Greater Akron-and NE Ohio- As Known by the Locals ~ Post Often
View allAll Photos Tagged SIGNIFICANT
The Western Wall, also known as the "Wailing Wall" or the "Kotel," is one of the most significant religious and historical sites in Jerusalem, Israel. It holds deep spiritual and emotional importance for Jews worldwide, and it has also become a symbol of the complex and often contentious nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Western Wall is a remnant of the ancient retaining wall that once surrounded the Second Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. After the temple's destruction, the Western Wall became the closest accessible site for Jewish prayer and pilgrimage. For centuries, Jews from around the world have come to this sacred site to pray, lament the destruction of the temple, and express their connection to Jewish heritage.
The name "Wailing Wall" originates from the 19th and early 20th centuries when Jews would gather at the site to mourn the destruction of the temple and express their sorrow through prayers and tears. The term "Kotel" means "wall" in Hebrew and has become a popular and endearing name for the site.
Over time, the Western Wall has evolved into a focal point of religious and nationalist tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. The site is located in the Old City of Jerusalem, which is also part of the contested area between Israel and Palestine. Its significance to both Jewish and Muslim communities has led to disputes and occasional clashes.
The Western Wall plaza is divided into two sections: one for men and the other for women, following Orthodox Jewish tradition. The prayers and rituals conducted here are a mix of individual devotion, communal worship, and celebrations during religious holidays.
In addition to its religious importance, the Western Wall draws millions of tourists and visitors from various backgrounds each year, offering them a glimpse into the rich history and cultural diversity of Jerusalem.
Despite the ongoing complexities surrounding the Western Wall and its geopolitical context, it remains an essential and cherished place for Jewish people, symbolizing resilience, faith, and the connection to their shared heritage.
* I know for many people the big day falls on Saturday but for me personally the day of the winter solstice is much more important. It's the day the sun begins its slow return to the Northern hemisphere. In Britain it will occur at 15.58 GMT on Tuesday
Tomorrow many people will visit Stonehenge to celebrate the day. The stones have been in place for 5,000 years so they have seen a great many solstices . While much is not known about the reasons these stones were erected by the Neolithic people . Recent research does suggest that the way the stones are lined up suggests it was the winter solstice not the summer one that was the main ritual event . For these agrarian people to return of the sun and the promise of another years harvest would have been a very significant
Talking of the sun we could use some on the East Coast its been grey dark and damp for a week now with no sunshine forecast for the next seven days its so gloomy
THANKS FOR YOUR VISIT TO MY STREAM.
I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD NOT FAVE A PHOTO WITHOUT ALSO LEAVING A COMMENT .
The hard thing to do of course is to find a way to photograph a mundane subject or a mundane event in a way that makes it exciting.
Brooks Jensen
HFF! Truth Matters!
prunus, daybreak yoshino cherry, 'Akebono', sarah p duke gardens, duke university, durham, north carolina
A couple of years ago, the water level of Lake Argyle was significantly lowered for work. The eerie-looking remnants of tree stumps dotting the new shoreline were well underwater before that. Obviously, fish that had been using these stumps as guideposts had to find new haunts... compelling fishermen to change their tactics as well.
_DSC8479
Copyrighted Stephen L. Frazier. All Rights Reserved. Duplication, printing, publication, or any other use of these images without written permission is prohibited.
The great grey owl (Strix nebulosa) is found throughout Northern Europe, Northern Asia and a significant proportion of North America. They are quite large birds, rivalling the Eurasian Eagle Owl in size. The great grey owl has a large, rounded head and yellow eyes, with light underparts mottled with darker grey feathers. Their wings and back are darker grey with lighter bars.
The great grey owl has a large "facial disk." The facial disk is a concave circle of feathers around the eyes of the bird. It helps to collect sound waves and direct them toward the owl's ears, helping the owl to locate its prey by sound. The great grey owl has the largest facial disk of any bird of prey.
Their diet consists mainly of small mammals and their preferred prey is voles, however they will also eat gophers, weasels, squirrels, rabbits, rats and mice. They nest in dense coniferous forests in most of the northern hemisphere.
The female will lay between two to six eggs at one- to two-day intervals. The female does all of the incubation, which starts when the first egg is laid. After four to six weeks the chicks hatch. The male provides all the food for the young, which is torn into smaller pieces by the female. When food is scarce the female great grey owl will often starve herself in order to feed her chicks, and may lose up to a third of her body weight. The chicks will leave the nest after approximately a month and can fly well after two months. The young stay close to home and are cared for by the female for some time after leaving the nest.
On 21 August 2017, Big Ben's chimes were silenced for four years to allow essential restoration work to be carried out on the tower.
The aim of the renovation is to repair and conserve the tower, upgrading facilities as necessary, and ensuring the tower's integrity for future generations. The last significant renovation work to the tower was carried out during 1983–85.
The original cost of the project was estimated to be roughly £29 million, but this was then more than doubled, to reach about £80 million.
In a statement, UK authorities said: “The Elizabeth Tower conservation project is due to complete in the second quarter of 2022.
The old Venetian harbour of Chania is considered one of the most significant historical landmarks in Crete. It was originally built by the Venetians between 1320 - 1356 AD during their occupation in Crete and it was considered among the most important trade in Mediterranean. Nowadays most of the parts of the harbour have been restored and it is one of the most popular spots on the island.
In significant decline, I was happy to have run into these birds along a beach during my family vacation earlier this year. Hard to believe that it was only a few months ago and at the same time feels like a lifetime.
Give yourself ...or your 'significant Other' - a treat with this pack of dances!
Fabulous when you're alone and want to dance for the joy of it.
And when you're not alone? ..........maybe give others some joy this holiday!
MOVE! Animations 'Luisa', dances now available in the main store and the Marketplace.
(20% discount for the full pack of 10 dances)
Aleutia] Kiri legwarmers available at FaMESHed till 27th Dec
Some more photos from December 2018 visit to Yosemite that I had skipped, before returning to those from our backyard and nearby park.
Yosemite Falls soon after the significant snow storm. The falls appeared as the snow clouds moved away, first week of December 2018.
Yosemite National Park, California, USA
The great grey owl (Strix nebulosa) is found throughout Northern Europe, Northern Asia and a significant proportion of North America. They are quite large birds, rivalling the Eurasian Eagle Owl in size. The great grey owl has a large, rounded head and yellow eyes, with light underparts mottled with darker grey feathers. Their wings and back are darker grey with lighter bars.
The great grey owl has a large "facial disk." The facial disk is a concave circle of feathers around the eyes of the bird. It helps to collect sound waves and direct them toward the owl's ears, helping the owl to locate its prey by sound. The great grey owl has the largest facial disk of any bird of prey.
Their diet consists mainly of small mammals and their preferred prey is voles, however they will also eat gophers, weasels, squirrels, rabbits, rats and mice. They nest in dense coniferous forests in most of the northern hemisphere.
The female will lay between two to six eggs at one- to two-day intervals. The female does all of the incubation, which starts when the first egg is laid. After four to six weeks the chicks hatch. The male provides all the food for the young, which is torn into smaller pieces by the female. When food is scarce the female great grey owl will often starve herself in order to feed her chicks, and may lose up to a third of her body weight. The chicks will leave the nest after approximately a month and can fly well after two months. The young stay close to home and are cared for by the female for some time after leaving the nest.
The Älvsborg Bridge (Swedish: Älvsborgsbron) is a suspension bridge over Göta älv in Gothenburg, Sweden, which connects the north and the south part of the city. It was built in 1966. The total length is 933 metres and distance between the towers ("main span") is 417 metres, while the clearance below the bridge is 45 metres. The pylons are 107 metres tall making the bridge one of Gothenburg's most prominent landmarks.
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden. It is situated by Kattegatt on the west coast of Sweden, and has a population of approximately 570,000.
Gothenburg was founded as a heavily fortified, primarily Dutch, trading colony in 1621. In addition to the generous privileges (e.g. tax relaxation) given to his Dutch allies from the then-ongoing Thirty Years`War, the king also attracted significant numbers of his German and Scottish allies to populate his only town on the western coast. At a key strategic location at the mouth of the river Göta älv, where Scandinavia's largest drainage basin enters the sea, the Port of Gothenburg is now the largest port in the Nordic countries
Gothenburg is home to many students, as the city includes the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology. Volvo was founded in Gothenburg in 1927. Other key companies are SKF and Astra Zeneca.
Hopefully not the best Osprey shot I upload this year... But it will the most significant Osprey shot I'll upload this year
Why? ... Because it's the first
During the weeks of lock-down there were moments when I wondered if I'd even get to see one of these magnificent birds this year
Thankfully those fears were soon put to rest...
Now can I have one with a fish please Mr 'O'?
From Lingmoor ...shortly after sunrise. A significant trip, my first long walk with my son in years!! Followed by a well earned rebalance of fluids at the ODG
"What makes things memorable is that they are meaningful, significant, colorful."
Quote - Joshua Foer
Business on the Pickens Railroad Belton line has picked up immensely in recent years. The Pickens only serves one customer on their Belton line but bridges traffic from CSX to the industries in Anderson keep both the Greenville Western and Pickens busy. The railroad has recently invested significant money in the infrastructure and the worn out stick rail and rotten ties have been entirely replaced. The trains nowdays typically rate two U18Bs, one bridge still presumably keeps the B40-8s confined to the Anderson line. Here an afternoon Belton turn heads west on the outskirts of Anderson.
is a good crop :-)
Ansel Adams
HPPS! Ukraine Matters!
cercis, dark flowered texas redbud, 'Oklahoma', j c raulston arboretum, ncsu, raleigh, north carolina
The Tarkine is a vast and significant wilderness in north-west Tasmania, an area of stunning natural beauty and the largest Gondwanan cool-temperate rainforest in Australia. This is our get away destination for today.
I took a cruise on the Pieman River where we saw nature up close and personal, Eagles followed our boat and the photo opportunities were boundless. We had lunch on the river bank and were turned loose to explore the rainforest where I took this, and many other photos.
As ever in Australia, The Tarkine is under threat from mining interests, and the timber industry. Between them they want to build roads, cut down trees and dig a nice mine in this pristine wilderness. Conservationist on the other hand, want The Tarkine declared a national park: fat chance they've got. There's gold, tin and trees in The Tarkine. Get to The Tarkine before it's all gone.
Significant amount of postproduction in Lightroom and Topaz implemented ;-)
Krzyżówka/Anas platyrhynchos
#6
Pałac w Pieszycach – wybudowany około 1550 roku, rozbudowany w latach 1615-1617 i znacznie powiększony w latach 1710-1730.
Palace in Pieszyce - built around 1550, expanded in 1615-1617 and significantly enlarged in 1710-1730.
It is standing there like a visitor from another world, this small beech surrounded by large and small spruce trees. It's a late riser, because even though it's mid-April it is still in it's hibernation pajama.
A few years ago, the future tree took the chance when a few of the big ones fell at this point, allowing more light to reach the forest floor. Now it bravely fights it's way up into the canopy before the window can close again.
Since it's life expectancy is significantly higher than that of it's neighbors, there is a chance that one day (in 3 to 400 years) it will tower above everything around it. An ecosystem in itself, which provides shelter and food for tons of other life forms. Until then, however, it is still a long way and not without danger.
I would love to come back here than to take a look.
Wie ein Besucher aus einer anderen Welt steht sie da, diese kleine Buche, umringt von großen und kleinen Fichten. Sie ist ein Spätaufsteher, denn obwohl es schon Mitte April ist, hat sie immer noch den Schlafanzug von Ihrer Winterruhe an.
Vor ein paar Jahren hat sie die Chance genutzt, als an dieser Stelle ein paar der Großen gefallen sind und damit mehr Licht den Waldboden erreicht hat. Nun kämpft sie sich wacker nach oben ins Kronendach bevor sich das Fenster wieder schließen kann.
Da ihre Lebenserwartung deutlich über der Ihrer Nachbarn liegt besteht die Chance, dass sie einmal (so in 3 bis 400 Jahren) alles um sich herum überragt. Ein Ökosystem für sich, welches Unmengen anderer Lebensformen Schutz und Nahrung bietet. Bis dahin, ist es allerdings noch ein weiter und nicht ungefährlicher Weg.
Ich würde dann zu gern hierher zurück kommen, um mir das einmal anzusehen.
more of this on my website at: www.shoot-to-catch.de
I watched her dance
beneath the spinning lights
and suddenly
there were no more
words for me to write
she was every poem
I'd ever written
come to life.
-Tyler Kent White-
Just few words : due to health significant issues, unfortunately I'm not taking so many pics in SL and I cannot stay sit in front of my computer for too long, so, I just wanted to post this one, almost raw, to say that I'm here, only tanking time and trying to heal somehow...hugs to everyone and Kisses to my Love♥
Denali has two significant summits: the South Summit is the higher one at 20,310 feet (6,190 m), while the North Summit has an elevation of 19,470 ft (5,934 m). They are both in view here.
A few more perspectives of the highest mountain in North America in comments.
Friday's here! Enjoy!
Tucked away in Western Australia’s Yalgorup National Park, within the quiet shallows of Lake Clifton, lies something truly extraordinary — almost more science fiction than fact. These knobbly, unassuming formations are **thrombolites**: living, rock-like structures built by ancient microbial communities.
What makes them so special? Thrombolites are incredibly rare! They’re among the few surviving examples on Earth of life forms similar to those that began oxygenating our planet billions of years ago. According to wiki, unlike the more well-known stromatolites, which grow in tidy layers, thrombolites have a "clotted, chaotic internal structure" — a bit like my brain on most days! They’re messy, ancient, and utterly fascinating.
As we stood on the boardwalk, watching the sun filter through the nutrient-rich waters, which is just the way these microorganisms like it, we felt small. I was staring at the descendants of the planet’s earliest architects of breathable air, still quietly persisting in a world that has changed beyond recognition.
They’ve survived for millennia, but they’re fragile — vulnerable to rising salinity, pollution, and, sadly, careless human behaviour. Just last year, they suffered significant damage after many visitors, in pursuit of the aurora australis, wandered into restricted areas. The result? Extensive harm to the thrombolites and their delicate microbial mats. Makes you almost ashamed to be a photographer! I’ll be polite and refrain from calling them what I really think of them ..... *deep breaths*
I consider ourselves lucky, truly lucky, to see them still hanging on, whispering stories from the origins of life - rare, ancient & alive. I hope more people come to understand their importance, and that these incredible rare living fossils not only survive but thrive.
Sorry for the rant. Have a great end to the week! Thanks kindly for any likes/comments, they are always appreciated.
Waterscape 38/100 in 2025
A Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) photographed yesterday at Yarra Bend Park in Kew. It was a drizzly, dull day, not ideal for photography, but I really enjoyed seeing these fascinating creatures, definitely want to return. Thanks Ali for taking me to see them.
The Grey-headed Flying Fox’s conservation status is listed as vulnerable. The population at Yarra Bend varies from about 6,000 to up to 30,000 in summer, this group were relocated to Yarra Bend Park in 2003 from the Melbourne Botanic Gardens where they were doing significant damage and threatening many parts of the gardens.
The Columbia- Wrightsville Bridge is nothing less than one of the most historically significant concrete bridges in the United States. The bridge was the longest multi-span concrete arch bridge in the world when built, and even today it at the very least remains among the longest examples. In addition to its jaw-dropping 28 arch spans each spanning an impressive 185 feet, an additional 20 approach spans (mostly curved t-beams) complete the bridge which is over a mile long in total length. Also, with a 48 foot wide out-to-out deck width containing a 38 foot roadway, this is also a fairly wide bridge for its age as well. The length of the bridge coupled with its width results in a bridge with a footprint of about eight acres!
One of the down sides to night photography is the risk to personal safety. For most of us, there is a certain element of risk heading to an unfamiliar area after dark, often carrying significantly expensive camera equipment. This photo for me was a bit of a wake up call as to the nasty side of humanity.
I arrived on location during the late afternoon, happily capturing plenty of shots hoping for a spectacular sunset - which never eventuated. It was cold and wet and when the sun set, the light disappeared quickly into darkness. Having been on location for a couple of hours, I felt more than comfortable with my surroundings.
It was during this long exposure shot that I had a rude awakening. I was approached by an older gentleman who inquisitively asked what I was doing. No big deal, it happens regularly. He asked a couple of innocent questions about the subject matter for my photo. The conversation soon turned nasty when he began abusing me for my “boring” choice of subject matter. He told me I was wasting my time and that people are only interested in photos of people. He became highly aggressive, even urging other passers-by to join him in his argument. Fortunately, his rant caught the attention of a couple out walking their dog who came to render some me assistance and convinced him it was time to move on.
It’s sad that people like this can ruin your day and stop you from doing what you love.
The moral of my story, be aware of your surroundings, not just whatever you’re photographing, and preferably do it with a friend - particularly if you’re out after dark.
Sanctuary of St. Anthony of Padua in Radecznica is a significant pilgrimage, called Czestochowa.of Lublin
The history of the monastery in Radecznica began on May 8, 1664., When on a hill was to reveal St. Anthony of Padua to Szymon Tkacz, a resident of the village. The news of the miraculous revelation and of the graces that have been given here, have made it a place of many pilgrimages. Bernardine brothers were here pooled in the year 1667. This is the only sanctuary of St. Anthony of Padua in Poland.
-
Sanktuarium św. Antoniego z Padwy w Radecznicy to ważny obiekt pielgrzymkowy, zwany Lubelską Częstochową.
Historia klasztoru w Radecznicy zaczęła się 8 maja 1664 r., kiedy to na wzgórzu zwanym Łysą Górą, miał się objawić św. Antoni z Padwy Szymonowi Tkaczowi, mieszkańcowi wioski. Wieści o cudownym objawieniu i o łaskach, jakie zostały tu udzielone, uczyniły to miejsce celem wielu pielgrzymek. Bracia Bernardyni zostali tu ulokowani w roku 1667 r. Jest to jedyne sanktuarium św. Antoniego Padewskiego w Polsce.
Llenroc is a Gothic revival house constructed for Ezra Cornell just below the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, United States. It now houses the Cornell chapter of the Delta Phi fraternity.
Llenroc was built for Ezra Cornell between 1865 and 1875. It is a fine and well preserved example of masonry Gothic Revival architecture.
The house is constructed of "Llenroc limestone", a name used for the limestone quarried as building material taken from west of Libe Slope. Artisans from around the world created the many elaborate fixtures of the house including: English woodcarvers responsible for the carved interior molding on the first and second floor and stonemasons from Germany completed the exterior stonework. Irish, Scottish, Italian, and Indian craftsmen also made significant contributions. Eight complete marble fireplaces were also imported from Europe to be plac 242
A view of the commercial buildings on the north side of Lincoln's historic courthouse square. This view looks to the east from the intersection of S. Kickapoo St. and Broadway St., and shows the entire 600 block of Broadway St., along with Lincoln's City Hall and Fire Department building on the northeast corner of Broadway and N. McLean St. All of the properties in this view lie within the Lincoln Courthouse Square Historic District that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Of the eight buildings shown above, the former Lincoln Savings and Building Association building (c. 1914, Neoclassical) on the near corner and a two-story commercial building at the opposite end of the block (c. 1895, Italianate) are contributing properties in the historic district. City Hall (c. 1886, Romanesque Revival) which sits in the 700 block of Broadway St. across McLean St., is a significant property in the historic district.
The buildings between the former Lincoln Savings and the two-story commercial building at the opposite end of the block are a mix of newer mid-century commercial buildings, and older buildings that have been modernized to the extent that their historic architectural antecedents are basically unrecognizable. These buildings are non-contributing properties within the historic district.
First settled in the 1830s, Lincoln is the only town in the United Stated that was named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president. Mr. Lincoln practiced law here from 1847 to 1859. Lincoln is the seat of Logan County, which is situated in central Illinois approximately 26 miles northeast of Springfield, the state capitol. The population of Lincoln at the 2020 census was 13,288.
Gangly heron with significant variation in plumage. Distinct dark morph is slate-gray with a white throat, while the palest morph is white with a yellow bill and lores. Pale gray intermediate morphs can also be found. Little Egret can look similar, but it has a darker bill than the white morph of the Western Reef-Heron. Primarily a coastal inhabitant, foraging on shorelines and in estuaries, but can also be found at some inland water bodies. (eBird)
---------------
There were four adults at the wetland. Perhaps parents to the young bird posted here?
Ras al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubai, UAE. March 2024.
A view of the southwest corner of Pulaski & Kickapoo St., catty-corner from Logan County Courthouse in downtown Lincoln. The two late-nineteenth century Italianate buildings are in the 400 block of Pulaski St.
The corner building at 429 Pulaski St. was constructed around 1885 and is a contributing building in the district. The two-part commercial building next to it at 425-427 Pulaski St. dates to 1890. With its cast iron front, second story windows with decorative hood molds and a heavy, metal cornice, the structure is identified as a significant building in the district.
On the left is the older part of the Lincoln Grand 8 Theatre on S. Kickapoo St. The Lincoln Theater opened in early-1923 with the Lon Chaney film “John Quincy Adams Sawyer”. In addition to cinema, the theater featured an organ and live stage shows well into the 1930’s. The architectural style of the original theater is Italian Villa, a design that is typically asymmetrical while the Italianate style emphasizes symmetry.
In 1985, the Lincoln Theater was twinned, and was turned into a quad in the mid-1990s. A $6M addition in 2016 (not shown in this photo) added four more screens, 775 seats, a new lobby and exterior streetscape. Rechristened as the Lincoln Grand 8, the theater closed in late 2018 after the owners defaulted on a $3.9M bank loan. Additionally, the city of Lincoln, which had bet on the theater project helping to attract more business and customers downtown, was out $2.3M in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) bond proceeds.
In the fall of 2020, the Lincoln Grand 8 Theater hit the market for $1.2M. The sale includes more than 42,000 square feet spread among three buildings - the original theater which opened in 1922, the 2016 addition, and a 1920s-built commercial building at the corner of S. Kickapoo and Clinton St. In 2021 it was taken over and reopened by VIP Cinemas.
Both of the 19th century Italianate buildings on Pulaski St., along with the Lincoln Theatre, are contributing properties in the Lincoln Courthouse Square Historic District that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
First settled in the 1830s, Lincoln is the only town in the United Stated that was named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president. Mr. Lincoln practiced law here from 1847 to 1859. Lincoln is the seat of Logan County, which is situated in central Illinois approximately 26 miles northeast of Springfield, the state capitol. The population of Lincoln at the 2020 census was 13,288.
The Church of St. Elizabeth in Marburg was built from the August 14, 1235 at the foot of the Marburg Schlossberg . The German Order built it with significant promotion of the Landgrave of Thuringia in honor of St. Elizabeth of Thuringia . The hall church was built over the tomb of Elizabeth , what the church made into a major place of pilgrimage of the late Middle Ages . The grandson of St. Elizabeth , Landgrave Heinrich I , already the Church of Our Lady built in 1286 for her role model in Frankenberg .
This little guy was singing his heart out on his little perch looking very pleased with himself !! In particularly harsh winters, Wren populations can deplete significantly by up to as much as 25%. Despite this startling statistic, this is often countered by the large broods created throughout the breeding season. I hope this little guy is one of the lucky ones their fantastic little birds and only weigh as much as a 2p coin .
Please do not use my images in any way without my permission they are copyright protected !!
Please take A look in Large !! press L
Thanks to everyone that takes the time and makes the effort to comment and fave my pics its very much appreciated
Regards Clive
for Macro Mondays theme 'Jewelry' on 4th March.
At our wedding on March 4th 1967 this locket was worn by Mrs.F.
See 1st comment.
The significant other half decided to make bread for lunch yesterday. As his bread was still proving, not quite ready for the oven, I decided to make some cakes.
The mixture was hastily put together as my immobility does not allow me to stand for long in the kitchen:
6ozs SR flour + 1 tsp baking powder, 4 ozs sugar, 4 ozs marge, 2 eggs - combined in an electric mixer. 4 ozs dried fruit mixed in, mixture put into 12 small paper cases and cooked at 320 for 15 to 20 mins.
Nearly forgot - sprinkled a few flaked almonds on top befpre cooking.
They smelt so good when cooked and as the bread was still cooking, we had a back to front lunch and ate cake first and soup and bread second.
What was is it that Marie-Antoinette said?!
San Francisco, California, USA
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide (1.6 km) strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The structure links the U.S. city of San Francisco, California—the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula—to Marin County, carrying both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1 across the strait. It also carries pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and is designated as part of U.S. Bicycle Route 95. Recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Wonders of the Modern World, the bridge is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco and California.
The idea of a fixed link between San Francisco and Marin had gained increasing popularity during the late 19th century, but it was not until the early 20th century that such a link became feasible. Joseph Strauss served as chief engineer for the project, with Leon Moisseiff, Irving Morrow and Charles Ellis making significant contributions to its design. The bridge opened to the public in 1937 and has undergone various retrofits and other improvement projects in the decades since.
The Golden Gate Bridge is described in Frommer's travel guide as "possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world." At the time of its opening in 1937, it was both the longest and the tallest suspension bridge in the world, titles it held until 1964 and 1998 respectively. Its main span is 4,200 feet (1,280 m) and its total height is 746 feet (227 m).
(Wikipedia)
With significant pressures, back-ups are now necessary and we will proceed into the Ark in threes or fours folks! Japanese Gardens, Toowoomba, Queensland.
On the night of 26 to 27 February 2023, significant solar activity caused the Northern Lights to appear in many countries, even in southern Europe. In Iceland, the show was particularly impressive, lasting all night long. I'm sharing some views of the show, taken from Mývatn.
Hi everyone,
Here's a green heron that I was able to capture from a canoe trip in Costa Rica.
While shooting from a canoe can be rewarding, it wasn't an easy thing to do on recent trip. It takes a fair bit of balance, a bit of skill and of course some luck. Thankfully, this wonderful bird cooperated and allowed me to snap a number of images along the way.
I'm also on:
22-greg-taylor.pixels.com
www.instagram.com/gregtaylorphotography/
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086780080943
All images are copyright protected so please do not use any of my work for commercial purposes.
Additionally, please do not contact me if you want to do business in NFT's as I am not interested. However, prints are available through my website above with significant new content being added by the week.
Das Kloster Rehna ist eine der bedeutendsten erhaltenen Klosteranlagen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern und liegt malerisch in der Stadt Rehna, nordwestlich von Schwerin. Es wurde 1237 als Benediktinerinnenkloster gegründet und später von Prämonstratenserinnen übernommen. Bis zur Säkularisation 1552 war es ein bedeutendes religiöses und kulturelles Zentrum der Region. Die Klosteranlage beeindruckt durch ihre spätromanische Backsteinkirche mit einem markanten Rundbogenportal. Erhalten sind zudem drei Flügel des Kreuzgangs, das sogenannte „Lange Haus“ mit dem ehemaligen Gästerefektorium und Gerichtssaal sowie ein stimmungsvoller Klostergarten, der 2004 neu angelegt wurde.
-------------------------------------------
The Rehna Monastery is one of the most significant preserved monastic complexes in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and is picturesquely situated in the town of Rehna, northwest of Schwerin. It was founded in 1237 as a Benedictine nunnery and was later taken over by Premonstratensian nuns. Until its secularization in 1552, it was an important religious and cultural center of the region.
The monastic complex impresses with its late Romanesque brick church, featuring a distinctive round-arched portal. Also preserved are three wings of the cloister, the so-called “Long House” with the former guest refectory and courtroom, as well as an atmospheric monastery garden, which was newly designed in 2004. (Quelle/source: Internet)
Indeed, chess played a significant role in the cultural and intellectual life of the Ottoman Empire. The game's popularity extended across different social classes, and its strategic nature made it a valuable tool for military training and intellectual development.
The use of chess as a means of military education is noteworthy, as it reflects the recognition of the game's ability to enhance strategic thinking and planning. The Ottomans integrated chess into the curriculum of military academies, providing officers with a practical and enjoyable way to develop their strategic skills.
The artistic and cultural aspects of Ottoman chess sets highlight the intersection of chess with the broader artistic traditions of the time. The intricate designs and motifs inspired by Islamic art and architecture not only added aesthetic value to the chess sets but also showcased the cultural richness of the Ottoman Empire.
The existence of manuscripts and treatises on chess from the Ottoman period underscores the intellectual engagement with the game. These works not only discussed strategies and rules but also delved into the cultural and philosophical dimensions of chess. Such writings contributed to the broader intellectual heritage of the Ottoman Empire.
The widespread popularity of chess, evident in its presence in various social settings, from the courts of the sultans to coffeehouses, reflects its accessibility to people from different walks of life. The local variations and adaptations of the game over time further demonstrate its dynamic evolution within the Ottoman cultural context.
Overall, the history of chess in the Ottoman Empire is a fascinating chapter that highlights the multifaceted role of the game in shaping intellectual, artistic, and military aspects of society during that period.
This tributary crossing serves as a significant landmark leading to the side trails of Rich Falls, Big Falls and Dome Falls. On this day, my objective was to reach Rich Falls. According to the research info I had, the trail should have been 10 to 15 minutes past this crossing on the left. Well...I walked 10 to 15 minutes and didn't see a trail. I kept going. As a matter of fact, I kept going to a place on the trail where I could hear Big Falls raging and "raising a ruckus" like you wouldn't believe in the gorge below. I turned around to backtrack hoping to see the trail and instead ended back up at the tributary again with no results. Knowing full well how dangerous the descents down into the gorge are after this point and to avoid attempting a bushwhack (let wisdom prevail), so I headed back across the tributary. Not long afterwards I encountered Charlie, an experienced hiker on the trail who was on his way to Big Falls. I explained about not being able to locate either trailhead, and he obliged to lead me right to where the trail to Rich Falls began. We ultimately reached the trailhead, about 30 minutes after the tributary crossing which was rarely used and was hidden underneath the fallen leaves. Charlie spoke about some of the steep sections of the trail, and I thanked him for the info and assured him I would be fine after I had started. After sharing some friendly parting words, he headed off towards Big Falls and I headed down the trail to my destination.