Recently, a good friend (
DOROTHY PEPPER) tagged me on Facebook ---asking me to participate in the
ArtChain Challenge. My task was to post 3 favorite photos that I had taken--and to do this for FIVE days. Well--my first thought was, "Why ME"? I don't consider myself a professional photographer AT ALL --when compared to many other friends. BUT--I do love to take pictures and I DO take LOTS of them... I always laugh and say that I take at least 10 pictures in order to get ONE good one!!!!! BUT--I decided to participate --and I think my Facebook friends enjoyed seeing my pictures. I will admit that I enjoyed going through some of my photos while choosing some favorites...
There were no other rules to follow other than to show 3 of my pictures each day and then encourage others to participate in order to keep the 'chain' going... BUT--I'm not sure that even my Facebook friends caught one thing I was doing differently, and that was that "I" decided to choose 3 photos from different STATES which we have visited...
Since many of you are not on Facebook (and I apologize to my FB friends who have seen these), I decided to share these photos with you, beginning with the first two states today. Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them, and re-living these experiences. Be sure to click on the photos for enlargements. AND--if you'd like to join in the fun and show some of your favorite photos to keep this chain going, you are welcome to do so!!!!! I'd love to see some of your favorite photos.
COLORADO
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| Looking at Pikes Peak, Colorado |
I 'Lucked' up on this one. I was looking toward Pikes Peak, CO in Sept. 2012 from Crystal Creek Reservoir. I love the reflections and the Aspens in the background.
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| Colorado Aspens ---and snow-capped Pikes Peak |
I took this picture at another place on our way to Pikes Peak. I was looking toward Pikes Peak, Colorado in Sept., 2012 --surrounded by gorgeous Aspens.. The Aspens were really showing off that month. We were there at the right time for sure!!!!
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| Colorado Aspen Trees |
Wow---the Aspens were at 'peak' that year ---and I must have taken a million pictures of them.. If you have never seen the Aspens out west, make it a priority to do it one year... We were there in September of 2012.
WEST VIRGINIA
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| Beautiful West Virginia |
This is a view of the New River Gorge Area of West Virginia, taken from Grandview, in June of 2014. George and I absolutely love West Virginia. There is SO much natural beauty in that state ---and it luckily hasn't turned into a 'tourist trap'.... That's one reason we love it!!!!
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| Rain, Clouds and Sunshine happening in Beautiful West Virginia |
We were traveling along the Highlands Scenic Highway (Highway 150) in West VA on a rainy/sunny day all around us!!! Picture was taken in June of 2014;
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| Big Huge West Virginia PUFF BALL!!!!!! |
I just had to share this HUGE HUGE Puff-Ball we saw while driving along Highlands Scenic Highway (Highway 150) in West VA in June of 2014. Isn't it gorgeous?
WELL---that's my first six (of 15) photos so far while participating in the ArtChain Challenge. I will share more of my photos from this challenge at a later date. In the meantime, if you enjoy taking pictures, I invite you to keep this CHAIN going --and join in the fun... You don't have to follow 'their' rules from Facebook ---but just share some of your favorite pictures.... Thanks!!!
Hugs,
Love the reflection in the first photo and it looks like a fish ripple in the water.
ReplyDeleteThose are really beautiful photos! You DID "GOOD"! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to visit Colorado. These photos are so beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to go to CO. I could see Pikes Peak out my living room window when I was stationed out there.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Betsy!! Makes me want to go to each spot! blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteAny of these would make a lovely calendar.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are wonderful, Betsy. You have a great eye and capture amazing light in your photographs. I would say you are well above those of us who use our phones or a point and shoot camera. You have to know how to use the lenses and settings, and I would say you are an expert (as well as your hubby). Love seeing them here and on FB.
ReplyDeleteThe reflection of the mountains in the water is awesome. Those are some great pictures you took. One of these days I will get to visit the rocky Mountains - so far all I've ever done is fly over them.
ReplyDeleteForgot to say that you are right about West Virginia. I have visited there and love it just because it isn't a tourist trap and it's beauty of course.
ReplyDeleteAll are beautiful Betsy. Big contrast between the WV & CO mountains.
ReplyDeleteHello Betsy, gorgeous collection of images.. The scenic views are lovely..I loved our trip to Colorado.. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteWOW! They are all beautiful and I love the Puff Ball shot.
ReplyDeleteYou've captured SO much beauty Betsy!! I love all your photos especially the water/mountain reflections.
ReplyDeleteYou may not be professional, but you are definitely a photographer. These are gorgeous. I'm glad you posted them again, since I can expand them more than I could when they were on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos...these could compete with anyone!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! You can be very proud of those photos. I follow Topaz online. They give a lot of editing tips. Anyway, one of their best professionals told us that he often takes a hundred photos to get one he loves.
ReplyDeleteBetsy, Those are great photos! We find that the big scenery shots are the hardest to take and achieve quality. Everything has to work out just right including haze free skies unless you have a camera with a filter...which we don't. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteLove love these! Especially the ones from Colorado. We were lucky enough to catch the aspens in their fall color one year - unforgettable!
ReplyDeleteI also like the puff ball!
Terrific captures of such incredible beauty!! Mother Nature at her best and Betsy at hers!! Thanks as always for sharing the beauty!! Have a great new week!!
ReplyDeleteWOW, Betsy!!! Nothing can beat your first picture! Except maybe those glorious aspens. I have seen really giant puffballs, and they remain a mystery! What were they? I will never know. Did you or George write those words in the sand? I meant to ask you last time.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Betsy. They remind me of our camping trip in Co. Springs and the drive to the top of Pikes Peak. I was terrified! No guardrails! Oh my! And then a windstorm to end all windstorms that night. We were in a tiny, tiny pop-up tent trailer and I was sure we would blow over. When we woke up the next day, 6 huge campers were on their sides and every tent that was there the night before were long gone. We were fine. Oh the power of prayer!
ReplyDeleteLove the reflections in the lake in your photo. Beautiful.
Blessings,
Betsy
I didn't know Colorado is such a beauty! So idyllic. Love challenges that spread beauty.
ReplyDeleteYou have taken so many fabulous photos that I was curious to see which ones you would choose. A clever idea to arrange them into 'Best of the States' photos. The aspens look awesome.
ReplyDeleteAll were great per usual but that first one jumped through the computer and grabbed me. I wanted to be there!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful start to a fun challenge. I'll let you show your great shots. My part of the challenge will be to just enjoy them.
I still enjoyed seeing these pictures,for a second time.Beauty like that is worth taking second or even third look at. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteHey there dear friend....you sure picked some awesome photos for your first 6. my oh my...the aspens are splendid! I think you're a pretty datgum (as Sam would say) good photographer!!
ReplyDeletelove you my friend
Shug
Those photos are GORGEOUS! I would love to go there and see it.
ReplyDeleteThese are fabulous! I think it's great how you adapted the rules for yourself---cute idea of the three states. I would love to join in and will try but not tonight--too much school stuff to do. ♥ b
ReplyDeleteMy Dad was born and raised in Fairmont WV, next to Morgantown and the Monongahela River. I love the beauty of WV. Especially on the secondary roads going over gorges and seeing it's lush surroundings. He gave that up to live in Fort Lee NJ..Yuck! No wonder he was always so happy to go back to visit his family. I was only too happy to go with him.
ReplyDeleteYou may not be professional, but you are certainly a very good photographer! Excellent pix! By the way, that puff ball is the seed head of what we call the Goat's Beard weed.
ReplyDeleteWow - gorgeous scenery! I love those Colorado skies.
ReplyDeleteThose are really fantastic pictures Betsy. Keep showing:)
ReplyDeleteI love Colorado and September is our perfect month for traveling. These are all wonderful photos, Betsy. The first one is my favorite!
ReplyDeleteI meant to say "favorite" instead of "perfect"...however, you probably know what I meant!
ReplyDeleteWhat? You only have to take TEN pictures to get a good one! You lucky dog you! You picked great shots Betsy, love them!
ReplyDeleteOh, Betsy, I absolutely love these! The color is unreal almost in some of them. I love it when we have such beautiful days...seems like they are few and far between these days. And remember when we were kids, vivid blue skies was the norm?
ReplyDeletei can not imagine narrowing it down to 3 images. that is tough. we love Colorado. i enjoy the golden leaves. that is just too fall perfect.
ReplyDeleteyeah, i just say you and George kissing over there, in your sidebar photos. you guys are the sweetest romantic couple ever. awww!! that is precious. ( :
Thanks for all your visits and comments. These photos are some of the best ever. So bright and sharp. It is hard to find anything ugly in Colorado.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAll your photos are magnificentBetsy!
Best of all is to be in the midst of all nature outdoors, breathing fresh air.... so the pictures come naturally!
Have a great week dear!
Bia <°))))<
Wow, wonderful series !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful beautiful!!! We have so many lovely places in this old U.S. of A, don't we.
ReplyDeleteMB
Well, my dear Betsy, I think your photos would give any professional photographer a run for their money. These are beautiful and I can understand why they are your favorites. Hope you are healing well and enjoy the rest of your week.
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous! Of course you should participate!
ReplyDeleteWow, these are so gorgeous. I know you all are so proud of these. Hope your knee is doing better. Still sending up prayers for you. Hugs, xo
ReplyDeleteSomehow I've missed some of your posts!!
ReplyDeleteThese photos are spectacular!!
these are breath-taking! I don't have FB so thank you for posting them here. :)
ReplyDeletehugs,
Marie
These are definitely beautiful photos Betsy!
ReplyDeleteI would encourage you sometime to take the Highlands Scenic Highway in the fall - it is gorgeous with all the colors.
Do you still have to ask why she tagged you? Those awesome photos speaks for itself . You have an artistic eye . They are lovely Betsy
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos, Betsy! I love that first one, and the second one of the Aspen trees is breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day!
Absolutely FABULOUS photos, Betsy! Wow!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful takes in Colorado, I remember driving to the top in a truck was a bit scary nearer the top as the road got narrow. Lovely views. I want to go back now.
ReplyDeleteWest Virginia is a beautiful state , my daughter lives in Ballard there and it is pretty.
betsy