Travel theme: Below

Posted on October 23, 2015 by ailsapm

I’ve been sitting here watching the sun sink below the horizon and it struck me that we’ve done a travel theme for “Above” but have neglected to look at things from the opposite point of view, so here, without further adieu, are a few of my travel shots that put me in mind of down under. Autumn in Staten Island parks is a gorgeous affair, and here I was trying to put myself in a squirrel’s shoes (or rather furry feet) by trying to photograph a squirrel’s world view.

autumn leaves high rock park staten island new york

Still on Staten Island, at the Snug Harbor Botanical Garden, I’m pretty sure this little guy was trying to do the same thing to me.

squirrel snug harbor staten island botanical garden

Christmas in Seattle never disappoints, and it’s  hard not to get in the holiday spirit when you stand gazing up in awe at the massive tree in Westlake Center.

christmas tree seattle washington westlake center centre

One of my favourite things about flying is pushing my nose up against the window and watching the world pass by below. Here are the snow-capped peaks of the Alps on the way to Rome last year.

Italy, Italian Alps, the Alps, travel, travelogue, ailsa prideaux-mooney

Are you ready to get down with this week’s theme? If you would like to join in (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:

  • Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Below
  • Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
  • Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
  • Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.

xxx Ailsa

It is better to have your head in the clouds, and know where you are… than to breathe the clearer atmosphere below them , and think that you are in paradise. – Henry David Thoreau

Through pride we are ever deceiving ourselves. But deep down below the surface of the average conscience, a still, small voice says to us, something is out of tune.

About ailsapm

Hi there! I’m Ailsa Prideaux-Mooney. I’ve lived in many places, and travelled to many more. I had a lot of fun getting there and being there, wherever there happened to be at the time. I climbed a castle wall in Czesky Krumlov, abseiled down cliffs to go caving in the west of Ireland, slept on the beach in Paros, got chased by a swarm of bees in Vourvourou (ok that wasn’t fun, but it was exciting), learned flower arranging in Tokyo, found myself in the middle of a riot in Seoul, learned to snowboard in Salzburg, got lost in a labyrinth in Budapest and had my ice cream stolen by a gull in Cornwall. And I’m just getting started. If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read so far, I’d love you to follow my travelogue - wheresmybackpack.com - and remember, anyone who tries to tell you it’s a small world hasn’t tried to see it all.
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73 Responses to Travel theme: Below

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  1. ardysez says:
    October 23, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    I’ve never thought of what a tree must look like to a tiny squirrel. What courage it takes a tiny creature to zip up a huge tree! I love it when I get a new insight. Thanks Ailsa.

  2. Rhonda says:
    October 23, 2015 at 6:30 pm

    Squirrels make the BEST character shots! Really fun post!

  4. Forestwoodfolkart says:
    October 23, 2015 at 8:32 pm

    Oh I just love the squirrel. Great shot. I am definitely going to participate in this week’s challenge.

  5. Pingback: Travel Theme – Below | Something to Ponder About

  6. Forestwoodfolkart says:
    October 23, 2015 at 9:18 pm

    Here is the link to my contribution. I added some quirky “belows” from my travels.
    https://forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com/2015/10/24/travel-theme-below/

  7. Pingback: Travel theme: Below | nowathome

  9. restlessjo says:
    October 24, 2015 at 12:43 am

    Don’t tempt me! I have so many ‘out of the plane window’ shots 🙂 Love your squirrel, Ailsa! (I almost made it to Paint last week but missed the deadline 😦 ) Happy Saturday!

  10. Sue says:
    October 24, 2015 at 1:12 am

    This theme will get me thinking, Ailsa!

  11. Life In Camelot says:
    October 24, 2015 at 3:40 am

    Hi Ailsa, my aunt shared your name and was a beautiful, well-spoken and graceful lady who is sadly missed. I love your posts and read them with interest and will aim to get my ‘Below’ post in before Thursday. I wonder if you could tell me how you put your copyright symbol onto your photos – I feel I should do something along those lines too.

    Thanks,
    Genevieve

  12. Pickleope says:
    October 24, 2015 at 5:54 am

    I would join the chorus of squirrel appreciators if I didn’t know their true nature as destructive, evil creatures. There was one that ate through the grounding wire to my house and another one ate through all of my coleuses. Decimated them. But I like your pictures…other than that demonic tree rat.

  13. klara says:
    October 24, 2015 at 6:50 am

    squirrel is cute, I didn’t know they can be so destructive (what Pickleope says), but I never had any contact with them, I don’t even see them in parks to try taking photos.
    I spotted a group of scouts in the park instead 😉 playing under this beautiful tree:
    http://lessywannagohome.blogspot.be/2015/10/below.html

  14. aj vosse says:
    October 24, 2015 at 7:54 am

    Above or below… it’s always fun to share thoughts with you!! 😉

  15. Pingback: Carefully she tread to see who was below. | Patchwork Ponderings

  16. Cee Neuner says:
    October 24, 2015 at 10:13 am

    Great idea. I don’t have a lot of things (aside from clouds) that I have taken from below. Hope you like my entry.
    http://ceenphotography.com/2015/10/24/travel-theme-below/

  17. Pingback: Travel Theme – Below | ladyleemanilasphotos

  18. Pingback: Below | cocoaupnorth

  19. cocoaupnorth says:
    October 24, 2015 at 11:00 am

    Stunning pictures, gotta love the squirrel:-). Here’s my contribution: https://cocoaupnorth.wordpress.com/2015/10/24/below/

  20. Pingback: Travel Theme: Under the Sea | decocraftsdigicrafts

  21. I. Greenwald says:
    October 24, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    I love the snow covered peaks with the cloud wisps. Here is my entry
    https://irisgreenwald.wordpress.com/

  22. cubusregio says:
    October 24, 2015 at 1:14 pm

    Hi Ailsa, here is my below-entry:
    http://wp.me/p3c0SB-2I4

  23. Pingback: Travel Theme: The Coastal Mountains Below | Albatz Travel Adventures

  24. Pingback: Below | Wind Against Current

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  29. Majka says:
    October 24, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    Thanks for this nice theme Ailsa, I really enjoyed it
    https://mecyme.wordpress.com/2015/10/24/travel-theme-below/
    🙂

  30. Pingback: Travel Theme: Below | A Trivial Mind At Work

  31. Pingback: Travel theme: Below (unterhalb) | cubusregio

  33. Pingback: Travel Theme-Below | WoollyMuses

  34. Pingback: Travel Theme: Below | Travelrat's Travels

  36. elleturner4 says:
    October 25, 2015 at 1:18 am

    What wonderful shots. I really love the squirrel, brilliant 😀

  38. Pingback: Travel Theme: Below | A Day In The Life

  40. Pingback: Travel Theme: Below (Hiking over Harpers Ferry) | Transplanted Tatar

  41. transplantedtatar says:
    October 25, 2015 at 5:36 am

    A fun theme, as always–and this one triggered a lovely memory. Here’s my post: http://transplantedtatar.com/2015/10/25/travel-theme-below-hiking-over-harpers-ferry/

  42. Pingback: Me…from down under | 50 Shades of Gray Hair

  44. traveller2006 says:
    October 25, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    love your squirrel shot

  45. Dennis Wagoner says:
    October 25, 2015 at 1:39 pm

    Great challenge. I just grabbed these captures a couple of days ago! http://wp.me/p3CFsE-28K

  46. Pingback: Travel Theme – Below | Julie Powell – Photographer & Graphic Artist

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  49. Pingback: Rio Camuy Caves, Puerto Rico | Jaspa's Journal

  50. Jaspa says:
    October 26, 2015 at 9:08 am

    Love the photo looking up the tree, Ailsa. My contribution takes us deep Below Puerto Rico… https://jaspasjourney.wordpress.com/2015/10/26/rio-camuy-caves-puerto-rico/

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