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.
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Leanne Cole
Beautiful post Egidio, I love the squirrel, so cute. Isn’t the duck in the first one sleeping? I don’t know. Great set of photos and they brought a smile to my face.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for your compliment, Leanne. I don’t think the duck was sleeping. It was going under over and over. I think it was looking for food. Glad you liked the photos.
Vicki
Beautiful examples of what makes you smile, but the squirrels over your side of the world get me every time. I love them. Wish we had them here in Australia.
Egidio Leitao
Vicki, thank you for the feedback. Squirrels are fun to watch, as they are very intelligent and persistent. I cannot count how many times I’ve seen one trying to get to a bird feeder. They even make squirrel-proof feeders for that reason.
Tina Schell
Wonderful choices of some of Mother Nature’s best work Egidio! I loved your head-missing mallard, you really caught the texture of its flowers. Also loved that uber-colorful lizard and of course the painted bunting. We have them here as well and they as such a beautiful sight! As for me, I’ve threatened to get an air gun to keep the squirrels away from our deck! For some reason they feel a need to eat their meals here so there are constantly cracked and broken shells all over the place. They drive me nuts!!! You’re welcome to come down here and take them all back home with you!!! 😊 Loved your response for the week, keep enjoying your wonderful new home!
Egidio Leitao
Don’t get me started on squirrels. Although I find them cute, they are very persistent. We have two large red oaks in our backyard. So, I know what you’re talking about in regard to their need to eat on the deck and everywhere, not to mention trying to get to the bird feeders. Thank you so much for your feedback. It’s much appreciated.
Anne Sandler
Lots of reasons for smiles in this post Egidio. Love the squirrel and short-horned lizard.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. Indeed I have plenty to smile around.
margaret21
Oh Nature has provided you with smiles in spades, from the spectacular to the charmingly amusing!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Margaret. Enjoy the new week ahead!
Ana
Wonderful and funny choices! My favorite the squirrel.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Ana. I’m glad you liked the photos.
Toonsarah
Oh yes, there are always smiles to be found in nature! I especially love your middle three shots – the fantastic capture of that lizard, the colours of that Painted Bunting, and the pose of that squirrel 😀
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sarah. Nature is a source of much happiness.
Wandering Dawgs
Thanks for bringing me smiles this morning with your beautiful images. The painted bunting is my favorite.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Beth. I’m glad the smiles are spreading around.
photobyjohnbo
Your collection of images certainly made me smile. I love that squirrel’s attitude.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. Glad you liked them.
Marie A Bailey
I love this selection of photos. The Painted Bunting is a marvel!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Marie.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Che carini, tutti quanti!
Egidio Leitao
Grazie mille.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Beautiful photographs Egidio and they all made me smile too 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Xenia. I’m glad you liked the photos.
Yanaj *
A marvelous collection, Egídio! Overwhelmingly beautiful and indeed a great source of an abundance of smiles, each single one of them. You got blessed once more with a stunning butterfly encounter, I see 😊. Not to mention the other gorgeous examples of the animal kingdom. Love the inspiring quotes and text as well!
Egidio Leitao
Yanaj, many thanks and much gratitude for your supportive feedback.
Yanaj *
Most welcome, dear Egídio 😊.
Egidio Leitao
Hope you don’t mind my asking. Do you prefer I continue using Yanaj or would you prefer Tatjana for your name?
solaner
A flat-squirrel 🤣😂🤣 👍👍👍
Egidio Leitao
They do that to cool their body temperature in the summer months. Thanks.
solaner
Some birds do the same here. 😊
Sofia Alves
You couldn’t be more right, Egídio, about nature and the smiles it gives us, very day. Love all your photos, so beautiful. I have a resident squirrel in the back gardens of our street. It is cheeky beyond belief 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the compliment, Sofia.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
I absolutely loved your choices, all from the first one on made me smile. that lazy squirrel 😀 this is a top post for the quality of the photos as to the smile worthy subjects.
Egidio Leitao
Ritva, I’m thankful for this feedback. It is a good way to start my day. Thank you.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Wonderful examples of how wildlife makes us smile, Egidio. Gorgeous shots!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Terri.
restlessjo
The Bunting has such fabulous colours, Egidio, but the squirrel was the one to really make me smile.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Jo. Squirrels are so full of character.
Teresa
Lovely shots that could make anyone smile. But I love the squirrel the best.
Egidio Leitao
I’m glad you liked the shots, especially the squirrel. Thank you, Teresa.