aussi appelée Grenouillette,

La ficaire fausse-renoncule (Ficaria verna, Ficaria ranunculoides ou Ranunculus ficaria), plus simplement ficaire est une plante herbacée vivace de la famille des Ranunculaceae.

C'est une espèce très commune en Europe, en Asie de l'Ouest, en Afrique du Nord et, plus récemment[précision nécessaire], en Amérique du Nord (États-Unis et Canada) où elle a été introduite et est parfois considérée invasive.

(Wikipédia)

ce lundi 20 mars 2023 à 22:24:24 ce sera le Printemps

Je vous souhaite à tous un superbe PRINTEMPS,

profitez de la Nature qui s'éveille,

pour bien resourcer, le corps et l'esprit....

ils en ont bien besoin,/

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also called Froglet,

Ficaria false buttercup (Ficaria verna, Ficaria ranunculoides or Ranunculus ficaria), more simply ficaria, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Ranunculaceae family.

It is a very common species in Europe, West Asia, North Africa and, more recently[clarification needed], North America (USA and Canada) where it has been introduced and is sometimes considered invasive.

(Wikipedia)

this Monday, March 20, 2023 at 10:24:24 p.m. it will be Spring

I wish you all a wonderful SPRING,

enjoy the awakening Nature,

to resource well, the body and the spirit....

they really need it

a three-fer.......

ANSH scavenger13 boardwalk

(and i realized that this would have been funnier

if i had had a monopoly board)

HMM a possibility for "in a row"

HSS

as a clarification-- these mini people are just over 2 inches tall

@Chris3336 please help, is that from the Col des Ignes? On the Glacier de Chailon with its white peak in the background?

Chris has clarified below. It's Switzerland, the glacial area above Arolla or rather above Lac de Dix. The snowy mass to the left is called La Serpentine, It's altitude is 3713m / 12200ft. It tends to be forgotten amongst slightly higher peaks around, like the Mont Blanc de Cheilon (3870m), partly visible, the big black rock to the right. As it name indicates, its peak is snowy.

Thanks to Chris for his clarification - and for guiding me to this magnificent view-point in the first place!

I happened across these pumpkins lurking behind a hedge a few weeks back during a drive around my locale. It was the pumpkins lurking behind the hedge by the way, not me, just in case any clarification was needed

New from tarte...cherry blossom trees..HUD to change flower colors or add lights..out now at C88:

tarte. cherry blossom tree A

tarte. cherry blossom tree B

C88: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/8%208/65/177/1086

tarte mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Scribbled%20Hearts/142/128/22

tarte flickr: flic.kr/ps/2nRAmN

From THOR the Lazy Days Gacha set..out now at The Anthem Event:

..::THOR::.. DIY Plant Shelf

..::THOR::.. Lazy Daybed - Vines - RARE

..::THOR::.. Carved Lantern - Coal

..::THOR::.. Carved Lantern - White

..::THOR::.. Simple Pallet

..::THOR::.. Aperitivo - ULTRARARE

..::THOR::.. Tulips Vase - Coal

..::THOR::.. Stack Of Dishes - Coal

The Anthem Event: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Anthem/86/161/1114

THOR Mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nyn/130/238/3209

THOR Flickr: flic.kr/ps/2w7oim

New from revival....casa chair..adult and pg..texture change options as well...

.:revival:. casa chair -and don't forget to grab your group gift at the event

faMESHed Anniversary Round: faMESHed: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FaMESHed/226/144/1001

revival mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Crawls/217/116/2001

revival flickr: flic.kr/ps/XQjgP

Grab some new flowers, bluebells, by Konoha at the Cosmopolitan Event Anniversary Round..wear your tag to get them as a gift!

Konoha - Bluebells

Konoha daisies Leucanthemum cindy(mainstore)

Cosmopolitan Event: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/No%20Comment/131/61/22

Konoha Mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Whitlock/147/173/2601

Konoha Flickr: flic.kr/ps/3S5rdX

Misc:

HISA Potters Cottage

hive // floral chandelier . gold/silver

Foxwood - Sweet Corgi - Speckle - stand

Foxwood - Sweet Corgi - Speckle - lay

Refuge - Bunny Fountain

8f8 - Beautiful Imperfections - Mr.Broken & Ms.Daisy

8f8 - Make Believe - Pampas Grass DRY

Nutmeg. Sunroom Empty Bureau

Nutmeg. Sunroom Framed Art / 1

Nutmeg. Sunroom Creamer Pitcher

(Milk Motion) antique crystal chandelier (no chain) 17li

{vespertine} - potted alocasia micholitziana.

{vespertine} - potted monstera thai constellation.

Always thankful for all the support! 😊

Thank you for the clarification, David !

Merci pour la précision, David !

This was another duck that I was very happy to see at the San Diego Safari Park. We do not see them around Calgary so it was a new species and lifer for me. I don't know if this is breeding plumage so I would appreciate clarification if someone knows.

Thank you for your visit and comments. They are very much appreciated.

Waimea Canyon outlook, Kauai Island, Hawaii, US

Some clarification is required: the angle of view is 'down' so the lower blue layer is the ocean, the upper (above the clouds) is the sky

:-)

Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), formally Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺), is an independent[clarification needed] Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) UNESCO World Heritage site.

This site is always packed with the crowd, the main temple is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site; too bad, it was under the renovation at the time I visiting.

ODC ... look straight up and shoot ...

(if you want to know what you see check first comment box)

LIMG_6783_cr_sooc

Happy Easter! Please do watch the video below. Gaudi was a great architect, NO DOUBT!!

Here is a video to showcase what it'd look like when it's completed in 2026

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcDmloG3tXU

Nativity Façade

Tortoise at the base of column

Constructed between 1894 and 1930, the Nativity façade was the first façade to be completed. Dedicated to the birth of Jesus, it is decorated with scenes reminiscent of elements of life. Characteristic of Gaudí's naturalistic style, the sculptures are ornately arranged and decorated with scenes and images from nature, each a symbol in their own manner. For instance, the three porticos are separated by two large columns, and at the base of each lies a turtle or a tortoise (one to represent the land and the other the sea; each are symbols of time as something set in stone and unchangeable). In contrast to the figures of turtles and their symbolism, two chameleons can be found at either side of the façade, and are symbolic of change.

The façade faces the rising sun to the northeast, a symbol for the birth of Christ. It is divided into three porticos, each of which represents a theological virtue (Hope, Faith and Charity). The Tree of Life rises above the door of Jesus in the portico of Charity. Four towers complete the façade and are each dedicated to a Saint (Matthias the Apostle, Saint Barnabas, Jude the Apostle, and Simon the Zealot).

Originally, Gaudí intended for this façade to be polychromed, for each archivolt to be painted with a wide array of colours. He wanted every statue and figure to be painted. In this way the figures of humans would appear as much alive as the figures of plants and animals.

Gaudí chose this façade to embody the structure and decoration of the whole church. He was well aware that he would not finish the church and that he would need to set an artistic and architectural example for others to follow. He also chose for this façade to be the first on which to begin construction and for it to be, in his opinion, the most attractive and accessible to the public. He believed that if he had begun construction with the Passion Façade, one that would be hard and bare (as if made of bones), before the Nativity Façade, people would have withdrawn at the sight of it. Some of the statues were destroyed in 1936,[clarification needed] and subsequently were reconstructed by the sculptor Sotoo.[citation needed]

聖家堂從1882年開始修建，因為是贖罪教堂，資金的來源主要靠個人捐款，捐款的多少直接影響到工程進度的快慢，所以至今還未完工，是世界上唯一一座還未完工就被列為世界遺產的建築物。雖然該教堂並非主教座堂，但教宗本篤十六世於2010年11月7日造訪此教堂時將其冊封為宗座聖殿

Fence in front of a high up restaurant on Madeira. After lunch the light got lazy and just so lovely. It was a tiny bit misty and the sea was glimmering and glittering. It usually doesn't look good on pictures because it is so contrasty but a little nudge on the clarification slider was very helpful. I like this time in real life, the worst of the midday heat is over and life slows down a little and you are beginning to feel very much alright and think about a late afternoon drink.

HFF!

First attempt with Sodium acetate developer. Not at full strength as with Kallitypes, but diluted 1+19 and 4 drops of contrast booster (Sodium dichromate 50%) per litre to keep the unexposed borders clean.

It has been found that adding citric acid to the coating solution not only facilitates clarification and increases partial contrast, but unexpectedly also increases maximum blackening.

Developing 4 mins, Citric acid clearing bath 2 mins, ATS acidic fixer 1+10 4 mins.

Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), formally Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺), is an independent[clarification needed] Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) UNESCO World Heritage site.

**At this point, you can view the cityscape of Kyoto in the distance.

Sooner or Later.

My attempt at the "Macro Mondays" theme "Geometry Shapes".

A point of clarification before everyone‘s rejoicing in the streets: That‘s just a title, I‘m not stopping yet! So, 'sorry' in case you thought there’s finally an end to the sunflowers and hexagons and other various attempts at photography... And 'hello there' if you have absolutely no idea what I‘m rambling about!

Shot with a (Tomioka) "Tominon MC 48 mm F 4" (enlarging) lens on a Canon EOS R5.

The first falls you see on the Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park. This is one of my favorite and most popular hikes you can do when you visit this National Park. The climb is moderate till you get to this point. Just for clarification the falls pictured here are running very low as the state of California has been through a severe drought. I was worried that I might not see much running water but we lucked out with some good weather as well as just enough water to river raft through the Merced. When you reach the top of these falls there is yet another hike to get to the upper falls named Nevada Falls as well as an emerald pool of water. Truly an amazing place that everyone needs to visit. It has become one of my top 5 places I've ever been. I think it is truly Heaven on Earth.

Mike D.

The western shore of High Falls Lake in Algonquin Park burned in August of 2016.

edit for clarification: This is a recent photo taken almost six years following the fire.

_____________

20220614-0112

I wish that I can still walk with people I care, learning from our mistakes and doing good to the next.May we have strength,tact and patience to deal with circumstances and adversity,that we may have clarification about ourselves and our feelings,learning daily to always use them in the best possible way.May we not give up overflowing love,love our own soul and by our own essence.I wish that we continue in search of peace and that in the hours of storms we have strength and wisdom to overcome and move on.That in the cycles that life recycles, we can always take best learnings and the best memories.

Originally thought it was a sawfly larva, but thanks to Michael Marlow for the clarification. No idea on the specific species yet. About 15mm long. Found this one crawling on my car of all places.

Fotografiando a este macho adulto de Sympetrum striolatum pude apreciar a través del visor de mi cámara como soltaba algo por el extremo del abdomen. Pensando que estaba defecando aproveché para hacerle varias fotografias.

En casa y durante la edición pude apreciar que era una gota de un líquido transparente el que pendía del final de su abdomen.

Sabía que algunos odonatos cuando terminan la emergencia suelen tirar una gota parecida a ésta, pero de adultos?.

Agradezco algún tipo de aclaración. Gracias.

Toma realizada en una cantera próxima a la localidad de Biar (Alicante).

Photographing this adult male of Sympetrum striolatum I was able to see through the viewfinder of my camera how something dropped from the end of the abdomen. Thinking that he was defecating, I took the opportunity to take several pictures of him.

At home and during editing I could see that it was a drop of transparent liquid that hung from the end of his abdomen.

Did you know that some odonata when the emergency ends tend to throw a drop similar to this one, but as adults?

I appreciate some kind of clarification. Thank you.

Shot made in a quarry near the town of Biar (Alicante).

I have updated My profile, please read for clarification of

My future Flickr activity, thank you.

Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), formally Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺), is an independent[clarification needed] Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) UNESCO World Heritage site.

**This place is always crowded. At some point, you couldn't even move easily. :-(

Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), formally Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺), is an independent[clarification needed] Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) UNESCO World Heritage site.

I visited the Upper & Lower Antelope Canyons a few years ago and was shocked by the lines and rich colors formed naturally. This time, my friends and I decided to give Secret Antelope Canyon a try and it blew my mind again. The Secret Antelope Canyon is on par with the more famous two but without crowds. Only one group is in the canyon at a time, so it is easy to avoid people in the frame. Importantly, a tripod is allowed to capture the rich tones in low light. This is a combo tour with Horseshoe Bend and the viewpoint is different from the public one. Driving to the entrance of the slot canyon was very fun like a rollercoaster. I highly recommend the tour.

This slot canyon is part of Water Holes Canyon, previously known as "Secret Canyon" and now "Horseshoe Bend Canyon" or "Secret Antelope Canyon". Thanks, Albert Wirtz for the clarification!

Vista des de el Albaicín.

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de/from Wikipedia:

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https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alhambra

La Alhambra es un complejo monumental sobre una ciudad palatina andalusí situado en Granada, España. Consiste en un conjunto de antiguos palacios, jardines y fortaleza (alcazaba, del árabe: القصبة al-qaṣbah ‘ciudadela’) inicialmente concebido para alojar al emir y la corte del Reino nazarí, más tarde como residencia real castellana y de sus representantes. Su singularidad artística radica en los interiores de los palacios nazaríes, cuya decoración está entre las cumbres del arte andalusí, así como en su localización y adaptación, generando un paisaje nuevo pero totalmente integrado con la naturaleza preexistente. Además, alberga un museo de arte andalusí, la pinacoteca principal de la ciudad así como un antiguo convento convertido en Parador nacional.

El complejo es gestionado por la institución Patronato de la Alhambra y el Generalife. En 2016 esta reportó ser el segundo espacio más visitado de España, tras la Sagrada Familia de Barcelona​, con 2 615 1883​ visitantes.

Etimológicamente, «Alhambra» en árabe es «al-Ḥamrāʼ» (اَلْحَمْرَاء, 'la Roja'), procedente del nombre completo «al-Qal'a al-hamra» ('castillo rojo'). En su evolución, el español intercala entre la m y la r una b, como en «alfombra», que en el árabe clásico tenía el significado de 'rojez', escrito como «al-humra». Existen más teorías para explicar el origen del nombre de la Alhambra, pues hay otros autores que arguyen que en la época andalusí la Alhambra estaba encalada y su color era blanco. El nombre de «roja» le vendría porque cuando se construyó se trabajaba de noche, y vista por la noche, desde lejos, debido a la luz de las antorchas, se veía roja. Otros autores defienden que «Alhambra» es simplemente el nombre en femenino de su fundador, Abu al-Ahmar (Muhammad I, reinado 1238-1273), que en árabe significa 'el Rojo', por ser pelirrojo.

La Alhambra se levantó sobre la colina de la Sabika, uno de los puntos más elevados de la ciudad de Gharnata. Este emplazamiento buscaba una situación estratégica defensiva y a la vez transmitir un claro símbolo, donde la cima del poder es muy perceptible para el resto de la ciudad, una ubicación escogida para ser contemplada.

La colina de la Sabika ya era un espacio ocupado con anterioridad, al menos desde tiempo de los romanos y las primeras referencias escritas de un emplazamiento militar en la zona datan del año 666. Así se tiene constancia de los núcleos de Iliberis (Elvira), en el Albaicín y Alcazaba, Castilia, cerca del actual pueblo de Atarfe, y Garnata en la colina frente a la Alcazaba como un barrio de Iliberis en la comarca y en el 756 los núcleos de El Albaicín y La Alhambra. La extensión de la colina permite albergar el complejo ocupando este unos 740 m de longitud y entre 180 m y 40 m de anchura.6

A partir de la muerte de Alhakén II, tercer califa Omeya, en 976, la historia política del califato Omeya se convirtió en un cúmulo de reveses. La reconquista cristiana pasó a ser el impulso dominante dentro de la península. En este contexto, la transformación de Gharnata de pequeña población en ciudad de cierta importancia ocurrió a principios del siglo XI, cuando la dinastía bereber de los Ziríes formó un principado semiindependiente. Bajo los tres gobernantes Habus, Badis y Abdallah (1025-1090) la ciudad aumentó en población.[cita requerida]

Los edificios estaban concentrados en la colina de la Alcazaba y en su entorno inmediato. Para la formación de la Alhambra el acontecimiento más importante es la construcción por el visir Yusuf ibn Nagrela de una fortaleza-palacio en la colina de la Sabika. Un poema de Ibn Gabirol parece indicar que los leones de la fuente de los Leones se hallaban originariamente en el palacio de este visir judío. Puede que haya habido otras construcciones puramente militares en la colina de la Alhambra durante el período zirí, pero es difícil distinguirlas con precisión.

El año 1238 señaló un segundo momento crucial. Muhammad ibn Nasr tomó la ciudad. La paradoja de la Granada nazarí consiste en el hecho de que un poder político y militar decadente, moribundo en realidad, coincidiera con una cultura original y sorprendentemente rica. La Alhambra se creó en un mundo políticamente inestable y económicamente próspero. Así, Muhammad aceptó una relación de vasallaje con la corona de Castilla, y así entró por la Puerta de Elvira para ocupar el palacio del Gallo del Viento (la antigua Alhambra), Mohamed-Ben-Nazar (o Nasr), llamado Al-Hamar el Rojo por el color de su barba.

Ben-Al-Hamar construyó el primer núcleo del palacio, fortificándolo posteriormente su hijo Mohamed II. Con toda probabilidad las murallas exteriores y el acueducto se completaron al final del siglo XIII. Los jardines y pabellones del Generalife datan al parecer del reinado de Isma'il (1314-1325). Pero los emplazamientos más importantes de la Alhambra (el complejo del patio de los Arrayanes y el de los Leones) pertenecen a la época de Yusuf I (1333-1354) y Muhammed V, este estilo granadino es la culminación del arte andalusí. Tras tres siglos de actividad, quedan bien diferenciados los tres sectores en la Alhambra: la alcazaba, el entramado urbano y los palacios.​

En 1492, finalizó la conquista de Granada por los Reyes Católicos. Hernando del Pulgar, cronista de la época, cuenta: "El conde de Tendilla y el Comendador Mayor de León, Gutierre de Cárdenas, recibieron de Fernando el Católico las llaves de Granada, entraron en la Alhambra y encima de la Torre de Comares alzaron la cruz y la bandera". La Alhambra pasa así a ser ciudadela y palacio real de los reyes cristianos y el complejo continúa su desarrollo, se añade el convento de San Francisco en 1494, el palacio de Carlos V en 1527 o la iglesia de Santa María de la Encarnación de la Alhambra en 1581.

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EL LLANTO DE BOABDIL

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"No llores como mujer lo que no supiste defender como hombre."

Dicen de esta frase que fue pronunciada por Aixa, madre de Boabdil cuando éste rindió Granada. Eran las tres de la tarde del 2 de enero de 1492 cuando Abu Abdallah Muhammad b. Ali, Muhammad XII, Boabdil para los cristianos, salió de la Alhambra por la puerta más cercana al Genil. Allí acongojado y roto por el dolor, el emir se bajó de su caballo e inclinándose ante el Rey Fernando de Aragón y todo su séquito de nobles intentó besarle la mano mientras le entregaba las llaves de la ciudad. El Rey, sosteniéndole, lo incorporó para evitarle la deshonra y tomó las llaves de la Alhambra, se las dio a Isabel, la Reina, y ésta a su vez al Príncipe Juan, quien se las pasó al que sería nombrado alcaide la Alhambra, el conde de Tendilla.

Según las crónicas cristianas, o quien sabe, la propia leyenda surgida de momento tan doloroso, Boabdil montó en su caballo para dirigirse a los feudos que los Reyes Católicos le habían cedido para su disfrute en Adra, y desde el cerro más cercano detuvo su montura. Quiso volver su vista atrás para echar una última mirada a su reino perdido, y desolado, lloró como un niño. A sus espaldas, fue la sultana Aixa, su madre, quien pronunció tan lapidaria frase. El cerro se llama Suspiro del moro.

El Albaicín entero lloró la pérdida. Granada gritó y clamó por la capitulación de su ciudad mora. Hubo unas pocas revueltas, desesperados por el fin de todo un reino, pero finalmente, Granada, la nazarí, quedó rendida.

...

El Sol de Al-Andalus desaparecido quedó,

que la voluntad de Allah se cumpla,

que cada desdichado se encierre con su tristeza.

...

(Al-Maqqarí).

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alhambra

The Alhambra (/ælˈhæmbrə/ (About this soundlisten), Spanish: [aˈlambɾa]; Arabic: الْحَمْرَاء‎, romanized: Al-Ḥamrāʾ, pronounced [alħamˈraːʔ], lit. '"The Red One"') is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. It was originally constructed as a small fortress in 889 CE on the remains of Roman fortifications, and then largely ignored until its ruins were renovated and rebuilt in the mid-13th century by the Nasrid emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar of the Emirate of Granada, who built its current palace and walls with many beautiful, intricate details. It was converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada.[1] After the conclusion of the Christian Reconquista in 1492, the site became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella (where Christopher Columbus received royal endorsement for his expedition), and the palaces were partially altered in the Renaissance style. In 1526 Charles I & V commissioned a new Renaissance palace better befitting the Holy Roman Emperor in the revolutionary Mannerist style influenced by humanist philosophy in direct juxtaposition with the Nasrid Andalusian architecture, but it was ultimately never completed due to Morisco rebellions in Granada.

Alhambra's last flowering of Islamic palaces was built for the final Muslim emirs in Spain during the decline of the Nasrid dynasty, who were increasingly subject to the Christian Kings of Castile. After being allowed to fall into disrepair for centuries, the buildings occupied by squatters, Alhambra was rediscovered following the defeat of Napoleon, who had conducted retaliatory destruction of the site. The rediscoverers were first British intellectuals and then other north European Romantic travelers. It is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions, exhibiting the country's most significant and well-known Islamic architecture, together with 16th-century and later Christian building and garden interventions. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Moorish poets described it as "a pearl set in emeralds", an allusion to the colour of its buildings and the woods around them.[The palace complex was designed with the mountainous site in mind and many forms of technology were considered. The park (Alameda de la Alhambra), which is overgrown with wildflowers and grass in the spring, was planted by the Moors with roses, oranges, and myrtles; its most characteristic feature, however, is the dense wood of English elms brought by the Duke of Wellington in 1812.[citation needed] The park has a multitude of nightingales and is usually filled with the sound of running water from several fountains and cascades. These are supplied through a conduit 8 km (5.0 mi) long, which is connected with the Darro at the monastery of Jesus del Valle above Granada.

Despite long neglect, willful vandalism, and some ill-judged restoration, the Alhambra endures as an atypical example of Muslim art in its final European stages, relatively uninfluenced by the direct Byzantine influences found in the Mezquita of Córdoba. Most of the palace buildings are quadrangular in plan, with all the rooms opening on to a central court, and the whole reached its present size simply by the gradual addition of new quadrangles, designed on the same principle, though varying in dimensions, and connected with each other by smaller rooms and passages. Alhambra was extended by the different Muslim rulers who lived in the complex. However, each new section that was added followed the consistent theme of "paradise on earth". Column arcades, fountains with running water, and reflecting pools were used to add to the aesthetic and functional complexity. In every case, the exterior was left plain and austere. Sun and wind were freely admitted. Blue, red, and a golden yellow, all somewhat faded through lapse of time and exposure, are the colors chiefly employed. The name Alhambra means the red one or the red castle, which refers to the sun-dried bricks that the outer wall is made of.

The decoration consists for the upper part of the walls, as a rule, of Arabic inscriptions—mostly poems by Ibn Zamrak and others praising the palace—that are manipulated into geometrical patterns with vegetal background set onto an arabesque setting ("Ataurique"). Much of this ornament is carved stucco (plaster) rather than stone. Tile mosaics ("alicatado"), with complicated mathematical patterns ("tracería", most precisely "lacería"), are largely used as panelling for the lower part. Metal was also not present very mainly.[clarification needed] Similar designs are displayed on wooden ceilings (Alfarje).[4] Muqarnas are the main elements for vaulting with stucco, and some of the most accomplished dome examples of this kind are in the Court of the Lions halls. The palace complex is designed in the Nasrid style, the last blooming of Islamic Art in the Iberian Peninsula, that had a great influence on the Maghreb to the present day, and on contemporary Mudejar Art, which is characteristic of western elements reinterpreted into Islamic forms and widely popular during the Reconquista in Spain.

On the way to Banff, getting darker.

Thank you to 'tankgirl' for the clarification;

This is along the Icefields Parkway, South of the town of Jasper.

The Athabasca River originates from the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefields.

The mountains seen here are Mt Christie, Brussels Peak and Mt. Fryatt

-------------------------- old note;

The Fraser River is the longest river in British Columbia, Canada, rising near Mount Robson in the Rocky Mountains and flowing for 1,400 km (870 mi), into the Pacific Ocean at the city of Vancouver. The estuary at the river's mouth is a site of hemispheric importance in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.

I visited the Upper & Lower Antelope Canyons a few years ago and was shocked by the lines and rich colors formed naturally. This time, my friends and I decided to give Secret Antelope Canyon a try and it blew my mind again. The Secret Antelope Canyon is on par with the more famous two but without crowds. Only one group is in the canyon at a time, so it is easy to avoid people in the frame. Importantly, a tripod is allowed to capture the rich tones in low light. This is a combo tour with Horseshoe Bend and the viewpoint is different from the public one. Driving to the entrance of the slot canyon was very fun like a rollercoaster. I highly recommend the tour.

This slot canyon is part of Water Holes Canyon, previously known as "Secret Canyon" and now "Horseshoe Bend Canyon" or "Secret Antelope Canyon". Thanks, Albert Wirtz for the clarification!

Solo una precisazione (forse inutile): anche la prima è a colori solo che nell'inquadratura in pratica non c'erano :)

Only a small clarification: also the first shot is in colors but in the view ... no colors at all (no NW trasmormation)

Explore #60 - 17 Gennaio 2009

I was working late today, and thankfully Collin gave me plenty of motivation to wrap it up and get out of there when he let me know that this freshly-painted UP SD70ACe, the 8504 was on the point of the MASHN, and already west of KC. This unit was released from North Little Rock on May 17th, so at this point, it was just six days from that point, and certainly on its first trip west.

Here, the UP 8504 leads the MASHN around the curve at Calhoun Bluffs (MP 64) in Topeka, meeting the NS 4199 east.

In addition to this one, there was a westbound... something (it turned out to be a power move) coming towards me on the BNSF, but the timing only allowed for me to get one of the two, and I think I chose wisely.

For the railroad roster nerds out there, if "UP 8504" is tripping any alarms in your brain, it's because its predecessor was the 6,000 HP SD90MAC "Shamu" demonstrator, that was built as the no. 8204 before being renumbered to 8504. For clarification, this is a completely different unit than the 90MAC, but I knew that number rang a bell for a reason, and that's why!

I was working late today, and thankfully Collin gave me plenty of motivation to wrap it up and get out of there when he let me know that this freshly-painted UP SD70ACe was headed my way, and already west of KC. This unit was released from North Little Rock on May 17th, so at this point, it was just six days from that point, and certainly on its first trip west.

This is at Willard, KS, about fifteen miles west of Topeka on the ex-RI "Topeka Sub," and the 8504 was leading the MASHN west along the Kansas River, along with the NS 9625, and CN 2718. Willard was once the site of "an eastward and a westward siding flanking the two main tracks. And, of course, a stock yard," as per Rock Island historian Patrick Lenahan, although you can clearly see that most all of that infrastructure is now gone.

For the railroad roster nerds out there, if "UP 8504" is tripping any alarms in your brain, it's because its predecessor was the 6,000 HP SD90MAC "Shamu" demonstrator, that was built as the no. 8204 before being renumbered to 8504. For clarification, this is a completely different unit than the 90MAC, but I knew that number rang a bell for a reason, and that's why!

Saturday Self Challenge: Lost and found

Last week we did a number of hikes in tropical rainforest, during which I kept looking down for that special find. It was upon returning to the coast and walking down to the beach that I found a number of these beautiful flowers dropped from their tree and lying on the sand. I think it is a form of sea hibiscus, where the flowers start as yellow and change colour as they fall and fade (but welcome clarification on this if anyone knows for sure) Now having photographed them, their beauty that would have been lost as they fade and disintegrate has been found and stored on my camera.

Walk 77/100

It took me quite a while to get this shot - I was happy - unfortunately all the mosquitos as well :-)

Many thanks, Carol, my friend for your clarification and description of a dragonfly versus a damselfly. In German the damselfly that I shot is called a "Kleine Libelle".

Here is some info. for you, if you will:

"what’s the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly?

Well, for a start, dragonflies are relatively large, robust insects, whilst damselflies are more dainty creatures. Then large, compound dragonfly eyes are positioned fairly centrally on the head, and meet in the middle, whilst damselfly eyes are smaller, widely separated and positioned on the sides of the head. And finally, dragonfly wings when at rest are usually held outstretched, often at 90 degrees to the abdomen, but damselflies usually fold their wings back along the line of the abdomen."

Это был первый день тура по Псковской области. До сбора всей группы оставалось несколько часов, поэтому мы отправились на прогулку, просто чтобы не сидеть в машине. В одном из самых живописных уголков древнего Пскова, там, где порыжелая Пскова неторопливо огибает Лапину горку, на высоком и крутом берегу стоит когда-то величественная и грозная, а ныне полуразрушенная башня. В народе она называется Гремячей. Правда, здесь необходимо уточнение. Сама сохранившаяся башня прежде называлась Космодемьянской, по имени стоявшей вблизи церкви Космы и Дамиана, а настоящая Гремячая башня высилась поблизости, над Гремяческими воротами. Но та, старая, Гремячая башня давно разрушена, а ее название перешло на соседнюю Космодемьянскую. Да так за ней и сохранилось. Башня эта не самая высокая (метров 20 в высоту) и не самая мощная, но постарался древний мастер, сумел-таки отыскать место, где соединил воедино природой созданную кручу и творение рук человеческих на радость фотографам. Сфотографировать ее пытался много раз, в каждый свой визит в этот чудесный город. Но как обычно у меня бывает, каждый раз, когда я отправлялся ее снимать начинался дождь. Я чувствовал себя древним воином, который пытается взять эту крепость и каждый раз уходит ни с чем. На этот раз мне повезло, хотя скорее всего это не везение, а простое упорство. Хоть снимок получился довольно перегруженным (там даже собачка есть), мне он нравится и это не означает, что я не вернусь к этой башне в своей следующий визит в этот город…

Спасибо, что прочитали

This was the first day of the tour in the Pskov region. There were a few hours left before the whole group gathered, so we went for a walk, just to avoid sitting in the car. In one of the most picturesque corners of ancient Pskov, where the rusty Pskova slowly bends around Lapina Hill, on a high and steep bank stands a once majestic and formidable, but now dilapidated tower. People call it Gremyachaya. But some clarification is necessary here. The preserved tower itself was formerly called Kosmodemyanskaya, after the name of the church of Cosmas and Damian that stood near it, and the real Gremyachaya Tower rose nearby, above the Gremyachesky Gate. But that old Gremyachaya tower was destroyed long ago, and its name was transferred to the neighboring Kosmodemyanskaya one. So the name remained behind it. This tower is not the tallest (20 meters in height) and not the most powerful, but the ancient master tried and managed to find a place where he combined together the steepness created by nature and the creation of human hands to the delight of photographers. I tried to photograph it many times, on every visit to this wonderful city. But as usually happens with me, every time I went to capture it, it started to rain. I felt like an ancient warrior trying to take this fortress and every time leaving with nothing. This time I was lucky, although most likely it was not luck, but simple persistence. Although the photo turned out to be quite overloaded (there is even a dog in it), I like it and this does not mean that I will not return to capture this tower again on my next visit to this city...

Thanks for reading

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE, nicknamed "The Big Board")[6] is an American stock exchange located at 11 Wall Street, Lower Manhattan, New York City, New York. It is by far[7][8] the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization of its listed companies at US$30.1 trillion as of February 2018.[9] The average daily trading value was approximately US$169 billion in 2013. The NYSE trading floor is located at 11 Wall Street and is composed of 21 rooms used for the facilitation of trading. A fifth[clarification needed] trading room, located at 30 Broad Street, was closed in February 2007. The main building and the 11 Wall Street building were designated National Historic Landmarks in 1978.

Hello dear friends! (and please share!)

Ethan & I are happy to announce our very first humble homestead that we would like to host a photo contest in!

The homestead is based on a beautiful Northwest Pacific vibe, where nature and vineyards meet. A quiet space to relax, listen to music, enjoy the sounds of nature and do some animal spotting.

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mar%20Pacifico/144/184/23

The Contest will run for one month from 10 Oct to 11 Nov.

Each resident will have 3 maximum Entries.

Please add the photos in the Tacoma Bay Group www.flickr.com/groups/tacoma_bay and name as following

Tacoma Bay Photo contest [InWorld Resident Name}

Prizes are as follows

1st Prize - $10,000L

2nd Prize - $5,000L

3rd Prize - $2,500L

4th and 5th Prizes - $1,000L

The following are our Judges

1. Tory King - the male perspective

2. ϊτʂɑ ʍҿ .. ʍɑʀϊɑ ! - the female view

3. ѕσηιc - visual storytelling and message

The pictures will be judged on the following

1. Story Telling

2. Visual Impact

3. Technical editing and the like.

Good Luck Friends!!

We will be announcing the winners at an event to be announced (around 14/15 November) and we would have more news during the event as well!

One last thing - there are 3 residences in the homestead, please seek permission if anything intrudes, and please turn on the music, use our windlight and distance to 160m to get the full effect.

Lastly, If there are any questions, please contact Darchitect Resident, Aurelia Starlight or myself (Kalebjaymes Resident) if you need any clarifications!

I often hear people complain that no one takes them serious. Or no one listens. Or just care.

I don't get it. It's not that hard. Just sit down, wrap an arm around the loved one and listen. Without judgment, without thinking about 'getting something in return'. Try to understand, try to empathize. Sometimes the worries of others aren't logical or founded on anything real for that matter, but that doesn't mean they can't be serious. Listen, ask if you need clarification and be there, it's that simple. And if you say you care for someone, then it is not a burden at all.

For me that what it means to be a big sister, or a good friend for that matter. And the reward? The smile on the others face or just the feeling of her or his burden lighten. It's not magic or rocket science.. its human nature. Or used to be...

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Glenlee is a steel-hulled three-masted barque, built in 1896 for Glasgow owners, trading as a cargo ship.[1] From 1922 she was a sail training ship in the Spanish Navy. She is now a museum ship at the Riverside Museum on Pointhouse Quay, Glasgow, known as The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour.

Description

Glenlee was built by Anderson Rodger & Company at their Bay Shipyard in Port Glasgow for the Glen-line of the Glasgow shipping company Archibald Sterling & Co. Ltd., and was launched on 3 December 1896.[2] She has a hull length of 245.5 ft (74.8 m), beam of 37.5 ft (11.4 m) and depth of 22.5 ft (6.9 m), the over-all length with the spike bowsprit is 282 ft (86 m).

She has 1,613 GRT and 1,490 NRT.[clarification needed] Rigged only with double topgallant sails over double top sails, she was not equipped with royal sails (baldheader rigging) to save costs concerning gear and seamen. As with many baldheaded sailing ships the square sails were a little wider than the sails of a standard rigging to gain sail area for a better propulsion.

I added a clarification in the title ... about my approach in this photo;-) Ciao !

Lakeside portrait. Morgan County, Alabama - 2019 - I believe this to be either a Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawk. Any clarification would be appreciated.

Edit: Juvenile Cooper's Hawk.

Despite that, on the edge of my Gold Coast hinterland garden it glows prettily in the morning sun . I am not sure of the correct nomenclature here but I have called plants like this 'thistles' for over 60 years. Correction, clarification or reminiscence welcome.

Baltic Sea GER

(Rechtsverkehr auf der Seebrücke!)

Grömitz is a municipality in the district of Ostholstein, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is situated on the Bay of Lübeck, approx. 35 km northeast of Lübeck, and 23 km east of Eutin. Grömitz is a settlement on the Baltic Sea. In fair weather one can see buildings on the about 15 kilometer distant shore.[clarification needed]

The town name contains the Slavic root grom ("thunder") and means "a place of thunder".

Do not expect to have to remember her absence, enjoy her presence.

I posted this picture on July 11, 2019. I felt a great need to re-upload it. There is too much content in the sentence I wrote. I don't want to sound vain, as it is not my intention. Actually, I write it or wrote it for me. There are moments that are, in a way, a kind of hinge in our lives. Perhaps not exactly on the date that this phrase came out of my mind, like some kind of uncontainable tornado. For it certainly speaks about a criticism of myself. Today it has greater meaning than at the time. I have been absent many times in my life, not from the person or persons, I have been absent from myself, I have lost my compass so many times, that I believe, that today, I am groping my way. To the person or persons that I have let down, for this act of flight, my sincere apologies.

Esta foto la publique el 11 de julio de 2019. Sentí una gran necesidad de volverla a subir. Hay demasiado contenido en la frase que escribí. No quiero sonar vanidoso, pues no es mi intención. En realidad, lo escribo o lo escribí, para mí. Hay momentos que son, de alguna forma, un tipo de bisagra en nuestras vidas. Tal vez no exactamente en la fecha que esta frase salió de mi mente, como una especie de tornado incontenible. Pues sin duda habla sobre una crítica hacia mí mismo. Hoy tiene mayor significado que en su momento. Me he ausentado muchas veces en mi vida, no de la o las personas, lo he hecho de mí mismo, he perdido la brújula tantas veces, que creo, que hoy, camino a tientas. Para aquellos o aquellas personas que la he defraudado, por ese acto de huida, mis mas sinceras disculpas.

Auckland, NOVA ZELANDA 2023

Auckland (/ˈɔːklənd/ AWK-lənd;[6] Māori: Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. It has an urban population of about 1,531,400 (June 2024). It is located in the greater Auckland Region, the area governed by Auckland Council, which includes outlying rural areas and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, and which has a total population of 1,798,300 as of June 2024. It is the most populous city of New Zealand and the fifth largest city in Oceania. While Europeans continue to make up the plurality of Auckland's population, the city became multicultural and cosmopolitan in the late-20th century, with Asians accounting for 34.9% of the city's population in 2023. Auckland has the fourth largest foreign-born population in the world, with 39% of its residents born overseas.[8] With its sizable population of Pasifika New Zealanders, the city is also home to the largest ethnic Polynesian population in the world. The Māori-language name for Auckland is Tāmaki Makaurau, meaning "Tāmaki[clarification needed] desired by many", in reference to the desirability of its natural resources and geography.

Auckland lies between the Hauraki Gulf to the east, the Hunua Ranges to the south-east, the Manukau Harbour to the south-west, and the Waitākere Ranges and smaller ranges to the west and north-west. The surrounding hills are covered in rainforest and the landscape is dotted with 53 volcanic centres that make up the Auckland Volcanic Field. The central part of the urban area occupies a narrow isthmus between the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and the Waitematā Harbour on the Pacific Ocean. Auckland is one of the few cities in the world to have a harbour on each of two separate major bodies of water.

The Auckland isthmus was first settled c. 1350 and was valued for its rich and fertile land. The Māori population in the area is estimated to have peaked at 20,000 before the arrival of Europeans. After a British colony was established in New Zealand in 1840, William Hobson, then Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand, chose Auckland as its new capital. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei made a strategic gift of land to Hobson for the new capital. Hobson named the area after George Eden, Earl of Auckland, British First Lord of the Admiralty. Māori–European conflict over land in the region led to war in the mid-19th century. In 1865, Auckland was replaced by Wellington as the capital, but continued to grow, initially because of its port and the logging and gold-mining activities in its hinterland, and later because of pastoral farming (especially dairy farming) in the surrounding area, and manufacturing in the city itself. It has been the nation's largest city throughout most of its history. Today, Auckland's central business district is New Zealand's leading economic hub.

The University of Auckland, founded in 1883, is the largest university in New Zealand. The city's significant tourist attractions include national historic sites, festivals, performing arts, sports activities and a variety of cultural institutions, such as the Auckland War Memorial Museum, the Museum of Transport and Technology, and the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Its architectural landmarks include the Harbour Bridge, the Town Hall, the Ferry Building and the Sky Tower, which is the second-tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere after Thamrin Nine. The city is served by Auckland Airport, which handled 18.5 million passengers in 2024.Auckland is one of the world's most liveable cities, ranking third in the 2023 Mercer Quality of Living Survey and at ninth place in a 2024 ranking of the Global Liveability Ranking by The Economist.

wikipedia

Sunrise over the wetlands is my best example of a yellow orange shot. A montage of 2 photos with intentional blur of the trees at the wetlands.

Unfortunately, 9 more COVID-19 cases today plus the 2 extras that were reported in Aged Care (Arcare) yesterday afternoon. The list of exposure sites include a construction site which was interesting. Construction had a fairly good reputation during the long lockdown last winter. A clarification from Health authorities that 8 of the 9 were from known clusters and have been quarantining for their infectious period which is a relief.

“Hisamatsu: natural, rational and Zen spontaneity. ‘This is true self,’ he says, ‘going beneath spontaneity.’ Hisamatsualso says, “There is a big difference between the ultimate self and the self discussed in psychology. When one reaches ultimate self, spontaneity is changed into ultimate spontaneity. Zen spontaneity comes from ultimate self…formless self which is never occupied with any form.” And he adds, “In western music, great silence is not found.”

In our monasteries, we have been content to find our way to a kind of peace, a simple undisturbed thoughtful life. And this is certainly good, but is it good enough?

I, for one, realize that now I need more. Not simply to be quiet, somewhat productive, to pray, to read, to cultivate leisure (holy leisure). There is a need of effort, deepening, change, transformation. Not that I must undertake a special project of self-transformation or that I must “work on myself.” In that regard, it would be better to forget it. Just to go for walks, live in peace, let change come quietly and invisibly on the inside.

But I do have a past to break with, an accumulation of inertia, waste, wrong, foolishness, rot, junk, a great need of clarification of mindfulness, or rather of no mind—a return to genuine practice, right effort, need to push on to the great doubt. Need for the Spirit.

Hang on to the clear light!”

- Thomas Merton, May 21, 1968 from The Other Side of the Mountain, Volume Seven p. 113

This is the Mississippi River! Well, to be accurate, this particular section is called Lake Onalaska, but it is still all part of the Mississippi River. A little confusing, I'm sure. If you want clarification, just check the map to the right.

Lake Onalaska

Onalaska, Wisconsin

090421

© Copyright 2021 MEA Images, Merle E. Arbeen, All Rights Reserved. If you would like a copy of this, please feel free to contact me through my FlickrMail, Facebook, or Yahoo email account. Thank you.

The American Museum of Natural History (abbreviated as AMNH), located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City, is one of the largest[clarification needed][citation needed] natural history museums in the world. Located in Theodore Roosevelt Park across the street from Central Park, the museum complex comprises 26 interconnected buildings housing 45 permanent exhibition halls, in addition to a planetarium and a library. The museum collections contain over 34 million specimens[4] of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artifacts as well as specialized collections for frozen tissue and genomic and astrophysical data, of which only a small fraction can be displayed at any given time, and occupies more than 2 million square feet (190,000 m2). The museum has a full-time scientific staff of 225, sponsors over 120 special field expeditions each year,[5] and averages about five million visits annually.[6]

The one mission statement of the American Museum of Natural History is: "To discover, interpret, and disseminate—through scientific research and education—knowledge about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe."

Note: If you ever visit NYC, a wonderful place of such to see. My daughter in law had some project displayed here a few years back. The day we (her, her two daughters - my granddaughters and my daughter, had a great time visiting here. So much to see, so many people as well).

Grömitz/Ostsee GER

Grömitz is a municipality in the district of Ostholstein, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is situated on the Bay of Lübeck, approx. 35 km northeast of Lübeck, and 23 km east of Eutin. Grömitz is a settlement on the Baltic Sea. In fair weather one can see buildings on the about 15 kilometer distant shore.[clarification needed]

The town name contains the Slavic root grom ("thunder") and means "a place of thunder".

MegaBox is a large shopping centre in Hong Kong and part of the Enterprise Square Five shopping and office complex, located at 38 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay, near Telford Plaza. With 19 storeys and a floor area of 1,100,000 sq ft (100,000 m2), MegaBox is the largest shopping centre in Eastern Kowloon and the largest block plaza in Hong Kong. It is set to redefine shopping, entertainment, dining and the arts to create an exciting, dynamic experience for all visitors.

In addition MegaBox has the only ice rink, MegaIce, in Hong Kong to meet international standards.[clarification needed] MegaBox's UA theatre is the first commercial theatre in Hong Kong to have the IMAX film display system.[2] It also offers 1000 car parking spaces enabling shoppers to "park and shop".

MegaBox 是香港的一座大型購物商場，位於九龍九龍灣宏照道38號企業廣場五期，樓高19層，面積達110萬平方呎，於2007年6月1日正式開幕，是觀塘區最大型購物商場。當中的大型商戶主要為宜家家居及吉之島。商場租戶組合中，家居用品佔23%、餐飲佔21%、娛樂及百貨各佔15%。

Please view in large size^^