I am busy, busy, busy but I want to stay calm, calm, calm, so I have elected busy and calm as my sub-theme for the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Opposites.
Inspired by lens artists across the world, I have joined a botanical photography group. How weird (for me) is that? In order to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, I have chosen photos that I have taken for that group to share with you.
Here are some busy little birds – firstly, a busy photo of a silvereye getting a dusting of wattle pollen, and secondly, a speckled warbler in a more serene green. We also have a front and back view as an added contrast.


Sticking with the busy bird theme because it is spring in Australia, here is another busy photo, this time of a New Holland honeyeater. It was quick but I was quicker snapping its photo in this native mistletoe (probably Amyema miquelii, but I am no expert). Mr Magpie is always good for a photo. “Hope you’ve got my best side,” he says. It is a harmonious contrast, don’t you think?


Moving on to all things botanical, a beautiful sheoak (possibly Allocasuarina verticillata) caught and held my attention. The coppery flowers stood out in the fading light. Bucolic, eh? Contrast the woodland veiled in copper with a single stem of this nodding blue lily (Stypandra glauca) set in silver. Pure harmony in opposites.


That’s my lot for this week, ladies and gentlemen.
I’ll leave you with this quote by yours truly, “Stay calm, stay strong and negotiate.” That’s pretty good. Someone must have said that before.
Kind Regards.
Tracy.
PS. They are all my photos. I have to be a grown-up and take my own photos, rather than my True Love’s photos, to the photography group.
Beautiful! I love the pairings you have chosen as well as thoroughly enjoying each photo for its own composition and merits.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jo. Have been very lucky over the last month.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful creative response, Tracy. I think joining a photo group is a wonderful idea as well as repurposing your post! Take care, take a deep breath. You can do it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Patti. I think I will enjoy the group. I am looking forward to some adventures and learning a lot about plants.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The photographs are all beautiful Tracy and the pairings are wonderful! Sending love and calm your way 🤗💜 xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Xenia. Working outdoors, with and without the camera, is doing wonders.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your photos are wonderful Tracy! Hope you manage to achieve calm. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am much better at doing busy, Darren, but spending more time outdoors is helping me to stay calm. Longer days also help. 🙂
LikeLike
It sounds as though it’s a very good kind of busy, busy, busy! I always enjoy your bird photos. I’m hard-pressed to pick a favorite out of this group. I love them all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a good kind of busy, Liz. The Southern Hemisphere Spring has brought a great flurry of bird and human activity. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m very glad to hear it, Tracy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love these, especially the first and last pairs 🙂 The little bird peering out of the wattle is so cute and the blue lily wonderfully delicate!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sarah. I’ve been wanting to make some greeting cards for a long time and I finally I think I have a photo (the blue lily) that I can use. I’ve never printed any of my digital photos before so it will be another interesting learning experience for me! 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, that would make a lovely greetings card!
LikeLike
My next project.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tracy–you are so funny. Bucolic? Most definitely! These photos are all lovely–I especially like the blue lily. Beautiful composition. What a great group you have joined. We don’t have any photo clubs/groups like that here. I so wish we did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, there you go. Lack of self-awareness. I didn’t know. But seriously, I amuse myself. 🤣 Lois, I will send you a card with the blue lily if I figure out how to make them.
My second meeting is next week, Lois. It seems very informal which suits me perfectly. Maybe you could set up your own small fun snaps group?
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such an inspired idea for Opposites (I have been utterly devoid of inspiration) and your photos hit the bill so very well. Joining a photography group is obviously good for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Margaret. I am glad you thought so. I had to make up some kind of sub-theme around the photos I had taken recently! When I am devoid of inspiration, I usually wait a few days to get ideas from others. 😮
I hope I enjoy the group. I’ve only been once but I wasn’t frightened off so that is a good sign. It was like going to visit several blogs but only in person, in one place, at one time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aaagh!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good selections. Excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, John.
I hope to catch up with your blog soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How great you are joining a photography group, Tracy! I wish we had such a group here as well. Good for you and I think for every photo enthusiast. And learning plants – good! Love your photos as usual, and the pairings. Your backgrounds are delicate and in lovely colours and light. A lovely post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ann-Christine, for your lovely comment on my photos. It was rather difficult to get some of those photos, which is half the fun, don’t you think? 😊 I think the people in the group are all native plant enthusiasts first and photographers second. I like that.
I suppose there are all types of groups where you live. The difficulty is how to find them.
LikeLike
Sounds great, and I agree on the enthusiasts…! I am in several nature groups and biologist groups here, but there are no photo groups around in the vicinity. I have some problems with going away more than to the nearest town. For more than one reason. ..
LikeLiked by 1 person
AC, I will email you on the weekend. I’ve missed something in my busyness.
LikeLike
See you then!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you Tracy!! I loved your opposites this week but I love it more that you joined the group. So looking forward to your efforts from your outings. Loved your little birds especially this week – with the honeyeater as my favorite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tina. You and Anne set a good example with your groups.
I liked that little honeyeater too. The camera told me that I must be joking. 🤣
LikeLike
This is a very nice collection, Tracy, and I’d love to hear more about your botanical photography group!?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dries. It is the photography group associated with our botanic gardens So it is really all about our love for the flora and fauna and if you love it, then you take photos of it and share the stories. You know how it is. 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the direction you went with opposites, Tracy. Harmonious indeed. Very cool that you joined a photography class. I love more that its with people who love native plants and can ID them and compare contrast…etc. (Plant nerd here ). You must love it! My favorite photo is of the lily. It is bright against the background, and definitely a contrast to the sheoak. Nice. Donna
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Donna. I think I am going to love it. Training wheels for me at the moment but I enjoy learning and I am sure there will be a lot of photo opportunities along the way.
I’m looking forward to seeing your theme tomorrow, Donna. Have fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos!!! Lovely collection!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mitzi.
LikeLike
Nice juxtaposition in your photos Tracy. You illustrated the busy/calm theme perfectly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jane. 🙂
LikeLike
You certainly should – take your pictures, that is, as they’re great! I love the lily one and the magpie.
LikeLike
Thank you. Will be definitely be taking those ones. Terrible shots this week. Oh well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes it is more to do with the light and the weather, especially when we’re taking pictures outside. But I am sure that you are more critical of your work than anyone else would be. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The weather has been quite awful, Susan. I’ve always admired your beautiful flower photos. The wind must drop sometime, right?
LikeLike
Busy and calm are opposite! It’s wise to stay calm while you are so busy.
Love your images! Opposites, but beautifully captured, especially these birds. 🙂
LikeLike
You are so funny, Tracy, “I have to be a grown-up and take my own photos” – but I hear you, so hurray!
I love all your opposites. Lovely captures with an extra oomph because of the philosophical & intellectual framing. The image that evokes an awwwwwww is the silvereye nestled among the wattle – sooooooo cute, and I love the colours & composition!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ju-Lyn. I went to my second meeting today. It was enjoyable. Many enthusiastic and talented people there. Not really a place for story telling though and you do know how I love my stories.
LikeLike
I hear you! Maybe the stories will flow once you get to know each other better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such beautiful photos of lovely birds and flowers.
LikeLike
THAT ‘silvereye getting a dusting of wattle pollen’! OMG. Too gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely. It wasn’t the best photo (believe me), but too cute not to show it off, Lani.
LikeLiked by 1 person