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So here is a dignified picture of myself climbing through the window of an abandoned hotel in Scotland!
Old school cut & paste (scissors & glue) collage created for the blog with a weekly challenge:
The Kollage Kit
THEME: COLLAGES in REAL LIFE (make a collage and place it in an interior or exterior setting so the collage interacts with its surroundings)
The photo I previously posted is THIS collage in a real life outdoor setting.
The Zwinger is a palace in the eastern German city of Dresden, built in Baroque style between 1710 and 1719 under Elector Augustus the Strong. It was designed by court architect Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann. Its pavilions and galleries on the side of the ramparts were used as an orangery, exhibition gallery and festival arena of the Dresden Court.
The building was mostly destroyed by the carpet bombing raids of 13–15 February 1945. The art collection had been previously evacuated, however. Reconstruction, supported by the Soviet military administration, began in 1945; parts of the restored complex were opened to the public in 1951. By 1963 the Zwinger had largely been restored to its pre-war state.
Today, the Zwinger is a museum complex that contains the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister (Old Masters Picture Gallery), the Dresden Porcelain Collection (Dresdener Porzellansammlung) and the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon (Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments). [Wikipedia]
"Baffled for just a day or two -
Embarrassed - not afraid -
Encounter in my garden
An unexpected Maid!
She beckons, and the Woods start -
She nods, and all begin -
Surely, such a country
I was never in!"
E.Dickinson
The lion (Panthera leo) is one of the big cats in the genus Panthera and a member of the family Felidae. The commonly used term African lion collectively denotes the several subspecies found in Africa. With some males exceeding 250 kg (550 lb) in weight,[4] it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger. Wild lions currently exist in sub-Saharan Africa and in India (where an endangered remnant population resides in Gir Forest National Park). In ancient historic times, their range was in most of Africa, including North Africa, and across Eurasia from Greece and southeastern Europe to India. In the late Pleistocene, about 10,000 years ago, the lion was the most widespread large land mammal after humans: Panthera leo spelaea lived in northern and western Europe and Panthera leo atrox lived in the Americas from the Yukon to Peru.[5] The lion is classified as a vulnerable species by the IUCN, having seen a major population decline in its African range of 30–50% per two decades during the second half of the twentieth century.[2] Lion populations are untenable outside designated reserves and national parks. Although the cause of the decline is not fully understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are the greatest causes of concern. Within Africa, the West African lion population is particularly endangered.
A Northern Pacer crosses the Trent & Mersey Canal at Wincham Wharf on a Manchester Piccadilly – Chester service on 9th February 2018.
Taipei, Taipei Zoo MRT
Taiwan
2013
Candid shots in and around Public Transport
Ricoh GR Digital IV
Latest blogpost: thecovertphotographer.wordpress.com/2013/09/01/up-close-a...
I'm back from a sweaty week in Belize for the latest BugShot workshop! Fantastic insects, spiders, and students this year - a great trip! This little long-faced weirdo (Hypaeus beningus?) was found in the mossy jungle near the entrance of a cave. More pictures from the trip can be found here: goo.gl/vVfxTE
More cool Belizean macros to come!
Good bye my friend
You will live forever in my memories.
Seasons in the Sun - Terry Jacks
Highest position on EXPLORE: # 171 on Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Arnhem
June 2012
The Netherlands
Candid shots in and around the Public Transport in The Netherlands
Ricoh GRD IV
Please do not reproduce or use this picture without my explicit permission.
If you ask nicely I will probably say yes, just ask me first!
If you happen to be in one of my frames and have any objections to this.
Please contact me!
Please no glossy awards, scripted comments and big thumbnails back to your own work.
I will remove them...
Wild daisy flowers growing in the North of Malta. Taken with the Canon 5D4 and their 50mm 1.4 lens at f/2.0 and converted to black and white in Lightroom.
This is in memory of not only the over 1 million men and women, that have fallen in defense of this country, but also the ethics and morals, we have lost along the way. It’s also about what’s happening in the workplace, our neighborhoods, our communities, across America.
The audio is a very small example, of how many people here in Yosemite National Park act. This is what we are up against if we address safety, waste, fraud and corruption. It’s not indicative to just Yosemite, this is happening across America. This Toxic Mobbing Culture is often hidden right in front of us. We are seeing much of it lately on the news. The ignorance and selfishness of others, driven by persuasion.
What you are hearing are my neighbors, prior coworkers and residents of Yosemite. They are stomping at my door, in the hall, slamming things, pulling skits right outside my door, fake coughing, spewing innuendos and hate. Tormenting me, keeping me sleep deprived, trying to run me out of the park.
This park is driven by the good-ol-boy system. Many that have worked for concessionaires and contractors, are then hired into the National Park Service system. Some of these the most unethical amoral people I have ever come across. I’ve witnessed one after another, some I have work with. One young male, harassed and baited me daily. Another female, made fraudulent complaints about me. She was in the Post Office this last Friday; harassing and baiting me. Then there’s Ranger Glen. He and his wife following me all over the park. He would show up at my workplace, an entrance gate, set up and follow me on bike. His wife; wait in their truck, as I walked home from work, to fill the air with exhaust. Wait near my parking lot, cut me off, to pull ahead and drive slowly so others had time to set up. I even questioned Ranger Glen at an entrance gate. He lied and said he doesn’t drive a Dodge truck, but I have excellent pictures of him and his wife driving the same truck, same plates. I had another couple waiting in front of Yosemite’s Superintendent’s Office, this week. I pulled up to drop off another complaint, but had to drive to another parking area to park. They waited there, filling the air with exhaust until I came back, then accelerated off once I walked to the back of their truck. These are the people being hired and promoted here in Yosemite. Then they hire their family members, friends, like minded unethical, amoral people. These people will hate me for saying so, but it’s the truth. Something I rarely hear, here.
My neighbors and housing staff harass me day and night, the audio is current as of yesterday. They follow me outside the park as late as Wednesday. I went grocery shopping, they showed up at the grocery store, watched what I bought. Then when I arrived home, crowded me in the hall. The housing guy rustling a plastic bag in the hall, as I made several trips bringing groceries in. Then when I put my groceries away; a loaf of bread was missing. I bagged my groceries, the bread was there, on my receipt, but came up missing while going back out to my car. He jingled his keys in front of my door the next day, like he often does. Don't you John. You can hear him rallying a woman outside my door.
Last month I reached out, as I have many times, to the National Park Service Regional Director. Addressing the extreme health and safety violation, by the corporation I had worked for. I wrote a six page complaint and gave it to our new Vice President of Operations, on 4-10-20. On 4-23-20, I was called in by HR, given a choice of resigning or taking a permanent leave of absence. Knowing I was six months from retirement. This disqualifying me for any unemployment. Didn’t it Michael….
This isn’t about me, it’s about what is happening in the workplace, our neighborhoods, our communities. Our National Parks are being run by corporations, with their billion dollar contracts. Corporations that put profit above all, then spin PR, telling everyone how much they care. Look at Amazon. It’s about our Senate, taking recess after recess, during a pandemic. While almost 100,000 Americans have died during a pandemic. While millions upon millions Americans, struggle to survive.
I come from a long history of serving this country, myself a veteran, my nephew now serving. I know the meaning of Memorial Day. I don’t have all the answers, but I do have dignity, pride and the courage to stand up for what’s rights. I have yet to find someone here in Yosemite with the same. Have I Michael, Cicely.
The men and women that have given their lives for this country; didn’t do so, for Mobs of ignorant people to rally, spread hate and terror.
This is how Yosemite's Mobbing Community comes together during a Pandemic. Do you really think these people are going to keep you safe, when the park opens back up. Being here 11 years, I know they won't.
Put on a good pair of headphones and hear the truth.
6-10-20 Update; Yosemite's Acting Superintendent has still not contacted me, about her alleged investigation (dated 4-23-20). As my neighbors, contractors and National Park Service employees continue their Mobbing, Stalking and Harassment. Until our leaders are held accountable; nothing will change. As you can hear; no one in Yosemite is accountable. Are they Cicely.
Thank you for listening, reading the truth and visiting my photostream.
www.spurnpoint.com/Spurn_Point.htm
Spurn is a very unique place in the British Islands. Three and a half miles long and only fifty metres wide in places.
Extending out in to the Humber Estuary from the Yorkshire coast it has always had a big affect to the navigation of all vessels over the years. Help to some and a danger or hindrance to others. This alone makes Spurn a unique place.
Spurn is made up of a series of sand and shingle banks held together with mainly Marram grass and Seabuckthorn. There are a series of sea defence works built by the Victorians and maintained by the Ministry of Defence, till they sold Spurn to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust in the 1950s. The defences are in a poor state, breaking down and crumbling. This is making Spurn a very fragile place wide open to the ravages of the North Sea.
One of the most striking features of Spurn is the black and white lighthouse near to the end of Spurn. Now just an empty shell not used since it was closed down at dawn on the thirty first of October 1986.
There have been many Lighthouses on Spurn over the years the first recorded at around 1427. The present light was built from 1893 TO 1895. The small tower on the beach on the Estuary side was originally the low light. It was built and put in to operation at around 1852. This light was no longer needed when the present lighthouse was opened in 1895.At a later date the light was removed and it was used as a store for explosives and later as a water tower. The tank can still be seen on the top. When it was operational there was a raised walkway from the shore to the lighthouse so it could be reached at all stages of the tide.
The present lighthouse was built to replace an old lighthouse that was positioned just to the south of the present one. You can still see the round perimeter wall surrounding the old keepers cottages and the base of the old lighthouse which had to be demolished due to it settling on it's foundations making it unsafe.
The only light on Spurn today is a flashing green starboard light on the very end of the point and the fixed green lights marking the end of the Pilots jetty.
Because of Spurns ever moving position there have been many Lighthouses over the years. There is a very good book by George.de.BOAR, called History of the Spurn Lighthouses, produced by the East Yorkshire Local History Society. This is one of a series of books on local history.
www.spurnpoint.com/Around_and_about_at_Spurn.htm
Around and about there are plenty of places to eat and drink. Starting from the north of Spurn at Kilnsea there is the Riverside hotel offering good quality food drink and accommodation. Coming south towards Spurn and still in Kilnsea there is the Crown and Anchor pub. A welcoming place serving bar meals fine beers and offering bed and breakfast at very reasonable rates. At the crossroads before you turn towards Spurn there is the Spurn heritage coast visitors centre. Where there is a small cafe and exhibition. At the entrance Spurn point nature reserve is an information centre and bird observatory selling books pamphlets, etc., and the last toilet on Spurn.
Past the lighthouse is the last car park. Two hundred metres further on you find the Humber Lifeboat and Pilot stations. Near the houses is a Small caravan selling tea, coffee, cold cans, hot and cold food, crisps and sweets.
All are open all year round apart from the heritage centre which is open thought the season.
BIRD WATCHING.
Is a very popular pastime as Spurn is internationally famous for birds. There are up to two hundred species recorded at spurn every year. Some of which are extremely rare. The Marmora's Warbler seen at Spurn In June 1992 was only the third recorded in Britain.
SEA FISHING.
The beaches of Spurn provide some of the best sea fishing in the area, with Cod and Whiting and Flats being caught through the winter and Skate, Flats and Bass through the summer. There is sport to be had all the year.
At the very end of Spurn is deep water ideal for Cod but this only fishes best two hours either side of low water, the tide is to strong at other times. All along the seaward side of Spurn is good for all species of fish at all times though over high water being the better. The riverside of Spurn is very shallow and only produces Flats and the bass over high water.
THE BEACH.
The beaches at Spurn are of soft sand and shingle. Whichever way the wind is blowing you can just pop over the dunes to the outer side. There are fossils and all manners of things to find beach combing. Swimming is not safe any were near the point end as there are very strong tides at up to six knots at times. But in side Spurn around the point car park is perfect at high water. The beach does not shelf to fast and very little tide. You can have the place to your self at times, as Spurn is never really busy weekdays.#
A very popular pastime at Spurn is Fossil hunting. There is a good abundance of fossils to be found in amongst the pebbles and shingle.
The Shark Trust has a very interesting PDF file tell you all about Shark Skate and rays the mermaids purses you find on the beach are egg shells from sharks and Rays. Click the link to down load the Shark Trust Brochure.
WALKING.
Walking or strolling at spurn is very easy, as there are no hills. There are various sign posted paths up and down the point. For the fit a complete walk round the whole point is about 8 miles, taking in all the point round the point end and back to the "warren" information place at the start of Spurn. You will need good footwear, as much of the paths are sand. There is limited access for disabled, but not to the point end, as you have to go via the beach.
You can park your car at the point car park and walk round the point end and back to the car park about a mile, or just stroll around the point were you choose. The only place you are not allowed to go are down the pilot's jetty and the centre square of the Lifeboat houses.
In spring and early summer Spurn is covered with a large amount of wild flowers of all species.
There are common to the not so common; from Orchids to bluebells. I must remind you Spurn is a nature reserve and the picking of all flowers is prohibited. When visiting please enjoy Spurn, as it is a very beautiful place and leave only your footprints.
Horse Riding.
There is riding available nearby at the North Humberside Riding Centre. The stables are ideally located with rides along quiet country lanes, by-ways, plus miles of sandy beach and riverbanks. The cross-country course offers a variety of fences for both the novice and the more experienced rider.
www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/
A Brief History of Spurn Bird Observatory
Following visits to Spurn by several members of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union in the late 1930's, a communal log for ornithological observations was instituted in 1938. This included a roll-call of species, the beginnings of a recording system, which later became standard in bird observatories. Realising the potential of the Spurn peninsula for the regular observation of bird migration a group of enthusiasts, notably Ralph Chislett, George Ainsworth, John Lord and R.M. Garnett, had the idea of setting up a bird observatory, with the Warren Cottage at the northern end of the peninsula as an ideal headquarters. Unfortunately the outbreak of war forced them to put their plans on hold but shortly after hostilities ceased a lease for Warren Cottage was obtained from the War Department and the observatory was established shortly afterwards under the auspices of the Y.N.U. with the four members mentioned above forming the first committee. A preliminary meeting was held in September 1945 to decide on the site for a Heligoland trap, work on which was begun almost immediately and the first bird (a Blackbird) was ringed on November 17th. The first minuted committee meeting was held on March 9th 1946 and the observatory was opened to visitors at Whitsuntide that year.
Initially coverage was limited to the main migration seasons, being extended to winter weekends in the early 1950's to trap and ring some of the large numbers of Snow Buntings which used to occur at that time of year and gradually coverage was increased (whenever possible) to cover the late spring and summer. In 1959 there was an important development when the Yorkshire Naturalists' Trust (now the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust) became the owners of the peninsula and thus the observatory's landlord. In 1960 a full time warden was appointed by the Trust, and although having no official connection with the observatory the fact of having an observer on the peninsula year-round inevitably helped to improve the ornithological coverage. This was especially the case from 1964 when the current warden, Barry Spence, was appointed, in conjunction with the fact that an interest in birds and their migrations was steadily growing and more bird-watchers were staying at the observatory, often for longer periods.
When the observatory opened there was accommodation for seven visitors in Warren Cottage and facilities included two chemical toilets, the Warren Heligoland trap and an ex-army hut as a ringing hut. Over the next ten years a further five Heligoland traps were constructed along the peninsula, although today only three remain in existence. In 1959 the observatory gained the use of the Annexe, one of two ex W.D. bungalows built at the Warren during the early 1950's, thus increasing the accommodation capacity to seventeen and providing much improved toilet facilities. Over the years the accommodation and facilities have been gradually improved to try to make the visitor's stay at Spurn as comfortable as possible. Other improvements have also taken place, in 1968 part of one of the derelict buildings at the Point was converted into a ringing laboratory ready for the first B.T.O. Ringing Course, held in autumn of that year and in 1971 part of one of the derelict buildings at the Warren was also converted into a ringing laboratory. The other part of this building became a laboratory for the use of students of Leeds University but this also became available to the observatory in the mid 1980's when the University no longer had a use for it. Subsequently it was converted into a self-contained accommodation unit for two, complete with kitchen facilities, and although officially known by the somewhat unimaginative name of Room F (the rooms in the Annexe being known as Rooms A, C, D & E, - whatever happened to Room B?), it was somewhat irreverently christened "Dunbirdin" by regular visitors to Spurn.
In 1965 a sea-watching hut was erected east of the Warren beyond the line of the former railway track. Due to coastal erosion it became necessary to move this in late 1974, when it was hoped that it would last at least as long as it had in its first position. Alas this was not to be, as the rate of erosion increased dramatically in the mid 1970's, necessitating a further move in early December 1977. In that year a clay bank had been built across the field behind Warren Cottage (Clubley's field) to prevent the flooding of arable land by wind-blown sea water, but on January 11th 1978 Spurn suffered its worst flooding ever when a strong to gale-force north-westerly wind combined with a spring tide. In late 1981 due to extensive construction works at Easington a large quantity of boulder clay became available and this was used to build up and extend the bank across Clubley's field, south towards Black Hut and north beyond Big Hedge to join up with an existing bank (which had been built in 1974) behind the scrape. In 1982 the sea-watching hut was repositioned on top of this bank, where it remained until the bank itself was washed away in the early 1990's.
A number of other changes to the observatory recording area began to take place from the early 1970's, including extensive building operations at the Point, commencing in 1974, with the construction of a new jetty for the Humber Pilot boats, new housing for the Spurn Lifeboat crew and the conversion and renovation of various existing buildings for use by the Coastguard and the Pilots. In 1978 following damage to the existing road south of the Warren area a new tarmac road was laid to the west of the original one, this lasted until 1988 when a second "new road" loop had to be laid, followed in 1991 by the construction of the existing loop road running along the Humber shore from just south of the Warren to just beyond Black Hut. The construction of this road resulted in the destruction of the actual Black Hut, although the area still bears the name. In 1981 the lines of wartime concrete anti-tank blocks running from the seashore to the Canal Zone were removed to fill in a breach at the Narrow Neck. This resulted in the southward extension of the Scrape field by the farmer up to Big Hedge and the start of a gradual decline in the condition of this hedge and its attractiveness to birds. In 1982 a local resident excavated a pond for shooting purposes in the wet area adjoining the Canal Zone. This never really proved successful and the land was later purchased by the Y.W.T. and the pond enlarged to become what is now known as Canal Scrape. In 1984 a famous Spurn landmark, the Narrows "Hut", a wooden migration watch shelter which had stood at the Narrow Neck for twenty-three years, was set fire to by person or persons unknown and completely destroyed, it was replaced the following year by a more solid construction made from breeze-blocks.
A period of considerable change began in 1988 when the Spurn peninsula was designated as part of the Spurn Heritage Coast. Projects undertaken include the enlargement of the Canal Scrape mentioned above and the erection of a hide overlooking it, a hide overlooking the Humber wader roost at Chalk Bank, a public sea-watching hide alongside the observatory one, provision of additional car-parking space, the restoration of the short-turf habitat in the Chalk Bank area, provision of footpaths, etc. A major project was the renovation of the Blue Bell in Kilnsea for use as offices, an information centre and a small cafe, which became fully operational in 1995. Another fairly recent project has been the creation of another scrape/pond on Clubley's field.
In 1996 the observatory celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, and for the first time in its history SBO employed a full time seasonal warden. This position has since been expanded and the observatory now enjoys the services of a year- round warden. In 1998, with a view to the future, a small bungalow in Kilnsea was purchased with money bequeathed by the late John Weston, a long time committee member, who regrettably died in 1996. This was followed in 1999 by the purchase of a strip of land adjacent to the property and is now known as the ‘Church Field’, this is planted with a sacrificial crop every year, and has also had several groups of trees planted and a feeding station placed in the north-east corner. Access to this field is available by becoming a member of ‘Friends of Spurn Bird Observatory’, a venture set up in 2003 to eventually help with the building of a new observatory when the old one falls way to the sea.
I didn't bring the chairs, i didn;t do anything at all - just took a picture.
It's one of the numerous yards in Saint-Petersburg
Drifting back in time once again. going for or trying to go for a twenties look. I have a story behind the idea but that will have to wait.
It so hard to get a dress that has the right look in this day and age but I have something that kind of works.
Straight from the camera untouched, no edits. I wish the camera could have captured the feeling of awe I felt when seeing this event in the clouds. Visit my photostream to view the sequence of several photos of this rare event.
Ice crystals high up in the sky can show colors of a rainbow, but the sun's rays have to be in the right spot so you can see the colors otherwise they are invisible to us. This is a photo of ice crystals on top of a cloud and the sunlight is shining through them from behind.
In The First Row -- Pentax K 3 + Pentax DA*smc 60-250mm f/4 ED IF SDM -- Property Of The Author Giuseppe Sartori Iscritto Alla SOCIETA' ITALIANA DEGLI AUTORI ED EDITORI SIAE n° 33070
This photo belongs to the A NIGHT IN A HOSTEL project, all the pictures are taken with just one flash using the walls and the mess of a hostel room.
Thanks to my model Silvia.
The Hague
The Netherlands
2012
Candid shots in and around the Public Transport in The Netherlands
Ricoh GRD IV
Shot for this week's Pretty Pink Tuesday theme (pretty pink in my bag)
No doggies were harmed during the making of this shot. Actually she seemed to enjoy it. Look at that face! *lol* Oh and no, I do not carry her around in a bag usually. I'm not freaking Paris Hilton.
Happy Pretty Pink Tuesday :-)
(-: Please no huge glittering group awards and invitations :-)
All my pictures are copyright protected. Please do not use without my written permission
She kept her calm, although she knows many animals do not do well with fireworks. Hope everyone stays safe.
... what are 4-year olds in search of? nothing. everything. and whatever they find, they can be ecstatic
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Captured with a manual Nikkor 50 mm ƒ1:1.2 on my Nikon Df, post processed in Lightroom using VSCO Film Pack.
In an almost timeless scene, NKP 765 charges into the setting sun on the approach to Sloan where the train will lay over for the night after a day touring NS's 'Southern Tier' between Buffalo and Corning, NY. To see this mighty locomotive lugging a heavy passenger train unassisted by diesel locomotives was nothing shy of magical. A special thanks goes out to the Fort Wayne Historical Society and Norfolk Southern for organizing and operating such a tasteful and classy event!