I am honored this week to be a guest host on the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge. For a month of guest posts to give Amy, Ann-Christine, Patti, and Tina a break, I get to lead off with a challenge that opens the Independence Day weekend in the United States.
Throughout history, people have gravitated to water for trade and for relaxation. It would seem, however, in this view of the beach at Grand Turk, that people are prone to carrying a good thing too far. From my perspective, no beautiful beach is enhanced by crowds like this one captured on a pre-pandemic Thursday in February 2018.
Lakes are often thought of as man-made or natural. Man-made lakes are mostly a product of the 20th century, though there are plenty of examples from earlier times. Coldwater Lake is a natural lake that is a newborn in geologic time. This natural lake was created on May 18, 1980, by the eruption of Mount Saint Helens in Washington State. When lava and mud interrupted the flow of Coldwater Creek, runoff from the source of the creek eventually reached the top of the blockage and created a new lake. The outflow then continued on its original path down Coldwater Creek.
I don’t want participants to think that this challenge is all about oceans, lakes, and rivers. The theme “On the Water” encompasses whatever manner of water floats your boat (or doesn’t). For example, one foggy morning in Fargo, I captured the tip of some prairie grass sporting a fresh coating of dew drops.
Sunsets and ocean views go together as seen in this image from the deck of the Carnival Magic in 2018. Our last cruise was in February 2020, just at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. We canceled plans for two other cruises in 2020, and have already scheduled cruises for 2022 in hopes that the pandemic will be in our rearview mirror as life returns to some state of the “old normal.” I know cruising will be different from what we have always known, but then, what won’t be different?
The docks shown above are no longer on (or in) the water. Since they were constructed, the Pecos River in this part of New Mexico has receded to the point where they are useless.
I am looking forward to your responses to my challenge of “On the water” this week. Your interpretation could be high-speed photography of water droplets or scenic views of oceans and rivers. Whatever your take on the water, be sure to link to my original post and use the Lens-Artists tag so that everyone can find your post in the WP Reader.
Thank you, also, for sharing your examples in response to last week’s challenge. Next week the challenge will be hosted by guest host Anne of Slow Shutter Speed https://annegeephoto.com and her theme will be Black & White.
John Steiner
A wonderful challenge, John – looking forward to seeing all the entries! And thank you for hosting for us! A good diversity shown, but I must express my love for the Coldwater Lake from the great eruption. Beautifully captured. I remember the scary eruption and how we all held our breath. To think it was as far back as 1980…I know I am getting old…
I know, it sure doesn’t seem like 40 years since the day the earth shook in the Pacific Northwest.
Thank you for the compliment on my images, I am looking forward to seeing the responses as well.
Wish you a lovely week – I will post later in the week, have not decided how yet.
Well John, I must say I misjudged you! I fully expected a post replete with luxurious luxury liners! Instead you took us to all kinds of water – well done! Thanks so much for stepping in to host in our absence. I loved your images as always, especially the simple little shot of the dew and the (sadly) dry docks. A reminder of what we stand to lose if we are not more focused on preserving our natural resources.
Luxury liners… well, now that wouldn’t be a bad choice after all. >grin<
We booked what we hope will be our first cruise in 18 months just two days ago. It is scheduled to embark from the Port of Los Angeles in October on our 51st wedding anniversary.
Beautiful water scenes, John. Great to see Coldwater Lake is formed. I was in Seattle when Mt St. Helens erupted.
It is a beautiful lake, having adjusted to its confinement for some 40+ years now.
Your photo shows it’s beauty.
[…] week’s Lens-Artists Challenge by John at Journeys with Johnbo coincides with the last weekend for “white” as the […]
What a wonderful variety of entries for your challenge this week, John, even though that first one is my idea of vacation hell!! However, the second one is right up my alley. 🙂 Here’s my entry for this week and thanks for being a host.
janet
Vacation hell is right. We walked right past the beach and spent the afternoon in souvenir shop hell. >grin<
Ewwww. 🙂
A very summer appropriate challenge although I am currently taking a break from photo challenges in general.
Good time to vacay!
I wouldn’t call it a vacation just various other things going on.
Thank you for the week’s advance…gave me time to ponder. The rays of the sun touching the surface is a beautiful image.
Thank you. I will pop over to your site and check out your response!
[…] offered in response to Johnbo’s photo challenge for the week: on the […]
Ha! At first I though, water? What water? I do love the reflection and sunset in particular, on the water!
No kidding! That cruise ship sunset makes me miss cruising all the more. Hopefully we will sail away again in October.
[…] Posted for John at Journeys with Johnbo for Lens-Artists Challenge […]
[…] Guest host this week is Johnbo. […]
Wonderful photo of Coldwater Lake.
Here is mine:
Thank you! I will stop by and take a peek at your response.
[…] I were asked, this could have been named by me. But, this time John Steiner is hosting the Lens-Artists Photo […]
great idea, James. I could be mine. I love especially your image taken at Coldwater lake because of the calmness and the serenity. Well done! Thanks also for the background story.
Here is my selection: https://solaner.wordpress.com/?p=19071&preview=true
Hi John
Good theme!
And congrats on 51 years of marriage -🤍🤍
Also, I worked with some guys back I 1990 who were teens during the Washington eruption and so I always think of them when ever connections come up and the lake you featured sure is beautiful
–
Be back later with my entry
Thank you. Looking forward to it.
Wonderful water images! I agree, that first image of the crowded beach is not my idea of a good vacation. Thanks for hosting and for choosing such a great topic.
[…] More of the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: On the Water. […]
[…] The theme for the Lens-Artists, which is hosted by Johnbo this week, is ‘on the water” […]
Excellent examples for this challenge theme, John. I love all the dreamy pictures in color, but you were creative in featuring the last one – the receding Pecos River — in black and white. I’m now going to head to my photo stash and see what I can share with you. Thanks for the kickoff!
I truly enjoy black and white, and it seemed appropriate for this image. I will say the color image made it easier to see the water’s edge.
[…] Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: On the Water […]
[…] Soon after this we disembarked for the final time, in Muang Khua. Mr Ha, our driver, met us here with the car (and our luggage); and we drove the remaining distance to our hotel along winding roads through a string of small villages. I had as always thoroughly enjoyed my day on the water, which I’m sharing in response to guest host John’s Lens Artists challenge theme. […]
HI John – great to see you guest hosting one of my favourite challenges 🙂 I love that Coldwater Lake image but that beach is my idea of hell – I was worried when I saw it as your first image as I wondered where you might be taking us with this theme 😆 Anyway, it’s an excellent topic and I found myself spoiled for choice but I’ve gone with a boat trip that’s the antithesis of the cruises you enjoy: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/a-day-on-the-nam-ou/ Hope you enjoy it despite the size of the boat!!
I truly enjoyed reading your cruise story. It sure fits the topic. I tried leaving a comment on your site, but for some reason it didn’t appear to stick.
For some reason I needed to moderate your comment John, and it’s come up as anonymous even though I’m pretty sure this isn’t the first time you’ve commented on one of my blogs?! Did you use a different ‘identity’ e.g. email address???
I tried to comment from my iPad instead of my desktop. It appeared to have posted, so I thought it worked, but I had to log in first. My login must have failed.
We’re delighted you’re hosting this week. Great theme, John. Your collection is marvelous, too. I am still thinking about the crowded beach you pictured here! Yikes! I think for many of us our distaste for crowds will linger for a long while, post covid. I know how much you’re anticipating your return to cruising. I hope you have many more wonderful adventures on and near the sea.
When we saw the umbrellas from the dock, and knowing we aren’t much for sitting on the beach anyway, we walked right past the beach!
Love your collection! And a fun theme, as well!
Thank you!
Welcome!
https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2021/07/03/lens-artists-challenge-155-on-the-water/
Beautiful water photographs John! I especially liked the Morning Dew and Dry Docks images. They show your versatility when photographing. Great topic and images.
Thank you for those fine words. I am looking forward to see everyone else’s take.
😊
That is one crowded beach!
Yup. Not interested, I am.
Great collection of inspiring pictures.
Thank you!
John, this is a fabulous post and your pictures are stunning. I’m going to have to go through my photos and see what I can find. You have inspired me.
I am sure you will find plenty of quality images to share.
I’m looking for both Lens Artist and Cellpic. 🙂
Wonderful challenge, John. It is appreciated to be surrounded by water in these hot summer days. Great images!
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
A pleasure!
[…] Posted as part of Lens-Artists: On the Water […]
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Thanks John for this lovely challenge. Here is my entry for this week. https://mywanderings.travel.blog/2021/07/04/on-the-waters-of-faraway-lands/
[…] John, it’s a pleasure to take your challenge on! I love living here so close to the rivers, creeks […]
[…] The theme for this week Lens-artists challenge #155 is ‘on the water’. Probably not exactly as John intended but here is some water: rain drops. […]
Beautiful clicks and a wonderful theme.
Love the clicks Johnbo especially the sunset with rays reaching the water and the cold water lake. Great reflection!
Thank you
Thank you for stopping by and commenting, and for joining in on the challenge this week.
You are welcome John S
Thank you for the inspiration.
[…] This post is part of Johnbo’s (Journey with JohnBo) LAPC- #155 –On the Water […]
[…] The theme for this one is “On the Water“. […]
Lovely shots here. I think they’re all pleasing in their own way, but I really like the sea sunset and Coldwater Lake ones; especially how they work in contrast to each other.
Here’s mine for this one:
Thank you for the kind words. That Coldwater Lake is one of my favorite images period. I was lucky to be there on a perfect day.
I’ve already checked out your view of the Opera House at dusk. Thanks for joining in on this week’s challenge theme.
I so enjoy this series, John. Love the mix images of on the water, beach, sea, dew drops…, all were beautifully captured. Inspiring! I, too, look forward to enjoying sunsets at sea. 🙂
I’m in the proess of relocation, I’ll be a little bit late…
Thank you! Here’s to more sunsets at sea! 🙂
[…] Being “On The Water” is a perfect vantage point for reflections on vastness, on stillness, on currents and exhilarating sparkles of light. There is perhaps no better environment to illustrate the simultaneous refreshment and danger of being alive on this planet. Our impact on our waterways, our uses and abuses of water, will affect future generations of all species in great ripples and waves. Take care, but enjoy the beauty around you whenever you find yourself on the water.Congratulations to our guest host this week – John – for an excellent Challenge post! […]
Lovely images
Thank you!
[…] Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – On the Water […]
[…] John Steiner […]
[…] This week, on Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #155, John from Journeys with Johnbo challenged us to share some photos for the topic of On the Water. […]
[…] is my response to John´s Challenge ” On the Water ” for this week´s Lens -Artist Photo Challenge.I got excited when I saw this topic since I […]
I love this approach on waters as a subject for photography. In fact, there are many versions to interpret it but I like that you have a wide variations. Your gallery is stunning.
Thank you so much for the inspiration you have given to me to wrtite my response to this challenge.
https://justbluedutch.com/2021/07/04/lapc-on-the-waters-no-water-no-green-no-blue-no-life/
A great theme for the holiday weekend, John. And you have captured the topic splendidly. Thank you for hosting this week’s Challenge.
Thank you, and thanks for sharing your submission in the challenge!
[…] week, John, our guest host, is asking us to go On The Water for the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge. I can’t swim so I never feel very comfortable in or on […]