Protective Mimicry
View allAll Photos Tagged Gainers,
This double crested cormorant did a few circles of the lake to gain altitude before it finally left the area. Gave me a few passes at it. Didn't nail the focus, but I liked the dynamic pose enough to post it.
A northern pintail takes off from the Big Salt Marsh at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Stafford County, KS.
For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I wish you all a good new week :)
It must be so satisfying to 'drive' a traction engine.
Thank you all for visiting - it is really appreciated. Have a good week.
created by KHWD
want to see more images or read the blog?
www.motorhome-travels.net/post/blog-206-scotland-mull-ork...
On Unst, Shetland’s northernmost island, a striking Viking longhouse and ship replica offer a vivid glimpse into Norse life and legacy.
Unst is believed to be the first landfall of Vikings in the North Atlantic, and today it boasts the highest density of rural Viking sites in the world—over 60 longhouse remains have been identified across the island. The Viking Unst Project, centered in Haroldswick, brings this history to life through two captivating reconstructions: a 9th-century longhouse and the Skidbladner, a replica of the famed Gokstad ship.
The longhouse, built using traditional materials and techniques, stands as a tactile interpretation of Norse domestic architecture. Its turf walls, timber frame, and central hearth evoke the communal warmth and practicality of Viking living. Visitors can explore the interior freely, gaining insight into how families cooked, slept, and gathered in these elongated, multifunctional spaces. The reconstruction draws on archaeological findings from three key Unst sites—Hamar, Underhoull, and Belmont—each revealing layers of Norse settlement from around 1025 to 1220.
Just steps away, the Skidbladner rests beside Harold’s Wick, its sleek silhouette echoing the seafaring prowess of Viking explorers. Modeled after the Gokstad ship discovered in Norway, this replica showcases the craftsmanship and navigational ingenuity that enabled Norse expansion across Europe. With its clinker-built hull and graceful curves, the ship is both a tribute to Viking engineering and a symbol of their adventurous spirit.
Together, the longhouse and ship form a compelling open-air museum, accessible year-round and free to explore. They’re not just static displays—they’re immersive storytelling tools, anchoring Unst’s identity in its Norse heritage. Whether you’re tracing the footsteps of settlers or marveling at maritime design, these reconstructions offer a tangible connection to a time when Unst was a frontier of Viking ambition.
A faschinating little shop by this name, found along George Street, along my driving route to work.
I haven't actually been inside yet, just stopped to shoot its title mural along the side of the building.
Fear
I Feared …
I feared being alone
Until I learned to like Myself.
I feared failure
Until I realized that I only Fail when I don't try.
I feared success
Until I realized that I had to try in order to be happy with myself.
I feared people's opinions
Until I learned that people would have opinions about me anyway.
I feared rejection
Until I learned to have faith in myself.
I feared pain
Until I learned that it's necessary for growth
I feared the truth
Until I saw the ugliness in lies.
I feared life
Until I experienced its beauty .
I feared death
Until I realized that it's not an end, but a beginning.
I feared my destiny,
Until I realized that I had the power to change my life.
I feared hate
Until I saw that it was nothing more than ignorance.
I feared love
Until it touched my heart, making the darkness fade into endless sunny days.
Until I learned how to laugh at myself.
I feared growing old
Until I realized that I gained wisdom every day.
I feared the future
Until I realized that Life just kept getting better.
I feared the past
Until I realized that It could no longer hurt me.
I feared the dark
Until I saw the beauty of the starlight.
I feared the light
Until I learned that the Truth would give me Strength.
I feared change,
Until I saw that even the most beautiful butterfly had to undergo a Metamorphosis before it could fly.
- Unknown
Bernache cravant
Branta bernicla - Brant Goose
Un souvenir de Janvier de ces petites oies qui font halte sur le Bassin d'Arcachon où elles trouvent leurs mets favoris ( zostères, salicornes, algues vertes) afin de prendre des forces pour poursuivre leur voyage !!
Belle semaine à vous ...prenez soin de vous
2021-01-10_15-56-39_01-
Branta bernicla - Brant Goose
A memory of January of these little geese who stop at the Arcachon Bay where they find their favorite dishes (eelgrass, samphire, green algae) to gain strength to continue their journey !!
Have a nice week ... take care of yourself
3135 feet of elevation gain in 3 1/2 miles. And that's all that I have to say about that...
Mildred point is one of the highest viewpoints on the South side of Rainier next to Van Trump (which is kinda in view to the right) and of course Skyline which if you lost your baring's you might find yourself on the summit of the volcano... It is also unique in that it doesn't take you to a lovely spot, nay, it takes you to a chasm, a rocky valley carved and eroded by many a lahar and landslides depicting the more volatile aspects of the Grand Lady. Up and to the left you can just discern the Kautz Glacier and the birth of the creek by the same name as it is expelled into the world via waterfalls and a downhill run that would make a bobsledder cry. The chill wind is in your face and ruffling your clothes all the while the sound of water surrounds you interrupted occasionally by the sound of a boulder bouncing down the steep slopes and the insanely loud CRACK of the glacier melting in the Summer heat. I was alone as I'd set off at dawn and I couldn't find a bird, squirrel, dear, elk, bear, nor human in any pics or in person, it was eerie, just me and the mountain that I'd not seen in what felt like ages sharing a moment.
God rest the Queen, long live the King.
ps. once you see the smiley face you won't be able to unsee it. :)
Blow it up, lots to see in there.
After gaining the upper plateau of Cairn Gorm, we can look down through the rocks of the coire as we refuel with some light snacks. A small lochan lies below us called Coire an Lochan with our starting point to the right and the town of Aviemore just visible beyond Loch Morlich in the distance.
Cairn Gorm, the mountain from which the Cairngorm mountain range gets its name, stands at 1245 meters (4085 feet) and is my 4th Munro of the season, my 27th in total. The hike (no bike this time) sees me covering a circuit of just over 7 miles and making an elevation gain of around 762 meters (2500 feet).
Sure hope we all soon can comfortably see aerial views like this again! :)
Have a terrific day, everyone...
Rolling into the nice super elevated curve just south of Gaines, Michigan is Grand Trunk Western train #410 running from Durand to Lang Yd. in Toledo, Ohio. Normally a pair of SD40's this day you found no complaints from me with GP9 4544 leading SD40 5929 - December 18, 1976.
Pacific white-fronted geese after taking off from the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge on their spring migration to the northern reaches of Alaska and Canada. Currently two populations of white-fronted geese are recognized: the Pacific Population and the Mid-Continent Population. Numbers of Pacific Population white-fronted geese have increased steadily over the last decade.
Thanks, as always, for stopping by and for all of your kind comments -- I appreciate them all.
© Melissa Post 2018
Rolling thru Gaines, Michigan having just left the home terminal in Durand a couple miles back is GTW train #450 a turn to east yard in Detroit with former boiler GP9 4930 leading 2 sisters on February 26, 1983.
Small Gains Creek, Canvey Island. At the eastern end of the Island lies the “Point”, the Island fades from buildup land to salt marsh and a of little creeks. This is where the boating community come together. A haven for waders of migrating birds.
On a cold fall day, a bighorn sheep chose to rest on a natural rock bench that had been heated by the sun. It was so content it was chewing its cud while soaking up the sunshine.
You may want to enlarge to see more detail of the sheep but I purposely shot for distance to get a better idea of the setting.
Photographed in the Colorado National Monument, Grand Junction, Colorado.
Parliament gained a permanent home after Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the capital in 1857. The Library building, designed in the High Victorian Gothic Revival style by Thomas Fuller and Chilion Jones, opened in 1876. Its circular shape and the use of galleries and alcoves were the inspiration of the first Parliamentary Librarian, Alpheus Todd. He recommended that the building be “spacious and lofty” and wisely advised that it be separated from the Centre Block by a corridor to protect it from fire 113
Once the bridge started to pop through, I knew the morning was going to provide some unique images.
For the whole sequence:
www.flickr.com/photos/62226820@N03/albums/72177720327011452/
Unity Gain, .... the upshot of cooperation.
Taken on a Mix Stage at Sony Pictures Studios a couple years ago. This week marks my 10th consecutive year working for them, but the big change is I'm working from home in another state.
When I took the picture it would have never been an option. It is incredible how fast things can evolve.
The same faders from a different angle:
www.flickr.com/photos/larrygoeb/41097561611/in/dateposted...
Looking a bit like the late '90s or early '00s, a trio of SD75Is power CN E251 north through Gaines on the Holly Subdivision.
The land that would eventually become the village of Sleep Hollow started was first brought from Adriaen van der Donck a New Netherland patroon a landowner designated with manorial rights under the Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions established by the Dutch West India Company. In 1672 the land was purchased by Frederick Philipse who In 1693 and established a mill and a shipping post and became Lord of Philipsburg Manor. The land was eventually passed down to his grandson Frederick Philipse III when in 1779 he was declared a loyalist traitor by the colonial government and his land was seized and sold at public auction and divided among 287 buyers. The village gained notoriety when in 1820 Washington Irving wrote the very popular short story The legend of Sleepy Hollow which spawned some film adaptations and a short running TV series. Today the village outside of designated the historical landmarks buildings is an unassuming small suburban town built on small but steep rolling hills which made building any larger commercial developments not feasible and is mostly residential and small local businesses. However along the waterfront a long length of three-four story townhouse style luxury condos are now being built to increase residency and the tax base.
Knowing the 4th of July is a big American holiday, it is a great day for us all to count our blessings.
I was blessed by this fellow on the banks of the Ohio River.
We just climbed out of Žrelo ravine and broad views across the Upper Carniolia planes opened. 300 m of altitude more to the summit.
. . . at sunrise.
My recollections are of struggling with an icy wind, it being mid-autumn & myself not having not quite acclimatized for the sudden plunge in temperature after summer (happens every year to me).
A few of you will remember a similar image, taken with the sun having gained strength & thus lending significantly more general contrast to the scene; although far more subdued, this earlier shot records the moment when the sun has barely broken the horizon & is only just beginning to fire up the afterburners.
In an unknown to many people but conspicuous due to its location church, we usually find peace of mind and tranquility. We communicate our deepest feelings to ourselves and try to nest our prayers and silence as much as we can to look for signs, listen to whispers that reassure us that we are walking the right path.
They say it takes 3 weeks to gain a habit but 3 months to get out of them.
Continue reading here & close ups
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Credits
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Skin: (Enfer Sombre*) LeLutka Skin BoM - Porcelain - Monster (1) @ Epiphany
Hair: Astrology: Quintessa ~ Bloody Fat Pack
Eyes: STRAY DOG - BLIND EYES
Nails: [CX] Essential Dirty Claws ( 2019 NEW YEAR GIFT )
Ears: ^^Swallow^^ Ears Elf HD - High Definition
Hand scratches: duckie . savage
Face blood: THIS IS WRONG Overlord makeup + THIS IS WRONG Scar makeup
Body marks: [ R3 ] Tattoo & Applier 17UN. 2804 - 32
Outfit: S & S Designs - Bloody Mess Minidress (shoes included)
Heart: Kokoro - Dark 03 Animation @ Dark Style Fair
Pose: FOXCITY. Babe-2
Close up face: FOXCITY. Babe-4
Close up body: **Manifeste** - Model_884
Background/decor:
FOXCITY. Photo Booth - Bad Habits (Dark)