Hey there my Hive friends and followers!
Welcome to the 218th round of my special weekly photo challenge known as Appreciate Beauty of Nature with @phortun :)
Important note: I have been hosting this challenge in the same format for almost 4 years but I recently decided to introduce some major changes to it so please read all the updates below. The essence of this challenge stays the same though so the intro part will be the same as it was before.
I know a lot of photo contests with nature as the main theme were/are/will be hosted by various people on the Hive blockchain but I wanted to come up with something more than just another photo contest where participants would submit their best natural photos. Therefore, I decided to go for quite an unusual concept that I am going to introduce in the following lines.
The aim of the Appreciate Beauty of Nature with @phortun photo challenge is not to make you dig up your photo archives and submit the best pictures of nature that you have ever taken. Instead, I want you guys to go out and appreciate the beauty of our nature right now.
The internet (and the Hive blockchain as well) is flooded with picture perfect shots of landscapes, mountains, forests, beaches etc. taken years ago. But this is not what I want to see in this challenge. I want to see shots that may not be necessarily stunning but they must be fresh, proving that you have just physically spent some time outdoors in the fresh air. But remember that nature comes in many forms. It doesn´t have to be a pristine jungle or a deep remote forest. An urban park, a botanical garden, a little grove on the outskirts of your town - pretty much any place with some trees, plants, rocks, bodies of water or any other natural features would be just as fine ;)
HERE COME THE UPDATES
Originally, the prizes for the winners were just my full upvotes given to their entries but since, unfortunately, I lately had to power down significantly, my upvotes are not that big and motivating anymore so I decided to reward the winners of each round with additional 1.5 Hive each. So now, the winners get my full upvotes on their entries plus 1.5 Hive each. All of the other valid entries will be rewarded with some smaller (usually 50%) upvotes too so that all participants get rewarded for their engagement in this challenge.
In the past, I usually hosted this challenge on Thursday but because of the reasons described below, I cannot guarantee that anymore so now, I may roll out the new round on Thursday, Friday or even Saturday so if you guys don´t want to miss out on the fun here, please check out my blog regularly.
Also, in the past, I always tried to lead by example and thus open each new round with my own fresh natural photo taken during the previous 7 days. However, as you might now from my recent posts, me and my wife are now taking care of our newborn baby and it takes just so much time and energy that I simply don´t have the time to go out and take fresh natural photos anymore (btw late autumn and winter here in Central Europe are not favorable seasons for natural photography anyway) so instead, I will be using my old photos from cool natural places around the world that I have been to. Hopefully, in a few months, I will be able to go out to nature regularly again and take a nice fresh picture for each round just like I did it over the years but before that happens, I will show you some beautiful natural places that I got to see during our travels. It will also be a nice way for me to remember and relive those moments from the times when it was just me and my wife, traveling around the world - happy, young and free :)
THE RULES
I want to keep the rules of this challenge as simple and benevolent as possible so let´s agree on just this:
Only one entry (photo) per person per round.
The photo must be yours and not older than 7 days.
Add a few lines about the photo (at least 50 words) including the date and location.
You can start submitting your entries to this round in the comment section below from now until the next round. If you want to create a separate post as your entry, you can do that but please always remember to submit your entry in the form of a comment here under this post as well. I only check the entries submitted here as comments.
Prior to publishing the next round, I will pick 3 winners, give my full upvotes on their entries and send them 1.5 Hive each as the prize. The winning entries will be featured in the next round of the challenge. I also give smaller upvotes on the other valid entries as I mentioned before.
So that´s it. Let me now open the new round of my photography challenge called Appreciate Beauty of Nature with @phortun :)
I hate to start these lines with another apology for being late but my real life has been crazily busy lately and this might well be one of the last rounds of this challenge, at least for some time. I thought I would be able to keep at least my two regular series alive even during these hectic times but apparently, I´m failing to make it happen. Sorry about that. Will see what the next few weeks will bring but it´s quite possible that I will have to pause this challenge as well as my Monday tipping contest for some time. Now on to the picture. This spectacular place is called Laguna Kaan Luum and it´s hidden deep in the jungle just a short drive south from Tulum, Mexico. The dark part is a giant cenote that the visitors are not allowed into. The lagoon looks empty in this shot but in fact, there were crowds of people behind me on a wooden pier when I was taking that shot. Yucatan is full of breathtaking places like this one. I really hope to come back one day. With my family of course. Florecita should see all the amazing places that her mum and dad once called home...
In the last round of this challenge, we had 7 participants. After some thorough consideration, I decided to pick these 3 winners:
@triplug with this entry from Turkey:
I send you my best regards from Romania and I am glad to be here again with a new entry. We had a few days of holiday in Istanbul, Turkey where I tried to make the most of every day I spent there. Unfortunately, the weather didn't hold out much for me and on top of that, there were protests in Taksim Square on May 1, so I missed more than half a day because of that, yes, I know, I could have re-planned that day, but unfortunately, even if I did, I had no public transport, the trams were stopped all day and the taxi option was very expensive. So today I share with you the picture I took on May 29, 2024 exactly the day I arrived there. The photo was taken in Gülhane Park in Istanbul's Eminönü district.
@nill2021 with this entry from Venezuela:
Greetings friend it is true the internet is full of perfect photos to me although I like photography I'm just an amateur who walks with his phone capturing images, I love especially the natural spaces. In my country, Venezuela, began the winter season something that nature is grateful, this morning I went out to the garden flowers are beautiful, I love to see how the water runs and how the drops look, so I did not hesitate to find my phone and take the picture I hope you like my flower at this time I do not remember the name.
@godfish with this entry from the Czech Republic:
Since the weather doesn’t seem to be in favour of taking new astonishing pictures outside, I have to submit one of the shots I took last Wednesday in Kunratický les in the south of Prague, Czech Republic. Believe it or not, it only takes a few minute-walk from the nearest metro station to get there. However, the forest is quite large, you could fit a village in it. Or an early 15th century castle and a herd of mouflon :)
Congratulations guys! It was my pleasure to give you 100% upvotes on your entries and send 1.5 Hive each, you can check that out in your wallets :)
I am looking forward to what you all will come up with in this round :) Have fun everyone and don´t forget to... Appreciate Beauty of Nature!
I post this series in the Amazing Nature community, a great community for all nature lovers. Feel free to check it out ;)
This post was created by me for the Hive blockchain exclusively. All rights reserved.
Somehow, I either forget to participate, or I don't have a good photo... Well, not today!
😃
On my way back home from an almost 2-hour walk, I decided to sit on a rock on the seaside... It was almost a "golden hour", with waves in the sea and it was able to smell the sea...
Altea, Spain
12.05.2024.
Congrats to the winners!!! That forest photo by @godfish is stunning!!!
Good to see you here again after some time! Spanish seaside shots never fail to amaze :) Nice one, thanks! Btw I love smelling the sea too ;) Being an asthmatic, it even has direct healing effects on me ;)
Well, you will have a chance to get some sea air in September in Croatia... 😛
I hope to be able to come! ;)
Looks very much like the Greek coast near Patras. Probably a nice place to live.
I didn't visit Greece, so maybe I should go to compare... :)
Thanks, Czech forrest brim with all shades of green these days :)
Sea's amazing too though :) Qué brava es esta costa :)
Hehehehe...
Costa Blanca, que no es blanca en esta foto... 😂
Okey, my bad, I though it was Costa Brava ;) definitely looks more brava than blanca.
Rica, brava, negra, blanca... kdo se má v těch costas vyznat, že? :)
Právě. Kór když my máme tak akorát náplavky :)
:)
@mrsbozz and I got to see the Aurora Borealis this weekend in Onaway, MI US
My wife and I were camping for the weekend up there, but people were reporting seeing the lights as far south as Georgia and Florida. Being right on the south shore of Black Lake gave us a perfect vantage point to see them. We had to fight with some clouds on Friday night, but they broke enough for us to get some amazing photos.
Wow! That one is on my bucket list... I do think I'd have to travel for that.
We thought so too, but it was hitting most of North America this past weekend. I think the UK got to see it too.
In fact, most of Europe got to see the lights that weekend. As south as Serbia and probably even more south :) Mother Nature never fails to amaze.
wow! i have always wanted to see one of these.
Wow! Seems like this spectacular phenomenon was visible in parts of the world where it´s normally very rare :) Awesome shot! Can you just add a bit more text to meet the minimum word count please? :)
You bet.
Awesome, thanks!
https://ecency.com/hive-127788/@alfrin/appreciate-beauty-of-nature-with-868020e95a557
The tropical house gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia)
This animal is an ally for pest control naturally since it eats baby scorpions, spiders, cockroaches, etc. being excellent pest controllers.
They can be seen near lights where the concentration of insects is higher, they have the ability to climb walls and even be on the ceiling without falling, that way they can hunt and eat the insects wherever they hide.
So if you see them, they are not dangerous to humans, they are delicate so if you try to touch them roughly you can do them great damage. But the great service they provide us is invaluable so take care of them like your most beloved pet, since thanks to them there is no greater proliferation of pests because they are your best ally against them.
This specimen was taken at my house by mariperes on the balcony.
last May 12
Cool shot and some very interesting info about this little creature. In some cultures, they are also believed to bring good luck so they are really welcome in people´s houses. Let me see the post too...
This photo is of this Sunday, every weekend I go to Sahastradhara to bathe and swim in the natural ponds built on the river. The photo is of 8 am in the morning when the sun's rays had entered the valley and were dancing with the waves of the river.
We three friends reached here on a two wheeler and swam in the river for about two hours, after which we returned home due to the scorching heat and increasing crowd.
Very interesting place, thank you for showing us around. How high up in the mountains is it located?
Thanks for admiring the location. It's not that high....Situated on 1150 meters only.
That would still be considered high here in my country where the highest mountain is just 1600 m :)
And if I tell you, don't think that I am teasing. Here in India, cars run at 5600 meters in many places.
Incredible :) The highest I have ever been was some 3,700 meters and it already felt like being on the top of Mt. Everest :D
What a nice winners again in last round.
I'm joining again this round.
I just returned from a walk in the neighborhood during my lunch where I spotted this beautiful Rhododendron. The bush is huge and full of nice purple flowers.
I also have one in my backyard; a white one, but it takes so long to grow that big.
I just need to have a bit of patience.
Location: The Netherlands
Lovely picture. Like a postcard :) Thanks for your participation mate!
Finally got something to participate again:
The Jacobiweiher, a small lake in the Frankfurt city forest. Was in Frankfurt last week to get a new Indian visa. One day I took a stroll through the forest. Quite nice & not too far from the centre. Loads of birds. They try to let it go wild in parts, which is nice.
Wow, lovely place! Thanks for showing us around! :)
Greetings thank you for selecting my photo congratulations to all participants and winners @godfish @triplug @phortun thank you.
My pleasure, that was a really nice shot :) See you in the new round!
!hiqvote !bbh
Thanks!
Really nice the color of the water, in the photo that you share.
I have been away from your contest for some time. I have been quite busy so it has been difficult to take a nature photo during the week. I will try to go back to your contest.
Thank you :) I remembered that the place is actually called Laguna Kaan Luum and yes, the water really has these incredible colors there :) We will be looking forward to checking out your entry!
@trumpman, the HiQ Smart Bot has recognized your request (3/3) and will start the voting trail.
In addition, @phortun gets !PIZZA from @hiq.redaktion.
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Congratulations @godfish and @nill2021 , but also to you @phortun for the idea of this contest.
Thanks for your kind feedback and regular participation my friend!
Always with great pleasure.
Many many congratulations to the winners.
Thanks for checking out the winning collection.
Most welcome dear.
The tree is very old and strange looking. Beautiful photography
Yeah, very cool shot. If you are talking about @triplug´s entry...
Díky :)
Za málo :) Obhajoba bude těžší. Ještě to není ani 24 hodin od publikace a už je tu pár dost zajímavých fotek. No jo, i chvilkový pobyt na Trending je na účasti hned znát...
Tak to já raději vynechám :P
...zkušeně! :D
@tipu curate
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 50/60) Liquid rewards.
This is one way to entertain yourself, swimming in the sea with family and friends is the most enjoyable thing. Very interesting, thanks for sharing
If you are talking about my picture, it´s not a sea, it´s a lake :) But the color of the water is confusing, I know ;) Thanks for stopping by.
Some impressive entries this round :)
Too bad I don't spend time in nature that much lately to join more often but always happy to see others photos :D
Thanks for stopping by Gabriela. I´m sorry to hear you haven´t been to go out much lately, I know how frustrating it can be for us nature lovers not to get our regular dose of the outdoors ;) :/
Wow! What a beautiful place 😻💙💚 I could stay inside that lake the whole day hehehe 😃😎🏊🏻♀️🤽🏻♀️🧜🏻♀️
I can imagine :) Superheroes need some relax too :D
🤭🤭🤭 yes, that's right 😉. Well, everyone needs a relax time or at least a break 👍🏻 even superheroes 😌🧘🏻♀️
Seems like a fun challenge too bad. I couldn’t be a part of a year, but hopefully in the future, I will. Lots of interesting people put so much blood sweat into capturing memories, so beautifully.
Thanks for your kind feedback, feel free to join us whenever you feel like sharing some fresh natural pictures here ;)