View allAll Photos Tagged Humankind

Mundari tribesman (South Sudan).

 

This image is one of over 200 large-format photos featured in the HUMANKIND, premium, limited-edition, museum-quality standard book.

Available here: robertopazziphoto.com/#book

 

The Mundari are cattle herders who live in symbiosis with their Ankole Watusi cattle, characterized by their large horns.

Men squat under streams of cow urine, which they see as a natural antiseptic to fight infection to largely keep themselves clean. The act also tinges their hair orange.

In a cattle camp, everyone plays their role. The men lead the cows into the fields during the day. Few guardinas are sleeping with the cows. The ash from dung fires, as fine as talcum powder, is often used as bedding.

 

Website: www.robertopazziphoto.com/

 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo/

Portrait of a Lopit tribesman (South Sudan).

 

This image is one of over 200 large-format photos featured in the HUMANKIND limited-edition book:

robertopazziphoto.com/#book

 

The Lopit are an ethnic group from Eastern Equatoria in South Sudan. They are traditionally agro-pastoralists who engage in farming and cattle herding. Their homeland consists of hilly and mountainous terrain, which influences their way of life. Despite modern influences, they continue to preserve their traditional beliefs, customs and social structures.

The Lopit have a rich cultural heritage with distinct traditions in music and dance. Drumming and communal dances play an essential role in their social gatherings.

But mostly, the Lopit are known for the distinctive headdresses which are integral to their cultural attire. These headdresses are adorned with ostrich feathers are worn during significant ceremonies and dances, reflecting the community's values and social structures.

They not only serve as decorative elements but also embody the wearer's status and role within the society, reinforcing cultural identity and continuity.

 

Website: www.robertopazziphoto.com

 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo

Seychelles scale/Icerya seychellarum

 

Yes, this is an animal. These creatures hardly know any males and who start fights and wars amongst animals and humankind alike? Yes, mostly males, so there must be a lot of peace amongst them.

  

One such scale can produce up to a 1000 eggs and I think (but could be wrong) the little red speckle close to the thorn (and enlarged in the inset) is an egg, about 0,5 mm diameter.

 

Update: thanks to JossieK , this is not the cottony cushion scale but the Seychelles scale (Icerya seychellarum), but as far as eggs and males being rare are concerned, that's the same as with the cottony cushion scale....

 

It's Saturday morning and we spend the final couple of hours in the Jaipur area before the 5 hour drive along NH8 back to Delhi.

 

It's also pretty warm so what better than to lazily take a snap from where some of the passengers are biding their time keeping out of the heat - in the shade of the Tamarind tree. Well at least that's what I think it is, hopefully someone will confirm or re-educate me!

 

This shot was taken at Nindhar Benar and catches the 10.00 Jaipur - Sikar (train 52083) in the capable hands of a NWR metre-gauge Alco no. 6738 as it pulls into the platform line. As can be seen the platform has barely any height and passengers will quite happily board from this side too, including the couple at left who ambled over to the train after taking a peek at what I was doing.

 

Work here is well underway for gauge conversion with a new platform face already under construction, together with a new building and extension to the current minimalist canopy. As Jaipur continues to grow it seems like Indian Railways are taking the GC opportunity to deliver a station in keeping with the expected passenger traffic levels.

 

19th March 2016

Behind the scenes blog post: robwoodcox.com/blog/2014/4/29/how-i-photographed-poison-o...

 

This concept confronts my experiences with relationships and is the second image in my ink series (view the first one); there is a level of beauty that I believe can be found in any relationship, however some relationships lead to nothing but poison. Its subtle at first, but slowly you begin to be submerged amongst it all and drown.

 

As always, flickr gets to see this first! It felt so good to finally create something completely personal again! A huge thanks to the models Meryl Waldo and Drake Vandam and our co-conceptualizer and stylist Ben Strange! I shot this in a bathtub in New York while living here for the month! Be sure to check out my linked blog post above to see a detailed description of how I created this; if you don't mind sharing it, I'm trying to get more people to see my blog since its newer!

 

And for those who haven't heard, I'll be traveling the U.S. and Canada this summer with Sarah Ann Loreth, Shane Black and Joel Robison teaching over 14 two day workshops! You should consider signing up in a city nearest you! www.thewildonestour.com/signup

 

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„Now, young students, you are standing in front of the ‚Wing Monument‘. This wall is dedicated to the brave men and women, who led humankind into this age of great prosperity. These geniuses discovered the power of steam and became the pinoneers of the technical revolution. Their courage and presistence paved the way for more great inventions, enabling us to touch the sky ! Their names shall never be forgotten and they shine like beacons for everyone of us !“

 

__________________________________________________

 

Ordo is building steampunk ? Yes ! It started with the drone you can see in the photo. Originally, it was planned to be another creepy drone, but ended up looking a bit like steampunk. So, I decided to build a whole steampunk vignette and also created this steamcycle, which is my entry for VehiJuly. After all I think it looks quite okay, for a first try at the theme and I might come back to it again.

 

A photo of the drone will be up soon and there is already a detail shot of the steam cycle.

Portrait of a Jie tribesman (South Sudan).

 

HUMANKIND, my premium, limited-edition, museum-quality standard book featuring over 200 large-format photos is available here: robertopazziphoto.com/#book

 

The Jie (or Jiye) are an ethnic group residing in the Eastern Equatoria.

They speak a dialect of the Toposa language and are primarily agro-pastoralists, combining cattle herding with agriculture.

For them, dance holds cultural significance, reflecting their pastoral lifestyle and community values.

Traditional dances serve as a means of communication, storytelling, and celebration. Through their dances, the Jie express communal unity, celebrate significant life events, and reinforce social bonds within their community.

These performances are not only artistic expressions but also vital components of their cultural heritage, ensuring the transmission of traditions and values across generations.

 

Website: robertopazziphoto.com

 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo

Dancer of the Tshechu during the performance (Bhutan).

 

This image is one of over 200 large-format photos featured in the HUMANKIND, premium, limited-edition, museum-quality standard book.

Available here: robertopazziphoto.com/#book

 

Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon, is known for its rich cultural heritage and deeply rooted Buddhist traditions.

Among the many religious festivals celebrated in this Himalayan kingdom, Tshechu stands out as the most important and vibrant of them all.

Also known as the Mask Dance Festival, Tshechu is a time of spiritual devotion, cultural celebration, and social gathering for the Bhutanese people.

The dancer could be performed by both monks and laymen.

A Tshechu (literally "day ten") is held once a year in each district or dzongkhag of Bhutan on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. The month depends on the place.

They are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.

The focal point of the tshechus are costumed masked dances (Cham dances).

 

Website: robertopazziphoto.com

 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo

Portrait of Tibetan, or Zang, woman (China).

 

HUMANKIND, my premium, limited-edition, museum-quality standard book featuring over 200 large-format photos is available here: www.robertopazziphoto.com/#book

 

Tibetan People, or Zang ethnic minority in Yunnan form an important part of the province’s cultural and ethnic diversity.

They number more than 6 million in China, mostly living in the Tibetan Autonomous Region, but about 128,000 are in Yunnan Province.

Their culture is a vivid expression of tradition and resilience. Their spiritual life is deeply rooted in monasteries. This living culture shaped by faith artistry and communal traditions makes Tibetan life in Yunnan a unique part of the province’s identity.

In general the Zang women wear plaits on the head and gowns with long sleeves. When they are dancing, their sleeves look wings flapping in the air.

Tibetan people also boast a unique lifestyle and set of skills and they are famous for expressing their feelings through song and dance.

 

Website: www.robertopazziphoto.com

 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo

Artifacts of the power of nature and the power of humankind. Shot in digital infrared in my front yard.

Portrait of a Larim tribesman, also known as the Boya (South Sudan).

 

HUMANKIND, my premium, limited-edition, museum-quality standard book featuring over 200 large-format photos is available here: www.robertopazziphoto.com/#book

 

The Larim are a small ethnic group living in the Boya Hills of Eastern Equatoria in South Sudan.

The Larim speak a Surmic language and they live in hilly terrain marked by seasonal rivers, savannah and grasslands.

Their livelihood is agro-pastoral: they grow sorghum, maize and beans, while cattle, goats and sheep play a central role in their economy and social life.

The Larim are organised into lineages and maintain strong community ties reinforced by shared rituals and oral traditions that recount their origins and migrations.

Their villages are known for their round thatched huts, and their visual culture includes body scarification, beadwork and elaborate hairstyles, each carrying social and aesthetic meaning within the group.

Among the Larim, men hold responsibilities that are both practical and social. They are herders and farmers, protectors of the community and custodians of livestock, which is a key measure of wealth and status.

Men also play central roles in decision-making and conflict resolution through councils of elders, where experience and reputation carry great weight.

Elders guide the community through advice, ritual leadership and the transmission of oral history. Their role embodies both authority and service, linking everyday life to the continuity of Larim traditions.

 

Website: www.robertopazziphoto.com

 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo

This is the fox that had the trap on his leg. (There are photos on my page of the actual trap that are "moderate" if you have not seen them) Last month, had my doubts that he would survive, what should have taken him mere seconds was taking minutes. The trap was covered in snow and about the size of a football, it also had a chain that was dragging behind it. It was obvious the fox was in stress and weakening.

The fox is a fighter, the trap and the bottom portion of his leg have fallen off. I can only imagine the extreme pain this fox was in the entire time the trap was on his leg. He survived multiple blizzards with wind blowing 40 mph + and temperatures well below freezing. The photographers hope is that he will live as normal of a life as it can on three legs. Humankind has once again shown it is neither humane nor kind.

www.flickr.com/photos/photosbyblackwolf/25570259037/in/al...

www.flickr.com/photos/photosbyblackwolf/39568097145/in/al...

Group of Chimbu Skeleton tribesmen gathered around the fire (Papua New Guinea).

 

HUMANKIND, my premium, limited-edition, museum-quality standard book featuring over 200 large-format photos is available here: www.robertopazziphoto.com/#book

 

The Chimbu Skeleton people, an ethnic and linguistic group numbering about 180,000, first made contact with the western world in 1934.

Their origins can be traced back to an intriguing legend born after a significant number of hunters ventured into the mountains but failed to return. Determined to uncover the truth, a brave group of warriors embarked on an expedition to explore the mountains and stumbled upon a cave. Inside, they discovered an abundance of human skeletons and a colossal monster.

To deceive the creature, they decided to paint their bodies with skeleton bones made of black and white clay, recreating the appearance of the fallen hunters and blending the painted bones with the actual ones. The ruse succeeded, and as the monster slumbered, the warriors stealthily made their way back to the safety of their village.

Nowadays the Chimbu Skeleton paint themselves only during celebrative traditions.

 

Website: www.robertopazziphoto.com/

 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo

Construction of the Temple of Khnum, the ram-headed creator god who fashioned humankind on his potter’s wheel, was begun by Ptolemy VI Philometor (180–45 BC). The Romans added the hypostyle hall, the only part of the temple that is excavated and can be visited today, with well-preserved carvings from as late as the 3rd century AD.

  

The Temple of Khnum today sits in a 9m-deep pit, which represents 15 centuries of desert sand and debris, accumulated since it was abandoned during the Roman period. Most of the temple, similar in size to the temples of Edfu and Dendara, is still covered by the old town of Esna. A quay connecting the temple to the Nile was built by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (AD 161–180).

 

The central doorway leads into the dark, atmospheric vestibule, where the roof is supported by 18 columns with wonderfully varied floral capitals in the form of palm leaves, lotus buds and papyrus fans; some also have bunches of grapes, a distinctive Roman touch. The roof is decorated with astronomical scenes, while the pillars are covered with hieroglyphic accounts of temple rituals. Inside the front corners, beside the smaller doorways, are two hymns to Khnum. The first is a morning hymn to awaken Khnum in his shrine; the second is a wonderful ‘hymn of creation’ that acknowledges him as creator of all, even foreigners: ‘All are formed on his potter’s wheel, their speech different in every region but the lord of the wheel is their father too.’

 

On the walls, Roman emperors dressed as pharaohs make offerings to the local gods of Esna. The northern wall has scenes of Emperor Commodus catching fish in a papyrus thicket with the god Khnum and, next to this, presenting the temple to the god.

 

The back wall, to the northeast, constructed during the Ptolemaic period, features reliefs of two Ptolemaic pharaohs, Ptolemy VI Philometor and Ptolemy VIII Euergetes (170–116 BC). A number of Roman emperors, including Septimus Severus, Caracalla and Geta, added their names near the hall’s rear gateway. Outside, an underground pump struggles to move groundwater away from the structure.

 

The Temple of Khnum is situated about 200m from the boat landing, at the end of the tourist souq. Buy tickets at the Temple Ticket Office.

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect

 

Whenever humankind and the rest of nature collide, organizations like The Raptor Trust are there to help. Please consider a donation to your local shelter or rehabilitation center in the few days remaining in 2014. And thank you to all my Flickr friends for an outstandingly rewarding year.

File: M04

  

Season’s Greeting and peace on Earth to all humankind.

 

This is my own photograph of the moon.

 

The reason it is a rather blurred and not very sharp photo, is because it was not done seriously, simply done for fun.

 

I do not have tripod, haven’t had one for years since the last one broken many years ago, and the reason I did not buy a new one was because I don’t do landscape photography, so there was never an urgent need to get a replacement tripod.

 

So for this photo, I placed my camera on top of the fence in my back garden, and tried to hold it as steady as I could, while I took a shot.

 

It was done many years ago, most likely between 15 to 20 years ago, and I can’t remember which camera I used.

 

There is no information available, could have been either a Nikon D1 or a Nikon D200 DSLR, with a manual focus 500mm mirror lens on a T2 adaptor ring.

 

It is not a really suitable set up, but I wanted for fun, to test it out, to see if it could be done.

 

I have no idea how the EXIF file is missing, most likely when it was transferred to another computer, then yet again transferred to another computer, the file got messed up, so the file could have been saved in another format.

 

The photo was imported into Adobe Photoshop, and a layer was placed on top of the photo of the moon. On this layer, I drew and fill in the silhouette of Santa, his sleigh, and the reindeer.

 

Santa always says “Ho ho ho!” but I figured what if he realised, he accidently got in the way of your photo of the moon, and may say “Oh!” Like people say “Oh! Sorry!” or “Oh! Opps!” Hence “Ho Ho OH!”

 

Anyway, wishing those of you who believe in Christmas, a very merry Christmas, and for those of you who are not religions or believe in a different faith, then I wish you all a lovely season’s greeting.

 

East of Calgary, AB

 

A Great Horned Owl still finding use for an old barn abandoned by humankind.

“The Land of Eternal Night” -

 

Experience the downfall of humankind and the rise of the lords of the night.

 

In Nox Aeterna, vampire society has flourished and through impressive spellcraft they’ve even bent the sky to their rule guaranteeing that none need fear the rays of the sun ever again.

 

Atop the mountains sits one such stronghold, sprawling amongst the crags and peaks. Beneath it a village on the edge of a lake, steeped in tradition and protected as much by the denizens above as the forest surrounding it.

  

Nox Aeterna -

 

Sponsored by Quills & Curiosities

 

Region by Dacien & Marcel Blackwood

 

A Shopping Region

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall” - One of the most remarkable lives of any man, RIP Nelson Mandela.

  

“Curious” – A Morning Encounter in the Olive Grove - Some mornings begin not with words, but with eyes meeting in silence. This was one of them. “Curious – Eyes of the Wild”

 

Wildlife and nature have always captivated humankind. Perhaps it’s my background in journalism, but nature has gradually drawn me in with a similar pull — that of curiosity, patience, and quiet pursuit.

 

This morning, I decided to revisit a remarkable encounter I had in the olive groves near my home. It was around 07:00 when I set out — just a ten-minute drive, followed by a walk across freshly tilled earth, soft and uneven beneath my feet. The goal: to find “Curious,” the wild Anatolian squirrel I had met for the first time just days before.

 

Not far into the grove, I spotted a pale, slender wild rabbit who darted off the moment it sensed me — despite my silent steps. I wondered if I would be lucky enough to cross paths with Curious again. With that thought, I pressed on, determined yet calm.

 

As I neared the gnarled trunk of an ancient olive tree, nature fell silent. Only the faint calls of birds filled the air. Then suddenly, there he was — Curious. Tucked under a lower branch, his tail wrapped tightly, he stared at me intently, our eyes locking. I hadn't brought nuts this time. I wanted to see how he'd react to just my presence — without any incentives.

 

I stood still, watching from about two meters away. Curious vanished into his hollow, but I gently stepped closer. Moments later, he peeked out like someone watching from a window, eyes fixed on mine. Then, to my amazement, he climbed out and onto the olive bark, stretching in the morning light as if to put on a show.

 

I remained silent, steady. In a single leap, he landed on a trimmed branch stump and posed. With no monopod, I began to photograph him with my Nikon Z8, using the Teleconverter TC-14E II for the first time. Curious allowed me within just under 1 meters — a sign of growing trust. It felt like we had momentarily erased the boundary between wild and human.

 

Later, I followed him to a mulberry tree where, like a silkworm, he nibbled delicately on the fresh young leaves. I also witnessed him gnawing on the bark and twigs of the olive tree — behavior I had never documented before.

 

This morning was a gift — not only for the images captured, but for the silent conversation we shared. I’ve published six portraits of Curious on my Flickr page, each telling its own quiet story. I hope they resonate with others as deeply as the experience touched me.

 

Wishing you a beautiful day,

  

Anatolian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) – Distribution and Details in Turkey

The Anatolian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus), also known as the Caucasian squirrel or Persian squirrel, is a tree squirrel species native to parts of the Middle East. It is the only native squirrel species in Turkey and plays an important ecological role in forested habitats.

 

Distribution in Turkey

The Anatolian squirrel is widely distributed throughout much of western, central, and southern Turkey, particularly in the following regions:

 

Aegean Region: Olive groves, oak woodlands, and fig orchards (like those in Pelitköy) provide suitable habitat.

 

Marmara Region: Thrace and surrounding mixed forests.

 

Central Anatolia: Especially in forested and steppe transition zones.

 

Mediterranean Region: Taurus Mountains and surrounding coastal forests.

 

Eastern Black Sea foothills: Patchy populations, typically in deciduous and mixed forests.

 

They prefer forests with oak, pine, walnut, almond, fig, and mulberry trees — and are commonly spotted in traditional olive groves, especially where some natural tree cover is retained.

 

Habitat & Behavior

Arboreal (tree-dwelling), diurnal (active by day).

 

Solitary and territorial, though tolerant of other squirrels in rich feeding areas.

 

Nests in tree hollows or builds leaf nests high in the canopy.

 

Feeds on a variety of nuts, seeds, fruits, and tree buds, including figs, almonds, acorns, and mulberries.

 

In cultivated landscapes like olive groves, they adapt well if large trees are present. The presence of fig and mulberry trees near human settlements helps maintain stable populations.

 

Conservation Status & Threats

Currently classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

 

However, local population declines have been observed due to:

 

Habitat fragmentation (especially loss of old trees and tree hollows),

 

Agricultural expansion, and

 

Climate change impacts, particularly in southern and drier regions.

 

Monitoring efforts in Turkey are still limited, and there's a growing call among researchers and nature photographers for increased ecological surveys and community awareness programs.

 

Curiosity

The Anatolian squirrel has adapted well to traditional Turkish agroforestry landscapes. In mythology and folklore, squirrels are sometimes seen as guardians of trees, and this species continues to serve that symbolic role in Anatolia.

  

I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.

 

Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.

 

© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.

 

Lens - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f5.6 full length.. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.

 

I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -

 

Your comments and criticism are very valuable.

 

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)

  

“The Land of Eternal Night” -

 

Experience the downfall of humankind and the rise of the lords of the night.

 

In Nox Aeterna, vampire society has flourished and through impressive spellcraft they’ve even bent the sky to their rule guaranteeing that none need fear the rays of the sun ever again.

 

Atop the mountains sits one such stronghold, sprawling amongst the crags and peaks. Beneath it a village on the edge of a lake, steeped in tradition and protected as much by the denizens above as the forest surrounding it.

  

Nox Aeterna -

 

Sponsored by Quills & Curiosities

 

Region by Dacien & Marcel Blackwood

 

A Shopping Region

The Great Pyramid has been described as the most colossal building ever constructed by humankind. It was built for Pharaoh Khufu, the second king of the fourth ancient Egyptian dynasty, who is recognised as having been the most powerful ruler of Egypt’s Old Kingdom.

 

After the crazy roof of Himeji Castle it was a relief to work on the pyramid, its simplistic geometry allowed my brain to take a much-needed break!

Often when working on simplistic models (such as this one), though, it is great to try get in something that challenges us. So for the tombs, I really tried hard to be as accurate as possible to the depiction of their floating slabs of rock and unusual sizes.

Built and designed by Ryan McNaught, the huge pyramid cross-section uses just over 28,000 LEGO pieces and took 71 hours to create.

 

For thousands of years donkeys have been the 'helping hooves' of humankind - they are the original beasts of burden. In many countries of the world, and in many situations, they are used as the preferred mode of transport. Donkeys are much more of an all terrain animal than horses. Donkeys are in fact a highly intelligent animal despite popular misconception.

 

Check out some great donkey facts from Mike's Donkeys.

Orange sun to Downtown Clearwater. Certainly all the humans below the sun are happy today, yes? Perhaps if the Universe waits another 100,000 years humankind will attain some sort of utopia, right?

  

“I hold that the more helpless a creature the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of humankind.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

 

PINK, FRINGED, FRAZZLED Tulips

  

Hope you are enjoying PINK-WEEK?

 

The name derives from the frilled edge of the flowers—the verb "to pink" dates from the 14th century and means "to decorate with a perforated or punched pattern" (possibly from German pinken, "to peck").

While the word "pink" was first used as a noun to refer to a color in the 17th century, the verb "pink" continues to be reflected today in the name of those hand-held scissors that cut a zig-zagged line referred to as pinking shears.

Pink was not a common colour in the fashion of the Middle Ages; nobles usually preferred brighter reds, such as crimson.

Shocking pink was a new and more assertive pink invented by Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli in 1931, by mixing a little white with magenta. It became her signature colour.

Pink has symbolised a "welcome embrace" in India and masculinity in Japan.

MORE about pink HERE: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink

 

Wishing you a day filled with love and thanx for commenting, always appreciated, M, (*_*)

 

For more of my other work visit here: www.indigo2photography.co.uk

 

IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved

   

I finally bought the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D lens after eyeing it for quite a while. This is the first shot on my stream using this lens. I haven’t experimented too much with it but I can say one thing - it is super-sharp and produces bokehlicious shots!

 

I found this little fella sitting on the fence and he immediately reminded me of one of my favourite songs by John Mayer, and hence the title. I took several shots from different angles, while he patiently posed for me. I really like this one because it's exactly what I was looking to do with this lens.

 

bighugelabs.com/flickr/scout.php?mode=history&id=2403...

 

Singapore

2008

 

| Arjun Purkayastha • travel & fine art photography • | Facebook page |

Tiger Tiger Fading Bright Part 5

The Hunter in the Red PVC Cap is still giving an impromptu rock and roll guitar rendition on his knee. Don't miss that.

 

the situation on the Tiger front has been grim for quite sometime. The Planet Earth is slowly relinquising its flora and fauna as humankind expands in uncontrollable numbers and fritters away Nature and its resources in a headlong dive to extinction for almost all.

 

Continuing the series

 

Tiger Tiger, Fading Bright !

The tigers in India are facing the toughest odds and are on the brink of being wiped out. There is a big industry based on tiger claws and bones etc that drives up the demand for the killing of this beautiful beast.

 

Men will buy a enlargement (is enhancement the right choice of word ?) of libido anytime anywhere but Chinese men will pay top dollars for tiger remains to increase theirs.

 

If you wonder why all the grand conservation efforts to save the tiger are failing, go no further then the politics of funding tiger conservation. It has been known for years that it is allegedly a big sham with mega bucks and mega publicity but almost nil results.

 

If you have the time it would be interesting to read some interesting thoughts and the current day reality on the tigers in an exchange between Thatzme and Aditya Singh from Rajasthan.

 

One can only hope that one sees a tiger in the wild in one's life time as the future generation may not have that privilege anytime soon. So if you are young and in India, head out and go see the elusive tiger before it is too late.

 

India has only 1150 - 1600 tigers that are available in the wild as per the Minister of Environment Jairam Ramesh.

 

Pervez 183A in one of his earlier comments on this series had mentioned >>>

 

"why don't the Chinese just try Viagra...???...it might make them dance on one leg...!!!"

Will Viagra be the Saviour of the Indian Tiger ?

 

This is an enactment of the situation at a Kerala street show during Onam in Thrippunithra near Cochin on the Atthachamayam day.

  

DSC_0842 jpeg via ACR

is humankind. . .

 

die Wiege der Kunst ist die Menschheit ...

 

;-)

 

_MG_6101_62_pt3

Life was a veil

That I put aside

Now that you call me

 

Words by Claudia Ohiogboan

Antelope Canyon #20

 

best view at original size

  

“Curious” – A Morning Encounter in the Olive Grove - Some mornings begin not with words, but with eyes meeting in silence. This was one of them. “Curious – Eyes of the Wild”

 

Wildlife and nature have always captivated humankind. Perhaps it’s my background in journalism, but nature has gradually drawn me in with a similar pull — that of curiosity, patience, and quiet pursuit.

 

This morning, I decided to revisit a remarkable encounter I had in the olive groves near my home. It was around 07:00 when I set out — just a ten-minute drive, followed by a walk across freshly tilled earth, soft and uneven beneath my feet. The goal: to find “Curious,” the wild Anatolian squirrel I had met for the first time just days before.

 

Not far into the grove, I spotted a pale, slender wild rabbit who darted off the moment it sensed me — despite my silent steps. I wondered if I would be lucky enough to cross paths with Curious again. With that thought, I pressed on, determined yet calm.

 

As I neared the gnarled trunk of an ancient olive tree, nature fell silent. Only the faint calls of birds filled the air. Then suddenly, there he was — Curious. Tucked under a lower branch, his tail wrapped tightly, he stared at me intently, our eyes locking. I hadn't brought nuts this time. I wanted to see how he'd react to just my presence — without any incentives.

 

I stood still, watching from about two meters away. Curious vanished into his hollow, but I gently stepped closer. Moments later, he peeked out like someone watching from a window, eyes fixed on mine. Then, to my amazement, he climbed out and onto the olive bark, stretching in the morning light as if to put on a show.

 

I remained silent, steady. In a single leap, he landed on a trimmed branch stump and posed. With no monopod, I began to photograph him with my Nikon Z8, using the Teleconverter TC-14E II for the first time. Curious allowed me within just under 1 meters — a sign of growing trust. It felt like we had momentarily erased the boundary between wild and human.

 

Later, I followed him to a mulberry tree where, like a silkworm, he nibbled delicately on the fresh young leaves. I also witnessed him gnawing on the bark and twigs of the olive tree — behavior I had never documented before.

 

This morning was a gift — not only for the images captured, but for the silent conversation we shared. I’ve published six portraits of Curious on my Flickr page, each telling its own quiet story. I hope they resonate with others as deeply as the experience touched me.

 

Wishing you a beautiful day,

  

Anatolian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) – Distribution and Details in Turkey

The Anatolian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus), also known as the Caucasian squirrel or Persian squirrel, is a tree squirrel species native to parts of the Middle East. It is the only native squirrel species in Turkey and plays an important ecological role in forested habitats.

 

Distribution in Turkey

The Anatolian squirrel is widely distributed throughout much of western, central, and southern Turkey, particularly in the following regions:

 

Aegean Region: Olive groves, oak woodlands, and fig orchards (like those in Pelitköy) provide suitable habitat.

 

Marmara Region: Thrace and surrounding mixed forests.

 

Central Anatolia: Especially in forested and steppe transition zones.

 

Mediterranean Region: Taurus Mountains and surrounding coastal forests.

 

Eastern Black Sea foothills: Patchy populations, typically in deciduous and mixed forests.

 

They prefer forests with oak, pine, walnut, almond, fig, and mulberry trees — and are commonly spotted in traditional olive groves, especially where some natural tree cover is retained.

 

Habitat & Behavior

Arboreal (tree-dwelling), diurnal (active by day).

 

Solitary and territorial, though tolerant of other squirrels in rich feeding areas.

 

Nests in tree hollows or builds leaf nests high in the canopy.

 

Feeds on a variety of nuts, seeds, fruits, and tree buds, including figs, almonds, acorns, and mulberries.

 

In cultivated landscapes like olive groves, they adapt well if large trees are present. The presence of fig and mulberry trees near human settlements helps maintain stable populations.

 

Conservation Status & Threats

Currently classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

 

However, local population declines have been observed due to:

 

Habitat fragmentation (especially loss of old trees and tree hollows),

 

Agricultural expansion, and

 

Climate change impacts, particularly in southern and drier regions.

 

Monitoring efforts in Turkey are still limited, and there's a growing call among researchers and nature photographers for increased ecological surveys and community awareness programs.

 

Curiosity

The Anatolian squirrel has adapted well to traditional Turkish agroforestry landscapes. In mythology and folklore, squirrels are sometimes seen as guardians of trees, and this species continues to serve that symbolic role in Anatolia.

  

I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.

 

Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.

 

© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.

 

Lens - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f5.6 full length.. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.

 

I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -

 

Your comments and criticism are very valuable.

 

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)

  

  

“Curious” – A Morning Encounter in the Olive Grove - Some mornings begin not with words, but with eyes meeting in silence. This was one of them. “Curious – Eyes of the Wild”

 

Wildlife and nature have always captivated humankind. Perhaps it’s my background in journalism, but nature has gradually drawn me in with a similar pull — that of curiosity, patience, and quiet pursuit.

 

This morning, I decided to revisit a remarkable encounter I had in the olive groves near my home. It was around 07:00 when I set out — just a ten-minute drive, followed by a walk across freshly tilled earth, soft and uneven beneath my feet. The goal: to find “Curious,” the wild Anatolian squirrel I had met for the first time just days before.

 

Not far into the grove, I spotted a pale, slender wild rabbit who darted off the moment it sensed me — despite my silent steps. I wondered if I would be lucky enough to cross paths with Curious again. With that thought, I pressed on, determined yet calm.

 

As I neared the gnarled trunk of an ancient olive tree, nature fell silent. Only the faint calls of birds filled the air. Then suddenly, there he was — Curious. Tucked under a lower branch, his tail wrapped tightly, he stared at me intently, our eyes locking. I hadn't brought nuts this time. I wanted to see how he'd react to just my presence — without any incentives.

 

I stood still, watching from about two meters away. Curious vanished into his hollow, but I gently stepped closer. Moments later, he peeked out like someone watching from a window, eyes fixed on mine. Then, to my amazement, he climbed out and onto the olive bark, stretching in the morning light as if to put on a show.

 

I remained silent, steady. In a single leap, he landed on a trimmed branch stump and posed. With no monopod, I began to photograph him with my Nikon Z8, using the Teleconverter TC-14E II for the first time. Curious allowed me within just under 1 meters — a sign of growing trust. It felt like we had momentarily erased the boundary between wild and human.

 

Later, I followed him to a mulberry tree where, like a silkworm, he nibbled delicately on the fresh young leaves. I also witnessed him gnawing on the bark and twigs of the olive tree — behavior I had never documented before.

 

This morning was a gift — not only for the images captured, but for the silent conversation we shared. I’ve published six portraits of Curious on my Flickr page, each telling its own quiet story. I hope they resonate with others as deeply as the experience touched me.

 

Wishing you a beautiful day,

  

Anatolian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) – Distribution and Details in Turkey

The Anatolian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus), also known as the Caucasian squirrel or Persian squirrel, is a tree squirrel species native to parts of the Middle East. It is the only native squirrel species in Turkey and plays an important ecological role in forested habitats.

 

Distribution in Turkey

The Anatolian squirrel is widely distributed throughout much of western, central, and southern Turkey, particularly in the following regions:

 

Aegean Region: Olive groves, oak woodlands, and fig orchards (like those in Pelitköy) provide suitable habitat.

 

Marmara Region: Thrace and surrounding mixed forests.

 

Central Anatolia: Especially in forested and steppe transition zones.

 

Mediterranean Region: Taurus Mountains and surrounding coastal forests.

 

Eastern Black Sea foothills: Patchy populations, typically in deciduous and mixed forests.

 

They prefer forests with oak, pine, walnut, almond, fig, and mulberry trees — and are commonly spotted in traditional olive groves, especially where some natural tree cover is retained.

 

Habitat & Behavior

Arboreal (tree-dwelling), diurnal (active by day).

 

Solitary and territorial, though tolerant of other squirrels in rich feeding areas.

 

Nests in tree hollows or builds leaf nests high in the canopy.

 

Feeds on a variety of nuts, seeds, fruits, and tree buds, including figs, almonds, acorns, and mulberries.

 

In cultivated landscapes like olive groves, they adapt well if large trees are present. The presence of fig and mulberry trees near human settlements helps maintain stable populations.

 

Conservation Status & Threats

Currently classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

 

However, local population declines have been observed due to:

 

Habitat fragmentation (especially loss of old trees and tree hollows),

 

Agricultural expansion, and

 

Climate change impacts, particularly in southern and drier regions.

 

Monitoring efforts in Turkey are still limited, and there's a growing call among researchers and nature photographers for increased ecological surveys and community awareness programs.

 

Curiosity

The Anatolian squirrel has adapted well to traditional Turkish agroforestry landscapes. In mythology and folklore, squirrels are sometimes seen as guardians of trees, and this species continues to serve that symbolic role in Anatolia.

  

I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.

 

Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.

 

© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.

 

Lens - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f5.6 full length.. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.

 

I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -

 

Your comments and criticism are very valuable.

 

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)

  

Ibu Anne reading/hiding her face as I was prowling around with the camera. Mayaloka Seminyak Villas, Seminyak, October 2018.

Strange Stormy Situation Surrounds Stunning Saturday Seaside Serenity Sunset Scene (SOOC) - IMRAN™

What a strange time it is. It feels as if 2020, like a mean, dangerous, psychotic, fatal attraction addicted ex-girlfriend, just won't let go of us to move into a better future. But, as I captured this SOOC (straight out of camera) unedited Nikon D300 photo of tonight's sunset at my blessed home on Tampa Bay, Florida, I thought to myself what a strange situation surrounds this stunning Saturday seaside serenity sunset scene.

Despite a red-hot sunset, a cold wind, seemingly coming from all sides in strong bursts but without notable gusts, invisibly symbolizes the national and global threats buffeting us in this new year, and new decade.

A global Coronavirus pandemic, now with a dangerous mutation, is still wreaking havoc, ... but vaccines are offering some hope. A cancer of wilful ignorance and cult-like embrace of fascist forces continues to threaten our democracy, ... but even a few (until-recently fascism-embracing tyrant-loving) politicians acting like they are finding their consciences is giving hope to a return to normalcy.

An actual insurrection against the government of the United States, incited by none other than the actual current occupant of the Oval Office, leading to Confederate & Nazi flags and symbols being proudly displayed inside the US Capitol for the first time in history shook the patriotic majority of the nation, ... but there is hope that it may have woken up enough sell-out members of his own party to realize they have to stand up to Drumpf. An actual agent of an enemy state and criminal President is talking about pardoning himself, his family, and others whom he clearly directed to commit crimes... but even Republicans are now asking for his removal from office, and wanting a return to the rule of law, from the streets to the highest office in the land.

All these cures are better late than never, ... but what a tragic waste of so much. Lives, jobs, civility, decency, stability, and unity, ... all losses caused by the acts foisted on us by corrupt, incompetent, undemocratic forces of a traitor in power in 2020.

The truth is simple. Facts are facts, no matter what conspiracy theory undereducated cultists embrace or what white-lies purely opportunistic sleazy politicians spread. Science is science, no matter how much some idiots believe the earth is flat, or that they would get injected with a microchip in an anti-viral vaccine.

It is time to make 2021 the start of the best years of our lives, as people, as nations, and as humankind. Join me as I bow my head in prayer at this sunset time for us all to be healed and at peace again.

 

© 2021 IMRAN™

 

#ApolloBeach, #CloudPorn, #cloudscape, #clouds, #cold, #commentary, #Coronavirus, #D300, #DonaldTrump, #fascism, #Florida, #humankind, #IMHO, #IMRAN, #ImranAnwar, #InMyHumbleOpinion, #insurrection, #Lifestyle, #Maghreb, #Nature, #Nikon, #NoEdit, #NoFilter, #pandemic, #politics, #prose, #Republicans, #Saturday, #science, #seaside, #SOOC, #Sunset, #Tampa, #TampaBay, #traitors, #tranquility, #treason, #vaccines, #weekend, #winter, #writing

. . . a strange reality has united all humankind

in a new kind of protection, all over the world . . .

 

I looked at over 100 quotations on *protection* and only one came slightly close to my feelings . . . and it was based on Confidence . . .

 

"Confidence ...

thrives on honesty,

on honor,

on the sacredness of obligations,

on faithful protection

and on unselfish performance.

Without them it cannot live."

~Franklin D. Roosevelt ~

 

We need to have *confidence* that we will get through this pandemic. Prayers for all humankind . . .

 

Created this triptych for "Slider's Sunday" . . .

using a new mask design and model!

 

“The Land of Eternal Night” -

 

Experience the downfall of humankind and the rise of the lords of the night.

 

In Nox Aeterna, vampire society has flourished and through impressive spellcraft they’ve even bent the sky to their rule guaranteeing that none need fear the rays of the sun ever again.

 

Atop the mountains sits one such stronghold, sprawling amongst the crags and peaks. Beneath it a village on the edge of a lake, steeped in tradition and protected as much by the denizens above as the forest surrounding it.

  

Nox Aeterna -

 

Sponsored by Quills & Curiosities

 

Region by Dacien & Marcel Blackwood

 

A Shopping Region

A small Mantis Vs. HumanKind

better view

 

The plain tiger or African monarch (Danaus chrysippus) is a medium-sized butterfly of the Danainae subfamily ("Milkweed butterflies") . This butterfly has captivated humankind’s attention since it was first depicted in an Egyptian tomb 3,500 years ago, making it the first ever butterfly to be recorded in history.

Its beautiful striking tawny-orange colouration serves as a warning to predators that this species is distasteful, which ultimately deters predators from attacking. Framing the startlingly orange hues is a bold black border interlaced with white specks. The wingspan is about 7–8 cm. The male plain tiger is smaller than the female, but more brightly colored. The body is black with many white spots.

This widespread butterfly can be found across the entire African continent, southern Europe, the Middle East, eastwards throughout most of Asia south of the Himalayas, southern China and Japan to southeast Asia, Indonesia and even tropical Australia.

 

De kleine monarchvlinder (Danaus chrysippus) is een vlinder uit de onderfamilie Danainae (monarchvlinders) binnen de familie Nymphalidae (schoenlappers, parelmoervlinders en zandoogjes).

Op een 3500 jaar oude graftombe in Luxor (Egypte) wordt een fresco van deze kleine monarchvlinder weergegeven. De tekening is daarmee vermoedelijk de oudste afbeelding van een vlinder.

De hoofdkleur is oranje-geel-bruin, de bovenkant van de vleugels is wat donkerder en helderder om roofvogels af te schrikken. De onderkant is bleker om in rust met gesloten vleugels niet op te vallen. De vleugelpunten zijn zwart met grote witte vlekken. De randen van de vleugels zijn zwart met kleine witte vlekjes. Het lichaam is zwart met witte puntjes. De vleugelspanwijdte varieert tussen 70 en 80 mm. Het mannetje is iets kleiner dan het vrouwtje.

De wijdverspreide kleine monarchvlinder komt voor op het hele Afrikaanse continent, zuidoost Europa, het Midden-Oosten, oostwaarts door het grootste deel van Azië ten zuiden van de Himalaya, Zuid-China, Japan, zuidoost Azië, Indonesië en zelfs tropische Australië.

Deze foto is gemaakt in de tropische vlinderkas van de Botanische Tuinen van de Utrechtse Universiteit.

______________________________

 

All rights reserved. Copyright © Martien Uiterweerd (Foto Martien).

All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission.

______________________________

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Imitation lies in the cradle of humankind. In order to become self-reliant, it is essential to mimic our surroundings. What causes a sensation, catches our attention: This setting determines how we speak, move, behave, and what we expect. The longer we grow into this conception, the more we look up to it, and the harder we try to comply with it.

 

With the assumption that they must know the ultimate truth, we are looking up to those who explain our world. They form the guideline by which we orient ourselves. However, trying to match all the associated expectations is tough work, which leads to a never-ending search for arrival.

 

It makes disappointment inevitable to act like being somebody that one does not feel like. Looking up from the ground to who we want to be, does not make this expectation more realistic. We are attracted to what represents us externally because it provides a clear direction.

 

While trying to match what others think is right, we forget too often to listen to ourselves. Hence, we continue looking up to an arbitrarily created ideal, although we already know deep down that trying to accomplish something you don’t believe in never works out in the end.

 

www.pietschy.de/looking-up-from-the-ground/

The Robin's red breast and habit of living close to humankind makes it one of our most familiar birds.

Robins are widely distributed in Britain & Ireland throughout the year, from Shetland to the Channel Islands, apart from on the highest mountain tops. Robin breeding numbers increased through the last part of the 20th century and have been fairly stable since, albeit with some fluctuations.

The Robin is both a resident and also a migrant visitor to Britain during the winter months, when birds from northern and eastern Europe help to swell numbers. During particularly cold weather this pugnacious little bird can be seen sharing bird tables with several other Robins, all of them trying to defend the food source they have found.

 

fly on color is so romance, fly always humankinds drams!

The plain tiger or African monarch (Danaus chrysippus) is a medium-sized butterfly of the Danainae subfamily ("Milkweed butterflies") . This butterfly has captivated humankind’s attention since it was first depicted in an Egyptian tomb 3,500 years ago, making it the first ever butterfly to be recorded in history.

Its beautiful striking tawny-orange colouration serves as a warning to predators that this species is distasteful, which ultimately deters predators from attacking. Framing the startlingly orange hues is a bold black border interlaced with white specks. The wingspan is about 7–8 cm. The male plain tiger is smaller than the female, but more brightly colored. The body is black with many white spots.

This widespread butterfly can be found across the entire African continent, southern Europe, the Middle East, eastwards throughout most of Asia south of the Himalayas, southern China and Japan to southeast Asia, Indonesia and even tropical Australia.

 

De kleine monarchvlinder (Danaus chrysippus) is een vlinder uit de onderfamilie Danainae (monarchvlinders) binnen de familie Nymphalidae (schoenlappers, parelmoervlinders en zandoogjes).

Op een 3500 jaar oude graftombe in Luxor (Egypte) wordt een fresco van deze kleine monarchvlinder weergegeven. De tekening is daarmee vermoedelijk de oudste afbeelding van een vlinder.

De hoofdkleur is oranje-geel-bruin, de bovenkant van de vleugels is wat donkerder en helderder om roofvogels af te schrikken. De onderkant is bleker om in rust met gesloten vleugels niet op te vallen. De vleugelpunten zijn zwart met grote witte vlekken. De randen van de vleugels zijn zwart met kleine witte vlekjes. Het lichaam is zwart met witte puntjes. De vleugelspanwijdte varieert tussen 70 en 80 mm. Het mannetje is iets kleiner dan het vrouwtje.

De wijdverspreide kleine monarchvlinder komt voor op het hele Afrikaanse continent, zuidoost Europa, het Midden-Oosten, oostwaarts door het grootste deel van Azië ten zuiden van de Himalaya, Zuid-China, Japan, zuidoost Azië, Indonesië en zelfs tropische Australië.

Deze opname is gemaakt in de overdekte vlindertuin NaturoSpace in Honfleur (Normandië, Frankrijk).

______________________________

 

All rights reserved. Copyright © Martien Uiterweerd (Foto Martien).

All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission.

______________________________

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