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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.
…a trailside capture from Margarette Falls, Greenville, Tennessee, Cherokee National Forest… After staying the night in Gatlinburg, I was out the door at 5:15am. After driving about an hour and a half, I arrived the trailhead of Margarette FaIls, where I visited for the first time on Jul 27, 2024. On my first visit, the water flow was substantially lighter…~about 1/4 compared with what it was today. The area had received at least 1.6 inches of rain and maybe more since the weekend with flash flood warnings being issued in the weather forecast. I found the trail to be damp with runoff in sections from several weeps in sections, but it was not overly muddy. On my first visit, I spent at least an hour photographing many scenic creek settings beside the trail, however this time, I decided to prioritize hiking to the waterfall first, making a mental note of a few sections in the creek to photograph on my return.
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.
- 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.
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.
Thank you for visiting for marking my photo as a favourite and for the kind comments,
Please do not copy my image or use it on websites, blogs or other media without my express permission.
© NICK MUNROE (MUNROE PHOTOGRAPHY)
This 1963 Chevrolet C10 pickup was a patina paradise. I spoke with the owner and he said it took a long time to achieve the look he wanted. I personally like the outcome and it has a matte finish verse glossy. As seen at the 2026 Appleton City car show in Appleton City Missouri.
The 1963 Chevrolet C10 represented a pivotal year for the first-generation C/K truck series, featuring significant mechanical improvements that set it apart from its predecessors. This half-ton pickup, designated by its "C" for two-wheel drive and "10" for payload capacity, benefited from a modernized chassis and suspension configuration designed to offer a smoother, more car-like experience on the road.
Feature SpecificationDetail Model Year1963 C/K series redesign introduced coil springs to the front end.
Drive Type Two-Wheel Drive C designation signifies rear-wheel drive configuration for this model
Suspension Coil-SpringShort/long-arm design replaced the earlier torsion-bar setup.
Body Styles: Fleetside or Stepside. Two-door regular cab offered in both bed configurations
Mechanical Evolution
The 1963 model year marked a fundamental shift in how the truck handled, moving away from the complex torsion-bar setup used in the initial 1960–1962 production years. By transitioning to a coil-spring short/long-arm independent front suspension, Chevrolet provided better durability and simplified maintenance for the owner.
Drop-center ladder frame construction allowed the cab to sit lower to the ground for easier access and a lower center of gravity.
Long trailing arms paired with coil springs at the rear helped ensure a more composed ride, even when the truck was unladen.
New engine options including the 230-cubic-inch and 292-cubic-inch inline-sixes enhanced both the performance and long-term durability of the powertrain lineup.
These engineering choices were part of a broader strategy to reposition the light-duty truck as a versatile tool that was comfortable enough for family use.
Design and Styling
Visual consistency across the 1960–1963 model years was maintained through the use of signature design cues that characterized the early first-generation trucks. Owners of this specific year were treated to a unique exterior aesthetic that blended utility with the popular automotive styling trends of the early 1960s.
Wraparound windshield glass remained a distinct feature for 1963 before the major facelift that arrived with the 1964 model year.
Sculpted hood forms and prominent design lines helped define the truck's Jet-Age aesthetic compared to the later, cleaner Action
Line models.
Base interior trim prioritized a functional work environment with painted steel surfaces and rubber flooring as standard equipment.
While the exterior design was soon replaced by a flatter windshield and updated grille in 1964, the 1963 truck remains a highly collectible piece of Chevrolet history today.
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.
Captured through an urban frame, this image showcases a quiet moment in Christiania. The freetown’s history is rooted in squatters reclaiming abandoned military barracks, evolving into a community prioritizing collective living and artistic expression. This street photography attempts to capture the layered textures of the area – from the vibrant graffiti adorning the walls to the unexpected sight of books for sale amidst this unconventional setting.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
We had a very nice dinner at El Nido Restaurant in Tesuque before attending the performance of Madama Butterfly by the Santa Fe Opera at the nearby Crosby Theater.
This framed oil painting, titled "Te Amo New Mexico" by artist Cathie Sullivan (as noted on the display sign to the left), is a vibrant, folk-art-style scene set inside an architectural space lined with decorative, hand-painted tin-style tiles and hanging wrought-iron chandeliers.
The painting captures a festive, dreamlike gathering where Northern New Mexico's distinct historical and artistic threads intertwine in a single room that resembles the La Fonda Hotel on The Plaza. Figures representing the region's diverse identity - Pueblo dancers, Catholic clergy, flamenco performers, local villagers, and modern patrons - dance, converse, and mingle beneath hanging tin chandeliers and ristras of red chile. Towering over the background revelers stands a towering effigy of Zozobra, alongside black-and-white striped Sacred Clown (Koshare) figures eating watermelon in the foreground, grounding the celebration in legendary Santa Fe traditions. Surrounded by Southwestern geometric tiles and architectural archways, the scene serves as a joyous visual overture - a colorful celebration of local history, art, and community that sets the tone for an evening before the opera.
Here is a breakdown of the key elements, characters, and composition:
Key Figures & Motifs
Zozobra Structure: On the right background stands a towering, white, puppet-like figure with a red bowtie and large hands - a depiction of Zozobra (Old Man Gloom), an iconic Santa Fe cultural symbol burned annually during Fiestas de Santa Fe.
Katsina / Dancers: On the far left, a large Pueblo Katsina figure wearing a traditional helmet, sash, and moccasins stands tall over the crowd.
Koshares (Sacred Clowns): Scattered throughout the foreground and midground on the right are figures with black-and-white striped body paint, white face paint, and striped corn husk headpieces, several of whom are eating slices of watermelon or dancing wildly.
Religious & Historic Figures:
A Catholic priest in black robes and a Franciscan friar in brown robes are seen near the center shaking hands or greeting each other.
A crowned figure representing Our Lady of Guadalupe / La Conquistadora stands gracefully on the lower left holding flowers.
A stylized blue-mantled Virgin Mary figure stands near the middle.
Dancers & Locals: Men and women in traditional Southwestern attire, colorful flamenco dresses, Western hats, and period clothing are paired up, dancing and socializing across the floor.
Setting & Atmosphere
Decor: Racks of red chile ristras hang from the wooden ceiling posts. Intricate tilework featuring cactus motifs, sunbursts, and geometric patterns decorates the back wall and windows.
Style: Executed in a flat, narrative folk-art illustration style, prioritizing narrative richness, vibrant color layering, and cultural iconography over linear perspective.
Framing & Display
The painting is enclosed in a thick, hand-punched tin frame with ornate corner rosettes, characteristic of classic New Mexican tinsmithing. Below the artwork sits an informational sign titled "Te Amo New Mexico", a small hand-painted pottery dish, and descriptive printed materials mounted in a recessed wall niche.
New Mexico 2026
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.
Ponte de betão armado sobre o rio Olo, no Parque Natural do Alvão, esta estrutura integra a estrada rural que assegura o acesso à aldeia de Varzigueto e a vários núcleos de povoamento disperso na encosta. O tabuleiro, assente em pilares de secção simples e dotado de guardas metálicas, corresponde a soluções correntes da segunda metade do século XX para atravessamentos de curto vão em meios rurais, privilegiando baixos custos de construção e manutenção. O rio Olo, afluente do Tâmega, caracteriza-se por um regime de caudal muito variável, com cheias rápidas no inverno que alagam os lameiros ribeirinhos e podem acelerar processos de erosão junto aos apoios da ponte. A vegetação ripícola de amieiros e salgueiros contribui para a estabilização das margens e para a filtragem de sedimentos, desempenhando um papel relevante na conservação deste ecossistema fluvial integrado em área protegida. A ponte funciona, assim, como elemento essencial da conectividade rural, garantindo a circulação de moradores, veículos agrícolas e visitantes ao longo dos caminhos do Alvão.
A reinforced concrete bridge over the Olo River in the Alvão Natural Park, this structure forms part of the rural road that provides access to the village of Varzigueto and to several scattered settlements on the hillside. The deck, supported by single-section piers and equipped with metal guardrails, reflects common solutions from the second half of the 20th century for short-span crossings in rural areas, prioritizing low construction and maintenance costs. The Olo River, a tributary of the Tâmega, is characterized by a highly variable flow regime, with rapid winter floods that inundate the riparian marshes and can accelerate erosion processes near the bridge’s supports. The riparian vegetation of alders and willows contributes to the stabilization of the banks and the filtration of sediments, playing a significant role in the conservation of this river ecosystem within a protected area. The bridge thus functions as an essential element of rural connectivity, ensuring the movement of residents, agricultural vehicles, and visitors along the paths of the Alvão.
Stroll along the spring-kissed streets as the sun sets on this magical evening... 💕🌹
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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
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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 💕
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...
Merry Art Deco Christmas featuring La Cocotte Voisin (stylized eagle) Hood Ornament, the very unique French Voisin mascot.
Gabriel Voisin, on 5 November 1906, established the Appareils d'Aviation Les Frères Voisin with his brother Charles [3] (English: Flying Machines of Voisin Brothers). The company, based in the Parisian suburb of Billancourt, was the first commercial aircraft factory in the world.[4] It created Europe's first manned, heavier-than-air powered aircraft capable of a sustained (1 km), circular, controlled flight, including take-off and landing, the Voisin-Farman I.
After Charles died in an automobile accident in 1912; the full official company name then became Société Anonyme des Aéroplanes G. Voisin[1][2][note 1] (English: Aeroplanes Voisin public limited company). During World War I, it was a major producer of military aircraft, notably the Voisin III. After the war Gabriel Voisin abandoned the aviation industry, and set up a company to design and produce luxury automobiles, called Avions Voisin.
In 1919 he started producing cars using Knight-type sleeve valve engines. Former student of the Fine Arts School of Lyon and enthusiast for all things mechanical since his childhood, Voisin's uncompromisingly individual designs made extensive use of light alloys, especially aluminum. One of the company's most striking early designs was the Laboratoire Grand Prix car of 1923; one of the first cars ever to use monocoque chassis construction,[2] and utilising small radiator-mounted propeller to drive the cooling pump. The characteristic Voisin style of 'rational' coachwork he developed in conjunction with his collaborator André Noel. Noel prioritized lightness, central weight distribution, capacious luggage boxes and distinctively angular lines. The 1930s models with underslung chassis were strikingly low.
In the early 1930s, Gabriel Voisin could not pay all of his draftsmen any more and a young creative engineer named André Lefèbvre quit, recommended by Gabriel to Louis Renault. Lefèbvre finally entered Citroën where he led three particularly significant car projects: the Traction Avant, the 2CV and the DS, using a lot of Gabriel's lessons.
Engines
Sleeve valve Knight engines were used exclusively until some later models switched to Graham 3.5 litre engines. The Knight engines included: inline four; inline six; V8 (prototype); V12 - 7.2 liter, 1921 (prototype); inline twelve and a seven-cylinder radial (prototype).
I know you all needed this info for Xmas reading in front of the fire..............Merry Christmas
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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
I was surprised to see this incident during a relentless evening downpour in Bangkok's Sukhumvit neighbourhood on 2 July 2026. As you can see, the drainage system is entirely overwhelmed; the distinction between the street and the pavement has completely vanished, with the rainwater deep enough to engulf the ankles of pedestrians and the tyres of vehicles.
The pedestrian in the foreground is saturated as she pauses mid-stream in the murky water, performing a 'Wai'—a graceful pressing together of the palms—towards the driver of the black vehicle who paused to allow her to cross.
The Cultural Context: Why the Wai Matters Now
In many Western cultures, a quick hand wave might suffice. But in Thailand, the Wai is a profound gesture of respect, gratitude, and humility. Witnessing this pedestrian prioritize this ritual while ankle-deep in floodwater is incredibly moving. This is the definition of Jai Yen (a "cool heart"): the distinct Thai cultural approach of maintaining composure and politeness even when faced with extreme frustration, heat, or, in this case, being totally soaked. It’s a testament to the resilient kindness you encounter everywhere in Bangkok.
Bangkok Rainfall Facts and Climate Reality
Scenes like this are becoming sadly all too common. Here’s why we should be concerned -
A Sinking City: One of the most surprising (and concerning) facts about Bangkok is that the city is actually sinking. Built on soft clay, groundwater extraction has caused areas to subside by nearly 1 to 2 centimeters per year over decades. This means the city is effectively dropping below sea level just as extreme weather is increasing.
The Climate Paradox: In 2026, images like this highlight the impact of climate change. While the total volume of monsoon rain might not always increase, the intensity does. Meteorologists now track "rain bombs"—sudden, catastrophic bursts that dump weeks’ worth of rainfall in just two or three hours, overwhelming drainage capacity instantly. What used to be a 1-in-100-year flood event is now becoming a regular event most summers.
Yet life Goes On: One of the craziest things about seeing these flood events in person is how normalized they are. Just down the street from where I took this, street food vendors were still operating. I saw a vendor stir-frying noodles, standing on a low plastic folding stool to keep their feet out of the rising water, while customers casually sat at a metal table, lifting their feet every time a car drove past to avoid the wake.
This memory, for me, represents that incredible blend of extreme urban challenges and enduring human dignity that defines modern Bangkok.
Difficult conditions for photography: Unfortunately while I used an umbrella while taking this shot and was careful not to get any rain on the camera, after five more days of photography my camera stopped working due to a faulty main board. Although I can't be certain of the actual cause, it seems possible that the heat and/or humidity proved too much for the X-T50.
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
Manifest traffic rushes along the CN Fort Frances Subdivision mainline east of Stratton, Ontario. The crew is blasting the horn for Sharp Road. About 30-40 miles left until Fort Frances via Barwick, Emo, and Devlin.
I did not get to photograph anything in this section of the Fort Frances Sub. the last time I was in Ontario two years ago, so I prioritized the railroad between Emo and Pinewood. I found this train at Pinewood ad immediately made a U-turn to find a suitable location with an open broadside view. This was the first decent one I could find near Stratton. It would be one-and-done with this train, as I was was betting on westbound traffic facing the sunlight. I am happy to get a new spot photographed.
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
Explore # 207 on Thursday, 2 September 2009 - the 374th
Just glad to be slowly back in the mainstream of flickr. Missed my friends here but there was so little that I can do as i was compelled to prioritize work as there were deadlines to meet. Too bad, I only have old pics to share this time.
Explored!!
Sometimes, it’s all about the journey.
Sometimes, it really is about the destination...I’ll let you guys decide!!
Well, it’s been a great journey, thanks to everyone who stuck with me this far.
Over the last few months I’ve met some wonderful people here on FLICKR, and with you guys…
I daydreamed ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/4715939611/ )
I remmenessed ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/4723608458/ )
I chillaxed ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/4750488754/ )
I hung out ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/4779449317/ )
I flew back home ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/4866979415/ )
I prioritized ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/4957029662/ )
I found what was there all allong ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/4979702852/ )
I got into the groove ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/4995346263/ )
I got back on the road ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5002227042/ )
I went the extra mile ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5021586917/ )
I got a front row sit ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5031693344/ )
I saw things in a new perspective ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5046345246/ )
I felt lonely ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5058137969/ )
I said so many things ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5072471191/ )
I went back in the day ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5081614800/ )
I walked in fields of gold ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5094966768/ )
I arrived in greener pastures ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5100488263/ )
I found what’s left ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5087239954/ )
I walked on sunshine ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5107298871/ )
I got through the thorns of vanity ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5119185478/ )
I became vigilant ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5124875092/ )
I looked at the big picture ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5128206883/ )
I got the blues ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5144487211/ )
I went down memory lane ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5150657941/ )
I forgave and redeemed ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5163642761/ )
I got up, moved on and crossed the bridge ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5171338433/ )
I got over the muddy waters ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5174478549/ )
I went on a journey ( www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldoeaf/5225623783/ )
And now, we’ve reached the end of the road… soon it will be time to open that gate and start a whole new and different adventure, exploring a new territory, and I hope I can still count on you to come with me. Remember: Few relationships are important enough to never die.
Stay tuned to find out what’s on the other side.
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.
Enjoy your Spring weekend in May 2020. Restrictions are loosening a bit but we must still be careful.
Stay healthy and hopeful! #BeKind
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,
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’.
" It's okay to see facts and nature through diverse lenses.. 🌿🔍"
It's fascinating how many individuals prioritize their beliefs and personal feelings when it comes to understanding the world.. Instead of carefully analyzing facts, they rely on intuition and emotions to guide them. In our everyday lives, we naturally gravitate towards people who share our beliefs, values, and preferences. It's comfortable and reassuring to be with those who think like us.
However, things take a thrilling twist in the BDSM community. Here, relationships involve two individuals with wildly different backgrounds and interests, coming together to explore their deepest desires and live a BDSM lifestyle. It's a world where opposites attract and passion ignites. Yet, this stark contrast in personalities and preferences can also give rise to numerous challenges, making it difficult to sustain a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
In the realm of exploration and indulgence, where boundaries are pushed and fantasies are embraced, the journey to a harmonious and lasting connection is both exhilarating and complex. Only a few can navigate the contrasting personas between partners and successfully save the relationship.
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Each person has their own unique perspective and way of interpreting the world.
Alphas tend to seek and perceive everything based on facts and the harsh realities, even if they are unpleasant. They value truth above all else, and their vision is bold and strong.
On the other hand, Betas prefer to perceive the world based on their emotions and personal comfort, even if it deviates from objective facts. Their visions are often idealistic and more fragile in nature.
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Tale : Tree and Lens 🌳🌿🔍👓
☑️ When love and BDSM principles are compared to a TREE, their biases and visions can be likened to colored GLASSES they wear to view things.
The divergent ways of thinking between Alphas and Betas create challenges in finding common ground and reaching solutions through discussion.
Alphas tend to perceive the world through a red-pill lens, emphasizing objective facts even if they are harsh or unpleasant. Meanwhile, most Betas view the world through a blue-pill lens, prioritizing subjective feelings and personal comfort, often straying from factual reality. This fundamental difference in perspective leads to disagreements, as Alphas might assert that a tree is red, while Betas argue that it is blue.
Most Alphas advocate for removing bias (take off the red glasses) to see the true color of the tree, embracing fearlessness in discovering reality through scientific analysis and observation. They believe that the color of a natural object SHOULD NOT be determined solely by social consensus or majority opinions.
Betas, however, may be inclined to rely on social norms, public opinion, and democratic processes to define truth. They argue that if the majority says the tree is blue and it brings happiness to most people, it must be accepted. The tree should be blue.
The clash of logics between Alphas and Betas revolves around the different criteria for determining right and wrong. Betas often defer to the majority's perception and societal consensus, while Alphas prioritize understanding the natural world through scientific investigation and analysis.
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" That's why I refrain from discussing and arguing with betas about what is right and wrong. Our different ways of critical thinking often lead to unproductive and heated arguments. Avoiding some discussions and contentious debates doesn't mean a person is closed-minded or lacking in broad perspective. Instead, it acknowledges the inherent differences between us that hinder meaningful discourse. We possess varying levels of analytical thinking and the courage to remove our biased perspectives and see things as they truly are, in their authentic nature.
Instead, focusing on fetishes and nurturing affection can foster stronger relationships, rather than fixating on debates about right and wrong and how things should be.
For two people who cannot perceive the tree as the same color, it's alright. In the context of BDSM, it is not a significant issue. Instead, we should concentrate on what truly matters and engage in discussions on those topics! "
___________ Scarlett Saphira
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Dress: Belle Epoque - Alba - Menta / @ The Fantasy Room
Belle Epoque - Mainstore
I paused over how RL made difficult scheduling with the models, but I am finally back with The Zodiac Series!
Here comes Taurus!
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Taurus is an earth sign. Like their celestial spirit animal, Taureans enjoy relaxing in serene, bucolic environments, surrounded by soft sounds, soothing aromas, and succulent flavors. Taurus is ruled by Venus, the enchanting planet that governs love, beauty, and money. Taurus’s Venusian influence make this earth sign the most sensual of the zodiac: These cosmic oxen are enchanted by any physical manifestation of comfort and luxury. Pleasure is a necessity for epicurean Taureans and they feel most content when pampered. (Taurus governs the neck, so neck caresses are especially irresistible to these bulls.)
As a sign, Taurus is fixed, an astrological quality that reflects Taurus’s steadfast, loyal nature. Fixed signs are excellent at maintaining systems and Taureans prioritize consistency and reliability in all areas of their lives. It must be noted, however, that Taurus does have a bit of a reputation: What a Taurus perceives as dedication is often regarded by others as stubbornness. Accordingly, these bulls may end up lingering in unhealthy situations — whether relationships, jobs, or homes — longer than necessary just to prove a point. Despite their occasional obstinance, however, Taureans are dependable partners, soothing their friends and lovers with their trustworthiness and devotion.
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Credits
--♡ Model: DallasAlduin´s Avatar named Angel
--♡ Photo: by me
--♡ Sunflowers: Synnergy // Sunflower Field Scene
--♡ Sky and surroundings: The Mystic Realms at Midday
In A Room of One’s Own, Virginia Woolf argues that the creative process requires material and psychological independence. She insists that this is not a romantic defence of solitude but a concrete condition: a woman must have a room of her own to create.
The room Woolf describes is both literal and symbolic. It is an uninterrupted physical space, but it is also continuity of thought. Privacy protects extended reflection, which any serious creative work demands. Without control over one’s time and environment, intellectual work becomes fragmented and secondary.
Psychologically, the room functions as protection. Creative work requires freedom from imposed obligations, demanded behaviours, accusations, or expectations that invade the interior space of thought.
Privacy and independence allow the development of what Woolf calls an “androgynous mind”: a balanced and integrated consciousness capable of expansive imagination rather than reactive production.
Creativity does not emerge purely from innate talent; it depends on infrastructure: space, time, and security. Private space is not a luxury. It is a precondition.
A private room represents cognitive continuity, protection from interruption, and ownership of one’s intellectual life. Artists and highly creative individuals require private, self-controlled environments for cognitive, psychological, and practical reasons.
Creative work depends on sustained attention. Complex ideation activates distributed neural networks. The interruptions force cognitive switching, degrade working memory, and reduce coherence. Generating original material means allowing incomplete, imperfect, even unconventional ideas to exist long enough to develop.
When someone is constantly observing, questioning, demanding, or accusing, the mind turns toward self-monitoring instead of exploration. Even subtle evaluation anxiety increases risk aversion. The imagination begins to censor itself before it has time to expand.
Incubation requires psychological safety because creativity involves vulnerability. The process is nonlinear: doubt, confusion, emotional intensity, experimentation, even failure. When intimate environments are contaminated with tension or negative emotion, expression becomes regulated. The body anticipates interruption. The nervous system prepares for defence rather than creation.
Artists are often highly sensitive in how they organize their working space. They perceive small shifts in light, sound, and movement. Sensory calibration matters. Control over lighting, spatial arrangement, and objects preserves cognitive bandwidth. When that space is repeatedly touched, moved, entered, or emotionally destabilized, something subtle but essential is disturbed.
Creative work is intertwined with personal meaning. Private space forms a boundary between social identity; roles and expectations and creative identity; experimentation and self-definition. Without that boundary, creative output begins to align with external approval or defensive reaction rather than intrinsic vision.
Research in cognitive psychology, stress neuroscience, and creativity studies confirms if physical space and personal boundaries are repeatedly violated over a long period, creative capacities erode in their expression.
Chronic interruption prevents entry into flow states described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. The brain requires uninterrupted time to integrate complex ideas. Constant disruption trains vigilance rather than immersion.
Prolonged stress activates the threat-response system. Chronically elevated stress hormones impair working memory, cognitive flexibility, and associative thinking, all these are essential for originality.
Under perceived threat, the brain prioritizes control over exploration. Creativity narrows. Loss of autonomy further diminishes intrinsic motivation.
When space is invaded or constantly monitored, creative activity shifts from self-directed expression to reactive coping. Persistent criticism or invalidation leads to self-censorship and learned inhibition. The process becomes associated with tension rather than safety and something as fundamental as creativity gift is lost.
But inhibition is not the same as structural destruction. The capacity itself does not disappear; access to it does.
What erodes is fluency, trust, and the sense that creation is allowed.
When autonomy and safety slowly return, the nervous system must relearn that imagination will not be punished. Recovery is uneven. It requires rebuilding the internal room before rebuilding the external one.
Prolonged violation of privacy can block creative functioning for as long as the adverse conditions persist but once the door closes again (not as exclusion, but as protection) creation begins to move back into the room that was once stolen.
IMPORTANT STATEMENT
THE LIMITS
To those looking to scrape, copy, or “borrow” my soul, read carefully:
ZERO TOLERANCE: Any use of my works in portfolios, commercial displays, or training data will be met with rigorous legal action.
NO SHARES: Do not share my work to platforms without my permission. Especially to Pinterest.
NO AI TRAINING: My images are strictly prohibited from being used for diffusion models or AI generators.
VISIBILITY IS NOT A LICENCE: Sharing my soul with the public does not grant you ownership. Using my images to feed an AI or build your portfolio is not “sharing” — it is theft.
ANTI-COPYIST STANCE: Technical mastery does not grant you the right to the soul of another’s work. To copy a composition simply because it is “beautiful” is to fail the fundamental test of artistry: having something original to say.
New Magic Art Photography website is now live! I hope you enjoy it.
Handheld shot with Olympus 75mm f1.8, my fav lens for shooting flowers.
Nothing has been done to the background, it is purely a result of this lens’ natural bokeh rendering.
Yet regardless of lens quality, bokeh can be badly messed up or even mangled in shot and in particular by atrociously poor post-processing!
Bokeh will get messed up when shooting in electronic front curtain shutter mode above 1/1,000s.
Even worse is bad post-processing, just look at those gear forum image threads on kilo class 50mm f1.2 lenses, yet these same lens owners with images showing badly mangled bokeh keep waxing lyrical about their behemoth f1.2 boat anchors!
Conversely, some hobbyists like to complain about lenses being overly contrasty hence affecting bokeh quality. Fact is, contrast in bokeh can be handled via post-processing if required but it’s onion-rings and all kinds of structures within bokeh balls that cannot be easily dealt with in post-processing.
There’s just way too much fallacies being propagated in gear forums. The worse of which are those from certain Nikon “Z”-ealot fanbois shills, no other brands’ fanboism ever reach such ridiculous levels of obnoxiousness and delusion, this is likely a consequence of extreme insecurity over their brand totem!
Some crazy “Z”-ealot fallacies;
1. “Z”-ealots loved to claim that the wider Z mount will lead to more efficient lens designs but what actually happened are Z lenses being bulkier, heavier and more expensive than equivalent lenses from other brands. The “Z”-ealots have largely stopped beating this widest mount drum these days for obvious reasons and have instead pivoted to suggesting that Nikon prioritized lens quality over size but doesn’t this mean that Nikon Z is the new Sigma of old!? Nikon F mount was way narrower than Canon EF but that didn’t preclude Nikon from making the class leading AF-S 14-24mm f2.8 G which Canon had no answer for a long time but yet Nikon “Z”-ealots will poke fun at other brands with smaller mounts.
2. The oft quote that you buy into the Z system mainly for the lenses when “Z”-ealots shills try to convince others (especially Nikon DSLR F mount users) to switch is obvious acknowledgement that the Z bodies are not competitive in terms of features and price. The Z7 series is not pro-spec unlike the D850 which is pro-spec, Nikon said so themselves. Then you have reality being laid bare with irrational exuberance over adapting lenses from other systems per below. If the Z lenses are as great as these shills claimed, why bother to adapt lenses from other mounts!?
3. A rampant Nikon “Z”-ealot fanbois shill with multiple user names on various gear forums was seen hyperventilating over the new version 2 of the Megadap E to Z adaptor recently. Shows how limited Nikon’s Z lens choices actually is and how slow Nikon is at bringing out new needed and interesting lenses. This notorious shill even suggested that “it makes sense to built a system based on a Nikon Z with some Sony lenses”. No surprise here since this was the exact same situation back in DSLR days when Nikon had a noticeably inferior lens lineup, this was Nikon at a much stronger no.2 behind Canon but Z’s current market share is a lot smaller with the Z mount being even more closed off to 3rd party lens makers than F mount ever was! This ridiculous Nikon Z shill even postulated that adapting Sony lenses on Nikon Z bodies will make Canon less relevant as a system when factually Nikon has a long and notorious history of crippling 3rd party lenses via firmware updates! As it is, Nikon already crippled their own FTZ adapter such that their own F-mount lenses get only 3 out of a possible 5 axis of stabilization. There’s no mention of IBIS effectiveness with the Megadap ETZ21 adapter.
As a multiple system user, I would rather acquire E-mount or even M-mount Voigtlander lenses which can be used on both E and Z mount than limiting myself with the same Voigtlander lenses released specifically for Z mount since these cannot be used on any other mounts. I can even get to use an AF adapter for M or E-mount Voigtlander lenses on the Z if I really wanted to.
This is the insiduous nature of these “Z”-ealot shills, always trying to distort reality to mislead others in favor of the brand they worship, have to wonder if these are in fact paid influencers! Nikon “Z”-ealot fanbois shills are truly the worst as no other brand users are anywhere near as obnoxious and delusional in belittling all other brands, such insecurity over just a camera brand, their constant propagation of fallacies are a real disservice to other users!
For beginners, take what you read in gear forums with a sackful of salt especially those forumers who seemed to practically live only in the gear forums and have no decent photo galleries to showcase. More often than not on gear forums, ability and words not only don’t match but the gulf can be really wide, beware of internet hot air!