Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #108: Sanctuary
Xenia at Tranature is the guest host for Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge this week. She invited us to look at the theme of Sanctuary.
We have been in lock down because of Covid-19 since March 11. The initial projection was to close schools and stores for several weeks. Five months have gone by, we see new surge of cases in many countries. This is an unsettling time of the history.
Xenia’s theme is timely for us to think about and find sanctuary among the chaos.
Sanctuary is the tranquility where the mind and soul find serenity and peace. It could be in the ocean, a park, or your garden.
It seems to be miles away but Laguna Lake is in the midst of the residential homes.
My garden
Sanctuary is the harmony where the chaos, strife, and discords dissipate. It could be somewhere in the forest or the perception through our filtered lenses.
Trees find their way toward the sun at Laguna Lake.
Sanctuary is the quietness where the demands, interruption, and disturbance fade away. It could be a bench under a tree or in the depth of your heart.
Benches like this one are facing the water around Laguna Lake.
Sanctuary is a resting place where the struggles, conflicts, and confusion subside. A nap can be a pleasant luxury, a mini-vacation. It can provide an easy way to get some relaxation and rejuvenation.
Tucking the head under the wings is a perfect way of napping for the ducks.
Sanctuary is a hobby you emerge yourself in for leisure and pleasure. You may find it in reading, hiking, or fishing. I find mine in singing and painting.
This family enjoyed fishing at Laguna Lake
My watercolor painting
Sanctuary is a haven where one finds security, love, and care for the young.
A content mama duck with eight fuzzy ducklings
Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #108: Sanctuary
I love to hear where you find your sanctuary. Please share with us in the comment. Thank you!
The Showers of Blessings 
I’m glad you’ve found something meditative and fun to calm with. The butterfly was very colorful and pretty!
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Yeah, that butterfly is pretty. I’ve had a black one called Mourning Cloak, but it didn’t come back. This is Swallowtail, I just saw it again yesterday.
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This truly is a sanctuary! Your photos always brighten my day, Miriam.
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Thank you, Mark. Photos take me to the memory lane.
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Beautiful photos and words. Your painting, breathtaking. Thank you for sharing, Miriam!
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You’re welcome, Amy! Thank you for your comment!
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By the water, on a bench, creating art. This is really amazing, Miriam 🙂
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Thank you for reading and comment, Hammad. I appreciated it. 🙂
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Your photos and words are beautiful Miriam and a perfect sanctuary for these turbulent times. Nature is indeed therapeutic and where I also find my stillness and peace. Take care. 🙏
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Thank you, Miriam. Yes,nature has a way to sooth our mind and spirit. Have a peaceful weekend. ❤
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You too Miriam. 💚
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💖🙏
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Wonderful thoughts about sanctuaries, Miriam. And your watercolour panting is also amazing.
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I’m glad you liked my watercolor painting, Teresa! Thank you for your kind comment.
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Lovely photos and painting, Miriam… ❤ Nature provides a perfect sanctuary for body, mind and spirit.
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Exactly, Bette! ❤ Being close to the nature makes my live in a city easier!
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Gorgeous photos and your watercolor is beautiful, Miriam❣️ I find sanctuary in nature. I love gardens, parks, beach . . . I also find sanctuary in writing, reading, drawing and photography.💞
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I’m glad you liked my painting, Vashti! I’m thankful for the nature close by and my garden. I didn’t know you do drawing. I would like to see some if you find a chance to post them. ❤
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Beautiful painting and post, Miriam. We all need a sanctuary during this time and always. Well said.
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Thank you, Denise. I bet you enjoy your forest during this time. I wish to be away from the city for a change!
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I do Miriam. Although it can be a bit isolating too.
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We are isolated here also even though we see people and things around. I prefer your isolated environment, Denise.
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Hi Mam
I visite your site. I read your blog. Wonderful place.
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I’m happy to hear that. Thank you for your visit and reading my posts. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for your follow.
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Nice series and thoughts Miriam. Well done.
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I’m glad you liked them, John. Thank you for your comment!
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What wonderful definitions for ‘sanctuary’. Nature does it for me. Her peace and acceptance–I don’t think it gets any calmer than that.
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I feel the same, Jacqui! Nature has no prejudices, no competition, and no judgement. It only gives the calm, the beauty, the perseverance, and examples of survival.
Thank you for reading, Jacqui!
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Stunning pictures and a beautiful watercolour Miriam!!!
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Thank you, Paulo for your comment!!
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I feel peaceful just viewing the Luna Lake photos. I can only imagine how lovely it is to actually be there. My sanctuary is my home and my own yard, which is good because I spent 3 months there during New York’s lockdown. I hated having to return to work when the time came, but hey – bills.
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Thank you for liking my photos! I think most people find their sanctuary in their backyard these days. It was frightening to me in the beginning months of the pandemic to follow the news about New York. Now some states came up to the top of concerns.
Stay safe and well!
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Those photos are stunning and your painting is gorgeous. Just viewing the images and reading your words of sanctuary was a soothing, restful experience. Thank you for sharing, Miriam!
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I don’t have enough hours of the days to do everything I like to do, Mae! I like to set some time aside for painting, Thank you for reading and I’m glad you liked the images and the words!!
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Nicely done Miriam – your examples are wonderful. I like the way you approached the challenge by thinking about how others might also find sanctuary. Your image of the little ducklings is so sweet!
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Thank you for your comment, Tina. I often think about how to approach the challenge and make it meaningful to myself and my readers. I’m glad the ducklings swam away from the algae to give me a view of the blue water!
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Marvellous sanctuaries one and all. Mine is the countryside with no traffic noise, or human noise!
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I love that you have the countryside close by, Peter. Our countryside is too far away and no green. Unless we go to the mountains.
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Beautiful, Miriam. I love all the different ways that you describe sanctuary. Laguna Lake looks like a peaceful place to spend a few hours away from the worries of the day. ❤
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Yes, Diana. I would love to go there by myself. So far I’d done only once. When going with my husband, we only walk around the lake a few time (3/4 mile around) and come home. He let me stop to take photos. ❤
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Lol. I’m glad he let you stop for photos. 😀
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When we were hiking in Maui during the last trip, he was okay for me to stop frequently for photos. On the way back, when I wanted to take more, he kind of said, I thought you took many already!! 🙂
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Lol. Sounds like my husband.
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Haha, I’m glad mine is not so strange.
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I meant to add that I love your butterfly painting!
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Oh, thank you, Liz. I paint landscape and flowers also!
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You’re welcome, Miriam! You’re fortunate to have such a talent.
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I’m thankful, Liz. I do ceramic also. I made a whale nightlight freehand for my daughter when she was a baby. When she was 9, we took a ceramic painting class together. We still keep the hobby separately.
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I’ll bet your daughter loved that whale nightlight!
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Yes, she did, but I kept it! 🙂
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Lovely photos! Laguna Lake looks like sancuary for a lot of people. During the pandemic, my sanctuary has been the car when my husband and I take scenic drives to photograph the scenery and anything thing else that catches our interest.
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Thank you, Liz. It’s nice to have scenic environment close by to drive to photograph. The lighthouse you like to visit is not too far away either. That’s wonderful.
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You’re welcome, Miriam. Being able to jump in the car and go on a scenic drive has been a big help while we’ve been sheltering in place due to the pandemic.
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I’m sure it is a great plus, Liz. We haven’t gone on trips like that yet, even driving to the mountain or beach. I hope to do it when the cases decline in CA.
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You make a good point. We feel comfortable going out driving because cases are very low here.
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That’s great, Liz. I’m happy for your state.
New York is doing a great job, from #1 in cases to almost #50 a couple days ago as far as new cases.
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Enjoyed your windows into surroundings. Fortunate Laguna Lake is not crowded with visitors from surrounding areas.
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Yes, Michael, it’s kind of hidden away. Only regular hikers, horse riding, and fishing people go there. I’m glad it’s not crowded.
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beautiful sanctuary, indeed!
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Yes,I’m thankful for that!
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Your watercolor and photographs are beautiful, Miriam. Our backyard is my sanctuary. Stay well! xo
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Thank you, Jill. I’m sure your backyard is serene. I start my day in our backyard before getting on my routine. It’s be 16 days before flying to meet my new granddaughter of 4 months old. I’m getting excited!
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Yay! I’m so excited for you, Miriam. ❤
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Thank you, Jill. I’ll have a few more days if I need to go out, then I won’t go out at all until my travel. ❤
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Sounds like a great plan, Miriam. I hope you’ll share some photos. ❤
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I surely will, Jill. I took tons of photos of Autumn. I hope to catch up with Nora. ❤
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Hi Miriam. Your painting is as beautiful and skilled as your photography! How beautiful is the world we live in and which you have captured so well in this post. Stay safe and well.
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I’m glad you liked my painting, Kim. I just had one Cabbage White butterfly from caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly in my garden. I didn’t see it turning to butterfly because it happened in the middle of the night. I took photos from caterpillar to cocoon though.
I’m planting some milkweed plant to make a butterfly garden.
Stay safe, my friend!
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Thank you for your thoughtful contribution to the challenge Miriam, Laguna Lake looks beautiful and I love your watercolour painting too 🦋 May you and your family stay safe and well in these extraordinary times 🙏
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Thank you, Xenia! I’m glad you got the pingback. It was late when I was done with the post and didn’t link back to you until this morning.
I hope to do more watercolor painting soon.
Wishing you a safe and peaceful time! 🙂
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Major congratulations on your watercolor painting. What can’t you do, Miriam?
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Let’s me just say, I have so many interests that I could use many life times to totally enjoy each. Thank you for your comment, Pete!
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In the woods…stillness and no humans is best tranquil space for me… stay safe Miriam 🤓☺️☀️💫 sending joy Hedy
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I like being in the woods also. I could sit still there forever!! I’m planning to visit my granddaughter of 4 months old, seeing her for the first time!
Have a peaceful day, Hedy! 🙂 ❤
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