Described by the RSPB as an omnivore and scavenger. In the garden this magpie seems to have found a store of wasps to eat.

Dreich. That’s the only word that could ever describe the steel, bitter, relentless, driving rain that pelts off the upright windshield of our Land Rover, as we weave our way along the coastal path that leads to the most westerly point on the British Mainland.

The week has been remarkably sunny and dare I say warm, at our base in Strontian, located at the most easterly point of Loch Sunart, separating the Morvern wilds from the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. We walked in the hills around Strontian one day, then drove over those wilds of Morvern to Lochaline to catch the ferry over to Fishnish another; the Isle of Mull is equally as beautiful and suited for meandering around, taking in the ambience.

Today though we make haste, for our allotted slot at 10:30am at the Ardnamurchan distillery has been shifted earlier to allow my guide enough time to show me around the place before he attends to some rather important duties. I’m chaperoned to the distillery by my father-in-law of last year's electrical lighting fame, affording me the courtesy of any potential drams that may be bestowed upon my eager face. He also loves his Land Rover, so any chance to stretch her legs is reason enough for him.

We’re soon slingshotting around Salen and onwards to Glenbeg, where the road seems to deteriorate further in both width and surface quality - we must work hard for these spoils. A bright white-painted cask end appears indicating there’s one mile left to go before we alight in the stony car park of the Ardnamurchan distillery and visitor centre. We mention it not - this isn’t the first time either of us have been here.

My in-laws visited this place in 2014 just after the distillery opened, enjoying a tour around the only warehouse on site - Warehouse 1 - where the grand sum of four casks had been laid down. A lot has changed since then. I visited in 2022 and in the time since my tour almost a year ago to the day, I too have changed a lot.

I’m nervous. Not because whisky tours make me nervous or because I’m worried I won’t like the whisky, but because I’m hoping to meet the people I’d spent so many months tagging in my Instagram posts and chatting over messages and emails. I guess my nervousness is a poor attempt to mask my desperation that they like me, that I don’t embarrass myself or make them realise I’m a giant fraud.

Last year at this time, the team had assembled at the distillery to blend the 2022 Paul Launois release and I’d been too shy to say hello. It turns out this year they’re doing the exact same thing. Today, in fact.

It’s no secret I'm devoted to the Ardnamurchan way - in fact it’s become a bit of fun for those wanting to tease me about my abject obsession with this place. I’ve spent many hours postulating why the Ardnamurchan distillery resonates so deeply with me, as a person and as a whisky exciter, and over the course of three hours, first in Warehouse 1 then up into the hills, nothing happens to change that. In fact, if you can believe it, my devotion has widened.

We started in the dark, cool climes of Warehouse 1. If you’ve never smelled a whisky warehouse then it's hard to convey the utterly absorbing aroma that greets you upon entry, arriving in waves through your red-hot olfactory machine. It’s easy to spill over into the saccharine romanticism when thinking and speaking about alcohol inside casks plopped inside a building (and oh boy do I fall foul constantly), but it’s undeniably a rather unique place to be. No-one gushes about the alluring aromas of an Amazon warehouse, do they? The difference being that whisky matures inside leaky wooden vessels, and that porosity allows alcohol vapours to find their way into the air circulating around the breezy warehouse and colours the environment with fabulous scents - Angels’ Share is what they call it.

But it’s more than smell - it’s touch and sight too. Casks and their condition are intrinsically linked to the quality and style of maturation and we get to see those variances as we walk along the warehouse. From rough to smooth, bright and clean to looking like a potato that you’ve just dug out the ground; the variety of casks, aesthetically, is quite amazing. If we are so inclined, we can touch the casks, feel their texture and knock on their wooden walls. Sometimes we get to stick our noses inside. There happened to be a cask waiting to get filled, and sniffing through the bung hole the diorama of scents unleashed into my frontal cortex was overwhelming. I managed to blurt out caramel, cherry and vanilla, but in truth it was a million things all at once and making sense of it was impossible - I only wish I could bottle that scent or turn it into a candle.

There’s a tasting element to a warehouse too, and today I was extremely fortunate to be accompanied by 3/5ths of the blending team, who were only too happy to see what was occurring in the warehouse. Drinking whisky decanted, through syphoning via a giant copper straw-like valinch, splashing all over the place before finally finding its way into a glass, surrounded by all this sensory overload is peak whisky for me. The liquid is really cold and viscous. It takes a moment for it to warm up enough in my hand to begin releasing aromas and flavours, but when it does, the mouthfeel, smell, sight and sound of it all is unbeatable. It’s untouched, unfiltered.

It’s been suggested I might soon get to a point where Ardnamurchan stops offering enough to keep my attention, and I’ll start to drift and dabble. Having now tried a number of remarkable whiskies maturing in the cask, from a variety of different cask types, styles, ages and sizes, I have to say I can’t see that happening anytime soon. I kneel down, lower my arms and prepare for the hiss of the blade - perhaps I’m blinkered and naive, or perhaps there’s nothing more to it than simple resonance.

Hmmm. Did you get all that? His words (Dramface) not mine. Landrover, knobbly tyres, type

The European Botanists who first described this Crossberry in the late seventeenth century wax eloquent over the remarkable purple of its flower. Indeed, even in still rainy and dark Amsterdam, it is highly visible.

Before great Carolus Linnaeus gave it the scientific name Grewia occidentalis, after one of his heroes, Nehemiah Grew (1641-1712), the Father of Plant Anatomy, it was known as a kind of Ulmus, Elm (yes, with notable purple flowers!). It appears to have been first collected on the Cape of South Africa around 1688 by Patrick Adair (fl.1674-1697) who worked e.g. for Leonard Plukenet (1641-1706), great British expert on exotic plants. The latter describes it in 1691/6 as Ulmifolia Arbor Africana baccifera floribus purpureis, and he adds that a similar plant also hails from Mexico. Allow me to boggle your eyes till they see purple with the marvelous words in his Almagestum about the American kind: '... arbor foliis Ulmi, Mexicanis Ayaquicuramo Tlacuilolquahuitl s. Arbor picta'. How's that for an eyeful!

Anyway, by this time our Grewia was already growing in the fine exotic garden in The Hague of Simon van Beaumont (1641-1726), a wealthy Dutch politician and statesman. His plants were catalogued by his gardener Frans Kiggelaar (1641-1726) in 1690, but each in only a few sparse words. The plants of Beaumont's garden were soon acquired by the Medical Garden of Amsterdam and again catalogued there with full, eloquent descriptions. And then of course Linnaeus in the middle of the eighteenth century named this Ulmifolia Arbor, Grewia occidentalis.

Whether this morning I gazed upon a descendant of the original shrub I don't know. Getting wet again, I contemplated no further but hurried indoors.

“THE WET” AND “THE DRY” IN THE NORTHERN AUSTRALIAN TROPICS

The Northern Tropics of Australia in the Darwin region are described as having only 2 seasons – the “wet season” (or simply “The Wet”)(broadly November to April) and the “dry season” (or simply “The Dry”) (May to October). There is no local designation of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, although it should be noted that some ancient local indigenous calendars describe up to 8 seasons, categorised by not only weather but also flowering and fruiting of edible plants, appearance of migratory animals as food sources, river heights, etc.

While Europeans settled Darwin in the 1860s, indigenous Australians have occupied the area for at between 40,000 and 60,000 years.

In broad terms, the main differences between the Wet and the Dry relate to humidity levels, prevailing wind direction, and (as the names imply) rain, or the absence of rain.

Darwin has no frost, no snow and no hail.

Darwin is also largely flat and unelevated, with few locations exceeding 30 metres above sea level.

Darwin is located 12 degrees south of the equator, in the middle of the cyclone belt.

THE WET – NOVEMBER TO APRIL

During the Wet, temperatures range from a minimum of 27 – 28C overnight (sometimes not dropping below 30C) and 34 – 36C during the day. Humidity levels are in the range of 75 – 95%.

The prevailing monsoon wind direction is from the North West (i.e. from the Timor Sea), except during the frequent storms, which normally come from the South East.

Cyclones (the local name for a typhoon or hurricane) also form during the Wet as part of monsoon trough activity. The wind from a cyclone can come from any direction, depending on the relationship between the cyclone’s eye and the observer’s position.

Rainfall during the Wet approaches 2,000 mm; with the record for a 6 month Wet season period being 3,000 mm. It should be noted that due to quite obvious climatic changes these totals have not been reached in recent years and this may herald a permanent change to the local climate.

In January 2021 Darwin had 750 mm of rain, about average.

Sea temperature during the Wet is around 32C.

THE DRY – MAY TO OCTOBER

During the Dry, temperatures range from a typical minimum of 20 - 21C overnight (on rare occasions dropping to 16C) and 30 -31C during the day. Humidity levels are in the range of 10 - 30%.

The prevailing wind direction is from the South East (i.e. from the direction of the Great Australian Desert); with an occasional light North West sea breeze rising in the late afternoon.

There is virtually no rain between April and October.

Because of the absence of rain, a high bushfire danger exists throughout the area during the Dry, with the highest risk occurring in August and September, before the next Wet season storms occur. During these months, the humidity is very low and the South East winds are at their strongest – up to 30 knots (around 55 km/hr).

Bushfire smoke blows out to sea and causes spectacular sunset effects.

Enjoying this view with a Florida friend from a roof top:)...

Feeling a sense of Hygge ......described below if you have time to read.

Thank you for stopping by, flickr friends....enjoy the new week wherever you are....Pat....xo

*******************

Hygge (noun)....coziness, wellbeing, warmth...

Hyggelig (adjective)...cozy, snug, friendly.....

Recently, a friend of Richard's and he were discussing what these two Danish words meant.

'The above translations of two Danish words are rather inadequate, and some additional clarification is required.

If a home is described as being hyggelig, it means that it is equipped with well-chosen furniture, ornaments , flowers, candles, etc. (not necessarily expensive), and it gives its owners and visitors alike a general feeling of warmth, comfort and wellbeing.

If we spend a hyggelig evening with our family or friends, it means that we find ourselves in a pleasant environment (in a private home or a restaurant), with a small group of people whose company we enjoy, sharing anything from a cup of coffee or a drink to an elaborate meal. Large parties are not usually considered as being hyggelig.

It's important to note that there's absolutely no relationship between hygge and wealth or budget. Hygge is created by people, not by money. Danish people have a tradition for doing this extremely well, and we're certainly very proud of it.

These words, and the ideas they cover, are so important to us Danes, that we sometimes tend to believe (mistakenly) that we have a monopoly on hygge, as no other language seems to have one single word that covers the entire concept.

Having lived most of our lives (both Hans and Richard) outside Denmark, we're happy to say that we've had the pleasure of encountering various forms of hygge in many different cultures. They just don't seem to have a word for it!'

*****

So yes, we (Richard and I) live hygge whenever someone enters our house be it for a small party, family, or service people to repair something. We have something cool/hot for them to drink and a small snack...always available. They often refuse it but we have an extended conversation that probably would not have happened otherwise.

I'd love to have you describe your form of hygge...

This album's name is dedicated to my favourite game of all time Elder Scrolls Online and race of all time, The Argonians (reptile humanoids). There's a story for you to read below about some of them towards the bottom.

What does Ku Vastei mean? Read below

By Lights-the-Way, Mystic of the Mages Guild

It is hard to describe the culture of my people. Often my tongue stumbles as I try to explain, but it is my hope that ink and quill will give me time enough to gather my thoughts. And perhaps, though such writing, I will finally connect the parts of me that now feel so divided; my homeland of Murkmire and my new life within the Mages Guild.

These journals are to become my ku-vastei. And, as I write that, I can think of no better topic to begin with.

Ku-vastei roughly translates to "the catalyst of needed change," though such a direct translation in no way does justice to the original meaning. Another translation could be "that which creates the needed pathway for change to occur" or even "the spark which ignites the flame which must come into being."

Perhaps a more direct analysis should be first presented. Ku-vastei is a noun, a thing or person. Vastei directly translates to change, an important part of my culture. Ku is harder to speak of. It is that which leads to change, though not that which creates change. An important role, as stagnation is a fate worse than death.

Take a boulder which sits atop a cliff, teetering in place. It must fall eventually. The ku-vastei does not push the boulder off the cliff; rather, it picks the pebble which holds the rock in place. And so it falls, not by a push, but by a pathway cleared.

Ku-vastei is revered, just as change itself is revered, for to look back at what was means to stumble as you move forward. Sometimes, a little push in the right direction is all someone needs to remember such wisdom. Other times, they may need to be shoved.

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

Naka Desh Tribe

by Emmanubeth Hurrent, the Wayfarers' Society of Wayrest

My guide, Names-the-Orchids, took me deep into the swamp to meet a little-known tribe called the Naka-Desh, or Riverbacks. Few Imperials venture far enough into Black Marsh to meet the People of the River, and the Naka-Desh see little benefit in traveling beyond the boundaries of their Hist's roots. For that reason, most perceive them as a secretive and mysterious tribe. This misconception is made all the more amusing by the Riverbacks' boundless hospitality.

We approached the Riverbacks' territory via ferry boats. Our expedition encountered tribal sentries almost immediately. They floated to the surface of the water like turtles or crocodiles. I was struck by the wideness of their faces, the largeness of their eyes, and the broad webs adorning their forearms and throats. The Hist clearly provided the "right skin" for the locale. Riverback territory is more water than land—a drowned marsh navigable by small rafts, canoes, and little else.

Names-the-Orchids greeted them with a series of low croaks. They cheerfully repeated the sound before lifting themselves onto our boat. Neither of the sentries seemed familiar with Cyrodilic, so our guide had to interpret. She told us that the Riverbacks demanded tribute in the form of a riddle before they would grant passage. I detected no threat behind the demand. It seemed like more of an invitation than an order. I've no talent for wordplay, but I shared a children's riddle about doorknobs that practically every Imperial knows. As soon as Names-the-Orchids translated it, the two sentries clapped their hands. One of them pressed his forehead to mine, croaked twice, then both vanished into the water as suddenly as they appeared.

We spent four days among the Riverbacks—all but one of them on rafts fishing. Riverback fishing resembles traditional fishing in name only. Rather than hook and line, the Naka-Desh use large river fish called osheeja gars. Each osheeja is secured by a strange harness and bridle. When the Argonians find an abundant fishing spot, they release the predatory gars and let them snatch up the fish. As soon as an osheeja bites a fish, the Argonians pull their pets to the side of the boat and claim the fish for themselves. I asked Names-the-Orchids how it works. Apparently, the bridle prevents the gar from swallowing. She assured me that the osheejas are well-cared for, though. Until they grow too old, of course, whereupon they too are eaten.

Our time with the Riverbacks was not without frustration. Of all the Argonians I have met, the Naka-Desh were by far the least curious. Other than riddles, they had no appetite for anything we brought. They refused our food, took no particular interest in our tales, and did not even ask for our names. This disinterest combined with their boundless hospitality made most of the expedition uncomfortable. Names-the-Orchids chided us for thinking kindness demands reciprocity. As always, even these small disappointments teach us valuable lessons.

["the tribe is not currently in the game but in the world of the game"]

18/52

I can't even begin to describe how incredible this week has been. Aminda and I went to After Dark Education in St. Louis where we learned from only the best. This was from a shoot with Brooke Shaden, whom I have only gained more respect for and learned even more than I thought was possible from one person- about inspiration, creativity, and overall just how to be the best version of yourself. Brooke was not the only one I learned a lot from- we learned from the creative side to the business side of this industry from many other mentors.

I've never been around so many creative and passionate people before- and interested in what I love as well. It was an experience I will never forget and something I desperately needed. I feel re-inspired and am ready to continue creating.

Many ideas have been constructed this week, I'm excited to explore the darker side of photography, since I've had six months of continuing angst, I want to bring that out more in pictures.

I'm more than a little sad to be back in my reality, the swing of work and school continuing tomorrow... if this week has taught me anything, it's the fact that I will never feel in the classroom how I feel when I am learning, shooting and breathing photography. Alive. Happy. Myself.

Yes! Brilliant! That describes all of you! Your photographic skills and hearts behind your incredible work is just that...Brilliant!

Brilliant defined: exceptionally clever or talented. synonyms:bright, intelligent, clever, smart, astute, intellectual; outstanding; impressive. synonyms:superb, glorious, illustrious, impressive, remarkable, exceptional very good, excellent, or marvelous.

Yep! That describes you and your work!

I am so T H A N K F U L for all of you splashing your gifts on me!

A very Blessed and Delightful Thanksgiving to you here in the USA!

I Love You All!

AN ATTITUDE OF GENUINE THANKSGIVING by Charles R. Swindoll

Paul had an attitude of genuine thanksgiving: "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak" (Colossians 4:2-4). Here's a man in his sixties who has been preaching for years asking for prayers for a clearer delivery. There was no pretense with Paul. No degree of success or number of years in the ministry gave him a false sense of ultimate accomplishment. He knew he had not yet arrived. He was convinced his preaching could be improved. And so with a genuinely thankful heart, he entreated his fellow believers for their prayers. Can you see the power of that kind of attitude? Very refreshing.

No wonder the man had such lasting impact for Christ. His secret bled through every one of his letters. He had learned to be content in all things. But we can't leave the ink of these truths to simply sit and dry on the page. We must embrace the same secret for ourselves if we are to have the same lasting impact. Some personal reflection is in order. Let's turn the spotlight away from the man housed in Rome back then and focus it on you and your life, wherever you find yourself right now. Are you making a difference in the lives of those closest to you by the way you respond to your circumstances? Are others inspired by your faith, or are they discouraged by your fears? Are the attitudes of unselfish humility, joyful acceptance, strong determination, and genuine thanksgiving evident in the way you respond to circumstances? Maybe it's time to make some changes. Let's see if I can help.

Start by refusing to let your situation determine your attitude. When your attitude overshadows your situation, transformation really begins. As we saw in Paul, the power to transform stubborn attitudes of fear and bitterness, anger and defeat, comes from Christ. The Lord our God stands ready to pour His strength in you. He alone has the power to deliver you from those relentless foes and send you soaring. Keep an attitude of genuine thanksgiving. Read Acts 16:16-40; Philippians 2:1-18"

"Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 106:1

THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS TO YOU!

This simple plaque is attached to a wonderfully rustic bench in the middle of Shakespeare Garden in Central Park.

Almost every bench in Central Park, rustic or not, has a plaque like this affixed to it, each honoring or memorializing folks with a range of sentiments as big as the park itself, but the sentiment on this one stood out to me right away.

I wish I could have met Dorothy Thompson. The simple fact that the best way to describe her was with the words - "the very gentlest of human beings" - sends my thoughts straight down a path as lovely as the one I found in her favourite place...

"Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength." Saint Francis de Sales

Hippocrates described it as "man's best medicine" but its something many of us take for granted. This Flickr Friday we're asking you to strut your stuff and celebrate the most basic form of transport, walking.

Share your best shots with the Flickr Friday Group Pool and we'll feature our favorites in the Flickr Blog next week.

Original photo (CC BY) by Susanne Nilsson - flic.kr/p/qEmg43

Often described as "Flying balls of fluff" the Long Tailed Tit is a very sociable bird. In Winter the birds will often show as flocks of easily twenty birds arriving at bird feeders. They will also huddle together for warmth at night. During the rest of the year they will feed on insects and invertebrates.

The Long Tailed Tit nest is a work of art. Both male and female work on it over a period of around three weeks. it is made up of moss camouflaged with lichen and bound together with cobweb silk. The inside is lined with lots of feathers. The finished product looks rather like a small sleeping bag! The silk binding allows the nest to expand as the fledglings grow.

The National Churches Trust describes St Mary's in Potterne as a “an Early English church of exceptional purity and austerity.”

A priest, and land held by the Bishop of Salisbury, was recorded at Potterne in Domesday Book of 1086, and in Victorian times, a 10th Century font was found on the site of the present day Church of England parish church of St Mary. It was built in the 13th century and has survived with little change, beyond work to the tower in the 15th century and restoration by Ewan Christian. Pevsner describes it as, “An Early English parish church of exceptional purity and indeed classicity” and linked this to the Bishops’ ownership of the manor.

The church is cruciform, with a substantial tower over the crossing, and original lancet windows. It is built of rubble stone, with ashlar to the upper tower. The south porch was added in the 14th century, and in the 15th the tower was made higher and given an elaborate battlement. Restoration in 1870–2 included re-roofing and the removal of galleries, and the stained glass is from various dates in that century.

From the 11th century, the church had been linked to All Saints at West Lavington as tithes from both churches endowed a prebendary at Salisbury Cathedral. From 1967 the benefice was held in plurality with Worton and since 2017 the parish has been part of the Wellsprings benefice, which extends to Seend, Bulkington and Poulshot.

Potterne is a village with a population of 1,544 (2021), 2 miles/3 km south of the Wiltshire market town of Devizes.

This description incorporates text from the English Wikipedia.

Described as the largest and rarest of the UK's Blue butterflies, this was my first ever Large Blue sighting.

This species was always rare in Britain but the UK race became completely extinct in 1979 and no longer exists.

The re-introduced colonies today are from continental Europe as these are very similar. So far it has been a very successful re-introduction.

Remember everyone, there is a new competition!:

www.flickr.com/groups/ukbutterflies/discuss/7215764486969...

That describes exactly what it's like right now in my neck of the woods! So remember I told y'all I'd buy some flowers and plant them? Well, I went to buy some and am planting them this weekend. I can't wait! I got some tulips, gerberas and am going back for some other flowers I saw that I fell in love with. I just had to wait till today (pay day) haha! Yayyy...

On a sidenote. I think I may be getting a job again. Yep. No worries though, Momma. Sofia will be going to work with me. Does that give you a hint? More details later. Gotta support this photography hobby of mine somehow! haha

View On White

*EXPLORED #72, thank you so much for all the lovely comments!*

The first fuchsia to be scientifically described, Fuchsia triphylla,

was discovered on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola

(Haiti and the Dominican Republic) about 1696–1697

by the French Minim friar and botanist, Charles Plumier,

during his third expedition to the Greater Antilles.

He named the new genus after German botanist Leonhart Fuchs.

while researching this flower and wondering what a Minim friar was,

I learned a new word - discalceation -

Discalceation means "removal of footwear".

St. Teresa of Ávila was one of a number of saints of the

Roman Catholic Church who were "discalced" or shoeless.

She and St. John of the Cross were the founders of the Discalced Carmelites.

The origins of discalceation lie in Exodus 3:5, where God tells Moses

"Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground".

well, I'll have to try and use that word today ... :)

Sometimes described as Tudor, this beautiful Grade I-listed gatehouse at Lanhydrock actually dates from 1651, two years after King Charles I was executed. The gatehouse was originally attached to the main house, which had an east range and forecourt walls. Those were demolished in about 1780, leaving the gatehouse free-standing. In 1857, the gatehouse was again attached to the house by the low garden walls, designed by George Gilbert Scott.

Lanhydrock House stands in extensive grounds above the River Fowey almost midway between Bodmin and Lostwithiel. It has been owned and managed by the National Trust since 1953. Much of the present house dates back to late Victorian times when it was rebuilt after a major fire, but some sections date from the 17th century.

Describing the Amazon Kingfisher as the bird's still, observant pose scanning for his next meal.

I suppose if you had to describe the English countryside this could be it, the rolling fields, billowing clouds, hedgerows it’s all here. Of course we have so much more which would easily put the mundane scene into the shade. But when you see a scene like this you can here the skylarks sing and you must have no romance if your heart does not sing as well.

Christ is described at Chora as "Land of the Living"

[Χώρα των ζώντων]

music:

youtu.be/vI2zpRz6qpY

Medieval Byzantine Nativity chant (Kathismata of Christmas).

Title: "Μυστήριο ξένον" (Wondrous Mystery)

Service: Matins of Nativity

Performers: Greek Byzantine Choir

.

.

.

photo:

inner narthex dome with Genealogy of Christ

from the Cycle of Christ's Infancy and Ministry

Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, Istanbul

www.columbia.edu/cu/wallach/exhibitions/Byzantium/html/bu...

Chora Museum, Chora Monastery (Contantinople)

Μονή της Χώρας, Μουσείο Χώρας, Κωνσταντινούπολη

Kariye Müzesi, Kariye Camii, Kariye Kilisesi, Istanbul

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chora_Church

www.columbia.edu/cu/wallach/exhibitions/Byzantium/

www.byzantium1200.com/chora.html

www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul-st-savior-in-...

www.doaks.org/library-archives/icfa/moving-image-collecti...

www.thebyzantinelegacy.com/chora

* Cigüita Tigrina, Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina), (Mc)

* La reinita atigrada (Setophaga tigrina), también denominada chipe tigrino, chipe tigre, bijirita atigrada, cigüita tigrina, reinita tigre o tigrina, es una especie de ave paseriforme de la familiaParulidae. Es una especie migratoria que anida en Canadá y el extremo noreste de los Estados Unidos, y pasa el invierno en el Caribe.

######################

The Cape May warbler (Setophaga tigrina) is a species of New World warbler. It breeds in northern North America. Its breeding range spans all but the westernmost parts of southern Canada

It is migratory, wintering in the West Indies.

##################

Lugar de Observacion: Reserva CAOS, Jarabacoa,

Republica Dominicana.

##################

Scientific classification

Kingdom:Animalia

Phylum:Chordata

Class:Aves

Order:Passeriformes

Family:Parulidae

Genus:Setophaga

Species:S. tigrina

Binomial name

Setophaga tigrina

The English name refers to Cape May, New Jersey, where George Ord collected the specimen later described by Alexander Wilson. This species was not recorded again in Cape May for another 100 years, although it is now known as an uncommon migrant there.

Tigrina-0369

This picture has been screaming from within my head and with tea and toast it is done. Seville Oranges in Scottish Marmalade have answer the intrusive inspiration with this completion. Obviously another idea is now demanding immediate attention. These are my good times and the others are not at all goodly. Nature never lets us down if we can wait for the good times to come along and are then ready to enjoy them when they do come along.

There is what I am describing as a Templar Bread and Butter Pudding in the oven with a crunchy Croix Pattée in place and potential for either a Spiral of Sanctity [Power Crunch], or Labyrinth of Locating to be added upon the Final Firing. Please note my liberal idea of Templar peace keepers might not be your notions of them. Hopefully the next so far unanswered idea that is starting now to shout a little will be answered through the protection of Αιξ / Aix / Aex the Very New World Fruity and Old World Spicy Bread and Butter Pudding maybe a glory to behold.

The Pentland Hills are magnificent and here is a share of their beauty.

The Very New World Fruity and Old World Spicy Templar Bread and Butter Pudding shielded and nurtured via Αιξ / Aix / Aex is Glutten Free, Butter Free and free of other things and also free if you can get to Penicuik before I finish it. I have demolished a corner with Goat Yoghurt as a part of the rearing and trading that the Templar economy engendered. I could be thinking of Shaman in Mail and Plate instead of Colonising Thugs that some see.

© PHH Sykes 2024

phhsykes@gmail.com

Pentland Hills Regional Park

www.pentlandhills.org/

Red sky at night and other weather lore

www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/how-weat...

Matthew 16:2-3, King James Version

2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

Gospel of Matthew 16:2-3, King James Version.

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16%3A2-3&...

"Some books describe the process of metamorphosis as one in which the larva "turns to liquid" and is then completely reorganized into an adult. Nothing could be farther from the truth. As described in the larval development section, many of the adult features begin forming in the larva. However, an immobile pupa stage is required when the larval and adult forms are as different as they are in monarchs. The most dramatic changes that occur in the pupa are the growth of the wings and the development of flight muscles. These things could not occur in an active larva."

from Univ. of Minnesota Monarch Lab, monarchlab.org/biology-and-research/biology-and-natural-h...

Monarch_cat-0725-sc02

I've already used the title several times to describe abandoned gas stations, so why change now? This one perhaps has seen some fairly recent activity... it's located in Lowell, Arizona, an old mining town that is only semi-abandoned. In fact, it's sometimes hard to tell what's an active business as opposed to just contributing to the "old and abandoned" look that's seen in Lowell. I have a photo taken here in 2017 with two different cars parked by the pumps. One was an old police car which is now seen down the street. As I said, it's hard to tell what's real in Lowell.

Ludlow was described by the poet Sir John Betjeman as "probably the loveliest town in England". The delightful small market town is 28 miles south of Shrewsbury and is near the confluence of the rivers Corve and Teme. The oldest part is the medieval walled town, founded in the late 11th century after the Norman conquest of England. It is centred on a small hill which lies on the eastern bank of a bend of the River Teme. Atop this hill is Ludlow Castle and the parish church, St Laurence's, the largest in the county. From there the streets slope downward to the River Teme, and northward (as here) toward the River Corve. The town is in a sheltered spot beneath Mortimer Forest and the Clee Hills, which are clearly visible from the town. Ludlow has nearly 500 listed buildings, which include some fine examples of medieval and Tudor-style half-timbered buildings. According to British Listed Buildings, the Grade II-listed Bull Hotel on the left has an 18th century front to what is probably a 16th century core.

Old Havana (Spanish: La Habana Vieja) describes the central area of the original city of Havana, Cuba. Havana is a city of great architectural character, containing many treasures from the city's long and colorful history. Old Havana and its fortifications were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.

Spanish colonial structures, Baroque churches, and buildings in Neoclassic style fill Old Havanas narrow streets and alleyways. Although many of these historic treasures fell into ruin in the latter half of the twentieth century following the Cuban Revolution, many are restored. As part of the World Heritage Site program, they will be preserved and this legacy will be passed on to future generations.

Older Self Portrait.

_____________________

How do I describe these feelings that I've been feeling these past couple of days?

...Like I am drowning.

Overwhelmed. Drowning in sorrows, worries, emotions & pain.

I'm not 100% sure how to make the pain stop.. It's ripping my heart apart.

______

-First, I missed 2 calls from my Aunt on messenger. Then later on this past Saturday evening I got a message from her.. it said, "In hospital with congestive heart failure, been here for 5 days, already, loveyas".

Haven't really spoken to her much since, I believe that she is unable to type. She hasn't called back.. I wish she would. & I have no way to contact her. Then I'm getting more news.. that she's doing worse. And, my heart and mind is racing.. I'm so so worried.. and praying so hard. I just want her to be okay.. I'm praying so hard. Please, I'm begging you all - please say prayers for my Aunt Diane.. (God Mother).. She means so much to me.. And I can't stand that she's going thru this and she's so alone. I'm sure Jack is with her, (I HOPE) - Jack is her other half. But I know that with covid-19, is hospitals, sometimes you cannot have visitors.. So I'm just praying that she's not alone. I'm trying to get her to reach back out to me on messenger.. She's rarely on and when she is.. She's silent. I've heard a couple of things here and there thru family members.. but we're all trying to figure out what's going on. Please just say a prayer or two tonight.. and tomorrow for my Aunt. She's so IMPORTANT TO ME.

-THEN, A couple of days ago, a friend of mine in recovery died. I found out yesterday. When I read a post about it on Facebook, I gasped/yelled so loud in the passenger seat of the car that I scared Juan (my fiancé who was driving) so bad. He was upset that I scared him so bad, but it was unintentional. When he heard what happened, he stopped being upset with me. (I probably almost caused an accident, to be honest.) But, as the shock of everything wears off.. I'm on and off crying. Not to mention the fact that I had a disagreement on Facebook because of a photo I posted of her, in my post. I took the photo down, and apologized. But long story short, I was upset.. and I blocked the person who was a mutual friend & messaged me yelling. I don't even want to get into it.. but that was an upsetting thing last night. It's over, but she remains blocked. I'm sure that we are just both hurting in our own ways, but there's no reason to make things worse by arguing or starting drama.. so I'm just not talking to anyone about it. And I'm done dwelling on it.

We're all very upset about it.. She had quite a few years clean and she was doing VERY WELL. She looked so great.. and she was the kind of person that you look at in recovery and you're so proud of.. and look up to! Not to mention the fact that this girl was such a BEAUTIFUL SOUL.

If you took the time to read what people had to say about her, you would see that there wasn't one bad thing anyone could ever think up. They all said the same things...

- She was so happy/positive/loving and bubbly.

-She never had one bad thing to say about anything and never EVER passed judgement on ANYONE!

-She always went out of her way to listen to everyone's worries.. and make sure that EVERYONE (including strangers) always felt super comfortable, important and happy.

-She was one of those people that everyone just loved to be around.. A smiling face, always.. that you'll always see and never forget - when you hear her name.

-A ball of radiance that was always able to make even the saddest person SMILE & always was there to comfort and give love and a shoulder to everyone she met.

-Jamie was a true walking angel on earth.

..So I guess GOD really needed another amazing angel to stand beside him in the kingdom of heaven.

---

All of this was so unexpected and heartbreaking for everyone who has ever even so much as met this girl.

I met her in jail (4 months), rehab (6 months) & halfway house (3 months) = 13 months we lived together.. and transitioned thru the system together. She was someone who always made me feel comfortable during this long and scary process.

I remember when I walked into rehab in Atlantic City, New Jersey.. I was happy to be out of jail.. and nervous at the same time.. Worried and had anxiety.. I didn't think that I knew anyone there.. but I knew that Jamie was there somewhere.. and I kept looking for her. I was in the back room eating a hotdog that an aid brought over from the cafeteria to the house.. and I was sitting in the back living area while they checked me in and looked thru my items.. And all of the women of the house (about 28 women) all came walking into the back room where I was to wait for their cigarettes.. it was after lunch & time for a cigarette break. I really really wanted a cigarette & Juan hadn't yet dropped off my stuff so I didn't have my own cigarettes there yet. Then I heard Jamie's super friendly voice holler to me, "JESS!!" She came running and hugged me. She introduced me to everyone and handed me a cigarette - knowing I just came in and didn't have any yet.

She was always giving people cigarettes there, which is crazy because you only get 5 a day.. 4 packs a month I think it was.. and you really can't afford to give them out.. (they put limits on everything including what you could have dropped off, etc) So anyway, I remember the counslers coming to her and listerally telling her that because she was SO NICE & always giving away her cigarettes.. that she wasn't allowed anymore to give them out. They had to put a stop to it.. because she wouldn't tell someone no.. and she was giving out like 6 per cigarette break.. or more. That's 5 for her a day.. and usually OVER 1 PACK TO OTHER PEOPLE a day.. So the people in charge put a stop to it. Because she was so nice.

& It wasn't that she couldn't say no, she just wouldn't.

People didn't even have to ask, she offered.

She was like that with everything. & Anything.

She always went out of her way to make people laugh and smile.

I have memories of us laughing so hard some of us peed ourselves.. and the thought of those memories that I WON'T get into, make me giggle sooo bad.

I also remember her laying on my bedroom floor and my roommates ironing her hair ( we didn't have straighteners). And talking into the evening..

& Now all I have are a BUNCH of fantastic memories that just make my heart smile.. every time I think about them .. So, I'm not going to think about her and cry.. I'm going to think about her and smile. She wouldn't want us to dwell and cry.. She'd want us all to smile.

RIP Jamie. My beautiful friend/angel on earth/& ANGEL IN HEAVEN NOW.

Leon described the Pep vendosa effect and I had a go with 12 photos all taken more or less from the same spot - I think there is room for improvement ! I think the tree needs more space around it as it seems too crowded and the proper way is to take the tree from all sides. All taken with my iphone as I went out without a card in my camera doh!

IMG_2463 pepvendosa 1400 wborder

Serene Herbert Lake, often described as the hidden jewel of the rockies, located just north of the village of Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Canada.

I've never used the term spike to describe a moose like i have with young male deer and elk, but it seems appropriate in this case. We had been fishing in one of my absolute favorite streams, Big Blue Creek near the Big Blue Wilderness area in southwestern Colorado. In this small stream are brookies, browns and rainbows that readily take both dry flies and small nymphs. The scenery is breathtaking and is fairly easy to get to.

After spending the day on the stream, I headed back to the jeep to sit and reflect while I waited for my fishing buddies to return. There had been a couple of other vehicles in the area and when one came up the gravel road, the driver rolled down his window and said "Hey, did you see the moose?" I said no and quickly grabbed my camera out of the jeep. After walking towards the moose I started shooting from a distance, taking care not to spook them (there was a cow in addition to this bull). The couple in the car sat and watched from inside their vehicle. They asked if I wanted to hop in and said they would drive closer. Of course I said yes and we drove up a bit with me shooting out the back window. We had a pleasant conversation as we watched and took photos. A great way to top off the day!

Thanks for your views and comments!

The genus Grevillea was first formally described in 1809 by Joseph Knight from an unpublished manuscript by Robert Brown. Knight gave the spelling Grevillia, corrected by Brown in 1810 to Grevillea in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. The genus was named in honour of Charles Francis Greville, an 18th-century patron of botany and co-founder of the Royal Horticultural Society.

There are over 350 species which are endemic to Australia. Five other species are endemic to areas outside Australia. Three of these (G. exul, G. gillivrayi, and G. meisneri) are endemic to New Caledonia, while G. elbertii and G. papuana are endemic to Sulawesi and New Guinea respectively. Two other species, G. baileyana and G. glauca, occur in both New Guinea and Queensland.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Described as having all the aesthetic beauty of a suitcase, the Lightning was the Spitfire of its generation and what it lacked in the latters poise and purebred design, it more than made up for in being one of the best all-weather interceptors of all time.

Described by her friend.

2020 is hard to describe. Perhaps the less said about it the better. It was certainly not the way we anticipated it would turn out this time last year. If we take a golfing metaphor, we've gone from aiming at the flag to landing in the water. After taking a penalty shot (lock downs?), we find ourselves stuck in the sand trap. Will next year see us on the green? We can't be sure.

The best we can do is wish each other well, work together to assist where we can and hope that in the end all will be well. At least that gives us some promise of a better 2021. I'll wish you a Happy New Year tomorrow. For the moment we can reflect on where we find ourselves.

Described here... open.substack.com/pub/morsebrosstudios/p/printing-snow-la...

As an amateur photographer, whose photographic skills have been described by an eminent friend and photographer as ‘sure as the earth is flat, the man can take an awesome image’, I am not always sure what to shoot. Do I go for that iconic spot or shoot something that hasn’t yet set the internet on fire? Like the rest of you outstanding landscape photographers, do I wait for that amazing light or keep shooting in the current bland light cursing all the while in Kodak chrome color? Do I pay attention to rules of photography and expectations of the human mind like a trained artist or do I shoot that Hilly Billy wind blowing over nothing? You see, it is never clear to me, what my role as a photographer exactly is.

But that is not the whole truth. I may not always know what to shoot, but I know what not to miss. Sometimes, certain moments in certain places emit a resonance that shiver my emotions and move me. These snippets of time and space are not always iconic, may not always have the best light or photographic contours, but they leave me speechless and strikingly alive. The Mono Lake dead bush, the dead dream atop the Watson Lake, the Grand Canyon Redwall lime-stone set ablaze by the setting sun, the moon shining through the smoky Yosemite tunnel, or, the milky way caressing Mt. Lassen in utter darkness... these are good examples of such extraordinary resonances. They are like eye-contacts with beautiful strangers that somehow drum up the heartbeat while lasting past that critical fourth second.

And then, there are eye contacts with glamorous eyes where it takes a few second to see past the initial bedazzlement and spot their turbulent and covert pain. The above place – hidden next to a beautiful wash in the Valley of Fire State Park – is one such siren that allured me in with its mind-numbing colors, lines and beauty. After a steep climb, I had a very narrow ledge to shoot this eye-candy from. While doing so, I noticed how this beautiful arch, which is in ruins, was bleeding for ages as pink sand and was resting all its hope on a weak pillar that was almost ready to give up. In contrary to above mentioned places, this place did not leave me speechless and alive. Resonating in a different channel, it instead left me numb and bereft of emotions … just as I feel when I must carry the unbearable within while wearing a lie-smile on the outside.

PS: This shot defies color-depth 'rules' of photography quite arrogantly. Guess what, it's one of those days today when defying something is all I feel like doing. (insert lie-smile) :-]

One word can best describe how it felt standing on the bluff over the shore of Yellowstone Lake, looking at the landscape across the water with my telephoto lens, on a very cold, very windy day: Brrr.

The road from Canyon to Yellowstone Lake was the only road open on that day at that particular time, so after stopping off at the lower falls for some shots, I headed on to the lake. I did not really stay very long. Too cold, too tired, and I was dying for a cup of hot coffee. So, I drove back to my warm cozy lodge room, fixed some coffee, and started editing my photos.

Copyright Rebecca L. Latson, all rights reserved.

Described as distortion of Central Park in New York (on an immensely larger scale), screwedCITY Central Desert resonates as corrupted heart within the foul arena of this merciless urban turmoil. Countless dark secrets of screwedCITY organized crime have been buried and lost in Central Desert, but every victim is given one final chance for deliverance – there's a good cell phone signal coverage throughout the Desert, so mobsters never fail to drop poor wretched souls with fully functional cell phones. Apart from them, nobody else ever dares to venture that far into the Desert.

Anyway, the irony's on the house – now you may begin to feel desEARTHED...

Barbados - Andromeda Botanic Gardens- Caribbean

Described by a Royal Horticultural Society judge as 'one of the most unique and outstanding gardens in the world', Andromeda is the original garden of Barbados and provides visitors with an authentic garden experience. Created as a private family retreat, Andromeda has a wonderful collection of plants with a relaxing pond at the heart of these historic and organic gardens. Comprised of about 20 different but connected gardens, the variety of plants and experiences is incredible. There are over 500 different plant species, including over 150 trees and palms. Enjoy the wildlife - bees, birds and butterflies add so much to the enjoyment! Journey through these gardens at your leisure and marvel at the vision of its creator, the multi-award winning Iris Bannochie (three Gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show, Silver Crown of Merit by the Barbadian government and much more). Andromeda Botanic Gardens, 'the best garden in Barbados by far', is also an accredited training provider.

Julianne Waldock who described this species last year measured the holotype as just shy of 8 mm (without spinnerets) which would make this by far the largest peacock spider species and this was one of the reasons I was so keen on finding and photographing this spider. There is a phenomenon called "island gigantism" meaning that the size of an animal isolated on an island often increases dramatically in comparison to their mainland relative. Therefore it would not be unexpected to find a larger than usual Maratus on Middle Island. I asked one of my individuals to hop onto a ruler, looks to me like under 5 mm. Three mm difference does not sound like much but it is huge if you consider the resulting increase in mass, in other words a spider close to 8 mm long would look massive by comparison. Picture this, If its tail end was in the same position as shown above its eyes would be at the right margin of the picture ! All other individuals I found on Middle Island are of similar size, and if that size is typical of the species it makes Maratus caeruleus not the island giant I was hoping to find, and only slightly larger than its mainland relative Maratus avibus. However, I am not disappointed, beautiful animal.

For more info about this species look into the description to the album, and have a look at the other pictures of this species. And if you are not familiar with peacock spiders yet,,watch my videos on YouTube, channel Peacockspiderman www.youtube.com/user/Peacockspiderman Or check out other peacock spiders in my growing collection www.flickr.com/photos/59431731@N05/collections/7215762742...

You may also like the babies, in fact I am sure you will www.flickr.com/photos/59431731@N05/collections/7215764000...

And for regular updates on my discoveries, videos and photography visit me on Facebook www.facebook.com/PeacockSpider

So after recent forays into what can very tenuously be described as 'artsy' and here you can substitute your own alternative descriptions, possibly using the consonants s, h, t, interspersed with a couple of vowels. I thought I'd get back to more solid ground.

I say solid ground however this was taken during the Beast from the east weekend and 40mph winds made the beach feel anything but solid. I think 1.3 seconds of firmly grasping the stick friend (no, please, that's the tripod) was the longest exposure I was going to make!

Recent uploads have touched on references to Alice falling down rabbit holes, red pills, blue pills and the use of mushrooms, and I don't mean in risotto, heaven forbid, on my stream!

So, anyway I thought we'd give this track an outing. Probably one of the most iconic songs of the psychedelic early 60's, not that I actually witnessed it, I'll have you know.

Grace Slicks voice is just wonderful!

youtu.be/WANNqr-vcx0

Uhh... self explanatory?

Described as "She-Who-Shapes-The-Sacred-Land" in ancient Hawaiian chants, the volcano goddess, Pele, was passionate, volatile, and capricious. In modern times, Pele has become the most visible of all the old gods and goddesses. Dwelling in the craters of the Big Island's Kilauea Volcano, she has been sending ribbons of fiery lava down the mountainside and adding new land around the southeastern shore almost continuously since 1983.

This statue of Pele stands in the queue area of the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction at the Magic Kingdom. The placement of these statues around the queue not only draws interest but sets the mood for the coming show.

EXPLORED on March 11, 2015 #168

Thanks for looking, everybody!

Twitter Instagram

Portfolio & Services

The underwater realm cannot be adequately described in the few short sentences I am about to write. To even try to capture it in words is like trying to describe life itself.

So instead, I will simply state that since I learned to dive back in 1997, my life has changed forever. SCUBA diving is underwater flying in three dimensional space. The wildlife routinely is as curious about you as you are of it. The light shifts through ripples on the surface, and under the kelp, sun beam fractals split, bend and reunite.

Many divers only descend into the depths if the water is clear and warm, but they are missing out. There exists a mystical, magical quality to the light when it passes through planktonic microorganisms, through life itself. I'll take my kelp forests any day over "warm and clear".

And I'm crossing my fingers my ear heals up to allow me to dive another day. The depth of my love for the underwater world knows no bounds.

Nikon D200

Nikkor 10.5mm fisheye

1/250sec @ f6.3, ISO 100

Aquatica Housing with 8" Dome Port

Sea & Sea YS-120 strobes at full and half power

I always have a hard time describing the color of Ripley's coat - it's not orange, it's not rust, it's not brown . . . today I figured out the best way to describe it is "like the colors of fall."

Also an update - I am not done with my renovation yet, but what is left might have to wait until spring since the weather is not cooperating. I also started a new job a few weeks ago since the company I had been with for 12 years was being sold. It has been a very busy and stressful time, but hopefully the worst of it is now over and I can get back to doing more of what I love - taking photos!

Once described to me as one of the finest walks in England

Muker/Keld, Swaledale, Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, UK

©SWJuk (2022)

All rights reserved

Isabelline describes a fawn colouration and appears in the names of two birds on the British List; Isabelline Shrike and Isabelline Wheatear. I remember reading years ago that the name came from Archduchess Isabella, daughter of Philip II of Spain who vowed not to change her linen until Ostend was taken, but this lasted three years (1601-4) and the colour of her unwashed linen became fashionable. However, this link has been proved wrong as an inventory of Queen Elizabeth I describes a gown of isabella colour in 1600, so the word pre-dates the siege of Ostend. The most likely origin is Queen Isabel I of Castile and Spain (reigned 1474-1504) who also apparently vowed not to change her undergarments until Spain was freed from the Moors, which happened in 1492.

Isabelline Wheatear breeds in grassy steppe habitat from eastern Greece through Turkey, Ukraine right across the Russian steppes as far as Inner Mongolia and NE China. They winter in Pakistan, the Arabian peninsula and NE Africa. There have been about thirty records in Britain, usually juveniles in autumn. Both sexes look like a robust, upright juvenile Wheatear but with a broader black tail band, shown beautifully here by this displaying bird. I photographed this singing male on breeding territory in Turkey where its sandy plumage blended in well with the habitat.

-

攝影曾經被描述為用光來做畫。

Photography was once described as painting with light.

- Anonymous

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

● Non-HDR-processed / Non-GND-filtered

● Black Card Technique 黑卡作品

-

-

-

✖ A NOTE TO SOME ADMINS ✖

-

Please don't bother to invite me to post and share my works in your group if you insist on asking an invited guest to award or comment, for I consider it impolite and rude and even insulting. I am not being unreasonable and a bad sport; it's always unacceptably unpleasant to be banned from a group or rejected to join a group after HAVING been invited to join a group for being accused of not having followed the group rules, especially when you are invited to share your works.

When I spontaneously post any images in any groups, I always follow group rules to comment or award, because it is out of my own will to post and I know its my obligation to go by the book. So when asked to be a guest to share my photos, I think I deserve something better than a ban in return.

William Dendy described the buildings in his book Lost Toronto:

"Inevitably, given the date, the style of the new buildings was Romanesque Revival. It was built on a foundation of roughly finished Credit Valley sandstone, with upper walls of red brick ornamented with terra cotta panels and string courses. The basic arrangement of the design - a projecting triple-arched entrance, a central tower, and flanking wings forming a quadrangle behind - was very common at the time, and had become firmly established in Toronto with Lennox's City Hall (1996-92).... In fact, the new tower, rising 165 feet (50 m) above the ground, like a church steeple above the surrounding trees, became a symbol of the college - an ever present reminder to students, and to the city below the hill, of the importance of the college and the influence of the alumni that had been shaped by it."

If I had to describe what the climate was like in the Great Lakes Region, I would use these two shots from Whitewater.

On January 29th southern Wisconsin was hit with frigid temps and a stiff wind. Daytime air temperatures in the area reached a high of 6 degrees with gusts up to 25 MPH (so you can imagine what the windchill was like). Local news stations recommended people stay indoors. But with two good trains running in the area, that wasn't gonna happen from me.

Due to the low temperatures, the entire railroad was slammed with a cold weather restriction which meant that track speeds were knocked down to 10 MPH. So while this move left Waukesha with the sun a little too far east, the turtle-like pace gave more than enough time for the sun to swing further west.

So here I was, almost six months to the date, standing on the Highway 12 overpass, shooting another T004R restricted to 10 MPH with the air temps nearly 100 degrees colder than in the other photo. Now if that doesn't sum up the climate around here, then I don't know what does.