Nimavenl - Nicole's Random Ramblings

I have a confession to make. I didn't take many photos this week. Well, a few of the sunset and a few of some trees, but really - I didn't think that they were nice enough to share or even to edit profusely and then share. I've been busy reading books and honestly, reading has been so much fun that taking my camera out wasn't high on my list of things to do. Even looking through older photos to find some to share seemed like too much time away from my books. Seeing I decided on weekly photo challenges, I feel a little bad about not actually taking any photos, yet reading has been so much fun that I don't feel guilty or bad about not taking my camera out. So, instead of sharing more photos and works of art that aren't actually mine (yet still very awesome, cool, amazing, share-worthy and all that), this week I'm posting several older photos. Because, yes, I did look through some of my older photos after deciding that posting no photos at all would be worse ...

Biking home two days ago, I couldn't help myself and simply had to stop to take a photo of the setting sun, shining up from behind a cloud. That evening I saw two photos on Facebook that showed the same sky, photos that were taken over twenty kilometres away from where I took this photo. It made me wonder how many people saw (and loved!) this beautiful sunset. How many looked up in wonder, how many smiled, how many stopped, even if only for a minute,to gaze up in amazement? How many stopped worrying, stressing or running around and just spent a moment adoring nature and the beauty on display in the sky above? Shining Sunset Sky | Nimavenl

#01 - Polderscape The Challenge: Find a route I've never photographed along. Stop every 100 steps or so to take a photo. As I've explained in previous posts, I don't like taking photos of strangers. This means I plan to photograph locations, structures, natural features and perhaps some animals, however not people. I'll go for a nosey around town today and decide where to go. I've got a few ideas already... #02 - Cows The hoops and the hurdles: While it was most definitely my intention to take photos in the city (downtown / in the binnenstad ), when push came to shove I felt quite uncomfortable trying to take photos with people all around. People don't stop living their lives, walking past and going about their business just because I want to take a photo of a funky building, an interesting door or a pretty window. While yelling "Oi you lot, get off the street now unless you want me to shoot you" might have seemed funny to my teenage se...

The word polder is a Dutch word - reclaimed land or land that was once under water that's protected by dykes. The word polderscape means a polder-landscape. A photo (in my case) of a typical scene from a polder usually featuring grass, a farm, a mill, a river or canal. Often some birds, cows or sheep as well. Today's polderscape is about as typical as they come - flat country featuring some grass, some water, a bridge and a mill in the distance. Polder noun 1. a tract of low land, especially in the Netherlands, reclaimed from the sea or other body of water and protected by dikes. 2. a stretch of land reclaimed from the sea or a lake, esp in the Netherlands Source: Meaning of Polder at Dictionary.com The Dutch celebration of Koningsdag (King's Day - previously Koninginnedag or Queen's Day) is a day on which we celebrate the birthday of King Willem Alexander. It is also a day of people, crowds and togetherness. At concerts, outdoor markets and public events or...

This photo is from last month, when it was super-misty / foggy and the world beyond my direct surroundings seemed to just disappear - It was awesome! I may complain about the Dutch weather and climate from time to time, however it can also be extremely beautiful here and this photo shows some of that beauty. It's a very Dutch scene where man-made objects and nature seem to work together to make the world a happier and more beautiful place. With all that's going on in the world these days, I can sure use some beauty and happiness! Come fly away with me! Come Fly Away With Me | Nimavenl

I've been playing around with Photoshop a little, working on making normal photos slightly more colourful and bizarre. Winter is beautiful but can often be bleak too which leaves me craving colours and light and cheerful scenes that make me laugh and smile. Backyard Borealis | Nimavenl This photo from three months ago (October 2014) feels perfect for today. I especially love the colourful glow of the water and the on-fire look of the plants in the front of the shot. This image feels a little like a scene from another planet where water glows and the sky is all kinds of strange colours. Let's grab a towel and boldly go... !

It was my birthday yesterday, I turned thirty-one. It wasn't nearly as spectacular as turning thirty, however that's most likely because for some time it looked like I might never make it to thirty! My heart is still beating strong and I am healthy, so bring on the coming year! Ready for the next challenge :-) Shared this photo and amazing (ahum!) poem on Facebook yesterday. Love this view, so am very happy to share it here as well! "A long time ago, not that far away at all, A little girl was born, they called her Nicole  She grew up to take photos and write so-so poetry, Today it's her birthday, so Happy Birthday To Me!" Source: @Nimavenl 

Windmill by the water A photo posted by Nicole M. Verhaaf (@nimavenl) on Jul 24, 2012 at 2:02pm PDT