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Ve dnech 19. až 26. června roku 2024 probíhala rozsáhlá napěťová výluka v úseku Púchov–Bytča. Důvodem této výluky bylo přepínání stejnosměrné trakční soustavy 3 kV na střídavou soustavu 25 kV a 50 Hz. Jednalo se o další krok postupného sjednocení trakční soustavy na síti slovenských železnic. Samotná napěťová výluka Púchov–Bytča byla doplněna i výlukou jednotlivých traťových kolejí a staničních kolejí ve stanici Považská Bystrica. Díky tomu se v celém úseku Púchov–Bytča jezdilo jednokolejně s křižováním ve stanici Považská Bystrica. To mělo za následek nízkou propustnost daného úseku a vznik zpoždění vlaků kategorie R "Povážan", Ex "Tatran" a IC až na více než jednu hodinu. Osobní vlaky byly v úseku Žilina–Púchov nahrazeny náhradní autobusovou dopravou. Pro přetahy vlaků v beznapěťovém úseku byly nasazeny tři lokomotivy řady 754 a 757. Jednou z nich byla i "štvorka" 754.014, která byla na snímku zachycena společně s "Vectronem" 383.106 v čele expresu 610 "Tatran" [Košice – Bratislava hl.st.] mezi zastávkou Nosice a stanicí Púchov. Jako záložní se pak na přetazích objevily i lokomotivy řady 742 a 749.
«I am posting «Voler» again. I wanted to give this photo another chance. The chance I think it deserves. This tiny boat in the middle of the big sea conjured up a lot of emotions difficult to describe. In the beginning I felt sad because it reminded me of losses and departures, but suddenly i thought how bold the tiny boat was to challenge the big sea and I smiled... And so I photographed it to capture all those emotions. Black & White seemed a good choice, and I published it, though I was not happy with the result.
I asked for advice and Xenotar28 was willing to help me and he himself did the post-processing you can see. Now, I feel proud to post «Voler» again! It is still my photograph, looking much better, and there's also Xenotar28's work here. Today I have learnt a lesson: post-processing is an important issue as far as photography is concerned, and we cannot neglect this. I am happy to share all this with you.
À Te, l'infini c'est la dimension de notre amitié»
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Shah Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in the city of Isfahan, Central Persia (now Iran). It was built in 16th Century durin Safavid Dynasty, more specifically Shah Abbas the Great. This was the last time Persia was a glorious kingdom, being equal to its European counterparts.
This is the main entrance of the mosque. The door is made of wood and metal plates.
This was shot around 1999-2000, with my very first SLR, a Russian-made Zenit, on an 35mm ISO 100 color film.
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Crossing the passerelle Solférino on a rainy day. In the back, Notre Dame cathedral.
Part of a series of shots from the same "Passerelle"
Try the slideshow
photographer : Heo tự sướng
Pic: Ảnh gốc toàn bộ [The entire original image]
www.facebook.com/confirmemail.php?next=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.f...
chỉ được nhìn cấm tải (Hình) xuống [ just look prohibit downloading (Figure) ]
Thank You :)
đọc xông cấm Koppie
YH:ich_lieber_dich2000
Hay luôn để tâm trí mình đầy ắp những kỷ niệm đẹp. Hồi tưởng lại những giây phút đã qua, a có thể sử dụng chúng những khi thấy buồn chán. Hãy viết ra một cuốn sách, hay dành một file riêng trong máy tính để khi cần là có nhé.
Việc tập hợp các bức ảnh mang dấu ấn thời gian trong cuộc sống của chính mình sẽ giúp a nhớ lại những giờ khắc vui vẻ. Cuốn album sẽ càng trở nên có ý nghĩa hơn khi a trang trí và chú thích đầy đủ cho từng bức ảnh.
U.N.C.C.D.L.M.D.G.N <3 <3 <3 <3
có ai muốn coi avt cm nhoa =)) =))
Tienes que verla en grande para apreciar los detalles
Es característica destacable de la hoz del río Huécar su entorno natural. Espléndido exponente de un bosque de ribera sumergido en un entorno húmedo rodeado de espectaculares paredes de roca caliza, un cañón de origen cárstico por cuyo interior fluyen las aguas del río.
Impresionates las maravillosas vistas que rodean a Cuenca por las hoces de este río.
Cámara Nikon D50
Exposición 0,002 sec (1/640)
Aperture f/8.0
Lente 100 mm
Iso: 200
Objetivo: Nikon 28-100
Mi galería en un solo click // My gallery only in one click
OTRA FORMA DE VER MI GALERIA. Mira todas mis fotos y amplia la que quieras
Mis blogs:
Mmmm, always a favorite! Tried out a new recipe from VegWeb and it's definitely a keeper. =)
Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
1 cup warm soy milk
1 package or 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup organic granulated sugar
1/3 cup melted butter substitute (Earth Balance is good)
egg substitute to equal 2 eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour (or as needed)
1 teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
1 cup brown sugar
2 1/4 tablespoon cinnamon
butter substitute to help the filling stick
Directions:
Place the yeast, a pinch of the sugar, and the warm soymilk in a large mixing bowl (I use a Kitchenaid). Let sit for 5 minutes or until foamy. Add the melted butter substitute, granulated sugar, egg substitute, half the flour, and lastly the salt. Stir on low with the paddles attachment on until the ingredients are incorporated, about a minute. Add the rest of the flour in two intervals (I'd switch to the dough hook here and reserve some of the flour - add only as much as needed for good dough consistency). Knead it for about 3 minutes until it's soft and pliable. Let rise for 1 hour (or until double in size).
While the dough is rising, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl.
Once the dough has risen, flour a clean surface as needed and roll the dough out into a rectangle about 16"x21". The dough should be about 1/4-1/8 inches deep. Spread on the butter substitute on the top side to coat (leaving about half an inch on one long side for sealing the dough once rolled), sprinkle on the brown sugar/cinnamon mix to coat. Roll it up width wise, cut into 12 equal lengths (or however many you want) and place them into two cake pans (or large rectangular pan) and bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes or more. They should be slightly soft when you take them out.
Serves: 12
Preparation time: about 2 hours
The recipe states 12 servings. I cut mine a little over an inch thick (w/floss) and got 17 rolls so it all depends on how thick you want them.
These will also freeze very well. Once rolled/cut, place on a parchment-lined tray and place in freezer. Once frozen, they can be stored in ziploc or vacuum bags and you'll be able to bake as many (or as few) as you like later on. Just thaw and let rise before baking. (This can even be done in the fridge overnight - place frozen rolls in lightly greased pan and cover with plastic wrap - spray wrap with cooking spray to avoid sticking - and place in fridge the night before, pop in the oven for a yummy breakfast! =)
I have too much to lose, she said, if I cross that line.
Like what? I said.
She could not think of anything that day so she said she'd get back to me.
Since then I've been thinking what I would lose if I cross my line & I haven't come up with anything either.
There's always another line somewhere.
-Brian Andreas, Story People
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Generally speaking, crossing the line is most often seen as an issue of legality or morality. For some people, the lines are always clear and concise, rules to be followed no matter what and there is always some consequence to be paid when one deviates from what's "right". Their lines represent conformity and they are okay with that. Sometimes, though, the lines are blurred and it's hard to tell exactly where they are, maybe because our thinking is at odds with that of our family or society as a whole, and we need to re-draw the lines once we are clear on where we stand.
I believe it's a good thing to check out the lines that define us, whether those made by personal choices or those that are standards of society. If we look around, I think we will sometimes find that we have drawn ourselves into a box that no longer serves us, and that the only way out of it is to step across a line.
What do you think?
Shot it at Kumbha Mela 2010.Its a greatest show on Earth.
In Hindu mythology, its origin is found in one of the popular creation myths and the Hindu theories on evolution, the Samudra manthan episode (Churning of the ocean of milk), which finds mention in the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, the Mahabharata, and the Ramayana.
The Gods had lost their strength, and to regain it, they thought of churning the Ksheera Sagara (primordial ocean of milk) for amrit (the nectar of immortality), this required them to make a temporary agreement with their arch enemies, the demons or Asuras, to work together with a promise of sharing the nectar equally thereafter. However, when the Kumbha (urn) containing the amrita appeared, a fight ensued. For twelve days and twelve nights (equivalent to twelve human years) the gods and demons fought in the sky for the pot of amrita. It is believed that during the battle, Lord Vishnu flew away with the Kumbha of elixir, and that is when drops of amrita fell at four places on earth: Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik, and that is where the Kumbh Mela is observed every twelve years.
First written evidence of the Kumbha Mela can be found in the accounts of Chinese traveller, Huan Tsang or Xuanzang (602 - 664 A.D.) who visited India in 629 -645 CE, during the reign of King Harshavardhana.
Source:-Wikipedia.
For more photos,click MY SITE subirbasak.orgfree.com.....
P.S."Copyright © – Subir Basak.
The reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of any work contained herein for any use, personal or commercial, without my prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved."
On Explore/Flickr Top 500, Oct. 3, 2008
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For 500 years, this place was part of a mountain range. Vegetation hid the volcano. People and houses moved in. Not just houses, but -- homes as well. The communities became municipalities, and cities. Food and water was everywhere. Unknown to all the people, this place is all part of a large stratovolcano. And in 1991, after almost five centuries of inactivity, it erupted. One of the most violent recorded volcanic eruptions -- and it was tragic.
Last time I visited this place was 7 years ago, obviously I was 7 years younger, probably 7 kilos lighter as well. But probably I was stronger and faster then. Before there were no 4x4 vechicles that I'm on now. We have to walk the whole -- approx. 20 kilometer stretch of lahar, and streams, and rocks. And a little steep part nearing the crater. Now that hike is cut to two hours with the 4-wheel drive vehicles that ply the route. Funny how times change. Last time I was here, it was almost cloudless, it was the peak of summer. Now, I have to be quick to take nice shots during instances when the blue skies show up. Last time I was carrying almost 20kg of supplies on my back, tent, and water. And some added weight of laundry -- formal clothes which I have to bring since the trip was just a continuation of my trip accompanying my brother when he applied for law school at metro manila. That was so long ago. Before, this mountainside was barren, now I can see green all over them -- and my brother is already a lawyer for three years now.
All I can recall, was that previously, I came here, with some of my worst enemies -- some traitors who were my friends before. Its long ago. I thought I'd forget them. I thought till I saw these familiar canyons again. Look now, when I say traitors, they had been my friends. How can they be traitors if they're you're enemies at the very start. Just so, in case you ask.
But anyway, good thing these blue skies show up occasionally. Its good for the soul. And good for the trail. This is about 15 kilometers east of the Mt. Pinatubo crater lake.
Mt. Pinatubo Trail
Tarlac, Philippines
View On White The camera was already on the tripod, the elements were there in a chaotic pile, my time is tight and I shot only three frames, after giving myself thirty seconds to come up with a composition. I moved things around until they looked pleasing. The light, of course is through venetian blinds in my living room window. Forcing myself to do these exercises should be interesting over the next few days. Two more minutes to organize and tag, and I will comment later in the day. Wish you all a great day!
In front of Beaubourg last night. Although it's not remotely as good, inspired by Da's work.
Part of "A stroll in Paris"
"H is for HITMAN"
So AriesEffects finished his 365, and somewhere around his 250th photo
i decided i would tribute him by doing my own set of Agent 47 photos.
if you havent seen his work OR his awesome Series
... well, you are just really missing out.
Aside from being a really funny,creative guy... he has a style
all his own. I cant even figure out how he gets his images to look
the way they do, but i always know from the thumbnail,its his.
Go congratulate him,and check out his stream.
OR ELSE.
For TOTW " Alter Ego"
because the hitman games have been one of my favorites,
and not just because we both sport the same hairstyle.
aside from being addictive and awesome, the game really
makes you think thru how to progress thru it.
Ontop of that it has consistently one of the best soundtracks
in any games, thanks to Jesper KId.
He has gone on to do the scores for many games,
most notably Assassins creed I and II. me and my brother
have collected almost all of his soundtracks,he kicks ass.
big thanks to my brother for helping me with this photoshoot,
he saved me alot of time in setting up the frame.
I have wanted to do a shoot like this for awhile,and finally
got to use my spiffy suit again in my 365.
(the red tie and the pistols were bought JUST for this tribute. :P)
Item 203545, SDOT Transportation Projects Digital Photographs (Record Series 8100-01), Seattle Municipal Archives.
Best viewed LARGE on Black: bighugelabs.com/flickr/onblack.php?id=3537830227&size...
We stayed here in this magnificent YHA Hostel for two nights in July, 2006. The rooms were a bit spartan, but it was well worth it in order to be able to wake up on Saturday morning and begin our walk up Dovedale before the inevitable crowds arrived. If you click on the set and run the slide show in Full Screen Mode, you will get a tour of Ilam Hall, Ilam Park, Ilam Village, and a quick walk past Thorpe Cloud to Dovedale at sunset/moonrise on the Friday evening of our arrival. The pictures of our Saturday walk up Dovedale are in this set, which is "under construction":
www.flickr.com/photos/ugardener/sets/72157617037618252/
Here are links to the National Trust site and the Wikipedia entry:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-ilampark
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilam,_Staffordshire
Here is other information from various sites:
A Tudor mansion once stood on the site of Ilam hall, the home of the Port family. It was sold to David Watts Pike in 1809 and remodelled by Jesse Watts Russel in 1821, the architect being one John Shaw. In 1875 Jesse Watts Russell died, and the house passed to thr Hanbury family, who sold it in 1927 to a restaurateur. He went bankrupt and sold the building to a demolition contractor, who promply moved in and took down two thirds of the building.
Ilam hall and popular country park belong to the national trust now and the hall and grounds are used as a youth hostel, tearooms, shop, information centre, car park and toilets. Whats left of the hall is still an imposing and stately structure, and in the gardens and parkland there is much to see.
Alpine-style cottages, a Tudor Gothic Hall, an eccentric river and a wonderful background of soft green hills make Ilam a very popular place with visitors. Many of whom come to walk in Ilam Hall’s beautiful parkland, along the aptly named Paradise Walk by the River Manifold.
The Manifold disappears for most of its four or five mile route from Wetton Mill, to flow underground before emerging at the Boil Holes, in the grounds of Ilam Hall. Only in the rainy season does it behave like an ordinary river and flow above ground.
After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, John Port acquired the estate and built a house on the site of the present Ilam Hall. In 1809, David Pike Watts became the owner and on his death, it passed to his daughter. Her husband, Jesse Watts-Russell a wealthy industrialist, had a rather grand hall built. It had battlemented towers, ornamental chimneys and a flag tower. The architect, who designed the hall, was also engaged in the building of Alton Towers and there were some similarities between the two.
The former estate village was mostly demolished and replaced by alpine style cottages, which provided a marked contrast alongside some of the older more traditional buildings. Watts-Russell built the school and provided it with an endowment. It fits in so beautifully with the other alpine style cottages in the village that one cannot imagine any child not wanting to go to school!
The Church of the Holy Cross: Originally Saxon, the church is now mainly 17th and 19th century - the two occasions when it was restored. Some of its Saxon origins can be seen in its carved stone Saxon font, and two stone cross shafts in the churchyard. It is in the Chapel of St Bertram, built in 1618, that the remains and shrine of the St Bertam (or Bertelin) can be found. St Bertam was a 8th Century son of a Mercian king who renounced his royal heritage for prayer and meditation after his wife and child were killed by wolves. He converted many to Christianity. His shrine became a point of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages and is reputed to be able to work miraculous cures.
A hall has been here since John Port had the 1st one built in 1546. Both William Congreve and Dr Samual Johnson have stayed at the hall when it was owned by the Port family. Congreve wrote his first play, "The Old Bachelor" here and Paradise valley inspired Johnson to write his novel "Rasselas".
In 1820 the estate was bought by Jesse Watts-Russell, a wealthy industrialist. It was Watts-Russell who is responsible for the Swiss look of Ilam, he found that the valley and surrounding hills reminded him of the Alps. So he had some new cottages built in the Swiss style and rehoused most of the villagers, (they were living in estate owned houses anyway). He also built the school in 1857 and funded it, at a time when schooling was not compulsory. He later moved to New Zealand built another Ilam Hal (see Links below). The farm/homestead that he created later grew and became the Ilam area of Christchurch. The site of the homestead was one of the main social centers of early Christchurch society.
The present homestead was built in 1914 after fire destroyed the first two buildings. There is even an Ilam school there! In 1934 Sir Robert McDougal bought the hall and gave it the the National Trust to become a Youth Hostel - which it is to this day. The grounds are open to the public, and are a starting point for one of the prettiest river walks in the area.
Hilo de la Fotohistoria en Pullip .es: TRIP TO IRELAND (1 of 9): Day 1 – Swords: Cíen's answer /
VIAJE A IRLANDA (1 de 9): Día 1 – Swords: Contestación de Cíen
(Read in this order) PAG: 01, 02.
LETTER from CÍEN to SUN: In English / En Español
CÍEN'S MESSAGE TO SUN:
Yey blondy, whassap!! ^^
Wow, you told so many things :D I'll try to reply at everything, hope I don't forget anything important. ò_ó Let's go!
Haha, yeah well, I heard that out of Spain, Football Club Barcelona had also several supporters, but I didn't imagine you'd find them at your first day! There's soon a derby Barcelona vs Madrid. I'm pretty sure Yaz won't miss that XD
Anyway... that was not an important thing...
A very interesting thing is what you tell me about the country. I really envy you and regret not having insisted to go with you as well to Ireland. It all seems so peaceful, quiet and full of beauty... like that tunnel of branches you mentioned. I'm loving all your photos, really.
I'm also loving when you stop to make photos to any apparently insignificant detail, like that couple of horses, or the duck taking off (by the way, that was awesome! You are so skilled!!)... You know, that may seem a nonsense to do that, but it means you are enjoying everything, and you share it with me :)
About Sheryl and Yaz, well you know them... they do weird things once in a while. For me it's also hard to understand them when they talk, it's like they are speaking a different language... anyway, I also miss them... :) it was nice to see them at photos too ;) You are very good a photograph, really, I'm very impressed :D
I'll love you help me assembling a book with all of my recent designs! We can mix your skills and mine to make a good job :D It was great to read that, you had a magnificent idea!! it's like a present for me to have your help! Thanks!!
Furthermore, I was quite stuck at my inspiration and my drawings didn't flow, but since you are explaining me your adventures I can't stop doodling at all times!! If you love my drawings like you said, you'll see tones when you come back! When I finish this reply I'll take a piece of paper and draw a urban version of your green branches highway tunnel with bended buildings over the street XP
Yeah well, I know, Lenn is Lenn after all. With his personality he knows lots of people, but he ain't got many friends... I know he has to change, but it's a long process. Anyway... yeah, Take is a good guy. I'll give him a chance and spend more time with him. He already bought the tickets online. We are going tomorrow to the theater definitely. I'll tell you how was the film ;)
And finally, yeah, I know you're the only blond in the house. You know my best is drawing, not speaking... change that “my favorite blond” by just “my favorite” #^_^#
I really miss you, come back in one piece! And watch out that weather, don't catch a cold! :)
Cee ya!
Cíen
/
MENSAJE DE CÍEN PARA SUN:
Hey rubilla, que passa!! ^^
Vaya, cuantas cosas me has contado :D Intentaré responderlo todo, espero no olvidarme de nada importante. ò_ó Vamos allá!
Jaja, si bueno, ya había oído que fuera de españa, el barça tenía varios seguidores, pero no me imaginaba que te los encontrarías el primer día! Pronto habrá un derby Barça vs Madrid. Estoy seguro de que Yaz no se lo querrá perder XD
Es igual... esto no era importante...
Lo que sí que es interesante es lo que me cuentas sobre el país. Te envidio muchísimo y me arrepiento de no haber insistido para ir contigo a Irlanda. Parece un sitio tan tranquilo, calmado y lleno de belleza... como ese túnel de ramas que mencionabas. Estoy alucinando con tus fotos, en serio.
También me encanta cuando paras a hacer fotos de detalles aparentemente insignificantes, como ese par de caballos, o el pato despegando (por cierto, es una foto genial! Eres muy talentosa!!)... Ya sabes, puede que parezca una chorrada, pero significa que estas disfrutando de todas las cosas, y además las compartes conmigo :)
Sobre Sheryl y Yaz, bueno ya los conoces... hacen cosas extrañas de vez en cuando. A mí a veces me cuesta entenderlos cuando hablan entre ellos, es como si hablasen un idioma distinto... En cualquier caso, también les hecho de menos a ellos... :) Ha sido genial verlos en fotos también ;) Eres muy buena en fotografía, de verdad, estoy muy impresionado :D
Me encantaría que me ayudases a armar un book con mis últimos diseños! Podemos mezclar tus habilidades con las mías y hacer un gran trabajo :D Ha sido genial leer tu proposición, has tenido una idea magnífica! Muchas gracias!!
Además, últimamente estaba muy atascado con mi inspiración y mis dibujos no fluían, pero desde que estás explicándome tus aventurillas no puedo dejar de garabatear todo el rato!! Si de verdad te gustan mis dibujos como dices, cuando vuelvas vas a poder ver una tonelada! En cuanto acabe esta contestación pienso buscar un cacho de papel y dibujar una versión urbana del túnel verde de ramas sobre la autopista con edificios doblados sobre la calle XP
Ya bueno, ya lo sé, Lenn es Lenn después de todo. Con ese carácter conoce a mucha gente, pero realmente no tiene muchos amigos... Sé que tiene que cambiar, pero es un proceso muy largo. En fin... y sí, Take es un buen tío. Le daré una oportunidad y pasaré más tiempo con él. Ya ha comprado las entradas online. Al final al cine iremos mañana. Ya te contaré como ha ido la peli ;)
Y por último, sí, ya sé que eres la única rubia de la casa. Ya sabes que mi fuerte es el dibujo, no el habla... mejor cambia ese “mi rubia favorita” por simplemente “mi favorita” #^_^#
Te echo muchísimo de menos, vuelve entera! Y vigila ese frío, no vayas a resfriarte! :)
Nos vemos!
Cíen
SHERYL LINKS:
- Pullip .es: Las Fotohistorias de Sheryl
- Sheryl's Flickr: Photostories 2011 - Sketches 2011 / Photostories 2012 - Sketches 2012
Kurt Dressler Photography | MUST View LARGE On Black
Today started off like any other day, rushing to school, trying not to be late to class, and trying to stay awake during lectures. I had two shoots lined up today and i was completely psyched because I haven't done a serious shoot for myself in a while now. One got canceled unfortunately but will be rescheduled for a date coming up soon! :]
Tonight however was definitely unique. My friend Alyssa came up from gardens to see one of my best friends Lisa, so us and a few other people got together and scoped out some places to shoot. After realizing i didn't have a transmitter and running back home to get it, we finally found this pretty sweet place!
We were all really goofing around having some laughs and of course snapping some pictures. This is on of the shots that i got, i really like how it came out, I'm thinking about going into more "depth" with the editing of this, but its going to have to wait till tomorrow at least because I am super tired.
And of course I cant forget driving across town to bring my GF a single egg, bahaha <3 but i got to see her and her doggy moosey :] So it was worth it!
Tomorrow hanging out with Josiah and Zack Ramsey! Can't wait, gonna be a sick shoot! =D Now time for sleep.
Strobist:
SB600 shot through umbrella cam left
AB800 shot through softbox cam right
Didn't want to do the same as everyone else. I love those shots with fruits dropped in a spoonful of milk, but I decided to do the opposite, Instead of dropping the strawberry in the milk, I poured the milk on the strawberries. I know, not very original, but I like the colours.
strobist:
Sigma EF-610 DG super in slave mode, 1/64 power @ 17mm,bare, 45° camera right.
Metz mecablitz 50 AF-1 in manual mode, 1/128 power @24mm,45°camera left and behind strawberries, through omnibounce.
HDRI from 3 exposures, Cross-Filter in Alien Skin Exposure (Plug-In for PS CS3), Unsharp Mask, adding a vignette+texture.
Info:
Exposures: 1 Sec.; 1/4 Sec.; 4 Sec.
Aperture: f/3.5
ISO-Speed: 100
Focal Length: 18mm
This is a part of the most interesting photos from the Halle/ Saale ~ HDR/ DRI pool
Somehow, DeviantART liked this image a lot more than the Flickr crowd:
coulombic.deviantart.com/art/Japanese-Maple-141326785
If there is one thing I can say about this image, it's that no one else seems to have done this before. Sure, I'm sure others have similar compositions, but after looking at literally thousands of Japanese Maple images, I can say that mine stands fairly alone in its composition. If one were to search, "Japanese Maple," for instance, on Flickr, 99 percent of all of the images will be of "the one." As to say, the Japanese Maple next to the koi pond in the Portland Japanese Garden.
While I would have loved to have taken that picture, as well, I must confess ignorance. I couldn't even find where to shoot from to get the same composition everyone else has. I'm not even kidding -- the most common picture from the whole Japanese garden, and I couldn't spot the composition.
underground-history.co.uk/aldwych.php
Aldwych Station, originally named Strand Station, formed part of the Great Northern Piccadilly & Brompton Railway (GNP&BR), one of three tube lines opened 1906-7 by the Underground Electric Railways Co of London Ltd (UERL). The City & South London Railway - the world's first deep tube line - had opened in 1890 from the City to Stockwell, and although a flurry of proposals for further routes ensued, progress was hampered by lack of capital. The Central London Railway (later the Central Line) opened in 1900 from Bank to Shepherd's Bush. From 1901-2 the American transport entrepreneur, Charles Tyson Yerkes, acquired four dormant companies: the Charing Cross, Euston & Hampstead Railway (CCE&HR); the Brompton & Piccadilly Circus Railway and the Great Northern & Strand Railway (GN&SR), which he merged as the GNP&BR, and the Baker Street & Waterloo Railway; the three were incorporated into the UERL. Yerkes died in 1905 before the tube lines were completed.
The GNP&BR, or 'Piccadilly Railway' or 'Tube', opened on 15 December 1906, running from the Great Northern & City Line terminus at Finsbury Park to the District Railway station at Hammersmith, with 16 intermediate stations, increased to 19 in 1907. A station at the Strand had been planned as the terminus of the GN&SR, but after the merger with the B&PCR it was left as a spur to the main line. In 1910 the three combined UERL tubes were formally merged as the London Electric Railway (LER) and the GNP&BR became the Piccadilly Line.
The Strand branch opened on 30 November 1907. Three lift shafts were drilled, but only one was installed with lifts. Apart from a short-lived late-night service for theatre-goers, the line never operated through trains to Strand, running a shuttle service to and from Holborn. The station was renamed Aldwych on 9 June 1915 to avoid confusion with the Charing Cross CCE&HR station which changed its name to Strand on that date. The number of commuters was far less than anticipated, and the second track closed in 1917. The station was closed during WWII for use as an air-raid shelter and the disused platform and running tunnel provided storage for artefacts from the British Museum. The station closed in 1994 due to the cost of renewing lift machinery, and since then has been used for filming and events.
This is dedicated to my dearest friend CINZIA for her birthday ... a lovely and serene sunset during wintertime at the sea - this is actually a bit of sea and river (taken from Spain - you can see the portughese coast on the background - its the lovely Algarve, which has mild temperatures already in winter -- so here it goes to you dearest friend - Per te amica cara, romantica ed appassionata della natura ed il mare ti mando questo po di mare d'inverno per il tuo compleanno, da un posto che amo molto. AUGURI amica cara, che il tuo nuovo anno sia una rinnovo totale piu che tramondo una splendida aurora (alba) ed i riflessi dorati ti accompagnino tutto il tuo nuovo anno e ti portino tutto gio che desideri e meriti . Wishing you all the best in the world and more, you deserve it my romantic and talented friend. May these golden reflections bring you a smile and joy on your special day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUGURI!
“Wise is he who enjoys the show offered by the world.” F.Pessoa "Sábio é aquele que desfruta do espectaculo oferecido pelo mundo." F. Pessoa"Saggio è colui che gode lo spettacolo offerto dal mondo." F. Pessoa
Do listen to Segovia : www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzcEZXTQNg8
Don't use my pictures on websites without prior authorization! They are protected by Copyright All rights reserved◄PLS DO NOT USE THIS PHOTO FOR PROMOTIONALS,BLOQS, ETC .. thank you.
I am sorry but I am a mostly OFF - so I cannot comment on all of you but will catch up as soon as I can,I am so behind and busy -
Another shot from the Federal Hill series. This one was hard to contrast because of all the tiny details. D700 + 24-70mm f2.8. 35 total images.
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Israel is using weapons with white phosphorous which rains down on people, in the same way these sparks from fireworks at a festival in Barcelona are 'raining down on people'. One is fun and safe the other dangerous and illegal, can you guess which is which?
White Phosphorus produces a thick white smoke when exposed to oxygen, but can cause severe burns and melt flesh to the bone if it comes into contact with skin.
“There was an explosion and white smoke. I saw my cousins screaming . . . I saw them burning and their clothes burning. I saw their skin melting.”
[Muhammad Tahseen, 20, sitting outside his home in Al-Qarara when a shell exploded above]
“The use of white phosphorus in densely populated areas of Gaza violates the requirement under international humanitarian law to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian injury and loss of life,”
[Human Rights Watch]
Best viewed LARGE on Black: bighugelabs.com/flickr/onblack.php?id=3462259502&size...
St. George Slays the Dragon - Taken in the Village Church in Fenny Bentley on the Tissington Trail in Derbyshire.
From the Wikipedia Article: "St George's Day is celebrated by the several nations, kingdoms, countries, and cities of which Saint George is the patron saint. St George's Day is also England's National Day. Most countries which observe St George's Day celebrate it on April 23, the traditionally accepted date of Saint George's death in 303 AD.
St George's Day was a major feast and national holiday in England on a par with Christmas from the early 15th century. However, this tradition had waned by the end of the 18th century after the union of England and Scotland. In recent years the popularity of St George's Day appears to be increasing gradually. BBC Radio 3 had a full programme of St George's Day events in 2006, and Andrew Rosindell, Conservative MP for Romford, has been putting the argument forward in the House of Commons to make St George's Day a public holiday. Although Saint George is the Patron Saint of England, it is believed that St George was not English and it is not certain that he ever visited England, although legend has it that St George was born in Coventry at Caludon Castle in Wyken, though some say he was born in Cappadocia, an area which is now in Turkey"
Close to the town of Ashbourne, Fenny Bentley is a picturesque little village consisting of little more than a school, a pub and the church of St Edmunds possibly dating as far back as the 14th century. The church has an alabaster tomb of the Beresford family. Sir Thomas Beresford had fought at the Battle of Agincourt.
www.derbyshireuk.net/fenny.html
www.ashbournechurches.org/FennyBentley.htm
"The Tissington Trail is a bridleway and walk/cycle path in Derbyshire, England. Opened in 1971, and now a part of the National Cycle Network, it runs for 13 miles (21 km) from Parsley Hay in the north to Ashbourne in the south, along part of the trackbed of the former railway line connecting Ashbourne to Buxton. It takes its name from the village of Tissington, which it skirts."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tissington_Trail
El rey Joao II ideó una barrera defensiva que consistiría en tres fuertes: el Fuerte de San Sebastián de Caparica, la Torre de San Antonio en Cascais, y una tercera fortificación en Belém.
La torre de Belem, originariamente llamada Torre de San Vicente de Belém, en homenaje al patrón de Lisboa, fue construida por el arquitecto Francisco de Arruda, orientado por Diogo Boitaca, que por entonces estaba a cargo de la construcción del Monasterio de los Jerónimos, situado muy cerca de esta. Los trabajos comenzaron en 1514 y finalizaron en 1520.
Con el tiempo la estructura fue perdiendo su caracter defensivo original y fue utilizada como aduana, puesto telegráfico, faro y como prisión para presos políticos en el nivel inferior. Algunos historiadores sostienen que debido a su altura y a su ubicación, poco disimulada en el paisaje, la torre fue creada en realidad para funciones administrativas más que defensivas.
Si se compara con las clásicas construcciones medievales, mas bien austeras, la Torre de Belem se diferencia por su abundante decoración, que refleja el gusto del rey Manuel I, un estilo que con el tiempo se conocería como "manuelino".
Es una torre cuadrangular que se eleva sobre un bastión con forma de hexágono irregular que apunta hacia el río. Una sencilla pasarela permite acceder desde la orilla y tras atravezar un puente levadizo se entra directamente al bastión.
La torre tiene una altura de 35 metros y consta de cuatro pisos y terraza, desde la que hay una extraordinarias vistas del río Tajo.
Fue declarada Monumento Nacional en 1910.
There is a restaurant in San Diego, California called "Islands" with a beach and surfer theme in its decor, very casual but nice. They serve some really good food, high cholesterol fat-laden "American Food" - but I guess if you only indulge once in a while it won't kill you! This "Big Wave" hamburger was delish!!
INFORMATION ON THE HAMBURGER:
A hamburger (or simply burger) is a sandwich that consists of a cooked patty of ground meat and is generally served with various garnish or condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, onion, relish, pickles and cheese toppings, placed inside a sliced bun, often baked specially for this purpose, or pieces of bread or toast. The meat patty is beef, unless otherwise noted.
Hamburger also refers to the cooked patty of ground meat by itself. The patty alone is also known as a beefburger, or burger. Adding cheese makes it a cheeseburger. Hamburger is actually a distinct product from ground round and other types of ground meat. However, ground beef of any form is often commonly referred to as "hamburger." A recipe calling for 'hamburger' (the non-countable noun) would require ground beef or beef substitute- not a whole sandwich. The word hamburger comes from Hamburg steak, which originated in the German city of Hamburg. Contrary to what folk etymology might lead one to believe, there is no actual 'ham' in a hamburger.
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the term "hamburger" comes from Hamburg steak, which was first recorded in English in 1884 but was probably used much earlier. A form of pounded beef called "Hamburg Steak" was common in Hamburg in the middle of the 19th century. The recipe was brought to North America by the large numbers of people immigrating from Germany at the time, many of whom passed through the port of Hamburg. There is indirect evidence for its use on an American menu in 1836. The form hamburger steak first appeared in a Washington state newspaper in 1889.
The first recipe close to the current idea of a hamburger, using ground beef mixed with onion and pepper dates from 1902. The Oxford English Dictionary of 1802, on the other hand, defines "Hamburg Steak" simply as cured beef. In a time without refrigerators, when it took weeks to travel from Europe to the USA, cured meat was a standard food for poor US immigrants, who often started from Hamburg (which was and is the biggest German seaport and one of the biggest in the world). In a tween deck, where cooking is nearly impossible, cutting tough cured beef into pieces and putting it between slices of bread may suggest itself.
A cheeseburger is a hamburger with cheese in addition to the meat. In 1924, Lionel Sternberger grilled the first cheeseburger in Pasadena, California. When Sternberger died in 1964, Time magazine noted in its February 7 issue that:
"...at the hungry age of 16, [Sternberger] experimentally dropped a slab of American cheese on a sizzling hamburger while helping out at his father's sandwich shop in Pasadena, thereby inventing the cheeseburger..."
Source: Wikipedia
La Mussara, Tarragona (Spain).
ENGLISH
La Mussara is a town in Tarragona that has been left about 50 years ago. It is on the edge of a cornice of the Muntanyes de Prades, at 990m. height, and thence there are spectacular views of all Tarragona.
It appears mentioned in documents in 1173 where it states that the town already was inhabited. The church of La Mussara appears mentioned in a bull of Celestine III in 1194. The temple maintained the category of parish until in 1534 it passed to depend on the one on Vilaplana. Nowadays about the church of San Salvador, built on the previous one of gothic style, it only left the four walls and the bell tower of 1859. As peculiar things of this town, it was named ranas to its inhabitants because when it rained a little, it formed a great pool in the only street of the town. Also from here it comes the Catalan saying “baixar de La Mussara” (to lower of La Mussara), equivalent to the Castilian “bajar de la higuera” or “bajar de la parra”.
The Mussara gave up exist officially in January 1960, and nobody knows so that of its depopulation. It is attributed mainly to the phylloxera plague, but that is not a zone in which the culture of the grapevine is important, reason why almost surely that the abandonment could have to the water shortage... or simply that the population was scattered and there they lacked the more basic things like a doctor, a rector, electricity or telephone. All this halo of mystery in the disappearance of the town and the place in which it has given cause to a series of histories and legend that borders the fantasy and the superstition, cataloguing La Mussara like a “damn town”.
Inside the church and in the cemetery black masses are celebrated. Proof of it is the esoteric symbols that sometimes appear painted in the walls. In many corners of the town also they are deposited branches of flowers. There is one who has heard helmets of horses in the neighborhood of the church, or even chimes of the same church (that does not have bell). There is people who say to feel a species of call that it impels to him to go to La Mussara. A friend mine, who is neighboring of the zone, commented me that some years ago a man raised in his car, stopped minutes next to the pool, and soon he went at full speed to the precipice of the viewpoint.
Some hikers who have themselves bold to spend the night there have seen luminous shades, or figures moving between the houses and losing themselves behind the trees. Even there are witnesses of UFO sightings. But in which they agree more most of phenomena it is in the cold fog that appears suddenly and that it disorients people immersed in her, in such a way that what for them can seem minutes, soon they discover in its clocks that have spent hours. The electrical apparatuses also are altered.
From remote times to well entered 20th century, that zone has been land of witches. It counts the legend that during the carlists wars soldiers went to the cemetery of La Mussara to unearth a carlist general called Cercós (really Isidre Pàmies i Borràs, named general for a reason or purpose posthumous by Carlos VII) to shoot it (or to hang it, according to other sources), although already was dead. The fog confused to them and unearthed and shot the body of a old witch (l'àvia Boronada). This caused that the fog thickened still more to his around and that the soldiers fled terrified when occurring account of the error. One tells that this unleashed a curse on them.
Another legend talks about a rock near, which who steps on it or it jumps it passes to a parallel dimension, “Vila del Sis” (Town of the Six). It is know the case of a pair of “boletaires” (pickers of mushrooms) that went by the zone looking for mushrooms in October 1991. They were speaking one with another one calmly, watching the ground, when one of them, Enrique Martinez Ortiz, it let respond, and until now it has not been known nothing else about him. He was neighboring of the place and he perfectly knew the land, reason why doubt that was had lost. Searches by the zone were organized during days, with the participation of soldiers of a close barracks, with unfruitful result.
It is all truth or lie, which is clear is that La Mussara is a place surrounded by natural beauty by its landscape, and of mystery by its undocumented history.
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CASTELLANO
La Mussara es un pueblo de Tarragona que lleva unos 50 años abandonado. Está al borde de una cornisa de las Muntanyes de Prades, a unos 990m. de altura, y desde allí hay unas vistas espectaculares de toda Tarragona.
Aparece citado en documentos de 1173 donde consta que el pueblo estaba ya habitado. La iglesia de La Mussara aparece citada en un bula de Celestino III de 1194. El templo mantuvo la categoría de parroquia hasta que en 1534 pasó a depender de la de Vilaplana. Hoy en día de la iglesia de San Salvador, construída sobre la anterior de estilo gótico, sólo quedan las cuatro paredes y el campanario de 1859. Como cosas curiosa de este pueblo, a sus habitantes se les llamaba ranas porque cuando llovía un poco se formaba una gran charca en la única calle del pueblo. También de aquí proviene el dicho catalán "baixar de la Mussara" (bajar de la Mussara), equivalente al castellano "bajar de la higuera" o "bajar de la parra".
La Mussara dejó de existir oficialmente en enero de 1960, y nadie sabe el por qué de su despoblación. Se atribuye principalmente a la plaga de filoxera, pero aquella no es una zona en que el cultivo de la vid sea importante, por lo que casi seguro que el abandono se pudo deber a la escasez de agua... o simplemente que la población ya estaba muy diseminada y allí faltaban las cosas más básicas, como médico, rector, electricidad o teléfono. Todo este halo de misterio en la desaparición del pueblo y el lugar en que se encuentra han dado pie una serie de historias y leyendas que rozan la fantasía y la superstición, catalogando La Mussara como "pueblo maldito".
En el interior de la iglesia y en el cementerio se celebran misas negras. Prueba de ello son los símbolos esotéricos que a veces aparecen pintados por las paredes. En muchos rincones del pueblo también se encuentran depositados ramos de flores. Hay quien ha oído cascos de caballos en los alrededores de la iglesia, o incluso campanadas de la misma iglesia (que no tiene campana). Hay gente que dice sentir una especie de llamada que le impulsa a ir a La Mussara. Un amigo mío, que es vecino de la zona, me comentó que no hace muchos años un hombre subió en su coche, se detuvo unos minutos al lado de la charca, y luego se dirigió a toda velocidad al barranco del mirador.
Algunos excursionistas que se han atrevido a pasar la noche allí han visto sombras, o figuras luminosas moviéndose entre las casas y perdiéndose tras los árboles. Incluso hay testigos de avistamientos OVNI. Pero en lo que más coinciden la mayoría de fenómenos es en la fría niebla que aparece de repente y que desorienta a los que se ven inmersos en ella, de tal modo que lo que para ellos pueden parecer minutos, luego descubren en sus relojes que han pasado horas. Los aparatos eléctricos también se ven alterados.
Desde tiempos remotos hasta bien entrado el siglo XX, aquella zona ha sido tierra de brujas. Cuenta la leyenda que durante las guerras carlistas unos soldados fueron al cementerio de La Mussara a desenterrar a un general carlista llamado Cercós (realmente Isidre Pàmies i Borràs nombrado general a título póstumo por Carlos VII) para fusilarlo (o colgarlo, según otras fuentes), aunque ya estuviera muerto. La niebla les confundió y desenterraron y fusilaron el cuerpo de una anciana bruja (l'àvia Boronada). Esto provocó que la niebla se espesara aún más a su alrededor y que los soldados huyeran despavoridos al darse cuenta del error. Se cuenta que esto desató una maldición sobre ellos.
Otra leyenda habla de una roca cercana, que quien la pisa o la salta pasa a una dimensión paralela, a la "Vila del Sis" (Villa del Seis). Se conoce el caso de una pareja de "boletaires" (recolectores de setas) que iban por la zona buscando setas en octubre de 1991. Iban hablando uno con otro tranquilamente, mirando al suelo, cuando uno de ellos, Enrique Martínez Ortiz, dejó de responder, y hasta ahora no se ha sabido nada más de él. Era vecino del lugar y se conocía perfectamente el terreno, por lo que se duda que se hubiera perdido. Se organizaron batidas por la zona durante días, con la participación de soldados de un cuartel próximo, con resultado infructuoso.
Sea todo ello verdad o mentira, lo que está claro es que La Mussara es un lugar rodeado de belleza natural por su paisaje, y de misterio por su historia indocumentada.
Más info: ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Mussara, www.franrecio.com/investigaciones/la_mussara_pueblo_maldi...
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just when i thought i found it, i lost it.
today love is the movement. :)
To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.
To Write Love On Her Arms Day is a day where anyone can write the words love on their arms, to support those who are fighting against depression and those who are trying to recovering. On this day, just write love on your arms, and show it off, other people will ask why you have love written on your arms, and you tell them you are supporting to write love on her arms day, and how its benefiting a non profit organization helping stop depression, and make love the movement.
i had this on my hand all day today. it's only written on my hand because i wore long sleeves, okay? i thought this was one cool cause, and i know how it feels. i've been adddicted before. i've been so upset before too, my best friend thought i was seriously going to go in depression. believe me. i know how this feels, and this is why i decided to support this. and if any of you want to also for the rest of the day, pick up a marker/pen and go! write "love" on your arms! :)
ps. happy friday the 13th.
(6 in comments)
I View Cotton Clouds On Black I I Mario Bekes Blog I
About photo:
F: 16 / E: 1/125' / FD: 18 mm / ISO: 250 / WB: AWB / Filters: CPL & Cokin P Set / PP: HDRI & Lightroom 2.3
All comments and suggestions welcome.
Copyright: Mario Bekes Photography ©
- Marcus Aurelius
Nikon D90 with AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G
ISO 200, f/22.0, 1/30 sec
Manual focus, aperture-priority mode
Mounted on tripod (Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head and 055XPROB Legs)
Triggered using Nikon ML-L3 wireless remote
Photomatix - Exposure blend of 3 shots at 0, -2, and +2 EV, Highlights&Shadows-Adjust
Taken at sunrise at the Embarcadero in San Francisco (near Howard Street).
Since I haven't had the time to go shooting lately, I thought I'd go through my archives and see if there's anything I missed posting the first time... I shot this about two months ago and ended up posting one taken before sunrise with the Tokina 11-16mm. Looking back now, I really like the way the sun passed through the bridge during sunrise that day.
I think this shot just makes me feel thankful to be alive, to be healthy, and to have a wonderful family! Have a great weekend everyone!
EXPLORE #104 on 10/16/09!!!
Hilo de la Fotohistoria en Pullip .es: PULLIP.ES - BCN: Parque Guinardo - 26/02/2011
Meeting!! (2 of 5): L and the sweets /
Kedada!! (2 de 5): L y las chuches
(Read in order, this is: SHOT/FOTO 06 of 07) PAG: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07.
FOTOHISTORY: In English / En Español
Lyann: Here L, if you want we can share mine... Do you like the strawberry ones?
L: O_O T^T O_O T^T
/
Lyann: Toma L, si quieres te doy un poco del mío... Te gustan los de fresa?
L: O_O T^T O_O T^T
LINKS:
- Las FOTOHISTORIAS de Sheryl en el Foro de Pullips: Pullip .es
- Sheryl Photostories at Flickr
- Hilo de las Fotohistorias de Shin y Yashiro en el Foro de Pullips: Pullip .es
This Maxima belongs to a resident of the same area I live in currently, but his house is more down the road. He is the next-door neighbor of my cousin who owns the Corvette Stingray, and I actually took this shot while the Stingray was being prepared for that day's photo shoot.
I managed to take a 5 exposure HDR just before the older brother arrived and parked his Tahoe next to the Maxima, ruining any chances I had for another angle. I didn't know the man so I wasn't going to be pushy and he was kind enough to tell me I could take as many pictures that I wanted. I didn't meet the Maxima owner however, I'm sure we have a lot in common since we're both NISMO guys.
5 exposure HDR tonemapped in photomatix, this time unlike my previous Corvette shot I wanted this to clearly look like an HDR shot and I have saturated the colors a lot but not too extreme in Lightroom and Photoshop CS2. Couldn't help that tree effect in the upper right corner, it was a windy day.
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Canon EOS 400D.
Lens: Ef 24-105 F4 L IS.
ISO: 100.
Aperture: F/7.1
Focal Length: 24mm.
Ex: Shot on a tripod with cable shutter release.
Location: Somewhere in Kuwait.
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***** Please do not comment with your latest PHOTO or FLICKR PAGE LOGO ******
***** IF you do so your comment will be deleted ******
This photograph was taken by Mishari Alreshaid. 2008. All rights reserved.
Vilnius Cathedral is the main Roman Catholic Cathedral of Lithuania. It is situated in Vilnius' Old Town, just off the Cathedral Square.
It is believed that in pre-Christian times, the Baltic pagan god Perkūnas was worshiped at this location. The Lithuanian King Mindaugas built the original cathedral in 1251 after his conversion to Christianity. After his death in 1263, it again became a place of pagan worship. And throughout history the cathedral was rebuilt, knocked down, used for Christianity and Pagan worship, a chequered history for sure :)
Inside the organ is fantastic, the interior design quite pretty and one of the side rooms has some of the prettiest baroque design I have seen in a church (and i have seen quite a few of them!)
. . . thanx to Paul Grand for this great texture . . . www.flickr.com/photos/paulgrand/2166701526/
HDR image processed from 7 exposures with Photomatix Pro.
Tabea and me finally returned from our lovely Scotland vacation trip - where I took tons of pictures, like a crazy idiot ... fortunately she barely tolerated it :-)
Why not start the stream with the famous (and one of the most photographed) Eilean Donan Castle located near Dornie. A wonderful building of which the original castle was built in the early 13th century.
The sky was cloudy with a storm coming up, however, it fortunately did not rain and gave the whole scene (and the HDR result) a nice aspect of drama.
Please check this one in Large and discover all the details. Use the new flickr or check in Large and on Black!
Please don't use this image on any media without asking for permission.
© All rights reserved.
Built for SW Factions on Eurobricks. Original Post: www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/180378-j...
Iridonia, the gateway to the Outer Rim.
The red sphere was a dry, harsh world, the home to the hardy Zabrak. The Zabrak had a centuries-long tradition of hyperspace trade, rivalries with the Duros, and a shareholder’s slice of the pie when it came to making decisions about hyperspace tariffs. Their homeworld’s placement provided leverage, leverage that the current regime was glad to exploit.
The House of Kesh had ruled Iridonia for decades. Lord Kesh had proven himself a violent, unstable, vain tyrant who murdered outsiders and made his own people slaves. The rest of the galaxy might have ignored this, but Kesh also made a habit of choking the Coruscant-Dantooine hyperlanes. Hitting people’s bottom lines was a good way to draw their attention.
For over a month, a growing team of CFS diplomats had been hunkered down on Iridonia to try to negotiate a deal with its government, working to arrive at some sort of agreement, both among themselves and the Iridonian leadership. Everyone in the room had different priorities: some represented the CFS Merchant Core and just wanted to relax tariffs, others had the plight of the people in mind. Some wanted to take Kesh before a trial, deal with things peacefully. Others at the table would rather see him dead.
A sandstorm of intrigue surrounded the diplomats since the moment they arrived. Spies hung on every corner and doorway: CFS spies and Iridonian spies, and spies working for individual diplomats, advancing causes unbeknownst to their colleagues. While the gears of diplomacy grinded on, some had initiated more direct action.
Forgun Bohani had been the third diplomat to arrive in the Iridonian court. He was a clever old man, always watching and listening, who found himself on the side of a peaceful transition of power. He had listened to the bickering in the court long enough to decide a fresh voice was needed. He knew exactly who to summon: a young diplomat who had negotiated terms at Kril’Dor after the Pyerce insurrection, a rising star named Lan Honn. Honn seemed intelligent, studious, and honorable, precisely what was needed here. Bohani sent a message asking for Honn’s help, offering himself as a sponsor.
When the message arrived, Lan Honn was struck speechless. Once he had composed himself, calmed his excited nerves, and closed his gaping jaw, he jumped at the opportunity with appropriate seriousness. He became a tireless student of the Iridonian situation as he traveled, pouring over not only the current stakes of the negotiation, but Iridonian culture, art, and history. Anything that might help him understand their point of view. He stared out the viewport of his transport at the grim, dust-red planet’s surface.
Though he would soon join the CFS entourage, he chose to mask his arrival by docking at a swoop slum far from the city center. He traveled in plainclothes accompanied only by his bodyguard, the dangerous Esno Bo’Barbi.
The landing pad was deserted. The only people in sight were offworlders who looked more than worse-for-wear. As Honn and Bo’Barbi walked down the gangplank, a fat, bearded Lannik approached.
Honn turned to his companion. “Here comes Dak Sirah, a rogue if ever there was one, true and merry-faced though he be.”
“Aye,” replied the gruff Bo’Barbi. “Untiring after his own interest. Though if his and ours overlap, he becomes a useful fellow.”
Honn smiled at Sirah. “Dak! It’s good to see you. Live you on borrowed credits, or your own?”
“Lan Honn!” cried the bearded man. “Prince among men! Don’t you look…discrete. For once, I’m the handsomer of us two! For a diplomat, you make a lousy first impression, y’know. Don’t jest about my finances, I try to do my best.”
Honn grinned. “You’ve never once succeeded, though you’re not without other merit.”
Sirah peered at him. “Honest for a diplomat, too. Let’s put aside the squabbling, eh? I’m here on Bohani’s behalf, he got your message and sent me to lead you to the courts. I’d say welcome, but there’s nothing welcoming about Iridonia at present. What do you know about the situation, Honn?”
“I’ve read up on my way.”
“Ah! Of course you have. I should’ve known.”
“But pretend I haven’t. I want to hear it from your perspective.”
Dak sighed. “It’s a port of wolves, Honn. The Iridonians waste no pity or kindness on their own people, much less the Duros or offworlders. Both sides watch each other, constant with their spies. Yours truly, in fact, does some work on the side for Lord Bohani! Though, come to think of it, I wasn’t meant to let on to that.”
“I would think Bohani would bring on tighter-lipped spies. Though he’d be hard-pressed to find one more likable.”
“Ahhh, that’s my trick, there. No one suspects a guy like me to do anything more subtle than a public one-man-show! Keeps ‘em off the scent. It’s a good thing you’re here, Honn. It’s all been infighting and circling so far. Every day new proposals, new amendments, but nothin’ seems to stick. They’ve needed some fresh ideas, I think you’re just the one for it.”
“Thank you, Dak. I mean to be of service.”
Sirah scoffed. “You seem nervous. You kidding me? You’ll do great, you’re a bright guy. A lot brighter than some of the statues they’ve got at the table right now. Scaft, I nearly forgot to greet your bodyguard. Mister Bo’Barbi, the most dangerous man in the galaxy, enemy to nere’do’wells! A title I hope I don’t merit.”
Bo’Barbi raised an eyebrow. “An enemy to flatterers, too, mister Sirah.”
“Ah . . . Point taken. Lovely to make your acquaintance, sir! Ol’ Dak means no harm, no harm at all.” Sirah crinkled his jolly face. “Not unless you’re a bottle of Mantelli Scotch, anyway.”
I don't meditate anymore or anything like that, but this is me tastefully nude striking a half-lotus pose. Pretty much all of the things I've been doing are on hiatus while I don't live in Chicago and I'm pretty much fine with it. Periods of transitions and all that. On the first day of my college psychology course, the professor asked us to draw a picture of ourselves in the rain, and this is how I drew myself.
The weight is unbearable, she wanted to say. But her heart was pounding and she was out of breath and her words were barely a whisper. She had lost the will to stand, and she was crying and crawling, hand over fist, clawing her way up a mountain that she could never master.
I could just let it go, and I would be lighter, free.
I could race up this hillside and on the other side of the shadow there would be sunlight and life and happiness.
But she held fast to her burden, carrying it between her teeth, for she had no hand free to hold it close.
She opened her eyes, and through the soft focus of tear-swelled eyes, she saw that there were others all around her, lifting their bodies against the pull of gravity, focusing on the cold earth beneath their fingers, whispering secrets to themselves as they blindly climbed uphill.
Take my hand, said a familiar voice.
There was a woman just beyond her reach, outlined in silhouette against the sky.
And so she pressed on, until she could take hold of the woman’s body, and together they continued climbing, climbing, alone in each other’s company.
When they reached the peak, the sunlight was fading, and she could just see the outlines of a lush green valley in the soft light of evening.
What have you carried all this way? asked the woman.
She spat her burden into the palm of her hand. It glistened in the golden light of the dying day, dark, throbbing hot against the chilly air.
My heart, she murmured.
Catch the 18 MOCs at GoH!
Day 7: Swineherding in Wadi Khinz'ir
Day 12: Mophet Blacksmith and Armory
[on black]
when habanero is the very first ingredient listed on the nutrition label, you know its gunna be hot. this sauce is rated at 50,000 scoville units. to put that in perspective, a jalapeno is between 2500 and 8000. habaneros are between 100,000 and 580,000. the scale goes up to 16,000,000. a couple drops of this is all you need to warm a bowl of chili. this is one of the latest additions.. i love hot sauce.
shot taken for strobist sundays, theme fruits & vegetables.
im also gunna use this for macro mondays, theme nuts.. cuz you've gotta be nuts to eat this stuff straight up!
strobist: lumopro lp120 fired via rf-602 at 1/1 power at wall behind subject with black foam core gobo. 580exii fired via rf-602 at 1/4 power held in my hand above subject. see setup shot below...
explored..
The last three times I have gone to see the Barred Owls, I was only able to see one sleep. So, I am back to reality; I don't get to commune with the owls everytime I "want" to.
This is one of the two kids, quite interested in me and the dance I was doing to get closer.
Barred Owls
Barred owls are large owls with round heads and NO ear tufts. They are brownish-gray with brown and white bars across their chest. (That’s why they’re called "barred" owls.) Their legs are covered with feathers. The barred owls’ eyes are dark brown, while most other owls have yellow eyes. Their beaks are sharp, but very small, so they are almost covered up by facial feathers. Owls can see very well at night, but they can also see during the day.
They have a special inner eyelid which blocks bright sunlight - owl sunglasses! Most birds have eyes on their sides of their head. This helps them to see sideways and backwards. Owls, however, have both eyes in the front. This gives them good depth perception (helps them to tell how far away something is). Unfortunately, it means they can’t see sideways or backwards. To deal with this, owls can turn their head ALMOST all the way around. But they can’t spin their head in a full circle; their head would twist off!