Marie at 1 Write Way

Lens-Artists Challenge #326 — This Made Me Smile

I’ve been a bit “out of it” lately due to world events and general procrastination. I keep meaning to get back into the swing of things so when I (finally) sat down to catch up with my online community, I came across this Lens-Artist Challenge is hosted by Leya. She encourages us to share what makes us smile. For some, smiles these days might be hard to come by so this is a particularly timely challenge.

What makes me smile? Here’s a few:

Nature

Whether it’s an Eastern Carpenter Bee getting up close and personal with Kay’s Pink Roses (photo featured above) …

Or the tell-tale sign of a raccoon visiting our campsite at night …

Or a swallowtail butterfly feasting on penta blooms …

Or a praying mantis praying that it is blending in …

Or an red-tailed hawk just hanging out in the ‘hood …

Or a momma gator and her baby.

Sometimes Art makes me smile …

Sonic Blooms, Seattle, Washington, 2014

From the exhibit: Created by Seattle-based artist Dan Corson in a collaboration between Pacific Science Center and Seattle City Light, these sun loving, harmonic blooms use regionally manufactured, custom solar panels to generate their own power. Each flower top contains 48 solar cells that produce 4.6 Wp (watts at peak production) for a total of 1,104 Wp for all 5 flowers.

The electricity generated will make the flowers dance with light through the evening and sing through the day, 365 days of the year. Sonic Bloom combines art and science to help educate about solar energy in the Pacific Northwest and inspire people to consider how they can incorporate renewable energy into their lives.

Especially funny signs or photos …

A bigger smile from me when they refer to knitting …

What makes me smile the most? Cats, always the cats …

Junior (RIP) and Maxine (RIP) staking out their territory on my husband.
Wendy and Raji zonked out in the sun.

I hope you got some smiles out of my selection! Let me know what makes you smile.

If you want to participate in this Lens-Artists challenge, remember to tag with Lens-Artists and link to Ann-Christine’s original post.

Next week, Sofia will lead us from her beautiful site Photographias – be sure to visit on Saturday 30!

To all of you who celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you have a wonderful time with family and friends. Despite current world events, we still have much to be grateful for. I know I am grateful for each one of you.

Marie A Bailey

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31 responses to “Lens-Artists Challenge #326 — This Made Me Smile”

    • Thank you, Janis. I love that photo! With Junior and Maxine, it was routine for them to get on my husband’s lap every morning in the winter. That morning, Junior got a little confused 😹

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    • Hah! No, that was a real gator. I really like the zoom feature on my iPhone camera. You know I couldn’t have gotten that close 😉 I hope you and Sue have a great Thanksgiving!

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  10. Thank you a million for your smiles, Marie! Cats and dogs, and indeed all animals and the natural world, is what keeps us smiling – I agree. Wonderful photos and thank you for the facts about the solar cells driven flowers! I went to the Chihuly Garden and Glass and saw these flowers outside. No explanation found – .

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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  13. Oh my goodness, Marie! Your photos are incredible!!! Just beautiful!

    Had to laugh at the dogs used as descriptors for jobs. They are all spot on!! Also had to laugh at the tidy raccoon that wiped its paws on the paper towels.

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