Nature’s Haunting Beauty

Lens-Artists Challenge #319 – Setting a Mood

Ponte dos Ingleses (Fortaleza, Brazil)

Nature has her way of creating the right mood, whether for landscape photos or loving relationships. In my hometown of Fortaleza (Brazil), it is a daily favorite activity to go somewhere along the warm shores of the Atlantic Ocean and wait for a sunset. Even with cloudless skies, Nature never fails or disappoints. So, when Ann-Christine presented this week’s challenge as “Setting a Mood,” I knew I would find plenty of examples of Nature’s mood in my photos. To see Ann-Christine’s beautiful examples, check out her post here.

If I’m outdoors and see thick clouds, I know there will be plenty of opportunities for great shots. Sometimes, I don’t even have to be outdoors. The following photo was captured as I looked out Alaska‘s Denali Princess Lodge window a few years ago. The light was ominous but quickly cleared.


Also, on the same trip, when we were excursing Canada’s Yukon Territory, Nature set the mood for a great view and a nice snowfall in the middle of summer. No complaints at all. It was a quick snowfall that turned into beautiful skies.

Here is another sinister-looking scene we encountered hiking the Mist Trail at Yosemite NP. A mixture of heavy fog and drizzle gave us poor hiking conditions but excellent photography opportunities. I kept my camera in my backpack but occasionally removed it for a quick shot.

Mist Trail

Texas is known for having dramatic sunsets; the same goes for sunrises. Although I’m not a morning person, when camping or staying in a cabin in a nearby park, it is always easy to get up before the sun rises. The first two images in this next set are sunsets. The other is a glorious sunrise with the light coming through the trees.

Goose Island SP

Davis Mountains SP

Lake Bastrop South Shore Park

We have very beautiful bad weather here at present – rain, wind, thunder – but with splendid effects; that’s why I like it.
Vincent Van Gogh


On our last visit to Rocky Mountain NP, we were lucky to stay for several days and revisit some of our favorite lakes. Sprague Lake was one of those lakes. We had lunch there a couple of times, and once, we had to return to the car because of heavy rains. Just as the storm began to dissipate, we returned to the lake shore to admire the mood Nature created for our enjoyment. It looked like a painting.

Sprague Lake (Rocky Mtn NP)

Thanks for embracing Patti’s challenge in “search for beauty in surprising and unexpected places” last week. I loved seeing the beautiful images you created.

This week, Ann-Christine challenged us to set the mood for our posts. I can hardly wait to see your responses. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when responding to it so we can easily find it in the Reader.

Next week, Sofia (of Photographias) will present a new challenge. Tune in next Saturday at noon EDT in the USA. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.


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14 Responses

  1. Anne Sandler
    | Reply

    Beautiful moods Egidio! I loved all of them. They truly set me in a tranquil mood.

  2. Writing to Freedom
    | Reply

    Those are some dramatic and gorgeous images Egidio. You really set the mood bar high!

  3. Tina Schell
    | Reply

    Wonderful Egidio! Do you still go out for sunset every evening? What a wonderful tradition. Of course it works best in a country that doesn’t sit down for dinner at 6:30 or 7 LOL. I loved all of your choices this week, and it seems we were of the same mind, connecting Mother Nature’s moods with our own. The Denali sky is incredible and the shaft of sunlight by the cabin in the park is glorious! All beautifully captured as always.

  4. Marie
    | Reply

    Such beautiful light setting the mood.

  5. Vicki
    | Reply

    This is the 3rd set of moody images I’ve seen this morning. That second image is truly extraordinary.

  6. Travtrails
    | Reply

    Beautiful mood setters

  7. Rupali
    | Reply

    Just so beautiful, every frame.

  8. restlessjo
    | Reply

    What a beautiful collection, Egidio. There’s not a photo there that I don’t love.

  9. Sofia Alves
    | Reply

    Gorgeous collection of photos that range from dramatic skies (the Alaska one is pretty impressive) to tranquil sunsets and sunrises. I love them all.

  10. margaret21
    | Reply

    If ever there were an advert for weather, this is it. Each image is dramatic, in a good way.

  11. Tra Italia e Finlandia
    | Reply

    Una serie meravigliosa. Complimenti Egidio!

  12. Leanne Cole
    | Reply

    These are brilliant Egidio I love the moodiness of them, you do nature so well.

  13. Ana
    | Reply

    Wonderful post, Egidio!!! Love all your images. Nature always lifts our spirits.

  14. Teresa
    | Reply

    These are awesome moody shots, and I mean all of them. But the enormous cloud in Alaska is out of this world. Great capture Egidio.

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