sunsets – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

Lens-Artists Challenge #279: Magical

Lens-Artists Challenge #279: Magical Ann-Christine hosts the challenge this week. It brought focus to what really matters in life – magic moments. Rare – mostly. But they leave a lasting impression. I could post many of the previous challenge photos here too – unique and magical are so closely intertwined together .

Magical scent of spices at the market place in India

Magic has always captivated the human imagination. Whether portrayed as the ability to manipulate the elements, cast spells, or perform extraordinary feats, magic is often associated with the mysterious and the unknown. Magical traditions can be found in cultures around the world, each with their own unique beliefs and practices.

However, magic is not confined to the realm of fiction. In the real world, magic can also be seen as a metaphor for the wondrous and inexplicable. It represents the beauty of the natural world and the awe-inspiring phenomena that we sometimes struggle to comprehend. Whether it is a radiant sunset, a shimmering waterfall, or the birth of new life, these moments can often feel magical in their own right.

On a winter’s day the ray of light can seem magical.

Magic is a fascinating concept that holds different meanings and interpretations for each individual. It is shaped by our unique histories and life experiences, making it a subjective and personal phenomenon. What may seem like magic to one person might be commonplace for another.

The largest animal ever to exist on Earth, the magnificent and iconic blue whale, was previously hunted almost to the brink of extinction by commercial whaling activities and remains an endangered species today. The blue whales found in Sri Lankan waters, in the Northern Indian Ocean, are non-migratory and believed to be resident in these waters year-round

We were so lucky to see this magical sight at the coast of Sri Lanka. One rarely gets to see a blue whale so close. We were told to be quiet and having listened to the captains orders; the whale came to check out our boat. It swam around us and under our boat, so we were able to see it so close – It was impressive!

Our personal experiences contribute to our understanding of what is wondrous, extraordinary, or even inexplicable. For some, magic may be found in the intricate beauty of nature, while for others it might lie in the bonds of love and human connections.

The magic of Christmas for children

Ultimately, the notion of magic transcends any singular definition or explanation. It is a realm where imagination, wonder, and awe converge, offering a glimpse into the mysterious and extraordinary aspects of life that go beyond rational understanding.

I find magic mainly in nature, first flowers of spring, the new green, bird nests, summer colors, autumns tones and winters small details

Reading can open to the world to magical…. yes.

If you’re new to Lens-Artists and would like to join, follow this link for more information.

Lens Artists Challenge #278: Unique

lens-artists, Photography

This week Any wants us to showcase unique. What is unique.

My husband, my children and grandkids are unique to me. That is what first came to my mind. Life changing. One of a kind. I am not going to post photos of them, even thought that was the first thought.

The word unique has different meanings depending on the context.

being the only one of its kind
being without a like or equal
distinctively characteristic or peculiar
able to be distinguished from all others of its class or type

For example, a unique signature is the only one of its kind and cannot be copied by anyone else, see my header 😀 . A unique achievement is unparalleled and incomparable to any other. Things that are very remarkable or unusual. Sometimes, people use the word unique to describe themselves or their qualities. They may want to emphasize what makes them different from others, or what makes them stand out in a positive way.

Nothing what have I photographed is that unique, that is something I really think, i an sure someone else has capture them also, some better than me some less so, but in a a way they are unique none of them are totally the same. Here are my attempts of capturing something unique – to me.

Watching the waves , Each wave is unique every time, the movement, colors…so on. So yes here is a photo of waves.

Beauty is in everyone’s eyes, also, so is what we think is unique

California hosts the most unique trees , the redwoods. Redwood trees are some of the tallest and largest trees in the world. While there are three types of the trees in the world, sequoia and sequoiadendron are the type found in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees exemplify the diversity of landscapes, life, I was at awed by the nature in Sequoia