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The Highland (Scottish Gaelic: Bò Ghàidhealach; Scots: Hielan coo) is a Scottish breed of rustic beef cattle. It originated in the Scottish Highlands and the Western Islands of Scotland and has long horns and a long shaggy coat. It is a hardy breed, able to withstand the intemperate conditions in the region. The first herd-book dates from 1885; two types – a smaller island type, usually black, and a larger mainland type, usually dun – were registered as a single breed. It is reared primarily for beef, and has been exported to several other countries.
After months of discussing the logistics of making this happen with Steven, and his coordination with GLC, when it finally happened we had something that neither of us planned on: A makeshift lake. After getting insidious amounts of rain the previous 48 hours to the tune of 5 inches, all that rain had no where to go except collect in the yard for us to utilize. With lights staged and pushed to the limits, limits I have never taken them to before, the calm wind made the perfect setting.
Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
My best photos are here: www.lacerta-bilineata.com/ticino-best-photos-of-southern-...
More TICINO/TESSIN Wildlife Photos (all taken in my garden in Monteggio/Ti, Switzerland): it.lacerta-bilineata.com/ramarro-occidentale-lacerta-bili...
If you're interested, you'll find a more detailed closeup here (it's the 8th photo from the top): www.lacerta-bilineata.com/western-green-lizard-lacerta-bi...
My latest ANIMAL VIDEO (it's very brief but pretty unusual: a tiny wall lizard attacks two young great tits): www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQqkSsyrm7E
THE STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: MY LONG AND ARDUOUS JOURNEY TO BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY
If you've set yourself the challenge of exclusively shooting the wildlife in your own back yard, you might find - as I did - that bird photography is really, really hard.
It's not that reptiles are easy to photograph either, mind - but at least the ones in my garden stay (for the most part) on the ground, and one can learn how to carefully approach them with a camera. They're also clearly egoists, which from a photographer's point of view is is a great character trait: if a lizard detects a human in its vicinity, it's only interested in saving its own skin, and it won't alarm its buddies.
But birds... oh man. Over the years, my feathered friends and I have developed a lovely routine that now defines our peaceful co-existence. As soon as I as much as open a window (let alone the door), I'm instantly greeted by an eruption of panicky fluttering and hysterical shouts from my garden: "SAVE YOUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND FLY FOR YOUR LIVES: THE HAIRLESS, PINK MONSTER IS COMING!!! (Yes, I speak bird, and I know that this is exactly what they are shouting 😉).
Needless to say, with the exception of the redstart I already showed here, all my efforts to get the kind of detailed shots I usually strive for with my nature photography ended in complete failure and utter disillusionment. I was ready to give up on stalking the winged misanthropes in my garden altogether, but then winter came - and changed everything.
One day this past January I observed my neighbor Signora P - a kind, elderly Italian lady - putting something on the low garden wall in front of my house. At first I thought she was just putting some treat there for her cat Romeo; the young tom patrols that wall constantly (it's his favorite spot in the garden, and during the warmer months he usually lurks in the thick foliage next to it to prey on lizards).
But once I detected a lot of movement on that wall through my window, I understood she had put a little pile of bread crumbs there; she was feeding the birds who soon arrived in flocks. This was certainly well-intended on my neighbor's part, but her noble action came with a catch, and I'm afraid quite literally.
When I took a stroll through my garden the next day I discovered a suspicious amount of feathers on the ground next to the wall. Romeo had apparently switched from his low-calorie summer diet (lizard) to more energy-rich meals consisting of "fowl" (it was winter after all, so from a nutritionist's point of view this made sense).
I would find fresh traces of Romeo's victims (mostly feathers, but also the odd wing) in my garden over the following days; so my first intuition that my neighbor was feeding her cat hadn't been that far off after all, as Romeo was now clearly being "served" fresh birds on a daily basis. And although the hungry visitors seemed to be aware of the danger and became slightly more prudent, they just couldn't resist the tasty snacks Signora P put on that wall - and neither could Romeo.
It was obvious that I had to act, but talking to my neighbor - who is as stubborn as she is kind - would have been futile, I knew that much. I pondered the matter long and hard - until a light bulb went off in my head. The idea was genius. If successful, what I had in mind would not only increase the birds' chances of surviving Romeo's appetite, but also greatly benefit my own photographic endeavors.
I started to enact my master plan the very next day by buying a giant bag of bird feed (consisting mainly of sunflower seeds) from the store. Then I dragged a huge piece of a tree trunk (approx. 120 cm in height) that we normally chop firewood on in the shed out into the garden and emptied almost half of the bag's content on top of it. Signora P's buffet for birds (and cats) was about to get some serious competition 😊.
My reasoning was as follows: not only would the birds be lured away from the fatally low garden wall to a place where they were safe from the cat - there was nothing around that tree trunk that provided cover for a predator, and the birds had a nice 360° view around it at all times - but I was also able to photograph them while hiding in the shed.
However, in order for my plan to work there was one little extra measure I had to take, and it was one that risked lowering my own life expectancy considerably once the owner of the property - my mom - discovered it. You see, our shed is completely windowless, so if I wanted to use it as a blind, I had no choice but to cut a hole into one of its wooden walls... which I promptly did (I figured all's fair in love - and photography 😉).
Granted, I have absolutely zero carpentering skills, and it showed. That hole was an ugly mess: the shed's wall seemed to have had an encounter with Jack Nicholson's ax-wielding lunatic character from the film 'The Shining'. Needless to say, I was incredibly proud of my work (I mean, come on: there now was a hole where before there wasn't a hole, and it was big enough for the lens of my camera to peek through, so it was mission accomplished as far as I was concerned).
Now all I had to do was wait for the birds to discover the tree trunk. In the meantime I started to mentally prepare myself for the inevitable confrontation with my mom and go through possible explanations for that splintering hole in the wall (it was either gonna be a rabid woodpecker attack or an emergency rescue mission with a feeding tube for a little kid that had accidentally locked himself inside the shed - both seemed valid options, though I slightly preferred the locked-in kid due to the involved drama and heroism 😉).
A whole day went by, and not a single bird visited the sunflower seeds. I had expected that it might take a few hours until the first of the ever curious great tits or blue tits would show up, but given how tiny my garden is, an entire day seemed excessive. Then another day came and went: the birds kept flocking to the bread crumbs on the wall, and my tree trunk kept collecting dust. To add injury to insult, a few fresh feathers on the ground were proof that Romeo was still feasting.
It was incredibly frustrating: I provided my winged guests with a much better view - plus a higher chance of surviving the cuisine - than Signora P's place; I risked (almost) certain death at the hands of my own mother (OK, the act of vandalism on the shed I had committed for my own benefit, but still), yet the birds kept ignoring me.
Then, after three days, just before sunset, I spotted a single blue tit on the tree trunk picking away at the sunflower seeds.
When I got up the next morning I immediately realized that the loud noise that accompanies each and every tit activity had shifted from the wall to the shed. At last the dam had broken: there was a flurry of movement around the tree trunk, and I counted at least 5 different species of birds feasting on the sunflower seeds.
From day 4 onward my plan worked beautifully: the birds now indeed mostly ignored Romeo's "snack wall" and kept to the tree trunk. And yes, I was able to play peeping tom from behind the shed's wall and photograph them!! 😊
Thus, dear readers, I finally managed to produce some acceptable bird photos, and I had even saved my feathered friends from a deadly foe in the process. All through winter and spring I took advantage of my new bird hide, and in late May I started mixing some cherries with the sunflower seeds. The idea was to attract a Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius), and as you can see, it worked!
It took me almost three weeks and more than a few tricks to capture that clever fella, but given how long I've been rambling here already, that's a story for another day. As for my mom, she still doesn't know about the hole in the wall, so please don't snitch! 😉.
I hope you like the photo and wish you all a wonderful weekend! Many greetings from Switzerland, and as always: let me know what you think in the comments 🙏 😊 ❤!
P.S. if anyone has their own funny tale about the obstacles we photographers are prepared to overcome for a desired photo, please write it in the comments: I love such stories 😊
My husband and I took a walk through the wildflowers and weeds. We both experienced a relaxed and open mind, as well as a sense of euphoria. Very beneficial!
OOC Jpeg
135 mm (medium-tele)
Exp. Corr. Value: +0.3 EV
Exp. Program: Normal
Metering mode: Pattern
WB Settings: Auto
Due to the fact that the Southwest Chief arrived at Fullerton on track three and had to crossover to main one after departing the Station. BNSF 7083 had to halt it's eastward progress and wait for the Chief to clear the junction and get far enough ahead of it so the OOCL train out of the port of Long Beach could follow on flashing yellows.
One of the jewels of the Costa del Sol is the beautiful little village of Mijas, which nestles comfortably in the mountainside at 428 meters above sea level ..
When you wander through the narrow cobbled streets of this Andalucian village, you can understand what has attracted foreigners to settle here over the years.
Many artists and writers have made it their home, enjoying the benefits of an excellent all year round climate, without being part of the busier, more commercial coastal towns just 7 kilometres down the mountain side.
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Benefit Street is on the edge of College Hill overlooking Providence and has some of the oldest houses in the City. It's a classy street with a wonderful atmosphere and in the fog one can almost imagine being back in colonial times.
View large and be absorbed by the street :)
Chosen for 2019 juried photography show at the Manfield Community Center, Mansfield, CT. Received "People's Choice" award.
Nikon FM2 - Nikkor 50 1.4 AI - Ilford HP5+ @ 1600 - semi-stand develop - Rodinal 5+350 - 90 min, agitate every 15 - dslr scan
This very large bumble bee had just come out from inside this Day lily after gathering the nectar to take back to its hive so the colon can grow and reproduce. But it is also covered in pollen. The next day lily this bee would land on to search for more nectar would finish the work and pollenate the flower and start the cycle over for the next years flowers and bees!
A simple transaction that benefits both the bees and the flowers.
Shot using a Nikon 105mm f2.5 AI lens.
NEW YORK - MAY 01: Actress Maggie Q attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala: Anglomania at the Metropolitan Museum of Art May 1, 2006 in New York
SUNSET ~ Gulf of Mexico ~ just NW of Cuba
Rock Legends Cruise VII ~ February 14th-18th, 2019
Independence of the Seas ~ Royal Caribbean Line
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/KaidenTray%20Landscapes/16...
"Life is"
- a poem by Mother Theresa
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is life, fight for it.
The street art/grafitti is from Minimal. I couldn't find this piece on MP or their in world store. Putting links to their MP and in world stores.
MP: marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/156471
In World: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/MINIMAL%20Gallery/6/136/27
Dress: ConTrato Peace Love Retro
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/ConTrato-Peace-Love-Retro-Dr...
Pantyhose: Vannie's Juliette
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/VANNIES-Pantyhose-Juliette-A...
Heels: Pure Poison Tiana Sandals
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Pure-Poison-Tiana-Sandals/20...
What a splendid day for Pep and I! The benefit was a huge success. Pep was the star, made lots of new friends, saw old friends and family. After 4 hours Pep and I were pretty worn out. But we had a blast. Photo credit by a dear friend.
Each year - almost always in the summer - there passes a weekend so memorable, so full of energy, passion and life that it defines that year in my memory. I suspect that 2008's has just passed: with the best weather the year has seen so far, and the return of my dear friend Jonny, it felt as though I was on holiday.
Sadly, as one great man returns to Glasgow, another is leaving: today, Kev left for Saudi Arabia to work for two months or so. This photo, snapped in the smoking area of The Cathouse, was taken in the brief window of the long weekend when both were with me. It's two photo's stitched together, but they were both taken from exactly the same spot, one straight after the other.
Obviously, this benefits from being viewed large.
Cattle egret-Bubulcus ibis
Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) and Little egret (Egretta garzetta)
The cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a cosmopolitan species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus, although some authorities regard two of its subspecies as full species, the western cattle egret and the eastern cattle egret. Despite the similarities in plumage to the egrets of the genus Egretta, it is more closely related to the herons of Ardea. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonised much of the rest of the world in the last century.
It is a white bird adorned with buff plumes in the breeding season. It nests in colonies, usually near bodies of water and often with other wading birds. The nest is a platform of sticks in trees or shrubs. Cattle egrets exploit drier and open habitats more than other heron species. Their feeding habitats include seasonally inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands, wetlands and rice paddies. They often accompany cattle or other large mammals, catching insect and small vertebrate prey disturbed by these animals. Some populations of the cattle egret are migratory and others show post-breeding dispersal.
The adult cattle egret has few predators, but birds or mammals may raid its nests, and chicks may be lost to starvation, calcium deficiency or disturbance from other large birds. This species maintains a special relationship with cattle, which extends to other large grazing mammals; wider human farming is believed to be a major cause of their suddenly expanded range. The cattle egret removes ticks and flies from cattle and consumes them. This benefits both species, but it has been implicated in the spread of tick-borne animal diseases.
For more information, please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattle_egret
The swamp harrier is a large, tawny-brown bird of prey that occurs throughout New Zealand. It is an opportunistic hunter that searches for food by slowly quartering the ground with its large wings held in a distinctive shallow V-shape. Adapted to hunt in open habitats, its numbers have benefitted from widespread forest clearance and the development of agriculture. Although carrion is a major component of the harrier’s diet, it also actively hunts live prey such as small birds, mammals and insects. Capable dispersers, birds from New Zealand visit islands as far north as the Kermadec Islands and as far south as Campbell Island. Known for their dramatic ‘sky-dancing’ courtship display the swamp harrier is the largest of the 16 species of harriers found worldwide.
Salmon farming is a hot topic right now. Some say environmental disaster, others say a boost to fragile communities in the countryside. I'm not sure where I stand on it but this raven in Bíldudalur sure benefits from it.
"Friends With Benefits" Benefit Summary Prospectus
larger version: www.flickr.com/photos/laughingsquid/2669186954/sizes/o/
original source unkown
An evening with Gabriel the Bull at the Bloomery
September 10th, 2022
Can't join us?
You can still support the cause!
Wide range of shirts / apparel available:
www.bonfire.com/whiskey-amp-wild-horses/
We're putting Wyoming's wild horses on the map.
You've heard all the news: roundups, removals, helicopters, holding corrals. It's been a tough couple of years. We have not forgotten the horses taken from their homes, but there are still mustangs living free on public land, and we cannot afford to let them go unseen.
We know from experience ... horses in unvisited places tend to vanish ... so we are working to design and publish a map. Proceeds from this event will help us create a user-friendly guide to the mustang herds of Wyoming.
We say, "Love them or lose them!"
Gabriel the Bull on Youtube:
President George Washington thought political parties were self-serving tyrants that exacerbated tribal and regional differences for their own benefit at the expense of the country, e.g. North or South, city or rural. In his farewell address, America's first outgoing President asked Americans to step outside the hypnotic spell, which he called the "awe", of political parties and party leaders in order to serve the greater good of the country and its citizen government. "Unawed" would mean carefully deliberated, uninfluenced by party hyperbole and seduction. Washington declared to his fellow countrymen:
"This government, the offspring of our own choice, uninfluenced and unawed, adopted upon full investigation and mature deliberation, completely free in its principles, in the distribution of its powers, uniting security with energy, and containing within itself a provision for its own amendment, has a just claim to your confidence and your support. Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true liberty. The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. But the Constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government.
All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels and modified by mutual interests.
However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."
–Declared President George Washington in his Farewell Address to the nation in 1796.
Kick start your day with a cup of green tea to feel fresh and alert all through the day. Your doctor may be advising you to start having a few cups of green tea daily to become healthy and also to be able to lose those extra calories. However the benefits of green tea are not just restricted to...
Read More here : www.newsduet.net/benefits-green-tea-skin/
Stopping smoking remains an undertaking that is difficult -specifically for long time smokers- of smoking withdrawal because of the effects and verbal and /or interpersonal dependencies. However the bodies of ex-smokers encounter quick health developments that are several of smoking their last
Girl Power! Hooters Regional Swimsuit Contest, Columbia Missouri. All proceeds went to benefit breast cancer research.
9959 US 23.
Opened in 1949 and closed in 2010, although it's been open for at least a couple special events this year including a benefit film screening and a Halloween festival.
Photos from the Rehearsal Performance of the Ann Arbor Dance Classics Benefit Show at the Saline High School on Saturday March 18th, 2023 (for the performance on Sunday the 19th). The show was called "Work of Art" - the 2022 Benefit Concert and Competition Showcase to benefit the Peace Neighborhood Center. The show also featured a performance from the University of Michigan First-Year Dance Company.
Dunkelweizen The Victoria Humane Society was named the 2014 BC Benefit Brew winner! Pouring a deep earthy brown colour with a generous dose of wheat, roasted flavours are wrapped in a smooth malt body that finish dry. Full proceeds from the sale of this beer went to finding animals loving forever homes