“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.
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<
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.
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.
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.
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
Beautiful photos. Love the opener, and the eagles nest. Superb. (Happy Birthday, young guy.)
Thank you! Flew to AZ this morning and drove my car this afternoon on my way back to Fargo. I’ll be on the road much of the week.)
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https://fairplay740.wordpress.com/2022/04/02/lens-artists-challenge-193-they-say-its-your-birthday-pt-2/
Such an excellent theme and great captures to make your day so special. Happy Birthday John.
Thank you!
[…] Our host for this photo challenge party is Johnbo. Visit his site HERE. […]
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!
I will look forward to seeing it on Friday! Don’t forget to link it here. 🙂
Happy birthday! 🙂
Thank you!
Happy birthday and thank you for sharing your B Days of the past with us. The photos are a gift for us.
You are most welcome. The serendipity of my birthday happening on my turn for a photo challenge was too much for me to overlook. 🙂
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
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.
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. 🙂
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. 🙂
What a unique challenge. I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with.
Happy birthday.
I don’t recall ever having a birthday challenge, and the coincidence seemed right. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
[…] The theme for this one is “They Say it’s Your Birthday…” […]
Nice photos interwoven well with the narrative.
Tells a small tale, I feel.
Here’s mine for this one:
Also, a most happy of birthdays to you.
Thank you!
Thanks! I’ve already checked out that fine reflection in your photo! Nice.
[…] Inspired by: Lens-Artists/ Birthdays […]
[…] That is a gift. So I thought I could present the photos as my response to Johnbo’s Lens Artists Photo Challenge #183. To see John’s Birthdays click the […]
Happy Birthday John! I thoroughly enjoyed all your images, the sunset especially.
Thanks, Anne! I appreciate it!
Happy Birthday, John!!! I loved your birthday post. I’ll try to do something this week for the challenge.
[…] Posted for John’s Lens-Artists Challenge […]
Happy Birthday, John! Wishing you a wonderful day.
I loved the sunset photo but my favourite is the Picacho Peak one. Looks like an amazing place.
Here is mine:
[…] only to you? Whatever you choose, please remember to link your response to John’s original here, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag. Thanks also to Amy for last week’s Earth Story challenge. […]
[…] The Mall of the Netherlands, if you are looking for presents, you probably will find some here.Lens Artists Photo Challlenge #193 is ‘they say it is your birthday’. […]
[…] This week, on Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #193, John from Journeys with Johnbo is the host for this week’s challenge and he’s picked the theme They say it’s your birthday… […]
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.
Thanks, Tina! It seems we are always traveling when I have a birthday! 😀
[…] Birthday to you, John! Hope you will join us and share your happy moments. Please tag and make a link to JohnBo’s site. Many, many thanks to all of you for sharing your inspirig thoughts and beautiful photos for the […]
[…] for John’s Lens Artists challenge is a selection of photos and reminiscences from my most memorable […]
Happy birthday for yesterday John 🎂🎁🥂 Here’s a contribution from me: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/celebrating-birthdays-abroad-near-and-far/
Thank you. I hope you enjoyed reminiscing with this week’s challenge!
I did! Funnily enough I’ve been meaning for ages to write a blog with this theme so your prompt finally pushed me into doing so 🙂
Belated Birthday wishes…. Sunset image is reminder of life fully lived
Thank you! I like your thought about a life fully lived.
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!
Thanks! If you are into hiking, you can choose from a moderate to a difficult rating on the trails at Picacho Peak.
Thanks / moderate for me !!
[…] LensArtists Photo Challenge: birthdays […]
Happy birthday John! Hope you had a special time !
Thank you, I did!
Happy Birthday, JS! Many happy returns and be well.
Thank you, my friend!
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!
Thank you, Ann-Christine! Travel is my life now… I am slowly getting back to it now that the pandemic has waned a bit. I hope it stays abated.
Let’s hope so. We haven’t started again, I guess it will take some time…
[…] the link to John’s Original […]
[…] one seems like a grand thing. The Newphew was understandably excited about his coming “half birthday“, especially with an aunt willing to indulge every whim. Having heard of the pleasures of […]
Very nice birthdays you’ve had recently. I like the action-packed shot from the baseball game.
Best wishes for the year ahead
[…] from Journeys with Johnbo is asking us to celebrate birthdays this week for the Lens-Artists Challenge and in our household, March is birthday month. Both my […]
[…] A good bunch of flowers is always a nice present, on any occasion. Lens Artists Photo Challlenge #193 is ‘they say it is your birthday’. […]
[…] As we strolled by the river there were children and dogs playing in the river and that water was just so crystal clear. So, I thought the above image would be ideal for Johnbo’s lens-artists photography challenge. […]
Happy belated birthday to you!… Here is my contribution to the birthday story.. https://brashley.photography/2022/04/04/lens-artists-photo-challenge-193-they-say-its-your-birthday/
Thank you! I’ve already checked out your post. You do beautiful work!
Thank you xx
[…] week, John asks us to share anything special about our birthdays. I’ve always had to share my birthday. […]
[…] John is our host for this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge […]
[…] John is our host for this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge […]
[…] special thanks to John for inspiring us to celebrate this week. We hope you join us and show us how you celebrate birthdays and other important events. Be sure to […]
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. 😀😀😀😀.
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.
They say it’s someone’s birthday and that someone is…https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2022/04/04/lens-artists-photo-challenge-193-they-say-its-your-birthday/.
janet
Thanks for sharing photos of your beautiful grandson, the soon-to-be surfer!
My pleasure, John. Thanks for hosting. 🙂
Thanks for this idea John and Happy Birthday to you . I love all of your images .
https://wordpress.com/post/100countrytrek.com/12249