A Quiet Moment: Lens-Artists Challenge 102

22Jun
by Oh, the Places We See

I’ve begun to realize that you can listen to silence and learn from it. It has a quality and a dimension all its own.

Chaim Potok

On a recent journey through the Great Smoky Mountains, we understood Patty’s Lens-Artists Challenge for this week: “A Quiet Moment” since, we, too, were searching for the hushed beauty of nature. But it wasn’t just the loveliness of what we saw as we pulled over to gaze quietly; it was also the way travelers, including ourselves, stood (or sat) in awe — and in silence.

People had come to escape as well as appreciate the natural environment — escape from the confinement brought on by the corona virus or the closeness of family life or the routine of staying at home for days on end.

A couple gazes into the distance from the Foothills Parkway of the Great Smoky Mountains

Nature, too, was in sync with the quiet. Flowers bloomed, greens got greener, and bees went about their business in silence gathering sustenance for the next round of productivity.

And who wouldn’t want to take in the beauty and revel in the quiet on the winding roads of the Foothills Parkway? Layers upon layers of color stand quietly in the distance framed by tall, dark trees stretching their arms outward to get into the picture.

Layers of color as seen from the Foothills Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains

It’s nature’s artwork that’s created each and every day as quietly moving clouds cast shadows atop the peaks . . . and then move on.

Clouds form dark and light shadows on the peaks along the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

If I could, I would always work in silence and obscurity, and let my efforts be known by their results.

Emily Dickinson

May you, as well, have quiet moments today.

Rusha & Bert

For more entries in this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge #102: A Quiet Moment, go to Patti’s blog P. A. Moed and click on the links at the bottom.

34 thoughts on “A Quiet Moment: Lens-Artists Challenge 102”

  3. Leya

    Thank you for sharing thoughts and images of quiet beauty. Yes, we are lucky to have nature close by – this is a lovely series. And I do love the Dickinson quote.

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      I love that Dickinson quote as well. Thanks for taking a look, for commenting, and for thinking along the same lines that I did. It was quiet and beautiful there.

      Reply

  4. We Travel Happy

    Wonderful pictures Rusha. We try to find quiet, alone moments, too, especially now that our entire family is together at home everyday. We allow each other to have moments to alone. My hubby browsing though netflix, I and kneading my bread, my teen and his guitar, my little one and his toy car. 🙂

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      If you make bread, I’d like to move in next door! I love bread right out of the oven with butter on it! And that’s when I need a quiet moment!!

      Reply

      1. We Travel Happy

        Hahaha I sometimes give some bread to the neighbours. Yes yes! I love the artisan bread with butter too hmmm…

  5. pattimoed

    Your awe of and appreciation for nature are marvelous! A lovely gallery of images, too, Rusha.

    Reply

  6. anotherday2paradise

    Gorgeous scenery, Rusha. Now you have me considering the possibility of a road trip.

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Just do it. The world may be at its prettiest now with so much green and so many growing things. I love early summer.

      Reply

  8. dawnkinster

    I love the Smokey Mountains. Last time I drove up from Alabama I made a short detour just so I could drive a few miles through the mountains, looking for that layered blue look I love so much. Your photos are beautiful!

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thank you, Dawn. I, too, love those layers. And on the days when the fog rolls in, the mountains truly are smoky!!

      Reply

  9. Tina Schell

    Those of us who are surrounded by nature sometimes take it for granted. A truly beautiful reminder of the importance of recognizing and appreciating it Rusha. Your thoughts and images are perfection this week!

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks, Tina. Since we don’t have any big trips planned, we’re trying to re-connect with some beautiful places near us. We’re very fortunate to have the Smokies, and we could visit at least four times a year to catch the various seasons and not see the same thing twice. Don’t take Kiawah for granted either. It’s a piece of heaven on earth.

      Reply

  10. kzmcb

    Thank you for sharing those quiet moments and deeper thoughts. I love the photo of the bee on the blossom.

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks for taking a look. We live near this area. Since we’ve been curtailing our travel lately, we are enjoying the views near to us. And we should. It’s remarkable. We just take it for granted.

      Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much. Since we’re taking more short trips close to home, I’m glad we live in a pretty part of the world. Come see us!

      Reply

  12. Wind Kisses

    Always on my list of places to go. You have created such a clam with your photos and words. Great capture of the bee. Well done, Donna

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much. It’s interesting to watch people get out if their cars or off their motorcycles talking as they’re walking to the edge of the lookout place. And then they begin to whisper or just stand and look out at the horizon without saying anything. The scenery really does have a calming effect on almost everyone. Thanks for commenting!!

      Reply

      1. Wind Kisses

        You are welcome. I often step back when I see people approaching the Grand Canyon for the first time. Not necessarily a calm. More awe than anything. . Have a good week.

      2. Oh, the Places We See

        Have you noticed how quiet people are when they move close to the rim? I hear a few whispers but not much else.

      4. Oh, the Places We See

        I hadn’t thought about it that way, but you’re exactly right. We are protective — and polite — when surrounded by natural formations that dwarf us!

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much, John. We’re fortunate to live so close, but we don’t take advantage of the beauty in our own backyard often enough.

      Reply

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