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The Red Thread
In Swedish, the expression ”den röda tråden”, which means ”the red thread”, is used much like the English expression ”the common thread” - it describes a recurring theme or characteristic, or sometimes a guiding principle. The same expression is used in German: ”der rote Faden”. Maybe it exists in other languages too.
When I began thinking about this week’s Self Portrait Sunday theme, ”the red thread” came to mind. Over the last years, following the red thread has sort of become my theme song. I try to focus as much as I can on things that are really important to me personally, which to a great extent means working on developing my talents. I get better and better on prioritizing this over caring about what others might think, and over conventional notions and ideas on what constitutes a socially acceptable lifestyle. In short, I am trying my best to follow my red thread, even on days that it might seem hopelessly tangled. I detangle it bit by bit, and it makes my heart sing.
Sunday morning at 8:59 am in the month of May 19.2013. In the city of Surabaya when this photo was taken. Not many wonderful sights in the city of Surabaya only story buildings crammed in every corner of the city.
I just drove old Japanese cars as they circled the city of Surabaya, because at that time my husband had an appointment with the client to plan a project. There I took part, who knows there are beautiful moments to capture in a photo.
My husband and I did not mind so glad I joined, because it can give a little input in determining any idea. In traveling around takes approximately 2 hours I reached the destination.
On the way there are many buildings in the city of Surabaya but only one building with stylish modern architecture facade design using vertical garden system.
This building is an office and do not need to mention because I smelled ads .... hehehehe.
Location of this building right in the middle of a very strategic area, and from any angle looks beautiful in look and very attractive. I first saw this building is very different from the others, because it prioritizes the park although I have seen not so wide to build the park. Maybe the garden vertical garden system is formed, because the narrowness of the land and may again trend today.
After the shots I can directly proceed because I had started to drizzle.
Thank you to all flickr friends who many give support , and I really appreciate your time .
Once again thank you very much . Have a wonderful day with camera .
Take care ! ! ! ! "
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All of which include an image is copyrighted, with all rights reserved please do not use, copy or edit any images without written permission from me Shantyrof (the rightful owner). If you want to use these photos please contact my email address: shanty_rof@yahoo.com
Tomato…
It is always time to eat healthy, even though fresh produce is getting expensive. The health benefits will pay huge dividends in the long run. Prioritizing nutritious foods can lead to increased energy levels, a stronger immune system, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases. While budget constraints may pose a challenge, there are affordable ways to incorporate healthy options into your diet. Consider seasonal produce, which is often more cost-effective, and explore budget-friendly staples like beans, lentils, and whole grains. Preparing meals at home also allows for greater control over ingredients and portion sizes, potentially saving money in the long run. Remember, small, consistent healthy choices can make a significant difference in your overall well-being.
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Another Friday spent along the rails of Cape Cod did not disappoint.
My main goal was to photograph newly repainted FL9 2011 which I did and then I had planned to again photograph the meet and swap with the northbound energy train. But those plans got changed when Mass Coastal train MC2 was unexpectedly thrown into the mix. They came down from Rochester with a string of empty C&D gons for Cassova at Otis which they were going to swap out with loads before heading back north to Rochester and on to Wareham.
They had to hold the main here at Taylor for a bit waiting for Cape Cod Central passenger train to finish up their station work and clear up the single track there. With the excursion train safely tucked in the siding here at MP 54.9 on the MassDOT owned and Mass Coastal operated former New Haven Cape Mainline, MC2 is pulling south.
Leading the way is MC 2008, a GP9RM blt. Apr. 1956 as CN 2020. On the south end of the passenger train is MC2009, a rare model GP28 built by EMD in Nov. 1964 for the Illinois Central as their #9439. Only 31 of the 1800 hp units were built and only 16 of those were for US roads.
Once the bridge is lowered the 2008 will head south toward the Falmouth Branch and on to Otis meeting the waiting energy train at Canal Jct. The latter will use the same bridge closing to scoot back here and hold the main for a meet and crew swap with the passenger consist before they each then head on their respective ways to Seamass and back down to the station.
For a small little shortline it sure got busy here for a moment requiring some decisions on what I wanted to prioritizing shooting. Not a bad problem to have!
Wareham, Massachusetts
Friday September 15, 2023
I haven't prioritized birding at all this winter season. That's easier to do when it's extremely cold -which is what we've had for most of February. But on Sunday, we hit 49ºF and it felt like spring! Over the weekend I FINALLY saw new species for the year, including Northern Shrike, Belted Kingfisher, Wilson's Snipe, and Hooded Merganser. This hoodie had caught a fish and swam a little closer to me because another one was trying to grab it away from him. Hennepin County, MN 02/23/25
(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.
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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)
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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.
- Plautus.
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One thing you have to understand about Southern California is that if you invite people to visit, they are showing up. We lived in Boston, NYC, Pittsburgh, and San Jose and often invited people to visit but seldom got any visitors. But every person we invited while living SoCal ended up visiting us. My hunch is that it has something to do with the weather. But the best part about living in LA was the sheer number of world-class locations that you can visit.
When my family visited us in the summer of 2016, we took off on an extended guided tour of the American southwest. One of the stops during the trip was the stunning Horseshoe Bend, where we spend a very colorful sunset. This trip was a bit different than our usual trips because a lot of the trip planning prioritized the availability of hotel rooms over golden hours at interesting locations. But eventually, the sheer size of southwest caught up to us, and it resulted in us being at horseshoe bend around sunset. So we decided to hang out till unset and get dinner from McDonald's.
The decision proved to be one of the best, and I got to see the most colorful sunsets at this location. I completely forgot about this image being in my family trip folder until I was backing up the folder yesterday. What great little surprise.
Excerpt from Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail brochure:
11 Incidental Abode by Sandra Crisante
Colourful florals contrast subdued factories forging a balance between the natural and industrial environment. A bird is left to fend for itself and nest in a harsh and inhospitable environment. It is a critical look at the world around us, the true cost of what we are prioritizing and the fallout.
It's March and I finally have the opportunity to do some landscape photography. All of you with newborn toddlers understand how difficult it can be to find time on your own and when the opportunity arises really prioritize the time to something other than their child ...: D
But this time I was able to go out in the nearby nature reserve "Norra järvafältet" and explore the woods. I then found this fallen pine, which was surrounded by a green floor of forest beauty. I couldn't resist seeing if there was a composition among all this beauty. Finally, I found a composition where an old path curled up next to a beautiful pine tree. I composed the picture so that the path looks like it starts at the shattered and fallen tree. The two parts of the image form an S curve that guides you through the image. I call the image "Broken path" and I hope you like it.
Additional information and Gear used
This photo was taken with my Nikon Z6 and Nikkor Z 14-30 f4 S lens. For more information about me and my photography please visit my website at www.andreaslarzon.com
You can follow me on Instagram at: @andreaslarzonphoto
Interrested to know what gear i use for landscape photography? Have a look at MY GEAR list on my website.
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If you want to support my photography and buy one of my prints please visit my gallery at Printler.com. If you can't find the print you looking for please contact me either through my website or here at flickr.
Code of Conduct for Nomadic Monks Regarding Nature - Principles, Positions, and International Legal Context by Daniel Arrhakis (2026)
Code of Conduct for Nomadic Monks Regarding Nature
Principles, Positions, and International Legal Context
Fundamental Principles of Rovingian Nomadic Monks
Rovingian nomadic monks develop a relationship of profound respect for nature, guided by rigorous rules of conduct aimed at preserving the life of all living beings.
Prohibition of Recreational Hunting
Hunting for recreational purposes is completely prohibited. It is only permitted in cases where it is essential for the survival of species or for one's own subsistence, rejecting the use of violence against animals without vital necessity.
Sustainable Diet
The diet of these monks is predominantly vegetarian, but not exclusively. The main objective is to reduce environmental impact, opting for seasonal foods and prioritizing organic or subsistence farming products whenever possible.
Unconditional Respect for Life
Any death of a living being, whether insect or animal, is considered sacrilege, except in situations of direct threat to life itself, reinforcing an ethos of non-violence and absolute respect for existence.
Holistic Relationship with Animals
The monks reject the idea of cursed animals or personifications of evil. Animals like crows are seen as companions, promoting an integrative vision in which each being plays a fundamental ecological role and eliminating anthropocentric prejudices.
Protection of Life and Natural Habitats
It is the duty of every monk to protect life in nature and defend the liberation of beings in captivity. The preservation of habitats, especially endangered species, is a priority.
Prohibition of the Use of Animals in Non-Natural Contexts
The Rovingian Council opposes the use of animals in captivity for recreational, laboratory, or commercial purposes, such as circuses, zoos, aquariums, or water parks. The exception occurs only in the creation of ecological reserves intended for the protection and eventual reintroduction of endangered species. The same principle applies to the use of animals in laboratory testing and commerce.
Creation of Sacred Nature Reserves
The Council proposes the creation of sacred environmental areas, endowed with their own status and legal personality, preventing any human exploitation and establishing a commitment to inviolable protection.
Sustainable Exploitation of Trees
The abusive cutting of trees or their exploitation for extensive logging is prohibited, with selective deforestation and ecological recovery practices being promoted.
Responsible Use of Plants in Rituals
Plants, flowers, fruits, and seeds have great ecological value and should not be used indiscriminately in ceremonies. Substitution with materials such as pebbles, fabrics, or ceramics is recommended, demonstrating respect for biological integrity.
Respect for Paths and Native Vegetation
Paths should be maintained as they have been used for generations, avoiding indiscriminate trampling of local vegetation and preventing the introduction of non-native species.
Legal Context: Legal Personality of Nature
The creation of sacred nature reserves with their own legal personality follows a global trend of granting legal rights to non-human entities, allowing for their judicial defense and protection against exploitation.
The concept of legal personality of nature tha the Rovingian Council defends is already implemented in several international jurisdictions:
Pillars of the Proposal
Own legal status: Environmental areas cease to be objects of property and become subjects of rights, and can be represented in court.
Prevention of exploitation: Any human action aimed at economic exploitation or degradation can be challenged in court, protecting the fundamental rights of the reserve.
Sacred Character: This approach protects sites of spiritual and cultural importance, integrating traditional and indigenous views that consider nature an indivisible and living entity.
Relevant International Examples
Spain (Mar Menor): In 2022, the Mar Menor lagoon became the first European ecosystem to receive legal personality, allowing any citizen to defend its rights.
New Zealand (Whanganui River): The river was recognized as a living entity, with the rights, powers, and duties of a legal person.
India and Bolivia: Rights were granted to mountains, rivers, and "Mother Earth" as a strategy to curb rampant exploitation.
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Normas de Conduta dos Monges Nómadas Perante a Natureza
Princípios, Posições e Contexto Jurídico Internacional
Princípios Fundamentais dos Monges Nómadas Rovingianos
Os monges nómadas rovingianos desenvolvem uma relação de profundo respeito com a natureza, pautando-se por normas rigorosas de conduta que visam preservar a vida de todos os seres vivos.
Proibição da Caça Recreativa
A caça para fins recreativos é completamente vedada. Só é permitida nos casos em que seja essencial para a sobrevivência das espécies ou para subsistência própria, rejeitando o uso de violência contra animais sem necessidade vital.
Alimentação Sustentável
A alimentação destes monges é predominantemente vegetariana, não sendo, porém, exclusiva. O principal objetivo é reduzir o impacto ambiental, optando por alimentos da época e privilegiando produtos de agricultura biológica ou de subsistência sempre que possível.
Respeito Incondicional pela Vida
Qualquer morte de ser vivo, seja inseto ou animal, é considerada um sacrilégio, exceto em situações de ameaça direta à própria vida, reforçando um ethos de não-violência e respeito absoluto pela existência.
Relação Holística com Animais
Os monges rejeitam a ideia de animais amaldiçoados ou personificações do mal. Animais como os corvos são vistos como companheiros, promovendo uma visão integradora em que cada ser desempenha um papel ecológico fundamental e eliminando preconceitos antropocêntricos.
Proteção da Vida e dos Habitats Naturais
É dever de todo monge proteger a vida na natureza e defender a libertação de seres em cativeiro. A preservação dos habitats, especialmente de espécies em extinção, é prioritária.
Proibição do Uso de Animais em Contextos Não-Naturais
O Conselho Rovingiano opõe-se ao uso de animais em cativeiro para fins recreativos, laboratoriais ou comerciais, como circos, jardins zoológicos, oceanários ou parques aquáticos. A exceção ocorre apenas na criação de reservas ecológicas destinadas à proteção e eventual reintrodução de espécies em perigo. O mesmo princípio aplica-se ao uso de animais em testes laboratoriais e comércio.
Criação de Reservas Naturais Sagradas
O Conselho propõe a criação de áreas ambientais sagradas, dotadas de estatuto e personalidade jurídica própria, impedindo qualquer ação humana de exploração e estabelecendo um compromisso de proteção intocável.
Exploração Sustentável das Árvores
É proibido o corte abusivo de árvores ou sua exploração para abate extensivo, sendo promovidos abates seletivos e práticas de recuperação ecológica.
Uso Responsável de Plantas em Rituais
Plantas, flores, frutos e sementes têm grande valor ecológico e não devem ser usadas indiscriminadamente em cerimónias. Recomenda-se a substituição por materiais como seixos, tecidos ou cerâmicas, demonstrando respeito pela integridade biológica.
Respeito pelos Caminhos e Vegetação Autóctone
Os caminhos devem ser mantidos conforme utilizados por gerações, evitando o pisoteio indiscriminado da vegetação local e impedindo a introdução de espécies não-nativas.
Contexto Jurídico: Personalidade Jurídica da Natureza
A criação de reservas naturais sagradas com personalidade jurídica própria acompanha uma tendência global de conferir direitos legais a entidades não humanas, permitindo a sua defesa judicial e proteção contra exploração.
O conceito de personalidade jurídica da natureza que o Conselho Rovingiano defende já está implementado em diversas jurisdições internacionais:
Pilares da Proposta
Estatuto jurídico próprio: Áreas ambientais deixam de ser objetos de propriedade e tornam-se sujeitos de direitos, podendo ser representadas em tribunal.
Impedimento de exploração: Qualquer ação humana que vise exploração económica ou degradação pode ser contestada judicialmente, protegendo os direitos fundamentais da reserva.
Caráter sagrado: Esta abordagem protege locais de importância espiritual e cultural, integrando visões tradicionais e indígenas que consideram a natureza uma entidade indivisível e viva.
Exemplos Internacionais Relevantes
Espanha (Mar Menor): Em 2022, a lagoa do Mar Menor tornou-se o primeiro ecossistema europeu a receber personalidade jurídica, permitindo que qualquer cidadão defenda os seus direitos.
Nova Zelândia (Rio Whanganui): O rio foi reconhecido como uma entidade viva, com direitos, poderes e deveres de uma pessoa jurídica.
Índia e Bolívia: Direitos foram atribuídos a montanhas, rios e à "Mãe Terra", como estratégia para travar a exploração desenfreada.
Au Moyen Âge, il suffisait de se promener dans les rues de Trèves pour découvrir le bon vieux temps. En effet, les gens de cette époque traitaient leur héritage historique de manière très pragmatique : les bâtiments qui ne pouvaient plus être utilisés devaient servir de carrières pour de nouvelles constructions. Et c'est ainsi que nombre des tours résidentielles en forme de forteresse qui ont vu le jour dans le centre-ville aux XIe et XIIe siècles ont souvent été construites avec des antiques matériaux de pierre romains que l'on trouvait encore partout. Seules quelques-unes de ces tours ont survécu jusqu'à aujourd'hui, - la tour des Francs du XIVe siècle, dont l'un de ses habitants se nommait Franco von Senheim, est l'une d'entre elles et aussi la mieux conservée. Dans ses murs aussi, des pierres antiques ont survécu aux âges.
La façade sans ornement et la couronne murale crénelée indiquent déjà que les constructeurs de la tour ont mis en priorité le facteur de sécurité. En fait, alors que la muraille d’enceinte antique de la ville avait été en grande partie détruite, la construction du mur d’enceinte médiéval n'était pas encore terminée. Une raison suffisante, donc, pour prouver leurs propres capacités défensives avec de petites fenêtres et des murs défiants. De plus, la porte d'entrée se trouvait au premier étage du côté est et ne pouvait être atteinte que par un escalier en bois rabattable. En cas d'attaque, les invités non invités se tenaient donc devant un mur solide et ne pouvaient pas entrer. Une porte au rez-de-chaussée n'a été ajoutée qu'au XIXe siècle.
In the Middle Ages, it was enough to walk through the streets of Trier to discover the good old days. Indeed, people of that time treated their historical heritage in a very pragmatic way: buildings that could no longer be used had to be used as quarries for new constructions. And so it is that many of the fortress-like residential towers that sprung up in the city center in the 11th and 12th centuries were often built with ancient Roman stone materials that were still found everywhere. Only a few of these towers have survived to this day - the 14th century Frankish Tower, one of whose inhabitants was named Franco von Senheim, is one of them and also the best preserved. In its walls too, ancient stones have survived the ages.
The unadorned facade and crenellated wall crown already indicate that the builders of the tower prioritized the safety factor. In fact, while the ancient city wall had been largely destroyed, the construction of the medieval city wall was not yet complete. Reason enough, then, to prove their own defensive abilities with small windows and defiant walls. Also, the front door was on the first floor on the east side and could only be reached by a folding wooden staircase. In the event of an attack, uninvited guests therefore stood in front of a solid wall and could not enter. A door on the ground floor was not added until the 19th century.
In June 2020, after experiencing a devastating spring due to COVID, New York State announced that certain businesses could begin partially opening again. New York City’s response included a program called Open Restaurants, which allowed restaurants to use sidewalks and parking spaces for outdoor, socially distant dining. Owners quickly built temporary enclosures in the streets in front of their businesses to try and recover from months of shutdown. Small stretches of Brooklyn in early 2021 display the variety and feel of these enclosures. Hopefully, the Open Restaurants initiative will help these businesses to survive and may even lead to a more permanent reorienting of streets to prioritize people over cars.
Not receiving Flickr ‘Notifications’ – The good news is Flickr have found a ‘bug’ in the subject line of the emails. The bad news is, quote ‘We are a small team.......and as the issue is not widespread, our engineers have to prioritize bug fixes accordingly’.
Kyoto's Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺 ie Temple of the Silver Pavilion) remained unfinished as the intended silver foil overlay was never done.
Its unfinished look hence became the symbol of one of the aspects of "Wabi-sabi" being the acceptance of the incomplete or even imperfect appearance.
With the bare branches and harsh light, I thought it accentuates its wabi-sabi quality best in monochrome.
Been thinking about “baked-in” software corrections and “enhancements” (collectively referred to as “adjustments”) in RAW files.
Quite a number of new mirrorless lenses these days came with baked-in software adjustments with the cameras they were made for. Some even have auto adjustments that we can’t even switch off, like the extreme auto distortion and vignetting corrections in the Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S, there’s also baked-in sharpness algorithms that can’t be switched off.
As far as I know, there are hardly any review tests done on lenses with all the auto software adjustments switched off, which can be performed with the lens contacts taped over.
Distortion corrections are fine provided it’s not too extreme. Back in the analog era, lens designers have to prioritize low distortion and even vignetting over sharpness and size. Thanks to the advent of distortion corrections via software, lens designers have more freedom now.
However if other lens qualities like color, sharpness etc are baked into the lens’ software enhancement, why should we pay extra for these when we can make the very same adjustments via post processing? As it is, very sophisticated sharpening softwares already exist for a long time, for those who care about post processing of course.
Bottomline, if lens reviews cannot distinguish innate lens qualities from the extent of software adjustments applied by the manufacturer, their conclusions are useless especially for lenses that relied extensively on software adjustments. For now, most reviews will touch on distortion, vignetting and lateral chromatic aberration corrections only, they ought to go further to check what other adjustments have been baked in.
⭐️ It’s useful to keep all this in mind when comparing older DSLR lenses vs new extensively software adjusted mirrorless lenses, sometimes the perceived gap in image quality may well be nothing more than mere sophisticated baked-in software adjustments which we can easily bridge with post processing. ⭐️ These days, there’s also baked-in noise reduction in RAW files as well!
Not too long ago, there was a dearth of 35mm Primes in the Sony E mount system. It never rains but it pours, now Sigma is going to release a 35mm f1.4 DN Art after their boat anchor 35mm f1.2 DN Art and more balanced i35mm f2 DN! This comes at the heels of the Sony FE 35mm f1.4 GM and Voigtlander 35mm f2 APO Lanthar E. Sigma, where’s your 50mm f1.4 DN Art!?
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
- Virgil.
In 2016 when we planned a Fall road trip to Colorado, some spots in the state automatically made it to our list. Crystal mills near Marble, Colorado, were one such location. Along with the Maroon Bells, Rocky Mountains, and the Great Sand Dunes NP, it ranked as one of Colorado's must-see places for us. While on the trip, we slowly realized that we would not make it to many of our planned destinations. We had to drop Rocky Mountain Park, and The Great Sand Dunes became a maybe. Our logic was to prioritize fall colors over everything else, and we felt these National parks probably deserve dedicated trips.
On our way to Crystal Mills, we found this beautiful little lake in a beautiful woodland setting. What caught our attention was the massive pile of tree trunks right in the middle of the lake. India doesn’t have a native beaver population, but I sure have studied about them. In a state that overwhelmingly relies on dams for power, rodents who build dams were approached with a lot of curiosity. I took advantage of the water's stillness to compose an image that showcased the tiny little island and the woodland's reflection. I am not sure if this pile of woods was remnants of beaver activity in the area, but it looks very close to images from my old school textbooks.
Print journalism may be dying but some of us still like to take the time to read and consider.
Critics argue that media organisations, especially those owned by large corporations, may prioritize profit over journalistic integrity. This can lead to concerns about the suppression of certain stories or the promotion of particular agendas.
It's important to note that trust in the media is complex and can vary based on individual experiences, beliefs, and exposure to different news sources. Media organisations play a crucial role in rebuilding trust by demonstrating transparency, accuracy, and a commitment to journalistic principles.
Wellington, Somerset, UK.
- 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.
It’s been a minute or 2 since I was able to focus on photography. My sister rescued a feral kitten, and I’ve been in the thick of things with getting elements of my imaging business on track. We all have responsibilities, etc that need prioritizing, so it’s a balancing act at times (wobble). Finally had a moment to capture some moments!
While at the Lake Worth Recreation Center I noticed not just a gargantuan tree but one oozing fantastical features. Spent some time wandering about this monstrosity, let alone weirdly inside it. Turns out I was getting to know what’s called a strangler fig. Not quite a parasitic entity, yet when doing its thing it’ll take out a host tree and live its life with no regrets.
Anyways, I’ll be on the lookout for more of these monsters since this is a creature which enjoys tropical delights. Pleasure sharing some samples . . .
Just Music at club "h" = Fuchshohl Studio = Centrum Freier Cunst, Frankfurt/Main.
At the age of 15 A23H got this Italian tenorsax in 1965.
Photo by Franz Volhard
Alfred Harth’s early ensemble Just Music was a groundbreaking collective at the forefront of European free improvisation, formed in Frankfurt/Main in 1967. Their releases, beginning with recordings for ECM, captured the radical spontaneity and inventive spirit of the group’s experimental approach to sound and structure.
Ensemble Origins and Philosophy:
Just Music emerged from Harth’s vision of blending avant-garde art, literature, and music, notably at the centrum freier cunst, which became an open workshop for experimental ideas and collaborations. The ensemble was deeply anti-commercial, regularly changing names (e.g., New Thing Orchestra, Free Jazz Orkestra Frankfurt) to fit different situations, always prioritizing creative risk over market trends.
Musical Approach:
Early Just Music featured written scores and graphic notation by Harth, soon pivoting to pure free improvisation. Their performances integrated elements of jazz, classical, fluxus, dada, and avant-garde happenings, resulting in music that was almost unclassifiable—marked by wild textural variety, extended instrumental techniques, and collective sound exploration. Audience participation was invited, blurring artistic boundaries and reinforcing their process-driven aesthetic.
Line-Up and Collaborations:
The group operated as a rotating collective of classically trained musicians. Key members included Harth (winds), Franz Volhard (cello), Thomas Stöwsand (cello/flute), Johannes Krämer (guitar), Thomas Cremer (percussion), Peter Stock (bass) and others. These musicians’ creative range enabled a range from lyricism to raw abstraction.
Releases and Legacy:
The group’s most prominent album is their self-titled LP "Just Music" (ECM 1002), recorded in 1969 at Nettekoven Studios and released in 1969, later in May 1970 re-released with a different cover — one of the earliest ECM releases. The album remains influential, demonstrating their explosive blend of intensity, humor, sincerity, and boundary-pushing inventiveness. Other notable recordings and collaborations extended into the early 1970s, including appearances at major festivals and projects with ensembles like the Nicole Van den Plas Trio. After disbanding, members went on to influence both European improvised music and experimental forms worldwide.
Conceptual Innovations:
Harth’s early work with Just Music saw a synaesthetic treatment of all sound—incorporating unconventional objects, unorthodox tuning, and conceptual political gestures (as “urKult”), challenging both musical and social conventions of the era. Their performances critiqued the art world’s insularity and linked creative freedom with broader socio-political engagement.
Just Music, under Harth’s visionary leadership, remains a touchstone in the history of free music, exemplifying the radical openness and inventiveness that would become key to European improvisation.
Alias: Hammer
Real Name: Olga Rasputinovich
Gender: Female
Allegiance: Villain
Powers: Can absorb metal, which she uses to make her hammer, along with being able to leap (20ft vertical, and 40ft horizontally). The metal she absorbs can also be used as a way to enhance her own armour, making her extremely durable to oncoming attacks.
Alias: Sickle
Real Name: Dmitri Rasputinovich
Gender: Male
Allegiance: Villain
Powers: Enhanced Speed, and Leaping
Backstory: Brother and sister, Dmitri and Olga, came from Russia to Sunrise City, looking for the "american dream". They would find themselves on the streets for many years, as they couldn't maintain jobs. Dmitri especially was given a hard time because of his monstrous appearance. Eventually, they would turn to crime, where they would meet Katyusha for the first time. They decided to team up, and now they are trio to be reckoned with. Ivan (Katyusha's real name) has started to develop feelings for Olga, which leads to conflict when on the job, as he'll prioritize her over the mission.
In my frustration I decided to consult the Oracle at ChatGPT concering our problem with fascistic billionaires. Here is their response:
Addressing concerns related to the environmental impact of the actions of the wealthy requires a combination of policy measures, public awareness, and international cooperation. Here are some potential strategies:
1. **Environmental Regulations:**
- Strengthen and enforce environmental regulations to limit pollution, resource depletion, and unsustainable practices.
- Implement and improve emissions standards, waste disposal regulations, and sustainable resource management policies.
2. **Carbon Pricing:**
- Advocate for carbon pricing mechanisms, such as carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems, to internalize the environmental costs of business activities.
3. **Renewable Energy Transition:**
- Encourage and invest in renewable energy sources to shift away from fossil fuels. This might involve subsidies, tax incentives, and research funding for clean energy technologies.
4. **Corporate Responsibility:**
- Promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable business practices. Encourage transparency in reporting environmental impacts and adherence to ethical standards.
5. **Wealth Redistribution:**
- Address wealth inequality through progressive taxation and social policies. This can help prevent a concentration of power and resources in the hands of a few.
6. **Political Advocacy:**
- Support political candidates and policies that prioritize environmental sustainability and address the influence of money in politics.
7. **Consumer Awareness:**
- Educate consumers about the environmental impact of their choices and encourage sustainable consumption. A conscious consumer base can drive market demand for eco-friendly products and services.
8. **International Cooperation:**
- Promote international agreements and cooperation to address global environmental challenges. Climate change and resource depletion are global issues that require coordinated efforts.
9. **Philanthropy:**
- Encourage billionaires to use their wealth for philanthropic efforts that focus on environmental conservation, sustainable development, and addressing climate change.
10. **Innovation and Technology:**
- Invest in and support research and development of technologies that promote environmental sustainability and mitigate the impact of human activities on the planet.
It's important to note that systemic change often requires a combination of policy, economic, and cultural shifts. Collaboration between governments, businesses, and individuals is crucial for creating a sustainable and equitable future. Public pressure and awareness play a significant role in holding both businesses and governments accountable for their environmental impact.
⦁ As you’ve seen in my previous blogs, I love exploring every corner of this amazing community. My goal is simple: to capture everything that makes it special. Behind each building, there’s a team of dedicated staff members ready to care for residents with compassion and professionalism.
Today, I took a trip to Woodland Grove EMS Station home to our incredible first responders.
The moment a resident dial 911, a chain of lifesaving action begins. The dispatcher quickly alerts Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and within moments, trained professionals are on their way. EMS teams respond to accidents, sudden illnesses, and urgent medical situations where every second matters.
When they arrive at the scene, their work begins immediately. They assess the situation, evaluate injuries or medical conditions, and make rapid decisions about the care needed. Their ability to stay calm under pressure is remarkable. They prioritize treatment based on severity, stabilize patients, and prepare them for safe transport.
Driving an emergency vehicle is no small task. EMS professionals must move swiftly while still adhering to traffic laws and ensuring the safety of everyone on board. Their focus is unwavering patient care comes first.
This department is always active because emergencies can happen at any time, day or night. With over four EMS personnel ready to respond, residents can feel confident knowing help is never far away.
Woodland Grove EMS Station isn’t just a building it’s a hub of courage, skill, and dedication. Behind those doors are heroes who stand ready to serve at a moment’s notice, ensuring our community remains safe and cared for every single day.
Location: Woodland Grove Community / EMS Station
→ 💎Him:
Outfit: [Mazzaro] Elden Set / Shirt, Short. / 10 colors / Equal10
I've been playing around a lot lately with my 70-200 mm lens, since you can both pick thing out in the landscape and exclude others using limited depth of field.
Shooting this desert sunflower close at 200 mm, there's a high risk of losing one or more of the flowers to softness due to depth of field, so I went to f/22. There was a lot of focus a few years back on losing some resolution to diffraction. While true, it's not a huge or noticeable difference, not on the same scale of losing a flower to DOF, and the rest of the photo is soft anyway, so it's better to prioritize depth of field over resolution and get the shot.
Rules and technical knowledge are great, but they're just guidelines, factors to consider, but we can't get caught blindly serving them, because sometimes other considerations should have a higher priority.
Accelerating over alien terrain against air resistance at a approximately 1,264.8 feet/second squared Northeast.
Just a little something I made a while ago.
>:(
A note to Flickr's administration: Why? Seriously, why?
I'm not stupid, I've noticed over the past couple months before logging in how non-members view the beta version of Flickr while members use the sweet, wonderful original once logged in. Now that EVERYONE sees and has to use the impractical beta version, it begs the question: Is Flickr prioritizing nonmembers over the people who actually use it? I haven't seen any Flickr users who profess to prefer this version over the other. Most hate it, and are being driven away.
We can leave, if that's what you want...
Valentines Day is just around the corner! Remember you don't have to be in a relationship to celebrate! Loving yourself means embracing your flaws and celebrating your strengths. It involves prioritizing your well-being and setting boundaries that honor your needs.
Having been here a few years ago for 148 as seen here: flic.kr/p/2otLTub
I really wanted to get a freight here with sun. Alas timing didn't work out for me to catch the Friday Sebring Turn here as originally planned, but the rail gods favored me thanks to Cane 1 loading way up at Childs, near Lake Placid. This meant I had an opportunity for a train here on Saturday, which I made sure to prioritize.
South Central Florida Express train Cane 1 is rumbling south across the wood pile trestle over alligator filled Fisheating Creek at about MP 918.4 (as measured from Richmond, VA via the old Atlantic Coast Line main) led by USSC 4203, a rebuilt GP40-2 that began life in Oct. 1966 as a straight GP40 built new for the Milwauke Road as their number 193. Childs is the longest distance cane run on the SCFE with the loadout located less than seven miles from the depot in downtown Lake Pacid. The trip back to the Clewiston sugar mill is a bit over 50 miles total which made for a nice long morning chase of which this was by far the highlight.
Unincorporated Palmdale
Glades County, Florida
Saturday March 15, 2025
Stroll along the spring-kissed streets as the sun sets on this magical evening... 💕🌹
ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ
Outfit: Beauty Factory - Luma Outfit (Fatpack) / @ FaMESHed
FaMESHed Event
Taxi: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FaMESHed/218/219/801
Beauty Factory
Taxi: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Beauty%20Factory/128/128/21
ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ.-:**★**:-.ღ
After a long day or week of hard work, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we just need to keep pushing ourselves to achieve more. But in reality, taking care of ourselves is crucial for maintaining our energy, motivation, and overall well-being. We need to give ourselves permission to take a break and indulge in the things that bring us joy and relaxation.
So, don't forget to treat yourself with some much-needed love and care. Whether that means taking a relaxing bath, spending time with loved ones, pursuing a hobby, or simply taking a walk in nature, make sure to find time to do what makes your soul deeply happy.
Enjoy the simple pleasures in life. One way to do this is by stopping to smell the flowers, quite literally! Take a deep breath in and appreciate the beauty and fragrance of the flowers around you.
And if you're feeling like doing some happy ladies' things, go for it! There's no need to worry about what others may think or understand. Whether it's treating yourself to a spa day or shopping for some new clothes, make sure to prioritize your own happiness and well-being.
Remember, if you don't take good care of yourself, no one else will. Prioritizing your own well-being is not a selfish act, but rather a necessary one. So let's all make a commitment to finding balance in our lives and making time for the things that truly matter.
" Wishing you all a happy and rejuvenating upcoming weekend... 💕🌹 "
ε(´｡•᎑•`)っ 💕
Have a wonderful weekend.素敵な週末を Mitsushiro
Have a wonderful weekend.
Mitsushiro
First, I will prioritize Japanese and English, and release my novel, B♭ (B-flat).
It is available in the Drive below.
Drive folder for novel publication: (小説専門の公開用ドライブ)
drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EUyKO4locQKzfKfvmlh0-uamF...
I want to provide accurate translations in 34 languages.
For those who do not understand English or Japanese, please wait a little longer.
I promise I will release them.
素敵な週末を Mitsushiro
僕はまず、日本語と英語を優先して、僕の小説、【B♭（ビーフラット）】を公開します。
それは以下のドライブにあります。
Drive folder for novel publication: (小説専門の公開用ドライブ)
drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EUyKO4locQKzfKfvmlh0-uamF...
僕は、３４種類の言語の正確な翻訳を望んでいます。
英語、日本語がわからない方は、いましばらくお待ちください。
僕は必ず公開します。
#novel #B♭ #小説 #ビーフラット #ネットフリックスへの挑戦 #ChallengetoNetflix #Netflix #ネットフリックス #千葉 #やちまた #八街 #八街市 #yachimata #yachimatacity #cityofyachimata #NewYork #ニューヨーク #マンハッタン #Manhattan #アメリカ #USA #Chiba #MrLonely #BobbyVinton #oneokrock #thepilot
For me, K-2SO is easily the best part about Rogue One. After seeing the many awesome versions of this droid out there I was inspired to build one myself. (The folks pointing out the K2 influences in this bot got me thinking about it as well.)
I'm pretty happy with how this turned out! The shoulder/hip articulation is below my usual standards but for this build I decided to prioritize the shape and look.
I'm even happier I can stop thinking about it; I've been working on this and obsessing about it for weeks so it's nice to let my mind move onto other things (who else does this?). Of course there are still some areas I'd like to improve (*cough*feet*cough*) but what else is new?
I usually let the pieces do all the talking but in this case I couldn't resist dotting the balljoint with some eyes. I may have to relax my "rules" a bit!
75 pcs
The 2024 edition of the CPKC Holiday Train takes the sweeping curve around Elbow Lake northwest of Vergas, Minnesota on its way to Detroit Lakes, Mahnomen, Plummer, and finally Thief River Falls to wrap up a day on the CPKC Detroit Lake Subdivision.
For the second year in a row, I prioritized following the train trek up the Detroit Lakes Subdivision through lakes country. I am glad that this is part of holiday traditions for the last 26 years benefiting local food banks and offering excellent festive musical performances. I ended up getting a bonus day of shooting the Holiday Train the following day on the CPKC Elbow Lake Subdivision between Kensington and Elbow Lake itself.
Excerpt from the plaque:
In 1965, at the height of his fame, Warhol announced that he was retiring from painting to make films. He staged his “farewell” in a New York gallery the following year. One room included only wallpaper featuring a fluorescent pink cow. In the other, metallic silver balloons filled with helium floated through the gallery space, where viewers could interact with them. Titled Silver Clouds, this work continued Warhol’s association with the colour silver: the silver Factory, his silver paintings, his silver-grey wigs.
Warhol described Silver clouds, which he made with engineer Billy Kluver, as “painting that float”. He wanted to challenge the dominance of Minimalist art in the New York art scene at the time. Minimalism prioritized order, mathematical precision, and heavy industrial materials. Although Silver Clouds is also made of an industrial material, a silver laminate called Scotchpak, Warhol approached this work with a focus on fluidity, buoyancy, and movement.
This is the sky after sunset on the summit of "Pedra Partida".
Instead of taking a long exposure photo with a lot of stars, I decided to prioritize the last light of the sun and a very big star that shone brighter than the others.
Au Moyen Âge, il suffisait de se promener dans les rues de Trèves pour découvrir le bon vieux temps. En effet, les gens de cette époque traitaient leur héritage historique de manière très pragmatique : les bâtiments qui ne pouvaient plus être utilisés devaient servir de carrières pour de nouvelles constructions. Et c'est ainsi que nombre des tours résidentielles en forme de forteresse qui ont vu le jour dans le centre-ville aux XIe et XIIe siècles ont souvent été construites avec des antiques matériaux de pierre romains que l'on trouvait encore partout. Seules quelques-unes de ces tours ont survécu jusqu'à aujourd'hui, - la tour des Francs du XIVe siècle, dont l'un de ses habitants se nommait Franco von Senheim, est l'une d'entre elles et aussi la mieux conservée. Dans ses murs aussi, des pierres antiques ont survécu aux âges.
La façade sans ornement et la couronne murale crénelée indiquent déjà que les constructeurs de la tour ont mis en priorité le facteur de sécurité. En fait, alors que la muraille d’enceinte antique de la ville avait été en grande partie détruite, la construction du mur d’enceinte médiéval n'était pas encore terminée. Une raison suffisante, donc, pour prouver leurs propres capacités défensives avec de petites fenêtres et des murs défiants. De plus, la porte d'entrée se trouvait au premier étage du côté est et ne pouvait être atteinte que par un escalier en bois rabattable. En cas d'attaque, les invités non invités se tenaient donc devant un mur solide et ne pouvaient pas entrer. Une porte au rez-de-chaussée n'a été ajoutée qu'au XIXe siècle.
In the Middle Ages, it was enough to walk through the streets of Trier to discover the good old days. Indeed, people of that time treated their historical heritage in a very pragmatic way: buildings that could no longer be used had to be used as quarries for new constructions. And so it is that many of the fortress-like residential towers that sprung up in the city center in the 11th and 12th centuries were often built with ancient Roman stone materials that were still found everywhere. Only a few of these towers have survived to this day - the 14th century Frankish Tower, one of whose inhabitants was named Franco von Senheim, is one of them and also the best preserved. In its walls too, ancient stones have survived the ages.
The unadorned facade and crenellated wall crown already indicate that the builders of the tower prioritized the safety factor. In fact, while the ancient city wall had been largely destroyed, the construction of the medieval city wall was not yet complete. Reason enough, then, to prove their own defensive abilities with small windows and defiant walls. Also, the front door was on the first floor on the east side and could only be reached by a folding wooden staircase. In the event of an attack, uninvited guests therefore stood in front of a solid wall and could not enter. A door on the ground floor was not added until the 19th century.
Thorolf Holmboe (designer)
Visual artist, Decorative artist, Goldsmith, Illustrator, Painter
Born 10.05.1866 in Vefsn,
death 08.03.1935 in Oslo.
Produced by David-Andersen,
Goldsmith firm 1905 to 1917.
Gilded silver with window enamel and mirror enamel.
Height: 27.2 cm ≈ 10.7 inches
Diameter: 14 cm ≈ 5.5 inches\
Weight: wouldn't that be nice to know?
Inventory no.OK-1979-0029
Norwegian National Museum, Oslo, aka the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design.
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This Art Nouveau masterpiece—designed by Norwegian painter and decorative artist Thorolf Holmboe and fabricated by the eminent goldsmith firm David-Andersen—translates Holmboe’s graphic sensibility into one of the most technically accomplished objects of Norwegian decorative art. Holmboe, better known for his romantic paintings and illustrations, occasionally crossed into applied arts with designs characterized by rich symbolism and stylized nature.
The bowl of the vase consists of window enamel (émail à fenêtres), created by fusing translucent enamel into compartments (cloisons) made of fine metal wires soldered into a delicate openwork metal framework.
The wires are first bent and shaped to outline the forms—in this case, bullfinches, leaves, and abstract foliage—and then joined together. Each compartment is filled with finely ground colored glass paste (enamel) and fired in a kiln. Multiple firings may be required to achieve the brilliant, jewel-like finish. Once cooled and polished, the metal cells frame each element like the leaded lines in stained glass.
The metal framework that holds these cloisons must be incredibly precise and strong enough to hold its form during firing. For three-dimensional objects like this vase, the cloisons are likely pre-formed and joined onto a shaped armature or mold. Whether the final enamel components were constructed in situ on a full vase form or mounted afterward onto a structural backing is unknown, but the complexity suggests a hybrid of both: some parts formed directly over a metal core, others assembled and secured through expert soldering.
One of the most astonishing features of the Dompapvasen is its execution in plique-à-jour enamel, a notoriously demanding technique akin to miniature stained glass. Unlike cloisonné enamel, which is backed by an opaque metal surface, plique-à-jour lacks any backing once complete. Light passes directly through the enamel, illuminating its colors like sunlight through cathedral windows. The effect is ethereal, but achieving it is a feat of technical audacity.
To construct such a piece, the artisan begins with a lattice of fine metal cloisons—delicate wires that are soldered together to form individual cells. These cloisons are mounted onto a temporary support: often a sheet of mica, a thin copper foil, or a shaped ceramic form that mimics the curvature of the final object. These materials provide just enough support to hold powdered enamel in place during the firing process, but they must be removable without damaging the piece. After the enamel has been fired and fused, the support is dissolved, peeled away, or carefully broken out.
The enamel itself is applied in successive layers, never all at once. A thin bed of finely ground glass is laid into each cloison and fired. More enamel is added gradually, with each firing melting and fusing the previous layer. This meticulous build-up reduces stress, prevents cracking, and ensures consistent translucency. Some works may be fired more than ten times before the enamel reaches the rim of the wires and the cells are fully filled. Each round of firing introduces risk: warping, slumping, or thermal shock can doom the piece at any stage.
That this object was successfully brought to completion—with vivid coloration, flawless transparency, and structural integrity—is a testament to the technical virtuosity of the David-Andersen workshop and the designer Thorolf Holmboe’s audacious vision. That it has survived over a century intact is nothing short of miraculous.
The stem and base are finished in guilloché enamel (émail miroir), in which a fine geometric pattern is engine-turned onto a metal surface (typically silver or gold), then overlaid with transparent or opalescent enamel. The effect: shimmering depth and optical movement beneath a glassy surface, most famously seen in Fabergé objects.
In all, the process likely required hundreds of hours of collaborative labor spread across several weeks or months. A reasonable estimate for a work of this caliber would be between 200 and 400 labor hours shared among three to five specialists.
Though one might hope for archival images documenting the vase’s creation, such in-progress photography was rare in early 20th-century workshops, which prioritized secrecy and technical control over public documentation. If images exist, they would likely be confined to private company records or unpublished studio archives. The absence of such photographs only adds to the mystery and reverence surrounding the finished piece.
The vase’s fragility and the complexity of its materials suggest it was never intended for practical use. Inserting cut flowers could crack the vitreous panels or separate the cloisons. Instead, this work functioned as an objet de vitrine—a showpiece meant to dazzle viewers with its color, craftsmanship, and symbolic richness.
Whether unique or part of a vanishingly small series, the Dompapvasen stands as a tour-de-force of Scandinavian enamelwork—bridging fine art and decorative design in the Nordic Art Nouveau idiom.
This text is a collaboration with Chat GPT. I ask the questions, Chat GPT answers, and I ask follow-up questions until I am satisfied with the depth and breadth of the description,
Danielle Smith wants to deny trans kids access to gender-affirming care and LGBTQ kids access to books with LGBTQ relationships, under the guise of "protecting children".
Gender-affirming care is health care and it is SO important. It even saves lives. Likewise, LGBTQ kids knowing that LGBTQ people exist and there's nothing wrong with them is also important and life-saving. What does harm children is making them feel broken, bad, worthless, or unloved for being LGBTQ. What does harm children is denying them health care and prioritizing a desire for who you want a child to be instead of who they actually are, so much that you will sacrifice their well-being and happiness to try to force them to be someone they are not!
LGBTQ kids should feel accepted, appreciated, supported and loved! 💙️🌈
~Pride Parade 2025
I am proud to announce this shot placed 2nd in the photo competition Astronomy Photographer of The Year 2011, category Earth and Space.
www.nmm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/astronomy-photographer-of...
Also check out my northern lights video where some shots was made from same location and same day as this shot:
The great team from Lonelyleap films also made a short video about me and this shot. It can be viewed here:
Another shot from last friday, march 11th.
I was out on a small arm of rocks outside of Hillesøy with my friend and fellow aurora shooter Frank. As always when you're two out shooting together you try not to climb upon each other, so I was going a few hundred meters away from him to try finding a different location and compo.
The tidal water was on a low, but going up, the rocks were slippery as h**l and I almost slipped and crushed my hip and my gear, including my brand new Nikon 14-24 lens, but luckily I managed to save it, and myself :) - For those who has been out shooting the lights with me know I can get over-excited, and I should have learned from previous trips.
Anyway, it was completely dark, but using my headlights I managed to find a few small ponds for reflections. I did not know how well the ponds would reflect, or how or where the aurora would strike at it's hardest, but luckily she showed up right where I had invited her! :)
I was shooting in bulb mode, several exposures, trying to get one well exposed all over, which is not easy when aurora is as strong as it was this night.
A mesmerising display of light almost blew my on my back yet another time.
There was a crowd of people standing outside the houses on the hills looking up, I bet they were almost as excited as I was! ;)
This one deserves to be viewed large on black!
Canon EOS 5D Mark II + Nikon 14-24 2.8G AF S @20mm f/2.8
For more pictures, follow me on facebook:
arctic light photo - on facebook
Hope you like it,
Ole
PLEASE PLEASE no flashy big group icons!! Real comments are always welcome, positive and constructive negative, but PLEASE spare me of those fancy flickr-idol logos!! Comments with huge pictures/logos in it will be removed. Please don't invite me to groups with the purpose of commenting on 3 pictures etc.
AGAIN! I have been deleting lot's of meaningless comments lately with nothing more than a huge logo inviting me into groups for commenting on pictures. I will comment on the pictures that I like, and I will prioritize the work of the excellent photographers that I follow! PLEASE do not invite me into these groups, spare your energy! Those logos are so impersonal I'd rather you don't post anything. Please respect this!!
Ole
Plan Dog was drawn up by Admiral Harold Stark in 1940 which prioritized the western hemisphere in case of a war against Germany and Japan, defeating Germany would be a top priority. Early plans for invasion of Europe were drawn as a part of plan dog and Russia also pushed for a invasion in Europe to open up a second front. if the plan to invade France in 1943 when through the weapons used would still be early to mid war ranking. The American Light tank is a custom built one, a picture of it will come soon explaining it more in depth. I also didn't have my good camera and I really wanted to post this so please don't count it against the build.
Excerpt from perkinswill.com/project/meadowvale-community-centre-and-l...:
In the mid-1970s, the community of Meadowvale was conceived as a ‘new town’ with homes, schools and a community centre built around a park and man-made lake. This vision became a catalyst for a thriving, dense neighborhood. Although the park and lake matured, the original community centre was no longer able to serve a growing and increasingly diverse population.
We worked with the client to help them imagine the next generation of community centres, where inclusivity, sustainability and design excellence are the drivers. Our team unlocked the potential of the sloping site with its lakeside trails by designing a series of programmatic terraces centered on a two-story lobby. The pedestrian public realm was prioritized and a vital connection between the City and the Lake reestablished. Bold forms and dramatic color characterize this highly accessible gateway to wellness, recreation and literacy.
The concept of filtration permeates the architecture and landscape design. The coloured brise-soleil shades the building during the summer and animates its interior during bleak winter months, while the building and landscape design work in concert to divert and retain stormwater as it travels toward Lake Aquitaine. Green roofs, bioswales, and interceptors filter runoff, improving the quality of discharge lake. The extensive green roof addresses the heat island effect, and planted areas use native and drought resistant species, decreasing water use and creating habitat for the local ecosystem.
Did you know that today is International Self Care Day?
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Self Care is so important and a necessity in managing our mental health. Often we look at it like a luxury instead of something we need to prioritize. The idea that we can't pour from an empty cup is a perfect reflection on why self care is important, we can't give to others if we haven't had the chance to give back to ourselves.
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My idea of self care is usually running or cycling or time in nature (plus a good coffee and cinnamon roll).
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VIA 15 rolls part the last of the decent fall colour at Windsor Junction with a trio of F40’s for power. Of course as luck would have it, the sun appeared when I didn’t want it to, and disappeared when Q120 went by after meeting these guys at Kinsac. It’s not too often that CN gets the shaft for VIA in the east, but that’s exactly what happened here, as 120’s crew waited close to an hour for the westbound window train. I rarely post backlit shots, but given the colour and the lack of VIA in this part of the country lately, I figured I could make an exception.
i've been busier than normal and havent really had time to process a lot of my stuff. I have been prioritizing the verticals to go on another platform, so excuse the portrait overload.
The man who prioritizes profits over humanitarian initiatives has an unAmerican approach to how the nation interacts with the world. He grew up asking, What's in it for me?" in any action he has ever made. Shame!
The original image was A.I generated using Photoleap.
my desk....
For Jule's photo challenge group, something that needs organized...2/17/14
it's not so much messy...it really needs prioritized...lol...but it is all boring so where to start? lol
In June 2020, after experiencing a devastating spring due to COVID, New York State announced that certain businesses could begin partially opening again. New York City’s response included a program called Open Restaurants, which allowed restaurants to use sidewalks and parking spaces for outdoor, socially distant dining. Owners quickly built temporary enclosures in the streets in front of their businesses to try and recover from months of shutdown. Small stretches of Brooklyn in early 2021 display the variety and feel of these enclosures. Hopefully, the Open Restaurants initiative will help these businesses to survive and may even lead to a more permanent reorienting of streets to prioritize people over cars.