June 29, 2019 • 45

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #52: Serenity

Returning to the source is serenity.~Lao Tze

Feeling stressed?  It’s time for a little serenity.

I’ve got the perfect solution.  Let’s take a walk to the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in Melbourne.  As we head towards the Yarra River, you can glimpse a band of greenery southwest of the city center.  We’ll keep walking until we get to the garden gates.

Melbourne Skyline, Australia

And joy is everywhere; it is in the earth’s green covering of grass; in the blue serenity of the sky.~Rabindranath Tagore

As you can see, this place is enormous–over 85 acres.  We’ll wander down paths that slope to the river or meander through woods, past garden beds, lakes and lawns.  The paths lead to the Australian Forest Walk,  Fern Gully, Grey Garden, Herb Garden, and Tropical Display-Glasshouse–to name a few.  We’ll pause for a moment by the Children’s Garden gate.

Through the Garden Gate. Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Australia

Nature is never other than serene even in a thunderstorm.~Frank Lloyd Wright

The garden is home to 50,000 individual plants from 8,500 different species, which are stunningly beautiful.   Native plants are divided into sections like the New Zealand Collection, Roses, the Southern China Collection, and the Viburnum Collection.

Dusty Blooms, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Australia

There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.~Washington Irving

We’ll pause by the Ornamental Lake, where people are having a picnic lunch on the lawn.  The setting is idyllic, don’t you agree?

PIcnic in the Gardens. Melbourne, Australia

It is the stillness that will save and transform the world.~Eckhart Tolle

Speaking of lunch, we are both hungry.  So, we walk a little further to the Terrace Cafe and sit outside where there is a view of the lake.  While we eat, we enjoy the breathtaking water lilies and watch the gondolas glide by.  The punters are dressed in Victorian-era costumes, which highlight the feeling that we’re stepping back to a quieter, more genteel time.  As we linger over lunch, we resist the temptation to look at our cell phones.  It’s enough, sometimes, just to take a deep breath and enjoy the moment.

Punting on the Royal Botanic Gardens Ornamental Lake, Melbourne, Australia

Serenity is not just an escape, but a precursor to acceptance, courage, wisdom, and change.~Bill Crawford

Later that afternoon, we notice a little rest house nestled amidst the trees.  We both laugh.  It reminds us of a cottage out of Grimm’s Fairy Tales.  It confirms our feeling that this place is magical.

Little House in the Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

The serenity of the gardens lingers even as we leave the park and head back to the city.  You and I agree that the gardens are a beautiful respite from the frenzy of modern life and vow to return soon.  We also recognize the importance of finding serenity within–no matter where we are.

A special thanks to Tina for inspiring us this week to explore “Serenity” for Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #52.  Her theme has given me a great “excuse” to re-visit our trip to Melbourne earlier this year.  As you can see, it’s a fabulous city with many cultural treasures.

Before you leave, Ann-Christine, Amy, Tina, and I have have an important announcement:

PLEASE NOTE: We are hosting a special Lens-Artists post at noon EST next Saturday, July 6th, to celebrate the one year anniversary of our Lens-Artists challenge.  Please be sure to check on posts from Ann-Christine, Amy, Tina and me as we publish special posts to mark the occasion. We look forward to seeing you then.

New to our challenges? Click here to learn how to join us.  Remember to link your post to the theme announcement and tag it Lens-Artists to help us find it in the WP Reader.

As always, Amy, Tina, Ann-Christine, and I are delighted that you’re joining us.  Wishing you a wonderful, serene week.

Categories: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

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45 replies »

    • Thank you so much, Jo. I’m glad you’re soaking up the serenity. 🙂 🙂 We really appreciate your pat on the back. 🙂 The challenges definitely take time and effort, but they’re also a lot of fun. 🙂

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  8. A beautifully serene post, Patti! What a great place to visit – I would have loved it. Thank you for painterly shots of beautiful views. I understand the feeling!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Hi, A-C. Thank you so much. It was serene there. I hope you get a chance to visit. But I also hope that you have a serene time on your vacation next week. 🙂 You’re going to a good place for that.

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      • Thank you, Patti. there are many options for serenity …if we are open to it! But where I go, there will be no lush greenery or beautiful flowers – but that is OK too ;-D

        Liked by 2 people

    • Hi, Lady of the Mystical Hour. Welcome! Thanks for stopping and commenting. I am sure your clients appreciate and respond to that soothing environment. I know the Dana Farber Cancer Center has a garden on their top floor. Great idea. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  11. Beautiful. Your picnic at the gardens reminded me of a modern day A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by George Seurat. Your presentation is so thoughtful too. Well done.

    Liked by 2 people

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  12. Enjoyed reading through your post and viewing the beautiful photographs specially the one of the Grimms fairy Tale house. Insha allah hopefully will be alert for the 6th july post Best wishes for your group’s exciting inspiring and creative work

    Liked by 3 people

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    • Hi, Anjum! Welcome! It’s great to meet you here. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. It’s been a great first year for us and a lot of fun. Please stop by and see us next week for our anniversary post. I hope you join us!

      Liked by 3 people

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