View allAll Photos Tagged Comment
Great Ocean Road Trip, Victoria, Australia.
Thanks for your visits, comments, faves, and invites. Very much appreciated.
London Arch (formerly London Bridge) is an offshore natural arch formation in the Port Campbell National Park, Australia. The arch is a significant tourist attraction along the Great Ocean Road near Port Campbell in Victoria. This stack was formed by a gradual process of erosion, and until 1990 formed a complete double-span natural bridge.
The span closer to the shoreline collapsed unexpectedly on 15 January 1990, leaving two tourists stranded on the outer span before being rescued by helicopter. No one was injured in the event. Prior to the collapse, the arch was known as London Bridge because of its similarity to its namesake. Wikipedia.
The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 243 kilometres (151 miles) stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford. Wikipedia.
I joined my daughter who lives in Adelaide South Australia, her partner, Tom, and my two grand kids (age 1 and 5) for this long drive through Victoria and South Australia. We drove to Melbourne, spent one night there, than to Torquay where we spent two nights, then on to Portland for one night.
We visited the Melbourne Sea Life Aquarium, the St. Kilda Botanical Garden, and the waterfront in Port Phillip, a suburb of Melbourne. In Torque, Taylor Park was a nice spot to get bird photos early in the morning although with cloud cover the light was poor.
We visited a Erskine Falls in Great Otway National Park, but needed at least one more day to explore the park.
The highlight of the trip was the stretch of coastline near and beyond the Twelve Apostles. We finally got some blue sky and sun while in Port Campbell National Park (Twelve Apostles) but the wind was howling.
IMG_0157
Your comments and faves are greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
Australasian Darter
Anhinga novaehollandiae
Anhingidae
Description: The Darter is a large, slim water bird with a long snake-like neck, sharp pointed bill, and long, rounded tail. Male birds are dark brownish black with glossy black upperwings, streaked and spotted white, silver-grey and brown. The strongly kinked neck has a white or pale brown stripe from the bill to where the neck kinks and the breast is chestnut brown. Females and immatures are grey-brown above, pale grey to white below, with a white neck stripe that is less distinct in young birds. The Darter is often seen swimming with only the snake-like neck visible above the water, or drying its wings while perched on a tree or stump over water. While its gait is clumsy on land, it can soar gracefully to great heights on thermals, gliding from updraft to updraft. It has a cross-shaped silhouette when flying.
Distribution: In Australia, the Darter is found from Adelaide, South Australia, to Tennant Creek, Northern Territory and then to Broome, Western Australia. it is also found in south-western Australia, from Perth to Esperance. Worldwide, it has been thought of as one of two mainAnhinga species (the other, A. anhinga, is found in North America), found in the southern half of Africa, Madagascar, Iraq, Pakistan, India, south-east Asia, Indonesia and New Guinea. However, A. melanogaster is now considered to be further divided into three species, with rufa being found in Africa, melanogaster in south Asia and novaehollandiae in New Guinea and Australia (the Australasian Darter).
Habitat: The Darter is found in wetlands and sheltered coastal waters, mainly in the Tropics and Subtropics. It prefers smooth, open waters, for feeding, with tree trunks, branches, stumps or posts fringing the water, for resting and drying its wings. Most often seen inland, around permanent and temporary water bodies at least half a metre deep, but may be seen in calm seas near shore, fishing. The Darter is not affected by salinity or murky waters, but does require waters with sparse vegetation that allow it to swim and dive easily. It builds its nests in trees standing in water, and will move to deeper waters if the waters begin to dry up.
Feeding: The Darter catches fish with its sharp bill partly open while diving in water deeper than 60 cm. The fish is pierced from underneath, flicked onto the water's surface and then swallowed head first. Smaller items are eaten underwater and large items may be carried to a convenient perch and then swallowed. Insects and other aquatic animals, including tortoises, may also be eaten, as well as some vegetable matter. In hot weather, adult birds may pour water from their bills into the gullets of their young chicks when they are still in the nest.
Breeding: The Darter is usually a solitary bird, forming pairs only while breeding. Breeding is erratic, happening whenever water levels and food supplies are suitable, but most often occurs in spring and summer. Nests are usually solitary, but Darters may nest within loose colonies with other water birds that nest in trees, such as cormorants, spoonbills and ibis. The male decorates a nest-site with green leafy twigs and displays to attract a mate, with elaborate wing-waving and twig-grasping movements. The male carries most of the nest material to the nest-site, which is normally in the fork of a tree standing in water, usually about 3.5 m above the water's surface. Both sexes complete the nest, incubate the eggs and raise the young. Chicks are kept warm by brooding continously (or cooled down by shading with spread wings) for up to a week after hatching and both adults stay in the nest with the chicks overnight. In hot weather, the adults will even shake water over the chicks after a swim. Chicks can swim after about four weeks in the nest and start to fly at about 50 days.
(Source: www.birdlife.org.au)
© Chris Burns 2017
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Thanks for your incredible comments my friends!
Explore- #48
I hope that you enjoy the photo my friends!
Photography isn't my only hobby. I also really like to play the drums! Check out my first video that I have ever posted on Youtube here, I hopefully will be posting another one soon!:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNJEphdEJS8&feature=plcp&...
Thanks so much for all of your support!!!!
Taken with my Sony a300 with my Sony DT 18-70mm zoom lens
Have a great week my wonderful Flickr friends!.
Please also consider joining my group Flickr Bronze Trophy Group!
Here is the link:
Comments always appreciated, as long as you keep it clean - I love to hear your feedback! xx
Hallowe;en weekend Gemma came to Hull for a visit and on the Friday I put on my kinda goth outift and we went to Propaganda to see our friend Twiggy. We hadn't seen her since she left the Star earlier in the year so it was lovely to have a catch up.
Commenti, critiche e suggerimenti ben accetti,
se vi va, osservatela ingrandita.
Un saluto e grazie, Angelo
---------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
Non usate le foto senza il mio permesso, tutti i diritti sono riservati
© All rights reserved
Thank you for visiting - ❤ with gratitude! Fave if you like it, add comments below, like the Facebook page, order beautiful HDR prints at qualityHDR.com.
To the east of the Silicon Valley is Sunol Regional Wilderness, a regional park with a diverse flora and fauna. We hiked up a dirt road that follows a Alameda Creek until we reached a spot called the Little Yosemite, which has cascading waterfalls and boulders in the creek. On the way we saw a field of thistles, and one with a visitor that had a damaged wing. I only had my crop sensor camera and kit lens with me, so the bokeh is nothing special.
I enjoy seeing flowers, but I am not a flower person, e.g. usually I am not interested in taking photos of flowers. However, I also don't want to limit myself. Experimenting is good, what do you think?
I processed a balanced, a photographic, and a paintery HDR photo from a RAW exposure, merged them selectively, and carefully adjusted the curves and color balance. I welcome and appreciate your critical feedback.
-- ƒ/5.6, 50 mm, 1/60 sec, ISO 100, Sony A6000, SEL-P1650, HDR, 1 RAW exposure, _DSC5436_hdr1bal1pho1pai1c.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography
PLEASE, no multi invitations in your comments. DO NOT FEEL YOU HAVE TO COMMENT.Thanks.
While trying to find my way to the Piazza Navona I just grabbed this shot on a side street. Notice the graffiti near the front of the first bicycle, this is minor compared to what I saw EVERYWHERE in Italy. Later in the tour the tour director would say "the Romans of old were encouraged to leave there mark where ever they went", as if that was to justify all the graffiti.... that is crap, no need of this.
1 Likes on Instagram
2 Comments on Instagram:
natthewriter: #2 #two #horror
natthewriter: #photography_horror
The original pier was built in 1830, one of the earliest in the country. It was built for landing goods and passengers from steamers and was originally 300 ft long (91 m), later extended to 800 feet (240 m). The pier was badly damaged in a storm in January 1871. A second pier opened in 1880, which also did not last.
In 1895, the Walton-on-the-Naze hotel and pier company (then owners of the pier) opened a replacement pier 500 ft longer (150 m) than the original. Several extensions have increased the pier's length to 2,600 ft (790 m), the third longest in the UK. When the new pier opened in 1895, an electric tramway was installed to take passengers from the steamers to the front of the pier. This was in use until 1935 when it was upgraded to a battery-powered carriage. In 1945 fire damaged the pier, and the carriage was replaced by a diesel locomotive train. This was removed during the 1970s.
Today, the pier remains a popular attraction, with amusements and funfair rides in a hangar-type building. Beyond this, the pier extends into a promenade popular with anglers.
Comment Box ..CLOSED..
but will be returning faves "Share + Look"
All best wish happy and take care 2021
Aber Lin
Jan/17/2021
Please click this link to view the Animated version "
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVs4ifHdhk4&feature=youtube_g...
Zhang Zeduan's "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival"
張擇端版 《清明上河圖》
Animated version of the Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival
電子動態版 "清明上河圖"
9-29.11.2010
Asia World-Expo
亞洲國際博覽館
Please view in large size^^
Thank you everyone for visiting, commenting and fav'ing - very much appreciated! Press "L" for better view and "F" if you like it!
The Central Valley of California is huge and has big farming. You can drive for many minutes along the same type of crop. I took this shot from a car driving 60 mph along the highway near Lemoore, California. This field is big & flat, and you can see a mirage at the end. Drip irrigation is used, which helps in reducing water usage - water is a very precious fluid in California. Monoculture makes sense economically, but wonder what impact it has on animals, insects and the use of pesticides.
I processed this single shot into an HDR photo, then reduced the color saturation to give it a pastel look.
HDR, 1 exposure, NEX-6, _DSC3055_hdr1def1b2
Comments always appreciated, as long as you keep it clean - I love to hear your feedback! xx
A few photos from a night in wearing my Aztec print dress.
Comments always appreciated, as long as you keep it clean - I love to hear your feedback! xx
What a fantastic weekend!
It had been a few months since Gemma was last in Hull (too long!) and for the second time this year (Birmingham in March was the first) we went to see Kinky Boots at the theatre
What an awesome show it was - again!
What made this time extra special was that my Mum was with us this time.
It was the first time my Mum (and my Dad, since he gave us a lift to the theatre) had met Gemma, and the first time they had met me in full glam.
After a brilliant show, we walked across town to The Star. The same night in Hull, Adam Ant was playing and our lovely friend Mike went to see him, so Mike came to meet us in The Star afterwards as well!
Pics from in The Star. Shameless posing at the bar, lol.
This Picture is © Copyrighted.
None of these images may be reproduced and or used in any form of publication, print or the Internet without my written permission
Quinn: Good news, Chief Garfield. It appears that Deadpool and Latte have found our missing witness, AA Kubrick.
Garfield: Her eyes look glazed. Has she been eating a donut?
Quinn: (groans quietly.) She's apparently radioactive. The cat-scan didn't show any other problems. She's currently unconscious but stable.
Garfield: So she wasn't resisting a rest.
Quinn: Funny, Chief. Need anything else before I get back to work?
Garfield: A cardboard box?
This vivid orange and yellow gallardia was one of several among the other lovely white flowers bought for me by my kids for Mothers Day. Whos a lucky girl then.!!!!!
Comments always appreciated, as long as you keep it clean - I love to hear your feedback! xx
The last photo before New Year = with me lovely friend Jenny.
Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
Restless Flycatcher
Scientific Name: Myiagra inquieta
Description: The Restless Flycatcher has a glossy blue-black head, with a small crest, and is white below, from the chin to the undertail, with a blue-black bill surrounded by bristles. The back, wings and tail are darker grey and there may be a slight orange brown tint on the breast. Young birds are duller grey black above, with the throat and breast washed orange-brown. The slightly smaller northern Australian sub-species,nana, known as the Paperbark Flycatcher, has a smaller bill and has the glossy blue-black colouring extending further down the back. The Restless Flycatcher is an extremely mobile and active bird and is able to hover while feeding, uttering a grinding call that gives it yet another common name: Scissors Grinder.
Similar species: The Restless Flycatcher is often found in the same habitats as the similarly sized and patterned Willie Wagtail. However, this species has a white eyebrow, and its black colouring extends down the throat and onto the upper breast; it also has a more rounded, fanned tail which it characteristically 'wags' and it lacks the Restless Flycatcher's head crest.
Distribution: The Restless Flycatcher is found throughout northern and eastern mainland Australia, as well as in south-western Australia. It is also found in Papua New Guinea. The southern subspecies, inquieta, is found in south-western Australia and from eastern South Australia to Julia Creek and Mount Isa, Queensland. The northern subspecies,nana, is found from the Kimberley region, Western Australia, to Cooktown and Townsville, Queensland. The two subspecies do not seem to mix where their ranges meet in central eastern Queensland.
Habitat: The Restless Flycatcher is found in open forests and woodlands and is frequently seen in farmland.
Seasonal movements: South-eastern populations move north during winter.
Feeding: The Restless Flycatcher feeds on insects, as well as other invertebrates such as spiders and centipedes and usually feeds alone or in pairs. It is able to hover, hanging almost vertically in the air with its head and spread tail pointing downwards as it picks insects off the leaves. It rarely comes to the ground, preferring to 'hawk' for insects from perches in the mid-level of the canopy.
Breeding: The Restless Flycatcher builds a small cup-shaped nest of bark and grass bound with spider web, camoflaged with pieces of lichen and bark, and placed in a exposed position on a tree branch, often near or over water. Males and females both help to build the nest, incubate the eggs and feed the young. Up to three broods may be raised in one season and the young disperse quickly after fledging.
Calls: Continuous whirring or rasping hisses when hovering.
Minimum Size: 16cm
Maximum Size: 21cm
Average size: 19cm
Average weight: 20g
Breeding season: July to January in south; August to March in north
Clutch Size: 3 to 4
Incubation: 14 days
Nestling Period: 14 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2016
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.