#LensArtistPhotoChallenge – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

2026 LAPC #413 – Bridges,

Highway Bridges, Foot Bridges,

Swinging Bridges, and Trestles

Beth from Wandering Dawgs is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. She is asking us to select our favourite Bridges to share. She states that they “ any kind of bridge: natural bridges, foot bridges, swinging bridges, highway bridges, stone bridges, railroad bridges, or any other kind of bridge you can think of.” I’ve gathered a selection of Highway Bridges, Foot Bridges, Trestles, and a Swinging Bridge that I hope y’all will enjoy.

Swinging Bridge at Anne Springs Close Greenway can be trip to cross or fun depending on your outlook.

Swinging Bridge
Lake Haigler Entrance
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina

Foot Bridges often constructed to accommodate crossing a creek or river to be easier and more accessible for animals, and humans. Coleman and I hike over these types of Bridges quite frequently.

*Baxter Village Trail*
*with Alona & Trisha*
*Fort Mill, South Carolina*

*Glencairn Garden*
*Rock Hill, South Carolina*

*Goat Island Park and Greenway*
*crosses over South Fork Catawba River*
*Cramerton, North Carolina*

Trestle Bridges are made of many short spans supported by close frames. The purpose is usually to transport trains/train lines across a deep valley (like rivers and lakes) or ravines.

Showing both a Trestle and Highway Bridge Situated over the Catawba River
Along the Piedmont Medical Center Trail
from the Catawba River Trailhead
Rock Hill, South Carolina

Other Trestles over the Catawba River …

***Trestle Bridges***
***Over the Catawba River***
***Piedmont Medical Center Trail***
***Rock Hill, South Carolina***

Trestle Bridge over the Mississippi River …

*Trestle Bridge*
*viewed from the*
*Tennessee Welcome Center*
*after crossing the Mississippi River*

Highway/Road Bridges are designed to a road and its traffic over an obstacle such as a river, a valley, or even another road. First, we’ll look at a Road Bridge that crosses over a creek and a trail. The trail is the Blue Star Trail, part of which runs parallel to Steele Creek and under a Road Bridge. The Blue Star Trail in one of 25 unique trails which allows hikers, bikers, and equestrian riders to explore over 40 miles within the Anne Springs Close Greenway.

*Road Bridge*
*over Steele Creek*
*and Blue Star Trail*

Now on to California Highway Bridges …

In the San Francisco-Oakland Area …

And last, but not least, the amazing San Diego-Coronado Bridge which connects San Diego with the city of Coronado. Construction on the Bridge began in February of 1967 after years of debate over the need and logistics of a bridge being built to cross the bay. The Navy feared a bridge could collapse due to an attack or an earthquake thus trapping navy ships stationed at Naval Base San Diego. The Navy finally, in 1964, agreed to support a Bridge if there was a minimum of 200 feet (61 Meters) of 660 feet in the main span for sufficient clearance for the Navy ships operating out of Naval Base San Diego to pass underneath it. [Side Note: Before the Bridge was constructed the only way to Coronado from San Diego or vice-versa was by Ferry.]

The Bridge itself is 11,179-foot-long (3,407 m or 2.1 mi) and ascends from Coronado at a 4.67 percent grade before curving 80 degrees toward San Diego. The Bridge was finally completed and opened to the public on August 3, 1969. It opened during the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the founding of San Diego. When it opened, a toll of 60¢ was charged in each direction. The toll charges were supposed to end when the bond was paid, but continued until 2002. This Bridge has five lanes, two eastbound, two westbound, and a reversible middle lane which could switch to correspond with traffic needs.

An interesting fact: Before its official opening to vehicular traffic on August 3, 1969, the Coronado Bridge had a special “Bridge Walk” on August 2, 1969. Thousands of people, including many bicyclists, participated in this dedication event, getting a unique chance to experience the bridge on foot and by bike before cars were allowed on it. I had many friends that road their bicycles across the San Diego-Coronado Bridge on that special day celebrating the bridge’s completion and opening.

Beth’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge-Bridges

Jez’s Water, Water Everywhere

To find out more about the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, please click here.

Click on each image to enlarge.

God Bless. Be Happy. Be Cool. Be a Blessing to those around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 LAPC #412 – Areas Shaped by Water

John from Journeys with Johnbo is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. He is asking us to look at water a little differently to focus on the landscapes, structures, and stories that they might tell. John commented on my Cell Pic Sunday photo and suggested I could use it for this challenge. I opted to use it as my header image. It shows the landscape of trees surrounding Lake Haigler at Anne Springs Close Greenway.

I searched through my photos to determine which photos I wanted to use for this challenge. Let’s take a look at my selections.

The Blue Mesa Reservoir
Curecanti National Recreation Area
Gunnison County, Colorado

In May of this year my daughter flew out west to see her dad’s grave in Boulder City, Nevada. After meeting with her uncle (her dad’s brother) at the cemetery, she drove east into Colorado where she hoped to get a transfer (that didn’t work out for various reasons). She drove north on the I-15 leaving Nevada into Utah and transferred to the I-70 East and on towards Colorado. While driving she was kind enough to oblige me with stopping at a few site seeing spots along the route. One of those sites was The Blue Mesa Reservoir. It is a part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area. It is the largest body of water in Colorado and a crucial part of the Wayne N. Aspinall Storage Unit. This reservoir was formed by the Blue Mesa Dam on the Gunnison River. It is a focal point for recreational activities like fishing and boating. In addition, it plays a vital role in providing water and power to the region.

Going backwards through the calendar year, my family and I took a mini-vacation for New Year’s weekend. We drove down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and stayed for almost a week. Having not been to the beach in years and the kids first time to the beach, we took in some “touristy” activities. One of our first activities was to drive down to Murrells Inlet and go on a Dolphin Excursion via the Crazy Sister Marina. Pictured here is a portion of the boat dock to the left of the Crazy Sister’s boats. That was a fun adventure, one Coleman really enjoyed.

Lake Norman,
Ramsey Creek Park
Cornelius, North Carolina

Heading back another month to November of 2025, we went to Charlotte to try out a pizza place that served a specialty pizza known in some entices to induce labour. In my daughter’s case it didn’t have the expected outcome she was hoping for. The pizza was delicious despite that fact. After leaving Charlotte we decided to stop at Ramsey Creek Park to walk off our lunch and give Coleman time to run around and burn some excess energy. (He always has an abundance of energy). Ramsey Creek Park is a beautiful spot along the shores of Lake Norman in Cornelius, North Carolina. Lake Norman is North Carolina’s largest man-made lake. It is often referred to as “the Inland Sea” due to its vast size. While there Coleman and I walked along the lake shore and along the trail. (He loves to hike.) My daughter didn’t do as much walking (being about 36 weeks, she wasn’t up to much walking). It was a fun outing and a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the afternoon.

*South Fork Catawba River*
*Goat Island Park & Greenway*
*Cramerton, North Carolina*

In October, Coleman and I walked to Goat Island Park and Greenway for a bit of hiking and Funtime on the playground. This shot was taken from the Goat Island bridge looking back towards town. Once on the Greenway, Coleman hiked along the trail spotting the Autumn colours of the leaves and enjoying spending time together. Now of course, after a hike a boy still needs to burn off even more energy, so a stop at the playground was a must.

*Coleman*
*walking along the edge*
*of Robinwood Lake*
*Warlick Family YMCA*
*Gastonia, North Carolina*

Back in early 2024 the Gastonia Transit system still ran. In February, Coleman and I rode the city bus to the Warlick Family YMCA. The Warlick Family YMCA has three different hiking trails; Blue, Yellow, and Green. On this day, if my recollection is correct, Coleman and I hiked the Green Trail. The trails start near Robinwood Lake (pictured above). Robinwood Lake is a scenic 34-acre freshwater lake which the YMCA allows kayaking, paddleboarding, bank fishing (largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish). In order to fish in Robinwood Lake, you’d need to purchase a North Carolina inland fishing license for anyone age 16 or older to fish. Coleman and I live to walk along the lake shores and enjoy its natural beauty.

This final image is of the USS Consolation. It is not a ship I have seen or visited other than in my dad’s photo album. Why is it so special to me? It is special because this is the hospital ship my dad was stationed on during his Korean War service in the United States Navy. I’m not sure which Naval port it was taken at, possibly in San Francisco, but really could be any U.S. Naval port. I like the visibility of the mountains behind the U.S. Naval ship.

John’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge-Shaped by Water

Jez’s Water, Water Everywhere

To find out more about the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, please click here.

Click on each image to enlarge.

God Bless. Be Happy. Be Cool. Be a Blessing to those around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 LAPC #411 — What is It?

Confused and Curious

Sofia from Photographias is thus week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. She is asking us to select images that might spark curiosity or confuse us into asking “What is it?” Let’s see how I do, will you figure out what the images are or will I stump y’all?

Black and White image …

2. Unusual Angle …

3. Unusual angle plus light and dark

4. Abstract Editing with glitches …

5. Intentional Movement

6. Getting a Close-up View

Did you figure any of them out? What are they?

Key:

Black and White image – .
- A Section of the Victory Garden at Kings Mountain National Military Park in Blacksburg, South Carolina.
Unusual Angle
- Dinosaur vertebrae
  The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina
Unusual angle plus light and dark Shading
- Axolotls, a type of Salamander seen at Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Abstract Editing with glitches
- South Fork Catawba River
  Cramerton, North Carolina.
Intentional Movement
- Norfolk Southern Railway zooming along the Railroad tracks in Cramerton, North Carolina.
Getting a Close-up View
- Fungus on Goat Island trail
  in Cramerton, North Carolina.

If you guessed what they were, did you guess correctly?

To find out more about the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, please click here.

Click on each image to enlarge.

God Bless. Be Happy. Be Cool. Be a Blessing to those around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 LAPC #404 – (Beginning with) “B” Subjects

Beth from Wandering Dawgs is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge with the theme of Subjects Beginning with the Letter ‘B’. We all like to have fun with the variety themes chosen by the various artists who hosts this challenge each week. I hope y’all enjoy my selections.

Here are my entries …

Boy (aka Coleman)
sitting on a Branch
wearing Blue Jean shorts

BUTTERFLY
Limenitis arthemis,
aka Red-spotted Purple is
a North American Butterfly
***Belonging to the***
**Brush-footed Butterfly family**.

*Boy (aka Coleman)*
*on a Bench*
*with a Blue snack Box*
*and a Blue Camouflage Backpack*
*and wearing a Blue shirt*

Click on each image to enlarge.

God Bless. Be Happy. Be Cool. Be a Blessing to those around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 LAPC #399: Stuck in Place

On Haigler Loop

Egidio is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. She has asked us to limit our movement to within 10-15 steps in any direction from our focal point. Capture what we see from various angles and perspectives as we are Stuck in Place.

My images are all taken from within a few steps from Lake Haigler on the Haigler Loop Trail while hiking with Coleman.

I began taking pictures while Coleman sat on a bench looking out upon Lake Haigler.

Looking up from the same spot to capture what was hanging from the trees above the lake.

Then I turned around and saw interesting shoe prints on the trail. Here’s a comparison of the shoe print with Coleman’s shoe.

*Coleman’s shoe*
*next to a Horseshoe imprinted*
*in the trail*

Turning to the left and to the left we acquired these interesting views …

To the left …

*A sign indicating*
*the direction to the*
*Lake Haigler Spillway*

And to the right …

*Where is Coleman going?*
*Not to the bridge,*
*but where?*

Still to the right …

The Lake Haigler Spillway
Where’s the water?
The Spillway is so dry.
*Insufficient rain,*
*no water is flowing*
*from the Spillway.*

Egidio’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge-Stuck in Place

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens & Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Haigler Loop Trail; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike/Walk. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

All the Colours of the Rainbow (Almost)

LAPC

Red …

“Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
From The Shawshank Redemption

Orange …

“The sky takes on shades of orange during sunrise and sunset, the colour that gives you hope that the sun will set only to rise again.”
Ram Charan

*Calendula officinalis, aka Mary’s gold,*
*common marigold, pot marigold*

Yellow …

“I really just want to be warm yellow light that pours over everyone I love.”
Conor Oberst

Green …

“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.”
Martin Luther

Blue …

“Good things are associated with blue, like clear days, more than singing the blues. Just the word ‘blue’ in the singular is full of optimism and positive connotation to most people.”
David Carson

Purple …

“Be different. Be original. Nobody will remember a specific flower in a garden filled with thousands of the same yellow flower, but they will remember the one that managed to change its color to purple.”
Suzy Kassem

Click on each image to enlarge.

Ritva’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge (LAPC)-Choose a Colour

Cameras: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; Apple 16 Pro Max; and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm & Canon EF-S55-250mm lenses.

God Bless. May the Sun shine upon you, may you be filled with love, hope, and joy throughout your journey. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 LAPC #364 — A Quiet Moment

Quiet Moments can be found in many different and wonderful ways and places. It does not matter where you are, there can always be times for quiet moments.

In the featured image Coleman enjoying some quiet moments communicating in his own way with a horse.

“Let a horse whisper in your ear and breathe on your heart. You will never regret it.”
live-love-lope.tumblr.com

Quiet Stillness Brings Peace and Calmness to the Soul like the peace and calmness felt when by a river.

“In the stillness of quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair.”
— Howard Thurman

And then Quietly Moments can be found relaxing in a rocking chair …

“Finding some quiet time in your life, I think, is hugely important.”
Mariel Hemingway

Ritva’s Lens-Artists Challenge #364 – Quiet Moment

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Spend time communing with nature. Find some time for Quiet Moments through out your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2023 LAPC #273 Symmetry

Here are my entries for this week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge hosted by Sofia.

Wine Vineyard
Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery
Ronda, North Carolina, USA

***Garden in***
***Gastonia, North Carolina, USA***

***Fence Gates***
***The Schiele Museum of Natural History***
***Gastonia, North Carolina, USA***

***Balboa Park***
***San Diego, California, USA***

Lens-Artists Photography Challenge #273- Symmetry

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.

2023 LAPC #269: Living On the Edge

LAPC #269: On the Edge

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens and Altura Wide-Angle Fisheye lens attachment.

Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2023 LAPC #266 — Time

According to Merriam-Webster, time is the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues. It could also be considered a nonspatial continuum that is measured in terms of events which succeed one another from past through present to future.

These are examples of various clocks that measure time throughout any given day.

Time is for us to live in the Present, remember the Past, and strive for a better Future. How long we take to complete a task is measured in Time. If we work for an employer, our bosses what takes to be completed efficiently and on time. For writers, you set your own expectations, goals, and schedules; you also have to adhere to deadlines set up by your publisher.

I currently do not have time restraints for the most part, however, I do have time restrictions on when and how long I may use my daughter’s vehicle. Otherwise, I do what I want, when I want, unless Coleman ( my grandson) has other ideas. Then my time is all his.

Donna is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist challenge-Time

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.

LAPC: Black & White and Monochrome

I normally try to take photos as we go hiking in our neighborhood, along the various trails and sometimes we hike more than one trail in a given day. As always my hiking buddy is my (recently turned 4) grandson, Coleman. He loves spending time outdoors especially when he gets to go hiking in the woods, along the creeks, rivers, and lakes.

On this particular day we rode the transit bus from near our home to the Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway. We hiked the Greenway seeing many amazing sights along the way. We hiked the entire 2.7 mile paved greenway. The Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway connects Lineberger Park to Ferguson Park. The Catawba Creek Greenway portion runs through wooded and open creek areas between several residential areas and junctions at the Avon Creek Greenway. Combined, the Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway is approximately 3 miles. We ventured over onto Robinwood Road from the Greenway and on down to the Gaston County Warlick Family YMCA to continue hiking some more after a bit of a rest and a snack while overlooking Robinwood Lake.

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge-Black & White and Monochrome

Leannes Monochrome Madness

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens.

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time as we hiked along the Greenways to the Warlick YMCA. It was a pleasurable afternoon. We appreciate y’all and any thoughts you’d like to share.