Weekly Photo Challenge

Tanka Prose: Now I Can See

lensball among green leaves, reflecting a colourful mandala

I am writing while we’re in lockdown. Panic buyers empty the shops, leaving less for all of us. Still I feel calm. We’ve been able to eat the food nobody wanted. We’ve adapted recipes, combining flavours like never before. We’re making everything last, stretch our resources. And I feel calm. I have never been afraid of dying.

the crow so wise
sees the centre of the surf
in rainbows
I’ve never felt more at peace
preparing to go home

a crow striding across wet tidal sands towards the surf

Please be assured that I am feeling well. I have always regarded this journey through life as exactly that, a journey. I also believe there will be other journeys after this. I am treasuring my experiences and sharing what I see.

Wishing you all a peaceful Wednesday,

with love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Settings: f/5.6 – 1/400 – ISO 100 and f/2.8 – 1/200 s – ISO 100.

dVerse Poetics: Now I Can See …

Rag Tag Daily Prompt: Scry

Tracy’s Corvid 2020 Challenge #1

Jez Braithwaite’s Lensball Playtime #6

Haibun: Life’s New Garden

pair of swans with cygnets in tow and on the pen's back

The criss-cross waves of high water tell us the tide is turning. Returning to the mouth of the river, the cygnets carry a glimpse of the sea. The pen is doing what she has always done. Prepare her young for the wider world, showing them where and when to feed. Her cob swims quietly by her side, creating an easy slipstream for cygnets who swim behind them. When the current becomes too strong they climb on their mother’s back.

We stand and watch them glide by and thank them for our own glimpse into another world. I am enchanted by their deep communication and understanding. Everything is done in total silence. Neither the cygnets nor their parents make a single sound. All I can hear is our smile.

all by themselves
lilies of the valley bloom
in nature’s garden

a pair of swans in the river with five cygnets on the pen's back

We wish you all a very happy Monday and a wonderful new week!

With love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Daily Prompt: Ceremony

Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: All-time Favorites

dVerse Haibun Monday: Silent Sounds

Wordless Wednesday: Rings of Love

a swan pair (cob and pen) and two cygnets eating seaweed

a swan pair (cob and pen) and seven cygnets eating seaweed

a swan pair (cob and pen) and six cygnets eating seaweed

With love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Dutch Goes the Photo Tuesday Photo Challenge: Ring

Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Twisted

Wordless Wednesday

Haibun: Pink Lilac

close up of pink lilac flowers, leaves and raindrops

Our garden changes colour after an early morning shower. Yellow poppies, primrose and pansies look vibrant and replenished. In years gone by, fishermen dried their nets here. Different guardians blessed with different times.

scent of lilac
ready to weave our home
in a raindrop

close up of miniature pink lilac buds with raindrops

We wish you all a very happy Monday and a wonderful new week!

With love from Xenia xxx

Cee’s Photography: Flower of the Day

Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Liquid

dVerse Poets Quadrille #57: Don’t Rain on my Parade

dVerse Poets logo

Haiku: Season’s Wings

a swan (cob) stretching his wings in the morning sun

saluting the sun
our days grow ever longer
wings and waves

a swan (cob) stretching his wings in the morning sun

With love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Liquid

Frank J Tassone’s Weekly Haikai Challenge #34: Passing Spring

Haiku: New Life

pen on her nest with three cygnets

their stars sparkle
by night above the river
new life

pen on her nest with three cygnets

pen on her nest with five cygnets

We are delighted to let you know that today, a total of seven cygnets have hatched. A very big thank you to all of you who have been keeping your fingers crossed in your kind comments on The Love between Birds.

With love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Place in the World

Haiku: Shine

small waterfall with blue sky and trees reflected in the water

shining
everywhere we look
this light

two male mallards swimming in a woodland pond

With love from Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Dutch Goes the Photo Tuesday Photo Challenge: Shine

Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Liquid