Parasol
Sometimes an idea works out differently than you expect. This was intended to be a photo of just a passionflower tendril with a droplet at its center, but the droplet would not form an acceptable “lens” based on the imperfect edges to the spiral. Many attempts were made before deciding that another element would be required.
I have a box of wildflower seeds that I collect opportunistically and use when the mood strikes. This one is a favourite: Salsify (also called Yellow Goat’s Beard). The large web-like sail on the seed holds water droplets nicely, and I nudged this seed firmly into the center of the spiral. It didn’t stay there for long, with the weight of the accruing water making it front-heavy and nearly falling out of the tendril. In its descent, friction against the thicker barbs at the end of the seed stopped it. The camera was ready for its previous positioning, but all settings were dialed in. A quick adjustment to framing and focus, and here we are.
Moments after the photo was taken, the seed continued to fall and ended up on the table. For a behind-the-scenes image I placed it back in the approximate location, and you can see that here: donkom.ca/bts/IMG_2283.jpg - a sunflower used as the background, connecting both blue and yellow is support of Ukraine.
And there has been some developments on that front, for those who do not receive regular news updates. There are five main points I’d like to mention:
- Russians have placed a human head impaled on a stick somewhere in Popasna. The thought process to commit such a crime is seemingly pervasive across their armed forces: instill fear for control with zero regard of human life. Russia is showing the world they are ready to head back to the Dark Ages, which began with the fall of Rome. The parallels to Moscow are uncanny.
- Russian forces tortured and murdered at least 50 Ukrainian Prisoners of War in Olenivka prison camp. They claim that Ukrainian forces struck the facility after learning that the prisoners were providing testimony about Ukrainian war crimes. In reality, all evidence indicates that a Russian thermobaric warhead was detonated inside the facility and not indicative of a missile attack. The war crime is a way to fuel the Russian propaganda machine in Moscow, where the Russian version of events will remain unchallenged.
- Amnesty International filed a report stating that Ukrainian forces were using civilian infrastructure and endangering civilian lives in the process. The report was not offered to Amnesty International Ukraine for input and was written by someone using testimony from people in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine. As a result, many people have cut ties with the organization with at least one founder leaving. Why is this important? Such a report basically gives Russia full permission in their delusions to fire on all civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, as if they weren’t doing that already. However, for the purposes of propaganda, this can paint such attacks in a heroic light for the Russian population.
- Unexpectedly and with devastating force, significant damage to an air base in Crimea has occurred, destroying more Russian aircraft than at any other point in the war and killing an estimated 60 pilots. The source of the attack is currently unclear, as the distance from Ukrainian-controlled territory is greater than the longest-range weapons that Ukraine has. Some people suggest it was an improvised drone strike that set of a cascade reaction of explosions, others suggest that Ukraine has been given weapons of which the public has no knowledge (fog of war reasoning). Either way, the Kerch bridge leading from Crimea to Russia has been jam packed with cars leaving the region. The Russians no longer feel safe there.
- There are reports that Russia has mined and planted explosives strategically inside and around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (the largest such facility in Europe). The head of the Russian forces in the region made “scorched earth” comments; basically, if Russia can’t have it, they’ll destroy it. This would be the largest nuclear disaster in history, resulting in radioactive clouds that would spread across the planet.
What does this all break down to? The complete disregard for human life by the Russian forces continue, and are partially enhanced by their ability to spin their own web of lies and justifications for further diabolical actions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are grinding the Russian forces down, destroying certain bridges around Kherson and creating intense fear among the Russians in Crimea. For all the terror that Russia inflicts, they gain nothing but fear and uncertainty.
It's only a matter of time before the forces in the Kherson region are so diminished that the area can be liberated with a minimum of casualties to the brave men and women of Ukraine and all fighting alongside them. The demoralized forces from Russia will likely have an escalation of desertion, possibly with increased desperation in tactics.
Ukraine’s biggest challenge will be to bring the fight to the east side of the Dnipro River in the south. If powerful nations around the globe continue to supply Ukraine with more advanced, long-range weaponry, the next stage of the Ukraine War will begin. They all need our support, and we must be prepared for the unspeakable horrors discovered when towns and cities are liberated. Support charities working in the region, write to your government officials, create your own messages of support, rally and make it known that Russia cannot win and cannot be allowed to follow this path of tyrannical madness ever again. We continue our support over here, as best we can.
Parasol
Sometimes an idea works out differently than you expect. This was intended to be a photo of just a passionflower tendril with a droplet at its center, but the droplet would not form an acceptable “lens” based on the imperfect edges to the spiral. Many attempts were made before deciding that another element would be required.
I have a box of wildflower seeds that I collect opportunistically and use when the mood strikes. This one is a favourite: Salsify (also called Yellow Goat’s Beard). The large web-like sail on the seed holds water droplets nicely, and I nudged this seed firmly into the center of the spiral. It didn’t stay there for long, with the weight of the accruing water making it front-heavy and nearly falling out of the tendril. In its descent, friction against the thicker barbs at the end of the seed stopped it. The camera was ready for its previous positioning, but all settings were dialed in. A quick adjustment to framing and focus, and here we are.
Moments after the photo was taken, the seed continued to fall and ended up on the table. For a behind-the-scenes image I placed it back in the approximate location, and you can see that here: donkom.ca/bts/IMG_2283.jpg - a sunflower used as the background, connecting both blue and yellow is support of Ukraine.
And there has been some developments on that front, for those who do not receive regular news updates. There are five main points I’d like to mention:
- Russians have placed a human head impaled on a stick somewhere in Popasna. The thought process to commit such a crime is seemingly pervasive across their armed forces: instill fear for control with zero regard of human life. Russia is showing the world they are ready to head back to the Dark Ages, which began with the fall of Rome. The parallels to Moscow are uncanny.
- Russian forces tortured and murdered at least 50 Ukrainian Prisoners of War in Olenivka prison camp. They claim that Ukrainian forces struck the facility after learning that the prisoners were providing testimony about Ukrainian war crimes. In reality, all evidence indicates that a Russian thermobaric warhead was detonated inside the facility and not indicative of a missile attack. The war crime is a way to fuel the Russian propaganda machine in Moscow, where the Russian version of events will remain unchallenged.
- Amnesty International filed a report stating that Ukrainian forces were using civilian infrastructure and endangering civilian lives in the process. The report was not offered to Amnesty International Ukraine for input and was written by someone using testimony from people in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine. As a result, many people have cut ties with the organization with at least one founder leaving. Why is this important? Such a report basically gives Russia full permission in their delusions to fire on all civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, as if they weren’t doing that already. However, for the purposes of propaganda, this can paint such attacks in a heroic light for the Russian population.
- Unexpectedly and with devastating force, significant damage to an air base in Crimea has occurred, destroying more Russian aircraft than at any other point in the war and killing an estimated 60 pilots. The source of the attack is currently unclear, as the distance from Ukrainian-controlled territory is greater than the longest-range weapons that Ukraine has. Some people suggest it was an improvised drone strike that set of a cascade reaction of explosions, others suggest that Ukraine has been given weapons of which the public has no knowledge (fog of war reasoning). Either way, the Kerch bridge leading from Crimea to Russia has been jam packed with cars leaving the region. The Russians no longer feel safe there.
- There are reports that Russia has mined and planted explosives strategically inside and around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (the largest such facility in Europe). The head of the Russian forces in the region made “scorched earth” comments; basically, if Russia can’t have it, they’ll destroy it. This would be the largest nuclear disaster in history, resulting in radioactive clouds that would spread across the planet.
What does this all break down to? The complete disregard for human life by the Russian forces continue, and are partially enhanced by their ability to spin their own web of lies and justifications for further diabolical actions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are grinding the Russian forces down, destroying certain bridges around Kherson and creating intense fear among the Russians in Crimea. For all the terror that Russia inflicts, they gain nothing but fear and uncertainty.
It's only a matter of time before the forces in the Kherson region are so diminished that the area can be liberated with a minimum of casualties to the brave men and women of Ukraine and all fighting alongside them. The demoralized forces from Russia will likely have an escalation of desertion, possibly with increased desperation in tactics.
Ukraine’s biggest challenge will be to bring the fight to the east side of the Dnipro River in the south. If powerful nations around the globe continue to supply Ukraine with more advanced, long-range weaponry, the next stage of the Ukraine War will begin. They all need our support, and we must be prepared for the unspeakable horrors discovered when towns and cities are liberated. Support charities working in the region, write to your government officials, create your own messages of support, rally and make it known that Russia cannot win and cannot be allowed to follow this path of tyrannical madness ever again. We continue our support over here, as best we can.