On multiple occasions I have been next to this octopus when it swims off the reef and follows near your side. It diplays a threating posture, as in the photograph. The tiny golf ball sized octopus tries to intimidate and warn you off with intense color changes and strange arm positioning-

okinawanaturephotography.com/searching-for-the-blue-ringe...

Are you using my flickr photos as a reference guide to help identify your finds? If so please consider making a contribution. Help Me Make The Difference

www.patreon.com/MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Mission: To Protect & Preserve The Wildlife of The Ryukyu Islands for Further Generations

Its not the sharpest image, but it was my goal to get this behaivor shot -

- Blue rings become more intense when it is aggrevated. Extremely venomous, can be fatal to human!

okinawanaturephotography.com/

Location: Kadena steps : Okinawa-jp

Depth: 25 feet on coral

nikon d90 105macro

The original Stancil's Jazz Feeds store building - established in 1912. Stancil's was a general store and gas station in operation for 100 years (1912-2012) .

The tractor parked in front of the entry door is a steel-wheeled Fordson. Fordson was a tractor brand name used by Henry Ford & Son, Inc, from 1917 until 1920 when it was merged into the Ford Motor Company, which continued to use the name until 1964.

See additional views in my album: Rural America

Stancil's Store

5240 Yellow Creek Road

Ball Ground, GA 30107

Ежегодно 21 марта во всем мире отмечается Всемирный день людей с синдромом Дауна. В 2018 году празднование этого дня пройдет в 13-ый раз начиная с 2006 года. Каждый год празднование проходит под лозунгом, который отражает важные аспекты жизни людей с синдромом Дауна.

Лозунг 2018 года — WhatI Bring To My Community (Чем я могу помочь своему сообществу). Основная цель организаторов — предоставить людям с синдромом Дауна возможность быть вовлеченными в общественно-политическую и культурную жизнь общества, влиять на ситуацию в школе, на работе, в спорте и СМИ.

В декабре 2011 года Генеральная Ассамблея объявила 21 марта Всемирным днем людей с синдромом Дауна (A/RES/66/149). Генеральная Ассамблея постановила что зтот День будет отмечаться 21 марта каждый год начиная с 2012 года и предложила всем государствам-членам, соответствующим организациям системы Организации Объединенных Наций и другим международным организациям, а также гражданскому обществу, включая неправительственные организации и частный сектор, надлежащим образом отмечать Всемирный день людей с синдромом Дауна, с тем чтобы повышать уровень информированности общественности о синдроме Дауна.

Синдром Дауна является одной из форм естественно развивающейся врожденной геномной патологии, распространенной во всех регионах мира и часто ведущей к изменениям моторики, физических характеристик и здоровья.

Жизненно важное значение для роста и развития больных имеет адекватный доступ к медицинскому обслуживанию, программам раннего вмешательства и инклюзивного образования, а также проведение соответствующих исследований.

Saint Joseph London

In July of 1946 the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky purchased what was then called Pennington General Hospital in London, Kentucky and assumed its leadership. Renamed Marymount – Our Lady of the Mountain, the mission of the sisters was to extend the healing ministry of Christ bringing quality health care to the poor and underserved of rural Kentucky. In 1997 Marymount along with seven other Kentucky facilities, became part of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and in 2008 those same eight facilities formed Saint Joseph Health System. At that time the hospital name was changed to Saint Joseph – London. In January 2012 Saint Joseph London became part of KentuckyOne Health, the largest health system in Kentucky with more than 200 locations including hospitals, outpatient facilities and physician offices, and more than 3,000 licensed beds. An 18-member volunteer board of directors governs KentuckyOne Health, its facilities and operations, including Saint Joseph London with this mission:

Credit for the data above is given to the following website:

www.kentuckyonehealth.org/saint-joseph-london-6057

www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=labeled_buildings...

È esagerata piazza Giovanni Nicotera, già dal nome. È roba da città, troppo grande e complessa – su tre livelli la chiesa e le case che vi affacciano – per un paese: quindi perfetta per questo che un paese non è. E non è mai stato. Perché «all'inizio qui, oltre a un convento di benedettini, c’era solo un fuoco di pastori che governavano i maiali, poi altri due o tre», racconta il Solitario. Dove fuoco sta per focolare, camino, nucleo familiare. «E quando siamo diventati 600 abitanti, ormai era ora di andare». Ad abitare più su, dove la nuova Roscigno prendeva forma e municipio, mentre la Vecchia, cresciuta sulla frana e «che non è mai stata comune e nemmeno frazione, ma solo vicinato di focolari, ha finito lentamente per crollare». Spenti i fuochi di un paese mai nato, oggi puntellato e disabitato, dove lo slargo Giovanni Nicotera non ha fatto mai in tempo a riempirsi. Se non di erba e di sassi, venuti giù dai muri abbandonati a se stessi: pareti di facciata su una piazza troppo grande e bella per finire abbandonata.

E difatti, da quindici anni, come un immobile testardo, ogni mattina sullo slargo si affaccia anche lui, il Solitario. Che dal balcone l’ha tutta per sé quando dice “buongiorno” al mondo e nessuno risponde, se non gli uccelli, perché «dicono che il nome Roscigno non derivi da ruscello, ma da rusignolo».

Il Solitario di Rio Ripìti, il torrente del vallo, ha una faccia da vecchio West e da nuovo eremitaggio. È l’ultimo abitante, l’unico, il fuoco fatuo del paese. L’esistenza riscaldata da una lampadina e “cucinata” alla brace di un piccolo focolare d’angolo, tra fiori secchi e pani ancora di più: fette già stagionate quando gli sono state donate – «ma ho ancora i denti buoni» –, da condire con «l’olio invecchiato di queste bottiglie, pagate solo un euro perché scadute». Da due anni, recitano le etichette.

Il Solitario di Roscigno Vecchia è sindaco, custode, muratore e agricoltore; medico e tuttofare senza patente: «Da giovane potevo prenderla, ma allora avrei dovuto prendere anche un’auto. E darle da mangiare. Ho preferito mangiare io». Come dargli torto. Vita a “chilometro zero” pure da fumatore ché «del tabacco faccio volentieri a meno e carico le pipe con le foglie di carciofo secco, oppure con la cicoria o con la camomilla insaporita da un po’ di salvia». Il calumet di chi si fa d’erba coi prodotti stagionali dell’orto.

Il Solitario ha otto “gatti da guardia”, che non lascia entrare in casa ma nutre: «Erano venti, due anni fa e no, non li ho mangiati io, se è questo che sta pensando: li ho dati da accudire, per me erano troppi». Poi ha un materasso in lattice da scatoloni – fatto di cartoni a strato, compressi uno sull'altro – che regge, come un piedistallo, una vecchia brandina da mare, «perché se si riposa troppo bene, poi la mattina non si ha più voglia di lavorare». Niente riscaldamento e ogni giorno acqua “detratta” alla fonte, che rumoreggia in mezzo alla bella piazza dove Libero passa la sua vita. Pazza soltanto per «quelli che non la vogliono capire e pensano che io sia strano». Libero che ha una figlia laureata in cerca d’impiego, un figlio che vive e lavora a Milano, un altro sposato in Germania. Libero che abita soddisfatto la sua camera con cottura-angolare, unico cittadino di questo paese, abbandonato definitivamente a metà degli anni Sessanta. Dove lui ha preso il posto di Dorina, «una ex suora tornata a casa quando il suo ordine ha chiuso e che, pure se diventata solo ossa e spirito, non è mai voluta andare via da dove era nata. È morta nel 2000, a 85 anni».

Il Solitario del Rio Ripìti in realtà si chiama Giuseppe Spagnuolo. “Libero” se l’è scelto lui: nomignolo, più che secondo nome, da inserire virgolettato prima del cognome. Al modo del “Che” e, a suo modo, pure lui rivoluzionario. Perché nell'Italia che oggi smagrisce, e perde qualche taglia di potere d’acquisto, e impara ad arrangiarsi, lui è già un passo avanti. Quasi un corso accelerato di quanto poco ti possa bastare per stare al mondo, fiero della propria autonomia: «C’è chi mi regala il pane, chi un po’ di carne che altrimenti andrebbe a male. Vivo con due euro al giorno: taglio siepi e curo orti dove serve, su a Roscigno. E poi, quando arriva la stagione, raccolgo le olive di chi ha il podere. Pure quelle di Gasparri ho raccolto fino all'anno scorso. Sì, Gasparri il ministro che non è più al governo. Quel rudere laggiù era della sua famiglia, originaria di qui. Sì, a volte passa, magari adesso lo farà più spesso». Dal potere al podere.

«L’ultima volta è venuto ad aprile, per appoggiare il suo candidato sindaco su in paese». Il candidato che ha perduto per due voti (250 a 248) e allora ha presentato ricorso, dopo che Roscigno, solo nell'ultimo anno, ha visto il primo cittadino due volte dimissionario, quindi il commissario mandato dal prefetto per rimetter le cose apposto. Un’Italia in miniatura.

«Roscigno è un paese dove ognuno mette i bastoni fra le ruote all'altro, mentre io quaggiù, abusivo e un po’ speciale, esercito la piena autorità solo su me stesso. Ecco perché ho scelto di essere Libero». Di andarsene e di tornare, fin quando le forze lo hanno sostenuto. E, alla fine, di mettere radici dove tutto è cominciato, «perché nessuno mi ha mai pagato contributi e non ho diritto alla pensione, anche se avevo solo 16 anni quando sono andato a fare il manovale in Lombardia, a Bolladello di Cairate, perché qui non c’era lavoro, come adesso. Ero il più giovane in ditta e quando è arrivata la crisi, come adesso, sono stato il primo a fare le valigie e a tornare quaggiù». Da dove riparte: «Prima per le cave di pietra, poi militare a Udine, dove ho presentato la domanda per fare il finanziere. Ho fatto il corso all'Elba e per due anni ho lavorato ai valichi con l’ex Jugoslavia».

La puntata successiva lo vede in miniera, tra Follonica e Grosseto, ma intanto qualcosa dev'essere accaduto, forse quel mese scarso di carcere di cui non parla volentieri, che non vuole calendarizzare, anche se racconta di «una lite con mio figlio, che cerca riparo dallo zio-mio-fratello, che mi accoglie con un gran pugno e mi manda al tappeto». Caricandolo di rabbia, come una miccia. «Tanto da dare un calcio a una latta aperta di benzina finita chissà come per appiccare le fiamme alla casa di quel mio fratello». Non chiamatelo attentato, né autocombustione, fatto sta che per quel fuoco parentale che prese fuoco il Solitario si fece 24 giorni di prigione.

«Cose che da queste parti succedono». No, non è il Solitario a parlare: questa è la voce gentile di una bionda signora del paese, per nulla preoccupata, che giusto un’ora prima, nell'attraversare in auto la Roscigno ufficiale, ti spiega così quello che uno sguardo di passaggio non può evitare: due paesani insanguinati che si sono appena picchiati, lì sulla strada, a colpi di mazze di legno, come se niente fosse. Ché a Roscigno, par di capire, i bastoni non se li mettono solo fra le ruote. Forse per questo, quando il suocero di Caserta che veniva a stare da lui ogni anno per Natale, «dall'Epifania del ’97 non se ne era andato più via ed eravamo troppi uomini nella stessa casa e non si andava d’accordo: così me ne sono andato io, che ero tornato da anni di lavoro in Svizzera, a Biel, e in Germania. Perché da Roscigno, finché sei giovane, e hai voglia di fare, sempre si deve partire. Qui non siamo solo a Sud, siamo ''assurdi'', se ha capito il gioco di parole. Io mica li ho festeggiati i 150 anni dell’unità d’Italia».

Un po’ borbonico, forse per lo Spagnuolo del cognome, e monarchico da “Regno delle due Sicilie”, il Solitario ha un solo avversario che non smette di denigrare, nella migliore/peggiore tradizione del Nord condanna del Sud: «Chiedetemi di vestirmi da monaco o da brigante o da Babbo Natale, per far contenti i bambini, ma da Garibaldi, mai e poi mai». Che la barba, i rossi panni e il suo (vero) nome, Giuseppe, non ingannino. In effetti Libero s’è pure travestito in questi ultimi anni: unico protagonista di un paese dove ha fatto pure la comparsa. «Quando hanno girato qui alcune scene di Soldati di pace e mi hanno dato un milione e mezzo di lire, altro che spaccar pietre. E poi sono venuti quelli di Radio West e di Noi credevamo». Ché il Solitario di Rio Ripìti, «quello che con le alluvioni si porta giù il vallo», ha fatto pure il cinema. Piccola star di paese che in tanti vengono a trovare, «perché da un po’ sono finito citato in una guida straniera, non so quale».

E che mostra orgoglioso la tavola imbandita delle cartoline di chi passa e poi gli spedisce un saluto, dall’Uzbekistan come da Miami. «Italiani meno, solo gente della zona o del paese che magari scende la sera per una partita a carte. Anche se non soffro certo la solitudine né la crisi, che può fare paura a tutti meno che a me». Forte di quel mezzo palindromo – Libero trascorre la sua vita qui/ Qui la sua vita trascorre libero – con cui il Solitario, che fuma carciofo ed erba salvia, si tiene compagnia.

(Cesare Fiumi - Dal Magazine ''Sette'' del 16 giugno 2012)

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Soundtrack

In conversation with Brian Williams

10/19/2012

Photo credit Mike Hagarty and The Canadian Club of Toronto

M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy, also known as NGC 5457

Luminance + RGB over 5 nights using the QHY9 on the AT10RC Total Exposure time 14 hours

Image Details

Location: DownUnder Observatory, Fremont MI

Date of Shoot 14th, 17th, 21st, 26th and 27th March 2012

26 x 15 min luminance binned 2x2

10 x 15 min each RGB binned 2x2

Camera: QHY9M monochrome CCD

StarlightXpress Color Filter Wheel

Scope: Astronomy Technologies Astro-Tech 10" f/8 Ritchey-Chrétien astrograph

Astro Tech 2" Field Flattener.

Autoguided using QHY5 autoguider, StarlightXpress Ultra Slim Off Axis guider

Paramount GT-1100S German Equatorial Mount (with MKS 4000)

Image Aquisition software Maxim DL5

Stacking software Deep sky Stacker

Registered with Registar

Post Processed with Photoshop CS5

The Pinwheel Galaxy also known as Messier 101 or NGC 5457 a face-on spiral galaxy at a distance of 21 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major

Esta fotografía fue de este fin de semana, como la anterior que subi, pero en otra parte, quise darle una sensacion de profundidad, por eso me agache y le saque a lo lejos, y asi se desenfoco lo mas cercano a mi por la apertura de f/1.4 que tenia!

Mi página en Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | 500px | Mis Vídeos | Google+ | Ask

cof

"Two things cannot be in one place. Where you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow."

— Frances Hodgson Burnett

Summer Flower Series, 2012 - #3

*Pentax K20D DSLR with Pentax DA 35mm f/2.4 AL Lens

My work is for sale via Getty Images and at Redbubble and 500px

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All images are Copyright © all rights reserved Tom Raven/Tim Barrable, please do not use anywhere without my permission or a license, thank you.

Val-Lab

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Warning! Story May Scare You!

Scholars around the world are astonished at Professor VaeV's inventive Aristo's Vow Blood Tubes for which spews out blinking hearts with skin conductivity pairing Bunny Dolls sectional arms, legs and torsos.

His well known Val-Lab (Established in the Mid-17th Century somewhere in the most Northern thistled parts of Eastern Europe) has been popularized by his detailed research where his fanged companions have assisted him in creating legendary feminine Sasa Cupids; best known as sensual half Cupid & half sexy ladies of the night.

Now don't let their sex appeal fool you dearest males of todays dates; stop drooling and snap out of it. Pay close attention. One quick whip of their horned tail and prick from their pumping Tell-Tale Abyssal Heart will cast a forever spell on you. I've known men who have become meek mice of the Bram Stoker's deadly fields. We've sadly heard their cries and awful squeaks when stepped on.

This is no myth, mind you. Their charm floats in the mist of your bedroom walls, under your car seats and golden elevators around the world. It's the bloody truth.

You are most venerable in the after days of Valentines while they have carried darkened roses into lover's trash bins once they dwindle and all the feeding and fun has settled for each February's event.

If you listen closely to the music echoing from their enchanted Lyre's, you are doomed. Beware my friends. We want to see you alive and well next year.

Story by Bambi Chicque

∻⊰ 🌷 ⊱∻

**DECOR & POSE:

/VaeV\ '~ Aristo's Vow' Blood Tube, Tell-Tale Relic Abyssal Heart & Miser's Haunted Tome Books ~ Group Gifts & Love Bites Hunt {Enlarged for photo; meant to be held} LOVE BITES

Harshlands ~ Greek Antique Lyre Enchantment

Harshlands ~ Floating Gold Candle SWANK

CURELESS ~ BunnyDolls {Enlarged for photo; meant to be worn}

LOVE - Dark Heart Floor Bubbles (#2) & Rose Throrns ~ Mystical Market & Hunt

**OUTFIT

Believe ~ Cupid Bow & Arrow ~ Believe ~ Cupid Bow & Arrow ~ Love Bites Hunt

BamPu Legacies ~ Cat Ears & Devil Tail

Belle Epoque ~ Sasa Red Body Suit

Sintiklia ~ Wenna Hair

LeLutka ~ Nova Mesh Head

Maitreya ~ Lara Mesh Body

Glam Affair ~ Adele Skin, Blush & HD Eyeshadow

FOXCITY ~ Poise Pose #6

∻⊰ 🌷 ⊱∻

Enjoy!

Bambi Chicque

Designer ~ BamPu Legacies Since 2012

Blogger Since 2012

This one was probably the most difficult to process, as the contrast between the sea of older sodium lights out towards the east is an assault on the eyes against the ultra-cool temps of inner London lighting. Tower Bridge is practically neon. So, I've tried to make this as true to life as I remember it, which was a spectacular view with a juxtaposition of eras and architecture.

5D II + TSE 24L II + 2x III Extender

Crappy photos here: Instagram

Happy New Year!!!!! Well the fireworks are over for another year. I always think that they go for too long and after a while there is so much smoke that it is difficult to see the effects of the fireworks properly. They should shorten the time, (it was over 10 minutes this year), or do the Harbour Bridge first so we could see the spectacular effects before it is clouded by smoke. I could only watch on TV tonight, but this is a collage from photos that I took on New Year's Eve 2011/2012.

Б-262 «Старый Оскол» — российская дизель-электрическая подводная лодка проекта 636.3 «Варшавянка», планируется, что войдет в состав 4-ой отдельной бригады подводных лодок Черноморского флота ВМФ России. Третий корабль проекта 636.3 «Варшавянка», назван в честь города России Старый Оскол. Лодка заложена 17 августа 2012 года на заводе «Адмиралтейские Верфи» в Санкт Петербурге под строительным номером 01672.[2][3] Спущена на воду 28 августа 2014 года[4]. Ввод в строй Черноморского Флота России планируется в июне 2015 года.[5].

По состоянию на 30 октября 2014 года проходит швартовные испытания.[6]

По состоянию на 6 марта 2015 года лодка вышла на заводские ходовые испытания[7]

По состоянию на 25 апреля 2015 года подводная лодка успешно прошла государственные испытания

Leica M3 and Leitz 35mm f/3.5 Summaron

Kodak Tri-X 400 developed Rodinal (1:50)

This park in Oxford was beautiful.

We looked for the tree which my parents carved their names onto.

Hi again! Got a to ask a tinnyyy favour. On this website could you please vote for my photo? It's the one of the snails - Scroll down. Just click vote and I could get printed in a magazine if I win! THANK YOU X

© JCH 2012

500px | tumblr | portfolio

The Miami-Biltmore Hotel & Country Club was designated a National Historic Landmark in the year 1996. It is a spanish colonial revival high-rise building with 15 floor and towering at 314.96 ft in height.

On April 18, 2012, the AIA's Florida Chapter placed the building on its list of Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places as the Biltmore Hotel.

The Biltmore was one of the most fashionable resorts in the United States in its heyday, hosting royalty of both the European and Hollywood variety. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Ginger Rogers, Judy Garland and Bing Crosby were frequent guests here. In fact, everyone who was anyone - from politicians like President Franklin D. Roosevelt to notorious gangsters like Al Capone – stayed at The Biltmore, where they enjoyed fashion shows, gala balls, aquatic shows in the 23,000 square foot grand pool, elaborate weddings and world-class golf tournaments.

When the Jazz Age was at full cry, the Biltmore’s big bands entertained wealthy, well-traveled visitors at this American Riviera resort. Challenged by America’s economic lulls in the late 1920's and early 1930's, The Biltmore thrived by hosting aquatic galas that drew crowds and kept the hotel in the spotlight.

Pictures from the Naperville Public Saftey Open House 2012

You can se the final version here: www.flickr.com/photos/kalexanderson/6022371791/

Twitter | Facebook | The troopers adventures of 2012 | CClones 365 2011

Happy Dragonflly Thursday! These skimmers are rare down South and usually spotted in the fall. I had them in the spring and fall - and even in mid-summer. But they appear and disappear mysteriously. They've been seen gathering for migration on the east coast but it is not known whether ours arrive via migration. I did finally have females last year and saw matings occur.

So we'll see what happens this season. btw it's going to 75o here today in the Big A.

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Please pray and write your Senators TODAY about a pastor in Iran who is going to be put to death FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN. The death sentence has been hanging over him for two years and their Supreme Court has ruled against his appeal. He has a wife and small children:

www.foxnews.com/world/2012/02/22/iran-court-convicts-chri...

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Winner, Pre-game, S, 3-12

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Its status as the Dutch capital is mandated by the Constitution of the Netherlands, although Amsterdam is not the seat of the Dutch government which is The Hague. Amsterdam has a population of 802,938 within city limits, 1,560,414 in the urban region and 2,332,839 in the greater metropolitan area. The city is located in the province of North Holland in the west of the country. It comprises much of the northern part of the Randstad, one of the larger conurbations in Europe, with a population of approximately 7 million.

Amsterdam's name derives from Amstelredamme, indicative of the city's origin: a dam in the river Amstel. Originating as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age, a result of its innovative developments in trade. During that time, the city was the leading center for finance and diamonds. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded, and many new neighborhoods and suburbs were planned and built. The 17th-century canals of Amsterdam and the 19–20th century Defence Line of Amsterdam are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

As the commercial capital of the Netherlands and one of the top financial centres in Europe, Amsterdam is considered an alpha world city by the Globalization and World Cities (GaWC) study group. The city is also the cultural capital of the Netherlands.] Many large Dutch institutions have their headquarters there, and 7 of the world's top 500 companies, including Philips and ING, are based in the city. In 2012, Amsterdam was ranked 2nd best city to live by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and 12th globally on quality of living by Mercer. The city was previously ranked 3rd in innovation by 2thinknow in the Innovation Cities Index 2009.

The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, the oldest stock exchange in the world, is located in the city center. Amsterdam's main attractions, including its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Anne Frank House, Amsterdam Museum, its red-light district, and its many cannabis coffee shops draw more than 3.66 million international visitors annually.

The earliest recorded use of the name "Amsterdam" is from a certificate dated 27 October 1275, when the inhabitants, who had built a bridge with a dam across the Amstel, were exempted from paying a bridge toll by Count Floris V. The certificate describes the inhabitants as homines manentes apud Amestelledamme (people living near Amestelledamme). By 1327, the name had developed into Aemsterdam

Amsterdam's founding is relatively recent compared with much older Dutch cities such as Nijmegen, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. In October 2008, historical geographer Chris de Bont suggested that the land around Amsterdam was being reclaimed as early as the late 10th century. This does not necessarily mean that there was already a settlement then since reclamation of land may not have been for farming—it may have been for peat, used as fuel.

Amsterdam was granted city rights in either 1300 or 1306. From the 14th century on, Amsterdam flourished, largely because of trade with the Hanseatic League. In 1345, an alleged Eucharistic miracle in the Kalverstraat rendered the city an important place of pilgrimage until the adoption of the Protestant faith. The Stille Omgang—a silent procession in civil attire—is today a remnant of the rich pilgrimage history

In the 16th century, the Dutch rebelled against Philip II of Spain and his successors. The main reasons for the uprising were the imposition of new taxes, the tenth penny, and the religious persecution of Protestants by the Spanish Inquisition. The revolt escalated into the Eighty Years' War, which ultimately led to Dutch independence. Strongly pushed by Dutch Revolt leader William the Silent, the Dutch Republic became known for its relative religious tolerance. Jews from the Iberian Peninsula, Huguenots from France, prosperous merchants and printers from Flanders, and economic and religious refugees from the Spanish-controlled parts of the Low Countries found safety in Amsterdam. The influx of Flemish printers and the city's intellectual tolerance made Amsterdam a centre for the European free press

The 17th century is considered Amsterdam's Golden Age, during which it became the wealthiest city in the world. Ships sailed from Amsterdam to the Baltic Sea, North America, and Africa, as well as present-day Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, and Brazil, forming the basis of a worldwide trading network. Amsterdam's merchants had the largest share in both the Dutch East India Company and the Dutch West India Company. These companies acquired overseas possessions that later became Dutch colonies. Amsterdam was Europe's most important point for the shipment of goods and was the leading Financial Centre of the world. In 1602, the Amsterdam office of the Dutch East India Company became the world's first stock exchange by trading in its own shares.

Amsterdam lost over 10% of its population to plague in 1623–1625, and again in 1635–1636, 1655, and 1664. Nevertheless, the population of Amsterdam rose in the 17th century (largely through immigration) from 50,000 to 200,000

Amsterdam's prosperity declined during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The wars of the Dutch Republic with England and France took their toll on Amsterdam. During the Napoleonic Wars, Amsterdam's significance reached its lowest point, with Holland being absorbed into the French Empire. However, the later establishment of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815 marked a turning point.

The end of the 19th century is sometimes called Amsterdam's second Golden Age. New museums, a train station, and the Concertgebouw were built; in this same time, the Industrial Revolution reached the city. The Amsterdam-Rhine Canal was dug to give Amsterdam a direct connection to the Rhine, and the North Sea Canal was dug to give the port a shorter connection to the North Sea. Both projects dramatically improved commerce with the rest of Europe and the world. In 1906, Joseph Conrad gave a brief description of Amsterdam as seen from the seaside, in The Mirror of the Sea.

Shortly before the First World War, the city began expanding, and new suburbs were built. Even though the Netherlands remained neutral in this war, Amsterdam suffered a food shortage, and heating fuel became scarce. The shortages sparked riots in which several people were killed. These riots are known as the Aardappeloproer (Potato rebellion). People started looting stores and warehouses in order to get supplies, mainly food.

Germany invaded the Netherlands on 10 May 1940 and took control of the country. Some Amsterdam citizens sheltered Jews, thereby exposing themselves and their families to the high risk of being imprisoned or sent to concentration camps. More than 100,000 Dutch Jews were deported to Nazi concentration camps of which some 60.000 lived in Amsterdam. Perhaps the most famous deportee was the young Jewish girl Anne Frank, who died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. At the end of the Second World War, communication with the rest of the country broke down, and food and fuel became scarce. Many citizens traveled to the countryside to forage. Dogs, cats, raw sugar beets, and Tulip bulbs—cooked to a pulp—were consumed to stay alive. Most of the trees in Amsterdam were cut down for fuel, and all the wood was taken from the apartments of deported Jews.

The (reconstructed) bookcase that covered the entrance to the "Secret Annex" where Anne Frank hid from Germans occupying Amsterdam during World War II.

Many new suburbs, such as Osdorp, Slotervaart, Slotermeer, and Geuzenveld, were built in the years after the Second World War These suburbs contained many public parks and wide, open spaces, and the new buildings provided improved housing conditions with larger and brighter rooms, gardens, and balconies. Because of the war and other incidents of the 20th century, almost the entire city centre had fallen into disrepair. As society was changing, politicians and other influential figures made plans to redesign large parts of it. There was an increasing demand for office buildings and new roads as the automobile became available to most common people. A metro started operating in 1977 between the new suburb of Bijlmer and the centre of Amsterdam. Further plans were to build a new highway above the metro to connect the Central Station and city centre with other parts of the city.

The incorporated large-scale demolitions began in Amsterdam's formerly Jewish neighbourhood. Smaller streets, such as the Jodenbreestraat, were widened and saw almost all of their houses demolished. During the destruction's peak, the Nieuwmarktrellen (Nieuwmarkt riots) broke out, where people expressed their fury about the demolition caused by the restructuring of the city.

As a result, the demolition was stopped, and the highway was never built, with only the metro being finished. Only a few streets remained widened. The new city hall was built on the almost completely demolished Waterlooplein. Meanwhile, large private organisations, such as Stadsherstel Amsterdam, were founded with the aim of restoring the entire city centre. Although the success of this struggle is visible today, efforts for further restoration are still ongoing The entire city centre has reattained its former splendor and, as a whole, is now a protected area. Many of its buildings have become monuments, and in July 2010 the Grachtengordel (Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht) was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List

A Poole studio image of this hirsute young man with a distinctive name to match his appearance. He features in the Irish Political Figures collection but I, for one, have never heard of him before. Therefore, could he be described as a known unknown?

While previously unknown to all of us Marys, we were delighted to be schooled on the life and times of Herbert Moore Pim. While summarised in the verso of this image (itself "shopped" from a Poole original) an aptly titled article on the Curious Career of Herbert Moore Pim covers the main points. At once Quaker and Catholic, Unionist and separatist, fascist and bohemian, he comes across as one who perhaps was a little less certain of his own mind than most others in the political figures collection. He did seem to maintain his lustrous beard throughout however :)

Photographers: Various

Collection: Irish Political Figures Photographic Collection

Date: Catalogue range c.1910-1920

NLI Ref: NPA PERS65

You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at catalogue.nli.ie

Flying home from Georgia, we missed our connecting flight and stayed overnight at an O'Hare Airport hotel. Our flight home wasn't until mid-afternoon. So we hung out until checkout. We had the good fortune to have a room on the 14th floor with floor-to-ceiling windows. My husband was happy as could be watching the planes--jumbo jets down to diminutive commuter jets--take-off and land. I was happy drawing him and the expansive view out the window. Another one for my Inside/Outside Set. June 11, 2012. 11"Wx 13.25" H

Das Kunsthistorische Museum (abgekürzt KHM) ist ein Kunstmuseum in Wien. Es zählt zu den größten und bedeutendsten Museen der Welt. Es wurde 1891 eröffnet und 2012 von 1.351.940 Menschen besucht.

de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunsthistorisches_Museum

The Kunsthistorisches Museum (English: "Museum of Art History", also often referred to as the "Museum of Fine Arts") is an art museum in Vienna, Austria. Housed in its festive palatial building on Ringstraße, it is crowned with an octagonal dome.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunsthistorisches_Museum

Go North East's Percy Main based "Coaster" branded Volvo B5LH/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 6061 (NK62 CJE) is pictured here in the yard at Saltmeadows Road Depot, Gateshead, following completion of repaint and branding, prior to transfer to Percy Main for driver familiarisation. 15/12/17

The entry into service of new Wright StreetDeck vehicles on "The Angel" service 21 (Durham - Chester-le-Street - Newcastle) will see the Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B5LHs cascade to another route.

The Hybrids, partially funded by a grant of £1,119,235 in Round 3 of the Green Bus Fund in 2012, are intended to be repainted blue and branded for the "Coaster" 1/1A services, then transferred to Percy Main, in line with the entry into service of the new Wright StreetDecks.

They will replace the existing Scania OmniCity buses allocated to the service - providing an upgraded seating capacity and also the provision of audio-visual Next Stop Announcements, as well as free Wi-Fi which was already offered on the OmniCitys.

The first two "Coaster" branded Scania OmniCitys have already been repainted into Go North East's corporate livery. Some of the vehicles in the batch are expected to provide a vehicle upgrade for other services.

Smoke Photo Art.

Well, I guess I was right about the last one....perhaps it should have stayed in the vaults. Hopefully people will like this one more. It was named in the classic vein of 70's albums, Too bad those great big vinyl covers with their terrific artwork have disappeared. I would like to think that this would have made a pretty good one.

If you haven't done so, please take a look at the Smoke & Mirrors group, become a member and vote for the Pick of the Year 2012 here:

www.flickr.com/groups/smoke_and_mirrors/discuss/721576287...

It is an amazing assemblage of some of the finest smoke art work on the internet, IMHO. : )

La Clerecía es el nombre que recibe el edificio del antiguo Real Colegio del Espíritu Santo (o Santo Espíritu) de la Compañía de Jesús, construido en Salamanca entre los s. XVII y s. XVIII. Es de estilo barroco. Se diferencia el colegio, con un interesante claustro, y la iglesia, con una impresionante fachada de tres cuerpos. El nombre de Clerecía se debe a una denominación abreviada de su pertenencia a la Real Clerecía de San Marcos tras la expulsión de los jesuitas de España.

Las obras comenzaron en 1617 bajo la protección de Margarita de Austria, esposa de Felipe III, al parecer como acto de desagravio a la orden por la prisión sufrida por su fundador, Ignacio de Loyola, por la Inquisición en la torre mocha de la catedral de Salamanca. Finalizándose en 1754.

La planta general del edificio es obra de Juan Gómez de Mora.

Tras la expulsión de los Jesuitas de España, decretada por Carlos III mediante la Pragmática Sanción de 1767, se entregó el edificio a la Real Clerecía de San Marcos, con sede en la Iglesia de San Marcos. Ésta, posteriormente cedió el edificio (salvo el templo) a la Diócesis de Salamanca, la cual instaló en él el Seminario de San Carlos.

En 1940, se crea la Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, instituida por el papa Pío XII, y la Diócesis le entrega el edificio como sede. Pese a que en esa entrega no se incluía el templo del Espíritu Santo, la Universidad Pontificia suprimió el culto en él desde septiembre de 2012 para poder ser explotado turísticamente. Sólo se permiten celebrar bodas de antiguos alumnos y personas vinculadas con la Universidad Pontificia.

La iglesia presenta fachada monumental con tres cuerpos

El primer cuerpo presenta grandes semicolumnas corintias custodiando las tres puertas de entrada. Sobre las dos laterales aparecen escudos de España y sobre la central una hornacina con la imagen de San Ignacio de Loyola, tras la expulsión de los jesuitas se colocó un león de piedra a los pies de la imagen, que pasó a representar así a San Marcos. El segundo cuerpo muestra dos óvalos con decoración barroca en las calles laterales y un gran ventanal en la central cuya luz tuvo que ser reducida debido al peso de los cuerpos superiores. El diseño de ambos cuerpos se debe al Padre Mato, arquitecto jesuita.

El tercer cuerpo es obra de Andrés García de Quiñones, que construyó las torres siguiendo el modelo proyectado inicialmente para el edificio del Ayuntamiento en la Plaza Mayor y espadaña central con un relieve de la Venida del Espíritu Santo, y esculturas de la Virgen y los reyes fundadores.

El interior de la iglesia es de una sola nave con capillas entre contrafuertes, siguiendo el esquema jesuítico de la romana iglesia de Il Gesú, con cuatro tramos y nave transversal ancha pero que no llega a sobresalir. La construcción está dominada por pilastras de orden toscano con reminiscencias escurialienses. Sobre las capillas laterales se abren balcones para uso de la Compañía. La gran cúpula que ilumina el interior es también obra del arquitecto jesuita Mato, teniendo la misma altura que la nave de la iglesia, 50 m, y reforzada en varias ocasiones debido a su magnitud.

Las naves se cubren con bóvedas de lunetos con decoración de estuco.(Wikipedia)

One of our favorite places in Michigan, we have been camping here for over 30 years. This is a photo of the Harbor and the North Country Trail, where it crosses the river via a suspension footbridge. The Black river is one of Michigan's Nationally designated (Wild and scenic rivers) , Gogebic County, Ottawa National Forest.

See more pics on my Facebook page!

Camera - Nikon D700

Lens - Nikon 50mm

Exposure -..1/250ec

Aperture - f/5.6

ISO Speed -200

Quality - raw processed in capture NX2

© Copyright 2012 John McCormick , All Rights Reserved

The latest member of Emirates SkyCargo's growing fleet departs the city as flight EK9885 outbound to Dubai/DXB gaining speed at runway 07R.

The Triple 7 joined the fleet on 19 Dec 2012 as the 7th Boeing 777/F.

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved

TWITTER | WWW.DAVIDGUTIERREZ.CO.UK | SAATCHI ONLINE | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK | REDBUBBLE

London | Architecture | Night Photography

... a tribute to my sunflowers.

When I researched the pattern of seeds which you see in the dried heads, I was delighted to find that the Fibonacci sequence is in action here. Although I hated mathematics at school, knowing that this mathematical sequence is behind the organisation of the seeds, gives me a feeling of being a very small part of the living cosmos, which is awesome!

Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60 cm. c. Liz Allen 2012

Sold

Photographic coverage of Space Shuttle Discovery flying atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft as it flies over the Washington, D.C. area. SCA Pilots: Jeff Moultrie and Bill Rieke. Photo Chase Pilot: Scott Reagan. Photo Date: April 17, 2012. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

Oriental Pearl Tower still is my favorite skyscraper in Pudong (it looks much taller than either Jin Mao or Shanghai World Financial Center from this perspective) - it has that 70ies sci-fi flair that I really like.

!!*Contains Hidden Watermarks"!!

Why? Recently I found many of my images on illegal print sites, that´s why I deemed it necessary to include watermarks in places where they can´t get cloned out easily.

© Andy Brandl (2012)

Don´t redistribute / use on webpages, blogs or any other media. See my "profile" page for information regarding licensing of this image for personal or commercial use, to visit my website and order prints.

...And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” ~ Genesis 1 :28

1 Corinthians 7:2

" But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband."

Hebrews 13:4

" Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."

Man is for woman and woman is for a man , not man for a man or woman for woman .The Biblical verses that supports the truth can hurt ...but not my words but by the Word of God .

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Dark Times but blessed are they that trust fully in God , making Him their fortress .

State Run Religion and Prepping for "Mass Fatalities" By Alex Jones ' INFOWARS ~ Hmmm very interesting .

EVIL POSSESSED NYPD COP ,make it sure you're not on his list passed on to his cohorts with the same sick fetish , demonically lusting cannibalism on women:

* NYPD cop charged in sick kidnap - cook plot involving 100 women

* NYPD Cop Plot To "Slow Cook" 100 Women "Zombie Cult" Demons!

* Prosecutors: NYPD officer conspired to kidnap, cook, eat women

Perverse and twisted times we are living in , a generation with less reverence or knowledge of God ;

evil considered as good and good considered evil.

* Steve Quayle "FREEDOM FROM LUST"

* Planned Parenthood praises sexual pleasure for kids

Now advocating 'removal' of laws allowing 'parental involvement' in decisions

* Satanism In Music Industry

* Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged part 1 of 2

* Iran Fires On USA Drones In Persian Gulf!!

* "Last Exit Before Babylon" Beautiful warning message to everyone not just Americans -- seek Jesus now ,never so late.

* Why People Around the World Should be Terrified of Obama ( And Christians Should be Thankful)

A fascinating perspective :-/

Instead of fear and worrying isn't it time to keep looking up with joy because it points to big changes soon to come and as foretold of Jesus coming .Look at world events ,earthquakes in diverse places of greater intensity ( Matthew 24 ) ,millions of animal deaths almost like everyday from one corner of the world to the next ,apocalyptic disasters one after another ... not the least ,the division of the promise land of God is on the big agenda right on our present day and President Obama is unto this in favor of the division of the land ,which I get the shivers of this thought ,but the Biblical text had stated this will happen .

Take note in Genesis 12 :2 - 3 "those who curse Israel will be curse " and Read Zechariah 12 ,God will cut down nations into pieces of those who attack Israel and divide His land . Make no mistake things will get so bad when your nation will be unto division of Israel .We are right in the cusp of the dark days towards the Tribulations .Read you Bible friends but no fear --- Jesus said "let not your hearts be troubled " rather put your trust in Jesus . I do believe everything happened for a purpose ,even the reelection of President Obama in my opinion and of other who are watching closely , is part of the fulfillment of prophetic events that should happen in our timeline ,what was foretold is unfolding . But keep holding on to the hope ,as this means we are close to Jesus coming to bring lasting peace on earth . This earth will never end .It's this evil world as we knew it that will come to its end - then the millenial reign of Jesus on earth ,the Bible said so .To every Christians ,it's time to keep our ways right with God in case we have slipped a little away from our walk with God , ask for true discernment to see things right from the Lord not from man. It's time to prepare ,keep your lamps with oil like 5 of the 10 virgins ( as the door to the bridegroom will shut soon ) , forsake the love of the things of this world , ask Jesus to search your hearts ,and put your lives right and stronger with Him .He is coming soon ,Maranatha !

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Location :

Malapascua Island , Central Visayas ,Philippines

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Thank you for the views and comments friends .

God bless :)

Stella Artois? Is this really the New Westminster I remember? Seen and photographed on a Vancouver-area Four Thirds Photographers photowalk with Arlene, Christian, Eugene, Evan, Frank, Herman, Jason, Jonathan, and NJ. Front Street, New Westminster, BC. November 11, 2012.

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The Thirumayam Fort is a 40-acre wide fortress in the town of Thirumayam in Pudukkottai-Karaikudi Highway in Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu, India. It was constructed by Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathi, the Raja of Ramnad in 1687. Later the fort was handed over to his brother in law Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman. The fort has been extensively renovated by Archaeological Survey of India in 2012

The fortress is of great historical significance and was an important stronghold of rebel chieftains in the Polygar (Palaiyakkarar)Wars. Oomathurai (ஊமைத்துரை)

younger brother of Veerapandiya Kattabomman was captured in this fort. The fort is locally known as Oomayan Kottai(fort of the dumb) The fort is maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a ticketed monument .

On the southern slope there are two rock cut temples, one of them dedicated to Sri Sathyamurthy-Sri Uyyavanda Nachiar (Vaishnavite) and another to Sri Sathyagireeswarar-Sri Venuvaneeswari (Saivite), Which are historically and religiously more important.

Look how the cheater print from Suzuko Koseki's newest line of fabrics goes beautifully with feedsack scraps, which form the binding. OM, through a link on Amy's latest blog post , I saw an incredible picture of a lap quilt made with two colorways of this cheater print, and it's awesome!!!!! It's here: blog.goo.ne.jp/tomajeru/c/3a05ac4d8c5bc584106d8759d3b06def

You can't see it unless you click through to the biggest version, but I quilted around the inner and outer squares.

I used the Wide Open Zippered Pouch tutorial by Noodlehead, aka Anna, though I changed a few things, such as hand-sewing the zipper, binding the top edge, and flipping the ends up after boxing the corners. Such a great tutorial by Noodlehead, available here: www.noodle-head.com/2012/06/open-wide-zippered-pouch-diy-... And for the binding, I used the excellent single binding tutorial by Kerry here: verykerryberry.blogspot.com/2011/01/single-binding-tutori...

The SK fabric is from Kit at Blije Olifantje on Etsy.

A community of Augustinian canons built a priory here, known as Anglesea or Anglesey Priory, some time during the reign of Henry I (i.e., between 1100 and 1135),

The former priory was acquired around 1600 by Thomas Hobson, who converted it to a country house for his son-in-law, Thomas Parke. In the late 18th century, the house was owned by Sir George Downing, the founder of Downing College, Cambridge.

Huttleston (1896–1966) and Henry (1900–1973) Broughton bought the site in 1926 and made improvements to the house. They were the sons of Urban Broughton (1857–1929), who had made a fortune in the mining and railway industries in America. On his death, Huttleston left the abbey to the National Trust

Cambridshire Anglesey Abbey 2012 10 172 HDR

RAMESH JS . Rest In Peace.

He was a bird enthusiast.

He was a nature lover.

He lost his life in an elephant chase.

Wish his family all the strength.

I got to know about this incident through a friend of mine.

RAMESH JS was on WORDPRESS . GOOGLE+ . TIMES OF INDIA .

PS:

The camera was placed on the ground.

Image edited on picassa.

Step 1: Add Shadow

Step 2: Add Tint

Step 3: Upload. Hopefully never under such circumstances. RIP.

Rehearsal of "Goldilocks and the Downhome Bears". January 28 & 29, 2012; TriPAC theater, Pottstown, Pa.

Jaén es una ciudad y municipio español de la comunidad autónoma de Andalucía, capital de la provincia homónima. Ostenta el título de «Muy Noble y Muy Leal Ciudad de Jaén, Guarda y Defendimiento de los Reinos de Castilla» y es conocida como la «capital del Santo Reino». Cuenta en 2018 con una población de 113 522 habitantes según el INE, 54 948 hombres y 59 290 mujeres, lo que supone aproximadamente una sexta parte de la población de toda la provincia. La ciudad se enmarca dentro del área metropolitana de Jaén de la que es cabecera, y absorbe un tercio de la población total de la provincia de Jaén. Su superficie es de 424,30 km² También es sede del partido judicial número 1 de la provincia y de la diócesis homónima.

Se alza al pie del cerro de Santa Catalina, con calles empinadas y de pronunciadas pendientes que definen su urbanismo, ensanchándose hacia las zonas más llanas y amplias de los nuevos barrios y bulevares. En sus alrededores abundan fértiles tierras de cultivo, y extensos olivares que cubren gran parte de su término. Hacia el sur y el sureste se encuentran las sierras de Jaén y Jabalcuz, y al norte se abre el llano del río Guadalbullón, que pasa a muy corta distancia de la ciudad.

Debido a su situación, Jaén ha tenido una gran importancia estratégica, habiéndose encontrado en su núcleo urbano varios de los asentamientos humanos más antiguos de Europa. Del mismo modo, tuvo gran importancia en la historia de al-Ándalus y del Reino de Castilla.

La actividad económica más importante de la provincia de Jaén es la producción de aceite de oliva, siendo la mayor productora mundial, lo cual queda patente bajo el lema que recibe la ciudad, como «Capital mundial del aceite de oliva». En este sentido, la ciudad alberga desde el año 1983 y de forma bienal Expoliva, una feria internacional de referente mundial dedicada al sector del aceite de oliva e industrias afines, celebrada actualmente en la Institución Ferial de Jaén. No obstante, la economía también está basada en el sector servicios, la administración, la industria agrícola y alimentaria, la construcción, y un incipiente turismo cultural.

Entre su patrimonio histórico-artístico cabe destacar la catedral de la Asunción de la Virgen, el castillo con sus tres alcázares, los Baños Árabes y el emblemático Monumento a las Batallas, situado en la céntrica Plaza de las Batallas, que conmemora la batalla de Las Navas de Tolosa y la batalla de Bailén, ambas acaecidas en la provincia de Jaén.

Las fiestas populares más representativas de Jaén son las «Lumbres de San Antón», que se celebran la noche del 16 al 17 de enero. Durante esa noche se corre la Carrera Urbana Internacional Noche de San Antón. En octubre se celebra la feria de San Lucas. Su origen data del siglo XIV, siendo su día grande el 18 de octubre. Especial mención tiene la Semana Santa de Jaén, declarada Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional, teniendo gran expectación la procesión de «El Abuelo», durante la madrugada del Viernes Santo.

En la actualidad algunos proyectos a realizar en la ciudad son la finalización del sistema tranviario y cercanías del área metropolitana, el Museo Internacional de Arte Íbero, la construcción de las infraestructuras necesarias para la conexión ferroviaria con trenes de AVE o la restauración del Convento de Santo Domingo.

es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaén

jaenpedia.wikanda.es/wiki/Jaén

Jaén (Spanish pronunciation: [xaˈen]) is a city in south-central Spain. The name is most likely derived from the Roman name Villa Gaiena (Villa of Gaius), which the Arabs called Jayyān It is the capital of the province of Jaén, and is located in the autonomous community of Andalusia.

The inhabitants of the city are known as Jiennenses. Its population is 116,731 (2012), about one-sixth of the population of the province. Recently Jaén has had a great increase in cultural tourism, having received 604,523 tourists along the year 2015, 10% more than in 2014. The city is also known as the World Capital of Olive Oil, because it is the biggest producer of the oil, known by locals as liquid gold.

The layout of Jaén is determined by its position in the hills of the Santa Catalina mountains, with steep, narrow streets, in the historical central city district. The city of Jaén is the administrative and industrial centre for the province. Industrial establishments in the city include chemical works, tanneries, distilleries, cookie factories, textile factories, as well as agricultural and olive oil processing machinery industry.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaén,_Spain

El castillo de Santa Catalina es una antigua construcción defensiva de acabado cristiano-medieval, que corona el cerro del mismo nombre, en una estribación de la Sierra de Jabalcuz a 820 m de altitud, desde la cual se divisa toda la ciudad de Jaén, los olivares y las montañas circundantes de la zona.

El nombre le viene dado por la capilla que se construiría en el castillo tras su conquista. La capilla de Santa Catalina de Alejandría es de estilo gótico, y fue construida entre los siglos XIII y XIV.

En 1965 fue acondicionado como Parador Nacional de Turismo.

Este recinto, también llamado Castillo o Alcázar Nuevo, se asienta sobre la roca viva del cerro, y es uno de los tres recintos defensivos que constituyen el Castillo de Jaén. En su lado oeste, se sitúa la Torre del Homenaje que, en otros tiempos, servía de vertebración con la antigua alcazaba. Es una gran torre de planta cuadrada, con 15,45 m de lado, y más de 30 m de altura, con tres plantas y terraza, con bóvedas cruzadas con arcos ojivales, y acceso desde el patio de armas.

Todo el perímetro sur carece de torres, al estar construido sobre un escarpe vertical. Hay en este paño, una poterna y un saledizo, que alberga una letrina. En cambio, en su perímetro norte hay situadas tres torres, dos de ellas albarranas y una tercera, junto a la puerta de acceso. Finalmente, existe una quinta torre, pentagonal, en el extremo oriental del recinto. El patio de armas es de gran superficie, y en él se encuentran restos de construcciones diversas, entre ellas dos aljibes y un bastión.

Todo el paramento de este castillo responde a un tipo arquitectónico nuevo, en relación con la alcazaba existente: mampostería menuda en la obra general, sillar o sillarejo en los ángulos, y ladrillo o dovelas de cantería en los arcos.

Los primeros elementos defensivos que se advierten en el cerro de Santa Catalina datan de la época ibérica; son restos ciclópeos situados en la ladera septentrional del cerro y correspondientes a un oppidum, y relacionado especialmente con el cercano asentamiento de Puente Tablas, del cual habría absorbido su población tras un primer abandono de este último que se aprecia en la transición entre el siglo IV a. C. y el III. La función propiamente militar del cerro se remonta a la época cartaginesa, cuando Aníbal construyó una importante fortaleza para proteger la colonia cartaginesa que fundó en la ciudad, una instalación que sería mantenida y reforzada por los romanos tras la conquista.

En época islámica (a partir del siglo VIII) comienza la reconstrucción del nuevo recinto fortificado en la cumbre del cerro, que sufriría progresivas ampliaciones hasta alcanzar su máximo tamaño entre los siglos XII y XIII.

Así pues, junto al Castillo de Santa Catalina, donde hoy está el Parador Nacional, existió una fortaleza anterior de origen árabe, el Alcázar Viejo, de la que aún quedan algunas evidencias.

No obstante, la construcción visible actual es de origen cristiano, siendo erigida tras la conquista de la ciudad por Fernando III el Santo en 1246, quien por tanto se la arrebató al rey moro Al-Ahmar. También es cristiano el tercer recinto del alcázar, denominado Abrehuí.

Durante el siglo XV se llevaron a cabo unas reformas impulsadas por el Condestable de Castilla Miguel Lucas de Iranzo, que dio lugar a la unión del Alcázar Nuevo y el Alcázar de Abrehuy, separados hasta entonces por una explanada. Estas obras finalizarían con la construcción de la Torre del Homenaje. De ello existe constancia documental pues, en 1529, "hubo que gastar 10.000 maravedís en obra urgente" en el castillo.3

Aunque el Alcázar Nuevo fue mandado construir por Fernando III, fueron Alfonso X y Fernando IV los reyes que intensificaron y culminaron las obras.

En el siglo XIX, cuando Napoleón Bonaparte entra en España y sus tropas llegan hasta la ciudad de Jaén, el Castillo de Santa Catalina fue modificado por las tropas napoleónicas, que destruirían parte del aljibe, con objeto de albergar en su interior un polvorín, donde surgirían dos habitaciones usadas como caballerizas. Un hospital sería construido por los franceses, que se asentaron con gusto en este castillo durante la ocupación francesa, de tal forma que se realizaron varias reformas dentro de las cuales están los pabellones para el gobernador, una plataforma artillera o incluso un área de oficinas. A la salida de la ciudad los franceses volaron el castillo para que otras tropas no pudieran usarlo.

El castillo de Santa Catalina, elemento de identidad para Jaén Se ha transformado en un monumento visitable de interés turístico, en un lugar clave para la ciudad, un símbolo y un espacio cultural donde la historia cobra vida por medio de exposiciones explicativas. De este modo, el visitante saldrá del castillo conociendo la singularidad del cerro de Santa Catalina, a partir del cual se centra la temática, continuando con la ocupación que ha sufrido el mismo a lo largo de la historia, por parte de las diferentes civilizaciones que llegaron a coronar su cima. Del mismo modo se trata de explicar las aportaciones culturales que dejaron aquellos que se asentaron en el cerro, aportaciones que, todavía hoy, están presentes en la vida y tradición de los jiennenses.

Aunque la superficie total del castillo, incluyendo el Patio de armas, alcanza los 3.000 m², la superficie útil reservada para la exposición interpretativa, es de unos 525 m² aproximadamente. Para empezar, se describe la Sala de Recepción y Conferencias de la Torre del Homenaje, donde por medio de un audiovisual se ofrece una primera impresión acerca de los contenidos del Castillo. De este modo, se introducen los diversos espacios donde el visitante podrá "viajar al pasado", empezando por entrar en la Torre de las Troneras, lugar donde se alojaban las letrinas, y donde podrá apreciar el sistema de evacuación por gravedad así como el de ventilación.

En la Torre de la Vela, se emitirá a través de una pantalla una representación virtual de la fortaleza durante la ocupación francesa. También es visitable la Prisión ambientada en la época de la ocupación francesa, espacio de 60 m² donde se encuentran los calabozos, que tuvieron un importante uso por aquel entonces. Continuando con la visita, la Torre albarrana cuenta con diferentes sistemas multimedia, por lo que a través de los diferentes dispositivos, paneles interactivos y pantallas táctiles, se introduce al visitante en los aspectos históricos, culturales y sociales de la ciudad de Jaén. Además, un espacio-museo está localizado en la Torre de las Damas, lugar en la que se exponen piezas arqueológicas halladas en el recinto.

Ubicada a la izquierda del castillo, en el punto más elevado de la ciudad, se observa una gran cruz, famosa si bien no por su valor intrínseco, sí por ser un perenne símbolo de la ciudad. Se dice que esta cruz monumental hace memoria a la que en aquel mismo lugar mandó colocar Fernando III el Santo tras arrebatar la fortaleza al rey Alhamar, y es que aunque este monumento se reconoce y caracteriza por sus grandes dimensiones, cuenta la leyenda que, en realidad, esta cruz había sido anteriormente de madera, y/o piedra de unas proporciones mucho más pequeñas, frecuentemente derribada por el formidable viento tan típico de Jaén.

La cruz actual es una donación de la familia Balguerias, existiendo una lápida de mármol gris donde se inscribe y hace referencia a la cesión de esta cruz para la ciudad de Jaén por parte de la misma.

es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_Santa_Catalina_(Jaén)

es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_Jaén

© D a v e F o r b e s

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Engagement 5,000+

SKR 801G touring the West Highlands

The 1965 registered Bedford SB was shipped out to Malta for the then "Maltese Bus" after which they did some tweeking of their own and a further rebuild was designed by Michael Debono.

VIB 258

I'm going to make note on this photo the fact that this winter has been the warmest and with the least snowfall of any winter in my memory, or my mothers 80 year recollection, and she remembers everything! :). There wasn't a hint of snow or ice anywhere on the Lake Michigan shoreline.

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Camera - Nikon D700

Lens - Nikon 50mm

Exposure - 1/80 sec

Aperture - f/8

Focal Length -50mm

ISO Speed - 200

Quality - raw processed in capture NX2

Tripod - manfrotto-proxb

filter - .9 reverse nd

© Copyright 2012 John McCormick , All Rights Reserved

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In this photo the bulls are nearing the finishing post and they had to turn left to avoid running into the embankment straight ahead.

Looks like this is what is going to happen now. - I mean that the bulls are going straight on to the embankment.

The runner on the left ought to have controlled the bull to make them turn but handling heaving and seething masses of bull power running in the mud is not at all easy.

The people are already scattering and running for cover. Not to miss the vidographer in the lungi who is recording the run.

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Adoor in Kerala holds its famous Bull Races every year around the time of Onam. It is a celebration of agrarian existence and is carried on without any grants or aid from the Government. This is a spectacular fiesta of rural Kerala. There are 2-3 other such events that are held in Kerala.

Two racing bulls are hitched together and three men come into action. Two racers with lead ropes on either side of the bulls who try to control the direction and speed if possible and one often obscured by sprays of mud and water, a jockey who rides on a small flat strip of wood.

The bulls race ahead with the men keeping desperately abreast of the thundering hooves. At the end of the racing track there is a 4-6 feet embankment of earth which acts as a protection and a marker for the bulls. The embankment gets totally crowded with onlookers. The bull racers need to turn the bull around and do a 360 degree here but most times that effort fails as the bulls in their racing frenzy would be uncontrollable.

I have no idea on the current status of the bull races. There are enough organisations howling to stop such races but the Supreme Court of India in a judgement a few months ago allowed bull/bullock cart races to go on in Punjab. So chances are that the tradition may still live on.

Dates

Taken on August 15, 2007 at 1.16pm IST (edit)

Posted to Flickr September 20, 2012 at 11.55AM IST (edit)

Exif data

Camera Nikon D70

Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1000)

Aperture f/4.0

Focal Length 70 mm

ISO Speed 200

Exposure Bias 0 EV

Flash Off, Did not fire

DSC_0380 via ACr