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Suzhou (/suːˈdʒoʊ/; Chinese: 苏州), alternately romanized as Soochow, is a major city in southern Jiangsu province, East China. Suzhou is the most populous city in Jiangsu, and a major economic center and focal point of trade and commerce. Administratively, Suzhou is a prefecture-level city with a population of 6,715,559 in the city proper, and a total resident population of 12,748,262 as of the 2020 census in its administrative area.
The city's canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens have contributed to its status as one of the top tourist attractions and liveable cities in China. The Classical Gardens of Suzhou were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997 and 2000. Suzhou is often dubbed the "Venice of the East" or "Venice of China".
Suzhou (/suːˈdʒoʊ/; chino: 苏州), también romanizada como Soochow, es una importante ciudad del sur de la provincia de Jiangsu, en el este de China. Suzhou es la ciudad más poblada de Jiangsu y un importante centro económico y foco de comercio. Administrativamente, Suzhou es una ciudad a nivel de prefectura con una población de 6.715.559 habitantes en la ciudad propiamente dicha, y una población residente total de 12.748.262 habitantes según el censo de 2020 en su área administrativa.
Los canales, puentes de piedra, pagodas y jardines meticulosamente diseñados de la ciudad han contribuido a su estatus como una de las principales atracciones turísticas y ciudades habitables de China. Los Jardines Clásicos de Suzhou se incluyeron en la lista de Patrimonio de la Humanidad de la UNESCO en 1997 y 2000. Suzhou es apodada a menudo la "Venecia de Oriente" o la "Venecia de China".
My first SLR was a Canon F1. It's a marvel of mechanical engineering. There are levers, gears and springs working in perfect timing to expose a patch of film and then advance that film to just the right spot to repeat the process on the next unexposed patch. The camera I used for this image has a marvel of a mechanical shutter that works to expose the image sensor to just the right amount of light to generate an image that can be saved to a memory card. The shutter mechanism is about the only mechanical device in the camera that directly contributes to the image. The rest of the process is a computer moving bits from the sensor to the card. There are some cameras that have no mechanical shutter. I have a little point and shoot from 2010 that uses a recording to imitate a shutter click. The computer centric nature of modern cameras means that batteries must be kept charged. Therefore, everywhere I have a computer there is not only a rat's nest of wires that go with the computer but as here a dangling mass of USB cables of various design for the battery chargers and power bricks necessary to keep everything going. This image is sixty-five mm across. HMM and thank you for any views, faves and comments.
Not far from where we were staying, I recorded this with little time to get there. Fortunately, I had scouted this place earlier in the day, just incase an opportunity were to arise. The clouds in the rest of the sky refused to play their part, and instead went from white to grey. However, remembering the power lines in this location, gave me an idea to use with this "Dragon's Tail" of light.
Lasting for what seemed no more than an instant, the light quickly faded. The silhouettes of both power lines and poles, served as major elements to the success of this shot, contrasting with the light. The dark greyish blue sky helped accentuate the bright streaking cloud, while the hill contributed as the ideal negative space.
No , not that one 'cos it is up over at Godrevy - this one is down south at The Lizard Point as far down south as you can get !!
The Lizard Lighthouse stands at Lizard Point, the most southerly point of mainland Britain.
It acts as a coastal mark and to indicate landfall, guiding shipping passing along the English Channel and warning them of the dangerous waters here.
The current lighthouse with its two towers was built in 1751 but there was a working light here as early as 1619. This early lighthouse was erected thanks to the generosity of Sir John Killigrew, who applied for a patent which was granted on the condition that the light would be extinguished in time of war so it did not help to guide enemy vessels.
Killigrew agreed and erected the lighthouse but while he was sufficiently wealthy to have it built, the cost of maintaining it proved too much and almost bankrupted him. He had hoped that the vessels who benefited from the light would contribute towards its upkeep but unfortunately this did not happen. James I ordered that all ships who passed the light should pay a halfpenny per ton. Pressure from the unhappy ship owners who disagreed with this tax on them forced the patent to be revoked so the light was extinguished and the tower was subsequently demolished.
Although requests were made, it was not until 1748 that Thomas Fonnereau was given the go ahead by Trinity House to construct a new lighthouse. Completed in 1751 it is the building you see today with its two towers linked by a cottage in which one of the keepers would sit keeping an eye on both lanterns. If the fires became low he would sound a cow horn to let the others know it was time to stoke up the fires with the bellows.
In 1771, Trinity House took over the running of the Lizard lighthouse.
From 1903 onwards only the east tower was lit.
Automation came to the lantern in 1998 so the lighthouse keepers were no longer required.
The lantern has been removed from the western tower.
Lighthouse Cottages
The former lighthouse keepers' cottages are available to rent as holiday cottages.
Click on Lizard Lighthouse Accommodation and go to Holiday Cottages for details.
Please note the lighthouse itself is a working lighthouse and cannot be rented.
The Kerrick-Barry House was built in 1886 for Leonidas Kerrick (1846-1907), a lawyer, a legislator, and a breeder of prized polled angus cattle. He was a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, and later in his life served on their board of trustees, as well as the board for the University of Illinois. The home's second owner was Edward Burry, a McLean County circuit court judge who occupied the bench from 1920 to 1933.
The two and one-half story house Victorian-era house is an irregular framed structure with shiplap siding. The house has a truncated hipped roof with an off-center front gable. The house has three dormers, all of which are slightly different but are of the gamble with over-hang variety. The railings on the porch are not original. The architect is unknown and the house is a mixture of styles.
The Kerrick-Barry House is a contributing property in Bloomington's Franklin Square Historic District, which is located northwest of downtown Bloomington. The Square is named in honor of Franklin Price, who was the mayor of Bloomington Mayor in 1856 when land for the Square was gifted to the city.
Franklin Square was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, and was designated a local historic district in 1979. The houses of Franklin Square were built in a variety of architectural styles from the mid 19th century through the early 20th century, including Georgian Revival, Italianate, Colonial, Queen Anne, and Richardsonian Romanesque.
Bloomington is the seat of McLean County. It is adjacent to Normal, and is the more populous of the two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area. Bloomington is home to State Farm Insurance, Country Financial and Beer Nuts. Illinois Wesleyan University is located here, while the neighboring city of Normal is home to Illinois State University and Heartland Community College. Bloomington is 135 miles (217 km) southwest of Chicago, and 162 miles (261 km) northeast of St. Louis. The estimated population of Bloomington in 2019 was 77,330, with a metro population of 191,067.
Dahlia is a genus of bushy, tuberous, herbaceous perennial plants native to Mexico and Central America. A member of the Compositae (also called Asteraceae) family of dicotyledonous plants, its garden relatives thus include the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum, and zinnia. There are 42 species of dahlia, with hybrids commonly grown as garden plants. Flower forms are variable, with one head per stem; these can be as small as 5 cm (2 in) diameter or up to 30 cm (1 ft) ("dinner plate"). This great variety results from dahlias being octoploids—that is, they have eight sets of homologous chromosomes, whereas most plants have only two. In addition, dahlias also contain many transposons—genetic pieces that move from place to place upon an allele—which contributes to their manifesting such great diversity.
The dahlia was declared the national flower of Mexico in 1963. The tubers were grown as a food crop by the Aztecs, but this use largely died out after the Spanish Conquest. Attempts to introduce the tubers as a food crop in Europe were unsuccessful.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
IMG_0305r
Edinburgh Castle is a historic castle in Edinburgh, Scotland. It stands on Castle Rock, which has been occupied by humans since at least the Iron Age, although the nature of the early settlement is unclear. There has been a royal castle on the rock since at least the reign of David I in the 12th century, and the site continued to be a royal residence until 1633. From the 15th century, the castle's residential role declined, and by the 17th century it was principally used as military barracks with a large garrison. Its importance as a part of Scotland's national heritage was recognized increasingly from the early 19th century onwards, and various restoration programs have been carried out over the past century and a half.
As one of the most important strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle was involved in many historical conflicts from the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century to the Jacobite rising of 1745. Research undertaken in 2014 identified 26 sieges in its 1,100-year history, giving it a claim to having been "the most besieged place in Great Britain and one of the most attacked in the world". Few of the present buildings pre-date the Lang Siege of the 16th century when the medieval defenses were largely destroyed by artillery bombardment. The most notable exceptions are St Margaret's Chapel from the early 12th century, which is regarded as the oldest building in Edinburgh, the Royal Palace, and the early 16th-century Great Hall, although the interiors have been much altered from the mid-Victorian period onwards. The castle also houses the Scottish regalia, known as the Honours of Scotland, and is the site of the Scottish National War Memorial and the National War Museum of Scotland. The British Army is still responsible for some parts of the castle, although its presence is now largely ceremonial and administrative. Some of the castle buildings house regimental museums which contribute to its presentation as a tourist attraction.
The castle, in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, is Scotland's most and the United Kingdom's second most-visited paid tourist attraction, with over 2.2 million visitors in 2019 and over 70 percent of leisure visitors to Edinburgh visiting the castle. As the backdrop to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo during the annual Edinburgh Festival, the castle has become a recognizable symbol of Edinburgh in particular and of Scotland as a whole.
(King Robert the Bruce on left of entrance, Sir William Wallace on right)
This close-up view plunges into the intricate heart of a Gerbera daisy, capturing the lush, velvety texture of its coral-toned petals. The dynamic diagonal composition draws the eye across the frame, moving from the soft, sweeping drama of the main petals to the tightly clustered, contrasting tips of the disc florets at the flower's center. It’s a study in delicate complexity—a vibrant reminder of nature's detailed artistry, where every tiny element contributes to a spectacular whole.
The Peacock Flower holds symbolic importance in some cultures, often associated with beauty, pride, and joy.
This plant is often celebrated for its spectacular flowers and its ability to bring a tropical touch to gardens and landscapes.
The Peacock Flower produces beautiful, showy flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, or a combination of these, often resembling a peacock's tail in appearance.
The flowers are large, with long stamens that contribute to their dramatic look.
The plant itself can grow as a shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters), though it can grow taller in ideal conditions.
The leaves are finely divided, giving the plant a feathery or fern-like texture.
photo rights reserved by Ben
The Snostskali River meanders through the Sno Valley, adding a dynamic element to the picture. In autumn, the river is filled with meltwater from the mountains, creating a powerful and lively scene. Along the banks, low shrubs and trees are dressed in warm autumn colours. The valley is a combination of gentle hills and steep slopes, typical of this region of the Caucasus. Here and there, agricultural terraces are visible, which are evidence of centuries of habitation and careful use of the landscape. Sno is a picturesque mountain village near Stepantsminda, a popular base for trekking and mountaineering in the Kazbegi region of northern Georgia. Hiking trails to the Chaukhi Pass attract adventurers. This pass leads to Juta, another mountain village that serves as a starting point for treks to the impressive Chaukhi peaks. The North Chaukhi Mountain towers over the landscape with its height of approximately 3,842 meters. The region is known for its rugged, untouched nature and breathtaking views of the Caucasus. The snow-capped peaks of the North Chaukhi Mountain form a beautiful contrast with the warm tones of the valley. Sno and its surroundings are distinguished by dramatic landscapes, medieval fortresses and the proximity of the imposing Kazbek Mountain. The area is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers looking for adventure and peace in nature.
The North Chaukhi Mountain stands at approximately 3,842 meters. This impressive peak is part of the Chaukhi Range in the Greater Caucasus, located in Georgia's Kazbegi district. Hikes around the Chaukhi Pass, situated at an elevation of about 3,338 meters, are popular among adventurers exploring the region. The mountain serves as a stunning backdrop to the valleys surrounding Sno and Juta. In the foreground, the Snostskali River winds through the valley, contributing to the area's breathtaking natural landscape.
De Snostskali-rivier kronkelt door de vallei van Sno en voegt een dynamisch element toe aan de foto. In de herfst is de rivier gevuld met smeltwater uit de bergen, wat zorgt voor een krachtig en levendig tafereel. Langs de oevers staan lage struiken en bomen gehuld in warme herfstkleuren. De vallei is een samenspel van zachte heuvels en steile hellingen, kenmerkend voor deze regio van de Kaukasus. Hier en daar zijn landbouwterrassen zichtbaar, wat wijst op eeuwenlange bewoning en zorgvuldig gebruik van het landschap. Sno is een pittoresk bergdorp vlakbij Stepantsminda, een geliefde uitvalsbasis voor trektochten en bergbeklimmingen in de Kazbegi-regio, in het noorden van Georgië. Wandelroutes naar de Chaukhi-pas trekken avonturiers aan. Deze pas leidt naar Juta, een ander bergdorp dat fungeert als startpunt voor tochten naar de indrukwekkende Chaukhi-pieken. De North Chaukhi Mountain torent met zijn hoogte van ongeveer 3.842 meter boven het landschap uit. De regio staat bekend om haar ruige, ongerepte natuur en adembenemende uitzichten op de Kaukasus. De besneeuwde toppen van de North Chaukhi Mountain vormen een prachtig contrast met de warme tinten van de vallei. Sno en haar omgeving onderscheiden zich door dramatische landschappen, middeleeuwse forten en de nabijheid van de imposante Kazbek-berg. Het gebied is een geliefde bestemming voor wandelaars en natuurliefhebbers die op zoek zijn naar avontuur en rust in de natuur.
Lisbon, Portugal
Laying the mosaic pavement requires backbreaking labor. It's an arduous job performed in a prostrate position, making this traditional art of calçeteiros both rare and expensive. When wet, the surfaces of "calçadas" tend to be slippery and can contribute to slips and falls. Also, the moisture breaks down the design requiring frequent maintenance. For this reason, today’s government is considering a way of creating a safer pavement for the pedestrian while at the same time maintaining the unique beauty of this art form as an important part of the nation's identity and heritage.
The Great Western Staircase is one of the Capitol’s most impressive features. Its stair well measures approximately 77 by 70 feet, and is 119 feet in height. Yet, it is also graceful and intricate, and a paradise of stone carving. Known in Albany as the Million Dollar Staircase, it was designed by H. H. Richardson, but transformed into an elaborately carved work of art by Isaac Perry. Governor Grover Cleveland called Perry out of retirement to become Commissioner of the Capitol in 1883. He was the last architect to work on the building and his involvement resulted in a dramatic increase in stone carving. At times he employed hundreds of stone carvers and cutters, paying them five dollars for a ten-hour day – twice the wage of a common laborer. The majority of the carvers were from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
A serene evening scene in the Reitdiephaven marina in Groningen. The colorful houses, inspired by traditional Scandinavian architecture, are beautifully reflected in the calm harbor water. The warm glow of the evening sun and the lights from the houses contribute to the dreamy atmosphere.
*Working Towards a Better World
Peace is the marriage of the people and the planet, with all attendant vows. - Anonymous
Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contribute the best that they have and all that they are. - Hafsat Abiola
In some ways, the challenges are even more daunting than they were at the peak of the cold war. Not only do we continue to face grave nuclear threats, but those threats are being compounded by new weapons developments, new violence within States and new challenges to the rule of law. -
Kofi Annan
There is no time left for anything but to make peacework a dimension of our every waking activity. - Elise Boulding
Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. - Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Thank you for your kind visit. Have a wonderful and beautiful day! xo💜💜
Automated description generated with Google
Depth of field: The blurred foreground and background create a shallow depth of field, drawing the viewer's attention to the middle ground.
Vignetting: The darker corners of the image, also known as a vignette, are a stylistic device often used in vintage photography to focus the viewer's eye on the central subject.
Color tone: The entire image has a warm, slightly desaturated color cast, giving it a retro look.
Texture: Layered textures mimic signs of wear and tear, such as scratches or stains, to create the impression of an old photograph.
Composition: The figures are not placed in the center but rather follow the rule of thirds, creating a more dynamic composition.
Perspective: A low camera angle makes the small statues appear more significant and present.
Low contrast: The colors are muted and the contrasts reduced, which also contributes to the nostalgic vintage style.
This image will continue to remind me of Hidden Grove, because of the way these branches partially reveal themselves to my camera. As if shy in nature, they give us only enough to let us know they are there. Hidden behind a tree trunk, and using another to gain confidence, they contribute their beauty to the surrounding.
"Hidden Grove is a beautiful forested area with a network of hiking trails that pass by several enormous Douglas Fir trees. Located just north of Sechelt, the many different paths offer a unique opportunity to plan your route through a lush west coast forest, on routes that are well maintained."
(2/2)
A la izquierda de la imagen podemos ver la Estación de Barracas, de la que ya hemos dado alguna referencia.
Durante muchos años y hasta 1972 discurrió por esta vía la línea de ferrocarril de vía estrecha Ojos Negros-Sagunto, para el transporte del mineral extraído por la Compañía Minera de Sierra Menera, desde los yacimientos de hierro de la localidad de Ojos Negros (Teruel) hasta el Puerto de Sagunto. Su trazado discurre casi paralelamente y a muy poca distancia con el trazado de la línea entre Sagunto y Teruel de la que fuera la Compañía del Ferrocarril Central de Aragón. Hoy es muy frecuente ver ciclistas y senderistas frecuentando esta vía.
Para esta referencias y más ampliación se puede consultar la Wikipedia
es.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%ADa_Verde_de_Ojos_Negros
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Vía Verde de los Ojos Negros on its way through BARRACAS (Castellón)
On the left side of the image we can see the Barracas Station, of which we have already given some reference.
For many years and until 1972, the narrow-track railroad line Ojos Negros-Sagunto ran along this route for the transportation of the ore extracted by the Sierra Menera Mining Company, from the iron deposits of the town of Ojos Negros (Teruel) to the Port of Sagunto. Its layout runs almost parallel and very close to the line drawn between Sagunto and Teruel of what was the Central Railway Company of Aragon. In fact, if we focus in the opposite direction, Barracas Station is seen very close to us, of which we have already contributed some reference.
Nowadays it is very common to see cyclists and hikers frequenting this route.
For this references and more enlargement you can consult the Wikipedia
The only royal Renaissance castle in Picardy. In 1528, François 1st decided to build a royal residence in Villers-Cotterêts, on the edge of the Retz forest where he liked to hunt. The architect Philibert Delorme contributed to the creation of the building, completed in 1556.
Château de Villers-Cotterêts - Ministry of Culture
Considering our upper level seating for my daughters graduation, this higher perspective rendered an interesting image. The repetition and high contrast of black and white, contributed as its own meaningful element. Do you remember your graduation, wearing the gown and throwing the mortarboard? (The cap)
A perspective of the marina in Puerto Mogán at dusk from the overlook dominating the touristic village.
Puerto de Mogán is located in the municipality of Mogán, on the southwest coast of Gran Canaria, one of the most appreciated tourist areas of the island. The beauty of its beaches and the good weather, throughout the year, attracts a large number of visitors. The picturesque fishing town of Puerto de Mogán stands out for its many corners of interest. Protected between mountains, it captivates with its white houses and the colorful gardens of its pedestrian areas.
The presence of some small canals and bridges has led to the place being described as “the little Venice of the Canary Islands”. Without a doubt, it is exaggerated, but the truth is that these canals, which link the marina with the fishing port, give the town its own personality. In Puerto de Mogán the boats prepared for daily work mix with yachts and pleasure boats. And the beach, with calm waters and golden sand, invites you to a pleasant swim. Everything contributes to giving the traveler the feeling of being in an idyllic space.
Press "L" to enlarge the picture.
Have a great Tuesday!
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Puerto deportivo de Puerto Mogán, Gran Canaria, España
Puerto de Mogán se encuentra en el municipio de Mogán, en la costa suroeste de Gran Canaria, una de las áreas turísticas más apreciadas de la isla. La hermosura de sus playas y el buen tiempo, durante todo el año, atrae a gran número de visitantes. La pintoresca localidad de pescadores de Puerto de Mogán destaca por sus muchos rincones de interés. Protegido entre montañas, cautiva con sus casas blancas y el colorido de los jardines de sus zonas peatonales.
La presencia de algunos pequeños canales y puentes han llevado a calificar al lugar como “la pequeña Venecia de Canarias”. Sin duda, es exagerado, pero lo cierto es que esos canales, que enlazan el puerto deportivo con el pesquero, dotan al pueblo de una personalidad propia. En Puerto de Mogán las barcas preparadas para la faena diaria se mezclan con los yates y las embarcaciones de recreo. Y la playa, de aguas calmas y arena dorada, invita a un placentero baño. Todo contribuye a que el viajero tenga la sensación de encontrarse en un espacio idílico.
Pulsa "L" para ampliar la imagen.
¡Feliz Martes!
World Elephant Day has been celebrated every August 12th since 2012, when Patricia Sims and the Thailand-based nonprofit Elephant Reintroduction Foundation partnered to found the holiday. Over the past eight years, World Elephant Day has partnered with more than 100 elephant conservation organizations from around the world, and helped to raise awareness for the need to protect and preserve elephants.
Elephants are an endangered species, and the majestic animal’s population has shrunk significantly over the past few decades. For example, in Africa, there are only about 415,000 elephants remaining; in 1989, there were 600,000, and in 1979, there were 1.3 million, according to data sent to Green Matters by Space For Giants. Many factors have contributed to elephant populations decreasing, but one of the most significant is poaching. Poachers in Africa have illegally killed an estimated 110,000 elephants over the past decade - about one quarter of what Africa’s elephant population was 10 years ago.
Only Elephants should wear Ivory!
This beautiful scene of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) grazing in the early morning light was captured during a photography safari on an early morning game drive in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
The Columbia County Courthouse, built in 1905, is an historic courthouse building located at 173 NE Hernando Avenue in Lake City, Florida. It was designed by architect Frank Pierce Milburn in the Classical Revival style of architecture. It was built with a dome and cupola, which were removed before 1989, but were restored in 2003 during a major renovation and expansion of the courthouse. In 1989, the Columbia County Courthouse was listed in A Guide to Florida's Historic Architecture, published by the University of Florida Press.
The Columbia County Courthouse is a contributing property in the Lake City Historic Commercial District.
Credit for the data above is given to the following website:
Cold steel, or cold rolled steel, is called this because it is shaped into bar or sheet stock at low temperatures - usually room temperature or slightly above.
The phrase "cold steel" refers to the use of metal weapons, like swords or knives, and is often used to describe the past and the idea of striking fear into the enemy.
I think the only enemy here is cholesterol.
(Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in your body. Many people think that cholesterol is harmful, but the truth is that it's essential for your body to function. Cholesterol contributes to the membrane structure of every cell in your body.
It's only when bad cholesterol causes plaque to build up in your arteries that it's considered a major risk factor for heart attack, heart disease and stroke).
All things in moderation.
Butchers shop window, Wellington, Somerset, UK.
On the last day of the year in 1994, 302207 rolls into Dagenham Dock station with a Fenchurch Street to Leigh on Sea service.
This line was labelled as the 'misery line' through the late 1990s, with these (by then) ancient trains and elderly signalling contributing to significant delays for the long suffering commuters.
112 sets of these trains were built at British Rail's York and Doncaster works. 20 were used on the Great Eastern lines out of Liverpool Street, but the remainder were the ubiquitous commuting trains from Fenchurch Street from electrification in November 1961 until the mid 1990s.
From the early 1990s, class 310 and class 312 units took over the majority of workings on the line. By the date of this picture, class 302s were limited to some peak hour diagrams.
Note the searchlight signal at the end of the platform (replaced as part of route resignalling in 1996) and the crane from the Dagenham freightliner terminal.
Some interesting facts about probably the cutest world's rodents (Sciurus vulgaris):
- They do not hibernate;
- They hide nuts and seeds in the ground, which contributes to the growth of the tree population;
- Front teeth grow throughout life;
- They have a multifunctional tail - it helps to keep balance, brake, and even serves as an umbrella;
- If they look anxious, nervously jumping on the branches making high-pitched whistles (and there is no particular threat), it means that in 6-10 hours it will probably rain;
- If they hide in a hollow and their activity decreases, it means that a storm is coming.
Kilka interesujących faktów o tych jakże pociesznych gryzoniach (Sciurus vulgaris):
- Nie zapadają w sen zimowy;
- Ukrywają w ziemi orzechy i nasiona, co przyczynia się do wzrostu populacji drzew;
- Przednie zęby rosną przez całe życie;
- Mają wielofunkcyjny ogon - pomaga utrzymać równowagę, hamować, a nawet bywa parasolem;
- Jeśli wyglądają na zaniepokojone, nerwowo skaczą po gałęziach wydając wysokie gwizdy (a nie widać szczególnego zagrożenia), to znaczy, że prawdopodobnie za 6-10 godzin wystąpią opady;
- Jeśli chowają się w dziupli, a ich aktywność się obniża, to znaczy, że nadejdzie burza.
A booth on Bombay Beach is ready for confessions. This installation is likely part of the Bombay Beach Biennale which occurs on random dates in the spring. The Biennale was founded in 2015 to provide renegade artistic, musical and philosophical expression outside of commercial galleries and events. It also highlights the ecological crisis of the Salton Sea. While thousands of people attend the party and many contribute art, music and performances of every description, we must have visited during a hiatus as we saw almost no one.
view of the east side of the 400 block of N. Main St. between E. Market St. (behind us) and E. Monroe St. (ahead).
The eight buildings in this view were all completed during a ten-year span between 1871 and 1881. Seven of the eight buildings are contributing architectural properties in the Bloomington Central Business District which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1985. The district includes roughly twelve square blocks of the city and encompasses 140 buildings, 118 of which are contributing buildings to the district's historic character.
From left to right the historic name, completion date and street addresses of the eight buildings are:
▪ Dr. W.H. Smith Building, 1880, 415 N. Main St.
▪ Dr. T. Hacriny Building, 1871, 413 N. Main St.
▪ Trimter-Reibsame Building, 1871, 411 N. Main St.
▪ F. Niergarth Building, 1871, 409 N. Main St.
▪ Stutz-Major Building, 1871, 405-407 N. Main St.
▪ H. Jetter Building, 1871, 403 N. Main St. Non-Contributing due to a remodeling of the front facade.
▪ Evans Grocery Building, 1871, 401 N. Main St.
The Eddy Building, c. 1887-1894 at 421-427 N. Main St., is listed as a contributing building on the National Register but has since been demolished. Today the space is a parking lot.
The architectural style of this block is primarily Italianate. Today these buildings are home to a book store, thrift shop, clothing store, studio, coffee house, bakery, insurance agent, and a legal office. Upper floors provide both office space and apartments.
Bloomington is the seat of McLean County. It is adjacent to Normal, and is the more populous of the two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area. Bloomington is 135 miles (217 km) southwest of Chicago, and 162 miles (261 km) northeast of St. Louis. The estimated population of Bloomington in 2019 was 77,330, with a metro population of 191,067.
This image too is from Harbourville, N.S. It also illustrates many of the contributing elements that make this place so unique. The vivid colors on the homes that enhance the beauty of this village. The many colors used on the fishing vessels. And of course, the mud flats when the tide is out. This is all part of the Bay of Fundy, where tides are the most extreme in the world.
It would be an interesting conversation with the captain of this troller, to discover how it remains upright. Angled above the mud, precariously moored on an angle, and equipped with a "V" bottom. It all looks rather challenging to this untrained eye, but to them, just another day parked on the sidelines.
Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, Aug 24, 2021.
Worked the hedge for food but didn't come down to the water.
Vermivora cyanoptera
Blue-winged Warblers have expanded northward as landscapes changed to shrubbier habitats. This northward expansion increased contact and hybridization with Golden-winged Warblers. This hybridization and competition contributes to Golden-winged population declines.
source- Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
A quick trip to Lake Springfield found this male Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) offering a worm to a fledgling. We saw the youngster in a tree then the male on the ground then this.
I guess this fellow went beyond what the Cornell Labs says males contribute: "The male Eastern Bluebird displays at his nest cavity to attract a female. He brings nest material to the hole, goes in and out, and waves his wings while perched above it. That is pretty much his contribution to nest building; only the female Eastern Bluebird builds the nest and incubates the eggs."
Making bricks is a common activity on the highlands of the Madagascar. The clay used to make the bricks is taken from the rice fields and this extraction contribute to the degradation of the soil of the rice fields. But also it is necessary to burn lot of firewood to fuel the kilns and this contribute enormously to the deforestation of the island.
"Bayeux Cathedral, also known as Cathedral of Our Lady of Bayeux (French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux), is a Roman Catholic church located in the town of Bayeux in Normandy, France. A national monument, it is the seat of the Bishop of Bayeux and Lisieux and was probably the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry, still preserved nearby. The cathedral is in the Norman-Romanesque architectural tradition.
The site is an ancient one and was once occupied by Roman sanctuaries. The present cathedral was consecrated on 14 July 1077 in the presence of William, Duke of Normandy and King of England. It was on this site that William may have forced Harold Godwinson to take an oath of support to him, the breaking of which led to the Norman conquest of England – meaning that the oath must have been made before 1066." (Wikipedia)
"[...] The crypt was walled up and forgotten in the Middle Ages. It was not rediscovered until the 15th century. This probably contributed to the fact that the original design was retained. A Romanesque cross vault spans two rows of columns with simplified Corinthian capitals. The arches above the capitals are decorated with ocher-coloured drawings of angels playing music with various instruments. There are colourful frescoes on the side walls. [...]" (Translated from German Wikipedia entry)
This image, taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, shows the colorful "last hurrah" of a star like our sun. The star is ending its life by casting off its outer layers of gas, which formed a cocoon around the star's remaining core. Ultraviolet light from the dying star makes the material glow. The burned-out star, called a white dwarf, is the white dot in the center. Our sun will eventually burn out and shroud itself with stellar debris, but not for another 5 billion years.
Our Milky Way Galaxy is littered with these stellar relics, called planetary nebulae. The objects have nothing to do with planets. Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century astronomers called them the name because through small telescopes they resembled the disks of the distant planets Uranus and Neptune. The planetary nebula in this image is called NGC 2440. The white dwarf at the center of NGC 2440 is one of the hottest known, with a surface temperature of more than 360,000 degrees Fahrenheit (200,000 degrees Celsius). The nebula's chaotic structure suggests that the star shed its mass episodically. During each outburst, the star expelled material in a different direction. This can be seen in the two bowtie-shaped lobes. The nebula also is rich in clouds of dust, some of which form long, dark streaks pointing away from the star. NGC 2440 lies about 4,000 light-years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Puppis.
The material expelled by the star glows with different colors depending on its composition, its density and how close it is to the hot central star. Blue samples helium; blue-green oxygen, and red nitrogen and hydrogen.
Credit: NASA, ESA, and K. Noll (STScI), Acknowledgment: The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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Richard Cobden (1804 - 1865), MP, led the successful campaign for the repeal of the Corn Laws in the 1840s, leading to free trade, reducing hunger and inflation in Britain. Another free trade initiative was the Cobden-Chevalier Treaty of 1860, promoting closer interdependence between Britain and France.
The statue was erected by public subscription (to which Napoléon III contributed) 3 years after his death.
[Wikipedia]
The pigeons seem to like it. 😁
Honfleur is a commune in the Calvados department in northwestern France. It is especially known for its old, beautiful picturesque port, characterized by its houses with slate-covered frontages, painted many times by artists, including in particular Gustave Courbet, Eugène Boudin, Claude Monet and Johan Jongkind, forming the école de Honfleur (Honfleur school) which contributed to the appearance of the Impressionist movement.
This image showcases the beautiful Baroque cityscape of Modica, a jewel of Sicily, as seen from the vantage point of the Church of San Pietro. The foreground is dominated by the church's intricate statues, each standing tall on stone pedestals, representing saints who contribute to the spiritual gravitas of the site. This church, a masterpiece of the Sicilian Baroque style, was rebuilt in the late 17th century after the devastating earthquake of 1693, which shaped much of the architectural history of the Val di Noto region.
The city of Modica, visible in the background, unfolds like a living postcard with its tiers of pastel-colored and ochre-toned buildings stacked along the hillside. This historical layering reflects centuries of architectural evolution, with medieval and Renaissance influences nestled alongside the more dominant Baroque features. The narrow streets and traditional balconies adorned with plants create a picturesque and inviting atmosphere that has earned Modica a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Architecturally, the area is defined by its harmony of form and function, with limestone facades and terracotta rooftops blending seamlessly into the rugged Sicilian landscape. The Church of San Pietro itself is a prime example, featuring an ornate facade, detailed carvings, and a grand staircase leading to its entrance, which enhances its imposing presence. Surrounding structures complement this aesthetic with arches, columns, and wrought-iron details that highlight the artisanship of the period.
Modica is also celebrated for its culinary traditions, particularly its unique chocolate, which follows a centuries-old Aztec recipe introduced by the Spanish. The city's chocolatiers craft this delicacy with a grainy texture and rich flavor, making it a must-try for visitors. Alongside chocolate, Modica's markets and restaurants offer a range of Sicilian specialties, such as arancini, cannoli, and pasta dishes that reflect the island's diverse cultural influences. This blend of history, architecture, and gastronomy makes Modica a captivating destination for any traveler.
RX_02825_20240512_Modica
Hard to ignore this rocky natural leading line to the lighthouse!
The history of Cape Palliser Lighthouse:
Cape Palliser features prominently in Maori history and the legends of Kupe. The area also featured in the colonisation of New Zealand.
The rugged coast and notorious Cook Strait gales contributed to many early shipwrecks. Six months before the light was lit in 1897, a ship was wrecked within 4 miles of the new tower and 12 of the 21 crew drowned. While a light on Cape Palliser reduced the number of shipwrecks, the area still remained hazardous for the unwary.
The tower at Cape Palliser has been painted with red and white stripes to make it stand out from the hills behind it. There are only two other lighthouses in New Zealand with stripes, rather than the standard plain white. Dog Island Lighthouse and Cape Campbell Lighthouse have black and white stripes.
Operation of the Cape Palliser light:
Cape Palliser lighthouse is still fitted with the original Fresnel lens, which was installed in 1897.
In 1954 the light was converted from oil to diesel-generated electricity. In 1967 it was connected to mains electricity. A diesel-electric generator provides standby emergency power.
The lighthouse was automated and the keepers were withdrawn in 1986.
The light is monitored remotely from Maritime New Zealand’s Wellington office.
Life at Cape Palliser light station:
Owing to its isolation in the early days, life at Cape Palliser created its own unique problems for the keepers and their families.
The original access to the lighthouse was a dirt track up a 58 metre-high cliff. This was a dangerous walk for the keepers, especially in stormy weather.
In 1912 a set of 258 steps were built up to the tower, which provided the keepers with much safer access, although still a physically demanding walk.
Stores were delivered to the station every 3 months. If the seas were too rough, the stores could be landed at the more sheltered Kawakawa Bay, some 6 kilometres away. The Cape Palliser letter book is filled with countless tales of stores being lost during the unloading process.
With the storage buildings and keepers’ homes at sea level, the unloading was easier than at many other stations where goods had to be hauled up cliffs using a trolley on rails. The keepers still had to haul the light supplies (oil and kerosene) up the cliff face to the light station. They did this on a railway, using a hand winch.
When the lighthouse was eventually connected to the nearby settlements by road, keepers would collect their mail and supplies once a week from Pirinoa. (Courtesy www.maritimenz.govt.nz)
© Dominic Scott 2024
Since 1854 the McLean County Bank Building has adorned the northwest corner of N. Main St. (right) and W. Front St. (left) in downtown Bloomington. The old bank is a Milwaukee brick, Italianate style building. Windows of the second and third floors are framed in limestone and have arched headers.
Between 1854 and the 1880s, this structure served as the bank home of the McLean County Bank, and from 1854 to 1867 the top floor of the bank was used as the Masonic Hall of Bloomington.
From 1880s through most of the 1930s, this building was home to various banks, including the Third National Bank, Illinois Savings and Trust, Bloomington Savings and Loans, and the Lincoln Savings and Loan. The continued existence of the building was threatened in the late 1980s after plans to destroy the entire south block were announced. Fortunately, those plans fell through leading to the building being restored in 1994. The building is now used as professional office space.
The McLean County Bank Building is a contributing architectural property in the Bloomington Central Business District. The district was listed in 1985 on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and includes roughly twelve square blocks of the city and encompasses 140 buildings, 118 of which are contributing buildings to the district's historic character.
This photograph also shows the west side of the 100 block of N. Main St. The six-story Livingston Building, highlighted earlier in this series, sits at the opposite end of the block on the south side of the courthouse square. Between the McLean County Bank and Livingston Building is a parking lot and alley. The open space north of the Livingston Building is the courthouse square, and the six-story, brick building seen on the north side of the square is the Corn Belt Bank Building, also previously highlighted in this series.
Bloomington is the seat of McLean County. It is adjacent to Normal, and is the more populous of the two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area. Bloomington is 135 miles (217 km) southwest of Chicago, and 162 miles (261 km) northeast of St. Louis. The estimated population of Bloomington in 2019 was 77,330, with a metro population of 191,067.
The Garden sits nestled in the West Hills of Portland, Oregon overlooking the city and providing a tranquil, urban oasis for locals and travelers alike. Designed in 1963, it encompasses 12 acres with eight separate garden styles, and includes an authentic Japanese Tea House, meandering streams, intimate walkways, and a spectacular view of Mt. Hood. This is a place to discard worldly thoughts and concerns and see oneself as a small but integral part of the universe.
Born out of a hope that the experience of peace can contribute to a long lasting peace. Born out of a belief in the power of cultural exchange. Born out of a belief in the excellence of craft, evidence in the Garden itself and the activities that come from it. Born out of a realization that all of these things are made more real and possible if we honor our connection to nature.
From the writings of Stephen Eckard, deputy director of civilian relief for the American Red Cross during WW2: "Houses dating from the 17th and 18th centuries clothe the slopes of Castle Hill. Here Eckard can see evidence of the city's history before his eyes. In these houses lived the merchants who risked their money on trade with the New World. Their motive was profit ----- but their enterprise contributed considerably to the development of North America."
Now we look down towards the Job Centre (green sign, left).
At the bottom of the hill are more treasures that I hope to post here soon.
You know I don't do much wildlife, so I thought it was about time to contribute.
Straight and Narrow Theme
The Philippi Area is associated with outstanding historical figures and events that have contributed decisively to the formation of Western culture. Unique architectural monuments that have survived to this day bear witness to the centuries-old history of the cultures that developed and met in this area.
The ancient city of Philippi was originally (360 BC) a colony of the Thasians, which was called Krinides. Soon, however, the city was conquered by Philip II, the then almost invincible king of Macedon, who fortified the settlement and gave it his name.
In Hellenistic times, the city received its city walls, a theater, numerous public buildings and private residences.
The most impressive building from that period, despite the numerous subsequent reconstructions, is undoubtedly the Ancient Theatre of Philippi, where the performances of the Philippi Festival take place every summer.
In the second century B.C., the Via Egnatia, one of the most important military and commercial routes of the ancient world, which ran through Philippi, made the city an important point of reference for the entire area.
The most significant event during the Roman period that was to seal the history of the city once and for all was the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, in which the supporters of the Republic under Brutus and Cassius fought against the supporters of the monarchy under Mark Antony, Octavian (later Emperor Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire) and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus.
The Republicans lost, their leaders chose suicide and for Rome this marked the beginning of the period of imperial Rule.
Nevertheless, yet another significant event was to profoundly influence the physiognomy of the city.
The arrival of the Apostle Paul to the Gentiles, who founded the first Christian church congregation on European soil here around the year 49/50 AD.
The advance of the new religion and the transfer of the capital of the Roman Empire to Constantinople gave Philippi great prestige. In early Christian times (4th-6th centuries), an eight-sided building complex, the "Octagon", whose main church was dedicated to the Apostle Paul, was built on the site of the Roman buildings, as well as the "Bishop's Palace" and three other magnificent basilicas and private houses.
The city of Philippi was gradually abandoned from the early 7th century due to severe earthquakes and Slavic invaders.
In Byzantine times there was a fortification here, while at the End of the 14th century the settlement was completely devastated After the conquest by the Turks.
The excavation and research work in Philippi was started in 1914 by the French Archaeological School.
After the 2nd World War, the Archaeological Service and the Archaeological Society of Greece carried out systematic excavations.
Today, the excavation work continues by the Archaeological Service, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the French Archaeological School.
The finds are kept in the Archaeological Museum of Philippi.
Since July 2016, the archaeological site of Philippi has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
I don't want to be rude my friends, But it's almost impossible for me to comment on all your Beautiful Pictures, I hope you understand that, Thank you very much.
Thanks for your Visit Views Faves and Comments, have all a Nice Weekend. 🌞✌
Das Amphitheater von Philippi *(Infos)
Die Gegend von Philippi wird mit Herausragenden Historischen Persönlichkeiten und Ereignissen in Verbindung gebracht, die entscheidend zur Formung der westlichen Kultur beigetragen haben. Einzigartige Baudenkmäler, die bis heute erhalten sind, zeugen von der jahrhundertalten Geschichte der Kulturen, die sich in dieser Gegend entwickelten und aufeinandertrafen.
Die antike Stadt Philippi war ursprünglich (360 v. Chr.) eine Kolonie der Thasier, die Krinides genannt wurde. Schon bald jedoch wurde die Stadt von Philipp II., dem damals nahezu unbezwingbaren König von Makedonien erobert, der die Siedlung befestigen ließ und ihr seinen Namen gab.
In hellenistischer Zeit erhielt die Stadt ihre Stadtmauer, ein Theater, zahlreiche öffentliche Gebäude und private Wohnhäuser.
Das beeindruckendste Bauwerk aus jener Zeit ist – den zahlreichen späteren Umbauten zum Trotz –zweifelsohne das antike Theater von Philippi, in dem alljährlich im Sommer die Aufführungen des Festivals von Philippi stattfinden.
Im zweiten vorchristlichen Jahrhundert machte die durch Philippi verlaufende Via Egnatia, eine der bedeutendsten Militär- und Handelsstraßen der antiken Welt, die Stadt zu einem wichtigen Bezugspunkt für die gesamte Gegend.
Das bedeutendste Ereignis während der Römerzeit, dass die Geschichte der Stadt ein für alle Mal besiegeln sollte, war im Jahre 42 v. Chr. die Schlacht bei Philippi, in der die Anhänger der Republik unter Brutus und Cassius gegen die Verfechter der Monarchie unter Marcus Antonius, Octavian (den späteren Kaiser Augustus, den ersten Kaiser des römischen Reichs) und Marcus Aemilius Lepidus kämpften.
Die Republikaner verloren, ihre Anführer wählten den Freitod und für Rom begann damit die Zeit der Kaiserherrschaft.
Dennoch sollte noch ein weiteres bedeutendes Ereignis die Physiognomie der Stadt zutiefst beeinflussen.
Die Ankunft des Völkerapostels Paulus, der hier um das Jahr 49/50 n. Chr. die erste christliche Kirchengemeinde auf europäischem Boden gründete.
Das Vordringen der neuen Religion und die Verlegung der Hauptstadt des römischen Reiches nach Konstantinopel verliehen Philippi großes Ansehen. In frühchristlicher Zeit (4. -6. Jahrhundert) wurde an der Stelle der römischen Bauten ein achtseitiger Gebäudekomplex, dass „Oktogon“ angelegt, dessen Hauptkirche dem Apostel Paulus geweiht war, sowie auch der „Bischofspalast“ und drei weitere prächtige Basiliken und Privathäuser.
Die Stadt Philippi wurde ab dem frühen 7. Jahrhundert aufgrund schwerer Erdbeben und slawischer Invasoren nach und nach verlassen.
In Byzantinischer Zeit befand sich hier eine Befestigungsanlage, während die Siedlung Ende des 14. Jahrhunderts nach der Eroberung durch die Türken völlig verwüstet wurde.
Die Ausgrabungs- und Forschungsarbeiten in Philippi wurden im Jahre 1914 von der Französischen Archäologischen Schule begonnen.
Nach dem 2. Weltkrieg führten der Archäologische Dienst und die Archäologische Gesellschaft Griechenlands systematische Ausgrabungen durch.
Heute werden die Ausgrabungsarbeiten vom Archäologischen Dienst, der Aristoteles-Universität Thessaloniki und der Französischen Archäologischen Schule fortgeführt.
Die Funde werden im Archäologischen Museum von Philippi aufbewahrt.
Seit Juli 2016 ist die archäologische Stätte von Philippi im Verzeichnis des UNESCO-Welterbes enthalten.
Ich will nicht unhöflich sein meine Freunde, Aber es ist mir schier unmöglich alle eure Wundervollen Bilder zu kommentieren, ich hoffe ihr habt Verständnis dafür.
Herzlichen Dank.
Vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch, Ihre Ansichten, Favoriten und Kommentare, ich wünsche Ihnen ein schönes Wochenende. 🌞✌
2. Sunrise over the Aletsch Glacier
August 2023
90 × 60 cm, Alu-Dibond
Italiano
Il sole sorge dietro le montagne alle spalle della fotocamera, eppure all’orizzonte opposto compaiono fasci di luce a raggiera. Questo raro fenomeno, detto raggi anticrepuscolari, si verifica quando la luce del sole nascente viene diffusa in alto nell’atmosfera. Sopra il ghiacciaio dell’Aletsch, situato nel cuore del patrimonio mondiale UNESCO Jungfrau-Aletsch, si dispiega così un silenzioso spettacolo di luce, roccia e ghiaccio.
Questo imponente ghiacciaio non colpisce solo per la sua bellezza, ma è anche di grande importanza geografica e climatica. Le sue acque di fusione alimentano la Massa, che sfocia nel Rodano all’altezza di Brig. Il ghiacciaio contribuisce così a un fiume che termina infine nel Mar Mediterraneo.
Ma questo gigante si ritira. Dalla fine del XIX secolo ha perso oltre tre chilometri in lunghezza. Solo negli ultimi vent’anni, il ghiaccio si è ritirato di centinaia di metri: una testimonianza inequivocabile del riscaldamento climatico.
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Deutsch
Die Sonne erhebt sich jenseits der Kamera hinter den Bergen, und doch erscheinen am gegenüberliegenden Horizont strahlenartige Lichtbündel. Dieses seltene Phänomen, sogenannte Gegendämmerungsstrahlen, entsteht, wenn das Licht der aufgehenden Sonne hoch in der Atmosphäre gestreut wird. Über dem Aletschgletscher, im Herzen des UNESCO Welterbes Jungfrau Aletsch, entfaltet sich so ein stilles Schauspiel aus Licht, Stein und Eis.
Dieser gewaltige Gletscher beeindruckt nicht nur visuell, sondern ist auch geografisch und klimatisch von grosser Bedeutung. Sein Schmelzwasser speist die Massa, die bei Brig in die Rhone mündet. Damit trägt der Gletscher zu einem Flusssystem bei, das letztlich ins Mittelmeer fliesst.
Doch dieser Riese schrumpft. Seit Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts hat sich der Gletscher um mehr als drei Kilometer verkürzt. Allein in den letzten zwanzig Jahren zog sich das Eis um mehrere hundert Meter zurück. Das ist ein unübersehbares Zeichen der Klimaerwärmung.
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Engels
The sun rises beyond the mountains behind the camera, and yet fan-like rays appear on the opposite horizon. This rare phenomenon, known as anticrepuscular rays, occurs when sunlight from the rising sun is scattered high in the atmosphere. Over the Aletsch Glacier, located in the heart of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site, a quiet spectacle of light, rock, and ice unfolds.
This imposing glacier is not only visually striking, but also of great geographical and climatic importance. Meltwater from the Aletsch Glacier feeds the Massa, which joins the Rhône near Brig. In this way, the glacier contributes to a river system that ultimately flows into the Mediterranean Sea.
But this giant is shrinking. Since the end of the 19th century, the glacier has retreated by more than three kilometers. In the past twenty years alone, the ice has withdrawn by several hundred meters: an unmistakable sign of a warming climate.
Richmond Bridge is a lasting symbol of Tasmania's convict heritage. The sandstone arches of Australia's oldest known large stone arch bridge have spanned Tasmania's Coal River since its completion in 1825. Built by convict labour, the Richmond Bridge reminds us of the forced migration that contributed to the development of Australian society. Today visitors flock to see the popular attraction, which survives with few significant changes.
HomilytheFifthSundayofLent032623
This is the fifth week of Lent. Our Gospel reading is a the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. It is a drama happening in the context of a global drama-the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These two events are intimately linked to each other. Both dramas show us how God moves within Salvation history that is on behalf of all humanity and then how Jesus works within the drama and detail of each and every life. Love for us, is God’s purpose and is reflected in both events.
We have the benefit of witnessing the unfolding of these two events and there importance to us collectively and individually-especially during Lent. We must not forget how fortunate we are to be on this side of the resurrection, because we have the complete picture, there are no surprises accept the ones we experience in the details of our own lives.
Our church provides us a way of entering into these events through her liturgies, liturgical seasons and sacramental rites. In this way, Jesus Christ is present to us in a multiple of ways. However, we can also let the glittery world distract us, and pull our attention from the “one thing that matters” our relationship with Christ. For it is in the intimacy of this relationship that we can experience Him in the details of our own lives, as he was present for Lazarus, Mary and Martha in our Gospel story.
How was Jesus present to them? Let us begin with “and Jesus wept.” For whom is Jesus shedding tears? The simple answer is for his friends. In these few words, we can be sure, that just as Jesus is moved by Martha and Mary in their grief and sorrow at the loss of their brother, so our Jesus is present to us. In the mundane, the joyful and the sorrowful details of our life…the presence of Christ can be felt if we have a place for Him.
How was Jesus there for Lazarus? From our Gospel reading, it was apparent that Jesus knew that Lazarus was sick, and it appears that he was slow to respond. For a greater purpose that only Jesus knew, he was going to raise him from the dead, as a foreshadowing of his own death.
When Jesus appeared before Lazarus, he asked that the stone be rolled away and then said
“Lazarus, come out!” What did Lazarus hear in this command? Artist and theologian Makoto Fujimura in his book Art and Faith say’s it quite beautifully:
“What Lazarus heard was not the voice of a mere mortal trying to speak of love and hope. What called Lazarus was the voice of a Son of God himself who spoke from beyond the veil into eternity, into the Father’s presence. What Lazarus heard was the voice of true hope and true love. What Lazarus heard was nothing short of the voice of Creation.” (end quote)
Once again, Lazarus, Martha and Mary are together again and Jesus is in the center. Their individual drama is completed and Jesus passion is just beginning. Soon after raising Lazarus,
The Sanhedrin met, and decided that they were going to kill Jesus.
So, we see, the unfolding of the Lazarus event, within the larger event we call the passion. As it was for Lazarus, Martha and Mary, Jesus works within the details of our lives and collectively we are the body of Christ moving forward in time. What harm can the world do to us, nothing…because we are a resurrection people.
In the detail of our lives, Jesus is present to us, even when we do not realize it. Blessed are we, if we are aware of his presence. Knowing that HE is with us in our ups and downs, giving us the peace and comfort that the world can never provide. What is even more profound is when we see HIM in others that crowd around us in our times of loss, despair, joy and celebration. In a mysterious way, our journey through this valley of life uniquely contributes to the bigger picture of our salvation history and building up the Kingdom of God on earth. The season of Lent, amplifies this walk with Jesus. We are given the opportunity to walk with Him…to be with him…to comfort HIM…to weep with HIM and to be his friend.
-rc
An image from our photography workshop in rural Nevada last week.
A local told us that two features nearby have been closed, fenced off by the ranchers, due to excessive litter. Consider the impact of location disclosure before you contribute to the trashing of the places you visit and photograph. Don't think you can just sneak in either. One of the places we visited had a game cam set up. Smile, you're on Candid Camera (Google it)!
This image was featured in Flickr's Explore!
Highest position: 163 on Sunday, June 4, 2023
You can find the rest of my 400+ photos that have been selected for Explore via a search on Scout:
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Make It Interesting ~ Challenge #4
Original image provided by Paréeerica
Stocks used (thanks to thanks to those who contributed):
tree: falln-stock.deviantart.com/art/Trees-and-Bushes-Brushes-S...
door:http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/?qh=§ion=&q=door#/d1qkvxe
Window: browse.deviantart.com/resources/?q=window&order=9&...
I contributed the article to the information magazine of a nationwide version.
I spelt feelings as the doll clothes maker.
www.wendy-net.com/nw/woman/woman265.html
You can see the article in this site.
Thank you for the message about sales.
I'm sorry, I can't sale for international buyers because of parenting now.
I want to execute sales next year.