If you’ve ever considered joining a photo challenge, you know they can be a mixed blessing: On one hand, it’s fun and inspiring to see your friends’ photos. But on the other, it can be daunting to sort through your own and decide what to show.
In hindsight, I’m grateful I overcame the “daunting” part to join a friend’s 7-Day Nature Photo Challenge on Facebook last week. It was good to revisit my work with a critical eye — and rediscover a handful of old favorites I’d long since forgotten. But maybe most importantly, it was good to be reminded that there is still SO MUCH BEAUTY in our world.
HeideBlog 
Gorgeous photos, H, as always. And you’re so right – we live in a beautiful, beautiful world.
By the way – in your Iceland photo- is that what most of Iceland looks like?
Thank you for being so kind, Elaine, as always. It’s a good question you raise about Iceland. And the honest answer is that I have no idea what most of the island looks like, because I’ve only visited a tiny fraction of it. But if my husband has his way we will soon remedy that! Rest assured I’ll draft a full report when we’re lucky enough to return. 😉
Aah – I was surprised because I always imagined Iceland as a place of tiny cities surrounded by volcanos and geysers. I hadn’t really considered the landscape that would connect them!
A friend in Poland told me that, just as London hipsters move to Berlin to find like-minded souls in cool surroundings, Berlin hipsters move to Reykyavik, in search of the same. Maybe Reykyavik hipsters move to London and the whole thing turns, like a revolving hipster merry go round.
I *adore* your idea of a revolving hipster merry-go-round! It sounds about right: Isn’t it an inherently human trait to be convinced that the grass is greener elsewhere? Now at least you know that’s not necessarily the case in Iceland — although the lichen really quite makes up for it. Grin.
I suppose it was that ancient ‘grass is always greener’ or ‘flints are always sharper’ human itch that brought us out of Africa and spread us through the world, little by little. Without it, we’d all be squashed up together in one giant overheated megalopolis, rising higher and higher towards the sky in Africa. And even seeing mountains rising in the distance wouldn’t tempt us to go and have a look.
What wonderful images you conjure! I will now go through my day with a picture in my head of a mountainous pile of people overcrowding Africa, while the rest of the world remains wild and untouched. (It doesn’t sound half bad, does it?)
That’s beautiful views, nature in it that nobody complaining. Love this pic
Thank you very much!
Your photos are immensely serene and lovely in every way. My photos aren’t as romantic. Mine are of the mountains and lakes of Tennessee.
What a lovely comment! Although the mountains of Tennessee certainly sound beautiful too …
🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
Tennessee is, indeed, a beautiful place. From the country music capital in Nashville to the amazing waterfalls and seasonal scenery it is a wonderful place to leave. Our neighbors are cows and goats, so we take it slow.
Bonitas fotos!
¡Muchísimas gracias!
Wonderful photos!
Thank you, Tom! It means the world to me when you like my images.
Absolutely stunning. Love the photo of the cedar waxwing.
Cedar waxwings are among my favorite birds. They’re such sleek and elegant little things, aren’t they? Thank you so much for stopping by.
Lovely and inspiring photographs. I am impressed with the breadth of our subject matter and the variety of ways of showing them photographically.
You’ve absolutely made my day with your kind comment, Ronald. Thank you!
Your pictures are wonderful I enjoy everyone ❤
Thank you, Hanna! It’s a great compliment when another photographer enjoys my work. I appreciate it!
That is a very nice way to say thank you, H ❤
That waterfall is just stunning
Thank you … but I believe the rightful owner of this compliment is Hanna? 😉
This is absolutely Beautiful!
Thank you, Bella! Very kind of you to stop by.
Thank you for putting this post up. Do you know what kind of spider the one 2 to the top is? If not that’s ok, it looks like some kind of fruit!
The spider is called a “spiny orb weaver.” They’re quite creepy-looking, but they’re harmless to humans. Here’s a link to someone else’s blog that may interest you if you want to learn more:
http://skeptoid.com/blog/2013/03/29/my-fascinating-backyard-spiny-backed-orb-weaver-spider-spider-myths/
Thank you very much! Just so you know started following you, your site is very interesting! I do not have very many posts yet but you can check out the ones that I do have.
wow. 😱Incredible shots..and as much as I love landscapes..that spider photo is amazing.
Thank you, Cindy! In hindsight, I admit it was worth conquering my terror and getting close enough to snap that photo.
Just TERRIFIC shots! Love the spider, the ceder waxwing and the snail!! ❤ So how do I order copies for the nature wall in my apartment?
I’m honored you like them so much Jeff, thank you!
Ooo! I just saw the second half of your message. Now I’m *doubly* flattered.
My printer is on the fritz, but if you’d like to send your mailing address to hmunro [dot] wordpress [at] gmail [dot] com, I’d be delighted to put some prints in the mail just as soon as I get the ol’ Epson functioning again.
nice picture’s
Grazie! Thank you for stopping by!
How long have you been blogging on WordPress? I just want to know because no one is coming to my blog, I have only had 2 people see my blog. And there are still no clicks recorded.
I’ve been blogging here for almost seven years, Bella — but almost no one came to my blog for two years. (And I do literally mean NO ONE for the first year.) There are an estimated 450 million English-language blogs, so it’s hard to capture readers’ attention. And anyway, getting too wrapped up in the statistics can be discouraging, because it’s measuring your success in terms of how much approval you get from strangers on the Internet. In my experience, I’ve found it much more rewarding to instead focus on doing something meaningful that makes me happy. So the best advice I can give you is to write for your own enjoyment, and to try not to worry about the numbers. I’m sure they’ll come in time — and even if they don’t, you’ll still have a wonderful record of what you were thinking about and feeling on a given day. Does that help?
Yes, thank you very much for the reply!
Wow, what beautiful pictures! I wish I could snap shots that great!!!
You’re so kind … thank you! (And I’m sure you *can* snap shots like these, if you decide it’s something you want to do. I have no special skill or even training — just a desire to record beautiful moments. If these photos spoke to you I encourage you to start doing the same!) Cheers to you, and best wishes as you start college. 🙂
Postcard worthy. Breathtaking!
Thank you! Quite a compliment coming from someone as artistic as you — I appreciate it.
Amazing photography… keep up the good work..would love to see more
Thank you very much! And if you like my work, please stay tuned — there’s lots more on the way. Thanks for stopping by.
Cool!
Thank you!
Omg WoW.😱 This is soooo good! HOW DO U DO THAT!!!😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱🙃
Plz reply! U don’t reply I look like this😭 U reply I look like this 😆
Please don’t look like this 😭 🙂
You are too kind! Thank you. Most of my photos are simple snapshots, so you’re seeing some of my faves/bests here. As for how i do it? I don’t have any fancy tricks or even professional equipment. It’s more a matter of looking for beautiful light. Thanks for stopping by!
Very nice pictures ! Thank you 🙂
Thanks for your kind words! I appreciate your stopping by.
Very nice !! 🙂
Your photographs are astonishing!
What a lovely compliment. Thank you so much!
They are beautiful and inspiring xx
How kind of you. Thank you!
It made my day xx
Amazing work H! I’ve been waiting for a quiet moment that I can savour looking at them without rushing it. And I am pleased I did. You are so talented…and well traveled. Thank you for sharing your view from your lens with us. Looking forward to seeing more of these….. xoxo
P.S. The Iceland photo is so beautiful, I’ve never been but hoping that I can one day travel there. 🙂
Wow this is stunning !
Thank you!
Beautiful photos,beautiful places.Thank you for sharing.Y(^_^)Y
Thank you, JennyO! I appreciate your kind comment.
Wow all the photos are amazing
You are so kind! Thank you.
nice photos…
haha…I like it
Nice Photos, Great Place, Thank You For Sharing
Thank you for stopping by!
absolutely so beautiful
You have to gave us the secrets that you use for your blog.You are so creative and i love your blog.
What a kind thing to say … thank you! You’ve truly made my day. But i hope i won’t disappoint you in replying that there are no secrets here! Just the occasional shot of inspiration, and a bit of work. (Not many creative people will admit it, but that’s the truth! 😉 Thank you again.
If is your inspiration,you have a lot,you are so creative.
I love the idea of this challenge! Especially trying to do it in NYC. Maybe I’ll add it to my list of things to try!
Oh, yes, please DO try this in NYC! I think it would add an extra element because most people don’t really “see” nature in such an environment, but it’s there for the keen observer! You’ve actually sparked an idea for me with your comment, so extra thanks for that. Thank you!!
I did the challenge in NYC! Need to take one more photo tomorrow and then I’m posting and linking back to you–hope that’s okay!
Oh my gosh … it’s more than OK. It’s MARVELOUS! I’m so excited to see what you come up with, and so honored that my post inspired you in some small way. Thank you for making my day.
Hello! How are you? I have a blog request for you, will you please make a blog report on the republican debate? I do not know if you do that bu I would really like it!
I hope I won’t disappoint you, Bella, but there is *no way* I’m touching that topic! 🙂 If you’re hungry for commentary, though, try Googling “Republican debate analysis” and see what comes up. I bet you’ll find lots of interesting op-ed pieces.
That’s fine! Thanks for answering.
I do not know if you do that but I would really like it!
i wis my blog be as popular as yours
Keep at it! I’ve been writing here for seven years and no one noticed me for the first five. 🙂 (Pero te diré un pequeño secreto: La popularidad no vale nada. Lo que vale más que oro son las amistades que uno/una puede cultivar con otros bloggers.)
Thank you, very natural and reconcile
Amazing pictures! Just gorgeous. (found you via theBloggess) 😉
How nice to meet a fellow Bloggess fan! And how very kind of you to stop by and make my day with your kind note. Thank you!
Wow this is exceptionally attractive..!!!
What a kind comment. Thank you!
These are some Amazing photos and a great story.
How kind of you to say. Thank you so much!
No problem. I’m new to the blogging world and just started my own a week ago. I love your posts. I’d love for you to view my blog and provide me with any advice you can. Thank you again for a great read.
I don’t know if I’m really qualified to critique other blogs, but it seems you’re off to a great start! Keep at it, and I promise in a few years you’ll be delighted to look back and savor some of the memories you recorded.