You will increase your chances to get Monarch butterflies to visit your garden if you have their host plant... Monarchs will lay eggs only on Milkweed, so, Got Milkweed?

Copyright for this gallery photo belongs solely to Maria A. Gonzalez. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.

   

Preparing for the arrival of his family by building a new home in the 'Green Cay Wetlands subdivision' is the order of the day for this Cattle Egret. It's always a treat to see which birds have joined the increasing number of rookeries at both Green Cay and Wakodahatchee Wetlands.

increased contrast, lightened

 

I am preparing to rework my website. I am prototyping it on Flickr. So far, I preliminary picked the abstract and some graphic photos. I will still prune this selection. You can see them here: www.flickr.com/photos/pavel_photophile2008/collections/72.... It is a long-term project that has already soaked up a fair bit of time. Eventually, I hope to have a shiny new website.

   

Your comments, real input will be greatly appreciated.

With increased business in Guelph, OSR added a third crew on "Job Two" to serve the customers in the south end of the city (PDI liquids and PDI Polymers mostly). Job Two on duty at 14:30 would head up to Guelph around 16:00 and would quickly have to meet Job One on their way south back to Guelph Jct from the North End industrial area in Guelph. The meet change location daily and the timing was always different, so this was a treat to finally get it in good light.

 

182 on Job Two pauses his switching in southern yard to exchanges a wave with the southbound Job One with 1620 leading 505.

ВЛ10У-756 DC electric locomotive was built at 1980 y by Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant (NEVZ) in Novocherkassk, Russia

 

VL10 3 kV DC two-section electric locomotive was designed in parallel with VL80 25 kV 50 Hz AC electric locomotive. The technical project of new two-section DC electric locomotive VL10 (ВЛ10; Т8) was developed by the special design bureau of the Tbilisi Electric Locomotive Plant (TEVZ) in Soviet Georgia under the direction of chief engineer G. I. Chirikadze by 1960. Even though the locomotive was initially named after design bureau of TEVZ - T10 it was later renamed in Soviet tradition but for the last time after the Bolshevik leader - Vladimir Lenin. VL80 AC electric locomotives were built by Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant (NEVZ) according to the projects developed by the VELNII in Novocherkassk, Russia to 1961. Unified bogies of VL10 and VL80 locomotives were designed and built by NEVZ. Both took innovative 2-axle bogies with french-type wheelset's suspension by two diagonal link arms supported by the axlebox based on original ALSTOM design. The principle of suspension were taken from the French-built F series of Co-Co electric locomotive (Фк-07) built specially for the Soviet Railways and was firstly used in VL60 AC electric locomotive with 3-axle bogies developed by NEVZ. Traction motors TL-2 (ТЛ-2) with capacity of 650 kW (in hourly mode) each, have a support-axis suspension. Motor's frame, bearing plate, armature shaft, small gear, brush apparatus were made unified with motor НБ-412М of VL60 electric locomotive. VL10 locomotives were built from 1961 to 2005 by the Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant in Russia and Tbilisi Electric Locomotive Works (TEVZ) in Soviet Georgia with total production 2900 ones. VL10U (ВЛ10У) was the last modification also designed by Tbilisi Electric Locomotive Plant - the locomotive were additionally weighted - the rail load increased from 23 to 25 t so the wheels have greater traction force, and be able to carry heavier trains. Two bogie traction rods are installed of two sides of doubled hydraulic damper located in center. Mechanically, it was also unified with NEVZ-built electric locomotives VL80T, VL80S, VL80R. The body, cabin, pneumatic and main equipment were unified with VL10, VL11, VL11M electric locomotives. Totally 979 electric locomotives VL10U were built.

A couple of years ago, my husband, Philip, and I, drove to Hyder Alaska. There was only one goal - to photograph bears during the salmon run. We positioned ourselves away from the fifty other photographers that were jostling for the best spot. We watched as a massive male Grizzly meandered down the stream and then, unbelievably, stopped in front of us. He was about ten feet from us. He looked up right at us. We were on a boardwalk so we felt relatively safe. Relatively… Still, an unforgettable experience. Our appreciation for these incredible creatures increased a hundred fold as we watched him rip down trees that were in his way as he headed back into the dense bush.

 

Our goal for this trip to Alaska, was again, to photograph bears during the salmon run. We arrived in Haines, Alaska and checked into our room and immediately headed out to the location where people from all over the world go to experience the bears during the salmon run. We were not disappointed - we found the spot easily.

 

During the three days we stayed in Haines we ventured out three separate times to watch and photograph the bears. We met people from everywhere! There were tour groups coming in and out of the area, campers, people on their bikes and in their cars. Parking was absolutely minimal but we always managed to get a spot right beside the lookout where we could see our truck with Jager in it. Vehicles were prohibited to stop on the tiny stretch of road and watch as the bears caught and devoured the salmon.

 

All three times we went, we were fortunate that the bears were always there so we were able to take many photographs. There were three sows with cubs and they would go out onto the stream at different times. The cubs would climb up onto the weir that ran across the stream and Mama bear would plunk herself into the deep waters and fish the salmon out as they spawned. She would rip the salmon apart and pass the fish up onto the weir and feed her young cubs.

 

The last time we would be able to see the bears, a gal that we met from Australia, and an avid photographer, told us that she got impressive shots just down a bit, about a half a block in length from where the lookout was. She told me that we could see better if we shot from upstream, looking downstream as opposed to having limited visibility where everyone else was. Oh that sounded really great, especially for me, because all I had was a 300mm lens. Philip had sold our beloved 400mm. He had just purchased a 500mm lens, but I did not have the camera to accommodate it.

 

I told Philip what the gal said, and for the record, he was all in!

 

We set off to find a position that would suit us before the bears came back. As we walked down the road about half a block from where everyone else was, I turned around and OMG! Mama bear had come down from the cliffside parallel from the stream and on our left! She had come down onto the road instead of approaching from the other side of the stream and she was coming right behind us with her cubs in pursuit!

 

How did we not know or even anticipate that she could come from the cliffside! How did we even put ourselves in this position? I turned around, walking backwards and began snapping a few shots. I know! Crazy! I was in denial and I could not process what was transpiring.

 

Time really slowed down. It was just us, and the bears. It is like being in a tunnel or a vacuum. I can only say from my own experience that I felt so many emotions. Hysteria, disbelief, fascination, denial, I laughed and then I started to cry. Mama kept coming. We were trapped with nowhere to go but down the same road that Mama was intent on going down.

 

My instinct screamed at me to run. I didn’t listen. I did that once with a crazy coyote and learned from that experience. I kept chastising myself in my mind. Why did you put yourself in this position? I could hear my kids in my brain lecturing me and all the while Mama kept coming and her crazy cubs looked like they wanted to catch up to us and play a game of tag.

 

We couldn’t go left because it was impassable - unless you were a bear. We couldn’t go right because it was the river and there were even more bears!

 

A guy came down the road in his truck from the direction in which we were walking backwards. I turned around and hailed him down, and as he stopped, Mama abruptly turned and walked with her cubs down into the culvert and then into the stream.

 

Elation!

 

We walked back to where all the tourists stood on the platform. They had witnessed the entire scene.

 

Sheepishly, I found a place to stand on the platform and realized it wasn’t such a bad vantage point after all…

   

The history of Mountainair and the surrounding area merges with its present-day description, offering a Gateway to Ancient Cities.

 

Hundreds of years ago Abó had an abundance of water, creating a sustainable farming community that historians estimate may have reached 20,000 native inhabitants. A Pueblo (Tompiro) petrogylph at Abó, dated from the 1400’s depicts Tawa, the Sun-Father, one of the most revered deities of the Pueblo Indians and a key element for a bountiful harvest. Abó is positioned on a major east-west trade route the Abó Pass, a shallow gap that divides the Manzano and Los Piños Mountains. The community of Abó was still thriving when Spanish explorers came upon it in 1561. Abó was the head of one of the largest missionary operations in New Mexico, known today as the part of the National Monument Salinas Pueblo Missions. The three sites that comprise these ruins—Abó, Quarai and Gran Quivira—attract historians, archeologists, and visitors to Mountainair from all over the world.

 

Among the intriguing aspects of Mountainair are residents who can still tell the story of when their Grandparents called an area within the town, Monte Alto. However difficult it may be to locate historic documents verifying these tales, one can only imagine a small village of settlers, unaware of the attention they were about to receive.

 

The attention arrived with the railroad and the founding of Mountainair by John Corbett, Colonel E.C. Manning, and former U.S. Governor E. S. Stover in the summer of 1903. It was the first incorporated town in the area–before Torrance was a county and before New Mexico officially became a state. Strategically sited for the railroad at the summit of Abó Pass and named for its cool fresh mountain breezes, passengers first rolled into Mountainair in 1907 and continued to travel through during the 1960’s. This alternate route, now primarily used for freight, known as the Belen cut-off, is part of the transcontinental tracks. It was built in some measure to alleviate the extreme grades and delays over Raton and the Glorietta passes. The depot, currently owned by BNSF, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

In the early 1900’s, with rain in abundance, farming again played an important role in the area’s history, fostering a boom in the economy and increasing the population to nearly 5,000. This entitled Mountainair to become the “The Pinto Bean Capital of the World,” housing the nation’s largest bean processing center, with peak production reaching over 750 train carloads of beans in one season. Pinto beans, a sturdy crop, provided American soldiers their main rations through WWII. The beans were farmed on approximately 40,000 acres, using the rain as their principal source of water. In 1946 a 10-year drought began, leaving the land barren and forcing farmers to become ranchers or move to make a better living. With ranching now a mainstay in Torrance County and with a population today hovering at 2,000+ in Mountainair, there are likely more cattle than people living around the town.

 

In the mid 1980’s a resurgence of relocation to Mountainair took place and continues to this day, with numerous new or renovated homes and businesses in Mountainair and several innovative sub-divisions surrounding the town. This long and diverse history of Mountainair, in addition to the breathtaking views of the Chupadera Mesa and the Manzano Mountains, has a mystique that captures the imagination of writers, artists, photographers, and individuals searching for a unique and wondrous place. A little over an hour from Albuquerque, Mountainair, Gateway to Ancient Cities, offers an adventure into times past, enjoyment to its visitors, and endearment to its residents.

*New Mexico Tourism Department

my workshop on my Facebook just like ;-) Clic Here

  

my 500px Clic Here

 

Origins

Although there are no historical records that deal directly with the founding of Venice,[10] tradition and the available evidence have led several historians to agree that the original population of Venice consisted of refugees from Roman cities near Venice such as Padua, Aquileia, Treviso, Altino and Concordia (modern Portogruaro) and from the undefended countryside, who were fleeing successive waves of Germanic and Hun invasions.[11] Some late Roman sources reveal the existence of fishermen on the islands in the original marshy lagoons. They were referred to as incolae lacunae ("lagoon dwellers"). The traditional founding is identified with the dedication of the first church, that of San Giacomo at the islet of Rialto (Rivoalto, "High Shore"), which is said to have been at the stroke of noon on 25 March 421.[12][13]

The last and most enduring immigration into the north of the Italian peninsula was that of the Lombards in 568, leaving the Eastern Roman Empire a small strip of coast in the current Veneto, including Venice. The Roman/Byzantine territory was organized as the Exarchate of Ravenna, administered from that ancient port and overseen by a viceroy (the Exarch) appointed by the Emperor in Constantinople, but Ravenna and Venice were connected only by sea routes and with the Venetians' isolated position came increasing autonomy. New ports were built, including those at Malamocco and Torcello in the Venetian lagoon. The tribuni maiores, the earliest central standing governing committee of the islands in the Lagoon, dated from c. 568.[14]

The traditional first doge of Venice, Paolo Lucio Anafesto, was actually Exarch Paul, and his successor, Marcello Tegalliano, Paul's magister militum (General; literally, "Master of Soldiers.") In 726 the soldiers and citizens of the Exarchate rose in a rebellion over the iconoclastic controversy at the urging of Pope Gregory II. The Exarch was murdered and many officials put to flight in the chaos. At about this time, the people of the lagoon elected their own leader for the first time, although the relationship of this ascent to the uprisings is not clear. Ursus would become the first of 117 "doges" (doge is the Venetian dialect development of the Latin dux ("leader"); the corresponding word in English is duke, in standard Italian duce.) Whatever his original views, Ursus supported Emperor Leo's successful military expedition to recover Ravenna, sending both men and ships. In recognition, Venice was "granted numerous privileges and concessions" and Ursus, who had personally taken the field, was confirmed by Leo as dux[15] and given the added title of hypatus (Greek for "Consul".)[16]

In 751, the Lombard King Aistulf conquered most of the Exarchate of Ravenna, leaving Venice a lonely and increasingly autonomous Byzantine outpost. During this period, the seat of the local Byzantine governor (the "duke/dux", later "doge"), was situated in Malamocco. Settlement on the islands in the lagoon probably increased in correspondence with the Lombard conquest of other Byzantine territories as refugees sought asylum in the lagoon city. In 775/776, the episcopal seat of Olivolo (Helipolis) was created. During the reign of duke Agnello Particiaco (811–827), the ducal seat was moved from Malamocco to the highly protected Rialto, the current location of Venice. The monastery of St. Zachary and the first ducal palace and basilica of St. Mark, as well as a walled defense (civitatis murus) between Olivolo and Rialto, were subsequently built here. Winged lions, which may be seen throughout Venice, are a symbol for St. Mark.

Charlemagne sought to subdue the city to his own rule. He ordered the Pope to expel the Venetians from the Pentapolis along the Adriatic coast,[17] and Charlemagne's own son Pepin of Italy, king of the Lombards under the authority of his father, embarked on a siege of Venice itself. This, however, proved a costly failure. The siege lasted six months, with Pepin's army ravaged by the diseases of the local swamps and eventually forced to withdraw. A few months later, Pepin himself died, apparently as a result of a disease contracted there. In the aftermath, an agreement between Charlemagne and Nicephorus in 814 recognized Venice as Byzantine territory and granted the city trading rights along the Adriatic coast.

In 828, the new city's prestige was raised by the acquisition of the claimed relics of St. Mark the Evangelist from Alexandria, which were placed in the new basilica. The patriarchal seat was also moved to Rialto. As the community continued to develop and as Byzantine power waned, it led to the growth of autonomy and eventual independence.[18]

Expansion

 

Piazza San Marco in Venice, with St Mark's Campanile and Basilica in the background

  

These Horses of Saint Mark are a replica of the Triumphal Quadriga captured in Constantinople in 1204 and carried to Venice as a trophy.

From the 9th to the 12th century, Venice developed into a city state (an Italian thalassocracy or Repubblica Marinara, the other three being Genoa, Pisa, and Amalfi). Its strategic position at the head of the Adriatic made Venetian naval and commercial power almost invulnerable. With the elimination of pirates along the Dalmatian coast, the city became a flourishing trade center between Western Europe and the rest of the world (especially the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic world).

The Republic of Venice seized a number of places on the eastern shores of the Adriatic before 1200, mostly for commercial reasons, because pirates based there were a menace to trade. The Doge already carried the titles of Duke of Dalmatia and Duke of Istria. Later mainland possessions, which extended across Lake Garda as far west as the Adda River, were known as the "Terraferma", and were acquired partly as a buffer against belligerent neighbours, partly to guarantee Alpine trade routes, and partly to ensure the supply of mainland wheat, on which the city depended. In building its maritime commercial empire, the Republic dominated the trade in salt,[19] acquired control of most of the islands in the Aegean, including Cyprus and Crete, and became a major power-broker in the Near East. By the standards of the time, Venice's stewardship of its mainland territories was relatively enlightened and the citizens of such towns as Bergamo, Brescia and Verona rallied to the defence of Venetian sovereignty when it was threatened by invaders.

Venice remained closely associated with Constantinople, being twice granted trading privileges in the Eastern Roman Empire, through the so-called Golden Bulls or 'chrysobulls' in return for aiding the Eastern Empire to resist Norman and Turkish incursions. In the first chrysobull, Venice acknowledged its homage to the Empire but not in the second, reflecting the decline of Byzantium and the rise of Venice's power.[20][21]

Venice became an imperial power following the Fourth Crusade, which, having veered off course, culminated in 1204 by capturing and sacking Constantinople and establishing the Latin Empire. As a result of this conquest, considerable Byzantine plunder was brought back to Venice. This plunder included the gilt bronze horses from the Hippodrome of Constantinople, which were originally placed above the entrance to St Mark's cathedral in Venice, although the originals have been replaced with replicas and are now stored within the basilica. Following the fall of Constantinople, the former Roman Empire was partitioned among the Latin crusaders and the Venetians. Venice subsequently carved out a sphere of influence in the Mediterranean known as the Duchy of the Archipelago, and captured Crete.[22]

The seizure of Constantinople would ultimately prove as decisive a factor in ending the Byzantine Empire as the loss of the Anatolian themes after Manzikert. Although the Byzantines recovered control of the ravaged city a half century later, the Byzantine Empire was terminally weakened, and existed as a ghost of its old self until Sultan Mehmet The Conqueror took the city in 1453.

  

View of San Giorgio Maggiore Island from St. Mark's Campanile

Situated on the Adriatic Sea, Venice always traded extensively with the Byzantine Empire and the Muslim world. By the late 13th century, Venice was the most prosperous city in all of Europe. At the peak of its power and wealth, it had 36,000 sailors operating 3,300 ships, dominating Mediterranean commerce. During this time, Venice's leading families vied with each other to build the grandest palaces and support the work of the greatest and most talented artists. The city was governed by the Great Council, which was made up of members of the noble families of Venice. The Great Council appointed all public officials and elected a Senate of 200 to 300 individuals. Since this group was too large for efficient administration, a Council of Ten (also called the Ducal Council or the Signoria), controlled much of the administration of the city. One member of the great council was elected "Doge", or duke, the ceremonial head of the city, who normally held the title until his death.

The Venetian governmental structure was similar in some ways to the republican system of ancient Rome, with an elected chief executive (the Doge), a senate-like assembly of nobles, and a mass of citizens with limited political power, who originally had the power to grant or withhold their approval of each newly elected Doge. Church and various private properties were tied to military service, although there was no knight tenure within the city itself. The Cavalieri di San Marco was the only order of chivalry ever instituted in Venice, and no citizen could accept or join a foreign order without the government's consent. Venice remained a republic throughout its independent period, and politics and the military were kept separate, except when on occasion the Doge personally headed the military. War was regarded as a continuation of commerce by other means (hence, the city's early production of large numbers of mercenaries for service elsewhere, and later its reliance on foreign mercenaries when the ruling class was preoccupied with commerce).

  

Francesco Guardi, The Grand Canal, 1760 (Art Institute of Chicago)

The chief executive was the Doge, who theoretically held his elective office for life. In practice, several Doges were forced by pressure from their oligarchical peers to resign the office and retire into monastic seclusion when they were felt to have been discredited by perceived political failure.

Although the people of Venice generally remained orthodox Roman Catholics, the state of Venice was notable for its freedom from religious fanaticism and it enacted not a single execution for religious heresy during the Counter-Reformation. This apparent lack of zeal contributed to Venice's frequent conflicts with the Papacy. In this context, the writings of the Anglican Divine, William Bedell, are particularly illuminating. Venice was threatened with the interdict on a number of occasions and twice suffered its imposition. The second, most famous, occasion was in 1606, by order of Pope Paul V.

Venetian ambassadors sent home still-extant secret reports of the politics and rumours of European courts, providing fascinating information to modern historians.

The newly invented German printing press spread rapidly throughout Europe in the 15th century, and Venice was quick to adopt it. By 1482, Venice was the printing capital of the world, and the leading printer was Aldus Manutius, who invented the concept of paperback books that could be carried in a saddlebag. His Aldine Editions included translations of nearly all the known Greek manuscripts of the era.[23]

Decline

 

The Grand Canal in Venice

Venice's long decline started in the 15th century, when it first made an unsuccessful attempt to hold Thessalonica against the Ottomans (1423–1430). It also sent ships to help defend Constantinople against the besieging Turks (1453). After Constantinople fell to Sultan Mehmet II he declared war on Venice. The war lasted thirty years and cost Venice much of its eastern Mediterranean possessions. Next, Christopher Columbus discovered the New World. Then Portugal found a sea route to India, destroying Venice's land route monopoly. France, England and the Dutch Republic followed them. Venice's oared galleys were at a disadvantage when it came to traversing the great oceans, and therefore Venice was left behind in the race for colonies.

The Black Death devastated Venice in 1348 and once again between 1575 and 1577.[24] In three years the plague killed some 50,000 people.[25] In 1630, the plague killed a third of Venice's 150,000 citizens.[26] Venice began to lose its position as a center of international trade during the later part of the Renaissance as Portugal became Europe's principal intermediary in the trade with the East, striking at the very foundation of Venice's great wealth, while France and Spain fought for hegemony over Italy in the Italian Wars, marginalising its political influence. However, the Venetian empire was a major exporter of agricultural products and, until the mid-18th century, a significant manufacturing center.

Modern age[edit source | editbeta]

  

A map of the sestiere of San Marco

The Republic lost independence when Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Venice on 12 May 1797 during the First Coalition. The French conqueror brought to an end the most fascinating century of its history: during the 18th century, Venice became perhaps the most elegant and refined city in Europe, greatly influencing art, architecture and literature. Napoleon was seen as something of a liberator by the city's Jewish population, although it can be argued they had lived with fewer restrictions in Venice. He removed the gates of the Ghetto and ended the restrictions on when and where Jews could live and travel in the city.

Venice became Austrian territory when Napoleon signed the Treaty of Campo Formio on 12 October 1797. The Austrians took control of the city on 18 January 1798. It was taken from Austria by the Treaty of Pressburg in 1805 and became part of Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy, but was returned to Austria following Napoleon's defeat in 1814, when it became part of the Austrian-held Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia. In 1848–1849, a revolt briefly reestablished the Venetian Republic under Daniele Manin. In 1866, following the Third Italian War of Independence, Venice, along with the rest of the Veneto, became part of the newly created Kingdom of Italy.

During the Second World War, the historic city was largely free from attack, the only aggressive effort of note being Operation Bowler, a successful Royal Air Force precision strike on the German naval operations there in March 1945. The targets were destroyed with virtually no architectural damage done the city itself.[27] However the industrial areas in Mestre and Marghera and the railway lines to Padua, Trieste and Trento were repeatedly bombed.[28] On 29 April 1945, New Zealand troops under Freyberg reached Venice and relieved the city and the mainland, which were already in partisan hands.[29]

Subsidence[edit source | editbeta]

Further information: Acqua alta

  

Acqua alta or high water in Venice.

  

Venice and surroundings in false colour, from Terra. The picture is oriented with North at the top.

Foundations

The buildings of Venice are constructed on closely spaced wooden piles. Most of these piles are still intact after centuries of submersion. The foundations rest on the piles, and buildings of brick or stone sit above these footings. The piles penetrate a softer layer of sand and mud until they reach a much harder layer of compressed clay.

Submerged by water, in oxygen-poor conditions, wood does not decay as rapidly as on the surface.

Most of these piles were made from trunks of alder trees,[30] a wood noted for its water resistance.[31] The alder came from the westernmost part of today's Slovenia (resulting in the barren land of the Kras region), in two regions of Croatia, Lika and Gorski kotar (resulting in the barren slopes of Velebit) and south of Montenegro.[citation needed] Leonid Grigoriev has stated that Russian larch was imported to build some of Venice's foundations.[32] Larch is also used in the production of Venice turpentine.[33]

History[edit source | editbeta]

The city is often threatened by flood tides pushing in from the Adriatic between autumn and early spring. Six hundred years ago, Venetians protected themselves from land-based attacks by diverting all the major rivers flowing into the lagoon and thus preventing sediment from filling the area around the city. This created an ever-deeper lagoon environment.

In 1604, to defray the cost of flood relief, Venice introduced what could be considered the first example of a 'stamp tax'. When the revenue fell short of expectations in 1608, Venice introduced paper with the superscription 'AQ' and imprinted instructions, which was to be used for 'letters to officials'. At first, this was to be a temporary tax, but it remained in effect until the fall of the Republic in 1797. Shortly after the introduction of the tax, Spain produced similar paper for general taxation purposes, and the practice spread to other countries.

During the 20th century, when many artesian wells were sunk into the periphery of the lagoon to draw water for local industry, Venice began to subside. It was realised that extraction of water from the aquifer was the cause. The sinking has slowed markedly since artesian wells were banned in the 1960s. However, the city is still threatened by more frequent low-level floods (called Acqua alta, "high water") that creep to a height of several centimetres over its quays, regularly following certain tides. In many old houses, the former staircases used to unload goods are now flooded, rendering the former ground floor uninhabitable.

Some recent studies have suggested that the city is no longer sinking,[34][35] but this is not yet certain; therefore, a state of alert has not been revoked. In May 2003, the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi inaugurated the MOSE project (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico), an experimental model for evaluating the performance of hollow floatable gates; the idea is to fix a series of 78 hollow pontoons to the sea bed across the three entrances to the lagoon. When tides are predicted to rise above 110 centimetres, the pontoons will be filled with air, causing them to float and block the incoming water from the Adriatic Sea. This engineering work is due to be completed by 2014.[36]

Geography

  

Sestieri of Venice:

Cannaregio

Castello

Dorsoduro

San Marco

San Polo

Santa Croce

The historical city is divided into six areas or "sestiere" (while the whole comune (municipality) is divided into 6 boroughs of which one is composed of all 6 sestiere). These are Cannaregio, San Polo, Dorsoduro (including the Giudecca and Isola Sacca Fisola), Santa Croce, San Marco (including San Giorgio Maggiore) and Castello (including San Pietro di Castello and Sant'Elena). Each sestiere was administered by a procurator and his staff. Nowadays each sestiere is a statistic and historical area without any degree of autonomy.

These districts consist of parishes – initially seventy in 1033, but reduced under Napoleon and now numbering just thirty-eight. These parishes predate the sestieri, which were created in about 1170.

Other islands of the Venetian Lagoon do not form part of any of the sestieri, having historically enjoyed a considerable degree of autonomy.

Each sestiere has its own house numbering system. Each house has a unique number in the district, from one to several thousand, generally numbered from one corner of the area to another, but not usually in a readily understandable manner.

 

Climate

 

According to the Köppen climate classification, Venice has a Humid subtropical climate (Cfa), with cool winters and very warm summers. The 24-hour average in January is 2.5 °C (36.5 °F), and for July this figure is 22.7 °C (72.9 °F). Precipitation is spread relatively evenly throughout the year, and averages 801 millimetres (31.5 in).

Nu Venture have recently increased the frequncy on the 285 Hawkenbury to Tunbridge Wells service thanks to a recent contract signed with the towns biggest employer AXA who use the service to transfer staff between their Hawkenbury and Town Centre sites.

 

Here Dennis Dart SN03 EBZ turns from Benhall Mill Road into Forest Road on an extension of the route to Speldhurst.

 

Ex Go South Coast 3306

 

16th July 2016

I help aspiring and established photographers get noticed so they can earn an income from photography or increase sales. My blog, Photographer’s Business Notebook is a wealth of information as is my Mark Paulda’s YouTube Channel. I also offer a variety of books, mentor services and online classes at Mark Paulda Photography Mentor

 

All images are available as Museum Quality Photographic Prints and Commercial Licensing. Feel free to contact me with any and all inquiries.

 

Follow My Once In A Lifetime Travel Experiences at Mark Paulda’s Travel Journal

Enjoy

 

- Canon 5D Mark2.

- ISO 100, f22, 3.2 sec, 17mm.

- Canon 17-40 f/4 L.

- Tripod

 

View On Black

 

Standard 3 exposure (+2,0,-2 EV)

 

Processing

 

Photomatix

- Tonemapped generated HDR using detail enhancer option

Photoshop

- Adjustment of curves to increase the overall contrast (Linear)

- Adjustment of hue/saturation

- Soft Light layer

- Used USM on the background layer

- Reduced noise with Noiseware Pro

- Borders Added

  

Big Cypress National Preserve

Southern Florida

USA

 

Alligator photographed in a national preserve 45 minutes from my home. I have no idea of its length. The many reflections and color in the water were created by plants growing by the water. It appears I have a visiting dragonfly on its back.

 

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile endemic to the Southeastern United States. It is one of two living species in the genus Alligator within the family Alligatoridae.

 

Adult male American alligators measure 11.2 to 15.1 ft in length, and can weigh up to (999 lb). Females are smaller, measuring (8.5 to 9.8 ft) in length.

 

The American alligator inhabits freshwater wetlands, such as marshes and cypress swamps from Texas to southeastern and coastal North Carolina.

 

American alligators are apex predators and consume fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Hatchlings feed mostly on invertebrates.

 

They play an important role as ecosystem engineers in wetland ecosystems through the creation of alligator holes, which provide both wet and dry habitats for other organisms.

 

Throughout the year, in particular during the breeding season, American alligators bellow to declare territory and locate suitable mates. Male American alligators use infrasound to attract females.

 

The conservation status of the American alligator is listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

 

Historically, hunting had decimated their population, and the American alligator was listed as an endangered species by the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

 

Subsequent conservation efforts have allowed their numbers to increase and the species was removed from endangered status in 1987. The species is the official state reptile of three states: Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

 

This reminds me of one of the Star Wars films.

 

In other parts of the world this was also a blood moon, but there was no eclipse of the moon in the UK. However, it did appear during blue hour and this might explain the amazing red colour of the moon.

 

The unusually large moon is partly because this is a supermoon, but mainly because it was shot at 16km from the landmarks in the distance. Since haze increases with distance, this type of shot is best done in winter.

Cavendish Mews is a smart set of flats in Mayfair where flapper and modern woman, the Honourable Lettice Chetwynd has set up home after coming of age and gaining her allowance. To supplement her already generous allowance, and to break away from dependence upon her family, Lettice has established herself as a society interior designer, so her flat is decorated with a mixture of elegant antique Georgian pieces and modern Art Deco furnishings, using it as a showroom for what she can offer to her well heeled clients.

 

Today however, on this fine summer day, we are following Lettice as she and Gerald head south-west through the London streets in Gerald’s little Morris*. Taking the Brompton Road, they drive through Belgravia and then Chelsea as Brompton Road becomes Fulham Road. They drive past the Brompton Cemetery and through the historic centre of Walham Green before going on through Fulham, finally turning south along the Fulham High Street. Passing the Hurlingham Club along the banks of the Thames they continue to go south.

 

As Gerald drives his Morris over the Thames on Putney Bridge, Lettice glances around her. “I thought you were taking me to buy a new hat, Gerald.”

 

“I am Lettice darling.” he replies good naturedly.

 

“But this isn’t Bond Street. Far from it, in fact.” she counters as they reach the south side of the bridge, and she takes in a semi-circle of tall two and three storey Victorian and Edwardian brick buildings to their right and the crenelled tower of a stone church on their left. “Where are you taking me?”

 

“For a woman who has lived in London for nearly two years, you haven’t strayed far from Mayfair, have you Lettuce Leaf?” Gerald observes with a smirk.

 

“Don’t call me that Gerald! You know how I hate it! If you weren’t driving this car, “ scowls Lettice. “I’d hit you with my handbag.”

 

“Think of this like your own personal tour of Putney.”

 

“Putney?” Lettice’s eyes grow wide. “You’re taking me to a hatters in Putney?”

 

“Don’t be such an elitist Lettuce Leaf.”

 

Sulking in her seat, clutching her handbag with her arms folded across her chest she mutters, “That’s rich coming from you, the man who bemoans middle-class money paying for the acquisition of his frocks.”

 

“Just sit back, relax and enjoy the view, darling.” Gerald replies breezily as he turns off the Putney High Street and into a tree lined avenue which Lettice reads as being Hazlewell Road.

 

The pair drive in silence for a little while, Gerald concentrating on where they are going and Lettice looking at the view as Gerald suggested from her vantage point in the passenger seat alongside him.

 

“The houses seem awfully samey here, don’t you think?” she asks as they pass double storey Edwardian villa after double storey Edwardian villa made of red brick with bay windows, set in neat gardens behind privet hedges or low brick fences.

 

“No more than Pimlico,” Gerald observes. “Just newer is all.”

 

Gerald’s Morris finally pulls up in front of one such Edwardian villa. Lettice looks out of her door at it. The villa looks exactly the same as all the others on that side of the street: red brick with crenelled bay windows upstairs and down to either side of a porticoed door. In fact, the portico is one of the few differences that distinguish it from its neighbours either side. It has an arched portico which matches the arch in the lunette above the white painted front door, whereas its neighbours have square porticos with crenelling that matches that along the tops of the bay windows. Two banks of chimneypots at either side of the villa rise from the steeply hipped roof of shingles and a central attic balconette with French doors is flanked by oriel windows.

 

“Now, I want you to be good, Lettuce Leaf!” Gerald cautions his friend with a wagging finger encapsulated by his Dents driving glove**. “This is the home of Harriet Milford. Her father was a family solicitor. He died last year, leaving her an orphan. The house he left to her, but with no other real inheritance. With no income, so to speak, she has taken in lodgers.”

 

Lettice screws up her face in horror. “Lodgers! You’ve brought me to a lodging ho…”

 

“I said behave, Lettuce Leaf!” Gerald scolds her, arching his eyebrows. “I haven’t finished talking yet. Mr. Milford believed in education, but sadly only for boys. He wasn’t expecting to pass away before his daughter married, so without any employable skills, she’s turned her hand to what she can do.”

 

“And how did you come to meet this, Harriet Milford?” Lettice asks, her mouth a thin red lipsticked line of disapproval with turned down ends.

 

“She and I frequent the same haberdashers. After running into one another several times, I finally asked her what she did to buy so much ribbon and so many artificial flowers. And that was when she told me that having no real skill other than sewing, after her father died, as well as take in lodgers, she has turned her hand to millinery to make end meet.”

 

“I hope, my dear Gerald, that you aren’t expecting me to buy a hat from her out of pity.”

 

“Not at all, my dear. I’ve been here a number of times now, to take tea with Harriet, and I can assure you that her hat making skills rival that of Madame Gwendolyn. Already she has gained quite a reputation amongst the local ladies.”

 

Lettice snorts dismissively at the thought of the middle-class matrons of Putney and their choices of millinery.

 

Undeterred, Gerald continues, “Since Sadie has forbidden you to wear a hat from Selfridges to Leslie’s wedding, and I can’t say I disagree…”

 

“My hats from Sel…”

 

“I still haven’t finished!” Gerald interrupts his friend. “Since Sadie won’t let you wear a Selfridges hat to the wedding, and I won’t sit next to you at the wedding breakfast if you do, and you won’t go back to Madame Gwendolyn, I thought Harriet’s hat making skills would be the perfect solution. Now, come.” He puts his hand on the handle of his door and pushes it down, opening it slightly. He pauses just before getting out and turns back to his friend. “And remember to behave.”

 

“I always behave, Gerald!” Lettice defends herself as she opens her own door and steps out onto the sunny footpath.

 

Gerald walks around the front of the car and joins Lettice on the footpath. “Shall we?” he proffers his arm to his friend, which she accepts.

 

They step up to the black painted wrought iron gate flanked by two capped red brick pillars. Gerald opens the gate and together they walk in and up the garden path snaking across a well clipped lawn. Standing beneath the arched portico, Lettice can hear the notes of an oboe being played through one of the oriel windows open above. “That will be Cyril.” Gerald remarks as he depresses the doorbell next to the front door. The hollow ring that resounds through the hallway within is answered by a pair of scuttling footsteps as the front door is flung open exuberantly.

 

“Gerry darling!” gasps a young woman around Lettice’s age who throws her arms enthusiastically and perhaps a little overly familiarly around Gerald’s neck.

 

Lettice feels a momentary pang of jealousy in her stomach as she sees Gerald return Harriet’s enthusiastic embrace in a way that she thought only she and Gerald shared. With a quick flutter of her eyelashes, she dismisses the thought, but the pang in her stomach does not go away.

 

“Hullo Hattie darling!” He holds her at arm’s length. “My you do look well.”

 

“I sold another two hats yesterday, so I’m tickled pink, Gerry darling!” she gushes with a girlish giggle and a proud smile.

 

Lettice tries to force a cough. At the sound of Lettice gently clearing her throat, the spell between Gerald and Harriet is broken and Gerald quickly returns his attentions to Lettice. “Harriet, may I present my childhood chum, the Honourable Lettice Chetwynd. Lettice, Miss Harriet Milford.”

 

Lettice takes in Harriet’s appearance from the top of her head to the tip of her toes. Looking more closely at her Lettice decides that she is actually possibly a year or two younger than she and Gerald are, with mousy brown hair cut into a soft bob. Her floral cotton frock with its drop waist and side flounces must surely be home made, yet it is obviously made well as it sits on her slender figure every bit as smartly as Lettice’s outfit, which has been expertly cut for her by Gerald. Her shoes show the wear of a few years and her stockings have been carefully mended. She looks across at Lettice with a pretty face, free of makeup. Her brown eyes are like deep pools, clear and bright, and they are framed by naturally long lashes.

 

“How do you do, Miss Chetwynd.” Harriet says in a polite and well bred voice.

 

“How do you do, Miss Milford.” she replies, returning Harriet’s open smile with a polite one of her own.

 

“Tut, tut, Hattie!” Gerald says, reaching across and plucking a piece of red cotton off Harriet’s shoulder, which Lettice finds an uncomfortably intimate gesture. Holding it out in front of Harriet he continues, “You mustn’t be answering the door wearing loose threads.” He smiles cheekily.

 

“Oh I’m busy making a new hat to replenish my stocks.” Harriet replies, blushing as she lowers her lids, and holds out her hands to accept the trailing thread of red. “Please, come this way Miss Chetwynd,” she adds, ushering Lettice and Gerald into the house. “You know the way Gerry darling.”

 

“Gerry darling?” Lettice queries quietly with a cocked eyebrow and a mirthful smile as she slips past the blushing Gerald and follows her hostess across the threshold into the black and white tiled hallway stuffed with Edwardian vestibule furniture.

 

“Please make yourself comfortable in here, Miss Chetwynd,” Harriet says, flinging open the first door on the left side of the hallway and indicating with an extended arm for Lettice to enter. “I’ll be like Polly and pop the kettle on. Back in a jiffy*** my dears!” And with scuttling footsteps she disappears into the gloom of the house further down the hallway.

 

Walking into the room as she has been told, Lettice gazes around it. Noting the flouncy Edwardian settee an matching armchair by the fire she remarks, “This is obviously the parlour.” Noticing a sewing machine sitting in the bay window where it can get the best light she adds, “Or was.”

 

It is then, as Gerald indicates with an open gesture to what must once have been a tea table, that Lettice sees several beautifully fashioned hats propped on wooden hatstands basking in the diffused light coming through the lace scrim curtains of the bay window. She gasps at the sight of them and immediately walks up to scrutinise them more closely. Two are made of straw and one of felt. The felt hat is dyed a dramatic turquoise colour and is trimmed with fine braid, garlands of ribbons and feathers dyed to match the shade of the felt. One of the straw hats is dyed a romantic shade of soft mauve, whilst the other remains its natural colour. The mauve hat’s romance is added to by a mixture of artificial flowers and clusters of ribbons woven expertly around the brim. The other hat is plainer with less decoration, yet its restrained treatment makes it every bit as elegant as the mauve hat. None of them would look out of place at Ascot or a tea party at Buckingham Palace.

 

Lettice thumbs the may green ribbon of the plain straw hat thoughtfully. “These are exquisite, Gerald.”

 

“I knew you’d like Hattie’s work.” Gerald sighs with satisfaction.

 

*Morris Motors Limited was a privately owned British motor vehicle manufacturing company established in 1919. With a reputation for producing high-quality cars and a policy of cutting prices, Morris's business continued to grow and increase its share of the British market. By 1926 its production represented forty-two per cent of British car manufacturing. Amongst their more popular range was the Morris Cowley which included a four-seat tourer which was first released in 1920.

 

**Dents is a British company that crafts luxury leather gloves, handbags, small leather goods. Dents is known for its hand cutting, sewing, and stitching techniques, which are still practised today on some limited top end products, most merchandise being purchased from third-party factories. Dents was established in Worcester in 1777 as a manufacturer of fine leather gloves by John Dent (1751–1811). It is possibly Britain's oldest existing fashion manufacturer. Dent's sons, John and William, helped the company expand throughout the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries. In 1845, mechanical sewing was introduced to the company to assist craftspeople. The company has a modern factory in Warminster, Wiltshire, having been present in the town since 1937.

 

***The expression in a jiffy was in use as early as 1780. It is a colloquial English expression for “in a short amount of time.” The origins of jiffy are unknown, though there are theories. One suggestion is that it comes from British thieves’ slang for “lightning,” hence very fast. An early instance appears in 1780 edition of Town and Country Magazine: “Most of the limbs of the law do every thing in a jiffy”.

 

Contrary to popular belief, fashion at the beginning of the Roaring 20s did not feature the iconic cloche hat as a commonly worn head covering. Although invented by French milliner Caroline Reboux in 1908, the cloche hat did not start to gain popularity until 1922, so even though this story is set in that year, picture hats, a hangover from the pre-war years, were still de rigueur in fashionable society and whilst Lettice is fashionable, she and many other fashionable women still wore the more romantic picture hat. Although nowhere near as wide, heavy, voluminous or as ornate as the hats worn by women between the turn of the Twentieth Century and the Great War, the picture hats of the 1920s were still wide brimmed, although they were generally made of straw or some lightweight fabric and were decorated with a more restrained touch.

 

This rather cluttered and chaotic scene of a drawing room cum workroom may look real to you, but believe it or not, it is made up entirely with pieces from my 1:12 miniatures collection, including pieces from my childhood.

 

Fun things to look for in this tableau include:

 

1:12 size miniature hats made to such exacting standards of quality and realism such as these are often far more expensive than real hats are. When you think that it would sit comfortably on the tip of your index finger, yet it could cost in excess of $150.00 or £100.00, it is an extravagance. American artists seem to have the monopoly on this skill and some of the hats that I have seen or acquired over the years are remarkable. The natural yellow straw hat with green trim and the mauve dyed straw hat with mauve and green trim were both made by the same unknown artisan in America. The aqua hat behind the two straw hats was made by an unknown British artisan. All three hats were acquired through auctions on E-Bay. The hat stands the hats rest on are all part of a larger collection I bought from an American miniature collector Marilyn Bickel. The multi coloured feathers in the earthenware vase on the table behind the hats also belonged to Marilyn Bickel.

 

The copies of Weldon’s Dressmaker and the Lady’s World Fancy Work Book are 1:12 size miniatures made by the British miniature artisan Ken Blythe. Most of the books I own that he has made may be opened to reveal authentic printed interiors. In some cases, you can even read the words, depending upon the size of the print! I have quite a large representation of Ken Blythe’s work in my collection, but so little of his real artistry is seen because the books that he specialised in making are usually closed, sitting on shelves or closed on desks and table surfaces. In this case, the magazines are non-opening, however what might amaze you is that all Ken Blythe’s books and magazines are authentically replicated 1:12 scale miniatures of real volumes. To create something so authentic to the original in such detail and so clearly, really does make this a miniature artisan piece. Ken Blythe’s work is highly sought after by miniaturists around the world today and command high prices at auction for such tiny pieces, particularly now that he is no longer alive. I was fortunate enough to acquire pieces from Ken Blythe prior to his death about four years ago, as well as through his estate via his daughter and son-in-law. His legacy will live on with me and in my photography which I hope will please his daughter.

 

The spools of ribbon, the tape measure, the silver sewing scissors in the shape of a stork and the box of embroidery threads I acquired from Kathleen Knight’s Dolls’ House in the United Kingdom.

 

The table on which all these items stand is a Queen Anne lamp table which I was given for my seventh birthday. It is one of the very first miniature pieces of furniture I was ever given as a child.

 

The sewing machine to the left of the photo, I bought from Melody Jane’s Doll House Suppliers in the United Kingdom. It is made with extreme attention to detail, complete with a painted black metal body, authentic sewing mechanisms and a worksurface “inlaid” with mother-of-pearl.

 

The round white metal sewing tin on the sewing machine’s surface is another artisan piece I have had since I was a young teenager. If you look closely you will see it contains a black velvet pin cushion, a pair of sewing scissors, needles, threads and two thimbles. Considering this is a 1:12 artisan miniature, imagine how minute the thimbles are! This I bought from a high street shop that specialised in dolls and doll house furnishings. It does have a lid which features artificial flowers and is trimmed with braid, but I wanted to show off the contents of the tin in this image, so it does not feature.

 

The spools of red, yellow, orange and blue cottons come from various online shops who sell dollhouse miniatures.

 

The salon chair drawn up to the sewing machine is part of a Marie Antionette suite with pretty floral upholstery which has been made by the high-end miniatures manufacturer, Creal.

 

Harriet’s family photos seen cluttering the mantlepiece and the bookshelf in the background are all real photos, produced to high standards in 1:12 size on photographic paper by Little Things Dollhouse Miniatures in Lancashire. The frames are almost all from Melody Jane’s Dollhouse Suppliers in the United Kingdom and are made of metal with glass in each.

 

The porcelain clock on the mantlepiece is made by M.W. Reutter Porzellanfabrik in Germany, who specialise in making high quality porcelain miniatures.

 

The Edwardian mantlepiece is made of moulded plaster and was acquired from Kathleen Knight’s Doll’s House in the United Kingdom.

 

The bookshelf in the background comes from Babette’s Miniatures, who have been making miniature dolls’ furnishings since the late eighteenth century.

 

The paintings and prints on the walls all come from Kathleen Knight’s Doll’s House in the United Kingdom.

Paul Gauguin (Paris, 7 June 1848 - Hiva Oa, 8 May 1903) - Nativity - Te tamari no atua (1896) - Oil on canvas 96.0 x 131.1 cm - Neue Pinakothek (Temporarily at Alte Pinakothek) Monaco

 

L'iscrizione si traduce come "Figli di Dio". Così Gauguin ha usato erroneamente il plurale, ma intendeva "figlio di Dio". In questo dipinto si riferisce a un'esperienza molto personale: alla fine del 1896, la ragazza tahitiana Pahura che viveva con lui aveva dato alla luce un bambino che morì dopo pochi giorni. L'imminente morte del neonato è indicata nel dipinto dall'infermiera con il berretto nero e dall'angelo dietro di lei. La "balia" è molto simile in apparenza alle rappresentazioni dello spirito dei morti di Tahiti. Qui il bambino viene preso alla madre dalla morte e viene dato all'angelo. La figura dell'angelo, l'interno della stalla e gli aloni di madre e figlio sono mezzi per riempire la rappresentazione di senso cristiano. Tuttavia, questa allusione alla nascita di Cristo nella stalla di Betlemme non si spiega né con la pietà del pittore né con la sua possibile intenzione di far partecipare gli indigeni alla dottrina cristiana della salvezza, ma è piuttosto un mezzo già collaudato per aumentare il significato, che Gauguin ha usato più volte. Numerosi artisti lo hanno seguito in questo lavoro, dai "Nabis" agli artisti contemporanei.

 

The inscription translates as "Children of God". So Gauguin mistakenly used the plural, but he meant "Son of God". In this painting he refers to a very personal experience: at the end of 1896, the Tahitian girl Pahura who lived with him had given birth to a child who died a few days later. The imminent death of the newborn child is indicated in the painting by the nurse wearing the black cap and the angel behind her. The "nurse" is very similar in appearance to the representations of the spirit of the dead in Tahiti. Here the baby is taken from the mother by death and given to the angel. The figure of the angel, the interior of the stable and the halos of mother and child are means to fill the representation with Christian meaning. However, this allusion to the birth of Christ in the stable in Bethlehem can be explained neither by the painter's piety nor by his possible intention to involve the natives in the Christian doctrine of salvation, but is rather a tried and tested means of increasing meaning, which Gauguin used several times. Many artists have followed him in this work, from the "Nabis" to contemporary artists.

So here goes the Sunday church shot. This is the main sanctuary of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York. The last time I was here, the sanctuary was closed so had to return back with a shot of the chapel.

 

See it BIG.

 

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[Photo Specs]

- No HDR. Digital blending of 3 exposures (3 secs to 30 secs) at f/10, ISO 100 using Photoshop smartobjects

- Layer of curves for contrast

- Layer of saturation (reduced master and yellow, increased red)

- Channel mixer adjustment (green) to bring out the real colors of the green walls and the ceiling

- Layer of unsharp mask at the end

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Explore highest position # 24 on Feb 24, 2009.

Friends, thank you for your visit, comments, and faves.

1/20 - f/8 - 560mm - ISO 100

The price of Japanese vegetables has not increased since 1997.

ift.tt/2gdk3Lr

The Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission takes us over part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Most of the archipelago is part of Nunavut – the largest and northernmost territory of Canada.

 

The archipelago covers an area of around 1 500 000 sq km and consists of 94 major islands and more than 36 000 minor ones. The archipelago is bound by the Beaufort Sea to the west and by Hudson Bay and the Canadian mainland to the south – largely obscured by clouds in this image.

 

The various islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago are separated by a series of waterways collectively known as the Northwest Passage. In the past, the Northwest Passage has been impassable owing to its thick, year-round sea ice.

 

However, owing to significant changes in the Arctic climate, summer sea ice has decreased substantially and has led to an increasing number of vessels navigating through this once-impossible route.

 

In this image, captured on 27 July 2019, sea ice can be seen in the waterways of the Canadian Archipelago, as well as broken-up sea ice in the Beaufort Sea. Numerous, large ice floes are seen at the southern margin of the pack ice, and can be seen drifting southwards. As the pack ice drifts and encounters warmer waters, the ice is more prone to rapid melting.

 

According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), the sea ice extent in July 2019 declined at an average daily rate of 105 700 sq km – exceeding the 1981 to 2010 average rate of 86 800 sq km per day.

 

This image was captured in the days when several wildfires were burning in the Arctic, specifically Siberia. In this image, a wildfire can be seen on mainland Canada, along the Mackenzie River, and smoke plumes are visible blowing westwards.

 

Banks Island – the westernmost island of the Arctic Archipelago – is visible in the centre of the image. The island has a large population of Arctic foxes, as well as caribou, polar bears and wolves. A number of glacial lakes can be seen in emerald green on the east side of the island.

 

Victoria Island lies to the east of Banks Island, and can be identified with its deeply indented coast. With an area of around 200 000 sq km, Victoria Island is only slighter smaller than the island of Great Britain.

 

This image is also featured on the Earth from Space video programme.

 

Credits: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2019), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

MM-23R “Temare” Medium Combat Frame (Missile variant)

 

While designed as an anti-air variant of the Temare, the cluster missile pods it carries are equally effective at engaging ground targets. Most pilots forgo handheld weapons to minimize weight and increase jumpjet performance.

 

Equipment:

- 4 missile pods

- Quad jump jets

 

-SuspendedAnimation-: Original rascal mech design, I believe (www.flickr.com/photos/160654348@N03/51691653110/)

~ Gandhi

 

Hey there everyone! I just wanted to stop by and say hi! My son starts school again in about a week and I should be able to find some time soon to visit and see what everyone's been up to this summer! I've missed you all and hope that your summer has treated you as well as mine has!

 

Also, for those of you who have a Facebook account, look me up! I'm there under my full name: Kesha Linehan! Since I haven't had time to really do any artistic photography lately, I post all my "fun" photos there.

 

This image looks better when Viewed Large On Black.

The Unistar backed shipments to Savareen had been increasing over the last few months. It became clear to SCS Command that they were preparing for a hostile takeover of the planet. In order to protect the Imperial assets on the ground, dozens of anti-aircraft guns were set up along the 20 mile beach head. Their orders were to blast any ship with yellow markings out of the sky. It wasn’t long before the enemy cargo ships started arriving with starfighter escorts.

   

“2 targets on the horizon” yelled the spotter with his macrobinoculars held up to his eyes.

 

The stormtrooper manning the gun stood up and recalibrated the gunsight settings. “Distance: 5000 feet. Height: 650 feet” he called out.

 

The spotter relayed the changing distance in response. “4900 feet…4800 feet…4700 -“

 

“Target acquired” confirmed the gunner.

 

The twin barrelled gun fired short controlled bursts, pausing intermittently to recalibrate its aim.

 

“Hit” yelled the spotter over the noise as the crew watched the cargo ship nose dive into the ocean. There were some jeers and pats on the back for the gunner before the spotter interrupted them with an update.

 

“The escorts not turning around” he warned. “2900 feet”

 

The gunner snapped his attention back to his weapon and readjusted the targeting system. He fired and watched the blue laser blasts sail over the fighter bearing down on them.

 

“He’s dropping low” shouted the spotter.

 

“These guns weren’t made for hitting fighters” thought the gunner, missing again.

 

“1500 feet and closing!”

 

“I need a reload!” yelled the gunner.

 

The fighter was nearly close enough to see the pilot inside the cockpit now. His weapon systems were in range and in seconds he had lit up the beach forcing the anti-air crew to hit the deck. The gunner kept firing.

 

“HIT!” he yelled as the smoking fighter crashed into the tree line behind them.

 

Dusting themselves off, they waited for the explosion. None came.

 

“No fire” said the spotter grinning. They called it in and the remains of the fighter were recovered. The pilot was in pieces but the fighter was still partially intact.

 

“IDMR are gonna have a field day with this” said the gunner. “They’ve been looking for a Unistar fighter since that pilot defected.”

The Holy Scriptures speaks about increase lawness and cruelty in the last days.

I'm sure this is not confined within one location or a country, but all across the world, an increase lawlessness abound. If we haven't witnessed real time cruelty done to another human being, pay attention to animals. Countless animal cruelty happening that it's ignored, tolerated or just majority of people couldn't be bothered to raised alarms against the practice.

As I love animals, this cruelty has impacted me.

 

Matthew 24:12

"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."

 

Proverbs 12:10

"Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel."

 

Luke 12:6

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God."

 

Numbers 22:32

"And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me."

 

Isaiah 66:3

"“He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck; he who presents a grain offering, like one who offers pig's blood; he who makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol. These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations;"

 

Job 38:42

"Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?"

 

God gave man dominion over animals but not to abuse them.

   

Один из вариантов Нивы - база как у 2129 / 2131, увеличенный задний свес, справа 2 двери, слева всего одна

One of Niva version - wheelbase like 2129 / 2131, rear overhang and roof are increased, in the right side 2 doors, in left - only one door

At one time, the populations of American alligators was decimated by hunting. But, with good management their numbers have increased and their current conservation status is Least Concern.

 

Unknown to many- but yes. Oklahoma has wild, native alligators.

 

Our beautiful world, pass it on.

I don't no what English name or else, in TH name we called: Bao Sa Won: meaning is the lotus of the heaven.

Captured by Nikon D90, edited by Aperture.

 

Thank you to interesting&saved trees, they are increase oxygen for us:)

 

My stream: www.darckr.com/username?username=11569107%40N06

White light: Takahaski 120 mm 1.4X extender Lunt wedge Televue 2X powermate Nikon Z8

Calcium light: Lunt 80 mm Lunt calcium module Televue 2X powermate ZWO 1294 camera.

 

Sunspot 3976-8 is large and complex and in calcium shows activity that might yet ramp up to a significant flare.

One of the features of the Sk8 Park in Grimsby, Ontario is a group of small billboard-style panels specifically intended to host the artistic expressions of those visiting the site. As a result, graffiti is encouraged in places that are acceptable. Furthermore, periodic cleanup of the panels by town staff ensures regular refreshment of the subject matter. This image was taken in mid-February, the dead of Winter, so the snow-covered park was not in regular use and had not been for several months. The last round of painting had been ignored, likely waiting for Spring to get a refresh, with the consequence being the multiple layers of paint had weathered and flaked off leaving colourful abstracts when viewed up close. This section features and area with yellow and green patches. - JW

 

Date Taken: 2019-02-21

 

Taken using a hand-held Nikon D7100 fitted with an AF-S DX Nikkor 12-24mm 1:4 lense set to 12mm, Daylight WB, ISO100, Program mode, f/8.0, 1/250 sec. PP in free open Source RAWTherapee from Nikon RAW/NEF source file: set final image width to 9000px, adjust Tone Curve 2 in parametric mode by darkening the ‘Darks’ and ‘Lights’ slightly, enable HDR Tone Mapping and apply a light amount of HDR, enable Shadows/Highlights and recover highlights just enough that the ‘white’ areas of paint show detail/texture, boost contrast and Chromaticity in L-A-B mode, set White Balance to Daylight (5300K), boost Vibrance, sharpen (edges only), save. PP in free Open Source GIMP: increase overall contrast, fine tune overall tonality using the Tone Curves tool, sharpen, save, scale image to 6000px wide, sharpen slightly, save, add fine black-and-white frame, add bar and text on left, save, scale image to 2048px wide for posting online, sharpen slightly, save.

Sony ﾐﾗｰﾚｽｶﾒﾗの凄さを実感。

2015*11*18 上田ｺｳﾉﾄﾘ、J0041こと、ゆきちゃん、住宅街の電柱にお昼頃。朝は、水抜中のため池でﾄﾞｼﾞｮｳ等を捕食と、地元の方よりご連絡頂きました。2月になると、今年も昨年も、ペアを求めてか飛び立ちましたが、余程上田の塩田平ため池群の食、住環境が、気に入っているようで、昨年同様夏には、上田市に戻り今日現在も滞在中です。明日は、息子の推薦入試。繊維学部と言えば何処か、わかってしまいそうですが、私が写真を撮り続けるきっかけは、この我が子供たちへ伝えたい事があるからです。それは、自分の身の回りの人や環境にふれあい、現場を知ることにより、学問は活かされると伝えたいのです。仕事も、教育も、政治も、もう少し現場主義で行きませんか？そう話すと、子供らは、笑いますが。しかし、机上の空論を、教壇で、議事堂で今日も繰り広げるこの瞬間にも、この日本の世の中が何処に向かってるのかを考えると、もうそつなくこなせばいいと言う、そんな時代ではないと私達大人が認識すべきだと思います。写真も人生も、世の中も、ただ綺麗に仕上げたものだけを見たい訳じゃない。その裏側にある真実を知りたい、真実の姿を観察した上で、これからの世の中の、子供らの、そして自分の行く先の対策を見据えたいだけなのです。人間は欲張りで、美味しいものばかり頂き過ぎると、苦いものを噛みしめてみたくなる。そうして、心や、己の人生のホメオスタシスを保とうとしているのかも知れません。

In JAPAN ,Oriental white stork is designated and protected as one of the special national species. TOYO -OKA in Hyogo prefecture has contributed to the protection for many years. Thanks to the effort, the number of the storks has been increasing recently . Two years ago, one of them flew all the way from Toyo - oka to our town UEDA city in NAGANO. After that, she has visited and stayed here in UEDA many times , especially around the district of SHIODA DAIRA. It's said that there are more than 60 ponds called TAMEIKE used for rice farming . So she seems to like these surroundings as variety kinds of food or living things are available for her good appetite.

昨日朝に🆙して、すでに本日早朝、2000近い、閲覧数なのですが、何処かにリンクされているようです。海外のようです。

Cap matches colour of contents

 

Bomb the steezy way

 

Dcypher

 

Enamel

 

With CBS rust inhibitor

 

Increased painting speed

 

Insane can control

 

Wilder styles

 

No 1995

 

Destined to rule

 

Warning - Flammable burners

 

Keep away from walls & trains

►►► Explore the world of HDR with me at farbspiel-photo.com - View. Learn. Connect.

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About  |  HDR Cookbook  |  Before-and-After  |  Making-of  |  Pics to play with

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(Hit 'f' to fave this image)

 

Watch the Before and After - Comparison to see where this photo comes from!

 

The story of this photo:

I revisited the shots from our Paris trip last year and found a bracketed series of shots of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel which is positioned in front of the Louvre. I decided to process it and share it with you.

 

This is one of the rare night HDRs you will find in my stream. I love night shots with great lighting. However, I still have a hard time getting used to carrying around a tripod. I have bought a real light-weight carbon tripod to increase the likelihood of me actually taking it with me. And yet, I still feel that I have a lot more freedom and I am a lot faster without it, getting more shots from more angles. As a result, I have developed some skills of shooting hand-held in low-light conditions, something that comes in handy in churches where tripod are forbidden. Still, I have to get used to using the tripod more often.

 

BTW, you can find a shot of this place in day light here. This earlier shot was one of my very first uploads to flickr. Go and visit it! It may feel a bit lonesome on the very last page of my stream. :-)

 

Enjoy!

 

Take a look at my "HDR Cookbook"! It contains some more information on my techniques.

 

How it was shot:

> Taken with a tripod

> Three exposures (0, -2, +2 ev) autobracketed

> Camera: Nikon D90

> Lens: Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3,5-5,6G ED VR

> Details can be found here

 

How it was tonemapped:

> HDR creation and tonemapping using Photomatix Pro 4.0 (Detail Enhancer)

> Saved as 16bit TIF

 

How it was post-processed:

> Post-processing was done in Photoshop

> Topaz Adjust on the entire image to get back the colors and the details [details]

> Topaz Denoise on the entire image [details]

> Topaz Infocus for sharpening

> Levels layer on the sky (darkening)

> Curves layer on the arch to enhance the contrast

> Saturation layer on the arch (master / yellows)

> Black fill layer on the arch masked with the in verted blue channel (contrast enhancement)

> Levels layer on the black elements of the rach (darkening)

> Saturation layer on the horses (master)

> Vignette effect using a masked fill layer [details]

> Watermarking

 

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Learn these techniques at farbspiel-photo.com - View. Learn. Connect.

 

- Thanks for viewing!

Pesci (19 febbraio - 20 marzo)

Nel 2010, se cercherai di allargare la tua esperienza del piacere, il cosmo ti aiuterà più di quanto non faccia da tempo. Vuoi trarre più gioia sensuale dal mangiare, bere, ballare e ascoltare musica? Questo è l’anno giusto. Vuoi essere più sensibile, scoprire nuove forme di bellezza nel mondo e stimolare emozioni liberatorie e sensazioni positive? Questo è l’anno giusto. Vuoi rendere più intensi e frequenti i tuoi orgasmi, e imparare a usarli per aumentare la tua forza spirituale? Questo è l’anno giusto. Nelle prossime settimane comincia non solo ad alimentare, ma a sovralimentare il tuo piacere. Felice sballo di San Valentino, Pesci!

 

Engineering work being carried out on the Calder Valley line this week has seen an increase in freight traffic over the Standedge route 60096 is seen on the approach to Diggle Junction with a diverted Liverpool Bulk Terminal to Drax Power Station Biomass train.

Popped down to Pt Willunga to get some photo's of the old jetty down there as the sun was going down. Not to many people around taking photo's of this, not like other times I have been down there. The water was a bit fresh and the rocks can be a bit slippery.

 

Enjoy

 

- Canon 5D Mark2.

- ISO 100, f14, 1/6 sec, 17mm.

- Canon 17-40 f/4 L.

- Tripod

 

View On Black

 

Standard 3 exposure (+2,0,-2 EV)

 

Processing

 

Photomatix

- Exposure Blended

Photoshop

- Adjustment of curves to increase the overall contrast (Linear)

- Adjustment of hue/saturation

- Overlay/Mask of +2 EV for the poles and some of the forgound rocks

- Used USM on back ground Layer

- Reduced noise with Noiseware Pro

- Sig/Borders Added

 

About Pt Willunga Jetty

 

The first jetty was built in 1853 and several months later an additional 52 metres was added. However this still gave inadequate water at low tide. The placement of the jetty was also questioned. In 1857 the jetty was extended again to give a length of 145 metres.

 

Port Willunga was at this time one of the busiest ports in the colony of South Australia with the large wheat crops of the immediate interior being exported from its jetty. The farmers petitioned for a new and longer jetty and this was constructed in 1867 some 400 metres to the south of the old jetty. It was opened in February 1868. A depth of between 3 and 3.6 metres at medium low water was achieved.

 

Local farmers petitioned for a further extension and a T-head but this was not agreed to. By the early 1870s the grain trade was depressed: the local flour mills had been closed by 1900. Slate continued to be exported for some time from the jetty. By the early 20th century the jetty was in disrepair, but still frequented by the local population, and visited by the occasional ship.

Today only a few piles remain below the cliffs as a reminder of Port Willunga's past.

The Smithsonian Institution, established in 1846 "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge," is a group of museums and research centers administered by the United States government. Originally organized as the "United States National Museum," that name ceased to exist as an administrative entity in 1967. Termed "the nation's attic" for its eclectic holdings of 137 million items, the Institution's Washington, D.C. nucleus of nineteen museums, nine research centers, and zoo—many of them historical or architectural landmarks—is the largest such complex in the world. Additional facilities are located in Arizona, Maryland, New York City, Virginia, Panama and elsewhere, and 168 other museums are Smithsonian affiliates. The Institution's thirty million annual visitors are admitted without charge; funding comes from the Institution's own endowment, private and corporate contributions, membership dues, government support, and retail, concession and licensing revenues. Institution publications include Smithsonian and Air & Space magazines.

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithsonian_Institution

 

Texture 82 by Anna Lenabem: www.flickr.com/photos/lenabem-anna/5377434850/

 

Visit my Kreative People group Highlight Gallery

Hi friends, time for a new upload after some absence. I spent a long weekend in the Algarve, Portugal. Was very excited to finally put my D700 and especially my new lens, the 14-24 mm f/2.8 to the test.

 

This shot was taken in a place called Praia Do Carvalho, a small and remote sandy beach, surrounded by rocks, cliffs and of course water. A single rock reached out in front, the view was breathtaking. On top of that I found out this natural hole to shoot through, so I literally screamed out loud ;-) To have the shot framed like this I had to go ultrawide, so my 14-24 came in really handy, a lens which really is out of this world btw. It blows the Sigma 10-20 I previously owned completely out of the water.

 

First time I used a DRI (Dynamic Range Increase) tool to blend multiple exposed shots. Was already a heavy Photomatix user, but DRI does an even better job than HDR. Basically, DRI has all the benefits of HDR, but without the halos; it just looks more natural. The tool is called Enfuse, and acts as a Lightroom plugin. You don't even have to leave Lightroom for the processing, it's all happening in the background. Processing takes quite a bit (I could make coffee and drink it), but the result is impressive plus there is hardly any noise to be found.

  

Captured at Praia Do Carvalho, Lagoa Municipality, Faro District, Algarve, Portugal.

  

Tech:

Nikon D700

Nikkor 14-24 mm f/2.8

14 mm

ISO 200

f/16

5 handheld xps from 1/6 to 1/100s

Merged in Enfuse

PP with Totally Rad Action Mix II and Nik Color Efex Pro

  

Must See Large And On Black!

 

Follow me:

allardschager.com | Twitter | Facebook Page | 500px

 

It was handheld. I tried to increased the f number to 14 to get a huge dof. I could have increased the ISO to 200 to get a sharper shot or shutter speed at say, (1/60) but i was sure that My hands are steady enough and moreover, I was in ground supported by knee

I help aspiring and established photographers get noticed so they can earn an income from photography or increase sales. My blog, Photographer’s Business Notebook is a wealth of information as is my Mark Paulda’s YouTube Channel. I also offer a variety of books, mentor services and online classes at Mark Paulda Photography Mentor

 

All images are available as Museum Quality Photographic Prints and Commercial Licensing. Feel free to contact me with any and all inquiries.

 

Follow My Once In A Lifetime Travel Experiences at Mark Paulda’s Travel Journal

Save a Life, Surrender your Knife.

Increase The Peace, Keep Knives Off The Street.

Cowards Carry Knives.

Project Zao

#DropTheKnifeSaveALife

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It truly is a magnificent sculpture which, if you get the chance, to see it for yourself. The vision and workmanship is outstanding. It's incredible from any angle. The up-lighting is delightful, although I only managed to see this effect for a few moments.

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My YouTube Video: Knife Angel. Derby Cathedral. Oct 2019

youtu.be/Wltn7gVv_9M

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Rachel Webb, whose son Tom was 22 years old when he was stabbed and killed in St Peter's Street, Derby, by a 16 year old boy in January 2016, has been instrumental in bringing the Angel to Derby. She supported a knife surrender held across Derbyshire and knives from this were donated towards the creation of this sculpture.

 

The knife Angel has been created as a National monument against violence and aggression at the British Ironworks Centre in Oswestry and is a memorial to those whose lives have been affected by knife crime. It is a 27ft high sculpture, which Alfie Bradley has designed and created single-handedly using over 100,000 knives surrendered and collected in nationwide amnesties in 2015/2016. The angel began it's tour around the UK in 2018 when it was housed outside of Liverpool Cathedral for December and January in order to raise awareness of the impact of knife crime on society, the victims and their families and friends.

It is currently on a city tour of the UK.

 

Knife crime is rising across the country. The Knife Angel's presence in derby is very much a symbol of the hard work of partners and communities across Derbyshire to halt this rise.

Derbyshire Police are spearheading a multi agency campaign called Project Zao, which aims to prevent causalities and stop venerable youngsters from seeing violence as the answer. It targets those who carry knives and delivers a hard hitting educational package to thousands of young people across the county.

 

All 43 national police forces, the Home Office, anti-violence groups across the UK and hundreds of families who have been affected by knife crime are all strongly supporting the Knife Angel. Relatives of those killed by knife crime were invited to engrave the blades with names and messages for their loved ones as part of the sculpture.

 

The Knife Angel is a symbol of defiance and change, shining a spotlight on Britain's knife crime problem and its impact on communities, families and individuals.

 

The Angel; is helping to raise awareness of violent crime and helping young people understand the reasons not to carry knives.

Please show your support and join us in standing up to knife crime!

I help aspiring and established photographers get noticed so they can earn an income from photography or increase sales. My blog, Photographer’s Business Notebook is a wealth of information as is my Mark Paulda’s YouTube Channel. I also offer a variety of books, mentor services and online classes at Mark Paulda Photography Mentor

 

All images are available as Museum Quality Photographic Prints and Commercial Licensing. Feel free to contact me with any and all inquiries.

 

Follow My Once In A Lifetime Travel Experiences at Mark Paulda’s Travel Journal

Another low-slung winter sunrise at work, in the middle of the North Sea.

 

A perfect start to the day.

 

Surprisingly little editing. Adjustment of contrast and slight exposure increase.

As freight car capacity and size increases, so does the horsepower requirement to move said cars. One of CN's "Super Switcher" sets heads north on the Camrose Sub after switching the Atla Steel Plant on the east side of Edmonton Alberta.

In Southern California, Fall brings the increase in chance of beautiful sunsets. Back on the first of November, when the sun was setting over an hour later than it is now, the stage was set for an incredible light show. If you’ve watched enough sunsets, you can start to pick up on patterns in the behavior of the light. Here we can see the clouds to the south alight as if on fire above Rancho Palos Verdes and the Santa Monica Pier. The band of that fiery red and orange light had not reached the clouds above where I was standing and more importantly directly to the west, but I know the pattern. The light travels across the clouds from the south to the north, and a few moments later the sky all around me light up just as vibrant. In this moment, a prelude to the larger show where I was standing, the color above the pier was fantastic and I shot a three image panorama at 135mm before scrambling to change lenses and shoot the color as it arrived.

 

Watch a time lapse of this sunset here: vimeo.com/298539178

"Upbeat Economic Outlook Suggests Support for Rate Increase" by REUTERS via NYT t.co/GkIf2kk3R7 (via Twitter twitter.com/felipemassone/status/662008915698282497)

“These are large, long-tailed sparrows with small heads and short but stout, seed-eating bills. Golden-crowned Sparrows feed on seeds and insects on the ground and in low vegetation. They whistle their slow, mournful-sounding songs from high perches and nest in dense, low vegetation. In migration and winter, they gather in loose flocks and mix with other sparrows, especially White-crowned Sparrows. Golden-crowned Sparrows are most visible during migration and winter, when they frequent forest edge, shrubs, chaparral, and backyards of the West Coast. They nest much farther north, in low, shrubby areas of tundra or at the edges of boreal forests….. When day length increases in the spring, the Golden-crowned Sparrow detects the change through photoreceptors (light-sensitive cells). Its body responds by putting on fat and getting an urge to migrate.”

Status : Least Concern

Source : Cornell Lab of Ornithology

 

Brown Acres – Jackson County – Oregon - USA

 

 

Name: Jason Cutter

 

Alias: Shame (Current), Boost (formerly).

 

Age: 31

 

Allegiance: Chaotic Neutral

 

Abilities: Can convert fear into an adrenaline like hormone that increases combat skill.

 

Orphaned at a young age, Jason grew up in foster care, struggling to find his way. At age 15, he was approached by ‘Ms Mercedes’ the head of an organisation known as A.N.G.E.L, who revealed to him that he possessed Meta-Human abilities and offered him a place on an early incarnation of ‘The Teenage Beings’, which he enthusiastically accepted. Acting as Boost, the team’s heavy hitter, Jason built a strong raport with his team members, and feeling more acceptance than he had ever felt, even forging a commited relationship with his team members.

 

However, when he was seventeen, the team went on an ill-fated final mission fighting the fledgling terrorist organisation ‘T.O.X.I.N’. What was initially meant to be a simple takedown mission went horribly wrong, and Ms. Mercedes was forced to make the decision sacrifice the team’s lives to prevent a massive disaster, only assuming their approval of the sacrifice. This action would haunt Mercedes for years to come, with her taking more care in training future incarnations of the team. However, unbeknownst to A.N.G.E.L, Jason had survived the incident, broken by the loss of the people he had loved the most.

 

Years later, the modern incarnation of The Teenage Beings went on a basic mission to take down a weapons factory run by T.O.X.I.N. Mid-way through the fight, a masked figure intervened and took down the T.O.X.I.N agents with brutal force. Knowing that she was listening through the team’s coms, the figure addressed Ms. Mercedes directly, dubbing himself ‘Her greatest Shame’ before escaping. After several similar incidents, The Team tracked down the masked figure, and, after an intense fight, his mask broke away, revealing the scarred face of Jason Cutter. Knowing that Mercedes had kept the existence of his incarnation of beings from the new team, he revealed what had happened to them to the new team, before vanishing once more. While the team went on, the revelation created an air of mistrust among The Teenage Beings towards Ms. Mercedes.

 

Shame has led a consistent campaign against A.N.G.E.L and Mercedes, seeing them as recruiting young Meta-Humans to be child soldiers. While not an all-out villain, even aiding the ‘Teenage Beings’ at times, Shame has also joined a few villainous teams fighting A.N.G.E.L, using them to meet his own personal vendetta and rarely believing in their causes.

 

I help aspiring and established photographers get noticed so they can earn an income from photography or increase sales. My blog, Photographer’s Business Notebook is a wealth of information as is my Mark Paulda’s YouTube Channel. I also offer a variety of books, mentor services and online classes at Mark Paulda Photography Mentor

 

All images are available as Museum Quality Photographic Prints and Commercial Licensing. Feel free to contact me with any and all inquiries.

 

Follow My Once In A Lifetime Travel Experiences at Mark Paulda’s Travel Journal