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Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #193 – They Say It’s Your Birthday…

White Tank Mountains in the Golden Hour

“Count your nights by stars, not shadows; count your life with smiles, not tears.”
– Italian Proverb

Adding to that, count your age by friends, not years. In my 73 years on the planet, I can attest to the wisdom of these quotes. This post, published on April 2, happens to coincide with the anniversary of my birthday. Not that I’m so special, everyone has a birthday, and I have been lucky enough to have survived over seven decades of celebrating my own special day.

On my birthday in 2015, the wispy clouds in the late afternoon drew me to my favorite spot at the edge of the White Tank Mountains in Buckeye, Arizona. I captured the opening image during the golden hour, a panorama that became one of my favorite images of the desert at sunset.

Cactus League Pre-season Game

There are several baseball diamonds in the Phoenix Metro and prior to the start of the baseball season, several pro teams play each other in exhibition games, usually from late February to the end of March. In 2012, it happened that the final game for the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds at the diamond in Goodyear was on my birthday. My wonderful wife, Lynn, provided the tickets… ok, so I bought some of the beer. >grin<

Sunset Vista Trail at Picacho Peak

In 2013, Lynn and I headed to Tucson with our hiking club. On April 2, we stopped at Picacho Peak, about halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, to hike the mountain that was the site of the only Civil War battle fought in the Arizona Territory. From there, we also visited the historic town of Tucson.

Eagle Nest

Some of our family joined us in 2018 for a cruise on the Dolly, a ship that tours Canyon Lake, a manmade lake near Phoenix. Created by a dam, the lake provides views of wildlife like bighorn sheep. High on a spire, an eagle built a nest, and I happened to get a birthday present of an image of mama and two fledglings.

Panama Canal Transit

In late March 2019, Lynn and I began a journey from Los Angeles to Miami via the Panama Canal. Other family members accompanied us and we made several stops along the way. It was our second trip through the canal. We were invited along with other family members to make this birthday even more special for me than our original trip through the canal in 2014.

Sunset at Sea

On the evening of my birthday, I captured a sunset off the coast of Mexico, about 85 miles (136 km) southwest of Puerto Vallarta. On that note, I leave you with your challenge for the week.

Maybe you had a special birthday anniversary, or you have a new birthday in the family. Do you celebrate your pet’s birthday? Maybe it’s a birthday of an organization, or of your blog. For this week’s challenge, show us what is special to you about birthdays.

If you would like to join us on the Lens-Artist Challenges, click the link to find out how to join in the fun: https://photobyjohnbo.wordpress.com/about-lens-artists/

I also leave you with a link to a video that you can play on your birthday. It’s from the Beatles on their White Album released in 1968. Happy Birthday to you, whenever that may be!

Next week, I will be looking forward to seeing Sofia’s challenge and the responses that will surely follow.


John Steiner

125 comments

  8. Yeah! Happy birthday, first of all. You have chosen a marvellous tune, one of my favourites, and this theme comes just in time since on Friday my dog will be 9. 😀 Every year I make a post with one photo per every month of the past year, and this is exactly what I will do for your challenge. On Friday then!

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  11. I love how you take the time to be somewhere for your birthday. I love the White Tank photo with you.I was also glad you talked about Dolly on Canyon Lake. I have heard it is well worth it, and we should take the time.

    Beautiful images. Birthdays look good on you….keep on! Donna

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    • Thanks, Donna! Be sure to reserve those Dolly tickets in advance. We didn’t get to go on our spur-of-the-moment trip to the lake as they were full already.
      I know you will enjoy the journey.

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  12. Happy Birthday, John!
    Great shot of the Cactus League. I love the Eagle Nest capture. The sunset is stunning. I think cruise is a cool way to celebrate. 🙂

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    • Thanks, Amy! I don’t try to think of places to be on my birthday, lots of times, we just happen to be traveling… but then, seems like I’m always traveling. 🙂

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  25. Hi John – and a belated happy birthday to you!! Looks like you REALLY know how to do birthdays!! Loved your post and enjoyed the reminiscing about the many terrific examples. Looking forward to seeing how others celebrate.

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  30. Happy birthday John and I love the sunset you caught on one of your bdays!
    Also thanks for telling us about Picacho Peak! Going to add that to our list do things to do next time in AZ!
    My husband used to have pick up my step daughter for visits (many years ago) and we made the trek from
    Phoenix to Tucson a few times!

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  35. Happy belated birthday, John! You really get around and get the best out of your day – very special! A great tour around your B days – love the eagles nest and your opener specially, and – congrats again!

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  48. Happy birthday, John! I know you’ll be on the road for this one, but I hope you can celebrate when you’re back at home. What will it be this year? You certainly had great birthday celebrations. The cruise must have been a very special treat. I’m sure we will all enjoy sharing these happy moments. Safe travels. Here’s a link to my post…featuring lots of cake. 😀😀😀😀.

    Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #193: Birthdays

    Reply

    • I have already drooled over the birthday cake photos! Since I am traveling, my birthday celebration will wait until I return at the end of the week.
      I am hoping by the end of the month to maybe head to North Carolina to visit our son and his family. That will be a special gift. We haven’t seen them since before the pandemic.

      Reply

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