As much as I deplore the notion of a harem, I do enjoy the analogy here with those 19th century paintings; perhaps I want to try to partake of their artistic glory.

Anyway, this dried beauty was laid out on a black flag, showing off a graceful stem snaking out to the right. I don't understand how such a dried out specimen retains such vivid color, but it is delightful.

A multi image focus stack, it should reward viewing at full screen or even larger.

Zeiss 135/2 APO Sonnar

Stop for a drink and an apple before moving on

Thanassis Fournarakos

Θανασης Φουρναρακος

Professional Photographer, retired.

Athens, Greece

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

None of my images may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, manipulated or used on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. THANK YOU!

many thanks for your comments faves and invites always much appreciated

and thanks for 6 .7 million views

FROM GREECE WITH LOVE!

ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΜΕ ΑΓΑΠΗ!

Thanassis Fournarakos

Θανασης Φουρναρακος

Professional Photographer, retired.

Athens, Greece

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

None of my images may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, manipulated or used on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. THANK YOU!

This photograph has achieved the following highest awards:

* GALAXY HALL OF FAME

* THE GALAXY STARS HALL OF FAME

Nissakia, Artemida beach.

Thanassis Fournarakos

Θανασης Φουρναρακος

Professional Photographer, retired.

Athens, Greece

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

None of my images may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, manipulated or used on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. THANK YOU!

This photograph has achieved the following highest awards:

* GALAXY HALL OF FAME

This morning, Wensleydale had a greyness with recession but as I drove Westwards it brightened up into sun within an hour

After a blue sky day, the sun sank through a right murk of aerosols

many thanks for your comments faves and invitations much appreciated

and thanks for 7 million views

going through some ancient (2010!) photos to get them up on inaturalist: www.inaturalist.org/observations/70001382

It was mostly overcast and cool - but no rain. Took the little carbon tripod thankfully which was useful for quite a few shots

Hand-held at 0.3 sec with the R5 and its Lens + IBIS stabilisation

www.inaturalist.org/observations/97114902

A meagre ration of sun today in Wensleydale

About 16:15 - enough time back in the day to get to Betty's for tea

Thanassis Fournarakos - Θανασης Φουρναρακος

Professional Photographer, retired.

Athens, Greece.

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

None of my images may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, manipulated or used on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. THANK YOU!

This photograph has achieved the following highest awards:

* GALAXY HALL OF FAME

TLC long overdue

Near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

Midland Watersnake

PORTO RAFTI - ΠΟΡΤΟ ΡΑΦΤΗ

Thanassis Fournarakos

Θανασης Φουρναρακος

Professional Photographer, retired.

Athens, Greece

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

None of my images may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, manipulated or used on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. THANK YOU!

This photograph has achieved the following highest awards:

* GALAXY HALL OF FAME

Taken on September 2, 2016.

Thanassis Fournarakos - Θανάσης Φουρναράκος

Professional Photographer, Athens, Greece

(retired in 2011, born in 1946).

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

None of my images may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, manipulated or used on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. THANK YOU!

This photograph has achieved the following highest awards:

* GALAXY HALL OF FAME

many thanks for your comments faves and invitations much appreciated and for 7+ million views

In line with Winter weather this year - each day was usually a blue sky or grey sky - today it was the turn of the grey sky

What I say when she piles them up like this. She usually gives them a nice stretch shortly thereafter.

"SnailKite on the Hunt"

"Have a Great Day"

Whatever floats your boat

Always pleasant to have a quiet evening at the Gare - mind you, sometimes I've been stood there in a gale

Surf Club, Artemida.

Thanassis Fournarakos

Θανασης Φουρναρακος

Professional Photographer, retired.

Athens, Greece

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

None of my images may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, manipulated or used on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. THANK YOU!

Reminiscing about Summer

Athens, Greece.

Thanassis Fournarakos - Θανασης Φουρναρακος

Professional Photographer, retired.

Athens, Greece

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

None of my images may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, manipulated or used on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. THANK YOU!

Another product from wandering about in old folders, this one was shot in 2020. I particularly like two pieces of this: the shadows of the pistil and stamens, and the tiny piece one the petal's edge close to where two overlap around 2:00 o'clock.

Another shot from yesterday's lovely trip to the Lakes

Dry at home but a couple of storms in the hills

One from a few weeks back

I managed a bit of sketching and 1 shot on the Bronica on some HP5+. Felt rubbish from the flu jab and when sun went in I headed home. Had a few hours technical issue to sort out for someone by which time the last few hours were sunny again

I've been meaning to get up here for a while and not only managed it today but with sun that went in after about 30 minutes - so timed just right

With some lucky side light

Winter starts earlier up here - it is windier, wetter, colder and lasts for longer. When Spring comes - it is very welcome

Holy Island

Popped out today - not that much snow - A few articulated lorries about probably bypassing the A66 which is closed with ice

Storm over Hartlepool