Campi sterminati di tarassaco dipingono di giallo le strade della pedemontana veneta, fra colline e vigneti

Buona giornata

#yellow #dandalion #alberi #trees #campo #field #veneto #pedemontana #nature #colors #treviso #marca #fiori #flowers

The Sandstone area has countless natural rock formations or 'breakaways' that contrast dramatically with the rust-stained landscapes.

Believed to be 350 million years old, one of the most spectacular breakaways known as 'London Bridge' was once wide enough to allow a horse and sulky to cross. Over the years, however, it has been eroded to its present width of one metre.

Now in spring, countless small, pink-colored flowers cover the densely growing branches of the blood plum.

But it also impresses with its dark red, shiny leaves (hence the name blood plum) and brown-red to blackish bark.

However, it is also known to many gardeners as the cherry plum.

Blutpflaume 'Nigra' (Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra)

Jetzt im Frühling überziehen unzählige kleine, rosa gefärbte Blüten die dicht wachsenden Äste der Blutpflaume.

Aber sie begeistert auch mit ihren dunkelroten, glänzenden Blättern (daher der Name Blutpflaume) und der braun-roten bis schwärzlichen Rinde.

Allerdings ist sie vielen Gärtnern auch als Kirschpflaume bekannt.

Countless trips to this area over time had never produced something much to my tastes, but finally one morning with 45MPH winds kicking up dust and creating mood inspired clouds to appear in conjunction with a gap on the horizon creating ideal conditions for a single shot to come through shining and spectacular. This was the first time noticing game cameras in the location, which I've seen the park services doing more of in sensitive locations... the other being old growth trees, and special trees. Although it's nice to think there are some types of protections in place, the reality is, that much of our natural world is slowly being destroyed. That being said, much of this destruction is a result of accessibility, and the truly untamed and unexplored areas of our world, which still exist, are fantastic and available like no other time in human history. Over the last 10 years I've watched our photographer population expand exponentially, and the outdoors have become crowded with people that have successfully been influenced by some of these great and talented artists.

There were countless rhododendron blooms on my hike in the Mount Hood wilderness last weekend. It was hard to choose just one photo of them so I may post more. This one is my favorite I think. The light was just right and some cool colors in the bokeh of the forest behind them was pleasant.

One of the countless and beautiful waterfalls in Oregon. This little grotto in late spring was simply magical! A slice of paradise in my book. The bright & sunny afternoon created some lovely dappled light but some harsh highlights as well. I feel like I've been working on this image in PS on-and-off since it was taken and it's time to just let it go . . . and move on! :-)

Thanks for taking a look. I've been away for a bit and trying to catch up with everyone!

There are countless times when you will find Gerrie just hanging around somewhere.Minding his own business watching the goings on of others. An observer of things.

Happy Teddy Bear Tuesday

When I was a child... I played countless hours with this train.

It was December 1979. I was 5 years old. We traveled to Germany to visit family. Every single morning, my uncle left a small toy car (Matchbox or Majorette) next to my bed, so I would have a present from him when I woke up. Every single morning! Well, with two exceptions: the first morning I found an amazing toy Caterpillar hydraulic shovel, and on Christmas I got from him this electric train.

Back in Buenos Aires I would spend full afternoons playing with the train and the cars, building cities around with Lego.

Almost 37 years later, this train is the only toy I brought to New York with me (just the locomotive, the rest of the cars and the tracks are still in Buenos Aires). I did bring back last Summer some Matchbox cars that a childhood friend found in his home and returned to me. Pictures of two of those are in my photostream a month or two back.

Needless to say this is one of the most fond memories I keep from that age. It was really nice to take the locomotive out of the box and play with it once more (yes, finding the right angle for the shot now qualifies as playing with the toy! In fact, the angle I chose is one my eyes would see often while playing).

HMM to all!

All the countless fellow living beings around

Do they believe in fate or destiny ?

Nay, but succumb to the summons of nature

Live, and leave unwailing

Yet I trow, it is our own acts

Which make or mar our lives,

Eternal, worthy, bright and alive

Noble souls of yore who dwelt

This Earth have examples set.

Realize thyself unto us is the call

Not for transient joys to enthral

Dismayed when unsuccessful

Not midway meet the end, and fall

Self worried and worrying all

The Life in us is a well

That never dries, bearing no ills

Birth or death, it is a portal

To the knowledge of the Supreme Self

- Anuj Nair

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© 2009 Anuj Nair. All rights reserved.

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www.anujnair.net

________________________________________________

© 2009 Anuj Nair. All rights reserved.

All images and poems are the property of Anuj Nair.

Using these images and poems without permission is in violation of international copyright laws (633/41 DPR19/78-Disg 154/97-L.248/2000). All materials may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any forms or by any means,including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording without written permission of Anuj Nair. Every violation will be pursued penally.

The relaxing atmosphere and the countless pebbles on the beach in Etretat at afternoon, Normandie, France.

The Red Lotus

The hardest friendships are those born in the midst of adversity. The Red Lotus clan and the Sakura Clan were once greatest allies that fought countless wars hand in hand in order to fend off other kingdoms from overtaking their territories. Both lands were rich in nature, fresh produce and animal life.

As the legends speak, an enemy clan disguised themselves as the Red Lotus and destroyed one of Sakura's villages. It caused retaliations and despite multiple pleas from the real Red Lotus clan, the Sakura clan closed its gates forever.

The feud continued for thousands of years till only very few knew of the history of both the clans. However, are the Gods and goddesses tired of this long never ending story? Is that the reason why they somehow brought both heirs to the throne to meet?

There is no such thing as a coincidence, they say. She was out on a mission, disguised as a commoner. No one would realize she was actually part of the upper world. He, on the other hand was riding as a soldier, no colors, no announcements of his true linage and no companions. They crossed paths during a rest stop at the same Inn located in between their territories.

There was injustice in view, some travelers were harassing one of the servers. She interjected, demanding it to end, due to her petite frame, she was not taken so seriously. When the brawl started, she was outnumbered despite trained to defend herself. Lucky for her, he walked in just in time and they fought side by side, just like their ancestors before them.

On discussions about each of their missions, they discovered they were of enemy clans. They should have ended each other then but considering they already fought side by side, it was difficult. A secret friendship was in order. They kept in touch through sneaky letters. They met outside their territories. There was so much discussions about the future of their clans. So much hope for a truce and an alliance once again. Only time was in the way.

She packed the best textiles and herbal tea for him to take back to his family. He would always play a tune for her and bring her the red lotuses from his lands as a symbol of hope for the future and betterment of both their people.

P.S. Been ages since our last photo collab! Between work and timezones. I am so happy to have finally gotten the chance! Thank you Ji, for being the best story teller/ photo planner! He will post his version soon! Check out his stream!

URL: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Swing%20Island/239/167/27

I've photographed this iconic Eastern Sierra Nevada area countless times over the years. Slide film, medium format, black and white, infrared, sunrise and sunset, midnight, rain and shine, wind and no wind. It wasn't even on my recent agenda, but as I was sliding down the mountain pass heading for my last evening at my motel, there were these really nice clouds building. I wrestled with it - should I? Oh, why not? Only a few miles. As I drove into the parking area though, the tufa area was shaded by the clouds. Been there done that, so I turned around. Got all the way back to the highway and thought: "Jan, the clouds aren't socked in, they'll move. Do it, spend an hour or two, no biggie". So I turned around and headed back down. It was worth a smile and bumped my steps over 12k for the day. Check it "large".

How much beauty in this world goes unnoticed! We spend countless hours debating political policies and medical decisions and quarreling over countless things with people and yet we end up missing the beauty in life. We miss the small things and even the big things. We miss small things like this beautiful waterfall that is not the main attraction and often is overlooked. We neglect relationships and push so hard our own agendas and beliefs, not even out of loving concern, but rather out of anger, frustration, and our own prideful desire to be right. There is a time to push for something and to stand up. I do not believe in being passive when it comes to issues that need to be attended to. However, I do believe in the importance of focusing on the beautiful gifts that have been given to us to enjoy and to steward. Relationships take work, they are two-way, and they are vital. Let us lay down our divisive arguing and take time to notice the things that are beautiful. Let us remember that we have a Creator who made us and loves us and who also loves the people we disagree with. Let us stand up for what is right and lay down our own selfish agendas and take the time to love one another, fight for one another, encourage one another, and speak the truth in gentleness, love, and respect.

amid countless everyday miracles, I come in contact with something

greater than myself and realize I am a part of it... I move in wonder

through inspiration, reverence, gratitude, interconnectedness,

transcendence, and grace. ~John Paul Caponigro

where words fail, music speaks ♬

After countless years of being battered by the elements, an old shed that looks like it now can barely stay standing has survived one more Winter night. ~~ A Jeff Hampton Photograph ©

Sedona is known for having countless views of interesting and scenic red rock formations, many of which can be seen after a short walk or even from the road. However, there are also several more rugged and grander views in the Sedona area, which are not witnessed often, due to accessibility. Unfortunately, most of those require highly challenging off-road navigation, just to reach a trailhead. Fortunately, the trailhead which leads into this part of Sedona’s surrounding wilderness, is located next to a well maintained road. After hiking about 2.5 miles with 2000 feet of elevation gain, the reward is this view. However, I must admit that lack of patience, prevented me from setting up at one of the many better foreground options, and with some regret, I ultimately settled for this composition.

Countless Canada geese and companions take flight. This was taken from the exact same spot as the previous photo I uploaded, just with a slightly longer lens. The hill in the middle of the previous panorama is what you're seeing here just seconds after all these birds decided to lift off at once.

I like Friedrichstrasse and its surroundings. There are countless possibilities here. The Spreedreieck building is just such a place to express your creativity. At first I didn't find the exposure of the S-Bahn so successful. Meanwhile I see it differently, it won't the whole picture below covered by the train.

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EOSR | RF50mm f/1.2L USM

Exposure: ƒ/16 | 3″s ND +8stops ISO 50

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This image is subject to full copyright © Please do not use my images on websites, blogs, or in other media without express written permission. It is not permitted to copy, download,

reproduce, retransmit, modify, or manipulate my photos.

F̶̅G̅. 2021 © all rights reserved

There are countless waterfalls in Iceland and most of them are spectacular. This one - on our last day of the tour in Iceland - was no exception.

COVID-19 gives opportunities to take countless picture over time of day, of overcast and of sunshine. God's creation is forever changing. Love the interaction between flower and insect.

The earth is filled with Your unfailing love, O Eternal One; teach me to observe what You require. ~ Psalm 119:64

“Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.” – Gerard De Nerva

Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. ~ James 1: 2-4

I have gazed at this crabapple tree in our garden countless times. When the winter chill comes to an end, I have seen how the pink flowers push their way through its bare branches and stay there till spring, when the leaves make an appearance, reddish at first then turning into different shades of green through the summer. As the flowers fade, the tiny, red crabapples appear. In autumn, the leaves start to turn yellow and as winter draws near I see the crabapples fall on the ground. Towards winter’s end all that is left is an image of a somewhat desolate looking tree - no pinks, no reds, no greens, no yellows, just the deep dark browns of its gnarly trunk and branches. Yet the sight does not sadden me because I know that when spring returns, the cycle begins all over again. Such is the tapestry of time which I witness in my garden through the years. Different patterns and textures and colors get woven into this tapestry, their memory forever etched in my mind – and sometimes captured with my camera.

LARGE ON BLACK IS BETTER

I've found Campanula species in countless locations, including the mountains of Vancouver Island, the Alberta Rockies, the tall-grass prairie of Minnesota, and right here in the mixed-grass prairie of Saskatchewan. My wildflower guides all identified it as rotundifolia, but now online info says this species does not grow in Canada. However, other online sources claim that it does. And honestly I don't care anymore. Widespread taxonomic reclassification of many species has finally convinced me to focus on the art, rather than the science. I may not be able to ID wildflower species, but I know beauty when I see it.

Some of the harebells I've photographed in other locations were deep blue; in this shallow, protected depression amid rolling hills, they were a pale lavender or purple. I resisted the temptation to oversaturate, and instead retained the light, airy feel that I remember from the place.

Tripod, 105mm macro lens with 1.7x teleconverter. I find the tc useful in that it gives me a more out of focus background in shots like this than the 105 alone. And if there are insects on the flowers, I have greater working distance.

Photographed in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2022 James R. Page - all rights reserved.

Schwabacher Landing is one of the must see locations in the Grand Teton National Park. I've seen countless images from here and have taken many myself but I never tire of them. If you can get there for sunrise to catch the alpine glow in the morning, you will be rewarded.

Earlier on this morning there was a mama moose and her baby in the pond just on the other side but I missed it. But I was happy to have gotten this shot.

Thanks for viewing my photos. Comments are always welcome.

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Copyright Reid Northrup, 2021. All Rights Reserved, Worldwide. Please don't use my photos in any way without my written permission.

This view has been shot to death countless times from magazines, post cards, social media, and to Flickr. When I came this far here, I thought I needed to shoot my own version of it using my own techniques and gear. There is nothing to write home about it. It 's just a place that has been shot to death just like the Valley View of Yosemite. Nevertheless, the whole Iceland is truely incredible. However, its weather is extremely unpredictable and unforgiving. I was lucky to have a break from the raging weather since my arrival in Iceland. I picked up my rental car and drove all the way to Grundarfjordur just to see this view myself with my very own eyes. The scenic drive to the North from Reykjavik was incredibly beautiful yet stark. I definitely will come back to Iceland and complete the round trip of the island through the Ring road.

I had gone and came back countless times.

But there was a time where everything fell apart and I was sure that I would be gone for good.

But Second Life is a place that is hard to leave, isn't it? I played an alt for a while to get my Second Life fix but that was never quite the same...

The broken promises. I am sorry and I am ashamed of them. I am not asking for another chance. I just want to...say hi again.

Hi.

Love yourself. Then forget it. Then, love the world.

Mary Oliver

Espera, esperanza

by Vertebrata

[All photos are mine.

For every quote, poem, song, it is always written in the detail box the name of the creator.

If you are the creator, feel free to contact me so as to remove your material.

If you are an eternal internet bully, a pathetic old crazy acrylic fascist lady who thinks that anyone who loves

the same poets/singers/artists/flowers/clouds/planet with her, is copying her,

talk to your therapist before you start spamming.

I continue here what i had started many years ago, on my Facebook page

by day i am nothing & by night i am i.]

COUNTLESS HOUR BUT FINALLY GOT MY REWARD

With countless hummingbirds returning from the tropics, recently, Janice's yard was filled with their zooming exploits, frantic feeding, and some territorial disputes...but this cute little lady prefered to stay out of the ruckus as much as possible!

I was set up and waiting for the clouds to part revealing Mt. Shasta some 50 miles south of my location. I glanced east towards Pilot Rock and quickly moved my camera. The rising sun was causing the countless half inch icicles to glow. Sadly, I lack the skills to have properly captured the true beauty of that moment.

Pilot Rock - Siskiyou Mountains - Southern Oregon

Today, beneath my feet, I felt the ground grow less firm as it gave out beneath countless others. I think like many Europeans, today my heart breaks and bleeds, and my soul shivers in cold remembrance. Today, my gaze turns east in profound sorrow, and further east in abject horror.

I just wanted to take this moment and share this thought - the acknowledgment of what is happening. This is my metaphorical pause to think of the many whose lives are coming to an abrupt halt, and whose world is collapsing. I have to stop and acknowledge it somehow, before I carry on living.

I'm leaving this here with a tortured metaphor of a photo. Because not all beginnings can be positive spins on misfortune. And not all things can be phrased elegantly; what a clusterfuck...

Life rarely exists just in black and white, it is made up of countless shades in between. Every story holds layers, perspectives, and quiet truths that are not always visible at first glance.

Life is far more complex than it appears on the surface. Every person, every situation, every story holds more than one perspective. There are emotions, histories, and unseen reasons that shape what we do and how we feel.

Understanding comes when we step back from judgment and open ourselves to the deeper truths hidden between the lines.

True understanding begins when we step back from judgment and open our hearts to the deeper truths hidden between the lines.

So be humble and kind, and open to the different shades each on of us are made up of.

Compassion grows when we remember that there is often more than one side, more than one reason, and more than one truth.

♫ Music ♫

💖 In advance I want to thank each one of you for your always kindness, support, beautiful awards, favs, and messages and for taking the time to stop by my stream. Please know that I see and read them all, even if I do not reply back to them, I appreciate them all so much as well as each on of you for taking the time.

Lori 💖

I saw countless deer...or at least their backsides as they bounded off into the distance. And the one that did stop in its tracks to look at me would have made a great photo - if I had remembered to switch back from M to AV. Check your settings Jo, check your settings....!

(Warning: this is a long one, so grab some popcorn and settle in.)

Photographing landscapes has provided me with countless opportunities to have my mind blown over the past few years. From summits in the Canadian Rockies, to countless sunrises in the Sierras to spectacular night skies in remote corners of Utah to beautiful coastlines in Oregon....so many incredible moments. Of all of these experiences, the one I endured last Friday was truly special. It was a personal triumph and one that I have literally been working toward for the past two years.

Tom Bricker was the first one to mention the Diving Board to me. I had seen the shot by Ansel Adams, of course, and had always wondered where he took that shot from, but I figured you would just...you know. Get closer. I was sure that the location must be just beyond Curry Village. What was the big deal?

The big deal is that the diving board is a location in Yosemite that cannot be reached by taking one of the major, well maintained trails. Back in Ansel's day you just took some ropes and charged up the Leconte Gully. But the gully has long been deemed unstable due to frequent rockfalls. The standard route nowadays begins on the mist trail and winds around behind Lost Lake before heading steeply straight up the side of base of Half Dome. From what we were able to gather from scouting online, this would be a 16 mile round trip hike and the word "strenuous" was being thrown around by some very hard core hikers and climbers. My heart sank as I first heard these reports. After all, the hike up the Upper Falls trail had nearly finished me off a few years before. How in the world could I expect to haul my camera gear up the Mist Trail let alone the nearly vertical sections of this crazy trail to the foot of Half Dome?

But I really wanted that shot. I hit the treadmill and began building up my endurance. (Of course the first night was only 10 minutes, but hey. It was a start.) I also began challenging myself with some more difficult hikes, the most recent of which was up to the Fern Ledge in Yosemite. As the Summer drew to a close, we finally had a chance of thunderstorms and the promise of a possible sunset, and I sent Tom an urgent message: Can we go for it on Friday?

So last Friday, Tom and I took off at 4 AM for Yosemite. By 10:30 AM we were taking off from the Mist Trail parking area. Man I was feeling good! No stops at all on the way up to the first bridge. I was blowing past old people and asian tourists like they were standing still. Then the REAL climbing began. By the time we made it to the top of Nevada Fall, I was wiped. But we hadn't started the tough section yet. Tom and I had found a short cut up from Emerald Pool and we had a GPS map with us on Gaia. We were all set. What could go wrong?

So up we went.

The trip from Emerald Pool to the regular bush trail junction was easily the hardest climbing I've ever done. The nearly 30 pounds on my back turned out to be a huge mistake as I nearly gave up several times. Between the steep terrain and the bushwhacking, I was toast. When we hit the junction, things only got worse. I was having to stop almost every 100 feet and poor Tom just sat there waiting for me. After clawing my way up another 700 feet or so, I finally collapsed, unable to continue. I told Tom to head up without me, but he refused. After a long break, it finally hit me: I could dump whatever I wasn't going to use at the top and grab it on the way down! So out came my 24-70 lens (way too hazy for a valley shot), the tripod, almost all of my food, two jackets and over a liter of water. I dropped by stuff in a neat little pile behind a tree reminding myself that it would be a bad idea to forget those items on the way down.

Suddenly the backpack was WAY lighter and even though it hurt, I continued to force my way up. For the final 500 feet, I hung back and sent Tom up ahead. After another 1/2 hour break, I lurched back onto my feet and with the soundtrack of Rocky playing in my head, I charged up the last 500 feet to the Diving Board...some EIGHT hours after leaving the parking lot.

The view was absolutely spectacular as Half Dome rose far more majestically than I could have ever imagined. Although we didn't get quite the epic sunset we were hoping for, we did get some color during the last few minutes, just enough to give some atmosphere. A goal I had set two years prior had just been achieved. I had made it all the way to the diving board!

Our smiles began to fade as it dawned on us that it was getting dark in a real hurry and my car was still 8 miles away. There would be no "short cut" on the way down as we were pretty sure we would not survive a hike back down the sketchy ravine we had just clambered up. So down we went on the long, normal route around past Lost Lake. About 45 minutes later, I said something like "Hey Tom....where's my stuff?" Both of us were convinced that it must still be below us, so we plowed on. After we had gone another 1/2 hour or so, it dawned on us that we must have passed it. We were both beyond exhausted and nearly out of water. But Tom, being the hero that he is, charged back up to look for it. But didn't find it. He had a quarter of a liter of water left and I had maybe a half. I wasn't even sure if I could make the hike out, so I took a deep breath and told Tom we just needed to leave my lens...and all of my other stuff up there, which would have been roughly $2500 to replace.

Ouch.

Okay...this is taking way to long. I'll skip to the end.

After we passed Lost Lake on the way down, we found water in a creek and used my filter to keep from dying on the way back. Tom made it back to the car around 2:30 AM and very kindly drove the car around to the trailhead as I had some severe blisters. I didn't make it back to the trailhead until 3:30 AM.

Fast forward to last Monday when I drove back to Yosemite to find my stuff. I stayed overnight in El Portal and set off the next morning, this time without the 30 pounds taking only water and food. I left at 4 AM and by 8 AM I found my stuff exactly where I had left it! I made it up there in HALF the time! My lens and gear were undamaged and I breathed a huge sigh of relief before heading back down.

For those of you who might be interested taking this hike, I'll have much more details for you including maps, etc on my blog in the very near future. Sorry for the ridiculously long story and THANK YOU for reading the whole thing if you are still with me! The Diving Board was truly a once in a lifetime trip for me....at least for now. I MIGHT try it again, but if I do, it will be with MUCH less gear and more water!

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Interesting worn out basalt glacier deposit. Definitely shaped by the countless seasons.