Over the last few months I’ve been looking at the various challenges that appear on WordPress, watching from afar and wondering if I should dip my toe into one of them.
Regular readers will know that my blog is predominantly a walking journal, a place where I write about my walks at home and abroad. So landscape and nature photography tends to be my bread and butter.
I do take other pictures though and have been thinking about sharing them if I could find the right forum and I’ve been drawn towards the lens artists challenge. Every day would be too much, but once a week, short form and picture focused sounds about right.
And of course, a bit like when you decide you want a new red car and then every car you see on the road is a red one I’ve already discovered that many of you already take part in this challenge.
So here goes, this weeks theme is ‘winter’ and is Hosted by John.
What does winter mean to me:
Cold short days on frozen hills, with a low winter sun losing the battle to provide warmth and my breath condensing into ice in the freezing air. Snow plastered tops with bright blue skies and fog hanging in the valleys
Earth as hard as Iron and water like a stone
Weak winter sunsets with crows cawing in the golden hour in the still and freezing air
Pink snow sunrises in a cloudless sky as the moon goes to bed, its work done for the night
Nature’s fragile beauty revealed in snow and ice
The crunch of boots on frozen leaves
Local walks past familiar trees, asleep, waiting for spring to arrive
And finally, home, family, warmth, acceptance, contentment, thankfulness and celebration
Loved these photos and descriptions Jim – you use words beautifully.
Aud
Thank you Aud, I enjoy writing up my blog and putting my posts together, it keeps my brain active 😀
Beautiful photographs Jim! I used to love seeing the fog hanging in the valleys when we lived in Cumbria 😊
Thank you Xenia! You can’t beat the Lake District on a bright crisp winters day 😀
Happy to see your photos, amazing shots of winter.
Thank you Teresa 😀
Wow! These are fabulous! I’m glad you shared them 🤗
Thank you EJ, my pleasure 😀
A great collection. Love the lone tree with the low, winter sun. Maggie
Thanks Maggie, I pass that frequently on my local walks and it’s nice to follow it through the year
You are perfect for this challenge, Jim, as I knew you would be. That Header is stunning.
Thank you Jo! Winter was a good theme for an outdoor photographer, let’s see how I get on with the more nuanced ones 😍
Jim, I’m so glad you jumped in and shared these stunning images. Picking only one as a favorite is futile for me. I love the whole gallery. The words you used for each image are perfect, too. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your photography.
Thank you Egídio, I’m glad I came across it, I like your galleries also 😀
Thank you for the feedback, Jim.
A great collection Jim, hard to pick a favourite one.
Christie
Thank you Christie 😀
Well Jim, welcome to our challenge – and what a first response you’ve given us! Your post is absolutely glorious. The images are wonderful and your text is perfect. I loved it all and your closing image wraps it up beautifully. We hope to see much more of you. So glad you decided to join us.
Thank you Tina, I’m glad I came across the challenge and look forward to taking part 😀
Stunning.
Thanks John
Wow! Your work is amazing, Jim! I know I will look forward to your beautiful examples in upcoming photo challenges. Our next challenge should be perfect for you, almost your entire 2024 catalog will be fair game. 🙂 Welcome aboard!
Thank you John 😀 winter was a good one for me as I take mainly landscapes, we’ll see how we get on with the more nuanced themes but it will certainly encourage me to broaden my horizons in what I photograph and that is one of the reasons I joined and I’m looking forward to taking part
You have absolutely mad photography skills. We always enjoy your stories and photos. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Barbara, that’s very kind 😀 I enjoy reading your blog also, do you both have Irish roots or just enjoy the culture (and the Guinness!)
Just wonderful! You have shared the best of Winter. Well done, Jim. Mel
Stunning imagery and you nearly convinced me winter is a delightful time for walks. Most of the time here it is, far more enjoyable than in summer.
Thanks Suzanne, on the right day, winter walking here is unbeatable but unfortunately there aren’t that many right days 😀 congratulations on your basketball achievement! 🏀
You have some lovely photos of winter. Thank you for sharing ☺️.
Thank you Mél, it’s my pleasure 😀
Welcome to the challenge, Jim. I’m so glad you decided to share your photos and thoughts with us, absolutely brilliant. I love how you captured that soft, glowy light, probably the only thing I like about winter.
Thank you Sofia! 😄