Peripheral
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the sexiness of being quiet and unassuming and, at times, a little lost :-)
Robert Brault
Jury hybrid magnolia, 'Iolanthe', j c raulston arboretum, ncsu, raleigh, north carolina
Fidra Island is an uninhabited island in the Firth of Forth, north-west of North Berwick, is in fact the inspiration for one of the world's most famous novels.
Fidra, a rocky wee isle, is home to a lone lighthouse kept company by a small populations of guillemots, razorbills, gulls and puffins.
And it is this unassuming island that is in fact the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous book Treasure Island .
He supposedly based the swash-buckling story's treasure map on Fidra, following visits accompanied by his father, who had a large part to play in the design of the lighthouse tower.
Reform Place is hidden away, in Perth, behind a very unassuming looking blue door. I would never have found it, had a very kind Australian gent not asked me to come and photograph it.
Reform Place was named after the Reform Act of the early 1800s. Perth had been a town of unrest beforehand, but after the act more housing was built, and Reform Place was one such street.
Please see my other Photographs of Perthshire at:
An endemic bird found in the forests of Himalayan belt and a common Laughingthrush in the region. We sighted them in several places and unlike other Laughingthrushes these are generally quiet and unassuming. I remember seeing them in smaller numbers of 1-3 every time and not in large flocks of 10 - 12 and more like the other laughingthrushes.
The birds were always sighted near fruiting trees like berries or flowering plants with seeds and believe there is a preference for such plants. The habitat they share is common amongst several laughingthrushes including the White Crested, White Chinned and Rufous Chinned.
I remember shooting this picture just before some Red-billed Magpies made their presence - and the birds around suddenly were quite alert and ready to dart off.
Thanks in advance for your views, feedback and faves.
Even the name for these beauties is pretty. They seem unaware of their star power, unassuming in manner, prone to flock.
The white lantern at top being it's distinctive feature.
Although quite unassuming, it looks lovely at night when lights are turned on in the lantern.
I would have preferred if this was a starry night but it is usually cloudy and foggy at this time of the year.
I sit and watch the sun as my girls ride up and down the empty street behind me. For us, there is something freeing about small communities. No traffic, no strangers, no obligations, and no worries. We all find our happiness in its peacefulness and unassuming ways.
**
(Those summer nights- 2)
My attempt at the "Macro Mondays" theme "Tape".
In honor of this unassuming, (more than haphazardly adapted) industrial lens, I have to ask: if you have the additional couple of seconds, please zoom in to 100% and see what it does. I don't take credit for that one bit... but merely applaud the Agfa engineers who designed this thing!
Shot with an Agfa D-Lab Zoom lens on a Canon EOS R5.
My flower greeting this Monday is something special for me. Because even if this may sound unassuming, I love this photo of the sunset last Friday over one of Radebeul's two poppy fields. I can't get enough of the sight of the poppies competing to shine with the setting sun.
To be precise, there are even four photos that I stacked into one so that I can get the wanted depth of field. However, I didn't add anything that wasn't in the picture in the first place.
At the same time with this greeting I say goodbye to the seminar room for the last seminar week of this year. It's final test week. Luckily not for me, because I wrote the test. I am certainly looking forward to it more than my students.
I packed a flower picture for each day. Maybe I'll be able to post them later at the evening.
If not, I wish you a flowery week.
Mein Blumengruß am heutigen Montag ist für mich etwas Besonders. Denn auch, wenn dies umbescheiden klingen mag, ich liebe dieses Foto vom Sonnenuntergang am letzten Freitag über einem der beiden Mohnfelder von Radebeul. Ich kann mich an dem Anblick nicht satt sehen, wie die Mohnblüten mit der untergehenden Sonne um die Wette strahlen.
Um genau zu sein sind es sogar vier Fotos, die ich zu einem gestapelt habe, damit ich die gewünschte Tiefenschäfe hinbekomme. Ich habe jedoch nichts hinzugefügt, was nicht von vornherein im Bild war.
Gleichzeitig mit diesem Gruß veranschiede ich mal wieder in den Seminarraum zur letzten Seminarwoche für dieses Jahr. Es ist die Woche des Abschlußtests. Zum Glück nicht für mich, denn ich habe den Test ja geschrieben. Ich freue mich also mit Sicherheit mehr darauf als meine Teilnehmer.
Ich hab für jeden Tag noch ein Blumenbild eingepackt. Vielleicht gelingt es mir ja, diese am Abend zu posten.
Falls nicht, wünsche ich Euch eine blumige Woche.
more of this on my website at: www.shoot-to-catch.de
The Gerbera daisy Legend says that the daisy originated from a nymph who transformed herself into a charming but unassuming wildflower to escape unwanted attention. Since then, this April birth flower has had the flower meaning of implicitly and modesty.
These awesome flowers are a genus of ornamental plant from the Sunflowers, Daisies and Aster’s family “Asteraceae”. {It] is a native from Transvaal, South Africa, where it grows in full sun. It was named in honor of the German naturalist Traugott Gerber in 1743. [...].
Gerberas come in a wide range of colors, bicolor and tricolors… almost every color except blue. They often measure 17-18cm across and can be colored light to dark yellow, orange, pink, brilliant scarlet and deep red.
From my Archives
Often considered a more romantic and feminine colour, pink dahlias unwavering kindness and unassuming grace. When you give or receive these flowers, that means the recipients are truly loved and irreplaceable in the hearts of the givers.
Have a beautiful Wednesday!💕
Thank you for your visits, kind comments, awards and faves. Always greatly appreciated.
Copyright 2020 ©️ Gloria Sanvicente
“Be like a butterfly and a flower—beautiful and sought after, yet unassuming and gentle.” ~ Jarod Kintz
Taken at James Garden
Thanks to Cris Buscaglia Lenz for the texture.
www.flickr.com/photos/crisbuscagliacom/18732565853/in/dat...
Have a beautiful new week everyone!💝
Thank you for your visits, kind comments, awards and faves. Always greatly appreciated.
Copyright 2021 ©️ Gloria Sanvicente
There's nothing I enjoy more than seeing one of our neighborhood trees burst into blossoms. Dogwood trees have always held a special place in my heart. They seem so unassuming until suddenly one day it seems as if a florist has covered the leaves in flowers.
and unassuming and, at times, a little lost :-)
Robert Brault
HMM!!
jury hybrid magnolia, 'Iolanthe', j c raulston arboretum, ncsu, raleigh, north carolina
A lovely Iris I encountered walking up in the Berkeley Hills in January. Sweet, unassuming, delicate, with soft colors, and very pretty.
Some wildlife images are so spectacular and so highly manicured.... thanks among others to factors such as the advancement of camera technology, improvement of post-processing software, greater access to exotic/unusual subjects to name a few. I truly enjoy seeing images that benefit from these advancements/advantages and yet I also remain such a total fan of simple, natural, unassuming, unstagged willdlife subject images like this one. Go figure :)
It is a commercially important plant species of the diverse spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Indigenous to Central America, it was described as a new species in 1834. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who is credited with introducing the plant to the US in the 1820s. Poinsettias are shrubs or small trees, with heights of 0.6–4 m. Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous to pets or children. Exposure to the plant, even consumption, most often results in no effect, though can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Wild poinsettias occur from Mexico to Guatemala, growing on mid-elevation, Pacific-facing slopes. One population in the Mexican state of Guerrero is much further inland, however, and is thought to be the ancestor of most cultivated populations. Wild poinsettia populations are highly fragmented, as their habitat is experiencing largely unregulated deforestation. They were cultivated by the Aztecs for use in traditional medicine. They became associated with the Christmas holiday and are popular seasonal decorations. Every year in the US, approximately 70 million poinsettias of many cultivated varieties are sold in a six-week period. Many of these poinsettias are grown by the Ecke family business, which serves half the worldwide market and 70% of the US market. is a shrub or small tree, typically reaching a height of 0.6–4 metres. The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 7–16 centimetres in length. The colored bracts—which are most often flaming red but can be orange, pale green, cream, pink, white, or marbled—are often mistaken for flower petals because of their groupings and colors, but are actually leaves. The colors of the bracts are created through photoperiodism, meaning that they require darkness (12 hours at a time for at least five days in a row) to change color. At the same time, the plants require abundant light during the day for the brightest color. The flowers of the poinsettia are unassuming and do not attract pollinators. They are grouped within the cyathia (small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch, or false flowers). Nothing is known about pollination in wild poinsettias, though wasps are noted to occasionally visit the cyathia. 66863
The Moments
The unassuming moments
unguarded and unplanned
those that erupt
in fits of pleasure most simple
a smile, a laugh, a look
a shared thought
silence
these are the moments we grasp onto
holding fast to the experience
to the rise of emotion
the rise of delight
unexpressed.
Kumari
It is a commercially important plant species of the diverse spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Indigenous to Central America, it was described as a new species in 1834. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who is credited with introducing the plant to the US in the 1820s. Poinsettias are shrubs or small trees, with heights of 0.6–4 m. Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous to pets or children. Exposure to the plant, even consumption, most often results in no effect, though can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Wild poinsettias occur from Mexico to Guatemala, growing on mid-elevation, Pacific-facing slopes. One population in the Mexican state of Guerrero is much further inland, however, and is thought to be the ancestor of most cultivated populations. Wild poinsettia populations are highly fragmented, as their habitat is experiencing largely unregulated deforestation. They were cultivated by the Aztecs for use in traditional medicine. They became associated with the Christmas holiday and are popular seasonal decorations. Every year in the US, approximately 70 million poinsettias of many cultivated varieties are sold in a six-week period. Many of these poinsettias are grown by the Ecke family business, which serves half the worldwide market and 70% of the US market. is a shrub or small tree, typically reaching a height of 0.6–4 metres. The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 7–16 centimetres in length. The colored bracts—which are most often flaming red but can be orange, pale green, cream, pink, white, or marbled—are often mistaken for flower petals because of their groupings and colors, but are actually leaves. The colors of the bracts are created through photoperiodism, meaning that they require darkness (12 hours at a time for at least five days in a row) to change color. At the same time, the plants require abundant light during the day for the brightest color. The flowers of the poinsettia are unassuming and do not attract pollinators. They are grouped within the cyathia (small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch, or false flowers). Nothing is known about pollination in wild poinsettias, though wasps are noted to occasionally visit the cyathia. 46396
This little church is one of the most beautiful and timeless spaces we’ve visited, well worth visiting ......
The west door (as shown in the photo) into the tower is one of the earliest doors still in use in England. It was originally an external door, but the building of the tower in the 13th century has helped to protect it from the elements. The timber used for it was felled between 1114 and 1141, and all the planks were cut from a single tree.
The tiny church of St Mary at Kempley, Gloucestershire, was probably built in the early 12th century by Baron Hugh de Lacy, owner of Kempley manor. Its exterior is unassuming, but inside, this simple Norman building is adorned with the most outstandingly complete and well-preserved medieval wall paintings in England. Those in the chancel, dating from the early 12th century, are particularly rare, and are the most complete set of Romanesque paintings in northern Europe. They are a vivid reminder of a time when church interiors were covered in such decoration.
St Mary’s also has some exceptionally ancient timbers, including the oldest timber roof of any building in England.
A small canal separated this unassuming red shoulder hawk I nearly passed by without notice until it moved. I speculate it was young because it was quite accommondating while I changed settings on the camera and this is the resulting portrait from our encounter.
Unless the bird is in sunlight, the White-faced Ibis appears to be an unassuming brown, perhaps with touches of green. Like a hummingbird, when sunlight strikes its prismatic feathers just right, it turns into an autumnal rainbow. To see this beautiful bird in flight is a thrill.
That's what we felt when we looked down on Grasmere from the fell above, on our walk from Rydal Water. I found this picture yesterday and had to paint it !
Plus, after hearing Bruce Springsteen interviewed on Desert Island Discs on BBC Radio 4 this morning, I was enchanted - what a genuine, unassuming man he is. Always an admirer, I am now hooked for life !
His autobiography is called "Born to Run" ... so I think a blast of this fantastic song is called for here, don't you? :o)
Bruce Springsteen (live) - Born to Run
This is NEARLY my last posting before Christmas, so very many thanks, as always, for your friendship and support - and may I wish you all a very, very happy time whatever and wherever you are celebrating.
Photo taken and textured by me, and painted with enormous help from Topaz Impression 2.
It is a commercially important plant species of the diverse spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Indigenous to Central America, it was described as a new species in 1834. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who is credited with introducing the plant to the US in the 1820s. Poinsettias are shrubs or small trees, with heights of 0.6–4 m. Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous to pets or children. Exposure to the plant, even consumption, most often results in no effect, though can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Wild poinsettias occur from Mexico to Guatemala, growing on mid-elevation, Pacific-facing slopes. One population in the Mexican state of Guerrero is much further inland, however, and is thought to be the ancestor of most cultivated populations. Wild poinsettia populations are highly fragmented, as their habitat is experiencing largely unregulated deforestation. They were cultivated by the Aztecs for use in traditional medicine. They became associated with the Christmas holiday and are popular seasonal decorations. Every year in the US, approximately 70 million poinsettias of many cultivated varieties are sold in a six-week period. Many of these poinsettias are grown by the Ecke family business, which serves half the worldwide market and 70% of the US market. is a shrub or small tree, typically reaching a height of 0.6–4 metres. The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 7–16 centimetres in length. The colored bracts—which are most often flaming red but can be orange, pale green, cream, pink, white, or marbled—are often mistaken for flower petals because of their groupings and colors, but are actually leaves. The colors of the bracts are created through photoperiodism, meaning that they require darkness (12 hours at a time for at least five days in a row) to change color. At the same time, the plants require abundant light during the day for the brightest color. The flowers of the poinsettia are unassuming and do not attract pollinators. They are grouped within the cyathia (small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch, or false flowers). Nothing is known about pollination in wild poinsettias, though wasps are noted to occasionally visit the cyathia. 45537
This tiny unassuming orchid reveals great beauty when closely observed. A 12-image focus stack. From Don Robinson State Park in Missouri.
It is a commercially important plant species of the diverse spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Indigenous to Central America, it was described as a new species in 1834. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who is credited with introducing the plant to the US in the 1820s. Poinsettias are shrubs or small trees, with heights of 0.6–4 m. Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous to pets or children. Exposure to the plant, even consumption, most often results in no effect, though can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Wild poinsettias occur from Mexico to Guatemala, growing on mid-elevation, Pacific-facing slopes. One population in the Mexican state of Guerrero is much further inland, however, and is thought to be the ancestor of most cultivated populations. Wild poinsettia populations are highly fragmented, as their habitat is experiencing largely unregulated deforestation. They were cultivated by the Aztecs for use in traditional medicine. They became associated with the Christmas holiday and are popular seasonal decorations. Every year in the US, approximately 70 million poinsettias of many cultivated varieties are sold in a six-week period. Many of these poinsettias are grown by the Ecke family business, which serves half the worldwide market and 70% of the US market. is a shrub or small tree, typically reaching a height of 0.6–4 metres. The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 7–16 centimetres in length. The colored bracts—which are most often flaming red but can be orange, pale green, cream, pink, white, or marbled—are often mistaken for flower petals because of their groupings and colors, but are actually leaves. The colors of the bracts are created through photoperiodism, meaning that they require darkness (12 hours at a time for at least five days in a row) to change color. At the same time, the plants require abundant light during the day for the brightest color. The flowers of the poinsettia are unassuming and do not attract pollinators. They are grouped within the cyathia (small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch, or false flowers). Nothing is known about pollination in wild poinsettias, though wasps are noted to occasionally visit the cyathia. 36399
This Hermit Thrush hung around for a few days during fall migration. Such a pleasant, unassuming bird identifiable by its rich brown body and smudged spots on its breast. The reddish tail distinguishes it from other thrushes. In the spring, its flute-like, melancholy song is a joy to behold. Here the Hermit Thrush is in its normal habitat, near the ground rummaging through fallen leaves. I was sorry to see him depart.
I couldn't help noticing these tiny delicate grasses hidden between the spectacular flowers. I thought they were so unassuming in demeanour yet every bit as beautiful as the botanicals surrounding them.
Taken at Auldearn Farm, Elgin, Western Cape, South Africa during the 2015 Elgin Open Gardens.
Electric power substation control thingie at a track and field arena. I had been on a walk in the woods but it was back at the parking lot that this scene really stood out to me. As electric facilities go, I feel this one has a lot going for it.
It is a commercially important plant species of the diverse spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Indigenous to Central America, it was described as a new species in 1834. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who is credited with introducing the plant to the US in the 1820s. Poinsettias are shrubs or small trees, with heights of 0.6–4 m. Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous to pets or children. Exposure to the plant, even consumption, most often results in no effect, though can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Wild poinsettias occur from Mexico to Guatemala, growing on mid-elevation, Pacific-facing slopes. One population in the Mexican state of Guerrero is much further inland, however, and is thought to be the ancestor of most cultivated populations. Wild poinsettia populations are highly fragmented, as their habitat is experiencing largely unregulated deforestation. They were cultivated by the Aztecs for use in traditional medicine. They became associated with the Christmas holiday and are popular seasonal decorations. Every year in the US, approximately 70 million poinsettias of many cultivated varieties are sold in a six-week period. Many of these poinsettias are grown by the Ecke family business, which serves half the worldwide market and 70% of the US market. is a shrub or small tree, typically reaching a height of 0.6–4 metres. The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 7–16 centimetres in length. The colored bracts—which are most often flaming red but can be orange, pale green, cream, pink, white, or marbled—are often mistaken for flower petals because of their groupings and colors, but are actually leaves. The colors of the bracts are created through photoperiodism, meaning that they require darkness (12 hours at a time for at least five days in a row) to change color. At the same time, the plants require abundant light during the day for the brightest color. The flowers of the poinsettia are unassuming and do not attract pollinators. They are grouped within the cyathia (small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch, or false flowers). Nothing is known about pollination in wild poinsettias, though wasps are noted to occasionally visit the cyathia. 10411
Straw flowers are among my favorites. They are everywhere around here, and not spectacular in any way, but somehow pretty and attractive. In the evening light around sunset these guys seemed to be glowing.
Explore 7/6/2015, #1.
Thank you very much for your visits, faves, and kind comments.
I love these trees in the fall. They are uniformly yellow and light up the street or backyard. They are called Honey Locus and are quite common in the city. Unassuming during the year; they shine in October.
841. Toronto 2021-Oct 08, P1440560. Uploaded 2021-Oct 26. Lmx -ZS100.
The "Boardwalk" crosses the rough ground, over White hill on the "Wicklow Way". This is the highest point on the entire trail and stands at 630 metres as it winds its way between the mountains.
The "Way" travels for a total distance of 131 km [81miles] and was the brainchild of J.B. Malone an avid walker who first dreamed up the idea in 1966. He wrote a series of letters to one of the national papers and the sharp sighted and astute editor asked him to write a few articles on hill walking, which he did with much success. In 1977, the government asked him to research and plot the route which he did to wonderful acclaim. He wrote a number of books and lectured extensively appearing regularly on tv here and also abroad. He is internationally know by walkers world wide but always appeared slightly ill at ease in public as he didnt want fame, just the wild places where he could "lose" himself.I think most of us could relate to that as there definitely is a slight madness to us who like this type of thing, and thats meant as a compliment! The places in this modern World where you can loose yourself are few and far between now!
He died in 1989 and a monument was erected at Barr Rock quite close to here. Its just a big granite rock that he was well known to sit upon and take in the views. There is just a plain brass plaque to his memory. This quiet unassuming man would have loved the simplicity of it.
The Wicklow way was the first trail ever opened in Ireland as is now part of the European Walking Route E8 that stretches from the Atlantic coast, here in Co. Cork to Istanbul in Turkey.
I like the harsh landscape here in Winter, but the sky and the green of the Sitka Spruce seen here in Ballinastoe Woods bring a nice softness to it.
So if your ever this way, you could do a lot worse than "lose" yourself up here for a few hours and let it all pass over you!
I do hope you will like my pic and the ramblings!
Have a "wild" weekend! I will!!!!!
Pat.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicklow_Way
My photos are also on Flickriver. Click on link below:
Having no plans to win any races, Canadian Pacific B92 25, better known as the "Run 20" job, sees double within an unassuming pool of residual rainwater as it trundles through Kansas City's West Bottoms District beneath large concrete columns of the century old, 2100 foot long 12th Street viaduct. A sharp pair of red six-axle EMDs, led by fresh SD40-2 rebuild #6025, have their train nearing the halfway point of its slow, cross-town trek, shuttling tonnage from joint CP-KCS Knoche Yard to BNSF's Argentine Yard, across the Kansas state line. Nothing moves quickly with this train as, aside from building at Knoche, it has to operate over four separate, busy pieces of railroad on its short, evening journey through the city in order to make connection. Having just exited the Union Pacific KC Metro Subdivision at Broadway, it is pictured here running down the KCT North-South Corridor near old Tower 2 toward CP 27, where it'll diverge onto the BNSF Emporia Sub, heading west to finish the last several miles of its trip into Argentine. CP and BNSF trade assignments on this transfer job in rotating three-month cycles.
This, luckily, fairly sunny scene narrowly avoided total ruination by errant clouds as one can still see the background of brick buildings still shrouded in darkness. A much needed win in a day filled otherwise with frustration.
I just watched “On the Vine” a rather cute Canadian/Italian movie set in this small ancient village while the movie was nice the scenery stole the show for me and brought back some very good memories of wandering around just enjoying the scenery and the lived in feel of the village. The town sits on a steep tufa plateau overseeing the junction of the Brandano and Fiumarella rivers most likely the reason it has been settled for almost 3000 years, a source of water nearby and high ground to have great defensive fortifications.
The city has always been at a crossroads for travelers from the Romans traveling to the south when it was known then as Acheruntia having a temple dedicated to Hercules to the crusaders traveling to and from the Holy Land then being called Basilicata by the Normans after raising the Cathedral. The Norman renaming didn’t stick for the town but the region owes its moniker to the this little ancient village and its Duomo dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta e San Canio.
There is a rather mysterious side to Acerenza with a long association with the Knights Templar, there is legend that says within the walls of the cathedral lies the Holy Grail found in the Holy Land then hidden in this quiet unassuming little town. Why would anyone think there is truth to this legend, well Ugo dei Pagani founder of the Order of the Templars was born just a few kilometers from Acerenza and he is reported to have made the return trip from the Holy Land with the chalice and secreted it away in a holy place he was very familiar with.
I took this on Sept 22, 2018 with my D750 and Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 Lens at 28mm 1/20s f`11 ISO 100 processed in LR, PS +Lumenzia, Topaz , and DXO
Disclaimer: My style is a study of romantic realism as well as a work in progress
North Cascades, Washington
Sometimes the best moments on a hike are the ones I wasn't looking for. The ones that flow from simply being present in a place and open to what surrounds me; suspending the constraints of time and conscious thought. That's where the magic happens.
Along a narrow trail that climbs above the beautiful Blue Lake in the North Cascade mountains, there lies a small tarn. Ringed by alpine larches and towering walls of rock, it has a quiet unassuming presence in a vast landscape of majestic peaks. On this October day which hovered on the cusp of winter, the tarn was coated in a layer of ice, and snow dusted the surrounding edges.
And yet, as I sat on a rocky outcropping and contemplated the view before me, I could feel an inviting warmth emanating from this frozen lakelet. The larches began to glow as the sun emerged from behind the clouds, its rays illuminating the golden needles. As I felt that that same sun warm my face, a sense of peacefulness suffused my soul. Then I slowly sank into the calm, and surrendered to the magic of the moment.
Larches
A side note for those who may be unfamiliar with larches: they are a deciduous conifer, so they drop their needles in the winter after turning from green to gold for a short period of time in the fall. There are several species of larch but the ones here are the alpine larch, Larix lyallii. They live at subalpine and alpine elevations (5900 to 7900 feet/1800-2400 meters) and are mostly found in the Rocky Mountains, however there is one small outlier population that happens to grow in the North Cascades in Washington. The spectacular colors and limited population of the trees brings crowds of hikers flocking to the North Cascades trails for a couple of weeks every fall for "larch madness". (I am including a close up shot of the needles in the first comment below for those who may be interested.)
The Latin name of bog asphodel, ossifragum, literally translates as 'bone-breaker'. This unassuming plant acquired this violent name because it was believed that the livestock that grazed on it got brittle bones. However, it was actually the calcium-poor pastures that caused the problem.
Pashley Manor has one of the finest gardens in England
Nestled in the heart of the High Weald lies a fascinating aristocratic manor - which you can visit. Sussex is full of historical places with connections to the infamous reign of Henry VIII. Whether that be the fascinating museum in Lewes which belonged to Anne of Cleves, or the Ashdown Forest hunting lodge where he came to hunt deer and wild boar.
But this unassuming Grade I listed East Sussex manor has its own claim to fame - with links to the most famous of all the six wives, Anne Boleyn. Despite spending most of her childhood in France and the Netherlands, it is strongly believed that the Queen consort was a regular visitor to the family manor in Ticehurst.
Similarly to its fellow Tudor manor at Bolebroke Castle which was frequented by Henry VIII, Pashley Manor was used as a hunting lodge. The property was initially under Boleyn ownership around the start of the Wars of the Roses in 1457 after being purchased by Sir Geoffrey Boleyn, Anne's great-grandfather who was the Lord Mayor of London at the time. It was then passed down through the family, with Anne's uncle Sir Thomas Boleyn holding court at Pashley in 1518 - about the time of her childhood.
After owning the picturesque manor for almost 80 years the Boleyn family hit their demise following Anne's infamous death. Despite giving birth to a daughter who went on to become Elizabeth I, Anne was causing considerable discontent with Henry VIII as she was unable to provide a male heir.
Following her three miscarriages after Elizabeth's birth, the King began courting Jane Seymour. In order to marry her, Henry had to find a way to end his marriage with Anne. In April 1536 she was investigated for treason, which eventually ended up with her being beheaded one month later. As a result of this unfortunate event the Boleyn family were forced to sell the manor to Sir Thomas May.
May built the beautiful manor house which can be seen today, while his family descendants added a Georgian facade about 200 years later along with the picturesque kitchen garden wall. It continued to be a wealthy aristocratic lodge throughout the following centuries as its gardens were planted around the oak trees which could date back as early as the 15th century. But despite this considerable transition, the property still exhibits much of the medieval and Tudor relics which add to its allure. According to legend it's even haunted by a pair of ghosts, with one of whom said to be that of Anne Boleyn herself.
Pashley Manor is also a former winner of the Christies Garden of the Year award.
In modern times the main attraction of the estate is the lush traditional gardens.
Described as 'one of the finest gardens in England', and a former winner of the Christies Garden of the Year award, Pashley Manor Garden has an array of enticing plants and flowers, with excellent views over nearby valleys.
For more information please visit www.sussexlive.co.uk/news/history/pashley-manor-incredibl... and www.pashleymanorgardens.com/
A spectacular array of colors adorn the hills of Artists Palette.
Tucked behind an unassuming yellow landscape, the rainbow of Artists Palette is the highlight along the Artists Drive Scenic Loop. Here, visitors marvel at an array of colors (red, orange, yellow, blue, pink, and green), splashed across the hills. These colors are from volcanic deposits rich in compounds such as iron oxides and chlorite, which creates a rainbow effect.
Stunning not only at Artists Palette, the Artists Drive loop winds through hills carved by the erosive power of water, and gives vistas of both the rugged Black Mountains and swirling white salt flats. While no maintained trails exist along this loop, several pull outs provide safe parking areas from which to explore this unique landscape on foot.
Although Artists Drive and Artists Palette are beautiful any time of day, sunrise and sunset provide additional shadows and changing light, further enhancing the allure of this incredible place.
When visiting Artists Palette, allow approximately 30 minutes to detour from Badwater Road along the one-way Artists Drive Scenic Loop. The drive begins 8.5 miles (13.7 km) south of the Hwy 190/Badwater Rd. junction and has a length restriction of 25 ft. (7.6 m) due to sharp bends and large dips.
inconspicuous ...
the restrained gray-blue color scale with a slight hint of autumn I particularly liked at this strongly perspective composition ...
unscheinbar ...
Fondazione Prada ...
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
I shot this photo at Church Station of Orlando, Florida on 15 February 2002. I used my first SLR Nikon FE10 for taking this photograph.
At the time when I visited this place, the train was serving as a restaurant.
About the locomotive Frisco 3749:
In 1957 MGM released the movie "The Wings of Eagles" recorded at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, the birthplace of naval aviation. Staring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, the film also stared an unassuming Frisco 0-6-0 Switcher locomotive numbered 3749, weighting 77 tons with an 11-foot wheelbase and a deep rooted Florida history for services in the film.
After filming was complete, 3749 sat in Pensacola's Pen Yard for several years until it was finally sold to a local scrap dealer in about 1968 where it remained intact until the seventies.
Frisco retired the 3749 in September of 1952, from that point until the Fall of 1956 it was leased to Alabama State Prison and worked their branch from Huxford to the prison. It was then moved to Pensacola and used in the movie until early 1957 when it was placed into storage. It remained at Pensacola until the Fall of 1966 when it was sold for scrap to Pensacola Scrap Processors. It was moved there on 11/11/66 and then sold to a private individual in the Orlando, FL. Area where remained until late 1970s when it was donated to the city. It was then displayed at the Church St. Station, Orlando, Florida before being donated to the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish in 2012.
On an unassuming barge off English Bay Beach is the nerve centre of three massive fireworks displays that will light up the skies of Vancouver for this year’s Honda Celebration of Light.
Portugal, Malaysia, and the U.K. are competing in the three-day event, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 20, Wednesday, July 24, and Saturday, July 27. [...].
The Portuguese team is up first and prepared thousands of fireworks, some shells as big as 300 millimetres. “That will go approximately 1,000 to 1,500 feet and break as the biggest break you’ll see on show night,” explained Kelly Guille, a pyrotechnician and fireworks director of the Celebration of Light.
To make the dazzling displays possible, hundreds of pounds of explosives are packed into tubes and fired straight up into the air. Each display will be 25 minutes long and set to music.
vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/07/19/celebration-of-light-fir...