Nature’s Gift: A Smile a Day

Lens-Artists Challenge #326 – This Made Me Smile

“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.”
Thich Nhat Hanh

Even three years after capturing the opening photo, I still smile when I see that mallard duck doing whatever it was doing. Nature and her creatures do have a particular way to lift my spirits. When I saw that Ann-Christine’s challenge this week was about what makes us smile, I did not have to search hard to find a few examples. Please see her post for things that made her smile. I’m confident you’ll smile, too.

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,
but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
Thich Nhat Hanh

This Greater Short-Horned Lizard was another moment to smile. We had been hiking around the Lincoln National Forest near Ruidoso, New Mexico when we stopped for a break. I noticed this lizard sunbathing. Afraid that it would move away from us, I began snapping photos with my phone. The lizard did not move, and it was time to get better and closer photos. For about fifteen minutes, I could enjoy what nature was giving me. I got very close to it without scaring it away. I had a broad smile from ear to ear.

“Colors are the smiles of nature.”
Leigh Hunt

Painted Buntings are a marvel of nature. I had wanted to see one in person for many years. Imagine the smile on my face when, only ten days after we had moved to our new home, I spotted this guy enjoying one of our bird feeders. From the comfort of our dining room table, I captured several images. Painted Buntings are a living watercolor flying wonder. Their vivid blue, green, yellow, and red palettes will make anyone smile.

“A smile is the universal welcome.”
Max Eastman

Although plenty of wildlife surrounds our home, watching squirrels always makes me smile. They are full of mischief, whether trying to get to the bird feeders or splooting on the ground. That face in the photo says it all, and it was a great balancing act to see this squirrel splooting on the fence.

“If you smile when you see a butterfly,
you have happiness in your soul.”
Diana Cooper

Diana Cooper’s quote summed up my feeling when I recently captured this Monarch image. I was biking along the San Gabriel River trail and stopped to photograph Smooth Beggartick flowers reflecting on the river. I completely forgot about the flowers when I saw this lone Monarch going from flower to flower. I smiled in gratitude and felt my soul full of happiness. That happens every time I see Monarchs.

Tina’s Gratitude challenge was terrific. You filled my week with beautiful photos and many reasons for gratitude. This week, Ann-Christine asks us to share what makes us smile. I know it will be another lovely week. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.

Sofia will host next Saturday at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out another exciting challenge. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.

Until then, keep on clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.