Lens-Artists Challenge #366: City Mouse/Country Mouse
This week’s challenge prompted me to take a good inventory of whether I’m a city mouse or a country mouse. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, it originates from an Aesop’s fable. Tina brought that concept as our challenge this week. In her post, you’ll see some fantastic photos and excellent guidelines. She writes: “No matter how appealing someone else’s life may seem, there really is no place like home.” That statement stayed with me and is the basis of my response.
As those who read my blog know, I have recently returned from Colorado. Although we spent two wonderful weeks exploring the Pagosa Springs and Ouray areas, as with all vacations, we felt that sad feeling of ending the trip. On the other hand, it was terrific to return home to our bed and shower. Besides that, I also realized that even here at home, I can enjoy the comfort of country living. I can enjoy my share of wildlife right at my doorstep, and I can even do some forest bathing in the trails and parks around this area. So, it’s the best of both worlds being at home.
Listening to babbling creeks, flowing rivers, and cascading waterfalls gave me all the aural immersion my country mouse craved for.
I could even smell fall in the air.
However, nothing compares to coming home. I can sit outside and appreciate wildlife, and I can look out my dining room windows to witness beauty every day, such as this sunset from just three days ago.
Speaking of beauty, I want to thank each one of you for the superb responses you shared for my challenge last week. I was touched by so many personal responses and stirring stories, along with beautiful photos. You surprised me beyond my expectations. Thank you.
If you join Tina’s challenge, don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag so we can easily find your post in the Reader.
Next week, we will have a guest host: Joanne of Joanne Mason Photography. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Colorado, Fall Foliage, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, San Juan Mountains, Sunset, Teravista, Texas, and Waterfall. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Lindy Le Coq
The Piedra river and falls are beautiful, and your backyard sunset stunning. I do believe the grass under your feet is the greenest!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Lindy.
philosophy through photography
Egidio, this post perfectly captures the best of both worlds! Exploring Colorado sounds amazing, but there’s something truly special about the comfort and beauty waiting at home. Those sunsets, wildlife, and fall scents make home feel like a daily vacation.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much for your kind words. I appreciate you writing this feedback.
philosophy through photography
Welcome, Egidio.
Leanne Cole
Beautiful post Egidio. I am the opposite when holidays finish, I find a few days beforehand I can’t wait to get home.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne. We sometimes go through that, too.
Amy
Breathtaking photos, Egidio! Love your landscape photos, always!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Amy. So glad you liked them.
Steve Schwartzman
You sound like you’re ready to sing: “Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.”
Egidio Leitao
I’d never heard that one! However, if you can think of Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) or The Wiz, then, yes. 🙂
Steve Schwartzman
That song was very popular from its first appearance in 1823 through much of the 1900s. Here’s more about it (including a reference to The Wizard of Oz):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home!_Sweet_Home!
Egidio Leitao
Interesting reference. Thank you.
marina
Beautiful, beautiful photos!!!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Marina.
Leya
Your landscapes are always a thrill – I love them and expect them in every post…..Thank you for sending us so much beauty! And I agree – coming home is superb. The bed and the garden. But your view from that window is just wow.
Egidio Leitao
Ann-Christine, thank you for this wonderful feedback.
SoyBend
You photo of Piedra Falls is gorgeous, Egidio. There are lots of interesting textures and colors on the rocks surrounding the falls.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Siobhan. I enjoyed spending time at Piedra Falls.
Alison
Fabulous photos Egidio. I feel the same, I’m always ready to come home and sleep in my own bed. How wonderful to see a sunset like that from your window
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Ali.
Anita
I agree, away is good but home is best. Although you probably need to travel away sometimes, both to broaden your horizons but also to understand how good you actually are, in your own home. You obviously have absolutely stunning natural sceneries right around the corner. Such an impressive waterfall! And the sunset, absolutely lovely.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anita. I agree that travel is important. We learn a lot from it and become better world citizens. Thanks for writing.
restlessjo
Your photos are glorious, Egidio. You have it all there on your doorstep. I think that most of us like a mix of city and countryside, depending on our mood. I’ve already told Tina that I’m a beach mouse xx
Egidio Leitao
That’s very kind of you to say, Jo. Thank you.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
wow the beauty of these shots, as fun as it is to travel. Home is home.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Ritva. Somehow, this comment was pending approval for some unknown reason.
Wind Kisses
The beauty is we always do return home. Your photos take me back too. No doubt autumn has explored in the mountains. I especially love your fall scent photo. And I love that you always speak to our senses so we can feel along with you.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Donna. I appreciate your feedback.
Klausbernd
We have lived in the country for 40 years now, in a little village on the coast. We are always thrilled when visiting a city. We enjoy our holidays in cities. Always nature is just too much for us.
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for writing.
JohnRH
Wowwww. Beautiful photos! 👏👏
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, John.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Fabulous photographs of amazing scenery Egídio and you live in such a beautiful place! I can imagine it will always be a delight to come home to 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Xenia. I always feel blessed and comfortable at home.
Teresa
I always love seeing your wonderful photos Egidio. And I agree, nothing feels like home.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Teresa.
Terri Webster Schrandt
I totally get the need for being home, Egidio! Especially when nature is near the front door! I’ve never been to Colorado, so in my list too! Love your waterfall! Feel free to link this post to mine.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for your wonderful feedback.
Sofia Alves
There’s always that point when your focus turns from enjoying your time away to just wanting to go home 🙂 You have some gorgeous photos here, Egídio.
Egidio Leitao
Exactly, Sofia. That always happens with us. Thank you for the comments.
Hammad Rais
Mesmerizing captures from your hometown
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Hammad. In the post, only the last photo was from home. The others were all in Colorado.
photobyjohnbo
Your landscape shots from home are spectacular, Egidio! I really love that shot of the Piedra River.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, John. Standing at that location to look down at the canyon was exciting.
Toonsarah
Your home appears to be a wonderful location and like many of us this week you describe a place that it well-suited to you and offers a great balance between town and country pleasures. And it’s great to see more of your Colorado images here 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, thank you for your comment and compliment. Much gratitude.
Anne Sandler
Yes Egidio, there’s no place like home, and yours is simply beautiful. Great photos!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much for your kindness and feedback, Anne.
Vicki
Wonderful images from Colorado in particular, but it’s easy to see why you love your homebase too. Having that pond and wildlife right in your ‘backyard’ is something many of us probably wish for.
Egidio Leitao
Vicki, thank you for taking time to write. I appreciated your feedback.
Tina Schell
I can see why you so love home Egidio, it’s very beautiful and that sunset is spectacular. Traveling is especially wonderful when you know arriving home is just as marvelous! Glorious images this week, especially your last.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Tina. It never fails coming home. We love vacations, but coming home is always rewarding.