Soul Eater!
View allAll Photos Tagged Wielded
As late I rambled in the happy fields,
What time the skylark shakes the tremulous dew
From his lush clover covert; when anew
Adventurous knights take up their dinted shields:
I saw the sweetest flower wild nature yields,
A fresh-blown musk-rose, 'twas the first that threw
Its sweets upon the summer: graceful it grew
As in the wand that Queen Titania wields.
And as I feasted on its fragrancy,
I thought the garden-rose it far excelled:
But when, O Wells! thy roses came to me
My sense with their deliciousness was spelled:
Soft voices had they, that with tender plea
Whispered of peace, and truth, and friendliness unquelled.
The camera is not a creative being, but the human who wields it is.
Brooks Jensen
Truth Matters! VOTE!!
lotus blossom, sarah p duke gardens, duke university, durham, north carolina
Casa Galleria Vichi - year 1911
Balcony
Borgo Ognissanti, 26, Florence
architect: Giovanni Michelazzi
florentine art nouveau
Florence is not only synonymous with the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Its streets hide other equally valuable treasures that no one expects to find, as samples of the Liberty style, the Florentine art nouveau of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is quite a decorative style in wrought iron, with floral and animal motifs, linear and curved forms. The Liberty patterns found opposition, hostility and criticism in Florence, as it was believed that these buildings broke the architectural uniformity of the city.
The pressure was such that the authorities of the time prohibited this style in the oldest centre. Giovanni Michelazzi designed most of these buildings. He was the highest representative of the Liberty Fiorentino who opposed the local ban by wielding freedom of expression. With his death in 1920, such architectural style was interrupted in Florence
Or, to be more accurate, a last buffet. It's a second photo from my Aunt Norma's funeral from a couple of weeks ago. The shot is taken in the mirror of the Italian restaurant we were frequenting and you can see me in the centre wielding my iPhone as usual! Cropped and then processed in iColorama. HSS, everybody! :)
♫ Music
✈ Frogmore
Merci Tolla de d'être jeté à l'eau !
****************************************************************************
Peasant Woman: Well, how’d you become king, then?
[Angelic music plays…]
King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. That is why I am your king.
Dennis: Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
Arthur: Be quiet!
Dennis: You can’t expect to wield supreme executive power just ’cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
Arthur: Shut up!
Dennis: I mean, if I went around saying I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they’d put me away!
As the storm summoners faded with twilight, dawn's light had finally broken onto the sand. Before my very eyes, mother nature's hand was at work. With smooth and steady hands, she applied what seemed like imaginary color across the sand as if wielding a mighty palette knife. However, another hand of nature was also at work. As if in response, a giant sentinel rose from the sand. All along the shore, these creatures came to life on this morning to the tune of the washing waves. Life rising from the sand, from the light and from the tide. The many hands of mother nature. Nature's light of creation would prove to be a fleeting moment in time. My mind shifted quickly. "I must get to work. Time is of the essence." I could feel a presence approaching from the incoming tide.
This photo was taken not long after "Summoning Storms and Darkness." Continuing the adventures on the Boneyard Beach. This morning was proving to be a great start to a Summer vacation.
"And Kaw, of North Britain, mounted Arthur's mare Llamrei, and was first in the attack. Then Kaw, of North Britain, wielded a mighty axe, and absolutely daring he came valiantly up to the boar, and clave his head in twain. And Kaw took away the tusk. Now the boar was not slain by the dogs that Yspaddaden had mentioned, but by Cavall, Arthur's own dog."
“The planet has survived everything, in its time. It will certainly survive us.”
― Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park
Soundtrack :
LE VENT NOUS PORTERA - Noir Désir
Wandering along the Jurassic Coast
where dinosaurs once roamed
watching the sea ebb and flow
bubbling forming frothy sea foam
fossil hunters out for the day
wielding the tools of their trade
claw hammers swinging loose and lithe with their arms
down on their knees where the dinosaurs played
sticky thick black mud underfoot
sliding down the cliffside
lost shoes and wellington boots amid
the ancient layers once melded now slide
dogs run in and out of the sea
unaware of what is underfoot
petrified forests mean nothing to them
ammonites encrusted with carbonised soot
one hundred and eighty five million years of history
stretching over ninety-five miles of coastline
Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous
this is our Earth's history; yours and mine
imagine the amazing Mesozoic Era
when the Earth's crust began to stretch and sink
layers of sediment; hardening rocks
baking in a desert; it makes one think
then sea levels fell and a forest grew
then it died and was buried deep beneath the lagoons
and the swamps and the rivers flowed over and above
then the earth was moving and very soon
the Eastern rocks tilted while those in the West
eroded and soon the sea rose again
sandstone and chalk were laid down in the region
burying the tilted layers of older rock and then
erosion became a most natural artist
Mother Nature is skilled and brilliant that way
so now you can see the results of it's labours
in this beautiful landscape I show to you today.
- AP - Copyright © remains with and is the intellectual property of the author
Copyright © protected image please do not reproduce without permission
This shot was taken 5 mins prior to previous shot. Saturday night was spent at my parents enjoying a take away, after deciding to spend the night I woke early Sunday morning and peaked out the window to see a hint of colour in the sky, so I quickly got dressed and headed to the coast at saltburn, some 15 minutes away. At this time of year the sun rises behind huntcliff which works as a nice damper to the most powerful ray's of light allowing often some stunning colours to be seen within the sky. Luckily for me this was one of those mornings, add that to a recently receeding tide and you have sand which acts like a mirror.
Tripod in hand I headed north along the beach to find a vantage point, as I reached the steps to head down onto the beach I could see a row of fellow camera wielding enthusiasts. Upon joining the growing row of photographers I was left a little frustrated as I actually wanted to be about 100m further forwards towards the pier so there would be some separation between the pier and the cliffs in the background. However not wanting to break rank and stand in the middle of everyone else's shot I remained in the position I had first taken up.
A beautiful shot non the less I hope you'll agree but I realise why I like woodland so much recently, i'm an grumpy antisocial 37 year old and prefer my own company to that of others. This may be something I need to work on if i'm going to start delivering YouTube videos and workshops (Both hopefully coming in the not to distant future).
A martial game between two horsemen wielding lances with blunted tips, often as part of a tournament.
I've enjoyed wielding the macro lens around of late, catching diners at their all-you-can-eat-buffets. Have a fabulous weekend, everybody :)
“The true dwellers help you embrace
the darkness in yourself and wield it at will.
It is never belittling but empowering.”
― Harshita Gottipati, Born A Free Spirit
Goliathan: we walked amongst giants.
Genesis 6:4 - There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare [children] to them, the same [became] mighty men which [were] of old, men of renown.
Though I was raised in a religious household I consider myself to be agnostic yet grateful for my upbringing and knowledge of theology and history. I have great respect for all religions (but not for the way by which a few choose to wield it for their own ill gains).
I found the aforementioned passage quite poignant as a contributing narrative to this image.
Inchree, Onich, Fort William, Scottish Highlands, Scotland.
Created using: Topaz Labs, and Topaz Studio
Be prudent! Don't accept his overtures to join you for lunch! 'Cause when you're not looking.... Ouch!!!!! Lyon, 2016.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmhGa-_GasQ
I wish we could wash from our hearts and our souls
The stains of the week away,
And let water and air by their magic make
Ourselves as pure as they;
Then on the earth there would be indeed
A glorious washing-day!
Along the path of a useful life
Will heart's-ease ever bloom;
The busy mind has no time to think
Of sorrow, or care, or gloom;
And anxious thoughts may be swept away
As we busily wield a broom.
by Louisa May Alcott
the photographer who wields it well can depict what lies unseen in his memory :-)
Eikoh Hosoe
HGGT! Justice Matters! Indict Trump!
anemone, sarah p duke gardens, duke university, durham, north carolina
I belong to the cherry tree temple, and one of our magic swords is in the human world. My mission is to recover it and kill the traitor who has dared to wield it. I've done my research and you've been spotted in the lands of FantasyFaire... No matter where you hide, I'll find you!
If there is one thing that you can count on in the Netherlands it is the weather if not the weatherman, ha ha ha, joke aside though if one means that you can count on rain to appear when least expected then the weather is extremely dependable.
Our morning visit to Doesburg the first stop on our tour of cozy overlooked towns in and around the Arnhem region was a rather damp one with rain from the time we left the hotel until we departed this lovely Hanseatic town.
You may not always get the shots you planned for when shooting travel photography but you will usually get what you need to paraphrase a great song and this shot of a quiet corner café as the rain starts to let up was to me worth the slog through the wet streets.
Doesburg was once a prominent member of the Hanseatic league of towns and the guardian of the IJssel waterway trade routes that were strategic and particularly prosperous for Doesburg due to the solidarity of defense and trade the Hanseatic League wielded working together.
I took this on September 19th, 2017 with my D750 and Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens at 34mm 1/4s, f/11 ISO 100 processed in LR, PS +Lumenzia, Topaz , Luminar and DXO
Disclaimer: My style is a study of romantic realism as well as a work in progress.
April Photo a Day Challenge I didn't get very far at lunchtime so carried my camera in my hand on my way home. I probably wouldn't have wielded the big canon but the Fuji is perfect for innocuous and street type shots, albeit underground. There's a;ways one left on the platform, for a split second in rush hour, just two of us in the station where moments before and after where thousands.
Our hero, our hero, claims a warrior's heart
I tell you, I tell you, the dragonborn comes
With a voice wielding power of the ancient nord arts
Believe, believe, the dragonborn comes
It's an end to the evil of all Skyrim's foes
Beware, beware, the Dragonborn comes
For the darkness has passed, and the legendyet grows
You'll know, you'll know, the dragonborn's come
Dovahkiin, dovahkiin naal ok zin los vahriin
Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal
Ahrk fin norok paal graan fod nust hon zindro zaan
Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal
Huzrah nu, kul do od
Wah aan bok lingrah vod
Ahrk fin tey, boziik fun
Do fin gein
Nuz aan sul, fent alok
Fod fin vul dovah nok
Fen kos nahlot mahfaeraak
Ahrk ruz
Paaz Keizaal fen kos stin nol
Bein Alduin jot
Dovahkiin, dovahkiin naal ok zin los vahriin
Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal
Ahrk fin norok paal graan fod nust hon zindro zaan
Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan draal
Yes, we confess.
cara lives high above the city in RL and has been known more than occasionally to wander out onto the balcony in her smalls to check the lights. To say nothing of wielding a large set of binoculars to check if any of the neighbors are living likewise.
We can't blame you for wanting to have these undies. So yummy. They're Monica by Look at Me. As things stand you can only get the, at the Bum Bum event
Pulling from the recesses of Jinx's own mind, Mysteria finds a childhood fear she can materialize and wield as a weapon for her protection against Jinx and Venandi.
Taken in (and inspired by) Zone 88 - It's weird here.
After 2 agonizing years we are finally off to Portugal once again ... I bring this photo forward from a previous trip to head up my photostream until our return. It will be good to see Rosa's family after all this time. Wish us safe travels if you might - I shall catch up with all of your fine photography on our return. Cheers, Michael
*********************************
It was a good test of my cameras ability to withstand rain ... and it passed the test with aplomb. I took a number of photos (see first comment box) but the one above is my personal favourite of the day. There is something about the irony of the message embedded in the graffiti and the position of his umbrella and the 'don't walk' signal. Even the leaping jaguar on his bag seems to fit. Cheers!
- Loures, Portugal -
********************************
'Enigma'
Yes, and that.
We are many things
And not others.
Our caste, our genes, experiences
A mystery to ourselves
Painted false colours in reminisces
And some forget to be conscious
And prefer the dullness of
Satiation of eye and ear
Until death closes them.
To live is pain and joy and beauty
And grief and light and the dark.
Slivers of truth were meant to
Mark purpose and make it
Worth the effort.
To decorate our essence.
Who can extract a man from his extremes
When he thinks he is right?
Who can extract a man
From his vices
When his vices speak loudest?
Who can save a nation
From its ruin
Whilst the few wield their
Dire damages
On the many who march in stupid file
To another brink.
I am at times vortex, my anger spinning
Until it plays out
I am at other times friend,
Able to forgive as I have been forgiven.
May I always be conscious.
C.Hill
Aboriginal songlines light up the Sydney Opera house during the Vivid festival with a spear wielding hunter taking centre stage. One for NAIDOC week this week! Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
www.robertdowniephotography.com
Love Life, Love Photography
Ever cautious, no matter where they are, the birds are always on the look out for predators, or competition.
Not sure if this male Red belly Woodpecker was being a bit territorial, wanting to guard the feeder from other birds, or worried about potential threats, or bothered by a certain camera wielding human at the window?
CASTLE STALKER,where many scenes from Monty Python's "Monty Python and the Holy Grail " were filmed
King Arthur: I am your king.
Peasant Woman: Well, I didn't vote for you.
King Arthur: You don't vote for kings.
Peasant Woman: Well, how'd you become king, then?
[Angelic music plays... ]
King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. That is why I am your king.
Dennis the Peasant: Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
Arthur: Be quiet!
Dennis the Peasant: You can't expect to wield supreme power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
Arthur: Shut up
Dennis the Peasant: I mean, if I went around saying I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away!
Arthur: [grabs Dennis] Shut up! Will you shut up?!
Dennis: Ah, now we see the violence inherent in the system!
Arthur: [shakes Dennis] Shut up!
Dennis: Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help, I'm being repressed!
Arthur: Bloody Peasant!
Dennis: Ooh, what a giveaway!
i slept a lot because i was tired of the long journey yesterday. This morning around 11 O'clock i took a walk in the beautiful mountains.
Sometimes turning your pictures black and white can wield really good results.
Marc
Find: @ [TWS] Event
"I want to protect things more important than anything
burning in my heart
The feelings on my hands
will shine in the world guiding me
This unexpected reality is so painful that we cannot
escape from it, the curtain slowly opening awakens our destiny
If memories get in the way
I will wield my courage to survive
carrying with me my own justice
Even the pain will become my wings".
---
"Quiero proteger las cosas mas importantes que nada
que arden en mi corazón
Los sentimientos en mis manos
brillarán en el mundo guiándome
Esta inesperada realidad es tan dolorosa que no podemos
escapar de ella, el telón abriéndose lentamente despierta nuestro destino
Si los recuerdos me estorban
blandiré mi valor para sobrevivir
llevando conmigo mi propia justicia
Incluso el dolor se convertirá en mis alas".
P. Ituska
I hope that you like it ^.^
*If you need any data about this photo, ask me please. Too, you can find the other products in older posts.
Alternate title: “Things are Looking Up”.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula.
Then more upbeat portrait I promised earlier.
Like Teddy Roosevelt, this one speaks softly and wields a big bo. Like Uncles Sam & Joe, it balances urgent and enduring priorities.
23 Jan 21; 08:06 CST
- born of the stars wielding metallic tendrils -
[LIBRASTYLE 1402]
・┆✦ Featuring ✦ ┆・ Salt & Pepper @ We Love Role Play [⭐Apr 04 - Apr 30⭐]
╰┈➤ Cyberdoll [25% off!!]
12 styles / presets included, mix & match
🚺 GenX Classic, Reborn, Lara, Lara Petite
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mainstore 🚕🚕: tinyurl.com/SaltPepper-SL
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Salt & Pepper ⇧ Bliensen & MaiTai ⇧ LURE
my blog: www.whoopc-libra-style.com/post/star-tendrils
[detailed listing, inspo & before/after photos!]
“Yael wanted to be like the Valkyrie maidens in the old Norse lore. Winged women who rode to war on the backs of wolves, choosing which soldiers lived and died. She'd thought she could make death mean something, if she wielded it right”
― Ryan Graudin, Blood for Blood
8 shot pano.
Wonderful conditions on Friday morning at Derwentwater.
Bit of a story as to how I ended up here which essentially involved me standing under the Ribblehead Viaduct in the pitch black at 10pm feeling tiny and vulnerable under the clearest star strewn sky I've ever seen. My mind a mix of wonder at the beauty of the night sky and apprehension at being about a mile from the van with no phone signal, all alone except for axe wielding maniacs for company. I took a few test shots before deciding there was no way I was going to walk back at 2am to have a go at shooting the Milky Way.
The plan was for a couple of days away in Pembrokeshire. This would be my one 'big trip,' for the month. I'd spent the previous week avidly reading the Fotovue book and I was happy with my itinerary. Weather looked great with the forecast even better. The road through Castlemartin firing range to Green Bridge, Elegug Stacks and St Govan's was open, with clear skies one night and near perfect sunset and sunrise conditions for the second day....
I've spoken about this before. I love visiting these amazing locations we are so lucky to have in the UK but it's always much more enjoyable to have someone to share them with. So with that in mind and the van packed I set off....
Only the van decided to turn left and not right when I reached the M6. I pulled in at Charnock Richards services, made a cuppa and hastily drew up a new itinerary. Within a couple of hours I found myself stood at the lone tree in Malham for sunset. Another hour and I'd bought my curry from The Royal Spice in Settle and was making my way up to Ribblehead feeling smug I'd chosen a curry house that had signed pictures of some major A-Listers who had eaten there, most notably Michael Caine. As I drove up the B6479 I was trying to think of a joke involving Michael Caine and hot curries. You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off naturally came to mind but I couldn't formulate it in to a worthwhile anecdote; The curry was delicious, Chicken Handi. A little on the small side but bursting with flavour.
The new plan was Malham for sunset, curry in Settle, a quick scout at Ribblehead before 3-4 hrs sleep and some astro, then on to Keswick for sunrise where the forecast was screaming mist. I'd been wanting to shoot Otterbield Bay on Derwentwater for some time having scratched the similar itch of High Brandlehow Bay on my last visit to The Lakes three months previously. I'd rang Helen and the change of plan meant she could drive up Friday morning, arriving around midday to join me whilst I caught up on some sleep.
Standing there under the stars and marveling at the awe inspiring structure of the viaduct, the Victorians definitely built things to last, I did feel a little disappointed in myself at making the inevitable decision to bail on the astro idea. I just didn't feel comfortable. And with the decision made it was off to Keswick.
Alarm set for 5am I made my way down to Otterbield to be presented with the most wonderful conditions. Derwentwater was like a mill pond, there was intermittent low hanging cloud and mist, swirling around in what little wind there was and the only noise was from the birds and their early dawn chorus. As the sun began to get higher and reflect off the mist I could see the deep rich ochres and oranges that accompany sunrise on the fells and the snow topped distinctive shapes of Blencathra and Skiddaw in the distance looked stunningly beautiful.
After a couple of hours wandering around the shore of Otterbield Bay I made my way around to Ashness Jetty and despite the warm light of sunrise having passed, pockets of mist remained and there was a beautiful clarity to the air. And what's more I had the place to myself too.
The morning must rank as the finest I've ever had since I picked up a camera.
Pembrokeshire can wait for another time when hopefully I'll be able to share the experience. I only wish I had been able to share this experience too.
Balm for the soul.
Shookrn sh3oolti 3ala hl hadia ;$$
P.S ;
هالصوص الجميل بعد مآ كآن رجآل ولد رجآجيل
خليته يصير اخوآني =D
حطيت له منآكير !!
ووبعد اسبوع مآت ؟؟!! جد انا ما ادري شالسبب الي خلاه يموت
لكن في احتمآليين !
يآ انه اختنق من ريحه المنآكير .,~
يآ انه مات من الوحده ..~
مع اني كنت امسكه اقصد امسكها برقه ونعوومه !! و اسوي لها مسآج
فرآسها واسبحها واستشور شعرها ! مآ ادري شفييها ؟؟
ع العمووم الله يرحمها ويـ بشبش الطوبه الي تحت رآسهآآ xP
وحشتييني صوصتي الجمييله الكتكوته ;"O
كوتشي كوتشي .. ايي صح نسيت اقول لكم بعد مآ مآتت
سميتها بوييشآآ
=D
(( بنزل صورت اظآفرها وانا حاطه لهآ منآكيير بعد كم يووم)) ;Pp
Before I could take another picture the rapidly setting sun dipped behind cloud cover and then the horizon. The selfie crowd and the non-tripod wielding visitors had already left by now leaving the arch in its more desolate state. I was blown away by this whole area...
For folks like my dad who won't be wielding a fly rod, don't despair, for crappies are a piece of cake to catch on minnows suspended below a bobber too.
I found it dead lying next to my computer.
unfortunately s/he was too rigid to wield well to the glass I lay on top for the lumen and he shattered, losing a few legs.
but still preserved on this lumen print.
in the time of corona.
Skeeter Eater? on AGFA portriga rapid 118 paper inverted in PS.
Ok, so I'm just slightly addicted to all things Tim Burton and when I saw these blades from Viscore I immediately thought of Sweeny Todd. I know. they aren't a straight razor I'm sure they'll do the job just fine either way...but you won't end up in a meat pie...I promise.
Featured:
VISCORE - Atrophy Blades
Vae Victis and Mosscore are proud to present their first collab to you! These beautiful blades come in a dual set for double the wielding power. The original mesh product comes with a texture HUD featuring the beautiful texture work of Vae Victis and nine different animations for you to choose from!
Available @
Mosscore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bedos/202/40/3003
Vae Victis: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Eldritch/66/165/1015
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/VISCORE-Atrophy-Blades-add/2...
From the 60L Happy Weekend Sale
.euphoric ~Anabelle Eyes Applier ~[LeLutka&BOM]Fatpack
.euphoric ~Anabelle Bloody Lipgloss~[Lelutka]Evo X
.euphoric ~Anabelle Bloody Tears (HD Eyeshadow)~[Lelutka]Evo X
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SHOPPING%20THERAPY/97/176/...
Also worn:
LeLUTKA Fleur Head 3.1
Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara V5.3
[theSkinnery] Cherry (LelutkaEVOX) sorbet
Corvus : Kasdeya Vampiric Rage Eyes from Kasdeya Skin Lel EvoX - Vampire
DOUX - Peach hairstyle
.MILA. Facial Scars [LeLutka EvoX]
Izzie's - Anger Wrinkles & Bunny Lines (Evo X BOM)
Izzie's - Heart Moles (LeLutka Evo X)
-SU!- Hardcore Doll Set -Lelutka Evo X- Eyeshadow Grey
.Suspiria. [Hussar] Evo X - Contour
Hexed - Cut Doll BOM ONLY EVOX
#Lowlyfe - Septum - Spiked
BLAXIUM -Nera 2 Piercing- FEMALE
~LF~ Blake Pack B (fleur)
~LF~ Iris Pack B (fleur)
Moon Elixir - Coven Gacha
2 - Vest - RARE
9 - Bustier - Charcoal
12 - Shorts - Charcoal
15 - Shirt - White
17 - Choker
19 - Boots - Charcoal
Curious emu at the Red Stag and Emu Farm in Eurobin
Processed with TS2 (no AI)
Entered in The TMI Alphabet Challenge #15
~~~ Thank you all for viewing, kind comments, favs and awards - much appreciated! ~~~
Maya is newest addition to the family, runt of the litter, 8 weeks old. Timid at first but is now coming out of her shell. Rescue kitty.
She cast her spell on me at first sight.
ma·ya
/ˈmīə,ˈmäyə/
noun
HINDUISM
the supernatural power wielded by gods and demons to produce illusions.
HINDUISM•BUDDHISM
the power by which the universe becomes manifest; the illusion or appearance of the phenomenal world.
Two hours. Just two hours separated me from the awe-inspiring French Glacier at the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. The air crackled with anticipation – not just from the crisp Patagonian wind, but from the booming echoes that reverberated through the French Valley.
Ahead, a plume of snow dust danced in the distance, a silent testament to the power the glaciers wielded. It was a scene both exhilarating and humbling – a constant reminder of the raw, untamed beauty surrounding me.
Towering over it all stood the majestic Cerro Paine Grande. Its icy crown, at a staggering 2,884 meters (9,462 feet) high, pierced the azure sky. Lush beech forests carpeted the valley floor, their vibrant greens a stark contrast to the glacial whites and blues beyond.
The French Valley, however, held a secret. The weather here was notoriously fickle. A thick mist could descend in mere moments, transforming the breathtaking vista into a whiteout, the path ahead disappearing like a dream.
As I pressed on, the mystery of the valley's name deepened.
The First Settlers with a Gallic Flair:
The late 1800s saw a gold rush of a different sort in the Ultima Esperanza province. Not for minerals, mind you, but for wide-open spaces and a fresh start. Europeans like Germans, English, and Spaniards flooded in, staking their claims near the inviting (name-wise, at least) Last Hope Fjord.
But by the time the later settlers showed up, those prime fjord-front lots were about as available as a happy ending in a zombie movie. Left with the scenic leftovers - the big lakes and rugged valleys by the Paine Mountains - they weren't exactly rolling in clover. Among these scrappy souls was a French fellow named Adrian Bader.
Bader wasn't one to be discouraged by a lack of fjord views. He set up camp on the north shore of Nordenskjold Lake, right at the foot of the majestic Cuernos del Paine and the head of a surprisingly lush valley. It wasn't long before everyone around started calling him "The French Man." And guess what? The valley he settled in? Yep, you guessed it - French Valley, Glacier and River! Seemed even settling for leftovers could have a certain je ne sais quoi.