Snowflakes may resemble each other in their basic structure, and yet each is unique within that structure. If you think about it, it becomes all the more clear how absurd the urge for “people-Homogenization” really is. Even ice crystals have more will on individualism. What is sadder, however, is that majority of people give up this privilege voluntarily to be categorized and homogenized.

Anyway: For both applies, that the closer you look, the more visible the difference.

—

youtu.be/-lyg7jNKUb8?feature=shared

IPY my Sunny Side 💕

Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

The pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus, is a large, crow-sized woodpecker with a prominent red crest, white neck stripe, and a mostly black body. These woodpeckers are native to North America, where it is the largest confirmed extant woodpecker species, and they are the third largest extant species of woodpecker in the world, after the great slaty woodpecker and the black woodpecker. It inhabits deciduous forests in eastern North America, the Great Lakes, the boreal forests of Canada, and parts of the Pacific Coast. The woodpecker is primarily an insectivore and eats insects that live in trees. Pileateds are famous for making large, nearly rectangular carvings into trees, which they either used to extract prey inside the tree or to make a nest. They are a species with a large range and an increasing population, causing them to be categorized as a species of "least concern" by the IUCN in 2016.

The #556-036 carries its iconic communist red star. Of course, it is a preserved engine kept in original condition. It is a type 2-10-0 as per the Anglo-Saxon categorization of steam engines, or 1-E in Germany and central Europe, or 150 in France. It is a modern engine, built in 1952 by Skoda Plzen, a large series of 510 units. See here: sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parn%C3%BD_ru%C5%A1e%C5%88_556.0

In the evening of February 24, 2024, the 556-036 with a freight train was staying still in the Červená Skala station. It was the star of a night photo session organized by a super team of German railfans and Slovakian railroaders, on a steam tour funded by several dozen railfans from many countries.

Photo © JM Frybourg – 240224-0312

Taken near CBD, Melbourne

I haven't done a coloured photo in a while, I think it's mainly because I haven't been looking for them since I am only paying attention to black and whites for the Essence series when I am out shooting. (btw two more photos coming soon!)

Anyway, this photo has been on my mind for almost 8 months now and I have finally done it :)! So yeah this means this is a posed photo, just wanted to be clear right from the beginning. I know a lot of people will think this isn't street photography because it's posed and to be honest I don't really know either. I think if I didn't mention the fact that this was posed, most people probably wouldn't have noticed or mentioned anything.

What do you think? Do you think as soon as the authenticity is gone then regardless of how "street photography" a photo looks like, it is no longer street photography? Is the process more important than the product in terms of categorizing ?

I would love to hear what you think!

Thanks for reading and have a lovely day!

Ron

p.s. Thank you to my dear friend for helping :).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for viewing my photos! Don't hesitate to leave a comment or send a pm and ask me about anything :)!

For prints please message me directly.

Website | Insta @ron.see

The Nash Metropolitan is an American automobile assembled in England and marketed from 1953 until 1962.

It conforms to two classes of vehicle: economy car and subcompact car. The Metropolitan is considered a "subcompact", but this category was not yet in use when the car was made. At that time, it was categorized as a "small automobile" as well as an "economy car".

The Metropolitan was also marketed as a Hudson model when Nash and Hudson merged in 1954 to form the American Motors Corporation (AMC). The Nash and Hudson lines were phased out in favor of the Rambler line, and in 1957, the Metropolitan became a standalone brand and was badged with a stylized 'M' on hubcaps and grille. The cars were also sold in the United Kingdom and other markets. (Wikipedia)

Continuing our adventure with a visit to Bisbee Arizona. We toured Erie Street in Lowell.

Lots of memories for me since I grew up in Arizona in the 1950's. Miami & Globe Arizona were a lot like Lowell.

I asked Google AI for help identifying this truck. It did a much better job on this truck than it did on the classic cars.

Google AI

The truck in the image is a vintage Studebaker pickup truck, likely from the late 1940s or early 1950s, commonly identified as a 1949 Studebaker Pickup in other contexts. While some sources might broadly categorize it as "circa 1946" due to the M-series production period, it's more specifically known as a 1949 model in historical and photographic records.

Key Characteristics:

Model Series:

It belongs to the Studebaker M-series or 2R series, which were produced in the post-WWII era.

www.atlasobscura.com/places/erie-street-historic-lowell

Erie Street, Historic Lowell

Bisbee, Arizona

A living snapshot of a different time in America is preserved and maintained by a community of volunteers.

Visiting Erie Street is like walking into a 1950s post-apocalyptic landscape. From all that is immediately apparent, it could have been abandoned in a hurry and forgotten for half a century. Rusting cars, trucks, and an old Greyhound bus sit deserted along the street as if their passengers had suddenly vanished (or worse).

Erie Street is most of what is left of Lowell, Arizona, a mining town incorporated into Bisbee in the early 1900s. Much of the town's residential area was demolished to widen an open-pit copper mine. Losing most of its residents caused the commercial district to struggle, and many businesses failed as a result. Today, the street's special curiosities include a Harley Davidson repair shop with a now-defunct gas pump and Sprouse Reitz Co., a department store that is nearly empty except for a few appliances and a whole pile of mannequin parts.

Despite appearing untouched since its decline, further investigation reveals that Erie Street is continually restored by a vibrant and passionate community of residents and volunteers who want to remember a different America. So although you can no longer see a show at Lowell's movie theater or pay $0.22 for gasoline, the Lowell Americana Project has made it possible to experience the street as a living snapshot of another time. And not everything on Erie Street is purely decorative - visit the Bisbee Breakfast Club for an excellent Huevos Rancheros.

www.legendsofamerica.com/lowell-arizona/

Lowell, Arizona was once a sizable mining town located just to the southeast of Bisbee. Today, it is a small neighborhood of the larger community.

Though the majority of the original townsite was consumed by the excavation of the Lavender Pit mine during the 1950s, what remains today is a photographer's dream. The one street that is left features mid-century buildings, signs, and artifacts in a colorful display that makes visitors feel as if they have taken a step back in time.

Haiku thoughts:

Erie Street lingers,

Ghosts of fifties' laughter hum,

Time stands in still frames.

Kartchner 2025

Southern Arizona Adventure 2025

Happy Truck Thursday, HTT,

My inspiration songs for this pictur:

1. MIRAGE - ONEREPUBLIC X ASSASSIN'S CREED

2. CHINCHILLA - Little Girl Gone

3. THE PRODIGY - BREATHE (BROOKS ALEKSANDER REMIX)

4. Faithless - God Is A DJ (New Disturbia Remix)

5. Angst beginnt im Kopf Mut auch

Portal Day No. 4 of 10 Shadow Work

The message that flowed through me during the song MIRAGE - ONEREPUBLIC X ASSASSIN'S CREED

كلنا نغير الجو

كلنا نقوي الضو

‫قلت صاحبي تحت إلى الأرض

جوة بس راح ضوضو

كلنا نغير الجو (كلنا)

كلنا نقوي الضو (كلنا)

‫قلت صاحبي تحت إلى الأرض

جوة بس راح ضوضو

We all change the atmosphere

We all strengthen the light.

I told my buddy, down to earth

It's going to be loud.

We all change the atmosphere we all

We all change the light we all

I told my buddy, on down to earth

It's going to be loud.

You will meet people who won't understand you, who won't understand why you are the way you are. They will have the feeling that they have to judge you and talk about you behind your back.

They don't know that everything comes to you at a higher level.

For those of you who ask the right questions, the universe will answer and send you people and situations so that you can experience what it means to be you.

Don't be angry with them because you know why they are doing it. Remember when people can't understand something they will categorize it they will try to put you in a box but you have never fit into a box because you know and have learned that life is constantly changing. So let them create their own karma.

Some will hate you for your gifts and hurt you, we know you tolerate a lot because you realize that they are only hurting you out of their own woundedness of soul.

However, never forget that you have it in your hands what you want to allow and what not.

Always be aware that the brighter your light is, the greater the shadows you will face.

We remind you that if they could only see for 5 minutes what you see and have ever seen. Feel what you feel and have ever felt be sure some of them would have collapsed under the weight but you are stronger you have done things that no one else has done because you are doing your shadow work and we see you we are with you.

You will see wath the destiny has in store for them and if they will be honored to walk a part of their path in your shoes.

We see and know what your journey has cost you and yes we know it was all for you because you said YES to what was and is to come.

It fills us with joy and proudness how you embrace each process as you go with the flow of life and sway with the waves of the tides.

You create and hold the space of possibilities.

Because you my love are the guardian and keeper of Mighty Portals.

Be certain you are not alone we have sent you your soul mates some have already reached you and others will answer the call of their soul. Bismillah

Mashallah we know that you regret nothing in your life you are grateful for all the lessons and realizations you have received. Be sure of our favor for you are Our Warrior of Light who has mastered her own duality.

Always be mindful not every soul you meet will listen when you share your ancient knowledge with them. They will only be willing to listen when the soul has felt what wanted to be felt. You know very well what it takes for this to happen.

Therefore, keep your trust in yourself and continue on your path.

Follow the call of your inner voice, it will tell you what is right and what is wrong.

When it is time to go and where.

When it is time to say yes or no.

It will tell you who are your true friends and who are not.

Sometimes that inner voice will be crystal clear. Go stay right wrong and sometimes it will be almost an inaudible whisper so listen to yourself.

Because you have learned where to find the answers and how to dive deep inside yourself to find the pearl at the bottom of the ocean.

Keep up the good work with kind regards your Universe

Portal Tag Nr. 4 von 10 Schatten Arbeit

Die Botschaft die durch mich floss bei dem Lied MIRAGE - ONEREPUBLIC X ASSASSIN'S CREED

كلنا نغير الجو

كلنا نقوي الضو

‫قلت صاحبي تحت إلى الأرض

جوة بس راح ضوضو

كلنا نغير الجو (كلنا)

كلنا نقوي الضو (كلنا)

‫قلت صاحبي تحت إلى الأرض

جوة بس راح ضوضو

Wir alle verändern die Atmosphäre

Wir alle stärken das Licht.

Ich sagte meinem Kumpel, auf dem Boden der Tatsachen

Es wird laut sein.

Wir alle ändern die Atmosphäre wir alle

Wir alle verändern das Licht wir alle

Ich sagte meinem Kumpel, auf dem Boden der Tatsachen

Du wirst Menschen begegnen die dich nicht verstehen werden die nicht begreifen werden warum du so bist wie du bist. Die das Gefühl haben sie müssten über dich Urteilen und hinter deinem Rücken über dich reden mache werden auch die Messer wetzen.

Sie wissen nicht das alles auf höherer ebene bei dir ankommt.

Denjenigen unter Ihnen die die richtigen Fragen stellen wird das Universum Antworten und Ihnen Menschen und Situationen schicken damit sie es gefühlt begreifen können was es bedeutet du zu sein.

Sei ihnen nicht böse denn du weisst warum sie es tun. Erinnere dich daran wenn Menschen etwas nicht begreifen können werden sie es in Kategorien ein teilen sie werden versuchen dich in Schubladen zu stecken doch du hast noch nie in eine Schublade gepasst den du weisst und hast gelernt dass das Leben im ständigen Wandel ist. Lass sie also ihr eigenes Karma erschaffen.

Manche werden dich für deine Gaben hassen und dich verletzen wir wissen das du vieles tolerierst weil du begriffen hast das sie dich nur aus ihrer eigenen Verletztheit ihrer Seele heraus verletzen.

Vergiss jedoch niemals du hast es in der Hand was du zulassen möchtest und was nicht.

Sei dir immer wieder bewusst je heller dein Licht ist desto grösser sind die Schatten denen du dich stellen wirst.

Wir erinnern dich daran würden sie nur für 5 Minuten dass sehen was du alles siehst und jemals gesehen hast. Das Fühlen was du fühlst und jemals gefühlt hast sei dir gewiss manch einer von Ihnen wäre unter der Last zusammen gebrochen doch du bist Stärker du hast Dinge geschafft die sonst keiner geschafft hat den du machst deine Schatten Arbeit und wir sehen dich wir sind bei dir.

Du wirst sehen was das Schicksal für sie bereit hält und ob Ihne die Ehre zuteilwird ein stück ihres Weges in deinen Schuhen zu gehen.

Wir sehen und wissen was dich dein Weg gekostet hat und ja wir wissen das es dir das alles wert war den du hast JA gesagt auch zu dem was noch kommt.

Es erfüllt uns mit Freude und Stoltz wie du dich jedem Prozess hingibst wie du dich in den Fluss des Lebens begibst und dich mit den Wellen der Gezeiten wiegst.

Du erschaffst und hälst den Raum der Möglichkeiten.

Denn du meine Liebe bist die Hüterin und Wächterin Mächtiger Portale.

Sei dir gewissen du bist nicht allein wir haben dir deine Seelengefärhten geschickt einige haben dich bereits erreicht und andere werden dem Ruf ihrer Seele folgen. Bismillah

Mashallah wir wissen das du nichts in deinem Leben bereust sondern dankbar für all die Lektionen und Erkenntnisse bist die du dadurch erhalten hast. Sei dir unserer Gunst sicher den nicht um sonst bist du Unsere Kriegerin des Lichts die Ihre eigene Dualität beherrscht.

Sei immer achtsam nicht jede der Seelen denen du begegnen wirst wird hinhören wenn du dein Uraltes wissen mit Ihnen teilst. Sie werden erst bereit sein hinzuhören wenn die Seele gefühlt hat was gefühlt werden wollte. Du weisst sehr wohl was es alles braucht damit dies geschehen kann.

Daher bewahre dir dein Vertrauen in dich selbst und gehe deinen Weg stetig weiter.

Folge dem Ruf deiner Inneren stimme sie wird dir sagen was richtig und was falsch ist.

Wann es Zeit ist zu gehen und wohin.

Wann es Zeit ist Ja zu sagen oder Nein.

Sie wird dir sagen wer deine Wahren Freunde sind und wer nicht.

Manchmal wird diese Innere stimme kristallklar sein. Geh belieb richtig falsch und manchmal wird sie sie ein kaum hörbares Flüstern sein also hör in dich hinein.

Denn du hast gelernt wo die Antworten zu finden sind und wie man tief in sich abtaucht um die Perle am Grunde des Sees zu bergen.

Mach weiter so mit Freundlichen Grüssen dein Universum‬‬‬‬

Central Park, Spring Rain. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

People pause by the edge of a lake on a rainy spring day at Central Park, Manhattan.

Who says that all landscapes must be natural landscapes? No one, actually, though there is a long tradition (from long before photography existed) of depicting the landscape inclusive of the human presence: small figures, structures, bridges and roads, ships, and so on. Although I usually categorize my photographs in various ways (if for no other reason than searching is easier), this series cuts across a few of the usual exclusive categories.

It was a rainy morning among a series of rainy spring days in Manhattan, and many of us were anxious enough to get out and enjoy New York’s “spring” that we went out even as rain threatened. At times the rain was heavy but mostly it just sprinkled steadily, as it was when I made this photograph, with people standing on the banks of the pond and clouds shrouding the upper stories of Manhattan buildings.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Truly, the best moments in life happen when we come in contact with something we can’t comprehend. That’s when “knowledge” steps out of the way and we have a full experience, with the open mind of a child, using all of our brain.

Not even a marine biologist or a crusty old sailor would boast that they understand the ocean. We know more about the landscape of Mars than we do about the seafloor. Earth’s ocean is still wild and resists being captured and categorized into left brain knowledge.

On the other hand, the ocean is knowable to the right brain. I know colors and shapes and rhythms. I know pushing and pulling, rising and falling. I know glittering light and deep darkness. I know the splash and the whistling wind and the thunder of waves. I know life and I know death. It connects everything. The ocean is the soul of this Earth.

The Courtyards Festival of Córdoba (also known as Patios Festival of Córdoba and Fiesta of the patios in Cordova) is a courtyard competition in Córdoba, Spain held since 1921 and generally held during the first and second week of the month of May. Participants decorate and open their courtyards for free so that they can be visited during festival hours. In 1980 they were declared a Fiestas of National Tourist Interest of Spain, and after a long process, they managed to be add to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on December 6, 2012.

The courtyards during the Festival are separated in two types. Monumental and stately courtyards are courtyards inside palaces of the local aristocracy or notable religious buildings. Competition courtyards are those participated in the competition. The competition courtyards are categorized as courtyards with old architecture (pre 70's buildings) and courtyards with modern or renovated architecture. The Festival continued to receive higher number of visitors. In 2018, there were 150,000 visitors during the Festival.

The first Festival was organized by the mayor Francisco Fernández de Mesa in 1921 as a "Courtyards, Balconies and Window Displays Competition." Three prizes of 100, 75 and 50 pesetas were established that were distributed among the only three participants: 8 Empedrada, in the Santa Marina neighborhood, 7 Buen Pastor and 11 Almanzor, both in the Jewish Quarter of Córdoba. Due to the poor response from the neighborhood, the contest was not held again until 1933, during the mayor Francisco de la Cruz Ceballos. That year, the courtyard contest was reborn and began to become popular, with 16 courtyards presented throughout the city, with large prizes for the time.

During the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) the competition was cancelled. The competition was returned again in 1944 under the direction of Antonio Luna Fernández. There was an establishment of evaluation criteria to incorporate additional elements such as architecture, decoration and regional character.

In 1962, the Festival evolved significantly, increasing the amount of the first prize from 3,000 to 8,000 pesetas. In addition, aid is granted to courtyards that have not won any prize to compensate for the effort and expense. With the aim of promoting the contest, classical music concerts and beauty pageants were held. In 1980 they were declared a Fiestas of National Tourist Interest of Spain and in 1988 more criteria such as floral variety, care of pots and flower beds and natural lighting were added. A decade later, the awards were divided into two categories: ancient architecture (from the 16th century to 1960) and modern architecture (from 1960 to the present).

On December 6, 2012, the Festival was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in a session held in Paris.

Early history of courtyard houses dated back to the Roman period. During that time, courtyards were used to provide ventilation to the rooms inside the house. In Greco-Roman era, courtyards were open space surrounded by a colonnade, which was a continuous columns to form a peristyle. Other functions for the courtyards in that era were for daily activities and guest reception.

Córdoba was captured by the Muslims in 711 or 712. It was the beginning of an evolution of the courtyard houses in Córdoba by the Arabs. The exterior facades of the houses were kept as blank wall and the embellishment was moved to the interior courtyards

One of the best kept secrets of Hollywood was the role Fred Rogers (star of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood) played in Tim Burton’s 1989 movie “Batman.” Fred Rogers had been a Batman fan for his entire life. When he heard about the movie he went into training and begged to be included in the movie even if he didn’t get credit. Burton finally agreed to cast him as Michael Keaton’s stunt double.

Why was this never revealed to the public? Fred said he didn’t want children to imitate his acrobatics at home and get injured. The rest is history.

The lesson to be learned is that we are all diverse beings with many talents and abilities. People most often recognize us in ways that are narrow and easy to categorize. We are all of us so much more than we appear.

We compete for attention, personally, socially, and economically. No currency has a value that exceeds it. Children, adults, and societies wither on the vine in its absence. To have others attend to what you find important or interesting is to validate, first, the importance of what you are attending to, but second, and more crucially, to validate you as a respected center of conscious experience and contributor to the collective world…

… If you are not communicating about anything that engages other people, then the value of your communication—even the value of your very presence—risks falling to zero…

… To name something is not only to make it shine forth against the infinite background of potentially nameable things, but to group or categorize it, simultaneously, with many other phenomena of its broad utility or significance.

-Beyond order : 12 more rules for life / Jordan B. Peterson.

Painted stork stands 93 to 102 cm tall and weighs between 2 to 5 kg. They are the only storks within the genus Mycteria that has a black pectoral band. This species has a long, heavy yellow bill and a yellow face. They display white plumage with a rose color near the tail feathers.

Painted storks are voiceless and the only sound they produce bill-clattering at the nest. Like all birds, they perceive their environment through visual, auditory, tactile, and chemical stimuli

These beautiful birds are categorized as near threatened :(

From my archives.

Many thanks to all those who view, fav or comment my pictures. It is much appreciated.

First stop on Chihuly installation at Fairchild Gardens in Miami, FL.

Binary stars are rarities in the universe (relatively speaking), and the communication of light from our Sun to this glass vision, this 'sole del citron', suggested this cosmological interlinking, at least as far as I'm concerned. You can almost sense the response from this fantastic glass sun-that-fell-to-Earth with its counterpart in the heavens.

I could have spent my day with this piece, but there was so much more to witness!

More to come …

sol del citron, 2014. glasswork by dale chihuly.

littletinperson

p.s. this is one of those images that remind me that photography really is an art. if i had to categorize this particular image, i would call it a study. if i get the opportunity to return (before the installation is removed at the end of may,) i'll shoot this much differently i think. same angle … just much differently. ltp

Am I the only one who worries that flickr may go the way of the Yangtze River Dolphin? I like to think that the sheer volume of photographs coupled with a well integrated program for categorizing them will save flickr from disappearing forever. I believe it is still the best website to store photographs, I believe that photographers who use cameras and computers will still find it to be the most functional.

Flickr is not the social website it once was because so many people now exclusively use their cellphones for photography. And Instagram nailed that market hard. The cool kids fled flickr with the yahoo acquisition, and went on to sites like 500px and Deviantart. Some have returned. I hope more will.

We're Here! : flickrColors

Lacking inspiration for your 365 project? Join We're Here!

La galerie des chevaux a été créée en 1554 parNoël Jallier représentant les meilleurs chevaux deFrançois 1er exécutant une parade. Après larénovation du château, Georg Ettl transforme leschevaux en formes géométriques. La peinture aété réalisée avec un mélange d'huile et de fusain.Des pictogrammes étaient inscrits pourcatégoriser les chevaux, d'où ils venaient etc ...

The gallery of horses was created in 1554 by Noël Jallier representing the best horses of François 1st performing a parade. After the renovation of the castle, Georg Ettl turns the horses into geometric shapes. The painting was done with a mixture of oil and charcoal. Pictograms were registered to categorize the horses, where they came from etc ...

Very localized and poorly-known seedeater. Mostly known from northeastern Argentina and southern Paraguay, but also a disjunct cluster of records in Bolivia and Brazil. Might undergo seasonal movements. Males have blackish or dark brown throat and cheek (sometimes extending onto nape and upper breast), gray crown, and unmarked tan underparts. Females are pale sandy-brown overall; note dark bill. Look for pairs or small flocks in open grassy habitats, often mixed with other seedeaters.

ENDANGERED. Capuchino seedeaters are highly susceptible to anthropogenic disturbance of their grassland habitat, which is rapidly being converted for agricultural use, the intensification of livestock practices and afforestation. This species is categorized as globally Endangered on the basis of its very small population size, the potential for habitat loss and degradation, and the potential for capture for the pet trade.

doi.org/10.2173/bow.ibesee1.01

It was a real joy to find this precious bird in the wild - at Iberá - Argentina.

Have a Peaceful Bokeh Wednesday!

Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!

© All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated by any means without my written explicit permission, including the use on websites and similar medias. All rights reserved. Please contact me at thelma.gatuzzo@gmail.com if you intend to buy or use any of my images.

My instagram if you like: @thelmag, @thelma_and_cats and @teg_photo_arts

Member of Nature’s Spirit

Good Stewards of Nature

Marietta, Georgia 2015

I know this photo is different from the street photography that I usually post here. I want to do a series of these but I'm not quite sure how to label or categorize them. Any ideas?

We parked in the University area to enjoy and short walk and found this sight. These logs were categorized and sectioned off as a preparation for delivery.

I love the way the eye of the watcher finds and creates a movement into a picture. We can't just stay inactive while we watch, we associate, link, group, pair up, judge, appreciate, dislike, categorized, love, reject, fav', ... all in one blink of an eye.

...

What would we see if we were *just* looking ?

...

Jiuzhaigou Valley (九寨沟 literally "Valley of Nine Villages") is a nature reserve and national park in the north of Sichuan, a province in south western China. It is known for its many multi-level waterfalls and colorful lakes, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. It belongs to the category V (Protected Landscape) in the IUCN system of protected area categorization.

a secretive bird that is more often heard than seen. So secretive that I didn't believe it was a King Rail, because why so public? I was convinced it was the more common Clapper Rail, and had it checked for the correct ID before posting. We saw a pair and their young chick walking around a refuge road at Pungo unit of the Pocosin lakes National Wildlife Refuge.Habitat loss has put the King Rail in serious decline, and it is rarely seen any place but in our larger east coast refuges. The species is categorized as near threatened

Our Papillon Rigsy

"While he might be categorized by size as a lap dog, the bright, busy, and curious Papillon is no shrinking butterfly. If you want a dog to sit on your lap while you watch television, he's probably not the best choice. He's more likely to be flitting around looking for something to do and will happily rid your home and yard of any small rodents that might be lurking there. And this small dog in a sturdy package takes seriously his duties as family companion and guardian. He has a big-dog attitude and a level of alertness that makes him a super watchdog, but when it comes to protecting you it's important to make sure he doesn't bite off more than he can chew. He has no idea that he weighs only 4 to 9 pounds." (from dog time.com)

Thank you for viewing

This Heron has some uniquely light feathers on its back. There is some variation in back feather coloring on these herons, but this one is pretty uniquely pale. I would categorize this as a partially leucistic or piebald bird. Comment with any thoughts. Wood Lake Nature Center MN

One of my attempts at the "Macro Mondays" theme "Treasured".

When I was a child I was really into collecting crystals and fossils! So for a couple of years I was in the local mountains regularly with my relatives or friends, looking for anything worth collecting, always having my trusty hammer and a book with me to categorize what we found! While I gave away my small collection some time ago, I kept a handful of these stones/crystals which I had some connection to!

This quarz crystal isn‘t particularly rare or beautiful, however it is the one I found myself, the one I got out of the rock with my hands when I was around 8 years old! That‘s why I treasured it, because it‘s a symbol of the pure pride of accomplishment of a child, something I honestly can‘t even imagine feeling today!

Shot with a Carl Zeiss "Dokumar 38 mm F 5.6" lens on a Canon EOS R5.

As promised, I have begun amassing and categorizing different components from my recent series of weapons. Today I start with the handguards and barrel shrouds! Enjoy!

pastie.org/1130419

LOCATION

Samburu National Reserve is situated at the southeastern corner of Samburu District in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. It is bordered to the south by Ewaso Nyiro River, which separates it from the Buffalo Springs National Reserve.

The reserve covers an area of 165 Km² and is located around 345Km from Nairobi.

Climatic Conditions

The Reserve lies within ecological zone V- which is classified as arid and semi- arid with moisture index of 42 to 57, which indicate that evapo-transpiration is greater than available moisture. The days are extremely hot while the nights are cool. The annual mean temperatures range between 18ºC and 30ºC, while the mean annual rainfall is 354mm with peaks in November and April. The dry season starts in late May, and goes up to early October during when large concentration of wildlife is found in the reserve due to availability of lush vegetation along the Ewaso Nyiro River, the main source of water to the Reserve and the nearby communities.

Available games (and chances of seeing )

The reserve is reach in wildlife with fame for abundance in rare northern specialist species such as the Grevy Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk and the Beisa Oryx (Also referred as Samburu Special). The reserve is also popular with a minimum of 900 elephants. Large predators such as the Lion, Leopard and Cheetah are an important attraction (Kamunyak the Miracle Lioness that adapted the baby Oryx is a resident in the reserve). Wild dog sightings are also a common attraction to this unique protected area. Birdlife is abundant with over 450 species recorded. Birds of the arid northern bush country are augmented by a number of riverine forest species. Lesser Kestrel and the Taita Falcon are species of global conservation concern and they both utilize the reserve. Five species categorized as vulnerable have recorded in the reserve. These are African Darter, Great Egret, White-headed Vulture, Martial Eagle and the Yellow-billed Ox-pecker. Critically endangered species under CITIES – Pancake tortoise (malacochersus tornieri) is found in the reserve.

youtu.be/wr8hE-KgptM

Byzantine Chant

Title: "Αποδεξάμενος ο τύραννος" (Kalophonic Sticheron "When the tyrant saw")

Service: The Service of the Furnace; The Play of the Three Holy Children

Performers: Cappella Romana & Alexander Lingas

Album: "Mt. Sinai: Frontier of Byzantium (Voices of Byzantium: Medieval Byzantine Chant from Mt. Sinai)"

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photo:

Densuș Church (St Nicholas)

Hunedoara County, Transylvania, Romania

mainly 13th century

Probably built on the site of a 2nd century Roman temple or mausoleum, might have also been a 4th century Christianized Roman temple, with the main construction faze dating hypothesis ranging from the 7th century to the 12th-13th centuries, and later additions from the 15th-17th centuries. Fragments of 15th century frescoes are preserved inside.

Hateg region contains several striking old stone masonry churches built in Romanian villages as Orthodox churches but with Roman-Catholic architectural influences, testimony to the complex history of Transylvania.

Apart from its architecture [categorized by some as Romanesque or as a local syntheses of Romanesque and Byzantine architectures] the church is remarkable by the ubiquitous use of spolia from the ruins of the nearby capital of the Roman province of Dacia called Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, in the form of stamped bricks and various carved stones, some with Roman epigraphy. Presently it is considered to be the oldest Romanian Orthodox church building still in use today.

Category: Churches - Orthodox

Period: sec. XIII; adăugiri sec. XV - XVII

Importance: A

LMI code: HD-II-m-A-03307

Address: 23

Location: sat DENSUŞ; comuna DENSUŞ

District: Hunedoara

Region: Transilvania

Categorie: Biserici ortodoxe

Perioada: sec. XIII; adăugiri sec. XV - XVII

Importanta: A

Cod LMI: HD-II-m-A-03307

Adresa: 23

Localitate: sat DENSUŞ; comuna DENSUŞ

Judet: Hunedoara

Regiune: Transilvania

www.monumenteromania.ro/index.php/monumente/detalii/en/Bi...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Densu%C8%99_Church

www.romanianmonasteries.org/other-monasteries/densus

Every year during Gay Pride in San Francisco a large pink triangle is placed on Twin Peaks in full view of the city. Please feel free to go large to read the content of the sign.

From Wikipedia: German: Rosa Winkel) was one of the Nazi concentration camp badges, used by the Nazis to identify male prisoners in concentration camps who were sent there because of their homosexuality. Every prisoner had to wear a triangle on his or her jacket, the color of which was to categorize him or her according "to his kind." Jews had to wear the yellow badge, and "anti-social individuals" (which included vagrants, "work shy" individuals and often, but not exclusively, lesbians[citation needed]), the black triangle. The black triangle as a symbol of lesbian or feminist solidarity, a counterpart to the gay pink triangle, probably originated from the Nazi "asocial" black triangle.

The inverted pink triangle has become an international symbol of gay pride and the gay rights movement, and is second in popularity only to the rainbow flag.

"There's no difference between a white pigeon and a dove in scientific nomenclature, but colloquial English tends to categorize them by size... Something called a dove is generally smaller than something called a pigeon, but that's not always the case... A common pigeon, for example, is called both a rock dove and a rock pigeon...""

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Copyright ©

All Of My Photographic Images Are Subject To Copyright ! Each Of My Photographs Remain My Intellectual Property ! All Rights Are Reserved And As Such, Do Not Use, Modify, Copy, Edit, Distribute Or Publish Any Of My Photographs ! If You Wish To Use Any Of My Photographs For Any Reproductive Purposes, Or Other Uses, My Written Permission Is Specifically Required, Contact Me Via Flickr Mail !

11 and 15 years old,

One blind and one healthy,

Riverfront Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The Swedish Vallhund, also known as the Västgötaspets and Swedish cow dog, is a breed of dog native to Sweden. The breed's name, Vallhund, when translated into English, means herding dog, as the Swedish Vallhund was originally bred as a drover and herder of cows over 1,000 years ago. In 1942, the dog came close to extinction, but careful breeding and publicity by Swedish national Björn von Rosen and K. G. Zettersten managed to revive the breed in popularity and save it from its likely end. In 1943, the Swedish Kennel Club recognized the Swedish Vallhund as a breed, and officially categorized the Swedish Vallhund as "the Västgötaspets" for Västergötland, the province in which their revival took place. Since then, the breed has been recognized by, and bred in, over ten countries and has gained some popularity.

Another old JPG (2009) found during categorize my old pictures.

Wells Cathedral from the Bishop's palace and gardens.

June 26, 2024, KM 18, Valle del Cauca, Colombia.

The Multicolored Tanager (Chlorochrysa nitidissima), one of Colombia's prettiest tanagers, is ENDEMIC to the mountains of Colombia. As of 2010, the IUCN categorized this bird as vulnerable (VU). It was a commonly encountered bird in its small range, but habitat loss is causing severe population decline. The Multicolored Tanager is found mainly from 1300 to 2200 meters above sea level in the interior of wet forests.

Compared with the typical American car of the 1950s, the Metropolitan was considered "remarkably nimble" by many early testers, and "the consensus is that the Metropolitan isn't just fun to look at, it's fun to drive too." Owners of the cars reported that the "Metropolitan is a good thing in a small package"

The Nash Metropolitan is an American automobile assembled in England and marketed from 1953 until 1962.

It conforms to two classes of vehicle: economy car and subcompact car.The Metropolitan is considered a "subcompact", but this category was not yet in use when the car was made. At that time, it was categorized as a "small automobile" as well as an "economy car".

The Metropolitan was also marketed as a Hudson model when Nash and Hudson merged in 1954 to form the American Motors Corporation (AMC). The Nash and Hudson lines were phased out in favor of the Rambler line, and in 1957, the Metropolitan became a standalone brand and was badged with a stylized 'M' on hubcaps and grille. The cars were also sold in the United Kingdom and other markets.

Not that the title has much to do with the photo, but I remembered the David Niven autobiography with this title. If you are an old movie buff like I am, you will recall David Niven in multiple movies. "The Guns of Navarone" with Gregory Peck, and authored by my favourite writer Alistair MacLean.

David Niven was the original Bond (albeit not categorized as such) character in the original Casino Royal which was more a comedy than a serious drama. This shot is an example of the photographers motto, "f 16 and be there". For me, it is that "You never know till you go."

El Parque Nacional Alerce Andino forma parte de la Reserva de la Biosfera Bosques Templados Lluviosos de Los Andes Australes.

Se ubica 40 km al sur de Puerto Montt por la Carretera Austral. Abarca la zona montañosa al sur del Lago Chapo entre el Seno y Estuario de Reloncavi por el Sur-Este y el Oceano Pacifico por Oeste. Cuenta con dos sectores para excursiones: Sector Correntoso proximo al Lago Chapo y el Sector Chaicas proximo a Lenca.

Entre sus principales atracciones es posible visitar mas de 40 hermosos lagos y lagunas de alta montaña, y principalmente sus 20.000 hectareas de primitivos bosques de Alerces milenarios, el Bosque Catedral. Este parque es el lugar donde es porsible visitar mas facilmente estos bosques que se caraterizan por crecer en zonas montañosas e inaccesibles tanto de la Cordillera de la Costa como de la Cordillera de los Andes de la Region de Los Lagos.

El Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) es el arból mas longevo del Hemisferio Sur, se ha encontrado arboles con mas de 4.000 años de antiguedad y puede llegar a alcanzar los 50 mts de altura. Es una conífera endémica de los bosques subantárticos sudamericanos, que crece principalmente en Chile y en menor proporción en algunas zonas de Argentina que se encuentra en peligro de extincion.

------------------------------------

Alerce Andino National Park is part of the Biosphere Reserve temperate rainforests of the southern Andes.

Located 40 km south of Puerto Montt on the Carretera Austral. It covers the mountainous area south of Lake Chapo between Sound and Reloncavi Estuary on the south-east and the Pacific Ocean to the West. There are two sectors for excursions: Sector Correntoso next to Lake Chapo and next to Lenca town Chaicas Sector.

Among its main attractions you can visit more than 40 beautiful langoons and high mountain lakes, and especially its 20,000 hectares of primitive forests of ancient Alerces, the Forest Cathedral. This park is the place where it is more easily possible to visit these forests are categorized by growing in mountainous and inaccessible slopes of the Cordillera de la Costa and the Andes of Los Lagos Region.

The Larch (Fitzroya cupressoides) is the oldest tree in the Southern Hemisphere, found trees with more than 4,000 years old and can reach the 50 meters high. It is a conifer endemic to the subantarctic forests of South America, which grows mainly in Chile and in smaller proportion in some areas of Argentina which is in danger of extinction.

Methodology. Tedium Warning!

I make a folder for each calendar year. Inside are folders for each of the twelve months. Inside each of those are folders for each of the days I do any photography. A very nested folder array.

I don't do any labeling of photos in the folders, or categorizing. A daily folder may be labeled "Oct 16 Woods" or similar, but that's as far as it goes. Clearly in very short order I no longer know where particular types of photos can be found, other than by opening folders and looking. When I come back from a day's shooting with many hundreds of exposures, I have not found a way to title or catalog so many shots.

It isn't a great way to organize, but I have managed to make it work...mostly. What doesn't work so well is when I get a lot of good shots on a particular outing. I choose a couple or a few of the ones I like and process them for Flickr. In many cases, other equally good ones get forgotten or overlooked in the ongoing daily addition of ever more files in increasing numbers of folders.

All of that leads to this. It is a quite nice photo of a juvenile Bald Eagle. I just found it again, checked to ensure that I had not used it previously. Had not...so here it is now.

Incidentally, significant of NOTHING, I just passed 3.5 million views. One might suspect that in a very large percentage of the cases no one even opened a photo page to view the image.

The Old City Hall in The Hague is a Renaissance style building on the Groenmarkt near the Grote Kerk. It is the former seat of the city's government, and remains a place where residents hold civic wedding ceremonies, and where the Royal family register their family births.

The town hall (built in 1565 and restored and enlarged in 1882) contains a historical picture gallery. The building was considered very large and imposing in its day; just after it was built in 1566 Lodovico Guicciardini referred to The Hague as the most beautiful, richest, and biggest village of Europe. However, The Hague was not a walled town and therefore Guicciardini categorized it with the villages. [Wikipedia]

Water from a creek empties, from high on a bluff, into the churning surf of the Pacific Ocean at Davenport Bluffs. Because of the way this remarkable waterfall drops into an untouched cove on the central California coast, it can be categorized as a "tidefall," making it a rare attraction.

I am looking for some feedback on this image. It appeals to me, but I am not sure what to call it or how to categorize it.

Alana: For convenience, they term you a monster.

Hannibal: What do you term me?

Alana: I don't. You defy categorization.

Inspired by Hannibal & Skillet.

gentlemanattire.blogspot.nl/2015/08/i-keep-it-caged.html

Excerpt from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikk%C5%8D_T%C5%8Dsh%C5%8D-g%C5%AB:

Nikkō Tōshō-gū (日光東照宮) is a Tōshō-gū Shinto shrine located in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.

Together with Futarasan Shrine and Rinnō-ji, it forms the Shrines and Temples of Nikkō UNESCO World Heritage Site, with 42 structures of the shrine included in the nomination. Five of them are designated as National Treasures of Japan, and three more as Important Cultural Properties.

Tōshō-gū is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. It was initially built in 1617, during the Edo period, while Ieyasu's son Hidetada was shōgun. It was enlarged during the time of the third shōgun, Iemitsu. Ieyasu is enshrined there, where his remains are also entombed. This shrine was built by Tokugawa retainer Tōdō Takatora.

During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate carried out stately processions from Edo to the Nikkō Tōshō-gū along the Nikkō Kaidō. The shrine's annual spring and autumn festivals reenact these occasions, and are known as "processions of a thousand warriors". Cedar trees line the roadway, termed the Cedar Avenue of Nikkō.

Five structures at Nikkō Tōshō-gū are categorized as National Treasures of Japan, and three more as Important Cultural Properties. Additionally, two swords in the possession of the shrine are National Treasures, and many other objects are Important Cultural Properties. Famous buildings at the Tōshō-gū include the richly decorated Yōmeimon (陽明門), a gate that is also known as "higurashi-no-mon". The latter name means that one could look at it until sundown, and not tire of seeing it. Carvings in deep relief, painted in rich colors, decorate the surface of the structure. The next gate is the karamon decorated with white ornaments. Located nearby is a woodcarving of a sleepy cat, "Nemuri-neko", attributed to Hidari Jingorō.

The stable of the shrine's sacred horses bears a carving of the three wise monkeys, who hear, speak and see no evil, a traditional symbol in Japanese culture that is derived from a quote in the Analects.

The original five-storey pagoda was donated by a daimyō in 1650, but it was burned down during a fire, and was rebuilt in 1818. Each storey represents an element–earth, water, fire, wind and aether (or void)–in ascending order. Inside the pagoda, a central shinbashira pillar hangs from chains[3] to minimize damage from earthquakes.

Hundreds of stone steps lead through the cryptomeria forest up to the grave of Ieyasu. A torii at the top bears calligraphy attributed to Emperor Go-Mizunoo. A bronze urn contains the remains of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

In 2008, Yuri Kawasaki became the first female Shinto priest ever to serve at Nikkō Tōshō-gū.

The special form of the Summer Azure, the marginata form, is a seldom seen rarity, as per Harry Pavulaan's expert assessment.

This butterfly with its dark markings and pronounced border, the apparent gray coloration, the large size (actually looked like a giant among dwarfs in a puddle party), and the odd flight time, belies categorization among the seven azure species that fly in Pennsylvania. The flight time would place this special individual as a second brood of the Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta), but the physical appearance does not. Azures are a challenge, even for an expert like Harry, but in this case the flight date takes precedence.

Lipník is an ancient town with 8.5 thousand inhabitants, situated in the very heart of the Moravian Gate. One side of this ancient trade route is lined by the Hostýn Hills, the other one by the Oder Hills. The Moravian Gate Valley is passed by the Bečva River. In the past, an important trade route, called Amber Trail, passed here.

The first written mention of Lipník dates from the year 1238, the town itself is certainly much older. Since 1989, Lipník is an urban conservation area (there are only two conservation areas within the Olomouc Region - Olomouc and Lipník). There are more than 100 listed buildings. The town has retained its original street lines, historic buildings in the medieval core and to a large extent very remarkable fortification system, which still bears all the signs of ancient settlements – a dominant square in the centre, „star-type“ road system and bypass roads. To a large extent, it has preserved the original historic town´s layout.

From this point of view, the urban conservation area of Lipník can be considered as one of the most valuable towns in the country according to unofficial categorization. There is also a medieval Helfštýn Castle near the town, which is one of the largest castles in Central Europe. In recent years, the renowned international artist blacksmith meetings Hefaiston take place at the end of August. In addition, it hosts many other cultural and sports events.

The wider surroundings of the town have become an attractive destination for cyclists, riding on the Bečva and Amber Route biking trails. Some sections are also attractive for in-line skaters.

Lipník has an ideal transport accessibility - whether by road or rail. The town is located in central Moravia, about 30 km from Olomouc, 15 km from Přerov and 12 km from Hranice, by the river of Bečva in the valley of the Moravian Gate. You can reach Lipník from Olomouc in approximately half an hour, from Brno and Ostrava in an hour. Lipnik lies virtually on the main route from Ostrava to Olomouc. There is a dual carriageway R-35 in the vicinity, the D47 motorway is in service since 2009. Lipník n. B has a railway station. As to bus transport, several express coaches stop here too.

El Parque Nacional Alerce Andino forma parte de la Reserva de la Biosfera Bosques Templados Lluviosos de Los Andes Australes.

Se ubica 40 km al sur de Puerto Montt por la Carretera Austral. Abarca la zona montañosa al sur del Lago Chapo entre el Seno y Estuario de Reloncavi por el Sur-Este y el Oceano Pacifico por Oeste. Cuenta con dos sectores para excursiones: Sector Correntoso proximo al Lago Chapo y el Sector Chaicas proximo a Lenca.

Entre sus principales atracciones es posible visitar mas de 40 hermosos lagos y lagunas de alta montaña, y principalmente sus 20.000 hectareas de primitivos bosques de Alerces milenarios, el Bosque Catedral. Este parque es el lugar donde es porsible visitar mas facilmente estos bosques que se caraterizan por crecer en zonas montañosas e inaccesibles tanto de la Cordillera de la Costa como de la Cordillera de los Andes de la Region de Los Lagos.

El Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) es el arból mas longevo del Hemisferio Sur, se ha encontrado arboles con mas de 4.000 años de antiguedad y puede llegar a alcanzar los 50 mts de altura. Es una conífera endémica de los bosques subantárticos sudamericanos, que crece principalmente en Chile y en menor proporción en algunas zonas de Argentina que se encuentra en peligro de extincion.

------------------------------------

Alerce Andino National Park is part of the Biosphere Reserve temperate rainforests of the southern Andes.

Located 40 km south of Puerto Montt on the Carretera Austral. It covers the mountainous area south of Lake Chapo between Sound and Reloncavi Estuary on the south-east and the Pacific Ocean to the West. There are two sectors for excursions: Sector Correntoso next to Lake Chapo and next to Lenca town Chaicas Sector.

Among its main attractions you can visit more than 40 beautiful langoons and high mountain lakes, and especially its 20,000 hectares of primitive forests of ancient Alerces, the Forest Cathedral. This park is the place where it is more easily possible to visit these forests are categorized by growing in mountainous and inaccessible slopes of the Cordillera de la Costa and the Andes of Los Lagos Region.

The Larch (Fitzroya cupressoides) is the oldest tree in the Southern Hemisphere, found trees with more than 4,000 years old and can reach the 50 meters high. It is a conifer endemic to the subantarctic forests of South America, which grows mainly in Chile and in smaller proportion in some areas of Argentina which is in danger of extinction.

I guess it can be categorized a honorary F- unit, the elusive CSX geometry train finally founds its way into my viewfinder last November after many years. Starting life in 1967 as Conrail GP40 3051, this engine has certainly polished the rails of the B&A over the years. Most of the time when this train operates on the old B&A, it will either be a late afternoon run from Selkirk and then usually under the cover of darkness in the Worcester area. Thanks to some little birdies I was able to catch it shown here in Palmer, MA, just east of the diamond with the NECR headed east for Worcester, MA . Train WO-52 with a spotless 9969 and 2 coaches made a non stop run over the Boston Line under bright skies on this November 9, 2019.

settembre !!!

Sass Rigais From Wikipedia, the free en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sass_Rigais

Sass Rigais from the west Elevation 3,025 m (9,925 ft)

Location Sass Rigais Italy Range Dolomites

Coordinates 46°36′31.93″N 11°46′1.28″E / 46.6088694°N 11.7670222°E / 46.6088694; 11.7670222Coordinates: 46°36′31.93″N 11°46′1.28″E / 46.6088694°N 11.7670222°E / 46.6088694; 11.7670222

Climbing Easiest route Hike

Furchetta and Sas Rigais (on the right)Sass Rigais (3,025 m) is a mountain in the Alps lying in the northwestern Dolomites, in Italy and part of the Geisler group (Le Odle). Sass Rigais offers as one of few Dolomites threethousands entire crossing top from one part to the second. Both footpaths are separate ways. Via ferrata Villnössersteig are categorized difficulty B/C and trail Sass Rigais steig with C. A crucifix is located at the top.

Tourism in the areaThe Val Gardena valley is ranked among the best known areas in the Dolomites above all for skiing conditions. From here starts the renowned seesaw crossing after Sella Ronda that has real sound abroad congress skiing. From simple outings after exacting alpine tour and mountain climbing exits after as much as biking.

Excerpt from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikk%C5%8D_T%C5%8Dsh%C5%8D-g%C5%AB:

Nikkō Tōshō-gū (日光東照宮) is a Tōshō-gū Shinto shrine located in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.

Together with Futarasan Shrine and Rinnō-ji, it forms the Shrines and Temples of Nikkō UNESCO World Heritage Site, with 42 structures of the shrine included in the nomination. Five of them are designated as National Treasures of Japan, and three more as Important Cultural Properties.

Tōshō-gū is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. It was initially built in 1617, during the Edo period, while Ieyasu's son Hidetada was shōgun. It was enlarged during the time of the third shōgun, Iemitsu. Ieyasu is enshrined there, where his remains are also entombed. This shrine was built by Tokugawa retainer Tōdō Takatora.

During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate carried out stately processions from Edo to the Nikkō Tōshō-gū along the Nikkō Kaidō. The shrine's annual spring and autumn festivals reenact these occasions, and are known as "processions of a thousand warriors". Cedar trees line the roadway, termed the Cedar Avenue of Nikkō.

Five structures at Nikkō Tōshō-gū are categorized as National Treasures of Japan, and three more as Important Cultural Properties. Additionally, two swords in the possession of the shrine are National Treasures, and many other objects are Important Cultural Properties. Famous buildings at the Tōshō-gū include the richly decorated Yōmeimon (陽明門), a gate that is also known as "higurashi-no-mon". The latter name means that one could look at it until sundown, and not tire of seeing it. Carvings in deep relief, painted in rich colors, decorate the surface of the structure. The next gate is the karamon decorated with white ornaments. Located nearby is a woodcarving of a sleepy cat, "Nemuri-neko", attributed to Hidari Jingorō.

The stable of the shrine's sacred horses bears a carving of the three wise monkeys, who hear, speak and see no evil, a traditional symbol in Japanese culture that is derived from a quote in the Analects.

The original five-storey pagoda was donated by a daimyō in 1650, but it was burned down during a fire, and was rebuilt in 1818. Each storey represents an element–earth, water, fire, wind and aether (or void)–in ascending order. Inside the pagoda, a central shinbashira pillar hangs from chains[3] to minimize damage from earthquakes.

Hundreds of stone steps lead through the cryptomeria forest up to the grave of Ieyasu. A torii at the top bears calligraphy attributed to Emperor Go-Mizunoo. A bronze urn contains the remains of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

In 2008, Yuri Kawasaki became the first female Shinto priest ever to serve at Nikkō Tōshō-gū.

Categorized under Banquet Hall Facilities. Our records show it was established in 2002 and incorporated in Illinois.

Excerpt from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikk%C5%8D_T%C5%8Dsh%C5%8D-g%C5%AB:

Nikkō Tōshō-gū (日光東照宮) is a Tōshō-gū Shinto shrine located in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.

Together with Futarasan Shrine and Rinnō-ji, it forms the Shrines and Temples of Nikkō UNESCO World Heritage Site, with 42 structures of the shrine included in the nomination. Five of them are designated as National Treasures of Japan, and three more as Important Cultural Properties.

Tōshō-gū is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. It was initially built in 1617, during the Edo period, while Ieyasu's son Hidetada was shōgun. It was enlarged during the time of the third shōgun, Iemitsu. Ieyasu is enshrined there, where his remains are also entombed. This shrine was built by Tokugawa retainer Tōdō Takatora.

During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate carried out stately processions from Edo to the Nikkō Tōshō-gū along the Nikkō Kaidō. The shrine's annual spring and autumn festivals reenact these occasions, and are known as "processions of a thousand warriors". Cedar trees line the roadway, termed the Cedar Avenue of Nikkō.

Five structures at Nikkō Tōshō-gū are categorized as National Treasures of Japan, and three more as Important Cultural Properties. Additionally, two swords in the possession of the shrine are National Treasures, and many other objects are Important Cultural Properties. Famous buildings at the Tōshō-gū include the richly decorated Yōmeimon (陽明門), a gate that is also known as "higurashi-no-mon". The latter name means that one could look at it until sundown, and not tire of seeing it. Carvings in deep relief, painted in rich colors, decorate the surface of the structure. The next gate is the karamon decorated with white ornaments. Located nearby is a woodcarving of a sleepy cat, "Nemuri-neko", attributed to Hidari Jingorō.

The stable of the shrine's sacred horses bears a carving of the three wise monkeys, who hear, speak and see no evil, a traditional symbol in Japanese culture that is derived from a quote in the Analects.

The original five-storey pagoda was donated by a daimyō in 1650, but it was burned down during a fire, and was rebuilt in 1818. Each storey represents an element–earth, water, fire, wind and aether (or void)–in ascending order. Inside the pagoda, a central shinbashira pillar hangs from chains[3] to minimize damage from earthquakes.

Hundreds of stone steps lead through the cryptomeria forest up to the grave of Ieyasu. A torii at the top bears calligraphy attributed to Emperor Go-Mizunoo. A bronze urn contains the remains of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

In 2008, Yuri Kawasaki became the first female Shinto priest ever to serve at Nikkō Tōshō-gū.