Protective Mimicry
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Went down to the little river near where I live, trying some longer exposures. Unfortunately due to garbage (platic mostly) almost everywhere I had to find the tightest angles. We do have the best DSLRs, smartphones and more but that's the direct consequence on Nature: pollution and garbage. This is cropped a lot couse I wanted to emphasize the flow and did some major editing on curves to gain more contrast between light and dark areas.
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Pentax K-5
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© 2015 stefanorugolo | All rights reserved.
"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face"
E.T. has been through some very serious health issues the past few months. He's lost a lot of weight due to severe asthma and diabetes but working with our vet we've been able to nurse him back to better health. He has finally gained a few ounces instead of constantly losing. He looks frail but he's more energetic and actually enjoying his days again. Big smiles all around in our house.
The museum was founded in October 1983 in Toronto at Exhibition Place and later moved to Ontario Place theme park.
In 1994, it moved to St. Marys, Ontario.
The Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated to preserving Canada's baseball heritage which dates back to June 4, 1838, when a game which very closely resembled today's game of baseball was played in Beachville, Ontario.
The Hall gained some major attention when Pete Rose became eligible for election for earning his 4,000th MLB hit while playing with the Montreal Expos in 1984, however Rose has yet to be elected to the Hall.
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.
...
Flay you alive
One more word and you won't survive
And I'm not scared
Of your stolen power
I see right through you any hour
I won't soothe your pain
I won't ease your strain
You'll be waiting in vain
I got nothing for you to gain
I'm taking it slow
Feeding my flame
Shuffling the cards of your game
And just in time
In the right place
Suddenly I will play my ace
Hello my amazing Flickr friends !
Today is an orange day at Color my World Daily. We have Mr. Teddy Bear with us to celebrate Happy Teddy Tuesdays and the theme at Crazy Tuesday is Mirror Photography.
Mr. Teddy Bear thinks mirrors are dangerous… Especially since he gained few pounds, during the pandemic, Mr. Teddy doesn’t like mirrors as much as he use to…Looking directly in the mirror may sometimes be like looking directly at the sun…. you don’t want to stare for too long ! Looking in the mirror is like looking into the abyss and you know what they say about that …When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.
But my tiny vintage mirror ( I got it a few years ago at a garage sale…I truly miss garage sales!!!) is harmless…It will only show you the truth !!
I wish you all an amazing day !! See you later my friends.
Thank you so much for all your lovely comments / favs/ general support / happy thoughts!! Stay safe and well!! And see you soon on Flickr !!
seen from the Babelsberg Palace Park, near Potsdam across the river Havel. (re-.edited and reposted)
October 3rd is a German holiday - Anniversary of Re-Unification. Therefor I though this photo would be suitable to remember the past during the cold war, when Berlin has been the borderline between Russian and the western allies (American, British and French). I posted ist long ago but now re-edited and now re-posted it.
The Glienicke Bridge over the River Havel connects Berlin with Potsdam. The road bridge owes its name to the nearby former “Klein Glienicke“ estate, on the site of which is now "Glienicke Castle“. The truss bridge was opened at the end of 1907 as the fourth structure at this point under the name "Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge“, which, however, did not catch on.
The state border between Brandenburg and Berlin and the city border with Potsdam runs across the middle of the bridge. During the period of German division, the Glienicke Bridge gained worldwide fame through the third and last agent exchange, which was spectacularly staged on February 11, 1986.
Die Glienicker Brück, die "Agenten - Brücke" über die Havel verbunden Berlin mit Potsdam Ihren Namen verdankt die Straßenbrücke dem in der Nähe gelegenen ehemaligen Gut Klein Glienicke, an dessen Stelle heute das Schloss Glienicke liegt. Die Fachwerkbrücke wurde Ende 1907 als viertes Bauwerk an dieser Stelle unter dem Namen Kaiser-Wilhelm-Brücke eröffnet, der sich jedoch nicht durchsetzte.
Quer über die Brückenmitte verläuft die Landesgrenze zwischen Brandenburg und Berlin bzw. die Stadtgrenze zu Potsdam. Während der Zeit der Deutschen Teilung erlangte die Glienicker Brücke weltweite Bekanntheit durch den am 11. Februar 1986 spektakulär inszenierten dritten und letzten Austausch von Agenten am 11 Februar 1986.
I have always had a fascination with boats that have surpassed their ‘use by’ date. Just imagine the sights they have witnessed, the tales they could tell of riding the waves, assuming they don’t succumb to them, before reaching their final resting place. Then it’s a twice daily salt bath to soothe their aching joints before eventually perishing completely……
So, to the music. I’ve never linked this piece before and if you’re really not a fan of modern classical then look away now.
However, if you have 26 minutes and 46 seconds to spare, go find a quiet place, put some headphones on and immerse yourself.....
It’s a slow burner but builds and builds, gaining momentum and power. I see this boat battling against a progressively angry sea…..
It’s mournful and melancholic but truly beautiful, one of my favourite pieces and the voice of Dawn Upshaw is simply sublime.
Alternatively, on a lighter note, if your weekend would not be complete without a Pelican trying to eat a Capybara, then here you go...
Buffalo Racing..
Kerala.. India..
Do join : www.facebook.com/pages/Shinihas-Photography/139057422835606
I was so lucky to get this lifer owl with a couple. It was extremely difficult one hour hiking in the wet slippery raining day. No pain, no gain as people said. But Mother nature gave me a little break when I found the owls, it stopped raining. I got a few minutes to photograph these beautiful owls before I lost sun light. Thanks so much for your comments, favorite and views.
Special thanks: Rick
The Castle of Lindoso is a medieval castle in the civil parish of Lindoso, municipality of Ponte da Barca, in the Portuguese district of Viana do Castelo. It is classified as a National Monument. It is believed the fortress was started under the 13th century reign of Afonso III of Portugal and was of low importance. During the time of the Restoration of Portuguese independence, the castle and its location gained importance in view of its border location. For this reason, the location was used as a support base in the context of Portuguese incursions in Galicia by the military forces of Portugal in September 1641. As the war progressed, the castle received modernization and restoration works, which were completed around 1666 (date inscribed on the lintel of a door). The castle saw a defensive state in the Napoleonic Wars but never saw action. It has never been used since.
The Trautzberger Maar (= volcanic lake) at Strohn in the volcanic Eifel was unknown to me until now, because it has only been renatured since 2014 so it is filled with water again.
It was once drained (like many other maars) to gain additional grazing land.
The Maar is idyllically nestled in a meadow valley and is considered the smallest maar of the Eifel.
Das Trautzberger Maar bei Strohn in der Vulkaneifel war mir bisher unbekannt, weil es erst seit 2014 renaturiert also wieder mit Wasser gefüllt ist.
Es wurde einst trocken gelegt (wie viele andere Maare auch), um zusätzliches Weideland zu gewinnen.
Das Maar liegt sehr idyllisch eingebettet in einem Wiesental und gilt als das kleinste Maar der Eifel.
siehe auch: www.eifel.info/a-trautzberger-maar
Danke für deinen Besuch! Thanks for visiting!
bitte beachte/ please respect Copyright © All rights reserved
After gaining this horse's trust, I managed to get in a bit closer for some details.
I really like the composition and eye detail in this shot. No crop here, just up close and personal!
Nikon F3
Nikon 105mm f/2.5
Kodak TMax 400
Developed in Ilfosol 3
Elantxobe, Vizcaya, PaÃs Vasco, España.
Elantxobe es un municipio español situado en la costa nordeste de la provincia de Vizcaya, a 50 km de Bilbao, en la comunidad autónoma del PaÃs Vasco.
Elantxobe se sitúa en la ladera este de la mole rocosa del cabo Ogoño, que protege el puerto pesquero, pero cuya enorme inclinación conforma una cascada de calles estrechas y empinadas en las que las casas parecen formar una escalera de tejados que llega hasta la misma orilla del mar. Esta disposición obliga a que el pueblo tenga dos accesos totalmente separados, uno por abajo hacia el puerto y otro hacia la parte alta, donde una mÃnima anchura plana es lo único que puede considerarse una plaza, con un magnÃfico mirador y una sorprendente plataforma giratoria que deben utilizar los vehÃculos de mayor tamaño para poder girar y salir del pueblo.
La villa surge en 1524 con el puerto pesquero, tomando cierta importancia en el siglo XVII como puerto defensivo de la costa vizcaÃna, que en la actualidad tiene uso como puerto deportivo. Hasta 1858 fue un barrio del vecino municipio de Ibarrangelu. Celebra su fiesta patronal el 6 de diciembre, dÃa de San Nicolás de Bari.
En el siglo XIX la industria pesquera de Elantxobe vive un momento de auge, llegando a albergar siete fábricas de escabeche y una de conservas, entre ellas Conservas Garavilla (Isabel) y conservas Serrats.
Este momento quedó reflejado en la construcción de la Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari, fruto de las donaciones de los pescadores.
Elantxobe is a Spanish municipality located on the northeast coast of the province of Vizcaya, 50 km from Bilbao, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country.
Elantxobe is located on the eastern slope of the rocky mass of Cabo Ogoño, which protects the fishing port, but whose enormous slope forms a cascade of narrow and steep streets in which the houses seem to form a staircase of roofs that reaches the very shore. from sea. This layout forces the town to have two completely separate entrances, one from below towards the port and the other towards the upper part, where a minimum flat width is the only thing that can be considered a square, with a magnificent viewpoint and an amazing revolving platform that they must use the larger vehicles to be able to turn and leave town.
The town emerged in 1524 with the fishing port, gaining some importance in the 17th century as a defensive port on the Biscayan coast, which is currently used as a marina. Until 1858 it was a neighborhood of the neighboring municipality of Ibarrangelu. It celebrates its patronal festival on December 6, the day of San Nicolás de Bari.
In the 19th century, Elantxobe's fishing industry experienced a boom, coming to house seven pickle factories and one canning factory, including Conservas Garavilla (Isabel) and Conservas Serrats.
This moment was reflected in the construction of the Church of San Nicolás de Bari, the result of donations from fishermen.
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.
Liebe Flickr Freunde Freundinnen,
Habt einen schönen Samstagabend und einen entspannten Sonntag. Danke für Euren Besuch, über einen Kommentar und einen Stern freue ich mich.
Alles wesentliche über die Glienicker Brücke findet Ihr in den beiden Links.
ear Flickr friends,
Have a nice Saturday evening and a relaxed Sunday. Thank you for your visit, a comment and a star I am looking forward to receiving.
You can find all the important information about the Glienicke Bridge in the two links.
Chers amis amis de Flickr,
Passez un bon samedi soir et un dimanche détendu. Merci pour votre visite, un commentaire et une étoile que j'attends avec impatience.
Vous trouverez toutes les informations importantes sur le pont de Glienicke dans les deux liens.
Queridos amigos de Flickr,
Que tengas un buen sábado por la noche y un domingo relajado. Gracias por su visita, un comentario y una estrella que estoy deseando recibir.
Puede encontrar toda la información importante sobre el puente de Glienicke en los dos enlaces.
Queridos amigos de Flickr,
Que tengas un buen Google por la noche e um domingo relaxado. Obrigado por fazer uma visita, um comentário e uma estrela que estou deseando receber.
Pode encontrar toda informação importante sobre o puente de Glienicke en los dos enlaces.
Cari amici di Flickr,
Buon sabato sera e una domenica rilassata. Grazie per la sua visita, un commento e una stella che non vedo l' ora di ricevere.
Nei due link si possono trovare tutte le informazioni importanti sul ponte Glienicke.
Beste vrienden van Flickr,
Hebben een leuke zaterdagavond en een ontspannen zondag. Dank u voor uw bezoek, een opmerking en een ster die ik graag wil ontvangen.
Alle belangrijke informatie over de Glienicke-brug vindt u in de twee links.
"Die Glienicker Brücke über die Havel zwischen Berlin und Potsdam verbindet im Verlauf der Bundesstraße 1 die Königstraße (Berlin-Wannsee) mit der Berliner Straße in der Berliner Vorstadt von Potsdam. Ihren Namen verdankt die Straßenbrücke dem in der Nähe gelegenen ehemaligen Gut Klein Glienicke, an dessen Stelle heute das Schloss Glienicke liegt. Die Fachwerkbrücke wurde Ende 1907 als viertes Bauwerk an dieser Stelle unter dem Namen Kaiser-Wilhelm-Brücke eröffnet, der sich jedoch nicht durchsetzte.
Quer über die Brückenmitte verläuft die Landesgrenze zwischen Brandenburg und Berlin bzw. die Stadtgrenze zu Potsdam. Während der Zeit der Deutschen Teilung erlangte die Glienicker Brücke weltweite Bekanntheit durch den am 11. Februar 1986 spektakulär inszenierten dritten und letzten Agentenaustausch." Wickipedia
"The Glienicke Bridge over the Havel between Berlin and Potsdam connects the Königstraße (Berlin-Wannsee) with Berliner Straße in the suburb of Potsdam. The road bridge owes its name to the former Klein Glienicke estate, which is located nearby and is now replaced by Glienicke Castle. The half-timbered bridge was opened at the end of 1907 as the fourth building on this site under the name Kaiser-Wilhelm-Brücke, but it did not prevail.
The state border between Brandenburg and Berlin or the city border with Potsdam runs across the centre of the bridge. During the time of the German division, the Glienicke Bridge gained worldwide fame through the spectacularly staged third and final exchange of agents on February 11,1986." Wickipedia
Almighty God's words "Those Who obey God With a True Heart Shall Surely Be Gained by God"
www.holyspiritspeaks.org/videos/the-truly-obedient-shall-...
Introduction
Almighty God says, "Obedience to God and submission to the work of God are one and the same. Those who submit only to God but not to the work of God cannot be deemed to be obedient, and surely neither can those who do not truly submit and are outwardly sycophantic. Those who truly submit to God are all able to gain from the work and achieve understanding of the disposition and God's Work. Only such men truly submit to God. Such men are able to gain new knowledge from new work and experience new changes from the same. Only such men have the approval of God; only this kind of man is one perfected and has undergone a transformation of his disposition. Those approved by God are those who gladly submit to God, as well as to His word and work. Only this kind of man is in the right; only this kind of man truly desires and seeks God."
Image Source: The Church of Almighty God
Terms of Use: en.godfootsteps.org/disclaimer.html
This juvenile Little blue heron was having no troubles finding food along this stretch of beach in Florida.
Little Blue Herons may gain a survival advantage by wearing white during their first year of life. Immature birds are likelier than their blue elders to be tolerated by Snowy Egrets—and in the egrets’ company, they catch more fish. Mingling in mixed-species flocks of white herons, immature Little Blue Herons probably also acquire extra protection against predators.
-Egretta caerulea
On Valentines Day, 2014, a starving Kookaburra presented at my back fence. I named her Boney because she was a bag of feathers and bones. I fed her and she would fly down from the trees and perch beside me on my front porch and take food from my hand, We bonded, she gained weight, grew new feathers and eventually she stopped coming. I was sad and glad, often wondering what had become of her, but content to think she was out there somewhere living the Kookaburra good life.
A few weeks before last Christmas, Boney returned. She was in good shape but her feathers were shabby and she had no tail feathers at all. Ever since she has come to visit me every day and always alone. She will sit on a chair or on the table ouside my back door. I know her just as well as she knows me, I talk to her and she makes little Kookaburra noises in response. Some days when she has eaten she will just sit quietly for a long time, and I stay with her and we "talk" until she's ready to fly away.
She still takes food from my hand, her feathers are a bit shabby, but the weather has been hot and she has been shedding feathers to help keep cool. She has gained weight and has finally started to grow two tail feathers.
This then is an update on a story that started with a photo I posted in 2014. Here she is a few days ago showing her best table manners, and below a link to a shot of her on the first day we met. Don't you just love stories with a happy ending.
www.flickr.com/photos/imagik1/25367320694/in/album-721576...
To smooth out the water a little on a breezy dawn I put together my Kase 6 stopper ND filter and 1.2. Grad ND filter to gain a few more seconds of exposure. It worked fairly well and intensified the dawn colours quite well too.
**Day 1: The Ascent – Or, How I Learned to Love the Pain**
I woke up at the crack of dawn, fueled by a hearty breakfast at Hostel El Refúgio Rosetal in Itanhandu, Minas Gerais. Little did I know, this would be the last warm meal I’d truly enjoy for the next 24 hours. Our trusty steed for the day? A vintage Kombi (VW van) that rattled its way to Paiolinho, the starting point of our epic trek.
The trail greeted me with open arms—and by "open arms," I mean relentless uphill climbs, technical rock scrambles, and a cruel sense of humor. First up was the infamous *Deus-me-livre* (which roughly translates to "God-free-me"), a never-ending mountain that made me question every life choice that led me here. Next, the *Enganador* (or "The Trickster"), a false summit that mocked me with its fake promise of victory.
But finally, after what felt like a lifetime of sweat, tears, and questionable decisions, I reached the summit of Pedra da Mina "Water Spring Rock"—the fourth highest peak in Brazil and the crown jewel of the Mantiqueira Range. The view? Breathtaking. The weather? Less so. Rain poured down like the sky had a personal vendetta against me, the wind howled like a pack of angry wolves, and the cold? Let’s just say I’ve felt warmer in a freezer.
Dinner was a soggy affair, courtesy of the Entre Picos team. No campfire stories, no drinks, just the soothing sound of rain pounding on our tents and wind trying to blow us off the mountain. Safe to say, my tent became my fortress of solitude.
---
**Day 2: The Descent – Or, How I Survived the Mountain’s Revenge**
I woke up early, hoping for a majestic sunrise. Instead, I got dark clouds and the ominous promise of more rain. Breakfast was served right on the summit, because apparently, eating pancakes at 2,798 meters (9,180-foot) is a thing. Spoiler: It’s cold.
The descent was a race against time and weather. We retraced our steps (and our regrets) back to Paiolinho, where our trusty Kombi awaited to whisk us back to civilization. As I collapsed into the van, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of accomplishment. Sure, I was wet, cold, and probably smelled like a wet dog, but I had conquered Pedra da Mina.
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**Technical Details (Because I Like to Brag):**
- **Physical Difficulty:** Hard/Advanced (aka "Why did I sign up for this?")
- **Technical Difficulty:** Moderate (aka "I’m basically a mountain goat now.")
- **Total Distance:** 13km / 8,07 miles (aka "Feels like 130km / 80,77m") each way
- **Total Elevation Gain:** 1,300m / 4,265ft (aka "My legs hate me.")
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**Final Thoughts:**
If you’re looking to level up your trekking game and experience the raw, unfiltered beauty (and brutality) of Serra Fina, this is the trek for you. Just don’t forget your rain gear, a sense of humor, and maybe a therapist for when you’re halfway up *Deus-me-livre*.
Pedra da Mina, you win this round. But I’ll be back.
***
10 highest in Brazil:
Neblina -2.995,30
31 de março -2.974,18
Bandeira- 2.891,32 ✅
Pedra da Mina - 2.798,06 ✅
Agulhas Negras - 2.790,94 ✅
Cristal - 2.769,05 ✅
Monte Roraima - 2.734,05
Morro do Couto - 2.680
Pedra do Sino de Itatiaia - 2.670
Pico dos Três Estados - 2.665
PS My personal record is the Veintimilla Summit at 6,234 meters (20,452 ft) SML, 'El Chimborazo' Volcano at 6,263 meters (20,702 ft) SML, Equador.
The summit of Mount Everest is higher above sea level, but the summit of Chimborazo is widely reported to be the farthest point on the surface from Earth's center.
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.
Can't help but wonder what the fish is thinking as they gain altitude and head for the tree line.
Huntley Meadows Park
Alexandria, VA
1 Corinthians 13
Bible 21
I am nothing without love
4 Love is patient, it is kind, love does not envy, love does not boast or exalt itself; 5 she is not rude, she does not seek her own gain, she is not quick-tempered, she does not count wrongs, 6 she is not malicious, but she rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, always hopes, endures all things.
8 Love never ends.
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
Is it a monster...?
Its Altinum of course it is. Always look up in case one of the locals drops in for dinner.. and you find yourself on the menu.
Thanks to Kjartan for posing - you will normally find him lurking around the tunnels or the baths and staring at your neck or inner thigh.
A lovely photogenic sim. Feel free to come and take pics - just join the ooc group to gain TP access.
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Altinum/135/153/2502
Just credit the sim and join the Altinum Flickr Group
What happens if a photographer discovers and develops his own style and starts repeating technique and motives? Is it becoming boring or does the work gain more depth? You find a new article with reflections about photographic style on the website.
"Depth and Latitude in Photography or Does it get boring after a while?"
www.chris-r-photography.net/blog/2020/11/12/depth-and-lat...
And you find the "Best of Inner Core Project" pictures on the website.
www.chris-r-photography.net/inner-core
If you are interested in participating in this project, please drop me a note via Flickr mail!
This image is 2-panel mosaic of NGC 3372 (Eta Carinae nebula), one of the brightest and largest DSOs in the night sky.
The image is the result of a 2-panel mosaic in SHO. Aiming at a 9-panel mosaic to cover the entire nebula...hoping my computer's graphics card can handle it 😅. A total of 14hr integration time so far.
Gear used
HEQ5 Pro, 6in reflector, ASI183MM Pro Cooled(imaging), ASI120MM mini (guiding),Baader Mpcc mkiii coma corrector, ASIAir Pro, Optolong Ha 7nm,Optolong Oiii 6.5nm, Optolong Sii 6.5nm, ZWO EAF, ZWO filter drawer
109 x 420s subs at gain 111, -10°C, bin 2x2
The star at the center (η Car) was once the second brightest star in the night sky after it suddenly exploded in the 19th century...an event known as The Great Eruption.
Insta
Astrobin
The trail to Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park. Elevation gain is roughly 1900' to one of the most spectacular views in the park. A bit strenuous but well worth the effort. This is one of my favorite hikes in a lifetime of wandering.
A post office was established in 1890. A school was built in 1892 followed by the first resort hotel, taking advantage of the area's natural beauty. Following the Panic of 1893, hard times began in earnest but never affected Chelan completely. The first bank was established in 1893. Chelan was officially incorporated on May 7, 1902. In 1903, the city gained electric lights and water service via nearby Donaldson Springs. A permanent town hall was constructed in 1904 (but was destroyed by fire in 1927).
It gains the more it gives, and then it rises with the fall. So let go, just let go, cause there's beauty in the breakdown.
Machu Picchu 20221127
Machu Picchu not only offers the visitor the view of the temples and stone houses that are on its cusp, but also gives a look of its terraces and irrigation systems, which give a unique personality to the Incan citadel and its surroundings.
The Functions of the Platforms
These constructions are wide steps built on the mountains’s slopes that allowed the Incas to gain land in order to develop agriculture adapted to the landscape.
Without a doubt, creating great steps meant a great effort, but without these, the constant rains, the humidity of the environment and the steepness of the area would have triggered large landslides that would have destroyed the ruins of Machu Picchu.
This terrace system fulfills three main functions:
Containment: These constructions prevented the land’s erosion from creating landslides when carrying out the construction of cities, houses and temples.
Agriculture: Through the construction of these platforms, the Incas expanded the amount of land used for agricultural activity. These terraces allowed to take advantage of the rainwater as a source of crop irrigation directly from channels that connected each of the levels. Nowadays, crops are not cultivated anymore to maintain their integrity, due to the condition of World Heritage of Machu Picchu.
Ceremonial centers: these finer and more extensive construction platforms were intended to decorate ceremonial and/or administrative centers.
c. 1580
Paolo Veronese (1528 - 1588)
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
"In the hands of Veronese even this gloomy scene gains in solemnity by – initially – focusing on stark colours to emphasise the heroine’s worldly beauty. Only on closer inspection do we catch sight of Holofernes’ dark head and the sack that is ready to contain it, held by the servant. It is exactly this contrast between light and dark, between beauty and terror, which gives the picture its Mannerist charm." www.khm.at/en/objectdb/detail/390/?lv=detail
In this context, I highly recommend the oratorio 'Juditha triumphans' (RV 644) by Antonio Vivaldi. This is more than two hours of the most gripping, fantastic music (in fact, discovering Vivaldi's sacred vocal music is like discovering a continent). Here is the link to a particularly well done concert: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd_2D9Rg_Tk
As an appetiser, I recommend the aria 'Armatæ face et anguibus'. You can get there by clicking on 'SHOW MORE' under the video and then on '02:00:01'. Don't miss this art delight!
Sure hope we all soon can comfortably see aerial views like this again! :)
Have a terrific day, everyone...
Info found on the internet:
"""The Chinese dragon also called: Loong or Long, or é¾™ in Chinese, is a long, serpentine-like creature in Chinese mythology.
In sharp contrast to Western ideas about dragons, the Eastern or Oriental dragons are a symbol of strength, good luck, and power."""
I found this also interesting to read:
""""The Difference between Eastern Dragons:
Chinese dragons have five toes. The Chinese believe that all eastern dragons originated from China. They believed that when the dragons flew away, they began to lose toes. The farther and farther the dragons flew, the more toes they lost. So, Korean dragons have four toes, and Japanese dragons have three.
Japanese dragons have three toes. The Japanese believe that all eastern dragons originated from Japan. They also believed that when the dragons began to leave Japan, they gain toes. The farther the dragons went, the more toes they gained. This is why the other dragons have more toes. The breath of Japanese dragons turned into clouds, which could produce rain or fire. Due to a measure upon their heads, they could ascend to Heaven when they chose.
Korean dragons have four toes. The Koreans believe that all eastern dragons originated from Korea. When the dragons leave Korea and go toward China, they gain toes. When the dragons leave Korea and go toward Japan, they lose toes.""""
Please correct me if I'm wrong, thank you!
This is just a version of a simple origami Chinese dragon (in other words: easy to fold), and made from two pieces (20x20cm) of red transparent paper.
It has just one toe, so I guess it's still a youngster? ;-))
Final size: height 12cm, length 29cm
Model: origami Chinese Dragon
Design: Koya Ohashi
Diagrams in NOA-magazine #471