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The Indian roller is very common in the populated plains of India and associated with Hindu legends. It is said to be sacred to Vishnu, and used to be caught and released during festivals such as Dussera or the last day of Durga Puja. A local Hindi name is neelkanth, meaning "blue throat", a name associated with the deity Shiva (who drank poison resulting in the blue throat).
A study on roosting behaviour found that immediately after waking up, the birds spend a few minutes preening followed by flying around their roosting sites. Favoured perches include electric or telegraphic wires. They have also been observed perching in trees and shrubs. Rollers tend mostly at a heights of 3–9 m height from where they forage for ground insects. They may also use taller perches and obtain insects from the upper canopy of trees.
Zazpikaleak, Bilbao, Vizcaya, País Vasco, España.
Bilbao (en euskera: Bilbo) es un municipio situado en el norte de España y una villa de dicho municipio, capital de la provincia y territorio histórico de Vizcaya, en la comunidad autónoma del País Vasco. La villa de Bilbao es la capital y única localidad del municipio, y con 346.903 habitantes en 2024, es la urbe más poblada de la comunidad autónoma, siendo la cabecera del área metropolitana de Bilbao, una conurbación de más de 1 000 000 de habitantes que se extiende a lo largo de la ría de Bilbao o del Nervión.
El municipio se encuentra flanqueado por dos cadenas montañosas, con una altitud media que no supera los 400 metros, y que forman algunos de sus límites naturales. Limita con Erandio, Sondica, Zamudio, Galdácano, Echévarri, Basauri, Arrigorriaga, Alonsótegui y Baracaldo.
Desde su fundación, a finales del siglo XIII, fue un enclave comercial que gozó de particular importancia en la cornisa Cantábrica gracias a los privilegios concedidos por la Corona de Castilla que permitieron el desarrollo de una gran actividad portuaria que se basaba principalmente en la exportación de la lana procedente de Castilla y en menor medida del hierro extraído de las canteras vizcaínas. A lo largo del siglo XIX y principios del XX experimentó una fuerte industrialización que la convirtió en el epicentro de la segunda región industrializada de España, por detrás de Barcelona. Esta estuvo acompañada de una extraordinaria explosión demográfica y urbanística que originó la anexión de varios municipios colindantes. En la actualidad es una pujante ciudad de servicios, que se encuentra en un proceso de revitalización estética, social y económica liderado por el simbólico Museo Guggenheim Bilbao.
El 19 de mayo de 2010, la ciudad de Bilbao fue reconocida con el premio Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, otorgado por la ciudad estado de Singapur. Considerado el Nobel del urbanismo, fue entregado el 29 de junio de 2010. El 7 de enero de 2013, su alcalde, Iñaki Azkuna, recibió el Premio Alcalde del Mundo correspondiente a 2012 que otorga cada dos años la fundación británica The City Mayors Foundation, en reconocimiento a la transformación urbana experimentada por la capital vizcaína desde la década de 1990. El 8 de noviembre de 2017, Bilbao fue elegida la Mejor Ciudad Europea 2018 en los premios The Urbanism Awards 2018, que otorga la organización internacional The Academy of Urbanism.
Bilbao (in Basque: Bilbo) is a municipality located in northern Spain and a town in said municipality, capital of the province and historical territory of Vizcaya, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. The town of Bilbao is the capital and only locality of the municipality, and with 346,903 inhabitants in 2024, it is the most populated city in the autonomous community, being the head of the metropolitan area of Bilbao, a conurbation of more than 1,000,000 inhabitants. which extends along the Bilbao or Nervión estuary.
The municipality is flanked by two mountain ranges, with an average altitude that does not exceed 400 meters, and which form some of its natural limits. It borders with Erandio, Sondica, Zamudio, Galdácano, Echévarri, Basauri, Arrigorriaga, Alonsótegui and Baracaldo.
Since its foundation, at the end of the 13th century, it was a commercial enclave that enjoyed particular importance on the Cantabrian coast thanks to the privileges granted by the Crown of Castile that allowed the development of a large port activity that was based mainly on export. from the wool from Castile and to a lesser extent from the iron extracted from the Biscayan quarries. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries it experienced strong industrialization that made it the epicenter of the second industrialized region of Spain, behind Barcelona. This was accompanied by an extraordinary demographic and urban explosion that led to the annexation of several neighboring municipalities. Currently it is a thriving city of services, which is in a process of aesthetic, social and economic revitalization led by the symbolic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
On May 19, 2010, the city of Bilbao was recognized with the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, awarded by the city state of Singapore. Considered the Nobel Prize for urban planning, it was awarded on June 29, 2010. On January 7, 2013, its mayor, Iñaki Azkuna, received the World Mayor Award for 2012, awarded every two years by the British foundation The City Mayors Foundation. , in recognition of the urban transformation experienced by the Biscayan capital since the 1990s. On November 8, 2017, Bilbao was chosen as the Best European City 2018 at The Urbanism Awards 2018, awarded by the international organization The Academy of Urbanism .
Over 150 globular star clusters populate the Milky Way Galaxy. Many formed early in the evolution of the galaxy and are distributed in a roughly spheroidal halo extending above and below the galactic plane. The four clusters in this composite image were captured with the same telescope and camera under similar conditions and are identically scaled, allowing us to see how they compare as viewed from earth. Each photo spans just under 0.5 degrees on a side, or about the width of the full moon.
Telescope: Celestron EdgeHD 8 @ f/7 (1422mm focal length)
Camera: QSI 683wsg
Mount: Astro-Physics Mach1GTO
Integration: ~10 mins per channel (10 x 1 mins subs)
Post Processing: PixInsight 1.8, Adobe Photoshop
Osprey of the Jersey Shore | 2018
Despite New Jersey being the most densely populated state, it holds tremendous diversity in preserved open space, especially our coastal salt marshes. The preservation of these wetland areas has played a huge role in the recovery of the osprey population in New Jersey. Today, they are home to the majority of ospreys (86%) who nest along the Atlantic Coast. Osprey nests define our coast and colonies are located along the entire coast from Sandy Hook to Cape May and west on the Delaware Bayshore up the Maurice River to Salem. This year a total of 668 active nests were recorded in New Jersey, with 75 of those being new nests from various regions of the state. This is well above the historic pre-DDT estimate of 500 nesting pairs and goes to show that ospreys and humans can coexist in New Jersey as long as we continue to protect wetland areas and conserve our natural resources, like forage fish, that ospreys need to thrive. The largest population gains in the state, from 2013 to 2017, were observed in both Monmouth and Ocean Counties, from 130 in 2013 to 207 in 2017.
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), sometimes known as the Sea Hawk, Fish Eagle or Fish Hawk, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large Raptor, reaching more than 24 inches in length and a 71 inches wingspan. It is brown on the upper parts and predominantly greyish on the head and under parts, with a black eye patch and wings. In 1994, the osprey was declared the provincial bird of Nova Scotia, Canada.
For more info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osprey
The 2017 Osprey Project in New Jersey:
www.starnow.co.uk/christopherw33618
The Day of the Triffids (2009) Is about an two separate events that cause an apocalypse. The second being The Triffids, mobile, meat eating plants. Triffid oil saved the world from global warming but what will save the world from The Triffids once they have been released and most of the population has been incapacitated by blindness. One of the best parts of Part 1 was how Torrence (Eddie Izzard) survives a the plane crash he is involved in. It was brilliant. I do not know how plausible it was but it was brilliant how he quickly improvised.
Part 2 was when what was left of the world falls apart. I thought the spore solution would work. Too bad. Torrence’s obsession with Jo Playton (Joely Richardson) is something the viewer has seen before. An obsession that over powers reason and logic to the detriment of all that are around. Cough*Moby Dick*End cough.
I thought they would slap on a happy ending and tie it off but they did not. The Day of the Triffids (2009) has a bleak ending. By, by world as we knew it.
There is one logic flaw in the two parter and probably in the book its based on as well: Why grow and maintain Triffids in populated area? Why not have the Triffid farms on islands and in barren areas like deserts? That way, if they ever escaped, the island would keep them secluded, away from people and the barren desert would kill them (the heat plus the lack of food and water). If these precautions had been taken, the book and the two parter would not have been very interesting though.
Oia is a coastal town located at the northwest end of Santorini, one of the Greek Aegean Islands. Populated with whitewashed houses carved on top of steep cliffs, it overlooks a vast caldera filled with water. Occupying a 19th-century building, the Naval Museum of the Navy traces local maritime history through old figureheads, sailor's chests and models of old ships. Nearby, the remains of Oia Castle are known for offering sunset views.
You have to sneak in several hours in advance to have the chance to be well placed to shoot.
Oia est une ville côtière située à l'extrémité nord-ouest de Santorin, l'une des îles Égéennes grecques. Peuplée de maisons chaulées sculptées au sommet de falaises abruptes, elle surplombe une vaste caldeira remplie d'eau. Occupant un bâtiment du XIXe siècle, le musée naval de la Marine retrace l'histoire maritime locale à travers d'anciennes figures de proue, des coffres de marin et des maquettes d'anciens navires. À proximité, les vestiges du château d'Oia sont connus pour offrir une vue sur le coucher de soleil.
Il faut se faufiler plusieurs heures à l'avance pour avoir la chance d'être bien placé pour shooter.
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Missing faces, veiled ones, obscure looks: statues and mannequins populate Second Life with their mysterious mood. Sometimes they are creepy, sometimes they are gentle, always they are silent.
They look at us, we look at them, but what they tell eachother is a mystery to us.
Melusina wants to show how a collection of photos made around SL together can form a lifeless population, which makes us wonder about human feelings and thoughts.
Opening party: Wednesday 18 October.
Time: 21.00 Amsterdam time (=12 pm SLT)
Music: by DJ Ferdy
Taxi to Nitroglobus: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunshine%20Homestead/38/25...
An appropriate song (source Melu): La bambola - Patty Pravo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS1Ddp3jaIs
Tu mi fai girar, tu mi fai girar
Come fossi una bambola
Poi mi butti giù, poi mi butti giù
Come fossi una bambola
Non ti accorgi quando piango
Quando sono triste e stanca, tu pensi solo per te
No ragazzo, no, no ragazzo, no
English translation:
You make me twirl
You make me twirl
As if I were a doll
Then, you throw me down
Then, you throw me down
As if I were a doll
You don’t notice when I cry
When I’m sad and tired
You think only about yourself
No, boy, no
No, boy, no
Driftwood and golden sedge and rush marsh grasses populate the tidal marshlands at the mouth of the Gabion river, the site of an important salmon hatchery, Hartley Bay, British Columbia. Salt marshes play a very important role in the aquatic food web and the delivery of nutrients to coastal waters. They also support terrestrial animals and provide coastal protection by trapping and binding sediments. In 1982 the Gitga't (People of the Cane) band started a successful hatchery on the river to enhance the production of coho salmon fry for First Nation food fishing, recreational fishing opportunities, and indirect commercial fishing opportunities.
27/01/2019 www.allenfotowild.com
Heimaey, the main iceland (and the only populated) in Vestmannaeyjar outside Iceland "mainland". Photo is taken from the slopes of Heimaklettur, if I remember it correctly.
In the foreground is the harbour of Vestmannaeyar.
Heimaey town has a population of about 4200 (you see almost all of it here) - which actually makes in the 6th largerst city of Iceland outside the greater Reykjavik area.
In the background you see the two volcanoes. Eldfell, the one to the left, is the one that erupted in 1973 burying part of the town and threatened to block the the harbour (was stopped by an operation to cool the lava with sea water). There is a nice museum about the eruption in the town.
(explored)
Small temperamental Wyverns populate the western reaches of the Ashen Plains. Their volatile spit and territorial nature make them particularly dangerous to unprepared travelers, though the bravest have tried slaying or taming them instead of running away.
Built for the Bionilug High Fantasy display at Brickfair Virginia 2023.
Pico is the second largest island of the Azores, with 444.9 sq. km. It is elongated in shape & is 42 km of length and 15.2 km at its maximum width. It is dominated by the Volcano of Pico on its western half, it is 6 km away from the neighboring island of Faial and is populated by approx. 14.148 inhabitants.
We visited Pico on the ferry from Horta, Faial. It is a beautiful interesting island with much to see.
The top of Pico is rarely without some cloud.
Las Vegas, is the 28th-most populated city in the United States, the most populated city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area and is the largest city within the greater Mojave Desert. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city, known primarily for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife. The Las Vegas Valley as a whole serves as the leading financial, commercial, and cultural center for Nevada.*
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas
photo rights reserved by B℮n
Naples is the third-largest city of Italy after Rome and Milan and one of the most densely populated cities in Europe. First settled by Greeks in the second millennium BC, Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban areas in the world. In the 6th century BC, it was refounded as Neápolis. Naples' historic city centre is the largest in Europe and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pizza was invented here but the restaurants in Naples have earned the most stars from the Michelin Guide of any Italian city. People awarded the honorary citizenship of Naples are: Sophia Loren & Diego Maradona. When Maradona arrived in Naples, they won the Italian and European titles for the first time. Maradona’s photo was hung next to Jesus in half of the homes of Naples. Naples is a real raw working city, a place with fascinating art and viewpoints, spontaneous conversations and unexpected, pleasant attitude. Naples has an enormous wealth of cultural treasures. You will find two royal palaces, three castles and ancient ruins with some of the oldest frescoes of Christianity. The old looming Church of Santa Chiara in the heart of Naples is well worth a break in your day. Built between 1313 and 1340, this Provençal – Gothic structure is a religious complex that includes a Franciscan monastery, tombs, an archaeological museum and a very unusual cloister garden. If you can work your way through the busy Piazza del Gesu just outside the doors, you will be well rewarded. The real treasure of Santa Chiara is the secret garden tucked away behind the walls.
Santa Chiara is a religious complex in Naples, Italy, that includes the Church of Santa Chiara, a monastery, tombs and an archeological museum. The monastery dating back to the 1300s. The convent was to accommodate both monks and nuns in two separate buildings but at the same time depending on the same church. The church was then built in a simple Gothic style. The cloister is a beautiful example of Medieval architecture in Napoli. Frescoes on the walls around the cloister with majolica decorations. In this enclosed courtyard with plants, columns, and benches is a delightful spot of tranquility in the middle of the city. Spend some time gazing at the different painted decorations and enjoy the peacefulness. There is a small museum and archaeological area that explains the history of the cloister. It's still a spiritual center for monks and the women of the order of the St. Claires. Fun to see monks walking about the cloister while meditating.
Napels is na Rome en Milaan de derde stad van Italië en een van de dichtstbevolkte steden van Europa. Napels, voor het eerst bewoond door Grieken in het tweede millennium voor Christus. Het historische stadscentrum van Napels is het grootste van Europa en staat op de Werelderfgoedlijst van UNESCO. De pizza is uitgevonden in Napels, maar de restaurants in Napels hebben de meeste sterren verdiend in de Michelin-gids van elke Italiaanse stad. Mensen die het ereburgerschap van Napels hebben toegekend zijn: Sophia Loren & Diego Maradona. Napels is een echte rauwe werkstad, een plek met fascinerende kunst en uitzichtpunten, spontane gesprekken en onverwachte, prettige instelling. Santa Chiara is een religieus complex in Napels, Italië, dat de kerk van Santa Chiara, een klooster, graven en een archeologisch museum omvat. Het klooster dateert uit de jaren 1300. Het klooster zou zowel monniken als nonnen in twee afzonderlijke gebouwen onderbrengen, maar tegelijkertijd afhankelijk van dezelfde kerk. De kerk werd vervolgens gebouwd in een eenvoudige gotische stijl. Het klooster is een prachtig voorbeeld van middeleeuwse architectuur in Napels. Fresco's op de muren rond het klooster met majolica decoraties. Op deze afgesloten binnenplaats met planten, zuilen en banken is het heerlijk vertoeven midden in de stad. Breng wat tijd door met staren naar de verschillende beschilderde decoraties en geniet van de rust. Er is een klein museum dat de geschiedenis van het klooster uitlegt. Het is nog steeds een spiritueel centrum voor monniken en de vrouwen van de orde van St. Claires. Leuk om monniken tijdens het mediteren door het klooster te zien lopen.
CHORA ANAFI:The village is densely populated and originates from medieval times. It is built amphitheatrically above the port, at an altitude of 260 metres. With 270 inhabitants today, Chora is distinguished from the capital of other Cycladic islands due to its numerous arched single-room homes, which occupy a large area of the settlement. Narrow cobbled streets criss-cross the village, leading to the Venetian Kastro (fortress), the initial nucleus and heart of the village. Several churches are scattered throughout Chora, including those of Agios Nikolaos, the Kimissi (Assumption), Agios Charalambos, Christos tou Stavrou (Christ of the Cross), Aghioi Anargyroi and Agios Georgios at the top of the Kastro, all with Byzantine or post-Byzantine icons. Findings from ancient Anafi can be viewed in the Archaeological Collection.
info: www.anafi.gr
The Tuscany is relatively sparsely populated in most places, so the Milky Way is visible with the naked eye in the summer. You can catch it on camera as well of course, which is just what I did ;)
I think this might be my first real shot of the night sky with my wide angle lens. I usually did not like the slight chromatic aberrations that you get on the stars outside of the center, but I figured that it does not stand out as much as I thought it would. Also, I am quite surprised that my camera is able to go to ISO6400 and still take reasonable pictures.
Thank you for taking the time to view my picture! Please leave a fave or comment if you like it. I am always happy to receive your feedback! :)
Explored 14/09/2016 - If you came here via the explore-site, also check out the rest of my profile. I took other pictures that would have deserved to be explored way more than this one ;)
Olympic National Forest, Washington.
Old-growth forest, subalpine lakes, and snowy peaks populate the Sol Duc landscape, while the Sol Duc River serves as a key highway for coho salmon, running through the valley and ascending to the lakes and headwaters in the surrounding mountains.
The Sol Duc Valley is located in the northwest region of the park. Just 40 minutes west of Port Angeles, the Sol Duc is accessed by turning off Highway 101 onto the Sol Duc Road.
For those looking to spend anywhere from a few hours to an entire day in the Sol Duc, there are a number of shorter hikes that may be suitable. From the parking lot, the walk through old-growth forest to the Sol Duc Falls overlook is just a mile. Lover's Lane (6 mile loop) and the climb to Mink Lake (5.2 miles roundtrip) can also be done in just a few hours.
Texel (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈtɛsəl] ( listen)) is a municipality and an island with a population of 13,641 in the province of North Holland in the Netherlands. It is the largest and most populated island of the West Frisian Islands in the Wadden Sea. The island is situated north of Den Helder, northeast of Noorderhaaks, also known as "Razende Bol" and southwest of Vlieland.
Name
The name Texel is Frisian, but because of historical sound-changes in Dutch, where all -x- sounds have been replaced with -s- sounds (compare for instance English fox, Frisian fokse, German Fuchs with Dutch vos), the name is typically pronounced Tessel in Dutch.[5]
History
In the early Middle Ages and before, Texel and Wieringen may have been much bigger and met each other as opposite banks of the Marsdiep, which was then a river with banks of permanent land: see here.
In the 13th century Ada, Countess of Holland was held prisoner on Texel by her uncle William.
Texel received city rights in 1415.
Texel was involved in the Battle of Scheveningen (1653) during the First Anglo-Dutch War and the Battle of Texel (1673) during the Third Anglo-Dutch War.
Texel is also famous in military history as the only place where a navy was defeated on horseback. Occupying Holland in January 1795, the French continental army learned that the mighty Dutch navy had been frozen into the ice around Texel, so Commandant Louis Joseph Lahure and 128 men rode up to it and demanded surrender. No shots were fired.
In 1797, Texel was involved in the Battle of Camperdown during the Napoleonic wars.
During the American Revolution, Texel was used as a haven port for the USS Bonhomme Richard before it sank off the coast of Flamborough Head in Britain in September 1779. In that final action, John Paul Jones defeated and captured the British ship HMS Serapis, which he sailed to Texel for desperately needed repairs. This event further complicated Anglo-Dutch relations.
During the First World War in 1914, the Battle off Texel took place off the coast of Texel.
On the night of 31 August 1940, the sea to the northwest of Texel was the scene of the sinking of two British destroyers and the severe damage of a third by German mines in what became known as the Texel Disaster.
At the end of Second World War in 1945, the Georgian Uprising of Texel took place on the island.
Geography
The municipality is located at 53°3′N 4°48′E north of the mainland of the province of North Holland and west of the mainland of the province of Friesland. The island of Texel is situated north of the city of Den Helder, northeast of the uninhabited island of Noorderhaaks, which is part of the municipality, and southwest of the island of Vlieland.
The island includes the seven villages De Cocksdorp, De Koog, De Waal, Den Burg, Den Hoorn, Oosterend, and Oudeschild, and the small townships of Bargen, De Nes, Dijkmanshuizen, Driehuizen, Harkebuurt, 't Horntje, Midden-Eierland, Molenbuurt, Nieuweschild, Noorderbuurt, Ongeren, Oost, Spang, Spijkdorp, Tienhoven, Westermient, Zevenhuizen, and Zuid-Eierland.
The island of Texel was originally made up of two islands, Texel proper to the south and Eierland to the northeast, which were connected by shoals. In the seventeenth century, the islands were poldered together. Today, Texel forms the largest natural barrier between the North Sea and the Wadden Sea.
Landscape
The dune landscape on Texel is a unique habitat for wildlife. Notable areas include De Slufter, where the tide comes in and meets the dunes, forming a marshy environment rich in both fauna and flora. Texel is known for its wildlife, particularly in winter, when birds of prey and geese take up residence. About one third of Texel is a protected nature reserve.
Economy
The tourism industry forms a substantial part of the economy in Texel. Approximately 70% of activities on Texel are in some way related to tourism. Popular forms of tourism on Texel include cycling, walking, swimming and horse riding.
Local government
The municipal council of Texel consists of 15 seats, which are divided as follows [as of April 2014]:
Eierland Lighthouse in 2013
VVD, 3 seats
PvdA, 3 seats
Texel 2010, 2 seats
CDA, 1 seat
Texels Belang, 3 seats
D66, 1 seat
GroenLinks, 1 seat
Sterk Texel, 1 seat
Transport
Ferry MS Dokter Wagemaker (2) (nl) from Den Helder to Texel in 2005
Transport around the island is typically by bicycle, bus (Texelhopper) or car. Texel has an extensive cycle path network. Transport to Texel is usually by ferry (Royal TESO), from Den Helder, or by air via Texel International Airport.
Manhattan is the most densely populated borough of New York City, its economic and administrative center, and its historical birthplace.Locally it is often referred to simply as The City. The borough is coextensive with New York County, founded on November 1, 1683, as one of the original counties of the U.S. state of New York. The borough consists mostly of Manhattan Island, bounded by the Hudson, East, and Harlem rivers; several small adjacent islands; and Marble Hill, a small neighborhood now on the U.S. mainland, physically connected to the Bronx and separated from the rest of Manhattan by the Harlem River.
Manhattan is often described as the cultural, financial, media, and entertainment capital of the world, and the borough hosts the United Nations Headquarters. Anchored by Wall Street in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, New York City has been called both the most economically powerful city and the leading financial center of the world, and Manhattan is home to the world's two largest stock exchanges by total market capitalization: the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. Many multinational media conglomerates are based in Manhattan, and the borough has been the setting for numerous books, films, and television shows. Manhattan is historically documented to have been purchased by Dutch colonists from Native Americans in 1626 for 60 guilders, which equals US$1050 today. (borrowed from Wikipedia)
In 1954, Maui was a sparsely populated island, and when I was in the Marines, stationed on Oahu, we launched an amphibious mock "invasion" of the island in an area that is now a packed full of hotels.
Some years ago I posted an improved version of the original of this "invasion," but even though it was much better than the original (see original in first comment), it still left a lot to be desired. So, I took another shot at it using some of the AI features in Topaz Studio and am finally satisfied that I got it right.
HSS
A multitude of locomotives populate at the BNSF Argentine Yard DSF as normal, either waiting to be serviced or an assignment for an outbound train.
Orange GE's are certainly plentiful here, but there's a couple noteworthy engines. Visible far in the back is a former IC GP10 still wearing its previous US Army paint. This engine is headed for the Ottawa Northern at Baldwin City, KS. Of greater interest, though, is the ATSF FP45 No. 93, which is in transit from the Great Plains Transportation Museum at Wichita, KS to Mid-America Car in Kansas City, MO for a new coat of "Super Fleet" paint. It arrived here a few days earlier on BNSF train H-NEWKCK1-18A, and it's ready to go out on tonight's Y-KCK3111-21T to the CPKC Knoche Yard. 8/21/25.
Lunaspina Anatine's The Empty City at Art Korner maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/DeJu/87/217/1891.
As she says, our living spaces aren't meant to empty, yet so often are in Second Life. Something I was very conscious of in making my video art, Future City, where I repopulate the city. Here Lunaspin takes the opposite approach, engaging directly with that emptiness, very effectively in black space.
To view more of my images, of Ramsholt please click
"here" !
From the Achieves, re-processed using Photoshop CC 2024.
Please, do not attach images, or group invites; thank you!
Ramsholt is known for its pub and its church – there are hardly any other buildings in this isolated setting on the East bank of the Deben. The Ramsholt Arms is known particularly for its stunning riverside location, overlooking a tiny harbour and moorings. Though situated in one of the most sparsely populated parts of Suffolk, it is only 15 mins away from Melton, and can get crowded in summer. This is a good place for riverside walks, one of which soon leads to All Saints Church, which overlooks the river from an escarpment which was once a cliff-top. The church dates back to Norman times and has an interesting history. Ramsholt, can be found about two miles west of the B1083 Woodbridge to Bawdsey road, signposted at Shottisham village. The Ramsholt Arms is a popular riverside pub and dining room, situated on the banks of the river Deben. The pub was reopened in June 2013 by the same family behind the Michelin recommended Ufford Crown just fifteen minutes down the road. Being the only south facing pub on the river, the Ramsholt Arms enjoys beautiful sunsets and is popular in the summer with holidaymakers, families and sailors who make the most of the sun soaked terrace, neighbouring beach and crab fishing jetty. During the summer months visitors can enjoy a variety of fresh locally caught seafood, sharing platters and a real American barbeque at weekends. As the nights draw in, the menu features hearty winter warming dishes, taking advantage of game from the local area.
All Saints Church. This is an ancient and mysterious place but in medieval times when King Edward III's fleet was moored in the estuary below this would have been a thriving and busy settlement. This church, is one of only 38 round tower churches in Suffolk. It sits in a tranquil location overlooking the River Deben and has a beautifully tended churchyard full of flowers in the summer. Located at the end of a quiet lane this traditional church has a peaceful air and serves a widespread community through its continued use of the Book of Common Prayer and King James version of the Bible.
The city grew without changing its core growth algorithm. I don't even feel that old, but in my few visits to China, I can actually see the logarithmic growth. From shrubbery and farmland to concrete and stacking, there seems to be a pre-programmed mushroom-time-lapse strangeness to the shaping. It is all supposed to make sense with perspective and from above, and I suppose it sort of does, but in moments of doubt, it makes no sense at all.
- Trey Ratcliff
Click here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog.
This was taken on the beautiful Strathaird Peninsula, near Kilbride looking out across Loch Slapin. I think this was my favourite peninsula.
Strathaird is the peninsula on the south coast of the Isle of Skye that lies between Loch Slapin and Loch Scavaig. The smallest and least populated of the main peninsulas, it is reached via the scenic B8083 road which winds its way through the Red Cuillin Hills, around the head of Loch Slapin and through the hamlets of Torrin, Kirkibost and Elgol.
With rocky cliffs, sea caves, the Small Isles offshore and abundant marine wildlife - including White-tailed Eagle and Otter - the coastal scenery is a real attraction. But perhaps even better than this, the west of Strathaird provides the best views possible into the Black Cuillins, Britain's most ferocious mountains.
Finland is a very sparsely populated country and it's not very uncommon to walk on the streets of smaller town and to not meet anyone there. If you want to know some trivia, I could quote Wikipedia's Finland article and say that the density of population in Finland is only 16 persons per square kilometer (41/square mile). Along with the lakes, nature, sauna and all other Finnish characteristics this is one thing that molds the scenery and makes it what it is. At one summer night I was passing by this small gas station and couldn't help but just to stop and admire the dark summer night silence it was surrounded by. There are probably hundreds of these kind of small self service gas stations in the middle of the forests and by the major roads, and in some odd way they belong to Finnish imagery in my mind. I was just standing there in the middle of the forest looking at this odd sight, and the same time, I could be sure that I could stand there for hours and not meet anyone, maybe only an elk could pass by the gas station as I would try to find the proper point of view for an image. There happened to be a small shelter for gas cylinders there and while there was no one nearby, I climbed on its roof and found the angle to be just perfect for the Loxia 50/2. In some other life circumstances I could see myself road tripping around Finland and just capturing these lonely gas stations that are left there in the middle of the forests. It's one of those odd scenes you must experience if you're ever coming to Finland in summer.
Days of Zeiss: www.daysofzeiss.com
These tiny little shrooms were less than an inch tall as they populated a fallen tree at El Chocoyero Nature Preserve near Ticuantepe, Nicaragua. This was just a small section of hundreds upon hundreds of mushrooms.
We're still in Percy's Reserve at the entrance to the heavily populated Hutt Valley just north of Wellington New Zealand...
The Track to the foot of Percy's Waterfall is well maintained and meanders up the side of a small stream through thick native forest (or "Bush" as its called in New Zealand!).
Percy's Waterfall is certainly no Niagara Falls, but they are still worth a visit. The volume of water flowing down these Falls may not be great, but it is never-the-less the highest waterfall in the Wellington region!
However, it's not the Falls themselves that make this Site so attractive to visit but rather the thick Bush that the Visitor has to walk through to get to them...
And I should add that this is only the top half of the Falls...!
Florenz - Sonnenuntergang gesehen von der Viale Galileo
Florence (/ˈflɒrəns/ FLORR-ənss; Italian: Firenze [fiˈrɛntse] is a city in Central Italy and the capital city of the Tuscany region. It is the most populated city in Tuscany, with 360,930 inhabitants in 2023, and 984,991 in its metropolitan area.
Florence was a centre of medieval European trade and finance and one of the wealthiest cities of that era. It is considered by many academics to have been the birthplace of the Renaissance, becoming a major artistic, cultural, commercial, political, economic and financial center. During this time, Florence rose to a position of enormous influence in Italy, Europe, and beyond. Its turbulent political history includes periods of rule by the powerful Medici family and numerous religious and republican revolutions. From 1865 to 1871 the city served as the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The Florentine dialect forms the base of Standard Italian and it became the language of culture throughout Italy due to the prestige of the masterpieces by Dante Alighieri, Petrarch, Giovanni Boccaccio, Niccolò Machiavelli and Francesco Guicciardini.
The city attracts millions of tourists each year, and UNESCO declared the Historic Centre of Florence a World Heritage Site in 1982. The city is noted for its culture, Renaissance art and architecture and monuments. The city also contains numerous museums and art galleries, such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Pitti, and still exerts an influence in the fields of art, culture and politics. Due to Florence's artistic and architectural heritage, Forbes ranked it as the most beautiful city in the world in 2010.
Florence plays an important role in Italian fashion, and is ranked in the top 15 fashion capitals of the world by Global Language Monitor; furthermore, it is a major national economic centre, as well as a tourist and industrial hub.
(Wikipedia)
Piazzale Michelangelo (Michelangelo Square) is a square with a panoramic view of Florence, Italy, located in the Oltrarno district of the city.
History
This Florentine piazza was designed by architect Giuseppe Poggi and built in 1869 on a hill just south of the historic center, during the redevelopment of Oltrarno, the left (South) bank of the Arno river. In 1869, Florence was the capital of Italy and the whole city was involved in an urban renewal, the so-called "Risanamento" or the "Renovation" of the city's neighborhoods. Lungarni (riverside walkways; "lungarno", singular) were built on the riversides. On the right bank, the fourteenth-century city walls were removed and turned into the Viali di Circonvallazione, mimicking the French "boulevard" design, six lanes wide and lined with trees. On the left bank winding up the hill of San Miniato the Viale dei Colli was built, a tree-lined street over 8 kilometers long ending at the Piazzale Michelangelo which was built as a terrace with a panoramic view of the city.
The square, dedicated to the Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo, has bronze copies of some of his marble works found elsewhere in Florence: the David and the four allegories of the Medici Chapel of San Lorenzo. The monument was brought up by nine pairs of oxen on 25 June 1873.
Poggi designed the loggia in the neoclassical-style that dominates the whole terrace, which today houses a restaurant. Originally it was intended to house a museum of works by Michelangelo, never realized. In the wall of the balcony, under the loggia, there is an epigraph in capital letters referring to his work: Poggi turned this into his monument in 1911.
The view captures the heart of Florence from Forte Belvedere to Santa Croce, across the lungarni and the bridges crossing the Arno, including the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Bargello and the octagonal bell tower of the Badia Fiorentina. Beyond the city are the hills of Settignano and Fiesole.
The Piazzale Michelangelo can be accessed by car along the tree-lined Viale Michelangelo, constructed at the same time, or by walking the stairs or going up the ramps from the Piazza Giuseppe Poggi, also known as the "Poggi Ramps" in the district of San Niccolò.
The Piazzale Michelangelo was due to hold a Red Bull Soapbox Race in 2020 but this was cancelled due to restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus.
(Wikipedia)
Florenz (italienisch Firenze [fiˈrεnʦe]) ist eine italienische Großstadt mit 372.038 Einwohnern (Stand 31. Dezember 2019). Nach Einwohnern ist sie die achtgrößte Stadt Italiens. Florenz ist die Hauptstadt sowie größte Stadt der Region Toskana und der Metropolitanstadt Florenz, in der etwa eine Million Menschen leben.
Florenz ist für seine Geschichte berühmt. Als Zentrum des spätmittelalterlichen europäischen Handels- und Finanzwesens war sie eine der reichsten Städte des 15. und 16. Jahrhunderts. Florenz gilt als die Wiege der Renaissance. Aufgrund seiner kulturellen Bedeutung – insbesondere für die bildende Kunst – wurde es schon im 19. Jahrhundert auch als das „italienische Athen“ bezeichnet.
Durch die mächtige Dynastie der Familie Medici stieg Florenz in der Renaissance zu einer der florierendsten Metropolen Europas auf. Zahlreiche Kunstschaffende und Geistliche waren hier beheimatet: Leonardo da Vinci verbrachte große Teile seiner Jugend in Florenz, Michelangelo fand Unterschlupf in der Kirche der Medici, Galileo Galilei wohnte als Hofmathematiker in den Palästen der Medici. Von 1865 bis 1871 war die Stadt die Hauptstadt des neu gegründeten Königreichs Italien.
Das historische Zentrum von Florenz zieht Jahr für Jahr Millionen von Touristen an. Euromonitor International platziert die Stadt mit fast 4,2 Millionen Besuchern im Jahr 2015 weltweit an 40. Stelle unter den meistbesuchten Städten. Die historische Innenstadt wurde von der UNESCO im Jahre 1982 zum Weltkulturerbe erklärt. Aufgrund des künstlerischen und architektonischen Erbes hat das Forbes Magazine Florenz als eine der schönsten Städte der Welt ausgewählt. Hingewiesen wird vor allem auf den Reichtum an Museen, Palästen und Denkmälern.
(Wikipedia)
Der Piazzale Michelangelo ist ein Aussichtsplatz in der toskanischen Metropole Florenz, welcher vor allem für die Aussicht auf die Stadt bekannt ist. Er wurde 1865 nach den Plänen des Architekten und Stadtplaners Giuseppe Poggi geschaffen. Florenz war damals kurzfristig die Hauptstadt Italiens und in diesem Zusammenhang kam es zu ehrgeizigen Bau- und „Sanierungs“-Projekten nach Vorbild des Umbaus von Paris durch Georges-Eugène Haussmann, die bis an die Jahrhundertwende von 1900 weiter wirkten. Es wurden die Uferstraßen entlang des Arno geschaffen, die heutige Piazza della Repubblica und als eine der ersten Maßnahmen, eine acht Kilometer lange Aussichtsstraße auf den Hügel von San Miniato, genannt Viale dei Colli, als deren Zentrum und Höhepunkt Poggi den Piazzale Michelangelo konzipierte. Von Poggi stammt auch der Pavillon im klassizistischen Stil im Hintergrund des Platzes, der zuerst als Michelangelo-Museum dienen sollte, nach einigen Jahren aber in ein Panoramarestaurant umfunktioniert wurde.
Bronzekopien einiger Werke Michelangelos, etwa des David und der vier Allegorien der Mediceerkapellen von San Lorenzo schmücken den Platz.
Vom Piazzale aus blickt man aufs Zentrum von Florenz, vom Forte Belvedere und der Kirche Santa Croce über den Ponte Vecchio, den Dom, den Palazzo Vecchio, den Bargello bis hin zu den Hügeln am Nordrand der Stadt, etwa jenen von Fiesole.
Der weitläufige Platz ist ein zentraler Punkt für den Bustourismus und gut an den städtischen Busverkehr angebunden.
(Wikipedia)
Ladakh is sparsely populated as it is a desert in the Himalayas with scant rainfall.
Mighty mountains of golden hue rise up and catch the light high above while at the bottom along the valley you see signs of habitation.
A plethora of locomotives populate the engine tracks at the Tall Tower and BNSF Argentine Yard. These locomotives are used on various transfer and yard jobs around the facility, and the city.
Locomotives: BNSF 1911, BNSF 2740, BNSF 2544, BNSF 1421, BNSF 1728, BNSF 580, BNSF 1898, BNSF 1830, BNSF 1674, BNSF 1351, BNSF 1971, BNSF 1542, BNSF 3160
7-16-16
Kansas City, KS
Bakka Church (Bakka kyrkje) is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Aurland Municipality in Vestland county, Norway.
It is located in the village of Bakka, on the shores of the sparsely populated Nærøyfjorden.
It is the church for the Nærøy parish which is part of the Sogn prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Bjørgvin.
The white, wooden church was built in a long church design in 1859 using plans drawn up by the architect Christian Henrik Grosch.
The church seats about 200 people.
Romney Marsh is a sparsely populated wetland area in the counties of Kent and East Sussex in the south-east of England. It covers about 100 square miles (260 km2). The Marsh has a fascinating history. Due to its location, geography and isolation it was a smuggler's paradise from the 17th through to the 19th centuries. The area has long supported a high density of sheep and to this day Romney Marsh sheep are considered one of the most successful and important breeds. Criss-crossed with numerous waterways, and with some areas lying below sea level, the Marsh has over time sustained a gradual level of reclamation, both through natural causes and by human intervention.
It was when I was populating my Facebook Timeline with meaningless trivia about the places I traveled, partly to make people jealous and partly to record my travel experiences, that I came across the images I shot in Denali National Park.
My most vivid memory from the park has to be waking up at 4am in the morning and standing entranced by the streak of vibrant alpenglow that the hand of Nature had painted across the tall face of Mt Denali, which I was seeing for the first time.
While that memory of catching Denali at sunrise might have been endearing, it is a one-off; meaning I just had a spot of good luck and good location. And it was an easy situation to photograph as well: anybody with a camera could have gotten the very same shot had he/she had the will to wake up that early.
On the other hand, images like above, require a careful understanding of exposure and composition to get a good frame out of the scene. And the correct gear as well: graduated filters, proper telephoto lenses, polarizers and the like.
Nevertheless, the memories it brings back of the dusty road winding through the park, the rickety bus that trudged its way on the road, kicking up dust and dirt like nobody's business, the fantastic views of the Alaskan tundra and the vastness of the mountainous landscape are overwhelmingly beautiful....
Shot with a telephoto lens at ISO 200, 1/320s at F9
Denali National Park
AK USA
Early morning at Kenardington Road, on Romney Marsh.
Romney Marsh is a sparsely populated wetland area in the counties Kent and East Sussex in the south-east of England. It covers about 100 square miles (260 km2). The Marsh has been in use for centuries, though its inhabitants commonly suffered from malaria until the 18th century. Due to its location, geography and isolation, it was a smuggler's paradise between the 1600s and 1800s. The area has long been used for sheep pasture: Romney Marsh sheep are considered one of the most successful and important sheep breeds. Criss-crossed with numerous waterways, and with some areas lying below sea level, the Marsh has over time sustained a gradual level of reclamation, both through natural causes and by human intervention.
Bavona Valley, which branches off from the Maggia Valley, is characterized by its wilderness. To this day it is deprived of electricity (except in San Carlo) and populated only during the summer. The magic of nature combined with the work of mankind has bestowed peace and harmony to this valley, one of Ticino’s most beautiful. Consisting of extremely high cliffs and remains of colossal landslides it is also one of the steepest and rockiest valleys of the entire Alpine region. An enchanting walk that goes through twelve villages, including Foroglio with its spectacular waterfall, allows the visitor to appreciate its charm.
The route is fascinating not only from an environmental point of view but also for the testimonials of human intervention found along the way, that prove how through an adequate interpretation of the territory it is possible to turn even the most hostile of natural elements into an ally. Very interesting are the so-called splüi, buildings under the rock that have made it possible to adapt nature to the needs of humans, creating shelters, housing and stables. Also very surprising is the ingenuity behind the transformation of the upper part of massive boulders into small gardens, protected from the voracious goats that stroll about the valley.
The itinerary that runs through the entire Bavona Valley can start either in Bignasco or in Cavergno. Along the course you will encounter a number of splüi and go through woods of chestnut trees - once considered to be "the tree of life" because of its vital role for the survival of the population. In Foroglio, the best known village of the valley because of the spectacular waterfall, you can spot a few houses with a wide arcade and a number of torbe gathered around a small church. Inside the church, you can admire the interesting altar from the 16th century. Also in town, the excellent Grotto Froda (a tavern) that offers traditional Ticino dishes and is run by Martino Giovanettina, a local intellectual.
Another point of interest is the centre of Sonlerto, where to avoid taking land from the pastures the houses were built between the boulders of a prehistoric landslide. The graceful oratory of Gannariente, with precious frescoes from the 16th century, has been a destination from time immemorial of a historical procession that occurs the first Sunday of May. The excursion ends in San Carlo, the last village of the Bavona Valley and departure point of the cableway that goes up to Robiei (below the Basodino glacier). From there you may choose to return by bus to Bignasco or Cavergno.
More BNSF locomotive populate Mid-America Car in Kansas City, MO. A Ex-ATSF Warbonnet Dash 9 is here for RCO installation as an SD70ACe takes in the evening sun while showing off it's new paint. 6/8/24.
photo rights reserved by B℮n
Naples is the third-largest city of Italy after Rome and Milan and one of the most densely populated cities in Europe. First settled by Greeks in the second millennium BC, Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban areas in the world. In the 6th century BC, it was refounded as Neápolis. Naples' historic city centre is the largest in Europe and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pizza was invented here but the restaurants in Naples have earned the most stars from the Michelin Guide of any Italian city. People awarded the honorary citizenship of Naples are: Sophia Loren & Diego Maradona. When Maradona arrived in Naples, they won the Italian and European titles for the first time. Maradona’s photo was hung next to Jesus in half of the homes of Naples. Naples is a real raw working city, a place with fascinating art and viewpoints, spontaneous conversations and unexpected, pleasant attitude. Naples has an enormous wealth of cultural treasures. You will find two royal palaces, three castles and ancient ruins with some of the oldest frescoes of Christianity. Castel Nuovo is a medieval castle located in front the city hall of Naples.
Castel Nuovo often called Maschio Angioino is a medieval castle located in front the city hall of Naples. It's a fortress with 5 towers & a Renaissance triumphal arch, plus civic art museum & chapel. Its scenic location and imposing size makes the castle, first erected in 1279, one of the main architectural landmarks of the city. It was a royal seat for kings of Naples. It is well worth stopping off here if you are in Naples. The outside of the castle is very impressive particularly the doorway and look out for the cannonball damaged ornate front gates. Inside there are a few things to see; hall, chapel and upstairs there is an art gallery. I also liked seeing the old Roman ruins under the glass floor. What a good way to show us what lies beneath our feet without harming the structure above those ruins. You get good views of mount Vesuvius and the port itself from the art gallery terrace.
Napels is na Rome en Milaan de derde stad van Italië en een van de dichtstbevolkte steden van Europa. Napels, voor het eerst bewoond door Grieken in het tweede millennium voor Christus. Het historische stadscentrum van Napels is het grootste van Europa en staat op de Werelderfgoedlijst van UNESCO. De pizza is uitgevonden in Napels, maar de restaurants in Napels hebben de meeste sterren verdiend in de Michelin-gids van elke Italiaanse stad. Mensen die het ereburgerschap van Napels hebben toegekend zijn: Sophia Loren & Diego Maradona. Toen Maradona in Napels aankwam, wonnen ze voor het eerst de Italiaanse en Europese titels. De foto van Maradona hing naast Jezus in de helft van de huizen in Napels. Napels is een echte rauwe werkstad, een plek met fascinerende kunst en uitzichtpunten, spontane gesprekken en onverwachte, prettige instelling. Kasteel Nuovo is een middeleeuws kasteel tegenover het stadhuis van Napels. Het is een fort met vijf torens, een triomfboog uit de Renaissance, een museum voor openbare kunst en een kapel. De schilderachtige locatie en de imposante afmetingen maken het kasteel, dat voor het eerst werd gebouwd in 1279, één van de belangrijkste architectonische monumenten van de stad. Het was een koninklijke zetel voor koningen van Napels. Het is de moeite waard hier te stoppen als je in Napels bent. De buitenkant van het kasteel is zeer indrukwekkend, met name de deuropening en kijk uit voor de kanonskogel beschadigde voorpoorten. Binnen zijn er een paar dingen te zien; hal, kapel en boven is er een kunstgalerie. Ik heb ook genoten van het zien van de oude Romeinse ruïnes onder de glazen vloer. Wat een slimme manier om ons te laten zien wat er onder onze voeten ligt zonder de structuur boven die ruïnes te beschadigen. Vanaf het terras van de kunstgalerie heeft u een goed uitzicht op de Vesuvius en de haven zelf.
photo rights reserved by B℮n
Naples is the third-largest city of Italy after Rome and Milan and one of the most densely populated cities in Europe. First settled by Greeks in the second millennium BC, Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban areas in the world. In the 6th century BC, it was refounded as Neápolis. Naples' historic city centre is the largest in Europe and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Naples is a real raw working city, a place with fascinating art and viewpoints, spontaneous conversations and unexpected, pleasant attitude. Naples has an enormous wealth of cultural treasures. You will find two royal palaces, three castles and ancient ruins with some of the oldest frescoes of Christianity. The Duomo di Napoli is very impressive located in the middle of the historic centre. The Cathedral is the heart of Napoli. This cathedral, Gothic in design and completed in the 14th century and since then restored several times over, is the home to the crypt, baptistery and the chapel. Also it is where the Festival of San Gennaro, the infamous blood liquefaction ceremony takes place three times a year. It always works, otherwise Naples with face some bad doings.
Naples Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral, the main church of Naples, southern Italy, and the seat of the Archbishop of Naples. It is widely known as the Cattedrale di San Gennaro. We attend mass in this beautiful cathedral and then spent a happy couple of hours walking round and enjoying the beauty, peace and tranquility of this wonderful place. In the interior of the main Cathedral of Naples, you can see numerous murals, mosaics, and chapel, different time of construction. In the center is the main altar, consisting of a block of white marble, decorated with bas-reliefs, on the front side, by an anonymous sculptor of the eighteenth century, depicts the resurrected Christ. Inside the cathedral is the entrance to the oldest surviving Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte. The exact date of construction of the baptistery is still not a consensus about the estimated construction time - 4th century, significant changes - 5th century. In the interior of the Baptistery is partially preserved mosaic 4th-5th centuries.
Napels is na Rome en Milaan de derde stad van Italië en een van de dichtstbevolkte steden van Europa. Napels, voor het eerst bewoond door Grieken in het tweede millennium voor Christus. Het historische stadscentrum van Napels is het grootste van Europa en staat op de Werelderfgoedlijst van UNESCO. Napels is een echte rauwe werkstad, een plek met fascinerende kunst en uitzichtpunten, spontane gesprekken en onverwachte, prettige instelling. De Duomo di Napoli is zeer indrukwekkend gelegen in het midden van het historische centrum. De kathedraal is het hart van Napels. Deze kathedraal, gotisch van ontwerp en voltooid in de 14e eeuw en sindsdien verschillende keren gerestaureerd, is de thuisbasis van de crypte en de kapel. Het is ook waar het Festival van San Gennaro, de beruchte bloedvloeiingsceremonie, driemaal per jaar plaatsvindt. Het werkt altijd, anders staat Napels voor een aantal slechte daden. Afhankelijk van de richting waar je vandaan komt, kan het heel moeilijk te vinden zijn, als je van de voorkant komt is het prima, zoals op een grotere hoofdweg, maar één ingang komt meer uit een steegje en je denkt dat je op de verkeerde plek bent, maar je gaat niet alleen de trap op. We wonen de mis bij in deze prachtige kathedraal en brachten vervolgens een paar gelukkige uren door met rondlopen en genieten van de schoonheid, vrede en rust van deze prachtige plek. In het midden staat het hoofdaltaar, bestaande uit een blok wit marmer, versierd met bas-reliëfs, aan de voorzijde, door een anonieme beeldhouwer uit de achttiende eeuw, toont de herrezen Christus. Binnenin de kathedraal is de ingang van het oudste nog bestaande doopkapel di San Giovanni in Fonte. De exacte bouwdatum van de doopkapel is nog steeds geen consensus over de geschatte bouwtijd - 4e eeuw, significante veranderingen - 5e eeuw. In het interieur van de doopkapel is gedeeltelijk bewaard gebleven mozaïek 4e-5e eeuwen.
On the edge of one of Europe’s most populated urban areas, some 40 km from Milan lies this fabulous town of Torno. After landing in Malpensa airport and driving a rented so very typical for Italy tiny Fiat 500 on highways and curvy roads we came into an extremely narrow street between the stone fences, changing itself to the stairs coming down to the lake. Unbelievable, but we had to park the car quite far and then walk with the suitcases to the hotel. After “descending” to the town’s church square with the boats parking place we noted it was actually good there were no cars there. Gorgeous! Narrow winding stony streets two men wide with numerous entrances to the lake, where the water gently soothes the already rounded stone edges. Smell of freshness in the air, birds singing and cook making special local risotto with fried fish on top...
This was a kind of business trip I prefer, when a hard-working day with endless meetings and discussions ends with a quiet admiration of nature accompanied by dinner of fish caught few hours before... Belissimo!
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. It has an area of 6.7 km2 (2.6 sq mi) and shares its northern border with Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region. At its foot is a densely populated city area, home to over 30,000 Gibraltarians and other nationalities. An Anglo-Dutch force captured Gibraltar from Spain in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession on behalf of the Habsburg claim to the Spanish throne. The territory was subsequently ceded to Britain "in perpetuity" under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. During World War II it was an important base for the Royal Navy as it controlled the entrance and exit to the Mediterranean Sea, which is only eight miles (13 km) wide at this point. Today Gibraltar's economy is based largely on tourism, online gambling, financial services, and shipping.
The sovereignty of Gibraltar is a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations as Spain asserts a claim to the territory. Gibraltarians overwhelmingly rejected proposals for Spanish sovereignty in a 1967 referendum and again in 2002. Under the Gibraltar constitution of 2006, Gibraltar governs its own affairs, though some powers, such as defence and foreign relations, remain the responsibility of the Government of the United Kingdom. Evidence of Neanderthal habitation in Gibraltar between 28,000 and 24,000 BP has been discovered at Gorham's Cave, making Gibraltar possibly the last known holdout of the Neanderthals. Within recorded history, the first inhabitants were the Phoenicians, around 950 BC. Subsequently, Gibraltar became known as one of the Pillars of Hercules, after the Greek legend of the creation of the Strait of Gibraltar by Heracles. The Carthaginians and Romans also established semi-permanent settlements. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Gibraltar came briefly under the control of the Vandals. The area later formed part of the Visigothic Kingdom of Hispania from 414 AD until the Islamic conquest of Iberia in 711 AD. In 1160, the Almohad Sultan Abd al-Mu'min ordered that a permanent settlement, including a castle, be built. It received the name of Medinat al-Fath (City of the Victory). On completion of the works in the town, the Sultan crossed the Strait to look at the works and stayed in Gibraltar for two months. The Tower of Homage of the Moorish Castle remains standing today. From 1274 onwards, the town was fought over and captured by the Nasrids of Granada (in 1237 and 1374), the Marinids of Morocco (in 1274 and 1333) and the kings of Castile (in 1309). In 1462, Gibraltar was finally captured by Juan Alonso de Guzmán, 1st Duke of Medina Sidonia. After the conquest, King Henry IV of Castile assumed the additional title of King of Gibraltar, establishing it as part of the comarca of the Campo Llano de Gibraltar. Six years later, Gibraltar was restored to the Duke of Medina Sidonia, who sold it in 1474 to a group of 4350 conversos (Christian converts from Judaism) from Cordova and Seville and in exchange for maintaining the garrison of the town for two years, after which time they were expelled, returning to their home towns or moving on to other parts of Spain. In 1501, Gibraltar passed back to the Spanish Crown, and Isabella I of Castile issued a Royal Warrant granting Gibraltar the coat of arms that it still uses today. In 1704, during the War of the Spanish Succession, a combined Anglo-Dutch fleet, representing the Grand Alliance, captured the town of Gibraltar on behalf of the Archduke Charles of Austria in his campaign to become King of Spain. The occupation of the town by Alliance forces caused the exodus of the population to the surrounding area of the Campo de Gibraltar. As the Alliance's campaign faltered, the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht was negotiated and ceded control of Gibraltar to Britain to secure Britain's withdrawal from the war. Unsuccessful attempts by Spanish monarchs to regain Gibraltar were made with the siege of 1727 and again with the Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779 to 1783), during the American War of Independence. Gibraltar became a key base for the Royal Navy and played an important role prior to the Battle of Trafalgar (21 October 1805) and during the Crimean War of 1854–56, because of its strategic location. Its strategic value increased with the opening of the Suez Canal, as it lay on the sea route between the UK and the British Empire east of Suez. In the later 19th century, there were major investments in improving the fortifications and the port. During World War II, Gibraltar's civilian population was evacuated (mainly to London, England, but also to parts of Morocco, Madeira and Jamaica) and the Rock was strengthened as a fortress. The naval base and the ships based there played a key role in the provisioning and supply of the island of Malta during its long siege. As well as frequent short runs (known as 'Club Runs') towards Malta to fly off aircraft reinforcements (initially Hurricanes but later, notably from the USN aircraft carrier Wasp, Spitfires), the critical Operation Pedestal convoy was run from Gibraltar in August 1942. This resupplied the island at a critical time in the face of concentrated air attacks from German and Italian forces. Spanish dictator Francisco Franco's reluctance to allow the German Army onto Spanish soil frustrated a German plan to capture the Rock, codenamed Operation Felix. In the 1950s, Franco renewed Spain's claim to sovereignty over Gibraltar and restricted movement between Gibraltar and Spain. Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain under British sovereignty in the Gibraltar sovereignty referendum, 1967, which led to the passing of the Gibraltar Constitution Order in 1969. In response, Spain completely closed the border with Gibraltar and severed all communication links. The border with Spain was partially reopened in 1982 and fully reopened in 1985 before Spain's accession to the European Community. In a referendum held in 2002, Gibraltarians rejected by an overwhelming majority (98%) a proposal of shared sovereignty on which Spain and Britain were said to have reached "broad agreement". The British government has committed itself to respecting the Gibraltarians' wishes. A new Constitution Order was approved in referendum in 2006. A process of tripartite negotiations started in 2006 between Spain, Gibraltar and the UK, ending some restrictions and dealing with disputes in some specific areas such as air movements, customs procedures, telecommunications, pensions and cultural exchange. During the campaign leading up to the United Kingdom's national referendum on whether to leave the European Union (known as "Brexit") the Spanish government warned that if the UK chose to leave, Spain would push to reclaim control over Gibraltar. The Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo warned the UK of the threat to Gibraltar's safety posed by Brexit. On 23 June 2016 Gibraltar voted along with the United Kingdom on whether the UK should remain in, or leave, the European Union. Although the final decision saw the UK decide to leave, Gibraltar overwhelmingly voted to remain in the Union. There was a strong voter turnout of 82% resulting in 19,322 votes to remain and only 823 to leave. The day after the result of the Brexit vote, José Manuel García-Margallo, who was Spain's acting Foreign Minister at the time, as promised, renewed calls for joint Spanish–British control of the peninsula. These calls were strongly rebuffed by Gibraltar's Chief Minister.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bavona Valley, which branches off from the Maggia Valley, is characterized by its wilderness. To this day it is deprived of electricity (except in San Carlo) and populated only during the summer. The magic of nature combined with the work of mankind has bestowed peace and harmony to this valley, one of Ticino’s most beautiful. Consisting of extremely high cliffs and remains of colossal landslides it is also one of the steepest and rockiest valleys of the entire Alpine region. An enchanting walk that goes through twelve villages, including Foroglio with its spectacular waterfall, allows the visitor to appreciate its charm.
The route is fascinating not only from an environmental point of view but also for the testimonials of human intervention found along the way, that prove how through an adequate interpretation of the territory it is possible to turn even the most hostile of natural elements into an ally. Very interesting are the so-called splüi, buildings under the rock that have made it possible to adapt nature to the needs of humans, creating shelters, housing and stables. Also very surprising is the ingenuity behind the transformation of the upper part of massive boulders into small gardens, protected from the voracious goats that stroll about the valley.
The itinerary that runs through the entire Bavona Valley can start either in Bignasco or in Cavergno. Along the course you will encounter a number of splüi and go through woods of chestnut trees - once considered to be "the tree of life" because of its vital role for the survival of the population. In Foroglio, the best known village of the valley because of the spectacular waterfall, you can spot a few houses with a wide arcade and a number of torbe gathered around a small church. Inside the church, you can admire the interesting altar from the 16th century. Also in town, the excellent Grotto Froda (a tavern) that offers traditional Ticino dishes and is run by Martino Giovanettina, a local intellectual.
Another point of interest is the centre of Sonlerto, where to avoid taking land from the pastures the houses were built between the boulders of a prehistoric landslide. The graceful oratory of Gannariente, with precious frescoes from the 16th century, has been a destination from time immemorial of a historical procession that occurs the first Sunday of May. The excursion ends in San Carlo, the last village of the Bavona Valley and departure point of the cableway that goes up to Robiei (below the Basodino glacier). From there you may choose to return by bus to Bignasco or Cavergno.
During the 15th to later 18th century, much of what is now southern Ukraine was known as the "Wild Fields". This was a sparsely populated area that was a warzone for centuries between the Cossacks and the Crimean Tatars. The origins of the Cossacks are still widely debated, but the general consensus is that they are primarily descended from Ukrainian, Polish, and Russian serfs who fled the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Muscovy. They believed that it would be better to live free and take their chances in the wild fields than to live under serfdom. They would then develop a unique system of democracy and were strongly opposed to slavery.
Mongol power at this point in time was gone, and it would be replaced by a few Tatar states that were still a thorn in the side of the states of Eastern Europe. One of these states was the Crimean Khanate. The Crimean Khanates economy was based on the slave trade and would continuously launch raids in the wild fields and beyond. It is estimated that they enslaved 2-3 million people between the 15th and 18th centuries. Their main trading partner was the Ottoman Empire, who they were an ally and vassal to as they were fellow Muslims in an area surrounded by hostile Christian states. Due to the constant slave raiding, the Cossacks would become more militarized and develop a reputation for being fierce warriors. During this time, both the Cossacks and the Tatars would ally with larger powers and fight against each other. On rare occasions they would become allies in some conflicts.
The centuries long conflict between the Cossacks and Crimean Tatars would come to end when the Russian Empire would annex the Crimean Khanate in 1783, ending the slave trade. The wild fields would turn out to be some of the most fertile soil in the world and become highly populated area in the Russian empire. The Cossacks, due to their rebellious tendencies, would later be forcibly located to Southern Russia. The Crimean Tatars would later became a tiny minority regulated to the Crimean peninsula.
For a while I wanted to build something related to the Cossacks. This is largely based on a painting by Polish artist Jozef Brandt showing the Cossacks fighting the Tatars.
Found this female White-tailed Deer in some wetlands at Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Atlanta, GA, which is a relatively populated area. (Odocoileus virginianus)
Manhattan, often referred to locally as the City, is the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City and its economic and administrative center, cultural identifier, and historical birthplace. The borough is coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state of New York. The borough consists mostly of Manhattan Island, bounded by the Hudson, East, and Harlem rivers; several small adjacent islands; and Marble Hill, a small neighborhood now on the U.S. mainland, physically connected to the Bronx and separated from the rest of Manhattan by the Harlem River. Manhattan Island is divided into three informally bounded components, each aligned with the borough's long axis: Lower, Midtown, and Upper Manhattan.
Manhattan has been described as the cultural, financial, media, and entertainment capital of the world, and the borough hosts the United Nations Headquarters. Anchored by Wall Street in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, New York City has been called both the most economically powerful city and the leading financial center of the world, and Manhattan is home to the world's two largest stock exchanges by total market capitalization: the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. Many multinational media conglomerates are based in Manhattan, and the borough has been the setting for numerous books, films, and television shows. Manhattan real estate has since become among the most expensive in the world, with the value of Manhattan Island, including real estate, estimated to exceed US$3 trillion in 2013; median residential property sale prices in Manhattan approximated US$1,600 per square foot ($17,000/m2) as of 2018, with Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan commanding the highest retail rents in the world, at US$3,000 per square foot ($32,000/m2) in 2017.
Manhattan traces its origins to a trading post founded by colonists from the Dutch Republic in 1624 on Lower Manhattan; the post was named New Amsterdam in 1626. Manhattan is historically documented to have been purchased by Dutch colonists from Native Americans in 1626 for 60 guilders, which equals roughly $1038 in current terms. The territory and its surroundings came under English control in 1664 and were renamed New York after King Charles II of England granted the lands to his brother, the Duke of York. New York, based in present-day Manhattan, served as the capital of the United States from 1785 until 1790. The Statue of Liberty greeted millions of immigrants as they came to the Americas by ship in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is a world symbol of the United States and its ideals of liberty and peace. Manhattan became a borough during the consolidation of New York City in 1898.
New York County is the United States' second-smallest county by land area (larger only than Kalawao County, Hawaii), and is also the most densely populated U.S. county. It is also one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with a census-estimated 2017 population of 1,664,727 living in a land area of 22.83 square miles (59.13 km2), or 72,918 residents per square mile (28,154/km2), higher than the density of any individual U.S. city. On business days, the influx of commuters increases this number to over 3.9 million, or more than 170,000 people per square mile (65,600/km2). Manhattan has the third-largest population of New York City's five boroughs, after Brooklyn and Queens, and is the smallest borough in terms of land area. Manhattan Island is often informally divided into three areas, each aligned with its long axis: Lower, Midtown, and Upper Manhattan.
Many districts and landmarks in Manhattan are well known, as New York City received a record 62.8 million tourists in 2017, and Manhattan hosts three of the world's 10 most-visited tourist attractions in 2013: Times Square, Central Park, and Grand Central Terminal. The borough hosts many prominent bridges, such as the Brooklyn Bridge; skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building; and parks, such as Central Park. Chinatown incorporates the highest concentration of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere, and the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, part of the Stonewall National Monument, is considered the birthplace of the modern gay rights movement. The City of New York was founded at the southern tip of Manhattan, and the borough houses New York City Hall, the seat of the city's government. Numerous colleges and universities are located in Manhattan, including Columbia University, New York University, Cornell Tech, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Rockefeller University, which have been ranked among the top 40 in the
from Wikipedia
The street owes its name to the Eeckhoutte Abbey, which was founded in the 11th century and was populated around 1146 by canons regular of Saint Augustine and played an important role in the history of Bruges.
Eekhout here did not mean oak wood, but wood in an eek . An eek was a lowland that was flooded in winter. In such a stream, low woodland grew, which produced coppice. Hence oak wood . So wrote Karel De Flou , supported by Albert Schouteet . But Maurits Gysseling , joined by Frans Debrabandere, simply stuck with oak forest.
The Eekhout Abbey occupied a large site south of the Dijver . It was abolished during the French rule and the church and monastery were demolished. The surface was occupied by the Bank Du Jardin (now seniorie Ten Eekhoutte and Sint-Andreaslyceum), the city of Bruges (now Groeninge Museum ) and many private individuals.
In the 1990s, archaeological remains dating from the New Stone Age (2,000 BC) were found on the corner of Eekhoutstraat and Willemstraat . They are the oldest signs so far of human presence on the site of the current city of Bruges.
Manhattan is the most densely populated borough of New York City, its economic and administrative center, and its historical birthplace.Locally it is often referred to simply as The City. The borough is coextensive with New York County, founded on November 1, 1683, as one of the original counties of the U.S. state of New York. The borough consists mostly of Manhattan Island, bounded by the Hudson, East, and Harlem rivers; several small adjacent islands; and Marble Hill, a small neighborhood now on the U.S. mainland, physically connected to the Bronx and separated from the rest of Manhattan by the Harlem River.
Manhattan is often described as the cultural, financial, media, and entertainment capital of the world, and the borough hosts the United Nations Headquarters. Anchored by Wall Street in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, New York City has been called both the most economically powerful city and the leading financial center of the world, and Manhattan is home to the world's two largest stock exchanges by total market capitalization: the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. Many multinational media conglomerates are based in Manhattan, and the borough has been the setting for numerous books, films, and television shows. Manhattan is historically documented to have been purchased by Dutch colonists from Native Americans in 1626 for 60 guilders, which equals US$1050 today. (borrowed from Wikipedia)