WWT Slimbridge - Estuary Tower.

The Wigeon is a medium-sized duck with a round head and small bill. The head and neck of the male are chestnut, with a yellow forehead, pink breast and grey body. In flight, Wigeons show white bellies, male Wigeons also have a large white wing patch. Wigeons breed in central and northern Scotland and also in northern England. Many birds visit the UK over winter from Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia. With large numbers of wintering birds at a few UK sites, it is an Amber List species. (RSPB).

Easily panicked is the Wigeon. This is a large group of wigeon settling down again after who knows what set them off! They only moved about 20 feet! (Just over 6m). At one point they where walking on land in a vee formation, the bravest of them leading the way… then something would spook them and it was back to the water, quick as you like.

Close up of Wigeon here: www.flickr.com/photos/images_from_nature/53596095137/in/a...

My thanks to anyone who views, faves or comments on any of my photos. It is much appreciated.

Man builds,

and throws away

Man compels man to suffer

for unnecessary goals

and neglects essential ones

Man learns the secrets of nature,

and uses them to enslave nature

as nature enslaves man.

Ruining in glory,

mending in shame

A confused and panicked struggle

The dance in a web.

Yes, its Bruce again! No, I wont stop posting images of him!

This absolute barnstormer of a sunrise coincided with me randomly deciding to head into this wood after I had taken my Mini s drone for its maiden flight nearby. From above I could see the mist was pushing into this small wood and figured there might be a small chance of some rays. Well, I got rays! More rays than a Star Wars space battle in fact. It was the most panicked I have ever been as a photographer, running round this tree-I use the word running but when you have the knees of an 80 year old its more like a drunk pirates staggering gait as he tries to stumble his way back to his hammock-trying to grab as many compositions of it as I could. Literally 5 minutes later the light and the mist were both gone and I was stood in the clearing next to Bruce with a huge grin on my face and my knees creaming at me to go home!

Just as I thought this was yet another fruitless trip from this location, the colours started filling in on the thin layer of clouds behind. I panicked as the colours grew more and more intense, and people were still walking on the sidewalk. Thankfully, a kind couple stopped for me to take the shot in time.

I went to Burray a drive to see the whales, panicked a bit as I didn't know if I'd get back across here as it was rough driving through and the tide was rising. Realised I didn't actually care that much if I saw a whale and I'd rather take photos of waves and clouds anyway ! This was after i got back across and not long before they were closed until it got safer. There have been many instances of car windscreens being smashed by waves coming over

I was taking various shots of this scene when a young couple came out of the registry office nearby with their parents. They asked my Mrs to take a Polaroid for them, she panicked a little and called me to take the shot which I did. I also offered to take some shots for them on my DSLR, which they were more than happy to pose for. Think I took about twenty or so shots for them and created forty different crops from these which I created that night to send to the groom via WhatsApp and email. Needless to say he was happy. I was glad my Mrs and I bumped into this young couple just beginning married life together and being a small part of their love story. Hopefully they will always remember our small act of kindness. It's always nice to be nice.

The sword and the view: The National Wallace Monument in Stirling, Scotland.

As we drove into Stirling on the morning of 12 October, all eyes focused on the tower to our right as it by design, stood taller than any other structure around. A quick google search (how did we ever travel without Google and GPS???) revealed that it was The National Wallace Monument. Anything to do with my man William had to be visited.

We grabbed lunch at a pub just below Stirling Castle, where I enjoyed haggis on a hamburger for the first time. I liked it, in spite of what it is. After lunch we drove up to Stirling Castle where we quickly decided that we were already a bit tired of castles so we did not enter. As we walked around the grounds, we approached a very impressive statue of a man in armor. It was funny how when realized that it was of Robert the Bruce, all four had the same reaction…we don’t like him very much! For me, my interest in Stirling Castle was greatly diminished by my desire to explore The National Wallace Monument.

Arriving at the monument we were informed that there were 246 steps to the top. A quick math guestimate had me looking up at about a 12-story building. My man-mind that always assumes that I am still 18 said no problem…Jo and I quickly realized it was a problem! First…it was a stone spiral staircase built in the 1860’s…for smaller people with smaller feet. It certainly wasn’t designed for hiking boots! Keeping in mind that a spiral stair is built like a wedge. At the center of the spiral post the step was 3-4 inches wide, 8-9 inches at the outside wall. There were slight variations as 160+ years of traffic showed. The stairwell was probably 3-3.5 feet wide…not a problem until you realize that there is two-way traffic on the stairs!!

Jo and I were only on about step 20 when we came face to face with another couple…we were going up, they were coming down…I was already feeling a bit claustrophobic. They had been in this situation before and said they knew what to do so they pressed their backsides to the outside wall while balancing with their arms extended to the inner spiral. Joann and I ducked down and climbed up using the smaller inner spiral steps, rubbing against the inner wall and them just a bit. Once the twister like pass was completed, I looked at Joann and exclaimed…” Well, that was bull shit!”

We reached the first of three (I believe) upper levels. If I remember correctly, we watched a short film while resting before we went on to the second level. Having no idea of how many other visitors might be in the tower, I had to devise a way of ensuring that we would not have to pass others on the stairs again. I decided that announcing that we were coming up followed by some forced coughing would keep anyone thinking of coming down in place until we arrived on the next level. It worked like a charm! I don’t like taking advantage of covid fear, but I guess I am not above it either! We made it to the second level where we spent 20 minutes or so looking at displays and sucking air. The burning in our thighs was also noted and discussed.

We made it to the top without passing anyone else…the coughing was working perfectly! However, it wasn’t the best of plans to be out of breath while being instantly exposed to 360 degrees of breathtaking views. The placement of the monument was chosen as it is believed to be the place where William Wallace watched the gathering of Longshanks (Edward I) army’s just before he attacked in the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge. The vantage point was easily understood even without the tower. Dozens of photographs were taken as we just stood together in 40+ mile per hour winds, holding on to my hat while taking in the beauty and history of the Scottish Highlands. Then as only a long-married couple can do, we looked into each other’s eyes with a semi-panicked expression as in the same milli-second we both realized that we still had to go back down!

As we stood and stared down the staircase, trying to listen for anyone coming up the 246 steps it was decided we would go down as fast as possible…coughing…trying to eliminate traffic jams. Our gravity assisted decent was 200x easier as it felt like we were “falling with style” a term I haven’t used since being a drunken sailor back in the 1980’s. The only problem with going so fast, and neither of us saw this coming…was dizziness! As we arrived on the second level, both my bride and I were holding on the stone walls for balance…and laughing at ourselves aloud.

It was at the doorway into the second level, and only one third of the way down that I came face to face, inches apart from another tourist. A man probably just a bit younger than I, but apparently not nearly as fit (not that I am!) as his face was blood red and he was covered in sweat. My first thought was that this chap was having a heart attack. Joann’s auto-assessment differed as she concluded that he had the flu. Either way, I have no doubt that I inhaled his exhale due to our near crash experience. Joann was probably right as within 48 hours I would have the flu…coughing hard for real…damn karma!

A few minutes later, as the dizziness subsided, we decided to skip the first level and make a mad coughing dash for the ground floor. I am truly amazed that neither of us fell on the decent as the treachery of each step itself required our full and undivided attention. Locking your eyes on your feet while running in tight circles in a tight passageway…by the time we reached the ground floor, we were both nauseated and twice as dizzy! Not to be ignored, our thigh and calf muscles made themselves known as well!

As we recovered in the gift shop (there is always a gift shop) the question of was it worth it was offered up for discussion. My answer was an immediate yes... to see and stand next to his sword was a thrill I will not soon forget, and the view was worth every step!

Side note: Maybe it is a man thing…but I do like the fact that The Wallace Monument stands taller than Sterling Castle, the home of Robert the Bruce once he was crowned king.

We had a mayor who was incompetent and did great harm to Ankara. When this building first opened, it reflected a red light into the sky. The former mayor saw these lights on a cloudy day. He panicked, thinking aliens were coming. I have loved this building ever since.

"Beginning in August of 1908, the bridge was completed June 22, 1909 and officially opened on November 1, 1909. It cost a whopping $1,334,525.00 to build. This bridge is still the longest and highest of its kind in the world reaching 5,327.625 feet long (1.6km) and 314 feet high (96 meters). In its time is has been described by some as one of the wonders of the world! This CPR rail line has stood the test of time and is still used today with numerous trains crossing the bridge throughout the day." Growing up in the area, there was a legend that the builder of the bridge panicked when the first train went across, and jumped to his death, but I don't see any references to that story anymore...

The River Cherwell starts near the village of Badby, close to the headwaters of the River Nene, but whereas the Nene flows mostly north-eastwards via Peterborough, the fens and out into the Wash, the Cherwell flows south, passing through Banbury before joining the River Thames in the centre of Oxford.

Oxford is probably the Cherwell's finest moment, a river of punts and summer picnics by the colleges and water meadows; Banbury is probably its lowest, little more than a neglected drainage ditch near the railway station, with an old shopping trolley sticking out of it that's been there so long -decades- I've become quite fond of it.

In the centre of the image you can just see a car on the lane to the village of Chacombe. This is also the bus route, and I just missed taking a picture of it as it trundled along.

I remember feeling a little panicked at this point on my bus journey as I'd forgotten that the bus takes this meandering route through Chacombe and not the direct one to Middleton Cheney, so I was a little confused as to where I might end up. All's well that ends well.

I saw this shirt from Just BECAUSE in the new round of Fameshed, and it reminded me of one I saw once irl, designed for Cancer awareness. Pretty graphic tees for a really ugly disease. Cancer isn't pretty. But those who fight are BEAUTIFUL. Thank you, Just BECAUSE, for making this in pink. I believe in Pink. I believe in Living.

I was 19 when I heard the words, "You have Cancer." I was shocked, scared, panicked... I didn't want to die. So I fought. I am one of the lucky ones. I Survived. I Live. I Love. Too many don't.

Relay for Life kicks off in SL this Saturday, March 5th. I have participated for years. Because I can. I Relay for my Mom. For my Grandfather. For Heather and Jackie and Ellen and Jack and Mary Pat and too many more. I Relay because I am ALIVE. Because some are not.

Until there is a Cure... I will Relay.

relay.acsevents.org/

relayforlifeofsecondlife.org/

This was a real ass tightener. The train got sided out at North Dalles to let the westbound Z undercut it, and we were worried that a coal behind the Z would be let by first. Shortly after the Z passed, though, we could see the trash on the move in the distance, so we panicked and shot it here. Worked out nice enough, the lighting helps to hide the fact that they never turned the ditch lights on. As the end of the train passed, shadows were closing in.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzdvQOXxRD4

So yesterday we had a family party and I was excited to take pictures of everyone but I totally choked and had performance anxiety. It was frustrating, embarrassing and stressful. I gave up and put my camera away instead of doing my best to capture the moments that will never be again. I don't shoot people normally and totally avoid low light situations, my inexperience is what got me and honestly the images I did get were ok considering the conditions. Yet I woke up this morning panicked about it and I have totally been feeling like a fraud, it is so humbling.

However, I picked up my camera and started over in good light using a prop that makes me happy. I have got to get over being my own worst critic and feeling illegitimate and start being kinder to myself.

The pier was extended in the 2006-08 period to allow the routine docking of just one ship. The development was prompted by a threat from Shell UK to stop delivering heavy fuel oil by road/ferry to the Islay distilleries. It faced significant, if ultimately futile, local opposition on environmental grounds and also because the structure offered no benefit to the wider local community - particularly fishing boats and leisure craft.

The tanker for which it was built, Keewhit, can only deliver loads when a suitable weather window coincides with a high tide, and even then it is only able to dock carrying around 600 tons of fuel, which is way below its actual capacity. The irony of the situation is that Argyll and Bute Council were essentially blackmailed into providing the pier extension on the grounds that unless they did so, Shell would stop fuel deliveries to the island. The threat panicked the Council (supported by many of the distilleries) into rushing through this poorly-thought-out and incompetently-implemented pier extension which is now of little use to anyone. - from Islay Blog, 2008.

The pier was some 500m from our accommodation and totally unused by boats during our short visit.

Josephine had already reached for her wand with intentions of transfiguring the cage of the lift in such a way to gain the upper hand against her ‘assailant’ when one his hand released one of her arms. Her plans were however cut short when his now free hand wrapped around her chest and took hold of her face. A low growl of a hum escaped the man as he slowly tugged her further back into the lift.

“Fine… yer a professional.” The Auror smirked as she moved back to his side and relaxed against the wall of the lift. “And now we get the fuck outta here before they notice this is gone-” Like clock work, panicked murmers and yelling began to crescendo from beneath them. The pair exchanged looks and pulled their wands. “Meet ye at home?” A nod from the wolf and the pair was gone in a flash of smoke, apparating to safety.

Special thanks to my the always encouraging and immensely talented Dom for posing with me for this one! Thanks so much bubby! You the best!!

Appearance

Body: Legacy Female Classic

Head: LeLUTKA Avalon Head 3.0

Skin: [Heaux] Christina - Cloudy

Eyes: {S0NG} Spectra Eyes

Hair: Stealthic - Vigil

Eyeshadow: -SU!- Essential Smokey Eye + Tired Eyes

Lip Gloss: WarPaint* Camellia lip oil

Brows: -SU!- Aneira Eyebrows

Freckles: WarPaint* #IWokeUpLikeThis2

Worn

Her

Dress: Moon Elixir x MUSE - Power Move New! At eBody!

Earrings: e.marie // Neria Earrings - Golds

Wand: :[P]:- Erebus Wand

Him

Hair: Tram: 1209A

Tattoo: Dappa: Prophet Tattoo

Suit: Deadwool: Sean Suit

Backdrop: MINIMAL - Ancien Elevator Backdrop

Pose: Ana Poses - Lucky Blue *EDITED FEMALE ARMS!

Before and After

Josephine is a character on Fledge Rock, a Wizarding World themed sim that I own! It’s filled with lots of fun wizardy things and places, as well as many beautifully decorated areas suited for Muggles and is now open for blogging and photography but was originally designed to be a roleplay sim! You can write stories just like this of your own and we’d love to have you! If you’re interested in using our location, whether for blogging, photography or roleplay, feel free to check out our Flickr Group and head to our landing to get information about our Photography Program and Sim!

Taken only about 10 minutes after yesterdays post, the sun is now over the horizon but light is still fairly similar. Instead of looking South-West, I am now looking North-West, but this is still Astotin Lake as viewd from the Astotin Recreation Area at Elk Island.

This scene is my fault as there was a large group of gulls aligned along the shore when I guess I got too close for comfort. Once a few panicked, the whole group took off, but they would return very shortly after a few deemed it was safe to return.

A couple clicks for best detail.

Finally I was able to make a picture of Punzie in her newest dress.

It's a new design. It even has pockets ;)

I dyed the fabric myself and painted the kitties on them as well.

The stockings I bought during my last shopping haul at Think Pink! I believed they looked perfect with the bees on the dress.

This was the first time, while making the picture that I didn't rush.

I waited for the perfect moment, made several shots actually to get the lighting right.

All the while I heard bicyclists drive by. Joggers, people who were walking their dogs. There was about one second that I kind of panicked and thought they are able to see me. But then I mentally shrugged and thought who cares? I want a good picture.

:)

Another Le Mans Cat Video......not. 1953 Jaguar C type factory racer crouching back to back with a Bird Cage Maserati for company. The first C type had won Le Mans outright in 1951, but Sir William Lyon then panicked at the rumors from Mercedes regarding the new 300SLs and did a lot of last minute changes to body air flow, and engine heating, succeeding only in losing the biggest race in the world to those same 300 SLs in '52. After having a full year to tinker properly, as well as installing the first racing disc brakes, they stormed back in '53 taking 1rst, 2nd and 4th.

An interesting side story is that very wealthy sportsman Briggs Cunningham (He had won the America's Cup) had calculated almost to the second, what his lap average needed to be to win, and he ran the race right to his numbers, only to lose because the Jags could go faster longer into the corners, because their inboard discs didn't fade. Foiled by new technology. Briggs gave up and went off to play elsewhere......and the Jags continued to modify a winning formula, adding the D types and won 3 more LeMans

One of the most sensuous race cars EVER of any era!

Enlarge for details

2021-05-30, Day 1 hiking

A flare of desert light banks off the scalloped walls of Buckskin Gulch and slides into the lower recesses of the slot, losing red tones as it falls, Paria Wilderness, Utah.

Somewhere in this part of the canyon we encountered a young coyote, its body broken apart but still held together by the desiccated, furry skin. It looked forlorn, and somebody had placed a black raven's feather into its bleaching mouth. She held a story, this one.

Once she'd finished whelping, the young coyote pup began feeling restless, her mind focused somewhere beyond the family unit and all she'd ever known. Too, she felt herself growing tired of the obstreperous gamboling and constant intrigue that surrounded her 6 brothers and sisters. She sensed a tolerable mastery of hunting thanks to her devoted parents, and felt reasonably sure she knew how to flush rodents from their burrows well enough that she likely wouldn't starve. Perhaps once night fell she would set off on her own.

Evening gathered, and heat left the desert air with a surprising haste. The red stone and sandy washes, on the other hand, radiated daytime warmth for hours as she found her way out of her natal drainage and worked her way southwest and upslope in the dark toward Wire Pass. She flitted between clumps of Cliff-rose and Snakeweed, following the smells and paths of the rodents that sheltered within the shrubs. She caught a Kangaroo Rat, fat on summer grass seeds, and she felt pleased about the future.

Hoping for a second serving, before morning brought intolerable heat and the necessity of resting in the shade, she kept to the parts of the landscape most dense with vegetation, veering south toward Navajo sandstone, and what smelled perhaps like distant water. She found an eroded breach in the stone and wandered down a steep field of broken rock, dotted with Pinyon, Juniper, Artemisia, and yet more Snakeweed. She neared what seemed like an impossibly narrow cleft in the earth, with a swallowing darkness in the gloaming that kept her from prizing the secrets of its depth.

A scurry near the edge of the abyss caught her attention, and she pounced swiftly and surely into loose soil at the base of an Artemisia, without thinking. Scrabbling quickly, the smells of panicked rodent grew stronger, and she yelped involuntarily with excitement. In a flash she sensed what looked like another exit to the burrow, and she leaped round to pounce again and block an expected attempt at escape. This time, the force of her pounce dislodged some stone unexpectedly, and it broke away, falling into the dark slot. Almost simultaneously, an adjacent stone embraced the lure of gravity, causing her to scramble madly for purchase. It was no use. She felt herself falling and twisting in the air, and then her pelvis struck the wall, breaking, and she landed with a sickening thud on the benign, sandy floor of the slot.

She looked up, unable to move, the light of an incongruous new day just building in the sky. A pair of ravens circled overhead.

In February 2019 a rare duck showed up at White Rock lake & birders came from all around to see her. I'd been looking with no luck. She was not at Sunset bay where she had been reported. Then finally later, as I was walking along a creek bank I ran into her as she swam up the creek. We were both startled and I only got a couple of blurry shots plus this one before she panicked and flew away. She was beautiful.

Female Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)

My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com

Point of Impact - Golden eagle grabs a California Ground Squirrel after initially miscalculating the strike. Despite initially missing the squirrel, the eagle swiftly ran it down and seized it. If you look to the left, you'll see a burrow. The squirrel had a chance to dive into the burrow after the initial miss, but in the moment, panicked and didn't have the wherewithal to duck into the burrow and couldn't outrun the eagle. Amazing how agile and swift Golden Eagles can be on the ground in spite of their bulk!

If you'd like to see more of my raptor work, feel free to check out my IG: @sswildlife

Species: Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Location: Northern California, CA, USA

Date Taken: Winter 2020

Equipment: Nikon D850 + Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6

Settings: 1/1600s, ISO: 450, f/5.6 @500mm, Handheld

MacArthur Causeway • Miami

Get ready for the onslaught of photos I took of this flock of sandpipers. Although the sun wasn't as bright as I'd like due to the wildfires smoke, I thoroughly enjoyed being surrounded by this large flock of probably over 2000 sandpipers. Their calls and the whirring of wings as they panicked and settled back down was like music to my ears. For a brief moment in time, I was living inside one of the greatest spectacles on earth!

Peregrine Falcon reversing direction from on-high. Pursuing a flock of panicked Black-Necked Stilts. The Stilts would fly against the oncoming predator, reversing their direction. The episode lasted for 2.5 minutes.

♫ Creature ♫

Our squad pushed threw the stream as artillery hit over our heads. While crossing the stream we lost several to an X-wing, we didn't check the water density and acid level. Our temperature seal broke and most of us lost our night vision due to water passing the seal in our helmets. The mud around us slowed our pace to a staggering slow speed. Upon the shore we took more casualties. I could hear the faint sound of the imperial alarm warning us we where retreating. Our squad leaders beacon had been totaled when we crossed. We panicked shouting and looking for others. The familiar sound of imperial dropships leaving were heard. Once realizing we had been left it was fight or flight. My squad chose flight. Live another day. Survive on our own.

Birthday time again in the Dunne household. When I asked Jason what kind of birthday cake he wanted I have to admit I sort of panicked when he said carrot as I had no idea where to get a good carrot cake. (In fact I sort of wondered if there even was such a thing as something with carrots tasting good) I felt quite relieved when Morgan piped up and said he would make one. And once again he did us proud. Even I, the carrot hater, had to admit it was pretty darn good.

Perfect hiding place for a panicked squirrel or some such near St.John's, NL, Canada.

*I'm sorry the picture isn't that great. I've included this looong story so you can see what is happening, as it's not very clear in the pic. You don't have to read it if you don't want to. But if you do, be sure to read the notes on the dolls before the story. Thanks (:

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For weeks, Penelope and her two best friends, Skye and Krystell, had plans to see their favourite dance group, The Swifts, perform a musical on stage. While the trio were discussing their plans at the school cafeteria one day, Penelope's former best friend and Krystell's Science Lab partner, Hilary, who happened to be the most annoying girl at the school, overheard their conversation. Excited from the words "The Swifts" and "I can't wait to see them", Hilary yanked a chair from a nearby table and sat with the girls.

"You're going to see The Swifts?!" Asked Hilary with wide eyes and hands clasped to her chin.

While still getting used to the fact that Hilary - the girl who used to steal just about every one of her pencils and erasers, the girl who laughed and made fun of her when she was sick, snotty and coughing in class, the girl who turned away her old friends, picked fights and lied her mouth off to just about everybody - Penelope sat there, unable to form words from her mouth, regretting that she'd ever started the conversation about seeing her favourite dance group while Hilary was nearby.

There was a small silence between the girls. Skye, having small knowledge of Hilary's true character and thinking that Penelope and Krystell were friends with Hilary only because she had seen them talking and walking together in the past, finally spoke up; "Yep, wanna come?"

Penelope and Krystell, slightly burying their faces in their hands, looked at each other nervously. They felt too bad to say anything, as Skye had already invited Hilary to come.

"Sure!" Hilary replied excitedly.

In the week to come, the four girls prepared for the show; they purchased the tickets and bought new dresses. When they were dressed and it was finally time to see the show which was starting in thirty minutes, they all met at Penelope's house to take her car. A confident Hilary, sure she had everything, took one last look into her purse to re-assure she had her ticket... but it was gone! She had left it on her dresser back at her house!

"Oh my Gosh, where's my ticket?!?!" Hilary yelled out as she was searching her purse.

The girls just stood back watching Hilary's rage, worried that she would never find her ticket and somehow try to stop them from seeing the show they were planning to see for weeks.

Hilary panicked and grabbed her head. "OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG!!!" she yelled, pulling every little item from her purse and shoving it back in with frustration.

Penelope couldn't just stand back helplessly any longer; she wanted to help Hayley somehow so Skye and Krystell could see the show. A generous Penelope, worried for her best friends and not herself, suddenly spoke up; "Hilary!" She tried calling out over Hilary's shouting. Hilary heard, turned around and glanced at Penelope; "What do you want?"

"I... Y-You can have my ticket" stuttered Penelope, still unsure of what she was doing.

"Really?! OMG, you saved my life!" replied a relieved Hilary.

Penelope grabbed the ticket from her bag and handed it over to Hilary, who swiped it from her hand in a heartbeat. "Thanks!" she said with no shame at all. "Well, see ya!" she heads over to the other girls.

Penelope was dumbfounded by Hilary's selfishness. But still, at least she felt better now that she knew her friends could see the show they had been planning for so long.

Hilary swung her arms over Skye's and Krystell's shoulders and walked out the door. Penelope could see how irratated her BFF's were from Hilary's weight over their shoulders. "Uh-Oh!" thought Penelope."What have I done to my girls?!"

week 4:REMEMBERING WHEN . . .

I don't have any keepsakes from my childhood so I went with this. One of my very earliest memories was of visiting this beach, Castlepoint, as a small child. It was my first time at the beach. My dad stood me in the water but, as the waves retreated down the sand, I felt as if I was being sucked out to sea along with the small stones, shells and sand rushing around my feet. I panicked and screamed before being 'rescued' and carried back up the beach. Although it was probably a calm day and only about ankle deep my mind imagined the waves were like this image from a few days ago.

My dad has always showed me how to "enjoy" challenges and learn. In 1990 at age 59, he had never been on a airplane. I was going to marry my wife abroad and he had to come flying 3 hours from Spain to Denmark. I know he panicked big time. One month after the wedding, he took a job in Argentina. 20-24 hours in a plane. His job included an extensive part of surveying the whole country so he had to fly every week, To top it all, he took a pilot license before going on retirement, after 8 years in Argentina. So, accept the challenge -even if it scares you-, train or be exposed and then finally... conquer! A golden guide through life he planted in his sons...

And just like that, summer's over and we're back to the normal cold and constant rain that keeps me indoors with my camera. Or maybe I'm just lazy. Okay, one of these days I'll go out and take some wonderful rainy photos. But not today. I'm feeling a bit down today because not only do I not have any chocolate, but I also don't have any sugar for my tea... And the two things I just so happen to be craving most right now are chocolate and tea. I don't feel like walking a few miles to the store in the rain. At least not today.

On a happier note, I just bought a new lens - a Sigma 24mm f1.8! I tried it out today, with the above result. I can't wait for nicer weather to go photo-shooting outside with it.

And on a sad note again, my pro account expired. Don't panic! (I definitely panicked at first when I saw that most of my photos went missing, but then I found out they'll come back once I go pro again, so I'm not as panicked now). I'll hopefully be going pro again soon after I've saved up a bit. Buying that new lens nearly killed me!

THANK YOU John Keel for your wonderful act of kindness, I am forever grateful for the pro account!!!!

"Meep, take me inside NOW....please :´<"

Poor Maya panicked a little when I took her outside. She had never been outdoors and then I put her in a place with A LOT of snow. I guess she's more sensitive than I thought. Maybe we'll try some other day again.

Flynnie is!

On Friday morning, Flynn was admitted to the vets for x-rays on his left back leg (dropping him off was awful, my last view was of his panicked little face staring at us as he realised we were leaving him). I spent all day worrying - about what might be wrong with his leg & about if he'd behave! Flynn is petrified of the vets (no wonder - during the 1st year I had him, he was admitted for anaesthetic &/or tests on about 6-7 occasions!) - he usually shuts down totally but there's always that worry he will panic & become aggressive.

Luckily, we have a lovely vet, who is very good with Flynn & willing to make an effort to help him feel as comfortable as possible. She said he was a very well behaved all day, no problems at all... What amazed me was when we picked him up, Flynn actively sought out physical contact with us, *wanting* pats, shoving his head under our hands & sitting pressed against our legs. I know, for most dogs that's normal - for Flynn though, it's a huge deal. For a long time, he viewed pretty much all touch, no matter how gentle, as scary & couldn't tolerate it - now, it seems, he can find it reassuring. I'm so proud of how far this pup has come!

Sadly, the x-rays showed Flynn has hip dysplasia & arthritis :( I am so sad for him that, at 5yrs old, we will now have to drastically cut down on fetch, jumping etc - activities Flynn loves. I am also concerned how he'll cope with a chronic condition, as Flynn finds even low levels of discomfort hard to deal with & his behaviour suffers. However, only one hip is affected & his case is fairly mild.... My old boy Barney has severe bi-lateral hip dysplasia & is still bouncing around at 12yrs old, so I am hopeful that we'll be able to manage & help Flynn continue to live a happy, active life for many years to come.

Redfish Lake, Idaho

I think I was the only person out yet that morning. It was July 16th and 34 degrees. Doesn't look that cold, does it?

Blogged at photosteph...

Love all these seas of blue around at the moment, Ed as usual has her stick.

Sorry I'm not around much, still taking photos but busy/confused/panicked with sorting out packed hard drives and trying to decide where to now Aperture is coming to an end. Whole new learning curve is not really something I am looking forward to, change is not good for me.

ODC Repetition

Explored

SWEET CORN. Sorry, I already I finished it by the time I got home. :))

I'm sorry if this is a crappy pic. I'm not inspired, and I'm not feeling well.

[EDIT]

Thanks to Lydia for tagging me. :))

1. Thing you cannot leave the house without? Cellphone.

2. Favorite brand of makeup? Etude House? Lol. I don't wear makeup.

3. Favorite flower? Sunflower?

4. Favorite clothing store? I don't have one. I just shop wherever I feel like shopping.

5. Favorite perfume? Anything. I like the raspberry ones though.

6. Heels or flats? Flats, because of comfort. Heels because it makes me look taller.

7. Do you make good grades? I did, and I hope I still do and I will.

8. Favorite colors? Anything really. But white attracts me. Is white even a color?

9. Do you drink energy drinks? No.

10. Do you drink juice? Yep, of course!

11. Do you like swimming? It's okay.

12. Do you eat fries with a fork? Nope.

13. Favorite moisturizer? -_-

14. Do you want to get married later on in life? Sure! Why not?

15. Do you get mad easily? Most of the time.

16. Are you into ghost hunting? If I'm with someone I like, and then I can scream and find comfort in them. HAHAHAHA. Sorry. :))

17. Any phobias? Speaking in front of people. I forgot what it's called.

18. Do you bite your nails? Nope.

19. Have you ever had a near death experience? I think so. I was coughing really hard that day that I couldn't breath for several seconds and I really panicked.

20. Do you drink coffee? Yep. But with milk.

I really don't know who to tag. So if you feel like doing this just tag your name on this picture. Hehe.

[/EDIT.]

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- Charles Dickens.

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It's been a while since I posted an image on Flickr. It has been a busy Christmas season and finding time to select, and process images have been difficult. A couple of days ago, I had a chance to go through some of my old photos, and I happened across the image of the day. This image was taken at mono lake, an area that I can always count on for exciting sunset and sunrise light. While we were there this evening, I saw the initial signs of a lenticular cloud forming. I was still in the early stages as a photographer, and this was the first time I have ever witnessed the formation of a lenticular cloud. So, in short, I panicked and started to run around and take as many photos as I could while muttering about people walking into and ruining my frame.

Initially, I had planned to spend some relaxing sunset shoot exploring some of the distant tufa formations away from the main section at south tufa beach. Needless to say, that plan didn’t get executed. I was disappointed with myself, but the photos had unique colors, incredible cloud formations, and fantastic geological formations. They looked terrific, but I was disappointed with the compositions. This image had some horrible chromatic aberration that I couldn’t get rid off at the time, but with my improved post-processing skills, I tried my luck again, and I believe I did a decent enough job this time around. In the meantime, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

First day of spring here was a nasty one! Big snow storm It certainly was pretty, however with all the "frosted" trees! ! I've been MIA for a few days. My new laptop of 13 days crashed and they gave me a new one!(nice of them..) Once again, I heard "you've lost everything" and panicked. Everything was there. Whew! I love it in the lightbox!

My beautiful friend Yulia turned 34 today. We made these photos in August 2021. Before that I haven’t seen Yulia for ages. She arrived after her work, in the beginning of the night and looked quite tired. But we had enough wine and music in headphones, which we shared with each other and so we danced barefoot in the “literary square” and then, quite in my style, I lead Yulia to the “nearest” roof which I knew how to get to, about 2,6 km from the place where we met. The whole adventure took several hours, but then, year with something ago, I just didn’t know how to make these photos and almost panicked. I made just one image and even with it wasn’t satisfied. Now I feel more freedom in my photo-art and therefore I know…

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This is an updated process of one of my favorite images, originally posted early this year. Better clarity, punchier highlights, more shadow detail, MUCH less blue saturation, and a more appealing hue to this rendition. It's closer to reality, while being in line with the vision I had for the shot. I've been slowly revising it over the past seven months or so, and I think it's finally dialed. I guess something about winter in Minneapolis must have made me unable to see the ridiculous colors of a few images I put out around that time. Below is the text that accompanied my original post.

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Wisconsin's Lake Superior ice caves require walking across a couple miles of lake ice to reach. Luckily for me, I chose to live in the Midwest the first winter they've been accessible since 2009. I missed a couple of rare freezes in the northwest while I was gone, but I gained this in exchange - and it's exactly the type of ice image I've longed for.

This image has a short story to accompany it. The formations you see at the top, framing the image, are maybe 3 feet off the icy floor. I went on a day that was relatively warm (+25F), and the floor was turning to supercooled slush farther into the cave. I had to lie down/crawl around in it for almost an hour to compose this image. When I stood up after shooting, I panicked.

I COULD NOT FEEL MY BUTT. This wasn't the numbness I had experienced growing up snowboarding, sledding, and playing in the snow. This was much worse. Was my butt frostbitten? Would it become necrotic and fall off in a couple days? Had I just sacrificed my gluteus for a single image? Is any image worth losing a butt over? I awkwardly hobbled the two miles back to my car, and didn't feel a single thing until I was on the road home.

I'm still worried my butt is going to fall off, guys.

I'm scared.

Now, contrary to what might be suggested by what you've just read, I can assure you I am capable of acting in a professional manner. Along those lines, if you like the way my images look, you may be interested in knowing I teach my processing workflow over Skype! Please visit my website for more information: www.alexnoriegaphotography.com

She hadn't thought about this moment yet, had no expectations. But the look of panic on Rena's face leaves her utterly at a loss. "Conor?" she whispers instead, gaze dropping down to the boy from over Forge's arm.

Rena was moving as he was, sweeping Conor up in her arm and fairly tossing him over the counter. Strength born of adrenaline and fear. "Run," screamed into his ear as she let him go. She was following as Forge burst through the door, a leap and a scramble over that damn sneeze guard, the gun yanked from the waist band of her pants and pointed at the hairy dude. "Get us out the back NOW," screamed at him as the few patrons in the pizza place began to scramble. A slight woman in pink even screamed and fainted.

Conor leaned forward further, nose all but smooshed against the sneeze-guard as he watched. His ears were covered, mashed down beneath a grubby cap, swimming in a sea of greasy hair. He was distracted too, stomach rumbling as he waited. He didn't catch Rena's panicked whisper. Head jerked slightly at Forge's voice. Somewhat familiar, he could almost place it. His name on Guin's lips was unmistakable though, he was already wheeling around with a grin when Rena lifted him. Feet landed awkwardly on the floor behind the counter, face paling with fear at her command. He froze for a moment, unsure of what was happening, or why she was pointng a gun. Legs began to stumble backwards slowly, panic etched in his face.

Forge watched her lifting Conor up and over the counter. Forge's hand went into his jacket and he pulled his weapon out aiming it suddenly at Guin's head. He would stare at her then. "I don't think you're going anywhere Rena..." His voice was calm and even-- his eyes locked on her. The weapon pointed directly at Guinny's skull-- unless she moved on him. "Over the counter. Grab the fucking pizza...and we're all going to sit down and talk...or I kill your sister."

Guin spots the grin and returns it instantly, already lifting a hand toward Conor to take. But in a blink he's snatched away, swept up by Rena and tossed over the counter. The pizzeria erupts in panic but she cares about none of it, eyes fixed on Conor even as Rena draws her gun. She steps forward anyway, determined, but then comes to full stop when Forge draws his own. And points it at her head. Her mouth goes dry, and she pulls her eyes away from Conor long enough to shoot Forge a glare. But if it works... didn't stop the pounding of her heart in her throat. "Please, Rena," she whispers, just loud enough to be heard. "Please talk to us."

Conor wasn't the bravest of kids, not by a long shot. Sure he'd get the occasional burst of bravado now and then, and so far he'd refrained from wetting his pants...for a few years at least. But Forge's gun at Guin's head sent him into a sheer panic, stomach plummeting and the acid taste of fear rising up in his throat. He did, pretty much, the only useful thing a nine year old could really do at this point. Mouth opened wide, eys full of panic. He began to scream.

Rays of late-day sun fall into a huge ring of clouds many miles across and create a golden halo over the Rio Grande National Forest and the La Garita Wilderness, near Creede, Colorado.

I made this image almost exactly a year ago when we spent the night at the trailhead before backpacking into the Wheeler Geologic Area. The camp at the trailhead is also the site of the old Hanson's Sawmill that is long gone, though a healthy amount of sawdust can be seen toward the left in the foreground that is yet to decompose even after many decades. The majority of the standing trees in the area have been killed by Spruce Beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis), though it appears that a good many young ones are growing up through the dead spires. The Wheeler formations are stunning, though for some reason I did not manage to pursue any of the visions of astrophotography that I had nurtured.

After falling asleep in our little MSR backpacking tent, my oldest son and I awoke the following morning to the sounds of a very large animal cropping the turf not several feet from our heads. The cow was one of many that had wandered into the campsites overnight, leaving their signature flat plop of a calling card in numerous locations. We made no noise so as to avoid startling the animal. In my experience, startled cows are about as predictable and intelligent as you might think, and I didn't feel like the thin nylon of the tent was sufficient protection against a panicked bovine.

From 1980 in Richmond. Calhoun (r) was my college roommate and is still my best friend. I weighed about 140 pounds then; though from the looks of that skinny ass of mine, I might have weighed less.

I had to leave Austin in a big fucking hurry in November 1980--the day after that fool Reagan was elected. It was the worst of times. I'd been seeing this skanky ho named Ginger in Austin, and we split up most...inamicably. A day later her boyfriend, whom she'd introduced to me as "a friend" of her three kids, called me on the phone and left a message that he was going to kick my ass. The guy was an ex-Marine, and I'd heard stories about his violent temper from Ginger's niece; so I panicked and left town for four months.

I spent the first two months with Kay and Carrington--two well-off friends of mine from high school--and their two young children Pamela and Charles at their home in Richmond, Va. (Kay took the above photo during one of Calhoun's visits.) They were very generous to let me stay for free for so long, considering I feasted while I was there. At dinner every night they'd tell me to eat all I wanted because they didn't keep leftovers. Within two months I went from a nearly emaciated 135 pounds (I'm 6 feet tall) to 155, pretty much from sleeping late, eating constantly, and not exercising.

Calhoun lived nearby and would come over from time to time to visit or to take me to play pinball or frisbee or whatever. Kay and her two darlin' children--four year old Pamela was cuter'n a bucket of bunnies--loved Hoon and me, and we them. Carrington and I, on the other hand, had drifted apart--geographically, politically, culturally, socially--since our days as best friends in high school; now it was impossible to have a conversation with him that had nothing to do with fucking prep school.

I'd smuggled about four ounces of killer weed--this lovely peach-scented stuff strong enough to make you start screamin' for a shrink--with me from Austin to smoke at night once everyone else had gone to bed. I got the munchies every night too and raided their refrigerator and pantry of whatever sweet things Kay had bought for her children. After a week of this they quickly learned--like everyone else I've ever lived with--to hide food from me. Neither Carrington nor Kay had ever smoked dope in their lives and had had no contact with anyone with the munchies before I came along.

One night while Kay, Carrington, Hoon, and I were watching TV in their living room, Kay expressed an interest in smoking pot for the first time. I lit up the bong for her, but I'm not even sure she inhaled (she claims to this day that she did). But that was the last straw for Carrington. He told me he didn't want Calhoun coming over anymore. Kay stepped in and told Carrington that it was her home too; and that as far as she was concerned, Calhoun was welcome there anytime. I decided it would be better for everyone if I just moved out.

For my last two months in Richmond I moved in with Hoon, who continued feeding me. Once while I was there he referred to me as "the Texas Panhandler", which was pretty funny and so true--I was a fucking leech! He also introduced me to his bee-yoo-ti-ful friend Debbie, who seduced me the night before I'd planned to return to Austin. I stayed over at Deb's a few nights before finally flying home.

Carrington and Kay were divorced a couple of years later. Kay kept the house and the children lived with her. She's still among my best friends in the world. Carrington and I haven't spoken since I left their house to stay with Calhoun.

Port An Tsalainn, Fanad Peninsula, County Donegal Ireland

If you ever visit ‘Fanad Lighthouse’ this is usually the traditional view which greets you & the scene which is expected each time I visit. This particular photo wasn’t captured during a gorgeous red sunrise/sunset nor was it captured under a stunning blue sky. It was captured on a duller overcast evening in between heavy rain showers. This is the everyday scene to expect on your visit here, anything else more colourful is a bonus 👍

However, these conditions are still a good thing! As the cloudy skies dimmed the sun which allowed the colours/details of the rocks to show without washing out in the bright light. The rain seemed to momentarily change the colour of the shallow waters to a lovely turquoise & also made the rocks wet causing them to shimmer a deeper red colour. To anyone looking to visit or photograph here, I can tell you that ‘Fanad Lighthouse’ looks stunning in any weather as many will agree, so go give it a whirl

Fanad Head Lighthouse was conceived as essential to seafarers following a tragedy which happened over 200 years ago. In December 1811 the frigate ‘Saldanha’ sought shelter from a storm. Sailing towards ‘Fanad’ as she frantically fought the raging wind and waves. Sadly, reaching the shore safely never happened and the ship was wrecked off the northern coast with all 250+ men on board.

Believe it or not the ship's captain ‘William Pakenham’ & his pet parrot made it safely to shore! But reportedly he passed soon afterwards by the shock of ‘Poitin’ (Alcohol) poisoning which given to him by helpful locals. The poor parrot also met a sad end a week later when a local gamekeeper seen it in his garden. Unfortunately he didn't know what it was so he panicked & shot it 😲

Soon after this tragedy the 'Fanad Head Lighthouse' was built to help guide ships and sailors safely on their journeys. Still in operation to this day it stands strong on a rocky outcrop on the north Donegal coast, blinking its guiding light out to sea to aid ships past its inviting yet deceiving rocky waters.

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"There is another world. But it is inside this one."

I have these dreams of a nomad life, on a blowing road. Just me, my feet and some rusty trailer van. Cold nights adjourned with blankets, the chill of loneliness offset only by the warmth of solitude... Oh how these visions bloom inside my head, every time I let my racing mind pause for breath, a spring flower thought blooming out of the mundane frost. I can hear the music, I don't know where it's playing from, some soundtrack to it all - I invite the musicians into my home on wheels, I don't know their names or their stories. And yet they play them for me as though we are long lost friends, bonding over some camp fire, exchanging memories like currency. My cat travels with me, of course - a furry friend to curl up with, another soul to study, a release for my maternal instincts that will go undoubtedly buried.

I pause, and mourn quietly for the loss of the life I grew up supposed to have. My grandmother's hands in soapy water, her voice narrating a husband with hands to wash me, whilst my mind is drifting off into a barn alight with feet, somewhere. I know how to be still, but only when everything around me is in chaos. I know how to move with the wind, let my feet bleed raw, leave the pavement beneath me wanting more... but only when everything around me is stagnating. I do not feel up, nor down, not here, nor there. I remind myself that this - this is the beauty of being. The song changes, and now I am a ballet dancer with all the softness of rain - no, the reflections of rain on a car dashboard, I wouldn't exist without the streetlight... I am unwashed droplets on the windscreen, I look like a thousand stars when another car comes over the horizon. I am nothing without this music, this poetry, this world which taught me how to feel.

I turn onto my back and cover myself in the blankets, each which held lover after lover. Each who held me, broke me, soothed me, healed me, taught me how to heal myself. Taught me how to comfort myself, like a panicked child - to forgive myself, I murmur softly "I know why you thought those terrible things, I understand, I forgive you, I love you, I love you." I exhale my old hopes and dreams, a husband, a home - they had built up like a thick tar in my lungs, slowly choking me and forcing me to learn how to breathe in a different way. I inhale my freedom. I question my sanity. I laugh, because that is all you can do. I smile to myself, because I know so little about who I am - the only thing I know for sure, is that I Am A Traveller.

I Am A Traveller.

I travel at lightning speed through the galaxy, I travel year upon year around the sun.

I travel through the moments of my life, experiencing each day as though it had already been written - as though some omnipotent being has given me one last chance to live it all again - I hold each moment to my chest and let my heart fill with a buttery mixture of sweet joy and sweeter grief, and I cast it aside with the most gentle, soft ruthlessness I can muster as I travel to the next now, and the next, and the next...

I am a traveller. As I lie in my trailer on the side of the road, wrapped in the blankets of my past, all those people I never really knew, and I let them keep me warm. I'm on some hillside, some unknown place again in my mind. But all is home to a traveller. And I am a traveller.

As the song tails off into silence, I lay fixed in my solid bed, in my solid home on solid ground, wheel-less and stationary. I have lived here for nearly two years, and every day I have travelled. To memories I will never experience, to dreams that will never come to be, and yet exist just as beautifully as real life, if only I always allow myself to travel to them. I cannot bring myself to close that door of my soul, it is the only door I have ever known, one I built somewhere deep within myself. I feel it is a part of myself that cannot be given, or sold, or shown.

It seems there is so much talk of letting other people into ourselves, but never is it mentioned of how to let ourselves out.

Controlling the old locomotives must have been very difficult. I almost panicked when I looked in to the steering house.

A bit of a story with this. The kestrel was taking it easy, perched on the branch after a session of hunting. The forest was quiet and it'd started drizzling. Then, very attentively she began checking the sky before the take-off you see here. After about 20 secs there was a huge commotion about 800 metres away as a flock of cockies panicked. With good reason, as I spotted a goshawk amongst them and then saw the kestrel repeatedly swoop the hawk, easily outfly it and quickly drive it off.

We know these birds have great eye-sight and acute senses but I still find it remarkable that it knew the hawk was around when it was such a distance away and before the cockie racket that alerted me.

Australian Kestrel, A.C.T.

My and my family took a short weekend away at Colchester. While we was there we did the usual - visit the zoo, visit the castle, did a bit of shopping....panicked using the manic roundabouts etc. And on one morning I was able to get away to the coast to Doverport.

What you see here represents literally a 5 minute window when the sky was interesting. A few minutes after I took this everything went flat and uninteresting.

I hung around for another hour (and a photographer I met that morning got bored and left) but I think I was able to get some reasonably okay long exposure shots after this. Not had a chance to look over those yet.

Not-so-common SENCE, sits awaiting the road at Drax.

66711 is viewed through our 'Austin Powers' type electrical people mover, buggy, and with no tight corridors to negotiate, really showed us how nippy plug-in type vehicles can be! And lets be honest, there's no shortage of power for it to plug into! The party bus had stopped once more for the party to do what they do best; take photo's, which I know I did with panicked abandon. When there's 16 of you, trying to find that 'alternative view', becomes more of an issue.

Included in this shot is everything that encapsulated the power station visit; the cooling towers, the train with its unloading of potentially volatile food, our small white bus, parts of the actual power station, and the 1Z10 highly visible visitors. Just watch out for those cars!

66711. SENCE 4N25. Drax. 25-10-2018.

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My thanks for the 'explore' invite, and the opportunities afforded by it.