[Categories: Photography, Photography 101 Forever]
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The Lens-Artists Challenge is hosted this week by Tina. Says she: “…many of us have found ways to cope with those restrictions through our efforts to maintain our creativity.”
Creativity is not my forte. I feel like I should have been busier these last five months of isolation. I’ve been lazy, doing what I do best. Fortunately, we are retired and have not lost jobs, unfortunately, we are older and in a very high-risk age group.
We have been fortunate to get out many times while still keeping our distance for health’s sake. In June we visited Colorado wine country with friends, having superb wine and appetizers in the vineyards of world famous Stone Cottage Cellars, Paonia, CO.

In July we visited Summit County, Colorado, where we saw a madness of yellow-bellied marmots along the 9,000′ ASL Frisco to Copper hike and bike trail. I thought this unusual, as I’ve previously seen them only above the 11,000′ ASL local tree line, relaxing in rock and scree.
In Breckenridge we took the Peak 10 chairlift up to 11,000′ to do some hiking:
We walked wide, quiet roads back to the base area:
Surprisingly, very surprisingly, I’ve lost a few pounds (but only a few) due to fresh garden vegetables. For food, and friendship of course, we help a friend water her community garden. Good veggies:
I thought our local Parks and Rec department was creative and on the ball by having this dispensing machine:
I will leave you with this final shot from the garden; sunflower, bee, and blue sky:
Kudos to the tireless leaders of the weekly Lens-Artists challenge.
Love your captures and your creativity John!
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Thank you Cindy.
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Nicely done John! You’ve definitely shown how to creatively manage time exploring the nearby environs while maintaining your safety. We feel the same, happy not to have lost jobs, but in the age category that is at risk. Fortunately we’re both healthy – so far! Loved your images, especially the wine table! Hope you took the masks off to drink!😀
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Thank you Tina. No, we drank the wine through a straw. NOT! 😂😎
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Aren’t those trees beautiful John. Well done on losing a few pounds – I know where they are!!!!!
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Ha ha. Thank you Sue. Nice to hear from you.
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You’re taking your trip creatively and stayed safe. Good capture of your hiking.
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Thank you. Thank you ☺️
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You’re welcome, John. 🙂
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Nice post John!
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Thank you Teresa.
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We read that animals have become bolder as people become fewer. I wonder if your marmots are symptomatic.
You are always creative John. I love the selections you have made for the challenges.
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Thank you Ray. Even a couple o decades ago, at 11,000’, marmots would sit and watch you. I wouldn’t try to pet them, though!
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Great post John, stay safe and well!!!
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Thank you!
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Some people make their own fun when they have to. Others have to crowd into large groups to have fun. Unfortunately, that’s not a good idea right now. You’ve got a good handle on how to be creative and have fun of your own making. Nice collection of images.
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Thank you for your kind words, John.
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Lovely captures! Glad you could catch up with friends too!
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Thank you!
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Hi John, How cool to be able to enjoy hiking in this part of Colorado. Marmots are so cute. I loved Breckenridge, we used to ski up there. The last image is a beautiful and creative capture!
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Thank you Amy!
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Marvelous photos. The marmot must be happy to have been photographed. I have never seen one before! The veggies look terrific and that sunflower! Wow! Thanks John I enjoyed your post.
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Thank you for your kind words Anne.
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A lovely post, John! And a nice shot of that marmot – they are cute.
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Thank you! Many marmot shots that day.
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Sounds as though you are keeping very busy. I liked your marmot shot. They have become so common at one of our schools that the district wants to declare a “pest emergency.”
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Yes. IMO they are a small step above prairie dogs. 😱
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Its good to get out there in nature during this time. You will find that you might fall in love with fresh veggies and start your own garden soon……
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Thank you Janaline.
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Wow – that’s highway robbery $5 for gloves and a mask and card processing fee! Yikes. I love the bee and the sunflower photo, and the trees, and the garden, and the gathering at the vineyard. Your accomplishment of losing pounds and eating fresh veggies is a true success for staying well, great job! My husband wears a bandana too – it’s blue as well. He’s happy I saved it from my high school years so he could wear it in the once in a lifetime pandemic. Vintage is in, I hear? 😉 Stay well!
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🙏👍
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Of course you are creative John. I remember those 1000+ pieces jigsaw puzzles.
It’s good that you could go out in nature, eat fresh veggies and still follow social distancing.
You are an inspiration.
Take care.
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Thank yOu Rupauli.
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Thank YOU Rupauli, I mean to say.
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Glad you had a good time during lockdown too! We were npt a;;ow even to do winetasting here in South Africa
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Thank you Aletta.
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I am sure all that walking in the beautiful outdoors will get your creative juices flowing, John. Lovely photos.
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Thank you.
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A blessed life — surrounded by contentment, peace, natural beauty. Loved this gallery!
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Thank you.
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Love your post!
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Thank you Ana.
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Wonderful post, John. And I disagree about your creativity. You definitely have it. Great shots of the marmot and the crisscrossing lines of trees.
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Thank you Patti.
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Fantastic post, John 👏 Love the marmot, & good to see that you able to get out safely with friends 😃
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Thanks Jez.
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Great images, John! I love the marmot. And that sunflower shot is excellent.
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Thank you Sue.
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John, I enjoyed reading your post and seeing the great pictures. Especially like the picture of the four of you enjoying wine around the table. Such fun!
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Thank you!
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What a cute little marmot! Looks like he was posing for you!
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🙂 🙂
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Good luck
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