Summertime Photo Scavenger Hunt 2018

Every year I take part in photo Scavenger Challenges and I really enjoy the fun these bring.  Mary-Lou over at Patio Postcards has organised a summertime list and I am late joining in, but there is still plenty of time so in case you want to take part too I thought I would share the list and the link so that you can find out more.  

The challenge started on June 1st and runs until September 30th and the rules are simple: essentially the photos must be taken during these dates. So I may be able to find some photos that I have already taken but if not, it will be fun looking for opportunities. 

Here is the list:

1. The rosiness of red 
2. Stripes 
3. A framed view
4. Wings
5. Pedal power
6. Glorious green
7. An unexpected reflection 
8. A pile of
9. Looks smaller than you
10. A field of plenty
11. Pretty in pink
12. Bell(s)
13. Equal portions
14. A trilogy of three
15. Out of the blue 
16. Something that could be from a favourite book/movie
17. Re-purposed
18. Currency; coinage or paper (the odd, the different, the beautiful)
19. Picture postcard perfect
20. Mellow yellow 

Alternate a: a shopping bag (not the store's plastic)

Alternate b: a coupon (voucher) to use

What a great list! I'm going to have fun with this! Already photos came to mind that I took at the weekend:

10. A field of plenty. This could also be Mellow Yellow (no.20!)

7. An unexpected reflection. It was the shimmering leaves in sunlight that caught my initial attention, as they looked silver. Then I noticed the reflection.

And I remembered that I have not yet shared my winter Scavenger Hunt photos! As I especially enjoyed taking these photos and completing the list this is something I should get round to. Especially as I completed this list in a record time, while on my trip to India. It was such a rich source of opportunity! 

Now, where's my camera?.....

A Scavenger Hunt - sent from Canada

My friend Jen made a scavenger hunt for my grand daughters.  It arrived from Canada as a surprise and she'd put a lot of thought into it with a list of things to find and do. So I decided to wait for the right opportunity and it came back in February, when my daughter suggested a visit to a country park. I went with bags for collecting and the list in hand and the country park had a Stick Man trail so it was the perfect time and place.

What better way to start than with sticks in hand!

These are good for drawing in mud and leaving trails....












There were other things to do in the country park that worked well with our scavenger hunt....  like making a nest out of sticks.

Thick ice on the pond and puddles didn't stop the girls finding more!

And there was lots of bark rubbings to collect. 

Of course, there was lots of time for climbing and fun as well!

When we got home we had hot chocolate to warm us up and then we emptied all our bags.  We had a lovely hoard and everything was crossed off the list that Jen had sent.  Then it was time to make things and follow the rest of her ideas. I'll show you what we did next time.

I've been planning to share this post for ages and it was good to look out the photos and remind myself of this day. It might be June now, but it's not a lot warmer! In fact, friends have put their heating back on and we've been tempted to do the same.  Let's hope summer pops her head up soon!  Thanks for popping by and I'll be back with part 2 next week.  

  

SUMMERTIME PHOTOGRAPHY SCAVENGER HUNT - part 2

I'm back with part 2 of my photo collection and if you missed my previous post you might want to see that here first. 

So picking up where I left off:

14.  A traffic signal.

15. A flag pole with at least three flags on it. I was happy to find this one!

 

16. A panoramic view, taken while standing (or sitting!) someplace high in the air. 
The Emirate Cable Car across the Thames.  I had a fun day in London with my friend Melanie, and there are more photos here if you'd like to see more of our day.

 17.  At least two people wearing matching outfits or uniforms.  I attempted a photo of two policemen but decided I might get arrested for acting suspiciously so gave up on that idea!

 18.  An overloaded truck, car or other vehicle. I struggled with this initially so took this cartoon....

Then I spotted this one! 

19.  A ticket Booth - The Emirates Cable Car.  Two ticks for this ride!

  

20. A natural body of water.  I discovered this one is quite special.  It is where three rivers converge on the Norfolk Broads, The Yare, Tas and Wensum. Our prehistoric ancestors regarded places where rivers meet (a confluence) as sacred and this this one is specially so, as it is the meeting of not two but three rivers. 

21.  A photograph of me with a sign:

And that's me done! 

There's a sense of achievement and disappointment, because I love challenges and opportunity to take photos and it is sad to see this come to an end.  But I plan to make a list for my grand daughters when we go on holiday because they like taking photos too, and meantime I have my monthly '5 in 5' challenge and Helena's Pairs.

So, thank you Rinda for a great list as always, and for arranging this photo challenge. It's been great fun while it lasted.

SUMMERTIME PHOTOGRAPHY SCAVENGER HUNT - part 1

Each summer I love to take part in Rinda's Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt.   So with my list and my camera in my bag I have gathered photos over the past weeks on trips to London, weekends away, and where ever else opportunity arose.  So, here is the list, and some of the photos.  The rest will follow in another post so that there is time for a cup of tea in between!

1. A bouquet of flowers
2. An ornate door knocker
3. A person walking a dog (or other animal)
4. People playing a board game or card game
5. Architectural columns
6. A metal bridge
7. A turtle
8. Someone "plugged in" to social media 
9. A tent
10. A college or university
11. A cellular tower or television satellite dish
12. A public restroom, bathroom, or toilet
13. A merry-go-round or carousel
14. A traffic signal
15. A flag pole with at least three flags on it
16. A panoramic view, taken while standing someplace high in the air
17. At least two people wearing matching outfits or uniforms
18. An overloaded truck, car, bicycle or other vehicle
19. A ticket booth
20. A natural body of water
21. A photograph of you with a sign reading "2015 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt". Note: you may not use a substitute for this item.
If you find something on the list too difficult, you may substitute one of the following items for any one item on the list, except for Item #21:
Alternative A: People eating outside
Alternative B: Someone holding an umbrella
Alternative C: A rocking chair 

1.  A bouquet of flowers.
Taken to the cemetery on Fathers Day.

 

2.  An ornate door knocker.  This belongs to a friend.  I have never taken noticed of it before now! 

3. A person walking a dog - or two!  It was amusing to watch these walkers as the dog leads were exceptionally long and seemed more of a nuisance than a help.  Especially when they are dragged through sea water and have to be gathered up soaking wet.

4. People playing a board game - my friend Melanie and myself on one of our days out during her visit from Australia

 

 

 
5. Architectural columns. Taken the same day, I was pleased when Melanie suggested a visit to this house.  I immediately knew I could tick another photo on my list!

6. A metal bridge, seen on a river trip on our way into Norwich.

7. A turtle.  
I thought I might have trouble taking this photo as turtles are not native to UK. But I was happy to discover these in an aquatic centre.

8.  Someone "plugged in" to social media. A typical scene when my grand daughters visit.  Until I get craft materials out, that is. Then technology is dropped and fingers get sticky instead!

9. A tent... or two.

10.  A college or university.  This is the Greenwich Naval College. Part of my London trip with Melanie. 
 

 11.  This tower did have dishes round the other side but I couldn't get my camera out of my bag quick enough as we drove past! 

 
12. A public restroom, bathroom, or toilet.  I was rather impressed with these, found inside a Wetherspoons pub in Norwich.  The cooked breakfast was good too!

 

13. A merry-go-round or carousel - I was immediately taken back to my childhood and couldn't believe these swings still exist!  I get irritated by Health and safety regulations but it did cross my mind when I saw this ride.  

 

That will do for now.   Time for a short break and then I'll be back to post part 2. 

SUMMERTIME PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT - 2014

Another summer has passed with me carrying a list of photo challenges set by Rinda over at Gallo Organico.  The list is looking worn and well used but my mission has been accomplished and great fun had along the way! 

I thought some of the photos on the list would be easy but often they were the ones that
turned out to be a real challenge!  Other photos have stories and happy memories attached so without wasting any more time, here is the complete set of photos for this years challenge taken between 21st June and 21st September. 
 
1.  A sign welcoming people to your home town (or a nearby town)
The photo I wanted to take said welcome to Essex but every time I passed I have been a lone driver.  So instead here is one welcoming us into Wales....

2. A garden gnome
These cheeky chappies were seen at a local garden centre

 

3. Birds on a wire

Now this was one I thought would be easy. We have a wire outside our home where birds sometimes congregate - but not when I was looking for a photo!  But luckily, on a local walk I discovered this notice:

 

 

 

4. A group of tourists

The Tour de France came through Essex and I decided to join the carnival atmosphere.  I managed to take several photos for the challenge and wrote about my day here.

 

 

 

5. A rack of postcards

Another photo that proved more difficult to find than expected!  There were signs saying no photography in the hall that we were visiting and the attendant took her job seriously but allowed me a quick shot while she turned her back!  

 

 

 

6. An urban street
Bradford Upon Avon..... somewhere I have wanted to visit for a long time.  It met every expectation and more.  A return visit will be planned. 

 

 

 

7. A rural landscape

I am lucky enough to be surrounded by rural landscape but I liked this barn when I went to see the Tour de France, so decided to include this.

 

 

8. A tattoo on a person
Some of you will know that we frequently attend VW events.  These bring quite a diverse crowd (see here) and on a previous occasion I approached someone for a photo of his tattoo.  But then I saw this guy and I decided my other photo paled in comparison.  I was hesitant to approach him at first as he looked intimidating but my want-of-a-photo helped me to ask if I could take a photo. He obliged with few words and by turning his back to me.  Then, when I was appreciative, he offered to show me more… and more!  Apparently 85% of his body is covered in tattoos and I got to see most of them (there were some I said I didn’t need to see!) but as I thanked him again and went to walk away he said there was another I should see….  and to my relief he lowered the inside of his lip to reveal the word TATTOO.  He seemed pleased that I was interested in his body art and I am glad that I didn’t let appearance stop me asking him. 

 

 

 

9. A bakery
Out for lunch with a friend I saw a wonderful bakery but the bin outside the door spoilt the picture. My friend, supportive of my endeavour for a nice photo, explained the challenge and asked if we could move  the bin for a moment.  I then went inside to thank the shop owner and I was invited to go back earlier in the day when the shelves are full, as their bread was photo-worthy.  I loved that they joined in the spirit and I did not plan to make a purposeful journey but next morning I just happened to be passing by so I stopped off and more photos were taken.  

 

However, another VW event followed and I spotted a beautiful split screen van that had been converted into a bakery..... I now had a dilemma.  Which to include?  After all the effort involved in the first photo I decided to add both!

 

10. A photo bomb
I wanted to take a photo of this gate when my grand daughter walked into the shot.

I laughed and thanked her, realising that it would count as my photo-bomb. She was amused at this and asked me to explain the meaning, so when I took this next picture she decided to give me an extra shot by suddenly pulling a funny pose! 

11. A horn
Who ever thought there could be so many kinds? 
I especially loved the hats and I mentioned that VW events are diverse.  Well that's where all these photos were taken.

 12. A mascot
I needed a lucky mascot for this off road ride.  But it was great fun even if I did get a bit wet and muddy....  and guess what?  It was at another VW event!

13. A sunrise
In the days that I commuted to work I used to see the sunrise regularly, now I have to get up specially to see it.  After setting my alarm on two mornings it was too cloudy for the sun to break through.  Third time lucky!

 

14. A parade

preceding the Tour de France.

 

 

15. A juggler
Guess where?  At a VW event!!
I was struggling to find a juggler but low and behold there was a small area set aside for people to have a go at circus skills.  I went in and explained my quest, and asked if someone could possibly do some juggling for my photo.  Karl jumped to the challenge and onto a ball...  juggling skittles and knives and giving me a personal show for which I was highly grateful and thoroughly entertained.  Meanwhile his assistant Becky added her own side show!

16. A sign in a language other than English

 

17. A lamp post

I love these assorted lamp posts found at an antique centre... you can guess what took us there!

 

 

18. A water fall 

Easy this one... we have one in our garden.   

 

But I also liked this novel idea seen at a local tea room....

19. A public garden

20. A bus (not a car, truck, lorry, camper or RV) with a picture painted on its sides.

   
21. A photograph of you with something representing the season.

Alternative - A bird house
Since my photo of a welcome sign was not my home town or area I am adding an addition.

And that's me done for another year! 

Looking back I see that each one has a different feel, such as the year it became a family affair and we all looked out for photos during our travels.  This is still the case, but this year people I do not know have gone out of their way to pose, participate and play along too.  I have met some really interesting characters, learnt lots, and had huge fun.  So thank you to Rinda for organising this annual challenge and to everyone else who has taken part and shared photos.  I am going to miss it but hopefully next summer will bring another list and another photo challenge.  Already I can't wait to get started! 

And if you have stayed this far to look at my photos and read this post a BIG thank you to you too....  your patience and company is appreciated!!