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I wish I remembered where I took this photo some years back. All I can say with certainty, unfortunately, is that it's from a shrine in Osaka that I came across as I was walking my way through the city. While much of my photostream features grand viewpoints or iconic architecture, small details like this can be visually impactful, too. At least for me. =)
*Features:
- 100% Mesh structure
- 100% seamlessly tillable, several buildings next to each other - sideways
- 100% original mesh and design made by myself
- Fully rendered textures with light and shadows for a realistic effect
- (Important........before click on rez your building , please make sure that you have positioned the rez box on the middle of your parcel and that your parcel is at last 64x64 meters.
- The prefabs buildings come in 8 different interior versions which are included on the same pack.
See details bellow:
RSD The Event V1
With middle booth
4 textures interior themes
Footprint 64x64
Prim count 156
RSD The Event V2
Without middle booth
4 textures interior themes
Footprint 64x64
Prim count 155
- Minimum Parcel Size Required: 4096sq. meters.
- Or 64x64 Meters Parcel.
- Permissions
Copy / Modify / No Transfer
*Please Read Carefully !
MESH VIEWER
This item requires a mesh enabled viewer.
Please note that I won't be responsible for any of your modifications.
If you make a mistake, please just rez a new store from your "Rez Box".
For any questions send a IM to Colyn Jewell
The first of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company's two new ships MENAWETHAN makes her debut at Penzance just after 08:45 on the completion of her delivery voyage from Vietnam via Brittany on June 18, 2025.
She is due to replace the GRY MARITHA as the company's freight ship - but will also be able to carry some passengers in much better style than the limited accommodation on the GRY MARITHA.
The MENAWETHAN is a purpose-built 45-metre ship built at the Piriou Shipyard in Vietnam, she successfully arrived in Penzance, Cornwall, after an impressive 8,000-mile delivery voyage via the Cape of Good Hope. She serves as the vital lifeline link connecting the mainland to the islands.She is named after one of the uninhabited Eastern Isles of the Isles of Scilly.
Key Features and Capacity
•Cargo Space: The 45 m ship boasts a 207-tonne cargo capacity.
•Refrigeration: Includes 20% more space for chilled and frozen perishable goods, vastly improving supply transfer reliability.
•Passenger Facilities: Features a dedicated lounge that can comfortably accommodate up to 12 passengers year-round.
•Equipment: Equipped with a 60-tonne/12-tonne heavy-lift deck crane and a MacGregor side door for efficient loading and unloading.
Construction and Delivery
•Construction: The build officially commenced in Vietnam in June 2024.
•Launch: Floated out of the shipyard and launched in October/November 2025.
•Voyage Home: The 8,000 mile landmark delivery journey took approximately two months, featuring logistical stops in Mauritius, Namibia, and Brittany before arriving in the UK.
For more photographs of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company please click here: www.jhluxton.com/Shipping/Shipping-Companies-Short-Sea-Fe...
Features:
Opening hatches on both sides with firefighting tools.
Foam cannons behind the flip-down front grill.
Telescoping, rotating Dual foam cannon turret.
Flying drone
Four firefighter droids docked in side hatches
Fire chief droid pilot
Rescue drone in rear hatch
Operating 1990's lights and sound elements
(Space Fire Team logo borrowed from David Roberts)
New features in HUD
In Maitreya 5 the layers are subdivided in several body sections. In the tattoo layer, you can wear different tattoos
on left/right arms or legs There are more independent area.
Look out when wearing your HD-nips and a body tattoo on the same section, like on your back. You need to mask your back tattoo. When not , your nips are looking distorted.
This image features a group of children gathered in front of an elaborate sculptural fountain (Parco della Montagnola) in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, suggesting a school field trip or an educational tour. The centerpiece of the scene is the large marble sculpture depicting dynamic figures, possibly representing mythological themes. The fountain's central figure appears to be a powerful horse rearing back, accompanied by a human figure entangled in the flow of the composition, symbolizing the intense relationship between nature and myth.
The fountain is set against a richly decorated wall that features two carved panels on either side of the central sculpture. These panels contain relief sculptures that depict scenes with classical figures, possibly inspired by Roman or Renaissance art. The architectural details, such as the stone masonry, cornices, and arches, convey the historic grandeur of Bologna's artistic heritage, which is known for its rich medieval and Renaissance architecture.
Bologna, often referred to as "La Dotta" (The Learned) for its ancient university and "La Grassa" (The Fat) for its culinary tradition, is a city with a profound cultural legacy. Its numerous statues and fountains across the city are a testament to its historical importance and artistic vibrancy. This specific sculpture could be located near one of Bologna's many iconic landmarks, blending art and history in a public space where locals and visitors can appreciate its beauty.
The image captures a moment where young people engage with the historical environment, symbolizing the continued connection between the past and the present. The contrast between the lively, colorful group of children and the timeless, pale stone of the fountain emphasizes the enduring significance of art and history in the city's identity, inviting viewers to reflect on the stories and legends that have shaped Bologna over the centuries.
RX_09803_20240415_Boloña
Campbell River, BC Canada
Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation (QXMC), the economic development arm of the Klahoose First Nation, has a brand new water taxi designed and built to their specifications, continuing a year of milestones for the community..
The sleek black vessel, named Goat 1, features the nation's symbol of a mountain goat. It has special additions such as lookout windows and a walk-around cabin. Built by BRIX Marine in Port Angeles, WA, the boat was financed through a partnership with Tale’awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corporation.
The capacity of the boat is 12 passengers, and it will primarily serve the captive clientele of various QXMC divisions, such as forestry and tourism, said General Manager Bruno Pereira. They are also planning to advertise passage for the public on runs such as Campbell River — Cortes Island, and Campbell River — Lund.
Online Reference: canada-info.ca/en/klahoose-water-taxi
This image is best viewed in Large screen.
Thank-you for your visit, and please know that any faves or comments are always greatly appreciated!
Sonja
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👉[JUSTICE] IVY SHOES
Features:
Infinity Project Compatible
Wear Tucked or Untucked
Show / Hide Sleeves to better work with Jackets
Features:
Infinity Project Compatible
Open / Close Back Pockets Via Hud
Multiple Ankle Fits - High, Mid, Mid (Looser)
Color Change Hud with 10 Metals & 6 Denim Fabric Options
Included Accessories:
Belt - 10 Leather Colors & 10 Metal Options
Condoms - Wear in Back Pocket (R or L) 10 Color Options
Flask - Wear in Back Pocket (R or L) 10 Metal Options
Also Includes a Handheld Version of the Flask
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ INFINITY PROJECT ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This Product was created to work with the Infinity Project at Justice.
A capsule wardrobe system with interchangeable items.
For more information about the Infinity Project: www.justiceco.us/infinity-project/
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ STORE INFO ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
If you have any problems receiving this product there is a redelivery terminal at the inworld store.
We would like to hear from you! Please leave a review of the product after your purchase! :)
Inworld Store: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/UNDERGROUND%20STATION/130/...
Store Policy: www.justiceco.us/home/store-policy/
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👉NEW: roslyn. indie outfit. fatpack [unpack]
Color Hud
Body :Legacy Maitreya Reborn Kupra
Taxi to Fifty Event :
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Fifty/2/129/777
👉After to go Mainstore :
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Candy%20Cove/170/111/24
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👉roslyn. trendy phone. fatpack
Trendy Phone. Available now in Mainstore and Marketplace.
Store LM:
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Candy%20Cove/170/111/24
This product contains:
• 1 PHONE
UNRIGGED & RESIZEABLE
No refunds on double purchases or purchases of the wrong color.
☐ Modify ☑ Copy ☐ Transfer
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me via notecard @ Hoiocene Resident or on Instagram @holocene.sl.
MarketPlace:
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/roslyn-trendy-phone-watercol...
A close-up study of the iconic spiky cladding of the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay in Singapore. Often affectionately called "The Durian" by locals due to its resemblance to the tropical fruit, this unique architectural design features over 7,000 triangular aluminum sunshades. This shot focuses on the rhythmic, geometric patterns created by the light and shadows on the facade.
Features of Cuba: Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, cigars, American vintage cars, beautiful beaches, bars and clubs, salsa music, ...
Coco Cubano, Central Park, Chippendale, Sydney, Australia (Tuesday 25 April 2017)
This image, taken by the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 on NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, features the spiral galaxy NGC 3509. Located some 350 million light-years away, NGC 3509 is an interesting galaxy whose sweeping tidal tail (not visible in this image) offers hints of its evolution.
Hubble observed the spiral as part of a study that looked at the physical conditions in strongly interacting and merging galaxy nuclei, but found that NGC 3509 has a single, relatively undisturbed nucleus surrounded by a swirl of dust lanes. This suggests that the galaxy has not undergone a major disk-to-disk merger. Instead, NGC 3509 may have had a minor merger with a smaller galaxy, or it may be interacting with a small companion whose gravity is creating the tidal tail.
Like most spiral galaxies, NGC 3509 is actively creating new stars. The color red in this image represents near infrared wavelengths of light and showcases star-forming regions along the galaxy’s spiral arms.
Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and R. van der Marel (STScI); Image Processing: G. Kober (NASA Goddard/Catholic University of America)
#NASA #MarshallSpaceFlightCenter #MSFC #Marshall #HubbleSpaceTelescope #HST #astrophysics #gsfc #galaxy
Mexican Petunia features showy purple trumpet-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from late winter to mid fall. Its serrated narrow leaves remain dark green in color throughout the year.
Identifying Features
The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is one of the defining plants of the Sonoran Desert. These plants are large, tree-like columnar cacti that develop branches (or arms) as they age, although some never grow arms. These arms generally bend upward and can number over 25. Saguaros are covered with protective spines, white flowers in the late spring, and red fruit in summer.
Habitat
Saguaros are found exclusively in the Sonoran Desert. The most important factors for growth are water and temperature. If the elevation is too high, the cold weather and frost can kill the saguaro. Although the the Sonoran Desert experiences both winter and summer rains, it is thought that the Saguaro obtains most of its moisture during the summer rainy season.
Range
You find this cactus in southern Arizona and western Sonora, Mexico. At the northern portion of their range they are more plentiful on the warmer south facing slopes. A few stray plants can also be found in southeast California.
Wild Status
The saguaro is not currently listed as threatened or endangered. Arizona has strict regulations about the harvesting, collection or destruction of this species.
Life Span
With the right growing conditions, it is estimated that saguaros can live to be as much as 150-200 years old.
Size
Saguaro are very slow growing cactus. A 10 year old plant might only be 1.5 inches tall. Saguaro can grow to be between 40-60 feet tall (12-18m). When rain is plentiful and the saguaro is fully hydrated it can weigh between 3200-4800 pounds.
“She was a genius of sadness, immersing herself in it, separating its numerous strands, appreciating its subtle nuances. She was a prism through which sadness could be divided into its infinite spectrum.”
― Jonathan Safran Foer, Everything Is Illuminated
Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gydcChFnzQ
INNER DEMONS - JULIA BRENNAN
I try to always choose a different song each time, but although I've used this one before, it just fit somehow better than any other to describe my feelings in this moment …
Seems a long, long way back to you
I don't know if I can spare the time
am I better off leaving you
where you are knowing you'll be fine
you left me remember that
and I just didn't have the fight
left in me to call you back
seems it happened as often as the night
eyes like blueberries
lips like red cherries
words that could sting my ears and my eyes
warm as the Summer
cold as the Winter
emotions that could ring in my ears; make me cry
I am strung out; my soul seems to twist and to turn
your words and your actions make my heart burn
how can you say that you love me so much
when you hurt me; deprive me of your tender touch
alone in your torment; you want me to fall
you fill up my senses; you make me your all
I am ruined for anyone else
I am steering a course to a world I once felt
dreams come to me; they flood my mind
I thought that you were one of a kind
exhausted I lay and I pray for release
of this prison you made me; the sheets that you creased
mock me and mimic my cries; I fall back
drained of the energy; courage I lack
thoughts of you make me so weak
scent of you tainted now; havoc you wreak
why can't you leave me alone
you left me begging to bring you back home
can't live without you; can't seem to die
these feelings that clout me and cloud up my eyes
I crave you; the brave you; the one who got out
my soul and my heart skipped a beat so devout
in praise of your being; in love with your bones
so deep is this feeling that won't leave me alone
Dante's Inferno burns my fevered brow
a travesty; tragedy; I feel the heat now
licking and curling these pitiful pages
yellowing; make brittle the words that take ages
to write and then later they don't mean a thing
if you can still leave me on a tightrope of string
so narrow and pointless; my world seems to shrink
a life time without you; a life time to think
if only I could be at rest
I'm striving to do it; to be whole; the best
but still in my heart I feel you
and still in my soul I am torn right in two
writhing; surviving; damaged by love
you ripped something from me
can't find it here or above
pushing and shoving I try to control
the endless beginnings; the endings; the toll
it takes me further away from you
I can hardly make the night through
even my dreams; perpetual in motion
find no remedy; no magic potion
still I awake in the cold light of morning
realise you're not here; once again I start mourning
yet what is the use of grieving
it won't bring you back to the land of the living
I place fresh flowers by the smooth marble stone
that marks where you lay; the wind sets the tone
cold and relentless it whips at my face
how I wish you were standing here in my place
I gave everything up for you
yet still you left me broken in two
my tears water the flowers
I kneel; pray for the hours
to pass gently and swiftly until I reach the day
when I can rejoin you
until then I remember true
the plans that we made
if only you'd stayed
I promise I will carry on
just as you wanted; I'll sing our life song
do all the things that we wanted to do
try not to cry when all I wanted was you
goodbye my sweetheart; goodbye ...
- AP - Copyright © remains with and is the intellectual property of the author
Copyright © protected image please do not reproduce without permission
"Bread, flour, and the soft light of a French countryside morning."
A new round for Uber will open while I'll be visiting Paris. So, my collection is focused on a calm simple life of a quite French breakfast. Each item in the Le Petit Dejeuner set features high-detail PBR materials and legacy materials to fit any viewer. From the crunch of the rustic bread crust to the soft canvas of the embroidered jam seals.
Pack Details:
3 individual packs of Jam. Each in different flavour. Orange, Strawberry or Raspberry. Each pack includes 4 items:
Jar sealed with handmade embroidery.
Jar sealed with a cup
Open Jar
Cup
Camembert - A cutting board with sliced wheel or a whole individual wheel.
Saucisson Sec on a cutting board with a slice of bread ready for that smoky bite.
Rustic Bread - laying on a rustic basket tray.
Vintage bottles of milk - This pack included:
Full closed bottle
Full open bottle
Empty bottle
Bottle cup
Kitchen Table and Chair - Heavy rustic table and a beautiful countryside chair (inspired by my rl chairs).
Fatpack Bonus: Includes Vintage Milk Bottle Caddy with 3 empty bottles.
Available at Uber starting Feb 25th.
Another new toy to play with - the Rokinon T2.2 cine lense (f2) 12mm. Wide angle photography is a whole different skillset. Wonderfully sharp.
Sometimes there just isn’t anything clever or funny to say.. just picture’s of things you see on the interstate.
Not sure what’s happening with that streak on the first photo. It happened on a few of the negatives. I’m guessing it’s the person ( myself ) who did something in the processing.
Could have nothing to do with using a bellows camera made somewhere between 1951 and 1954.. before I was born.. I know that’s hard to believe.
Still my second favorite user camera.
Kodak Retina IIa
Schnider Kreuznavh Retina Zenon f:2, 50 mm
Arrista EDU 400 w yellow filter
Processed XTOL 1:1
Scan V800
Mormon Row Historic District - Mormon Row is a line of homestead complexes along the Jackson-Moran Road near the southeast corner of Grand Teton National Park, in the valley called Jackson Hole. The rural historic landscape's period of significance includes the construction of the Andy Chambers, T.A. Moulton and John Moulton farms from 1908 to the 1950s. Six building clusters and a separate ruin illustrate Mormon settlement in the area and comprise such features as drainage systems, barns, fields and corrals. Apart from John and T.A. Moulton, other settlers in the area were Joseph Eggleston, Albert Gunther, Henry May, Thomas Murphy and George Riniker. The area is also known as Antelope Flats, situated between the towns of Moose and Kelly. It is a popular destination for tourists and photographers on account of the historic buildings, the herds of bison, and the spectacular Teton Range rising in the background. The alluvial soil to the east of Blacktail Butte was more suitable than most locations in Jackson Hole for farming, somewhat hampered by a lack of readily available water. The Mormon homesteaders began to arrive in the 1890s from Idaho, creating a community called "Gros Ventre", with a total of 27 homesteads. The Mormon settlers tended to create clustered communities, in contrast to the isolated homesteads more typical of Jackson Hole. Mormon Row was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. [Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_Row_Historic_District]
Grand Teton National Park is a United States National Park in northwestern Wyoming. At approximately 310,000 acres (480 sq mi; 130,000 ha; 1,300 km2), the park includes the major peaks of the 40-mile-long (64 km) Teton Range as well as most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole. It is only 10 miles (16 km) south of Yellowstone National Park, to which it is connected by the National Park Service-managed John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Along with surrounding National Forests, these three protected areas constitute the almost 18,000,000-acre (7,300,000 ha) Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact mid-latitude temperate ecosystems in the world. Human history of the Grand Teton region dates back at least 11,000 years, when the first nomadic hunter-gatherer Paleo-Indians began migrating into the region during warmer months pursuing food and supplies. In the early 19th century, the first White explorers encountered the eastern Shoshone natives. Between 1810 and 1840, the region attracted fur trading companies that vied for control of the lucrative beaver pelt trade. U.S. Government expeditions to the region commenced in the mid-19th century as an offshoot of exploration in Yellowstone, with the first permanent white settlers in Jackson Hole arriving in the 1880s. Efforts to preserve the region as a national park commenced in the late 19th century, and in 1929 Grand Teton National Park was established, protecting the major peaks of the Teton Range. The valley of Jackson Hole remained in private ownership until the 1930s, when conservationists led by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. began purchasing land in Jackson Hole to be added to the existing national park. Against public opinion and with repeated Congressional efforts to repeal the measures, much of Jackson Hole was set aside for protection as Jackson Hole National Monument in 1943. The monument was abolished in 1950 and most of the monument land was added to Grand Teton National Park. Grand Teton National Park is named for Grand Teton, the tallest mountain in the Teton Range. The naming of the mountains is attributed to early 19th-century French-speaking trappers—les trois tétons (the three teats) was later anglicized and shortened to Tetons. At 13,775 feet (4,199 m), Grand Teton abruptly rises more than 7,000 feet (2,100 m) above Jackson Hole, almost 850 feet (260 m) higher than Mount Owen, the second-highest summit in the range. The park has numerous lakes, including 15-mile-long (24 km) Jackson Lake as well as streams of varying length and the upper main stem of the Snake River. Though in a state of recession, a dozen small glaciers persist at the higher elevations near the highest peaks in the range. Some of the rocks in the park are the oldest found in any U.S. National Park and have been dated at nearly 2.7 billion years. Grand Teton National Park is an almost pristine ecosystem and the same species of flora and fauna that have existed since prehistoric times can still be found there. More than 1,000 species of vascular plants, dozens of species of mammals, 300 species of birds, more than a dozen fish species and a few species of reptiles and amphibians exist. Due to various changes in the ecosystem, some of them human-induced, efforts have been made to provide enhanced protection to some species of native fish and the increasingly threatened whitebark pine. Grand Teton National Park is a popular destination for mountaineering, hiking, fishing and other forms of recreation. There are more than 1,000 drive-in campsites and over 200 miles (320 km) of hiking trails that provide access to backcountry camping areas. Noted for world-renowned trout fishing, the park is one of the few places to catch Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout. Grand Teton has several National Park Service-run visitor centers, and privately operated concessions for motels, lodges, gas stations and marinas.
[source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Teton_National_Park]
Website: www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm
This image features a Mute Swan (Cygnus olor), characterized by its prominent orange bill with a black base and a graceful, long neck often held in an "S" curve. The species is known for its heavy body, dense white plumage, and generally silent nature compared to other swan species. Mute Swans are often found swimming in pairs or small groups on lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers.
Swans, Humber Bay Park West Lookout Point, TORONTO ONTARIO, CANADA
This series features homegrown heirloom tomatoes*. As everyone with a garden knows, when tomatoes turn ripe, they all seem to ripen at the same time. So we had a whole bunch of different types of tomatoes waiting to be bagged & frozen for the winter. I was just going to take a shot or two.. and then got a bit carried away. I tried a few different things with composition, lighting & post production, I think some things worked better than others so, please let me know what you think.
*more about heirloom plants click here.
If you like my work click the "Follow" button on Flickr.
Check out my Blog rumimume.blogspot.ca/
I'm also on Google+ plus.google.com/106313488075670991016/posts
You can get my "Pic-of-The-day" in your twitter feed by following @rumimumesf on twitter
The Manor Ornament Collection features 24 ornaments and one tree topper, housed inside a stunning model Georgian house.
Each window or door hides one ornament. Click them in any order to reveal and receive the ornament.
Marketplace: marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Fancy-Decor-Manor-Ornament-C...
Main-store: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fancy%20Decor/124/174/29
From objects as small as Newton's apple to those as large as a galaxy, no physical body is free from the stern bonds of gravity, as evidenced in this stunning picture captured by the Wide Field Camera 3 and Advanced Camera for Surveys onboard the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
Here we see two spiral galaxies engaged in a cosmic tug-of-war — but in this contest, there will be no winner. The structures of both objects are slowly distorted to resemble new forms, and in some cases, merge together to form new, super galaxies. This particular fate is similar to that of the Milky Way Galaxy, when it will ultimately merge with our closest galactic partner, the Andromeda Galaxy. There is no need to panic however, as this process takes several hundreds of millions of years.
Not all interacting galaxies result in mergers though. The merger is dependent on the mass of each galaxy, as well as the relative velocities of each body. It is quite possible that the event pictured here, romantically named 2MASX J06094582-2140234, will avoid a merger event altogether, and will merely distort the arms of each spiral without colliding — the cosmic equivalent of a hair ruffling!
These galactic interactions also trigger new regions of star formation in the galaxies involved, causing them to be extremely luminous in the infrared part of the spectrum. For this reason, these types of galaxies are referred to as LIRGs, or Luminous Infrared Galaxies. This image was taken as part of as part of a Hubble survey of the central regions of LIRGs in the local Universe, which also used the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) instrument.
Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, Acknowledgement: Luca Limatola
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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Brockholes is a new kind of nature reserve, an unreserved reserve owned and managed by The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside.
There's lots to see and do at Brockholes, you can hunt out our floating Visitor Village with a restaurant, shops and Welcome Centre or explore our family-friendly hides, walking trails and play area.
At Brockholes you can explore our beautiful reserve, see the wildlife that call it ‘home’ or hunt out our Visitor Village with restaurant and shops, all of which float (yes really!) on one of our lakes.
Our floating Visitor Village features a gift shop and a restaurant providing stunning views across the lake. You can also discover our interactive Welcome Centre and learn all about the wildlife that you could see on-site. Be sure to call in to pick up a welcome leaflet that will help you plan your day. You can view the reserve map in our Welcome Leaflet here to help you plan your first visit.
2013/14 Opening Times:
4th November 2013 to 31 March 2014 10am-4pm
1st April 2014 to 31st October 2014 10am-5pm
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day only
Car Park Charges
We don't charge for entry and any profits made here go back into looking after the reserve. So every time you pay for parking, treat yourself in the shop or enjoy some lunch, you are helping look after the reserve and the wildlife that visits us!
Sorry no dogs allowed!
There is a good reason! Dogs can disturb wildlife, especially nesting birds. If your dog was to get too close to a nesting bird it would cause the mother to leave the nest. So to avoid any accidents we ask that you don’t bring your dog. (Assistance dogs are welcome.)
Explore the reserve
Brockholes is one of the best sites in the UK for many species of bird and has one of the largest strips of ancient woodland in the county. You can take a stroll by the River Ribble, explore our woods or enjoy the lakes on site, which have all been specially designed to attract all kinds of wildlife for you to see!
Walks around Brockholes
What can I see at Brockholes?
Read about the happy habitats we've been working hard to create at Brockholes.
Watch out!
The Visitor Village floats on water and there are lots of areas of open water on the reserve. Take care in these areas and keep an eye on any children with you. The following activities are not allowed on the reserve:
Barbecues and fires
Fishing
Swimming
Please do not feed the birds
Big gulls know it’s much easier to find food when we leave it lying around rather than finding their own lunch. Here at Brockholes we have lots of species breeding with us, little ringed and ringed plover, lapwing, oystercatcher and redshank. Unfortunately the big gulls will eat the chicks of these special birds so if we feed the gulls and encourage them to stay there is a big chance that they will eat our important chicks, so please do not feed the birds and take your leftover picnic away with you.
www.brockholes.org/our-journey
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust has been working on developing Brockholes for nearly 20 years, here is an overview of our journey.
1992 Lancashire Wildlife Trust first contests the quarrying of Brockholes.
27 November 2006 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust has four weeks to raise £50,000 to buy the Brockholes site, near Preston, and protect it from development. Brockholes sits next to J31 of the M6 and is the size of 120 football pitches.
15 January 2007 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust makes the biggest land purchase in its history - thanks to donations from Wildlife Trust members, and an investment of £800,000 from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) under the Newlands scheme. The project to buy and develop Brockholes is also supported by The Tubney Charitable Trust.
3 May 2007 Ian Selby is appointed as Brockholes project manager. Ian has 20 years' experience of managing the North West's canal network for British Waterways, followed by environmental regeneration work. Sophie Leadsom, Brockholes' new reserve manager, has worked in conservation for 14 years.
July 2007 The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced the launch of a new open competition to design new visitor facilities.
5 October 2007 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust announced the shortlist for the new multi-million pound visitor centre. 61 architects from all over Europe submitted designs. The five were Adam Khan Architects, Arca, Architecture 2B, AY Architects, McDowell + Benedetti.
25 February 2008 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) and partners announce the winner of its competition to design a visitor facility. Adam Khan Architects was selected for its inspirational design concept: "A Floating World". Designed as a cluster of buildings constructed largely of wood and other sustainable materials, it resembles an ancient marshland village.
April 2008 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust announced the completion of its first phase of preparatory work, including the restoration of the wetlands, creation of ponds, seeding of meadows, planting new hedgerows and trees, making access paths and building proper bird watching hides.
March 2009 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust secured £8million of funding from the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA). The investment was made under ‘Newlands’, a NWDA and Forestry Commission programme that is regenerating brownfield land across the Northwest into economically viable community woodland.
Summer 2009 Volunteers gave us 134 hours of their time to help propagate our own reed seedlings on-site. We ended up with 20,000 new redd seedlings ready to plant out around our new visitor centre, creating two hecatres of brand new reedbed.
August 2009 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust were granted detailed planning permission for the site.
December 2009 Contractors first day of work as they begin to construct the iconic floating visitors centre. Press conference being held with a ‘cutting of the first sod’
November 2010 A herd of longhorn cattle move into Brockholes to graze the reserve.
December 2010 BBC Countryfile fronted by Julia Bradbury visit Brockholes to film a feature that airs in January 2011.
March 2011 Brockholes makes history as the Visitor Village is floated for the first time.
Easter Sunday 2011 Brockholes opens its doors to the public for the first time!
www.brockholes.org/happy-habitats-brockholes
Happy habitats at Brockholes
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust are using their expertise to create habitats that will encourage lots of different species to visit the site, read more about the work we are doing on the reserve...
Number 1 Pit
Uniform and steep, the edges around the original gravel pit used to look very different. The island looked different too – an egg-shaped piece of land sticking out of the water by three metres. These land profiles weren’t great for the bird species and aquatic invertebrates we wanted to attract. So, with bulldozer and digger we pushed earth into the lake to create shallow, underwater ledges and peninsulas where birds can roost and feed, safe from predators. Diving ducks, such as Great Crested Grebe, now hunt for fish in the deep water.
Nook Pool
The edge of this pool has been planted with reed to create places for small fish and aquatic invertebrates like dragonfly larvae to hide and grow, away from predator fish. The shelter provided by the vegetation provides an ideal hunting ground for lots of species of dragonfly including the impressive Brown Hawker and Emperor Dragonfly.
Meadow Lake
This shallow lake is great for bird watching: when the water level is down, wading birds feed on small invertebrates in the exposed mud. This lake has some of the richest water plant life in and around it, including White Water Lily and Cuckooflower. The reed fringes are becoming well established and hold some of the largest populations of birds on site. The islands provide safe roosting and breeding areas, we keep the vegetation short so the birds can watch out for predators.
Boilton Marsh
This area is part of our newly created wet grassland habitat. We remodelled 17,000 cubic metres of quarry spoil to create 10 hectares of wet grassland with nearly 2km of channels and five pools. This is the ideal habitat for breeding wading birds such as Lapwing, Redshank and Snipe. We now graze traditional breeds of cattle and sheep that thrive on the coarse grasses and rushes and provide the low grassland sward that encourages wading birds to nest.
The channels and pools are kept topped up by using a high-level reservoir, filled from Number One Pit by way of a solar pump.
Woodland
Brockholes is fringed by the ancient woodland of Boilton, Red Scar and Tunbrook Woods. Woodland has grown here for thousands of years and developed a very rich variety of wildlife. Looking after our trees and paths will help the woodland to thrive and enable you to see the wildlife safely.
Reedbeds
Reedbeds are home to Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers, Reed Buntings and Water Rail. We protect the new reed from grazing birds like Coot, Mute Swan and Canada Goose, by erecting chicken wire fences and baling string barriers. It will take several years before our lak fringes start to look like reedbeds. You might notice that the Visitor Village has been nestled in reedbed. This helps it to blend into the reserve and allows you to hear the song and chatter of the birds that nest there.
www.brockholes.org/brockholes-partners-and-funders
Brockholes partners and funders
For the past ten years, The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside have been working to secure this site of national environmental importance, and restore habitats to their full potential.
The £8.6 million of regeneration funding was provided for the Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Reserve project has been granted under 'Newlands' - a £59 million, Northwest Regional Development Agency and Forestry Commission programme to transform brownfield land into durable community woodland, which act as catalysts for economic, social and environmental gain.
The Lancashire Environmental Fund awarded £446,000 for the development of the education facilities, hides and infrastructure on the site. Tubney Charitable Trust granted £350,000 for Biodiversity and Natural England DEFRA's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund awarded circa. £300,000. The Environment Agency granted £50,000 for the continued development of Brockholes.
The support of these funders helped make Brockholes a reality, as did the amazing support from our public appeal, which raised an amazing £63,000 - the most successful public appeal the Lancashire Wildlife Trust has ever run!
Volunteering at Brockholes
Around 200 volunteers have now been recruited, inducted and trained to begin volunteering at Brockholes, so we offer an enormous thank you to all who are helping it make such a big impact on our visitors... Volunteers truly are the face of Brockholes.
There are currently some exciting opportunities to be had volunteering here at Brockholes. Please have a look below at roles (you can click on the titles to download a full role description) which might suit you and click here to register, mentioning Brockholes and the role on the form.
Seasonal Activities Volunteer
Our seasonal activities program is the ideal opportunity for young people aged 16-23 to get involved here at Brockholes.
Running throughout all school holiday periods, you are expected to volunteer for 7 hours per week (normally one full day).
The Seasonal Activities Volunteer role is ideal for friendly, outgoing people who want to utilise their creative skills and help visitors – in particular children – enjoy the reserve. You will work alongside other volunteers to plan and deliver a variety of activities including pond dipping, guided walks, bird watching. The role will also include assisting with larger events such as our Extreme Adventure Weekend and Craft Fayres. Support will be given to you by the Events & Communications Manager.
This placement is perfect for those undertaking various award schemes, such as the Duke of Edinburgh award, as over the course of the summer you have the opportunity to gain upto 50 volunteering hours.
For full details on the role and what it entails, click here.
Seasonal Retail & Visitor Services
Our seasonal activities program is the ideal opportunity for young people aged 16-23 to get involved here at Brockholes.
As a volunteer for Retail & Visitor Services you will provide a warm welcome for visitors, helping to ensure that their Brockholes experience is a positive one. You will help visitors by providing them with information about products on sale in our gift stores and help them plan their visit by telling them about the various events and activities we have on offer.
The role suits a friendly, outgoing person who has an interest in wildlife and conservation.
Running throughout the school holiday periods, you are expected to volunteer for 7 hours per week (normally one full day).
This placement is perfect for those undertaking various award schemes, such as the Duke of Edinburgh award, as over the course of the summer you have the opportunity to gain upto 50 volunteering hours.
Each volunteer will be required to undergo a minimum of 1 and a half days training before they start. If you’d like to find out more or ask questions about any of these roles do not hesitate to get in touch with Catherine Haddon, Volunteering Support Officer on 01772 324 129 or email volunteer@lancswt.org.uk
Awards
Brockholes has scooped many high profile awards since opening in April 2011:
2013 Lancashire Tourism Award for Best Conference/Meeting venue
VisitEngland's Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) 'Excellent'
Green Tourism Gold Award
Customer at the Heart Award
Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards 'Marketing Campaign of the Year'
National Wood Award
BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ for the interim design stage
Chartered Institute of Building Services – Building of the Year 2011
Civic Trust Award
Civic Trust Special Award for Sustainability
Highly Commended in portfolio of Newlands sites in Landscape Awards
CIWEM Living Wetlands award
Greenbuilds award
Green Apple Awards for the Visitor Centre
Sustainable Project of the year – 2012 Building Awards
RICS North West – Overall award
RICS North West – Tourism and Leisure
RICS NW – Design & Innovation
RIBA North West Building of the Year
RIBA North West Sustainability Award
RIBA Award for top 50 new buildings in the UK
Brockholes is an award winning-venue, which floats on one of our lakes - the only one of its kind in the UK.
Combine this unique design with access straight off the M6, a beautiful nature reserve, ample parking and on site catering, and you have found yourself the perfect venue for your next event. View our Conference Brochure here.
We think Brockholes is the natural place to do business, our dedicated centre can cater for 50 to 130 delegates.
We have a choice of two conference rooms and a reception/break-out area.
www.brockholes.org/conference-packages
At Brockholes we want you to be in control of your event as much as possible. This is why we have created these basic packages, enabling you to tweak each element to build an individual event.
Alternatively, we can cater to your specific requests if you require half day, early morning or evening hire.
Here is an overview of our conference packages, please contact us for a quote.
Our Conference brochure can be viewed in digi-book format here.
Day Delegate Package
Private room hire from 9am - 5pm
Tea and coffee served on arrival with bacon rolls
Mineral water for each guest
Tea and coffee served mid-morning
Buffet lunch served with tea, coffee and fresh fruit platter
Tea, coffee and biscuits served mid-afternoon
Use of a flip chart, screen and projector
Recycled pen and notepad for each delegate
Dedicated co-ordinator to assist you throughout the planning to delivery of your meeting
24 Hour Delegate Package
All of the above plus;
Three course dinner
Full breakfast
Accommodation in a standard bedroom at our recommended accommodation supplier
Accommodation
Preferential rates are available on request from a local hotel when booking through the Brockholes Sales Team.
We can tailor our packages to suit your needs. Make the UK's first floating venue your next choice
Please contact us for more information or to arrange a meeting or showround with our Conference Sales Co-ordinator
Call us on 01772 872005 or enter your details below and we will contact you to discuss your requirements.
www.brockholes.org/sponsorship-opportunities
Sponsorship Opportunities
Brockholes is an award winning nature reserve owned and manages by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, which was opened in 2011. The 250 acre reserve is already attracting record numbers of breeding birds and around 170,000 visitors each year. Brockholes runs a wide range of events throughout the year and has a particularly strong offer for families. Events include wild families, school holiday clubs, school and community group visits, self led trails and larger festivals during the summer holidays.
The key marketing campaigns run targeting families include Christmas, Summer and Easter. Each campaign targets a series of family focused publications across the North West, with a monthly average reach online of over 40,000 people through the website and social media. Advertising and direct marketing campaigns have an average reach of 70% of the total North West population.
Sponsorship and Partnership Opportunities
Summer at Brockholes sees a host of family events each year, from school holiday clubs to open air theatre, guided walks to family fun. Over the Summer period, Brockholes expects to welcome over 60,000 visitors. The marketing campaign is multi channel and will reach a wide audience of families across the North West. Brockholes has also been featured in the National Press for some of the unique events run. We have some new opportunities for sponsorship and partnership, which will allow your business to raise brand awareness and fulfill part of your Corporate Social Responsibility by supporting Brockholes and The Lancashire Wildlife Trust.
Summer at Brockholes Headline Sponsorship £4500
Expose your brand to thousands of families across the North West.
- Logo on all Summer promotional material
- Inclusion in all four of the Summer e-news and Lancashire Wildlife Trust e-news
- Sponsor Feature on Brockholes.org
- On site promotion
- Promotion through social media channels
- Inclusion in all PR activity
- Temporary use of Brockholes logo on promotional material directly related to the partnership
Wild Families Sponsorship £4000 per year
Our Wild Families events are always fully booked. With themes ranging from scarecrow hunts to nature detectives, each event provides quality family time for family members of all ages. Events are run throughout school holidays.
-Logo on marketing materials for Wild Families
-Inclusion in PR for trail launch
-Inclusion in social media activity
-Inclusion in Brockholes e-news
Seasonal Trail Sponsorship £500 per trail
Each visitor to Brockholes can collect their free seasonal trail on arrival. The trail helps visitors to explore the reserve, learn more about what to see and how the reserve changes with the season and challenges them to spot things.
-Logo on sponsorship trail
-Inclusion in PR for trail launch
-Inclusion in social media activity around the trail
Half term at Brockholes £1500
-Logo on all marketing materials
-Inclusion in launch PR
-Social media promotion
Annual Headline Sponsorship £10,000
- Logo inclusion on all Promotional Material
- Dedicated web page on Brockholes.org
- On site promotion
- Dedicated stand area on key event days
- Promotion through Brockholes and LWT e-news, member magazine
- Promotion through social media channels
- Inclusion in all PR activity
-Discounted delegate rate on our conference facilities
Children's Corner £500
Would you like to help brighten up the children's corner in our restuarant for our younger visitors?
-Inclusion in PR activity
-Recognition in the children's area
-Inclusion in activity to our database promoting the new area
To talk to us more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Ruth Gaskell rgaskell@lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129.
www.brockholes.org/commercial-opportunities
Commercial Opportunities
Make Brockholes your business
Businesses are being offered an opportunity to become partners in a North West tourism and wildlife success story.
Brockholes nature reserve is entering the second phase of development which will provide commercial opportunities for other businesses and boost local employment.
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust attraction attracted 185,000 people to its nature reserve and the first ever floating visitor village in the UK, last year. It is looking to top that visitor figure this year.
Just off the M6 at Preston and easily accessible from anywhere in the UK, Brockholes has received more than 30 regional and national awards despite only opening in 2011. Visitors continue to pour in despite the reserve being surrounded by the attractions of Manchester, Blackpool and Liverpool.
The business has shown year-on-year growth and, as a result, is seeking commercial partners for the next phase of development.
Anne Selby, Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trust said “Brockholes has performed incredibly well despite being launched in a recession. We have steered the business through the stormy weather and achieved fantastic results.
“We are now looking to move into the next phase of development. As a conservation charity, we want to ensure our focus remains on the nature conservation of the reserve, whilst ensuring the commercial income supports this work. We are looking for expressions of interest at this stage and asking businesses to be creative with their proposals.”
The Visitor Village has a restaurant, shops, conference centre, welcome centre and education centre. Major companies have made use of the conference centre including RBS and Aldi. The surrounding nature reserve is continuing to grow, with an increasing population of resident creatures and rare visitors like red kite, bittern and otter.
Anne continued: “Brockholes received funding for the initial start up and development phases but it was always designed to be a self-sustaining model. By making the most of the commercial opportunities and keeping these balanced carefully with the needs of nature, we believe we can continue to success of Brockholes into the future and achieve even more fantastic results for wildlife, our wide range of visitors and the tourism economy”.
Opportunities include retail, water sports (non-motorised), indoor play provision, events partners and mobile food concessions. However, the Trust is open to hear if any investors would wish to develop sympathetic commercial facilities on the site.
An opportunity information pack is available by request from:
Karen Williams Karen.Williams@brockholes.org
Expressions of interest should initially be made to
Lindsey Poole, Commercial Development Manager lpoole@lancswt.org.uk
Group Visits
Whether it’s a full day out or just a quick stop off on the way to your destination, Brockholes is the ideal place for groups to visit.
There's so much for all ages to see and learn about at Brockholes. Everyone from toddlers to seniors will find something to fascinate them, whether through our exciting range of organised events, or by just wandering around the site.
We are passionately committed to lifelong learning for all – our belief is that everyone should leave knowing something they didn't when they arrived! The Lancashire Wildlife Trust has over a decade of experience in delivering environmental education, so you can relax, enjoy the surroundings and be sure to come away both enchanted and enlightened...
We have several options for various groups, each with a variety of benefits. For more information click on the relevant link below…
Coach Groups
School Groups
Community Groups
To enquire about group visits please call 01772 872000 or email info@brockholes.org. Or leave your details on the form below and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Coach Groups
Situated next to Junction 31 on the M6, we are the ideal stop for coach trips, whether it is for a short stop, as a green motorway services, or as part of a full day visit.
Free entry for coaches and convenient coach drop-off point
We have a variety of walking trails for your group to explore, ranging from half an hour to 2 hours in length.
We have our floating visitor village that features a stunning waterside restaurant, 2 unique gift shops and a welcome centre with exhibits, which are ideal should your guests decide for something less active (or if the weather lets you down)!
All our buildings are fully accessible, while the vast majority of our paths are well surfaced, level and suitable for wheelchairs.
We now have a more convenient drop-off point exclusively for coaches and in addition have a number of benefits for coach groups:
• Free entry to the reserve and visitor centre
• Free coach parking
• Refreshment voucher for the coach driver
• Free familiarisation visit for group organisers
• Free meet and greet at the coach (on request)
• Free Brockholes welcome leaflet and trail guide
• Free events and activities throughout the year (visit our events calendar for details)
• Free play area
• Pre-booked guided tours (available at an extra charge)
• Adapted toilets available at the visitor centre
Please note that there is a 4 metre high bridge on the entrance to Brockholes. We also advise all coaches to let us know of their visit in advance by calling us on 01772 872000.
For any further information please just call 01772 872000, email info@brockholes.org
School Groups
Our 250 acre nature reserve and Visitor Village is a great place for school groups to visit. Children can learn about the geological history and how the quarrying has shaped the land today. And because we are a new nature reserve, you can watch it grow! It is also home to the UK's first floating Visitor Village.
Most importantly of all, the children will be able to see that Brockholes is home to a host of wildlife, with many different species of bird popping by throughout the year, along with brown hare, dragonfly and deer to name a few!
Facilities
Your school will have use of the education centre on our floating visitor village and you will have at least one Education Officer dedicated to your group throughout the day.
Plus... NEW FOR 2014!
Next year your school will be able to get even closer to nature at Brockholes by booking an education session in our new purpose-built bird hide classroom, right on the edge of the lake!
The hide will overlook No 1 Pit Lake which is home to many different species of birds and you'll also be able to look across to the new sand martin wall, which will provide valuable breeding habitat when they arrive in spring.
Why not your details below if you'd like us to keep to informed of these exciting new developments!
Programmes
We offer a wide range of programmes including:
Big Adventure in a Miniature World
Life Cycles
Migration and Hibernation
Environmental Art
Geography and Geology
Forest School
You can read more about the education programmes available at Brockholes here.
Education Team
Our Education Team are based at Brockholes and have a huge amount of experience in inspiring young people about the natural world. They are a lively bunch and pride themselves on creating an exciting and memorable experience for your school. You can read about how great our team is here: Meet the Education Team.
Outreach
Can't get to us? Then we can come to you! Our outreach education programme is very popular and offers a wide range of programmes for those who are unable to reach Brockholes.You can view our Outreach Programmes here.
For any information just call us on 01772 872000 for more information, email eduadmin@lancswt.org.uk
Community Groups
Brockholes is a great place to bring your community group, whether it's the Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Brownies or Beavers or a rambling or photography group, there is something for everyone!
As well as exploring our stunning nature reserve you can enjoy an activity such as a guided walk, a mini-beast hunt or an environmental art session.
You can visit Brockholes during the day or we have special community group evenings when the reserve is open beyond our usual opening hours. Group activities usually take place between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.
Forest Schools
Forest Schools is a unique outdoor learning experience that improves children's self-esteem, confidence and abilities.
Brockholes provides an inspirational setting for Forest Schools sessions and training, and is conveniently located just off junction 31 of the M6 at Preston.
Our Forest School sessions are designed and delivered by our experienced and fully qualified Education Team including our Level 3 Trained Forest Schools Practioner.
Our next Forest Schools adult training session will be running in October. To find out more about Forest School sessions at Brockholes please call 01772 872017 or email kphillips@lancswt.org.uk
Shop til you flock
Why not drop into our two on-site shops, The Nest and Village Store, which are packed with all sorts of goodies. We've a variety of products from local beverages and food, to cards and books and crafts and jewellery. They are the perfect place to pick up a unique gift... and there's plenty of treats for the little ones too!
The Nest
The Nest is home to an inspiring collection of gifts, jewellery, books, toys, arts & crafts. Discover what's inside The Nest here.
The Village Store
The Village Store stocks a wide range of products, from locally sourced food and drink treats to bird food, garden accessories and wildlife books. Come and look inside here.
Membership of the Wildlife Trust
Brockholes is a Lancashire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. You can become a member today or talk to our friendly staff members and volunteers on your next visit to Brockholes. Gift membership is available in The Nest or you can buy it online here.
Our restaurant is the perfect place to stop and watch the world go by with panoramic views of our lake. Scrumptious homemade dishes and a taste bud tingling selection of Lancashire's finest local produce are all here to tempt you, along with fair trade tea and coffee.
Our restaurant is open from 10am to 5pm.
www.brockholes.org/very-special-occasions
Brockholes is a fantastic place for your very special occasions.
Our floating venue is one of the newest and most unique in Lancashire and promises you and your guests an unforgetable event whatever the occasion.
We have a dedicated function centre that can accomodate weddings, christenings and all sort of functions.
The clean, contemporary finish of our venue means that you have the perfect opportunity to put your own stamp on your event, with a flexible range of catering available from our on-site restaurant.
We have a dedicated Conference and Events Co-ordinator that will be available to help you plan your special occasion.
Very Special Weddings
We had our first wedding celebration September 2011 and since then it's been all go with Wedding Fayres and lots more bookings for this year and next. Find out more about weddings at Brockholes here.
Very Special Christenings
Brockholes is a real family friendly venue for a Christening celebration that you will remember for years to come. Find out more here.
For general enquiries about holding a function at Brockholes please call 01772 872005 or email philip.dunn@brockholes.org.
And as promised yesterday here are a picture of the back side and the AT-RT in full crouching position.
The classic features of a Great Smoky Mountains National Park river landscape were all present at this location on the middle prong of the Little River in Tremont, with wonderfully warm morning light settling on the vibrant green moss covered rocks as a hint of fog is rising off of the river. This image was shot while leading my recent Spring in the Smoky Mountains landscape photography workshop with my good friend Mark VanDyke. Click the image to view it large! Hope you enjoy it, comments welcome! ;-)
Use "L" to view large, "F" to fave it!
Single exposure shot with a Nikon D800 and the 70-200mm f2.8 VR lens
See My Profile for information on purchasing prints.
Become a fan on my facebook page! I give away a free print there from time to time!
© 2012 Dave Allen Photography, All Rights Reserved. This image may NOT be used for anything without my explicit permission.
A cockatoo is any of the 21 parrot species belonging to the family Cacatuidae, the only family in the superfamily Cacatuoidea. Along with the Psittacoidea (true parrots) and the Strigopoidea (large New Zealand parrots), they make up the order Psittaciformes. The family has a mainly Australasian distribution, ranging from the Philippines and the eastern Indonesian islands of Wallacea to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia. Cockatoos are recognisable by the prominent crests and curved bills. Their plumage is generally less colourful than that of other parrots, being mainly white, grey or black and often with coloured features in the crest, cheeks or tail. On average they are larger than other parrots; however, the cockatiel, the smallest cockatoo species, is a small bird. Cockatoos prefer to eat seeds, tubers, corms, fruit, flowers and insects. They often feed in large flocks, particularly when ground-feeding. Cockatoos are monogamous and nest in tree hollows. Some cockatoo species have been adversely affected by habitat loss, particularly from a shortage of suitable nesting hollows after large mature trees are cleared; conversely, some species have adapted well to human changes and are considered agricultural pests. 9128
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Description of Buildings:
Gesu Church is a rectangular structure of structural steel, reinforced-concrete construction and features exterior walls covered with stucco.
An arcaded portico projects from the west façade of the church and is divided by four massive piers into three bays.
The piers and pilasters on the opposite wall rest
on cubical pedestals approximately nine feet high. A chamfered molding serves as a capital for each pier and is repeated, at the same level as a belt course
running completely around the building.
The central bay of the portico projects slightly, and its arch springs from two semi-engaged Doric columns, thus framing
the main entrance of the church.
Articulation of the west wall echoes the tripartite divisions of the portico with semicircular arched portals at each bay. Double doors of wood and glass are recessed within the portal and have dentilled transoms and cartouches above.
The north façade of the church features an elevated basement from which piers rise to the architrave above. Indented panels between the piers contain tall, semi-circular arched stained glass windows.
A tripartite tower complex embellishes the roof. The central tower which is square in plan, rises in a series of steps and contains a belfry with arched windows. Two hipped roof towers flank the central tower.
Gesu Rectory is located directly east of the church and is connected to it. This four story rectangular structure is of structural steel, reinforced concrete construction, and its exterior walls are covered with stucco. Its pedimented gable
roof is covered with Spanish tile.
The main entrance is located in the center bay of the north façade and features a double door with large lights. The majority of windows are three over one double
hung sash. Round arch windows grace the fourth floor.
Gesu School is located east of the rectory. The building is a five story rectangular structure of reinforced concrete construction covered with stucco. A flat roof with parapet tops the building and features a pediment above the main entrance.
The focal point of the building is a grand, three story portico on the north façade. Ionic columns support the portico and are repeated in pilasters separating each bay. The main entrance features a colossal semi-circular arch with double doors.
The Fathers of the Society of Jesus have been instrumental in the establishment of Gesù Catholic Church from its inception. Gesù Parish was established as a result of the large Catholic community present in Miami. The original wooden church was built on land donated by Henry Flagler, and as Miami began to grow the need for a larger Church became a necessity. In 1921, the first cornerstone of this concrete and steel structure was laid to suit the needs of the growing Catholic community in Miami
Through the years, Gesù has been a spiritual ambassador to Catholics living in South Florida. It has taken on many roles aside from being a Church. For more than 75 years, Gesù Church started Gesù School which provided elementary and high school education. The school was run by the Sisters of St. Joseph
In addition, the Centro Hispano Católico at Gesù assisted Cuban refugees and refugees from other Central American countries with basic needs and helped with assimilation into a foreign country. From 1959-1982, the Centro Hispano Católico provided refugees with food, clothes, medical care, jobs, housing, daycare, school tuition, English classes, and immigration assistance. In 1962, Gesù served as headquarters to the Pedro Pan operation which bought more than 14,000 unaccompanied children from Communist Cuba
In September 1961, Gesù housed Belén Jesuit Preparatory School for a year and a half. After being exiled from Cuba, Jesuit Priests opened a school for refugee students who were living in Miami. This was the beginning of Belén Jesuit in South Florida.
Today, Gesù Catholic Church remains the spiritual center of downtown Miami. As the oldest church in South Florida, Gesù invites all to visit this historic landmark that has been serving South Florida’s Catholic community for nearly 120 years.
Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:
www.halsema.org/places/miami/GesuChurchandRectory.pdf
© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.
Dungeness is a headland on the coast of Kent, England, formed largely of a shingle beach in the form of a cuspate foreland. It shelters a large area of low-lying land, Romney Marsh. Dungeness is also the name of the power station and a few other nearby buildings near the beach, and of an important ecological site at the same location.
Dungeness is one of the largest expanses of shingle in the world. It is of international conservation importance for its geomorphology, plant and invertebrate communities and birdlife. This is recognised and protected mostly through its conservation designations as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), a Special Protection Area (SPA), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and part of the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) of Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay.
There is a remarkable variety of wildlife living at Dungeness, with over 600 different types of plant: a third of all those found in Britain. It is one of the best places in Britain to find insects such as moths, bees and beetles, and spiders; many of these are very rare, some found nowhere else in Britain.
The short-haired bumblebee, Bombus subterraneus, was last found in the UK in 1988, but has survived in New Zealand after being shipped there more than 100 years ago. It is to be reintroduced at Dungeness. It is planned that the first bees will be introduced in the spring of 2010.
The flooded gravel pits on Denge Beach, both brackish and fresh water, provide an important refuge for many migratory and coastal bird species. The RSPB has a bird sanctuary there and every year thousands of bird watchers descend on the peninsula to catch a glimpse of a rare bird from the bird observatory.
One of the most remarkable features of the site is an area known as 'the patch' or, by anglers, as 'the boil'. The waste hot water and sewage from the Dungeness nuclear power stations are pumped into the sea through two outfall pipes, enriching the biological productivity of the sea bed and attracting seabirds from miles around.
Beach fishing is popular at Dungeness, with the area being a nationally recognised cod fishing venue in the winter.
The name Dungeness derives from Old Norse nes: "headland", with the first part probably connected with the nearby Denge Marsh. Popular etymology ascribes a French origin to the toponym, giving an interpretation as "dangerous nose".
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Pure Poison - Lilly Outfit
The skirt features a peek-a-boo back and mix-and-match textures, while the halter top with a collar strap adds a unique twist. With 21 plaid and solid options, Lilly is a must-have! Fits Perky, Lara, and eBody.
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SKBW Dimples - Blogger Pack
The full version of the SKBW Dimples pack contains small, medium and large dimples, as well as a chin dimple. The full pack contains a left, right, and both version of each dimple, so you can mix/match! There is a tinted version of each dimple in the pack, to help with regular skin tones (you can go lighter or darker, or adjust for your personal skintone by adding red/green/blue or reducing saturation, etc) to get a perfect match for your skin. There is also a non-tinted version in black/white for any fantasy skins or for people who don't want to start from a pre-tinted base. So many options - so little time!
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Ceiling of the Presbytery - The Four Evangelists and Doctors of the Church (1493) - Master of Elva - Church of Santa Maria Assunta - Elva - Cuneo
Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Maria Assunta - Elva - Cuneo
La data della costruzione è quanto mai incerta, comunque le prime notizie si hanno a partire dal 1355; il portale della chiesa è dotato di decorazioni scultoree sormontate da un affresco quattrocentesco. Molto interessante è l'interno della chiesa in particolar modo il presbiterio, con le pareti e il soffitto completamente affrescate. Tra questi affreschi spicca quello sulla parete di fondo dedicato alla crocefissione datato 1493. Questo capolavoro pittorico è stato realizzato da Hans Clemer, un artista di origine fiamminga detto il "Maestro di Elva" che prestò la sua opera nel marchesato di Saluzzo.
Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta - Elva - Cuneo
The date of construction is quite uncertain, however the first news comes from 1355; The church's portal features sculptural decorations topped with a 15th-century fresco. Very interesting is the interior of the church, in particular the presbytery, with walls and ceiling completely frescoed. Among these frescoes stands the one on the bottom wall dedicated to the crucifixion dating from 1493. This pictorial masterpiece was made by Hans Clemer, a Flemish artist named the "Master of Elva" who lent his work in the marquis of Saluzzo.
Futuron* was a peaceful and friendly population.
Indeed their ground vehicles and spacecrafts were designed to explore new planets and new worlds.
But something is changing: a black menace is coming from the deep space, its name is Blacktron.
The black men want to attack the Futuron people probably to steal the sought after and valued Monorail.
To prevent the Blacktron attack a new armored vehicle is ready to fire: the "White Tiger".
This medium-class tank features 2 middle-range surface-to-air guns, a rotating turret and a crew of three (the commander, the driver and the gunner).
The nick name is a tribute to the invincible german White Tiger tank from WWII.
Will the "Tiger" be able to destroy the black menace?
*Futuron was a subtheme of LEGO Space released between 1987 and 1990 to replace Classic Space series.
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This abandoned small two-room building can be found just off the A835 in Elphin in the Scottish Highlands. It features in many photographs of the region, often with the mountain of Suilven featuring in the distance. There was no chance of that when we passed by - those low-lying background clouds above were being driven across the area by a strong wind and were delivering heavy bursts of rain, which restarted just as I took this shot.
We were told that the owners of the bothy, who live just down the road, call it the 'dog house' but a clearer explanation as to why was not available.
Elphin (Scottish Gaelic: Ailbhinn) is a crofting township in Assynt, in the Sutherland area of Highland in Scotland. It lies some 24 km north of Ullapool. The village contains a tearoom, and several bed and breakfasts.
It looks much more cheery and welcoming in colour than it does in monochrome...
The museum gained prominence in 1899 when its scientists unearthed the fossils of Diplodocus carnegii. Notable dinosaur specimens include one of the world's very few fossils of a juvenile Apatosaurus, the world's first specimen of a Tyrannosaurus rex,[3] and a recently identified species of oviraptorosaur named Anzu wyliei.
soon to be demolished, early 1960's council housing estate.
Communal hall entrance/exit with recently added (in vain) wheelchair access.
LR3578
Today’s picture features the current construction of the Infinity Tower (to the right of the picture), which has been under development (on and off), since 2006
This is located at the beginning, or entrance part of the Dubai Marina complex. The Construction of the 330 metres (1,083 ft) building began in February 2006 and when completed will have 73 stories and be the world's tallest high rise building with a twist of 90°. Each floor is rotated by 1.2° to achieve the full 90° spiral, creating the shape of a helix. The Tower will have residential apartments, conference rooms, tennis courts, pools, gym, nursery and spa. I can only image what it will cost to buy an apartment there!!
The sky is a bit misty/hazy in this picture, as it was a hazy day. For 4 of the 9 days I was there it was quite hazy, which took away the clarity of some of the photographs. I arrived at this part of the complex after the blue hour so had to load up on filters to try and control the excessive spot lights.
This series features homegrown heirloom tomatoes*. As everyone with a garden knows, when tomatoes turn ripe, they all seem to ripen at the same time. So we had a whole bunch of different types of tomatoes waiting to be bagged & frozen for the winter. I was just going to take a shot or two.. and then got a bit carried away. I tried a few different things with composition, lighting & post production, I think some things worked better than others so, please let me know what you think.
*more about heirloom plants click here.
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Excerpt from streetsoftoronto.com/city/biidaasige-park-toronto/:
Toronto just opened its biggest new park in a generation—and it’s absolutely stunning
July 22, 2025
Toronto unveiled its largest new park in a generation on Friday and it is a stunner. This expansive park is part of a major flood protection and revitalization effort that is reshaping the city’s eastern waterfront and setting the foundation for future sustainable communities.
Biidaasige Park sits on Ookwemin Minising, a new island formed through the re-routing and naturalization of the Don River. The name Ookwemin Minising means “place of the black cherry trees” in Anishinaabemowin and reflects the landscape’s Indigenous roots. The creation of the island and park was driven by the need for flood protection in the Port Lands, one of the largest urban renewal efforts in North America.
The Port Lands Flood Protection project, which involved rebuilding the mouth of the Don River, was designed not just to safeguard over 174 hectares of land from future flooding, but to create new natural environments and accessible public space. Biidaasige Park is the first completed public amenity on this reimagined terrain.
Biidaasige Park sprawls over 50 acres.
Biidaasige (pronounced bee-daw-sih-geh) means “sunlight shining toward us,” and the park lives up to its name with bright, open spaces, extensive native plantings, and dynamic features for recreation and play. The park space is spread over a whopping 50 acres (20 hectares) today—with another 10 acres (4 hectares) coming in 2026—the park includes:
•An incredible and huge naturally contoured playground with larger-than-life animal sculptures representing Indigenous dodems (clans)
•The city of Toronto’s first-ever ziplines, which are modest but super fun
•The Badlands Scramble, a waterplay and climbing area
•Picnic grounds and two dog off-leash zones
•A pebble beach-style landing area for launching kayaks and canoes
•Fishing platforms and step-downs to the river for nature access
•Trails for walking and cycling
•Wetlands and native vegetation for birdwatching, including the Don Greenway wetland corridor
This first phase alone features over 5,000 trees, 77,000 shrubs, and two million herbaceous plants—all part of a carefully restored riverine ecosystem.
What makes the new park so impressive, beyond the playground and the amazing spaces designed for people to congregate and enjoy the area, is that it sprawls and you can explore much further afield than one might think up a first visit.
The trails actually run on the other side of the new Don River and stretch all the way to the shipping channel south of the park, which provides an incredible experience for visitors. An area rarely seen up close by anyone who lives here.
Any active types, joggers, cyclists, paddle boarders and kayakers will love this new play space, especially when combined with Cherry Beach for an epic loop option.
While Biidaasige Park is the first completed piece of public space on Ookwemin Minising, the broader vision is ambitious. At 98 acres (39 hectares), the island is expected to eventually support more than 15,000 residents, nearly 3,000 jobs, and 15 additional acres of parkland. Mixed-use developments and sustainable housing are already in planning, made possible by the foundational flood protection work.
The naturalization of the Don River and the creation of Biidaasige Park represent a significant environmental milestone. Where once stood a neglected industrial floodplain, there is now a living river valley with new habitat, green infrastructure, and public access to water—all designed to withstand the climate-related challenges of the future.
The next phase of development will see the expansion of the island community and additional parks and public amenities. The Lassonde Art Trail will open in 2026 alongside the park’s final section. And with plans to accelerate housing construction on both Ookwemin Minising and the adjacent Quayside lands, this newly accessible stretch of the Toronto waterfront is poised to become a model of sustainable and inclusive urban growth.