently around every surface so that even the smallest bead of water catches a quiet glow instead of a harsh reflection. Gloomy weather also simplifies the scene, removing distractions and letting subtle tones, reflections, and shapes guide the composition.
I found these mushrooms on a tree trunk that is on a path to decay. The photo shows many sheathed woodtufts (Kuehneromyces mutabilis), but telling them apart from the highly poisonous funeral bell (Galerina marginata) requires careful examination of the stem, because the caps look very similar.
The grass was covered in tiny droplets, each one catching the light in a slightly different way. I took my time, just looking—tracing the lines of the blades, noticing how the droplets clustered, how they broke into patterns and rhythms that I felt could become a strong photograph. The way the light slid across the surface, the soft reflections, and the contrast between sharp edges and blurred textures all started to suggest a composition. Because I was working with a macro lens that has no zoom, every change in framing meant that I had to move myself, slowly and deliberately, bending closer and adjusting my position by small increments to fine-tune the focus and preserve the delicate balance of light, texture, and form in the scene.
These were easier to take, as the branches were on eye level. Closer and closer I got… Billard’s bridewort had only this one flower left all the others had turned brown.
Delicate water droplets cling to a green leaf, creating a shimmering macro scene against a softly blurred background.
Check out Anne’s original post and link you post to hers. Please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts so people can find your challenge entries.
Ann-Christine had us thinking about HARMONY last week, and it reminded us just how deeply we need it in our lives. The challenge inspired so many different and creative ways to express harmony—quiet moments in nature, balanced compositions, gentle colors, and heartfelt stories—and the posts I saw were filled with the calm, connection, and beauty we were hoping for. Thank you to everyone who joined in and shared your unique vision; together, you created a rich, soothing tapestry of images and ideas.
Next week, I’ll be introducing a brand-new challenge, which will go live Saturday October 3rd at noon EST in the USA. Mark your calendars and stop by then to discover what I’ve been planning and how you can join in the fun; I can’t wait to see where our lenses take us next.
Until then, let’s keep exploring, broadening our horizons, and maintaining a positive mindset
A tranquil sandy Surf beach stretches toward turquoise waves, distant islands, and a bright blue sky.
After visiting the mountains, it was time to check out some beaches nearby and soak up some rays. We basically had a lazy afternoon at Surf Beach. What’s not to like: lovely views and the relaxing sound of the waves. There were not many people around, as it was not the locals’ vacation time. Ritva sat on the beach taking photographs of seagulls and the waves, while I took a leisurely stroll along the seashore. I couldn’t help myself and collected seashells again. Sea urchin shells are so delicate, but I still managed to transport them to Finland intact. The waves on the beach were quite heavy for my liking, but I managed to swim anyway. The water of the Pacific Ocean felt cool at first, but after getting used to it, it was easy to stay in for a long time.
The following morning Ritva took portraits of Heli, Rod and Baxter the dog (I think they came out rather nice). After the photoshoot the destination was Ulladulla and Mollymook Beach, where we had lunch with Denise and Tracy, who live just before Ulladulla. Denise and Tracy are Heli’s friends whom we had met a couple of times before; they are so much fun—once in Finland and the other time at Caseys Beach. We can highly recommend Mollymook Beach for the scenery and most likely for swimming and surfing as well, although we didn’t try those last two. By the way, if you haven’t driven through places like Lillipilli, Ulladulla, Tumbarumba and Tilba Tilba, at least once in a lifetime, you haven’t really lived.
Heli and I relax at a seaside bench overlooking a sunny beach, rolling turquoise waves at Mollymook Beach and a tree-lined coastal neighborhood .
Heli and Rod are wonderful hosts and letting us stay there all that time is something we’re very appreciative of.
It was so nice to have morning coffee with this view.
It’s easy to talk to Rod, for example, about politics. He is a timid and quiet ex-civil servant with hardly any opinions of his own. NOT! He’s a very loud person joking, laughing and swearing all the time. And he’s not afraid to speak his mind. However, we didn’t get into arguments or fistfights about anything. We basically agreed on most things political, at least. Rod is from a small community in Victoria, where his parents scraped by farming the land. It’s easy to understand he talked quite a bit for the rural communities and that way of living. On top of that Rod spent part of his career fighting for health services for the remote areas. Great bloke! I didn’t talk to Heli that much. Us guys had our own discussions, and the girls talked about soap operas and crocheting, I think. (I will let you keep thinking that) Actually, Heli was constantly giving us ideas about what to see and where to go. We talked a lot about families, of course. And she kept us fed with beautiful meals from morning till dinnertime. After dinner the old fogies retired to their room and went to sleep. Caseys Beach was beautiful. Our hosts’ home is only about 30 meters from the sea, and you could see dolphin just about every other day. And waves hitting the shore was so relaxing. It was easy falling to sleep listening their hypnotic rhythm our bedroom window open.
Text Mara Sillanmäki
I have posted several posts about the first half of our trip, I will add the links to them if you wish to have a look, they are in the order I posted them Sydney – Adelaide – South Australia – Victoria -NSW
Got a peaceful start to the day, after a long weekend, by walking along the beach and on the rocks. It was a good workout, climbing and balancing on the rocky beach and picking up seashells. We took it easy for the rest of the day, but in the evening we got the call that it would be okay after all to go and visit Ritva’s cousin, Kari, and his wife, Susan, in Talbingo. Talbingo is a small town in the mountainous area of Kosciuszko National Park and only 370 km, or about a 4-hour drive, from where we were staying in Batehaven, NSW. 😊
Up the Clyde Mountain again and around Canberra. We drove 3,5 hours until we stopped in town of Gundogai in a restaurant called Oliver’s. We had to stop there because one of our grandsons is called Oliver. Once again, we saw towns with cute names: Tumbarumba, Wagga Wagga and Tumut. Tumut is a town closest to Talbingo that has grocery stores. The distance is 40 km.
Some were in on the road
Afternoon and evening were spent catching up with Susan and Kari. However, I took a little walk because I knew from the previous visit that the kangaroos would appear in the close by park. Got some pictures of the ‘roos even though they didn’t allow me to get close by. And I must not forget to mention the mountains that surround the town. Lakes, mountains, quiet, what more can you ask for your retirement home. Well maybe general store would be nice, but it closed few years ago.
Talbingo at dusk
Talbingo area has couple of dams built along Tumut River and power plant that produces plenty of electricity to a wider region. Two reservoirs were formed because of the dams: Talbingo and Blowering Reservoirs. In the morning, we drove to the Talbingo Reservoir that the locals call Top Lake. On the way we drove by the power plant. The pipes that we running to it from the reservoir didn’t look like much but actually you could drive a double-decker bus inside of them.
Being off-season Top Lake was really quiet. There were only two teenager and us four. Or I should say five because Susan and Kari have a beautiful Akita dog named Nischka. She is big but so peaceful. I’m digressing. Last time our host couple’s friends, Chris and Maggie, took us for a boat ride and waterskiing on Top Lake. Unfortunately, they don’t live there anymore, and we ended up just enjoying the scenery. Susan found a beautiful piece of driftwood on the beach, and she was gracious enough to give it to us. Now it has a special place on our dresser. I can only imagine how long it had been in the water to be so smooth.
As I mentioned before, Kari and his father and maybe one or two more of the brothers were laying the groundwork for the new Parliament House. I say maybe because I heard so many stories from all Ritva’s relatives it is hard to keep up with them.
Later in the afternood we headed back to Caseys Beach we didn’t want to bother our hosts. They were both under the weather. We only stopped at Braidwood, after a three-hour drive. Heli had recommended Braidwood Bakery. We got there too late, just before closing time, and there was hardly anything left to buy and eat. However, we got to Caseys Beach just in time to one of Heli’s scrumptious dinners.
As Autumn approaches in the Northern Hemisphere and Spring arrives in the Southern, it is the perfect time to celebrate fresh blossoms and new foliage—and I am here to capture them in photographs.
Delicate dried wildflower umbels glow in warm sunlight against a softly blurred green and golden woodland background.
I was on a quiet autumn lakeshore, hands stuffed in my pockets because the air’s a bit colder than I expected. The water is almost completely still, like it can’t decide whether to move or not. It looked so beautiful. Rocks and a wall of dark green pines wrap around the bay, and here and there the birch trees have turned this bright, gold that really stands out against the evergreens. The low sun is coming in from the side, turning parts of the lake into streaks of warm amber, but other patches just look flat and gray. The grasses along the edge have that same soft, rusty light in them. There’s a tiny red fishing float right in front of me, barely moving, and off to the left a small, plain dock sits there under a pale blue‑gray sky.
A tranquil autumn lakeshore reflects golden birch trees, evergreen pines, and a bright red fishing float in still water.
Ann-Christine has us thinking about HARMONY this week, and do we so need in these times. The quote she ended with is so good that I am sharing it and placing it at the top. She gave us a set of beautiful reference images and a lot of freedom to interpret the theme, with just one condition: seven images should be enough to express our idea of harmony. I experience harmony mainly in nature; I’m not religious, yet I still sense a certain harmony in churches, so I included one photograph from there, knowing many people feel it in that space. And I have to confess I broke the rule and slipped in an extra image, because animals are such a comfort and bring so much harmony into our lives.
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony – Mahatma Gandhi
There are all these elements, but I still feel that there is harmony in colors all muted. A wide coastal landscape is captured at sunset, with the sun glowing through layered clouds above a calm, gently rippling sea. Jagged rocky shoreline and small tidal pools stretch across the middle ground, while sandy paths, dense green shrubs, and tall golden grasses frame the foreground. The warm amber and violet sky creates a tranquil, atmospheric mood,
A dramatic sunset illuminates rugged coastal cliffs, rolling waves, and windswept grasses along the shore.
Ocean waves meet the shore in a steady rhythm, their sound carrying a quiet sense of harmony, don’t you think. Turquoise and deep teal water sweep toward the land in several parallel bands of foaming white surf. The textured swells form delicate, shifting patterns across the scene, while a thin strip of rugged, golden-brown coastal vegetation lines the bottom edge. The cool blue-green tones play against the warmth of the shoreline, creating a seascape that feels both dynamic and peacefully calm
Turquoise ocean waves churn into white foam along a rugged coastal cliff.
A quiet, fog-shrouded woodland framed by a large eucalyptus tree on the right and sweeping, narrow-leaved branches overhead. Dense white mist obscures the distant trees and softens the muted gray-green landscape, creating a serene, dreamlike atmosphere where every tone feels gently in harmony. In the foreground, a dirt and leaf-covered path leads toward a low chain barrier and metal gate, with small garden beds and a faint red sign emerging through the haze, all held together by the same subdued, balanced color palette. This shot has a soft, atmospheric photographic style that feels calm and deeply cohesive.
A misty woodland path disappears into the fog beneath towering eucalyptus trees.
I find harmony in the once again softened colors. A solitary broad-canopied tree stands on a sunlit, dry golden-grass hillside beneath a hazy blue sky. A rustic wire fence with dark wooden posts runs across the foreground, while softly layered rocky hills appear in the distant background, evoking a quiet, pastoral countryside.
A lone tree stands atop a sun-baked golden hillside above a rustic fence and distant mountain.
I’ve always felt that churches hold a kind of quiet harmony, and this richly decorated historic chapel is no exception. Seen through the dark, carved wooden doors, it feels almost like stepping into another time. The colors are warm and a little faded, the vaulted ceiling and arches covered in old frescoes, gilded borders, floral motifs, and painted religious or mythological scenes that seem to whisper their own stories. Patterned marble panels line the walls, cool and solid, while a crystal chandelier glows softly above a small altar and framed painting. Rows of modern black chairs sit neatly on the black-and-cream checkered floor, a simple, contemporary counterpoint to all the Renaissance-style ornament. In this contrast between the ornate and the everyday, I find a strange calm, as if the space is quietly holding every voice, every silence, in balance.
An ornate historic chapel with frescoed arches, patterned walls, a crystal chandelier, and rows of chairs arranged before the altar.
At my summer house I love the misty night, its quiet, the nature and I are in harmony. In this tranquil landscape photograph, a dense mixed forest lines the edge of a mist-covered meadow as dusk settles in. The treetops create a dark, textured band stretching across the lower middle of the frame, while a soft, pale fog glides over the grass in the foreground. Above it all, the sky shifts from deep gray-blue into a warm, glowing gold at the horizon, wrapping the scene in a serene and atmospheric stillness.
A misty forest meadow glows beneath a warm golden sunset, creating a serene and atmospheric landscape.
I’m no fan of winter, but I have to admit there’s a strange beauty in the details: the way the snow pulls a white blanket over everything and quiets it all down. Here, a single delicate white flower stands in close-up, its tall stem sprinkled with tiny, frost-like blossoms and fine, crystalline textures that look almost unreal. The bloom stays sharp and clear while the background fades into soft grays, whites, and muted greens, and the whole scene feels cool, wintry, and a little otherworldly.
A delicate wildflower covered in sparkling frost, set against a softly blurred winter landscape.
Veikka and Tinka, our cats, were in such harmony together; it was so lovely to see. This shows them cuddled together in warm sunlight beside a bright window. In the foreground, Tinka, the dark brown tabby, rests with her eyes closed, while Veikka, the white-and-orange one behind her, gently grooms her, eyes softly shut and pink tongue just visible. In this photo, the soft cream, golden, and brown tones create a peaceful, affectionate mood, and the softly blurred indoor background makes their textured fur and intimate little world feel even more tender and precious.
Two cats cuddle by the window as one sweetly grooms the other in the warm sunlight.
What a show Beth’s bridge challenge generated last week. Great images you all shared, wonderful bridges from around the world. I hope you will join Ann-Christine’s challenge, this week too. Please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts so people can find your challenge entries.
Next week, Anne will feature a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in then to find out more about the challenge.
Until then, let’s keep exploring, broadening our horizons, and maintaining a positive mindset
I am more bound to stay inside than go out in the rain, if I don’t have to. I am not a Brit who is so used to it. There was a pause from it and a moment of sunshine from behind the clouds. I took myself out to take photos of the few flowers left blooming this time of the year, mid-September. The black aronia berries were already dark and glossy, with raindrops clinging to them like tiny glass beads. The scrubby cinquefoil was still bravely holding on to a few small yellow blossoms, a bit battered but somehow charming in their stubbornness. Even the hostas, mostly past their best by now, looked refreshed, their broad leaves collecting little pools of water and reflecting the shy light. Raindrops on the ones I took after the rain are a nice added effect.
A bee gathers nectar from a rain-speckled white blossom surrounded by fresh green leaves.
Delicate white blossoms glisten with raindrops against a softly blurred green background.
Shrubby cinquefoil (botanical name Dasiphora fruticosa) formerly known as Potentilla fruticosa).
I googled these, a variety with creamy white or pale yellow flowers with a yellow center (such as the varieties ‘Primrose Beauty’ or ‘Limelight’)
Delicate white rose hips glisten with raindrops among lush green leaves.
Rosehips with droplets
A delicate pale rosebud glistens with raindrops amid lush green foliage and vivid red rosehip berries.
Raindrops glisten on delicate hostas against a lush green garden backdrop.
Aronia or Clusters of black chokeberries
Clusters of black chokeberries glisten with raindrops among vibrant green and pink-tinged leaves. Aronia.Aronia.
Vivid crimson and magenta aronia leaves cluster among dark berries and lush green foliage.
Just some dark clouds from yesterday, drifting in from the horizon like a slow-moving curtain. For a while it looked like they might swallow the whole sky. we watched them roll and build on themselves, a little in awe until they finally circled around us and moved on, leaving us with nothing but a moody sky and a big sigh of relief. Norain just amazing color in the sky against the sunlit trees
Sunlit trees frame a peaceful rural yard beneath a dramatic blue sky, with a red house nestled among the forest.
How enchanting is this vibrant northern forest scene, embraced by tall pine and birch trees beneath a breathtaking blue sky adorned with fluffy white clouds! The lush green undergrowth and young conifers harmoniously blend with Aavasaksan hill, celebrated for its strikingly rugged terrain. This unique landscape tells a story of ancient eroded beaches and rugged formations looming above. As you ascend to the higher elevations, the resilient vegetation mirrors the tenacity of harsh pine forests and rocky woodlands, filled with hardy dwarf shrubs like bilberry, lingonberry, and heather, alongside a rich variety of mosses and lichens—most notably, the delicate reindeer lichen. In the foreground, you’ll find exposed rocks and a narrow rocky path, while a prominent dead and bare tree stands in poignant contrast to the flourishing woodland that envelops it. The verticality of the composition and its vibrant, natural hues invoke a deep sense of connection to the wild, dramatic wilderness all around us.
A lush forest trail winds through pine trees and green undergrowth beneath a sky filled with clouds.
A striking dead tree rises through a lush forest beneath a sky filled with white clouds.
Last summer, as we drove through the landscapes of Finland’s Lapland, with the serene beauty surrounding us. Suddenly, we spotted a graceful Red Fox sitting peacefully by the roadside, its vibrant orange fur contrasting beautifully with the lush greenery. We decided to stop the car,we grabbed our cameras and managed to capture a few stunning shots of the fox, whose piercing eyes seemed to observe us curiously. Just as we thought the moment couldn’t get any better, the fox gracefully stood up and began to stroll across a forest road, disappearing into the woods.
A red fox strides across a forest road, its bushy tail trailing through the greenery.
A red fox strides confidently along a roadside, its russet fur contrasting with the lush green forest.A red fox sits calmly on the edge of a forest road, its bushy tail stretched across the pavement.
