This week, our Sunday Stills photo challenge is to photograph something from afar, then get close to the object or scene and take a close-up or image from a reasonable distance to show more details. Reach into your archives or take some new photos for the challenge.
This week’s challenge was inspired by the following photographs of a small grove of ornamental cherry trees on a residential street in my neighborhood. They bloomed early in February and put on a “stop the car” show.
Once I got out and took the shot, I walked closer and noticed the blossoms were alive with bees!
I am glad I took these when I did, as the north winds have since blown away the delicate blooms.
This photo was taken at 20,000 feet on a flight from Sacramento to San Diego over Yosemite Valley. Not bad for a window shot and I took the liberty of marking the main peaks for you. What is astounding to me is to be able to see the high country of Tuolumne Meadows at the top portion of the image!
As close as I can get is this shot of Half Dome from Glacier Point in Yosemite Valley. My brother and my two daughters have taken the hike up Half Dome. It is strenuous and I admire those who can devote an entire day (12-15 hours) to the hike. This is close enough for me, thank you.
Valley floor view of Half Dome in Spring, shrouded with clouds.
Ten years ago, in February 2010, was my first trip to Baja Sur, Mexico to meet my not-yet husband on his windsurfing vacation in La Ventana. We toured the area south of there and came across these lighthouses. The shorter one was in the process of being replaced by the active, taller structure. With binoculars, you can see this peninsula from La Ventana and you can make out these structures (don’t have that shot to share with you).
We were able to climb into the old lighthouse for the “near” shot you see of me!
As host of Sunday Stills, I am always pleased whenever you share your photos each week. I am always excited to welcome new bloggers who join the challenges. Please welcome and visit our five new participants who joined in February!
I’m linking with this week’s Lens Artist Challenge Change Your Perspective!
Open Your Eyes, Too!, Unfold and Begin, Ramya Tantry, Jacqui Biggar–Author and Zebra’s Child.
Of course, I always take my own challenges literally, but you can be as creative as you wish! Have a great week!
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Second Wind Leisure Perspectives 
Love those blooming trees … wish I could smell the blossoms!
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Thanks, Ingrid, they really didn’t have much of a smell, but sure are pretty to look at!
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Good choice of theme. I like all your photos. I didn’t even think of bees, but those cherry blossoms are gorgeous. Here’s my take on the theme: https://grahamsisland.com/2020/03/01/mauna-kea-telescopes-3/.
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Thanks, Graham. I think folks can do a lot with the theme this week.
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Love that avenue of trees! It’s lovely to see the spring blossom again.
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Thank you, Stevie, I enjoy driving by there. In the fall those same trees put on a lovely show, too.
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Clever challenge and great shots. I especially like your closing photo!
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Thanks so much, Donna, it was fun to choose photos for the challenge!
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Love the Half Dome images especially, Terri. Magnificent!
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Thank you, Amy, it’s one of my favorite images of Yosemite!
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Breathtaking….
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Beautiful images Terri, I especially love the Half Dome and the blossoms. Our contribution for this week’s lovely challenge is here: https://tranature.com/2020/03/01/silent-sunday-between-lagoon-and-sea/
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Thank you, Xenia!
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I am still learning the my laptop. I m sure I must have plenty of pictures for this theme as I had my husband take 3 pictures of plants for identification. One of the environment, next a closeup of the plant and finally a closeup of the flowers.
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Hope you can share them with us this week, BL!
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I would love to visit your mountains one day! Beautiful shots, Terri. Our cherry blossom season is just getting underway- my favorite time of the year!
Here’s a few near and far pics from me- https://jacqbiggar.com/2020/03/01/natures-wonders-sundaystills-photography/
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Thank you, Jacqui, Yosemite is spectacular and photos really don’t quite capture the essence as if you were surrounded by the peaks!
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Great theme! Love the cherry blossoms!
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Thank you, Maria, glad you like the theme!
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Teri, I love the cherry blossom trilogy.That third photo is an award winner.
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Aww, Suzanne, thank you. Not bad for a mobile phone, huh! I like your description of the “cherry blossom trilogy!”
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Very enjoyable post. The bee in the flower is a keeper! Bravo!
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Thank you, he was quite cooperative!
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I’m with you Terri, and usually take it very literally as well! I love your explanation and had written and published my post before yours, due to time differences, but I hope I’ve managed to capture some of the near and far in my post https://debs-world.com/2020/03/01/near-and-far-views-for-sunday-stills/
I love the shots you’ve shared especially that dome mountain and your beautiful flowers. A great thought provoking post! Thanks Terri.
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I’m glad you like majestic Half Dome, Debbie. I never get tired of seeing it. Funny, I just saw it from the air yesterday while flying south this weekend. Looked beautiful with the snow even from 20,000 feet!
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Fun challenge Terri – we’re in the same ballpark this week with “Change your Perspective. since we’re so close I’ve linked to your challenge this week – feel free to link to ours :-). BTW, amazed by the ID of such classic formations from the plane window! Have a great week. https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2020/03/01/lens-artists-challenge-86-changing-your-perspective/
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Wonderful, Tina, as soon as I get home I can share my link, too! Yes, I’ve learned the peaks well over the years. Thanks!
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Super! – safe travels Terri
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A “stop the car show” . I love that, and indeed they are!
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Thank you, Dawn!
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This is a great idea, Terri. I enjoyed your pictures.
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Thank you Robbie!
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What a terrific theme Terri. I particularly love those shots of Half Dome.
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Thank you, Half Dome is a photographer’s dream to photograph with all its beauty and changing textures.
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What great images of perspective, Terri. I love the one with the flowers and then the bees.
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Thank you, Jacqui!
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I always wanted to visit Yosemite though I don’t know if I’d make it all the way to the top, Terri. I’m much better at photos of blossom, fleeting though it is. 🙂 🙂
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I’m content to keep my feet on the ground or reasonable trails 🙂
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A beautiful set, Terri. I especially like your apple trees. Beautiful blossoms and perspective!
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Thank you, Patti!
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Don’t those mountains and peeks look so small from way above, yet when we stand next to them, our eyes see a different show, Terri. You have an excellent theme for this weeks challenge, and one I am going to have a look through my photo album to see if I have anything. If I come up with anything, I’ll publish it for WordlessWednesday and link back to you too.
That last shot is a great one. I hope it wasn’t a long way down when you were looking down. I can see that you were holding on tightly, though.
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I couldn’t believe my luck in capturing such a clear image from 30,000 feet. When I flew to San Diego over the weekend, the peaks had plenty of snow on them. Yes, I was holding on tightly in that old lighthouse. It’s Mexico, so it could have been more dangerous. I hope you find a photo fornthe theme, Hugh, looking forward to it and perhaps a story to eventually go with it?
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I’m not sure about a story for what I’ve found (not dark enough), but you never know, Terri.
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Hello again Terri, Eivor and Pearl’s contribution for this week’s lovely challenge is here: https://whippetwisdom.com/2020/03/03/haiku-approaching-spring/
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Love especially the blossoms – beautiful! So wishing for Spring to come after a terribly dark and wet winter.
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Thank you, Leya! I hope spring arrives quickly. We’ve had too much too soon although much-needed rain is on the horizon here!
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😀
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I love the cherry blossoms, Terri. One of our plum trees has full blossoms and I saw a whole bunch of bees dance around. We’ll have many many plums again this year. We picked 1,100 plums last year. The last time we went to Yosemite was about 15 years ago. You airplane view was great. Great perspectives!
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Thank you so much, Miriam! 1100 plums? Amazing!!
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Yes, I’m going to tally again as I pick them this year!!
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Oh my goodness, I loved your cherry blossom photos both near and far. I love these types of photos because they preserve nature. She shares such beauty only once a year and it can go by so quickly. Mine was a completely different take on the theme near and far.
https://www.unfoldandbegin.com/how-do-i-get-near-and-far/
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It’s nice to see your precious Yosemite featured again, Terri. Such a beautiful park. I hope to hike Half Dome one day as well. The three times I visited the national park, it was either with dogs or my parents. Dogs are not allowed on most trails. Yes, I know, parents ARE allowed, but as you mentioned, it’s a big and long commitment, only for the very fit, and there are so many other hikes and sights in Yosemite! Happy new Sunday (I’m running behind again).
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