Monthly Archives: March 2023

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #241 – Spring

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Here in the west of Ireland, Spring can be a bit of a mixed bag. Nice sunning days often mixed with damp cold ones. The one thing that does change though is the longer days which is always a blessing. For me there are a number of things that herald the arrival of spring (especially when the weather is not a reliable indicator).

Firstly the return of the frogs to the garden pond.

And the birds dawn chorus starting to build………

….and the return of the first of the wild flowers, such as lesser celandine below.

Lesser celandine

And the first flowers to the garden too – crocus being one of the first to show.

crocuses

And last, but certainly not least, the return of pollinators – still to see my first bumblebee around the garden this year (the one below from last spring) but there are some hoverflies appearing on the dandelions and daffodils.

bumblebee queen

Thank you to Sofia for letting us share some spring delights.

LAPC #238 and #239 – Alone Time and Finding Peace

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Well I didn’t get much alone time last week, nor did I find much peace – it was a busy one. So this week, I am combining both last week’s Lens artist photo challenge (Alone time) and this week’s one (Finding Peace). For me time alone, is the time I find peace. Time to still the brain, recharge the batteries. Being in or close to nature, and being alone, means all the senses can be absorbed in the beauty around me.

No place better than the beach.

Ross Beach

After the beach it is my garden.

Hoverfly on poppy
bumblbebee on sage
woundwort
Poppy seed head

But really anywhere where I can be close to nature there is contentment.

Rainbow