'Snowdrops: Theirs is a fragile but hardy celebration... in the very teeth of winter.'

Louise Wilder

texture thanks to Tòta

"Just like we each have our own voice, each male Lazuli Bunting sings a unique combination of notes. Yearling males generally arrive on the breeding grounds without a song of their own. Shortly after arriving, they create their own song by rearranging syllables and combining song fragments of several males. The song they put together is theirs for life."allaboutboids

Silence and darkness down the lane.

Late evening walk in Talsarnau and all is quiet, except for the bleating of the sheep and lambs.

[ I invaded their privacy as they heard my footsteps & my dog Cali ]

She is a long haired White German Shepherd, but sometimes the sheep think she is one of theirs and come to the fence to see and investigate !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Talsarnau or Talsamau is a village and community in the Ardudwy area of Gwynedd in Wales. Its population was 525 in 2001, and had increased to 550 at the 2011 Census. The village of Talsarnau is situated on the A496 coastal road between Maentwrog and Harlech, close to the hamlets of Eisingrug and Llandecwyn.

FERNANDO PESSOA | THE KEEPER OF SHEEP | EXCERPT

"The mystery of things? How should I know I know what

mystery is?

The only mystery is there being somebody who might

think about mystery.

A man who stands in the sun and shuts his eyes

Begins not to know what the sun is

And to think many things full of heat.

But he opens his eyes and sees the sun,

And now he cannot think of anything,

Because the light of the sun is worth more than the

thoughts

Of all the philosophers and all the poets.

The light of the sun does not know what it is doing

And so does stray and is common and good.

Metaphysics? What metaphysics do those trees have?

That of being green and having crowns and branches

And that of giving fruit at their hours, - which is not

what makes us think,

Us, who don't know to be aware of them.

But what better metaphysics than theirs,

Which is not knowing why they live

And not knowing they don't know?

One wildly clear day,

The kind when you wish you had done a pile of work

Not to have to do any that day,

I caught sight, like a road ahead among trees,

Of what may be the Great Secret,

That Great Mystery the false poets speak of.

I saw that in no Nature,

That Nature does not exist,

That there are mountains, valleys, plains,

That there are trees, flowers, grasses,

That there are steams and stones,

But that there's not a whole to which this belongs,

That any real and true connection

Is a disease of our ideas.

Nature is parts without a whole.

This perhaps is that mystery they speak of."

Mood ♪♫ John Mayer - Waiting On the World to Change

‘If’

by Rudyard Kipling

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

_______

AI generated image - Midjourney & Photoshop & ON1 Effects

The sun was gently setting, red and bright yellow reflecting on the skycraper windows as the bike slowed down to turn right. The main avenue was crowded with cars in a hurry to take their owners back home as the love birds desperately needed to get away from the late afternoon madness. That's when she pointed her finger to indicate a place she thought would be their little heaven for the evening. As he was lowering the stand, she was already waiting next to him, helmet under her arm while her left hand was running through her wild mane, finally freed from their temporary protection.

Hand in hand, they walked to the Brew House, one of the many tiny but comfy pubs that could be found along the pedestrian street. The area was already filled with people from all over the city, chating, laughing, drinking, smoking or even singing along the music coming from inside. The autumn air was cool but he really wanted to sit outside and enjoy the friday atmosphere, that very specific mood when the weekend is finally starting after a long week of work. A few minutes later a pint of beer was placed in front of him as she was already pouring her grape juice into a tall transparent glass. They clicked them and laughed as some of the beer almost spilled into her drink, making her widen her eyes a little as she shrieked.

Words were not needed between them and she knew it as she put her beverage down before extending her right hand to his face, caressing his cheek gently with her thumb. Emotions seized him for a moment, leaving him completely speechless before he lifted his left hand to wrap his fingers in a caress around her wrist . Then he started mumbling these few lines : "My eyes fell on you, I asked my heart to stop giving in too soon...". She recognized that song instantly and smiled back at him so wide her cheeks were slightly hurting out of sheer hapiness.

No. Words were definitely not needed but music, which was so dear to the lovers, was always a welcome language of love. The world around them was slowly disappearing and the buzz fading as if Whisper City was theirs and theirs alone for the night.

♫ The vibe

Lya challenged me (yes, again !) with a portrait and a little story to compliment it, inspired by the little update we made on our modest land ♥

Taken @ Whisper City

---

Note :

Remember to press L to display the image in full screen.

All the poses used in my pictures are made from scratch

No AI used

We're off to see British Sea Power to night in Cardiff, so really looking forward to a great night. Todays title had to be one of theirs, so Keep on trying ( sechs freunde ) is my choice, I'll keep on trying to get sunrise shots from beautiful hills in winter. Sadly the lack of clouds made this a beautiful but slightly less dramatic sunrise than I'd have liked :)

With the opportunity to do something out side my comfort zone ( in more ways than one) and after a reminder of The Barron Knights band, i recalled an album of theirs from 2010 i believe, called "Night Gallery" they also did a greatest hits titled "Funny in the head" best not to go there though.

any how it was a cold evening and when 142007 turned up on a WBQ- Liverpool Lime St, my thoughts turned to Mr Bond.....

It was certainly a Barren night passenger wise, and cold on the fingers

Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) dark morph

As I was coming home along Hoppers Lane last Sunday this Little Eagle dared to venture into the territory that the Nankeen Kestrels deem to be theirs. The Eagle was duly escorted out.

Marbles

CoF**6 Dominant Colour

This is one of the last of the old wooden hulks at Dungeness which still has it's wheelhouse intact. Most of the others have lost theirs or the wheelhouse has collapsed which is a real shame.

© This photograph is copyrighted. Under no circumstances can it be reproduced, distributed, modified, copied, posted to websites or printed or published in media or other medium or used for commercial or other uses without the prior written consent and permission of the photographer

A new day is a new morning game drive when you are on safari in Africa.They usually begin at 5:30AM to 6:00AM and oh are they worth getting up for.

Game drives are timed to see the most animals engaging in the most activity. The wildlife of Africa sleep a great deal as theirs is a life of hunting and survival.

In Botswana, the safaris are usually conducted by the operators of the lodges where you stay. The guides they hire have vast experience with the wild animals.

The guides accommodate photographers, of course, but I learned that other safari goers are not keen on stopping for sunrise pictures. They don't want to miss seeing animals but they don't know what they are really missing. I managed to get a few shots of the sun raising over the wild lagoons of the Delta.

A reminder that all of my images are copyrighted and are not for your use in any way unless you contact me.

There's no Blog or Tuneage or location that goes with this Particular Photo . Just The statement that Black Live Matter .I don't understand why theirs so much controversy with this Statement .and why these Three little words seems so appalling and triggering to others who are not black .

Right now there are a lot people protesting in other countries and finally having educational conversations on this subject . I hope at least that when it dies down that this is not taken as a "FAD" and this starts to be the beginning of real change . That people take steps and accountability into making into shaping the present so we have a better future. If you're out there protesting please make sure that you are safe and not to go out there alone .I also like to add ive been seeing a lot of Blackout Tuesday post and other posts from other Sl flickr Creators at this time and I do appreciate seeing them .

Under here I put a few donation link and links where you can educate yourself if you do not have the funds to donate . Pulled mostly from my favorite creator . Just Keeping this conversation Relevant is the best thing you can do ,

JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD: chng.it/Rtpbxv2CdK

CHARGE THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS: www.change.org/p/change-org-t...

JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD: go.theactionpac.com/sign/just...

JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD: petitions.whitehouse.gov/peti...

GEORGE FLOYD MEMORIAL FUND: www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloy...

BLM DONATION: secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_...

BLM MINNESOTA AFFILIATE DONATION: www.blackvisionsmn.org/

According to Venetian official statistics approximately 16 million people visited the province of Venice in 2011, with increases projected for 2012-13. Most if not all visitors, come to visit the central island Venezia in order to see and be in the heart of the city. Geographically the city center which includes St. Mark’s Basilica, St Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge, as well as the homes and businesses of Venetians exists on a land mass that is roughly six square miles. These six square miles are criss-crossed by the Grand and the not-so-grand canals which invite tourists to explore the nooks and crannies of a medieval powerhouse that still displays its heritage.

However, as a frame of reference, visitors should do the math. Public access to the six square miles of the central part of Venice is reduced by the areas occupied by private housing, businesses and by canals. Effectively the 80,000 to 100,000 daily visitors and the 40,000 to 60,000 local residents or business employers and employees are competing for approximately one to two square miles of open space. Regardless of the crowds it should be noted that while tourists may travel stem to stern in seemingly endless lines of gondolas, on Venice’s solid ground no car, bus or motor scooter challenges a visitor’s right to live long and prosper. In Venice the trucks, cars, and buses come with keels and rudders. All vie for space on and in the canals. Gondoliers weave their boats and passengers through the Grand Canal water traffic much like carriage driver guide their clip-clopping horse drawn carriages through any busy city’s tourist center. To paraphrase Shakespeare, in Venice all the water’s a stage, During the day Venice presents its water stained past in the guise of Palazzos, bridges, towers and churches, all accompanied with a cacophony of sounds and foreign languages (theirs and ours). At night a pleasant surprise awaits visitors who stay in the city. When diners and partiers head home residents and tourists experience Silence, perhaps modern Venice’s most subtle reminder of renaissance times, Silence, no horns, no engine noises, no canal traffic, and minimum ambient light. Consequently, from an open window looking out over the tiled rooftops of ancient Venetian homes, my wife and I could see stars and pick out the Dome of Saint Mark’s and the Campanile by the light of the same moon viewed by princes, popes and the popolo when the Grand Canal was grand.

Did we see everything? No…but we gave it a game try. We took the waterbus up and down the Grand Canal. We visited the highlighted sights. We walked and walked and walked, sort of like exploring a maze. We succumbed to the most unnecessary tour book advice offered, “In order to experience the real Venice get lost and wander its back streets and canals.” Wittingly and unwittingly we did get lost, but then again Venice is an island. So unless we were lost AND wet, we figured it was a safe bet that we would find our way back to our rooms.

Walking home, i passed a recent development. The ground level is unoccupied , but the steps and entrance offer some shelter from the elements on 2 sides. Homeless people often camp here. I noticed this toy doll and felt a pang. My troubles are nothing compared to theirs.

IMG_8072K

The northern cardinal is the most popular state bird, as seven states claim it as theirs - Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia & West Virginia.

In 2020 all the Art Fairs that usually appeared during the Summer in my area were cancelled due to the pandemic. During the Summer, I live going to those Art Fairs. I missed the artists and their talents on display, I missed the crowds of people enjoying the show, and I missed taking pictures of people and their dogs. Why do so many dogs show up at Art Fairs? The defining moment for me in 2021 was going back to some sort of normalcy. Art Fairs were allowed to open at their discretion. Ann Arbor was still closed, but Plymouth and Wyandotte still had theirs. This year I was able to get a shot of a man with his dog. Both survived the pandemic.

Went birding today at Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife Area. Parked my car, got out and there he was, singing for all he was worth. A Lazuli Bunting! I still can't believe it.

Just like we each have our own voice, each male Lazuli Bunting sings a unique combination of notes. Yearling males generally arrive on the breeding grounds without a song of their own. Shortly after arriving, they create their own song by rearranging syllables and combining song fragments of several males. The song they put together is theirs for life.

(CornellLab)

Photographed at Horsethief Canyon SWA, Western Slope, Colorado.

"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs..."Rudyard Kipling

Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.

I am haunted by waters.”

― Norman Maclean,

Caught in the midsummer light along the shores of Strawberry Reservoir, this image captures the whimsical architecture of a yellow Salsify that has gone to seed. Often described as a “dandelion on steroids,” its seed balls can easily reach the size of a baseball. These delicate globes seem designed for both beauty and travel, each parachute poised to catch the slightest breeze across the meadow. What makes this moment even more intriguing is that it shows the full cycle of the plant’s seeding process—from an unopened pod waiting to release its seeds to empty stalks that have already let theirs drift away, carrying new life across eastern Utah’s open range.

Click on the image a couple of times to view the intricate detail of the seed parachutes. It's no wonder that the seeds literally float on the air!

_DSC4815

© Stephen L. Frazier - All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, printing, publication, or any other use of this image without written permission is prohibited.

Roberto Cabral del Hoyo #Dixit

A gravestone at our parish cemetery. The word "contract" is not to be found on this stone, it is my interpretation of the image. There are occasions in the Hebrew Bible and in the New Testament where the relationship between God and humanity can be understood as a contractual one. Theologically, this would raise all sorts of questions. However, it must also be said that when the tribes and nations of Northern and Western Europe converted to Christianity they did so in the belief of "do ut des" (I am giving to you so that you give to me), that is, they assumed that God would keep his promise as long as they kept theirs. If I am not mistaken, this assumption is still today tacitly underlying a lot of Christian life in the West. The handshake on this stone I see as its visual expression . Fuji X-E3.

Been cleaning my school bag.

I keep all the pencils I find and lend them to students who have lost theirs... Recycling

Homage to all teachers and people who keep helping kids and parents navigating these dark days.

Even the most damaged and smallest pencil is helpful.

Eating outdoors on a wintry January day is definitely not for everyone. You must be willing to eat your meal wearing a bulky coat , resign yourself to food that will arrive lukewarm and turn cold well before you've finished eating, and be willing to have your meal while sitting only i a few feet from the noise and fumes of city traffic. On the other hand, there's at least one silver lining: the weekend brunch set is no longer a problem. You can hang out at your table for as long as you like without impatient looks from your server or from would be diners who think you are unfairly occupying a space that should be theirs. Like this lady, you'll have more than enough time to read the morning paper cover to cover.

This picture taken in Greensboro, North Carolina, on the third Saturday in November of 2017 shows the beautiful progression of autumn: some trees have shed their leaves, while others are holding on to theirs. By the middle of November, this scenario holds true. So pretty.

Scatto street "rubato" - Spesso si vedono in giro solo visi preoccupati, tesi e arrabbiati, e alla fine si "disimpara" a sorridere. I giapponesi sorridono sempre, anche se talvolta il loro può sembrare un sorriso un pò forzato. Secondo i giapponesi non essere felici è grave, così sorridono e... saltano. Pisa, Italia.

Street shot "stolen" - Often you see around only worried, tense and angry faces, and in the end you "unlearn" to smile. The Japanese always smile, even though sometimes theirs may seem like a forced smile. According to the Japanese, not being happy is serious, so they smile and ... they jump. Pisa, Italy.

f00111

I will be running off with Mrs. Pixel all next week! We will be celebrating the big THREE-O (30th anniversary) later in the Month but find the timing is right to do a pre-celebration now. Our two big boys get home from college next week – ouch! They have this idea of throwing huge parties at their house (well it is theirs when we are gone) at our expense and repair.

FYI - Mrs. P wants everyone to know we were married at birth ;)

I am absent but at the bottom of this absence

There is waiting for myself

And this waiting is another mode of presence

waiting for my return

I am in other objects

I'm on a trip giving a little of my life

To certain trees and certain stones

who have waited many years

They got tired of waiting for me and sat down

I am not and I am

I am absent and I am present on standby

They would want my language to express themselves

And I would like theirs to express them

Here is the mistake, the atrocious mistake

heartbreaking pitiful

I'm getting into these plants

I'm leaving my clothes

My meats are falling

And my skeleton is covered with bark

I am becoming a tree

How many times have I turned into other things...

It is painful and full of tenderness

I could give a shout but the transubstantiation would be frightened

We must be silent, wait in silence

by Vicente Huidobro

Frogmore, Frogmore (233, 55, 26) - Moderado

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Frogmore/234/56/26

Stunning photos of snowdrops in Sussex..Snowdrops: Theirs is a fragile but hardy celebration … in the very teeth of winter

We need to encourage more bees in to our gardens! All it takes is to plant more bee loving flowers in our garden, like Cerinthe, which i am told by the bees is a favourite of theirs :)

#beesmakeitgreen

www.buglife.org.uk/campaigns-and-our-work/campaigns/beesm...

~Richard M. Nixon

First glimpse of the awesome scenes awaiting us on our Ladakh trip. It was breathtaking to see the Himalayas from the airplane. Everyone had their eyes glued to theirs windows and of course had their cameras ready too. :o)

It had to be done . I took my place in the queue to get a couple of images along the top of Ashness Jetty then some one else did theirs. Like bees round a honeypot we swarmed around the place to get our shots in before the wind and rain came. My composition may not be symmetrical as I wanted to capture the strip of colour on Catbells hill and the cloud reflections .

I feel a presence. A presence I haven’t felt since... last year.

Forced and totally irrelevant reference aside, here are the two poor figures I made for the a post-apocalyptic themed fig-off with completely superior users of this stupid social media platform, BrickTailor and slight.of.brick.

I’d post links to theirs, but I’m on mobile and it’s late and I really want to go to bed.

Britain stands for freedom, democracy and freedom of speech. Yet again these things stand at a point of history where some would try to destroy them. The threats have always been there but today those who would try to destroy the foundations of our society are more active than ever. Today we remember those before us who defended our way of life and sacrificed theirs so that we might live in peace. We must never forget what they did for us. Our heroes.

🇫🇷 Nous avons regagné maintenant notre Normandie..... Beaucoup de photos à trier, en faire une sélection pour les partager......alors,en attendant pour ce jour ....un cliché de la même balade sur la petite île de Tavolara....

Merci aux amis et visiteurs qui ont continué à visiter ma galerie, bien que, pendant ce voyage, je n'ai pas pu aller sur la leur

🇬🇧 We have now returned to Normandy..... A lot of photos to sort through, and a selection to share......so, waiting for today ....a shot of the same walk on the little island of Tavolara....

Thank you to the friends and visitors who have continued to visit my gallery, even though I haven't been able to visit theirs during this trip.

🇮🇹 Siamo tornati in Normandia..... Tante foto da riordinare e una selezione da condividere......quindi, in attesa di oggi ....uno scatto della stessa passeggiata sull'isoletta di Tavolara....

Grazie agli amici e ai visitatori che hanno continuato a visitare la mia galleria, anche se non ho potuto visitare la loro durante questo viaggio.

🇩🇪 Wir sind nun in unsere Normandie zurückgekehrt...... Viele Fotos zu sortieren, eine Auswahl zu treffen, um sie zu teilen......also, in Erwartung für diesen Tag ....ein Schnappschuss von demselben Spaziergang auf der kleinen Insel Tavolara.....

Danke an die Freunde und Besucher, die meine Galerie weiterhin besucht haben, obwohl ich während dieser Reise nicht in ihre Galerie gehen konnte.

🇪🇸 Ahora hemos regresado a Normandía..... Un montón de fotos para ordenar, y una selección para compartir......así que, a la espera de hoy ....una toma del mismo paseo en la pequeña isla de Tavolara....

Gracias a los amigos y visitantes que han seguido visitando mi galería, aunque yo no haya podido visitar las suyas durante este viaje.

"..If you can keep your wits about you while all others are losing theirs and blaming you, the world will be yours and everything in it, what's more, you'll be a man, my son."

Rudyard Kipling

Arno River, Florence, Italy

Taken at the British Wildlife Centre.

The Water Voles have been moved into another enclosure as theirs is having a make over and they seem very happy their.

Seconds after this shot was taken this little vole hung from the tree by it's back legs and then dived into the water below but this old lady was too slow to catch it on camera.

We hiked to Cathedral Ruin located in Comb Ridge near Bluff, Utah. I am trying to imagine living in this structure 800 years ago. It was a lot larger then. But it would have been miserably cold in the winter. In the lower center is one of the large icicles in the cave formed by drips from the ceiling. So glad my life is easier than theirs!

The day i took this photo, which was back in January, I had spent a long time watching a variety of water fowl landing and taking off from the river. There were Canada geese, trumpeter swans and several types of ducks. The swans were by far the most accomplished at both landing and take-off.

No surprise, really, that they were the best with those powerful wings of theirs. Two flaps and they would be nicely airborne. Their wing span is incredible to see. I'd estimate that this pair had spans of 6 - 7 feet. The largest male swans can have spans of up to 10 feet.

I believe Steve was able to ID this little guy for me. The question I asked is below. I looks like the flowering maple is safe with this little bug, he uses things like that for nectar. However, he is considered a pest for my guava tree. He will also use a few other plants in my yard as a host. I don't mind If he sticks to the additional host plants, that won't be a big deal to me because I planted his other host plants to use as butterfly host plants. Oh, and my backyard and side yard neighbors have papaya trees that he might enjoy. I doubt they will ever discover him. The side yard neighbor does not pick the fruit from their papaya and the backyard neighbors have to use a long handled saw to reach theirs.

My question was: Does anyone know what the cute red bug is on my flowering maple plant? The flowering maple is also known at the Chinese lantern and Chinese hat. So far I have come up empty on google as to what it might be and if it's a friend or foe in my backyard. Info would be appreciated.

Some other host plants include : Info from Wikipedia --- tangerines, okra pods, ripe papaya fruit , pods and blossoms of oleander, seed pods of Jamaica sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa), tree hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus), Turk's cap, teaweed (Sida sp.), Caesar's weed or Spanish cocklebur (Urena lobata), Spanish needle (Bidens pilosa), seaside mahoe or portiatree (Thespesia populnea), rose buds and blossoms, eggplant, nightshade, and guava.

I hope your day is splendid, happy snapping.

"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of those rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs"

A River Runs Through It - Norman Maclean

"Alla fine tutte le cose si fondono in una sola, e un fiume l' attraversa. Il fiume è stato creato dalla grande alluvione del mondo e scorre sopra rocce che sono le fondamenta del tempo. Su alcune di queste rocce sono impresse gocce di pioggia senza tempo. Sotto le rocce ci sono le parole, e alcune delle parole appartengono alle rocce"

Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Flektogon MC 35mm f/2.4

__________

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By Bellisima Benelli

Family isn't always Blood. Its the People in your life who want you in theirs; The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and Love you no matter what!

This was a piece of flower fallen into a small container of water my son left outside. When focused the picture was of the beautiful tree and sky above. When unfocused it was bokeh beneath the flower. Both were beautiful. It is an intresting picture. Hope you enjoy.

Particles Floating by Lawrence S. Pertillar

You and so many,

Represent all that's good.

All that could be in this life as it should!

There are those who have been caught up,

To be brought down by grief!

Others spend their nights restless...

Tossing in peaceless sleep!

There is only a few like you,

Who reap from common sense.

The majority are fed to feast like thieves,

To consume with worry...

As to who's hopping the fence!

With or without credentials!

Convinced what they have is theirs.

Unaware it never was!

Or will be...

When all is returned to dust.

Like us...

Replenishing the Earth!

Bits of fine crust.

Particles unseen floating,

We all now deeply breathe!

Please no flash/picture comments or multiple invites. I value your opinion so please leave your honest opinion and leave the flash comments out! Thanks!

check out my site at Perfectly Imperfect Photography

Or my facebook at Perfectly Imperfect Photography on Facebook

As I'm booking tickets today for a British Sea Power gig in Bristol, the first track I came to of theirs was kW-h, which is a fine energy related title for the shortest day, and the start of winter. This shot of Witches Point grabbed in between waves is full of energy too.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7s8Cyk6TZ8

Lit ♡

A very non canon picture with a friend of mine I've been meaning to collab with, I will link to theirs once they get around to uploading to Flickr.

Jared's Version - Give him a follow and a <3

Characters - Julian and Hoshi from Virtue, NV RP Sim.

www.virtuenv.com/ Come check the sim out sometime!

visiting a fave of theirs, a cigar plant.