Lens-Artists Challenge #364: Quiet Moment
“Where is your serene sanctuary? Is it the warm comfort of sipping your morning coffee as the world gently comes to life around you? Perhaps it’s the peaceful moments spent doing yoga by yourself.” That is how Ritva proposes this week’s Lens-Artists challenge: Quiet Moment. You should check out her post and be inspired by her beautiful photography.
The photo I featured above was one of the views around the Elktrace Bed & Breakfast we used in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, a few weeks ago. The place was serene and full of peaceful moments for us. I took advantage of each quiet moment and the impressive nature surrounding us to meditate on the porch in the mornings, watch hummingbirds, and also relax at the end of the day after hiking and sightseeing around the area. Here is another view from the porch, this one directly in front of us. An undisturbed lake and the magnificent San Juan Mountains created a natural and serene sanctuary. It is a moment like this that invites me “to hit the pause button,” as Ritva says in her post.
Rain or shine, the grounds around the Elktrace Bed & Breakfast provided us with plenty of quiet moments. The porch was surrounded by flowers, such as the Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa ). There were plenty of opportunities for macro photography right at my doorstep, or porch steps in this case. In Ritva’s words, “Freeze that moment and let it resonate, like a serene droplet of water.”
I took Ritva’s words to heart, as I sat down “watching and listening to a serene waterfall cascading over rocks.”
That diffused and reflecting light along a stream on our hike at Mears Trail made me pause and enjoy another quiet moment.
Ritva, your challenge made me relive these very recent quiet moments in Colorado. I’m looking forward to what others will share. When you respond to Ritva’s post, please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag so we can easily find your post in the Reader.
Next week, it’s my turn to offer a new challenge. 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, Landscapes, Macros, Lens-Artists, Ouray, Pagosa Springs, and Wildflowers. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Discover more from Through Brazilian Eyes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Marcus Chen
I love the idea of finding serene sanctuaries… what is it about Colorado that makes it so peaceful for you? 🏔️
Egidio Leitao
There are so many reasons, but the most significant is always being surrounded by majestic nature views.
Sue
Love these beaut iful, quiet images, Egidio! You have shown us serenity!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Sue.
Vicki
A great selection, Egidio, and many that I can totally relate to.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, Vicki.
Grammy Writes
What beautiful images! Colorado is a photographer’s dream.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much for your feedback. Yes, your words about Colorado are on target.
Steve Schwartzman
I checked a map to see where Pagosa Springs is and found it’s not far from Durango, which we visited in 2014. On that trip we made it to Mesa Verde National Park; did you visit it, too?
Egidio Leitao
Not on this trip. We’d been to Mesa Verde in another trip, when we also went to Chaco Culture NHP. Chaco is amazing!
PR
How serene!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, PR.
norasphotos4u
Love the beautiful mountain scene!!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Nora.
Anita
Obviously a wonderful place to stay for a few days. Amazing photos Egidio, I especially like the first and the last one.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Anita.
JohnRH
Great photos Egidio. Hooray for Ouray!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, John.
I. J. Khanewala
Beautiful, each member of the set
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, I.J.
Leya
Thank you for sharing these beautiful moments, Egidio! Every image speaks clearly to my heart. The landscapes, the yellow flowers and the waterfall. All so different, but still…they fit the bill. I too wish I could have seen this for myself!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Ann-Christine.
Sofia Alves
Simply beautiful, Egídio! I wish I could also experience this amazing place.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sofia. We followed a friend’s recommendation to stay at that place.
thesimlux
Box Cañon Falls looks so beautiful! 😍
Egidio Leitao
It’s a beautiful and easy hike. Thanks for writing.
Teresa
Such a peaceful place, Egidio. Nice to see your special place.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Teresa.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Such a beautiful gallery Egídio and the views from your Bed and Breakfast are gorgeous! 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Xenia.
eklastic
I like that your quiet moments come in all different sizes – from the expansive landscape (made special by the shadow of the clouds) to the close-up of the yellow flower. Wonderful!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback and for pointing that out. Glad you liked the post.
Amy
Beautiful, indeed! Love the sunset especially. 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Amy.
Pamela Zmija ~ Artist & Intuitive
Beautiful images Egidio, I love the depth of the first one with the trees and sky, and the waterfall, oh my water is so peaceful and cleansing!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Pam. Those were great locations.
Hammad Rais
These quiet moments are the best
Egidio Leitao
They really are, Hammad. Thank you.
Toonsarah
That looks like a wonderful place to stay – the sunset view is amazing!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sarah. It was a great place. Breakfast was also excellent.
Rupali
You have captured lovely serene moments.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Rupali.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
What a beautiful place, the vastness of it all and grandeur of it. I loved your photos and the thought that many of them was all next to the porch. You can find it in moments like that. the last image, watching the water shimmering is one of my favorite things to do, and it can be so peaceful. Thank you for pointing that out
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ritva. I guess it goes to show that sometimes we don’t have to go far to see beauty around us.
margaret21
Such peace. The Mears Trail looks the perfect place for quiet contemplation.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Margaret. The Mears Trail was easy and hardly had any elevation.
Leanne Cole
With views like that I totally get it.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne.
restlessjo
Sunset on the porch is a spellbinder. It looks the perfect place for a quiet moment, Egidio, and I love that hint of water on the trail xx
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Jo.
Rebecca Cuningham
Wonderful photos of your serene place.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Rebecca.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, what a peaceful place you found for your getaway. You found beauty all around you without having to go far from the Bed and Breakfast.
Egidio Leitao
That was really special, Beth. We lucked out both in Pagosa Springs and Ouray. Thank you.
Writing to Freedom
What a magnificent view from the front porch Egidio! It makes me both serene and anxious to get back to CO for a visit or longer. Thanks for the quiet moments and beautiful reminders from CO.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for these beautiful words, Brad.
Writing to Freedom
You’re most welcome.
Wind Kisses
I love this so much. It is so easy to fall into a connectedness with Colorado and you did just that, taking us along with you. I love all your photos, and found the last once almost intimate. A pleasure to see this area through your lens.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Donna. Yes, Colorado is easy to enjoy. You and Dale made it even more special for us this year.
Wind Kisses
Hugs. It was a great time for us as well
Egidio Leitao
Hugs to you both.
bushboy
Quite a wonderful getaway and photos. Water drops on yellow flowers are always winners
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brian. Colorado is always great, especially in the summer, when temps there are mild.
Joanne
Gorgeous pictures, Egidio! Sounds like it was a wonderful holiday. Your first picture is stunning, so evocative of this week’s theme.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Joanne.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Senz’altro rilassanti e bellissimi posti.
Egidio Leitao
Grazie. Mi piace che ti sia piaciuto
margaret21
Such serenity. Beauty ideed.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Margaret.
Tina Schell
All beautifully serene Egidio – you’ve truly captured the essence of nature’s ability to soothe us no matter the distractions we face. Your post was SO Colorado 😊, and of course your text put us right there with you. But the little, wet yellow flower was the image that captured my heart this week.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Tina. Those little flowers were all around our B&B. It was a different and captivating flower.
Anne Sandler
Beautiful scenes Egidio! You certainly had a wonderful vacation in a peaceful spot.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. Yes, Colorado is still in my mind and eyes.