Lens-Artists Challenge #356: Quiet Hours
SH is our guest host for this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge. In his post, he sets the theme with tremendous clarity:
What are quiet hours? Among many things, this can mean an empty space. It can be a sense of stillness; a lack of action; an absence of presence within a frame.
That sense of stillness is what prompted me to open my post with the quiet hours one experiences on an early evening walk along the Port Aransas coast. Everything is calm, and even the ocean waves breaking softly add to a peaceful moment in those quiet hours. Please take a moment to see SH’s post and marvelous examples of quiet hours.
On top of Skyline Drive in the Davis Mountains State Park, a visitor enjoys quiet hours with an expansive cloud embrace and mountain views. The moment is timeless.
Whenever I want to enjoy quiet hours in the middle of the day, I head to a hidden gem in the Austin area: The Irving and Hazeline Smith Memorial Trail. The short loop trail offers tranquil waterfalls, calming reflections, and Bull Creek’s soothing waters. It’s a perfect hike on a hot summer’s day. You get quiet hours in the middle of the city.
In closing, nothing shows me quiet hours more than a winter sunset at the shores of Inks Lake State Park. With barely audible sounds of ducks settling down for the night, the air is crisp, and nature is ready to wrap up another glorious day.
Before our holiday break, we were delighted with your responses to Ann-Christine’s Creativity looking-back theme. The photos were gorgeous in showcasing your creative minds. This week, SH asks us to show “what makes for ‘Quiet Hours’.” I can hardly wait to see the beautiful images we will have. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader. Thanks, SH, for this great challenge.
I will be your host next week. Tune in at noon EST in the USA to find out more about the challenge. 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 Bull Creek, Davis Mountains SP, Inks Lake SP, Irving and Hazeline Smith Memorial trail, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, Parks, Port Aransas, Skyline Drive, Sunset, and Texas. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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PR
Beautiful..the big skies fascinate me a lot!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, PR. That is one of my favorite Texas parks.
JohnRH
Great photos Egidio, each unique. Well done.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John.
Leya
As always your landscapes are glorious – and my favourite this week is Glorious skies. Wonderful!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Ann-Christine.
SoyBend
Great picture of the clouds radiating out from the building in your first picture, Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Siobhan. That park has some of the best skies in the state.
Sofia Alves
Lovely post, Egídio. You do have a feel for nature’s beauty. Big skies is my favourite this week, I love how you composed that shot.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for this feedback, Sofia.
I. J. Khanewala
Beautiful quiet moments. When ducklings are visible it must be quiet
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much.
Leanne Cole
I left a comment Egidio, did you get it?
Egidio Leitao
WP is acting up this morning. Both this and the other comment were pending approval.
Leanne Cole
These are so beautiful Egidio, I love that one called Big Skies, stunning.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne. That park is one of my favorites. Not a single day of boring skies there.
JohnRH
Great photos Egidio. I love the reflection.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John.
solaner
calm and silent scenes. Top!!!
I love especially the first one!
Egidio Leitao
I’m happy you liked them, André. Thank you.
photobyjohnbo
Egidio, your opening and closing shots at the beginning and end of the day are stunning. I especially love the reflection of the sky in the lake.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, John.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Beautiful, calming images Egídio, especially those by the water 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you kindly, Xenia. I appreciate your feedback.
Anne Sandler
It’s wonderful when you can find a haven in the middle of a city like you have in Austin. Your images taken there are simply beautiful.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. I agree about a tranquil haven in the middle of the city.
Steve Hyde
Great stuff Egidio, I felt quite chilled just reading this and looking at the images 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Steve. I appreciate your comment. I’m glad the images had a good effect, too.
Toonsarah
Beautiful photos as always Egidio 🙂 Your ‘Still waters’ shot captures an amazingly tranquil scene for a city location!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Sarah. The city park is a hidden gem. That area has several trails, but the one in the photo somehow gets overlooked often. No complaints, of course.
Tina Schell
I guess SH has given us a perfect opportunity to linger in the quiet we’ve enjoyed in some of our favorite places Egidio. Your response to his challenge is truly beautiful. Somehow I can imagine you in each of the spots you’ve highlighted this week. Your Big Skies and Winter Sunset are especially glorious!
Egidio Leitao
Yes, the quiet hours extension is very welcome. Those two images you point out are in my favorite state parks. Thank you for the compliments.
Teresa
Love all the images depicting quiet, but especially the big skies. Those clouds really got to me. Wonderful, Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Teresa.
Steve Schwartzman
You’re the only other photographer I know who’s familiar with the Smith Memorial Trail. That land once lay far outside Austin but is now well inside the city limits. Given its location in my extended neighborhood, I usually go walking there at least once a year. It’s provided me with many pictures over the past decade, particularly of Stone Bridge Falls (https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2019/07/10/stone-bridge-falls/).
Egidio Leitao
I love that trail in spite of the dangerous parking areas. Too many vehicles have been broken into around that area. The waterfalls are favorites of mine, too.
Steve Schwartzman
I’ve noticed broken automobile glass in the makeshift parking area right across the road from the entrance. Until last year we had a 1998 Toyota as a second car, so I always used it rather than our 2022 Subaru to park there. I figured the old car would appeal much less to any would-be thief. The paved parking lot around the curve on the other side of Loop 360 strikes me as potentially safer, but I may be deluding myself.
Egidio Leitao
That’s a good idea about an older car. That entire area around Bull Creek is prone to car theft. I have avoided it because of that. When I go, I make sure nothing is on the seats that could draw attention. If I have anything in the car, it’s in the trunk. I think the paved lot you refer to is where the restroom is, right? I’ve heard of car thefts there, too.
Steve Schwartzman
Yes, that’s the paved lot I had in mind. Too bad thieves target that area.
Vicki
Beautiful images and as is often the case, reflections usually embody peace and quiet.
You’ve got so many beautiful locations around you, Egidio. I could say I’m envious, but though very different to yours, I have the same.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your kind words, Vicki.