* Children being children [Theme: children in photos] (P1~A1)
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Finally!!
This is the other tree I have been yearning to shoot out in Zion National Park. The last time I was in Zion, I saw this tree off the road and instantly recognized it from a photo taken by Ryan Engstrom. I was on my way out of the park and swore that the next time I was in Zion I would shoot this little tree with the Milky Way behind it. Well it wasn't exactly the next time, I was there the weekend before this, with Flickr friend and AWESOME photographer William McIntosh. We wanted to get some night shots over the valley and of this tree. When we arrived things where looking good but about an hour before sunset all hell broke loose and the valley was hammered by 30-40 mile an hour winds and an awesome electrical storm. The storm continued for the next 5 days completely blocking the night sky. I decided to turn around and backtrack to a location I missed because of the storm. So, William and I decided to meet up again on my way back and try again. We setup and waited for the correct position despite the clouds completely covering the sky, I was sitting there praying the clouds would part long enough to get a shot off and low and behold right at my projected shot window, the clouds indeed parted somewhat and I grabbed this shot. There is a little cloud covering the main core but it kinda gives it a nebula effect. :)
Hope you like it. :)
Here's a link to William's awesome stream.
www.flickr.com/photos/mtsacprof
Thanks for taking the time to take a look at my photos, and as always, your views, comments, faves, and support are greatly appreciated!! Have a great Wednesday!! :)
If you have any questions about this photo or about photography in general, I will do my best to help, just post a comment or send me a Flickr mail and I will respond as quickly as possible.
For those of you new to photography, I would like to provide you with some very helpful videos that will help you get more from your photography. They where very useful to me while I was learning and I hope that they will help you out as well. Just click the link below and there are pre-made playlists on everything you could ever want to know about photography. I hope you enjoy them and as always my friends "Happy Shooting"
www.youtube.com/user/EricGaildot21Studios/playlists?sort=...
Pied Wagtail - Motacilla Alba
This species is instantly recognisable, with its black and white plumage and its long tail that always seems to be on the move. Pied Wagtails use a wide range of habitats and are even found nesting in the middle of our largest city centres. Outside the breeding season, Pied Wagtails gather to roost in reed beds, greenhouses or in bushes and trees in supermarket car-parks and petrol-stations. Presumably, they feel more secure when sleeping with the lights on.
Nest boxes are best sited where water and grass lawns are near-by. They use a wide variety of nest sites, from drainpipes to farm machinery.
Population:
UK breeding:
470,000 pairs
Pied Wagtail - Motacilla Alba
This species is instantly recognisable, with its black and white plumage and its long tail that always seems to be on the move. Pied Wagtails use a wide range of habitats and are even found nesting in the middle of our largest city centres. Outside the breeding season, Pied Wagtails gather to roost in reed beds, greenhouses or in bushes and trees in supermarket car-parks and petrol-stations. Presumably, they feel more secure when sleeping with the lights on.
Nest boxes are best sited where water and grass lawns are near-by. They use a wide variety of nest sites, from drainpipes to farm machinery.
Population:
UK breeding:
470,000 pairs
Pied Wagtail - Motacilla Alba
This species is instantly recognisable, with its black and white plumage and its long tail that always seems to be on the move. Pied Wagtails use a wide range of habitats and are even found nesting in the middle of our largest city centres. Outside the breeding season, Pied Wagtails gather to roost in reed beds, greenhouses or in bushes and trees in supermarket car-parks and petrol-stations. Presumably, they feel more secure when sleeping with the lights on.
Nest boxes are best sited where water and grass lawns are near-by. They use a wide variety of nest sites, from drainpipes to farm machinery.
Population:
UK breeding:
470,000 pairs
-Rashani
when i downloaded this image from my camera i knew instantly that i needed to convert it to black & white with just a bit of tint. to me i can better appreciate this flower's beautiful form, its graceful lines and subtle textures, without the distraction of colors.
225 days to go before my next trip to the Philippines.
Pied Wagtail - Motacilla Alba
This species is instantly recognisable, with its black and white plumage and its long tail that always seems to be on the move. Pied Wagtails use a wide range of habitats and are even found nesting in the middle of our largest city centres. Outside the breeding season, Pied Wagtails gather to roost in reed beds, greenhouses or in bushes and trees in supermarket car-parks and petrol-stations. Presumably, they feel more secure when sleeping with the lights on.
Nest boxes are best sited where water and grass lawns are near-by. They use a wide variety of nest sites, from drainpipes to farm machinery.
Population:
UK breeding:
470,000 pairs
I dropped my mitt and he instantly opened his eyes. I think he thought it was food. Taken south east Edmonton
My best photos are here: www.lacerta-bilineata.com/ticino-best-photos-of-southern-...
Western Green Lizard (Lacerta Bilineata) | Male In "Wedding Suit" During Mating Season In Spring | Monteggio (CH) | May 2021
More TICINO/TESSIN Wildlife Photos (all taken in my garden in Monteggio/Ti, Switzerland): it.lacerta-bilineata.com/ramarro-occidentale-lacerta-bili... (the website exists in ESPAÑOL, FRANÇAIS, ITALIANO, ENGLISH, DEUTSCH)
My latest ANIMAL VIDEO (warning, it's a bit shocking): www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T2-Xszz7FI
ABOUT THIS PHOTO:
When male western green lizards are in love, their face turns blue. This doesen't happen instantly (they can't change color at will like chameleons); the lizards need to shed their old, slightly less colorful (but also very pretty) skin first, and once that is accomplished, they appear in the beautiful "wedding suit" you can see in this photo.
With this look they try to impress the lady lizards during mating season, which lasts approximately from April to June, but the colors are the most striking in the immediate aftermath of the lizards losing their "old coat". I was very lucky to capture this gorgeous male at this very moment; in fact, you can still see parts of the old, dark skin covering the top of its head and other parts of the body where it hadn't quite come off yet.
But I was lucky in more than one sense with this photo. Let me explain (I have an idea some photographer or other here on Flickr will be able to sympathize with the anecdote that follows ;-). This year in May when I hoped to photograph the green lizards around my vacation home with my newly purchased camera, I soon realized something was different from the years before, because I couldn't find a single one of my green friends in their usual spots in my garden.
As I would learn over the next few days, the entire western green lizard population had relocated from my garden into a huge fly honeysuckle shrub just outside my garden next to an empty horse pasture where they were relatively safe from the growing number of cats in our village that had specialized in lizard hunting. Up in that shrub, not only was it hard for ground predators to get at them, but the lizards also had an excellent 360° view of their surroundings.
Western green lizards are naturally very shy, but this apparently traumatized group now had become hyper-alert to anything approaching them, and they immediately fled into the thickest of the leaves whenever I tried to get near enough for a usable photo. Now, I'm not one to give up easily (and I really, REALLY wanted to get those photos), so I tried every sneaky-stealth-approach technique I could think of (even crawling on all fours - which in hindsight was a terrible idea since all it did was making me look like the world's biggest and ugliest cat to the lizards) - but to no avail.
Completely exasperated, I came up with a new strategy. I would keep that fly honeysuckle shrub under constant observation; like an FBI agent preparing for a crackdown on a suspected Mafia hideout, I was there, watching and waiting, hour after hour, all day long. It took me another several days until I had finally figured out at what times of the day the males usually left the fly honeysuckle shrub; I wanted to know their "schedule" so I could be there before them and blend in with the environment, ready to photograph them as soon as they would show up on the ground.
And all my meticulous, hard work seemed to pay off: the first day I took this appraoch a gorgeous male showed up just where I expected it to (although Mr Lizard had me waiting for alomst two hours!). Alas, I hadn't considered where the sun would be and had installed myself in such a stupid angle that the lizard was backlit; in all the photos the little devil appeared only as a mostly black silhouette against the bright morning sun. I cursed my stupidity, tore out my hair and was close to throwing my expensive new camera against a wall in anger and frustration. Then I remembered the cold beer in the fridge and realized that life was still worth living, and I promised myself to do better next time.
The next day I was smart enough to make camp in a spot form where the object of my photographic desire would be perfectly lit (from the lizard's perspective, now I would be the black silhouette against the sun ;-). I waited. And I waited some more. And it was hot and getting hotter by the minute. After nearly 3 hours during which my neighbors started to give me very funny looks (in fact, they had already decided the day before that I must be crazy, what with standing motionless in front of a bush for several hours in the burning sun), around noon, I'd had enough. And that's when I heard something moving in the grass.
And there he was: barely visible through the thick green carpet, but definitely coming towards me. A few seconds later a virtual lizard king appeared, in all his gorgeous green and blue glory, and perfectly lit - and that's when I heard loud, happy voices approaching. Two young boys came running - and the lizard stopped dead in its tracks (unfortunately, it was still a bit too far away for a good photo). I'm not religious, but I started a quick prayer then and there (please God, please: let these kids not be running towards me - PLEASE!!!).
But nope, God apparently remembered that I usually refer to myself as agnostic, and surely enough the two boys ran right to where I was - and where Mr Lizard now wasn't. All that yelling and running was too much for my lizard king: goodbye and "auf Wiedersehen"; see ya next year - and off he went. And that was that. I couldn't believe it; I felt a frustration so intense wash over me I regretted ever having picked up a camera.
As for the kids, don't worry: both boys are alive and well ;-) It was the first day of their Pentecost holiday, and they had just arrived in the village. I was standing next to the empty horse pasture, and the two little boys now innocently asked me where the horsies went (they had obviously been looking forward to seeing them and now were very disappointed). I took a deep breath and muttered that I had no idea.
I don't know how other photographers would have felt in that situation, but I only wanted to be left alone (and possibly tear out what was left of my hair and reconsider that wall and what nice noise it would make upon collision with my camera ;-). Needless to say, the kids had other plans. Now that it was clear that there were no horsies, I had become the main attraction, and they weren't going anywhere. So I swallowed my anger, accepted that - obviously - the kids didn't do anything wrong (and also that I would probably never ever be able to get that desired shot with my new camera).
The boys were eager to know what I was photographing, and so I told them everything about western green lizards, about their amazing colors and how rare and shy they were, and that they were among the largest lizards in Europe and a protected species - and my two new friends became instantly fascinated. Now they wanted to wait and see this magical creature with their own eyes. I assured them there was no chance the lizard would come back after all the noise "we" had made, and just as I said this, one of the boys yelled "I see it!"
And sure enough, he was right. Apparently my lizard king had decided that a little yelling and running wasn't gonna get between him and his favorite sun-basking spot, a little heap of cut, dry grass underneath the fence of the horse pasture. I told the kids to be very still - which they were - and then we all got to see how this beautiful creature emerged from the grass, very, very slowly and carefully, and positioned itself on the heap of dry grass in such a way that it got the perfect amount of sunlight.
So in the end I got my portrait shot - and quite a few more in the weeks that followed (which you can find on my website www.lacerta-bilineata.com ). During the remainder of their holiday the two kids would run into me every now and then, and every time they excitedly talked about this fantastic, blue-headed reptile they had seen with me that day. I guess only time will tell, but I hope this encounter has sparked an interest in nature in them (I have a feeling the next time they spend their holiday in our little village, the horsies will have some reptilian competition ;-)
The curlew is the largest European wading bird, instantly recognisable on winter estuaries or summer moors by its long, downcurved bill, brown upperparts, long legs and evocative call. The curlew can be seen around the whole UK coastline with the largest concentrations found at Morecambe Bay, the Solway Firth, the Wash, and the Dee, Severn, Humber and Thames estuaries. Greatest breeding numbers are found in N Wales, the Pennines, the southern uplands and E Highlands of Scotland and the Northern Isles. RSPB
UK conservation status: Red
Taken @ Kidwelly
Press L or click on image for larger view
This is one of my last poppy photos of this year, still waiting to be published. Instantly I remember that evening when I was there, when this field was flooded by a heavy rainstorm. The field and me too, off course, and I had neither an umbrella with me nor a rain coat, off course. So the point was to hang on and wait. Fortunately I was still quite warm on that day and so I could sustain walking around completely soaked for a while. This evening was, for sure, my poppy highlight of this year.
Dies ist eins der letzten Mohnbilder von diesem Jahr, welches bisher noch auf seine Veröffentlichung gewartet hat. Ich muss sofort wieder an diesen Abend denken, als ich dabei war, als dieses Feld von einem heftigen Gewitterguß überschüttet wurde. Das Feld und ich natürlich auch. Und natürlich hatte ich weder einen Schirm noch eine Regenjacke dabei. Da hiess durchhalten und abwarten. Zum Glück war es damals noch recht warm, und so konnte ich es eine Weile aushalten völlig durchnässt durch die Gegend zu laufen. Der Abend war definitiv mein Mohnblumen Highlight für dieses Jahr.
The first time I met this rose in our kitchen. Instantly I was flashed and I kew that I have to capture that. When I was looking at the final result I was really overwhelmed of the power and the tenderness of this blossom. For me, this is one the the best flower photographs I have ever made. I love it. I made three different versions of it, and I will post the others from time to time
Das erste mal begegnete ich dieser Rose in unserer Küche. Sofort war ich hingerissen und wusste, dass ich das festhalten muss. Als ich das fertige Foto das erste mal betrachtete war ich überwältigt von der Kraft und Zärtlichkeit, die von direser Blüte ausgeht. Für mich ist das eins der schönsten Blütenfotos, die ich je gemacht habe. Ich liebe es. Ich habe drei Versionen des Fotos gemacht, da ich mich nicht entscheiden kann werde ich von Zeit zu Zeit die amderen Posten.
The quiet beauty of a pond or lake is instantly enhanced by a water lily's rounded leaves and starry flowers floating placidly on the surface. These unique aquatic plants can bloom in a range of colors anytime from late spring through fall in most regions of the country. Their leaves can be cup-shaped, star-shaped, and smooth or jagged. And while water lilies may be most visible on the surface of still freshwater, they are rooted in the mud below, where they overwinter and regrow the following year. Here are a few more interesting facts about these amazing flowers that will likely surprise you.
1. There Are Many Water Lily Colors
When you imagine a water lily, you probably think of the classic white bloom bursting from a deep green lily pad. But water lilies actually grow in a rainbow of colors, including pink, red, orange, yellow, purple, and blue. Tropical varieties take on jewel tones (purple, orange, bright blue, and yellow), whereas hardier varieties lean toward a pastel palette. Sometimes the blossoms on hardy varieties change shades as they age. Even the leaf colors vary from deep green to rich burgundy. Water lilies aren't just a one-trick pretty pony; they have more tricks up their sleeves.
2. Water Lilies Help Their Environment
Although they're primarily known for their stunning appearance, water lilies are actually important players in the aquatic ecosystem. These plants are found in shallow and still fresh water, as in ponds, lakes, and the edges of slow-moving streams. Because they rest on the water's surface, the flowers and pads provide shade, keeping the water cooler and preventing algae that thrives in heat from growing in excess. Water lilies also shelter fish from predatory birds and the heat of the sun.
3. The Water Lily Is July's Birth Flower
Attention July birthdays: Water lily is your flower. (Along with larkspur.) It's no wonder these bright blooms are linked to July, because they're mainly a summer flower. Water lilies bloom from May through September, putting July smack in the middle of prime season. In frost-free regions, water lilies bloom year-round. But you have to be lucky to catch a bloom, as each individual flower lasts for about four days before sinking under the water to decompose. The beauty is short-lived, but that makes it even more special.
4. The Water Lily Has Numerous Varieties
Each variety of these stunners (there are over 50 species) is unique, whether it's the shape, size, color, fragrance, or blooming pattern. Water lilies inhabit ponds, lakes, and streams all over the world. The largest variety is fittingly called the giant water lily. Other names for this huge flower are the Amazon water lily and the royal water lily. This massive, magnificent flower can grow to a diameter of three to six feet and can support 66 pounds of weight. That means a young child could perch on a giant pad, no problem.
5. The Water Lily Is an Important Spiritual Symbol
Water lilies mean many things in different areas of the world, but they have special significance in Buddhism and Hinduism. For these religions, the water lily symbolizes resurrection, because these flowers close up at night and reopen in the morning, similar to a spiritual rebirth. Buddhists also believe that the water lily represents enlightenment because a beautiful bloom emerges from the dark mud.
6. The Water Lily Is a Star in the Art World
The impressionist painter Claude Monet often used water lilies as a subject. In fact, he painted more than 250 pieces that featured this aquatic plant, and several of them are among his most famous works of art.
#MacroMondays - #Macro Mondays - #Geometry shapes
This spider web in a shape of a heart instantly had something symbolic for me. For the power and fragility of love.
Like the spider web is one of the most powerful materials nature can create, love has got an unbelievable inherent power. During the rain and the storm life is providing again and again, she is able to hold everything together and in place.
And in the same moment, she is so breakable like his fragile construction. One careless moment, one stroke of a hand can destroy everything in a second. To rebuild it can cost a lot of effort, with a low chance that in the end it will be the same way as it was before.
Dieses Spinnennetz in Form eines Herzen hatte für mich sofrt etwas symbolisches. Für die Stärke und die Zerbrechlichkeit der Liebe.
So wie das Spinnennetz zu den stärksten Materialien gehört, die die Natur hervorbringen kann, so wohn der Liebe eine unglaubliche Kraft inne. Im Regen und in den Stürmen, die das Leben immer wieder bereit hält ist sie in der Lage alles zusammen und an seinem Platz zu halten.
Und gleichzeitig ist sie genau so zerbrechlich wie diese filligrane Konstruktion. Ein unachtsamer Momant, eine Handbewegung kann alles in einer Sekunde zerstören. Der Wideraufbau bedarf dann großer Anstrengung und es ist unwahrscheinlich, dass es am Ende wieder so wird, wie es vorher war.
Dans ma bulle beautiful photos are always soft and sensual which to me are precious sources of dreamy inspiration.
And I love this exquisite photo from her gallery so much Bercements which has inspired me to do this sketch, please take a look ^_^
🎶 Instantly, it reminds me of a slow dance with a beautiful lover Sway Diana Krall
Thank you so much, Dans ma bulle.
In your gorgeous bubbles, you create a world of dreams
I hope you like my humble painting
When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more
Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance, you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me
Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique
When we sway, I go weak
I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique
When we sway, I go weak
I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
After weeks with temperatures around 30C I am a little bit fed up just taking shots of hot fields with blue skies. After a cold and long Winter we all longed for Spring and Summer. And our prayers were heard. Instantly and with immediate effect. If you also suffer from the heat take a look at a cold Winter evening around the banks of River Werre in Bad Oeynhausen, Ostwestfalen, Germany
This rainy season we have been having rainy days for weeks. At this afternoon's short break of the rain, I instantly took my camera and photographed this, humming 🎵‘Raindrops keep fallin' on my head’. The flower covered with raindrops is Echinacea ‘Harvest Moon’.
The curlew is the largest European wading bird, instantly recognisable on winter estuaries or summer moors by its long, down curved bill, brown upperparts, long legs and evocative call. This image was taken on Sunday. I thought I would post it after seeing Rob's awesome image of one of these guys Skulls.
Please view large.
For licensing on my images see: Getty images.
www.gettyimages.co.uk/search/2/image?artist=sandra%20stan...
Zikade - harvest fly (Auchenorrhyncha)
There are two things you instantly notice when you exit your car in the Provence. The intense
smell of this landscape and the insistently chirping of the cicada. You hear them almost everywhere and anytime during the day.
Es gibt zwei Dinge, die Dir sofort auffallen, wenn du in der Provence aus dem Auto steigst. Der intensive Geruch der von dieser Gegend ausgeht und das eindringliche Zirpen der Zikaden. Man hört sie so ziemlich überall und ununterbrochen während des Tages.
"When you call my name
When you love me gently
When you're walking near me
Doo doo wah I'm in really love with you, I'm in really love with you.
When you look at me
I open up instantly
I fall in love so quickly
Doo doo wah I'm in really love with you, doo doo wah I'm in really love with you.
I'm in really love with you." - D'Angelo ♪ ♫
The Laughing Kookaburra is instantly recognisable in both plumage and voice. It is one of the larger members of the kingfisher family. Hear a Kookaburra chorus on this link:
Northeastern Wyoming, New Years Eve. I saw these horses and instantly knew I wanted to try to get a picture of them walking, a strong wind was blowing their tails forward. I wasn't sure I'd get a decent picture because I was shooting almost directly towards the afternoon sun. I had time for 3 shots, I posted one already of the three fillies on top, (flic.kr/p/QLd1ew) this was my first shot, then two more before they moved directly between me and the sun. The third picture taken was almost the same as the first one posted, but the last two horses were nose to tail, no spacing. Anyway, pleased I got even one good picture under the circumstances, two was a bonus. This one is my favorite, and most difficult because the stallion was down in the shadowy area, so I saved it for last.
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Tempus Fugit... isn't it funny how time flies?
-James Bond (Spectre 2015)
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Here's a sneak peek of the beautiful new Sluagh full body tattoo by Nefekalum. With an amazing sparkle as you move your arms, it will instantly turn any body into an otherworldly Unseely, or anything else come to that - let your imagination flow. I teamed it up with the gorgeous Sacrifice mask by Fika, perfect if you want to add a bit of drama to your look.
I'm also holding the elegant Korsik Orb by Petrichor, which comes with a vast animations and colour hud and will give your hands something to do if you want to give your idle poses some interest. It opens and closes too with added sparkle. Lastly there is of course the Divinity Halo with a centrally animated piece featuring eyes...
Don't forget the Engine Room is now at half time and some creators have added new and free items to tempt you with.
secondlifesyndicate.com/events/syndicate-events/engine-room/
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-FIKA- - The Sacrifice (Headpiece with 5 metal options in two colourways)
More detail here on Fika's Flickr
At The Darkness event till April 28th, 2021
Garmonbozia - :::Divinity Halo eye 1 (in 3 metal colours and hud)
Available at The Engine Room now till April 20th 2021
Closeup details on their Flickr
:[P]:- Korsik Orb [Encased] Carved Metals (With a selection of animations and large colour and texture hud)
Available at The Engine Room now till April 20th 2021
Closeup details on their Flickr
Nefekalum - Sluagh (Gradient 01) // Tattoo (three shades plus materials)
Available at Chronicles and Legends starting April 10th 2021
CODEX-OROCHI SEPTUM NOSE (with a small metal texture hud)
Available at The NeoJapan event till April 18th, 2021
**CC**-- Heat Wave (red hot - 7 colours included in pack)
Available at the CC mainstore (click blue link to TP)
{aii}-- + Overpowered Armor Jake + (includes vast colour hud)
Available at the Aii mainstore (click blue link to TP)
[ kunst ] -- - Gesicht choker
(includes metal texture hud)
Available at the Kunst mainstore (click blue link to TP)
Body is Belleza
Head is Lelutka Skyler
Pose a combination of my own with the built in animator of the Orb,
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#macromondays #boardgamepieces
When i read the theme for the next Maco Mondays Challenge then instantly Memories of my childhood came up. I don`t know how many Hours my friends an me have spent playing this great Game called RISK ! The Game is well known around the world and gets played since over 60 Years by Generations. Back in 1957 it got created by Albert Lamorisse, a french filmmaker. I still own the Game and we play it from time to time when we celebate game nights. So i took the chance to shoot an image of my DE LUXE Version of the Game for the theme.
Risk is a strategy board game of diplomacy, conflict and conquest for two to six players. The standard version is played on a board depicting a political map of the world, divided into forty-two territories, which are grouped into six continents. Turns rotate among players who control armies of playing pieces with which they attempt to capture territories from other players, with results determined by dice rolls. Players may form and dissolve alliances during the course of the game. The goal of the game is to occupy every territory on the board and, in doing so, eliminate the other players. The game can be lengthy, requiring several hours to multiple days to finish. European versions are structured so that each player has a limited "secret mission" objective that shortens the game.
Vielen Dank für Eure Besuche, Kommentare und Sternchen!
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
On Vatnsnes peninsula in North-West Iceland, some 50 meters offshore stands the majestic Hvítserkur, a 15 metre high sea-stack, an eroded volcanic dyke. It looks like an animal of some sort, possibly a dinosaur drinking.
Hvítserkur is often referred to as a troll - most distinctive Icelandic rocks are. The legend goes that Hvítserkur is a petrified troll. The troll lived in Strandir in the Wesfjords and wanted to tear down the bells at Þingeyraklaustur convent. Icelandic trolls are not Christian and don't like the sight or sound of churches or church bells.
The troll was so enraged and persistent that it did not notice the rising sun, and was caught by the first rays of the sun and instantly petrified for eternity; because, as we all know, trolls only come out at night and are turned into stone by daylight.
Instantly recognisable by its scarlet red trousers, the Great Spotted Woodpecker can be found from Portugal to Kamchatka. It is resident in most of its living area.
Great Spotted Woodpecker (female) (Dendrocopos major).
I am really loving this. I am always trying to do some new things. In this overall series its more about tonal differences and perspectives. I was talking to Regi the other night and he was saying he liked my art. I Instantly said.. well I know a lot of folks that do amazing art, this is just me expressing. Then I thought how silly that was. So to mix it up and take a little more of a professional stance to push myself. So in this series it is about experimentation through a polished view. I hope you enjoyed as I know this are often done in reverse. Kind regards,
“Instantly recognizable thanks to the swooping arched girders of its two side spans, the lamps and the four granite Norman Towers that mark the corners of the third small central span, the Peter the Great Bridge, also known as Bolsheokhtinsky bridge, is one of the most impressive bridges in Saint Petersburg.
Measuring over 300 meters long and 23.5 meters wide, this bridge has an innovative mechanism that allows the narrow (14.6-meter) central span to be raised in only 30 seconds since it was open to the traffic in 1911.” This was such a beautiful and fascinating bridge that I found myself taking picture after picture of it!
Lacecap hydrangeas are instantly recognisable, with their flat flowerheads consisting of a centre of tiny, clustered flowers surrounded by a ring of showy florets.
We finally made it ! \o/
After all those months, and constant talks, we finally managed to meet inworld and take this photo together. Which inspired our dear writer friend instantly. Here is the wonderfully creative story she imagined for it :
"A paw pats on the surface of my screen aggressively followed by an angry meow as I let the alarm keep going even after she hit snooze mode multiple times. I could hear her groaning after shoving me under the pillow (How rude!). She finally got up but forgot me under the pillow. Scanning her messages, I knew she was going on a weekend trip with two awesome friends who were also a badass couple. Love and respect surely conquers all when it is true.
Being shoved into her pockets was annoying and then kept on airplane mode through the duration of her plane ride. Apparently, giant heavy books get more attention during long flights. I guess because books release truth of the universe. Her friends met her at the airport and they honestly spent more than 20 minutes just giving each other greetings, welcomes, fuzzing overs and thank yous. Life just goes by so quickly that we have to pause and at least take the time to tell our friends how amazing they are, she so did right! (Wish I had friends...)
I was finally put to good use when she took photos of the scenery around and of herself with her friends. Memories that she will always be smiling about because they were built out of honesty, support and real care. They did a lot of activities! It all went so fast. Time was just rushing quickly and everyone was moving on with their lives. They first grabbed breakfast and then went to the town's square to check out some souvenirs. There was a museum there so they decided why not? After that, they set up for a hike up one of the mountains that had a small area for paragliding, My entire world just shook!
They had lunch in a restaurant overlooking the sea after that with no time to take food photos (How can this happen!) and then they chilled for awhile by taking a walk along the pier. She eventually didn't bother using me because she got something more bigger and hotter to take photos with. I was mostly inside her bag the entire duration while she enjoyed with her friends and Mr. DSLR.
There was a lot to do, places to visit, new experiences to discuss and life plans to share. The 3 of them just enjoyed talking about art, music, photographs and places. Work talk was saved for another time and the world was on the tip of their fingers! They had so many beautiful things to think about and do. I started releasing the notification sound but she only took me out for a second and put me on silent mode (How could she!? Not even on vibration!!). The first day was slowly coming to an end so they went back to their temporary 'home' to unwind from the long day.
When she finally remembered that I existed, she looked over at the messages and missed calls but only one message from another dear friend caught her attention. I could see how she raised an eyebrow and then called over the love birds to take a look with her. I didn't understand why the three of them seemed to laugh over whatever it was they were looking at.
"- Sana, sana, colita de rana" one said as the spanish saying goes. They got distracted then from laughing when I showed them that their restaurant reservation was confirmed!
I can't believe she threw me out of excitement and I could see the three of them doing some silly dances in celebration from having been flung into a soft couch. At least, I avoided a cracked screen... "
Thank you so much sweet friend for your time and patience. We cannot wait for the next collab :D
Take a look at her own version of our collab here
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Note :
Remember to press L to display the image in full screen.
All the poses used in my pictures are made from scratch
No AI used
Some photos take you back to that time instantly and this is one of those to me. We fell in love with the spectacular and beautiful scenery. I took this photo on our way home (the scenic route) from a day by the sea with the puggies on our wedding anniversary Sept 2019. We had amazing weather. For us the sun always shines when we visit Wales!
Here’s a little bit of info on the area for those who are curious....
The Berwyn range (Welsh: Y Berwyn or Mynydd y Berwyn) is an isolated and sparsely populated area of moorland in the northeast of Wales, roughly bounded by Llangollen in the northeast, Corwen in the northwest, Bala in the southwest, and Oswestry in the southeast.
As I gaze upon the watercolor painting before me, I am instantly captivated by the stunning view of Lisbon that unfolds. It's as if I am standing at Mirador Santa Luzia myself, immersed in the beauty of this magical city.
The vibrant hues of the watercolor dance across the canvas, bringing the scene to life. The sky above is a symphony of blues, from the palest cerulean near the horizon to the deeper cobalt shades above. Wisps of white clouds drift lazily, adding a touch of serenity to the composition.
From the Mirador, the view stretches outwards, unveiling a magnificent panorama. The city sprawls along the hills, a patchwork of terracotta rooftops interspersed with bursts of colorful buildings. The ochre tones blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
As my eyes follow the meandering streets, they lead me towards the mighty River Tagus. Its waters shimmer under the gentle sunlight, reflecting the brilliance of the sky above. Sailing boats and ferries gracefully glide along the river, adding a sense of movement and vitality to the painting.
The iconic landmarks of Lisbon rise proudly against the horizon. The graceful arc of the 25 de Abril Bridge connects the two banks, its bold red color contrasting beautifully with the blue backdrop. The Belem Tower stands stoically at the water's edge, a testament to the city's rich history and maritime heritage.
In the foreground, lush vegetation frames the scene, as if nature herself is applauding the beauty of Lisbon. Bougainvillea spills over the walls, its vibrant magenta petals creating a striking contrast against the cityscape. Palm trees sway gently in the breeze, casting delicate shadows upon the cobblestone streets.
As I continue to study the painting, I am transported to this enchanting place. I can almost feel the warmth of the sun on my skin and hear the distant sounds of laughter and music floating through the air. The watercolor captures the essence of Lisbon's charm, its fusion of history, culture, and natural beauty.
This stunning view of Lisbon from Mirador Santa Luzia immortalized in watercolor is not just a mere representation; it is a portal to a world of wonder and wanderlust. It beckons me to explore the narrow streets, discover hidden gems, and immerse myself in the soul of this vibrant city.
20220512_RX_01189_LISBOA
Instantly recognisable and often erroneously called mushroom stones , Staddle stones (variations include steddle stones) have been used for centuries as the raised footings for granaries and tithe barns in order to prevent both damp and pesky rats and mice raiding the stores.
Generally found in the southern counties, Staddles can be found in a number of mediums, most commonly sandstone and granite, they will vary region by region and will these days be seen gracing rural driveways and gardens.
This one was seen on my walk in the Cerne valley in Dorset (southern England) & is in very good condition.
For how beautiful this place really is. When I arrived here I instantly felt at 'home', this gorgeous sim is my idea of SL bliss. Endless fields of natural beauty, and a rustic, oldy-worldy home to explore. Without a doubt my fave siim in SL right now. Visit here: <3333 maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shooting%20Stars/217/137/25
Song dedicated to my Sammy, because this is the perfect place for casual chit chats, hanging out and just being happy together: ♥♫♥
We spent last weekend in Liverpool and came across this statue quite by accident, instantly recognised as we had seen photos of it.
It was nice to see groups of tourists patiently waiting their turn to have a shot taken with the boys. The one Rod took of me is in the first comment.
HSS and Thursday Monochrome 😀
Thingvellir is a place that instantly inspires awe due both to its topography and its history. It is situated in a rift zone where the North American and the Eurasian tectonic plates meet. There are rugged cliffs lining the valley, beneath which the world’s oldest parliament, the Alþing, first convened in 930AD. Waterfalls cascade over the rock walls, filling pools in which witches and other law breakers were once drowned for their offenses. Beheadings took place in other locations. Upon the Law Rock, the Law Speaker would recite the laws of the land from memory and others would make announcements, level charges, and raise issues of importance to the Icelandic people
Get yourself out to Summers Wind. I instantly found a place to lay and relax, I can't wait to go back and enjoy more of this location, day or night.
Jeans: Kalback Original Jeans M6 TMD
Shirt: ::K:: Summer Tailored Jacket Homme TMD
Location: Summers Wind
Amsterdam is highly walkable just avoid walking on anything looking like a bike path and instantly freeze when you hear the ominous sound of the bike bell, an even easier and faster way to get around is to bike if you have the courage to join the fray but be warned the Dutch suffer no fools on their bikeways.
For those faint of heart the city also has one of the best public transportation systems in Europe though no underground exists trams, buses and trains make their way overland in a very efficient and orderly manner at a very reasonable cost.
After many many visits I discovered on my last trip the OV-Chipkart, an anonymous reloadable plastic card that can be found at the train station, at a newsagent or at a supermarket just look for the pink OV-chipkaart logo and best place to purchase one is at the start of your journey at Schiphol Airport.
The initial purchase price is 7,50 euro and can be loaded or reloaded at terminals with the logo but beware that not all terminals use credit cards, once you have loaded what you feel is enough for your use the card is ready to go not just in Amsterdam but all of the Netherlands on public transport, here ends the PSA.
This shot was taken on the evening tour with the Dam Boat Guys and is a good illustration of urban life on the move and also that some of your better shots come from lesser subject matter.
I took this on Sept 9th, 2017 with my D750 and Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens at 32mm 1/60 sec f/11 ISO2000 processed in LR, PS +Lumenzia, Topaz , Luminar and DXO
Disclaimer: My style is a study of romantic realism as well as a work in progress
Any Zac Brown Band fans out there? This image instantly conjured up this song for me. If you have the time give it a listen. In the meantime here are the lyrics.
I hear the waves
Sun beatin' down on my shoulders
It's a near-perfect day
Wishin' I wouldn't get any older
They say that it's gone 'fore you know it now
Quiet your mind
Soak it all in
It's a game you can't win
Enjoy the ride
I feel the change
Goin' on all around me
It's strange
How I'm taken and guided
Where I end up right where I'm needed to be
Quiet your mind
Soak it all in
It's a game you can't win
Enjoy the ride
At the end of the water
A red sun is risin'
And the stars are all goin' away
And if you're too busy talkin'
You're not busy listenin'
To hear what the land has to say
Quiet your mind
I hear the waves
Sun beatin' down on my shoulders
It's a near-perfect day
Wishin' I wouldn't get any older
They say that it's gone 'fore you know it and
Soak it all in
Quiet Your Mind
The distinctive wing pattern and shape of Emesis make them instantly recognisable as a genus. Emesis mandana, in common with several other Emesis species, is quite variable in colour, ranging from dull reddish to bright orange-yellow. This butterfly is common and widespread throughout much of central and South America.
This species apparently occurs in primary and secondary forest habitats at altitudes between sea level and at least 2000m, but is most frequently encountered below 800m.
(La Ceja, Colombia; 2.300 meters above sea level)
www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Amazon%20-%20Emesis%20manda...
The distinctive wing pattern and shape of Emesis make them instantly recognisable as a genus. Emesis mandana, in common with several other Emesis species, is quite variable in colour, ranging from dull reddish to bright orange-yellow. This butterfly is common and widespread throughout much of central and South America.
This species apparently occurs in primary and secondary forest habitats at altitudes between sea level and at least 2000m, but is most frequently encountered below 800m.
(La Ceja, Colombia; 2.300 meters above sea level)
www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Amazon%20-%20Emesis%20manda...
Red Rock Lake, Ward, CO
As a kid, I always looked forward to school breaks. As a teacher now, I think I'm starting to enjoy those breaks more than ever! Took advantage of the one good forecast for sunrise this week, and it paid off. 4:30am wake-ups don't bother me too much this time of year, and I was also very eager for this morning's opportunity. After snowshoeing through fresh snow, I made it to the lake and was instantly drawn to the opening in the ice. The reflection of light on the landscape was incredible. After shooting a great sunrise, I headed south and spent the afternoon skiing at A-Basin.
This amazing life size statue instantly captured my eye from across the cemetery...with the catacombs of Salzburg behind her she was hard to miss...you all know how much I adore faces!
This is one art working with metals and forms in a large scale that I Wish I had learned when I was younger but then its never too late right?
Many thanks all flickr members for putting her in the top 100 in Explore #67 1-25-17..I very much appreciate your time and comments...stay blessed...
Some masterpieces are instantly radiant. Happy Caturday theme 31 August 2019 "The smallest feline is a masterpiece." (Tikki is the smallest adult cat I ever owned - having been between 7.5 and 8.5 lbs during the 9.5 years she has lived with me, after coming to Oregon Humane as a 2 year old stray.) Her commanding presence and all that fluff does make her take up a lot of spiritual space.
#MacroMondays
#Tiny
#BlingMonday:)
They are an improbable couple, indeed, but these two items came to my mind instantly when I read "Tiny". The (broken) screw is from a modding set I bought for one of my Casios, and the tip of the screw is still stuck in the watch's casing (I have no idea how to remove something so tiny) so the bezel is now fixated with three screws only but so what, it sits absolutely secure on the watch.
The screw is 0,4 mm/0,15 inches "tall", and the screw and the Swarovski crystal together are 0,6 mm/0,23 inches wide. I've used these crystals (that I got loose and in different sizes – this is the smallest size: 3,5 mm/0,13 inches in diameter) in a few other MM themes because they are so nice and shiny, and because it's Monday, I thought I'd add some extra bling with the star filter.
I'd have loved to stack the screw and the crystal but there was no way I could fixate the crystal on top of the screw because even the tiniest piece of modeling clay would still have been too big for the scene. I did some focus stacking with the 60mm macro but in the end, I liked the single image taken with the Laowa 2x macro better because it looked more organic (although I admit it could be a little sharper) and I was also able to get much closer to the scene with this lens. It's not quite the lens's maximum magnification of 2:1 but almost.
And actually, it's "The Odd Couple II" because I'd already photographed a pair of matches under that title for our "Matchstick" theme in June '21. But since the original movie with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon from 1968 was also made into a TV show in the 1970s, and then again in the 2010s, with several episodes, why not name more than one photo after it ;)
HMM, Everyone!