MYANMAR, Burma - Mandalay-Amarapura auf, unter und neben der U-Bein-Brücke.

Die U-Bein-Brücke ist ein Fußgängerübergang, der den Taungthaman-See in der Nähe von Amarapura in Myanmar quert. Die 1,2 Kilometer lange Brücke wurde um 1850 erbaut und gilt als älteste und längste Teakholz-Brücke der Welt. Der Beginn des Baus fällt in die Zeit, als die Hauptstadt des Königreichs Ava nach Amarapura verlegt wurde.

Den Namen hat die Brücke von Bürgermeister U Bein, der ihren Bau in Auftrag gab.[ Die Brücke ist auch in der heutigen Zeit eine wichtige Verbindung für die lokale Bevölkerung. Da sie von vielen Touristen besucht wird, versuchen Souvenir-Verkäufer gerne auf und an der Brücke Geschäfte zu machen. Viel Andrang herrscht im Juli und August; dann steht der Seespiegel am höchsten.

Zum Bau der Brücke wurde Holz aus dem ehemaligen Königspalast in Inwa verwendet. Über 1.086 Pfähle wurden in den Seegrund gerammt; einige wurden inzwischen durch Betonpfeiler ersetzt.

The U Bein Bridge is a pedestrian crossing that crosses Taungthaman Lake near Amarapura in Myanmar. The 1.2 km long bridge was built around 1850 and is considered the oldest and longest teak bridge in the world. The beginning of the construction coincides with the transfer of the capital of the Kingdom of Ava to Amarapura.

The bridge was named after Mayor U Bein, who commissioned its construction. [ The bridge is still an important connection for the local population today. Since it is visited by many tourists, souvenir sellers like to try to do business on and around the bridge. There is a lot of rush in July and August; then the lake level is at its highest.

Wood from the former royal palace in Inwa was used to build the bridge. Over 1,086 piles were driven into the lake bed; some have since been replaced by concrete piers.

Brown Hare - Lepus europaeus

Norfolk

Double Click to view

The brown hare is known for its long, black-tipped ears and fast running - it can reach speeds of 45mph when evading predators. It prefers a mosaic of farmland and woodland habitats and can often be spotted in fields.

Thought to have been introduced into the UK in Roman Times (or even earlier), the brown hare is now considered naturalised. It is most common in grassland habitats and at woodland edges, favouring a mosaic of arable fields, grasses and hedgerows. It grazes on vegetation and the bark of young trees and bushes. Brown hares do not dig burrows, but shelter in 'forms', which are shallow depressions in the ground or grass; when disturbed, they can be seen bounding across the fields, using their powerful hind legs to propel them forwards, often in a zigzag pattern. Brown hares are at their most visible in early spring when the breeding season encourages fighting or 'boxing'. Females can produce three to four litters of two to four young (known as leverets) a year.

Widespread, but absent from northern Scotland and the Scottish islands, except Islay, I'm reliably informed.

The low in the sky huge puffy cotton candy like cumulus clouds are apparently considered to be the most beautiful of fall clouds.

Considered to be the most dangerous passage to cross in Turkey, Valla is one of several canyons that slice into the Kure Mountains in the western Black Sea region of Turkey. It is situated in the Kure Daglari National Park – which covers 50,000 acres – and represents the largest and most intact humid karst area in the region.

The Eurasian Eagle-owl is considered to be one of the largest owls in the world, with a wingspan of nearly two metres. These giant birds weighs between 1.5kg – 4kg and have an impressive wingspan of 155-180cm.

There are thought to be 12-40 pairs of eagle owls nesting in Britain, but no one is certain how many of these have escaped from captivity and how many have naturally immigrated here from Europe. For centuries eagle owls were used as decoys to catch birds such as the magpie. This magnificent bird is captive bred.

(A memory from May 2004)

The Roman Forum

Ancient Rome is considered the Roman civilization from the founding of the Italian city of Rome in the 8th century BC to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD.

The civilization began as a settlement on the Italian Peninsula, in 753 BC, that grew into the city of Rome. The Roman Empire expanded to become one of the largest empires in the ancient world, with an estimated 50 to 90 million inhabitants (roughly 20% of the world's population at the time) covering 5.0 million square kilometres at its height in AD 117.

The Roman Forum is a rectangular plaza surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum.

For centuries the Forum was the center of day-to-day life in Rome: the site of triumphal processions and elections; the venue for public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches; and the nucleus of commercial affairs. The teeming heart of ancient Rome, it has been called the most celebrated meeting place in all history. the Forum is located in the small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills. Today the Forum is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and intermittent archaeological excavations.

(Wikipedia)

(Canon PowerShot S400, 125 @ f 7.1) Edited to Taste.

Considered the "Portuguese Venice", the maritime city of Aveiro (Portugal) is located on the edge of a coastal lagoon. "Moliceiros" (traditional boats) in bright colors navigate Aveiro's canal network.

(trip to Portugal - december 2019)

* I'm grateful for visit, favs and comments of my photo.

Considered to be Europe's oldest city, the site of Knossos was excavated last century and the palace partially reconstructed at the time to give us a glimpse of its size and magnifiscence.

"Considered more of a foraging specialist than most other neotropical flycatchers, Tropical Kingbird forages almost exclusively by hawking insects from a perch." Neotropical Birds, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Photographed in the wild, Nayarit, Mexico

Parco museale della miniera di rame di Montecatini Val di Cecina (1827-1907).

Nel diciannovesimo secolo era considerata la più importante miniera cuprifera d'Europa.

Nel 1888 la "compagnia anonima delle miniere di Montecatini Val di Cecina" prese origine e denominazione.

Trasformatasi in "Montecatini SpA", dal 1966, unendosi alla "Edison", divenne "Montedison", una delle più grandi Società chimiche ormai da tempo non più in essere.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOtUIMrJUyc

Museum park of the copper mine of Montecatini Val di Cecina (1827-1907).

In the nineteenth century it was considered the most important copper mine in Europe.

In 1888 the "Anonymous Company of the Mines of Montecatini Val di Cecina" took origin and denomination.

Transformed into "Montecatini SpA", from 1966, becoming part of "Edison", it became "Montedison", one of the largest chemical companies that currently no longer exists.

Essaouira has long been considered as one of the best anchorages of the Moroccan coast. It is sheltered by the island of Mogador and remains a busy fishing port. The famous blue boats in foreground with the bigger fishing boats behind, offloading their overnight catches.

The Great Stalacpipe Organ is an electrically actuated lithophone located in Luray Caverns, Virginia, USA. Covering 3.5 acres of the cavern, it is considered the world's largest instrument by Guinness World Records.

Monte Pellegrino has always been considered a sacred mountain by the people of Palermo.

On this mountain lived the last years of his life a young noblewoman, a certain Rosalia, who had decided to live as a hermit.

He died on 4 September 1160 or 1165.

On July 15, 1624, while the plague was scourging Palermo, Rosalia's bones were found in a cave in the mountain. The relics were carried in procession and the plague was defeated. Rosalia became the patron saint of the city, the “Santuzza”, and the Sanctuary was built around the cave.

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Monte Pellegrino è stato sempre considerato dai palermitani un monte sacro.

Su questa montagna visse gli ultimi anni della sua vita una giovane nobildonna, tale Rosalia, la quale aveva deciso di vivere da eremita.

Morì il 4 settembre del 1160 o 1165.

Il 15 Luglio 1624, mentre la peste flagellava Palermo, le ossa di Rosalia furono ritrovate in una grotta della montagna. Le reliquie furono portate in processione e la peste venne sconfitta. Rosalia divenne la santa patrona della città, la “Santuzza”, e attorno alla grotta venne eretto il Santuario.

Tianxin Pavilion in Changsha, the captial of Hunan province. The pavilion was built in mid-14th century on top of the ancient city wall - and the wall segment under the pavilion is the last remaining vestige of old Changsha. The pavilion has been remodeled numerous times and destroyed by fire in 1938 during the war with Japan (it was a self-inflicted wound, apparently). The current structure was renovated (and, to a large extent, rebuilt) in 1984. It is considered one of the "ten Famous Chinese Historical and Cultural Towers and Pavilions" [restated from Wikipedia]

The Lozoya is a river of the Iberian peninsula, affluent of the Jarama, that transversally crosses the north of the Community of Madrid, in Spain.

This water course, which has its source in the natural park of Peñalara, on the slope of the Sierra de Guadarrama in Madrid, is the province's main source of drinking water. Its water is considered one of the highest quality for human consumption in Spain.1

It is dammed up on five occasions along its course of 91 km. Its main reservoir, El Atazar, is also the one with the largest water storage capacity in the region. Its basin coincides with the region of the Sierra Norte, which has an area of 1265 km². Its course forms the valley of Lozoya, where the municipality of Lozoya is located, from which the river takes its name.

El Lozoya es un río de la península ibérica, afluente del Jarama, que atraviesa transversalmente el norte de la Comunidad de Madrid, en España.

Este curso de agua, que tiene su fuente en el parque natural de Peñalara, en la vertiente madrileña de la sierra de Guadarrama, es el principal abastecedor de agua potable de la provincia. Su agua está considerada como una de las de mayor calidad para el consumo humano de España.1​

Es embalsado hasta en cinco ocasiones a lo largo de su curso de 91 km. Su principal embalse, El Atazar, es también el de mayor capacidad de almacenamiento de agua de la región. Su cuenca coincide con la comarca de la Sierra Norte, que tiene una superficie de 1265 km². Su curso forma el valle del Lozoya, donde se encuentra el municipio de Lozoya, del que el río toma su nombre. (Fuente Wikipedia)

«Prendete un tempio greco, incorporatelo per intero in un edificio cristiano, al quale Successivamente si aggiungono le modifiche e la ricostruzione dell'edificio per il culto cristiano adoperate dai normanna, tra le altre, la facciata abbattuta dal grande terremoto del 1693. Senza scoraggiarvi vi rimettete all'opera e, cambiando completamente direzione, sostituite la vecchia facciata con una deliziosa composizione barocca all'incirca del 1728‑54. E il tutto, deteriorato com'è, continua a vivere e a sorridere, diffondendo nel mondo la sua immagine come se fosse stato ideato da un Leonardo o da un Michelangelo"»

(Lawrence Durrell parla della Cattedrale di Siracusa)

La cattedrale della Natività di Maria Santissima sorge sulla parte elevata dell'isola di Ortigia, incorporando quello che fu il principale tempio sacro in stile dorico della polis di Syrakousai, dedicato ad Atena (Minerva) e convertito in chiesa con l'avvento del cristianesimo.

Considerata la chiesa più importante della città di Siracusa, è entrata a far parte dei beni protetti dall'UNESCO in quanto patrimonio dell'umanità. Il suo stile è all'esterno principalmente barocco e rococò, mentre al suo interno alterna parti risalenti all'epoca siceliota, poiché appartenenti al tempio greco e parti risalenti all'epoca medievale, costruite dai Normanni e così lasciate fino ai giorni attuali. La sua struttura interna è composta in diverse navate e cappelle, le quali hanno uno stile classico e decorato, tipico del barocco anch'esso.

Di grande significato religioso, custodisce statue, reliquie e spoglie di santi, martiri e nobili siracusani. I suoi arredi hanno visto il susseguirsi di artisti provenienti da più parti d'Italia e dall'estero. Da sempre simbolo della religiosità siracusana, la cattedrale attraversò le varie fasi storiche e culturali della città.

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"Take a Greek temple, incorporate it entirely in a Christian building, to which are subsequently added the modifications and reconstruction of the building for Christian worship used by the Normans, among others, the facade demolished by the great earthquake of 1693. Without discouraging you you get back to work and, changing completely direction, replace the old facade with a delightful baroque composition from around 1728-54. And everything, deteriorated as it is, continues to live and smile, spreading its image throughout the world as if it had been designed by a Leonardo or a Michelangelo "»

(Lawrence Durrell speaks of the Cathedral of Syracuse)

The Cathedral of the Nativity of Maria Santissima rises on the elevated part of the island of Ortigia, incorporating what was the main Doric style sacred temple of the polis of Syrakousai, dedicated to Athena (Minerva) and converted into a church with the advent of Christianity.

Considered the most important church in the city of Syracuse, it has become part of the assets protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Its style is mainly baroque and rococo on the outside, while inside it alternates parts dating back to the Siceliot era, since they belong to the Greek temple and parts dating back to the medieval era, built by the Normans and thus left to the present day. Its internal structure is composed of several naves and chapels, which have a classic and decorated style, typical of the Baroque too.

Of great religious significance, it houses statues, relics and remains of saints, martyrs and noblemen from Syracuse. Its furnishings have seen the succession of artists from many parts of Italy and from abroad. Always a symbol of Syracusan religiosity, the cathedral went through the various historical and cultural phases of the city.

f00539

Now considered a site of universal value, Lavaux has been elevated to the status of world heritage site by UNESCO, its mosaic of vines welcoming many walkers seeking renewed vitality and tranquillity.

Once considered a sub-species of the Chiffchaff the Siberian Chiffchaff is now considered a separate species. The bird is considered rare in the UK but it is believed that it is probably more common than is reported due to the difficulty of establishing the birds identity from the now common wintering Chiffchaff, especially in the South West.

Taken @ Kidwelly

Click on image for larger view

Redshank - Tringa Totanus

The common redshank is a widespread breeding bird across temperate Eurasia. It is a migratory species, wintering on coasts around the Mediterranean, on the Atlantic coast of Europe from Ireland and Great Britain southwards, and in South Asia. They are uncommon vagrants outside these areas.

They are wary and noisy birds which will alert everything else with their loud piping call. Like most waders, they feed on small invertebrates. Redshanks will nest in any wetland, from damp meadows to saltmarsh, often at high densities. They lay 3–5 eggs.

The common redshank is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

It is widely distributed and quite plentiful in some regions, and thus not considered a threatened species by the IUCN.

Sete is considered the "Venice of France"

Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island is considered one of the richest habitats in the Northeast. The preserve protects and maintains 11 miles of coastline and acres of creeks, woodlands and fields all just 90 miles from New York City. Read more about it here: www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-p...

Got to visit there this past June for an Energy & Infrastructure team meeting. Enjoyed the place immensely and was lucky enough to spot one of the local residents pictured here.

Greenfinch - Chloris chloris

The European greenfinch, or just greenfinch (Chloris chloris), is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.

This bird is widespread throughout Europe, north Africa and south west Asia. It is mainly resident, but some northernmost populations migrate further south. The greenfinch has also been introduced into both Australia and New Zealand. In Malta, it is considered a prestigious song bird, and it has been trapped for many years. It has been domesticated, and many Maltese people breed them.

Woodland edges, farmland hedges and gardens with relatively thick vegetation are favoured for breeding. It nests in trees or bushes, laying 3 to 6 Eggs.

This species can form large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other finches and buntings. They feed largely on seeds, but also take berries.

The protozoal parasite Trichomonas gallinae was known to infect pigeons and raptors but beginning in Britain in 2005, carcases of dead European greenfinches and common chaffinches were found to be infected with the parasite. The disease spread and in 2008 infected carcases were found in Norway, Sweden and Finland and a year later in Germany. The spread of the disease is believed to have been mediated by chaffinches as large numbers of the birds breed in northern Europe and winter in Britain. In Britain the number of infected carcases recovered each year declined after a peak in 2006. There was a reduction in the number of greenfinches from around 4.3 million to around 2.8 million but no significant decline in the overall number of chaffinches. A similar pattern occurred in Finland where, after the arrival of the disease in 2008, there was a reduction in the number of greenfinches but only a small change in the number of chaffinches.

Greenfinch populations declined during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but increased dramatically during the 1990s. A recent decline in numbers has been linked to an outbreak of trichomonosis, a parasite-induced disease which prevents the birds from feeding properly.

Population:

UK breeding:

1,700,000 pairs

I considered not posting this, due to the position of the fish in the frame. But the splash pattern so reminds me of cartoon drawings of the character being shocked or worried, with sweat spreading from the character's head. I suspect that this is a young egret, still learning the finer nuances of keeping a fish, as I saw this one lose at least two other fish in its endeavors!

* ‘Razzmatazz’ is considered to be the first double-flowering echinacea. Instead of a central cone, each flower has a dome covered with short petals surrounded by a skirt of longer, reflexed petals. It is a bright pink and grows 32-26 inches tall.

Taken at Toronto Gardens

Have a beautiful Thursday!💝

Thank you for your visits, kind comments, awards and faves. Always greatly appreciated.

Copyright 2020 ©️ Gloria Sanvicente

Considered one of the best statues of Thomas Jefferson in existence, this 13 foot bronze statue graces the entrance of the Capitol Building. The statue is the creation of James Earle Fraser.

This is a luxury apartment building in West Vancouver, know as the Pink Palace, although its real name is The Villa Maris. It is considered the second most important architectural landmark in West Vancouver after the Lions Gate Bridge.

There is a three bedroom available for $4,200 a month - any takers?

Sadly, this building is going to be demolished by 2026 for, of course, more condos.

Considered Vulnerable by BirdLife International and only easily distinguished from the closely related and formerly conspecific Chestnut-backed Tanager (Tangara preciosa) by the black back, this species is generally poorly known, although it seems to be one the of the few tanagers to perform seasonal migrations. The species’ overall range stretches from Espírito Santo south to Rio Grande do Sul, in southeast Brazil, although there is only one definite record from the last-named state. It is largely restricted to coastal sand-plain forest and littoral scrub, and the species also visits gardens and orchards. Seasonal displacements occur in Rio de Janeiro, where its arrival coincides with the ripening of certain fruits, and the Black-backed Tanager is also more common in São Paulo during the austral winter, which season has produced all of the available records in Espírito Santo. This one was photographed in São Paulo.

Happy Friday!

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

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

My instagram if you like: @thelmag and@thelma_and_cats

It has been considered to form a superspecies complex along with the rock partridge, Philby's partridge and Przevalski's partridge and treated in the past as conspecific particularly with the first. This partridge has well marked black and white bars on the flanks and a black band running from the forehead across the eye and running down the head to form a necklace that encloses a white throat. Native to Asia, the species has been introduced into many other places and feral populations have established themselves in parts of North America and New Zealand. This bird can be found in parts of the Middle East and temperate Asia.

Samburu National Reserve

Kenya

East Africa

Oryx is a genus consisting of four large antelope species. Three of them are native to arid parts of Africa, and the fourth to the Arabian Peninsula. Their fur is pale with contrasting dark markings in the face and on the legs, and their long horns are almost straight.

The East African oryx (Oryx beisa) inhabits eastern Africa, and the closely related gemsbok (Oryx gazella) inhabits southern Africa. Neither is threatened, though the former is considered Near Threatened by the IUCN. The gemsbok is monotypic, and the East African oryx has two subspecies; East African oryx "proper" (O. b. beisa) and the fringe-eared oryx (O. b. callotis). In the past, both were considered subspecies of the gemsbok. – Wikipedia

• Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly is considered like one of the twenty most beautiful villages of the Quebec province. The lordship took the name of Tilly on August 31, 1700. It is situated on the Southern shore of the Saint Lawrence River, 25 kms west from Quebec City.

• Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly est considéré comme un des des vingt plus beaux villages du Québec. La seigneurie prit le nom de Tilly le 31 août, 1700. Ce village est situé à 25 kilomètres à l'ouest de la Ville de Québec, sur la rive sud du fleuve Saint-Laurent.

• Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly es considerado uno de los veinte pueblos más bellos de Quebec. El señorío tomó el nombre de Tilly el 31 de agosto de 1700. Este pueblo está situado a 25 kilómetros al oeste de la Ciudad de Québec, en la orilla sur del río San Lorenzo.

Considered one of the most beautiful birds in Brazil, the male is turquoise and the female is green.

Considerado um dos pássaros mais bonitos do Brasil, o macho é azul-turquesa e a fêmea é verde.

Swallow Tanager (Nome em inglês)

Tersina viridis (Nome Científico)

Thraupidae (Família)

Passeriformes (Ordem)

FREE BIRD

Árvore: Magnólia Amarela

Lago Sul

Brasília, Brasil

I considered a while, if I should post a coloured or a monochrom version of this photograph of mt. Raubschloss in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Here You can see, how I finally decided. To compensate that, I created another perspective with colours. I'm going to show this one on another day.

When I arrived up here on that morning, it was still quite dark and the rock was hardly to see. But what I saw, were the headlights of two photographers facing me. When You zoom into the frame, You can see them right on top of the rock.

We made light signs to welcome each other and were happy (I was definitely really happy like a child) about the reactions from the other side.

A really cool experience, what will for ever be connected with this photograph.

Ich habe lange überlegt, ob ich dieses Foto vom Raubschloß im Elbsandsteingebirge farbig oder monochrom darstellen möchte. Ihr könnt ja sehen, wofür ich mich entschieden habe. Als Ausgleich dazu hab ich noch eine andere Perspektive in Farbe erstellt. Die zeige ich dann ein anderes Mal.

Als ich an diesem Morgen hier oben ankam, war es noch ziemlich dunkel und der Felsen war kaum zu sehen. Allerdings konnte ich die Stirnlampen von zwei Fotografen entdecken, die mir direkt gegenüber standen. Wenn ihr ins Bild zoomt, könnt Ihr sie ganz oben auch sehen.

Wir begrüßten uns mit ein paar Lichtzeichen und freuten uns (als ich hab mich auf alle Fälle gefreut wie ein kleines Kind) über die Reaktion der anderen Seite.

Ein richtig cooles Erlebnis, was ich für alle zeit mit diesem Foto verbinde.

more of this on my website at: www.shoot-to-catch.de

The Cryptic Golden Tegu was once considered conspecific with the Golden Tegu. The Golden Tegu was split into three new species in 2019 or so.

Golden Tegus grow to be about 60 to 100 cm long on average, and up to 3.5 to 4.0 kg in weight, with a glossy body, powerful limbs and a thick tail. They have many black and gold stripes down their bodies. Golden Tegus live in the tropical forests of northern and central South America, as well as in Panama. They feed on insects, other invertebrates, small mammals, other reptiles and birds, as well as fish and sometimes fruit. (Wikipedia)

Speyside, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago. January 2016.

Considered as the last legacy from the kings of Portugal, the Bussaco Palace hotel is a unique architectural, botanical and landscape complex in Europe. It is categorized, as one of the most beautiful and historic hotels in the world.

The gardens and surrounding park, the Convent of Santa Cruz do Bussaco, the “Monacal Desert”, the “Sacromonte” symbolizing Jerusalem and the passion of Christ, with its steps of the Sacred Way, the High Cross, the numerous hermitages and chapels, constitute the largest Architectural complex built by the Order of the “Discalced Carmelites”. The “Fetos Valley” and its lakes, the “Fonte Fria” with the artificial cascade, of strong Italian influence by the hand of the queen Maria Pia, and the romantic viewpoints, are other attractions. A fantastic place to visit..

This is a wall of rocks approximately 35 meters (114.83 ft) high and 65º incline, considered an easy level climb, but it can be considered a grade 1 climb. However, this does not mean that it is easy for all.

We must climb through cracks in the rock wall, finding places to rest our feet and hands. On the way up it is usually easier because we can see all the support points. Going down, however, is more complicated as you can't see very well where to put your feet.

It is at this time that many people are “frozen” in stone without knowing what to do. Many start screaming and end up creating an atmosphere of panic that spreads to everyone around them. At that moment, one person's fear was amplified for others who are not 100% prepared or safe to go down the Holm Oak Tree / Carrasqueira. As you can imagine, the risk of an accident also increases.

One of the main reasons for accidents in Carrasqueira is misinformation. Many hikers think they are experienced and take the risk of climbing this stretch without a more experienced companion who knows the trail and has the necessary safety equipment to prevent a possible accident.

After the Holm Oak Tree / Carrasqueira, it's another 25 minutes walk to the summit on a very obvious path. There is only one fork in this path and we must go left.

***

I hired two guides with all the required safety equipment for this trail.

This is considered as the oldest Quaker Meeting House in Martland, dating back to 1684, {t was a prominent stop on the Undeground Railroad, for people fleeing brutality of slavery

Azure-shouldered Tanager - Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near-threatened. Occurs mainly inside humid forest and is less able to utilize forest edge and second growth than are most others in the genus, a factor that has contributed to its severe range contraction and fragmentation following deforestation. Believed to be in decline. Possibly occurs in only relatively few areas outside protected sites. birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/azstan1

Happy Blue Monday!

Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated! If you want, check my instagram: @thelmag

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

Visit my instagram if you like: @thelmag

The Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is a medium-sized black and white passerine bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea. Although once considered to be three separate species, it is now considered to be one, with nine recognised subspecies. A member of the Artamidae, the Australian magpie is placed in its own genus and is most closely related to the black butcherbird (Melloria quoyi). Currawongs have yellow eyes, whereas Magpies have red-brown eyes and Butcherbirds have very dark brown, almost black eyes. It is not, however, closely related to the European magpie, which is a corvid. The adult Australian magpie is a fairly robust bird ranging from 37 to 43 cm in length, with distinctive black and white plumage, gold brown eyes and a solid wedge-shaped bluish-white and black bill. The male and female are similar in appearance, and can be distinguished by differences in back markings. The male has pure white feathers on the back of the head and the female has white blending to grey feathers on the back of the head. With its long legs, the Australian magpie walks rather than waddles or hops and spends much time on the ground. Described as one of Australia's most accomplished songbirds, the Australian magpie has an array of complex vocalisations. It is omnivorous, with the bulk of its varied diet made up of invertebrates. It is generally sedentary and territorial throughout its range. Common and widespread, it has adapted well to human habitation and is a familiar bird of parks, gardens and farmland in Australia and New Guinea. This species is commonly fed by households around the country, but in spring (and occasionally in autumn) a small minority of breeding magpies (almost always males) become aggressive and swoop and attack those who approach their nests. 6966

This place is part of the Bussaco Palace Hotel gardens. The hotel is considered as the last legacy from the kings of Portugal and is a unique architectural, botanical and landscape complex in Europe. It is categorized, as one of the most beautiful and historic hotels in the world.

The gardens and surrounding park, the Convent of Santa Cruz do Bussaco, the “Monacal Desert”, the “Sacromonte” symbolizing Jerusalem and the passion of Christ, with its steps of the Sacred Way, the High Cross, the numerous hermitages and chapels, are the largest Architectural complex built by the Order of the “Discalced Carmelites”. The “Fetos Valley” and its lakes, the “Fonte Fria” with the artificial cascade, of strong Italian influence by the hand of the queen Maria Pia, and the romantic viewpoints, are other attractions. A fantastic place to visit..

Knossos (alternative spellings Knossus, Cnossus, Greek Κνωσός, pronounced [knoˈsos]) is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and considered as Europe's oldest city

The name Knossos survives from ancient Greek references to the major city of Crete. The identification of Knossos with the Bronze Age site is supported by tradition and by the Roman coins that were scattered over the fields surrounding the pre-excavation site, then a large mound named Kephala Hill, elevation 85 m (279 ft) from current sea level. Many of them were inscribed with Knosion or Knos on the obverse and an image of a Minotaur or Labyrinth on the reverse, both symbols deriving from the myth of King Minos, supposed to have reigned from Knossos.[5] The coins came from the Roman settlement of Colonia Julia Nobilis Cnossus, a Roman colony placed just to the north of, and politically including, Kephala. The Romans believed they had colonized Knossos.[6] After excavation, the discovery of the Linear B tablets, and the decipherment of Linear B by Michael Ventris, the identification was confirmed by the reference to an administrative center, ko-no-so, Mycenaean Greek Knosos, undoubtedly the palace complex. The palace was built over a Neolithic town. During the Bronze Age, the town surrounded the hill on which the palace was built.

The palace was excavated and partially restored under the direction of Arthur Evans in the earliest years of the 20th century. Its size far exceeded his original expectations, as did the discovery of two ancient scripts, which he termed Linear A and Linear B, to distinguish their writing from the pictographs also present. From the layering of the palace Evans developed de novo an archaeological concept of the civilization that used it, which he called Minoan, following the pre-existing custom of labelling all objects from the location Minoan.

The site of Knossos was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. The excavations in Knossos began in 1900 by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans (1851–1941) and his team, and continued for 35 years. Its size far exceeded his original expectations, as did the discovery of two ancient scripts, which he termed Linear A and Linear B, to distinguish their writing from the pictographs also present. From the layering of the palace Evans developed an archaeological concept of the civilization that used it, which he called Minoan, following the pre-existing custom of labelling all objects from the location Minoan.

Since their discovery, the ruins have undergone a history of their own, from excavation by renowned archaeologists, education and tourism, to occupation as a headquarters by governments warring over the control of the eastern Mediterranean in two world wars. This site history is to be distinguished from the ancient.

... I considered it a good omen of "freedom and flight" on the 1st of the new year :)

Considered to be the protector of the city , "Sidi El Houari ", has his own mausoleum . The name of "Houari", is associated to the 'residents' of Oran or those of the western regions of Algeria

Long considered to be the greatest golfer of the modern era, Tiger Woods has not won a major victory since 2008. Because of personal problems and injuries, including four back surgeries, most golf fans thought he would retire, but this past weekend the old Tiger emerged in the 100th annual PGA tourney just outside St. Louis, Missouri. He did not win -- finishing second -- but drew an enormous following and created a media buzz that at age 42 he might still win a few more.

As much as I adore the liquid element, I reside at a place where it is is considered a rather scarce commodity and can hardly be located ... Thank God, at a distance of half an hour drive there lies the beautiful river of Nestos, whose flow is surrounded by amazing Green Nature and bridges, lots of bridges !!!

I love using my tripod and my ND (Neutral Density) filters over my lenses ... Their combined use enhances considerably the appropriate shutter speed for a balanced exposure, thus blurring water's flow and creating beautiful sharp images .... Environmental colors remain unaltered ...

I definitely suggest them for extensive use over around blue hours landscape photography ...

NIKON D90 DSLR with Nikon Nikkor 18 - 55 lens, Manual Mode, shutter speed 1 s, ISO 125, f 13, focal length 18mm, use of HOYA ND X 2 filter on top of which a HOYA ND X 8 filter was used, white balance set to cloudy weather , center weighted average metering mode, HDR made by only one original RAW shot, flash didn't go off, use of tripod ...

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The Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is a medium-sized black and white passerine bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea. Although once considered to be three separate species, it is now considered to be one, with nine recognised subspecies. A member of the Artamidae, the Australian magpie is placed in its own genus and is most closely related to the black butcherbird (Melloria quoyi). Currawongs have yellow eyes, whereas Magpies have red-brown eyes and Butcherbirds have very dark brown, almost black eyes. It is not, however, closely related to the European magpie, which is a corvid. The adult Australian magpie is a fairly robust bird ranging from 37 to 43 cm in length, with distinctive black and white plumage, gold brown eyes and a solid wedge-shaped bluish-white and black bill. The male and female are similar in appearance, and can be distinguished by differences in back markings. The male has pure white feathers on the back of the head and the female has white blending to grey feathers on the back of the head. With its long legs, the Australian magpie walks rather than waddles or hops and spends much time on the ground. Described as one of Australia's most accomplished songbirds, the Australian magpie has an array of complex vocalisations. It is omnivorous, with the bulk of its varied diet made up of invertebrates. It is generally sedentary and territorial throughout its range. Common and widespread, it has adapted well to human habitation and is a familiar bird of parks, gardens and farmland in Australia and New Guinea. This species is commonly fed by households around the country, but in spring (and occasionally in autumn) a small minority of breeding magpies (almost always males) become aggressive and swoop and attack those who approach their nests. 47823

Le quartier de la Venezia

Cet ancien quartier, à la fois maritime et industriel, est considéré comme la partie de la ville la plus intéressante et la plus pittoresque à visiter. La « Petite Venise » de Livourne (parfois aussi appelé la « Venezia Nuova« ) s’étend principalement au nord de la grande Place de la République (Piazza della Republica). Mais un canal réapparaît du côté opposé après s’être poursuivi, en sous-sol, sous la Place de la République elle-même. L’immense Place de la République constitue de ce fait un pont enjambant l’un des principaux canaux de Livourne. ... Nous continuons la balade pédestre et allons faire un détour par le fort

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The Venezia district This ancient district, both maritime and industrial, is considered the most interesting and picturesque part of the city to visit. The "Little Venice" of Livorno (sometimes also called the "Venezia Nuova") extends mainly north of the great Republic Square (Piazza della Republica). But a canal reappears on the opposite side after continuing, underground, under the Place de la République itself. The huge Republic Square is therefore a bridge spanning one of the main canals of Livorno

We continue the walk and will make a detour by the fort

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Il quartiere Venezia Questo antico quartiere, sia marittimo che industriale, è considerato la parte più interessante e pittoresca della città da visitare. La "Piccola Venezia" di Livorno (a volte chiamata anche la "Venezia Nuova") si estende principalmente a nord della grande Piazza della Republica. Ma un canale riappare sul lato opposto dopo aver continuato, sottoterra, sotto la stessa Place de la République. L'enorme Piazza della Repubblica è quindi un ponte che attraversa uno dei principali canali di Livorno

Continuiamo la passeggiata e faremo una deviazione dal forte

The Church and its chapels (La Iglesia de San Francisco), which were considered sacred places.

From right to left, in the San Francisco building, you can see the doors of the convent, the museum, the main church, the Chapel of Villacís and the Chapel of Cantuña.

Together, Church and Convent encompass three hectares including 13 cloisters (six of them major), three churches, and a large courtyard. In total, about 40,000 square meters of construction. San Francisco follows the classical typology of medieval monasteries. The main Church is the guiding axis and from there the cloister galleries extend: the refectory, the chapterhouse, and winery. These define a quadrangular courtyard, with the four respective pandas, or galleries: that of the chapter room, the refectory, the converts, and the mandatum. In addition to the basic dependencies of a convent, there were areas devoted to health care, education, crafts, a garden, and even a jail (to maintain strict discipline). The kitchen and dispensery operated in the cloister of services.

It is the most known architectural object of Paris, considered to be the symbol of this city and sometimes throughout France. At its inception it was the tallest tower in the world.

The tower was built specifically for the Parisian world exhibition in 1889. It was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The project used the experiences of the epoch and its constructor, Gustave Eiffel, to build railroad bridges. After 20 years the building was to be demolished. The preserved building has over time become the biggest tourist attraction of Paris, visited by over 200 million people

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Jest to najbardziej znany obiekt architektoniczny Paryża, uznawany za symbol tego miasta i niekiedy całej Francji. W momencie powstania była najwyższą wieżą na świecie.

Wieżę zbudowano specjalnie na paryską wystawę światową w 1889 roku. Miała upamiętnić setną rocznicę rewolucji francuskiej. Projekt wykorzystywał doświadczenia epoki i jej konstruktora, Gustave'a Eiffela, w budowie kolejowych mostów żelaznych. Po 20 latach budowla miała być rozebrana. Zachowana budowla z czasem stała się największą atrakcją turystyczną Paryża, którą zwiedziło już ponad 200 milionów ludzi

Considered a separate species of the Scarce Swallowtail with a white/grey ground colour and darker banding. It is found across the Iberian Peninsula and Southern France and can be seen from early February in the Sierra de Tejeda y Almijara on the Costa del Sol in Andalusia (6554). This one was seen 'hill topping' with its cousin Papilio machaon and a handful of Painted Ladies and Red Admirals.