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The recent rain and the perfect weather brings out the beauty of the Arizona Desert. Saguaro and Cholla cactus all contributing to the green. #notalwaysthisgreen #afternoonhike
The Golden Hind at Brixham, Devon is a full sized replica of one of the most iconic ships from the age of exploration. The Ship has been a feature of picturesque Brixham harbour for over fifty years, entertaining and educating thousands of visitors during this time - as well as being featured on many television programmes and films. The Ship is open come rain or shine and is an all weather attraction with many indoor displays as well as wide open decks.
A striking landmark in Brixham, Devon every visitor on board contributes to the restoration and maintenance of the Ship, ensuring that 'Brixham's Treasure' will continue to enhance Brixham's beautiful Quayside for future generations...
A view of the Washington Elementary School in Jacksonville. Erected in 1932, this beautiful art deco building was designed by the famed Urbana architectural firm of Royer, Danely & Smith. A $13M renovation of the school building is being completed in 2024.
The Washington Elementary School is contributing to the Jacksonville Historic District. Listed in 1978 on the National Register of Historic Places, almost all architectural styles popular in Illinois from 1830 to the mid-1930s are represented in the district.
The central Illinois City of Jacksonville was founded in 1825 and is the seat of Morgan County. The population of Jacksonville was 17,616 at the 2020 census.
The Luman Burr House was built about 1864 in the Federal style. The two-story brick was remodeled around the turn of the century and now shows characteristics of the Queen Anne style. The house apparently didn't originally have the left wing (first image), back wing (second image), and gabled roof. The gable with return, hipped, and pediment dormers with Queen Anne type shingles, were also added around the turn of the century.
Luman Burr (1836-1920) was born in Connecticut, and arrived in Bloomington at the age of twenty. Working in the courts, Burr rose to become clerk of the circuit court in 1864. While in this position he worked with many of the famous citizens of Bloomington such as David Davis (who became an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Senator from Illinois.) He is also said to have known and heard Abraham Lincoln argue cases in court. Burr resided at this home on Franklin Square from 1864 until his death in 1920.
The Luman Burr House is a contributing property in Bloomington's Franklin Square Historic District, which is located northwest of downtown Bloomington. The Square is named in honor of Franklin Price, who was the mayor of Bloomington Mayor in 1856 when land for the Square was gifted to the city.
Franklin Square was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, and was designated a local historic district in 1979. The houses of Franklin Square were built in a variety of architectural styles from the mid 19th century through the early 20th century, including Georgian Revival, Italianate, Colonial, Queen Anne, and Richardsonian Romanesque.
Bloomington is the seat of McLean County. It is adjacent to Normal, and is the more populous of the two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area. Bloomington is home to State Farm Insurance, Country Financial and Beer Nuts. Illinois Wesleyan University is located here, while the neighboring city of Normal is home to Illinois State University and Heartland Community College. Bloomington is 135 miles (217 km) southwest of Chicago, and 162 miles (261 km) northeast of St. Louis. The estimated population of Bloomington in 2019 was 77,330, with a metro population of 191,067.
The soft pink plumage on these galahs glowed in the early morning sunshine just after sunrise. These were just three out of maybe a hundred that were in the gum trees above my head! They were out-numbered by the hundreds of little Corellas in the surrounding trees, and all were contributing to the amazing dawn chorus!
Happy Feathery Friday!
As night falls, I find comfort in the serene moments just before succumbing to sleep. Bathed in the gentle glow of muted lights, my surroundings transform into a sanctuary, signaling the peaceful journey that lies ahead. Beyond my window, the world recedes, making way for a tranquil tableau painted with the muted symphony of the night.
Captured within the frame is a snapshot of this tranquil interlude – a ritualistic pause before entering the realm of dreams. The interplay of shadows and the soft warmth of ambient light create a soothing ambiance, inviting a sense of calm that washes over me.
The image is a visual ode to this serene pause, a conscious moment before surrendering to the embrace of slumber. The unmade bed, carefully arranged essentials, and the quiet stillness all contribute to a delicate symphony of tranquility.
In this captured moment, I embrace the quietude, recognizing the beauty often overlooked in the hustle of the day. It serves as a daily reminder of the importance of finding peace amid chaos, offering a gentle prelude to the dreams awaiting in the realm of sleep.
...like something out of a fairy tale. I've waited nearly 10 years to capture a scene like this as it is reminiscent from a scene from the Pixar / Disney movie Brave. The winner of the day was without a shadow of a doubt the lighting; the lighting really enhanced the scene as the sunlight began breaking through the clouds, the mist began making its appearance within the confinements of this delicate yet mysterious forested scene. Other contributing factors which need to be acknowledged are the ferns, scattered fall foliage, the moss and darkened areas throughout the frame. Enjoy.
Photo captured via Minolta Maxxum AF Zoom 28-85mm F/3.5-4.5 Lens. Western Cascades Lowlands and Valleys section within the Cascades Range. Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Lewis County, Washington. Late October 2022.
Exposure Time: 1 sec. * ISO Speed: ISO-100 * Aperture: F/16 * Bracketing: None * Color Temperature: 5400 K
Island Of Madagascar
Off The East Coast Of Africa
Peyrieras Madagascar Exotic Reserve
March 20th is World Frog Day, which was created in 2009 to increase awareness of the plight of threatened frog species around the world. All amphibians, including frogs, are important components of the global ecosystem, as indicators of environmental health and contributors to human health. More than one third of them are currently threatened with extinction. Addressing the amphibian extinction crisis represents the greatest species conservation challenge in the history of humanity.
We know there are at least 7,400 species of frogs (AmphibiaWeb), but sadly, we also know that at least 2,000 (28%) of these are threatened with extinction (IUCN Red List). The actual number of threatened species is no doubt considerably higher, because around 1,000 species (14%) have not yet been assessed for their threat categories, and for another 1,000 (14%) of them, so little is known about their status in the wild that they cannot be accurately assessed.
Many things are causing frog populations around the world to decline, and in fact, at least 35 species that we know of have gone extinct in recent times. Habitat loss and destruction is one of the worst problems, not only for frogs, but for many other species of animals and plants.
Many human activities contribute to habitat destruction and the decline of amphibians, including water pollution, the introduction of non-native species, climate change, agriculture, and urban development. Diseases, especially chytridiomycosis, which is caused by the chytrid fungus, are also having a massive effect on frogs, many of which are already under stress from the threats mentioned above. - Wikipedia
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Wikipedia - Dyscophus antongilii, the Madagascar tomato frog, is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae.
They breed in the rainy season and are nocturnal. They tend to eat small insects and invertebrates. They are also on the endangered species list. Their lifespan is 6 to 8 years.
When threatened, a tomato frog puffs up its body. When a predator grabs a tomato frog in its mouth, the frog's skin secretes a thick substance that gums up the predator's eyes and mouth, causing the predator to release the frog to free up its eyes.
Tomato frogs will reach sexual maturity in 9–14 months. Females are larger than males and can reach 4 inches in length. Males can reach 2 to 3 inches in length.
Wikipedia: The red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), also known as the Indian red junglefowl (and formerly the bankiva or bankiva-fowl), is a species of tropical, predominantly terrestrial bird in the fowl and pheasant family, Phasianidae, found across much of Southeast and parts of South Asia. The red junglefowl was the primary species to give rise to today's many breeds of domesticated chicken (G. g. domesticus); additionally, the related grey junglefowl (G. sonneratii), Sri Lankan junglefowl (G. lafayettii) and the Javanese green junglefowl (G. varius) have also contributed genetic material to the gene pool of the modern chicken.
Conservation status: Least Concern
The Multicolored Tanager (Chlorochrysa nitidissima), endemic to Colombia, is one of the most vibrant and sought-after birds in the Andes. This photograph was taken at La Minga Ecolodge, situated in the Río Bitaco Forest Reserve near Cali, at an elevation of 1988 meters. The bird’s striking green, blue, and orange plumage contrasts beautifully against the muted tones of the surrounding cloud forest, creating a visual masterpiece of color and texture. Capturing such a rare and dynamic species in its natural environment is both a privilege and a technical challenge.
The exposure settings for this photograph were carefully selected to meet the demands of the environment and the bird’s behavior. A shutter speed of 1/350 sec ensured that the tanager’s brief moment of stillness could be captured without motion blur, while an aperture of f/6.7 provided the perfect balance between depth of field and light intake. This allowed the tanager to remain sharply in focus while softening the background for an appealing bokeh effect. The ISO 400 setting optimized image quality by minimizing noise while maintaining light sensitivity in the shaded, diffused lighting conditions of the cloud forest. Shot from a distance of 6.12 meters with a Canon R5 and a 100-500mm lens, this image highlights the vivid colors of the tanager’s plumage and its serene surroundings. Every technical decision contributed to showcasing the delicate beauty of this rare species and its fragile habitat, making this photograph a celebration of nature’s brilliance and a reminder of the importance of conservation.
©2021 Adam Rainoff Photographer
A huge early nineteenth-century country house built in the style of a Norman castle on the site of much earlier high-status dwellings, set within a wide park on a natural promontory between the Ogwen and Cegin rivers at the eastern end of the Menai Straits. Penrhyn castle dominates the surrounding landscape to an extraordinary degree. The Grand Lodge which forms the entrance to the park, and the high stone walls which surround it, contribute strongly to the sense of a wealthy, aristocratic enclave, yet its proximity to, and visual relationship with, the Quarry (NPRN 40564), the railway systems and Port Penrhyn (NPRN 306314) indicate the source of much of the vast wealth of the owning Pennant and Douglas Pennant families. Now part-owned and entirely managed by the National Trust, the Castle and Park are open to the public.This Neo-Norman residence was built for George Hay Dawkins Pennant (1764-1840), inheritor of the Penrhyn estate, in which work of the period 1827-37 overlays a Medieval hall, itself ‘gothicised’ in the late eighteenth century by Richard Pennant, Lord Penrhyn, the previous owner. The Castle is preserved in its late nineteenth century condition. A remarkable feature of its lavish interior is the use of slate in some furniture – a state bed, a desk, as cisterns and meat cupboard in the kitchen, as inkwell-holders and a billiard table. It is set within extensive grounds which were emparked in the early nineteenth century, and which are surrounded by a high mortared stone wall capped with slate. The grounds include extensive gardens, stabling and a home farm. The setting and relationship of the house to the park and landscape is outstanding. Within the castle stable block is an industrial railway museum which displays locomotives, rolling stock and artefacts from the Penrhyn Quarry Railway and the Dinorwic Quarry Railway.
The present building was created by the architect Thomas Hopper between the years 1822 and 1837 for George Hay-Dawkins Pennant who had inherited the Penrhyn estate from his cousin, Richard Pennant. Pennant himself had married into the Penrhyn family and had subsequently made his fortune through slate quarrying industries in north Wales and slavery in Jamaica.
Text source: coflein.gov.uk/en/site/16687/
Eagles
First Trust Company Building is a historic commercial building located at Broadway and State Street in Albany, New York, United States. It was designed by noted architect Marcus T. Reynolds and built in 1904. Currently, it is the main offices of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It is also a contributing property to the Downtown Albany Historic District.
Rudesheim is situated in the the Rheingau and Rüdesheim Rhine River Gorge winery area.
There are dozens of wine tasting and buying venues in Rudesheim. This is one restaurant, tasting room and wine store in Rudesheim.
The room is the cellar of the hotel Felsenkeller.
There are a total of 380 winemakers in the region marketing their own products. Most are family run companies tending vineyards of between four and eight hectares. There are also three local cooperatives and around two dozen large wine estates (between approx. 10 and 50 hectares). These export a considerable proportion of their production and thus contribute to the fame and reputation of Rheingau Riesling.
"Give me spots on my apples, but leave me the birds and the bees, please."
Joni Mitchell
Although I love cultivating flowers, plants once loathed in the garden are now more than welcome. Letting clover grow in one's garden supports pollinators and frees up time that would have been spent weeding.
It is more important than ever to protect the small creatures that in fact contribute to our food security.
Here's a link that is worth reading....so say the bees:
www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/why-bees-are-essentia...
I love old pines....the smell, the forest floor they contribute to - the warmth and softness.... tiny canopy gaps where stars poke through high above in the darkest hours- they're home, a safe place even when all around is dark a place I can just fade into ♥
I even chose the pine forest by my childhood home to bunk off school - a good book and a pack of fags, few club bars (mint has always been my preference) better than all that school socialising and I hated English - 2 doubles on a Wednesday.
We camped as teenagers by the river on the soft floor though I definitely remember cold toes but so happy hearted a rite of passage - though perhaps more so the milkman clocking me walking home and telling the parents when I'm 'sleeping at a friends'
I felt steady as a teenager life before me, strong and ready..........been wobbling a bit ever since
but just like those nights grew into mornings we have to grow into ourselves - even if i do wobble, I suppose I'm less fade and more fall though 🙈
Suzhou (/suːˈdʒoʊ/; Chinese: 苏州), alternately romanized as Soochow, is a major city in southern Jiangsu province, East China. Suzhou is the most populous city in Jiangsu, and a major economic center and focal point of trade and commerce. Administratively, Suzhou is a prefecture-level city with a population of 6,715,559 in the city proper, and a total resident population of 12,748,262 as of the 2020 census in its administrative area.
The city's canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens have contributed to its status as one of the top tourist attractions and liveable cities in China. The Classical Gardens of Suzhou were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997 and 2000. Suzhou is often dubbed the "Venice of the East" or "Venice of China".
Suzhou (/suːˈdʒoʊ/; chino: 苏州), también romanizada como Soochow, es una importante ciudad del sur de la provincia de Jiangsu, en el este de China. Suzhou es la ciudad más poblada de Jiangsu y un importante centro económico y foco de comercio. Administrativamente, Suzhou es una ciudad a nivel de prefectura con una población de 6.715.559 habitantes en la ciudad propiamente dicha, y una población residente total de 12.748.262 habitantes según el censo de 2020 en su área administrativa.
Los canales, puentes de piedra, pagodas y jardines meticulosamente diseñados de la ciudad han contribuido a su estatus como una de las principales atracciones turísticas y ciudades habitables de China. Los Jardines Clásicos de Suzhou se incluyeron en la lista de Patrimonio de la Humanidad de la UNESCO en 1997 y 2000. Suzhou es apodada a menudo la "Venecia de Oriente" o la "Venecia de China".
A different view of the 100 block of S. Randolph St. in the Macomb Courthouse Square Historic District. The Macomb Post Office shown in my previous post is over my right shoulder, and the beautiful Taylor Block, also shown previously, can be spotted in the middle of the block in this view looking north from the intersection of S. Randolph and E. Washington St.
The building on corner was constructed in 1898 and was the first four-story block building in Macomb. According to author George E. Hallwas' volume titled McDonough County Historic Sites in the Images of America Series, a local grocer built the building with most of the structure devoted to office space. Gamage notes that from 1903 to 1905, the Central Preparatory School and Commercial College was located there, and from 1908 to 1919 the Macomb Conservatory of Music was housed there as well. In 1933, the building was purchased by the Masons, who met on the fourth floor, and since then it has been known as the Masonic Temple Building.
Although this building has an interesting history, a remodeling in the 1950s (first floor storefront and canopy) has resulted in it being listed as a non-contributing building in the Macomb Courthouse Square Historic District. The district covers six full and four partial city blocks and includes 65 contributing buildings. Brick commercial blocks, often with Italianate or Queen Anne details, dominate the district's architectural landscape. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
Located in western Illinois, Macomb is the seat of McDonough County and the home of Western Illinois University. The population of Macomb at the 2020 census was 15,051. The city is named after General Alexander Macomb, a general in the War of 1812.
My first SLR was a Canon F1. It's a marvel of mechanical engineering. There are levers, gears and springs working in perfect timing to expose a patch of film and then advance that film to just the right spot to repeat the process on the next unexposed patch. The camera I used for this image has a marvel of a mechanical shutter that works to expose the image sensor to just the right amount of light to generate an image that can be saved to a memory card. The shutter mechanism is about the only mechanical device in the camera that directly contributes to the image. The rest of the process is a computer moving bits from the sensor to the card. There are some cameras that have no mechanical shutter. I have a little point and shoot from 2010 that uses a recording to imitate a shutter click. The computer centric nature of modern cameras means that batteries must be kept charged. Therefore, everywhere I have a computer there is not only a rat's nest of wires that go with the computer but as here a dangling mass of USB cables of various design for the battery chargers and power bricks necessary to keep everything going. This image is sixty-five mm across. HMM and thank you for any views, faves and comments.
No , not that one 'cos it is up over at Godrevy - this one is down south at The Lizard Point as far down south as you can get !!
The Lizard Lighthouse stands at Lizard Point, the most southerly point of mainland Britain.
It acts as a coastal mark and to indicate landfall, guiding shipping passing along the English Channel and warning them of the dangerous waters here.
The current lighthouse with its two towers was built in 1751 but there was a working light here as early as 1619. This early lighthouse was erected thanks to the generosity of Sir John Killigrew, who applied for a patent which was granted on the condition that the light would be extinguished in time of war so it did not help to guide enemy vessels.
Killigrew agreed and erected the lighthouse but while he was sufficiently wealthy to have it built, the cost of maintaining it proved too much and almost bankrupted him. He had hoped that the vessels who benefited from the light would contribute towards its upkeep but unfortunately this did not happen. James I ordered that all ships who passed the light should pay a halfpenny per ton. Pressure from the unhappy ship owners who disagreed with this tax on them forced the patent to be revoked so the light was extinguished and the tower was subsequently demolished.
Although requests were made, it was not until 1748 that Thomas Fonnereau was given the go ahead by Trinity House to construct a new lighthouse. Completed in 1751 it is the building you see today with its two towers linked by a cottage in which one of the keepers would sit keeping an eye on both lanterns. If the fires became low he would sound a cow horn to let the others know it was time to stoke up the fires with the bellows.
In 1771, Trinity House took over the running of the Lizard lighthouse.
From 1903 onwards only the east tower was lit.
Automation came to the lantern in 1998 so the lighthouse keepers were no longer required.
The lantern has been removed from the western tower.
Lighthouse Cottages
The former lighthouse keepers' cottages are available to rent as holiday cottages.
Click on Lizard Lighthouse Accommodation and go to Holiday Cottages for details.
Please note the lighthouse itself is a working lighthouse and cannot be rented.
The "street of spices" in Salamanca (Spain). Great light and contrasts in the city. The yellow stone (piedra de Villamayor) is common in most buildings, old and new, which contributes to the unity of the townscape. This stone is known to resist important changes of temperature during the day.
Thanks for the comments, faves and visits
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The photograph captures a field of Daylilies in varying stages of their life cycle, a natural mosaic of vitality and decline. The flowers, radiant in shades of amber and gold, stand proudly among the blades of vibrant green, embodying the full swing of the summer bloom. While some petals retain their youthful sheen, others bear the marks of time, wilting gracefully, contributing to the cycle that feeds the soil. The pattern of life and rejuvenation is palpable in this image, with fresh buds ready to unfurl and spent blossoms ready to return to the earth. This scene is a reminder of the transient yet continuous nature of life, where every ending is intertwined with a new beginning, each flower a note in the symphony of the garden.
The Peacock Flower holds symbolic importance in some cultures, often associated with beauty, pride, and joy.
This plant is often celebrated for its spectacular flowers and its ability to bring a tropical touch to gardens and landscapes.
The Peacock Flower produces beautiful, showy flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, or a combination of these, often resembling a peacock's tail in appearance.
The flowers are large, with long stamens that contribute to their dramatic look.
The plant itself can grow as a shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters), though it can grow taller in ideal conditions.
The leaves are finely divided, giving the plant a feathery or fern-like texture.
Can you see the little red me in the picture? ;))
The ever-changing weather conditions also contribute to its beauty. The mountain is often shrouded in mist or surrounded by dramatic clouds, creating an ethereal and mysterious atmosphere. The interplay of light and shadow on the mountain and the surrounding landscape can create a truly magical and surreal experience.
DJI Mavic 3
Hasselblad L2D-20c
ISO200, 12.29mm, f/2.8, 1/1250s
4 of the photos from the book exhibited rps.org/events/2017/march/30/living-london--exhibition-of... . I'm merely one of 10 photographers contributing to the Living London book. Exhibition until 27 April 2017 at Croatian Embassy, 21 Conway Street, London W1T 6BN, ring doorbell to get in - 11:00 to 14:00 Monday-Thursday, 10:00 to 12:00 Friday. . The subjects range from Al Fresco London to issues of homelessness. The book is going to be sold from RPS website. Photograph by Natasha Bennett, a fellow contributor to the book.
Lisbon, Portugal
Laying the mosaic pavement requires backbreaking labor. It's an arduous job performed in a prostrate position, making this traditional art of calçeteiros both rare and expensive. When wet, the surfaces of "calçadas" tend to be slippery and can contribute to slips and falls. Also, the moisture breaks down the design requiring frequent maintenance. For this reason, today’s government is considering a way of creating a safer pavement for the pedestrian while at the same time maintaining the unique beauty of this art form as an important part of the nation's identity and heritage.
*Working Towards a Better World
Peace is the marriage of the people and the planet, with all attendant vows. - Anonymous
Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contribute the best that they have and all that they are. - Hafsat Abiola
In some ways, the challenges are even more daunting than they were at the peak of the cold war. Not only do we continue to face grave nuclear threats, but those threats are being compounded by new weapons developments, new violence within States and new challenges to the rule of law. -
Kofi Annan
There is no time left for anything but to make peacework a dimension of our every waking activity. - Elise Boulding
Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. - Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Thank you for your kind visit. Have a wonderful and beautiful day! xo💜💜
Automated description generated with Google
Depth of field: The blurred foreground and background create a shallow depth of field, drawing the viewer's attention to the middle ground.
Vignetting: The darker corners of the image, also known as a vignette, are a stylistic device often used in vintage photography to focus the viewer's eye on the central subject.
Color tone: The entire image has a warm, slightly desaturated color cast, giving it a retro look.
Texture: Layered textures mimic signs of wear and tear, such as scratches or stains, to create the impression of an old photograph.
Composition: The figures are not placed in the center but rather follow the rule of thirds, creating a more dynamic composition.
Perspective: A low camera angle makes the small statues appear more significant and present.
Low contrast: The colors are muted and the contrasts reduced, which also contributes to the nostalgic vintage style.
World Elephant Day has been celebrated every August 12th since 2012, when Patricia Sims and the Thailand-based nonprofit Elephant Reintroduction Foundation partnered to found the holiday. Over the past eight years, World Elephant Day has partnered with more than 100 elephant conservation organizations from around the world, and helped to raise awareness for the need to protect and preserve elephants.
Elephants are an endangered species, and the majestic animal’s population has shrunk significantly over the past few decades. For example, in Africa, there are only about 415,000 elephants remaining; in 1989, there were 600,000, and in 1979, there were 1.3 million, according to data sent to Green Matters by Space For Giants. Many factors have contributed to elephant populations decreasing, but one of the most significant is poaching. Poachers in Africa have illegally killed an estimated 110,000 elephants over the past decade - about one quarter of what Africa’s elephant population was 10 years ago.
Only Elephants should wear Ivory!
This beautiful scene of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) grazing in the early morning light was captured during a photography safari on an early morning game drive in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
On the last day of the year in 1994, 302207 rolls into Dagenham Dock station with a Fenchurch Street to Leigh on Sea service.
This line was labelled as the 'misery line' through the late 1990s, with these (by then) ancient trains and elderly signalling contributing to significant delays for the long suffering commuters.
112 sets of these trains were built at British Rail's York and Doncaster works. 20 were used on the Great Eastern lines out of Liverpool Street, but the remainder were the ubiquitous commuting trains from Fenchurch Street from electrification in November 1961 until the mid 1990s.
From the early 1990s, class 310 and class 312 units took over the majority of workings on the line. By the date of this picture, class 302s were limited to some peak hour diagrams.
Note the searchlight signal at the end of the platform (replaced as part of route resignalling in 1996) and the crane from the Dagenham freightliner terminal.
Some interesting facts about probably the cutest world's rodents (Sciurus vulgaris):
- They do not hibernate;
- They hide nuts and seeds in the ground, which contributes to the growth of the tree population;
- Front teeth grow throughout life;
- They have a multifunctional tail - it helps to keep balance, brake, and even serves as an umbrella;
- If they look anxious, nervously jumping on the branches making high-pitched whistles (and there is no particular threat), it means that in 6-10 hours it will probably rain;
- If they hide in a hollow and their activity decreases, it means that a storm is coming.
Kilka interesujących faktów o tych jakże pociesznych gryzoniach (Sciurus vulgaris):
- Nie zapadają w sen zimowy;
- Ukrywają w ziemi orzechy i nasiona, co przyczynia się do wzrostu populacji drzew;
- Przednie zęby rosną przez całe życie;
- Mają wielofunkcyjny ogon - pomaga utrzymać równowagę, hamować, a nawet bywa parasolem;
- Jeśli wyglądają na zaniepokojone, nerwowo skaczą po gałęziach wydając wysokie gwizdy (a nie widać szczególnego zagrożenia), to znaczy, że prawdopodobnie za 6-10 godzin wystąpią opady;
- Jeśli chowają się w dziupli, a ich aktywność się obniża, to znaczy, że nadejdzie burza.
A booth on Bombay Beach is ready for confessions. This installation is likely part of the Bombay Beach Biennale which occurs on random dates in the spring. The Biennale was founded in 2015 to provide renegade artistic, musical and philosophical expression outside of commercial galleries and events. It also highlights the ecological crisis of the Salton Sea. While thousands of people attend the party and many contribute art, music and performances of every description, we must have visited during a hiatus as we saw almost no one.
view of the east side of the 400 block of N. Main St. between E. Market St. (behind us) and E. Monroe St. (ahead).
The eight buildings in this view were all completed during a ten-year span between 1871 and 1881. Seven of the eight buildings are contributing architectural properties in the Bloomington Central Business District which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1985. The district includes roughly twelve square blocks of the city and encompasses 140 buildings, 118 of which are contributing buildings to the district's historic character.
From left to right the historic name, completion date and street addresses of the eight buildings are:
▪ Dr. W.H. Smith Building, 1880, 415 N. Main St.
▪ Dr. T. Hacriny Building, 1871, 413 N. Main St.
▪ Trimter-Reibsame Building, 1871, 411 N. Main St.
▪ F. Niergarth Building, 1871, 409 N. Main St.
▪ Stutz-Major Building, 1871, 405-407 N. Main St.
▪ H. Jetter Building, 1871, 403 N. Main St. Non-Contributing due to a remodeling of the front facade.
▪ Evans Grocery Building, 1871, 401 N. Main St.
The Eddy Building, c. 1887-1894 at 421-427 N. Main St., is listed as a contributing building on the National Register but has since been demolished. Today the space is a parking lot.
The architectural style of this block is primarily Italianate. Today these buildings are home to a book store, thrift shop, clothing store, studio, coffee house, bakery, insurance agent, and a legal office. Upper floors provide both office space and apartments.
Bloomington is the seat of McLean County. It is adjacent to Normal, and is the more populous of the two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area. Bloomington is 135 miles (217 km) southwest of Chicago, and 162 miles (261 km) northeast of St. Louis. The estimated population of Bloomington in 2019 was 77,330, with a metro population of 191,067.
This image too is from Harbourville, N.S. It also illustrates many of the contributing elements that make this place so unique. The vivid colors on the homes that enhance the beauty of this village. The many colors used on the fishing vessels. And of course, the mud flats when the tide is out. This is all part of the Bay of Fundy, where tides are the most extreme in the world.
It would be an interesting conversation with the captain of this troller, to discover how it remains upright. Angled above the mud, precariously moored on an angle, and equipped with a "V" bottom. It all looks rather challenging to this untrained eye, but to them, just another day parked on the sidelines.
A quick trip to Lake Springfield found this male Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) offering a worm to a fledgling. We saw the youngster in a tree then the male on the ground then this.
I guess this fellow went beyond what the Cornell Labs says males contribute: "The male Eastern Bluebird displays at his nest cavity to attract a female. He brings nest material to the hole, goes in and out, and waves his wings while perched above it. That is pretty much his contribution to nest building; only the female Eastern Bluebird builds the nest and incubates the eggs."
"Bayeux Cathedral, also known as Cathedral of Our Lady of Bayeux (French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux), is a Roman Catholic church located in the town of Bayeux in Normandy, France. A national monument, it is the seat of the Bishop of Bayeux and Lisieux and was probably the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry, still preserved nearby. The cathedral is in the Norman-Romanesque architectural tradition.
The site is an ancient one and was once occupied by Roman sanctuaries. The present cathedral was consecrated on 14 July 1077 in the presence of William, Duke of Normandy and King of England. It was on this site that William may have forced Harold Godwinson to take an oath of support to him, the breaking of which led to the Norman conquest of England – meaning that the oath must have been made before 1066." (Wikipedia)
"[...] The crypt was walled up and forgotten in the Middle Ages. It was not rediscovered until the 15th century. This probably contributed to the fact that the original design was retained. A Romanesque cross vault spans two rows of columns with simplified Corinthian capitals. The arches above the capitals are decorated with ocher-coloured drawings of angels playing music with various instruments. There are colourful frescoes on the side walls. [...]" (Translated from German Wikipedia entry)
This image, taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, shows the colorful "last hurrah" of a star like our sun. The star is ending its life by casting off its outer layers of gas, which formed a cocoon around the star's remaining core. Ultraviolet light from the dying star makes the material glow. The burned-out star, called a white dwarf, is the white dot in the center. Our sun will eventually burn out and shroud itself with stellar debris, but not for another 5 billion years.
Our Milky Way Galaxy is littered with these stellar relics, called planetary nebulae. The objects have nothing to do with planets. Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century astronomers called them the name because through small telescopes they resembled the disks of the distant planets Uranus and Neptune. The planetary nebula in this image is called NGC 2440. The white dwarf at the center of NGC 2440 is one of the hottest known, with a surface temperature of more than 360,000 degrees Fahrenheit (200,000 degrees Celsius). The nebula's chaotic structure suggests that the star shed its mass episodically. During each outburst, the star expelled material in a different direction. This can be seen in the two bowtie-shaped lobes. The nebula also is rich in clouds of dust, some of which form long, dark streaks pointing away from the star. NGC 2440 lies about 4,000 light-years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Puppis.
The material expelled by the star glows with different colors depending on its composition, its density and how close it is to the hot central star. Blue samples helium; blue-green oxygen, and red nitrogen and hydrogen.
Credit: NASA, ESA, and K. Noll (STScI), Acknowledgment: The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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The Diver Jan visits a newly discovered wreck, which is, although know for more than two years, not positively identified yet. Using Rebreathers, we were able to extend our Bottom Time massively, so our findings might contribute to the ID of that Wreck. The measurements we took fit to our suspected ship...
2016_Jan-02586
Richard Cobden (1804 - 1865), MP, led the successful campaign for the repeal of the Corn Laws in the 1840s, leading to free trade, reducing hunger and inflation in Britain. Another free trade initiative was the Cobden-Chevalier Treaty of 1860, promoting closer interdependence between Britain and France.
The statue was erected by public subscription (to which Napoléon III contributed) 3 years after his death.
[Wikipedia]
The pigeons seem to like it. 😁
This image showcases the beautiful Baroque cityscape of Modica, a jewel of Sicily, as seen from the vantage point of the Church of San Pietro. The foreground is dominated by the church's intricate statues, each standing tall on stone pedestals, representing saints who contribute to the spiritual gravitas of the site. This church, a masterpiece of the Sicilian Baroque style, was rebuilt in the late 17th century after the devastating earthquake of 1693, which shaped much of the architectural history of the Val di Noto region.
The city of Modica, visible in the background, unfolds like a living postcard with its tiers of pastel-colored and ochre-toned buildings stacked along the hillside. This historical layering reflects centuries of architectural evolution, with medieval and Renaissance influences nestled alongside the more dominant Baroque features. The narrow streets and traditional balconies adorned with plants create a picturesque and inviting atmosphere that has earned Modica a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Architecturally, the area is defined by its harmony of form and function, with limestone facades and terracotta rooftops blending seamlessly into the rugged Sicilian landscape. The Church of San Pietro itself is a prime example, featuring an ornate facade, detailed carvings, and a grand staircase leading to its entrance, which enhances its imposing presence. Surrounding structures complement this aesthetic with arches, columns, and wrought-iron details that highlight the artisanship of the period.
Modica is also celebrated for its culinary traditions, particularly its unique chocolate, which follows a centuries-old Aztec recipe introduced by the Spanish. The city's chocolatiers craft this delicacy with a grainy texture and rich flavor, making it a must-try for visitors. Alongside chocolate, Modica's markets and restaurants offer a range of Sicilian specialties, such as arancini, cannoli, and pasta dishes that reflect the island's diverse cultural influences. This blend of history, architecture, and gastronomy makes Modica a captivating destination for any traveler.
RX_02825_20240512_Modica
Hard to ignore this rocky natural leading line to the lighthouse!
The history of Cape Palliser Lighthouse:
Cape Palliser features prominently in Maori history and the legends of Kupe. The area also featured in the colonisation of New Zealand.
The rugged coast and notorious Cook Strait gales contributed to many early shipwrecks. Six months before the light was lit in 1897, a ship was wrecked within 4 miles of the new tower and 12 of the 21 crew drowned. While a light on Cape Palliser reduced the number of shipwrecks, the area still remained hazardous for the unwary.
The tower at Cape Palliser has been painted with red and white stripes to make it stand out from the hills behind it. There are only two other lighthouses in New Zealand with stripes, rather than the standard plain white. Dog Island Lighthouse and Cape Campbell Lighthouse have black and white stripes.
Operation of the Cape Palliser light:
Cape Palliser lighthouse is still fitted with the original Fresnel lens, which was installed in 1897.
In 1954 the light was converted from oil to diesel-generated electricity. In 1967 it was connected to mains electricity. A diesel-electric generator provides standby emergency power.
The lighthouse was automated and the keepers were withdrawn in 1986.
The light is monitored remotely from Maritime New Zealand’s Wellington office.
Life at Cape Palliser light station:
Owing to its isolation in the early days, life at Cape Palliser created its own unique problems for the keepers and their families.
The original access to the lighthouse was a dirt track up a 58 metre-high cliff. This was a dangerous walk for the keepers, especially in stormy weather.
In 1912 a set of 258 steps were built up to the tower, which provided the keepers with much safer access, although still a physically demanding walk.
Stores were delivered to the station every 3 months. If the seas were too rough, the stores could be landed at the more sheltered Kawakawa Bay, some 6 kilometres away. The Cape Palliser letter book is filled with countless tales of stores being lost during the unloading process.
With the storage buildings and keepers’ homes at sea level, the unloading was easier than at many other stations where goods had to be hauled up cliffs using a trolley on rails. The keepers still had to haul the light supplies (oil and kerosene) up the cliff face to the light station. They did this on a railway, using a hand winch.
When the lighthouse was eventually connected to the nearby settlements by road, keepers would collect their mail and supplies once a week from Pirinoa. (Courtesy www.maritimenz.govt.nz)
© Dominic Scott 2024
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From the writings of Stephen Eckard, deputy director of civilian relief for the American Red Cross during WW2: "Houses dating from the 17th and 18th centuries clothe the slopes of Castle Hill. Here Eckard can see evidence of the city's history before his eyes. In these houses lived the merchants who risked their money on trade with the New World. Their motive was profit ----- but their enterprise contributed considerably to the development of North America."
Now we look down towards the Job Centre (green sign, left).
At the bottom of the hill are more treasures that I hope to post here soon.
You know I don't do much wildlife, so I thought it was about time to contribute.
Straight and Narrow Theme
For nature management in the Netherlands, cattle of the Blonde d’Aquitaine breed are primarily used. These cattle graze year-round, together with their calves, in the area and are part of the 'heathland beef' initiative. They contribute to the preservation of the heath landscape and support ecological nutrient cycling.
The Philippi Area is associated with outstanding historical figures and events that have contributed decisively to the formation of Western culture. Unique architectural monuments that have survived to this day bear witness to the centuries-old history of the cultures that developed and met in this area.
The ancient city of Philippi was originally (360 BC) a colony of the Thasians, which was called Krinides. Soon, however, the city was conquered by Philip II, the then almost invincible king of Macedon, who fortified the settlement and gave it his name.
In Hellenistic times, the city received its city walls, a theater, numerous public buildings and private residences.
The most impressive building from that period, despite the numerous subsequent reconstructions, is undoubtedly the Ancient Theatre of Philippi, where the performances of the Philippi Festival take place every summer.
In the second century B.C., the Via Egnatia, one of the most important military and commercial routes of the ancient world, which ran through Philippi, made the city an important point of reference for the entire area.
The most significant event during the Roman period that was to seal the history of the city once and for all was the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, in which the supporters of the Republic under Brutus and Cassius fought against the supporters of the monarchy under Mark Antony, Octavian (later Emperor Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire) and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus.
The Republicans lost, their leaders chose suicide and for Rome this marked the beginning of the period of imperial Rule.
Nevertheless, yet another significant event was to profoundly influence the physiognomy of the city.
The arrival of the Apostle Paul to the Gentiles, who founded the first Christian church congregation on European soil here around the year 49/50 AD.
The advance of the new religion and the transfer of the capital of the Roman Empire to Constantinople gave Philippi great prestige. In early Christian times (4th-6th centuries), an eight-sided building complex, the "Octagon", whose main church was dedicated to the Apostle Paul, was built on the site of the Roman buildings, as well as the "Bishop's Palace" and three other magnificent basilicas and private houses.
The city of Philippi was gradually abandoned from the early 7th century due to severe earthquakes and Slavic invaders.
In Byzantine times there was a fortification here, while at the End of the 14th century the settlement was completely devastated After the conquest by the Turks.
The excavation and research work in Philippi was started in 1914 by the French Archaeological School.
After the 2nd World War, the Archaeological Service and the Archaeological Society of Greece carried out systematic excavations.
Today, the excavation work continues by the Archaeological Service, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the French Archaeological School.
The finds are kept in the Archaeological Museum of Philippi.
Since July 2016, the archaeological site of Philippi has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
I don't want to be rude my friends, But it's almost impossible for me to comment on all your Beautiful Pictures, I hope you understand that, Thank you very much.
Thanks for your Visit Views Faves and Comments, have all a Nice Weekend. 🌞✌
Das Amphitheater von Philippi *(Infos)
Die Gegend von Philippi wird mit Herausragenden Historischen Persönlichkeiten und Ereignissen in Verbindung gebracht, die entscheidend zur Formung der westlichen Kultur beigetragen haben. Einzigartige Baudenkmäler, die bis heute erhalten sind, zeugen von der jahrhundertalten Geschichte der Kulturen, die sich in dieser Gegend entwickelten und aufeinandertrafen.
Die antike Stadt Philippi war ursprünglich (360 v. Chr.) eine Kolonie der Thasier, die Krinides genannt wurde. Schon bald jedoch wurde die Stadt von Philipp II., dem damals nahezu unbezwingbaren König von Makedonien erobert, der die Siedlung befestigen ließ und ihr seinen Namen gab.
In hellenistischer Zeit erhielt die Stadt ihre Stadtmauer, ein Theater, zahlreiche öffentliche Gebäude und private Wohnhäuser.
Das beeindruckendste Bauwerk aus jener Zeit ist – den zahlreichen späteren Umbauten zum Trotz –zweifelsohne das antike Theater von Philippi, in dem alljährlich im Sommer die Aufführungen des Festivals von Philippi stattfinden.
Im zweiten vorchristlichen Jahrhundert machte die durch Philippi verlaufende Via Egnatia, eine der bedeutendsten Militär- und Handelsstraßen der antiken Welt, die Stadt zu einem wichtigen Bezugspunkt für die gesamte Gegend.
Das bedeutendste Ereignis während der Römerzeit, dass die Geschichte der Stadt ein für alle Mal besiegeln sollte, war im Jahre 42 v. Chr. die Schlacht bei Philippi, in der die Anhänger der Republik unter Brutus und Cassius gegen die Verfechter der Monarchie unter Marcus Antonius, Octavian (den späteren Kaiser Augustus, den ersten Kaiser des römischen Reichs) und Marcus Aemilius Lepidus kämpften.
Die Republikaner verloren, ihre Anführer wählten den Freitod und für Rom begann damit die Zeit der Kaiserherrschaft.
Dennoch sollte noch ein weiteres bedeutendes Ereignis die Physiognomie der Stadt zutiefst beeinflussen.
Die Ankunft des Völkerapostels Paulus, der hier um das Jahr 49/50 n. Chr. die erste christliche Kirchengemeinde auf europäischem Boden gründete.
Das Vordringen der neuen Religion und die Verlegung der Hauptstadt des römischen Reiches nach Konstantinopel verliehen Philippi großes Ansehen. In frühchristlicher Zeit (4. -6. Jahrhundert) wurde an der Stelle der römischen Bauten ein achtseitiger Gebäudekomplex, dass „Oktogon“ angelegt, dessen Hauptkirche dem Apostel Paulus geweiht war, sowie auch der „Bischofspalast“ und drei weitere prächtige Basiliken und Privathäuser.
Die Stadt Philippi wurde ab dem frühen 7. Jahrhundert aufgrund schwerer Erdbeben und slawischer Invasoren nach und nach verlassen.
In Byzantinischer Zeit befand sich hier eine Befestigungsanlage, während die Siedlung Ende des 14. Jahrhunderts nach der Eroberung durch die Türken völlig verwüstet wurde.
Die Ausgrabungs- und Forschungsarbeiten in Philippi wurden im Jahre 1914 von der Französischen Archäologischen Schule begonnen.
Nach dem 2. Weltkrieg führten der Archäologische Dienst und die Archäologische Gesellschaft Griechenlands systematische Ausgrabungen durch.
Heute werden die Ausgrabungsarbeiten vom Archäologischen Dienst, der Aristoteles-Universität Thessaloniki und der Französischen Archäologischen Schule fortgeführt.
Die Funde werden im Archäologischen Museum von Philippi aufbewahrt.
Seit Juli 2016 ist die archäologische Stätte von Philippi im Verzeichnis des UNESCO-Welterbes enthalten.
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Extensive high mountain livestock farming in the Pyrenees is an ancient and sustainable activity that must be protected because it has contributed to shaping and conserving the landscape by protecting forests from large fires, consuming exclusively natural resources and being the main means of subsistence for small communities. that otherwise would have disappeared long ago due to depopulation. It is totally opposite to the enormous intensive farms that consume immense quantities of water (increasingly scarce) and feed where thousands of animals survive in terrible conditions, generating tons of feces that contaminate the groundwater with nitrates and to which large quantities of amounts of antibiotics are supplied. These reach human consumers creating infections by resistant bacteria that are increasingly difficult to treat.