Humankindness photos on Flickr

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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

Asaro Mudman by Roberto Pazzi

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Portrait of an Asaro "Mudmen" wearing the typical clay masks (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 Asaro people, also known as the "Mudmen", are an indigenous tribe from the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea.

They live in small communities near the Asaro river from which they derive their name.

The Asaro are those who wear a traditional costume centered around masks made of mud.

The masks, called Holosas (meaning ‘spirit’) are a significant part of their cultural heritage.

According to legend, when a neighbouring tribe once attempted to attack the peaceful Asaro, they fled and hid in the nearby Asaro river. When they eventually emerger, their bodies were covered with white clay and grey mud from the riverbed. Their enemies mistook them for spirits and ran away in confused terror.

The Asaro took advantage of this fear and used it as a tool to avoid battle, covering themselves in mud from the river and creating terrifying masks from clay, stones and other natural materials to ward off their enemies.

Website: www.robertopazziphoto.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo

Humble Welcome by Roberto Pazzi

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Portrait of an elderly woman (Iran).

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

robertopazziphoto.com/＃book

Iran is one of the leading producers of pistachios globally and the southeastern region in particular has a favorable climate for pistachio cultivation.

The pistachios from this area are highly prized for their taste, size, and quality. They are characterized by their long, open shells and large, flavorful kernels.

The pistachio orchards are carefully managed to ensure the production of premium nuts and the region's arid climate and soil conditions contribute to the unique taste and quality of these pistachios.

Website: robertopazziphoto.com/

www.instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo/

Poison of Humankind by Rob Woodcox

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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

Before the Dance by Roberto Pazzi

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Dancers of the Tshechu warming up before their performance (Bhutan).

HUMANKIND, my premium, limited-edition, museum-quality standard book featuring over 200 large-format photos is available on my website: 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: instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo

Reddish Egret by Michael A Coppola

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Planet Earth Needs your Help. If you are interested in saving the planet for our feathered friends, wild flowers, wild animals and nature areas, as well as humankind follow the links below to articles I and my girlfriend have published. Each article explains in mostly layman terms what scientist are observing and forecasting about climate change as well as offering things an individual can do to help reduce global warming.

Sponsored by Quills & Curiosities

Region by Dacien & Marcel Blackwood

A Shopping Region

The Light Shines On by Paul Baggaley

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“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.

Earth by Matt Champlin

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"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.” —Chief Seattle

The Great Pyramid of GIza by Ryan

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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.

Just Some Trust in Humankind by Thomas Hawk

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Beast of Burden by István Kádár

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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.

Beth's jewels twinkled and sparkled as she walked. by Chatwick Harpax

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We appreciate the courtesy of Chatwick University Archives for letting us use the journals in our research, and for permission to use parts for the genesis of “Dare’s Game”.

Dare’s Game

Beth, eagerly looking for Dare, walked straight into Seth’s cunning snare…..

Suffix, circa 1910?. It was during this time a fanciful young lady, whom we will call Beth, started a journal which she would faithfully keep over the course of almost 50 years. She led quite an adventuresome life for a lady of that time, and her journals were filled with many tales and observations of her exploits. The following story is derived from events that she penned down in the early years in her journal.

******************************************************************************

Beth had known Dare since their childhood. Dare was a handsome free spirited youth only two years her senior, who lived for the games his life had to offer. As his cherished nickname inferred, Dare was always trying to find the thrill out of anything he could think up, relishing to go beyond the pale in anything he attempted. Dare always a little different, harboring feelings and ideas way beyond his years, almost as if he had lived a previous life and retained something from it in his being.

Beth would remember times playing dress up with Dare’s sister Diana in some old gowns of their mothers. It was always then that Dare and his friends seemed to appear and talk them into playing hide n seek, tag or cops n robbers. Dare seemed to take pleasure in cajoling the girls into playing with them in this manner. Eyeing them as they played with a far off look that suggested the game they were playing had more meaning to him than he could ever venture to say. It was hard for Beth to explain it, but she did find it pleasurable (almost erotic using a word whose term she would learn much later) to be observed by him in this way.

One warm fall day Diana and Beth headed down to an old shack located near some railroad tracks at the back of a cornfield. Diana was dressed in a long satin play gown with her mother’s jewelry, which Dare had called rhinestones. Beth, herself dressed in a long flowing dress, loved the way Diana’s jewels twinkled and sparkled as she walked. They were going to pretend the shack was a ballroom and they were one their way to a fancy dance, like Beth’s and Diana’s parents had recently attended. Diana wasn’t supposed to be wearing her mother’s jewelry outside the house, but as a result of Dare’s teasing, had done so anyway.

They had reached the shack, an old white brick building with a wooden roof half fallen in, when a man’s voice suddenly said behind them, what are you two ladies up to? Turning they were confronted by a happily sneering drifter. The grubby man looked around, alone is we, and advanced towards them. The two girls stood petrified, he reached out and probed Diana along her side, pretty dress missy, he said, sparsely toothed mouth grinning like a pumpkin. He suddenly reached up and tore the necklace away from Diana’s throat, sending her falling backwards. Beth screamed bloody murder, as the vagrant turned heel, running off towards the tracks. Suddenly Dare appeared, and Beth, meaning to yell for help, exclaimed instead “help honey” to Dare. Dares eyes took on a very different look, almost of a burning yearning. Beth told him what had happened and he took off down towards the tracks in hot pursuit. For Beth, the look he had given her and the way he had dashed off excited her beyond measure. Even for someone that young, Beth now knew what Dare meant to her. From then on, playing games with Dare took on a heightened meaning for Beth.

But, nothing really changed in their relationship until Beth’s sophomore year of high school. Beth was sixteen at the time, a whimsical being, passionate, innocent, not particularly attractive, but radiating with a love of life. A living free spirit, developing into a very sexual being by the time her and Diana decided to attend their schools prom in their sophomore year. Beth dressed in a fuchsia coloured satin dress with dangling rhinestone earrings that had been” borrowed” from Diana’s Mother, the same ones Diana had been wearing when they had run into the drifter at the shack. Diana slipped into the slinky blue spaghetti strap gown and matching cover-all that she had worn as her cousin’s bridesmaid. She was wearing sapphire costume jewels patterned after the hope diamond. Their parents had given them a hard time when they saw their made up girls in their gowns and finery , admonishing them for looking way too mature. They smiled, consoling their parents fears, and went off on their adventure.

Their eyes were dazzled by the display of lights, the cheerfully student filled room, the band. They had stopped and were letting it all sink in, when Beth felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and came face to face with Dare, who once again had the same yearning fire in his eyes as on that fateful day at the old shack. A veil was lifted from between the two, and Beth spent the whole evening encompassed in Dare’s arms. Soon after that the two had begun seeing much more of one another. Their relationship was still going strong eight years later.

*****************************

8 Years Later

*****************************

Come on Dare, let’s go to the Riverside, it will be fun she urged. She had been trying to get her fiancé’ to take her to the exclusive five star resorts for some time. And now she had a free overnight room card she had won at work! Dare looked into Beth’s wide, hope filled eyes, knowing her passion for attending these types of affairs. Ever hopeful she would see someone rich. Dare knew how to use this to his advantage. Finally he buckled, all right, only if we play the game afterwards he bargained. She squirmed inwardly with passion, nodding her agreement. Beth found the game exciting, though she would never let on to Dare. And, you must wear the gold bridesmaid gown and jewels you wore to your friend’s wedding last week , he added, a wistful smile lighting up his thin face.. Okay she agreed, trying to sound reluctant, but truthfully feeling multiple tingles of delight.

Dare was handsome, in a scrawny, thin bearded, sort of way ( From an old photo that survives he resembled a young Johnny Depp… the eds), with a witty writers imagination and a playful disposition. He could always make Beth laugh, feeling his excitement as he drew her into his stories and games. She would never admit to it, but found the game delightfully erogenous. She smiled to herself, so Dare had liked the satin gown after all, he had not shown any interest in her wearing it since the wedding. And the jewelry, the small rhinestone pendent and earrings had been pretty, but Beth soon came up with another idea. She would knock his socks off by wearing the glittering diamonds and emeralds that had been inherited from her grandmother. The set had laid collecting dust in a safety deposit box all these years, unworn. She had never told Dare about them, waiting for the perfect occasion. She could just imagine the look in his eyes when he saw her wearing them. Okay then, game on, Beth thought, wickedly sending shivers up and down her spine.

Dare’s Game was based on role playing:

Dare would give Beth money to purchase a new outfit, something rich and shiny, like silk or satin. With the new outfit, Beth would wear the good gold jewelry she had received from Dare on her birthdays. The idea was to acting like a bored rich girl out for a good time, alone and vulnerable.

Dare would be at the hotel bar, waiting for Beth to make her entrance, then make her acquaintance , playing a debonair, suited gentleman with a mysterious past and a hidden agenda. They would make a date later, usually to dance and have drinks.

Then that evening, she would go down to the bar. Dressed in one of the long gowns Dare favored, fitting in with the usual spillover from a wedding reception that had been held in one of the Ballrooms. Sometimes she would wear the rhinestone jewelry they had purchased together at various antique stores. Then Beth would wait for Dare to make his entrance, signaling the time for Dare’s game. He would assume one of several roles, or possibly a new one that Beth had never seen. In the past Dare had played:

A spy who would dance with Beth, then disappear. Sending a note to Beth via a third person that would have her meet him clandestinely in a remote location…

A highwayman who would come across Beth on the castle grounds , usually the resorts empty gardens at night….

A rich millionaire looking for romance…

A kidnapper hired by an evil uncle, who after tying up Beth and removing her valuables would have a change of heart….

A Jewel thief who would be cunningly after her valuables…

A handsome prince rescuing Beth’s damsel in distress ….

Or Dare’s favorite, centered on their old childhood game of cops and robbers. Dare would play the thief, and steal something from Beth, usually while dancing. He would then leave preset clues around the grounds that she would have to follow to catch him.

All of the games usually led to some playful groping and then escalating into the upper echelons of erotic pleasure. Sometimes they never made out of the woods, or barely out of the ballroom. Beth shivered at these thoughts, wishing she didn’t have to wait….

**********************************************************************

Three weeks later at the Riverside Resort.

**********************************************************************

In the Bar:

At the bar, Dare smiled to himself, pleased. He had dropped Beth off to check in by herself. She would change into her new outfit and wear it down to the bar for lunch. She would come in acting like a complete stranger to the area. Dare would make her acquaintance, invite her to lunch, and make plans to see her that evening at the resorts dance room. There were two wedding receptions going on, and that dance room should be filled with well-dressed patrons. Beth would fit right in; clad that pretty gown she had promised to wear.

Dare had been sitting at the bar, thinking about ways to play out the game that evening, when the answer came to him, in the form of a stranger who had come with his drink and sat next to him. The stranger introduced himself as Seth, and shaking Dare’s hand sat on the stool next to him. After they had had couple of drinks, they had become quite chummy. Seth explaining he had come up for one of the weddings, and assumed Dare was doing the same. Seth did not fail to observe Dare’s secretive smile, but did not question it. Their conversation was distracted only when a newcomer appeared at the entrance. Beth walked in, a long flowing silky skirt swishing down to her leather sandals. A shiny, long sleeved satin top fitting tightly along her perky figure, with bright gold jewelry complementing the ensemble. Real gold, Seth observed silently to himself.

Beth went to a table, both men going silent as they watched her move through the room. Good-looking one, that, Seth commented, looking at Dare who was deep in thought as his eyes were fixed on the sexy newcomer. Seth teasingly offered Dare a penny for his thoughts. Dare smiled mischievously, letting lose his plans. Seth listened to the young man, smiling as a light went on in his steal grey eyes. When Dare finished he offered up a suggestion as to how Dare could make it really interesting for Beth. The two co-conspirators worked it out: Seth told Dare about a stone hut and wall that was located on the back nine of the resorts golf course. He suggested that he, Seth, would meet Beth that evening and pass a note onto her from Dare saying that he was in trouble and needed her help, with directions to the spot. Dare liked the idea, and wrote the note on a cocktail napkin, cementing the plan by handing it to Seth.

Off you go old chap, let Uncle Seth take care of his end, he said grinning, giving Dare a sporting clap on the back. With a wink, Dare left his fellow collaborator, and went over to Beth, who had since been seated by a male waiter, now standing drooling over her shoulder as she looked at the menu.

Later that same evening, inside the crowded club:

Seth had stopped by the bar for a last drink. His business venture had been concluded earlier than he had expected. With the change in his plans, he had checked out early, his kit packed, boot loaded and the car ready. He now sat at the bar Causley watching young lass of about seventeen who had literally ran into him at one of the receptions. He watched her flirting about the club, weaving in and out of the guests. With a long swishing gown flowing provocatively along her lithe figure, abundant, solid white gold chains swinging out in an alluringly eye catching manner as she scurried about. A diminutive gold ring its half caret diamond flickered playfully from the petite pinky it loosely surrounded once again welcomed his contemplation. The lass presented quite an intriguing gold feathered fledgling, just begging to be plucked. He looked around, spying her parents on the dance floor. The father/husband, despite being an excellent dancer, gave him no interest. It was his partner, the wife/ mother, decked out in a iridescent suit and long swishing satin skirt upon which he now was reexamining. He again studied under the bright dance floor lights her fine pearls dangling from her ears, throat, and wrists. But it was the Ladies’ two rings that stole the show for him; an engagement ring with a rock of at least 2 carets surrounded by numerous shimmering half caret stones and a pinky ring similar to her daughters, that proudly displayed a single white solitaire diamond of at least one caret that had garnered his consideration. He also reconsidered the facts that he had been able to garnish about the lady who wore them, and her husband. The wife/mother was a heavy drinker who would not be expected to make any kind of appearance before noon. Hubby was a golfer, who would be out for breakfast at five am before being on the links at 6 am the next morning . At 5 :15 Seth was planning to pay a visit to his suite, and relieve his two ladies of their expensive trinkets. It should be an easy straight forward caper, that had Seth bristling with anticipation at the prospect.

As he was tossing down the last of his drink he remembered about Dare and the note he still had in his pocket. Setting down the empty glass, he pulled the note out and looked at it, kids he smirked, and was preparing to crinkle toss it on the bar and leave, when his eyes caught sight of Beth. He had felt his breath taken away when he saw her. Not at all what he had expected, he would say to Beth much later in the evening. He looked over the note, stirrings of a plan began formulating. All thoughts of the dancing couple and his plans fled his mind, as He rose, throwing a fiver on the bar and went off to intercept Beth.

Seth held Beth in his arms, she was a vivacious little thing he thought, while smiling charmingly into her eyes. She seemed a little apprehensive at first, but had settled right in when he had told her this had been set up by Dare, remember me at the bar with him this afternoon he had consoled her, she had smile brightly into his eyes in answer. He relished in the feel of her warm satin gown, and allowed himself to be mesmerized by the shimmer of her diamonds.

It reminded him of the diamonds that had been worn by one of his dance partners earlier that evening at a reception. He had forgotten her name, but not her diamonds, one of which now resided in a hidden compartment of his roadsters boot, along with the diamond pin he had slipped off the satin cape he had cordially help a well-dressed lady put on. He had also shelved his plans for his 5:15 am “meeting” at the golf playing husbands hotel room, Beth’s jewels were a much more lucrative prospect.

When the dance had ended he took her to the bar and sat her down, ordering her a drink. She seemed a little perplexed, Seth kissed her gloved hand; wait for it he told her mysteriously, winking into her eyes. Beth had winked back, the fire in her heart reflecting deep in her eyes. Seth left, smiling cleverly to himself as he took in his surroundings. He looked around as he walked away, now where had the little imp gotten off too?

He had decided that the seventeen year old in the long flirting gown would play a very different role in his plans. He approached her, with Dares note and a twenty. Thought for a moment about the pair of thick platinum gold chains dangling from her throat down the open neckline of the girl’s glossy gown, then banished the though, he had bigger fish to filet. The twenty caught her attention and she eagerly listened as he explained to her what to do, pointing out Beth sitting, waiting in earnest at the bar. Wait until she finishes her drink, Seth told her as she listened eagerly. She took the twenty into her hand, the half caret diamond on her pinky ring flashing, and her gold chain bracelets jangled as she grasped it. Seth left, figuring he had about twenty minutes to stop at his car, get a few items from the boot, and put his plan in motion.

Beth had curiously received the note from the attractively shy young lady, clad a slinky gown that made her appear years older. Reading it she folded it and was just getting up when a man wearing a suit came up to her and offered to let her dance with him. It took her some time, before she was finally able to ward him off and leave the brilliantly lit clubroom for the dark, forbidding grounds outside.

Now, a thoroughly excited Beth walked up the hill. Her senses becoming more prickling alert with each step. Innocently unaware that she was no longer playing a role in Dare’s game!

************************************************************************************

Epilogue:

As Seth walked away admiring the shimmery necklace, his thoughts travelled back to the gold burdened impish youngster in the swirling gown, and her pearl and diamond laden mother. Revisiting his original plans he decided that he liked the odds, especially since they would be against him. With the father leaving early to meet his cronies for breakfast the Mother should be still sleeping off her drink induced stupor, the hyperactive girl should still be out cold, but presented no risk if she awoke, he had more rope. The ladies jewels should be lying about in the apartment, or handedly on their persons( the pairs of diamond pinky rings, as well as the multi-diamond engagement ring flashed once again across his memory with all their brilliant glory),as he caught fire with the vision. There could be a safe he reasoned, but with a tied up daughter and a knife in his hand, the mother should have no issue opening it for him, or disclosing anywhere else her jewels may have been hidden . But if there was no safe, and the rings, pearls and solid white gold chains were somewhere in the room, he knew he would be able to noiselessly break in, find and slip the jewels from wherever they were perched, and be safely on his way without even causing the slightest stir from the sleeping woman and her daughter. It was a road Seth had travelled down many times. He prickled at the thought, as he foresightedly tallied up the potential haul while making his way to the car. The Mother/wife’s diamond rings, would easily fetch him at least three grand, probably close five with her pearls and the whelp’s jewelry added in. About a quarter of what he probably would get for the jewels now in his procession, so he mused inquisitively to himself, so ,was it worth the risk of his 20,000 bird in hand? Yes he answered himself, as all too familiar and welcome tingling sensation overwhelmed Seths muscular body. Like Dare, Seth like to play risky games, especially those which promised to be somewhat profitable. It would be a tantalizingly chancy gamble of his own; to wait a safe distance away while things cooled down and then return to break into the un protected sleeping ladies chamber.. He knew just the place to hide , and it would be a perfect spot to watch events unfold around Beth and Dare, while making his plans! It also afforded a nicely secret hiding nook for the ill-gotten gains collected so far that evening in case something went wrong, which it wouldn’t..

Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

DISCLAIMER

All rights and copyrights observed by Chatwick University, Its contributors, associates and Agents

The purpose of these chronological photos and accompanying stories, articles is to educate, teach, instruct, and generally increase the awareness level of the general public as to the nature and intent of the underlying criminal elements that have historically plagued humankind.

No Part of this can reprinted, duplicated, or copied be without the express written permission and approval of Chatwick University.

These photos and stories are works of fiction. Any resemblance to people, living or deceased, is purely coincidental.

As with any work of fiction or fantasy the purpose is for entertainment and/or educational purposes only, and should never be attempted in real life.

We accept no responsibility for any events occurring outside this website.

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Common Gallinule by Michael A Coppola

6

Planet Earth Needs your Help. If you are interested in saving the planet for our feathered friends, wild flowers, wild animals and nature areas, as well as humankind follow the links below to articles I and my girlfriend have published. Each article explains in mostly layman terms what scientist are observing and forecasting about climate change as well as offering things an individual can do to help reduce global warming.

Sponsored by Quills & Curiosities

Region by Dacien & Marcel Blackwood

A Shopping Region

Strange Stormy Situation Surrounds Stunning Saturday Seaside Serenity Sunset Scene (SOOC) - IMRAN™ by IMRAN® 14 MILLION Views!

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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.

#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 matter of Scale by amir appel

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A small Mantis Vs. HumanKind

better view

“Backlit Surprise” A stunned moment, lit from behind – emotion in profile - The Caucasian squirrel - Sciurus anomalus - Taken at North Aegean region - Türkiye by R ERTUG

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“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 :)

Robin, Westport Lake, S.O.T, UK by Tony Rea

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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 by Sun Shaoqing 孙少青

15 38

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

Plain tiger, the African queen by Martien Uiterweerd

1.3K 1.9K

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).

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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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Angie Picks Chicago by Chatwick Harpax

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Angie

flic.kr/p/KoEvPa

Circa 1925

Angie had been warned about operating in Chicago, but she was too lured by the smell of big money not to take the chance.

She was not disappointed. For the first week she found a wealth of pick able pockets and purses. Swiftly accumulating more money in that short period of time than she had garnered in the past 4 months

But she was not sly enough and before the second weekend she was visited at the dump of an apartment she was renting by two suited men. There was a price to pay for the privilege of working in Mr. D…..’s turf, and they had come to collect. She was given a choice, if it could be called that. Either she could lose a pinky, at this one of the men pulled out a rather sharp looking stiletto knife, or she could earn her dues by performing a small task.

She had chosen the “small task”

Within a couple of days she was installed as a maid in one of Mr. D……’s plush, luxury apartments. She was given precise instructions. Within two weeks; Select a loaded lady, widow or one left alone most of her nights. Angie soon discovered that they were quite a few ladies who lived in the complex that fit that classification. It took her almost the entire first week to select one. When Angie told the Apartment complexes private detective the targets name, she found that she was assigned to clean that lady’s rooms on a daily schedule.

Next Angie was to shadow the targeted lady’s movements, learn her schedule. Find out where she keeps the good stuff and compile a list of anything valuable, especially small and easily carried items. Once that task was completed, Angie was to hand the list to the apartments Dick, and then she was told to await further instructions.

So she found herself carrying out those final instructions three weeks to the night that she had been paid her visit. She had taken her cleaning cart with towels up to the chosen victim’s room around 9:00 in the evening. Following her had been the gentlemen the private detective had led to her; cool as ice, as trim as the tailored suit he was wearing. She had knocked at the targets double door. When the silken night gowned lady who lived there answered, Mr. Ice took over, clamping his hand over the startled victim’s mouth, as he produced a knife from nowhere and forced her back inside. Angie was to stand guard outside with her cart until he had finished and called her in.

It as she was doing so that the door across the hall opened and a red headed man came out. He looked quite dapper in tux and tails, clenching a telegram in his slender fist. She recognized him as a newer tenant, who along with a wife, was newly moved into the city. (actually the wife had been on her short list, missing out only when her husband had come back into the picture early from his business trip abroad)

Spying Angie he asked where the nearest telegraph office was. Just down the street she informed him, amazed at how well she was keeping her cool, with Mr. Ice robbing the rich broad just a few feet away behind the door. She also did not mention that the office was doubtlessly closed. Spying her cart, he then ordered her to bring in some extra towels to his wife.

Angie smelled opportunity, and as the red headed man disappeared down the hall , she looked at the closed double doors, liking the odds ,figuring she could risk it. Picking up the towels she knocked on the door and was admitted by a pretty little thing in a black satin robe covering a long gold night gown of luxuriously glossy liquid satin. Around her neck was hanging a gold necklace just dripping with sparkly diamonds. Seeing the towels in Angie’s hands she pointed towards a far door instructing her to take them there, several gem encrusted rings flashing from her fingers.

Angie went in and placed the towels on the wicker hamper. Angie looked at the freshly laundered long evening gown that was hanging from a hook, taking a second to feel its luxurious softness before returning. Then coming back into the room the lady thanked her, telling her to wait, she had a little something.

She turned her back to Angie(mistake! thought the “maid”) and reached down into a small purse, Angie had moved so close she could smell the ladies ‘expensive perfume. The lady stood up, backing into Angie who apologized as she accepted the nickel tip from her. Angie left, returning to the cart.

She had made it back in time. As she waited Angie fingered something in her pocket, thinking back to the apartment she had just left:

As the satin clad rich lady had been reaching for her purse, Angie had in a flash made two observations: The first was that the lady had been putting lotion on her hands and that she had removed her rings, the second was that one pocket of her satiny black robe was a little more open than its twin. She had easily dipped her fingers into the robes pocket as the rich lady had backed into her and lifted the shiny rings up and out, extracting them as carefully as any surgeon, Palming the cool rings as she accepted her stingy tip from the rich broad.

As Angie now fingered those rings her mind had gone to the wealth lady’s magnificent diamond necklace. Too bad she thinks, too bad there wasn’t a way to acquire the jewels of a woman as she wore them.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the door opened a crack, he nodded to her and she went inside with the cart as he left, causally walking down the hall, whistling. She said nothing about her little episode.

The lady was nowhere in sight, but she could hear whimpering coming from a room. On a divan was a healthy pile of jewelry, expensive purses, a few pricy looking knickknacks, as well as a couple of stunning gowns, almost as nice as the one she had stolen a feet back across the hall. She quickly loaded the items in her cart, covered them with towels, than left.

She took the service elevator, riding it to the basement. Than taking the cart out a back door, Angie entered a dark alley. A van waited, two men took the cart from her and began to load it.. Angie turned her back and walked away down the desolated alley without turning back, soon disappearing into the misty streets.

Angie vanished back up into Canada where she spent a few weeks lying low. The first item of business she did was to unload the hot rings. Spying a pretty, silvery necklace she bargained for it, still making a nice chunk of change in addition. She than revisited her childhood haunts, feeing like a real lady wearing the fancy necklace, and her purse holding a modest amount of jake. In her line of work she usually refrained from wearing anything that would attract someone’s notice.

On a whim she stopped into a fortune tellers shop. The ancient, toothless gypsy read her palms, saying a few obligatory predictions, before looking Angie in the eyes, pausing abruptly. She worked her way to her feet, just a minute dearie, I’ll be right back. She soon was back and laid an old, very well thumbed pamphlet at Angie’s fingertips. This is something I believe you can use she murmured. Angie picked it up, looking through it, her eyes growing wide as she realized its purpose. I was just, she stammered, how did you know? she asked flabbergasted. The old gypsy smiled toothlessly, not saying anything. Angie though of the diamond necklace on the lady last week, the leaflet basically laid out how she could have taken that diamond necklace on the spot.

What do I owe you; Angie finally managed to ask when she had come to grips with herself. You have already paid love, she cackled, as she opened her dirty old shawl, revealing the shiny new silvery necklace around her wrinkled throat, the same necklace Angie had been wearing when she had entered the small shop. Her hand instinctively shot up to her throat, surprised to find it totally bare, despite the evidence before her.

Angie looked once again at the small pamphlets title:

Cutpurse: skilles, artes and Secretes of the Dip : inscribed by Gaston Monescu .

And with tingles of delight, she knew, that her ship had just come into port.

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Editor’s Note:

Our Thanks to Mr Gardner for pointing out the existence of Mr. Monescu’s 1826 guide

This is a link to a You Tube Video of a thief not unlike our Angie.

youtu.be/HAZdjhNVjxk

Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives

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The purpose of these chronological photos and accompanying stories, articles is to educate, teach, instruct, and generally increase the awareness level of the general public as to the nature and intent of the underlying criminal elements that have historically plagued humankind.

No Part of this can reprinted, duplicated, or copied be without the express written permission and approval of Chatwick University.

These photos and stories are works of fiction. Any resemblance to people, living or deceased, is purely coincidental.

As with any work of fiction or fantasy the purpose is for entertainment only, and should never be attempted in real life.

We accept no responsibility for any events occurring outside this website.

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