February 16, 2019 • 264

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #33: Nature

There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more.~Lord Byron

Even though I’m a city girl, I respect and love nature. Sometimes, in urban areas, it’s easy to lose sight of its majesty and power. But on our recent trip to two islands in Fiji, Mother Nature revealed herself in all her glory. That trip inspired this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #33—Nature.

Savusavu, Fiji

At the end of January, we took a small plane to Savusavu, a remote and beautiful island in Fiji. We stayed at a guest cottage owned by a lovely and gracious ex-pat couple from Hawaii. From our cottage, it was a quick 5-minute walk to the beach. As we walked down a gravel road to the water, we looked out at the surrounding mountains and unspoiled tropical rain forest. The silence was punctuated by the thrum of insects, the call of parrots, and the slow slap of the waves at the beach. The loudest noise we heard was a coconut falling from a tree overhead and thunking into the water.

Lush. Savusavu, Fiji.

The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.― John Muir

One morning, Micah, our local guide, drove us to a neighboring village, famous for its waterfall. After meeting the chief of the village and offering him thanks for visiting his land, we drove a short distance to the waterfall. Its power and beauty were stunning. To give you a sense of its height, I included Rich and our guide in the photo.

Waterfall in Savusavu, Fiji.

Nature’s abundance is everywhere on the island. This awapuhi plant is growing on the veranda of the cottage.

Awapuhi Plant. Savusavu, Fiji.

Nadi, Fiji

If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.~Vincent Van Gogh

For a few days, we stayed on the larger island of Viti Levu. One highlight was our visit to The Garden of the Sleeping Giant, an orchid paradise once owned by the American actor Raymond Burr. The star of Perry Mason and Ironside loved orchids as much as he loved Fiji. He planted a vast collection of over 2,000 Asian orchids, which can be viewed by the public.

Orchid Beauty.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.–Albert Einstein

One night near the end of our stay, nature put on a brilliant display for us at sunset. This is one of the dozens of shots I took trying to capture the evening sky.

For this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #33, it’s your chance to showcase Nature–including plants, animals, landscapes–and other features of the physical world–either close to home or far away. It’s up to you!

We hope you join us for this week’s challenge. The next one (#34) will be hosted by our talented friend Ann-Christine on Saturday, February 23rd. Wishing you an inspiring week in your corner of the world.

Before you go…

HAVE YOU SEEN THESE?

Svetlana of Svetlana’s Photography combined the weekly “shadows” theme with a Valentine’s Day message.
David of David Oakes–Images has posted a beautiful collection of shadows, some in monochrome.
Samuel of Photear shares some expressive black and white shadows.
Helen Chen of HHC Blog finds shadows all over her house.

If you want more information on joining the Lens-Artists Photo Challenges, click here. Most importantly, remember to TAG your post ”Lens-Artists ” so it appears in the Reader.