
Anne hosts this weeks challenge which is themed on ‘Time to relax’. My personal routines for relaxing revolve around photography, walking and visiting new places. Nothing particularly special to share with you all so I thought I’d post a few images that fit the theme. You can view Annes original post here.

I’ll finish with the animals there and share some street shots of people relaxing or just chilling in the sun.







I’ll share one last image which does combine two of my pastimes – photography and walking. I’ve adapted an old Helios 44-2 vintage lens using a lens spanner I bought earlier in the week. I’ve blogged about that here – Vintage Lenses – Helios 44-2 with a reversed front element
So I went for a walk in our local woodland this morning, with the dog and camera. I took the new adapted lens with me and went looking for something to photograph. As it was I stumbled across plenty of early spring flowers including a few bluebells. Here’s my favourite from the bunch of pics I came back with using my new adapted crazy lens.

Thank you to Anne for hosting this weeks challenge. I looked forward to reading everyone’s responses.
All images: ©Stephen Hyde 2007-2025 – All rights reserved.
This is all so endearing. The relaxing animal photos are adorable. That closing crazy lens shot is amazing. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more with that lens.
Steve, I love your street photography, such a beautiful collection, but my favorite is your artistic interpretation of the spring plant!
Thank you John 🙂
These are all wonderful Steve. I love the image you shot with the Helios especially.
Thank you Tina 🙂
Nice series Steve, you hit the mark for this relaxing challenge 🙂
Thank you Andy 🙂
Steve, great gallery! My favorites are the animals and the students taking pictures of the Washington Monument.
Thank you Beth 🙂
You truly captured relax in your images they are awesome! I love the student photo and the woman laying in Tuscany. Creative picks!
Thank you Pamela 🙂
Great photos!
Thank you 🙂
Really nice, relaxing photos. I especially love the picture of your dog and your sister’s dog.
Glad I stumbled upon your blog.
Thank you Kalle, I’ll be checking out your site later 🙂
Steve, what beautiful images, especially the cat, dogs and final image. Simply relaxing!
Thank you Anne – Great topic 🙂
So glad you liked it Steve.
Your crazy lens is awesome and I was a bit surprise you already have bluebells! The quality of your shots is impressive, you’re great at capturing people, Steve.
Thank you Sofia. Bluebells are popping up, it’s surprising the difference that slightly higher temperature down here makes. Our local woodland will be covered in them on the sun shaded side over the next few weeks 🙂
I might have a look on ours just to be on the safe side 🙂
Wonderful street photography Steve, your dog and her brother look adorable and the final shot with your adapted vintage lens is especially fabulous! 😊
Thank you Xenia 🙂