It was a lovely afternoon ā such an afternoon as only September can produce when summer has stolen back for one more day of dream and glamour
L.M. Montgomery
September has certainly brought me not just a lovely afternoon but an entire lovely month, in several ways. The weather improved considerably compared to July and August, with a mini heatwave at the start of the month. I had two fantastic trips abroad and some fun activities closer to home too.
The first trip was our by-now annual visit to Paris for our wedding anniversary. Iāve already posted quite a bit about that visit, with no doubt more posts to come, but Iāve included a few random shots here. Our time in Paris coincided with that heatwave, so we were perhaps less active than usual. However we still got around a fair bit.
The second trip was to Chicago, to get together with Virtual Tourist friends for a meeting that was originally scheduled for 2020. You can guess why that didn’t happen! It was great to see some people I hadnāt seen for many years and to make a couple of new friends too. And I really enjoyed exploring the city and a few places beyond. More to come in future posts but as with Paris Iāve thrown in a few shots here.
In between those two trips there was a visit to a wonderful wildlife centre showcasing UK wildlife, where we enjoyed a dedicated photography day. That’s where I took my feature photo. He may look like a domestic tabby but he’s a Scottish wildcat!
And there was time too for a cinema visit (Past Lives) and a couple of meals out, as well as our usual walks in local parks. Since getting back from Chicago a few days ago I’ve been busy editing photos of course. Oh, and trying to get over the jet-lag! I think I’m just about there with the latter, but still have a mountain of photos to edit.
Technical notes
Most of this monthās photos were taken with my Lumix compact. However the two local ones are phone shots while at the wildlife centre I used my Lumix bridge camera. All the shots were edited in Photoshop Elements and many also in Color Efex Pro.
As always I am linking my selection to Ju-Lynās and Brianās Changing Seasons challenge.
41 Comments
Ju-Lyn
Ah! the penny drops. You went to the City of Love to celebrate your wedding anniversary. Congratulations and hurray to you both!
What fun that you jetted over to Chicago for a VirtualFriendsMeetup – long overdue, it sounds.
Poring over your gallery again (thank you for joining in The Changing Seasons). Love the frog, bees & tawny owl – the textures, the colours, and well, they are oh! so cute.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, we spent our anniversary in Paris as we’ve done most years recently – it’s our favourite city and we had part of our honeymoon there š And the meet in Chicago was with my Virtual Tourist group, postponed from September 2020! It’s always a pleasure joining in with the Changing Seasons, but I may miss this month as I’ll be away – again!!
Ju-Lyn
We are happy to have you at The Changing Seasons as often and whenever you can make it!
How lovely that you return to Paris for this special occasion annuallyā¦
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ju-Lyn š
Marie
Well that was a busy month!! And you still found time to keep this going! Looking forward to more about Chicago…..
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, busy indeed š Lots to share about Chicago over the coming months, still a bit about Paris, AND we have another trip coming up (Madagascar!), so doing this at the end of October probably won’t happen š I may do a joint October/November round-up!
equinoxio21
Love the ads in the metro.
Did you know it is illegal to take pictures in the metro?
Or so I was told by a rather unpleasant Metro clerk…
haha! (I take pix all the time…)
Very good one.
Sarah Wilkie
No, I didn’t know that! And until someone stops me I’ll continue to take them š
equinoxio21
Absolutely. So will I. (I’m not even sure that’s true…)
Mike and Kellye Hefner
You had such a wonderful September, Sarah. I enjoyed seeing your photos, and I absolutely love the frog! I am still trying to catch up on my backlog of emails, so I’m sure I will get to some of your September posts shortly. I am looking forward to more of Chicago, as I’ve never been there – yet.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Kellye š As I said in a previous comment, don’t feel ‘obliged’ to catch up on everything! There will be Chicago posts aplenty soon, I’m sure š
Suzanne
Blissful images of Paris, Sarah. What is brilliant is that wildlife areas in the UK are being highlighted and preserved.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Suzanne š There are some initiatives to preserve our wildlife but not enough as yet. However this centre is doing its bit for some species.
Anonymous
Great collection of pictures for September! The one of Paris at night is really stunning š
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much š I really appreciate your feedback although I’m not sure who you are!
Amy
Love these wildlife images, Sarah! Wonderful travels, thanks for sharing with us. š
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Amy – it’s always a pleasure to share š
Rose
What lovely September shots. ā¤ļø Love the evening light in Paris, and the Rookery Building in Chicago.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Rose, glad you enjoyed seeing them š
Anita
Paris, England, and Chicago! Obviously, it has been a great month that has passed. A lovely selection of photos, Sarah. The image of the red squirrel, deer, and the frog is marvelous, and I really like the amazing architecture seen at the Rookery Building.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anita š Yes, it was a great month! The Rookery Building is stunning, I have a lot more photos to share in due course!
thehungrytravellers.blog
Not a bad month, huh? Looking forward to hearing more about Chicago..
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Phil – you’ll be sick of Chicago by the time I’ve finished!
thehungrytravellers.blog
I doubt that very much!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Great, especially the wild life. I also liked the quote about not making someone love you by loving them harder. I feel more people should understand that.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Anabel š Yes, I really liked that quote too. I got my VT friends to join me in using our feet to frame it!
Jane Lurie
So many terrific images, Sarah. The billboard shot made me smile with the person unaware, your nature shots, the frog, the deer and squirrel and the bees(!) are well shot. I also was drawn to the autumn tree and building in Paris and the interior architectural shot. Enjoyed!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Jane š That interior shot is of the Rookery Building which had a Frank Lloyd Wright make-over – the white marble with gold decoration is just one element of his work there. Our tour started there and we learned a lot about its history. Fabulous building!
bushboy
Where to start? The owl of course, ever so cute š¦ Macros….bees and then the torture section…..Paris…….sigh š
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Brian, and I’m sorry for the sustained period of torture š Still a few more Paris posts to come, I fear!
Alison
Good recap Sarah, I should look again on the computer to see the photos better. I’m just using my phone. I was thinking of doing a recap today but had a lazy day. Weather has turned cold after a 33 degree day two days ago!
I don’t remember seeing too much of Chicago on your posts.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Alison š I’m just glad you could view them on the phone! I discovered after a year or more of using the built-in WP slideshow block that the images couldn’t be seen on a phone so I swapped a few months back to a plug-in which is fiddlier yet seems to work! And no, I haven’t posted much about Chicago yet. I only got back a few days ago so am still working through the mass of photos to pick out and edit the best. But you will š
Sue
Wonderful post, Sarah! Some great wildlife images and as ever Iām getting very nostalgic for Paris with that image of the Boulevard Saint-Germain, the metro etc
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Sue š I find it all too easy to get nostalgic for Paris!
Sue
š
margaret21
Such great shots, all. But I’ll have to vote for the wildlife selection.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Margaret š As previously discussed, that would be a great place for a family day out!
margaret21
I’ve not forgotten!
satyam rastogi
Nice post
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks
satyam rastogi
Welcome