“Loveland Foundation is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls. Our resources and initiatives are collaborative and they prioritize opportunity, access, validation, and healing. We are becoming the ones we’ve been waiting for.” thelovelandfoundation.org/about/

A study in contrasts – the rigid structure of the concrete environment versus the organic movement of people. This scene was captured in Copenhagen, a city consistently ranked among the most livable in the world. The Danish capital prioritizes pedestrian and bicycle traffic, fostering a relaxed atmosphere despite its urban density.

An eddy formed by a downed log collects a treasure trove of bright, yellow Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) leaves along the Saint Vrain River, Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado.

My wife and I came up here on a beautiful Sunday morning sans boys. The oldest is deep into his teenage years, and he prioritizes sleeping late over tramping about in the forest with his parents. The youngest son is almost a teenager, and he occasionally manifests a stubborn streak that is somewhat profound. On this morning, he did NOT want to go for a hike with his parents either. We therefore left the two doofuses to their own (probably electronic) devices, and we abandoned collecting apples around Boulder in favor of cooler, higher, much more colorful country to the west. It was, perhaps, a brief prelude to what life might transform into 10 years from now. Assuming my knees still work in 10 years' time.

Amazingly I had never done this famous photo angle myself. Long on my list I finally decided to prioritize it this fall during what was probably the peak weekend for foliage in the Hudson Valley. Alas the sun didn't cooperate, but the trains were plentiful and the sweeping vista is simply stunning.

CSXT train M433-23 (manifest from Selkirk to Conrail Conrail Shared Assests Oak Island yard) has 60 loads and 40 empties totalling 6589 ft and 8863 tons trailing two units the first of which is a veteran more than quarter century old GE AC4400CW dressed in its as delivered YN2 'bright future' livery. They are southbound as they cross Iona Island at MP 41 on the River Line and roll out over the causeway over Snake Hole Creek that separates the marshlands from the Hudson River.

CSXT's River Sub (ex Conrail, Penn Central, New York Central, nee West Shore) dates from 1883 in this area and despite being a relative latecomer its mainline up the west bank of the Hudson has only grown in importance over the decades as traffic patterns have shifted. Today this line between northern New Jersey and the Albany area is by far the busiest north south route in the northeast, while conversely virtually the entirety of the West Shore's route to Buffalo along the south side of the Mohawk River has long been abandoned.

Iona Island is now part of Bear Mountain State Park but has an interesting history. In the mid 1800s a hotel and amusement park were located on the island but in 1899 it was bought by the US Navy and served as an ammunition depot during both World Wars but was decommissioned in 1947 and sold to the state in 1965 though large portions still remain off limits and the few remaining buildings are closed the public.

Rising beyond is the Bear Mountain Bridge. When it opened a century ago it was the longest suspension bridge in the world spanning 2255 ft across the Hudson River and 155 ft above the water line and with its towers reaching another 205 ft skyward! Originally a private toll road it has been property of the state of New York since 1940.

The bridge has a couple railroad connections I found interesting as well. The original Hudson Highland Suspension Bridge as chartered in 1868 was originally planned to be a railroad bridge which if built would have been the farthest south rail crossing of the river. Despite raising capital, completing engineering work and even starting excavation of the anchor pits it never came to fruition and the second charter finally expired nearly a half century after the first.

When the state then authorized the private highway bridge instead in 1922 one of the directors of the new company was E. Roland Harriman of the famous banking company who was the youngest son of legendary Union Pacific and Southern Pacific president E. H. Harriman who purchased the UP out of bankruptcy in 1898 and then acquired the SP in 1901. His leadership until his death in 1909 turned them into modern economic and corporate powerhouses that would be hugely influential throughout the 20th century leaving a legacy that carries on to railroading today....but I digress!

Bear Mountain State Park

Stony Point, New York

Thursday October 23, 2025

Travel back to the Roaring Roaring Twenties. The Vintage Car Rally from Barcelona to Sitges is celebrated with great taste and elegance. This legendary race began in 1959. With today's edition there are already 64 editions and the rules have remained unchanged. 52 cars and 15 classic motorcycles participate. All the vehicles are prior to 1928 and the event prioritizes their conservation. It is not a race, it is rewarded to be dressed in period and according to the vehicle and its state of conservation. A total of 40 kilometers that become a real trip to the past

18/366 - Rest

Rest: the sweet sauce of labor.

--Plutarch

Employ thy leisure time well, if thou meanest to gain pleasure. --Benjamin Franklin

I love three day weekends!! I got so much done. At the zoo today, while I saw so many animals napping, I realized that I forgot to rest!! (Luckily, I am a great sleeper. As soon as my head touches the pillow, I am asleep!)

I hope that we all can remember to play hard and then rest. Rest is important for our bodies so that we can live a long and happy life.

Take care of your body with steadfast fidelity. The soul must see through these eyes alone, and if they are dim, the whole world is clouded. --Goethe

I pray that we can all remember to prioritize rest in our busy lives--even if we must schedule it in.

With street photography, I have always prioritized daytime hours, trying to find the twilight hours or midday hours to have more contrasting shadows, but I have discovered that the night has a special charm. It is possible that inside of me lives a being of darkness that is yet to show itself completely. I'm going to let myself go to see where ends this obsession with darkness and the night that I just discovered and that has completely captivated me.

All of the photos were taken respectfully and for artistic purposes only.

If you appear in a photo and want it removed, just contact me.

All rights reserved.

After pulling two empties from inside and setting them out on the main, Y150 tucks one loaded covered plastics hopper back inside Roth Global Plastics just as the afternoon sun breaks through the clouds.

Oh man. Where do I begin with this one? This customer made me give my all, so sit tight for this journey from discovery to trial and error and finally execution. In late 2024 while keeping tabs on a multitude of rail cars for customers, I came across three Syracuse bound plastics hoppers on an M560 one day. I asked a friend to check the waybills for each car out of curiosity. One of the cars was bound for Roth in Syracuse. Having previously explored the area customer spurs on Google Maps, I had just as soon chalked up the spur into Roth as dead. What a relief to find out it was just the opposite case for them. I got ahold of their car inventory list at the time and began tracing the cars regularly to see how long each car lasted in plant. On average, it was about a month to six weeks, which is par for the course with plastics hoppers, at least in most cases. I wanted to prioritize getting out to shoot this place, but a lot of factors kept me at bay. The crew who usually switches here almost always has a three pack of geeps/slug set, which isn't exactly ideal for the spacial limitations of this shot. Said power set also gets wyed a lot during the week due to how they work certain customers, so while the leader might be favorable one day, by the time Roth needs a switch the other leader might not be so photogenic. First world problems I suppose, the further I travel for these shots, the less of a luxury I'll be afforded in that regard. During the warmer months last year, although Syracuse was originally intended to be my summer project, I ended up focusing on L355 out of Ashtabula instead, two hours west of Buffalo instead of two hours east such as Syracuse is. And so Roth took a backseat for a bit, along with the rest of 'Cuse, awaiting my attention at a later date.

Some housekeeping things before continuing: although the symbol in the title is a yard job, Roth is normally switched by L024, an 0400 local out of DeWitt Yard on weekdays, who serves a handful of customers and handles transfer cars for/from FGLK and NYSW. Roth is also a Tuesday only switch, which you'd think would make things easier. Ahhh how wrong I was to think so! Paired with Roth on Tuesdays is usually Metalico who gets served on Thursdays as well. Both customers are located off of "Track 8," the north siding in relation to mains 1 and 2. The south siding is "Track 7." The switchbacks for Metalico and Roth face opposite directions, requiring the crew to pull west into Metalico's and east into Roth's, thus the crew will often wye their train at CP 291 coming off of Track 8 after Metalico, then return back to it to switch Roth. This is a typical way to the two. However it seems whenever I get involved, things take an atypical turn.

The stars aligned for me timing wise to attempt Roth for the first time at the end of October in 2025. My band was playing a show in Syracuse the day before Halloween that week, which was two days after my first go at Roth. As you can tell, the month is not late October in this photo. Outside of the fabled October Storm of 2006 which battered Buffalo and the entitrey of WNY in general, snow doesn't tend to stick in October. But I digress, two very early morning trips to Syracuse in the last week of October had me feeling very hopeful I could come away with some brand new customer shots. The morning started with Metalico and I was able to pretty easily check that one off my list, despite the sun being against me. The conductor was moving painfully slow that morning, but the crew had an inbound hopper with them, so my sights were set. The fact that their power set was only a pair of GP40s instead of a trio was even better news, an unexpected and welcome surprise. Unbeknownst to me, the crew made a plan to head out to Belle Isle to go pick up NYSW interchange cars. It seems they took a trip around the wye, then shoved two miles out to the siding at CP 293. Upon coming back to Track 8, they'd have a train of 80+ cars, but at least they'd be stopping at Roth. Or so I thought. Four hours of sitting in the employee lot for Roth, waiting and listening for the next developments. With the conductor working so slowly, a parade of westbounds made its way into the picture. Among those trains was I009, who ended up going into emergency in the middle of CP 293, preventing L024 from doubling up their cuts on the siding as they needed the signal for headroom. 90 minutes passed by while the CSX NF desk dispatcher rerouted all other traffic around the wounded intermodal. 90 minutes is what it took for the car department to find an errant handbrake on a three pack of wells 40-something cars into their train, thus remedying the issue. By the time L024 was doubled up and ready to depart back east, they had been on duty for 10 hours. Consulting the yard master over the road channel, they were told to skip Roth with CSX cracking down on overtime. Nothing new there. I spent the rest of that day looking for anything else to shoot. Fittingly the afternoon yard job who works Berry Global near FGLK's Solvay Yard ended up switching it about ten minutes after I departed for home that evening, having a prior late night commitment which called me away. Attempt one failed! Without diving into too many other details, Thursday that week also had its own set of woes, but those are two separate customers and therefore two other chances to tell their own stories hehe.

Early on in 2025 there was one specific car bound for Roth which somehow kept leaving the yard and coming back for two weeks straight. I'm not sure what the reason was behind it, but what I do know is it ended up being spotted on a Wednesday, an off day for the customer. A similar thing happened that last of October, where an empty was waiting to be picked up, and L024 made a stop on their way back to the yard the following day to pick it up. They did not however spot the load, which was not built into their train for the day. Instead that car was placed the following Tuesday, a day I would have made another trip out save for the fact I caught a nasty cold which put me out of service leading into that Tuesday morning. Another month passed by before I was able to try again. The first half of December had no inbound cars and one car released. It would have to do. I headed out once again to try for Roth. I intercepted the crew finishing up at the Metcalico switch, locking up and ready to continue down to the wye. However the leader suddenly suffered a PTC failure, and so they sat for another half hour, maybe 40 minutes attempting to troubleshoot. Eventually they were fed up with waiting and got the okay from NF to proceed at restricted speed out to 291 to turn their train of two engines and two loaded gondolas. It was off to Roth again for me, this time hanging back for a bit to make sure I had the crew in sight before I descended upon the parking lot. While completing their wye move, their PTC cut back in, allowing them to get back up to track speed, which for them was probably only 30 mph on the siding anyhow, but 30 beats 10! The high headlight of a GP40-2 manifested into view, and I raced over to a parking space, gathering my things and stepping out of the car ready for my first shots of them coming down the hill grade which comprises the switchback. The conductor fumbled with the switch for a solid five minutes, sweeping and picking at it. I got back in my car to conserve warmth, watching from afar as the conductor climbed back aboard the engine. What I thought would be my day quickly devolved into all for not. L024 toned up dispatch and informed them that they could not in fact get the switch for Roth to throw, citing there was far too much snow and ice packed into the switch for it to move. NF told them to sit tight and he'd see if he could get a maintainer out there to help. Another two hours passed as I looked on in frustration. Noon rounded the corner, the crew gave two toots of the horn to signal they were on the move, and back to the yard they went, finishing their day with a whopping one of two customers completed. I guess I should have seen that coming with the recent snowfall. Road train also use Track 8 quite a lot when departing towards or entering from the west, hence why so much snow was stuck into the mainline switch. That's a lot of weight constantly pressing the snow down. I figured that MOW would find its way out at some point that day and clear the switch for another off-day Wednesday service. But TouchTrace continued to deliver good news for the rest of the week, as L024 never returned for Roth that week.

It's now the week before Christmas, and my desperation for this shot was showing. The empty car inside Roth was now nearly two weeks late as far as pulling it goes, and they had released a second car on the Monday before I went back for a THIRD try. If CSX didn't get to them today, there were surely going to be some angry phone calls coming out of Roth inquiring as to why these empty cars were still in their building. And so once again, I was up at 0500 or so and off to Syracuse to find out if today would be the day. The third trip turned out to be the most convoluted of them all. I expected to arrive and find L024 already switching Metalico, since they usually head for them after 7:00 a.m. for whatever reason. Why it takes the crew three hours from the time they go on duty to get out of the yard, I haven't the faintest idea. DeWitt must simply be a mess on its own level. I did not find anyone switching there. So I decided L024 must not have left the yard yet. Around 8:00 they toned up, stating they wanted to head for CP 293 and shove up the hill into NYSW at Solvay. In tow behind them were 100+ cars, split between NYSW and FGLK. For power, two AC44s with the trailing unit in YN2. One hell of a curveball they threw me. Ideas were abounding in my mind as to how this day would shake down. Best case scenario, they finish their drops in a timely manner, head back to the yard and get on a pair of geeps to go tackle the industries. Worst case, they don't do any industry work at all. It took over an hour to get shoving up into NYSW. While the conductor was on the rear, he was remarking about the gate into the other Solvay-based CSX customer Chemtrade, which had a busted gate and fence line that morning. Apparently the afternoon yard job ran through it all the night before, likely resulting in their night ending abruptly as it seemed the work L024 was carrying out that morning was leftover from the night before. Just my luck. In the meantime with L024 tying their cars down for NYSW, I was bored and taking drives around FGLK's yard in Solvay, trying to locate their yard job SH-1 in case they had work at the giant WestRock plant branching off the yard. L024 told the SH-1 it'd probably be around 11:00 when they'd be ready to come in and drop cars. SH-1 decided to leave the yard westbound and go work the other smaller WestRock plant in Camillus. I gave chase and followed them once I figured out where they were going, since L024 was giving me nothing to work with. It was a nice bonus to occupy that part of the morning and of course will get its own story when that shot is posted. Upon both of our returns to Solvay, L024 was just coming into the yard there, instructed to wait for SH-1 to handle the inbound cars. I decided my time would be better spent closer to DeWitt since nothing of substance was happening in Solvay. In addition, L024 still had another whopping hundred plus cars to pick up on the Belle Isle siding. My mother had texted me a couple things to stop at Walmart and look for if I came across one, since our local store was out of stock. A Walmart exists directly across from DeWitt Yard, so in I went to seek out these items. I walked out with five boxes of Betty Crocker cake mix for butter pecan flavored cake. (It's delicious by the way.) Back in my car and straight across the street to go sit and monitor the yard for anything significant.

If you've made it this far in the wall of text, congratulations, we're almost there! One other strange and unlikely thought had crossed my mind earlier in the morning while wallowing away in my cold car, agonizing over how many different ways I could be screwed out of this shot. So far the list included stalled train in emergency, frozen switch, and now work which didn't belong to L024 but needed to be done. But this other thought I had, I couldn't help but feel like it might have some credence. I imagined maybe DeWitt's yardmaster would be smart enough to send another job out to switch the customers in place of L024. Perhaps one of the yard sorting crews from the morning, but only if a lack of work permitted. Following my short Walmart excursion, I began hearing faint numbers being called out on the road channel in switching maneuvers, i.e. car counts and three-step protection. At first, I thought the radio was just picking up L024. But I heard two different numbers, one for the YN2 AC44 out at Belle Isle, and another which sounded like one of the GP40s which L024 would have been using had it not been for the prior evening's debacle. I panicked. If I was missing this mystery crew switching our Roth because I decided to go to Walmart (which has happened in the past quite a few times, although not specifically with Walmart involved but rather any side quest), I'd never forgive myself. I raced out to Roth and found nothing but a covered hopper sitting outside. The spurs were still covered in snow, so nothing had been down here yet thankfully. I contacted a couple of my CSX friends quickly to try to get some intel on what was going on. Zero results at first while I continued to hear switching nearby. I decided to head for Metalico after sitting for a few minutes pondering. One of my contacts came back with the news that a Y150 had been called at 10:30 that morning, seemingly an extra job. There was still no scan on the geeps, but as it turns out the closest AEI scanner west of DeWitt is five miles out at 291. GPS location finally pinged for one of the geeps right as I pulled up to the Metalico switch, finding this extra crew shoving out onto Track 8 to lock up, with one loaded gondola in tow this time. At last I had my answer, and loud and clear I heard the crew tell NF dispatch they wanted to head out to 291, spin, and come back into Track 8. Barring any more unforeseen obstacles, this was the crew to get the job done. There was quite a bit of waiting still to do, with a few trains to sneak by while Y150 was on the wye. While waiting to come east at 291, L024 was about ready to head back to DeWitt as well after a grueling morning of nothing going right for them. Fittingly their engineer was giving advice on how to work Roth to the extra crew, talking about when to leave the air on coming down the hill, and leaving any cars they had with them up on the main rather than pulling in with them. Even the one gondola they had would be once car too many, as the three cars and two engines Y150 would be pulling with just about brought them to the end of the switchback. Not much in the way of headroom. The overcast clouds which had been ever-present all day continued to loom overhead, but they were beginning to break up ever so slightly. The hopper sitting outside the building, about where the the middle of the two geeps are in this photo, turned out to be another load, and was in the third of three car spots for Roth. When the last time they unloaded a car outside the plant was, I couldn't tell you, but the spot was there for a reason. Just as the crew shoved all three cars up the hill to the main, the sun really started peeking through the dense layers of clouds. Faint at first, but the light beams on the plant building were growing stronger. I thought for sure more clouds would overtake it, as I chanted aloud hoping for the crew to get back down to me quickly to take advantage of the newfound light. Thank goodness I had boots on because I did a lot od climbing and trudging through snow on this outing. In order to obtain this view, I had to make my way up the hillside which makes up the grade separation between the mainline and the switchback. The conductor was meticulous in his efforts, taking his time to make sure the car was secure inside, allowing me time to nab multiple angles from the hill. I try not to get in the mindset of settling for one angle in particular, but in a time crunch I usually have one default picked out. However my default angle turned out not to be the angle I wanted at all, and thus the side profile view was born. I consider this just enough light for my liking. It's not the full sunlight I had on two previous attempts, but hey, how could I complain at this point after all I'd been through to get this far?

In the final moments of shooting here, I had noticed a car waiting idly by off to the left while the crew finished their work and cut away. As the light power made its way back towards the switch out of the plant, the vehicle pulled up to me. A man was asking a question of me out the window of his car. I know how this one ends most of the time, but this wasn't one of those times. While he was a plant worker as I suspected, he wasn't there to scold me, but rather praise me for having been there. In addition to working for Roth, he was also a railfan! I was told I was only the second person he'd ever seen back there shooting this job in all his years working there, and how he tries to get outside on break any time CSX has a switch to perform. He regaled a couple stories of riding around on the Fulton Branch nearby, switching out other area customers and even gave a little history lesson on some former trackage related to the plant. At one time the switchback led to a GM plant! That of course shouldn't surprise me, the industrial plant complex is huge back there. I got his contact information and said keep in touch, he even knew of some Buffalo area railfan YouTube channels, so I told him I'd be happy to be his guide the next time he wants to venture out my way. Was it all worth the wait? I suppose so. I couldn't have telegraphed the way that day panned out in a million years. The multiple letdowns leading up to things finally working out were a supreme test of my patience. When you shoot industries to the fervent obsessive level that I do, patience will be tested quite often and quite drastically in some instances. In the end, I put this on myself. I can't help but think if I'd tackled this place in the warmer months of the year I may not have ran into all the issues I did, but then again, only the switch being frozen would have been solved with that mentality. The other stuff could happen rain or shine, hot or cold. So yeah, that's the story of Roth Global Plastics for ya. The highs and lows, the cheers and woes. Makes for a cool story I guess. I dunno, every year has one or two white whale industries for me. As of yet, 2026 has yet to reveal which one that will be just yet, but there are certainly a few candidates in my book. Stay tuned for whatever wacky adventures I get myself into next.

“Life isn't as magical here, and you're not the only one who feels like you don't belong, or that it's better somewhere else. But there ARE things worth living for. And the best part is you never know what's going to happen next.”

― O.R. Melling

So... if you read what I wrote with my most recent clown photo... I did just that. I put on a long sleeved shirt (in 90 degree heat with 90% humidity... and later (when it was already too late) realized it was one of those COLD Gear shirts.... designed to keep you WARM in cold winter weather... it was thin and lightweight... I didn't know.... can you say "heat stroke"? UGH!!) and went out with a machete and pruning shears to bushwack a trail to the abandoned section of the farm where I took the clown photos... and then proceeded to cut away the weeds and trim a tree that was covering another window there. My reward for my misguided prioritization was uncovering TWO new windows to shoot (and sweating off a few pounds... yey!) I won't bother to list all the things that I SHOULD have been doing, that are ... STILL ... undone. So, I can now cross "yard work" off of my "To Do" list ... afterall, I never did specify that the work had to be done in MY yard.

Works for me!

UP 1439 and 1361 pass the depot along the UP Mankato Subdivision bound for a meet at the West St. James siding at the start of the UP Worthington Subdivision. The goal today was to see what the happenings were on the former Omaha Route. The day graced me several things moving around, but I prioritized this local heading west. At this point I did not know if this was going towards Windom or turning at Butterfield.

The 1962 Avanti is widely considered one of the most daring and beautiful American cars ever produced. It was first introduced to the public on April 25, 1962, at the New York International Auto Show, and it outlived the company that created it.

The Avanti was a “Hail Mary” attempt to save a dying company with radical innovation. Legendary designer Raymond Loewy (who designed the Shell logo and the Coca-Cola bottle) and his team were sequestered in a rented house in Palm Springs. They famously sculpted the initial 1/8-scale clay model in just a week.

In 1963, a supercharged Avanti driven by Andy Granatelli broke 29 world speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats, reaching speeds of over 170 mph. It was marketed as the "World's Fastest Production Car." It was one of the first American cars to prioritize safety features we take for granted today, including a built-in roll bar, a padded dashboard, and standard front disc brakes (a first for a major U.S. production car).

The Avanti has no traditional front grille. It was a "bottom breather," pulling air for the radiator from an intake under the front bumper—a design choice that wouldn't become common for decades. Because Studebaker couldn't afford the expensive steel stamping dies, they opted for a fiberglass body (much like the Corvette), which made the car surprisingly light. Its heart was a highly evolved version of the classic Studebaker V8 engine equipped with a Paxton centrifugal supercharger, producing 289 hp, a beast for its time.

Studebaker produced the original Avanti for only about 18 months. Production ended in December 1963 when Studebaker closed its South Bend, Indiana plant. Only 4,647 units were built during its original run. After Studebaker folded in 1966, the rights and tooling were bought by local dealers who formed the Avanti Motor Corporation. They continued to hand-build the car as “Avanti II” (and later just “Avanti”) using various chassis and engines (like the Chevy Corvette V8) for over 40 years.

[Source: Google Gemini]

Duke of Avon

Dowager Duchess of Avon (played by AI)

[10:43] Duke of Avon (raik.chevalier): Good morning Mummy

[10:43] Lady Catherine (Dowager Duchess): Good morning, Duke. I trust you slept well. Now, tell me when may I expect to hear the pitter-patter of little feet at Avon? Time waits for no one.

[10:44] Duke of Avon (raik.chevalier): Her grace is a busy woman. I continue to work diligently on behalf of the manor. Those things take time.

[10:44] Lady Catherine (Dowager Duchess): Excuses, Your Grace. The estate survived centuries before you took charge. I require heirs, not further delays. The future of Avon depends on more than diligence. Prioritize accordingly.

[10:46] Duke of Avon (raik.chevalier): I'm just SOOO glad you have come to visit... How long are you staying?

[10:46] Lady Catherine (Dowager Duchess): I shall remain as long as necessary, son. Someone must ensure standards are upheld and perhaps encourage certain... domestic developments. Do not rush me; I know when I am needed.

[10:47] Duke of Avon (raik.chevalier) smiles and kisses you on the cheek

[10:47] Lady Catherine (Dowager Duchess): Flattery will not distract me, Your Grace. Affection is all well and good, but results are preferable. Remember, duty comes before sentiment. Now, what is planned for luncheon?

Early Modern Hungary was one of the most backward and oppressive regimes in Europe, with the Hungarian nobility prioritizing their feudal privileges (exemption from taxes, claims upon serfs' rents and labor) above all other concerns. In 1514, as Ottoman forces broke out of the Balkans and bore down on central Europe, Pope Leo X called for a crusade against the Ottomans to protect Christendom. Hungary's peasants rallied to the call, but the nobility--fearing an armed peasantry and unwilling to lose their labor in the fields--resisted. The peasants then turned against the nobility in the revolutionary Dózsa Revolt. This rebellion was crushed brutally. Its leader, György Dózsa, was mocked as King of the Peasants and executed by being placed on a red hot throne, with a red hot crown upon his head. His followers were forced to eat his flesh while he was still alive, and the nobility imposed a perpetual serfdom upon the peasants.

A dozen years later, in 1526, Ottoman armies under Suleiman the Magnificent marched into Hungary, defeated the noble armies, and killed the Hungarian king, Louis II. For the next century and a half Hungary was plundered: by the Ottomans, who enslaved Hungarians for service in the Janissary Corps; by the Habsburgs, who laid claim to both occupied and unoccupied regions of Hungary; and by the Hungarian nobility themselves, who often lived in a comfortable exile in Austria but sent collectors to their old estates to extort payments from the peasants.

In 1686 Hapsburg and Hungarian forces evicted the Ottomans, but the Habsburgs ruled Hungary as a colony, stifling industry and maintaining the harsh feudal system, which generally pleased the Hungarian nobles, who sought only the maintenance of their privileges. So, in 1848, Hungary was again swept up in revolution, along with much of Europe, as commoners were joined by modernizers calling for the abolition of feudal privileges, for personal freedoms, and for constitutionalism. A Hungarian revolutionary government abolished serfdom, proclaimed civil equality, and ended the tax exemption of the Hungarian nobility.

Unlike most of the 1848 Revolutions, the one in Hungary escalated into full scale war. But this revolution, like Dózsa Revolt, was also crushed. Austria called for assistance from Russia and, with the aid of 200,000 Russian soldiers, defeated the Revolutionary forces and executed its leaders. But even in defeat, the Revolution somehow achieved its aims. The Habsburgs recognized they could not force the peasants back into serfdom. They maintained its abolition, and the abolition of the tax exempt status of the nobility. Soon, in 1867, a weakened Austria was forced to recognize Hungary as an equal partner in the empire, creating a Dual Monarchy. This allowed Hungary to reform its parliament and granted it autonomy in internal affairs, which led to a period of rapid modernization.

Above, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, the brainchild of the reforming Hungarian nobleman, Count István Széchenyi (1791-1860). Széchenyi was a wealthy Hungarian nobleman who argued that feudalism was bad for the nation and for the nobility because it stifled innovation. He hoped and believed (perhaps incorrectly) that change could be brought about by reform rather than revolution. Before 1848, he was deeply involved in modernizing and development schemes, one of which was the creation of a bridge to connect the two halves of the capital, Buda and Pest, which were often separated by dangerous waters or ice floes of the Danube. The most striking feature of the bridge was the symbolic insistence by Széchenyi that nobles, too, must pay a toll to cross it, an insistence that reeked of class treason to many among the nobility. The bridge was completed in 1849, just after the Revolution of 1848 was defeated and while Széchenyi himself was institutionalized for a mental breakdown brought on by the Revolution. But the bridge soon came to represent, like Széchenyi himself, the modernizing spirit in Hungary. The Chain Bridge, with Buda Castle in background, Budapest, Hungary.

What a fantastic afternoon for an invigorating walk in the stunning Alaskan wilderness! Dozer and I thoroughly enjoyed the pleasantly surprising 20-degree temperatures, basking in every delightful ray of sunshine. As we made our way back to our peaceful pond nestled among towering trees, we were thrilled to spot a variety of moose tracks and coyote signs, which highlight the vibrant life thriving here. We also discovered the playful traces of energetic squirrels and sleek ermines, along with our cherished coyote tracks. Dozer's enthusiasm for uncovering these signs of life is truly contagious. Although we stay watchful for any wildlife, prioritizing our safety, the breathtaking landscape around us makes every moment feel like a true adventure. Experiencing nature like this is not just a joy—it's a remarkable journey that truly refreshes the spirit!

I'm sure most photographer-tourists that make a stop in Kyoto prioritize the mesmerizing vermilion torii gates. Here's one of mine from my 2016 visit.

In the weird way that train roulette works out, the RF&P heritage unit is yet to lead a train on the RF&P. While I don't necessarily go crazily out of my way to photograph these units, I certainly will prioritize them when I am out. On President's Day, I had intended to focus my time in and around Richmond, getting shots of the ACL bridge, and filling in some gaps in locations, if you will. This empty coal drag was supposed to be just another empty coal drag running the Buckingham Branch (empties west) with the RF&P as the trailing unit. But the head end unit had issues, so the power set was swapped around in Fulton. All of a sudden, they were toning up with the 1836 in charge, and I scrambled to figure out where they were heading. As 2 of the trailing units had minimal fuel, it was unclear whether the Buckingham Branch would take them, as it's apparently their policy that CSX units have certain amounts of fuel on board. Unfortunately, their desk made the call to allow this train West. If they hadn't, this train would've run the RF&P. The lighting was spectacular in Beaver Dam, affording me the opportunity to get this roster shot at the depot. It's certainly a fine photo, but man, we were ONE dispatch decision away from the main event we've all been waiting for. Hopefully that day will come soon, and we can finally have the RF&P (we've had seemingly ever other one of these things) on home rails, and complete the circle.

SS Maasdam (1952–1968): Known as one of the "Economy Twins" alongside its sister ship, the Rijndam, it was designed to prioritize tourist-class passengers over luxury first-class travel. In 1962, it notably transported Lee Harvey Oswald and his wife from Europe to the United States. It was sold to Polish Ocean Lines in 1968 and renamed the Stefan Batory, serving until 1988.

Prompt: Use Image 1 as the Base reference of the TSS Maasdam ocean liner. Create a digital fine art, ultra-realistic depiction of the same ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean in rough seas at sunset. Preserve the ship’s exact structure, proportions, hull lines, superstructure layout, funnels, masts, and historical details from Image 1 with no redesign or modernization. The camera is an ultra-wide lens, low and forward-facing, showing the full length of the vessel from a slight bow-quarter angle as it cuts through powerful waves; white spray and foam crash against the hull. On the bow, clearly render the ship’s name “MAASDAM” in period-accurate lettering, sharp and readable. Lighting is dramatic sunset: breaking through heavy clouds, with cool blue shadows in the sea, realistic reflections on painted steel, and physically correct highlights. The ocean appears dark, textured, and turbulent, with large rolling swells. Style is photographic realism blended with museum-quality digital fine art. Output a single image, horizontal aspect ratio, ultra-wide composition, true 4K resolution. No noise, no grain, no artifacts, no watermarks, no text overlays. Ensure clean edges, consistent perspective, accurate scale, natural motion, and realism at 200% zoom.

This digital fine art was created using Nano Banana AI and Photoshop

Taking a moment to breathe, sipping on my coffee, feeling the cold air, and freeing my mind are all essential for my well-being. By doing so, I can clear my thoughts, reduce stress, and improve my focus. As I take a deep breath, I remind myself that it's the small things that can make a big difference in my life. Whether it's taking a few minutes to meditate, going for a walk, or reading a book, I know that investing in myself is always worth it. So, I will continue to prioritize my mental and physical health, one small step at a time.

This image will always be a painful reminder of a very disappointing lost photo opportunity. After a few days of inclement weather, the sun broke free, giving us a beautiful sunny day, with nice puffy clouds, which..as far as I've noticed...are the perfect ingredients for an amazing sunset. Having to be at my nieces colorguard competition at 6:15, the current sunset time, I figured I could leave early and take a few shots in the town I was traveling to for the comp, which was a shoreline town, and even planned which beach I would hit.

Did I leave early...of course not. I barely left on time. Getting to the town, sure enough, a dazzling sunset...save nothing; deep pink and orange with other beautiful colors, big puffy clouds, thin streaky clouds, and a huge glittering orange sun that looked like a gigantic gemstone...so unbelievably beautiful, it was hard to keep my eyes on the road. I tried to slow down for a few shots, but upset people behind me..so i kept going. There were a few times I actually considered just finding a place, getting out and shooting....but I couldn't disappoint my niece, being one of those kids who's had a little too much disappointment in their lives. And I suddenly realized I was about to choose a picture of a sunset over my own family. So I composed myself and continued on, trying to not look at the sky.

A little voice in my head said..maybe you will be able to see the sunset from the school parking lot. We pulled in...nope. Not one color where we were parked. Once we were in, we had to travel to the other end of the high school. Right before we entered the gym, I noticed colors through the big glass doors. Told the kids follow me, ran out with them saying "Mom, what are you doing...the gym is that way!"...quickly took this shot, where we could see only the outskirts of the sunset through the trees...and got to the show just in time.

So, am I disappointed I missed the main part of the sunset...definitely. But I think it would've been even more disappointing if I let my niece down. Gotta have priorities, I guess ;-)

Please view large. Have a great Sunday, my friends!

Use this opportunity to rest, reset and prioritize our purpose and people in our life.

A blessed Easter week to and a blessed Passover.

This is International Day of Pink! #InternationalDayofPink

#StopBullyingNow #BeKind

A new brand's first car. Let me try to introduce PoleStones, a mild off-road, hybrid electric vehicle designed for camping and urban transportation. As the first car from a completely new brand, my expectations for PoleStones are somewhat reserved. Over the past few years, China has witnessed the emergence of numerous impressive new car brands, offering both electric and hybrid options. Among them, hybrid electric vehicles have proven to be particularly suitable for long-distance journeys.

However, PoleStones aims to carve out its niche by catering to individuals who seek a vehicle capable of light off-road adventures while prioritizing camping and city commuting. This hybrid model combines the benefits of both traditional combustion engines and electric motors, offering improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

While there may be skepticism surrounding the prospects of this new brand, it is worth noting that consumer preferences can vary greatly. PoleStones may attract a specific segment of customers who value the blend of off-road capabilities, camping functionality, and urban convenience that this hybrid vehicle offers.

As the automotive market continues to evolve, it will be intriguing to observe how PoleStones distinguishes itself and competes against established and emerging brands in China's dynamic automobile industry.

23250 McKay Avenue

Maple Ridge, BC Canada

A Harbour Authority (HA) is a non-profit, locally controlled organization which operates under a head lease with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to operate and maintain a DFO-owned public commercial fishing harbour in the best interests of the commercial fishing fleet.

The harbour facility consists entirely of the property and water lots under the ownership of DFO – Small Craft Harbours (SCH).

An HA must operate the harbour as a public facility in accordance with the terms of the head lease and must at all times prioritize the needs of the commercial fishing industry above all else.

This image is best viewed in Large screen.

Thank-you for your visit, and any faves or comments are always greatly appreciated.

Sonja

Travel back to the Roaring Roaring Twenties. The Vintage Car Rally from Barcelona to Sitges is celebrated with great taste and elegance. This legendary race began in 1959. With today's edition there are already 64 editions and the rules have remained unchanged. 52 cars and 15 classic motorcycles participate. All the vehicles are prior to 1928 and the event prioritizes their conservation. It is not a race, it is rewarded to be dressed in period and according to the vehicle and its state of conservation. A total of 40 kilometers that become a real trip to the past

Mt Baker looking majestic in the last embers of sunset. There was a bright full moon rising just out of the frame here, casting some additional light on the gleaming snow cap of one of the most spectacular mountains in all of North America. It's singular prominence over the landscape of northern

Washington State and southern British Columbia, together with it's epic form derived from being an active glaciated andesitic stratovolcano (say that 10 times fast!) make it a feast for the eyes in my view. I've visited before but only captured the view over to nearby Mt Shuksan, never managed to capture a decent shot of Baker itself.

Last fall I started with a short visit in BC then drove down to Seattle, stopping to explore possible shots of Mt Baker from the Mt Baker Highway, and then flew from Seattle to Vegas. Since I had just a short evening to work with I didn't want to venture too far along the Baker highway, and I was fortunate to quickly discover a small turnoff to the Nooksack river that looked like it might provide a view along the river. There also happened to be a full moon rising and I was really keen (perhaps even a bit crazed?) to get a shot of the moon over Mt Baker. I did end up getting that shot but the light was not as good at that point, so the shot is less interesting and by the time the sun set the moon was too high in the sky to get in frame (I did in fact try photoshopping it in to the scene but I didn't find it added much so I decided to leave it natural).

Sometimes my brain doesn't think things through very well when I'm excited to get a particular shot, and this was a prime example. I decided to just take a quick look for a comp along the river with just camera and tripod before gathering up all my stuff and carrying the heavy backpack. Well, the short walk to the edge of the river became a little bit further to see around that tree and then a bit more to look around the next river bend, and so on until I was a good 45 minutes from the car when I finally found some satisfactory views. There was of course no turning back at that point so I had no chance to change lenses or try filters or whatever. I shot with what I brought. Fortunately a small part of brain perhaps realized that I might not return immediately and maybe it'd better to bring the tripod *just in case*.

I would have liked to get more interesting rocks or other feature in the foreground here, but every time I found one it came with a more obstructed view of the mountain, so I prioritized the mountain. It seems likely that more time to explore could have yielded a better comp but I've learned the hard way that perfect is the enemy of good when it comes to finding compositions in a new location (which is why return visits are so satisfying).

The trek back to the car in near darkness, over slick rocks and through heavy riverbank growth, and in unfamiliar territory, was also a gentle (moon luck?) reminder that although I'm usually reasonably intelligent, I can also be a fool. A full moon fool.

Thanks for the views, and especially for the comments. Stay safe!

“Persistence. Perfection. Patience. Power. Prioritize your passion. It keeps you sane.”

― Criss Jami

Thanks to a tip from Steven McKay (who I owe) on its departure, I prioritized train pictures over sleep, despite having to be up early for work, because it's not everyday we get NS heritage units. Clipping along at track speed, NS 1069, the Virginian unit, leads CSX Q384 under the signal bridge at West End Howell in Howell, MI.

- Dalai Lama.

|| insta || blog || photostream ||

When I started ted bird photography, I was more of a birder than a bird photographer as I prioritized photographing lifer birds than the quality of photograph. Even my travel plans for birding were focused more on getting to see new species than taking good photos of the bird. But of late I have been noticing a shift in me.

Recently on an early morning session at Bolsa Chica, I found out that the usual exotics were missing that morning. Rather than go home early I spent a few hours picking up a location with a few beautiful perches and waited out for the birds and land on them. I got to see so many birds and their wonderful songs and take some stunning images. One of the stars that morning was a song sparrow that often landed on a perch with some excellent red colored feathers on him. While I have seen them on my feeders it was still cool to see them in their natural setting.

The Chinese bridge in the gardens of Eutin Castle in the district town of Eutin, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Some background information:

The origins of the gardens of Eutin Castle date back to around the year 1500. By 1716, in line with the spirit of the time, luxurious French Baroque gardens were created. They were redesigned in the French style, becoming one of the largest Baroque gardens in the region alongside the gardens of Gottorf Castle. It was in this park in 1739 that Sophie Auguste Friederike of Anhalt-Zerbst, the niece of Friedrich August I and the future Russian czarina Catherine the Great, first met her unloved husband Karl Peter Ulrich of Holstein-Gottorf, the later Russian short-term czar Peter III.

However, just 60 years later, a major transformation and expansion began, turning it into an English landscape garden, which was becoming fashionable at the time – with numerous special trees from all over the world, winding paths, small temples, a waterfall, a Chinese bridge, and romantic vistas of the lake. The gardens have remained almost unchanged to this day, with the trees now having grown into magnificent giants. In a separate area, there is also a kitchen garden with an orangery. Today, the garden is a protected monument, recognized as one of the most significant garden art works in northern Germany.

Eutin Castle is a palace in the town of Eutin in the north German district of Eastern Holstein. It is both Eutin‘s cultural centre and nucleus. Taken together, this castle, Gottorf Castle and Glücksburg Castle form the most important group of courtly secular buildings in the Northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein.

Eutin Castle traces its origins to the bishop's manor of Gerold of Oldenburg. In 1156, he received these lands as a gift from the Adolf II, Count of Schauenburg and Holstein, who was also the founder of the city of Lübeck. The estate was expanded under Bishop Johannes of Tralau between 1260 and 1275, receiving a larger stone structure that now forms the core of the castle’s east wing. In 1293, the first castle chapel was built.

Little is known about the original design of the castle. It was likely a simple fortification of the time, surrounded by walls, with separate buildings that prioritized functionality over appearance. From 1277 to 1283 and again between 1299 and 1317, Bishop Burkhard of Serkem faced renewed disputes with Lübeck. As a result, the castle was expanded into a small fortress and was reinforced with a moat under his successors around 1350. From 1439 to 1486, additional structures were built in phases, including the core of the present gate tower. By the 16th century, the individual buildings had been joined together to form a modest Renaissance castle, giving rise to today’s irregular floor plan, particularly on the city-facing front side.

With the Reformation, the dukes of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf gained control of Eutin in 1586 and provided the Prince-Bishops. During the Thirty Years’ War, the bishopric faced the threat of secularization, but Johann X, at that time prince-bishop of Lübeck, managed to prevent this by securing the prince-bishopric’s connection to the House of Gottorf. This alliance, however, caused ongoing conflicts with the Danish monarchy, culminating in 1705 with a Danish occupation and partial destruction of the castle. However, in 1689, both castle and town had already suffered significant damage due to a fire.

The palace reached its peak in the 18th and 19th centuries. Between the reigns of Christian August and Friedrich August I, it transformed into a Baroque princely court, and Eutin became a social center in the region. During this time, significant extensions were made to the castle, its interiors, and the gardens. Eutin became one of the few grand Baroque residences in Schleswig and Holstein. These works were overseen by the Swedish-Pomeranian court architect Rudolph Matthias Dallin from 1717 to 1727. Plans for an extensive reconstruction of the castle were considered but never realized due to financial constraints.

In 1773, the Lübeck Prince-Bishops gained the rank and title of Duke of Oldenburg due to the unification of their territory with Oldenburg and Delmenhorst under the Treaty of Zarskoje Selo. Friedrich August ruled from Eutin until his death in 1785. Following the secularization of the Bishopric of Lübeck in 1803, his successors moved their residence to Oldenburg Castle. Eutin, now part of an Oldenburg exclave, was used only as a summer residence but retained its prominence. During this time, the outdated Baroque garden was transformed into a modern landscape park.

In the early 19th century, Eutin earned the reputation of being the "Weimar of the North," thanks to the influence of artists like Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein, Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock, and Franz Anton von Weber, supported by the patronage of Duke Peter I. Around 1820, plans were made to redesign the outer castle courtyard in a Neoclassical style. The old courtyard was demolished, and an open palace square was created in 1828. But also the castle itself was given a Neoclassical interior makeover and an additional floor by 1845.

Until the abdication of Friedrich August II in 1918, Eutin remained a regular summer residence for the ducal family. After the abdication, the castle was no longer inhabited, and a museum was established within its walls. Both the city and the castle survived both World Wars unscathed. Toward the end of World War II, a wave of refugees from the eastern territories of Germany arrived, and the empty castle was repurposed as a refugee camp. At times, hundreds of people lived in the castle under dire conditions, with only four toilets in the entire building.

After extensive restoration, the castle was partially reopened to the public in 1957. It was also used as a filming location for parts of the 1972 movie "Cabaret" starring Liza Minnelli. Further renovations became necessary in the 1980s, with financial support from the state and federal government. In 1992, the ducal family transferred the castle and gardens to the newly established Eutin Castle Foundation. With the mission to preserve, open, and present the castle and its gardens, funded by state grants and self-generated income, the foundation also promotes education, research, and documentation.

Eutin is the capital of the Northern German district of Eastern Holstein in thd German state of Schleswig-Holstein. The town has about 17,300 inhabitants, is located about 40 km (25 miles) north of the city of Lübeck and nestles between three lakes: the Great Eutiner Lake, the Small Eutiner Lake and the Sibbersdorfer Lake. Eutin is the birthplace of the famous composer and pianist Carl Maria von Weber, who was born there in 1786.

In the 7th century, a settlement was founded by the Slavic Obotrites tribe that built a wooden castle on Pheasant Island in the Great Eutiner Lake. The Obotrites named their new village "Utin". In the 12th century, the settlement was populated by Dutch settlers and already in 1156, Eutin became a market town. Eutin’s further history is closely related to the one of its castle.

Every year, Eutin hosts two festivals: the Eutiner Festspiele in summer, where operas are performed in an open-air theatre in the gardens of Eutin Castle, and the Blues Fesitival in spring, which takes place in the town centre. Due to its proximity to the Baltic Sea resorts along the Bay of Lübeck, which have seen increased demand partly due to the trend toward domestic tourism, Eutin has also come into focus for the tourism industry in recent years.

With a Paducah Rebuild GP10 in tow, BNSF Train J ABIAUM1 30A swings down Main Track 5 on the BNSF Emporia Sub. near CP 72 as Conductor Bryce Bryce Haake gives us a wave and Engineer Steven Sirois Jr. blows a few friendly toots.

Though the "high-wide" symbol might be somewhat misleading, railroads commonly use this prefix type on expedited or high value moves to differentiate from other less prioritized trains, or ones that require less special handling. The hopper car is along for the ride to satisfy minimum axle requirements for properly shunting signal systems.

The GP10 was built for Illinois Central as GP9 IC 9120 in 12-1955 with a builder number of 20758 frame number 5409-3. In March 1973 it emerged from shop as a graduate of the ICG's Paducah Rebuild program as ICG 8329 as a GP10. It was later sold to the US Army, and renumbered USAX 1873. Later retired and sold to S&S Leasing and renumbered SSRX 1873, it soon found a new home on the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad and renumbered MRSR 9120, regaining its original number, while owned by American Heritage Railways in 2016.

It was painted in the Milwaukee Road-inspired livery as seen here and pulled trains in Washington until COVID-19 shut the railroad down, and eventually forced AHR to seek a new owner.

The locomotive was then moved into storage on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad in Abilene, KS; the ASVR being a fairly recently affiliated partner with AHR. The Branson Scenic Railway was purchased by AHR in 2024, and the movement of the locomotive was expedited to that property in this special move in order to restore service for their busy Independence Day holiday week of excursions due to their GP30, BSRX 99 experiencing a sudden prime mover failure.

The engine was interchanged to the MNA Railroad at Aurora, MO, quickly wyed, and raced to Branson to be placed in service. By July 3rd it had been turned, serviced, tested, and re-lettered to pull the train out of Branson, facing south.

Locomotives: BNSF 6578, HRMX 9120

6-30-25

Kansas City, KS

This was one of three signature shots I wanted up here in the Northeast Kingdom so made sure to prioritize it. This is a spot that should need no introduction as it has been famous for generations. There are lots of angles I've seen over the years, and it was a bit hard to pick but settled on this wider version standing in the bed of my truck with just enough elevation to capture the farm pond below and the mountains on the horizon. The red pick up coming down Searles Road complements the read locomotive bookending the classic red barn. Here again is CPKC train G-18 enroute home to Newport from Farnham with GP20C-ECO 2261 leading four cars approaching the Cross Road grade crossing at MP 50.8 on the former Canadian Pacific Newport Sub.

Newport Center, Vermont

Friday June 21, 2024

Sedona has some incredibly rugged beauty. The rock formations, unbelievable morning light, and dynamic views make it one of the most fun places I've ever shot. There are just so many options everywhere. I felt like a kid in a candy store! What a treat! Honestly though, it was a bit of a challenge to shoot there because as soon as I found a spot and composition I liked, I started seeing other compositions I liked and started second guessing the shot I'd prioritized! It's almost like trying to choose what to watch on Netflix - just way too many options! What a great problem to have!

Shot with a Canon 5D Mark IV with a Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS ii and a LEE landscape polarizer.

Using my first attempt att casting my hulk sculpt to good use by making it into a standard hulk custom primarily based on hulk from the infinity war trailer and the end of thor ragnarok.

I am still planning to make gladiator hulk but for right now I will prioritize this since it is easier and I don't spend too much time working on customs at the moment.

Every morning I cycle down a tree lined alley (is that redundant?) and that day I decided to try to capture the long shadows those trees cast on the field on the west side of the alley. I only half successfully hid myself in one of the shadows.

5 portrait shots with Tamron 28-80 mm @28 mm f/11 stitched with Lightroom.

I had a hard time getting the horizon AND the posts straight and decided to prioritize the horizon. Maybe this has to do with the missing lens correction since I used a manual lens unknown to Lightroom.

23250 McKay Avenue

Maple Ridge, BC Canada

A Harbour Authority (HA) is a non-profit, locally controlled organization which operates under a head lease with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to operate and maintain a DFO-owned public commercial fishing harbour in the best interests of the commercial fishing fleet.

The harbour facility consists entirely of the property and water lots under the ownership of DFO – Small Craft Harbours (SCH).

An HA must operate the harbour as a public facility in accordance with the terms of the head lease and must at all times prioritize the needs of the commercial fishing industry above all else.

Image best viewed in large screen.

Thank-you for your visit, and any comments or faves are always very much appreciated! ~Sonja.

Hello!

I've created these colourful shadows in support of Ukraine.

These will be available at the Love to Ukraine event from march 5th - 19th.

70% of all sales from this product will go directly to a designated avatar created for transparency in donating to charities prioritizing in helping Ukrainians during this time.

Also available will be 3 other previous releases for 100% donation to the cause.

These shadows will only be available during this event. Limited edition.

Taxi //

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Evermore/111/132/1005

Spring has cast its spell, covering our newest residential region in a tapestry of lush greens and vibrant wildflowers. As the season unfolds, horses graze peacefully across expansive pastures, creating a picturesque scene straight from a horse lover's dream. 🐴

In our unique community, we prioritize the well-being of our equine companions and love of nature above all else. Residents enjoy ample space to nurture all their four-legged friends in the embrace of nature. 🌷

Landmark: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Evergarden%20Oaks/143/251/41

Discord: discord.gg/evergarden

CSX K445 heads south towards Atlanta at NE Resaca on the W&A Sub. In the not-too-distance past, & I mean about only, say, earlier this year, it was very common to see Canadian power on the ethanol trains that ran through Atlanta on either the W&A or the Etowah subs, with CN SD75's being one of, if not the most common visitors. Due to a combination of factors, like CSX prioritizing the route through Birmingham for traffic to/from Florida & trying to reduce horsepower-hours owed to other railroads just to name two, these Canuck visitors, especially the older motors like these, have become quite rare. When I took this photo, this was only the second time since January that these engines have made a visit to North Georgia, and as of posting this in early December, 2021, the last time (to my knowledge). Combine that along with the fact these are older engines & not being favored by crews, who knows how many more times these fairly rare motors will appear in my neck of the woods, at least before CN follows through with their intent to rebuild them with AC traction (if they're still planning to). 9-2-21

Chapter #1: Readiness

🎧 Six Degrees Of Separation 🎵

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iOGAF1CZVs

The person who ends the relationship or breaks up with you is the one who is 'ready'...

They've already embraced the truth.

They've already passed judgment.

They've already made their decision.

They've already endured deep disappointment, hurt, and heartbreak.

They've already prioritized themselves over you.

For many, they've already traversed through stages of emotional separation before deciding to end things.

The day they break up marks the beginning of their journey through the entire process, and they are READY to move on.

☑ Experienced people pass through all the stages of heartbreak in your warm embrace and love.

☑ They journey through degrees of heartbreak and profound disappointment, finding solace in your embrace and enveloped by your love throughout our time together. It's within this period that they gradually detach their minds and ready themselves for what lies ahead. The day they breakup marks the culmination of their readiness.

-------------------

The person who is left behind, however, is 'not ready'...

Not ready to be abandoned.

Not ready to face loss.

Not ready to confront the truth about mistakes.

Not ready to embrace a life without a partner.

Not ready to acknowledge the decision.

Not ready to accept the truth.

Not ready to endure disappointment.

Not ready to weather heartbreak.

Not ready to prioritize themselves.

Not ready to depart.

Not ready to let go.

For most, traversing through these emotional degrees proves daunting. Some struggle to move on for months, others for years, and some never find closure or move on even after a decade or more.

☑ They passed through all the heartbreak stage 'alone.'

☑ They journey through these six degrees of heartbreak 'alone,' as a form of punishment and penance for causing severe disappointment to their lovers, for the guilt they never knew they harbored, and for the pain inflicted upon their beloveds.

ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ

" For people who truly love each other, the one who decides to leave is often the one who experienced hurt first and became ready to move on first. It doesn't imply they were devoid of pain prior to the decision to leave, rather, it may seem as though they are unaffected on the day of the breakup, but this doesn't negate the hurt they felt before that moment. "

_________ Scarlett Saphira

ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ

Chapter #2: 'Don't wait for me.'

Beneath the words when she says, 'Don't wait for me.'

Don't wait for me, move forward, let go.

Don't wait for me to seek you out.

Don't wait for me to trail behind you.

Don't wait for my sympathy to awaken.

Don't wait for my apology to come.

Don't wait for me to feel sorry for you.

Don't wait for me to say I'm sorry to you.

Don't wait for my attention to reach you.

Don't wait for my concern to mend our brokenness.

Don't wait for my longing to restore what was lost.

Don't wait for me...

ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ

Sponsor: VAKI KVAKI ~ Catherine ~/ Exclusive @ Cosmopolitan Event

⟡ 25 colors ⟡ in each package HUD Seam

⟡ Bonus colors in the Fullpackage

Compatible with: - Legacy+Perky+Nerido - Reborn+Waifu+Juicy

VAKI KVAKI

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wildflower%20Mountain/205/...

- Tecumseh.

|| insta || blog || photostream ||

During our visits to National Parks, I usually plan my days out in advance, scheduling sunrise, early morning, and sunset sessions with specific locations and hikes. With such a schedule, sometimes I have to bypass interesting views that I come across while driving. I rarely prioritize these spots because of the limited time we have for these trips, but sometimes, I do manage to stop and photograph a beautiful scene that intrigues me.

On a cold and blustery morning during our recent trip to Zion, while driving back to my hotel room from a sunrise hike at Eastern Zion, I came across this beautiful scene. Although I had no feeling in my fingers and the car was warm, I convinced myself to drag myself out back into the cold for a few quick pictures. I thought they would be duds as I took them handheld, but fortunately, a few of them came out sharp. Whenever I look at this image, I can still feel the cold.

The First United Methodist Church of Crockett, Texas is located at 701 East Goliad Avenue, two blocks east of the historic town center and the Houston County Courthouse. The site-fired brick church was built according to plans drawn by Richard C. Cassidy, and includes nineteen stained-glass windows fabricated in Bavaria. The church, completed in 1902 (with subsequent additions) occupies the original site purchased by the congregation in 1858 and represents the town's oldest continuing congregation. The site and church have been continuously occupied by the Methodist Church. The First United Methodist Church building is most closely associated with the Gothic Revival architectural style, but is more specifically an exemplar of the Neomedieval Auditorium Church, a typology identified by religion scholar Jeanne Halgren Kilde in 2002.

This Neomedieval Auditorium model of church architecture was popular among Evangelical Protestant congregations at the turn of the twentieth century, and is commonly found in the American south; its formal development was a direct result of various trends in theology, ecclesiology, mission, and social identity. Typically, the Neomedieval Auditorium church exterior recalls medieval revival styles, often loosely adapted from the Gothic Revival or Romanesque Revival, with emphasis on revived monumental proportions, ornament, and siting. The Neomedieval Auditorium church interior often does not follow a typical medieval cruciform plan, but rather is organized as an auditorium that prioritizes clear sight-lines, good acoustics, and a sense of unity.

The First United Methodist Church was determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on March 21, 2011 in the area of Architecture, as an excellent example of an intact Gothic Revival church, and more speciflcally as an exemplar of the Neomedieval Auditorium Church type. All of the information above was found on the original documents submitted for listing consideration along with much, much more. All of these documents can be viewed here:

catalog.archives.gov/id/40972612

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/

The brand-new Alstom-built X’trapolis train, part of Ireland’s innovative DART+ fleet, captured at the Fairview DART depot. This sleek, green train, adorned with a distinctive orange and white livery, represents the latest addition to Irish Rail’s efforts to modernize its commuter services. As of now, two sets of these advanced trains have been delivered and are undergoing extensive testing to ensure they meet the high standards required for passenger service. The X’trapolis design, known for its efficiency and modern amenities, is set to enhance the commuting experience across the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) network.

Alstom’s X’trapolis trains are renowned for their cutting-edge technology and passenger-focused features. These electric multiple units offer improved energy efficiency, spacious interiors, and enhanced accessibility, making them ideal for the busy routes of the DART+ expansion. The new fleet is part of a broader initiative by Irish Rail to upgrade its infrastructure and increase capacity, responding to the growing demand for reliable public transportation in the Dublin region. With a design that prioritizes sustainability and comfort, the X’trapolis trains are equipped with advanced systems for smoother operations and reduced environmental impact.

The DART+ project marks a significant milestone for Irish Rail, aiming to extend and electrify the existing DART network to serve more communities across the Greater Dublin Area. The introduction of the X’trapolis trains is a key component of this transformation, promising faster, more frequent services and improved connectivity. As testing continues at the Fairview depot, these trains are poised to play a central role in shaping the future of rail travel in Ireland, reflecting a commitment to innovation and sustainability in the country’s transportation sector.

Another image captured by smartphone. However, unlike previous one that was edited by Snapseed app on the phone.

This image was post-processed via Lightroom. High Falls is a breathtaking natural wonder in Ontario, boasting five stunning waterfalls including Pott’s Falls, Muskoka Canyon Falls, Little High Falls, Big High Falls, and a man-made waterfall for High Falls Water Park. With wheelchair accessibility in much of the site, it’s a great spot to stop and take in the view along the Trans-Canada Trail System. Capture stunning photos of High Falls and the smaller Little High Falls, following hiking trail signs to discover both. However, always exercise caution and prioritize safety when exploring near the rushing waterfalls and rocky surfaces.

A sad announcement came from the RCAF yesterday: there will not be a CF-18 demonstration team for the 2025 airshow season. The RCAF is currently transitioning from its CF-18s to more advanced F-35As. Given the rapidly deteriorating state of global peace and stability, it seems they need to prioritize readiness.

Sad, when you realize that politicians lied to people and prioritizing the economy...

- Theodore Roosevelt.

| facebook | 500px | ferpectshotz |

Another shot of the fantastic Sparks Lake near Bend, Oregon. This was one of our surprise locations of the trip, one which we ignored in our first trip to Oregon since we were chasing waterfalls on that trip and prioritized lower proxy falls over this location.

The beauty of Bend Oregon stands out quite a bit among the places we have visited, even in the western side of the United States which is not short on Grand vistas. I used a portrait mode for this shot just so I could accentuate the foreground a bit and anchor the mountains on the horizon. This is basically a three exposure shot blended together to get maximum depth of field since the bushes in front are really close to me and I wanted them to be in focus. I am glad that Nikon had made this feature now much easier with the new D850, can't wait to try it out in the field.

Arashiyama bamboo forest in late December during the annual light up season, shot from a low angle at 12mm with FE 12-24mm f4 G.

Seldom get to use my FE 12-24mm G because most times I prefer my more versatile FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM although the 12mm perspective can be quite unique.

When Panasonic released their Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 back in 2020, it really caught my attention and I’ve hoped that Sony will launch a similar zoom range albeit with higher performance. Reference point (2) of this post from 5 months ago;

www.flickr.com/photos/86145600@N07/52295906674/.

Rumor now has it that Sony will indeed be launching a FE 20-70mm f4 G and this could be the perfect pairing to the FE 12-24mm f4 G.

Conventional standard zooms typically start at 24mm wide angle these days but 20mm is in ultra-wide category. If I shoot with a 24-70mm zoom, I’ll always have to bring along an ultra-wide zoom as well but with a standard zoom that starts at 20mm, I could leave out the ultra-wide zoom.

Big caveat here is, it’s already difficult to make a really good 24-70mm zoom, having this extend from ultra-wide 20mm will make it even more difficult. Even amongst the premium so-called “trinity” f2.8 zooms, the 24-70mm zoom is always the weakest performer.

Sony launched their FE 12-24mm f4 G in 2017, 3 years later in 2020, they released the FE 12-24mm f2.8 GM. Extrapolating a bit, If Sony’s FE 20-70mm f4 G is popular, they may well bring out a FE 20-70mm f2.8 GM around 2026, the new FE 24-70mm f2.8 GMii was recently released this year so the timeline looks plausible for a future FE 20-70mm f2.8 GM.

While a good quality 20-70mm zoom looks like an attractive option, I would actually love a FE 16-50mm f4 G which can effectively replace both ultra-wide and standard zooms. I’ve said some time ago that Sony should leave the 16-35mm range to f2.8 while the f4 G lens be 16-50mm. Such a lens does exist currently but in m4/3 Olympus 8-25mm f4 Pro.

The new FE PZ 16-35mm f4 G weighs a mere 353g, a potential FE 16-50mm f4 G at around 500g ought to be doable.

For years my preference has been to pair my FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM with my FE 85mm f1.4 GM and FE 55mm f1.8 ZA while leaving out the 24-70mm zoom entirely.

I have at times thought about adding the Tamron FE 28-75mm f2.8 G2 but would absolutely go for the Sony FE 20-70mm f4 G instead if it materializes although this is personally not a high priority.

Postscript

=========

FE 20-70mm f4 G, while certainly very good with an attractively unique focal range, it would appear that Sony did not manage to prioritize the performance at the wide end of the zoom unfortunately.

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

|| insta || blog || photostream ||

While driving back from our trip to Eureka, California, we stopped at one of our favorite state parks. The Humboldt redwoods SP is an incredible place to stop while on the Avenue of Giants scenic drive. We stopped at the visitor center and had a relaxed lunch and stroll by taking on one of the hiking trails nearby. On this trip, I prioritized using my film cameras over digital, and the short hikes suited the heavy gear and tripod a lot better. While walking around, I came across this scene of an offshoot path that goes through a redwood grove. I love how well the Fujifilm rendered the greens and reds present in the redwood forests, very pleasing to the eye.

(Charadrius cucullatus)

Two Tree Point - Bruny Island -Tasmania

Austrália

This was the first species I saw and photographed in Tasmania. I expected to find it, but I was pretty sure it’d be harder to spot.

Our trip from Brisbane to Hobart wasn’t exactly smooth. A few weeks after buying the tickets, I got the lovely message: “Your upcoming flight with Rex has been cancelled as a result of Rex’s Voluntary Administration.”

But hey, at least they offered a free ticket with Virgin Australia. So generous, right?

But, after VA totally "forgot" about me for more than 2 months, I finally managed to get a ticket. The catch? Instead of landing in Hobart around noon, as planned, our new arrival time was 5:10 PM.

Problem: the last ferry to Bruny Island leaves at 7 PM. In theory, we could make it, but only if there were no delays and everything—waiting for luggage, picking up the car—went perfectly smooth.

We thought about changing our Bruny Island dates, but accommodation prices had tripled since I’d booked. So, we decided to take our chances.

Oh, and by the way, when we were at O'Reilly's, someone casually mentioned that 40 minutes was enough to get from the airport to the ferry. Spoiler: it's not.

The flight landed on time, but the luggage took forever. So, I went to pick up the rental car while Nita waited for the bags. Conveniently, when we walked past the rental desk earlier, it was empty. Now? Both employees were busy with customers who seemed in no rush to finish their endless questions and conversations.

With the clock reminding me of my ever-shrinking buffer, I started to stress out. Finally, one employee became available—but, of course, she had to make an urgent phone call. That’s when I stepped in and explained my situation. Thankfully, she was kind enough to prioritize my reservation.

Once we got the car, Google Maps told me the ETA to the ferry was 6:43 PM. Okay, doable—assuming nothing went wrong. Sticking to the speed limit (thanks to cruise control), I resisted the temptation to put the pedal to the metal.

Crossing the Hobart Bridge was... an experience. I was in the center lane, with traffic coming toward me on the other side, separated by absolutely nothing. All I could think about was how one distracted driver in the two lanes on my left could send me flying into oncoming traffic. But hey, all went well.

Honestly, Aussie drivers seem incredibly careful and disciplined—they don’t stray an inch from their lanes. I can only imagine the nightmare it must be for them to drive where I am used to drive!

We got to the ferry exactly at 6:43 PM, as predicted. My wife, who has an intense fear of being stopped at Australian airports for carrying food (fruit is a big no-no), decided this was a great time for me to grab something to eat and drink at the café near the dock. Problem: it closes at 4 PM.

Alright, no worries—we'll just grab something on the island.

When we disembarked, there was a sign that should’ve made us pause: "Next service station: Adventure Bay (40 km)". No big deal, though—that’s exactly where we were headed, and we had plenty of fuel.

The drive was lovely, but not a single café or supermarket was open along the way. We stopped briefly to admire the stunning view at The Neck, then continued on. Once we reached Adventure Bay, we quickly found our accommodation. Feeling optimistic, we decided to head to the service station to grab some food.

But… surprise! No supermarket, no gas station, no café was open. The café/restaurant looked like it might be, but as soon as I tried to open the door, they switched off the lights.

The result? We were going to bed hungry. All we had were two yogurts from the fridge in our accommodation and, thankfully, some coffee. Not exactly the feast we were hoping for!

It was 8 PM, I was starving, and there was still some daylight left. Way too early to head to bed. So, I grabbed my camera and went down to the beach right in front of us. And… to my absolute delight, there it was—a Hooded Plover! The light was fading fast, but who cares? Who knows when I’d spot another one of these again?

Not long after, I saw a second one as well a pair of Pacific Gulls and a Pied Oystercatcher (all lifers for me). Suddenly, hunger? Gone. Completely cured.

Now, full disclosure: I ended up deleting all those photos. But at the time, it felt like an elixir for my empty stomach.

This shot? I took it the next day. Turns out, I’d see these birds every single day. They were super tame and gave us plenty of chances for some great photos.

==================***==================

All my photos are now organized into sets by the country where they were taken, by taxonomic order, by family, by species (often with just one photo for the rarer ones), and by the date they were taken.

So, you may find:

- All the photos for this trip Austrália (2024) (309)

- All the photos for this order CHARADRIIFORMES (1170)

- All the photos for this family Charadriidae (Caradriídeos) (182)

- All the photos for this species Charadrius cucullatus (5)

- All the photos taken this day 2024/11/21 (23)

==================***==================

~~~ Thank you all for viewing, kind comments, favs and awards - much appreciated! ~~~