View allAll Photos Tagged DramaticSky
I will never tire of this view from the Mt Tomaree summit. This recent visit was the first time I've been up there on a cloudy day, so I guess it's different.
Visited all those beaches you can see along this bit of coast: Zenith, Wreck, Box & Fingal Spit. Along with many others of course.
Have a great end to the week everyone, and thanks for the visit & any comments, always appreciated.
PS - did I ever mention I was addicted to the hokey pokey? I managed to turn myself around though ;)
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Κάστρο Παραλίου Άστρους Coastal Astros Castle
on my blog ΛΟΓΕΙΚΩΝ Logicon
Στο Παράλιο Άστρος και στην νότια κορυφή του λόφου (νησί) που δεσπόζει του λιμανιού, υπάρχει κάστρο από τα χρόνια της φραγκοκρατίας. Συχνά αναφέρεται και σαν Κάστρο (ή Πύργος) των Ζαφειρόπουλων.
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Ιστορία
Το έχτισε το 1256 μ.Χ. ο πρίγκιπας Γουλιέλμος Βιλεαρδουίνoς (Castello della estella όπως το ονόμαζε) και διέμενε σ' αυτό ο Ενετός Διοικητής.
Στα μεταγενέστερα χρόνια της Τουρκοκρατίας το κάστρο διαμορφώθηκε σε ισχυρό αμυντικό συγκρότημα.
Τον 18ο αιώνα, τρεις αδελφοί, οι αδελφοί Ζαφειρόπουλοι, εύποροι έμποροι στο εξωτερικό, επέστρεψαν στην ιδιαίτερη πατρίδα τους για να αγωνιστούν κατά των Τούρκων και οικοδόμησαν στο χώρο του κάστρου τρεις κατοικίες, διαμορφώνοντας παράλληλα το εσωτερικό του. Οι κατοικίες αυτές είναι χαρακτηριστικά δείγματα της προεπαναστατικής αρχιτεκτονικής της περιοχής και σώζονται μέχρι σήμερα, οι δύο πρώτες σε ημιερειπωμένη και η Τρίτη σε ερειπωμένη κατάσταση.
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Δομικά, Αρχιτεκτονικά, Οχυρωματικά Στοιχεία
Έχει τετράπλευρη κάτοψη και διατηρεί μεγάλο τμήμα του οχυρωματικού περιβόλου και έναν από τους οχυρούς του πύργους. Σώζονται επίσης δύο εξωτερικές πύλες του κάστρου.
At Paralio Astros and at the southern tip of the hill (island) that dominates the harbor, there is a castle from the years of Frankish rule. It is often referred to as the Castle (or Tower) of Zafiropoulos.
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History
It was built in 1256 AD Prince William Villarduin (Castello della estella as he called it) and the Venetian Governor resided there.
In the later years of the Turkish occupation the castle was formed into a strong defensive complex.
In the 18th century, three brothers, the Zafiropoulos brothers, wealthy merchants abroad, returned to their homeland to fight against the Turks and built three houses on the castle site, while shaping its interior. These houses are typical examples of the pre-revolutionary architecture of the area and are still preserved, the first two in semi-ruined and the third in ruined condition.
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Building, Architectural, Fortification Elements
It has a four-sided floor plan and holds a large part of the fortified enclosure and one of its fortifications. Two outer gates of the castle are also preserved.
This was that time I arrived at Caves Beach a little early for nature's gathering. The clouds were already there, chatting amongst themselves. The waves were enthusiastically applauding every few seconds, the breeze was wandering about introducing itself, and the moss had clearly made an effort with its snazzy green outfit. The sandstone, being several million years old, simply watched the festivities unfold. The sunlight stayed just long enough to see who else might turn up. I stayed until the rain looked like it was about to arrive uninvited. Love a nature get together!
Have a great week. Thanks for stopping by and any comments, always appreciated.
A visit to Ribblehead Viaduct by Andy Rouse and me did not disappoint as a photographic outing. The weather was not great, but ideal for some very dramatic skies with the use of ND filters. One minute we had rain, the next we would get a break in the clouds giving some really fantastic light patterns across the moors, and then complete shadow; all accompanied by very strong winds from time to time, typical British weather. Great day out though….!
Watching the sun set over the ocean is a bit of a novelty for those of us on Australia's east coast. The obvious solution is to drive roughly 3,900 km to Perth - about 41 hours behind the wheel, or four days if you're feeling enthusiastic.
Fortunately, there's another west coast rather closer to home, just a few hours on a plane: Tasmania's, and in this case Ocean Beach at Strahan.
This is an older photo, but I still remember standing there with friends, completely gobsmacked as the sun disappeared towards the horizon. There's something different about watching the sun set over an endless expanse of ocean when you're accustomed to seeing it rise there instead. The sky seemed to stretch forever, so I thought a panoramic crop suited the spectacle.
I also remember a tiny beach tucked around the headland. All sorts of things wash ashore on remote beaches, but do you know what we found washing up on this tiny one?
Microwaves. 😉
Thanks for the visit & any comments — always appreciated!
An architectural portrait of One Blackfriars, one of London's most distinctive modern skyscrapers. The asymmetrical, sculpted glass form of the tower mirroring the dramatic sky above showcasing the dynamic interplay of modern geometry and light.
Photo by Vladimir_Kud
Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Attribution required.
Early morning on the pedestrian walkway of Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the southern pylon framed by cool blue light and the first warm glow along the bridge.
Top of Mam Tor this evening. I initially went up for a sunset, but it got cloudy just at it started to go down. This caught my attention instead.
That red lichen was everywhere along the east coast of Tasmania. I can't blame it I suppose. If I was a red lichen, I'd be likin' hanging around those turquoise waters too.
I used to dislike moss, but now I think it's growing on me ;)
Have a great Friday and thanks for any comments, they are greatly appreciated !
Waterscape 62/100 in 2025
Strolling Mugi’s port. An endless breakwater leads to the iconic red lighthouse, where sea meets sky in golden hour splendor.
This pic is back on the Bouddi coastal track. Well, more precisely, off the track. Wanna come join me hop over the edge, scale down the cliffside to the little grassy platform for some fantastic views looking along the cliffs instead of down on them. It's a different perspective at the bottom; it feels more real for some reason. And this grassy area was just inviting us down! Don't worry, if a rogue wave happens along its just a quick scramble up for some immediate elevation out of harm's way :)
Have a great Easter weekend everyone!
Thanks kindly for any likes/comments, they are always appreciated.
Waterscape 33/100 in 2025
Looking up between the office towers of central Sydney, with the buildings framing a sky filled with heavy clouds.
Heute möchte ich euch mein absolutes Lieblingsbild zeigen ein Foto, das ich bisher noch nie auf Flickr veröffentlicht habe.
Es ist mittlerweile schon eine ganze Weile her, seit ich es aufgenommen habe. Das Foto entstand im April 2018. Zu dieser Zeit waren wir öfter unterwegs, immer mit dem Ziel, Blitze über Berlin zu fotografieren. Allerdings hatten die Gewitterzellen scheinbar etwas gegen uns: Wie auf magische Weise lösten sich die meisten Gewitter genau vor Berlin wieder auf. So kam es nicht selten vor, dass wir am Ende ohne einen einzigen Blitz auf dem Foto wieder nach Hause gefahren sind.
Nicht aber an diesem Tag.
Ich hatte tatsächlich das Glück, diesen Blitz während einer 20-sekündigen Belichtung einzufangen. Mein Freund Thomas war ebenfalls dabei, hat ihn allerdings leider verpasst.
Ein solch großer Blitz folgte an diesem Abend nicht mehr. Und auch danach habe ich nie wieder einen Blitz dieser Größe gesehen, geschweige denn einen solchen fotografieren können.
Ich glaube tatsächlich, dass es ein ziemlich besonderes Exemplar ist. Wobei ich ehrlich gesagt überhaupt keine Ahnung von Blitzen habe und mich auch nicht als Blitzjäger bezeichnen würde. Ich hatte an diesem Abend einfach unglaubliches Glück, im richtigen Moment den Auslöser gedrückt zu haben.
Auf jeden Fall ist dieses Foto bis heute mein absolutes Lieblingsbild. Vielleicht gefällt es euch ja genauso gut wie mir.
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Today I’d like to show you my absolute favorite photo – a picture I’ve never shared on Flickr before.
It’s been quite a while since I took it. The photo was captured back in April 2018. At the time, we were out quite often, always hoping to photograph lightning over Berlin. But somehow, almost every thunderstorm cell seemed to disappear just before reaching the city. So it wasn’t unusual for us to head home without capturing a single lightning strike.
But not this time.
I was lucky enough to capture this particular lightning strike during a 20-second exposure. My friend Thomas was there with me, but unfortunately, he missed it.
There wasn’t another lightning strike anywhere near this size that evening. And since then, I’ve never seen – let alone photographed – another one quite like it.
I honestly believe this was a pretty special one. That said, I don’t really know much about lightning and I wouldn’t consider myself a storm chaser either. I was simply incredibly lucky to be in the right place, at the right time, with the shutter open.
In any case, this has remained my absolute favorite photo to this day. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Morning light and clouds reflected in the Bowman’s Beach Mangrove Canal, Sanibel Island, Florida. The Mangrove Canal’s tranquil waters are home to an abundance of wildlife including manatees, wading birds, ospreys, and mullet.
Caucasus Mountains, Svaneti, Georgia, 2013.
“Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the more often and steadily we reflect upon them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me. I do not seek or conjecture either of them as if they were veiled obscurities or extravagances beyond the horizon of my vision; I see them before me and connect them immediately with the consciousness of my existence.”
-- Immanuel Kant, Critique of Practical Reason
A spectacular wide-angle view captured from the high Dnieper cliffs near the historic village of Trypillya, looking towards the town of Ukrainka, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine. The vast mirror of the Dnieper River, divided by a lush green island, under a dramatic and textured summer sky filled with layered clouds. The elevation of these historic cliffs offers a perfect vantage point to feel the scale of the mighty river and the modern silhouette of the distant town.
The Cucuteni-Trypillia culture (c. 5400–2750 BCE) is a remarkable Eneolithic archaeological phenomenon that spanned modern-day Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania. Discovered in the 19th century by archaeologist Vikentiy Khvoyka near the village of Trypillia, this society was characterized by advanced agricultural practices, highly sophisticated painted pottery with innovative firing techniques, and massive two-story proto-cities that housed up to 15,000 residents. These settlements were ritually burned to the ground every 60–80 years before the population relocated. Centered around the cults of the sun and fertility, their rich spiritual and technological legacy left a mark on the development of early European civilizations.
Photo by Vladimir_Kud
Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Attribution required.