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With the intention of promoting his hometown, young Luxembourg artist Alain Welter has created several monumental frescoes in Kahler (or Koler in Luxembourgish).
To earn his illustrator's diploma, Alain launched the "Make Koler Kooler" art project in 2017 as part of his final thesis. He prepared documentation to obtain grants and the approval of the municipality and local residents. "They were reluctant at first. However, after seeing the first creations with their own eyes, I gained their trust," Alain tells us. Working with other local artists, the graffiti artist transformed the facades of houses and barns into vibrantly colored works of art. Designed according to the wishes and specific needs of the residents of each building, the murals tell the story of Kahler.
The challenge was to add a personal touch to the graffiti while preserving the essence of the village. The artistic representations had to be appropriate to the surrounding landscape and reflect the characteristics of the place. For this reason, each mural is linked to the specificities of the inhabitants of the house in question. On the side facade of his parents' house, Alain painted a hipster-style frog. "I wanted to highlight the mouth of the cycle path that runs right next to the house. At the time, my father was an avid cyclist. So I decided to humorously illustrate a frog riding a bike with a heron. Today, the amphibian has become a main character in my works."
www.flickr.com/photos/145400672@N02/54663756113/in/photos...
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Avec l’intention de valoriser son lieu natal, le jeune artiste luxembourgeois Alain Welter a réalisé plusieurs fresques monumentales à Kahler (ou bien Koler en luxembourgeois).
Afin d’acquérir le diplôme d’illustrateur, Alain a lancé en 2017 le projet artistique « Make Koler Kooler » dans le cadre de son mémoire de fin d’études. Il a préparé une documentation pour obtenir des subventions ainsi que l’accord de la commune et des riverains. « Ces derniers étaient réticents au début. Cependant, après avoir vu de leurs yeux les premières créations, j’ai gagné leur confiance », nous confie Alain. En collaboration avec d’autres artistes locaux, le graffeur a transformé les façades des maisons et des granges en œuvres d’art aux couleurs éclatantes. Conçues suivant les désirs et les particularités des habitants de chaque immeuble, les murales racontent l’histoire de Kahler.
Le défi a consisté à intégrer une touche personnelle aux graffitis, tout en préservant l’essence du village. Les représentations artistiques devaient être appropriées au paysage environnant et refléter les caractéristiques du lieu. Pour cette raison, chaque fresque est liée aux spécificités des habitants de la maison concernée. Sur la façade latérale de la maison de ses parents, Alain a peint une grenouille en style hipster. « Je voulais mettre en valeur l’embouchure de la piste cyclable qui se trouve juste à côté de la maison. À l’époque, mon père était d’ailleurs un cycliste passionné. J’ai donc décidé d’illustrer de façon humoristique une grenouille se promenant à vélo en compagnie d’un héron. Aujourd’hui, l’amphibien est devenu un personnage principal de mes œuvres. »
Source: janette.lu/viree-insolite-au-luxembourg-a-la-decouverte-d...
Hôtel National des Invalides, Paris, France.
El Hôtel National des Invalides es un complejo arquitectónico situado en el séptimo distrito de París, cerca de la Escuela Militar. Creado originariamente como residencia real para soldados y militares franceses retirados, es especialmente conocido por albergar los restos mortales del emperador Napoleón.
El complejo de Les Invalides responde a la voluntad del rey Luis XIV de Francia, que ordenó su construcción el 24 de febrero de 1670, con la intención de que las instalaciones ofrecieran cobijo para los veteranos inválidos de guerra que quedaban sin hogar. Los planos son de Libéral Bruant, y la construcción fue llevada a cabo por Jules Hardouin-Mansart. La construcción de los edificios principales se desarrolló entre marzo de 1671 y febrero de 1674; el conjunto fue operativo y empezó a albergar antiguos soldados a partir de noviembre de ese año. La construcción de la iglesia, en cambio, tuvo que aplazarse y fue completada en agosto de 1706, tras treinta años de obras.
The Hôtel National des Invalides is an architectural complex located in the seventh district of Paris, near the Military School. Originally created as a royal residence for retired French soldiers and soldiers, it is especially known for housing the mortal remains of Emperor Napoleon.
The Les Invalides complex responds to the will of King Louis XIV of France, who ordered its construction on February 24, 1670, with the intention that the facilities provide shelter for disabled war veterans who were left homeless. The plans are from Libéral Bruant, and the construction was carried out by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. The construction of the main buildings took place between March 1671 and February 1674; The set was operational and began to house former soldiers from November of that year. The construction of the church, on the other hand, had to be postponed and was completed in August 1706, after thirty years of work.
Our intention was to photograph the milky way core over the volcano, but ....
There was a very strong Calima (hot air current loaded with sand from the Sahara) and the light dome from the town behind the crater was too bright.
However, after some test exposures we noticed the ripples created by the interaction of the light with the perturbed air and we thought it was worth documenting it. In addition, the green glow from the oxygen in the atmosphere was clearly visible.
So, we gave up on the stars and increased the exposure time to capture the show in full strength.
While my intention was to post a picture of matchsticks all along today, this is not quite the shot I had in mind, but I was battling with light and my eyelids when I got home from work tonight, and so this is the shot I liked the best! A little rushed but here it is!
Why matchsticks? I felt like I needed these today to help keep my eye lids open! They felt so heavy and I was feeling so tired after a really big week at work and two consecutive, very late nights out.
Twice this week and quite out of the blue, I was fortunate enough to receive free tickets to two performances (something that never happens), the first being the Etta James Story and the second, last night, which was Cirque Du Soleil's Ovo. An absolutely incredible show and if you have never seen a Cirque Du Soleil performance, I cannot recommend it highly enough. Amazing!!!
www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/ovo/default.aspx
And so, too much burning of the midnight oil this week (even for this night owl), has resulted in the use of matchsticks . . . ha ha . . . to keep the eyelids open!
I haven't had a chance to visit all of your streams as yet (I plan to do so over the weekend), but I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you who left so many beautiful, beautiful comments on my post yesterday. You continue to warm my heart and make me smile. Thank you all so very much :)
I know I also promised that today I would reveal what my gift was, but unfortunately I ran out of time and so you will have to remain in suspense for one more day . . .
Happy weekend everyone and thank you all for your continued support and friendship :)
Nogata City Fukuoka Prefecture JAPAN / Sony A7.2 × NIKKOR-N・C Auto 24mm F2.8 / mokuu.cc/2015/11/20151101.html / JS C3 24 058
I had every intention of posting pics of how our place looked over Christmas before the gifts were unwrapped and the North Pole shut down for the off season, but the chaos of Christmas & all the befrazzlement it caused simply prevented me from doing so any earlier than now. Up until last night I had resigned myself to the fact that sharing these just wasn't in the cards for this year, esp. with all the Christmas hullabaloo gone or fading so fast, I didn't think it was still worthwhile to do so, however a few sweet friends have been giving me the push I needed to get these up here, Christmas over or not. So this is me squeezing some in before the year switches out. At least they are still this year's pics! P.S. Hope everyone had a really happy Christmas. There is a beautiful fresh new year upon us... I hope it's a great one for all!
It is very clear that the designers at Integrity Toys had every intention of shaking things up for this year. With NU.Face the line-up has been the same since their comeback in 2014. As I have been hoping for, this will be the year that the characters that we have not seen for a very long time will finally make their reappearance.
Nirvana Dominique Makeda - Dominique is the one character I’ve been dying to see. While she’s been back to NU.Face since 2014 after FR2’s retirement she has yet to prove that she belong in this line. While a lot of people want her back to Fashion Royalty I really do believe that she fits in with NU.Face after all she is the Joan Smalls of the group. While Joan Smalls (one of the highest paid models in the fashion industry btw) can pretty much wear anything, her model off-duty street style look is where we see her true personality. She’s young, edgy and care free and I see Dominique being that girl. I’ve been dying to have puffer jackets for a while and it’s finally here. While I have to say I’m not too crazy about her look, something tells me she’ll look much better in hand. Her face design follows that of the Upgrade Doll Eye Candy Rayna with the two-tone eye color and the bottom eyelashes. The face screening also borrows some of the shapes taken from previous versions of her from the FR2 line. As usual I prefer my dolls side glancing and I wished that Dominique was. On a side note she is back to FR Black. Her original skin tone from when she was first introduced.
The Awakening Annik Vandale - First of all let’s absorb the fact that she now has a last name. I believe she is the last FR/NU.Face doll with a surname that has yet to be revealed. Well here it is! You know I’ve never been crazy about Annik. I thought that she needed a new face sculpt as I think that her features are harsh and I thought that Nadja definitely overshadows her but I have to say I’m totally wrong. After much consideration I think I have my most favorite in this collection. I think she has the best face design and the best look overall. I love the neon colors against black and that glowing effect makes her a stand out. I think she will be fun to display.
Tantric Lukas Maverick - I have to say this is the most daring Lukas has ever looked with the blushed nipples, the Henna tattoos and the removable septum nose ring. While we really need Lukas back and the rest of the male Fashion Royalty characters, I have to say I was confused seeing his pictures. I didn’t know how to receive this doll because as some of you may know the new male body will be unveiled very soon and in this version he is still in the old body style. Not only that, the hand sculpts that they used for him aren’t the current ones that the male IT dolls are using. I am planning on upgrading all of the FR Hommes in my collection to the yet to be unveiled male body and with the features that they added to this Lukas it’s gonna be tough to let go of this body. With that being said I am won over by his face. That’s what made me decide to get him and for me he is as good as Annik. In fact I think those two will look good together. I wished that Lukas was a W Club Exclusive or an IT Direct Exclusive instead so that his release will be after the unveiling of the new male body but he is shipping next month. So there’s really nothing we can do about it. Oh well.
Beyond This Planet Violaine Perrin - My first impression of Violaine was mixed. It took me a minute to process this new character. She is the youngest sister of Veronique and Vanessa and she is using the retired Vanessa 2.0 face sculpt. Based on feedback the sculpt was reused as a new character. The one question I have in my mind is… Does she fit in with NU.Face? I still attach this face sculpt to a more mature and sophisticated woman. But then again, there are face sculpts in NU.Face that are on the mature side. We have Giselle, Rayna, Dominique and now Violaine. So then I ask myself why should I treat this sculpt different? One thing that I’m vibing with her is that on some pictures she resembles Gigi Hadid and that convinced me that she belong to NU.Face. Keeping her youthful and edgy will be the main key for her to stay in the line.
Supernova Colette Duranger - I’m going to say this, I am torn. The way I feel about this collection is pulling me on different directions. While I respect the fact that Colette 1.0 has a lot of fans and that the introduction to 2.0 didn’t do her justice, I think it is a missed opportunity that we’re already going back to 1.0 and yet we have not given 2.0 the chance to even move forward. I do have to acknowledge that while it is headed in NU.Face’s current aesthetic, Colette 2.0 feels like a downgrade to 1.0 which I see the reason why Jessy would go back to the original sculpt. I get it, 2.0 isn’t sultry, there’s no edge, there’s no significant feature that makes the face a stand out. If it was me I would go back and tweak the sculpt and give her a Daniela Braga (look her up) treatment. Daniela has this child-like appearance sometimes kind of a Selena Gomez thing going on with her but then she has this sexy side that made her this bankable Victoria’s Secret Model. I wanted that for Colette. Make her look older, change the sculpt of the nose a little bit, give her poutier lips and give her cheekbones a bit of a definition. While Jessy had the option to go back to 1.0, in my opinion it wasn’t a step in the right direction. Colette 1.0 is more in line with the Poppy Parker realm now that NU.Face’s aesthetic has changed which has gotten rid of its caricature style. If you look at her next to the rest of the collection I feel she is out of place and does not belong in the collection.
Park Pass Glacier, Southern Alps in New Zealand
High above the tangled silence of the valleys, where the last mosses relinquish their hold on stone and the forest gives way to memory, the alpinist walked alone—one breath, one step, one intention. Days behind him: a slow unspooling of time through dripping canopies, roots like sleeping serpents, and riverbeds that spoke in the tongue of erosion. But here, at the edge of the Park Pass Glacier, language thinned.
The snow was not snow but a white hush, laid across the shoulders of the mountains like the forgotten name of something sacred. Each ridge was a thought half-formed, veiled by the slow dance of cloud. The sky opened on the right, not in celebration, but in contemplation—its clarity neither promise nor omen, only presence.
To the east, a formation of rock rose in defiance of pattern or symmetry. Not a monument, not a message—but something older than the need to be understood. It leaned as if listening to the wind, or perhaps to the man himself, who had come so far without knowing why he must come at all. Below, the Southern Alps folded into themselves, unconcerned with the human calendar or the small sorrows of ambition.
He had hoped for Poseidon’s summit—hoped, perhaps, for the moment when the earth would lie beneath him, and the world would reveal itself as whole. But the glacier, creaking under a new weight of weather, spoke a different decree. There would be no summit today. There would be no conquest.
And yet, there was arrival.
Not the kind drawn with flag or triumph, but the quiet, weightless kind—the moment when striving dissolves, and one is simply allowed to be among the high places. In that fragile clearing between storms, the alpinist stood, not diminished by the refusal of the mountain, but affirmed in the knowing that some thresholds are not crossed, only approached. And that, too, is a kind of grace.
my intention for this animation was to go as big as possible. I always wanted to make the Millenium Falcon to take of, with those landing gear move up into the body.
It took me about a weekfrom start to finish and I have to say that I'm very proud of it as it is one of my first ever animations.
Also the sound design gives it the final touch :)
I had no intention of taking any shots of birds this evening but this little guy was being very vocal in the tree so I figured he deserved a few clicks :)
I had no intention or doing any shooting this particular morning. I had to drop off my truck for some routine service so instead of sitting around I took a stroll around downtown and then had breakfast. But after breakfast it was so lovely out I figured I'd grab a few shots.
After my mediocre zoom pan results with Amtrak 2163 I went to look for CSXT but they hadn't arrived from Middleboro and I didn't want to wait so returned to the platform for two more trains since the light and sky were so nice. I took two nice simple conventional shots and then called it a day. Outbound Keolis/MBTA train 813 is slowing for their station stop as they approach MP 197 on Track 3 of Amtrak's New Haven Line with a 6/0 set trailing MPI HSP46 2002.
Obscured by the trees and catenary poles in the right center background, beyond the signal for BORO interlocking, stands the old wooden tower that was known as SS165 in NH days. Allegedly constructed in 1898, it was relocated here when the NH undertook their massive grade separation project through town and built their two new stations between 1903 and 1906. This tower also holds the distinction of being the last in service on the corridor in MA, not closing down until 1993. Amazingly it survives three decades later despite regular reports of its imminent demise.
Looking over the scene on the left side is the brick Second Congregational Church that was constructed on Park Street in 1904. The congregation dates from 1748 and is a daughter church of the First Congregational Church in the old town section of North Attleborough. This is actually the third structure in which congregants have gathered. Originally located in a meeting house on what is now the common, Second Congregational had a stately white clapboard building built in 1825 which was removed in the early 1950s to make way for the addition of a new Fellowship Hall and education rooms. The clock in the tower of this third building was owned originally by the city but now belongs to the church and seems to be keeping perfect time.
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Monday August 12, 2024
My intention on heading out to take these photos was to capture the rocks I had photographed before flickr.com/photos/postmansmith/3082983150/ in a different light. However I had misjudged the extent to which the reserve lags behind the tidal flow of Bognor and Pagham and it was as low as you could get, meaning I would have been photographing mud pure and simple. I decided to keep on walking around the north brim of the reserve hoping for inspiration (and more water). The sun was setting and I was getting pushed for time when I found this stream running around the other side of the reserve. I had to scramble down the bank, not sure whether the reeds at the bottom were actually on solid ground or not. And so I ended up with this and a couple of shots post sunset that I am hanging onto as they feel like some of the better photos I could take.
Not bad for a walk that started with the photo I had planned seemingly beyond reach. The moral is to keep walking and looking for photos even when it looks like the shoot is a bust.
ORIGINALLY THE PROPERTY OF THE 4TH EARL OF CRAVEN,1907 DAIMLER TYPE TP 45 10.6-LITRE FOUR-SEAT TOURER
Registration no. AC1094
Sold for £ 359,900 inc. premium
Footnotes
"But allowing for its idiosyncratic behaviour and its occasional bouts of sulking and refusing to co-operate, it is my favourite car. The car I would keep if allowed only one. With its hissing carburettor, exposed valve gear and whirring chain-drive to the wheels it has all the uncomplicated charm of the primitive creation, the very essence of the horseless carriage. For that most enjoyable of all motoring experiences – just meandering through France with nothing to do more urgent than eating and drinking – it is the perfect carriage." All in Good Time, George Daniels.
The noble Craven family no doubt shared George Daniels' views about this motoring Leviathan, retaining it in their family ownership from new in 1907 until it acceded to residence in the Daniels motor house in 1983. William George Robert Craven inherited the Earldom of Craven at the age of fourteen in 1883, at the same time inheriting some 40,000 or so acres of the English countryside as well as three country seats. It was to Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire, set amid a well-timbered deer park, that the gleaming Daimler was delivered in August 1907, the thirty nine year old 4th Earl of Craven cutting a dash as he motored - Mr. Toad-like - between his estates and while fulfilling his duties as a Liberal politician, Captain of The Yeoman of the Guard and Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, a position he held from 1913 to 1921. A member of The Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland, The Earl was known to have an allegiance to the Daimler marque, this car joining a small fleet of at least four other Daimlers in service with the Craven family in 1907.
The Earl's grandson, F.W.Billingham, in a letter to George Daniels dated December 1984 which is on file, records admirably the car's history. Daniels himself records a conversation with the son of the original chauffeur who related how his father, a Daimler employee, had delivered the car in 1907 from the Daimler factory in Coventry, planning to stay just long enough for the Earl to learn how to manage the car. Some fifty years later the chauffeur died, still in the employ of the Craven family.
A motoring log, known to survive in 1984, but not on file, recorded that up to the end of August 1908 the Daimler had covered 4,326 miles and thereafter every journey the car made from September 1st 1908 to October 7th 1915 was fully recorded, the stated mileage then being 22,506 miles. The Craven cars were all liveried in dark blue with white and red coachlining and this car was no exception. The car is recorded as being with Daimler from January 25th 1910 to March 3rd 1910 'for plating and varnishing'. Presumably at this stage all brightwork was copper plated – the car being known always by the Craven family as 'The Copper Car'. It is thought that the wheels were changed from the original wooden artilleries to wire wheels at Daimler in the 1915-1919 period. The only journey recorded after October 1915 was the drive on December 18th 1919 to Hamstead Marshall, near Newbury, (the Craven's Berkshire residence). There it was stored on blocks, the intention being to use the car for Continental touring after things had settled down after the war. The tragic and untimely death of the 4th Earl in a yachting accident in The Solent off the south coast of England in 1921 put paid to those plans. For some thirty or so years on the venerable Daimler remained on blocks in the heated motor house at Hamstead Marshall, sharing that accommodation with the Craven family Hooper State Coach. After thirty years on blocks the car passed into the ownership of Rupert Craven of Thurso in Scotland, in whose hands it saw just occasional use before passing in June 1983 from Craven ownership into the care of George Daniels.
It could have found no better home, Daniels being fascinated by the interesting technical specification of the car and enthralled by the sheer performance provided by the 10.6-litre four-cylinder engine, which delivered a top speed of 80mph at just 1,200rpm. The unbroken history, the originality and undoubted integrity of this car made it an essential acquisition for the Daniels motor house. Here is a car that has never been restored but simply maintained to a very high standard in its early life by its manufacturer and latterly by George Daniels – a demanding engineer in his own right.
Warwickshire County Council records confirm first registration on 4th July 1907 as AC 1094 and note livery as dark blue with red and white lines, livery it retains to this day with only discolouration of the varnish re-applied at the factory in 1910. The compact four seater coachwork, with its leather side valances, still bears the Craven family coat of arms on the body side panels and is upholstered in burgundy coloured leather, access to the rear seats being via a forward tipping front seat. The car is remarkably well equipped to the detailed specification of the motoring enthusiast Earl, driving equipment including Phare Ducellier acetylene headlamps, copper sidelamps, now discretely converted to contain flashing indicators for safety reasons, escargot-type centrally mounted bulb horn, under bonnet-mounted four trumpet Le Testophone trumpet horn, single piece folding windscreen, Oldfield Dependence single rear lamp and rear mounted spare wheel. The driver is occupied by a four-speed gate change gearbox with separate reverse lever, three dashboard mounted oil flow sight glasses, a 0-85mph speedometer by S.Smith & Son Ltd. and a dashboard clock to ensure punctual arrival. AA and RAC member's badges are carried. The familiar Daimler curved bulkhead houses most practical lockers for the touring motorist. Transmission is via a cone clutch and final drive is by those whirring sidechains that gave Daniels so much pleasure. Note particularly the hinged brake and clutch pedals for added driver comfort. The single lever control on the five spoke steering column opens the throttle, weakens the mixture and advances the ignition with one movement – a Daimler feature which worked well when meticulously set up. Another Daimler feature not widely copied by others is the rear-hinged coachwork which, with rear mudguards removed, allows the body to tip backwards providing quick and easy access to the gearbox and side chains for maintenance. A modern starter motor has been fitted to facilitate the easy starting of the mighty engine, although Daniels does report that the car will start by switching on the coil when all four cylinders have been primed with fuel, switching later to the Simms Type D4 magneto for normal running. Although not presently fitted the car comes with a cape cart style hood requiring renovation.
Car no. 4325 has been known in veteran car circles for many years and was dated by The Veteran Car Club of Great Britain on 1st November 1952, the only noted modification recorded then being the factory fitted Rudge Whitworth wire wheels. A most interesting history file offered with the car records a trip to Dieppe in 1983, soon after acquisition by Daniels, travelling with a distinguished group of cars from its peer group, and contains VCC Dating Certificate No. 292, Swansea V5 registration document, a copy of the original Warwickshire County Council Registration Record, the original Type TP45 parts catalogue for this car and a number of expired tax discs and MOT certificates. It records also that Daniels competed the Daimler at the VSCC Colerne Speed Trials in 1984, completing the kilometre in 45.89 seconds and attaining a recorded speed of 69.9mph.
Here is a car carefully selected by its original owner, the 4th Earl of Craven, and indeed by George Daniels, as representing the pinnacle of motoring excellence, speed and excitement of its day. Some 105 years on the Daimler has amassed an outstanding provenance and a patina almost unrivalled amongst its peer group and yet here is a car with potential still to amass both national speeding tickets and conservation class awards at the highest international level in the hands of its next connoisseur owner. As Daniels himself said, a car with "all the uncomplicated charm of the primitive creation the very essence of the horseless carriage."
Another working from home day. My intention was to to spend the day in one outfit and give my new tan skirt from TU (in the sales) an outing. However, soup at lunch time put paid to that when I dropped my spoon in my bowl. So quick change into Yellow jumper and Leather pleated skirt (a bit creased). Later, a quick drive and a walk to the shop in the next village to get some milk. (Photos to follow)
I usually have the firm intention (at least in the back of my mind) to produce at least one 'good' monochrome version, when something nice happens.
Here I thought, ..of course I will use the 720nm infrared panorama for that (as it very often is the 'best'), but not this time.
The trees looked better dark, yet what intrigued me the most were the highlights. There were these strips of light on the fog also, but this does not come out very well due to the shallow angle.
To the right there is a 'skiing mountain' which has a good 1000m+ more elevation than this location, with pretty crazy all around long distance vistas. There is some infrastructure, but I don't wann pay for that, so it's usually a looooong hike! And difficult in winter, but kinda nice in summer, which reminds me, that I did an extended IR panorama session up there years ago, yet haven't developed any of it essentially. 😪
What's fun is that this is an accidental panorama, just two shots in landscape orientation I took before switching lenses, that happen to fit together nicely (which is not surprising on a tripod), 9666 x 3843px, ~37,2MP.
And once again, the cousin of "the worst NIKKOR ever made", ha!
Nikon D750 (full frame / FX) + MB-D16
Zoom-NIKKOR 43-86mm f/3.5 AI
ISO100, 43mm, f/8, 1/125sec (-0,3EV)
two shots, regular tripod, manual focus
The Path of Good Intention are paved with disasters.
In Explored on 15th Sept 2009.
*Note: More pics of Architectural, Interior and Exterior Designs in my Architectural, Interior and Exterior Designs Album.
After a sitting practice, hold the intention of moving through your life with awareness of each moment. Bit by bit, find your way to the practice of peace until it becomes a way of life.
A jonquil is a bulb flower. It smells devine, as good as a rose, but sweeter.
Explore #481
Intention: In this picture, my goal was to show dynamic tension through various lines, textures, color, and light. I admired this staircase so much, I actually used two shots of it in this project, though both from very different angles. This particular shot was actually shot upside-down, this photo was NOT rotated. While taking many different shots here, I happened to notice just how interesting it looked from below, but upside-down. This gives the picture a sense of confusion and disarray, and almost a bit of an M. C. Usher feel as well.
Reference to Reading: David DuChemin talks about lines and patterns, and how they create a visual echo and draw greater attention to the shape itself.
Outcome: Even though this is a similar picture of the same subject as my previous photo, I still find this photo to be a unique success. I think the overall "feel" of the photo is different, showing that a simple shift in perspective can change an entire story in a photograph. I really enjoy the slightly off-kilter "balance" this photo has as well.
Edits: +Exposure, +Contrast, -Highlights, -Shadows, +Blacks, +Texture, +Clarity, +Dehaze, +Vibrance, +Sharpening, +Noise Reduction, Color Mixer for Hue/Saturation, Color Grading for Midtones/Shadows/Highlights, and Vignette.
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Across rural North Carolina, old abandoned buildings are either being taken down, or are in an advanced state of decay. Whether they're removed to make way for one of the new "house farms" that spring up in open fields, or are simply left to melt into the landscape, these testaments to a former, quieter time are becoming much harder to find.
Let me correct that: There are still a number of them out there, but they're often inaccessible due to being on private property, or sitting in the middle of a vast field with no roads leading up to them.
This one is an exception.
Recently, my friend Jeff Garvey ('Recycling is for the Birds' on Facebook) gained unfettered access to this old farmhouse. You may remember my mentioning Jeff, a good man who finds these buildings and with the owner's permission, dismantles them carefully. He totes the wood and bling back to his workshop where he makes incredible birdhouses using the old materials. Every Saturday morning you can find him at the local farmer's market with a full display of unique creations. Some of them are truly functional art; others will never see the outdoors because they're simply too beautiful to give to the birds. (You'll see one of his better ones soon.)
I spent about four hours alone in and around this beautiful old house. One has to move very carefully... at one point on an upper floor I almost dropped through to the bottom floor. Free access allowed me to spend the necessary time to view, set up, and really soak in what this place is about. From this outside view, we'll go inside for a few images.
In talking with Jeff about my experience there, I could see the concern on his face as I told him of possible damage done by vandals and pilferers. Some people need to bust brick, I suppose, and others will take glass door knobs, hardware, and insulators so that they can get 50 cents at a flea market. They find little value in these things, and they don't approach such a place with any sense of respect.
Jeff is different. He loves these old places, and finds a purpose in giving them new life as birdhouses and decorations, so that others can enjoy these relics anew. It's very important to him; it's his purpose. There is a purity of intention that I appreciate – I consider it an honor to be able to help him capture the old beauty before it's gone forever.
Associated Posts:
They Leave The Nest So Early An old school in Arapahoe being dismantled by Jeff.
A Mother's Kiss One of Jeff's creations in action "in the wild."
Grandfather's Legacy The story of our first visit with Jeff.
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My intention on 4 October 2017 had been to drive some of the back roads a bit further north of where I have been two or three times before, almost as far as Olds. However, after finding myself on a couple of muddy, slushy, potholed country roads caused by our recent snow storm, I decided not to risk driving on any others. I ended up stopping and photographing a couple of my absolute favourite barns that I had seen twice before, and was happy to see again. The fine old barn in this photo is one of my absolute favourites. I first saw it on 28 October 2014. In fact, it was after seeing a photo of it somewhere on the Internet, that I was determined to drive unfamiliar roads to find it. Photo was taken from the road.
An interesting link, with the information below, that answers the question: "WHY ARE BARNS USUALLY PAINTED RED?"
home.howstuffworks.com/question635.htm
"If you've ever driven through a rural area, it's likely that you've seen the red barns that speckle the farming landscape. There are several theories as to why barns are painted red.
Centuries ago, European farmers would seal the wood on their barns with an oil, often linseed oil -- a tawny-colored oil derived from the seed of the flax plant. They would paint their barns with a linseed-oil mixture, often consisting of additions such as milk and lime. The combination produced a long-lasting paint that dried and hardened quickly. (Today, linseed oil is sold in most home-improvement stores as a wood sealant). Now, where does the red come from?
In historically accurate terms, "barn red" is not the bright, fire-engine red that we often see today, but more of a burnt-orange red. As to how the oil mixture became traditionally red, there are two predominant theories. One is that wealthy farmers added blood from a recent slaughter to the oil mixture. As the paint dried, it turned from a bright red to a darker, burnt red. The other is that farmers added ferrous oxide, otherwise known as rust, to the oil mixture. Rust was plentiful on farms and is a poison to many fungi, including mold and moss, which were known to grown on barns. These fungi would trap moisture in the wood, increasing decay.
Regardless of how the farmer tinted his paint, having a red barn became a fashionable thing. They were a sharp contrast to the traditional white farmhouse. As European settlers crossed over to America, they brought with them the tradition of red barns. In the mid to late 1800s, as paints began to be produced with chemical pigments, red paint was the most inexpensive to buy. Red was the color of favor until whitewash became cheaper, at which point white barns began to spring up. Today, the color of barns can vary, often depending on how the barns are used."
My final stopping point towards the end of a day of driving N and NW of the city, was at the site where the McDougall Memorial United Church had stood. On 22 May 2017, this beautiful, historic church was burned to the ground by an arsonist. Such a very sad loss! Such a sad sight to see the burnt outer walls, knowing that that was all that was left of this special little church that was almost as old as Canada itself. I loved this little country church, especially the long, photogenic fence line leading up to it from the parking lot. The church was built in Carpenter's Gothic style of architecture. A sign had the following words on it:
"The historic church at the end of this pathway was constructed in 1875. At that time, native people were still hunting bison on the prairies. The young nation of Canada was only eight years old; the Canadian Pacific Railway still nine years in the future. And this church would become the heart of a thriving community, Morleyville, and for a time the largest settlement in what would be southern Alberta.
The story of this church is really the story of Rev. George McDougall who moved to western Canada with his family in 1862 to minister to the fur traders and native people. In 1873, the McDougalls established the first mission in the region and built this church. In doing so, they wrote an important chapter of Alberta's settlement history".
After George McDougall's tragic death in a snowstorm, his body was brought back to the church at Morleyville and laid to rest.
www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=8788
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morley,_Alberta
An enjoyable day out - a barn day, not a birding/wildlife day. I think the only birds I noticed were the usual Ravens. Seeing that snow was once again in our forecast in a few more days, I wanted to get this drive done while the weather was still decent.
Intention was to get star trails but really needed a wide angle lens for this location to get more sky in. Next time though....This one 30 sec exp
YASMIN IS BACK ! She joined the recording with the intention to do REALLY SEXY and REALLY SEXY Animations.
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Long ago I wished to create this kind of shape. That's not very complicated if you sacrifice the smoothness of the surface. But I didn't want to sacrifice it...
So here it is, smooth, made from squares ;) I call it "Intention" since it's what it is ;)
Intention
Designer: Ekaterina Lukasheva
Created: 2016
Folder: Ekaterina Lukasheva
Parts: 30
Paper's size: 7 cm
Paper: kraft
Joined with : nothing
Final height: 10 cm
Opus K-519
I hope to be back soon :) I seriously miss folding ;)
Our Lady of Victories Church was constructed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane in 1924 - 1925 as a Memorial to Roman Catholic soldiers and sailors who fell during World War I. The church was designed by prolific Brisbane architects Messrs TR Hall and GG Prentice.
Our Lady of Victories was the first Church built for the newly created Bowen Hills parish during a period of unprecedented growth in building stock of the Roman Catholic Church in Queensland after James Duhig was appointed as Archbishop in 1917. Duhig had served as Co-adjator Archbishop to his aging predecessor, Archbishop Dunne since 1912 and it was from this time that Duhig planned immense growth within the Church. This growth was manifest by the large number of churches, schools, convents and presbyteries built increasing the church's presence in Queensland. In the 16 years between 1912 and 1928 over 100 Roman Catholic churches were constructed in the Brisbane Archdiocese.
In November 1917 Duhig purchased part of an old estate known as Folkstone belonging to William Perry. In 1866 Perry bought the property which contained an early 1860s timber bungalow thought to have been built for a Mr Keand. The property initially belonged to James Gibbon who acquired a deed of grant from the New South Wales Government over the land in 1857. After acquisition by the Perry family numerous changes were made to the bungalow and it was given the name Folkstone. The Perry family were well known in Brisbane as ironmongers since 1860 and a building, Perry House, at the corner of Albert and Elizabeth Streets in Brisbane still bears the family name. In about 1912 the bungalow was destroyed by fire and subsequently the block was sub-divided allowing the Archbishop to purchase the land and propose the construction of a church in the newly created parish.
The foundation stone for the memorial church was laid on the 24th of August 1919 by the Apostolic Delegate, Bishop Cattaneo "to the Glory of God and in memory of the Catholic Sailors and Soldiers of Queensland who fought and died in the Great European War 1914 - 1919". A publication detailing the development of the Catholic Church in Queensland, Catholic Progress 1912 - 1919, contained a lengthy article on the Soldiers Memorial Church at Bowen Hills then in planning stages. The article was illustrated with plans and elevations of a large brick and cement Gothic church featuring an enormous tower and spire extending some 124 feet. The plans were drawn by Messrs Hall and Prentice. The reason for the alteration in building design is unknown; though obviously the Spanish mission building constructed was much less expensive than the elaborate and massive building initially intended for the site.
The church which was eventually blessed and opened on 26 April of 1925 by Archbishop Duhig was constructed by H. Cheetham costing £9435, which included £400 for the architects, Messrs Hall and Prentice. The church, called Our Lady of Victories Church, was designed in a manner incorporating many Spanish mission elements, a style of influence and popularity in Australia during the inter-war period. Popularised by movies from Hollywood during the 1920s and 1930s, the Spanish mission style was inspired by picturesque Californian Spanish missions. Many of the external details on the Bowen Hills church suggest a strong influence of this style, most obviously in the baroque parapeted gables, groups of round-headed arched openings, textured stucco render and several semi-octagonal projections. The interior of the church does not exhibit the strong stylistic intention apparent externally.
Hall and Prentice formed when TR Hall formed a partnership with GG Prentice in 1919. The partnership was responsible for several notable examples of Spanish mission inspired architecture in south-east Queensland. Examples include two bathing pavilions (1934) and a surf life saving club (1936) at Southport and Breffney, a large house in Clayfield (1929). The Spanish mission style was used for other Queensland churches, thought to be an appropriate style for sub-tropical weather and an appropriate use of what was an ecclesiastical inspired style. Churches with Spanish Mission features include St Peters Roman Catholic Church in Rockhampton (1937); Our Lady of the Chain Roman Catholic Church, Mareeba (1936) designed by VM Brown; Holy Trinity Church at Woolloongabba (1930) designed by Chambers and Ford and St Anne's at Kalinga, designed in 1934 by Hennessey and Hennessey.
When the church was opened, Our Lady of Victories was regarded as quite unique. The report in a local Catholic newspaper, The Age, regarded "its mission type of architecture...the first of its kind in Australia". The report continued on to describe the large electrically illuminated cross which surmounted the tower, as a perpetual light commemorating the armed forces of World War I. Many other details in the church manifested its intention as the principal Roman Catholic war memorial in Brisbane; the coloured glass panels depicting the AIF symbol of the rising sun; and an honour roll at the base of the tower (since removed).
The first parish priest appointed to Bowen Hills was Reverend Father ES Barry, a former Armed Forces chaplain. In 1920 land, also part of the Perry Estate, was purchased adjacent to the church block by James Duhig for the construction of a presbytery. A school was constructed to the north west of the church, the foundations stone for which was laid on the 18th of September 1921 by Duhig.
It is suggested that the Bowen Hills parish was never particularly large and this was a principal reason explaining why Archbishop Duhig handed the church and parish over to the Polish Community in Brisbane in 1955. In October of that year Franciscan Brothers of the Capuchin Order in Australia were appointed to the parish of Bowen Hills and undertook to provide services in both English and Polish, a tradition which continues today.
The Polish community remain at the church and have made very little changes to the building fabric. A shrine to Our Lady of Czestochowa was erected near the altar in 1962 to commemorate 1000 years of Christianity in Poland (966 - 1966). A memorial plaque was attached to the eastern facade of the building in 1980 to honour the "memory of 14 000 Polish Prisoners of War massacred by Soviet Forces at Katyn and elsewhere in USSR in 1940." Another cairn memorial was moved from the Polish Community Centre in Capalaba to the southern side of the building, commemorating Polish soldiers who fought during World War II.
Source: Queensand Heritage Register.
Jane and I decided to take little Max out for a walk. Our intention was to explore the Ardrossan harbour area and allow Max's mum to get on with some packing ( the family were flying out to see their dad the next day ) One look at his little face let us know it was just abit too cold :-)
I never had the malicious intention that you and 'friends' are talking about. I jus used your image as a background and didn't worked it good and I forgot to give credit to our image. Brigitta you know that I already published an apology of my mistake . It can look like a malicious act but no way. I forgot the link after use your photo as background. It was my first try and it didn't work at all.
I already explained what REALLY happened as you well know .
I didn't payed enough atention to all details I should, and the mistake happened. I am just human. I am sorry.
You are my contact and you should talk to me before let yourself became hysterical. We are persons and people can talk . On the other hand, nobody has the right to judge without have the aknowledge of all facts. I don't judge you and I even believe that you didn't saw to my email asking you permission to work on your photo but... I don't know.
Your concience knows. You shouldn't be so worried. You look all my stream and you can see all photos by myself.
My conscience is quite clean.
For the pain it causes to you, I just ask you to forgive me for my human mistake.
From all events you and your friends caused pain to me I forgive you and the rest of the members who atacked me without knowing how things really happened.
I never, never hurt nobody and your 'friends' did.
My heart is in Peace because I didn't sinned. I hope your heart can find some Peace among all this mess.
Great friends you have: there are some popular said like these "what you see is what you are" and also another " Tell me who are your fellow friends and I'll tell you who you are"...
Very philisophical?? NO...
I don't believe that you are like them.
Acrylic on canvas 24in x 36 in.
Painting inspired from photograph named "Charge" by photographer Alex Bernasconi. Prints available!
Intention: Everything that happens in the Universe begins with intention. Intention is higher consciousness thought. Deliberate.
“Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.”
~ Mary Anne Radmacher
I love how these little water drops perch on the edge of the hosta leaves after a rain...ready to face the day no matter what the circumstances!
Parámetros :: Parameters: Canon EOS 1100D; ISO 100; 0 ev; f 8; 1/80; Sigma DC 18 - 250; 18 mm;
Título :: Title ::: Fecha (Date): Corriendo :: Running ::: 2014/08/10 09:12
(Es). Historia: San Juan de la Arena, Asturias, España. Al final del Playón de Bayas está una zona con la arena un poco más elevada. La última marea del día había dejado un pequeño lago en lo que normalmente es sólo arena. A lo largo del día el agua iría desplazándose hacia el mar, pero hacía poco que la marea estaba bajando y había quedado el agua retenida. Sólo hacía falta un palo para que Fray rompiera la monotonía de esa balsa de agua.
Toma: El movimiento de la superficie de la pequeña balsa de agua sólo estaba alterada por la brisa suave de ese momento. Para tomar la foto me parecía una situación un tanto insulsa. Es cierto que el reflejo de la roca elevada de la izquierda tenía algún interés, pero no me parecía que tuviera fuerza suficiente. Fray no tenía la más mínima intención de meterse en el agua por su propia voluntad… pero eso puede ser fácilmente modificable en una mascota activa, sólo hacía falta un móvil… un palo bastaría. Hago un encuadre previo y preparo los parámetros de la cámara, busco la mejor posición para ubicarme al hacer la foto, luego busco el palo, lo que ya empieza a despertar demasiado el interés de Fray y corría el riesgo de que se metiera en el agua antes de lo oportuno. Vuelvo con el palo hacia la ubicación elegida, pero haciendo amagos de tirar el palo en el sentido totalmente contrario, lo que mantenía a Fray lejos de las posibilidad de meterse en el agua. Cambio el palo a la mano izquierda, cojo la cámara con la derecha y reviso que el AF está activado. Tiro el palo al agua y sitúo el encuadre de forma que la zona de caída quede en el tercio derecho. Fray sale disparado mientras voy variando ligeramente el encuadre hacia donde lancé el palo. Fray se va introduciendo en la escena y disparo una serie hasta que llegue justo al palo y deje un rastro de ondas crecientes. Ésta es la última foto de esa serie.
Tratamiento: Con Aperture. Original en RAW. Mejora básica del RAW con los parámetros predefinidos de Aperture. Nivelado y recorte del encuadre. Finalmente elijo un encuadre que no es cuadrado, no formato 35, ni panorámico. Ajusto los tonos y colores para mantener un color azul intenso al agua que me recordaba mucho al original, sin oscurecer los detalles de las rocas. Ningún retoque más. Me gustó el tono final azul general de la foto, el relativo desorden por encima y por debajo de una línea de horizonte claramente definida. Están sonando "Libertad sin Ira" de Jarcha y "Lady Writer" de Dire Street, canciones tan diferentes como la perfección lineal del horizonte y el desorden de las ondas en el agua.
¡Eso es todo amigos!
(En). The History: San Juan de la Arena, Asturias, Spain. At the end of the Playón of Bayas there is a zone with a bit higher platform of sand. The last tide of the day had left a small lake in what normally it is only a sand. Throughout the day the water would go moving towards the sea, but it was doing so that the tide was going down and stayed the retained water. Only it was necessary to have a stick in order that Fray was breaking the monotony of this raft of water.
Taking up: The movement of the surface of the small raft of water only was altered by the soft breeze of this moment. To take the photo it was looking like to myself a rather insipid situation. It is true that the reflection of the high rock of the left side had some interest, but me it didn't seem that it had sufficient force. Fray did not have the most minimal intention of getting into the water for his own will … but it can be easily modifiable in an active pet, only it was necessary to have a motive … a stick would be enough. I do a previous setting and prepare the parameters of the camera, look for the best position to locate myself on having done the photo, then I look for the stick, which already starts waking the Fray's interest up too much and it was traversing the risk that it was getting into the water before the opportune moment. I return with the stick towards the chosen location, but doing threats of the stick throwing in the totally opposite sense, which was setting Fray far from the possibility of getting into the water. I change the stick to the left hand, take the camera with the right and check that the AF is activated. I throw the stick to the water and place the setting so that the zone of fall stays in the right third. Fray start out shot off while I am changing lightly the setting where I threw the stick. Fray is getting in the scene and I shoot a series until there comes rightly to the stick and after-taste a track of increasing waves. This one is the last photo of this series.
Treatment: With Aperture. Original in RAW. Basic improvement of the RAW with Aperture's preset parameters. Levelled and cut of the setting. Finally I choose a setting that is not squared, not format 35, not panoramic. I fit the tones and colors to support a blue intense color to the water that he me reminded very much to the original one, without the details of the rocks get to many dark. No retouch more. I liked the final tone general blue of the photo, the relative disorder above and below a clearly definite line of horizon. They are sounding " Libertad sin Ira " of Jarcha and Dire Street's "Lady Writer", songs as different as the linear perfection of the horizon and the disorder of the waves in the water.
That's all folks !!
Every pure intention ends when the good times start
Fallin' over everything to reach the first time's spark
It started under neon lights, and then it all got dark
I only know how to go too far
My bad habits lead to late nights endin' alone
Conversations with a stranger I barely know
Swearin' this will be the last, but it probably won't
I got nothin' left to lose, or use, or do
- Bad Habits, Ed Sheeran
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My orignal intention for this month was to shoot in a 5x4 vertical format, resize images to 2000px wide, add a 500px coloured band to the right with a 4 letter word. I didn't set out to do shades of brown, but by day 2, brown it was, although there is the odd splash of colour :)
And just to add to the challenge, at least 1 letter had to appear in the same place in the word on consecutive days ... no pressure, hey :)
Next month, I'm going to try and avoid all shades of brown, which I think is going to be very tricky and I seem to live in a brown world :)))
1. Rust,
2. Cuff,
3. Loaf,
4. Fork,
5. Park,
6. Plum,
7. Trim,
8. Tart,
9. Mint,
10. Cone,
11. Soap,
12. Bead,
13. Leaf,
14. Lime,
15. Gate,
16. Vase,
17. Nest,
18. Rose,
19. Door,
20. Pear,
21. Star,
22. Stem,
23. Reel,
24. Nail,
25. Coin,
26. Wool,
27. Weed,
28. Seed,
29. Keys,
30. Huts,
31. Auto
Happy spring, everyone!
My intention had been to post very recent photos and just occasionally add odds and ends from Trinidad & Tobago. However, I haven't been taking any new photos, other than the Great Gray Owl captures, so I am back to the neotropical birds. This photo of a Palm Tanager was taken on 18 March 2017, on the island of Trinidad.
"The palm tanager (Thraupis palmarum) is a medium-sized passerine bird. This tanager is a resident breeder from Nicaragua south to Bolivia, Paraguay and southern Brazil. It also breeds on Trinidad and, since 1962, on Tobago. In Trinidad and Tobago, it is known by colloquial names such as the "palmiste" and the "green jean".
Adult palm tanagers are 19 cm (7.5 in) long and weigh 36 g (1.3 oz). They are grey to dull olive-green. The flight feathers are blackish, and the long tail is blackish edged with green. A yellow wingbar shows in flight. Sexes are similar, although females may be somewhat paler.
Palm tanagers are social, restless but unwary birds which eat a wide variety of small fruit. They also regularly take some nectar and insects, including caterpillars. The song is fast and squeaky." From Wikipedia.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_tanager
This adventure was only the second holiday of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week trip with my great friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going.
Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could choose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself! We were so lucky with our flights, as we were just in time to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off!
What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with some of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. Just gorgeous.
The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up the mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a minibus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road, from the coast to Asa Wright, took just over an hour each way.
I still miss the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and even the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served buffet-style, with a great variety of dishes from which to choose. To me, pure luxury. So very, very grateful to have been invited to be part of this amazing adventure.
This is a video that I came across on YouTube, taken by Rigdon Currie and Trish Johnson, at many of the same places we visited on Trinidad and Tobago. Not my video, but it made me feel like I was right there still. Posting the link here again, so that I won't lose it.
I also came across the following 27-minute YouTube video of the flora and fauna of Trinidad, filmed by John Patrick Smith in February 2015.