Maybe this image I saw on New Years Day 2020 was a foretelling of the year to come. On a blustery cold morning, in an inhospitable environment, isolated from all other forms of life and exposed to the elements of freezing temperatures, snow and howling winds, this lone juniper not only survives, it thrives.

With no eyes to appreciate its view of the West Temple, nor grow fearful over its precarious perch 1000' over the tunnel entry below, this lone tree grows tenaciously reaching toward the heavens, even though that exposes it to the dangers even more.

Isn't that what life is really all about?

Recognition:

Semi-finalist - North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) Showcase 2023

Bronze Award - 2020 EPSON International Pano Awards (Open Landscapes)

Red Legged Partridge - Alectoris Rufa aka French Partridge

The red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) is a gamebird in the pheasant family.

It is sometimes known as French partridge, to distinguish it from the English or grey partridge.

This partridge breeds naturally in southwestern Europe (France, Iberia and northwest Italy). It has become naturalised in flat areas of England and Wales, where it was introduced as a game species, and has been seen breeding as far north as Cumbria and eastern Yorkshire and the western Isle of Man. It is replaced in southeastern Europe by the very similar rock partridge (Alectoris graeca). It is a non-migratory terrestrial species, which forms flocks outside the breeding season.

This species breeds on dry lowlands, such as farmland and open stony areas, laying its eggs in a ground nest.

The natural range of the red-legged partridge is France, Spain and Portugal. However, it was introduced from France to Great Britain in the 18th century, and has since become an important gamebird there. As it is a mediterranean species, it thrives in hot, dry areas with sandy soil. The ability to breed two clutches simultaneously has led to it being extensively reared in captivity, and released for shooting. The breeding of chukars (Alectoris chukar) and red-legged/chukar hybrids is prohibited, due to its impact on wild populations of red-legs. The red-legged partridge is believed to be in decline across its range.

The only roses that I have seen in the desert. Unfortunately, only in the winters, but they thrive this time of year.

This is Mumsy and her five babies who are now almost as big as she is. We are so happy to see all five are still alive and doing so well which is a testament to how well she takes care of them. She's a strict mum and enforces her rules which no doubt has kept them all alive and thriving. That little one in the front with the blonde tail is the scamp of the group. They usually arrive at dusk when the light has faded which presents a challenge to get a crisp and clear shot of them but I keep trying.

We are pretty sure Mumsy is the offspring of Mama who has her own album. She invites you to stop by and visit her photos.

Thriving in the shallows at Pagham Harbour.

sweet allysum, growing in pots.

Lumen print with Dupont Velour Black 3 paper, expiration date 8/1955

Slough adjacent to the salt ponds and marshes of Don Edwards Refuge has a periodic uptick in Halobacterium and microscopic algae that thrives in briny water. As the salt level goes up, they get stressed and produce this red color.

The bird picking it's meal at the confluence of blue and the pink salty water makes for a very mesmeric and hypnotic scene.

I did capture a few and will post it later. I hope to have more such encounters and capture a few more of these under such circumstances.

P1530552

-Louis L'Amour

I was shocked that amidst the sub zero temperatures, feet of snow and lack of sun that on my back deck these two leaf blossoms were trying to bloom. This gave me a glimmer of hope. Even in the worst conditions, we can survive and even thrive. :)

100 x Lensbaby 12/100

365: the 2022 Edition 52/365

Ground ferns flourish in the rich rainforest understory.

Akeley Hall of African Mammals.

The gemsbok, gemsbuck or South African oryx (Oryx gazella) is a large antelope in the genus Oryx. It is native to the arid regions of Southern Africa, such as the Kalahari Desert. Some authorities formerly included the East African oryx as a subspecies.

The gemsbok is depicted on the coat of arms of Namibia, where the current population of the species is estimated at 373,000 individuals.

Gemsbok are the largest species in the genus Oryx. They stand about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) at the shoulder. The body length can vary from 190 to 240 cm (75 to 94 in) and the tail measures 45 to 90 cm (18 to 35 in). Male gemsbok can weigh between 180 and 240 kg (400 and 530 lb), while females weigh 100–210 kg (220–460 lb).

Gemsbok are widely hunted for their spectacular horns that average 85 cm (33 in) in length.

***

In 1969, the New Mexico State Department of Game and Fish decided to introduce gemsbok to the Tularosa Basin in the United States. Ninety-three were released from 1969 to 1977, with the current population estimated to be around 3,000 specimens. They thrive because their natural predators, including the lion, are not present.

When the monkey rushed at us, we turned and faced him and barked loudly and made ourselves look threatening. He got within about 15 feet before he stopped and turned. My heart was beating very fast!!

The monkeys were brought to the Ocala park by a tour boat operator in the 1930s. The monkeys, bought from a New York wildlife dealer, initially were brought to an island on the Silver River, but they promptly swam across the water and thrived in nearby woods.

and surviving

-------------------------------------------

Dress: Alegai by Candydoll

Hair: Marie by Doux Equal 10

The sight of a Red Kite, or two, or three, gently soaring over our countryside is now, once more, a familiar thing. The reintroduction of this species to Britain must rate as one of the conservation success stories of the modern era.

Once a common bird over much of the country, even haunting the litter-ridden and filthy streets of our cities, Red Kites were seen as disease-carrying vermin and bounties were paid for their carcasses. The population retreated, finding a final refuge in the valleys of central Wales. A handful of breeding pairs hung on. In 1989, six birds were released at a site in Scotland and a further four birds were released in the Chilterns.

Red Kites are extremely long-winged and long-tailed and very large, with slightly larger bodies and very much longer wings than a Buzzard. They are predominantly rufous red, with dark wing tips and pale outer wings. The head is pale, with older birds developing almost white heads, and the long, red tail is deeply forked and used as a stabiliser in flight, twisting back and forth – a characteristic clue to the Red Kite’s identity, even with only distant views.

Red Kites are found across much of northern Europe and into Iberia in the south west and Russia in the east. Only populations from the western part of the range are resident, those from further east are migratory and one of the challenges for the reintroduction programme was to source birds from a non-migratory population to ensure a similar lifestyle to the previous British kites. Most of the Chilterns birds were sourced from the sedentary and common Spanish population for this reason, although birds for the later, more northerly reintroductions have often been sourced from the thriving Swedish migrant population (Courtesy Hawk & Owl Trust).

Thanks for viewing my photos and for any favourites and comments, it’s much appreciated 👍

North Umpqua Trail, BLM, Douglas County, Oregon, USA

A cock stonechat proudly perched on top of a gorse bush on Cleeve Common in Gloucestershire. This species thrives there and good numbers of them can be seen on Cleeve Hill and the surrounding area.

Bicentennial Park is a 40-hectare of parkland located 16 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of City of Parramatta. Bicentennial Park is situated on the shores Homebush Bay and is a part of the Sydney Olympic Park in New South Wales, Australia. The Park is a natural heritage site featuring an important wetland ecosystem and parklands. It offers visitors recreation, nature-based tours, environmental education and outdoor event experiences. The park has picnic areas, playgrounds, pathways and cycle ways, access to the wetlands, salt marsh and bird hides. It also features Lake Belvedere, Peace Monument, Treillage Tower, Sundial, 'Cyrus the Great' statue, the Silent Hearts Memorial Garden and water features. Powells Creek runs through the eastern side of the park. The Homebush Bay wetland is occupied by animals that thrive in the salt water wetlands. Bicentennial Park was created by the state and federal governments during the 1980s, to celebrate Australia's Bicentenary in 1988. The project involved recycling 47.4 hectares of former rubbish dump into a regional recreation area and the conservation of 53 hectares of a wetland ecosystem on the Parramatta River. The park was officially opened on 1 January 1988. 52556

Compton Acres Garden, Poole, Dorset

The gardens are situated at 164 Canford Cliffs, POOLE, Dorset, BH13 7ES. It is a privately owned garden, founded in 1920 by Thomas William Simpson. He was a business man whose wealth came from the production of Margarine.

From the 1920s – 1930s he began to create a series of enclosed gardens, seven in all, at the staggering cost of £220k. They were filled with sculptures and other architectural features.

The thought was, that even at an early stage of its construction that it was going to be a ‘tourist attraction’.

Unfortunately Mr Simpson died in 1944, this was followed by another death in the form of Mr. Middleton, the Head Gardener. These deaths plus the call-up of other staff lead to the gardens falling into disrepair. In 1950 the garden were sold to J. Stanley Beard a London architect who was responsible for a programme of restoration and by 1952 now complete, it was open to the public.

During that time new paths were laid, many other plantings were carried out. It changed hands again in 1964 but it still remained open. Since then the main house was sold as was part of the northern and southern boundary plus some of the woodland.

The garden now is divided between five smaller sub-gardens:

The Italian Garden: When you first see this garden from the end of the pond looking down to the Domed Temple it is spectacular. At the top end are two statues representing Wrestlers of Herculaneum. The pond itself is surrounded with brightly coloured planting and in the water are many water lilies and a fountain. To the left is the Italianate Villa with its brightly painted walls and statues on the roof and as you walk down the path other shrubs and manicured bushes. There are quite a few seats dotted around so that you can enjoy the experience.

The Wooded Valley: Here the woodland of Pine trees, where Rhododendrons and Camelias grow in some abundance. Winding footpaths and waterfalls along with other plants such as Ferns and Foxgloves make a wonderful setting.

Rock and Water Garden: There is a thought that Compton Acres has the largest rock garden in private hands in England. It consists of over 300 different plants which include alpines, conifers, spring and summer bulbs.

The Heather Garden: Here, there is a garden, again with many different species of Heather, some not easily grown in other gardens but the south coast has a much better climate enabling them to thrive. It is at its best in Spring, although it is still a very colourful space throughout the year.

The Japanese Garden: There is an odd shaped pool which is surrounded by Bamboos, Azelea and Maples. Wonderful colours, together with a collection of figures, lanterns, stone pagodas and a thatched Japanese-style summerhouse. This is covered in Wisteria in season. Many of the items were purchased in Japan, even the fish were exported under licence.

The garden covers 10 acres, it has many pieces of sculpture and architectural features scattered throughout the site. It also has a tea-room, a very important place which does nice tea and cake. What could be better after the experience of seeing the garden?

California State

University Fullerton

Biology Greenhouse Complex

This image of a handsome Mandarin Duck was captured in an urban park somewhere in London. Although this particular duck was free-living, his relative fearlessness probably meant he interacted regularly with humans.

This species of duck is native to Eastern Asia (China, Japan and Russia), where they are now rare, although a large and thriving introduced population can be found in the British Isles and Western Europe, with additional smaller introductions in North America.

The Mandarin Duck is a very rare winter visitor to Hong Kong. Over the last five years of constant searching, I’ve only ever managed to see a single wild pair in Hong Kong.

Thank you for your interest, views, faves, comments and awards ! This image was captured in London, UK 英國倫敦. (Better viewed on a larger screen.)

© This Image is under full copyright Rick C. Graham. © All rights reserved Rick C. Graham. © This image is subject to international copyright laws and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transferred or manipulated without the express written permission of Rick C. Graham.

Part of the coral reef at the New York aquarium

Third instalment of the series. Fallen trees are often difficult to ignore when looking for images in woodland but getting a decent image not so easy. The conditions being what they were did help to give me something I thought worthwhile sharing this time.

stylezoflucas.wordpress.com/

My.SecondLife.com Version: my.secondlife.com/nicotime/snapshots/55ed14458da572230100...

Like, Share, Comment & tag your username and a friend’s username for a chance to win the free megapack to our new outfit!

THRIVE @ DREAMDAY

The Ariana Outfit

Monogrammed Crop + Shorts + Heels + Bag

This set consists of a shape complimenting monogram printed knit crop top available in over 12+ colors/prints to mix & match from, matching monogrammed shorts, leather strapped sandal heels & finishing it off with our leather T-BUZZ bag!

Legacy F - Kupra - Peach -Reborn

Bag is Bento Pose Enabled & XYZ Resizable

FATPACKS & MEGAPACK ALSO AVAILABLE

LM: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/DREAMDAY/133/15/2151

Don’t forget to try a demo!

#SecondLife #Meta #3D

This species is North Americas' largest and most widespread plover. It is the one member of the "Shorebirds" family that can adapt to a drier habitat so can thrive on gravely or sandy shorelines, edges of creeks or ponds or in open agricultural fields, lawns, golf courses or old abandoned industrial sites.

Being a plover they employ the typical run-and-stop foraging technique. Their diet consists of insects including spiders and grasshoppers, earthworms, snails and crayfish. They are noted to be very proficient swimmers even in fast moving water for a species that appears to favor a dry habitat.

They are also noted for their very loud alarm calls as well as their injured wing act while bobbing up and down in an effort to lure predators away from their nest sites.

This pair of young chicks are two of a litter of four feeding in a barnyard where the recent rains have created puddling for them to play and forage in.

This place used to be a thriving women’s commune back in the 80s. It flourished for about 10 years before the women parted ways for a variety of reasons. But, the outbuildings are still here.

Next one from the second batch of images form a frosty & misty fen back in December.

In December, we crossed the centrally located highlands of the island of Sri Lanka with friends. It's very different there than here on the coast. In particular, it is much cooler, sometimes downright cold at night and the food is also very different from the food on the coast. But that's probably the case everywhere. In Italy, it is called "mare e monti". On the coast people live on fish, in the highlands the well-known Sri Lankan vegetable curry is eaten. Agriculture, tea thrives in the higher regions, while rubber predominates further down. Near the backpacker town of Ella there is the Ravana waterfall, which is especially popular for Indian tourists. According to legend, an evil spirit kidnapped a beautiful indian prince-princess couple and held them captive in a cave behind this waterfall. Only the monkey god Hanuman was able to locate and free the princess and her prince.

Ezekiel 17:9 “Say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: “Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots and cut off its fruit, so that it withers—so that all its sprouting shoots wither? And neither by great strength nor by many people can it be raised from its roots again.”’”

This imposing Manor House of my today photos, is the heart, and found in the heart, of a wonderland! This wonderland is composed by a vast happy woodland and prairies , of some 220 hectares, with some beautiful natural water features here and there in forms of picturesque little lakes and streams, adding softness, brilliance, color, water life, and variety to this exceptional landscape; where many famous giant trees thrive for centuries…

Somewhere in the middle of all this Nature Beauty, the Château itself reigns, the Castle, this imposing Manor House of the early 19th century , having a lovely, small French style garden in front of it. All of this estate belongs to the municipality of La Hulpe, in the Walloon Brabant of Belgium, where I live. And, of course, it is called Château De la Hulpe! And which I have the big chance to visit it quite often, since it is about 15’ driving from my home. The entrance is free to the public. I call it my Open Cathedral!! Because this wonderland ushers me into unbelievably deep mystical and uplifting emotions and sensations, the moment I step in !!

© 2020 Bernard Deniger. All rights reserved.

This is one example of the decaying grandeur of an old Soviet spa in Georgia.

In the 1920s, Tskaltubo was a thriving spa town with an exclusively Soviet clientele. Citizens would flock here as part of a state-funded health program on sanctioned vacations meant to reenergize them while they contemplated socialist ideals. If the workers were healthy, as the theory went, the workforce would be healthy and thus more productive to support the regime.

It doesn't matter if you're black or white, left or right

A certain sadness emanates from this image in my view, maybe it is the weather that also plays a role?

This is only a small plant, but on the windowsill in my kitchen, it seems to thrive in the Northern light, these beauties seem to fight for the light.

Cyclamen are native to the Mediterranean region from Spain east to Iran, and also in northeast Africa south to Somalia.

Wishing you a day full of good light and thank you for your visit, M, (*_*)

For more : www.indigo2photography.com

Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved

This male (drake) wood duck was relaxing in the water plants waiting for his girlfriend to catch up.

In the fall and winter, adult Wood Ducks gorge on acorns due to their high fat content. In warmer months, mature ducks favor seeds and aquatic plants like duckweed, watermeal, and smartweed, which thrive in the slow-moving waters of their habitats.

This photograph was taken at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Florida

-Aix sponsa

In the boundless landscape of pixel world, magic thrives, unconstrained by the limitations of reality. It is a realm where the impossible becomes possible. Aardvark always sprinkle a little bit of that magic into our world, coloring the experiences with wonder and possibility.

Owls and bears seem to have intertwined their destinies, a glimpse into a world where nature’s experiments might lead to the emergence of these charming, fantastical creations...

Aardvark: Owlbear

Available at Midnight Order

Aardvark: Polar Bear Necessities

Aardvark: Dreadwood Tree (Gift)

Aardvark Mainstore

K&S: Magic-go-round. Backdrop

FREE GIVEAWAY CHANCE! Like Share & Comment your nae & a friend's username to be chosen in our contest for a free FATPACK!

THRIVE @ LEVEL 2/1

We are excited to bring you our Diamonte Ribbed Set to the February round of LEVEL!

This set is available in over 16 colors, and includes 6 prints & sheers available in the fatpack version only!

This trackset is sized, rigged and tested to fit: Slink Hourglass, Belleza Freya, Maitreya Lara and Legacy F.

Please be sure to try a demo first! Our redelivery console is located left of our "T" logo incase of any lagging or event crashing.

Coming into 2023 with 🔥

The Mariah Outfit

Jacket - Shirt - Pants

Legacy F - Kupra - Peach - Reborn - Maitreya Lara

Over 10+ Colors to mix & match

Undershirt Sold Seperately

Over 12+ Exclusive Fatpack Prints & Colors

FATPACKS & MEGAPACK AVAILABLE

LM: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/DREAMDAY/158/85/2007

#SecondLife #Meta #3D

Thrive - Cake Day - January

GIVEAWAY CHANCE - Like Share & Comment for a chance to win the free fatpack of this item! Giveaway ends 1/19/20

THRIVE is pleased to bring you The City Girl Bag!

A vibrant version of a Classic, this beautifully crafted handbag will add punch to any silhouette.

This item is bento pose enabled for different carrying options, (M/F!) and also includes a resizing script for your perfect sizing purposes. This is available in over 11 different colors.

The Multipack includes 4 different exclusive bag colorways that are not available for seperate purchase!

Find this new release and two of your favorite past releases located in the front of the Cake Day Entrance!

Direct TP to Cake Day

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Belmond/168/137/50

Follow us on Flickr for more updates and visuals for our products!

Follow us on Instagram: @thrive.sl

1/1600s f/2.8 ISO100

under any condition.

Tune

Sponsored by MANHOOD Event open 25th Aug, starts every 25th and LOB

[Since1975] Bicycle - Steamed Buns & AO @MANHOOD Event open 25th Aug

[LOB] SONBREAK JUMPSUIT @ALPHA EVENT

.Tardfish. Scaredy Juicebox - Berry

THRIVE: Flight 4's - Legacy M - Valentines

WINGS-EF0417-HAIR

Picture taken @NeverendingSL

More infos and Taxi in my blog