View allAll Photos Tagged Humility
Two gulls on Lake Ontario's shoreline.
I wish you a blessed, Safe and healthy Sunday and week ahead!
In this period of Arctic summer, I cannot help remembering my trip in Greenland 2 years ago. I plan to return there in 2023, and hope that the effect of the global warming will not be too visible.
(Greenland, Disko Bay, Aug. 19)
You can follow me as well on Instagram
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13
Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. Saint Augustine
*happy descending bokeh wednesday*
As with profiles of people, stately buildings like the Applewood Estate can have their good side, even or especially when shrouded by Michigan's greenery, as shown here. The ample rain all summer here has kept the grass, bushes, and trees so lush green. I saw this one in my mind's eye and wanted to capture these estate peeks. Hope you like it. This is our Biltmore, with a strong dash of Mott family humility.
(Ploceus castaneiceps)
Leganga - Arusha
Tanzânia
We just returned from about two weeks spent in Tanzania, and I have to say it was by far our worst trip ever. The country, the people, the landscapes, and the birdlife and wildlife in general warrant a return visit — but the guide we somewhat naively chose was an absolute disaster.
A presumptuous, egocentric, narcissistic, arrogant, Trump-supporting, climate-change-denying, constantly self-flattering individual who fancies himself a great photographer (he describes his own photos as "fucking good").
His photos are mediocre, some even out of focus, but for a birder just looking to document sightings, that’s normal, and I accepted it. If only he’d had the humility to simply show us the birds and let us handle the photography. Instead, every time we had a chance to photograph a bird, he’d lecture us on how we should do it—even scolding us for checking our shots on the camera. He never did that himself, using his Nikon D850 (what a waste) almost in point-and-shoot mode (his own words).
He kept insisting he was a photographer and knew all about the importance of light, but every single day, we saw it was pure theory—he had zero practical skills. He’d constantly forget and sulk when we pointed it out. Basically, if the background was blue sky, the light was good; if it was cloudy, the light was bad. That was the extent of his knowledge of light and photography.
On the very first day, his first attempt was taking us to a lake hoping to find an African Black Duck. Well, as our friend A. Guerra would say, ironically, when things go bad, at least we didn’t see it—because the photos would have been a complete disaster. The access to the lake was directly facing the sun, with glare all over the water. It would have been a huge frustration.
At the middle of day, with terrible strong light, he decided show us a colony of Taveta Weavers — only for our disappointment to deepen as they were entirely backlit. When we mentioned the lighting issue, he simply ignored us (something he’d do systematically for as long as we endured him). I had to push through thick vegetation and small water ditches to find a better angle, while he seemed annoyed at how long we took to get a decent shot.
(Another thing that bothered him was us not knowing a species’ name or mispronouncing it.)
But that was just the first day. The following days were a series of unpleasant situations, multiple arguments — the last one shouting — until we gave up on his services (already paid for) and had to scramble for an alternative. I’ll talk about that in future posts.
I won’t name him here, but if you send me a private message, I’ll tell you who he is — so my friends don’t make the same mistake we did.
The only partially positive thing I can say is that, with the help of local guides, he did find the hardest-to-spot species—even if it meant risking our lives, subjecting us to two hours of being thrown around in the vehicle while completely lost off any passable trail (even for a 4x4). Not to mention his dangerously reckless driving on main roads.
----------------------------------
Acabámos de regressar de cerca de duas semanas passadas na Tanzânia e, tenho de dizer, foi de longe a nossa pior viagem de sempre. O país, as pessoas, as paisagens e a avifauna e fauna em geral merecem claramente uma nova visita — mas o guia que escolhemos, de forma algo ingénua, foi um verdadeiro desastre.
Um indivíduo presunçoso, egocêntrico, narcisista, arrogante, Trumpista, negacionista das alterações climáticas, sempre a autoelogiar-se, que se julga um grande fotógrafo (descreve as próprias fotos como “fucking good”).
As fotos dele são medianas, algumas até desfocadas, mas para um observador de aves que só quer registar os avistamentos, isso é normal — e eu aceitava. Se ao menos tivesse tido a humildade de simplesmente nos mostrar as aves e deixar a fotografia connosco. Em vez disso, sempre que havia uma oportunidade para fotografar uma ave, fazia questão de nos dar uma lição sobre como o devíamos fazer — chegando mesmo a ralhar connosco por vermos as fotos no ecrã da câmara. Ele próprio nunca o fazia, usando a NIkon D850 (que desperdício) quase em modo point-and-shot (palavras dele).
Insistia constantemente que era fotógrafo e que percebia a importância da luz, mas todos os dias víamos que isso era só teoria — não tinha qualquer implementação prática. Esquecia-se de coisas básicas e ficava amuado quando lho fazíamos notar. Basicamente, se o fundo era céu azul, a luz era boa; se estava nublado, a luz era má. Esse era o nível do seu "conhecimento" sobre luz e fotografia.
Logo no primeiro dia, a primeira tentativa foi levar-nos a um lago à procura do pato-preto-africano. Bem, como diria o nosso amigo A. Guerra, ironicamente, quando as coisas correm mal, ao menos não o vimos — porque as fotos teriam sido um desastre completo. O acesso ao lago era de frente para o sol, com irritantes reflexos de luz sobre cada molécula de água. Teria sido uma frustração enorme.
A meio do dia, com uma luz fortíssima e péssima, decidiu levar-nos a uma colónia de Tecelões-de-cabeça-ruiva — apenas para a nossa desilusão aumentar ao vermos que estavam completamente contra a luz, já de si péssima devido à hora do dia. Quando mencionámos o problema da iluminação, simplesmente ignorou-nos (algo que passou a fazer sistematicamente enquanto o aturámos). Tive de abrir caminho por vegetação densa e atravessar pequenos regos de água para conseguir um ângulo melhor, enquanto ele parecia irritado com o tempo que demorávamos a conseguir uma fotografia decente.
(Outra coisa que o incomodava era não sabermos o nome de uma espécie ou pronunciá-lo mal.)
Mas isso foi só o primeiro dia. Os dias seguintes foram uma sucessão de situações desagradáveis, várias discussões — a última já aos gritos — até que desistimos dos seus serviços (já pagos) e tivemos de procurar uma alternativa à pressa. Falarei disso em publicações futuras.
Não o vou nomear aqui, mas se me enviarem uma mensagem privada, direi quem é — para que os meus amigos não cometam o mesmo erro que nós.
A única coisa parcialmente positiva que posso dizer é que, com a ajuda de guias locais, ele de facto encontrou as espécies mais difíceis de localizar — mesmo que isso implicasse pôr a nossa vida em risco, sujeitando-nos a duas horas aos solavancos num veículo completamente perdido fora de qualquer trilho transitável (mesmo para um 4x4). Sem falar da condução perigosamente imprudente nas estradas principais.
==================***==================
All my photos are now organized into sets by the country where they were taken, by taxonomic order, by family, by species (often with just one photo for the rarer ones), and by the date they were taken.
So, you may find:
- All the photos for this trip Tanzânia (2025) (377)
- All the photos for this order PASSERIFORMES (3553)
- All the photos for this family Ploceidae (Ploceídeos) (114)
- All the photos for this species Ploceus castaneiceps (1)
- All the photos taken this day 2025/04/22 (4)
==================***==================
"Life is a long lesson in humility." - James M. Barrie
-----
Today was a much better day and I'm not nearly as sour as I was yesterday. Thank goodness! I bet everyone around me is in agreement that it's a good thing that my mood has lifted.
I don't usually get as aggitated as I was yesterday, but everything and everyone was under my skin and I just couldn't shake it.
Even as the night wore on, the mood was festering and keeping me awake. Finally it wore off and I was able to sleep for a couple hours.
Today though, I guess that bit of sleep did me good because I'm coming back to my usual self.
Hope everyone has had a good day.
Click "L" for a larger view.
With humility and respect, I share with you these images found in a tiny desert cemetary in central New Mexico. The simple monuments bear witness to the loss felt by those left behind, and the hardscrabble lives of those who have moved on.
Hi everyone! so I had the opportunity to photograph Dallas Cowboy Stephen Mcgee this last weekend but if you would like to full story check out my website at
dougklembara.wordpress.com/2009/06/30/stephen-mcgee-a-dal...
Strobist info: I placed a 580 flash on the table to the left of him and a shoot through umbrella with a 580 flash on the right side of him.
To view more of my photography visit my site: www.dougklembara.com
Fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Doug-Klembara-Photographer/2442026...
Twitter: twitter.com/#!/@dougklembara
"One among infinity
Calm in this humility
Hope as far as one can see
Witnessing the majesty
Standing on the edge of forever..." ~MJK
An amazing sunset seen from Many Glacier, Glacier National Park.
Istanbul has a population speeding towards 20 million, its chaotic sprawl stretching from the fringe of Europe to deep into Asian Anatolia, the tide of humanity not only ebbs and flows it grapples, struggles and despite the body blows of urban gentrification it survives and does so often with humility.
For a street photographer, and am not really comfortable with the rank but I am a photographer and the streets do provide my subjects, Istanbul is a feracious playground.
I had been asked to help run a workshop for some visiting street photographers and had set out to scout some new locations, the old Khans of Istanbul provide excellent settings, you only have to watch the movies Taken and James Bond to recognize the potential, the ancient Caravansaries once served as bed and board for traders, the horses tethered in stables around a courtyard and the traveling salesmen would relax on the upper levels with whatever the Ottomans used prior to cable television.
These days the Khans are shops and ad-hoc workshops and as I wandered the upper most level of one a man stepped out of low arched doorway, his face blackened from the grime of his blacksmith forge, with his hands on his hips his stare unnerving, there are times though when you really cannot turn down an opportunity, I stopped and asked if I can take his picture, he seemed bemused I would want to do that but accepted, I shot, thanked him and moved on, he made one parting tongue in cheek comment of being African, possibly only then realizing why I had been so interested to photograph him.
Now normally it is about now the story would end, not quite, arriving home I edited the image and pleased with the result uploaded to my Facebook page, an hour or so later checking the notifications I noticed a new follower who had commented in Turkish, the translation said, “hey that’s me in the photograph” and sure enough it was. I am still not sure exactly how he found the image so quickly and can only assume the diligent use of appropriate hash tags connected me to Murat in this teaming teapot of a city of 20 million, he was very happy with the picture and very soon shared with his family and friends, I am taking him a print although finding the same workshop in the labyrinth will be a challenge.
.
John Wreford is a freelance photographer based in Istanbul, Turkey.
They're fascinating at all growth stages, but I think these hosta leaves show best right at the end of their lives. Explore, December 10, 2008 #290
.
iPhone 4s
© All rights reserved
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
Why can't we live together
Tell me why, tell me why
Why can't we live together
Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together
No more war, no more war, no more war
Just a little peace
No more war, no more war
All we want
Is some peace in this world
Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together
No matter, no matter what color
You are still my brother
I said no matter, no matter what color
You are still my brother
Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together...
I got my city right behind me, if I fall, they got me. Learn from that failure, gain humility and then we keep marching I said...
Taxi - Tralala's Diner - maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pine%20Lake/125/94/28
Music Video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq2SygVjA_4
So stick up ivy and the bays,
And then restore the heathen ways.
Green will remind you of the spring,
Though this great day denies the thing.
And mortifies the earth and all
But your wild revels, and loose hall.
Could you wear flowers, and roses strow
Blushing upon your breasts’ warm snow,
That very dress your lightness will
Rebuke, and wither at the ill.
The brightness of this day we owe
Not unto music, masque, nor show:
Nor gallant furniture, nor plate;
But to the manger’s mean estate.
His life while here, as well as birth,
Was but a check to pomp and mirth;
And all man’s greatness you may see
Condemned by His humility.
Then leave your open house and noise,
To welcome Him with holy joys,
And the poor shepherd’s watchfulness:
Whom light and hymns from heaven did bless.
What you abound with, cast abroad
To those that want, and ease your load.
Who empties thus, will bring more in;
But riot is both loss and sin.
Dress finely what comes not in sight,
And then you keep your Christmas right.
Henry Vaughan, "The True Christmas"
Wren_Drui-en
Humility, Cunning, God
"Drui-en gives us the opportunity to glimpse the beauty of God or Goddess in everything. Its lesson is that "small is beautiful" and that self-realization does not rest on grandeur or apparent power , but on humility, on kindness, on subtlety. ... Of all the birds revered by the Druids, the wren is considered the most sacred Dryw means both druid and wren."
Scricciolo
Umiltà, Astuzia, Dio
"Drui-en ci dà l'opportunità di dare un'occhiata alla bellezza di Dio o della Dea in ogni cosa. La sua lezione è che "piccolo è bello" e che la realizzazione del sé non si appoggia sulla grandiosità o sul potere apparente, ma sull'umiltà, sulla gentilezza, sulla sottigliezza. ... Di tutti gli uccelli riveriti dai Druidi, lo scricciolo è considerato il più sacro. In Irlanda era chiamato il Drui-en, o l'Uccello Druido; nel galles la parola Dryw significa sia druido che scricciolo."
Testo tratto da L'oracolo dei Druidi. Lavorare con gli Animali Sacri della Tradizione Celtica. Text taken from The Oracle of the Druids. Working with the Sacred Animals of the Celtic Tradition.
www.edizionilpuntodincontro.it/libri/l-oracolo-dei-druidi...
Bing Image Creator
Lilies symbolize humility, devotion, virtue, friendship, and sympathy. Images of lilies have been dated as far back as 1580 BC at a villa in Crete. The Greeks thought it had sprouted from the milk of Hera, the queen of the gods. In Christianity, the white lily symbolizes Mary as the Queen of Angels and the Easter Lily represents Jesus having risen from the dead. Thus, they are often used at funerals to symbolize restored innocence and life after death.
“I hate pride and arrogance!” (Pr. 8:13). God abhors those people worst who adore themselves most. Pride is not a Bethel – that is, a house where God dwells; but a Babel – that is, a stinking dungeon in which Satan abides. Pride is not only a most hateful evil – but it is a radical evil. As all other lusts are found lodging in it – so they are found springing from it. Pride is a foul leprosy, in the face of morality; and a hurtful worm, gnawing at the root of humility. Pride is a cancer within, and a spreading plague without! - William Secker
(charcoal drawing on paper; 22 x 31 cm)
Someone once said that "if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
It's interesting that this phrase uses the word "character". Also, the word "power" could mean a lot of things. Nevertheless, I believe that as long as we practice humility, we could possibly get some sort of a "benefit of a doubt" even though we tend to get carried away with what we have and we could control (sometimes).
This is one of my new Leuchtturm1917 sketchbook quick studies (Rooney Mara inspired) about human emotions.
for details=> www.saatchiart.com/art/Drawing-HUMILITY/980307/4762902/view
© Stephen B Whatley
- Please View Large -
On this date, July 5, four hundred & seventy four years ago, the scholar, lawyer and Lord Chancellor of England , Sir Thomas More (1478-1535), spent his last day on Earth in a cell at the Tower of London. Condemned to death by King Henry VIII, he spent his final hours praying. His crime? His refusal to accept the Act of Supremacy, making Henry VIII Head of the Church of England.
A committed Catholic, he defied the King and chose God over man - his committment to his faith; which never once wavered - as can be witnessed through the beauty of the prayers he wrote as prisoner at the Tower.
Four hundred years after his death - his murder- in 1935, this great man was finally canonized.
In late 1999, Stephen B Whatley was commissioned to create 30 paintings for the Tower of London; a mammoth and exhilerating undertaking that he fulfilled in 2000.
Amongst the depictions of the Tower's history that he created through his vibrant Expressionism, was a new interpretation of a portrait of the late statesman Sir Thomas More. The famous portrait for which More sat in 1512 by Hans Holbein the Younger is now in the Frick Collection in New York, USA; while the almost identical portrait, painted the same year, by an 'unknown artist' belongs to Britain's National Portrait Gallery.
Stephen B Whatley travelled to Montecute House, Somerset, where this portrait and much of the Tudor Collection belonging to the National Portrait Gallery hangs- and was moved to be able to make charcoal drawings and graphite studies ( some of which can be seen on this site) , inches away from the surface of this painting, made in More's lifetime. The artist felt such a privilege to be able to capture the essence, to feel close to the subject.
The drawings then became the inspiration for a portrait in oils which along with the rest of the series hangs in The Tower of London. The public can see all the paintings reproduced permanently throughout the public Walkway that leads to the Tower.
The paintings have aroused interest in limited edition prints; and in April 2009, the Roman Catholic Church of St Thomas More, in Eastcote, Middlesex, UK acquired a special print of Stephen B Whatley's portrait of Thomas More - which they asked him to come to unveil and talk at their special concert and celebration of the Feast Day of Thomas More; staged last Sunday, June 27, 2009 (at which this shot was captured by Parish Secretary Helen Howley)
"...this was one of the most humbling honours for me - quite overwhelming - as on arrival I found that the concert was to be staged before the altar in the contemporary church. My print, framed by the church and veiled was set just in front of the Crucifix. I had decided to speak from my heart, no notes - and to the beautiful strains of Bach, Mozart and Schuman - my eyes were fixed on the Cross, in prayer - for strength.
The Parish Priest, Fr John Deehan paid a very warm tribute to me and my work in a touchingly detailed introduction; before I was invited to come forward and step up to perform the unveiling. Standing there the congregation seemed more vast - and there was an audible intake of breath as the green shroud was removed; and the dedicated print revealed- strikingly mounted and framed. It truly seemed to glow.
Then from the lecturn, I spoke a little about the art world, my survival in it; and that my journey has been one with God - not some huge marketing machine. That my successes have come through deep prayer; alongside a lot of hard work.
Touching on that I had, like most, have suffered in my life, I mentioned that I had often remarked that "Art has saved my life" there , 'in the shadow' of this great Crucifix, I realised that more importantly that it is my deep faith in Christ that has saved my life. Amongst the sea of faces I could see moist eyes glinting and with a quite rapturous applause, my head was hung very low - in humility."
"It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes us as angels." - Saint Augustine
Thinking these images of Krystal Smith are much too good to be deleted.
It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.
The MegaStuff hunt gift by Brocade Tiger. #8 Menstuff run.
I often see this tree and have photographed it in various lighting conditions and this one is by far the most meaningful to me. The shape of the tree is likened to a cross. The numerous little snags on it are reminders of sacrifice, humility,endurance and peace.
“Shine your soul with the same
egoless humility as the rainbow
and no matter where you go
in this world or the next,
love will find you, attend you, and bless you.”
― Aberjhani
The air is cleansed once more.