Tag: Photography

CoLor ColoUr…

Published on by Anita11 Comments

I love color, color makes me happy!
Being surrounded by colors affects how we feel, even though we don’t always know about it.

“We live in a rainbow of chaos”
– Paul Cezanne

“Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it”
– Danny Kaye

Pre-Moving Checklist:
Today all our belongings were packed and are now stored in a container here in Malta. Everything, except what is to be packed in our suitcases. We don’t know when the container will be shipped to Cyprus, first we have to find where on the island we are going to live…

Three days left…

At the End of the Road

Published on by Anita13 Comments

“At the end of the road is the beginning of a new adventure““Life is a journey, not a destination”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson –

Frank Jansen’s Tuesday Photo Challenge – Road

Harmony Bridge – Kuching

Published on by Anita20 Comments

Back in Kuching and to the new foot bridge “Harmony Bridge” which connect the North with the South City. Well, I’m not back in reality but in my thoughts when I look at my pictures.

I came back home with lots of images of this amazing bridge which is designed from the idea of Yin and Yang. It’s S-shaped and curved with two masts inclined in opposite directions.The shape of the bridge symbolizes the balance of cultures living together in harmony.
This is Sarawak in Borneo, this is Kuching and I’ll hopefully be back soon.

A day in Marsaxlokk

Published on by Anita32 Comments

Last Sunday we went to Malta’s largest fishing village Marsaxlokk.

Sundays are most crowded when many people flock to the Sunday market where street hawkers set up their stalls selling souvenirs, clothes and all kinds of things. And of course they sell lots of fresh fish.

But we were not here mainly for the market but for the colorful boats……and the genuine and lovely atmosphere among the locals.

We also found a dog friendly beach but it was quite small and rocky. Fanny just relaxed and enjoyed being in a new place while she was curiously looking at what happened in the harbor among the colorful boats.Before heading back home we stopped at Ta Qali Park to let Fanny have fun and run freely. Lucky me found spring’s first Poppy, my favorite and no, I didn’t pick it but needed a helping hand because of the wind.

Autumn colors…

Published on by Anita50 Comments

I’ve been to Sweden for a few days and the weather felt a bit gray and cold compared to Malta’s mild climate. On the first day I went for a walk in the surroundings of Älvsjö, a suburb of Stockholm, in search of colors.

Autumn colors.The final countdown…

“And all at once summer collapsed into fall”
– Oscar Wilde –

A cute little house where birds can eat some seeds. I also saw lots of Snowberries, snöbär.“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower”.
-Albert Camus-

In a World of Colors

Published on by Anita27 Comments

In this weeks photo challenge, Frank like us to share some insights into “Our World”.
How we see it or something that can catch your eyes or someone else’s eyes.The colors of these traditional fishing boats are usually painted in bright colors while the bow has a pair of eyes. These Luzzus have existed since ancient times and is often considered as a symbol of Malta.I can’t imagine living in a world without being surrounded by colors.

Imagine if Our World only could be seen in different shades of grey. Colors are part of our lives and we need to add more bright and vivid colors into Our World. These boats represent few colors but colors are everywhere. Look around, it will make our existence more joyous, fulfilled and full of positive adventures. Let’s paint Our World in a variety of colors. Tuesday Photo Challenge – Our World

Selmun Bay

Published on by Anita29 Comments

Last weekend we went to Selmun Bay after we heard that there should be a nice dog-friendly sandy beach. Getting there was quite challenging, this is NOT a one way road! Fortunately, we didn’t meet any cars.Here we are! Looks nice and very dry up here, but we have to climb down a steep slope to reach the beach.

We soon realize that the water and the sandy beach is black! Black and full of seaweed! And where the water is clear it’s very rocky and slippery which makes it difficult to walk, especially when holding Fanny in my arms.But we manage to take a quick dip and a few meters from the shore the bottom consists of soft sand.Back from the water and Fanny has decided that it’s enough for today. No more swimming, now I just want to relax and observe what others are doing on the beach and in that black muddy water.

Fanny is obviously not the only one who prefers to stay on dry land.

All pictures in this post were taken with my digital camera Panasonic Lumix TZ100 that I rarely use for the reason that I still haven’t learned how to use it. I used only P-mode but I’m pleased with the quality and will try to use it more. The weight is only 300 gram compared to my Canon 1,5 kilo.

Beetle

Published on by Anita31 Comments

This little cute beetle stayed on the flower for quite some time so I had time enough to photograph at least one of all insects I’ve tried to capture recently, without success.When I take my camera with me I always have to choose between my macro or zoom lens depending on where and what I plan to photograph. I chose “wrong” lens this time but the pictures became pretty good anyway.I was going to add at the end, “…as long as you do not enlarge them” but my mind said no. We all try to do as good as we can and must be proud of our efforts to learn, give and share. Gratitude is a valuable gift.

Seventh Heaven On the 7th Floor

Published on by Anita30 Comments

It was on our roof terrace I took my first macro images.A few years ago we bought seeds in an attempt to grow rhubarb. But it didn’t succeed.

Spiders! Click on an image to enlarge.

It’s early in the spring and my dear man is cleaning while I take a selfie in the window of our office.

I’m not sure how many different kinds of flowers we have had but these are some of them.

One of my husband’s many fun experiments. Can you really fry an egg in the sun? Obviously!!Our terrace as it once looked and below, what it looks like right now. Yes, added some color. Our office, my dear husbands atelier and our dining room that we use every summer are gone after twelve years. Of our flowers and plants there are only a very few left and so are the butterflies and other insects. Looking at the stars in the sky and the moon that shine but this is not my Seventh heaven anymore. Fanny, Yeah, come on!!! Rock ‘n’ roll!!!

All images in this post have I taken on our roof terrace over the years gone by…
…apart from the last one.

Let’s Have a Drink

Published on by Anita32 Comments

 Cisk Lager Beer has been brewed in Malta with all natural ingredients since 1928 and was awarded top prize in the International Lager Category at the 1995 Australian Beer Awards. I rarely drink beer myself.

Cocktails of different kinds are common in summer, with or without alcohol. When it’s Happy hour you get two for one. Mojito, my favorite at the top consists of club soda, rum, syrup, lime juice, mint and lots of ice. Very refreshing!!Italian wine is very good and these bottles are from Sicily.Malta may not be renowned like its larger Mediterranean neighbours for wine production, but northern European markets are just beginning to discover the secret of Maltese wines.  Grapes grown in Malta’s hot and humid climate ripen much quicker than their counterparts further north. I always buy the local or Italian wine.Water……the most common and healthiest drink during the day!!

White Beauty

Published on by Anita38 Comments

“The ugly Duckling”, (Den fula ankungen) is a fairy tale from 1853 written by H.C. Andersen and it’s about a young duck bird that is teased for its ugliness, but then grows up to a beautiful white swan.  The story is a fable, where animals represent humans. A handsome look or a beautiful face is of great importance to many people. It really doesn’t matter how we look from the outside since real beauty is the light that shines from our soul. This Swan is unaware of its beauty which makes it even more beautiful.

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge – Liquid

Published on by Anita41 Comments

This week’s photo challenge is about keeping things fluid.

Let the imagination flow…Barefoot in soft sand and crystal clear blue water.Reflections in the sea from the sky and a boat.WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge / Liquid

Floating in the blue…

Published on by Anita22 Comments

How blue can it really be up there in the sky?Can blue be just for fun?

Compare the blue color in the sky with the sea.And you’ll find same blue color but in fifty shades of…
No sense with this post, just to keep my blog floating.

Happy Macro Friday!

Published on by Anita45 Comments

If all insects on Earth disappeared, within 50 years all life on Earth would end.If all human beings disappeared from the Earth, within 50 years all forms of life would flourish. Quote by Jonas Salk

WPC – Smile

Published on by Anita26 Comments

This week, Ben invites us to point our camera at something or someone that puts a smile on our face.
Happy people jumping of joy a cold day in January here in Malta. Keep smiling, regardless of image quality. “There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all”

A child’s spontaneous drawing, natural colors from flowers and even the strict but yet colorful stained glass found in many churches. “A smile is the universal welcome”An unexpected smile during last weekend’s walking in Majjistral National Park.

💖If you meet someone without a smile, give one of yours💖 

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge / Smile

Sunset & Memories

Published on by Anita34 Comments

Honestly, I’m not so fond of images showing sunsets, maybe I’ve seen too many.But i like straight lines, colors and silhouettes.  And I like to look back in my archive to find memories. Here you see how the Azure Window once looked before it collapsed in stormy weather on 8 March 2017. A major tourist attractions, a 28-metre-tall natural arch on the island of Gozo in Malta, was suddenly gone forever. A place from where I have many memories.

Another memory I found in my archive. These are from 2011, three of my very first pictures before my interest in photography began. The images are real bad but the scene so perfect. There´s no need to look closely, but today they mean a lot to me as they remind me of the time when I began to explore the beauty of the photography.

WordPress weekly Photo Challenge / Rise/Set /  Photo Challenge by Frank / Dutch Goes the Photo’s Memories

Weekend in Greenery

Published on by Anita26 Comments

Some pictures from Malta in early March.

I have a little too much around me right now but tomorrow I’ll take the time to visit You!
You are my inspiration, take care out there!

CYW – 18-24 February

Published on by Anita21 Comments

21. Outrageous Orange.
I love this one painted by my husband. Colorful in thoughtful simplicity.18. Forest Green.
Some greenery from Ta Qali park here in Malta19. Pacific Blue.
Fisherman at the clear Mediterranean waters of the Mediterranean Sea.These are the week’s colors in Jennifer’s Color Your World Challenge.

WPC – Tour Guide

Published on by Anita40 Comments

This week, Krista asks us to share images of where we live. What do we love about where we live?
Malta is an island in the Mediterranean Sea located south of Italy. It´s one of the smallest countries in the world with an estimated population of 422,000. It´s a popular tourist destination with its warm climate and architectural and historical monuments. Malta has some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world and the capital Valletta is designated as the Capital of Culture 2018!
Love the wonderful nature, especially in spring with all wildflowers and a stunning greenery all over the island. Not to be found during the hot summer months.Who doesn’t love the typical Maltese balconies, painted in different colors…

… and where in Europe can you buy fresh sweet strawberries even in winter.
The local wine is very tasteful as well as many other local produces.Then we have the colorful fishing boats known as Maltese luzzu. There are much much more I would like to share, but I think I have to stop here and consider a part two…

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge  / Tour Guide

Nature’s diversity

Published on by Anita35 Comments

Above is part of where I walk with Fanny every morning. The rocks along the Mediterranean stretch from Sliema Pitch to Balluta Bay. It takes more or less an hour and a half back and forth if we walk pretty fast, including stops when we meet other dogs..I love the scenery and Fanny jumps with joy along the rocks.

In the weekends we take the car to Ta Qali National Park where nature is completely different. This is a large recreation area with walkways and a wide range of plants and trees as well as animal species.

We are not far from the rocks near home but we are in a completely different scenery.

Here we find lots of greenery and beautiful plants, many of which I’ve never seen. This is part of nature’s diversity on this small island in the Mediterranean Sea.

WPC – Beloved

Published on by Anita23 Comments

Besides my beloved husband, I have a wonderful beloved Basenji puppy.
Fanny doesn’t mind taking part in the week’s theme, but only partially.

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge  / Beloved

Why Malta – This is my Malta part 4

Published on by Anita23 Comments

Yesterday we went to the countryside as we often do during the weekends. Chapels like these are often seen along the country roads, while all the small villages and towns have their magnificent churches in the center.Some flowers I found in Ta Qali National Park while Fanny ran around and explored the lush surroundings.

For me, this flower is unique. They are quite small and you don’t notice the colors if you’re not really close. There are lots of these rare flowers that bloom now here in Malta.  In my next post, I’ll show almond trees that already blooming on the island.

Beautiful black Swans

Published on by Anita46 Comments

 

Last Sunday we went to St. Anton Gardens in Attard where the annual Citrus Festival took place. But Fanny didn’t enjoy it that much, too many people, so much noise and I was too busy managing my camera. So we just walked around the park where there weren’t so many people for about an hour before we left. But we were lucky, instead of citrus in quantities and lots of different varieties we found these two beautiful black Swans swimming around so peacefully. I’ve never seen black Swans before!

So graceful and with a distinctive beauty in its movement, style and shape. I’ll visit them again soon.

WPC – Weathered

Published on by Anita34 Comments

This week is about the effect of time and the elements. Above you see Malta’s typical honey yellow limestone. The terrain of Malta is characterized by limestone plateaus that change constantly in shape due to climate and time. The limestone is still common as building materials and the effect of that is clearly visible below.

A weathered old forgotten store surrounded by walls made of limestone.

Influenced by time, sun, wind, rain and salty water from the Mediterranean Sea.A weathered old sign-board.

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge  / Weathered Theme by Krista

Wildflowers…

Published on by Anita27 Comments

Some of the year’s first wild flowers and plants I found in Ta ‘Qali National Park.
Malta January 2018.

Fanny, really enjoy being in nature among the green grass and all white flowers. Still we can´t have her loose but with an eight meter long leash she can run quite freely. At least when she´s wise enough to run in a circle. Next Friday we will take her to school to learn more about behavior, obedience and much more…

Sunday pics from Italy!

Published on by Anita21 Comments

I love Italy and from Malta to Sicily it only takes 90 minutes by ferry. You can take a day trip or stay over the weekend. We went to Taormina, a city with a lovely Italian atmosphere, wonderful food and so nice people. And the best part is that you can take your little puppy with you…

 Click on an image to enlarge.