nature – Page 15 – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

St. Augustine Lighthouse

Cities, Photography, Travel, Traveling US

Hardly a day goes by without checking out a lighthouse. So, before going into the historic city of St.Augustine we hit the St. Augustine Lighthouse. The climb to the top was exactly 219 steps. The view was spectacular.

The first lighthouse or should we call it a watchtower was built in 1589 by the Spanish colonials. Sturdier structure replaced the wooden tower in 1737 and it was made or coquina (shell rock) and wood. The current lighthouse was finished in 1874.

Lighthouse Keepers house was worth visiting, also, with its historic displays. It was early January so the Christmas decorations were still there, not really my thing, so they limited a bit of what I photographing as I did not want seasonal photos.

We were told that you could get the best shot of the lighthouse from the pier, unfortunately due to the backlite the shots from the pier did not turnout the best, but I understand that during an other time of the day that would have been the case.

My husband Mara Sillanmäki provided most text

Lens-Artists Challenge #234 – Messages

lens-artists, Photography, Travel

Lens-Artists Challenge #234 – Messages is hosted by Donna from Wind Kisses , LENS ARTISTS CHALLENGE #234:-Messages

Donna Wrote; To some, photography is formal, with clear and concise messages. Others want you to feel the photos, and take away impressions from what you see. At the end of the day, it is always our story, driven by our character and passions, that we showcase.

As I’ve stated before I am not a very technical photographer, more into composition, mood. I do my magic on the edit table mostly, if you can call it magic, more like my interpretation of places and people. I am also not one to write all that much, let the photos speack for themselves.

I think some of these speaks, relates a story. Hope you agree 🙂 I find monochrome images are great way to showcase messages of emotions and action as all unnecessary is taken away

In colors also – obviously.

Nature in all its forms speaks volumes

I have two cameras an old reliable SONY SLT-A65V, and I have two lences I use with it one for Macro Sony Macro 2.8/50 and portraits. The other for nearly everything a Sony 18-200mm.

The Sony has been in less use since I bought a new lighter one to carry around, its a Olympus E-M10 Mark II with a 14-150mm lense and I have a OM-D M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8 for street and portrait photography

LENS ARTISTS CHALLENGE #233: A One Lens Walk

Photography, Travel, Traveling US

For this week’s challenge is hosted by Anne from Slow Shutter Speed , LENS ARTISTS CHALLENGE #233: A One Lens Walk The challenge is for you is to take a lens for a walk. Yes, choose a lens and walk.

I have two cameras an old reliable SONY SLT-A65V, and I have two lences I use with it one for Macro Sony Macro 2.8/50 and portraits. The other for nearly everything a Sony 18-200mm.

I am not a very technical photographer, more into composition, mood. I do my magic on the edit table mostly, if you can call it magic, more like my interpretation of places and people. I am also not one to write all that much, let the photos speack for themselves.

These are shot with the Olympus and the with a 14-150mm lense

Natures green always inspires me

Details from nature are often important things to photograph to me at least as they are found near and are beautiful, the birds had been leaving lots of feathers.

Posted for Slow Shutter Speed

Wakodahatchee

Photography, Travel, Traveling US

The first day of out holiday to US we were in Florida and went to visit Wakodahatchee wetland park.

We were already at the Wakodahatchee Wetland (Delray Beach) just after 10am. We toured the Boardwalk and saw e.g. four alligators enjoying the sunshine, great blue heron, egret, wood stork and double crested cormorant, and tricolored heron and a turtle. The birds were reportedly preparing for mating and nesting, the woodstocks were very active making the nest but otherwise it was a pretty lazy day for the animals.

We ran into a few people who said they go to the wetlands every day for a walk. I can say I was not the only one thre with a camera. Here are some of the shots that I got.

Here is some background info about the he park, it was created on 50 acres (20 ha) of unused utility land and transformed into a recreation wetlands open to the public with a three-quarter mile boardwalk that crosses between open water pond areas, emergent marsh areas, shallow shelves, and islands with shrubs and snags to foster nesting and roosting.

Over 150 species of birds have been spotted inside the park, including wood stork, pied-billed grebe, snowy egrets, and black-bellied whistling ducks. The park is also home to turtles, alligators, rabbits, frogs, and raccoons.

Each day, the Southern Region Water Reclamation Facility pumps approximately two million gallons of highly treated wastewater into the Wakodahatchee Wetlands, which in turn acts as a percolation pond, returning billions of gallons of fresh water back into the water table.

Beautiful in Black and White 14

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

I took several winter wonderland photos last week, so I thought I’d try them as monochrome. Misty fields and snow-covered
roads with trees heavy with snow surrounding it. This is how they turned out.

It is nearly Christmas, and I hope that
these winter shots will help you to get into white Christmas spirit.

The way that light hits objects, I think, is one of the more important things that sculpture and photography share. – Rashid Johnson

Spruce trees by the side of the snowy road

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #230 – Last Chance

Captures from Finland, lens-artists, Photography

For this week’s challenge is hosted by Tina Schell from Travels and Trifles Lens-Artists Challenge #230 – Last Chance we’re show casing our forgotton or should I say our not yet published shots. Now, the challenge is remebering if I’ve posted them or not. I discover that I have not taken all that many photos this year… sad but true. It obviouly also depends how people defines much.

The image above is new from last week. winter can be beautiful

She wrote; But what about the images that are among our favorites but have not fit any of the categories? This year we’re giving you an opportunity to include images on any and all subjects that are personal favorites – BUT, they must have been created in 2022 AND must not have been previously published.

Here are my Last Chance photos, please link your post back to Tina’s original post and tag Lens-Artists if interested in participating in it.

Hailuoto was one of my favorite places to visit this summer, I posted several black and white images from that trip, here are some with colors. I love watching clouds and they played a big part in the photos I took there.

My summer house and the nature is a constant inspitation to me – below

Details from nature are often important things to photograph to me at least as they are found near and are beautiful,

I have taken still life shots that I have not posted lke these pearls

And I found this 🎅 Santa resting on a bench during summer…

Posted for Tina’s Lens-Artists Challenge

Minimalist winter scenery

Captures from Finland, Landscapes

I have been away from my computer, and photos for a long weekend visiting my son and his family. So obviously I have missed a lot. Here are some more winter wonderland shots from last week

Wahat a calm view

Frosty trees at dusk

Captures from Finland, Landscapes, Photography

White trees

I stopped several times to capture the beauty of the moment of lovely winter views with snow covered trees and hovering mist

Snow covered lane

Captures from Finland, Landscapes, Photography

I am just going to put this here, as I went out today to take winter photos, I need to go through them. This is the first ones I am going to post. At this moment the sun was still shining. This Lane/ road looked so lovely I ad to stop to photograph it. Hope you enjoy it too.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #229 – Perfect Patterns

Flowers, lens-artists, Photography

For this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #229 we’re exploring – Perfect Patterns

Ann-Christine wrote, Of course there is no such thing as a ”perfect” pattern…but it could be perfect in Your eyes, perfect for camouflage or perfect for its purpose…or simply radiating ”perfect”! This week we challenge you to find perfect patterns and it would be great if you wanted to tell us why you think they are perfect.

Diagonals and patterns have lots in in common, I could easily use some of the same images from last week. Lets see what I can find in my archives. Patterns are everywhere, but in the purest form they can be found in nature. Nearly all things, big or small have them, if we look closely enough.

Well nature produces most wonderful patterns in flowers, spiderwebs, trees… you name it we can find it

Not to forget man made patterns, in building, textiles,

Our tableware is a place patterns are commonly found, as are the fabrics are made of.

The header photo has patterns, diagonals, and keeping with the season candles, frost and snow….

Ann-Christine from LEYA To See a World in a Grain of Sand… , host this weeks Challenge #229 – Perfect Patterns

Snowy nature

Captures from Finland, Landscapes

It looks lovely for sure, blueish skies and white snow, with a a subtle mist hovering over the landscape.That is it nothing elso to say about these photos.

Snow coverd birch trees by the road

A subtle mist hovers over the landscape on these two shots

Sunny winter day

Captures from Finland, Landscapes

The joy of sunshine, the past weeks we have not been blessed with lots of sunlight, but today, of the glorious weather with snow coved trees, blue sky.

I stepped out and took shots to all four directions from or house, and it looked lovely everywhere,white powder snow, blue sky and even the temperature was not that bad -7C ( 23 F ) I am going to post a shot also when its not shining and it looks OK, but there is a difference. On this happy note I wish everyone reading this post a lovely weekend!

at 10 AM View to our south facing backyard

10 AM looking North, this is the view from my office

10AM facing west looking at the spruce and birch trees on a upward hill

AND WHAT A DIFFERECE A DAY MAKES

Beautiful in Black and White 13

Black and White photos, Flowers

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, I was once again reminded about the importance of exposure, light. It is the key element in these photos.

Roses, they look lovely in black and white

The way that light hits objects, I think, is one of the more important things that sculpture and photography share. – Rashid Johnson

Posted for Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Beautiful in Black and White 12

Black and White photos, Traveling Australia

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, I was once again reminded about the importance of exposure, light. It is the key element in these photos.

Clouds work well in B&W as do distinct shapes. I took these when visiting Queensland few years back

Bearded Dragon sign – Bearded Dragon Hotel Tamborine in QLD

The way that light hits objects, I think, is one of the more important things that sculpture and photography share. – Rashid Johnson

Posted for Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

From my archives – orchids

Flowers

November will be filled with photos from the archives .

Orchids are easily distinguished from other plants, as they share some very evident derived characteristics . Among these are: bilateral symmetry of the flower ), many resupinate flowers, a nearly always highly modified petal fused stamens and carpels, and extremely small seeds.

Since I am sharing close-ups, mostly of flowers I’ve decided also to participate in Cee’s Flower of the Day challenge.

Beautiful in Black and White 11

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, I was once again reminded about the importance of exposure, light. It is the key element in these photos.

Sunset in B&W is it’s own thing to capture once again it comes to the light, lowlight in this case. How it enhances the shapes and creates shadows.

Sunset in Naples Pier. Unfortunately it was destroyed in Hurricane Ian, but I have a memory.

The way that light hits objects, I think, is one of the more important things that sculpture and photography share. – Rashid Johnson

Posted for Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

From my archives – ‘Annabelle’

Flowers

November will be filled with photos from the archives .

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’

This plant gives pleasure when from middle of the summer until late fall, these photos are from late fall when the flowers have already turned brown. Still beautiful with all it’s details.

Since I am sharing close-ups, mostly of flowers I’ve decided also to participate in Cee’s Flower of the Day challenge.

Beautiful in Black and White 10

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, I was once again reminded about the importance of exposure, light. It is the key element in these photos.

“Available light is any damn light that is available!” ~ W. Eugene Smith

Above is so importat during these gray November days.

The way that light hits objects, I think, is one of the more important things that sculpture and photography share. – Rashid Johnson

Beautiful in Black and White 9

Black and White photos, Captures from Finland

I have a soft spot for black and white photography, I was once again reminded about the importance of exposure, light. It is the key element in these photos.

The photographer is a manipulator of light; photography is a manipulation of light. – Laszlo Moholy-Nagy

the nature is gorgeous even without color

Ogegon coast is really beautiful and mostly it shines best in colors but in black and white photography the structure and shape are in important role.

How to Survive November 2022 – 8

how to survive November, People, Photography

I find this challenge harder than I thought, finding an image to go to a song is harder that I thought. Some of the songs that I like are hard to connect to a photo. This It took me quite some time to come up with an image.

This is singer, I love his voice, he is one of my absolute favorite artists, this man is able to touch every single part of my brain, soul and body just with his voice.

Paolo Nutini is a soul-influenced alternative singer-songwriter from Paisley, Scotland. He grew up listening to a range of folk, opera, jazz, and his father’s R&B favourites. Nutini’s debut album, These Streets, released in 2006 achieved double-platinum status and sent the four singles ‘Last Request’, ‘Jenny Don’t Be Hasty’, ‘Rewind’ and ‘New Shoes’ into the Top 40.

His catalogue has also ‘Sunny Side Up’ as well as 2014 album ‘Caustic Love’ which produced the hit singles ‘Candy’, ‘Let Me Down Easy’

From the corner of my eye
To the back of my mind
I recognize what you mean to me
And though the corners of our pictures
Are a long time frayed
They still symbolize what you mean to me

You ask me to remember
A kiss is but a kiss
Like I’d be a fool to want more from you

Thanks PARALLEL LINES |in scale for hosting How to Survive November once again.

At the ‘How to Survive November‘ monthly theme we will combine photo and sound. You can select a piece of music to your taste and find a photo to portray the song or you can make a drawing, painting or collage. The picture can be from your archives or you can get it fresh. Enjoy and have fun!

How to Survive November 2022 – 7

People, Photography, Traveling US

The Box Tops came up as I was looking for a song about letters, I remember listening to this song and completely forget about it and then just wake up with it in your head? Yeah it’s the greatest. It’s like seeing a friend you haven’t seen in forever. It goes so well with todays photo of old letters I received when living abroad. I spent long times living away from my love.

First I thought I would make this post vibrate with the music of Bruce Springsteen – Letter To You , which could have been just appropriate. But as I have photos of letters addressed to me…

Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain’t got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I’m a-goin’ home
My baby, just a wrote me a letter

I don’t care how much money I gotta spend
Got to get back to my baby again
Lonely days are gone, I’m a-goin’ home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter

The Box Tops is an American rock band formed in Memphis in 1967, The Box Tops’ music combined elements of soul music and light pop. As the Box Tops, they entered the studio to record Wayne Carson Thompson’s song “The Letter”. Though under two minutes in length, the record was an international hit by September 1967, reaching the Hot 100’s number-one position for four weeks, selling over four million copies, earning a gold disc, and receiving two Grammy Award nominations.

Thanks PARALLEL LINES |in scale for hosting How to Survive November once again.

How to Survive November 2022 – 6

People, Photography, Traveling US

Nicole Atkins is an American singer-songwriter. Her influences include 1950s crooner music, 1960s psychedelia, soul music, and the Brill Building style of writing. Love the deep & honest emotion, beautiful alto voice.

Don’t tell me
My love’s not the one that I want
That he’s not the one that I need
I’d rather find out for myself

You’re the one
Who shakes at the touch of my hand

Thanks PARALLEL LINES |in scale for hosting How to Survive November once again.

How to Survive November 2022 -5

People, Photography

I love this song, it is the magic of this tune, the way Phoebe Snow puts it together sends feelings of sadness reflection and love. I had really hard time finding photos to go with it. But it has certain nostalgia that I thought could go with memories. Hope you listen to this beautiful song 🙂

Tell me what you’re feeling and what it all means.
You could be defensive or open up and share your dreams.
You can keep right on denying or face me and start crying.
‘Cause this time, when I reach out, it may be my last try. Ooohh baby, I want something real one time before I die.

Phoebe Snow was an American roots music singer-songwriter and guitarist, She was described by The New York Times as a “contralto grounded in a bluesy growl and capable of sweeping over four octaves.

We’ll cry until it’s funny, baby. And laugh our selves to tears, yeah.
If you’re frightened honey, I’ll hold you through your fears.
You see, I’ve had some bad relationships already and
I’ve fooled around goin’ steady

Thanks PARALLEL LINES |in scale for hosting How to Survive November once again.

From my archives – Peony

Flowers

November will be filled with photos from the archives .

The luxurious flowers of Peony ‘Double Pink’ are ruffled and petal packed, unfurling from round buds in early summer, revealing petal after petal until fully open. Large, flamboyant blooms coupled with a sweet, light fragrance.

Peony ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ is an exquisite herbaceous peony with ruffled, flamingo-pink, double blooms that open from large, and rounded buds. This RHS AGM variety has been popular since its introduction in 1905, and still beguiles gardeners with its sheer flower power. With a slightly taller habit than most, this beauty is one for planting towards the back of perennial borders, where its glamorous blooms will rise above a clump of deeply divided, dark green foliage.

I don’t know which one these are, I do know I love peonies, one of my favorite flowers. I some how was able to kill mine at my summer house, but then again I don’t remember planting it, it appeared and after several year it disappeared… but it was lovely addition to my very scantly garden

Since I am sharing close-ups, mostly of flowers I’ve decided also to participate in Cee’s Flower of the Day challenge.

How to Survive November 2022 -4

People, Photography, Traveling US

When I was a teenager, I loved ABBA, and my favorite was Frida. And even at young age due to having lived already abroad I had this restless streak in me. Always wanting to go, loving the journey, seeing and learning new things. This song resonated to me.

These photos are also from my archives, from 2013 when I visited Vancouver are in British Columbia, My photography skills have improved since then also my equipment. I was very happy at the time to have captured these eagles.

They came flying from far away
Now I’m under their spell
I love hearing the stories that they tell

They’ve seen places beyond my land
And they’ve found new horizons
They speak strangely but I understand

High, high, I’m a bird in the sky (I’m an eagle)
I’m an eagle that rides on the breeze
High, high, what a feeling to fly (what a feeling)
Over mountains and forests and seas
And to go anywhere that I please

Flying high, high, I’m a bird in the sky
I’m an eagle that rides on the breeze
High, high, what a feeling to fly
Over mountains and forests and seas
And to go anywhere that I please

And I dream I’m an eagle
And I dream I can spread my wings