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Lobster Cove, Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland,
Newfoundland and Labrador.
"Lobster Cove Head marks the northern side of the entrance to Boone Bay. A few kilometres inside the entrance, the bay separates into two fjords: the East Arm and the South Arm. The East Arm is by far the deepest and is practically surrounded by Gros Morne National Park, while the South Arm has a few settlements, including Woody Point, along its western shore.
In 1889, G.C. Fearn, the member of the legislative assembly for the district that included Lobster Cove, publicized the concern of the residents of his district over the lack of navigational aids in Bonne Bay. Each inhabitant of Rocky Harbour contributed a pint of oil each week to help fuel a light kept by a local fishermen in his own home. Fearn’s constituents felt they merited a stronger light provided by the government, and one resident even volunteered to keep it. "A stately old dame," Fearn wrote, "has offered to keep the lighthouse (when erected) free of salary and, said she, 'You may be sure, it will always be burning, for I have my three boys on the banks.' "
Inspector J.T. Nevill selected Lobster Cove Head in 1889 as one of four new lighthouse sites along the west coast of Newfoundland. Four years later, an iron tower was ordered from Victoria Iron Works of St. John’s, and the lantern and illuminating apparatus was ordered from Chance Brothers of Birmingham, England. In 1894, the lantern and apparatus arrived, but the light was not activated until the spring of 1898, when the necessary buildings had been constructed.
A kerosene vapour lamp was situated inside a fifth-order dioptric lens, which made twelve revolutions per minute to produce a flash every 2.5 seconds. The round, iron tower was painted white and connected via a covered way to the keeper’s dwelling, situated twenty feet to the east. The covered way and dwelling were painted white with black roofs.
Robert Lewis was appointed the first keeper of Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse at an annual salary of $504. William Young succeeded Lewis in 1902 and kept the light until 1941, when his son, George Young, became the third and final keeper of the light. George was one of eight children raised by William and Esther Young at the lighthouse.
Lobster Cove Head became a signal station in 1898, when signal flags started to be used to send messages between ships and the shore. Each flag that was raised up the pole represented a single letter or a phrase, depending on the context. The W flag doubled as I require medical assistance, the U flag could mean You are running into danger, and the J flag carried the important message, I am on fire and carry dangerous cargo.
Automated equipment was installed in the lighthouse in 1969, and the following year, Lobster Cove Head’s final keeper, George Young, retired. A contract to service the light was awarded to R. L. Hynes, and in 1970, Canadian artist William Caldwell was given a five year lease to the keeper’s dwelling. When the lease expired, the property was transferred to Parks Canada, and it is now part of Gros Morne National Park. In 1990, George Young was invited to raise the flag at the official opening of the keeper’s dwelling to the public. Interpretive exhibits inside the dwelling describe the history of the inhabitants who lived along the nearby shore and their dependence on the sea. One wall of the exhibit is devoted to the keepers of Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse, and one room shows how the residence was furnished when occupied by the keepers.
Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse was designated a Recognized Federal Heritage Building in 1990 because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value."
(www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=1272)
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Excerpt from www.insauga.com/niagara-on-the-lake-memorial-clock-tower-...:
The structure, which was unveiled on June 3, 1922, almost wasn’t built in the first place.
It was originally proposed to honour the town’s residents who fought in World War I but never made it home. The idea was so highly regarded that a Toronto architect, Charles M. Wilmott, was enlisted to design it.
A 27-person committee dedicated to its construction was quickly formed and included the future town mayor, J.M. Mussen. The committee calculated it could be built for $8,000, not much these days but a king’s ransom at the time.
However, not everyone was onboard with the plan. The mayor at the time, Jame Maphee, said the town would be better off spending $10,000 to build a hospital. Other residents wanted to build a new high school or a new sports park.
In the end, on June 28, 1920, they settled on the matter in the most democratic manner possible. They put it to a town-wide vote.
In the end, 316 people voted for the clock tower, 237 voted for a new hospital, 72 voted for a much smaller, more traditional memorial while just four people voted for the sports park and three voted for the high school.
When the clock tower was unveiled in 1922, Niagara-on-the-Lake quickly earned the distinction of being the only town or city in Canada with a war memorial in the middle of its main street.
Excerpt from www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=10406:
Description of Historic Place
Located on the main street of Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Niagara District Court House National Historic Site of Canada is a handsome stone building in a classical style. Its classicism is expressed through its symmetry and classical details, such as the central pediment, porch with columns, window surrounds, and stringcourses. The surviving interior spaces reflect the multiple uses for which this building was designed.
Heritage Value
The Niagara District Court House was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1980 because:
-designed by the prominent Toronto architect, William Thomas, in the fashionable Neoclassical style, it is an excellent example of a mid-19th century multipurpose civic structure.
The Niagara District Court House marks a step in the transition to large and more sophisticated civic buildings after 1850. Its greater scale resulted from the inclusion of a wide range of functions. In addition to the courtroom, offices and jail, the Niagara District Court House also included a town hall and market. The structure was designed by William Thomas, an architect of national standing, adept at several classical styles.
Character-Defining Elements
Key elements contributing to the heritage value of this site include:
- its Neoclassical design, as expressed by its mass, symmetry, stone façade, and classical details, such as the corner quoins, pediment, stringcourses, and porch with columns;
- its complex of interior spaces, which support its original multifunctionalism;
- its surviving interior finishes;
- its close relationship with the main street of the town and with its neighbouring buildings.
photo rights reserved by Ben
Close to the village of Arsha in the Kazbegi region lies the Arsha Waterfall, about five kilometers from Stepantsminda Kazbegi. The hike to the waterfall is considered easy and typically takes three to four hours. The trail is unpaved but well-trodden, surrounded by lush meadows, and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The waterfall is one of the lesser-known natural attractions in the area, contributing to its untouched and serene atmosphere. A bit further along is the Toti Waterfall, accessible via a steep trail that passes above the Arsha Waterfall. This waterfall offers spectacular panoramic views and is an ideal spot for a picnic. Visitors can enjoy the tranquility, the breathtaking nature, and even take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear water. For adventure seekers, it's possible to continue the hike to the nearby Gergeti Glacier, making the journey a full-day excursion.
The journey to the waterfall is a true challenge, yet also a breathtaking experience. The trail winds through rugged, arid terrain with steep inclines and loose rocks. Hikers must be well-prepared, as certain sections can be demanding and exhausting. However, the reward upon arrival is well worth it: a refreshing breeze from the waterfall and a stunning panoramic view. In the photo, Kanitha is seen reaching the Arsha Waterfall after an adventurous climb, set against the rugged, mountainous landscape of the Kazbegi region. The waterfall in the foreground contrasts strikingly with the dry surroundings, creating a spectacular natural destination. The steep slopes and untouched wilderness highlight both the challenge and the extraordinary beauty of this remote location..
Nabij het dorp Arsha in de Kazbegi-regio ligt de Arsha-waterval, op ongeveer vijf kilometer van Stepantsminda Kazbegi. De wandeling naar de waterval wordt als eenvoudig beschouwd en duurt doorgaans drie tot vier uur. Het pad is ongebaand maar goed begaanbaar, omringd door weelderige weiden en biedt prachtige uitzichten op de omliggende bergen. Toch blijft de tocht een ware uitdaging, maar tegelijkertijd een prachtige ervaring. Het landschap verandert geleidelijk van glooiende weiden naar ruigere, drogere grond met steile hellingen en losse stenen. Wandelaars moeten goed voorbereid zijn, want sommige delen van de route kunnen veeleisend en vermoeiend zijn. Maar eenmaal aangekomen, wacht de beloning: een verkoelende bries van de waterval en een adembenemend uitzicht. Op de foto is te zien hoe Kanitha, na een avontuurlijke klim, aankomt bij de Arsha-waterval, gelegen in het ruige, bergachtige landschap van Kazbegi. De waterval op de voorgrond vormt een sterk contrast met het dorre terrein, wat bijdraagt aan de ongerepte en serene sfeer. De steile hellingen en ongerepte wildernis onderstrepen zowel de uitdaging als de ongekende schoonheid van deze afgelegen plek. Nog iets verder ligt de Toti-waterval, bereikbaar via een steil pad dat bovenlangs de Arsha-waterval loopt. Deze waterval biedt spectaculaire panoramische uitzichten en is een ideale plek voor een picknick. Bezoekers kunnen hier genieten van de rust, de natuur en zelfs een verfrissende douche nemen in het heldere water. Voor de echte avonturiers is het mogelijk om verder te trekken naar de nabijgelegen Gergeti-gletsjer, wat de wandeling tot een dagvullende activiteit maakt.
Der Azaleen- und Rhododendronpark Kromlau ist ein ca. 200 ha großer Landschaftspark im Ortsteil Kromlau der Gemeinde Gablenz im Landkreis Görlitz. Er gilt als die größte Rhododendren-Freilandanlage in Deutschland und ist bei freiem Eintritt immer geöffnet. 1842 erwarb der Großgrundbesitzer Friedrich Hermann Rötschke das Gut Kromlau. Ab 1844, mit den ersten Anpflanzungen einheimischer und fremdländischer Gehölze in diesem Gut, stellte Rötschke fast die Hälfte seines Besitzes zur Gestaltung des Parks zur Verfügung. Es wurden Basaltsteine mit Ochsenkarren aus verschiedenen Steinbrüchen der Sächsischen Schweiz und Böhmen herbeigeholt. Aus den sechskantigen Basaltstelen entstanden Höhlen, Grotten und Pyramiden, der Richterstuhl, die Orgel, Himmel und Hölle, im Wasser und zu Lande. 1875 tauschte Friedrich Herrmann Rötschke sein Rittergut gegen Bauplätze in Wilmersdorf bei Berlin ein. Das Kromlauer Schloss hatte von hier an sieben Besitzer in vierzehn Jahren. 1889 erwarb Graf von und zu Egloffstein-Arklitten das Rittergut und beauftragte ab 1893 den Gartenbauinspektor Georg Eichler mit der Parkpflege. Dieser begann neben den bisherigen Baum- und Strauchgewächsen in größerem Umfang Rhododendren und Freiland-Azaleen anzupflanzen. Sie sollten zu einem harmonisch abgerundeten Erscheinungsbild der Parkanlage beitragen. Außerdem legten die Gartengestalter in den Moorsenken eigens zum Verkauf bestimmte Blumenzüchtungen an, die einen einträglichen Nebenverdienst erbrachten und der Entwicklung des Parks zugutekamen.
Nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg wurde der Kromlauer Park aufgrund der Bodenreform in Volkseigentum überführt und 1948 zum Naturschutzgebiet erklärt. Erst ab 1966 begannen die zielgerichtete Pflege und Rekonstruktion des Parks. Heute ist die Gemeinde Gablenz Eigentümer des Kromlauer Parkes.
Zu den interessantesten Bauwerken im Kromlauer Park zählen das Kromlauer Schloss und die von 1863 bis 1882 aus Basalt- und Feldsteinen errichtete Rakotzbrücke (Rakotz = Sorbisch für Krebs, denn Kromlau liegt im Siedlungsgebiet der Sorben), die im Volksmund auch Teufelsbrücke genannt wird. Mit einer Spannweite von 35 m quert sie den Rakotzsee, kann jedoch nicht betreten werden. Ihr Halbkreis spiegelt sich im See und bildet so optisch einen vollständigen Kreis. Die im See angeordneten Basaltsäulen werden „Orgel“ genannt. Eine Reihe von Wanderwegen erschließt den Park und die weiteren Sehenswürdigkeiten.
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azaleen-_und_Rhododendronpark_Kromlau
Kromlau Azalea and Rhododendron Park is a landscaped park covering around 200 hectares in the village of Kromlau, part of of the municipality of Gablenz in the district of Görlitz in east Saxony. It is considered the largest open-air rhododendron park in Germany and is always open with free admission. The large landowner Friedrich Hermann Rötschke acquired the Kromlau estate in 1842. From 1844, with the first plantings of native and non-native trees and shrubs on the estate, Rötschke allocated almost half of his property to the creation of the park. Basalt stones were brought in with ox carts from various quarries in Saxon Switzerland and Bohemia. Caves, grottos and pyramids, the Judge's Seat, the Organ, Heaven and Hell, in water and on land, were created from the hexagonal basalt steles. In 1875, Friedrich Herrmann Rötschke exchanged his estate for building plots in Wilmersdorf near Berlin. From then on, Kromlau Castle had seven owners in fourteen years. In 1889, Count von und zu Egloffstein-Arklitten acquired the manor and from 1893 commissioned the horticultural inspector Georg Eichler to maintain the park. He began planting rhododendrons and azaleas on a large scale alongside the existing trees and shrubs. They were to contribute to the harmonious appearance of the park. In addition, the garden designers planted flower cultivars in the bog depressions specifically for sale, which generated a lucrative side income and benefited the development of the park.
After the Second World War, the Kromlau Park was transferred to public ownership as a result of the land reform and declared a nature reserve in 1948. It was not until 1966 that targeted maintenance and reconstruction of the park began. Today, the municipality of Gablenz is the owner of Kromlau Park.
The most interesting buildings in Kromlau Park include Kromlau Manor and the Rakotz Bridge (Rakotz = Sorbian for crab - Kromlau is part of the settlement area of the recognised slavic minority of the Sorbs), which was built between 1863 and 1882 from basalt and fieldstone and is also known locally as the Devil's Bridge. With a span of 35 metres, it crosses Lake Rakotz, but can not be walked on. Its semi-circle is reflected in the lake and thus visually forms a complete circle. The basalt columns arranged in the lake are called ‘organs’. A series of hiking trails provide access to the park and the other sights.
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azaleen-_und_Rhododendronpark_Kroml...
🇫🇷 Le décor pourrait être en rapport avec une tradition locale, aujourd’hui oubliée, concernant l’origine d’une relique de la croix conservée au monastère, à moins qu’il n’ait fait allusion à une cérémonie religieuse exaltant la croix et sa signification pour des militaires. Si l’on en est réduit aux hypothèses, il est sûr en revanche que cette croix fut l’objet d’une dévotion importante L’image de Constantin et Hélène, qui réaffirme la dévotion portée à la relique du saint Bois, est liée au panneau des donateurs (les donateurs qui ont contribué à l'aménagement de ces églises, sont remerciés par leur portrait et leur nom inscrit (ou non).
Cette fresque est peinte sur la voute
version noir et blanc auteur inconnu
www.flickr.com/gp/philippedaniele/92C25G19S9
🇬🇧 The decoration may be related to a local tradition, now forgotten, concerning the origin of a relic of the cross kept at the monastery, unless it alluded to a religious ceremony exalting the cross and its significance for soldiers. If we are reduced to hypotheses, it is certain that this cross was the object of an important devotion The image of Constantine and Helena, which reaffirms the devotion to the relic of the Holy Grove, is linked to the donors' panel (the donors who contributed to the development of these churches are thanked by their portrait and their name inscribed (or not).
This fresco is painted on the vault
Black and white version Author unknown
www.flickr.com/gp/philippedaniele/92C25G19S9
🇩🇪 Die Verzierung kann sich auf eine heute vergessene lokale Überlieferung beziehen, die sich auf die Herkunft einer im Kloster aufbewahrten Kreuzreliquie bezieht, es sei denn, sie spielte auf eine religiöse Zeremonie an, bei der das Kreuz und seine Bedeutung für die Soldaten erhoben wurden. Wenn wir uns auf Hypothesen beschränken, ist es sicher, dass dieses Kreuz Gegenstand einer bedeutenden Verehrung war. Das Bild von Konstantin und Helena, das die Verehrung der Reliquie des Heiligen Hains bekräftigt, ist mit der Stiftertafel verbunden (den Spendern, die zur Entwicklung dieser Kirchen beigetragen haben, wird durch ihr Porträt und ihren Namen gedankt (oder auch nicht).
Dieses Fresko ist auf das Gewölbe gemalt
Schwarz-Weiß-Version Autor unbekannt
www.flickr.com/gp/philippedaniele/92C25G19S9philippedaniele/92C25G19S9 ...
🇪🇸 La decoración puede referirse a una tradición local hoy olvidada, que se relaciona con el origen de una reliquia de la cruz guardada en el monasterio, a menos que se refiera a una ceremonia religiosa en la que se exaltó la cruz y su significado para los soldados. Si nos limitamos a las hipótesis, es seguro que esta cruz fue objeto de una veneración significativa. La imagen de Constantino y Helena, que refuerza la veneración de la reliquia del Santo Hain, está asociada con la tabla de los donantes (a los donantes que contribuyeron al desarrollo de estas iglesias se les agradece a través de su retrato y su nombre (o no). Este fresco está pintado en la bóveda.Versión en blanco y negro Autor desconocidowww.flickr.com/gp/philippedaniele/92C25G19S9
🇮🇹 La decorazione può riferirsi a una tradizione locale oggi dimenticata, che riguarda l'origine di una reliquia della croce conservata nel monastero, a meno che non si riferisca a una cerimonia religiosa in cui la croce e il suo significato per i soldati erano esaltati. Se ci limitiamo a ipotesi, è certo che questa croce fosse oggetto di una significativa venerazione. L'immagine di Costantino e Elena, che conferma la venerazione della reliquia del Santo Bosco, è collegata alla tavola di fondazione (ai donatori che hanno contribuito allo sviluppo di queste chiese viene riconosciuto il merito attraverso il loro ritratto e il loro nome (o anche no). Questo affresco è dipinto sulla voltaVersione in bianco e nero Autore sconosciutowww.flickr.com/gp/philippedaniele/92C25G19S9
On July 16, 1969, the huge, 363-feet tall Saturn V rocket launches on the Apollo 11 mission from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center, at 9:32 a.m. EDT. Onboard the Apollo 11 spacecraft are astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, command module pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot. Apollo 11 was the United States' first lunar landing mission. While astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin descended in the Lunar Module "Eagle" to explore the Sea of Tranquility region of the moon, astronaut Collins remained with the Command and Service Modules "Columbia" in lunar orbit.
Credit: NASA
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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photo rights reserved by Ben
Close to the village of Arsha in the Kazbegi region lies the Arsha Waterfall, about five kilometers from Stepantsminda Kazbegi. The hike to the waterfall is considered easy and typically takes three to four hours. The trail is unpaved but well-trodden, surrounded by lush meadows, and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The waterfall is one of the lesser-known natural attractions in the area, contributing to its untouched and serene atmosphere. A bit further along is the Toti Waterfall, accessible via a steep trail that passes above the Arsha Waterfall. This waterfall offers spectacular panoramic views and is an ideal spot for a picnic. Visitors can enjoy the tranquility, the breathtaking nature, and even take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear water. The hike to Toti Waterfall leads through a rugged mountain landscape with breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and deep valleys. The trail winds along steep slopes and rocky paths, surrounded by dry grasslands and scattered shrubs. Along the way, impressive cliffs and natural formations add a unique character to the scenery. The fresh mountain air and the tranquility of nature make the journey an unforgettable experience. At the end, the spectacular Toti Waterfall awaits as a rewarding sight after the challenging climb.
The Gold Star Cottage is a charming accommodation in the beautiful surroundings of the Georgian Caucasus, near the Arsha Waterfall. The cottages in the photo have a modern A-frame architecture, which creates a cozy and cozy atmosphere, perfectly fitting into the mountain landscape. From the cottage you have a breathtaking view of the rugged mountains and the valley. In autumn the hills turn golden yellow, while in winter the surroundings transform into a fairytale snowy landscape. The proximity of the Arsha Waterfall makes this location ideal for nature lovers and hikers. It is a perfect place for travelers looking for peace, nature and spectacular mountain panoramas.
Nabij het dorp Arsha in de Kazbek regio, ligt de Arsha-waterval, op ongeveer vijf kilometer van Stepantsminda Kazbegi. De wandeling naar de waterval wordt als eenvoudig beschouwd en duurt doorgaans drie tot vier uur. Het pad is ongebaand maar goed begaanbaar, omringd door weelderige weiden en biedt prachtige uitzichten op de omliggende bergen. De waterval is een van de minder bekende natuurlijke attracties in het gebied, wat bijdraagt aan de ongerepte en serene sfeer. Nog iets verder ligt de Toti-waterval, bereikbaar via een steil pad dat bovenlangs de Arsha-waterval loopt. De wandeling naar de Toti-waterval voert door een ruig berglandschap met adembenemende uitzichten op besneeuwde bergtoppen en diepe valleien. Het pad slingert langs steile hellingen en rotsachtige paden, omringd door droge graslanden en verspreide struiken. Onderweg zijn er indrukwekkende kliffen en natuurlijke formaties die het landschap een uniek karakter geven. De frisse berglucht en de rust van de natuur maken de tocht een onvergetelijke ervaring. Aan het einde wacht de spectaculaire Toti-waterval als beloning voor de inspannende klim. De Gold Star Cottage is een sfeervolle accommodatie in de prachtige omgeving van de Georgische Kaukasus, vlak bij de Arsha-waterval. De huisjes op de foto hebben een moderne A-frame architectuur, wat zorgt voor een knusse en gezellige sfeer, perfect passend in het berglandschap. Vanuit de cottage heb je een adembenemend uitzicht op de ruige bergen en de vallei. In de herfst kleuren de heuvels goudgeel, terwijl in de winter de omgeving verandert in een sprookjesachtig besneeuwd landschap. De nabijheid van de Arsha-waterval maakt deze locatie ideaal voor natuurliefhebbers en wandelaars. Het is een perfecte plek voor reizigers die op zoek zijn naar rust, natuur en spectaculaire bergpanorama’s.
This series of photos will include some of the flowers.....
Geology and climate are important contributing to the successful establishment of plants within the park. Deep deposits of volcanic ash combined with even rainfall, mild winters and warm summer temperatures are conducive to plant growth for a range of species from around the world. With this variety of plant types Pukekura is unique in offering a diverse range of landscapes from dense remnant tawa/mahoe/pukatea forest to broad lawns with annual bedding displays and themed garden plantings.
Refueling stop over on his way south. If you look closely you can see he has foot fungus which will eventually contribute to his death.
Candles in memory of loved ones all over the world ~
We paused today on All Saints' Day to remember our loved ones who have gone on ahead of us. This season brings the bittersweet of memories- days with Jamie and others, thoughts so fleeting they seem like dreams . . .
This little turtle was a special gift from my wonderful Flickr friend, Kelly Dilello-Smith- Jamie's totem animal!
In our own personal remembrances, many MANY of your loved ones have been remembered along with ours.
Thank you all for contributing to my survival here. Life has been hard but this virtual community continues to bouy me up.
With love and thoughts for you all ~ Kim
Contributing Building – Winter Garden Downtown Historic District – National Register of Historic Places
NRIS #96000850
Opened 1941
Out here, kilts are not something most people see every day, and so when I noticed there were Flickr groups about kilts, I took a few snaps to be able to contribute to them.
This year, a few friends and I contributed to a little past-present theme for our town to be put into a calendar.
We had a heritage photo of a young girl holding a doll in front of a shop on main street from many many decades past. So, we found a girl of similar age and had her pose in front of the same storefront as it is today.
That result as it appears in the calendar is in the comment section below. I used my friend's photo for the calendar.
Later, I had the idea to composite the present-day girl into the old photo. First I removed the original girl from the old photo, and then I extracted the new girl and moved her into the old photo. By the way, I used my own version of the present-day photo because it wasn't my place to mess with the other photographer's photo.
© AnvilcloudPhotography
i thought i'd get some signs and stuff ready to promote the 'It's yours, take it!' street exhibition for which i'm one of the 'nailers'.
as always i got sidetracked and did some free art too
Born from the bowels of the Free Art Friday Flickr Group, "It's yours, take it!" is a global free art project taking place in 5 cities. Stateside we have Chicago,Illinois, Honolulu,Hawaii and Phoenix, Arizona. Outside the land of consumption is Tel Aviv, Isreal and Portsmouth Hampshire, UK.
38 artists are contributing one piece each to these five locations. In place of curators we have "Nailers"... those that will be putting these pieces up at an impromptu outdoor location. The installations will be put up around the last weekend of March, 2008. Stay tuned for previews of finished pieces and complete photographic coverage!
This view shows the south side of the 200 block of E. Washington St. in downtown Bloomington, two blocks west of the Old Courthouse Square. The two buildings on our immediate left were designed by architect A. T. Simmons. Simmons designed the Lafayette Apartments posted earlier in this series, but is probably best known for his more than 71 Carnegie libraries in Illinois and a dozen other states, along with numerous courthouses, schools, churches and other public buildings. Simmons also designed most of the houses in the Cedar Crest Historic District of Normal, Illinois, the other half of the twin municipalities of Bloomington and Normal.
The building with the Paxtons name over its entrance was the first of the two buildings to be constructed. Known as the C. U. Williams & Son Building, the four-story building was constructed as an automobile showroom, garage and lodge hall. Called “the largest in any city of Bloomington’s size,” this impressive steel-frame and brick edifice was testament to the coming automobile age. Of particular note are the large second-story showroom windows designed to display twice as many cars from the street.
According to the McLean County Museum of History, and his son Walter sold the latest models from early automakers, including E-M-F, Chalmers, Moon, Stearns, Studebaker, Willys-Overland and Woods (the latter known for its electric cars). "The manufacturers that we are representing are all old and well-established houses - there cars are long past the experimental stage," was a C. U. Williams & Son promise.
About four years after opening his automobile showroom, Williams commissioned A. T. Simmons to design the Castle Theatre next door. Upon its completion, Williams used the upper floors above the theater for garage space. Both buildings had freight elevators large enough to accommodate the cars of the day.
In later years an office equipment company by the name of Paxtons occupied the C. U. Williams & Son Building. It is now the home of the legal offices of Wylder Corwin Kelly LLP, trial lawyers specializing in medical malpractice.
The Castle Theatre opened January 24, 1916 as a 1,100-seat movie theatre. It was Bloomington's first real movie palace, and remained a popular Bloomington movie theater until 1988. The Castle Theatre reopened in 2003 after a much-needed restoration as a “brew and view” style first-run movie house but was closed again in January 2007. A church, which has used the theater for Sunday morning services since 2005, continued to meet at the Castle Theatre until late-2010. New owners took over and it is now used as a concert venue.
Both the C. U. Williams & Son Building and the Castle Theatre are contributing architectural properties in the Bloomington Central Business District listed in 1985 on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). 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.
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.
My entry for the 5th annual Summer Joust. Category: Tri-Colour
The rules of the competition dictated that I use a maximum of 3 colours to build a medieval MOC of my choice. The limitation on colour left me with little room for my customary style of employing vibrant colours to make my creations stand out, forcing me out of my comfort zone – which meant I had to get creative.
I decided to capitalize on the confined colour palette by adopting a simplistic, elegant style to match it. I’ve used white curved slopes to represent the city walls, grey regular slopes for the mountains, and a circular sand green base built on its side for the fields of Pelennor – all of which contribute to that simple, elegant appearance. I’m not entirely satisfied with how the half-circle base turned out (my supply of sand green is minimal, unfortunately), but overall I’m quite happy with the finished model.
Pasadena City Hall, completed in 1927, serves as the central location for city government in the City of Pasadena, California and it is a significant architectural example of the City Beautiful movement of the 1920s.
In 1923, the people of Pasadena approved a bond measure issuing $3.5 million towards the development of a civic center. City Hall was to be the central element of this center. The San Francisco architecture firm of Bakewell and Brown designed City Hall, which has elements of both Mediterranean Revival Style and Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture. It was completed on December 27, 1927 at a cost of $1.3 million. It measures 361 feet (110 m) by 242 feet (74 m), and rises 6 stories. There are over 235 rooms and passageways that cover over 170,000 square feet (16,000 m2). The defining dome, located above the west entrance, is 26 feet (7.9 m) tall and 54 feet (16 m) in diameter. On July 28, 1980 the Civic Center District, including Pasadena City Hall, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as listing #80000813.
The City Hall has long been a favorite shooting location for filmmakers. The courtyard was used in the 1995 movie "A Walk in the Clouds" to portray a Napa Valley town square. It has also been used as an embassy in the "Mission: Impossible" television series, and a villa in Charlie Chaplin's Oscar-nominated 1940 film "The Great Dictator." Pasadena City Hall currently serves as the city hall of fictional Pawnee, Indiana, in the television show "Parks and Recreation." The dome is visible through the window of the main characters' apartment building in the television show The Big Bang Theory.
Pasadena. California.
From our trip to the East Coast earlier this year for our daughter-in-law's college graduation.
I can "clearly see" this would have been an extremely "sweet-spot" to be for the New Years celebration. ;-)
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For a while now, I've been contributing photos to Google Maps.
It's a nice diversion from Charger only photos and a fun outlet for creativity. Although I haven't made it a priority to include my Charger in the photos, somehow the car has found its way into a few of my Spokane photos (imagine that).
A number of my photos have had over half a million views each which is pretty neat. It depends greatly on the location or business you add the photo to and also who's searching Google. I can't control it so I just enjoy it when one goes crazy. So, in no particular order, here are some of the photos I've uploaded to Google Maps over the last two years.
Taken with my cell phone.
(The best camera you have is the one you are carrying.)
One of the amazingly colourful Marine Iguanas from Suarez Point on Espanola
Marine Iguana
The Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) is an iguana found only on the Galapagos Islands that has the ability, unique among modern lizards, to live and forage in the sea. It has spread to all the islands in the archipelago, and is sometimes called the Galapagos Marine Iguana. It mainly lives on the rocky Galapagos shore, but can also be spotted in marshes and mangrove beaches. On his visit to the islands, Charles Darwin was revolted by the animals' appearance, writing “The black Lava rocks on the beach are frequented by large (2-3 ft), disgusting clumsy Lizards. They are as black as the porous rocks over which they crawl & seek their prey from the Sea. I call them 'imps of darkness'. They assuredly well become the land they inhabit.” In fact, Amblyrhynchus cristatus is not always black; the young have a lighter coloured dorsal stripe, and some adult specimens are grey. The reason for the sombre tones is that the species must rapidly absorb heat to minimize the period of lethargy after emerging from the water. They feed almost exclusively on marine algae, expelling the excess salt from nasal glands while basking in the sun, and the coating of salt can make their faces appear white. In adult males, coloration varies with the season. Breeding-season adult males on the southern islands are the most colorful and will acquire reddish and teal-green colors, while on Santa Cruz they are brick red and black, and on Fernandina they are brick red and dull greenish. Another difference between the iguanas is size, which is different depending on the island the individual iguana inhabits. The iguanas living on the islands of Fernandina and Isabela (named for the famous rulers of Spain) are the largest found anywhere in the Galápagos. On the other end of the spectrum, the smallest iguanas are found on the island on Genovesa. Adult males are approximately 1.3 m long, females 0.6 m, males weigh up to 1.5 kg. On land, the marine iguana is rather a clumsy animal, but in the water it is a graceful swimmer, using its powerful tail to propel itself. As an exothermic animal, the marine iguana can spend only a limited time in the cold sea, where it dives for algae. However, by swimming only in the shallow waters around the island they are able to survive single dives of up to half an hour at depths of more than 15 m. After these dives, they return to their territory to bask in the sun and warm up again. When cold, the iguana is unable to move effectively, making them vulnerable to predation, so they become highly aggressive before heating up (since they are unable to run away they try to bite attackers in this state). During the breeding season, males become highly territorial. The males assemble large groups of females to mate with, and guard them against other male iguanas. However, at other times the species is only aggressive when cold. Marine iguanas have also been found to change their size to adapt to varying food conditions. During El Niño conditions when the algae that the iguanas feed on was scarce for a period of two years, some were found to decrease their length by as much as 20%. When food conditions returned to normal, the iguanas returned to their pre-famine size. It is speculated that the bones of the iguanas actually shorten as a shrinkage of connective tissue could only account for a 10% length change. Researchers theorize that land and marine iguanas evolved from a common ancestor since arriving on the islands from South America, presumably by driftwood. It is thought that the ancestral species inhabited a part of the volcanic archipelago that is now submerged. A second school of thought holds that the Marine iguana may have evolved from a now extinct family of seagoing reptiles. Its generic name, Amblyrhynchus, is a combination of two Greek words, Ambly- from Amblus meaning "blunt" and rhynchus meaning "snout". Its specific name is the Latin word cristatus meaning "crested," and refers to the low crest of spines along the animal's back. Amblyrhynchus is a monotypic genus in that Amblyrhynchus cristatus is the only species which belongs to it at this point in time. This species is completely protected under the laws of Ecuador. El Niño effects cause periodic declines in population, with high mortality, and the marine iguana is threatened by predation by exotic species. The total population size is unknown, but is, according to IUCN, at least 50,000, and estimates from the Charles Darwin Research Station are in the hundreds of thousands. The marine iguanas have not evolved to combat newer predators. Therefore, cats and dogs eat both the young iguanas and dogs will kill adults due to the iguanas' slow reflex times and tameness. Dogs are especially common around human settlements and can cause tremendous predation. Cats are also common in towns, but they also occur in numbers in remote areas where they take a toll on iguanas.
Espanola (Suarez Point)
Approximately a 10-12 hour trip from Santa Cruz, Española is the oldest and the southernmost island in the chain. The trip across open waters can be quite rough especially during August and September. Española's remote location helped make it a unique jewel with a large number of endemic creatures. Secluded from the other islands, wildlife on Española adapted to the island's environment and natural resources. The subspecies of Marine iguana from Española are the only ones that change color during breeding season. Normally, marine iguanas are black in color, a camouflage, making it difficult for predators to differentiate between the iguanas and the black lava rocks where they live. On Española adult marine iguanas are brightly colored with a reddish tint except during mating season when their color changes to more of a greenish shade. The Hood Mockingbird is also endemic to the island. These brazen birds have no fear of man and frequently land on visitors heads and shoulders searching for food. The Hood Mockingbird is slightly larger than other mockingbirds found in the Galapagos; its beak is longer and has a more curved shape. The Hood Mockingbird is the only carnivorous one of the species feeding on a variety of insects, turtle hatchlings and sea lion placentas. Wildlife is the highlight of Española and the star of the show is the waved albatross. The island's steep cliffs serve as the perfect runways for these large birds which take off for their ocean feeding grounds near the mainland of Ecuador and Peru abandoning the island between January and March. Known as endemic to the island, Española is the waved albatross's only nesting place. Each April the males return to Española followed shortly thereafter by the females. Mating for life, their ritual begins with the male's annual dance to re-attract his mate. The performance can take up to 5 days consisting of a series of strutting, honking, and beak fencing. Once the pair is reacquainted they produce a single egg and share the responsibility of incubation. The colony remains based on Española until December when the chick is fully grown. By January most of the colony leaves the island to fish along the Humboldt Current. Young albatross do not return to Española until their 4th or 5th year when they return to seek a mate. Geographically Española is a classic example of a shield volcano, created from a single caldera in the center of the island. Over the years as the island has moved further away from the hot spot, the volcano became extinct and erosion began to occur. Española's two visitor sites offer an exceptional island visit. Punta Suarez is one of the highlights of the Galapagos Islands. The variety and quantity of wildlife assures a memorable visit. Visitors find migrant, resident, and endemic wildlife including brightly colored Marine Iguanas, Española Lava Lizards, Hood Mockingbirds, Swallow Tailed Gulls, Blue Footed and Masked Boobies, Galapagos Hawks, a selection of Finch, and the Waved Albatross.Found on the western tip of Española, Punta Suarez offers great wildlife such as sea lions, sea birds and the largest marine iguanas of Galapagos. This is one of the best sites in the Galapagos. The amount of wildlife is overwhelming. Along the beach there are many sea lions and large, colorful lava lizards and marine iguanas. As you follow the trail to the cliff's edge masked boobies can be found nesting among the rock formations. After a short walk down to a beach and back up the other side blue-footed boobies are seen nesting just off the trail. The Galapagos Dove and very friendly Hood Mockingbird are commonly found in this area. The nearby bushes are frequently home to the large-cactus finch, warbler finch, small-ground finch and large-billed flycatcher. Continuing down the trail you come to the only place where waved albatross nest in the islands. Some 12,000 pairs nest on Española each year. The feeling is very dramatic and it seems like a desolate wilderness as the waves crash on the jagged cliffs below and the blowhole shoots water 50-70 feet/15-30 meters into the air. The sky above is full of sea birds including red-billed tropicbirds, American Oystercatchers, swallow-tailed gulls, and Audubon's Shearwaters.
Galapagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands (official name: Archipiélago de Colón; other Spanish names: Islas de Colón or Islas Galápagos) are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed around the equator in the Pacific Ocean, some 900 km west of Ecuador. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site: wildlife is its most notable feature. Because of the only very recent arrival of man the majority of the wildlife has no fear of humans and will allow visitors to walk right up them, often having to step over Iguanas or Sea Lions.The Galápagos islands and its surrounding waters are part of a province, a national park, and a biological marine reserve. The principal language on the islands is Spanish. The islands have a population of around 40,000, which is a 40-fold expansion in 50 years. The islands are geologically young and famed for their vast number of endemic species, which were studied by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle. His observations and collections contributed to the inception of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.
The Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security -- Regolith Explorer spacecraft (OSIRIS-REx) will travel to a near-Earth asteroid, called Bennu, and bring a sample back to Earth for study. The mission will help scientists investigate how planets formed and how life began, as well as improve our understanding of asteroids that could impact Earth.
OSIRIS-REx is scheduled for launch in late 2016. As planned, the spacecraft will reach its asteroid target in 2018 and return a sample to Earth in 2023.
Watch the full video: youtu.be/gtUgarROs08
Learn more about NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission and the making of Bennu’s Journey: www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/bennus-journey/
More information on the OSIRIS-REx mission is available at:
www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/osiris-rex/index.html
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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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 :)
If you want us it for print or commercial use, email me: andrea.mucelli@gmail.com
Alberobello (literally "beautiful tree") is a small town and comune in Apulia. It has about 11,000 inhabitants and is famous for its unique trulli buildings. The trulli of Alberobello have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.
Alberobello was first mentioned in the early sixteenth century when the first 40 families got land to farm in the area. The abundance of calcareous sedimentary material in the area lead to the building of houses with dry stone without the use of mortar. These houses were the first trulli which contributed to the expansion of the settlement. Building the houses of dry stone was a requirement of Count Giangirolamo II as this way it was avoidable to pay taxes on them.
The day is almost done and I’ll ask your forgiveness for being late. I had absolutely nothing to contribute to the celebration but found an old photo in the archives and thought it might be appropriate for the day. Want to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July. Will try to get to everyone’s photos tomorrow. Have a wonderful week.
Photo taken in Kingsbury Texas at the Pioneer. A couple of members take an antique car for a spin while displaying the American flag. Enjoy
DSC06648uls
I apologise for not contributing anything to Flickr for a few days. Sometimes life just gets too busy.
A pair of Arriva Trains Wales Class 142 'Pacer' multiple units heads towards Cardiff Queen Street station on Saturday 9th January 2016. I was waiting, along with many other people, to gain access to the building just out of view on the right. Unfortunately the security guard had failed to turn up at the appointed time to open up, so naturally I grasped the opportunity for some railway photography.
Incidentally, I didn't plan to get these passers-by in the shot; they just happened to be there at the moment the 'Pacer' rolled past.
The Republic of Cape Verde (Portuguese: Cabo Verde)
is an island country, of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa.
Around 95% of the population is Christian.
The economy of Cape Verde is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting for more than 70% of GDP. Although nearly 38% of the population lives in rural areas, agriculture and fishing contribute only about 9% of GDP. Light manufacturing accounts for most of the remainder. Fish and shellfish are plentiful, and small quantities are exported.
"Ring-necked Pheasant at Rest" by Patti Deters. This colorful male Ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is sitting and resting comfortably while looking toward the camera. These are popular game birds it's unusual to see one sitting so still. The earthy colors of brown, rust, maroon, burgundy, and dark blue are beautiful. The thin white band of feathers circling the neck contribute to the name. If you like this artistic nature photograph, please see (birds, wildlife, outdoor) at patti-deters.pixels.com/featured/ring-necked-pheasant-at-....
Beauty < Immortality
Utility < Perfection
Goodness < Righteousness
Truth < Wisdom
Memorial concept and design by Ben Langlands & Nikki Bell, 2016.
As the visionary Managing Director of London Underground in the 1920s and Vice Chairman of the newly created London Transport from 1933 - 40, Frank Pick was instrumental in establishing the most progressive and modern public transport system in the world.
Frank Pick planned the expansion of the bus and underground network and commissioned the leading architects, artists and designers of the time to shape every aspect of the passenger experience. “London Transport”, he said, “is or will be a work of art”. From the classic station designs by Charles Holden, to the range of memorable travel posters, from the adoption of the famous Roundel, one of London’s most recognisable symbols, to the introduction of Harry Beck’s iconic map, and the commissioning of Edward Johnston’s type-face still in use today, everything was considered by Pick.
Frank Pick’s own words above, taken by Langlands & Bell from his lecture notes in the Transport for London archive, demonstrate his conviction that good design contributes decisively to the quality of city life.
Commentary from: www.londonremembers.com/memorials/frank-pick-at-piccadill...
Bursts of pink and red, dark lanes of mottled cosmic dust, and a bright scattering of stars — this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows part of a messy barred spiral galaxy known as NGC 428. It lies approximately 48 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Cetus (The Sea Monster).
Although a spiral shape is still just about visible in this close-up shot, overall NGC 428’s spiral structure appears to be quite distorted and warped, thought to be a result of a collision between two galaxies. There also appears to be a substantial amount of star formation occurring within NGC 428 — another telltale sign of a merger. When galaxies collide their clouds of gas can merge, creating intense shocks and hot pockets of gas, and often triggering new waves of star formation.
NGC 428 was discovered by William Herschel in December 1786. More recently a type of supernova designated SN2013ct was discovered within the galaxy by Stuart Parker of the BOSS (Backyard Observatory Supernova Search) project in Australia and New Zealand, although it is unfortunately not visible in this image.
This image was captured by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2).
Image credit: ESA/Hubble and NASA and S. Smartt (Queen's University Belfast), Acknowledgements: Nick Rose and Flickr user pennine cloud
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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Cincinnati City Hall is a registered historic building in Cincinnati, Ohio, listed in the National Register on December 11, 1972.
The main building comprises four and a half stories with a nine story clock tower. An optical trick known as forced perspective makes the building appear even larger than it actually is. As it becomes taller, its windows get smaller.[2]
The building was constructed by the David Hummel company of Cincinnati using stone quarried in Wisconsin, Ohio, Missouri, and Indiana. Marble stairways and wainscoting originated in Italy and Tennessee, while granite columns were obtained from Vermont. Stained glass windows were installed which depict Cincinnatus and illustrate Cincinnati's early history.[3] A granite statue of Jesus was contributed by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 1864 and displayed in the alcove on the south side of the building until 2003.
From its inception in 1834-35, Rockford began as two settlements, one on the east side and one on the west side of the Rock River. Since beginning this series on Rockford and Winnebago County, almost every photo I've posted of "downtown" have been of buildings and locations in the East Downtown Historic District and West Downtown Rockford Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
Throughout the late 19th century, each side of the river developed with its own tight cluster of commercial buildings filling several contiguous blocks, but by the turn of the 20th century, West Downtown had become the city's retail center. A building boom in the 1920s added "skyscrapers" and theaters to the mix. Today the West Downtown Rockford Historic District contains a core of remaining commercial structures that represent many facets of Rockford's commercial growth and development from 1856 through 1985, with a particularly strong emphasis on 1920s design and construction.
This photograph provides a view of the west side of the 300 block of N. Main St. as it appears in the year 2020. The three buildings on this block are all contributing properties to the West Downtown Rockford Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Beginning on the left, at the corner of N. Main and W. Jefferson St., is the American Insurance Company Building. Completed in 1904, this Beaux Arts building was designed by architect Frederick Headley. Renovated in the last decade and now known as the 304 Main Building, this structure continues serving its original purpose as an office building.
Next door is the Coronado Theatre, now the Coronado Performing Arts Center, a 2,400-seat movie palace designed in Spanish Colonial Revival style by architect Frederic J. Klein. The Coronado Theatre was built to present both films and live entertainment, with a fully equipped stage and orchestra pit. During the theatre's heyday which lasted from its opening until the 1960s, such famous stage acts as the Marx Brothers, Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, George Gershwin, Judy Garland, Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr., Gypsy Rose Lee, and Milton Berle appeared at the Coronado. Over the years, the Coronado has also played host to high school graduations, political rallies and community events. During his 1960 Presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy made a stop here.
In 1984, the Coronado ceased showing movies because of a decline in revenue. Kerasotes Theater Organization, owner of the Coronado Theatre since 1970, donated the property to the City of Rockford in 1997. Plans to preserve and renovate the theater followed immediately. The Friends of the Coronado, founded in 1998, began an $18.5 million restoration project a year later. Rockford community members supported the restoration by donating nearly half of the required funds. The project's goals were both to restore the theater's deteriorating interior and bring the building structure up-to-date. After 18 months of construction, the Coronado reopened in 2001 in grand style as a state-of-the-art performance and entertainment facility.
In 1979, the Coronado was added to the National Register of Historic Places. One year later, the Coronado was made an historical landmark of the state of Illinois. In 2007, the Coronado was added to the National Register as a contributing property to the West Downtown Historic District, and in celebration of the 2018 Illinois Bicentennial, the Coronado Theatre was selected as one of the Illinois 200 Great Places by the American Institute of Architects Illinois component (AIA Illinois).
The third building on this block, at the southwest corner of N. Main and Park Ave. is the Liebling Building, also known as the Jackson Piano Building. This two-part commercial block is a fine example of the Art Deco style. Completed in 1930, the two-story masonry building, clad in green granite and polychromatic terra cotta, was designed by architect Edward Levin. Today the building is part of the Coronado Performing Arts Center.
The city of Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, located in north central Illinois, just south of the Wisconsin border. With an estimated population of 145,609 as of 2019, Rockford is the fifth largest city in Illinois.
Wood ducks are the most abundant resident wild ducks in Florida. Males are brightly colored, while females are a muted gray brown.
Wood ducks prefer wooded wetlands, streams or swampy areas; they feed on floating mast, fruit and seeds of water tupelo, oaks and cypress. They are unusual among ducks in that they are hole nesters. A shortage of nest cavities limits their nesting, but fortunately these ducks readily use nest boxes.
The recovery of wood duck populations is one of North America’s conservation success stories. In the early 1900s the species was almost extinct. Destruction of bottomland hardwood swamps and hunting had decimated wood duck populations across the eastern USA. The recovery began with the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918, which prohibited the hunting of wood ducks nationwide. The wide-scale use of artificial nest boxes also contributed to the wood duck’s recovery and populations rebounded; hunting seasons reopened in 1941.
I found this one in my backyard Lake Wales, Florida.
When I started paying serious attention to photography a few years ago, I began to notice how powerful repetition could be. Even a mundane object - or for that matter an unattractive one - when repeated could contribute to a compelling composition. This arc of Wheels sit-down e-scooters at Peachtree and Fifteenth caught my eye as I was biking by this afternoon and called out to me to be used as an example.
L’Estany de Banyoles, incloent aiguamolls, recs, llacunes i estanyols, és un indret d’elevada riquesa de plantes aquàtiques, que contribueixen en bona mesura a millorar la qualitat de l’aigua i son indicadores del bon estat d’un ecosistema.
El llac és un dels més coneguts de Catalunya i la principal atracció turística de la ciutat de Banyoles i de la comarca del Pla de l'Estany.
Amb una superfície de 112 hectàrees i una longitud de 2,1 quilòmetres de llarg, el llac arriba als 40 metres de profunditat als seus punts més profunds.
Però un dels motius pel que més destaca aquest llac és per la gran quantitat de flora que hi habita, diferenciant-se les plantes que es troben dins el llac amb què l'envolten des dels afores d'aquest.
La seva vegetació és tan important que fins i tot algunes espècies estan protegides pel propi PEIN, com és el cas de la falguera del pantà, i d'altres tan característica com els nenúfars que s'aprecien a la fotografia.
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Water lilies in the pond.
Banyoles Lake, including wetlands, canals, lagoons and ponds, is a place with a high wealth of aquatic plants, which contribute greatly to improving water quality and are indicators of the good state of an ecosystem.
The lake is one of the best known in Catalonia and the main tourist attraction in the city of Banyoles and the Pla de l'Estany region.
With an area of 112 hectares and a length of 2.1 kilometers long, the lake reaches a depth of 40 meters at its deepest points.
But one of the reasons why this lake stands out is because of the large amount of flora that inhabits it, differentiating the plants that are inside the lake with those that surround it from the outskirts of this lake.
Its vegetation is so important that even some species are protected by the PEIN itself, such as the fern in the swamp, and others as characteristic as the water lilies seen in the photograph.
Sculpture contributed by the University of Waterloo
School of Architecture and
the Department of
Architectural Engineering
Original capture on Rollei 200 ISO B+W film shot at 100 ISO on a Mamiya 645 Pro S.
Excerpt from www.insidehalton.com/news/burlington-history-part-of-natu...:
Simon Frank brings together the natural environment with the history of the Mountainside community in a new public art piece inspired by the expansive forest surrounding the Burlington recreation centre.
The Hamilton resident’s installation of several large-scale stainless steel tree slices – each with laser-etched growth rings – was unveiled in a ceremony Sunday.
“I’m really interested in connecting the things that we do as people, and our history, our culture, with nature,” Frank told the Post.
Displayed in two parts on the exterior laminate faux wood walls, one large tree slice includes words representative of the area’s history that were contributed by local residents.
“In this case the text is just part of addressing the human history and for me I think human history should never be separated from the sort of natural history,” Frank said.
More than a dozen other smaller pieces near the front entrance reflect Frank’s own reflections about the space.
Excerpt from burlingtonculturalmap.ca:
Log
Simon Frank, 2016
Etched stainless steel
Log is a site-responsive artwork that takes its inspiration from the forest that surrounds Mountainside. The idea for Log grew out of the artist’s time spent exploring the network of trails on the property and consulting with residents about the site. The artwork attempts to make important connections between the human and natural histories of the place. In the same way that the growth rings of a cut tree act as a clear record of the age of the tree, the tree’s rings can also be linked directly to the events of history, as a kind of concentric timeline. The stainless steel tree sections that comprise Log represent just such a connection - making visible some of the important moments in the history of both Burlington and the Mountainside community.
Honfleur is a commune in the Calvados department in northwestern France. It is located on the southern bank of the estuary of the Seine across from le Havre and very close to the exit of the Pont de Normandie. Its inhabitants are called Honfleurais.
It is especially known for its old port, characterized by its houses with slate-covered frontages, painted many times by artists, including in particular Gustave Courbet, Eugène Boudin, Claude Monet and Johan Jongkind, forming the école de Honfleur (Honfleur school) which contributed to the appearance of the Impressionist movement. The Sainte-Catherine church, which has a bell tower separate from the principal building, is the largest wooden church in France.The first written record of Honfleur is a reference by Richard III, Duke of Normandy, in 1027. By the middle of the 12th century, the city represented a significant transit point for goods from Rouen to England.
Located on the estuary of one of the principal rivers of France with a safe harbour and relatively rich hinterland, Honfleur profited from its strategic position from the start of the Hundred Years' War. The town's defences were strengthened by Charles V in order to protect the estuary of the Seine from attacks from the English. This was supported by the nearby port of Harfleur. However, Honfleur was taken and occupied by the English in 1357 and from 1419 to 1450. When under French control, raiding parties often set out from the port to ransack the English coasts, including partially destroying the town of Sandwich, in Kent, England, in the 1450s.
At the end of the Hundred Years' War, Honfleur benefited from the boom in maritime trade until the end of the 18th century. Trade was disturbed during the wars of religion in the 16th century. The port saw the departure of a number of explorers, in particular in 1503 of Binot Paulmierde Gonneville to the coasts of Brazil. In 1506, local man Jean Denis departed for Newfoundland island and the mouth of the Saint Lawrence. An expedition in 1608, organised by Samuel de Champlain, founded the city of Quebec in modern-day Canada.
After 1608, Honfleur thrived on trade with Canada, the West Indies, the African coasts and the Azores. As a result, the town became one of the five principal ports for the slave trade in France. During this time the rapid growth of the town saw the demolition of its fortifications on the orders of Colbert.
The wars of the French revolution and the First Empire, and in particular the continental blockade, caused the ruin of Honfleur. It only partially recovered during the 19th century with the trading of wood from northern Europe. Trade was however limited by the silting up of the entrance to the port and development of the modern port at Le Havre. The port however still functions today.
Honfleur was liberated together by the British army – 19th Platoon of the 12th Devon's, 6th Air Landing Brigade, the Belgian army (Brigade Piron) on 25 August 1944 and the Canadian army without any combat.
NASA image acquired July 12, 2011
If you have never been north of the Arctic Circle, it is easy to imagine that the “ice cap” at the top of the world is a uniform sheet of white. The reality, particularly during the spring and summer melt, is a mottled landscape of white, teal, slate gray, green, and navy.
The sea ice atop the Arctic Ocean can—as shown in this photograph from July 12, 2011—look more like swiss cheese or a bright coastal wetland. As ice melts, the liquid water collects in depressions on the surface and deepens them, forming melt ponds. These fresh water ponds are separated from the salty sea below and around it, until breaks in the ice merge the two.
Researchers on the NASA-funded ICESCAPE mission—Impacts of Climate on Ecosystems and Chemistry of the Arctic Pacific Environment—have been examining melt ponds, the ice around them, and the waters below for three weeks, with three more to go. Carried by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy, a team of oceanographers, marine biologists, and glaciologists are investigating how changing conditions in the Arctic affect the ocean’s chemical and biological makeup.
The science team collects water samples to examine water chemistry and to observe the colonies of plankton growing in the water and on the surfaces of the ice. Other instruments are used to assess how much and how far sunlight is penetrating into—and warming—the Arctic Ocean. Still others are measuring the current systems that move water from the depths to the surface, as well as horizontally across the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas.
Incidentally, the crew members in the photo are not harvesting data; they are collecting supplies. A C-130 airplane flew by earlier in the day, dropping a parachuted canister of hardware for fixing instruments and other machinery on the icebreaker.
NASA science writer Kathryn Hansen is blogging daily from the ICESCAPE cruise. Click here to learn some science, see what people are eating, and sample life on an Arctic icebreaker. You can also get a daily glimpse of the ice in the Arctic by clicking on the MODIS Rapid Response page.
NASA photograph by Kathryn Hansen. Caption by Mike Carlowicz.
Instrument: Photograph
To view other images from the Earth Observatory go to: earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
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 Menindee Lakes is a natural series of lakes that fill with water when the Darling-Baaka River floods. In the 1960s, a series of engineering projects augmented the Menindee Lakes, allowing water to be directed into the lakes and held back or released. This ensured a reliable water supply for the city of Broken Hill, the township of Menindee and secure supply of water for the Lower Darling River and supply to South Australia.
The Menindee Lakes system provides important habitat, nursery and recruitment for native fish, such as the Murray Cod and Golden Perch. It is important habitat for a huge variety of native and migratory bird species. The Menindee Lakes system is vital to the communities of the Far West, providing recreation and amenity, as well as attracting tourism, recreational fishing, horticulture and viticulture.
The Darling-Baaka River is central to the cultural, spiritual and economic lives of the Barkindji people.
The health of the Menindee Lakes and the Darling-Baaka River are intimately linked. The lakes fill from the Darling-Baaka River and water stored in the Menindee Lakes keeps the Lower Darling flowing during dry times. The Great Darling Anabranch is a series of ephemeral creeks, billabongs and lakes that wind their way to the Murray River to the west of the main Darling-Baaka River Channel.
Irrigation expands:
There has been a rapid expansion of irrigation along the rivers in the Northern Basin of the Murray Darling Basin, particularly cotton. Irrigation of cotton has expanded by 4,000% since the 1970s. In 1971 Australia grew 81,000 bales of cotton. By 2012 Australia grew 5.3 million bales. Irrigation dams - Wee Waa
Much of the cotton is grown along the rivers of the Murray Darling in very large irrigation enterprises, with most of the cotton grown on tributaries of the Darling-Baaka River.
Large private storages were built to hold water and other structures were built to capture flood waters. Water licences and water sharing plans allow irrigators to suck huge quantities from the tributaries of the Darling-Baaka even when flows are modest.
The result has been that low and medium flows have virtually stopped flowing down the Darling-Baaka River. Only the largest floods that cannot be captured upstream, or specially protected environmental flows, now make it down to the Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling-Baaka River.
An easy target?
After the Millennium Drought exposed just how over-allocated the river systems of the Murray-Darling Basin were, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan was agreed between the Commonwealth and the states. The Plan aimed to make the Murray-Darling Basin system more sustainable by returning more water to the rivers through buying back water licences and other measures to recover water for the environment.
Menindee Slogan Bus:
The irrigation industry views the water flowing into the Menindee Lakes as wasteful and unproductive (not growing crops). They would prefer water to be taken from the Menindee Lakes to meet the targets under the Basin Plan rather than for the irrigation industry to be compelled to use less water. The industry points to the volume of water that evaporates from the Menindee Lakes each year as a key reason to reduce the amount of water flowing into and being stored in the lakes. The amount of water that evaporates from shallow private storages in equally hot and dry climates is rarely mentioned.
Scientists and environmentalists view the water that flows down our rivers, fills wetland and billabongs, and spills over floodplains as highly productive for nature and vital for sustaining complex ecosystems that have evolved over eons. These flows are also vital for replenishing underground aquifers and for sustaining downstream communities and Indigenous cultures.
Some politicians view the Menindee Lakes as an easy target. The population around Menindee is sparse, without much economic or political clout. The birds, fish and wildlife can not vote, lobby or protest. Taking water from the Menindee Lakes system is seen as politically easier than seeking to recover water from loud, well-connected and politically savvy irrigators. The location of the Menindee Lakes in a remote part of NSW that is out of sight and out of mind for many citizens located on the eastern seaboard also makes it hard for the issue to gain political traction.
A plan to decommission the Menindee Lakes:
After the Menindee Lakes filled from a major flood event in Queensland and NSW 2012, they were rapidly emptied by the Murray Darling Basin Authority and the NSW Government. Usually the lakes would hold water for many years after they filled, but by 2014 they were emptied. As a consequence, Broken Hill was in danger of running out of water and the government announced a plan to drill bores to supply the city with low-quality bore water. Locals were outraged at this plan and were concerned that the Menindee Lakes had been deliberately drained so quickly as part of a plan to justify the decommissioning of the lakes.RIP Menindee Lakes
Another flood filled the Menindee Lakes in late 2016, but again they were rapidly drained, almost inexplicably into a flooding river. By then end of 2017 they were again dry just as drought started to bite and Broken Hill was facing another artificial water shortage.
Flush with cash from privatising the electricity networks, the NSW Government spent $500 million building a 270 kilometres water pipeline from the Murray River at Wentworth to Broken Hill. This ended the city’s reliance on the Darling-Baaka River and Menindee Lakes for water supply. Cotton Australia applauded the construction of the pipeline saying in their Annual Report, "The pipeline is a win for the community, the environment and irrigating farmers, and a solution Cotton Australia and its allies have long lobbied for." Meanwhile the local community was concerned that the pipeline would allow the NSW Government to decommission the Menindee Lakes without worrying about Broken Hill's water supply.
Sure enough, plans to reconfigure the Menindee Lakes are back on the table as a project to 'recover water from the environment' under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan's Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism. The NSW Government wants to save up to 100 gigalitres of water each year by reducing the volume water stored in Menindee Lakes by up to 80%. A range of proposals have been put forward for consultation.
The Darling River Action Group has labelled the plans as 'ecological genocide.' They strongly oppose the huge reduction in habitat that will occur if reconfiguration plans go ahead. They worry that changing the times between and length of inundation in the lakes will have a major impact on fish breeding and birdlife. The Barkindji native title holders are also strongly opposed to the plans, with significant concerns about the impact on their culture, community, environment and sacred sites.
Fish kills and dry rivers and lakes:
Fish Kill Menindee In the teeth severe drought, predictions of environmental catastrophe on the Darling River came true as millions of fish floated dead on the surface. Hot weather and a lack of flows led to a blue-green algae bloom that stripped the water of oxygen when it died, suffocating many millions of fish along a length of the Darling-Baaka River. Images of giant Murray Cod many decades old floating on the surface of a stagnant, bright green river shocked Australians. If water had been stored in the Menindee Lakes, a flow of water in the Darling-Baaka River could have been maintained and millions of fish and other creatures would have survived. It was noted that the very large mature Murray Cod that had died would have survived numerous previous droughts, so what had changed?
A report by the Australian Academy of Science concluded:
The conditions leading to this event are an interaction between a severe (but not unprecedented) drought and, more significantly, excess upstream diversion of water for irrigation. Prior releases of water from Menindee Lakes contributed to lack of local reserves.
A small flow in mid-2019 led to a partial revival of the Darling-Baaka River and water in the upper lakes of the Menindee Lakes system. However, the Menindee Lakes and Darling-Baaka River face three major threats:
1) The proposed re-configuration of the Menindee Lakes system;
2) The continuing overallocation of water extraction licences in the Northern Basin of the Murray-Darling system;
3) The extent and proposed licencing of floodplain harvesting, which is capturing huge quantities of water before it can even reach the waterways of the Darling-Baaka River.
Source: Save Menindee Lakes (www.savemenindeelakes.org.au/the_history)
Look up "SL5B" and see all the different exhibitions people made for SL. I contributed a voice message in the bottle one by Dizzy Banjo, and left a message for SL. Look for it!
Anyone notice that my flickr seems to die when I'm without ColeMarie?
She's like vitamins for artistic effort.
Still in Elk Island Park coming across the Northern Shovelerette keeping an eye out for her mate and the photographer. She, too is familiar with cameras and posing and in addition, she did me the favor of polishing her impressive bill so that it would sparkle for me in the sunlight.
Let me digress here to what happened on my follow-up visit to this spot six days later. (Remember that would have been the mosquito time I was talking about in my previous post. And just to be clear here, at the time that these pics were taken there were no mosquitoes in sight and no dance moves). So fast forward to the mosquito trip time. I am proud to inform you that on that occasion I arrived at a much earlier time. Well, proud as I may be, that was a total waste of effort (for taking decent pics). The added earliness, I mean. At that hour, the light is such that all it does is contribute to some pretty high ISOs and an extreme amount of noise. The noise was partially due to the fact that I decided to use my crop sensor camera in addition to the 2X converter. (Distance challenged). Even though I had tested this combination a day before (mind you, in much better light conditions which I neglected to take into account) and it gave really good results, at this time in the early (uncivilized) morning this combination was disastrous for noise and ISO. If I were more into landscape photography, none of that would have mattered because I would have fixed the ISO at a decent level and just increased my exposure time to come up with some nifty light and tones. (Can’t do that with moving objects). Unfortunately, that was not the purpose of my expedition and I did not feel like changing my goal in mid-stream.
So, most people probably would consider this particular expedition a complete waste. I am reluctant to criticize my undertakings too much. Other people already do that for me. My motto is, you try something and it does not work, then it’s a learning experience. If it does work, it’s party time and calls for Tequila. Actually, the learning experience (failure) does as well because you are celebrating the fact that you learned something. Come to think of it, there always seems to be something to celebrate :-)
Portofino, outrora conhecida como Portus Delphini pelos Romanos, é uma vila piscatória na Riviera Italiana que evoluiu para um destino turístico de luxo. As suas casas coloridas características, originalmente pintadas para serem identificadas pelos pescadores, adornam o porto e contribuem para o seu charme. A partir do século XIX, Portofino atraiu a aristocracia, transformando-se num refúgio procurado por celebridades e turistas. Para além do porto, a vila oferece marcos como o Castelo Brown, com vistas panorâmicas, e a Igreja de São Jorge, que guarda relíquias do santo padroeiro. Integrada no Parque Natural Regional de Portofino, a área circundante oferece trilhos com paisagens costeiras deslumbrantes.
Portofino, once known as Portus Delphini by the Romans, is a fishing village on the Italian Riviera that has evolved into a luxury tourist destination. Its characteristic colorful houses, originally painted to be identified by fishermen, adorn the harbor and contribute to its charm. From the 19th century onwards, Portofino attracted the aristocracy, becoming a haven sought after by celebrities and tourists. Beyond the harbor, the village offers landmarks such as Castello Brown, with panoramic views, and the Church of San Giorgio, which houses relics of the patron saint. Part of the Portofino Regional Natural Park, the surrounding area offers trails with breathtaking coastal scenery.
The Heroic Hoysalas :
The Hoysalas dynasty reigned from 11th to 14th century, over the area between the rivers Kaveri and Tungabhadra, which covers most of the modern day Karnataka and some parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Their origin is shrouded in various myths and legends and inscriptions dating back to 1078 and 1090 indicate that the Hoysalas trace their origins to Yadavas in north india,but there are no proper records to substantiate the claim.
Hoysala Art and Architecture :
Hoysalas were great patrons of art and architecture. The reign of Vishnuvardhana, Narasimha I and Veera Ballala II marked the epitome of temple art and architecture in Karnataka. Shantladevi, the beautiful queen of Vishnvuvardhana, encouraged dancers,musicians,painters and sculptors.The best known examples of the surviving Hoysala temples are - the Chenna Keshava temple at belur,the Hoysalaleswara temple at Halebeedu and Kesava temple at Somnathupur.
Temples in those days were not only meant for worship or religious activities. They also played important roles of courst for providing justice, treasure house,imparting ethical education and encouraging various art forms like literature,music and dance.The state of karnataka is regarded as the 'Cradle' of Indian temple architecture.
General Architecture Style of Hoysala :
Various dynasties like Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas,Hoysalas and Vijayanagar empire contributed significantly towards the development of major temple styles. The Chalukyas of Kalyani evolved a cruciform plan of the temple and Hoysalas further developed it into stellate or star plan. Other distinct variation in Hoysala temples is presence of more than one cell, each with antarla or sukhnasi (Vestibule) connected to a common navaranga (Pillared hall), mostly with three mukhamandapas (entrance porches) as compared with earlier southern temples that had a single garbhagriha attached to a navaranga through a sukhanasi. The Jagati (elevated platform ) on which the temple stands follows the stellate shape of the temple, unlike the northern temples, where the Jagati is a rectangular or square shaped platform, irrespective of the contours of the superstructure built upon it.The provision of Jagati in Hoysala temple served as a open circumambulatory (Pradakshinapatha) passage for the ritual of circumambulation around the temple for the devotees, as the inner garbhagriha (Sanctum sanctorum) is devoid of such feature and the open space could also be used to admire the great work of the sculptors on the outer walls. The star or stellate plan of the Hoysala temples increased the number of offsets,providing more space for sculptural decoration on the walls and a plan which accentuated the play of light and shade.Th high plinth (adhisthana) embellished with highly organised horizontal bands off friezes in one plane, makes the temple look like an orantely carved "Jewel box".Another noteworthy feature of Hoysala temple its sikhara or vimanam (tower), built in VESARA STYLE , which blends the Dravidian (south) and Nagara (north) styles. The stepped sikhara also known as Kadamba sikhara are low as compared to other styles of temple architecture and the stellate plans extends to the tower through the eave from the Sukhasana or richly carved horizontally treated outer walls.
I checked on my sales thread at tib today - and it was locked! Welcome in the new era: tib launched it's new "buy.sell.contribute" site to take over from the old sales forums.
Part of me wants to stamp my feet and toss my hair: the old sales forums were free. But the tib community has grown so amazingly, it must cost Gina et al a bomb to run. So more power to them, and if it helps underwrite the tib forum, I'm for it. ^^
It's at www.tib-x.com. Looks like there's a bit of teething, but I like it already. Check it out. :D
Since in these days I've no time, today I propose an old photo already published but is for donation.
The group flowerotica is asking for a donation of flower image for a book called "Flowers against Cancer"...here is link to the thread...
Group Flowerotica www.flickr.com/groups/flowerotica/discuss/721576133214433...
this is my contribution for the "Flowers against Cancer" with the hope that they can contribute to advancing research... and can give hope to everybody!
If you want to see my Best Flickr photos on black
If you want to see my Recent photos on black
(Sat., August 18, 2018)
Place: High Uintas
It’s higher in altitude, but very alarming-dead pines everywhere. Is this a result of (natural) climate change and/or is humankind contributing to this disturbing change? Regardless, my definition of what is beautiful has to change...because this area is not what it used to be. Instead of a beautiful green pine forest, it is a forest of skeletal remains.
Would a massive forest fire fix this problem? There is an abundance of dead wood. I do find beauty in this wilderness...I see many saplings when looking down...the next generation is already pushing up...a similar thing happens after a fire.
The one reality is that all things change! Nothing remains constant. I’m here today...and maybe not tomorrow. I live intensely now. So I breath deep and look around...that dead amongst the living...and see the bigger picture...and tread on the path before me.
-rc
/**********************
I will lead the blind on their journey;
by paths unknown I will guide them.
I will turn darkness into light before them,
and make crooked ways straight.
-Isaiah 42:16