Explore the Elements

I’ve left it ‘oh, so late’ to enter the Explore the Elements competition hosted by Thomas Cook. I was tagged just a couple of days ago by Becky at Hidden Delights of Olhao.  The prizes are so nice, but looking at the entries I already know I stand no chance!  What finally decided me to enter was this shot, which I took yesterday.

IMG_7549

WATER

I wasn’t thinking about the competition, but was drawn to the water, as I always am, even on a dull day beside the River Tees. Formless.  Emotional.  Magnetic.  Water holds me in its spell.

FIRE

FIRE

In complete contrast, this blaze in the dark of a Paris night seemed to me to have all the crackle and energy of fire. Shooting upwards it brought a glow of admiration to my face.

AIR

AIR

A wind farm off the north east coast of England stirs the air with vigour.  You can climb the Vertical Pier at Redcar to be a little closer to the elements and the swirling motion of the clouds.

Beneath the towering giants

EARTH

Gravity defying, the red cliffs of the Algarve stubbornly persist, despite the insidious forces of erosion.  The earth here awes and yet is the same substance that binds us all together.

These are my impressions of the elements.  In order to enter the competition I have to nominate 5 bloggers.  At this late stage it is of no benefit to them, but had it been possible I would have loved to see the impressions of Rommel at Sophomore Slump, Debbie at Travel with Intent, Lucile de Godoy, Sylvia at Another Day in Paradise and Sherri Matthews.  Sorry guys- I guess the prizes have gone!

 

 

 

107 comments

  2. Don’t underestimate yourself Jo. Your interpretation of fire is certainly ‘out of the box’. And that water shot is gorgeous. Good luck 🙂

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    1. Many thanks, darlin’. I’m heaving a big sigh of relief now it’s ‘out of the way’ and I can go back to trying to catch up on my commenters (serve me right! 🙂 ) Have a happy week, Madhu. Have you got some of the housing frustrations sorted?

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    1. It did me, too, when I saw it, Viv. I’d gone for a wander in Yarm on Sunday morning while Mick was doing a job and I found ‘The Rookery’- a little out of the way riverside walk. It was pretty dull but I did like the atmosphere in my water shot. Thanks a lot! 🙂

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  9. Prize or no, these are so lovely, I’d love to reblog, if that’s all right with you. For sure, I’m sharing them. I share your fascination with water and herons. These are exquisite!

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  11. well even if the prizes are gone – this post gets my vote too – I especially love your succinct words “Emotional. Magnetic. Water holds me in its spell.” and “this blaze in the dark of a Paris night ” it felt like a poem – ❤ ❤ ❤

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      1. oh you are so humble – but I am not going to let you off the hook with that one – you are a great photographer – with captures that range from a pro feel at times to some that are “pure raw Jo” ha!!!!

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  12. You win the prize, Jo! Love your entries, and that shot of the Eiffel is really stunning. I can see why you couldn’t resist capturing the fabulous reflections in the water. I would have done exactly the same. 🙂 Thanks for thinking of me. You’re the third blogger who has nominated me, but I just haven’t found the time to search for the right photos. I also looked at the competition and decided that I didn’t stand a chance. 😕

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    1. Sorry to do that to you, Ad. 😦 Madhu was only hours ahead of me and I spotted in her comments that you held a nomination already, but it was too late to do much by then other than press ‘publish’ 🙂 The competition is phenomenal and will surely be won by a proper photographer, which I’m not. Thanks for being so kind 🙂

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    1. Lisa, that’s awfully kind of you. It was actually a tower in miniature down by the Seine and I thought it was inspired. 🙂 I though of you when posting my walk this week. It’s ‘Just Boats’ 🙂

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    1. I ummed and ahhed all weekend whether to give it a go, Cathy. I had Six word Saturday and my walk to do and there’s only so much ‘super Jo’ can take on 🙂 🙂 But it was kind of Becky to tag me. She stays in Olhao, just along the Algarve from us, for part of the winter and I’ve only just got to know her. Hugs, darlin’! I will make it to yours today but I’m ‘up to here’ in comments (and serve me right 🙂 )

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    1. Sorry to do that to you, Debbie! 😦 It said in the conditions of entry that you had to nominate 5 or you wouldn’t be considered. I know I’m fooling myself thinking I can get anywhere near, but the world loves a trier, they say. Good job you didn’t have time. You would have blown me out of the water! 🙂 Hugs, Debs!

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    1. Oh, I know, Mrs. M! 😦 Who do I think I am anyway? I barely know one end of the camera from the other but I tell myself I have a poetic soul. I certainly take poetic license anyway 🙂 🙂 Thanks, hon. I’ll be over later. Sinking under comments again, and jolly well serve me right 🙂

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