This beautiful bungalow was built in 1916 by Walter Crawford, a lumberyard owner. According to the Philip H. Decker book A Window On The Past. Residences of Jacksonville, Illinois: Their History And Design 1833-1925, it is one of the few houses in Jacksonville that was designed and to a large extent built by its original owner.

The one-and-a-half story house has a flat lapped clay tile roof which, according to Decker, was brought from France as ballast in a ship and gives the house something of the feeling of a country cottage. The house also features a country garden on the south and east sides, It is the result of Mrs. Crawford's abiding interest in China, the land where she was born and raised as a child of Methodist missionaries. Note the carved wooden gates on the right leading to the back yard.

The Walter Crawford House 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.

Source: Decker, Philip H. A Window On The Past. Residences of Jacksonville, Illinois: Their History And Design 1833-1925. Morgan County Historical Society

Second image in my Bird Art series...

As promised, this is that same image as yesterday's post, but processed in it's realistic form.

Many prefer a more natural look like this, and I like it a lot, too. Still, I like to be creative and to process much of my work in an artistic style.

I love that everyone can express themselves in their photographic work and that together, we can all contribute to making the world a more beautiful place.

And of course, the birds themselves add so much beauty and wonder to the world through their existence and wonderful lives!

I had the pleasure of visiting a lake in North Frontenac last week, a really special visit thanks to the incredible heat and dryness everywhere. They were there too, but the wild, forested surroundings and the presence of the lake water was enough to take the edge off. Though for a medium-sized lake, the drop in water level was striking. One of the real treats was the absence of an internet connection, which contributed to the restful disengagement.

The heat cut way down on the hiking plans, and so parking myself in the shade of the giant walls of Cedar was my fallback plan. It was hotter in the camp than it was in that shade, so I spent more time there than I might have.

Timing meant there was some migrant movement. A few small and mixed flocks of summer birds visited, hunting for insects in the Cedars. It was not really my prime focus for bird photography, as there were families of Loons on the water, but every once in a while a bird would pop up and out and it was fun to watch them.

I heard the Vireos for a couple of days before I was able to get an image. When they came through, their odd songs were really loud and distinctive. They are like a higher pitched and slower American Robin. The Cornell description, which is great as their accounts usually are, describes it as the bird asking a question, answering it, and then asking it again. It is worth listening to on their site, because it comes in handy being ready for a bird that hunts deep inside shrubs and foliage, and then pops out.

New dawn - A spectacular day dawns at Ribblehead Viaduct with a sky bursting with colour.

The Settle and Carlisle railway line is presently being used by Avanti West Coast a a diversionary route as the West Coast Main Line is shut (as is the M6) with the replacement of the Clifton bridge just outside Penrith.

I have a personal connection with the Ribblehead Viaduct and the Settle and Carlisle line. I joined the public campaign back in the mid 1980s to halt the proposed closure of the line with the cost of repairs to the Ribblehead Viaduct having been sighted as a main contributing factor to the economics for the closure of the line.

Not only being one of the formal 9000 or so objectors (+1 dog!) to the closure, I also wrote to my MP at that time (Anthony Beaumont-Dark), the Transport Minister (Michael Portfolio) and the Prime Minister (Margaret Thatcher), citing the importance of the line as a key diversionary route for the West Coast Main Line.

I received a personal reply from all three and a commitment from them to take my concerns and points forward. The line was eventually saved and the rest is history as they say.

I do feel some tiny vindication today with Avanti running their latest Evero class trains over the viaduct some 40 years later :-)

Ribblehead Viaduct, Yorkshire Dales National Park

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The PrintAid Project was started in April to raise money for the earthquake disaster in Japan by selling photography prints (including one of mine). It eventually raised £1,133 for the Red Cross! THANKS to everyone who contributed. Although this particular project has been wrapped up, people in Japan are still in need and there are numerous ways to continue helping out.

A view of the Livingston Building on the southwest corner of W. Washington and N. Main streets in downtown Bloomington. The Livingston Building is a contributing architectural property in the Bloomington Central Business District 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.

The 1903 six-story Livingston Building is considered the first "skyscraper" to be built in Bloomington. Built at a cost of $36,000, it is the first steel frame construction building in Illinois outside of Chicago. Designed by Bloomington architect George Miller, the Livingston building is an example of Chicago School architectural style. The design incorporates many elements which would later be connected to what is now called the Sullivanesque Style, after Louis Sullivan.

The building is decorated on both its north and east side with pressed metal oriels. The lower base of the Livingston also makes use of columns, and the top is ornamented by a detailed cornice. The Livingston Building's oriels are arranged in a curtain wall where they are located on the building. Above the first story the windows are flanked by pressed metal spandrels and the third through sixth floors are clad in red brick. One of the oriels faces Washington Street and two face Main Street. The windows are supported by terra cotta brackets and the upper spandrels are ornamented with terra cotta paneling.

The Livingston building was home to the Livingston and Sons department store for its first eleven years, until the store was relocated just down the block to 110-114 W. Washington in 1914. Walgreen Drug Store and numerous legal and insurance business occupied the buildings between 1927 and 1969. Outside of the businesses which have called the Livingston home, the building was also well known for its roof garden in the early 1900s - a site for many dances and other musical performances.

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.

A view of the Anderson Building, former home of the C. H. C. Anderson Banking Company, on the north side of the Carlinville Square east of N. Broad St (left). The white stone building was erected in 1920 at a cost of $100,000. While Anderson Bank survived several economic downturns during its history, the bank failed during the Great Depression. Anderson Bank went into receivership in 1933 and was dissolved in 1941.

While this building lies within the Carlinville Historic District, it is not listed as contributing to the National Register of Historic Places listing. It is a shame how alterations to the front entrance have diminished this once beautiful structure.

Carlinville is the seat of Macoupin County in south central Illinois. It is located sixty miles north of St. Louis and 40 miles south of Springfield, the state capitol. At the 2020 census, the population of Carlinville was 5,710.

A view of W. Main Street as seen from above Capitol Ave. in the heart of the Mount Sterling Commercial Historic District. The district includes four entire city blocks and parts of four others. Nearly all of the buildings in the district are Italianate commercial buildings; the only exceptions are a Classical Revival bank building (a portion of which is seen in the lower left) and the courthouse (shown previously), which incorporates both Italianate and Classical Revival elements. The district was added to the NRHP in 1987.

Mount Sterling is the seat of Brown County. The city had a population of 2,006 at the 2020 census.

Sources:

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Mount Sterling Commercial Historic District; Mount Sterling, Illinois (Wikipedia); Mount Sterling Commercial Historic District (Wikipedia), Brown County, Illinois (Wikipedia)

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.

I've decided to post some travel images on Tuesdays, beginning with a recent visit to Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

On the eastern edge of this city lies an abandoned Reformatory with a history that spans nearly one hundred years. This photograph is of a set of windows from this structure.

The facility sits on approximately 222 acres of serene greenspace. The walking trails and ponds that are enjoyed to this day conceal stories of incarceration, hard labour and notorious inmate escapes.

Built in 1911, with a cornerstone laid September 25th by then Prime Minister of Ontario Sir James Pliny Whitney, the facility housed 660 inmates by 1916. Alternatively known as the Guelph Correctional Centre, the institution signaled a turning point in the government of Ontario’s approach to crime and punishment. Politicians and social reform advocates of the early twentieth century sought to use productive work as a means of rehabilitating inmates for redemption after serving their sentence. The location was ideally suited for agriculture and quarry mining, and prisoners contributed to the local community with their labour.

From 1917 – 1921, prisoners were temporarily relocated, and the facility was converted into the Guelph Military Convalescent Hospital which cared for more than 900 injured WW1 veterans.

Officially decommissioned in 2001, the Reformatory buildings have been completely vacant since 2014, while the Province of Ontario and the City of Guelph continue to consult and strategize on how best to make use of these culturally significant lands and buildings.

I get that beef fat and butter

in this day and age are a sin

and contribute to the decline

of myself and this earth

But, my lords and ladies,

I am weak

I plead mercy,

and perhaps some ice cream

The flesh is weak (but tasty) by drunkenking

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!

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.

Lantana is a genus of about 150 species of perennial flowering plants in the verbena family, Verbenaceae. They are native to tropical regions of the Americas and Africa but exist as an introduced species in numerous areas. The genus includes both herbaceous plants and shrubs growing to 0.5–2 m tall. Their common names are shrub verbenas or lantanas. They are a mix of red, orange, yellow, or blue and white florets. Considered an invasive and toxic weed, flowers are pretty. The spread of lantana is aided by the fact that their leaves are poisonous to most animals and thus avoided by herbivores, while their fruit is a delicacy for many birds, including the yellow-fronted white-eye of Vanuatu, the superb fairy-wren in Australia, the scaly-breasted munia, and the Mauritius bulbul in the Mascarenes; these distribute the seeds and thereby unwittingly contribute to the degradation of their home ecosystem. 5058

In his korjaal - dugout - Stefano, denizen of Dan on the Upper Suriname River, and I paddled up Munjanwoojo Creek across the River exactly opposite the village. Lovely day because huge Cumulus Clouds later to turn into Nimbus took away some of the Sun's heat, and we paddled sweatless under the patchy-blue sky. The River itself was low - this is the dry season - and the Creek, too, wasn't contributing much water. Lots of mud- and sandbanks to carefully navigate around. And lots to see.

On a mudbank a midsize dozing Cayman, Vultures circled overhead looking for food left after villagers had used a Barbasco Liana the previous night on their fishing venture, in the mangroves a variety of Herons and other aquatic birds, Butterflies and Insects, and the perfectly round resting places of freshwater Sting Rays in the low sandbanks, and Ever So Much More.

And on a crystalline-pure sandbank this wondrously Blue Oligoclada laetitia, Happy Blue Dragonfly allowed me too snap it.

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.

Landmannalaugar, Fjallabak Nature Reserve, Iceland

Rhyolite falls in the category of volcanic rock, which is specifically made of quartz and silica, while there are other minerals inclusive of iron and Sulphur that contributes to adding colors to the mountains.

Excerpt from Wikipedia:

Park Hill Road Bridge (2002), formally known as the Queen Street Bridge (1933), was one of the three bridges credited with contributing to the development of early Galt. The bridge was reconstructed and widened to four lanes in 2002 retaining much of the original appearance.

.... is located in the Western Volcanic Cordillera, a region of extensive plateaus of volcanic rock or ignimbrite, as well as volcanic cones. A unique and spectacular scenic beauty.

Altitudes range from 4,300 to 6,014 m. This variation in altitude contributes to the diversity of landscapes and ecosystems.

The variety of terrain types, including foothills, plains + mountain ranges, provides diverse habitats for flora + fauna.

-------------------------------------

Höhenbereich von 4.300 bis 6.014 m.

Er liegt in der Westlichen Vulkanischen Kordillere, Region ausgedehnter Hochebenen aus vulkanischem Gestein oder Ignimbrit, sowie Vulkankegeln Eine einzigartige, spektakuläre landschaftliche Schönheit.

Diese Höhenvariation trägt zur Vielfalt der Landschaften + Ökosysteme bei. Geländeformen Vorgebirge, Ebenen + Bergketten bietet vielfältige Lebensräume für Flora + Fauna.

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.

Not far from where we were staying, I recorded this with little time to get there. Fortunately, I had scouted this place earlier in the day, just incase an opportunity were to arise. The clouds in the rest of the sky refused to play their part, and instead went from white to grey. However, remembering the power lines in this location, gave me an idea to use with this "Dragon's Tail" of light.

Lasting for what seemed no more than an instant, the light quickly faded. The silhouettes of both power lines and poles, served as major elements to the success of this shot, contrasting with the light. The dark greyish blue sky helped accentuate the bright streaking cloud, while the hill contributed as the ideal negative space.

www.photographycoach.ca/

The conversation was fast flowing, thoughtful and intelligent. All manner of topics were discussed - academies, finances in Education, relative living standards, perceptions of other countries, Insel culture and clotted cream - although we were struggling to keep up. Not that we were part of the conversation of course. We were busy earwigging from our neighbouring table as the group of five academics discussed the various weighty issues that faced the world as they saw it. From what we could tell, at least one of them was from a local university - Plymouth I expect - another was Irish, and two more were from Sweden - Gothenburg if the two plastic cups connected by a length of string were doing their job. They appeared to be talking around a joint presentation they had evidently been charged to prepare for. Well if you’re on an all expenses paid jolly you need to have something to show for the fruits of your Devon cream tea don’t you? Ali winced when they put the cream on first. Messes with the natural order of things in her book. I can never remember which version of the operation I'm supposed to be offended by.

I wonder whether the intellectuals noticed the two pairs of wagging ears at the next table. You see, Ali and I both worked at the same further education college for almost fifty years between us. In fact it’s where we met. Much of what we heard had an oddly familiar ring to it, and at times we almost felt as if we should be contributing. Now and again I felt that old sense of panic as I thought to myself, “I’m supposed to know about this. Hell, I’m supposed to have something clever to say on the subject at a moment’s notice. The principal and the governors are depending on it.” And then I remembered we were just wallflower snoopers, and that we had both long since retired. The only opinion I needed to offer to the world today was whether to ask for the cheese or the ham with my ploughman's lunch. I chose both. The only act of intelligence I had to carry out was to type Brenda’s registration number into the cafe’s new ANPR system without mixing up my zeros and O’s in the process. She has one of each and I’m easily confused.

Lunch over, we left the brains trust to work on their coffee fuelled collaboration and returned to the van, for the final episode of this latest adventure on the moors. I had a location very much in mind, one that would involve squeezing Brenda through a narrow stone gateway along a bouncing track, before wandering down the valley to the river that gave its name to the nearby village my grandmother was born and grew up in more than a hundred years ago. We came here as children, and I was sure there was a pool somewhere along the river, where we used to dive into the cool water on hot summer afternoons, years before having to muster up snippets of what I hoped might pass for considered insight on the finances of the education sector and whether the jam should be added to the scone first.

I hadn’t been to the river here for over forty years. Had I imagined it? I was beginning to think so as I tramped through the bracken along its course, trying to remember exactly where the pool was. Perhaps it was somewhere else entirely. Everything seemed much wilder all these years later, with a deal more vegetation to hamper our progress than I could remember - at least Mother Nature was winning the odd small battle against the human juggernaut in these untainted spaces. When finally I found it, I still wasn’t sure that this was the place. It seemed smaller, more intimate. And where was the waterfall? Had my memory made that bit up, or was the pool fuller in late August when we used to visit every summer? I sat on a rock a few yards down, wellies removed, dangling my feet in the water. And then I heard a small voice calling me. To my lasting surprise, Ali, who really doesn’t like cold water, had stripped down to her underwear and was wading into the pool. Before I knew it she was fully immersed, swimming across its width, catching her breath as the shock caught up with her. There was nothing for it. Within minutes I’d also removed all but my modesty and joined her, feeling the burning sensation of the freezing river gradually subside, to bring a cooling tingle to the heat of the Dartmoor afternoon. A group of cows arrived and grazed above the bank, watching us with bemused interest.

Once again we were reminded why we took early retirement to escape the endless business of trying to sound as though we knew what we were talking about. Here, on a Wednesday afternoon in a bathing pool high up on the moors, we wondered whether any of that had ever really mattered.

El río Aragón es un río del norte de España, uno de los principales afluentes del río Ebro. Drena una cuenca de 8524 km², tiene una longitud de 195 km y aporta al Ebro una media de 1300 hm³/año.

es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Río_Aragón

The Aragón River is a river in northern Spain, one of the main tributaries of the Ebro River. It drains a basin of 8,524 km², has a length of 195 km and contributes to the Ebro an average of 1,300 hm³ / year.

Railwaymen exchanging papers at Bódvaszilas station.

The 1980s vibe is contributed by the retro Bzmot unit, some minor Photoshop touch-ups, and the cosy atmosphere of the area.

"Lotus flowers [Nelumbo nucifera] are one of the most prominent tokens in Eastern cultures. In Hinduism and Buddhism, they’re considered the most sacred flower. Hieroglyphics from Ancient Egypt show this delicate flower alongside priests and pharaohs. Statues of Buddhist monks often include a lotus flower. Vietnamese and Indian people often associate the flower with gods and goddesses.

What is it about the lotus flower that has pushed it into legends for centuries? Beyond its beauty, it is the mystery that enshrouds the flower. The question surrounds its survival.

To understand, we must first explore the details of the lotus flower. We’ll delve into its history, properties, and symbolic meaning.

A cause for much of the mystery surrounding lotus flowers is that they are living fossils. Their existence stretches back some 145.5 million years. Lotus flowers even survived the Ice Age (1.8 million – 10,000 years ago). The Ice Age was a time of great geological and ecological change. Most plants in the northern hemisphere became extinct during this era.

This hardy flower also grows naturally from Russia to Australia, China to Iran. It seems they can survive the extremes of any climate.

These facts have contributed to lotus symbolism in cultures and religions throughout time." Source: flowerglossary.com

Konyaltii Beach at the west side of Antalya.

Inner peace is not a question of external circumstances, rather of internal readiness.

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An eastbound BNSF coal train rolls through Lombard, Montana. A bit of smoke from forest fires to the west contributes to a colorful sunset.

If you like my photograph, feel free to download it (for personal use only, no commercial, no print).

Just click the link down below in case you wish to contribute with a donation. That would be highly appreciated, thank you :)

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Lincoln's City Hall and Fire Department sits at the intersection of Broadway and N. McLean St., kitty-corner from the Logan County Courthouse on the northeast corner of the square. Constructed in 1886, the handsome Romanesque Revival building is a significant property in the Lincoln Courthouse Square Historic District that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

The telephone booth seen on the roof of City Hall is a Route 66 landmark. In the old days, the roof was used by the fire department as a lookout for weather spotters. If severe weather was spotted, a direct line from the booth to the fire house alerted the department to activate the storm siren.

The phone booth was added in the 1960s, and I can't imagine standing in it with the wind howling. This unique roof ornament was nearly lost to history when City Hall received a new roof in 2009 but, because of the historic value and the tradition, citizens spoke up and the historic conversation piece was kept in place.

The two buildings seen to north (left) of the courthouse in the 100 block of N. McLean St. also lie within the historic district. The closest building with two different facades at 114-116 N. McLean St. is an early 20th century commercial structure that is a contributing property in the historic district. The second building at 118 N. McLean St. dates to the 1890s. Originally an Italianate design, the structure was remodeled in the 1970s and is a non-contributing property in the district.

Lincoln is the seat of Logan County, which is situated in central Illinois approximately 26 miles northeast of Springfield, the state capitol. The estimated population of Lincoln in 2018 was 13,685.

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.

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

Es un placer asistir a las concentraciones de coches clásicos convocadas por el Club Horta Clàssics. En este caso se trata de la XIV Concentración de Coches Clásicos en Torrent, donde hemos podido ver y admirar algunos vehículos clásicos. El que aportamos en esta imagen es un automóvil CADILLAC TORPEDO que data aproximadamente de 1912 (según nos comentaron) y que como siempre presentamos editado con el GIMP.

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It is a pleasure to attend the concentrations of classic cars convened by the Horta Clàssics Club. In this case it is the XIV Concentration of Classic Cars in Torrent, where we have been able to see and admire some classic vehicles. The one that we contribute in this image is a CADILLAC TORPEDO car that dates approximately 1912 (as we were told) and that as we always present published with the GIMP.

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.

This image will continue to remind me of Hidden Grove, because of the way these branches partially reveal themselves to my camera. As if shy in nature, they give us only enough to let us know they are there. Hidden behind a tree trunk, and using another to gain confidence, they contribute their beauty to the surrounding.

"Hidden Grove is a beautiful forested area with a network of hiking trails that pass by several enormous Douglas Fir trees. Located just north of Sechelt, the many different paths offer a unique opportunity to plan your route through a lush west coast forest, on routes that are well maintained."

www.photographycoach.ca/

Brede Hilledijk - Rotterdam

Het nieuwe Nederlands Fotomuseum is 7 februari 2026 geopend. De nieuwe locatie is gerealiseerd in een gebouw van bijna 125 jaar oud. Het voormalige pakhuis Santos, gebouwd in 1902, voor de opslag van koffie die vanuit de haven van Santos in Brazilië werd verscheept. Destijds was het, het hoogste en modernste pakhuis van Rotterdam.

Naast de vaste collectie zijn er nu ook twee tijdelijke tentoonstellingen; "Rotterdam in focus". Een reis door foto's die het Rotterdamse landschap laten zien. Die reis begint met een foto uit 1843 en loopt door tot de hedendaagse drone- en panoramafotografie. Meer dan 300 foto's laten de ontwikkeling zien van 180 jaar fotografie. De andere tentoonstelling "ontwaken in blauw" is een ode aan de cyanotypie. Dit is een eeuwenoude fotografische techniek die diepe blauwtinten creëert. Zonlicht, water, schaduw en tijd helpen mee om het beeld te maken.

The new Netherlands Photo Museum opened on February 7, 2026. The new location has been realised in a building that is almost 125 years old. The former Santos warehouse, built in 1902 to store coffee shipped from the port of Santos in Brazil. At the time, it was the tallest and most modern warehouse in Rotterdam.

In addition to the permanent collection, there are now two temporary exhibitions: "Rotterdam in Focus." A journey through photographs depicting the Rotterdam landscape. This journey begins with a photograph from 1843 and continues through to contemporary drone and panoramic photography. More than 300 photographs illustrate the development of 180 years of photography. The other exhibition, "Awakening in Blue," is an ode to cyanotype, a centuries-old photographic technique that creates deep blue tones. Sunlight, water, shadow, and time all contribute to the creation of the image.

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".

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzhou

es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzhou

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".

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💜💜

The king penguin stands at 70 to 100 cm (28 to 39 in) tall and weighs from 9.3 to 18 kg (21 to 40 lb).

Although female and male king penguins look alike, they can be separated by their calls.[ Males are also slightly larger than females.

The mean body mass of adults from Marion Island was 12.4 kg (27 lb) for 70 males and 11.1 kg (24 lb) for 71 females. Another study from Marion Island found that the mean mass of 33 adults feeding chicks was 13.1 kg (29 lb). The king penguin is approximately 25% shorter and weighs around a third less than the emperor penguin.

King penguins are serially monogamous. They have only one mate each year, and stay faithful to that mate. However, fidelity between years is less than 30%. The unusually long breeding cycle probably contributes to this low rate.

This image was taken at Volunteer Point on the Falkland Islands.

Considering our upper level seating for my daughters graduation, this higher perspective rendered an interesting image. The repetition and high contrast of black and white, contributed as its own meaningful element. Do you remember your graduation, wearing the gown and throwing the mortarboard? (The cap)

www.photographycoach.ca/

Phlegm is an internationally renowned street artist and has contributed many murals to Sheffield’s walls over the years. His surreal illustrations are normally monochrome, although Sheffield has had some rare multicoloured murals painted by the artist.

This Skull and Crossbones is on the wall above the now closed book and record shop, Rare and Racy, on Devonshire Street In Sheffield.

The king penguin stands at 70 to 100 cm (28 to 39 in) tall and weighs from 9.3 to 18 kg (21 to 40 lb).

Although female and male king penguins look alike, they can be separated by their calls.[ Males are also slightly larger than females.

The mean body mass of adults from Marion Island was 12.4 kg (27 lb) for 70 males and 11.1 kg (24 lb) for 71 females. Another study from Marion Island found that the mean mass of 33 adults feeding chicks was 13.1 kg (29 lb). The king penguin is approximately 25% shorter and weighs around a third less than the emperor penguin.

King penguins are serially monogamous. They have only one mate each year, and stay faithful to that mate. However, fidelity between years is less than 30%. The unusually long breeding cycle probably contributes to this low rate.

This image was taken at Volunteer Point on the Falkland Islands.

Commonly known as hellebores, the Eurasian genus Helleborus consists of approximately 20 species of herbaceous or evergreen perennial flowering plants in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, within which it gave its name to the tribe of Helleboreae. Despite names such as "winter rose", "Christmas rose" and "Lenten rose", hellebores are not closely related to the rose family (Rosaceae). Many hellebore species are poisonous.

World Elephant Day has been celebrated every August 12th since 2012, when Patricia Sims and the Thailand-based nonprofit Elephant Reintroduction Foundation partnered to found the holiday. Over the past eight years, World Elephant Day has partnered with more than 100 elephant conservation organizations from around the world, and helped to raise awareness for the need to protect and preserve elephants.

Elephants are an endangered species, and the majestic animal’s population has shrunk significantly over the past few decades. For example, in Africa, there are only about 415,000 elephants remaining; in 1989, there were 600,000, and in 1979, there were 1.3 million, according to data sent to Green Matters by Space For Giants. Many factors have contributed to elephant populations decreasing, but one of the most significant is poaching. Poachers in Africa have illegally killed an estimated 110,000 elephants over the past decade - about one quarter of what Africa’s elephant population was 10 years ago.

Only Elephants should wear Ivory!

This beautiful scene of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) grazing in the early morning light was captured during a photography safari on an early morning game drive in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.

The Great Western Staircase is one of the Capitol’s most impressive features. Its stair well measures approximately 77 by 70 feet, and is 119 feet in height. Yet, it is also graceful and intricate, and a paradise of stone carving. Known in Albany as the Million Dollar Staircase, it was designed by H. H. Richardson, but transformed into an elaborately carved work of art by Isaac Perry. Governor Grover Cleveland called Perry out of retirement to become Commissioner of the Capitol in 1883. He was the last architect to work on the building and his involvement resulted in a dramatic increase in stone carving. At times he employed hundreds of stone carvers and cutters, paying them five dollars for a ten-hour day – twice the wage of a common laborer. The majority of the carvers were from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

A little bit on Howard A. "Dutch" Darrin, the coachbuilder, designer and builder of the two Packard's on the left in the image above. Howard A. "Dutch" Darrin, the man behind the 1937-1942 Packard Darrin left an indelible imprint, not only on the automobile, but on the people he met in the old car movement, long after his career building and designing cars had ended. Dutch Darrin was a kind of "breakaway designer." He was crusty, hardbitten and had no reticence about expressing his opinions. He had flashing blue eyes, snowy white hair in later life, a bubbling enthusiasm for what he liked, a withering contempt for what he didn't. Interviewing and reporting on Dutch was a test of a writer's finesse: the art of balancing Darrin's fierce convictions with the opinions of others who sometimes saw matters in quite a different way.

He had an automotive curriculum vitae that put to shame most of his design contemporaries. Starting in the Teens as a Westinghouse engineer, he invented an electric gearshift for John North Willys, deciding then and there to spend his career on cars instead of electronics. When he went to France with the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I, he fell in love with Paris.

In 1920 he set himself up as a custom coachbuilder, initially using the Minerva chassis. He was shortly building custom bodies for the cream of European society, working on his own or in successful partnership with designer Tom Hibbard and, later, a banker named Fernandez.

His friends were people the rest of us have only read about: René Mathis of Ford-France, André Citröen, Louis Renault, the brothers Panhard, Ettore Bugatti, Sir John Siddeley, princes and potentates, presidents and polo players. To have associated with all these; to have had the incredible luck he always acknowledged; to have enjoyed a rich career, and to have had fun doing it, is surely what the philosopher meant when he talked about living life to the fullest.

In 1937, Darrin moved to California, transferring his activities from individual to semi-custom bodies, but maintaining a distinct style that branded them immediately as his own. Here he was aided by two experienced coachbuilders, Paul Erdos and Rudy Stoessel, the latter going on to found California's long-lived Coachcraft Inc. Typically, Darrin made do with little, buying a former bottling factory with a good location: Sunset Strip, Hollywood.

He styled himself "Darrin of Paris," and like Raymond Loewy he had an aristocratic French accent that he could turn on or off as the need arose. Dutch's clientele now included the New World's aristocracy, such as Errol Flynn, Constance Bennett, Clark Gable, Ann Sheridan, and Carole Lombard.

Innately talented, Dutch was always personally involved in the cars that bore his name: everything from his custom bodies of the 1920s and 1930s through his reskinned Rolls-Royce Silver Shadows in the 1970s. Unlike Raymond Loewy, he was not a stylist-become-marketing expert, who discovered and hired talented employees and took credit (as Loewy had a right to do) for what they produced. Dutch did it all -- even supervised the construction of semi-customs like the famous Packard Darrins. They might not have been paragons of craftsmanship, but by gosh they were unique, beautiful, and as dashing as all get-out.

Darrin's Packard connection stemmed from his decision to return to America from France in 1937. He realized that the age of full-custom bodies was waning, but thought the Hollywood film colony would buy rakish semi-customs. His concept, for which he deserves credit as a pioneer, was to customize production cars and produce semi-customs -- relatively inexpensive, yet distinct from mass-market stuff. Of Packard he said, "Its chassis was unimpeachable, and its classic grille was a great starting point." He had always fancied himself "a strong grille man," depending on the radiator to focus his designs, though his favorite American production car was the grilleless Cord 810/812, designed by a man Dutch considered a genius, the late Gordon Miller Buehrig.

The first 1937 Packard Darrin taught Dutch a great deal about his semi-custom concept. Built in a Los Angeles body and fender shop before Darrin moved into Sunset Strip, it was created for actor Dick Powell. The chassis was from a 1938 Eight (aka One Twenty) and the body looked splendid, with sweeping fenders and a low beltline displaying the characteristic "Darrin dip" at the doors. But Dutch had cut up a business coupe to build it, and chassis for closed cars weren't as rigid as those for open models. The car leaked like a sieve and had too much body flex.

Darrin built two more five-passenger Packard Darrins at another body shop before the move to Sunset Strip, selling one to Clark Gable. Like the first example, these had wooden cowls, which contributed most of the shake, rattle, and roll. Once "production" got rolling at Sunset Strip, clever Rudy Stoessel designed a cast aluminum cowl, which made a huge difference on the 16-18 Darrin Packards built in 1938-1939.

Among their buyers were Rosalind Russell, Chester Morris, and Al Jolson, who each paid a cool $4200-5200, probably equivalent to six figures in today's money. (That was peanuts compared to some of the esoteric specials the movie crowd was buying at the time, supporting Dutch's idea of relying heavily on production car components.) For some of these customers, Packard Darrins were simply too special. Dick Powell sold car number one after a few months because people were noticing, waving, and chasing him for autographs.

I can go on, but I think that's enough to give you a flavor of this great automobile designer and builder, Howard "Dutch" Darrin. Most of the above is from the auto editors of Consumer Guide

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.

At lade billederne fortælle deres egen historie uden for mange forstyrrelser i motivet kan virkelig fremhæve deres naturlige skønhed og autenticitet. Hver detalje i billedet får lov til at skinne og bidrage til den samlede fortælling. Det er en kunst at kunne fange øjeblikke på en måde, der føles ægte og uforstyrret. Billedet viser en vinter skov i Næstved lokal privat skov. Skoven er fyldt med høje træer, hvoraf nogle har mos på stammerne. Skovbunden er dækket af et tykt lag af røde og brune blade, som er faldet fra træerne. Der er også flere store grene og stammer, der ligger spredt på jorden. I baggrunden kan man ane en lille sø eller vandløb, som tilføjer en rolig og naturlig atmosfære til scenen. Skoven ser ud til at være i en rolig og stille tilstand, typisk for vintermånederne, hvor træerne har mistet deres blade. Dette billede er interessant, fordi det fanger den naturlige skønhed og ro i en vinter skov, og det viser, hvordan naturen ændrer sig med årstiderne.

engelsk

Letting the photos tell their own story without too much distraction in the subject can really highlight their natural beauty and authenticity. Every detail of the picture is allowed to shine and contribute to the overall narrative. It's an art to be able to capture moments in a way that feels real and undisturbed. The picture shows a winter forest in Næstved, local private forest. The forest is filled with tall trees, some of which have moss on the trunks. The forest floor is covered with a thick layer of red and brown leaves that have fallen from the trees. There are also several large branches and trunks scattered on the ground. In the background, you can see a small lake or stream, which adds a calm and natural atmosphere to the scene. The forest appears to be in a calm and quiet state, typical of the winter months when the trees have lost their leaves. This image is interesting because it captures the natural beauty and tranquility of a winter forest, and it shows how nature changes with the seasons.

camera: Pentax K10D.

#jorgenhauge #næstved #vinter #skov #løv #blade #denmark #sydsjælland

This beautiful Queen Anne style house was built in 1894 for Oscar & Sara Mandel. Oscar, a philanthropist and leader in the Jewish community, owned My Store in downtown Bloomington. His family lived in the house for over 100 years.

The Oscar & Sara Mandel House is a contributing property in Bloomington's East Grove Street District. This residential historic district includes 43 houses and apartment buildings, 25 of which are considered contributing buildings. The houses in the district were built between 1855 and 1915 for many of Bloomington's upper middle class residents. Due to a building boom between 1880 and 1900, the then-popular Queen Anne style is the most prevalent in the district. Other popular architectural styles in the district include Greek Revival homes from the 1850s, Italianate homes built between 1860 and 1880, and Arts and Crafts homes built in the 1900s. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1987.

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.