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Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #155 – On the Water

The beach at Grand Turk

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.

Coldwater Lake

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. 

Morning Dew

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.

Sunset at Sea

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?

Dry docks on the Pecos River

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

208 comments

  1. 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…

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  2. 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.

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  15. 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

    Reply

  19. 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!

    Reply

  21. […] 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. […]

    Reply

  22. 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!!

    Reply

      • 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.

  23. 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.

    Reply

  26. Beautiful water photographs John! I especially liked the Morning Dew and Dry Docks images. They show your versatility when photographing. Great topic and images.

    Reply

  29. 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.

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  41. 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…

    Reply

  42. […] 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! […]

    Reply

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