Look beyond the lovely sculpture and you'll find an unblinking eye...

The Toronto City Hall, or New City Hall, is the seat of the municipal government of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and one of the city's most distinctive

While the building's base is rectangular, its two towers are curved in cross-section and rise to differing heights. The east tower is 27 storeys (99.5 metres (326 ft)) tall and the west tower is 20 storeys (79.4 metres (260 ft)). Between the towers is the saucer-like council chamber, and the overall arrangement is somewhat like two hands cradling the chamber.

From the air, the building is seen as a giant unblinking eye, thus the building's original nickname of "The Eye of Government". When finished, the building generated widespread controversy among many who felt that it was "too futuristic" for the city

Every photo walk is different - On the way home, it is never easy to predict what a Nikon Z8 memory card will carry. Sometimes you press the shutter within the first minutes and the card fills quickly; sometimes you wait patiently without taking a single frame, imagining the photograph long before it exists.

Wildlife follows its own rhythm — and occasionally, it takes you along with it.

This pre-Christmas morning at Bradgate Park began as the rising sun broke through dark, scattered clouds. As the light softened, the landscape slowly revealed itself. At times, gentle morning light becomes incredibly effective; at other moments, you work more technically, placing the strength of the light behind you and allowing experience to grow with every frame.

The first encounter came from the rocky hilltops: a young male fallow deer, standing still, looking directly into my lens with wide, unblinking eyes.

“Young Fallow Deer in Morning Light.”

After meeting two fellow photographer friends, I joined them along the River Lin, which flows through Bradgate Park in North Leicestershire. A small group of hinds crossed the river, resisting the powerful current — a moment of shared instinct and determination.

Later, while searching for Stonechat, as on previous visits, a herd of red deer appeared, spreading calmly across the greenery. The majestic stag once again became the natural favourite of our lenses, and I worked to capture several compelling poses from different angles under direct sunlight.

The Grey Heron ultimately defined the photograph of the day. Under clean, softly broken sunlight, framed against the River Lin, the scene felt complete.

After a 3.5-hour photo walk, as I returned to the car park, my favourite bird — the tiny Robin — seemed to offer a quiet farewell. Shot in direct sunlight, the background bokeh remained simple, while the feather details glowed beautifully. With the NIKKOR 500mm and 1.4x TC at ƒ/8.0, its poised and noble stance emerged clearly.

Good evening and thank you for looking.

I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.

Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.

© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.

Lens - With Nikon TC 14E II - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f8 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.

I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -

Your comments and criticism are very valuable.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)

An annual visitor, this female Canada Goose is sitting on her eggs in her usual spot. She sat stone still and unblinking while I was near her nest.

IMG_4836

This latest jump has brought our hero Pinky to another strange world. He disembarks his rover and surveys the vista of the blue topography and violet-tinged sky. As he gazes in wonder, he is approached by a party of strange humanoid beings and a small but weighty rover. The cloaked figures have huge, unblinking eyes and an unflinchingly serene demeanor. The one carrying a staff, who seems to be their leader, speaks:

Welcome, traveller! We are the Sages of Sapientia. I am Guile, this is Prudence and Acumen. Your coming to us has been foretold. We are glad to meet you, Pinky the Space Alpaca. We know of your adventures and we are glad to play a part in your enlightenment.

We know you have been through many trials.

The other Sages nod solemnly in agreement. The one called Acumen speaks next:

We know you have met many strange beings...one may even say that a talking pink alpaca is unusual...but carry the kindness of those you meet to all of the places you travel.

The sages once again show their agreement. Pinky doesn't quite know what to say.

Thank you for your wise words, and your kind greetings. I am honored to be a guest on your planet...

Pinky passes some time with the wise old ones of Sapientia and is almost reluctant to leave when his Quantum Drive is recharged. He misses his friends, though. He climbs once again behind the controls and initiates the jump sequence.

ZZZZZZaaaap

Crackle

Flash

www.flickr.com/photos/misterfrost/50954023788/in/datepost...

More Views

1Cesare Pavese

2 Maya Angelou

Every photo walk is different - Young Fallow Deer in Morning Light - On the way home, it is never easy to predict what a Nikon Z8 memory card will carry. Sometimes you press the shutter within the first minutes and the card fills quickly; sometimes you wait patiently without taking a single frame, imagining the photograph long before it exists.

Wildlife follows its own rhythm — and occasionally, it takes you along with it.

This pre-Christmas morning at Bradgate Park began as the rising sun broke through dark, scattered clouds. As the light softened, the landscape slowly revealed itself. At times, gentle morning light becomes incredibly effective; at other moments, you work more technically, placing the strength of the light behind you and allowing experience to grow with every frame.

The first encounter came from the rocky hilltops: a young male fallow deer, standing still, looking directly into my lens with wide, unblinking eyes.

“Young Fallow Deer in Morning Light.”

After meeting two fellow photographer friends, I joined them along the River Lin, which flows through Bradgate Park in North Leicestershire. A small group of hinds crossed the river, resisting the powerful current — a moment of shared instinct and determination.

Later, while searching for Stonechat, as on previous visits, a herd of red deer appeared, spreading calmly across the greenery. The majestic stag once again became the natural favourite of our lenses, and I worked to capture several compelling poses from different angles under direct sunlight.

The Grey Heron ultimately defined the photograph of the day. Under clean, softly broken sunlight, framed against the River Lin, the scene felt complete.

After a 3.5-hour photo walk, as I returned to the car park, my favourite bird — the tiny Robin — seemed to offer a quiet farewell. Shot in direct sunlight, the background bokeh remained simple, while the feather details glowed beautifully. With the NIKKOR 500mm and 1.4x TC at ƒ/8.0, its poised and noble stance emerged clearly.

Good evening and thank you for looking.

Every photo walk is different - On the way home, it is never easy to predict what a Nikon Z8 memory card will carry. Sometimes you press the shutter within the first minutes and the card fills quickly; sometimes you wait patiently without taking a single frame, imagining the photograph long before it exists.

Wildlife follows its own rhythm — and occasionally, it takes you along with it.

This pre-Christmas morning at Bradgate Park began as the rising sun broke through dark, scattered clouds. As the light softened, the landscape slowly revealed itself. At times, gentle morning light becomes incredibly effective; at other moments, you work more technically, placing the strength of the light behind you and allowing experience to grow with every frame.

The first encounter came from the rocky hilltops: a young male fallow deer, standing still, looking directly into my lens with wide, unblinking eyes.

“Young Fallow Deer in Morning Light.”

After meeting two fellow photographer friends, I joined them along the River Lin, which flows through Bradgate Park in North Leicestershire. A small group of hinds crossed the river, resisting the powerful current — a moment of shared instinct and determination.

Later, while searching for Stonechat, as on previous visits, a herd of red deer appeared, spreading calmly across the greenery. The majestic stag once again became the natural favourite of our lenses, and I worked to capture several compelling poses from different angles under direct sunlight.

The Grey Heron ultimately defined the photograph of the day. Under clean, softly broken sunlight, framed against the River Lin, the scene felt complete.

After a 3.5-hour photo walk, as I returned to the car park, my favourite bird — the tiny Robin — seemed to offer a quiet farewell. Shot in direct sunlight, the background bokeh remained simple, while the feather details glowed beautifully. With the NIKKOR 500mm and 1.4x TC at ƒ/8.0, its poised and noble stance emerged clearly.

Good evening and thank you for looking.

I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.

Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.

© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.

Lens - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f5.6 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.

I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -

Your comments and criticism are very valuable.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)

Every photo walk is different - On the way home, it is never easy to predict what a Nikon Z8 memory card will carry. Sometimes you press the shutter within the first minutes and the card fills quickly; sometimes you wait patiently without taking a single frame, imagining the photograph long before it exists.

Wildlife follows its own rhythm — and occasionally, it takes you along with it.

This pre-Christmas morning at Bradgate Park began as the rising sun broke through dark, scattered clouds. As the light softened, the landscape slowly revealed itself. At times, gentle morning light becomes incredibly effective; at other moments, you work more technically, placing the strength of the light behind you and allowing experience to grow with every frame.

The first encounter came from the rocky hilltops: a young male fallow deer, standing still, looking directly into my lens with wide, unblinking eyes.

“Young Fallow Deer in Morning Light.”

After meeting two fellow photographer friends, I joined them along the River Lin, which flows through Bradgate Park in North Leicestershire. A small group of hinds crossed the river, resisting the powerful current — a moment of shared instinct and determination.

Later, while searching for Stonechat, as on previous visits, a herd of red deer appeared, spreading calmly across the greenery. The majestic stag once again became the natural favourite of our lenses, and I worked to capture several compelling poses from different angles under direct sunlight.

The Grey Heron ultimately defined the photograph of the day. Under clean, softly broken sunlight, framed against the River Lin, the scene felt complete.

After a 3.5-hour photo walk, as I returned to the car park, my favourite bird — the tiny Robin — seemed to offer a quiet farewell. Shot in direct sunlight, the background bokeh remained simple, while the feather details glowed beautifully. With the NIKKOR 500mm and 1.4x TC at ƒ/8.0, its poised and noble stance emerged clearly.

Good evening and thank you for looking.

I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.

Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.

© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.

Lens - With Nikon TC 14E II - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f8 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.

I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -

Your comments and criticism are very valuable.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)

.. the unblinking Stare!

Second Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington. She was tough. My aunt held on for months eating next to nothing, and then days longer than that once she lost the ability to swallow anything at all. I took my mother as often as I could, to sit with her sister and tell her it was alright to let go, but she wasn't having any of it till she was damned good and ready. They were children of the Depression, and they knew what it was like not to eat, not to have, not to give up. Of the two, she took more after my grandfather, and, like him, always had a certain way she would set her jaw, grit her teeth and grin at you with laughing eyes. The eyes that always gave you the impression that she was listening but she wasn't buying any bullshit. Anyone who tried, her first response was always a sarcastic remark. And if you pushed it, woe be to you, because there was a temper there too. But always, forgiveness. When she was still able, she used to call my mother, scared to death of knowing she was slipping into the darkness of dementia, and God, how I wish there was any kind of other death that would have spared her that suffering. Her name was Marion, but as a toddler, my child speak made her Me Me. I was the only one to call her that every time I saw her, and once in the last few months, I thought I saw a smile and a little light come on. But each day was a steady slide into the void, not leaving much more than an unblinking stare. My mother sat by her with touches and stories, and often asked her what she saw as she stared so intently. Something outside of her, or something in, we'll never know. Today was the day she was ready. Some say when we cross over, it's towards a brighter light. I hope it was outside Me Me, to someplace like this, chasing the sunset before it slips away, to the bottom of the sea.

She's a master at it.

The intense stare.

Unblinking. Unwavering. Determined.

Trying to hypnotise me into surrendering my cake…

At the local café, big sis Miss Woolly will automatically settle into her usual spot nearby and won't bother me for a bit of whatever I'm having.

But Pip will set up camp right under the table, looking very persuasive.

"I'm starving - You have to share !

It's our doggie ethics from way back !"

She's my 3rd collie, and they've all done this.

Must be a collie thing.

Yes, she does get the last chunk, but always pushing for a preview taste, just to prepare for the one at the end.

I do my best to make her wait because us humans say it's such a bad habit, don't we?

But dogs are herd animals, so if I'm eating, why aren't they?

Makes sense to me.

So this time I packed a pkt of healthy doggy treats before we came.

Called Lamb Crumbles.

I call them their 'Lambie Jumbles 4 Woolly Wombles', lol..

Didn't work.

She still wants some of mine, *sigh* ...

Robin in Direct Winter Sunlight - Every photo walk is different - On the way home, it is never easy to predict what a Nikon Z8 memory card will carry. Sometimes you press the shutter within the first minutes and the card fills quickly; sometimes you wait patiently without taking a single frame, imagining the photograph long before it exists.

Wildlife follows its own rhythm — and occasionally, it takes you along with it.

This pre-Christmas morning at Bradgate Park began as the rising sun broke through dark, scattered clouds. As the light softened, the landscape slowly revealed itself. At times, gentle morning light becomes incredibly effective; at other moments, you work more technically, placing the strength of the light behind you and allowing experience to grow with every frame.

The first encounter came from the rocky hilltops: a young male fallow deer, standing still, looking directly into my lens with wide, unblinking eyes.

“Young Fallow Deer in Morning Light.”

After meeting two fellow photographer friends, I joined them along the River Lin, which flows through Bradgate Park in North Leicestershire. A small group of hinds crossed the river, resisting the powerful current — a moment of shared instinct and determination.

Later, while searching for Stonechat, as on previous visits, a herd of red deer appeared, spreading calmly across the greenery. The majestic stag once again became the natural favourite of our lenses, and I worked to capture several compelling poses from different angles under direct sunlight.

The Grey Heron ultimately defined the photograph of the day. Under clean, softly broken sunlight, framed against the River Lin, the scene felt complete.

After a 3.5-hour photo walk, as I returned to the car park, my favourite bird — the tiny Robin — seemed to offer a quiet farewell. Shot in direct sunlight, the background bokeh remained simple, while the feather details glowed beautifully. With the NIKKOR 500mm and 1.4x TC at ƒ/8.0, its poised and noble stance emerged clearly.

Good evening and thank you for looking.

I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.

Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.

© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.

Lens - With Nikon TC 14E II - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f8 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.

I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -

Your comments and criticism are very valuable.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)

Done in Ai, Finalized in Photoshop

From the depths of a lightless cosmos, the Darkstar Empress emerges — a sovereign born from the collapse of dying suns. Her sapphire skin is fractured with obsidian veins, each crack aglow with the molten essence of extinguished stars. Twin horns crown her head, entwined with a gothic diadem that clasps a pulsating crimson gem, its facets holding the echoes of ancient galaxies. Her eyes blaze like solar flares in the void, unblinking, eternal. Armored in blackened steel and adorned with blood-red crystals forged in the hearts of supernovae, she commands the silence between worlds. Embers drift through the air, remnants of realms reduced to ash beneath her reign, as she stands — the eternal flame in a universe of shadows.

This is an follow-up progress shot to the image I posted a week ago...A Momma Great Horned Owl and her two Owlettes keep an eye on the world from their vantage point in a cleft of a rock face they call home. The Owlettes appear to be growing in girth and fluff and Momma is as protective as ever!

In the Yakima River Canyon, Central Washington State.

Part 2 of the Not Found "Pierre" feature. The vibe today? "Demon quickie energy." Fast, messy, and electric.

We're taking the rugged Pierre Skin (Tan and pushing it into chaotic territory. The gaze is set by the Halloween Eyes from YOSHI intense and unblinking.

The body is a roadmap of ink and scars, featuring the fresh "NIKOV" Tattoo set from S-RANK and the aggressive "Fuck Off" face off Bandage from Landgraff.

Topped off with the Lightning Airpods & Aura from [HELAVEN] for that supernatural buzz and the Nando Leggings from [VARSITY] because we're not here to play nice.

— C R E D I T S —

▸ Skin: Not Found - Pierre Skin - Tan

▸ Eyes: Yoshi - Halloween Eyes ▸ Tattoo: S-RANK - "NIKOV" Tattoo Collection (Full Fresh Set) ▸ Leggings: [VARSITY] - NANDO LEGGING ( Frisky V3 ) ▸ Tech/FX: [HELAVEN] - Lightning Airpods & Aura

▸ Bandage: Landgraff - Fuck Off Bandage

▸ Hair: TRASH. - Cirrus Hair v2 mirror

▸ Hairbase: .HYPE. - "Denis" Hairbase

▸ Facial Hair: Not Found - Pierre Beard // S-RANK "ABDUL" Stubble

▸ Facial Details: [VARC] Sculpt Kit // S-RANK ("YOUNES" Brow, "SALIM" Cheekbones, "SAMIR" Shading) // VELOUR "CHAD" Addons // BRABOS ('Frown Lines', 'Forehead Marks')

▸ Body Hair: Physique X - BH003 (Full Set)

▸ Body Details: Not Found - Zeus Collection // Izzie's - Body Blush // [Botched] & S-RANK Deformers // Kario - Pec Deformer

▸ Nails: RE - Striker Men Nails ▸ Piercings: Anti - Delicious Earrings & Things Happen Choker

▸ Head: LeLutka EvoX CAMDEN 4.0

▸ Body: [ INITHIUM ] KARIO FLEX V 3.21

The Prairie Falcon

by John R. Williams

1

High up and under the mesa top

on a red pedestal

the statue’s head

hitches left and right.

Below a vast shrubby sea

with atolls of meadow

cropped and blanched

hints of cadmium green

and here and there

along the edges

holes and one hole

filled with a feint furry head.

Then half out

a gopher-like squirrelish thing

and now it’s all out

standing limp-pawed, tense

black unblinking eyes,

soon joined by two more.

Time goes by

and others of sundry sizes

show their upper halves.

One bold one

makes a foray

scampers, looks, listens

spectators captivated

and one more goes.

They risk a few nibbles

erect, alert,

jowl motion

but no way of sensing

a remote sculpture,

its intent and scheme

hidden beneath its cornea,

calculating precisely

when to launch.

2

More scuttling

three out at once.

They gage the distance

then scurry back to safety.

Survival drills bring thrills,

a game of pushing the limits.

3

Seasoned hunters

know how to wait

know the moment when it comes.

All these green sprouts

The long winter’s nap.

The vital needs of ravenous Ground Squirrels.

4

A Prairie Falcon or falling rock?

Down the cliff face

wings drawn in

diving down a slide

and into a glide

coming fast and low

wending through greasewood

and suddenly out over the meadow.

A mass panic

alarms piping both air and ground attacks.

The falcon hits a scrambling squirrel

catapulting it through the air

tumbling end over end

and down

where it is pinned

almost as an after-thought.

testing the leica noctilux 50mm f/1.2, the reissue of the legendary 1966 noctilux. mounted on my sony a1m2 with an adapter. the lenses stare back, silent and unblinking. a reflection, a moment, a ghost in the glass.

Things got unexpectedly dramatic at Al Qudra, Dubai, when these three geese decided to march straight at me as if I had personally offended their feathered pride! The white leader strutted forward with absolute authority, while the two grey companions flanked like seasoned bodyguards. For a moment, I felt less like a photographer and more like a trespasser in goose territory. Their synchronized steps and unblinking stares made it clear—either I was about to hand over some breadcrumbs or face a full-on honking interrogation. Who knew a calm morning of birdwatching could turn into a comedy-action scene with feathered enforcers? Next time, I’ll be sure to carry snacks, if only to negotiate safe passage!

Every photo walk is different - Young Fallow Deer in Morning Light - On the way home, it is never easy to predict what a Nikon Z8 memory card will carry. Sometimes you press the shutter within the first minutes and the card fills quickly; sometimes you wait patiently without taking a single frame, imagining the photograph long before it exists.

Wildlife follows its own rhythm — and occasionally, it takes you along with it.

This pre-Christmas morning at Bradgate Park began as the rising sun broke through dark, scattered clouds. As the light softened, the landscape slowly revealed itself. At times, gentle morning light becomes incredibly effective; at other moments, you work more technically, placing the strength of the light behind you and allowing experience to grow with every frame.

The first encounter came from the rocky hilltops: a young male fallow deer, standing still, looking directly into my lens with wide, unblinking eyes.

“Young Fallow Deer in Morning Light.”

After meeting two fellow photographer friends, I joined them along the River Lin, which flows through Bradgate Park in North Leicestershire. A small group of hinds crossed the river, resisting the powerful current — a moment of shared instinct and determination.

Later, while searching for Stonechat, as on previous visits, a herd of red deer appeared, spreading calmly across the greenery. The majestic stag once again became the natural favourite of our lenses, and I worked to capture several compelling poses from different angles under direct sunlight.

The Grey Heron ultimately defined the photograph of the day. Under clean, softly broken sunlight, framed against the River Lin, the scene felt complete.

After a 3.5-hour photo walk, as I returned to the car park, my favourite bird — the tiny Robin — seemed to offer a quiet farewell. Shot in direct sunlight, the background bokeh remained simple, while the feather details glowed beautifully. With the NIKKOR 500mm and 1.4x TC at ƒ/8.0, its poised and noble stance emerged clearly.

Good evening and thank you for looking.

Every photo walk is different - On the way home, it is never easy to predict what a Nikon Z8 memory card will carry. Sometimes you press the shutter within the first minutes and the card fills quickly; sometimes you wait patiently without taking a single frame, imagining the photograph long before it exists.

Wildlife follows its own rhythm — and occasionally, it takes you along with it.

This pre-Christmas morning at Bradgate Park began as the rising sun broke through dark, scattered clouds. As the light softened, the landscape slowly revealed itself. At times, gentle morning light becomes incredibly effective; at other moments, you work more technically, placing the strength of the light behind you and allowing experience to grow with every frame.

The first encounter came from the rocky hilltops: a young male fallow deer, standing still, looking directly into my lens with wide, unblinking eyes.

“Young Fallow Deer in Morning Light.”

After meeting two fellow photographer friends, I joined them along the River Lin, which flows through Bradgate Park in North Leicestershire. A small group of hinds crossed the river, resisting the powerful current — a moment of shared instinct and determination.

Later, while searching for Stonechat, as on previous visits, a herd of red deer appeared, spreading calmly across the greenery. The majestic stag once again became the natural favourite of our lenses, and I worked to capture several compelling poses from different angles under direct sunlight.

The Grey Heron ultimately defined the photograph of the day. Under clean, softly broken sunlight, framed against the River Lin, the scene felt complete.

After a 3.5-hour photo walk, as I returned to the car park, my favourite bird — the tiny Robin — seemed to offer a quiet farewell. Shot in direct sunlight, the background bokeh remained simple, while the feather details glowed beautifully. With the NIKKOR 500mm and 1.4x TC at ƒ/8.0, its poised and noble stance emerged clearly.

Good evening and thank you for looking.

I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.

Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.

© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.

Lens - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f5.6 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.

I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -

Your comments and criticism are very valuable.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)

Good morning from the mulberry lookout - ‘Curious’ the Caucasian Squirrel - On a bright morning in the North Aegean, beneath a sky just cleared of rain clouds, I revisited the same mulberry tree where I had previously spotted a young Caucasian – Anatolian squirrel. I named it “Curious,” inspired by its bold, unblinking gaze.

No sooner had I arrived than I felt a pair of round black eyes fixed upon me from above. There it was — motionless, alert, and watching me. I smiled and whispered "Good morning" as I gently pressed the shutter. For a few minutes, we simply watched each other. Then, in a flash, it darted up the tree to resume its breakfast among the branches.

After half an hour, it descended swiftly to a century-old olive tree — its home — and paused on its favorite branch as if posing just for me.

I feel lucky and grateful to have shared this peaceful moment with such a graceful forest spirit. I hope to gain its trust for many more gentle encounters in the days ahead.

Anatolian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) – Distribution and Details in Turkey

The Anatolian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus), also known as the Caucasian squirrel or Persian squirrel, is a tree squirrel species native to parts of the Middle East. It is the only native squirrel species in Turkey and plays an important ecological role in forested habitats.

Distribution in Turkey

The Anatolian squirrel is widely distributed throughout much of western, central, and southern Turkey, particularly in the following regions:

Aegean Region: Olive groves, oak woodlands, and fig orchards (like those in Pelitköy) provide suitable habitat.

Marmara Region: Thrace and surrounding mixed forests.

Central Anatolia: Especially in forested and steppe transition zones.

Mediterranean Region: Taurus Mountains and surrounding coastal forests.

Eastern Black Sea foothills: Patchy populations, typically in deciduous and mixed forests.

They prefer forests with oak, pine, walnut, almond, fig, and mulberry trees — and are commonly spotted in traditional olive groves, especially where some natural tree cover is retained.

Habitat & Behavior

Arboreal (tree-dwelling), diurnal (active by day).

Solitary and territorial, though tolerant of other squirrels in rich feeding areas.

Nests in tree hollows or builds leaf nests high in the canopy.

Feeds on a variety of nuts, seeds, fruits, and tree buds, including figs, almonds, acorns, and mulberries.

In cultivated landscapes like olive groves, they adapt well if large trees are present. The presence of fig and mulberry trees near human settlements helps maintain stable populations.

Conservation Status & Threats

Currently classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

However, local population declines have been observed due to:

Habitat fragmentation (especially loss of old trees and tree hollows),

Agricultural expansion, and

Climate change impacts, particularly in southern and drier regions.

Monitoring efforts in Turkey are still limited, and there's a growing call among researchers and nature photographers for increased ecological surveys and community awareness programs.

Curiosity

The Anatolian squirrel has adapted well to traditional Turkish agroforestry landscapes. In mythology and folklore, squirrels are sometimes seen as guardians of trees, and this species continues to serve that symbolic role in Anatolia.

I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.

Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.

© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.

Lens - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f5.6 full length.. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.

I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -

Your comments and criticism are very valuable.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)

I hide for a moment where I can feel no wind and let the essence of the Earth linger around me. There is stillness here, death, growth halted, unblinking eyes, untrembling branches. Even the clouds are motionless in the sky as though time itself has stopped long enough for us to catch a breath where we exist separate from each other. In truth I am frozen, waiting for the sun to descend from the sky. Perhaps a minute has passed, perhaps an hour, perhaps days outside of this forest. This is emptiness and this is fulfillment all in one, a consciousness in the deepest sleep. If I were being honest, I would say I am lost within the depths of myself.

gibbous moon - just like last month in the olys

Just beneath the water’s surface, an alligator keeps watch with unblinking patience. At eye level, its presence is both calm and commanding—reminding us that in nature, silence can be as powerful as motion.

Photo By: Cate Infinity

LM: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pearl%20Coast/33/79/36

In the hollows of Lynchland, beneath the veiled sky,

Lies the Church of Whispered Sins,

A spire clawing at the remorseless grey,

Windows dark as a crow’s wing,

Staring, unblinking, at the souls that dare to linger.

This church, a mausoleum of secrets,

Where hymns float like ghosts through heavy air,

Melodies not of salvation but of chains,

Tethering the living to the forgotten dead.

Its doors creak with the weight of untold stories,

Each swing a whisper of those who entered

And never left the same.

Inside, the pews are lined with shadows,

The pulpit, an altar to the obscure,

Carved from ancient wood, blackened by the touch

Of a thousand corrupt caresses.

Here, the preacher speaks in tongues not known to man,

His words slithering into the cracks of the soul,

Planting seeds of eternal unease.

Candles flicker, yet cast no warmth,

Their light, a sickly hue that paints faces with dread,

Flames dancing to the rhythm of a silent, sinister laugh.

Stained glass fractures the moonlight,

Casting mosaics of darkness on the stone floor,

Images of angels that weep black tears.

The air is thick, heavy with the scent of wilted lilies,

And somewhere, the faint echo of a closing coffin.

They say prayers here are whispered at midnight,

Not to God, but to something older, hungrier,

That lurks in the shadows of this godforsaken place.

And when the wind howls, the townsfolk shiver,

For it carries the cold heart of the church,

A chill reminder of the darkness that dwells

In the sanctuary where no true light dares to tread.

This is no place of worship,

But a cathedral of secrets,

Where every stone is steeped in the sinister,

And every echo holds a threat.

Oh, mysterious Church in Lynchland,

What evil clings to your cursed walls?

What secrets are etched within your sacred halls?

The devout and the damned, they all come,

Drawn to the beauty of your malevolent hymns,

Forever lost in your unholy psalm.

"Before we say our final goodbye to LynchLand, we invite you to capture your favorite moments. Feel free to take photos or videos throughout the week before we officially close down the space." - Cate and Myrdin

Soundtrack: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzmflKzI448

I can't believe how quickly my son has grown. I cherish every day with him.

The Last, The Lost, The Least by Relient K

www.youtube.com/watch?v=laNPeQYhKyl

Live a life of privilege

Pushing back the last, the lost, the least

The least of these

To dull the edge of conscience

With conceit

Live a life and see the world

Feel its weight on the shoulders

Of the least of these

It spins and twirls

Without rest of relief

We all, we all wear dignity

It covers the strong, the weak

We all, we all wear dignity

Even the last, the lost, the least

Step into a spacious place

Where pride and right will give way

To the least of these

To know the face

Of who a man can be

His image shown

When we give our lives, our time, our own

To feed, to clothe

Those in His image we have left alone

We all, we all wear dignity

God help the blind like me

Finding at last a voice we cry

And see with clear, unblinking eyes

This is the Dharma Wheel that rests on the Buddhist temple roof at La Boulaye in France. The diffuse lighting on the outside of the temple illuminates these important symbols at night, giving them an almost inner golden glow.

Pair of deer symbolism

When visiting a Buddhist monastery, the first thing many people will see is a pair deer, one male and the other female, kneeling at either side of an eight-spoked dharma wheel. The essential meaning of the dharma wheel, from a historical perspective, is that it is said to have been offered in the form of a thousand-spoked wheel to Sakyamuni Buddha by Brahma when requesting him to teach the sacred dharma. At that moment, out of the forest came a two deer, also known as the “krishnasara” antelope of compassion. With an unblinking gaze, they looked at the wheel with joy and delight, and knelt before it.

Dharma wheel and pair of deer

Subsequently, the Buddha related the noble eight-fold path to the wheel. Likewise, he compared the male and female beings whose mind-streams are touched by this path with the pair of male and female deer. Ever since then, the wheel has been flanked by a pair of deer and has become a special symbol for Buddhists.

Dharma wheel symbolism

The eight-spoked wheel represents the first turning of the dharma wheel by the Buddha. The male and female deer on the right and left (respectively) represent the male and female disciples who one-pointedly enjoy and take pleasure in listening to the teachings of the holy dharma.

The interior eight spokes represent aspects concerning the moral conduct of discipline from among the Three Trainings. The intermediate eight spokes represent the training in wisdom and the noble eight-fold path. The outer eight spokes represent the training in samadhi, or meditative concentration.

As the entirety of the Buddha’s teachings are contained within the Three Trainings and noble eight-fold path, so this becomes a powerful symbol for Buddhist practitioners. The two deer also represent skillful means and wisdom, and it is through the unity of skillful means and wisdom that buddhahood can be attained.

-

The eight-fold path of the noble ones

The eight-fold path of the noble ones involves the practice of:

“Correct” or “Right”…

1) View or Understanding

2) Thought

3) Speech

4) Action

5) Livelihood

6) Effort or Application

7) Mindfulness

8) Concentration or Meditation

Done in Ai, Finalized in Photoshop

Birthed in the molten depths beneath an endless jungle canopy, Ka’Reth is a legendary apex predator—neither beast nor god, but something far more ancient. Its obsidian-scaled flesh glistens with heat-slick venom, glowing where the blood-fire beneath seeps to the surface. Each breath crackles with the ambient heat of tectonic fury, and its eyes—molten gold and unblinking—see through prey, lies, and even fate.

No empire tames it. No blade cuts it. The jungle sings its name in fear.

Three thousand light years from Earth, the Cat’s Eye Nebula (NGC 6543) is a sight that draws in the human eye. In this image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, numerous bubbles are visible – shapes generated by the ejection of glowing gas as the star at its centre approaches the end of its life.

While large stars die in supernova explosions, average Sun-like stars form planetary nebulas as they exhaust their fuel supplies and slowly expire. The name ‘planetary nebula’ arose because the round shape, sculpted as layers of material are ejected, looked a little like a planet in small telescopes.

The Cat’s Eye Nebula was discovered by William Herschel in 1786, and remains an interesting target for ground-based astronomers. Amateurs can see the magnitude 8.1 blob in the sky well enough to resolve the Cat’s Eye shape, while large telescopes have identified a wider halo extending into space.

This image was published on the ESA Portal in 2004, but the Hubble Space Telescope first revealed the nebula’s intricate structure in 1994.

Observations of its intricate concentric gas shells and unusual shock-induced knots of gas suggest that the star ejected its mass in a series of pulses at 1500 year intervals. These convulsions created dust shells that each contain as much mass as all of the planets in our Solar System combined.

Credit: ESA, NASA, HEIC and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

We drove endlessly through the stark landscape of the Greater Rann of Kutch, on the lookout for the difficult- to- spot short eared owl, which normally nests on the ground below shrubs. Suddenly our keen eyed guide spotted one, sitting on the ground. The way he blended into the surrounding landscape was amazing. He was a funny looking , yet beautiful bird, with his tiny ear tufts, unblinking yellow eyes, whiskered mouth and mottled feathers. I felt I was looking at a cross between a cat and a bird. After clicking him from differently angles, for which he patiently posed, we reluctantly took our leave of him…..

We're Here! : The Panopticon: Pictures Of Surveillance Cameras

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View On Black

I was almost home from my morning walk. The sky was darkening and I could smell rain. Only one brilliant sunbeam remained. And, as if in some grand stage production, it was focused directly on this shiny, bumpy-skinned, green baby!

I was afraid he would dart as Anoles usually do. But he seemed as intent on getting that last bit of sunlight as I was on getting this shot! So we both stood still, endlessly it seemed... 10 shots, 12, 15. He stared at me the whole time with his shiny black-striped, unblinking eye.

Just as I felt I'd had enough, he'd had enough too. And disappeared so quickly I couldn't see him leave as I rushed to reach my front gate before a drenching tropical downpour.

See my set... Living in a Jungle.

Biscayne Park, FL

www.susanfordcollins.com

A majestic Sumatran tiger strides confidently toward, its powerful frame gliding with quiet grace. Piercing amber eyes lock, intense and unblinking, radiating both wild beauty and primal authority.

Every photo walk is different - On the way home, it is never easy to predict what a Nikon Z8 memory card will carry. Sometimes you press the shutter within the first minutes and the card fills quickly; sometimes you wait patiently without taking a single frame, imagining the photograph long before it exists.

Wildlife follows its own rhythm — and occasionally, it takes you along with it.

This pre-Christmas morning at Bradgate Park began as the rising sun broke through dark, scattered clouds. As the light softened, the landscape slowly revealed itself. At times, gentle morning light becomes incredibly effective; at other moments, you work more technically, placing the strength of the light behind you and allowing experience to grow with every frame.

The first encounter came from the rocky hilltops: a young male fallow deer, standing still, looking directly into my lens with wide, unblinking eyes.

“Young Fallow Deer in Morning Light.”

After meeting two fellow photographer friends, I joined them along the River Lin, which flows through Bradgate Park in North Leicestershire. A small group of hinds crossed the river, resisting the powerful current — a moment of shared instinct and determination.

Later, while searching for Stonechat, as on previous visits, a herd of red deer appeared, spreading calmly across the greenery. The majestic stag once again became the natural favourite of our lenses, and I worked to capture several compelling poses from different angles under direct sunlight.

The Grey Heron ultimately defined the photograph of the day. Under clean, softly broken sunlight, framed against the River Lin, the scene felt complete.

After a 3.5-hour photo walk, as I returned to the car park, my favourite bird — the tiny Robin — seemed to offer a quiet farewell. Shot in direct sunlight, the background bokeh remained simple, while the feather details glowed beautifully. With the NIKKOR 500mm and 1.4x TC at ƒ/8.0, its poised and noble stance emerged clearly.

Good evening and thank you for looking.

I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.

Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.

© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.

Lens - With Nikon TC 14E II - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f8 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.

I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -

Your comments and criticism are very valuable.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)

This eye watches me every morning at my bus stop.

November clings to the lake’s surface, a brittle silence stretching between water and air. Étang de la Oussade lies like an unblinking eye in the cold grip of the French Pyrenees, a liquid stillness that refuses to surrender to ice. The midday light, thin and pale, filters through moving veils of cloud, catching briefly on the frosted edges of stone before dissolving into shadow. There’s a chill here that doesn’t pierce but settles — a quiet certainty, a whisper of winter held just at bay.

The mountains loom above, shrouded in transient veils of mist. Their flanks are streaked with frost and the bare-boned honesty of stone, half-concealed, half-revealed. The clouds glide through the summits, detached, like thoughts that refuse to be pinned down, reshaping themselves with each passing breath of wind. They dip and rise, unsure whether to embrace the heights or descend into the lake’s cold reflection.

Beneath this trembling mirror, the water seems to hold its own secrets. A school of trout darts along the shore, swift and deliberate, weaving patterns of motion beneath a surface that barely acknowledges them. Their sleek bodies fracture the clarity, creating ripples that fade almost as quickly as they form — fleeting disturbances in a place where time itself seems reluctant to move forward.

This is not a scene of waiting, nor of stillness. It is a conversation — water murmuring to cloud, stone whispering to cold air, fish tracing lines through invisible currents. There is no destination, no climax, only the unfolding of an ever-shifting equilibrium. The lake reflects not just the sky, but the tension of being on the cusp of change, where one element teeters on the edge of becoming another.

In this fragile hour, where the known balances precariously on the edge of the unknown, you sense that the lake is more than a body of water. It is a memory pool — one that holds the fleeting shapes of clouds, the sharp edge of frost, the urgency of fish, the infinite patience of mountains. And in its depths, it keeps something else: a question that cannot be answered, only felt.

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

Beneath the lake’s trembling reflection and the sky’s quiet unraveling, there lies a doorway — one that leads to more moments where nature reveals its hidden dialogue and the world’s edges blur.

To explore further, where images breathe with the same wonder as words, step softly into the world crafted by the artist and writer at www.coronaviking.com. Each photograph, each phrase, offers an invitation to pause, to listen, and to see with eyes that wonder and a heart that remembers.

Come closer, he says,

beckoning with a gesture so slight it could be missed -

if not for the way his eyes hold yours,

unblinking, unhurried,

as if they’ve already decided.

The fire behind him glows,

casting gold across brick and bone,

but that is not the heat you feel.

It’s in the space between you.

In the way the silence leans forward.

In the way your breath forgets its rhythm.

He does not move.

He does not speak again.

He waits.

And somehow, that waiting feels like touch.

The room is dressed in shadows.

You haven't moved.

But you are already closer.

Earned It ♪♪

Happenstance - Ma Belle's First Coffee

‘Curious’ the Caucasian Squirrel - On a bright morning in the North Aegean, beneath a sky just cleared of rain clouds, I revisited the same mulberry tree where I had previously spotted a young Caucasian – Anatolian squirrel. I named it “Curious,” inspired by its bold, unblinking gaze.

No sooner had I arrived than I felt a pair of round black eyes fixed upon me from above. There it was — motionless, alert, and watching me. I smiled and whispered "Good morning" as I gently pressed the shutter. For a few minutes, we simply watched each other. Then, in a flash, it darted up the tree to resume its breakfast among the branches.

After half an hour, it descended swiftly to a century-old olive tree — its home — and paused on its favorite branch as if posing just for me.

I feel lucky and grateful to have shared this peaceful moment with such a graceful forest spirit. I hope to gain its trust for many more gentle encounters in the days ahead.

Anatolian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) – Distribution and Details in Turkey

The Anatolian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus), also known as the Caucasian squirrel or Persian squirrel, is a tree squirrel species native to parts of the Middle East. It is the only native squirrel species in Turkey and plays an important ecological role in forested habitats.

Distribution in Turkey

The Anatolian squirrel is widely distributed throughout much of western, central, and southern Turkey, particularly in the following regions:

Aegean Region: Olive groves, oak woodlands, and fig orchards (like those in Pelitköy) provide suitable habitat.

Marmara Region: Thrace and surrounding mixed forests.

Central Anatolia: Especially in forested and steppe transition zones.

Mediterranean Region: Taurus Mountains and surrounding coastal forests.

Eastern Black Sea foothills: Patchy populations, typically in deciduous and mixed forests.

They prefer forests with oak, pine, walnut, almond, fig, and mulberry trees — and are commonly spotted in traditional olive groves, especially where some natural tree cover is retained.

Habitat & Behavior

Arboreal (tree-dwelling), diurnal (active by day).

Solitary and territorial, though tolerant of other squirrels in rich feeding areas.

Nests in tree hollows or builds leaf nests high in the canopy.

Feeds on a variety of nuts, seeds, fruits, and tree buds, including figs, almonds, acorns, and mulberries.

In cultivated landscapes like olive groves, they adapt well if large trees are present. The presence of fig and mulberry trees near human settlements helps maintain stable populations.

Conservation Status & Threats

Currently classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

However, local population declines have been observed due to:

Habitat fragmentation (especially loss of old trees and tree hollows),

Agricultural expansion, and

Climate change impacts, particularly in southern and drier regions.

Monitoring efforts in Turkey are still limited, and there's a growing call among researchers and nature photographers for increased ecological surveys and community awareness programs.

Curiosity

The Anatolian squirrel has adapted well to traditional Turkish agroforestry landscapes. In mythology and folklore, squirrels are sometimes seen as guardians of trees, and this species continues to serve that symbolic role in Anatolia.

I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.

Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.

© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.

Lens - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f5.6 full length.. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.

I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -

Your comments and criticism are very valuable.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)

A Barred Owl at Hawthorne Park, Surrey, BC, late this afternoon, August 30, 2017.

This is the first time I've seen an owl in the wild, and I couldn't believe my eyes at first. It was just sitting at the edge of the path. I was surprised by its size and it looked very much like a toy, sitting so unbelievably still and quiet, with its large, dark eyes unblinking. It was really exciting and incredible to have such a close first encounter.

There are plans by the city to put a road through Hawthorne Park. The City says that there will be added acreage, amenities, trees and habitat by the end, but I enjoy the tranquility the park offers now, with no through traffic, and I am pretty sure this owl and other creatures that make the park home like it the way it is too.

View On Black

It was an exquisite 55-degree December Sunday, so I took my dog Kovacs to the last dog day of the year at the #MortonArboretum. Third time now that we’ve run into a coyote when I’ve been there with my dog. We backed up slowly under its unblinking stare; I’m sure it didn’t want confrontation, just making sure we retreated, but I was a bit nervous being there after that.

Done in Ai, Finalized in Photoshop.

In the darkest heart of the jungle swamp, where roots strangle the light and the air hangs with breathless decay, something stirs beneath the black water — ancient, unblinking, eternal.

The Mireborn Terror emerges slowly, its obsidian-scaled body slick with algae and age. Yellow reptilian eyes glow from the shadowed shallows, reflecting the last light of a sun long drowned. Its lipless grin exposes serrated teeth built for silence — and ambush. Its spine ridges crackle faintly as it moves, disturbing the water only in whispers.

Around it, the jungle is still. No birdsong, no frogs. Even the insects avoid this stretch of mire. The trees here do not grow—they shudder.

Some call it a legend.

Some say it’s the last of a species thought dead before fire met stone.

But the villagers know better.

They leave offerings on the water’s edge.

And they never stay after dark.

unblinking eyes