View allAll Photos Tagged Features,
Windward Islands
Another fine piece of artwork from Jack's grandson, Cheyne and his schoolfriend Steve Howard. Many thanks to them both for all their hard work for Centurion and the charitable organisations we fund and support both on a corporate and personal basis.
This features our Old Master process, a linen texture and slight inksketch added to minimally highlight detail. 2nd edition.
*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 Marine Parade Gardens on Napier’s foreshore were created after the 1931 earthquake
Several of Napier’s best-known built features are located in the gardens.
Thanks to all who take the time to visit and comment on my photo stream....it's greatly appreciated. Also for all of the invitations to join or post my photos into groups!
This relatively flat loop hike - which features a shortcut option - is all about water. You'll see rare mountain bogs, including glimpses of some rare and endangered species of plants if you're lucky. You'll pass through a forest in transition, as beavers have dammed the South Fork Mills River to form their ponds, which are drowning out the trees. You'll also find crystal clear brooks, wildlife meadows, scenic fern-filled woods, and an optional waterfall. This forest is one of the first to ever be managed through modern forestry techniques, earning it the nickname "The Cradle of Forestry in America."
Source: www.hikewnc.info/besthikes/davidson-river/pink-beds-loop
Pink Beds has been a popular woodland hiking and picnic spot in the Pisgah National Forest for many years. Located four miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway on US 276 (Forest Heritage Scenic Byway), the five-mile loop hike has little elevation change, a rarity in North Carolina's higher mountains. So, it's perfect for all skill levels. The far section of the loop has some uphill sections with some roots and rocks to navigate. Just watch your step. Since there is plenty of shade, it's a great hike on hot summer days. On the Parkway, there is an overlook of this area at Milepost 410. This hike is especially appealing to naturalists since the valley has some very large pine trees and rare mountain bogs. The trail takes you through a variety of forest types, including through twisting rhododendron with ferns covering the ground. The Pink Beds Valley was named by the settlers who first cleared the area when the abundant blooms of summer rhododendron and mountain laurel were visible from the surrounding mountainsides. Since the valley has been reforested, it's more green than pink. For more history on forestry, stop next door at the Cradle of Forestry Discovery Center. The wealth of summer wildflowers makes it a haven for butterflys, bees and hummingbirds. With an elevation of around 3,200 ft., the Pink Beds has a series of boardwalks (finished in 2012) above a recently flooded area thanks to a beaver dam. This rare highland bog is home to many rare plants and insects. Bring your mosquito repellant in the summer months! A great spot for night strolls to see fireflies, especially in June. To begin the hike, look for the large sign board near the picnic area. The trail is an old road, so it's easy to follow. Shortly after you begin, you will cross a creek (great for a foot soak at the end of your hike) and the two-way option for the loop trail. If you want to just see the boardwalks, they are about 3/4 of a mile to the right. About a mile down the trail, you will intersect Barnett Branch Trail and South Fork Bridge for another walk through a wetland teeming with flowers, birds and butterflies. To the right, the trail cuts through the middle of the loop so you can cut the hike in half. The picnic area has 21 tables and two shelters for groups, located adjacent to a big parking area. There is $50 charge if you want to reserve a shelter on a busy day (call 828-877-3265). There's no charge to enjoy the picnic area or trail. Nearby are Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock and great hikes to Looking Glass Rock and John Rock. See our Pisgah Forest Waterfall & Hiking Map.
One of two more photos taken of the Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat on my walk with Shauna on Sunday. Notice the new shoots coming up:)
"The Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat (HBBH) is an ecological restoration project that provides critical habitat for a variety of native butterfly species. Located along the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto’s west end, HBBH incorporates a diversity of native wildflowers, shrubs, trees, grasses, sedges and a variety of physical features known to support butterflies throughout all life cycles. The goal of HBBH is to establish a self-sustaining native plant community which will support a variety of butterfly species, while engaging and educating park users about the value of urban wildlife habitat."
Thanks for visiting it is a cold and slippery day in Toronto.
Nestled among the vast clouds of star-forming regions like this one lie potential clues about the formation of our own solar system.
This image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope features AFGL 5180, a beautiful stellar nursery located in the constellation of Gemini (the Twins).
At the center of the image, a massive star is forming and blasting cavities through the clouds with a pair of powerful jets, extending to the top right and bottom left of the image. Light from this star is mostly escaping and reaching us by illuminating these cavities, like a lighthouse piercing through the storm clouds.
Stars are born in dusty environments and although this dust makes for spectacular images, it can prevent astronomers from seeing stars embedded in it. Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) instrument is designed to capture detailed images in both visible and infrared light, meaning that the young stars hidden in vast star-forming regions like AFGL 5180 can be seen much more clearly.
Credits: ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. C. Tan (Chalmers University & University of Virginia), R. Fedriani (Chalmers University); CC BY 4.0; Acknowledgment: Judy Schmidt
I just thought this was a pretty picture worth taking, but I am always digging deeper for geologic explanations.
The rocks in the foreground are pre-Cambrian granite dated at 1.6 billion years and are part of a batholith that covers the region immediately east of the Sawatch Range and upper Arkansas Valley in central Colorado. The highly eroded Buffalo Peaks, in the background, was volcanically active 28 million years ago.
My primary source for Colorado geology is the book "Messages In Stone: Colorado's Colorful Geology." (Colorado Geological Survey, Second edition revised by Vincent Matthews, Ph.D.)
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)
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
------------------------------
Epoch - Kati Bikini Set
------------------------------
~Contents
Top
Bottom
~Fitted For
Reborn
R + Mounds
~Features
6 Purchasable Color Packs
5 Top Colors Per Pack
5 Bottom Colors Per Pack
~AVAILABLE @ Mainstore
---------------------------------------
DenDen Poses - Kawaii Pose
---------------------------------------
~Features
Small and Thick Version
Pose Stand Included
~AVAILABLE @ Mainstore
=========================
Lelutka - Raven
eBody - Reborn
Glam Affair - Eun Skin
Soapberry + BORK - Mounds
Velour - Ipanema
Velour - Big Boobs Cleavage
Velour - Cellulite
Doux - Cynthia
The Functionalism-style dwelling block was built in 1929-1930 according to the project of architect E.Štālbergs. The building has 89 apartments. The facade of the building features the sculptor K.Zemdega's bricks "Mother of the House" and "The Man".
The current blog post features some of the amazing wildlife that we encountered during our winter trip to the Tetons and surrounding areas via images and stories. Of course, one of the more dependable to spot was the moose.
We spotted moose in a variety of locales, with a variety of number in their grouping (solo to a dozen or more together), and of course, a variety of ages. Males and females were spotted, though during the winter when their antlers have dropped, it's sometimes difficult from a distance to tell them apart. By now, of course, the males will be sporting beautiful developing velvet-covered antlers.
Often we find the moose in the midst of trees, making a clear shot all but impossible. My favorite shots are those out in the open ... especially with the sun highlighting their fur and features. So, needless to say I was quite excited when I found this one making its way down the river foraging both food ... and a drink ... as it did. Doesn't this look quite refreshing? Well, it sure does to me, as we are expected to reach triple digits again.
Be sure to check out the latest blog by clicking:
www.tnwaphotography.wordpress.com
Happy Tuesday! Thanks so much for stopping by to view.
© 2018 Debbie Tubridy / TNWA Photography
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.
Experience the vibrant and colorful world of Native American art with our latest tattoo design, Tribal Dreams. This stunning and intricate tattoo features traditional Native American designs, including feathers, beads, and intricate patterns, alongside intricate skull imagery. The vivid and bold colors of this tattoo design are a new area for Riotzink, providing a fresh and exciting addition to our portfolio of designs.
With 4 opacities and layers, you can customize Tribal Dreams to create a truly unique and personalized design that reflects your individual style. Wear as much or as little of the tattoo as you like, and experiment with different combinations of layers to create a truly one-of-a-kind look.
So why wait? Embrace the beauty and power of Native American art with Tribal Dreams, and make a statement that is as bold and unique as you are.
Bom Layers Only
Create Your Own Style
Fresh, Worn, Faded Versions.
Wear as Full Body Tattoo or separate layers.
2005 Chandra observations revealed new details about the fiery ring surrounding the stellar explosion that produced Supernova 1987A. The data give insight into the behavior of the doomed star in the years before it exploded, and indicate that the predicted spectacular brightening of the circumstellar ring has begun.
Supernova 1987A occurred in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a galaxy only 160,000 light years from Earth. The outburst was visible to the naked eye, and is the brightest known supernova in almost 400 years. Optical hot-spots (pink-white) now encircle the ring like a necklace of incandescent diamonds. The Chandra data (blue-purple) reveals multimillion-degree gas at the location of the optical hot-spots.
Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/PSU/S.Park & D.Burrows.; Optical: NASA/STScI/CfA/P.Challis
#NASA #MarshallSpaceFlightCenter #MSFC #Marshall #ChandraXrayObservatory #cxo #supernova #supernovaremnant #HST #HubbleSpaceTelescope #Hubble #GSFC #GoddardSpaceFlightCenter #Goddard #NASAGoddard
Dames Cave is a 1.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Brooksville, Florida that features a cave and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The Dames Cave area is located in the Citrus Tract portion of the Withlacoochee State Forest in Citrus County, Florida and are found on a western portion of the Brooksville Ridge physiographic region. This landscape is dominated by karst landforms including uvalas, dolines, solution valleys, and caves. Geologically, the caves are among the oldest in Florida.
The entrance trail to the Dames Caves is located off S Lecanto Hwy. Quite possibly there will be several cars already parked there, as these will be the only indicators that one of Florida's most unique and oldest cave systems is just a short jaunt off of this straight and narrow farm road. Parking is free, but is at your own risk, mainly because there are no designated parking spots. A short half-mile trail leads off into the Withlacoochee State Forest.
Once again, no trails are marked, but heading directly east will bring you to the opening of one of the most popular caves. Surrounded by several concrete posts and heavy gauge wire, the opening to Vandal Cave appears before your eyes. One of the best spot for pictures, this cave opening is actually an ancient roof collapse. Part of the roof is still connected and creates a land bridge that can be easily walked across by daring individuals. A small side cave allows access into the inner cave system. Once inside you can see why it is called Vandal Cave. Graffiti and other damage can be seen throughout, explaining why this cave system is so hard to find. Other smaller caves branch off from this Vandal Cave and range in a variety of difficulties of exploration from simple head ducking and flashlight exploring to belly-slinking and crawling through tight spots in the mud.
Credit for the data above is given to the following website:
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
Features: Bronzer, Freckles, Mole, Blush, Evox and Swallow Ears Compatible
AIMI SKINS EXCLUSIVE @ SWANK Event
Event Period: OCT 7th to 31ST
Event Location: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Swank%20Events/156/218/37
@ Main Store after event:
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/September/81/215/22
Social Media : i.mtrbio.com/aimiskins
The Tadich Grill is an American seafood restaurant located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1849, it is the oldest running restaurant in California. Based in the Financial District, the restaurant sits on 240 California Street. The dining experience features Croatian-style cooking techniques that include grilling seafood over mesquite- and charcoal-broilers for varying flavor profiles and uniform broiling.
The original restaurant opened in 1849 as a coffee stand on Clay Street in San Francisco, California. It was founded by Nikola Budrovich, Frano Kosta, and Antonio Gasparich, three immigrants from Croatia, who launched their restaurant as "Coffee Stand". The establishment was renamed "New World Coffee Stand", following a move to the New World Market, a local market place in San Francisco.
In 1887, their restaurant was purchased by and renamed after John Tadich, a Croatian hailing from Stari Grad on the Island of Hvar. In 1928, Tadich sold the restaurant to another Croatian family, the Buichs. In 1967, the restaurant moved to its present location at 240 California Street; this was after Wells Fargo bought the Clay Street location for redevelopment. The current space is one-third larger than the original, and the Buiches worked with contractors to recreate the Art Deco interior design that the Clay Street space had. All of the moldings and woodwork were copied, and the original Clay Street bar was moved to the present location. The restaurant reopened within one month of moving.
In 1925, Louis Buich implemented Croatian-style cooking at the Tadich grill, requiring chefs to use a mesquite broiler for cooking seafood. The restaurant's use of the grilling technique became popular, and in a single day the restaurant can go through four 40-pound bags of mesquite charcoal. Little has changed in regards to the restaurant's cooking methods, and the restaurant has had only seven chefs since 1925 (as of 2011). After operating at several locations in the previous century, the restaurant's last move in 1967 was to a location on the California Street cable car line.
In 1999, R.W. Apple called the restaurant, "old-fashioned, a nostalgic shrine to local piscine tradition." According to Apple, the restaurant's best known dish is cioppino, a seafood soup created in San Francisco, and other California seafood specialities like Petrale sole and sand dabs. Herb Caen, longtime columnist of the San Francisco Chronicle, was a fan of Tadich's version of the Hangtown Fry, a Gold Rush era combination of scrambled eggs, bacon and oysters. In The New York Times, Sadie Stein wrote in 2013 that the restaurant is "Festive without being stuffy, it offers a taste of the San Francisco of yore while embracing the present day." The restaurant operated a branch in Washington, D.C. from 2015 to 2018
I enjoy the emergent features in my body breeding, the way my hands close on you, the way my eyes are capable of describing the colourful and seedy scenery that surrounds me. Inside and outside of the light-filled bubble I inhabit your blood keeps me warm, your crushed watering voice lives in my womb and I save the foggy memories for the day next.
Out in the streets the eyes my teeth rip apart, the casual shoulders my fingernails slash, the shining invisible my chest touches, out of the blue the time lapses and the washed out colours induced by the smoke are gone. Holding a pencil with two fingers a view from the dwarf-magnolia tree to the entry curtains, I can feel both the life and waves between my fingers bordering to abyss and the dying quakes of cars going by.
The back of my spine tingles when I think of you, framed in the morning when all residents walking their dogs and homeless still hang out at Logan and cars and I feel like a fool with the sun trying to keep me from going to bed, twirling and jumping. There must be stages between love and monstrosity that I do not know. When this will be over and there will be no more work to do you will tell me what they are.
I go to the front garden, feeling too heavy to take myself out, yet unable to stay indoors. I like the view through the main gate, a framed and layered low angle view of the ground at the bottom. I hear you screaming in the late hours when all returners have returned, forth and around through these alleys and corridors where clients have established themselves with their habits and friends.
The sunset lasts forever with one german family in towels winding up carelessly on the benches. On the open-ended scale of fun the neighbours are curious to draw. Sidewalks are turning grey, heavy and wet. Eyes are sticking onto the poles and staying there. I stare at you and poles start swinging. Walking right into the water, focusing my fangs on your neck.
A girl busy with her juice while ownership and waitresses and options are discussed, the trends, the future plans. In time and days the crowd changes. Age, hair and colours change, music fades into music as the disco at the other end preps for another round. I pull the door open. Tilting my head towards the stars I raise my arms up to my head closing them together until my hands meet. Everything turns into nothing.
NOTE: text is mine
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.
A snowflake that doesn’t know what it wants to be! This intriguing snowflake has a shape that is battling between branches and a solid plate shape, and you can clearly see where the lines of battle have been drawn. View large!
As you’ve seen so far in this series, the tiniest snowflakes always have a way of being enigmatic and interesting. Maybe it’s the lack of complexity that allows us to focus on specific features, or maybe it’s that smaller snowflakes contain smaller details that we can more easily see and be curious about. In this case, there’s a mystery to solve!
The upper-right-most branch holds the story of the branching while the lower-left tells us how the crystal stays as a plate. In the former, we can identify a crystal split. The snowflake divides itself into two new planes when a cavity forms in the ice, a very common occurrence. What’s odd here is that the bottom plate grows the branch at the tip, but the rest of the bottom plate falls behind the top plate in growth. This might be a case where the knife-edge instability comes into play.
I don’t fully understand the physics (I’m a geeky photographer, not a physicist), but when a snowflake is incredibly thin, the growth can accelerate. If the bubble/cavity that cut the snowflake in half changed its thickness just at the tip, it could propel the tip into a branch-like growth without causing the same rapid growth to the rest of the crystal facets. It’s unusual, but not the first time I’ve seen it – something must behave slightly differently at the corner to evoke this behaviour.
On the other side of the snowflake, we see a very solid hexagonal shape, but the ghosts of branches are hidden closer to the center. How does this happen? Again, I’m not entirely sure. I love these mysteries! I believe the best explanation would be this: As the branches began to form, the growth of the top plate was keeping pace, likely due to the direction that the snowflake was falling. The same physics that made the branch grow faster than the edges of the underside are at play, but with more water vapour building up the top plate, it kept pace with the branching, and eventually overpowered it. As soon as any one plane of growth as the advantage of growing farther out, it chokes out the growth of the competition.
Again, my ideas are just the theories of a man who has studied snowflake growth for the fun of it, and has witnessed many thousands of these crystals to see how they grow. It’s open to interpretation – and I welcome yours!
For more musings on snowflakes and the most detailed photographic tutorial on the subject you’ll ever see, consider a copy of Sky Crystals: www.skycrystals.ca/book/ - it’s a great winter companion for any photographer or naturalist. Winter can be more tolerable when you ponder the mysteries in a single snowflake.
The Norstedt Building (Swedish: Norstedtshuset) is the main office of P.A. Norstedt & Söner AB on Riddarholmen in Stockholm, Sweden.
The building, designed by Magnus Isæus and built in 1882-91, features a spire-like roof, which is a well-known silhouette on the skyline of central Stockholm.
Bridge Vasabron is passing in front of the building and Gamla Riksarkivet ("Old National Archive") lies south of it.
Source: Wikipedia
The Seal Cove Auto Museum features early automobiles and motorcycles from the Brass Era (1895-1917). Antique auto enthusiasts as well as those who simply enjoy autos from the past will delight in this unique collection. Over 50 vehicles tell the exciting story of early automotive history, the years when men tinkered in their barns and yards experimenting with steam, electricity and gas powered engines! The Seal Cove Auto Museum shares this story — the innovation, ingenuity, and the power of imagination — that created these vehicles and transformed life in America. The Museum hosts a number of events each year including special activity days, book signings, car talks, movies, and visits by rare Brass Era autos. Check our events page for more information. The Museum Store has a gift-worthy collection of all things auto, stop in the store when you are in Seal Cove, or choose from a selection available for purchase on-line. [Source: www.sealcoveautomuseum.org]
Advent Calendar Day14
Today our advent calendar features a beautiful and delicate lingerie made in whipped cream and satin lace. it also has a delicate jewel detail, giving lightness and elegance to your look.
This special gift brings bra - panties - garter - stocking in a color specially made for you.
Rigged for Maitreya Lara/Petite - Freya - Hourglass - Legacy/Perky - Kupra - Reborn.
Here’s a very “volumetric” split crystal design – beginning to show some of the features associated with skeletal form crystals? Can you spot where? Let’s take a look at the details!
Before I do, however, I just want to make a quick note that the whole family is under the weather at the moment – and has been for roughly a week; that would be about the duration of this series. We’re doing okay, it’s not COVID, but likely RSV. Being sick sucks, it completely drains me of all energy and sleep is never enough nor is it rejuvenating. I think we’re past the worst of it now, but these posts have been about all I can motivate myself to accomplish. Your positive comments have been a huge boost, so this paragraph is simply to say thanks. I’m glad these images are appreciated.
This snowflake is definitely growing in layers. You can see a lot of lines running (vaguely and varying) 60-degrees from the main spine of each branch, and they can be quite thick! This snowflake answers another mystery with how these spines interact with the main snowflake as it builds thickness. For example, look at the bottom branch, right near the tip. See how tall the spine is above the rest? You can use the shadows/reflections to the right of it to get some visual comparison. However, take a look to the bottom right branch, in the middle. Where did the spine go?
We see a hint of the answer to the right of it, still in the middle. There are some dark spots! Those are little canyons in the surface, which are getting “ceilinged” over. The snowflake is filling in to become the same thickness overall. But then there was “eureka” moment for me. There’s a feature in SO MANY snowflakes that I never understood before. Why are there (so incredibly frequently) two parallel lines of bubbles running down the length of the snowflake? In this specimen, we can see them forming. Look to the lower-left branch!
See two parallel DARK lines, opposing the brighter lines on the lower-right branch? Bingo. They are in the process of being filled in. My theory is this: the spine forms as thicker than the rest of the snowflake, much more rapidly. However, the rest of the branch eventually thickens up to the same topographical height… but the walls of the spine are steep like a cliff, and water vapour cannot get inside to completely back-fill these areas. They in turn get a ceiling over top, forming bubbles. Woo! I think I’m correct on the “how” for this one, but the “why” is still outstanding to some degree. Why do snowflakes grow out thinly, then thicken up over time?
I believe this might be partially answered by the “knife-edge instability”. If you have two bricklayers each building a wall from available materials, and one is building a wall three bricks deep, he’d be a lot slower than someone building a wall only one brick thick. So then, utilizing this “thin wall” approach, a snowflake shoots out as a thinner piece of ice faster, but continues to thicken over time as the interior area still has access to some “bricks” (water vapour).
But don’t forget the skeletal form traits! You can also see it on the bottom branches, where there is evidence that the spines have grown so thick that they have “anviled”-out and are growing further along the top, with a gap underneath. Because this outward-growing ceiling is also quite thin, it can grow faster than some of the other surrounding features. You can see this easily on all four bottom branches, but such details are obscured on the top two, belonging to the other half of the “split” crystal with their surface features facing away from the camera.
eBook: Macro Photography – The Universe at Our Feet: skycrystals.ca/product/pre-order-ebook-edition-macro-phot... (fully instructive on all things macro, including how to photograph snowflakes)
Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/donkomphoto
Platypod Exclusive DonKom Macro Studio Bundle: www.platypod.com/products/don-kom-macro-bundle
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.
pm Kate
Crafted with the finest silk, she features a tight see through bodice over a pencil skirt with two slits on the sides. An oversized bow and a glamorous over skirt can be added for a red carpet look. For the over skirt you will have the option to pick silk or lace.
To finish off, we are offering matching gloves that are a statement piece on their own with sparkling gems and customizing transparency.
Compatible with Maitreya+Petite, Lara X+Petite, Legacy, Reborn+Waifu and Genx Classic
*Gloves can be purchased separately-not included with the dress
Get yours exclusively at TSA!
LM TO STATEMENT ARENA: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/TSA/142/134/3501
LaraX
S-CLUB Kim
pm Kalisha heels
pm Faye earrings
IMAGE:
Body: eBODY - REBORN
Head: LeLUTKA
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Thanks to my SPONSOR: Pure Poison
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.
Collabor88
LM: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/8%208/172/193/1085
LM: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pure%20Poison%20District/1...
MP: marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/36288
Facebook:
Flickr:
www.flickr.com/photos/pp_fashion/
Blog:
purepoisoncontact.wordpress.com/
Thanks to my SPONSOR: Skindustrial Bodyworks
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!
Get yours here starting August 7th:
LM: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Swank%20Events/54/32/23
LM: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Harborview/78/67/2506
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/126285169@N02/
TATTOO:
VI ART Tattoo BOM Femeli -Infinity
MP: marketplace.secondlife.com/en-US/stores/202757
MP: marketplace.secondlife.com/p/VI-ART-Tattoo-BOM-Femeli-Inf...
Thanks to my SPONSOR: Sintiklia
Sintiklia - Hair Winona - Fatpack
Messy bun
4 styles, fitted
rigged 2 head sizes, unrigged&resized
bangs add-ons
Packs(114 colors in each): blondes&reds, browns&blacks, colors&ombres.
288ls per pack/688ls(fatpack)
Hair Winona @FWRD
LM: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FWRD/23/123/39
LM: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sintiklia/134/77/21
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sintikliasims
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/sintikliasims/
Flickr Groups: www.flickr.com/groups/2899977@N24/
Primfeed: www.primfeed.com/sintiklia.uwu
October features work in progress. There will be 6 mini sets of 5 images each......they all are images that will eventually be part of a larger series.......but for now you can see them as they are now..........warts and all.
One of the defining features of the Oregon Coast is its many sea stacks and remnants of an ancient marine terrace. These stacked rocks are amazing structures. They offer photo opportunities and the occasional cave for exploring. Wizard’s Hat is a natural rock formation that resembles a Wizard’s Hat on Bandon Beach near Face Rock.
Newly released images showcase the incredible closeness with which NASA's Cassini spacecraft, now in its "Ring-Grazing" orbits phase, is observing Saturn's dazzling rings of icy debris.
The views are some of the closest-ever images of the outer parts of the main rings, giving scientists an eagerly awaited opportunity to observe features with names like "straw" and "propellers." Although Cassini saw these features earlier in the mission, the spacecraft’s current, special orbits are now providing opportunities to see them in greater detail. The new images resolve details as small as 0.3 miles (550 meters), which is on the scale of Earth's tallest buildings.
Cassini is now about halfway through its penultimate mission phase -- 20 orbits that dive past the outer edge of the main ring system. The ring-grazing orbits began last November, and will continue until late April, when Cassini begins its grand finale. During the 22 finale orbits, Cassini will repeatedly plunge through the gap between the rings and Saturn. The first finale plunge is scheduled for April 26.
For now, the veteran spacecraft is shooting past the outer edges of the rings every week, gathering some of its best images of the rings and moons. Already Cassini has sent back the closest-ever views of small moons Daphnis and Pandora.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
For more information about the Cassini-Huygens mission, click here.
NEW ITEMS FROM JUSTICE!
@ FaMESHed maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FaMESHed/189/221/2499
LARA - LARA PETITE - LEGACY - FREYA - HOURGLASS
FEATURES:
20 Colors available individually & in Fatpack
10 Tye Dye Options in Tye Dye pack & Fatpack
10 Floral Options in Florals Pack & Fatpack
These magnificent mature beech trees are one of the features of Sunderland's Doxford Park.
The public park was once the private grounds of Silksworth House, later renamed Doxford House.
Excerpt from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K11_Art_Mall:
K11 Art Mall is a seven-storey shopping centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong located in The Masterpiece, developed by New World Development and completed in December 2009. It is near Tsim Sha Tsui and East Tsim Sha Tsui stations.
The K11 Art Mall has seven storeys (two underground, five above ground). The B1 and B2 storeys were opened on 27 November 2009, and the rest of the mall was opened on 5 December that year. Retail and restaurants accounted for 80 per cent and 20 per cent of the stores, respectively.
B2 is mainly international cuisine, women's fashion, shoes and cosmetics, with shops such as D-mop zone, Mousse, ISCOV, JILL SCOTT, Mirabell, and Milan. B1 is mainly daily necessities, including La Creation de Gute bakery, LensCrafters, AV Life, Dymocks bookstore, I Love Kitchen, Mannings, and Market Place by Jasons supermarket.
The ground floor has many high-end stores, including Longchamp, Tiffany by Soloman, Thann, the Italian brand Dormeuil, Y-3, D-mop, and Chow Tai Fook concept store. In the centre is a large plaza, called "The Piazza", that features a glass ceiling and a large LED screen.
Levels 1–3 have many boutiques, including AIGLE, KLASSE14, Laosmiddle, Levi's, Clarks, Fila, and mademoiselle. The mall also caters to Mainland customers, with several Mainland brand-name specialty stores such as Biba and imaroon.
There are restaurants on each floor of the mall, totaling over 20, including B2's Miso Cool and DALAT Vietnamese restaurant; The Piazza's Espressamente illy and awfully chocolate; and various others, such as AKU Japanese Restaurant, Al Pasha, Cool Gelato, Ginza Bairin and Pak Loh Chiu Chow Restaurant.
Part of the enduring appeal of snowflakes is their intricate appearance and near infinite variation, meaning that all snowflakes are unique. The number of possibilities of nuances in temperature and humidity as the snowflake falls to the ground is limitless.
If you look closely at a Snowflake you will see countless individual features, all having formed ever so slightly differently in direction or shape owing to the slightest change in the environment in which it formed.
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.
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
One of the feature landmarks of Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, is the Tolsey Clock; with its two faces and attached to the Tolsey building. This particular clock has been in place since Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, but there has been a clock on the building since 1595.
The clock also has a bell that rings out the hour and this is housed in a cupola which has an excellent weather vane mounted upon its roof.
You can't take these bricks from me! This model is Shiny! At just over 2000 pieces, this is our largest model ever! The goal with this model was to have it be as accurate as possible while also making it very playable. It makes for a great display model but also has many fun play features. The model has many opening hatches and panels to give you access to the full interior.
Interior includes:
-Cockpit
-Hallway
-Dining room
-Engine room
-Infirmary
-Cargo bay
-2 Shuttles
-Rotating Engines
Instructions available here: buildbetterbricks.com/collections/our-newest-products/pro...
White Beach features powdery white sand that stretches on for 5 kilometers, is by far the longest and most popular beach in Boracay. Because of its length, the beach is divided into three parts for easier navigation. The sections are called Boat Station 1, 2 and 3. Complementing its powdery white sand, is its crystal clear water. Unfortunately, during certain times of the year (around January to March), green seaweed can drift in to the shore. Due to White Beach facing West, sunset viewing is fantastic. The immense popularity of White Beach has caused it to be the busiest beach in terms of bars, cafes, restaurants, shops and accommodation.
Our vacation at: Boracay, Philippines