Double Dipping into some new challenges

This week, for the Lens Artists Challenge, Tina has invited us to explore other blogging challenges, and ‘double dip’ by featuring them here. The Challenge World is a varied and eclectic one where you’re bound to find something that suits your interests: a good place to start is with Blogging Queen Cee’s comprehensive list of challenges for wordsmiths, photographers – anyone who blogs regularly.

So I’ll start with Cee’s own Flower of the Day challenge, because yesterday I saw my very first snowdrops of the season, still tightly budded, but bringing hope and positivity that spring is on its way.

I spotted them when I was on my way to the village to post a letter. North Stainley has three (three!) duckponds – Water, water everywhere, for Jez’s challenge of the same name, and I passed them all, seeing some of the resident water life while I was at it.

Three ponds, three housing estates for ducks, geese, moorhens, coots …

When we moved here in 2014, all Yorkshire was gripped by Tour de France fever, because the organisers had chosen our very own county to begin that year’s race. Traces of North Stainley’s celebration still remain near the local postbox, situated on the wall of the disused petrol station: perfect for Marsha’s Photographing Public Art Challenge.

I don’t remember exactly which roads were on the cyclists’ route. But this road near Kettlewell is pretty typical: and suitable for the Which Way Photo Challenge.

Let’s end our day with an understated winter sunset. Hammad Rais calls for these for his Weekend Sky Challenge. Well, I took this shot on a Saturday, so perhaps it’ll count, even though I’m showing it midweek.

I had fun exploring just a few of the challenges I’ve never, or rarely participated in so far. Who knows, I might be tempted to join them again. Thanks Tina, for pushing me into this!

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and living in North Yorkshire, where I walk as often as I can, write, volunteer, and travel as often as I can.

82 thoughts on “Double Dipping into some new challenges”

  4. Ahhh … snowdrops already! I love that hint of Spring and I remember the joy and excitement for Yorkshire with the bike race. Many of my family went out to view it. Wonderful photos here and enjoy the challenges! There are SO many! 😀

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  5. Other people’s challenges certainly make one look at the everyday with a different take. So pleased to see some beautiful snowdrops and excellently snapped. I can imagine you were possibly down on your knees for that shot?? 😉

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  7. Beautiful choices, Margaret – loved especially your pond. And I do agree – this was a fun theme, and it made me think and try other challenges too!

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  9. You life in a beautiful place Margaret, and how wonderful to see snowdrops already! Yay! I have a small clump under a tree, but only leaves so far. As you say there are so many challenges that we can get involved in and which are a great way to meet others in the blogging community when starting out.

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    1. You keep your eye on this snowdrops. They seem to pop up overnight. And yes, challenges can be stimulating – but need to be selected with care or thy can become a millstone. I assume you’re having a year off from being a challenger? Last year was such a success, but must have been hard work.

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      1. I am taking some time off challenges, both others and my own, I ran one for the last two years and they are a lot of work, including creating your own posts! No slacking 😂 I will dip in now and then.

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      2. Good for you. I joined a Challenge-provider team for a while, but it IS hard work, and unremitting. Challenges or no challenges, I hope you’ll post from time to time.

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  11. Gorgeous snowdrops, Margaret. I haven’t seen any yet. I was fearing we had missed them out as we speed to Spring. I have seen so many birds and buds in the sun today that I felt it must be April at least.

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  13. Great idea to use this double dipping theme as a prompt to explore new challenges! My favourites of your shots are the snowdrops (always such a welcome sight!) and the duck pond with those perfect reflections 🙂

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  15. What a lovely post Margaret – and you have met the challenge and then some with your many links! I must admit I too enjoyed looking for challenges with which I might “double-dip” and yours are several I will watch for in the future! Of the set, all of which are wonderful, the Which Way image is my favorite!

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  16. Oh Margaret, your photos for all these challenges are gorgeous. I think my favorites are your water photos with the awe-inspiring reflections. I really like your which way photo too. Thanks for mentioning my list and FOTD. 😀 😀

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  19. Great selections, Margaret! I love the water reflections especially. Thank you for introducing these challenges through your beautiful photos. 🙂

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  20. Yay, snowdrops! We have almond blossom here. Funny old thing, weather, isn’t it? Takes a giant leap forward then sounds the retreat. I was informed today that February is going to be cold. Well, we’ll wait and see. That’s a lovely shot of your village, Margaret. Love a duck!

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    1. We have LOTS of ducks. Bad news about the weather – but I’m off walking with a friend today, and expecting mud by the ton. But sadly, no almond blossom.

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      1. Hate that mud! We have country lanes down to the beach and a farewell lunch for a lovely couple who are moving north to Obidos this weekend. Have a great day, Margaret!

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  26. I forgot to even comment on your PPAC picture. I get sidetracked easily. The Tour de France must have been quite an event. I love the tiny bit of reflection on the glass, too. Fun photo for PPAC. Thanks for sharing. Come back often! 🙂 Double dipping is fun!

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  27. Trying out a bunch of challenges is a great way to connect with the blogging community. Plus I get to go through old photos and they find life outside of my external hard drive.

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  28. Pingback: PPAC #31: Wickenburg a Cowboy Town – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write
  30. Pingback: Weekend Sky #52 – Jan 15th – Blog of Hammad Rais

  31. A great challenge and you have risen to it. I’m sorry I missed this one. I have been finding it a bit hard to get inspired to post recently, but this might have done the trick if I’d seen it earlier.

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    1. I’d missed you and was hoping everything was ok. Lack of inspiration isn’t too serious – that’s January for you! So long as you get your mojo back …

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  32. Wow!
    Alongside the last photo, which you have shared with my challenge, rest of the photos are totally mesmerizing as they are showing life’s simple wonderment.
    Thank you so much for sharing this with my challenge 🙂

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