Just hanging out at the beach provides some great opportunities.

Thank you for taking the time to visit and as always, your views, comments, faves, and support are greatly appreciated!! :)

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.

From green to brown to red, the cycle goes on every year. This tree, one among several, provides this street with colour and character.

Saulsalito Marina provides such a beautiful view of the water and boats while having a wonderful dinner on the dock. Great memories for cold days.

In 1911, the Old Elbe Tunnel was built to provide a more direct route for dock workers over to the southern banks of the Elbe river from the Landungsbrücken piers in St. Pauli. A technical innovation at the time of its construction, the tunnel became a tourist attraction when the 'new' Elbtunnel and several bridges were built in the 1970s. Now pedestrians and bicyclists wishing to cross below the river can ride a free lift into the deep, and cars can use hydraulically driven cages for a small fee.

Explore the southern banks

The green dome at the Landungsbrücken points towards the 426 metres long underpass. The tunnel is used by city-dwellers to explore the remote corners of the port area or to get to Wilhelmsburg or Altes Land. The observation platform south of the river is also held in high regard among tourists and locals alike for its magnificent panoramic views of the city.

A historic site

Modern tunnels can’t compare to the Alter Elbtunnel, which has been a preserved historic site since 2003. The lamps symmetrically lining the arched tunnel walls create an otherworldly yet cosy atmosphere 24 metres below the river’s surface. The Alter Elbtunnel’s Art-Deco beauty, combined with the unique reliefs lining the bricked walls, make this attraction particularly popular with photographers.

Source www.hamburg.com

This species provides an example of sex role reversal with the females being more brightly coloured than the males. Females will also choose a male and then defend him against other females and when the chicks have arrived, the female scarpers and the male raises them on his own.

Thank you for taking a look at my images

Tumbling boulders provide a rock boundary for the waters of Burbage Brook; an incredibly scenic feature of Sheffield’s Padley Gorge and the Longsaw Estate; Hathersage, Peak District.

NB: It would be a crime as a photographer to visit this place without a camera of any description.

Created using: Topaz Labs, and Topaz Studio

The game provides a Kalah board and a number of seeds or counters. The board has 6 small pits, called houses, on each side; and a big pit, called an end zone, at each end. The object of the game is to capture more seeds than one's opponent.

provide us with memories. Broken as they may become; they endow hope by freeing us to embrace... gratitude.

- Katherine Walsh

South Hadley, MA

Textures added by:

Cary Larrabee - www.flickr.com/photos/c_larrabee/12162062053/

Brenda Starr (Clarke) - www.flickr.com/photos/brenda-starr/5084316081/in/set-7215...

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This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic,mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.

Thanks for the visit, comments, awards, invitations and favorites.

The Eastern Meadowlark provides a bright splash of color on Florida's open grassy fields and prairies. Scan fence posts, low bushes or power lines for the adult bird with its yellow throat, breast and belly, and black "V" across the chest. Or listen for the sweet, melodious song: a plaintive, clear, descending whistle.

The eastern meadowlark breeds throughout eastern and central North America and in Mexico and parts of Central America and the Caribbean. This year-round Florida resident is not a lark, as its name suggests, but is in the same family as blackbirds and orioles. In size and shape, a perched meadowlark resembles a starling, but it is quail-like in its explosive take-off from the ground. Insects make up the bulk of the meadowlark's diet, but grass and weed seeds are also consumed.

I found this one perched on a fence post greeting the day just after Sunrise along Joe Overstreet Road in Osceola County, Florida.

Click below to hear Eastern Meadowlark!

www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/201...

Pittman Orchard McDade Trail Access

Never-ending paths that are well maintained and flat, provide a view of the Delaware River on one side and sheer rocky cliffs (where I was) on the other.

Absolutely beautiful and peaceful any time of the day! 😊

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#UkraineStrong 🇺🇦

Storms always seem to provide me with... a lesson from Brother Fear and Sister Awe. To the east the darkening clouds & wind rushed to engulf the landscape while to the west the sun was setting...

Katherine Walsh

“It’s not a bad lesson to learn in the bleaker months: how you view a storm is a question of perspective; provided you find the right rock to watch it from, it could be the most incredible thing you’ll ever witness.”

― Dan Stevens

A recent Spring storm on the farm fields in Sunderland, MA

Textures added by:

Clive Sax - www.flickr.com/photos/chorando/3272799538/in/album-721576...

Glynis - www.flickr.com/photos/glynislw/8527756473/in/pool-texture...

Paree Erica - www.flickr.com/photos/pareeerica/4228014136/in/set-721576...

© All rights reserved.

This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.

Thanks for the visit, comments, awards, invitations and favorites.

Long Exposure of the Caerfanell river winding its way through the Talybont Forest in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Mid Wales, United Kingdom!

Due to the heavy rains that we recently experienced there was a swell in the river offering silky smooth white waters created from the long exposure being forced over the rocks and boulders!

– the better to provide an alibi for all the despair we are going to feel anyway.

Albert Camus

Topaz Studio

Texture with thanks to Alan- sunsetsailor

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Use without permission is illegal.

Please, don't fave and run, you will get yourself blocked.

clustered bellflower - Campanula glomerata

Challenge 117 - NATURE'S GIFTS (2020 Art) - 5th place winner!

www.flickr.com/groups/1336746@N23/discuss/721577148493689...

My attempt at the "Crazy Tuesday" theme "Numbers"

Shows a tiny part of a grapevine. They really create interesting shapes in their growth.

Shot with a Tamron "(Noritsu) 48.5 mm F 2.8" (enlarging) lens on a Canon EOS R5.

The rising and setting sun provides a warm glow to the skies and clouds; however, the opposite horizon is often over looked. As earths shadow recedes during sunrise (or advances at sunset), a band of soft pink pastels forms above it - know as the Belt of Venus.

Above, the Fort Lauderdale, FL skyline was imaged about 10mins before sunrise.

DSC_2162_APc2_66r95q.jpg (crop - resolution 66%)

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The Riffelsee lake trail provides scenic views of the highest mountains in the Alps, a lake surrounded by majestic mountains, unspoiled Alpine nature.

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Panorama of the Pennine Alps and Riffelsee lake, Valais, Switzerland. View from a height of 2815 m.

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See my new photos in the My Travels album:

Bedruthan Steps provides one of my favourite views on the north coast of Cornwall. This stretch of coast lies between Newquay to the south and Trevose Head to the north and features a number of headlands and sea stacks with numerous caves at the base of the cliffs. At low tide there are gorgeous golden sandy beaches revealed but at high tide when there is a strong wind blowing, the sea can be spectacular.

The people there behind the falls help provide some scale to this location and waterfall there in Oregon.

Walking in fog often provides a visual representation of my thought process. My brain constantly brings different topics into view, but in the process lets others slide into the periphery. Most of the time they are all still there, competing for my attention, but all in varying degrees. In fog I respond to the overall loss of clarity, but also the nuance that is created by relative distance. It's this layering effect I find most appealing as more distant objects eventually recede into nothingness...exactly the same as my mind reacts.

Walking outdoors this morning felt otherworldly. I love seeing familiar places rendered as ones I'm visiting for the very first time. A rich dichotomy as the serenity of fog is ripped apart by this visceral reaction. In these moments I invariably come up with camera angles that never would have occurred to me in normal circumstances.

Ich melde mich für ein paar Tage ab. Tolle Motive erwarten mich und euch, wenn ich dann wieder zurück bin. Bis bald!

I'm signing off for a few days. Great motifs await me and you when I get back. See you!

The Eastern Meadowlark provides a bright splash of color on Florida's open grassy fields and prairies. Scan fence posts, low bushes or power lines for the adult bird with its yellow throat, breast and belly, and black "V" across the chest. Or listen for the sweet, melodious song: a plaintive, clear, descending whistle.

The eastern meadowlark breeds throughout eastern and central North America and in Mexico and parts of Central America and the Caribbean. This year-round Florida resident is not a lark, as its name suggests, but is in the same family as blackbirds and orioles. In size and shape, a perched meadowlark resembles a starling, but it is quail-like in its explosive take-off from the ground. Insects make up the bulk of the meadowlark's diet, but grass and weed seeds are also consumed.

Eastern Meadowlarks are common on the prairies and pastures of the Florida peninsula, and are found throughout the state in suitable open habitat, including croplands and golf courses. In general, however, scientists have noted gradual population declines throughout the eastern meadowlark's range, probably due to habitat loss.

I found this at Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Hendry County, Florida.

The setting sun provides a golden glow over this mountain range.

Those tracks are not mine; I walked out to the water and came across the tracks and liked how it worked with the view.

The Great Salt Lake - GPS is not the exact spot of the shot.

No comments today – just enjoy :-)

The hamsa is believed to provide defence against the evil eye.

It is palm-shaped amulet which is popular throughout North Africa and the Middle East and due to this popularity, it is commonly used as a design for jewelry and wall hangings and depicts an open right hand clutching an evil eye! And you get two eyes on this amulet for the price of one!

For the Macro Mondays group theme of ‘Eye’.

Peter's Pool is a kettle lake made by Franz Josef Glacier, in the Westland National Park in the South Island of New Zealand. Together with Fox Glacier—located 20 kilometres away—the glaciers extend from the Southern Alps to the valley floor less than 300 metres above sea level.

The lake was formed by melting glacial ice around 200 years ago. The water is highly reflective and provides stunning views of the glacial valley containing Franz Josef Glacier.

Nanyuki

Kenya

East Africa

This monkey was photographed at The Mount Kenya Game Ranch animal orphanage founded by William Holden located near Nanyuki, Kenya.

The animal orphanage at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy is a unique facility to give orphaned, injured, neglected, abused or frightened wild animals a second chance. The orphanage provides shelter and professional care with the goal to release these creatures back into the wild where they belong.

Sykes' monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis), also known as the white-throated monkey or Samango monkey, is an Old World monkey found between Ethiopia and South Africa, including south and east Democratic Republic of Congo. It is named after English naturalist Colonel William Henry Sykes (1790-1872), and has been considered conspecific with the blue monkey (which in turn has included the golden and silver monkey), but has a large white patch on the throat and upper chest, and a grizzled (not blackish) cap. - Wikipedia

ENG: The Hörner gondola lift provides access from the Bolsterlang valley to the Weiherkopf peak at an altitude of 1665 meters and the Bolsterlanger Horn peak at an altitude of 1588 meters.

At an altitude of 1540 meters, the cable car ends between the two peaks and from here the very steep path then leads towards Weiherkopf. In the sloping terrain is then the launch site for the paragliders with a fantastic view - in good weather - over the Allgäu Alps in Germany to Tyrol in Austria.

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GER: Die Gondelbahn „Hörnerbahn“ erschließt vom Bolsterlang Tal aus den Weiherkopf Gipfel in 1665 Meter Höhe sowie den Bolsterlanger Horn Gipfel in 1588 Meter Höhe.

In 1540 Meter Höhe endet die Seilbahn zwischen den beiden Gipfeln und von hier aus geht dann der sehr steile Weg Richtung Weiherkopf. Im Hanggelände ist dann der Startplatz für die Gleitschirme mit einem fantastischen Blick - bei guter Wetter - über die Allgäuer Alpen in Deutschland bis hin nach Tirol in Österreich.

– the better to provide an alibi for all the despair we are going to feel anyway.

Albert Camus

Topaz Studio

Texture with thanks to Alan- sunsetsailor

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Use without permission is illegal.

Please, don't fave and run, you will get yourself blocked.

Beauty berries provide a treat for the birds and other wildlife around. The berries begin to turn purple in August and continue to ripen until devoured or through April, whichever comes first.

The bushes are deciduous but the berries remain. The bushes benefit from a heavy trim in the spring after the berries are gone or mostly gone. It helps them branch and grow more berries the following season.

People often make jam out of the berries. Although I am not sure why, they don't have a lot of flavor. I added some to a salad once and it was pretty but again, not much flavor so I believe beauty berries are best left as a food source for wildlife.

Have a splendid day and happy snapping :)

CREDITS - BLOG

The All American Park in Quincy, Illinois provides this beautiful view of the Bay Bridge (on the left) and the Quincy Memorial Bridge (Highway 24, on the right). Large barges headed up the Mississippi River frequently pass beneath the bridges.

Quincy is a beautiful river city. According to Wikipedia, "In the fall of 2010, [it] was listed as eighth in the top fifteen small cities to raise a family in the United States by Forbes magazine for its commute times, high school graduation rate, median household income, home ownership rate and cost of living. Forbes compared 126 cities with a population under 100,000 and ranked them on these five quality-of-life measures."

I also found this to be of interest, "During the winter of 1838-1839, five thousand members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons, on their way west, were driven from their homes in Missouri and arrived in Quincy. Though vastly outnumbered by the new arrivals, the residents of Quincy provided them food and shelter. Joseph Smith then led his followers 40 miles (64 km) up river to Nauvoo, Illinois. The kindness extended by the people of Quincy continues to be remembered by Mormons. In 2002, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir gave a benefit concert in Quincy, with the proceeds donated to the city as an expression of gratitude."

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© Stephen L. Frazier - All Rights Reserved.

All material in my photo stream may NOT be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or uploaded in any way without my permission. My photos are Copyrighted "Stephen L. Frazier" and All Rights Reserved.

Short brake from Costa Rica.. family gathering in Florida provide another opportunity to get shots of this rarity. Dense morning fog overcome with with dehaze in Lightroom. Airboat tour.

From Wiki:

Nests and forages year-round in freshwater wetlands of southern Florida, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Locally endangered species in the Florida Everglades, with a population of less than 400 breeding pairs. Research has demonstrated that water-level control in the Everglades is depleting the population of apple snails. However, this species is not generally threatened over its extensive range. it might be locally increasing in numbers, such as in Central America.

This is a gregarious bird of freshwater wetlands, forming large winter roosts. Its diet consists almost exclusively of apple snails, (especially the species Pomacea paludosa in Florida, and species of the genus Marisa). Snail kites have been observed eating other prey items in Florida, including crayfish in the genus Procambarus, crabs in the genus Dilocarcinus, black crappie, small turtles and rodents. It is believed that snail kites turn to these alternatives only when apple snails become scarce, such as during drought, but further study is needed. On 14 May 2007, a birdwatcher photographed a snail kite feeding at a red swamp crayfish farm in Clarendon County, South Carolina.

The presence of the large introduced Pomacea maculata in Florida has led the snail kites in North America to develop larger bodies and beaks to better eat the snail, a case of rapid evolution.[17] These non-native snails provide a better food source over the smaller native snails and has had a positive effect on their population

Brambles and scrub provide good habitat for Dunnock which usually feed on the ground. The Dunnock was once misleadingly known as the Hedge Sparrow. For a long time it was thought to be related to the Wren. New research places them within a large group consisting of sparrows, finches and pippits.

Tunnel View provides one of the most famous views of Yosemite Valley. From here you can see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall rising from Yosemite Valley, with Half Dome in the background. This viewpoint is at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel along the Wawona Road (Highway 41).

In an example of good retention-pond design, the verges of the polishing pond of Cross Creek Ranch are lined with reeds, thick in many places, which prevent erosion, of course, but which also provide refuge for birds. Fulshear, Texas.

These boats provide a ferry service across the Looe River to East Looe when there is sufficient water. It saves a walk down to the bridge and back again on the other side. West Looe and East Looe were once separate towns, but became united at the end of the 19th century. East Looe is by far the largest of the two and was once an important port for the export of tin and copper ore from the mines on Bodmin Moor, as well as farm and other produce. Some of the former warehouses can be seen on the other side of the river. The arrival of the railway and the end of the mining industry led to Looe's decline as a port and it became a popular seaside resort.

Ship graveyard in Bangladesh

One of the most polluted places on earth is considered the “ship graveyard” in Bangladesh. Every year, more than two hundred ships find their last refuge here and provide jobs for local residents. All decommissioned ships understand to the last screw. This is done in appalling conditions and for a ridiculous reward, but due to the lack of alternatives, people agree to such work.

Читтагонг- один из крупнейших в мире центров по слому кораблей. Здесь одновременно работало до 200000 человек.

После Второй мировой войны судостроение стало переживать небывалый подъем, огромное количество металлических кораблей строилось по всему миру и все больше – в развивающихся странах. Однако вскоре возник вопрос по утилизации отработавших свое кораблей. Более экономичней и выгодней оказалось производить разбор старых кораблей на металлолом в бедных развивающихся странах, где десятки тысяч низкооплачиваемых трудящихся демонтировали старые корабли в несколько раз дешевле, чем в Европе.

Плюс ко всему немаловажную роль сыграли такие факторы, как строгие требования охраны здоровья и окружающей среды, дорогостоящие страховки. Все это сделало слом кораблей в развитых европейских странах невыгодным. Здесь такая деятельность ограничивается, в основном, утилизацией военных судов.

Утилизация старых судов в развитых странах в настоящее время чрезвычайно высока также из-за дороговизны: стоимость утилизации токсичных веществ, таких как асбест, ПХБ и содержащих свинец и ртуть — зачастую выше, чем стоимость металлолома.

Одним из самых загрязненных мест на земле считается «кладбище кораблей» в Бангладеше. Ежегодно, более двухсот кораблей находят здесь свое последнее пристанище и обеспечивают работой местных жителей. Все списанные корабли разбираются до последнего винтика. Делается это в ужасающих условиях и за смешное вознаграждение, но из-за отсутствия альтернатив люди соглашаются и на такую работу.

Прежде чем начинается основная работа, корабль доставляют в Читтагонг и сажают на мель. Далее снимают и сливают все, до чего дотянутся: начиная топливом и маслом, заканчивая мебелью и оборудованием. Все материалы отправляются на переработку.

История этого места начинается в 1960 году. Именно в этом году судно Alpine после шторма было выброшено на берег. Попытки снять его с мели не привели к положительным результатам и через пять лет корабль списали. Судно купила местная компания и при помощи дешевой рабочей силы разобрала на металлолом. И уже в 90-х годах здесь образовался один из крупнейших центров по утилизации кораблей.

Barbondale provides one of the western entrances to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and runs from the Lune Valley near Kirkby Lonsdale along to Dentdale. It is one of the Dales that is also in the county of Cumbria following the boundary re-organisation in 1974. A stream known as Barbon Beck flows south-west through the dale to join the River Lune. Barbondale is possibly one of the least well-known of the Yorkshire Dales, though it is one of my favourites. There is just the one settlement, the village of Barbon at the western entrance to the dale. This is a mile or so out of shot to the left. The surrounding fells rise to over 2,200 feet above sea level. Because of the nature of the countryside, sheep farming predominates and there are several small farmsteads dotted along the dale. The woods on the left of the picture are part of Barbon Manor Estate.

There is no place near where I live that provides a prettier view of a park bench than this one at the Lake Woodruff National Wildlfe Refuge. To be honest, I'm always a little surprised by the close proximity of the benches to the water in this place, considering there are many very large alligators hiding in those canals! They would need less than a split second to grab someone and drag them into the canal to drown for dinner or a late night snack, lol! Personally, although I've gotten tired there before, I don't use the benches. Call me chicken, but like they say, "better a live chicken than a dead duck"!

These boats provide trips for holidaymakers when the tide is right. West Looe and East Looe were once separate towns divided by the Looe River, but became united at the end of the 19th century. East Looe (on the left) is by far the largest of the two and was once an important port for the export of tin and copper ore from the mines on Bodmin Moor, as well as farm and other produce. Some of the former warehouses can be seen on the other side of the river.

Sacha

Autumn colors always provide beautiful pictures! Sacha is a very musical girl. She took lessons from me for a while and every time we were together I was amazed how musical and creative she could be. She got the ukulele from grandpa and grandma and she is of course very happy with it.

I reached out to her mother to ask if she would like to help me build my portfolio. She responded very nicely and we immediately set a date. I knew her family a little bit and I knew they were warm people, so I assumed it would be a lot of fun. We met at their home, after a delicious espresso and biscuits we went straight to the woods. Here we took a lot of photos, everyone was so nice and that is certainly reflected in the photos. Thank you Lizz for your trust in me.

Beaches provide a sensory stimulation for the dogs. The texture of sand feels different under their paws, which can be exciting and fun for them. Plus plenty of new smells that pique a dog's curiosity.

Nature comes sometimes and provides a soft mask of white. Masks can cover a multitude of things and for many reasons. This same photo I believe is a nice capture of Nature and her splendor. A cold day creeps in and we get a quick surprise of snow cover. At times it’s not what we planned for. The Creator doesn’t seek our permission or approval when it’s decided that the weather forecast is about to change our daily pace. We slow down our activities and maybe even alter our plans accordingly. One thing for sure is that we can’t change the weather so why not enjoy it. One method I use is to capture by photograph a segment of Nature at her best. She invites us with the wonder as to what lies “Beneath The Mask” Thanks for viewing my work,

Whatever your opinion is of David Finchers Alien 3 there can be no doubt in the excellent choice of location for the opening scenes. Chemical beach and Blast beach on the Durham coastline provide some very unusual and rugged settings. The harsh light of the cloudless sky proved quite challenging though, requiring full use of the filters.

Thanks as ever for viewing. :0)

Union Pacific local job LPG04 provides a much needed reprieve from the monotonous parade of wide-nose GEs at Nelson as its crew heads for home after a day of servicing customers. The train is passing the junction with the Peoria Sub where trains can diverge off the double main from either direction and head south to Peoria on what used to be the Chicago & Northwestern's SI Line.

When this photo was taken in November of 2020, the tiny spec on the map of Nelson, Illinois still offered an incredible amount of railroading character to the interested photographer. One could spend an entire day shooting trains passing the steam era coaling tower and various C&NW searchlight signals that were packed into this very short section of Union Pacific's Geneva Sub. The Railside Bar and Grill, while not located directly next to the railroad, was a great place to grab a bite to eat during a lull in traffic.

Sadly this past week, operations commenced to dismantle the concrete coaling tower which only lasted a few years longer than the signals.

"Images provide a knowledge that we can interiorize ... can take to that place in ourselves where there is water and where reeds and grasses grow."

(Christine Downing)

Ali provides the centre point for this wonderfully stereotypical "spooky hospital" shot.

I think everyone who goes here has to get atleast one of these.