As the year is coming to a close, I have been thinking of the people and animals I have encountered during the year.
I was pondering what to submit for photos. While I like taking landscape photos, my skills in taking photos of people and animals is lousy.
On reading Cee’s theme for this week, an image immediately comes to mind, it is a photo of a Bushmen baby in Botswana; a face which I will never forget. The picture was taken by my sister-in-law while travelling in Bostwana earlier last month. The baby girl looks adorable, with delicate facial features and smooth skin. What seems more interesting is that she seems to have Hope in her eyes – something which seem so important to us as we lived past the “doomsday” and started a new era in the Mayan calendar.
(Courtesy of Jennie, my sister in law)
To me, her face is as interesting as the Afghan Girl photographed some years ago in the National Geographic. While the Afghan Girl photographed in the war torn country has piercing sea-green eyes, the baby’s beautiful eyes here connote a sense of hope and love which are badly needed in the “dark continent” as well as in many corners of the earth.
Perhaps, my best people for 2012 is not this baby, but the many volunteers in Africa who are dedicated to caring these people. I know at least one of my blog followers is working as a volunteer in Africa. To me, they are my “best people” in 2012; whether photographed or not photographed.
For more people and animals, see Cee’s Photography Page
What a lovely little baby – those eyes – the expression on her face…
Have a very HAPPY weekend! 
Thank you and wish you a great weekend too!
Such a charming photo, and truly captures this little one’s nature. Thank you so much for sharing your sister-in-law’s photo.
I like this photo and can’t help sharing it although it wasn’t taken by me. Have a nice weekend!
Wonderful expression and photo. I remember the Afghanistan girl well. This little one does express more hope in her eyes. Thanks for sharing.
The comparison between this baby and the Afghan girl in my post may be a bit too far off, but I really love her face and the watery eyes!
That is a photo that will stay in mind too. Jennie has caught the soul of that little girl
When Jennie showed us her set of photos by Picassa, this was the first photo that caught my eyes. I am glad that she has taken this photo!
orgeous images and a very thouhtful post for the challenge
Thank you Jo for the kind and encouraging comment!
Have enjoyed your postings since following your blog – an example to everyone that there is life after retirement! I Use your blog when demonstrating ” blogging” in my computer classes delivered to “Seniors” ( average age 75) ie a few generations who missed out on the IT revolution. Happy New Year and keep up those posts!
Hi budge4ward, I was born at an age when we used punch cards and later command statements and magnetic cards to run programs. I am almost computer illiterate. You are absoultely correct, there is life after work. We shouldn’t be afraid of retirement just because we don’t know how to spend the time. There are lots of things we can pursue. Happy New year to you too!
That is such a precious picture! gorgeous!
I am glad that you like the photo. Thank you Mekala!
Your SIL has captured a moment in that face, I love it. It’s interesting that one so young is wearing adornments. Bravo to the kind and caring souls that tirelessly work to better the lives of little ones like this…I’m not sure I could ever do it.
I am glad that my SIL has taken the photo. Manty of those volunteers are working silently for the good of others I’m sure that I can do it either!
Thank you for an excellent post. The volunteers are indeed the great people!
I recommended your blog to a friend from Hong Kong, as her friend also writes blogs.
Wish you the best in 2013!
Many thanks for the recommendation! Happy New Year to you in 2013 and regards, Michael
The eyes of “Hope” indeed. She is adorable. Her curiousity spills through her eyes, as well. I’m sure she was fascinated b the power of the camera. Perhaps, someday, her life will become as powerful as her image. Great Photo …..
Well said, she is filled with curiosity. After seeing this picture, I googled for images of babies / children in Botswana and still find that she is the most beautiful/ adorable I have ever seen. I sincerely hope she will live a good and happy life!
what a beautiful baby, and what a beautiful pictures
i am from Botswana and very happy that i ran in to this blog… i loved the picture…..
Great, never thought I will receive a response from someone from Botswana! I must admit I still don’t know much about this country. I am sure I will learn more about it from your blog. Thank you, Michael
Yes, this is a look of hope – whereas the photo from the National Geographic seems to me more one of wonder and mystery…best to you and yours in the new year, Michael! – Bill
Hi Bill, I like those eyes and the face. Just like the Afghan Girl, it will be great if we can trace her back after some years to see if she is doing well.
Have a lovely weekend! Michael
So true what you say – far too many children are having an unfair life – and in some countries children are just being killed by their own government – instead of aiming for the moon and planets – we should aiming for helping children on earth instead. A wonderful little face, but not happy … All children should be laughing.
You are very perceptive, it looks as if she may have cried, her eyes are a bit watery. I have to ask my sister in law about the situation under which the photo was taken. You are right, all children should be happy and cheerful!
Reblogged this on shafiqah1 and commented:
What a beautiful baby! <3
Thanks for reblogging this on shafiqah1!
Compliments to Jennie
You are right – this baby is adorable … she has a grown up look in her eyes – an old soul for sure ….
Thank you Paula!
This one takes my breath away and tugs at my heartstrings! your sister-in-law caught the spirit of this child beautifully! I’ve seen some of your people and animal shots, and although I adore your landscape images, I think you are being too hard on yourself concerning portrait photog.
Maybe I have no patience in taking photos of people and animals. One of the lousy pictures I have taken recently, for instance, is the jet of the strong fountain water in Geneva lake coming up directly from behind my wife’s head!
LOL, Michael anyone can make that mistake, but your images are awesome and inspire me to be a better photographer! I’m sorry it took so long to reply, I’ve stopped getting any word press notifications.
not sure whats going on.
Hi Darla, thanks for the perusal and the following. Some readers also said the same thing; the notifications sometimes stopped. Regards, Michael
Michael, I discovered two months worth of Word Press in my SPAM folder. Boy do I have a lot of catching up to do. Word Press must have changed something, because I didn’t change any security settings on my mailbox.
Many times, I don’t really know how WordPress work. I suppose this has to be trial and error!
nyway, all’s good now.
Absolutely stunning!! A National Geographic moment for sure. Thanks for sharing it with us. Happy New Year!
Thank you Cee for coming up with the theme for Foto Challenge. Happy New Year!
beautiful photo. and a very fine tribute to all those helping out where needed.
Happy 2013!
I think they deserve a tribute. Thank you Fracina!
I’m with you in that my portraiture photography is hopeless!!! Although I think you may be selling yourself short – this shot is just beautiful! You’ve captured those eyes perfectly.
I am glad that my sister in law has come up with such a good photo. Thank you Wiwi!
Taking photos of people is tough! Because it is all about being able to capture that moment and that’s something that comes and goes so quickly. That said, the satisfaction is nearly emotional! Wishing you all the best in your quest in capturing some really good people photos! ^_^
Agree very much you say about capturing people. I consider taking pictures of people more difficult than taking landscape pictures. Maybe, I should polish my skills in this respect in 2013. Thanks & regards, Michael
A beautiful photo of the child, so sweet and innocent. I know of the photo you speak of, the woman with the piercing green eyes, a fabulous photo. She was tracked down by a group and interviewed some years later. She had had a child and was still hanging on. Great post!
I was thrilled to find a side by side picture comparison of the Afghan girl then and now on the internet. It is great that she looks well. Thanks very much for the continued perusal and support throughout the year!
Happy New Year, hopefully in the coming years you and your family be happier and be more successful.
Best wishes,
mei
Hi meiro, many thanks for visting and liking my posts throughout the year. Best wishes to you and your loved ones in 2013!
The little girl looks very intelligent in those brown eyes. Thanks for sharing! Thanks too for your like on my blog. Jennifer
Quite right, she looks quite intelligent and sweet too! Thanks for the comment and happy new year!
Dear Michael, just nominated you for the Blog of the Year Award – congratulations:!! See http://simplecherishes.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/thank-you-for-the-blog-of-the-year-award-2012/
Warm wishes for the New Year!!
P.S. I know you have mentioned you are not accepting awards, but I really like to make the nomination!
Hi simplecherishes, thanks so much for the nominations which I understand are important awards. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (156 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nominations. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Wonderful photo (congratulations to your sister in law), and a wonderful, compassionate post. I too remember that National Geo photo of the Afghan girl with the sea-green eyes. (And did you see the follow-up, so many years later, when she was found again and received a copy of that photograph?) I am so happy to have “met” you this year through our blogging. All the best for 2013
I am also very happy to have “met” you at WordPress. I have a good look of the pictrues of the Afghan girl then and now and was impressed how similar they look after all these years. Thanks very much for following my blog throughtout the year. Happy New year to you!
Lovely capture!!
Thank you for the kind comment!
Reblogged this on PICTURE THIS ART.
Thanks for reblogging this on!
This is a very beautiful picture of a child! I used to do a lot of portraits of friends and relatives a long time ago, so I always have a soft spot for a well taken portrait, and this is such a perfectly posed picture, and yet it isn’t posed in a formal sense. Your sister in law Jennie did an excellent job!
Suzy
Jennie will be very happy to hear your compliment. Have a great weekend, Suzt!