Postaday

Weekly Photo Challenge: All-Time Favorites

Mei-Mei9 Comments

From Dingle Peninsula.

I’m so sad to say goodbye to the Weekly Photo Challenges.  I’ve been doing them since March 2014, and it’s been such a wonderful way to share my trips to the Galápagos Islands and Ireland.  I had never thought about sharing my photography, or even really calling it “photography” as opposed to just some photos I took on vacation.

Until I saw some of the bloggers I follow posting weekly photos based on a theme, and I realized that I could do that, too.  And do it in a nerdy way.

The Weekly Photo Challenge has helped me learn a lot about photography, and I’ve enjoyed doing research so I could explain a little about the photos.  It also has given me an easy, regular source of popular blog posts. I always get a huge bump in views on days I post those photos.  So, it’s been good for my blog, and it’s been good for me, too.

??????????

From Santa Cruz.

I’m sure I’ll still post some photos, maybe even weekly, but it won’t quite be the same.  I’ve found so many cool blogs through the challenges, and I love seeing all the different takes on the theme.

For our final outing, I’m saying goodbye with two of my favorite photos I’ve posted over the years, one from the Galápagos and one from Ireland.  The first photo was from the April 2016 challenge Landscape.  The second is from the December 2014 challenge Gone, But Not Forgotten.

Weekly Photo Challenge: All-Time Favorites

Weekly Photo Challenge: Twisted

Mei-Mei3 Comments

WP_20150626_12_52_26_Pro

From Dublin.

Even the little details in Dublin feel distinctly Irish: the lampposts have little shamrocks embedded in the swirls.  The shamrock has been a national symbol of Ireland for centuries; it comes from the legend of St. Patrick using the plant with three leaves to explain the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity (three persons, one God).

I particularly like this image of the lamppost because its curves contrast well with all the straight lines in the Georgian building behind it.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Twisted

Weekly Photo Challenge: Liquid

Mei-Mei4 Comments

WP_20150702_12_04_17_Pro

From Killarney National Park, Co. Kerry.

One of the first words that comes to mind with liquid is “flowing.”  Movement.  But it’s not always smooth.  Waterfalls have a beautiful kind of tumult that’s captivating.

We saw this waterfall toward the end a bike tour of the beautiful Killarney National Park.  My legs were total jelly at that point, but there was no way I was missing this view.

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Liquid

Weekly Photo Challenge: Place in the World

Mei-Mei6 Comments

From Connemara, Ireland.

 

The view from the back of Ballynahinch Castle has a way of making you feel like everything is all right in the world.  Everything from the majestic Ballynahinch River to the smallest cluster of violas seems to fit perfectly.

Nature and culture in harmony, you see, Lizzy. Wildness and artifice, and all in the one perfect county. –Mr. Gardiner, Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Ok, so Mr. Gardiner was talking about Derbyshire, but I think the same idea applies here 🙂

Weekly Photo Challenge: Place in the World

Weekly Photo Challenge: Unlikely

Mei-Mei8 Comments

From County Clare, Ireland.

I didn’t quite understand what this warning sign meant when I first saw it.  Don’t set fire to the birds, maybe?  That seems unlikely.

No, I’m pretty sure it means to not walk on the grass or disturb the wildlife.  This sign is found at the Cliffs of Moher, so I’m sure that’s for the safety of the visitors as well as the wildlife.  But that interpretation is way less fun.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Unlikely