This was the first owlet we found when we went to check up on the family of seven to see if Basket Baby was doing OK. (See previous post for more on this story if you missed it).

The others went on to find the rest of the family, but I couldn't help but stop and capture this beauty first.

We were at the end of a very warm spell for May on this day, and a little later in the evening, a large dead branch from higher in this owlet's roost tree, broke and fell, narrowly missing the owlet by a mere 2".

Five minutes later another branch fell from a tree I was near, and missed my camera gear by 2 1/2'! I looked up expecting to see a squirrel, or such, but it was just the result of a tinder dry, old growth forest.

It is unusual for Great Horned Owls to have a clutch size of 5, but it isn't unheard of. I consider myself blessed to have met such a large family, albeit ever so briefly.

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, etc. without my permission.

One thing I really miss in winter is birdsong, so imagine our delight when we saw our crabapple tree full of robins recently. They shouldn't be in Maine now and I don't know if they are late flying south, or if they have decided to winter over. The robins were eating all the berries they could find and they swooped and cavorted through the branches of the tree all morning long. Then, as if by signal, unheard by me, they suddenly departed. If you have the time, or inclination, click through the pictures to see this happy visit.

"In the roaring wind, trees dance to an unheard song, and sway to the tune."

Eloise Guthrie

There is something glorious about the way leaves change color in Fall. I'm drawn to leaves the same way I am drawn to poetry.

One thing I really miss in winter is birdsong, so imagine our delight when we saw our crabapple tree full of robins recently. They shouldn't be in Maine now and I don't know if they are late flying south, or if they have decided to winter over. The robins were eating all the berries they could find and they swooped and cavorted through the branches of the tree all morning long. Then, as if by signal, unheard by me, they suddenly departed. If you have the time, or inclination, click through the pictures to see this happy visit.

There is nothing the human spirit cannot overcome when there is hope. The smallest glimmer can light the path from out of the darkest shadows, we all need to help light that path for one another free from judgment and indifference. Never alone, never unheard and never forgotten. What was once in secret is now our story...to overcome, to heal, to thrive and to inspire others. From out of the darkness and ashes we RISE!!! 💛💛💛

One Billion Rising Website www.onebillionrising.org/

Hoping for a good year for everyone folks, for me the start could not have been any better, and so so hope it continues.

This guy posed for what seemed forever or the better part of 35-minutes which for these guys are totally unheard of, one or 2 more of this guy and will end it ............... promise.

Have a great New Year, and a great day.

Drzewica , HDR , hand held .

There is a place where nature paints unheard of things in the sky every few days. I am lucky to live here and to be a spectator of these wonders in the sky. You just have to wait and watch. Another such moment was on January 8, 2021. I will be able to share a series of photos from this walk with you for a long time.

A pair of ducks is visible in the right part of the frame.

Concealed in the depth

Weightless..

Free to roam

No compass as guide

No roads to follow..

The screams go unheard

The laughter muted

Tears just feed the thousand of drops..

Alone! Away from prying eyes..

One with oneself.

But as deep as you dive,

your must return to surface..

To breath for life..

And assume your mask!

Private properly and a barbed wire fence presented the best comps here..

But still a pleasant scene nonetheless...

"Regrets equal life and learning, all wisdom earned.

Bridges built with people and opportunity don’t need to remain forever burned.

You can not turn back the clock on yesterday.

But now and tomorrow are forever yours, to live your way.

There is little that can’t be undone or forgiven.

When one remains compassionate, forgiving and driven.

Find what matters, own your choices, allow those unheard to have their voices.

It is true that what one treasures, another may throw away,

but perhaps the most valuable thing of all,

for which we can agree,

is that we are given today."

- Charlotte Smyth, "Never Too Late"

Photo locale:

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Antares/227/28/804

If I were to say to you, "can you keep a secret?"

Would you know just what to do or where to keep it?

Then I say, "I love you", foul the situation

Hey girl, I thought we were the right combination

Who broke my heart, you did, you did

Bow to the target, blame Cupid, Cupid

You think you're smart, stupid, stupid

Shoot that poison arrow to my heart

Shoot that poison arrow

Shoot that poison arrow to my heart

Shoot that poison arrow

No rhythm in cymbals, no tempo in drums

Love on arrival, she comes when she comes

Right on the target but wide of the mark

What I thought was fire was only the spark

The sweetest melody is an unheard refrain

So lower your sights, yeah

But raise your aim, raise your aim

Who broke my heart, you did, you did

Bow to the target, blame Cupid, Cupid

You think you're smart, stupid, stupid

Shoot that poison arrow to my heart

Shoot that poison arrow

Shoot that poison arrow to my heart

Shoot that poison arrow

I thought you loved me, but it seems you don't care

[Karen Clayton:] I care enough to know I can never love you

Who broke my heart, you did, you did

Bow to the target, blame Cupid

You think you're smart, that's stupid

Right from the start when you knew we would part

Shoot that poison arrow to my heart

Shoot that poison arrow

Shoot that poison arrow to my heart, heart, heart

Shoot that poison arrow

Heart, shoot that poison arrow

Shoot that poison arrow

youtu.be/v9mJuqBipE0

My trip into London last week included a brief stopover at Tate Britain, more to see what it was like after reopening a few days previous than to see any particular exhibition. As you'd expect it was very quiet and I got some shots of nearly empty museum spaces that in other more normal circumstances would have been unheard of. Here's a shot of the famous circular staircase near the front entrance, photographed many times before by photographers far more gifted than I, but its one of those iconic shots every London photographer has a go at. Seldom have I seen it empty of people so this was a chance not to be missed.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I Dreamed.

I dreamed a dream and in that dream,

I dreamed that I had dreamed a dream,

Of hope and fairytales come true,

I dreamed a dream and thought of truth,

I dreamed a dream of life and love,

Of fate and angels and God above,

I dreamed a dream of good wishes and friends,

I dreamed a dream I dreaded to end,

But then I woke into my dream,

I dreamed I woke in a world obscene,

I dreamed a dream of violence and hate,

And once again I dreamed of fate,

I dreamed a dream of terror and fear,

I dreamed that each word went unheard,

And so children never spoke a word,

I dreamed a dream of demons and beasts,

I dreamed a dream that ended at last,

I woke in my bed and wondered if,

I dreamed a dream of dreams or if,

I dreamed a dream of truth that night,

And if so I wondered which was truth,

And which was merely a dream.

Emma Wright

South Fork Snoqualmie River, North Bend, Washington

Does light make a sound as it splashes into a flowing river and briefly transforms the green into drops of liquid gold?

This question popped into my head when I came around a bend near the end of my hike, as the sun was dropping behind the trees along the river bank, and this patch of beautiful light on the water caught my eye. Once thus captured, I was drawn into the moment as if enchanted. I stood in the one small spot where this magical scene was visible, as the light danced and the river sang.

And there I stayed while the water sparkled and shimmered, until it spoke in a fading voice with quiet promises of unwritten poems and unheard songs, and the gold slowly dissolved into the encroaching dusk.

just a touch of sarcasm should be applied here!

Photography should come from the soul! It should be a non-verbal communication between you and the viewer of those things that are happening in the world that affect not only you, but to those also unseen and unheard, that have no "voice"!

Sometimes it should provoke you!

Sometimes it should make you feel uncomfortable!

1 texure by PaintedWorksbyKB.com

“Poetry, she thought, wasn't written to be analyzed; it was meant to inspire without reason, to touch without understanding.”

― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XhDGkg8SpQ

BLOOD OF EDEN – PETER GABRIEL & SINEAD O'CONNOR

... And when you left the fields of yellow

faded in the winds of time

the golden ears of corn bowed down

finally beyond all reason or rhyme

But now my heart has risen up

the fields are red adorned with flowers

the bluest mountains reach towards the heavens

the promise of Spring is surely ours

I thought there would never be anyone else

to replace you in my field of dreams

but gentle words flow like a river

and settle within me or so it seems

I want to believe in the everafter

when our souls will meet again

but for now I must seek the quantum of solace

in the absence of the gentlest rain

The silent tears roll down the years

and bathe me in a rosy glow

the sunshine warms me; holds me closely

I feel immense that all I know

Is carefully parcelled; tied with ribbon

red velvet bow soft to the touch

a secret gift to be opened slowly

unwrapped; unveiled and loved so much

Inspiration is my succour

that piques my salient desires

I know that you will understand me

be happy someone tends these fires

the burning embers that you left me

now ashes crumble in the dirt

dust is dust that once was earthbound

in Heaven there is no more hurt

My heart sings out the freedom of nature

like a bird on the wing I soar so high

above the mountains through the clouds

swooping towards an open sky

I reach the stars just as the night falls

and cloaks the earth in silent reverie

sweet dreams my love; I know you're smiling

your generosity sets me free

Love is freedom to be ourselves

no matter what direction we take

the ones who love us are happy for us

and theirs is the love we do not forsake

Be still my beating heart; be silent

only when the end is nigh

for I am alive and my joie de vie

my joy of life cannot be denied ...

- AP - Copyright © remains with and is the intellectual property of the author

Copyright © protected image please do not reproduce without permission

Across Girvan Valley, looking out over The Firth of Clyde to Ailsa Craig, Rathlin Island (Northern Ireland) and Isles of Sanda and Glunimore, just south east of The Mull of Kintyre.

It’s been very hot (for Scotland) in the last week, with temperatures reaching 30C. This is not unheard of, but it is very rare. I’m not complaining, though - it’ll probably be back to 14C and rain, before long...

Taken from my garden,

South Carrick Hills

SW Scotland

(edited)

With the wind...

My Photoblog- My Third Eye...!

The location name shown in the map is absolutely wrong, though the image is placed in the best accurate position... a name unheard of in that place!

The nearest town is Aluva.

Some challenging canoe balancing for this one...;-) Our weather has been spectacular, sunny with record highs moving toward 70F. And not one hard frost or even the suggestion of snow which is unheard of this late in the year. Not too many complaints to be heard...except from the deer hunters, whose season opened this weekend and who tend to rely on colder temps and snow for tracking purposes. Sorry guys...oh, and gals.

One thing I really miss in winter is birdsong, so imagine our delight when we saw our crabapple tree full of robins recently. They shouldn't be in Maine now and I don't know if they are late flying south, or if they have decided to winter over. The robins were eating all the berries they could find and they swooped and cavorted through the branches of the tree all morning long. Then, as if by signal, unheard by me, they suddenly departed. If you have the time, or inclination, click through the pictures to see this happy visit.

All details here :

primomode.wordpress.com/2022/03/05/to-dungeons-deep-and-c...

.:: ♫ Yellow Flicker Beat ♫ ::.

♫♪♫ ... Far over the misty mountains cold

To dungeons deep and caverns old

We must away, ere break of day

To claim our long-forgotten gold

Goblets they carved there for themselves

And harps of gold, where no man delves

There lay they long, and many a song

Was sung unheard by men or elves

The pines were roaring on the heights

The winds was moaning in the night

The fire was red, it flaming spread

The trees like torches blazed with light

The bells were ringing in the dale

And men looked up with faces pale

The dragon's ire, more fierce than fire

Laid low their towers and houses frail ... ♪♫♫

Love the way the trunks seem to sway to an unheard tune as I immerse myself in the autumnal scene. Taken in Barnes's Grove, Buckinghamshire.

Blog entry: angelroxleyblog.wordpress.com/2019/09/05/tetra-ardent-poses/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=--tFFz44zvc

An old man by a seashore

At the end of day

Gazes the horizon

With seawinds in his face

Tempest-tossed island

Seasons all the same

Anchorage unpainted

And a ship without a name

Sea without a shore for the banished one unheard

He lightens the beacon, light at the end of world

Showing the way lighting hope in their hearts

The ones on their travels homeward from afar

This is for long-forgotten

Light at the end of the world

Horizon crying

The tears he left behind long ago

The albatross is flying

Making him daydream

The time before he became

One of the world`s unseen

Princess in the tower

Children in the fields

Life gave him it all:

An island of the universe

Now his love`s a memory

A ghost in the fog

He sets the sails one last time

Saying farewell to the world

Anchor to the water

Seabed far below

Grass still in his feet

And a smile beneath his brow

This is for long-forgotten

Light at the end of the world

Horizon crying

The tears he left behind long ago

So long ago

So long ago

This is for long-forgotten

Light at the end of the world

Horizon crying

The tears he left behind so long ago

So long ago

© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Beach landscape captured on 2nd January 2023 - the first time I have picked up my camera since August 12th 2022! It is unheard of that I would avoid my camera for 4 days, never mind 4 months. There is a deeper story behind that which I may share one day.

The beach here at Troon, Scotland, had been altered by the winter storms and spring tides carrying flotsam right up to the sand dunes. I loved the low afternoon sun catching the sharply formed ridges in the sand here and captured this blindly at arms length. I love the result. Enjoy!

I shoulda taken my tripod with me .....here's a shot of this special falls in Yellowstone. The trees cut off the rest of it.

"Approximately 1,000 yards (910 m) upstream from the creek's confluence with the Yellowstone River, the fall plunges 132 feet (40 m). Its name comes from the rock pinnacles at the top of the fall. Tower Creek and Tower Fall are located approximately three miles south of Roosevelt Junction on the Tower-Canyon road.

In August 1870, the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition camped near and explored the Tower Fall area for several days en route to Yellowstone Lake. In his 1871 report to Secretary of War Gustavus C. Doane, a member of the expedition described Tower Falls thus:

"Nothing can be more chastely beautiful than this lovely cascade, hidden away in the dim light of overshadowing rocks and woods, its very voice hushed to a low murmur, unheard at the distance of a few hundred yards. Thousands might pass by within a half mile and not dream of its existence; but once seen, it passes to the list of most pleasant memories. In the afternoon the remainder of the party arrived, having lost the trail on the previous day."

A well-known painting of the falls by Thomas Moran in 1871 helped persuade Congress to set aside Yellowstone as the world's first national park in 1872." Wikipedia

Mistletoe is one of the Hemiparasitic plants that belong to the Loranthaceae family of mistletoes and widely seen in Kerala.

It's an epiphyte

My Photoblog- My Third Eye...!

Though the picture is placed accurately on the map, the name shown is one unheard of!! It is Aluva and not Rāyimel!!

"April is the Cruelest Month"

"The wind

Crosses the brown land, unheard"

from The Waste Land by TS Elliot

I'm happy to say that 50 or so pelicans have arrived in Sheboygan for a short rest as they migrate northward. They usually stick around for 10 days or so and then they're gone for the year.

They always cause quite a stir among our city residents and birding community since their visitation has only been happening for a few years, and before that Pelicans were unheard of here.

I captured these big beauties here resting on an old jetty and with our lighthouse gracing the background.

I will probably post one or two more images of these American White Pelicans in the days ahead.

Have a great week everyone...

🎶 MELODY GARDOT - IF I TELL I LOVE YOU

If I Tell You I Love You

Joe Bonamassa, Beth Hart

There are so many things I could say, my love

Make you trip, so your lips would be mine

There are so many things I could do, my love

To convince you my love is divine

There are so many words I could tell you

There are so many moments in time

But I say 'fore we go to the land down below

If I tell you I love you, I'm lying

There are so many places to go, my love

There are so many places to find

There are so many worlds to explore, my love

There are so many stars yet to shine

There are so many secrets to tell you

There are so many men on the line

But I say 'fore we go to the land down below

If I tell you I love you, I'm lying

I maybe show the reason to call you up next time

So if you like your women sweet, ah, consider me your wine

I may be one for weekends to call you when you're flying

But if I ever utter I love you, honey I am lying

And if I look into your eyes and tell you, honey I am lying

And if I ever whisper words unheard, such sultry words

(Oh, je t'aime

Oh oui, je t'aime)

Darling, I am lying

As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I take a look at my life and realize there's not much left

Cause I've been blastin' and laughin so long that

Even my ma'ma thinks that my mind is gone

But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it

Me, be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of ~~~~~~~~~~~~Coolio

I really hate to trip <--------listen here..

Posted for Musically Challenged...Gangstas paradise by Coolio

The past five or so years have shown me that any time of sunshine from this time onwards is to be cherished, for there may not be so many days of it during the year. Sure, we may still get cold snaps between now and more traditionally warm months, and it’s not unheard of to have brief snowy times in April here, but I am not one to waste any sunshine that I can!

Read more and credits

It's called a heat dome and almost unheard of here in the Great North.

Giant dragon flies from Mill Stream perform kamikaze manoeuvres on the hill and my baby birds took flight from the nest today. They flapped their nubby wings as their mother lead them hurriedly to the shade of the hedges and hopefully away from Black Bart and Angus. May the great mother protect them.

It's so quiet with only an occasional complaint from the ravens. We are having a heat wave on the usually cool, west coast island -40 Celsius, It's province wide and reaches nearly up to the Arctic Circle with no relief soon. I'm wearing as little as possible.

early morning and after 11 pm are the only respite.

♪ Only love can make it rain

My experience with RL vs SL photography

In Sl you have the artistic vision of creative builds and in RL nature, urbex etc,

I have my chosen scene settings and my camera settings with TV, AV, manual etc . (in SL -photo tools) . Instead of changing the (wind) light I must often move to find it as Dylan Thomas writes, "down the rivers of the windfall light" which gave this one a misty look. I insert myself into the scene just as in SL and then do a timer from behind, counting on backlighting drama.

- a few adjustments in PS - perhaps a layer or texture and voila!

RL requires more patience, and physical work but often comes out in a similar vision to a virtual image.

Garganey are scarce and secretive summer visitors the males are easy to identify the females and young birds are similar to the familiar Teal. I was lucky that my local RSPB Dungeness had a large number land on the first day of April 2021 when just as it got dark I managed to photograph 14 drakes and 2 ducks on the water in one image there were another 2 Garganey ducks on the reserve making an unheard of total of 18 Garganey on the reserve ,, the highest count here possibly ever . Over the next few days the number dwindled rapidly but I was lucky that on the 5th day with only 6 birds remaining one came close enough for a decent shot .

A place to sit to enjoy a snowy day in Montreal.

"It had snowed continuously for two days, and this morning everything appeared to stand in hushed amazement before the spectacle of such expanses of unbroken whiteness on all sides. People said it was unheard of, that they had never known weather like it, that it was the worst winter in living memory. But they said that every year when it snowed, and also in years when it didn’t snow." (from "Snow: A Novel" by John Banville)

Another shot of the Redhead that, surprisingly, as I later found out, wintered at various spots on the peninsula and in Victoria this past winter.

Our family went back on the weekend, hoping it was still at Beacon Hill Park, so they too could mark it down in their bird books. Though technically it can winter here according to the map, it is almost unheard of, and this loner caused quite a stir here as a result. I wonder if he will tell his buddies, and bring more of his kind this winter...

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, etc. without my permission.

I don't do early mornings, but for a long time I've wished that I did. Yesterday's weather forecast was for early morning fog, followed by sunshine after sunrise, so I made a supreme effort to get myself off to the woods before the sun burned off the fog. It wasn't easy and I almost stayed in bed, but was so glad to be rewarded with really great conditions and what's more, there was no wind (practically unheard of in these parts). I must do it again soon although it would probably help to get to bed before 1.00am next time.

The Bullfinch is a medium-sized finch that has quite a round body, with a large robust bill. Males and females have a black cap that extends forward around the bill, a grey back, black wings with a grey-white wing bar, a black tail and a white rump. However, while the female and juveniles are pinkish-grey, the male stands out with rose-red underparts. You are much more likely to see a bullfinch than to hear one as they are shy birds. They have a very soft and very subtle call which is a low, short whistle ‘peu’.

The male breeding song is very quiet as well, consisting of a descending series of notes, repeated at intervals. In addition, they are a skilful mimic and were popular cage birds at one point, with people determined to teach them different tunes that were played to them.

Breeding bullfinch pairs appear to remain together over several breeding seasons. They are not overly territorial during the breeding season, potentially due to the low density of occurrence, so it is not unheard of to see two males sharing a bird feeder.

They rarely breed in gardens as they prefer to nest in thick cover. However, you may still see them feeding, as adults can travel a long distance from the nest due to the patchy distribution of food. This means that they have developed special food sacs which are positioned in the floor of the mouth, allowing the parents to bring back food to their chicks. They are the only species of finch to have such sacs.

Burn every fear, every doubt like a funeral fire

Scream every anthem and follow your reckless desires

Take back the crown that hangs at the gate

Ready your march, steady your aim

For the heart is a soldier that never loses its way

So raise your horns

Raise 'em high

Let 'em soar

Let 'em fly

Up through the heavens

Forevermore

Let 'em reign down

Raise your horns

Sing every verse, every sermon, for the dead are unheard

Shout from the rooftops while you still live every word

'Cause the pendulum swings for those who dare wait

Through flesh and through bone to where nothing escapes

So follow true north on the road that will lead you away

And raise your horns

Raise 'em high

Let 'em soar

Let 'em fly

Up through the heavens

Forevermore

Let 'em reign down

Raise your horns

Forgive every fear that convinced you to put out your light

Show every flaw, every scar that this world made you hide

From who you are

From who you are, are, are, are

Raise your horns

Raise 'em high

Let 'em soar

Let 'em fly

Up through the heavens

Forevermore

Let 'em rain down

Raise your horns

Let 'em rain down

Raise your horns

Let 'em rain down

Raise your horns

Raise Your Horns - Halestorm

It's unpredictable. When your mind crosses a certain line. You're unable to breathe even when there is abundant air around you. There is just one thought in your mind and you must fulfill it. That is when all the energy of the universe aspires to push you, encourage you, make you believe that this is your desire and yours alone that has to be done this instant. Nothing else rules your being and your feet are no longer yours when you rush out, chasing it, not allowing anything to stop you.

Dodging the fear, the uncertainty, all the lies and hatred that was disguised in kindness. All the care with hidden agendas and most especially all those promises coated in loneliness. Leaving behind your aspirations just for the sake of validity. Being silent instead of speaking since it would go unheard anyways. Enough is enough.

And when you reach your destination, an understanding that it's alright to put yourself first. You are allowed to want without judgment. When you have done it. An explosion of worries and failure rise to the surface. Your breath suddenly returns, the feeling of relief washes over your senses. All it takes is a smile as you can rest peacefully for once. And perhaps for awhile...

P.S. There is a rainbow in the windlight itself! Bambi is amazing!

Your Moon Wagon to Visit: Runaway Moon

The gulls get along well with their much bigger cousins, but they definitely defer to them due to the pelican's size and also their sometimes opportunistic behavior... It is not unheard of for very hungry pelicans to scoop up other birds in their pouch and swallow them whole.

For the most part though, pelicans get along well with other birds and as a photographer, it is a joy to have them at our city's lakeshore, soaring in beautiful flight together and preening in groups on the jetties and rocks ledges!

With early rumors of it leading coming out on a Saturday night, there was a rat race of people to Michigan, which is nearly unheard of for the potential to shoot this gem. Running in perfect light, a late Lake State Z127 with the deceptive but former Soo 6020, now with CEFX reporting marks splits the well documented signals at South Holly as they begin to hustle south with a short train for Wixom to interchange with CSX.

Cold, cold desaturation of brain, it's dancing in the mists, dark trees are watching you in your desolation and whisper mad poems of those unheard and forgotten. Then you wake up with feeling of something is missing. The dream showed you the beautiful and the terrifying and then took it from you. Yes, all this is in your head indeed, but not under your control, yet...

I am doing the unheard of flickr thing and posting 3 photos at once. A little hike/photo adventure to Chute Lake yielded more exciting photos than I have ever taken in one sitting.

My 'sherpa' for this walk was Mandy. Her landscape shots are exceptional and will have you yearning for a hike in BC. We are living proof that SOOC people and NOT-SO-SOOC people are fundamentally the same. We need and love the light. And the light on this morning was extraordinary.

After experiencing lightning and thunderstorms yesterday - almost unheard of in January - we were back to normal snowfall today. This little goldfinch looks a bit bewildered by our weird weather of late. By the way, I will be away at a meeting tomorrow night but I should return to Flickr on Friday night.