The foothills of the mountains in the Southern Lakes are covered in trees. The acid soils and humid conditions encourage ferns and moss, sessile oaks and the most wonderful beech trees, many of which are copper beech. Holly, rowan and hazel grow here too - the perfect environment for wildlife. Bird song everywhere - just magic. Red squirrels also abide here, unseen (by me, quiet as I was), as they are small and quick.

We even had a pair of nuthatches visit our bird feeder. They became used to me, coming out for the special food I put out for them. They were raising families of course, and so their food was rich in protein. Not cheap, but worth it !

Taken from the top of our 'holiday retreat' path one morning. The light was so lovely.

Thank you as always for your kind comments, faves and invites - hope you feel inspired to visit this wonderful place.

My own texture used - processed in PicMonkey with a touch of Topaz Glow.

SMALL and compact bird with a relatively short. dark tail. This male was seen at Sandwich Bay Kent and was the only bird of note seen today, and a bit distant, hope you enjoy it!

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Trust you are staying safe and well, thanks for your visit, please leave a comment, it is always appreciated, and find it encouraging . God bless.........................Tomx

Also known as the Eastern Gray Squirrel, native to eastern North America where it is an essential natural forester. Less arboreal than then the Red Squirrel as the grey tends to feed extensively on the ground. Its not their fault that there over here in the UK that one lie's with the worlds most destructive and most dangerous animal on the planet called the human. This is one of the first wild mammals that children can get to see regally and so sometimes help encourage them to get into nature.

Brown Hare - Lepus europaeus

Norfolk

The brown hare is known for its long, black-tipped ears and fast running - it can reach speeds of 45mph when evading predators. It prefers a mosaic of farmland and woodland habitats and can often be spotted in fields.

Thought to have been introduced into the UK in Roman Times (or even earlier), the brown hare is now considered naturalised. It is most common in grassland habitats and at woodland edges, favouring a mosaic of arable fields, grasses and hedgerows. It grazes on vegetation and the bark of young trees and bushes. Brown hares do not dig burrows, but shelter in 'forms', which are shallow depressions in the ground or grass; when disturbed, they can be seen bounding across the fields, using their powerful hind legs to propel them forwards, often in a zigzag pattern. Brown hares are at their most visible in early spring when the breeding season encourages fighting or 'boxing'. Females can produce three to four litters of two to four young (known as leverets) a year.

Widespread, but absent from northern Scotland and the Scottish islands, except Islay, I'm reliably informed.

www.facebook.com/jefflack.2/photos

Dahlias are a captivating and diverse group of flowering plants celebrated for their vibrant and intricate blooms. These flowers belong to the Asteraceae family and are native to Mexico and Central America. Dahlias come in various sizes, shapes, and colors, ranging from small, button-sized pom-poms to large, dinner-plate-sized blossoms. Their petals can be single, semi-double, or fully double, displaying a wide spectrum of colors, including shades of red, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and white.

Dahlias thrive in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight, typically grown from tubers planted in the spring after the threat of frost has passed. Regular deadheading (removing spent blooms) encourages continuous flowering. They are versatile plants used to beautify flower beds, borders, and gardens, while their long stems and showy blooms make them popular choices for cut flower arrangements and bouquets.

In regions with cold winters, dahlias are often treated as tender perennials or annuals. To overwinter them, dig up the tubers in the fall after the first frost, let them dry, and store them in a cool, dark place until spring. Despite their beauty, dahlias can be susceptible to pests like aphids and slugs, as well as diseases like powdery mildew and fungal infections, necessitating proper care and vigilance.

Symbolically, dahlias convey meanings of elegance, dignity, and a commitment to an eternal bond in the language of flowers. They are often used in wedding bouquets and other formal arrangements. In Mexico, dahlias hold cultural and symbolic significance as the national flower, further enhancing their charm and importance.

♫

Dialogue on weather, breeding in the pound

Fateful first-time meeting, life is in the ground

Icarus they caught you where you tumbled on

Encourage you to dive now the sun is gone

I just don't know

I just don't know

aah...

moon is torn asunder over faulty two

guillotines in shackles, heads roll for a few

I just don't know

I just don't know

I just don't know

aah...

Visit this location at {Lazy Sundays} in Second Life

A male Tawny Frogmouth called Kermit at the Secret Owl Garden.

Thanks for your visit… Any comment you make on my photograph is greatly appreciated and encouraging! But please do not use this image without permission.

things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.

-- Helen Keller

Thanks a lot, dear friends for encouraging me by posting comments & adding to your faves :-)

La grisaille actuelle encourage à prolonger la sieste pour Maya, la météo annonce de la neige dès dimanche, les journées seront plus claires.

Des doux ronrons de ma puce pour tous ses fans.

Bon week-end à vous tous.

--

The current gloom encourages extending the nap for Maya, the weather forecast announces snow from Sunday, the days will be clearer.

Sweet purrs from my kitty for all her fans.

Good weekend to you all.

Love the trees until their leafs fall off- then encourage them to try again next year.

Chad Sugg

Thankfully, this year I was given permission to photograph in the snowdrop meadow near me.

Strundetal, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany

Thank you for your views, encouraging comments and awards.

For SoS the last Christmas image of this season. A glass angel from the window sill.

Hope everyone who is still on Flickr is enjoying this day, have good food and good company and whatever else takes your fancy!

Special greetings to Maria Godfrida who curates this group with kindness and encouraging comments, thank you very much!

Wild South Africa

Kruger National Park

A female elephant encouraging her two offspring to cross the waterway.

Photographed late one afternoon at Sable Dam, Kruger National Park.

Hello dear friends.

I´m on my feet again , slowly , slowly, I'll be back.

A lot of training right now, and it's hard to sit at the computer.

But I'm glad that finally I'll soon have two healthy knees to go with it.

Thanks for all the encouraging greetings.

Lincoln Square

Thank you all for your very encouraging comments, views and faves. Your continuous support means a lot!

Join us starting today @Frogmore for a 1 week photo challenge. This challenge will be located in our Shire area which includes a new garden splash pool for fun avatar photos. We have amazing views from every angle and lots of wildlife including Ducks, Egrets, Frogs, Doves, Seagulls, as well as Capybaras, Butterflies, and a Kitty or two. This is designed to be a fun challenge, and we will have prizes to go around. **Frogmore Inworld Group Membership Required** Avatars photos encouraged. Frogmore Main Landing - Join our group here ---> maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Frogmore/180/98/28 Shire location for photo challenge ---> maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Frogmore/19/73/21 Group discussion and photo challenge details ---> www.flickr.com/groups/frogmore/discuss/72157721918776317/ *Have fun and enjoy !!*

I would like to thank everyone who take the time to view and comment on my photographs it is greatly appreciated and encouraging

Off line for a couple of days

I just recently purchased a new camera. My husband has been encouraging me to buy this camera for years! A few weeks ago, I found a price I could not resist. I must say there are a LOT of buttons. After days of reading and watching videos, I decided it was time to test my knowledge. This shot has only been cropped with a small touch of saturation. The water was calm and reflected the tan building on the opposite side. As the ducks took to the water, I was focused on the lighting. I was so surprised at the colors and textures of the rippled water as the pair swam to the other side. I felt this would be a “Keeper shot”, which was confirmed when it popped up on my computer.

Okay Was Challenged Over a Month Ago. Chickened Out! A New Friend Encouraged me to Post It. Wiggle The Butt! Winks

~ Risqué Colour Screen!! ~ The Award Tree ~

BiG THANKS to EVERYONE for your personal comments and also your support from selected groups.

Awards are always encouraging and especially appreciated from those add my work to their collection of 'faves'.

Cheerz G

SL Landscapes - SLURL Required 🚕

Thank You Very Much all for your encouraging 💕💕💕

GAMBIA FEB 2019

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LIVELY MALE SUNBIRD, with a broad violet brest-band. Habits coastal scrub, attracted to small flowering bushes, probing for nectar always on the move, flies with rapid wing beats and a dipping flight, am very happy to have nailed this one, because its no easy job. Zoom in to see its amazing plumage !

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISIT AND KIND COMMENTS, it is very appreciated, and find encouraging. Stay safe, God bless..........

.............................................Tomx

The little man explores the library…

Skippy wears the following cool new styles,

which are all available at The Men's Dept. (TMD):

Sleepy Eddy's Pullover Hoodie!

Cold Ash's Miles Casual Chinos!

Rebellion's "Brigham" Kicks (Diesel Edition)!

Zoom's Kalio Glasses!

The little student also created his world

with the following amazing designs:

Cinoe's Shelves, and Tables, which are all part of the Continuation of the Story Collection, available at TMD!

Bus to TMD!

In addition, Skippy envisioned his universe with the following incredible creations:

KraftWork's French Wall Panels!

And lots of Books, provided by Soy, Thor, Convair, Apple Fall, Vespertine, Floorplan, David Heather, Sorgo, and Cinoe!

Let's keep building a world filled with stories, a world where we encourage play and exploration, a world of wonder!

Keep shining bright, my friends!

Watch them follow and watch them run but truly...to my followers and all those who have been there to support and encourage me during this whole Photoshop adventure..I give you my thanks for believing in what I do and what I create. It is because of you all that I've kept learning , that I've kept creating and that I still try to climb that photoshop mountain to explore and learn every time again.

I still remember the very first picture that I added on Flickr , the first picture that got the 100 likes , the first banner and so on..

I know I might not always add my pictures so fast then I once did but I'm still here and still working on my little creepy sinister world , , sometimes brighter and more colorful then other times.

As always , and never forget , my special thanks to my sweet dear chum Lost..always there , always encouraging , because of him I've started with making pics. Adore you my dear Mellon.

Okay!! So after that little lecture .. 😉

DRD Spear is found @ DRD mainstore

Dirt Applier is from TWC ( The White Crow) @ TWC mainstore

Collar : CX Collar @ CX Mainstore

Scarf : XC Wanderer Scarf @ CX mainstore

Earrings : CX tainted Noctirine @ CX mainstore (gifts L'homme)

Pants : CX Roamer Pants @ CX mainstore

Bracers : CX Heathen Armguard @ CX Mainstore

CX SLurl : maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cerberus%20Crossing/133/12...

Magnolia is a large genus of about 210 flowering plant species in the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family Magnoliaceae. Magnolia is an ancient genus. Appearing before bees did, the flowers are theorized to have evolved to encourage pollination by beetles. To avoid damage from pollinating beetles, the carpels of Magnolia flowers are extremely tough. The flowers are bisexual with numerous adnate carpels and stamens are arranged in a spiral fashion on the elongated receptacle. The natural range of Magnolia species is a disjunct distribution, with a main center in east and southeast Asia and a secondary center in eastern North America, Central America, the West Indies, and some species in South America. 7127

BiG THANKS to EVERYONE for your personal comments and also your support from selected groups.

Awards are always encouraging and especially appreciated from those add my work to their collection of 'faves'.

Cheerz

"The Art of Bloggers and Photographers in SL" (Opted Out)

Thank You Very Much all for your encouraging ♡♡♡

Thank you all my kind friends for your thoughtful and encouraging comments, favs and views, I wish I could thank you all individually but right now it's not possible, hope all of you have a wonderful weekend and as always happy shooting :-))

The little man paints his summer…

Skippy was inspired to create his universe with the help of the astounding new collection by 8f8. It's entitled "Paint Me Summer", and you can find the amazing assortment at the beautiful Black Kite!

I always feel right at home in 8f8's world. Each piece is filled with stories waiting to be told. Each design is filled with heart that you can see and feel. Each piece lights a fire in the imagination and encourages us to dream. I'm always so awestruck and think you will be too!

And and and... Skippy does a happy dance and laughs and shouts so very loud, "SHIPS!!!"

Stop by the 8f8 Store and be inspired!

On a personal note, I want to thank you, my Uncle iBi, for all that you do. You make our world a kinder, more compassionate, and brighter place. You continue to inspire me everyday, and I am indeed grateful for that.

Keep creating and shining so bright, my friends!

"The literal meaning of this phrase is “let us try one more time,” or “try again.” King Henry speaks this phrase to encourage his soldiers, who are launching an attack on through a gap or breach in the walls of Harfleur.'

This was how I felt when it came to achieving this image. Each time I went, the conditions were only adequate and therefore, so too was the result. On this stormy day, I thought the clouds might part and let the sunshine through, but after hours waiting, it was not to be. So, admittedly I packed up to move on.

However, when I saw a different opportunity it was because the light was shining through and maybe it would pass over my spot. I ran as best I could which was not very well. The camera was still on the settings needed and my tripod marks revealed where I had been. Sure enough, the light came and changed everything giving the final image life. I almost titled this shot "Paid For", because as I was waiting, I was either bitten or stung by some rather large flyer on the arm. The things we do to get the shot. Yikes!

SL LEA8 - ASTRAL DREAMS PROJECT ✈

Thank You Very Much all for your encouraging ♡♡♡

Thank You Very Much all for your encouraging ♡♡♡

thx 4 faves comments invites so encouraging ...press L

Corby Rose Garden was originally owned by a prominent business man named Henry Corby who moved to Belleville from England in 1832.

Over the years Mr. Corby and his family had been instrumental in encouraging and assisting Belleville in its growth as a community. A neighboring town that housed the family distillery was named Corbyville in his honor.

Corby Park, as it was titled, was donated to the city of Belleville in 1905.

thx 4 faves comments invites always encouraging press L to view full

Watching the sun set on the other side of Ploumanac'h Lighthouse on the Pink Granite Coast

Cotes d'Armor, Brittany

Thank you for your views, encouraging comments and faves!

Walking in Your Footsteps - The Police

BiG THANKS to EVERYONE for your personal comments and also your support from selected groups.

Awards are always encouraging and especially appreciated from those add my work to their collection of 'faves'.

Cheerz G

Salt Water ✈

Thank You Very Much all for your encouraging ♡♡♡

I was much encouraged by a friend's appreciation to attempt more shots at relatively slow shutter speeds for panning with an 800mm focal length, hand-held lens. I am glad I did as I got several pictures that I wouldn't otherwise have attempted - this is one such taken at 1/60th seconds.

The Gladiator was the last biplane fighter to enter RAF service, in 1937 - the same year as the far more capable Spitfire. Despite looking rather old fashioned, it has a very sprightly performance, compared to other biplanes of the era, but even so, was already pretty much obsolescent when it entered service. It had some relatively novel features such as landing flaps (seen in the lowered position in the picture) and an enclosed cockpit. This latter was not very popular with pilots of the day as 'real flying' involved being in the open air. Later aircraft that flew higher and faster in much colder air soon put paid that attitude! The cockpit hood was kept in the open position for this display.

Encouraged by the sun and blue sky, we braved the 3°C for a ride through the countryside. Passed this little cabin that looks like an ideal spot to spend some time - on a warmer day.

A freshly emerged second generation male Adonis Blue butterfly.

Thanks for your visit… Any comment you make on my photographs is greatly appreciated and encouraging! But please do not use this image without permission.

Encouraging emerging individualism, Photography through Flickr is no longer restricted to the self assured elite.

"Flickr is home to EVERY kind of photography, and that covers a vast range of subjects, styles, and categories."

Kalamaki, as Kalkan was known in ancient history is thought to have been founded between 150-200 years ago by traders from the Greek Island of Meis, which lies 2 miles off shore from the town of Kas, which is 18 miles from Kalkan.

The success of those early traders encouraged others of both Greek and Turkish origin to settle. Evidence of this can be seen in the similarity in architecture in Meis and Kalkan. Settlement was further stimulated by Kalkan's harbour which was the only safe, hospitable harbour between Fethiye and Kas.

Kalkan Mosque

Kalkan's Mosque, originally a Greek orthodox church is one of Kalkan's earliest buildings and the architecture is very reminiscent of churches that can be seen in the Greek Mediterranean today.

Kalkan people were largely involved in trade. Various produce, including charcoal, silk, cotton, Olive oil, timber, grapes and sesame were brought by camel from the plains of Patara and mountains to be loaded onto ships where goods were taken to other parts of the Ottoman empire such as Egypt, Syria, Cyprus, Rhodes and Lebanon.

The 20th century saw Kalkan prosper with this trade, and history records that in the early 1900's there was a customs House, 17 restaurants, a goldsmith and several tailors at this time.

The 1920's saw the start of changes, with the founding of the Turkish Republic, and population exchange of Greeks and Turks. Greeks who were living in Turkey moved to Greece and Australia, and Turks who were living in Greece moved to Turkey.

In the 1960's a coastal road was completed between Kalkan and the larger towns of Antalya to the East and Fethiye to the West. This new mobility and the opportunities for local people to develop businesses further afield meant that at that time many people left Kalkan.

I would like to thank everyone who take the time to view and comment on my photographs it is greatly appreciated and encouraging

From a day out with a falconer

Second Life - Landscapes

Thank You Very Much all for your encouraging ♡♡♡

Do they Know it's Christmas ~ Band Aid 1984

~ Seasonal Holiday Cards! ~ The Award Tree ~

The original 2 photos can be viewed in th first comment box below.

BiG THANKS to EVERYONE for your personal comments and also your support from selected groups.

Awards are always encouraging and especially appreciated from those add my work to their collection of 'faves'.

Love the trees until their leaves fall off,

then encourage them to try again next year !!

thx 4 faves comments invites so encouraging...press L

Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce

Created for 108th MMM Challenge

Source image with thanks to Cindy Shebley

BiG THANKS to EVERYONE for your personal comments and also your support from selected groups.

Awards are always encouraging and especially appreciated from those add my work to their collection of 'faves'.

Cheerz G

We are encouraged to go for a walk so took the first step today nice to get out again I had no communication with anyone did not have to think about 6 feet separation.