The Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week is to show up to five images you consider to be your ‘best ever.’ Today I’m presenting some of my best.
I took the first picture in my backyard. One day, I found an interesting arrowhead ten feet from my bedroom. It was sticking out of the sand. For this picture, I posed it on one of my Western Juniper trees. I love their colorful, layered bark.
I took the arrowhead to an Archaeology Roadshow event this summer, and the archaeologists were pretty excited to see it. They estimated that it’s at least 10,000 years old. Wow!
My next image is of the Red Canyon Scenic Overlook in Wyoming. You can look at ratings on a map, but you might not always agree with them. This site, 24 miles south of Lander, deserves its 4.9 star rating.
When I took this photo, there was drama in the layers of sky and on the land. In the sky, a parade of clouds gathered along the horizon. Color and texture fill the landscape. The red soil contrasted nicely with the spring green grass. Yellow wildflowers blanketed the hills on the left side of the picture.
The next image shows a ceramic vase called Yōki (Leaf Vessel) that I saw at the Portland Art Museum. This piece, created by Inaba Chikako, was inspired by lotus leaves waving in the wind. The vase portrays the action of leaves curling inward and unfurling outward. Though it may appear simple and monochromatic, the curving, encircling layers have a complex structure.
It’s always a challenge to take pictures of items in glass cases. I spent a lot of time editing out the reflections.
The next picture also happens to be in Portland, Oregon. I took this photograph of a Great Blue Heron at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
It was pouring rain, and maybe that somehow covered my presence. As I stood on the pathway, this bird walked right up to me, an arm’s length away. I froze in place. Then it turned and walked a few feet away to a nearby pond. It was a magical experience!
The next image is of a bird of a different kind. This is the famed Spruce Goose. It’s on display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. The Spruce Goose, aka H-4 Hercules or Flying Boat, has a wingspan of 320 feet 11 inches and a length of 218 feet 8 inches. It is massive. Though it only flew for 26 seconds, it will forever be remembered in history.
I’m sharing this image in black and white to emphasize the curving lines of the aircraft and the straight lines of the supporting beams, the window frames, and the shadows. I included the old airline seats set up beneath the Spruce Goose since I thought they added a whimsical touch.
I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my best photos. Limiting this post to only five pictures was extremely difficult.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Best ever images
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Siobhan, what a great submission for this weeks challenge. The first picture of the arrowhead sums it all up really. Because you’ve shared that image, and narrative, we can all enjoy the it. What a find. I liked all your images. I think the scenic overlook is pretty spectacular and you’re photography does it justice. I love a heron shot. I photographed one of those Great Blue Herons in New Jersey and got quite close to it. I reckon they’re more tame that the herons in the UK. You can’t get anywhere near those. I like the fact he’s soaking wet. Fantastic post 🙂
Thanks for noticing all the little details in my images, Steve! They represent special moments in my life. 🙂
A 10,000 year old arrowhead in your backyard!
I feel so tiny.
Your best are definitely worthy to revisit :)
Thanks, Hammad! I was surprised by how old it was. There is an archaeological dig site an hour and a half from my house where they've found artifacts they estimate are 18,000+ years old. :)
Now, this is more than just jaw dropping 😲
😁
Siobhan, what a beautiful collection! I loved every single image.
Thanks so much, Egidio!
Wonderful choices.
Thank you, Teresa!
Siobhan, your view of the Red Canyon Overlook is gorgeous. We drove near it on U.S. 26, the Wind River region. We should have taken that short detour before we got to Lander.
Your variety of photos shows your depth of photographic genre, from a 10,000-year-old artifact to a much younger Spruce Goose, wildlife to still life. Wonderful gallery.
Thanks,John! Yes, you should go to that overlook someday. Glad you liked my gallery. 😄
I know what you mean about the difficulty of choosing just five! You've got a great selection and so varied :) My favourites are the view of the Red Canyon and that beautiful heron.
Thanks, Sarah! Glad you liked my overlook and heron photos. Yes, it was so hard to choose five.
Great choices Siobhan. I remember when you posted that ancient arrowhead and at the time thought how exciting it must have been for you and how amazing it turned out to be. Most people would have just walked on by or tossed it away after looking at it but you knew how special it was - kudos on that! Loved all of your choices but I think the vase was my favorite and admire your perseverance with the image which was definitely well worth it.
Thanks, Tina! It's a very special arrowhead. I included it in a myth I'm working on writing. Glad you liked the vase. It's gorgeous in person.
Absolutely wonderful shots! The dramatic landscape and the vase, the bird.. all of them! I agree the limit of five was difficult...
Thanks so much, Ann-Christine! I'm glad you liked my gallery. Only five was so hard!
I really enjoyed your images. The arrowhead is my favorite. What a wonderful find!
Thanks, Beth! I was very lucky to find that arrowhead. 🙂
THese are awesome.
Thank you! :D