Thank you to Patti for her lovely challenge #102 – ”A Quiet Moment”, and all your beautiful responses! We certainly need our quiet moments, and it feels so good to share.
This week I have been pondering over the impact of not knowing how our situation in general will develop. We really – don’t – know. Even if we never can know in advance how life and things will turn out… we want to have some kind of schedule and feel in control.
Somehow, over these last months, I have tried hard to accept the fact that not knowing will be the normal thing for the future. Less planning – I have decided to adapt.
Would you like to know your future? If your answer is yes, think again. Not knowing is the greatest life motivator. So enjoy, endure, survive each moment as it comes to you in its proper sequence, a surprise.
This young lady was surprised by a happy call yesterday – getting that new job!
For many of us, June, July and August are the starters of vacation time. This year is of course without any scheduled far away travels, but small surprises usually occur in our everyday life. It could be surprising meetings, incidents, or maybe eye openers. In fact anything you feel surprise you!
I start off with a missed coffee break (Swedish ”Fika”) in the opener. We quickly had to find another place to eat our sandwiches… not sharing any!
Then – eye openers and great surprises are everywhere in nature. Last year I met this little creature – an insect looking exactly like a tiny twig – here together with a real twig. Can you tell which is which? This camouflage must be very effective!
Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.
But then there are surprises both negative and positive…Two days ago I found this battered 4cm butterfly dead on the garden stones. I could tell it must have been a beauty with those emerald/mother of pearl blue spots on the white wings. I wrote my colleagues in the biology group – and the answer was: Zeuzera pyrina, a blue spotted tree butterfly. A rare species where I live. The experts told me that my old apple trees could have been its home. And it might be that more of these butterflies are here. Let’s hope for a live meeting!
This is what it looks like in a fresh costume – wing span 35-75 mm.
Another big surprise – a minor shock in fact –
– was this Digitalis with a mutated top flower – a so called Peloria.
(This photo with my Samsung phone.) I had never seen one before. It reminded me of those dragon lizards running in the desert!
Have you seen these from Patti’s challenge?
Nes Felicio – The quiet has to come from within
From Hiding to Blogging– Yan is chasing sunstars
Pat, of Living Life Almost Gracefully finds quiet in the sense of gentle colors and order
Anne of Slow Shutter Speed – stunning quiet moments
The team has a special “surprise” for July. We will be hosting the theme “Seasons” for the entire month, and are announcing the sequence in advance. The schedule will be:
July 4 Amy Summer
July 11 Tina Spring
July 18 Patti Autumn/Fall
July 25 A-C Winter
Lastly – stay well, and don’t forget to use the Lens-Artists tag to easily be found in the reader!
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #104: Summer – Jedi by Knight
Pingback: My Photo Week in Review: 07-05-2020 – Musin' With Susan
Pingback: Summer | Anvica's gallery
At long last, here’s mine: https://suejudd.com/2020/07/04/lens-artists-photo-challenge-103-surprise/
♥
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #103 – Surprise | WordsVisual
This is a lovely challenge, and I love your own response to it: the surprises afforded by simple pleasures! My own surprises were simple too, and almost too late to catch the challenge: https://margaret21.wordpress.com/2020/07/04/out-and-about-with-my-virtual-box-brownie/
It is never too late! Glad you enjoyed my little surprises!
Pingback: Out and About with my Virtual Box Brownie – From Pyrenees to Pennines
Hi Ann-Christine. I’ll chime in also with loving the luscious foxglove. https://odaciuk.wordpress.com/2020/07/03/time-to-pause/
Thank you, Olga – luscious seems very fitting too!
Pingback: Time to Pause | Stuff and what if…
Pingback: Sour Power
Hi Ann-Christine. Tour commentary and chosen quotations were very moving and spot-on. Not knowing the future is a gift… Some of us with serious illness, however, do have glimpses of our futures, and that ‘knowing’ can be a gift, too. For me, it has been freeing.
Here’s my submission for this week: Unsurprisingly, another Great Blue Heron
https://babsjeheron.wordpress.com/2020/07/03/beautiful-great-blue-herons-alluring-lure-not-art-nbr-25/
Thank you and the other Lens Artists for your continuing inspiration!
Best, Babsje.
I am so glad you liked the prompt and quotations, Babsje – and I hope my comment went through now. I just seem not to be able to get answers posted? Anyway, my thoughts were also that seeing this heron working the feather – you were the right person to get to see it!
I have also had comments disappear today. Big smiles at your observation that I was the right person to catch that heron photo. Many thanks. 😊 Best, Babsje
♥
😊
Pingback: Lens-Artists #103: Surprise – Wandering Dawgs
I don’t seem to be able to leave a reply on your site? I loved your entry and great natural surprises! I just wonder – were there any babies
Love this Photo Challenge!
I just realized that ‘surprise’ is sometimes a reward for being patient.
https://anthropologist.wordpress.com/2020/07/03/lens-artists-photo-challenge-103-surprise/
And yours are all delicious ones! My comments do not seem to be posted, so you might get double ones – or none of them will reach you..
I saw this one. Thank you so much!
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge # 103: SURPRISE | Kanlaon
Pingback: Beautiful Great Blue Heron’s Alluring Lure (Not Art Nbr 25) | Babsje Heron
Pingback: The Different Perspectives of a Surprised Exuberant Squirrel – Zebra's Child
Pingback: lens-artist photo challenge #103 – surprise | myguiltypleasures
You have a great collection of photos for your ”Surprise” theme, Ann-Christine. Do you think those cows would have eaten much? Or were they just curious? I really do love that butterfly and that Peloria was quite spectacular. Congrats to your friend on the job news too. 🙂
Thanks a lot – and yes, I think the cows were just curious – in general cows are! At least when dogs are around, aren’t they? the Peloria thing was a bit scary I think – might be the spots that did it. And so lucky they called Ghia that day so I could capture her surprise!
Pingback: ~Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #103: Surprise ~ | Lindy Low LeCoq
Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge: #103: Babes in Arms – Musin' With Susan
Such interesting – and surprising – photos. The twig vs. insect one is really intriguing. Mother Nature at her best!
My contribution:
http://oneletterup.com/2020/07/02/lens-artists-challenge-surprise
Thank you! I loved that ”twig”.
You’re welcome. I can see why 🙂
Pingback: Lens Artists Challenge: Surprise – one letter UP ~ diary 2.0
Pingback: Surprised I’m off: Lens Artist Challenge 103 | Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)
Pingback: Surprise! – Reflections of An Untidy Mind
hi a.c. great and interesting shots for this week i especially like the 5th and last photo, here is my contribution https://wp.me/p2AvI7-3wF.
best regards robert
Thank you, Robert!
Pingback: lens-artists photo challenge – 103- surprise – photo roberts blog
Pingback: Mind the gap | What's (in) the Picture?
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Surprise | Journeys with Johnbo
Love that peloria. I have never seen one do that but it is stunning.
Well, Irene – this was a total surprise to me – never seen anything like it before. I agree it was stunning, but also, somehow, a bit scary.
Pingback: The Pleasant Surprise-Greer, AZ – Wind Kisses
Pingback: Lens Artists Photo Challenge #103 – Surprise – Xine Segalas Creative Arts
I found something surprise today:
https://cxianliu.wordpress.com/2020/07/01/a-good-start-of-second-half-2020/
A lovely one!
Pingback: A Good Start of Second – Half 2020 – From Hiding to Blogging
A-C, I’m one week behind …. I just finished of 102. That top image is priceless … and of course the twig. Fun and interesting post this week. Great topic.
Glad you liked it, Viveka! I am very behind too – totally, in fact. With everything. Can’t get anything properly done. This year is mostly lost.
A-C, we need to get on a flight … that will sort us out. *smile – that is what we are missing.
;-D
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Surprise! | The Nature of Things
Pingback: Lens Artist Photo Challenge: Surprise | Nut House Central
Pingback: A Fragrant Surprise – Nes Felicio Photography
Pingback: Dragonfly Rocking on a Floating Dock | The Day After
Wow, lovely surprises, Ann-Christine! I could imagine how surprised that lady was. Your flower in the last photo surprised me. It was gorgeous. Here are my surprises.
https://theshowersofblessings.com/2020/06/30/lens-artists-photo-challenge-103-surprise/
Thank you, Miriam! Yes, some surprises are really good!
I had some wonderful surprises of seeing something in video of what my granddaughters did also. It put big smile on my face!
Pingback: Lens Artists Photo Challenge #103 – Surprise | The Showers of Blessings
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #103 – Surprise | nowathome
You should have shared your sandwiches with the cows. They could have contributed fresh milk! That camouflage of that insect is certainly effective
Ha, maybe I should! Didn’t think of that…
Pingback: Lens Artists Photo Challenge #103 – Surprise | Murtagh's Meadow
Pingback: LAPC: Surprise! – Wanderlust and Wonderment
Pingback: Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #103: Surprise – A New Day: Living Life Almost Gracefully
Pingback: Hydrangea Humor | Out of My Write Mind
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #103 – Twenty Four
Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge 103: Surprise – Oh, the Places We See . . .
A bit of a strange and personal contribution from me this week:
https://davidmsphotoblog.com/2020/06/30/lens-artists-photo-challenge-surprise/
Thank you, David! Always appreciated!
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Surprise – David M's photoblog
https://geriatrixfotogallerie.wordpress.com/2020/06/30/surprise/
Pingback: Surprise – Geriatri'x' Fotogallery
Pingback: Sunset from Mount Popa, Myanmar – Compass & Camera
Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge #103-Surprise – Calling-all-RushBabes
Pingback: Surprised by a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen – Abrie dink hardop
Pingback: Surprise – bushboys world
Pingback: Lens-Artist-PC-103-Surprise – WoollyMuses
I have to laugh since you brought back memories of a camping trip I went on several years ago.
I was tidying up – not something to do when camping – when I picked up what I thought was a twig. You guessed it a moving twig. ~~~~ : – )
Great selections for the challenge. I love the floral plant. It’s odd-looking but that’s what I like … unique.
Have a lovely week … Isadora
https://isadoraartandphotography.wordpress.com/2020/06/29/lens-artists-challenge-surprise/
So glad this resonated with you! Wishing you a lovely week!
I enjoyed the surprises. The stick insect is amazing – but I spied a leg or two 🙂
Mine was a big surprise – I just hope he has found his way home now: https://travelwithintent.com/2020/06/29/six-caryatids-and-a-friend/
Ha, yes, the tiny legs did it…
Pingback: Lens Artists Challenge – Surprise | Isadora Art and Photography
Pingback: Six caryatids and a friend – Travel with Intent
Pingback: Lens–Artists Photo Challenge #103–Surprise (Day 116 of being “grounded” – chosenperspectives
Great surprises there! The last flower capture is stunning! Here’s a simple surprise – https://myheart2heart.blog/2020/06/29/the-morning-after/
Glad you liked them – the flower almost scared me though…
It’s a pretty colour and something I haven’t seen before…
Hello again Ann-Christine, Eivor and Pearl’s contribution for this week’s lovely challenge is here: https://whippetwisdom.com/2020/06/29/tanka-seaside-joy/
Lovely! Thank you all!
You’re very welcome! 💗
Pingback: Tanka: Seaside Joy – Whippet Wisdom – a Highland Journey
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #103 – Surprise – Pt. 4 | John's Space …..
Pingback: Lens Artists Photo Challenge #103 – Surprise – Jedi by Knight
That one bug is amazing. I’ve never seen a digitalis with the top flower either. Wonderful topic and photos.
Hope you enjoy my entry.
https://ceenphotography.com/2020/06/29/lens-artists-photo-a-week-103-challenge-surprise/
Thank you, Cee – there are so many surprises if you just let them in!
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo a Week #103 Challenge: Surprise – Cee's Photo Challenges
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #103 – Surprise – Pt. 3 | John's Space …..
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #103 – Surprise – Pt. 2 | John's Space …..
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #103 – Surprise – Pt. 1 | John's Space …..
Pingback: The morning after… – Heart to Heart
Pingback: Fly By | What's (in) the Picture?
Pingback: Lens Artists Photo Challenge #103 – Surprise – Philosophy Through Photography
what a lovely post, Ann-Christine! i’m so drawn to your first photo. the cows are adorable! and the twig-like insect is a total surprise! thank you! here’s mine contribution: https://lolawi.blog/2020/06/29/surprise-2/
So glad you liked them, Wilma! And the expression of those cows – 😀
It reminds me of those lizards, too! 😀 Definitely a surprise, very cool.
Almost intimidating…
Pingback: Surprise! – Dream on Farm
Wow the twig insect is amazing. Only the little legs give it away. And the cows, delightful but I understand your reluctance to share. 🙂
;-D Thank you!
Lovely surpises. I have posted mine.
Thank you, Rupali – always a treet!
Pingback: Moment of surprise – mazeepuran (माझे e-पुराण)
Nice surprises! A fun challenge.
Thank you! I hope you are having fun with it!
Definitely.
You’re right, the not knowing is hard. You’re taking a great approach to it. And the photos you shared grabbed my attention. Very interesting! Thank you for hosting this week’s challenge. Stay well!!
So glad to have been of inspiration, Shelley! Stay well you too!
:-)!!!!!
Pingback: Lighting up winter nights: LAPC - bend branches
Some lovely surprises Ann-Christine, your image of the cows is priceless! Our contribution for this week’s challenge is here: https://tranature.com/2020/06/28/silent-sunday-sweet-inspiration/
Haha, well, I love those cows!
Pingback: Silent Sunday: Sweet Inspiration – Tranature
Pingback: Head, shoulders, knees, and toes during the pandemic – Quaint Revival
Pingback: G and T | What's (in) the Picture?
Oh my Ann-Christine – loved your post. That cow image says it all!!! I must admit though that the tree/insect image gave me the willies!!!
Thank you, Tina! – and well, ”the twig” is a fun insect and a nature’s wonder. I wish we could be as versatile in camouflaging as animals can! When I was a child I always wished to be invisible…
Like Harry Potter and his invisibility cloak!!!
Yes – or Bond in his car…
Pingback: Surprises in the Garden – Suzy Blue
Pingback: Missed Opportunities with Littorina sitkana and Gloiopeltis furcata – theoutershores
Here’s mine: https://chava61photography.photo.blog/2020/06/28/lens-artists-photo-challenge-103-surprise/
Thank you for this surprise! Hope he’s all right.
Some great surprises, A C….looove that twig! And the foxglove was something to see. Off to have a think….
Thanks, Sue – the foxglove gave me the hickups…
😳
Natural freedom
Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge #103 – SURPRISE | Travels and Trifles
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #103: Surprise | The World Is A Book...
Lovely surprises
Glad you liked them, Dawn.
Love the surprises.Felt sad for the Beautifu Butterfly.
That foxglove is something else 🙂
Here is mine:
https://photographias.wordpress.com/2020/06/28/lens-artists-challenge-surprise/
It really was – quite shocking.
Here’s my attempt at surprise (ing)
https://mindfills.wordpress.com/2020/06/29/slip-knot-a-haiku/
Pingback: Lens-Artists Challenge – Surprise – photographias
My entry – https://transitionofthoughts.com/2020/06/28/photography-farms-in-kuwait/
Thank you for joining in!
Pingback: Photography: Farms in Kuwait | Transition of Thoughts
Pingback: Bears in the wood – Pictures without film.
What a nice selection of visual surprises. I’ve seen stick insects, but never fat ones like those. And that unfurled foxglove could startle me if I came across it in a field.
I have a minor surprise from this week, new behaviour from a familiar bird: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2020/06/22/one-hundred-days-of-parakeets/
So glad they pleased you this week – and I totally agree about feeling startled when seeing the foxglove. I thought the flower had got a virus. Some tulips have.
Great topic. Surprising is indispensable to learn.
True, Ana – and you illustrated it perfectly!
Pingback: Surprise | Anvica's gallery
From the moment I saw those cows I knew this would be a good post. The insect that looks like a twig with feet – and I have never seen a foxglove/digitalis do that. And – Peloria, what a great word to be introduced to, thank you.
Happy to have delighted you with the diversity! My greatest surprise was that ”twig”, and the Peloria was new to me – rather shocking in appearance I thought.
https://judydykstrabrown.com/2020/06/27/pool-surprise-as-told-by-morrie/
Pingback: Pool Surprise!!! As Told by Morrie | lifelessons – a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown
Great shots! The cows are by far my favourite element, but I think that overall you’ve got a nice and varied collection of interesting things to look upon.
Here’s mine for this one:
https://stupidityhole.wordpress.com/2020/06/28/hillside-view/
Thank you – glad you liked them. And cows are always nice.
Pingback: Hillside View | Stupidity Hole
Pingback: lens artists photo challenge: surprise – A Meditative Journey with Saldage
The feet gave it away for me with the insect but great camouflage! Lots of good surprises in this post and we’re in need of good news right now, so thanks for that. That foxglove is really unusual.
janet
Yes, the feet gives it away! And that foxglove felt a bit frightening I think.
Surprise indeed Ann-Christine. Love the stick looking insect and butterfly
Thank you, Brian – nature’s wonders.
Such an unusual butterfly, Ann Christine. I love watching them flit and flutter. 🙂 🙂 Hoping for nice surprises- not nasty ones!
I agree – no nasty ones, please!
🤩🤩
Thank you, Anne-Christine, for linking my entry last week in your post. It’s a pleasant surprise. 😊
Interesting challenge this week and your photos are intriguing!
Nice to also announce the “seasons” theme in advance.
Have a great weekend!
You are welcome – and glad you liked the surprises!
Pingback: Lens Artist Photo Challenge #03 – Surprise | sing like wildflowers
those little twig insects are really a surprise. you spotted them well.
http://lessywannagohome.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-to-make-flowers-last-longer.html
I was lucky!
Another great challenge. I know of but have never seen the moths that look like twigs. As for the mutated foxglove flower I did have one of those in my own garden🙂
Oh, you had one in your garden! How great! I googled for other pictures on them, but they did not look like mine.
Those are some great surprises!!
Thank you, Anne! I love surprises – at least the positive ones…
Pingback: St. Fillan's Church-Aberdour, Scotland - My Plaid Heart
I love this surprise post, it’s beautifully expressed.
The insect is incredible, the butterfly well captured. And, I’m in awe with the last image. 🙂
I love your surprise post, it’s beautifully expressed, A-C.
The insect is a wonderful surprise, the butterfly is very lovely. I am in awe with the last image! 🙂
Thank you, Amy! I hope to find one of those butterflies flying around here in my apple trees!
What a beautiful and wise post, Ann-Christine. Your thoughts on dealing with the surprises in life (and covid) are so apt. A perfect theme for these uncertain times. I love your beautiful butterfly image. Gorgeous and rare. Take care and enjoy the present moment. I’m trying not to think too far down the road–because–as you say–so much is uncertain and it’s exhausting!
Thank you, Patti, so glad you liked these examples! And yes, one day at a time – not much more thinking ahead.
Pingback: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Surprise | scillagrace
Ha ha. Mooo-oove over, we’re coming for lunch, not to BE lunch. Great photos. That twig insect is amazing.
Thank you, John! Yes, I do love cows, but I want my sandwiches…..to myself. That ”twig” – it was sooo soft to touch too. Simply amazing what we find in nature!
You’ve chosen some great images. I wonder what surprising things we’ll manage to come up with?
Thank you, Margaret! I am very curious and looking forward to what you all are coming up with!
What great surprises. And aren’t you fortunate to have a science group? Like the pictures and the conversation this week.
Glad you enjoyed it – and it is a privilege to be a member of that group!
I love your surprises! Thanks for a fun challenge.
Yay – looking forward to your post!
Here is my entry: https://cxianliu.wordpress.com/2020/06/06/wildlife-on-a-farm-land/
Thank you for joining in!
Pingback: Wildlife on a Farm Land – From Hiding to Blogging
Wonderful surprises, Ann-Christine! Wow, I’ve never seen a foxglove do that before!
Glad you liked them – and I was rather shocked at the foxglove’s transformation.