I’m taking a break from my usual fare this week, because I recently started following a blog called Cee’s Photography, and she runs photo challenges every week. She has beautiful photos and they make me smile, so I thought I would share with you because you can never have too many smiles in a day.
I decided to participate in her Elements/Seasons series – as you all know I am a nature freak. So, without further ado, here is my entry for Wood/Spring.
First up – photos from one of my most favorite places in all the land! Bjorklunden (Lawrence University) in Door County. Love, love, love that place, and for a while went every year with my sister for a ladies weekend. I missed the last two years, a knife in my spiritual heart – I have been able to reach out to God so easily in this place.
Spring dew on lakeside branches.
God calling in the mist.
This next picture was taken down by the Fox River, close to the locks. I was actually trying to get shots of the pelicans, and happened across this bright bit of life starting it’s journey.
Life finds a way.
These yellow blooms were in my front landscaping at our old house. Absolutely no clue what they are. Tiny blooms in very fine leaves. I just liked them because they are my favorite color! Yellooooowwww!
Yellow somethings?
Here’s something weird about me you probably didn’t know. I love old cemeteries. I like to read the stones and shut my eyes and imagine them as they lived, worked, and played. When I was a kid, cemeteries creeped me out and I used to hold my breath whenever we drove past one. Part of an old wives tail I think? Like lifting your feet up when driving over railroad tracks. Geez – I don’t even remember what that one was for – just remember doing it.
This cemetery in Salem, MA was especially cool because it had people in it from the Salem Witch Trials. Interesting thing about these old tombstones is that they looked fake because they were so thin. I had to touch them to be sure they were real. And plus, like the big kid I am, I just can’t not touch.
Salem cemetery, Salem, MA
Salem cemetery, Salem, MA
This next photo was taken while kayaking with the Daver on the chain of lakes in Waupaca. There is a series of small, shallow lakes on the tail end of the chain perfect for kayaking. I managed to not only stay in the boat, but didn’t drop my camera or phone in the drink. I have mad kayaking skills.
Waupaca County, WI
We found this face of tree roots on our walk to a waterfall in the Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, TN. It had just rained, so it was a slippery, muddy hike. But totally worth it – so much natural eye candy!
Old Man
I just really liked how all my pots looked last year, waiting for me to fill them with new life. This year, many stand empty yet, as we have been too busy trying to get a driveway, deck, etc. Next year, they will all be filled again, though!
Time to plant!
Last spring, I road in the Menominee River Century – we did 50 miles. On a short breather after a hill climb, I hopped off my bike and ran in the woods to grab this shot. Did I ever mention how much I love riding? Scenes like this play a big part in that love.
Pine trees in Menominee
I know I recently shared this one, but it’s so pretty, I had to include it. Taken on the trail thru a local bird sanctuary – it’s basically wetlands. I was covered in chemicals or I would have been eaten alive by the velociraptors…er…mosquitoes.
Trail thru a local bird sanctuary.
And finally – does anyone know what these purple beauties are? I see them blooming all over the place but have no clue what they are.
Who Am I? 24601!!
Those are my contributions! I hope you enjoyed them!
A big thank you to Cee for sponsoring this challenge! Please check out her blog, and also the other entries posted in her comments.
See you all next week!
Sue
Brick House 
A wonderful collection for the challenge Sue. Glad you have found Cee as she has really helped me with my photography. The photo you call Old Man looks like alligators to me. 🙂
I see them now too! Cool!
Another talent! Your photography is beautiful! Did you take a class…or self taught? BTW, the yellow flowers are thread leaf coreopsis ‘sunbeam’ and the purple ones that you see growing wild all over is purple loostrife…pretty, but deceiving…very invasive, disrupts natural water flow and destroys eco systems by overtaking the vegetation. It’s actually against the law to sell or grow it. DNR has an ongoing eradication program, but it’s almost impossible to get rid of. ….But when you’re out for a walk, they’re all just pretty posies!
Thanks, Rose! No class- self taught for the most part. My son has a great eye and I started mimicking some of his angles and experimenting on my own. And then since blogging, following photo blogs and learning from people like Cee. Most of my photos are taken with my iPhone but some are taken with a Cannon point and shoot.
And thanks for the info on the flowers- another friend also told me about the loostrife. Bummer on that. They are pretty.
Great photos! You’ve got some very beautiful, serene photos. Makes one want to be right there (except for the skeeters!). Beautiful yellow and purple flowers. Too bad about the purple one — just doesn’t seem right! 😀
Thank you Linda! The skeeters have been awful this year, but we say that every year- lol! I am bummed about the purple flower but even pretty things can be deceiving! Life lesson I guess. Thanks for visiting and commenting!
Oh thank you for participating in this series of challenge. I really like your choice of photos. See you next week.
Thank you and thank you for sponsoring the challenge! I love seeing everyone’s perspectives. Your photos are so beautiful!
Sue, what great shots! I really like “God calling in the mist” and the shot you took while cycling. I too love cycling, it is such a great way to see scenery we ignore when in a car!
So true! I love finding the beauty in my every day surroundings and it’s a lot easier to do on my bike or my feet!
I read your “about” and feel like we have a lot in common – love of people, pets, writing, photography, walking and now cycling. Looking forward to enjoying more of your posts!
I also looked at your “about” and believe you are right!! I really like your positive approach…I believe grace can be found in all things….sometimes it just takes awhile to recognize it!!
Loved all the pictures, but favorite one was the second picture. The misty looks makes it so beautiful.
That is one of my favorites too. I liked how the tree trunks bent so close to the ground so that is why I took it, but the overall affect of the mist was accidental…haha! Most of my good pictures are by chance!