♫ O Brasil, verde que dá

Para o mundo admirar.

O Brasil do meu amor,

Terra de Nosso Senhor.

Brasil!... Brasil! Prá mim ... Prá mim!... ♫

No video vemos uma das mais belas interpretações de "Aquarela do Brasil", de um coral da distante Eslovenia, numa beleza que vem de um carinho em cantar numa harmonia tão bela e com a preocupação inclusive em uma pronuncia quase perfeita e sem sotaque.

Foto: Pão de Açucar - Sugar Loaf - Rio de Janeiro - Brasil

Video: ♪ Aquarela do Brasil ♪ - Perpetuun Jazzile & BR6

Conforme a Lei 9.610/98, é proibida a reprodução total ou parcial ou divulgação comercial ou não sem a autorização prévia e expressa do autor (artigo 29). ® Todos os direitos reservados.

According to Law 9.610/98, it is prohibited the partial or total commercial reproduction without the previous written authorization of the author (article 29). ® All rights are reserved.

Explored #3 on 2013/10/26

Press "F" to FAV, "L" to View in Black

Copyright 2013 © Simon__X. All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission. All rights reserved - Copyright 2013 © Simon__X

"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."

♥

♫ When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

How great Thou art, How great Thou art. ♫

O Forte Duque de Caxias ( forte do Leme) teve sua origem no Forte do Vigia, construção do século XVIII.

A necessidade de defender a cidade dos ataques de piratas e iminência de uma invasão espanhola, fizeram com que os morros fossem ocupados militarmente.

Em 1776, o Morro do Leme teve um forte instalado em seu cume, devido a sua visão privilegiada da entrada da Baia de Guanabara e da Praia de Copacabana.

Fort Duque de Caxias (Leme Fort) began with the construction of Fort Vigia in the 18th Century. The need to defend the city against pirate attacks and the possibility of a Spanish invasion led to the military occupation of the hills.

In 1776, a fort was built on Leme Hill’s peak due to it’s priveledged view of Guanaba Bay’s entrance and of Copacabana Beach - CEP/FDC

* Todas as fotos da sequencia foram tiradas em diversas ocasiões no Forte do Leme e todas estão abertas, pois já foram publicadas anteriormente, exceto a colagem

Foto: Pão de Açucar - Sugar Loaf - Forte Duque de Caxias - Rio de Janeiro - Brasil

Video: ♪ How Great Thou Art ♪ - Sandi Patty

Conforme a Lei 9.610/98, é proibida a reprodução total ou parcial ou divulgação comercial ou não sem a autorização prévia e expressa do autor (artigo 29). ® Todos os direitos reservados.

After the fall of Syrah, the Arcadian High Command realised that their squadrons of Phoenix fighters were not enough to defend their airspace. Two new fighters were commissioned - the Firebird, a fast agile interceptor and the Firestorm a long-range attack plane and escort. Armed with four 12mm cannons and two 1200HP Gladiator engines, the Firestorm was a formidable fighter and what it lacked in manoeuvrability it made up for in firepower and speed. The plane we see here is part of 804 squadron, the "Hellcats", an all-female squadron commanded by squadron leader Frances Stanford.

Boney II, a cloudy evening with little wind...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9ERaXiIB7w

Location N.Koutali, Lemnos island, Hellas.

Nikon D300s, Samyang 8mm f 1:3.5 CS

5 RAW shots (1EV increments), f/8, Aperture priority, ISO 200.

(The accurate colour profile of this image is best viewed in google chrome)

**This image is protected by copyright and it is not for use on any site, blog or forum without my explicit permission.**

You can follow me also on Getty | 500 px | Deviant Art

The Matterhorn (German), Cervino (Italian) or Cervin (French), is a mountain in the Pennine Alps. With its 4,478 metres (14,692 ft) high summit, lying on the border between Switzerland and Italy, it is one of the highest peaks in the Alps and its 1,200 metres (3,937 ft) north face is one of the Great north faces of the Alps.

The individual pieces of the chocolate bar Toblerone are claimed by its maker Kraft to be formed in the likeness of the Matterhorn.

Zermatt (French: Praborgne) is a municipality in the district of Visp in the German-speaking section of the canton of Valais in Switzerland.

It is located at the northern base of the Matterhorn in the Pennine Alps, about 10 km from the border with Italy.

Zermatt has a permanent population of around 5,500 people, although the actual population varies considerably through the seasons as tourists come and go. The village is situated at the end of Mattertal, a north-facing valley, at an altitude of 1,620m (5,315ft). The valley is a dead end; although the border with Italy is close, it cannot be crossed by road, as it traverses a glacier at an altitude of over 3,000m. Zermatt is the starting point of the Patrouille des Glaciers and the Haute Route.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matterhorn

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zermatt

The Alps (French: Alpes; German: Alpen; Italian: Alpi; Romansh: Alps; Slovene: Alpe) is the name for one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east, through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west. The word "Alps" was taken via French from Latin Alpes (meaning "the Alps"), which may be influenced by the Latin words albus (white) or altus (high) or more likely a Latin rendering of a Celtic or Ligurian original.

The highest mountain in the Alps is Mont Blanc, at 4,808 metres (15,774 ft), on the Italian-French border. All the main peaks of the Alps can be found in the list of mountains of the Alps and list of Alpine peaks by prominence.

The Alps are generally divided into the Western Alps and the Eastern Alps. The division is along the line between Lake Constance and Lake Como, following the Rhine. The Western Alps are higher, but their central chain is shorter and curved; they are located in Italy, France and Switzerland. The Eastern Alps (main ridge system elongated and broad) belong to Austria, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovenia and Switzerland.

The Alps are a classic example of what happens when a temperate area at lower altitude gives way to higher elevation terrain. Elevations around the world which have cold climates similar to those found in polar areas have been called alpine. A rise from sea level into the upper regions of the atmosphere causes the temperature to decrease. The effect of mountain chains on prevailing winds is to carry warm air belonging to the lower region into an upper zone, where it expands in volume at the cost of a proportionate loss of heat, often accompanied by the precipitation of moisture in the form of snow or rain.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alps

Haven't been around these parts much lately, but managed a couple of images in the meantime.

This is another collaboration between myself and Dave Williams, who provided the Ha used as luminance. My first mosaic, it consists of three frames (well, two and a tiny little strip in between really) processed using photomerge in Photoshop, which I was impressed with. Several sessions between July and September 2013

Meaningless stats follow:

RGB:

SW ED80/EQ5

Canon 500D modded, Baader Neodymium filter

All three frames: 246 subs totalling 13 hours 28 minutes

Acquisition: APT

Guiding: Quickcam Pro4000/9x50 finderscope, PHD

Stacked in DSS and processed in CS5, using photomerge for the stitching together

Ha (Dave Williams):

Usual :)

fmffoto.com

tumblr/fmffoto

flickehivemind/me

fluidr/me

The Schönburg is a castle above the medieval town of Oberwesel in the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

Schönburg Castle was first mentioned in history between the years 911 and 1166.

From the 12th century, the Dukes of Schönburg ruled over the town of Oberwesel and had also the right to levy customs on the Rhine river. The most famous was Friedrich von Schönburg - a much-feared man known as “Marshall Schomberg” - who in the 17th century served as a colonel and as a general under the King of France in France and Portugal and later also for the Prussians and for William Prince of Orange in England.

The Schönburg line died out with the last heir, the son of Friedrich of Schönburg.

The castle was burned down in 1689 by French soldiers during the Palatinate wars.

Schönburg castle remained in ruins for 200 years until it was acquired by the German-American Rhinelander family who bought the castle from the town of Oberwesel in the late 19th century, and restored it.

The town council of Oberwesel acquired the castle back from the Rhinelander family in 1950.

Since 1957 the Hüttl family have been living at the castle on a long-term lease; they operate a successful hotel and restaurant there. (Wikipedia)

© 2013 Ursula Sander - All rights reserved.

Schoorl / Camperduin - Noord Holland

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

© 2013 Frank van Dongen

FB | 500px | FLICKEFLU | WERKAANDEMUUR | My Website | Getty Images

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Temple of Ennoc

Long time ago Ennon was a great kingdom, carrying around the world the light. Its King were honest and wise, Ennon's people had faith and were righteous. But then one day Ennoc, the Righteous Light came down from the heavens and gave the Ennon's nation the sacred Artifact called the Bringer of Light, which gives infinite wisdom and power of the light magic to its owner. The King of Ennon made the right decision: artifact was hidden deep under the ground, his existence was hidden too, because the King knew that the Bringer of Light can be a power that can change the whole world. The secret of the artifact passed down from father to son.

The Kingdom of Ennon was overrun and fell during the Orcish Invansion 250 years ago. The last heir of the Ennon's throne was killed by Orc King Tarokai so a location of the Bringer of Light was lost forever...

Many people did not believe in the existence of an artifact, but there are the new rumor across Olegaia says that the artifact still exists. The rumor says that the Bringer of Light is hidden behind a unassailable gate in the depths of the Ennoc's Temple, guarded by the spirit of the Ennoc. Within a few days, hundreds of mercenaries, treasure hunters fitted out their ships to Lost Kingdom. The Paladin Order can't allow falling of artifact into the wrong hands, otherwise the balance of good and evil in the world would changed. So High Priestess of the Paladin Order resorted to the help of Heroica to protect the artifact and save it from the evil. Now the fate of the world is lying in the hands of the Heroes...

The ship sailed out from the Eubric port and after a couple of days they reached lands of Lost Kingdom. In the forests Waldurk they met a lot of dangerous creatures and cold-blooded killers. Breaking the this terrible way, they finally got to the sacred shrine of Ennoc. But not the first...

__________________________

Entry for Eurobricks Heroica Building Contest.

Deeplinks : 1-2-3

© all rights reserved by B℮n

Please take your time... to View it large on black

Schokland is a former island in the Dutch Zuiderzee. Schokland lost its status as an island when the Noordoostpolder was reclaimed from the sea in 1942. The remains are still visible as a slightly elevated part in the polder and by the still partly intact retaining wall of the waterfront of Middelbuurt. As a result from the increasing sea-level Schokland transformed from an attractive settlement area in the Middle Ages to a place under continuous threat by floods in the 19th century. By that time the Schoklanders had retreated to the three most elevated parts, Emmeloord, Molenbuurt, and Middelbuurt. A major flood in 1825 brought massive destruction, and in 1859 the government decided to end permanent settlement on Schokland. The former municipality of Schokland was joined to Kampen on the mainland. Today Schokland is a popular archeological site. Schokland was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Netherlands. Schokland has vestiges of human habitation going back to prehistoric times. It symbolizes the heroic, age-old struggle of the people of the Netherlands against the encroachment of the waters. According to Statistics Netherlands, there are five people living on the former island. Emmeloord was the northernmost village on the former Dutch island of Schokland. Above is the old port of Emmeloord today amid the farmland of the northeast. Meanwhile the lighthouse is rebuilt and placed on the former location of the port of the old Emmeloord. A replica of the Emmeloorder harbor light brought back to the original place where it has been before.

You can find dikes around grasslands of the former island Schokland. These dikes are in exactly the same place as in the Middle Ages, when farmers in this place in the peat grew their food. The farmers lived on their own huisterpje, which can be seen as counterfeit hill in the landscape. On some part of the dikes and mounds you can walk over trails. The wet grasslands becomes also for the nature of Schokland a welcome addition. Many species have found a new habitat.

In het hoogveen gebied waar nu de plaatsen Swifterbant en Schokland liggen woonden 8000 jaar geleden al mensen. Toen 500 jaar geleden de vernatting echt toesloeg was alleen het hoogste punt duidelijk zichtbaar en werd het eiland Schokland geboren. Schokland was een eiland in de Zuiderzee. In de Middeleeuwen was Schokland veel groter dan nu. In de vroegere tijd was de haven van het eiland Schokland een belangrijke vluchtplaats voor het drukke scheepvaartsverkeer op de Zuiderzee. Bij hevige storm en zware ijsgang vonden schepen hier een veilge ligplaats. Het eiland werd als gevolg van zware stormen steeds kleiner. Het lag niet erg hoog en had daarom regelmatig te maken met overstromingen. Het eiland werd hierom in 1859 op last van Willem III ontruimd. Slechts een paar inwoners bleven op het eiland wonen, om onder andere de vuurtoren te bedienen. De laatste bewoner was Jan Spit die hier van 1923 tot 1940 woonde. Zijn taak was zowel het in bedrijf houden van de haven als het bedienen van de havenlichten en vuurtoren. Zijn vrouw Jeltje dreef een klein winkeltje met kruidenierswaren. Zijn woning is hier boven nog te zien in Emmeloord. In 1942 is het eiland weer vaste land en ligt het, als een schip op het droge, midden tussen de boerderijen. De robuuste bewoners van Schokland zijn na de evacuatie in de nabijgelegen vissersdorpen Kampen, Vollenhove, Blokzijl en Urk terechtgekomen. Schokland staat ook symbool voor het Nederlandse leven met het water en staat sinds enkele jaren op de UNESCO werelderfgoed lijst. Door de graslanden rondom Schokland lopen dijkjes. Deze dijkjes liggen op precies dezelfde plek als in de middeleeuwen, toen boeren op deze plek in het veen hun voedsel verbouwden. De boeren woonden elk op een eigen huisterpje, die als nagemaakte ronde verhogingen in het landschap te zien zijn. Over een deel van de dijkjes en terpen lopen nu wandelpaden. De natte graslanden blijken ook voor de natuur van Schokland een welkome aanvulling. Veel diersoorten hebben er een nieuw leefgebied gevonden.

I haven't been seeing many butterflies in my yard for most of the summer but things have been picking up lately. This beautiful butterfly was feeding in the pentas in my yard in Central Florida.

Canon Rebel XSi and Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Beeld / Statue: De Strandvonder - Simon Gutker by John Bier / 1993

Heereweg - Hondsbossche Zeewering

Bij deze foto was het wikken en wegen tussen de nadruk (scherpte) leggen op de zon of het standbeeld; het is de zon geworden...

I had to choose; either a sharp sunset or a sharp statue; I have choosen for a sharp sun...:-)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

© 2013 Frank van Dongen

FB | 500px | FLICKEFLU | WERKAANDEMUUR | My Website | Getty Images

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Explore 31 August. Highest #9

© all rights reserved by B℮n

Please take your time... to View it large on black

The Hondsbossche Zeewering is one of the highest dykes in the world dikes. This gigantic dike connects the dunes between Kamperduin and Petten and protects the Zijper Polder against water. This Polder is over 400 years old and is the oldest part of the Netherlands which is drained. Over the dike, which is nearly 6 km long, you can enjoy hiking, cycling or running next to the North Sea. Petten could have been founded in 739. The name refers to the three wells Dutch: putten which are located there. There was already a mention of a sand dike in 1388 between Petten and Callantsoog. In the St. Elizabeth's flood in 1421, Petten was entirely washed away, and the dunes were damaged. It ranks 10th in the list of top ten worst floods in history. A number of villages were swallowed by the flood and were lost, causing between 2,000 and 10,000 casualties. The dike breaks and floods caused widespread devastation in Zeeland and Holland. An additional sleeper dike was built behind the dunes in 1432 and from 1506 active coastal defense took place. Even so, more than 100 houses were washed away in 1625, plus the church of Petten. The construction of the Hondsbossche zeewering began in 1793. Strengthening the dike using sand seems to be the best option and can count on a lot of support because in this way a lovely beach will be created with new possibilities for nature, recreation and water sports. Experts in the field of coastal protection confirm that spraying sand offers many benefits in the long term as well. The bike path along the coast is very much appreciated by the locals and tourists. North and south of the Hondsbossche Zeewering are many kilometers of bike paths, through the beautiful dunes, with its forests, sand dunes and heaths.

The embankment of the Hondsbossche Zeewering - dyke stands between the wind and the North Sea, and agricultural communities of Petten on the other side. The dyke was build after the the St. Elizabeth's flood in 1421. Petten was entirely washed away, and the dunes were damaged. Now it's is one of the highest dykes in the world dikes and a great place to enjoy hiking, cycling or running.

De Hondsbossche Zeewering is één van de hoogste dijken ter wereld. Deze gigantische dijk verbindt de duinen tussen Kamperduin en Petten en beschermd de Zijper Polder tegen het water. Deze Polder is meer dan 400 jaar oud en is daarmee het oudste stukje Nederland wat is drooggelegd. Over de dijk, die bijna 6 km lang is, kan men heerlijk wandelen, fietsen of hardlopen, direct aan de Noordzee. Dit fietspad langs de kust wordt zeer gewaardeerd door recreanten en toeristen. De provincie is daarin tegemoet gekomen aan de wens van bewoners. Ten noorden en zuiden van de Hondsbossche Zeewering liggen vele kilometers fietspaden, dwars door de schone duinen, met zijn bossen, zandverstuivingen en heidevelden. Bij de St. Elisabethsvloed van 1421 werden de duinen tussen Kamperduin en Petten weggeslagen. Na de storm werd er tussen de twee plaatsen een dijk aangelegd, de Hondsbossche Zeewering. Vermoedelijk werd de ramp veroorzaakt door een bijzonder zware noordwesterstorm, gevolgd door een zeer hoge stormvloed. Van springvloed zoals bij de Watersnood van 1953 was toen geen sprake, maar het natte weer was er de oorzaak van dat het opperwater afkomstig van de rivieren nog zeer hoog stond. De dijkdoorbraken en overstromingen richtten in Zeeland en Holland grote verwoestingen aan. Het aantal slachtoffers is in de loop van de tijd door mythevorming opgelopen tot 100.000. Schattingen geven aan dat mogelijk tussen tweeduizend en tienduizen mensen de dood vonden. Net als vele andere dorpen aan de Noord-Hollandse kust, is ook Petten herhaaldelijk landinwaarts herbouwd. De inwoners van Petten leefden van de visserij, landbouw en strandvonderij. In het algemeen was het leven in het oude Petten redelijk welvarend. De Hondsbossche Zeewering vormt één geheel met de veel kortere Pettemer Zeewering. Vlak langs de dijk ligt het vogelreservaat De Putten. Dit gebied is een geliefde broed- en overnachtingsplaats voor verschillende vogelsoorten. Om die reden is het gebied dan ook niet vrij toegankelijk. In het domein liggen ondiepe vijvertjes, die zijn ontstaan door het afgraven van grond ten behoeve van herstellingen aan de Hondsbossche Zeewering.

In the end, I think that I will like that we were sitting on the bed, talking & wondering where the time had gone.

StoryPeople

texture: Cris Buscaglia Lenz

Up to the mountain

♥

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my written permission.

© Toni_V. All rights reserved.

The Three Sisters is Liechtenstein's most famous legend.

On the Feast of the Assumption (15 August), three sisters went up to Gafadura above the village of Planken to pick berries. As they walked along the path they heard the sounds of the church bells announcing the holy feast and calling worshippers to church. One of the sisters suggested they should also go to church, but the other two replied that the baskets had to be full of berries before they returned to the village.

Towards the end of the afternoon the baskets were full and the three sisters headed back home. On their way they met a beautiful woman who asked them for some berries. The sisters were reluctant to give her any and replied that people who want berries should pick them themselves. All of a sudden, a halo appeared around the head of the woman and she spoke to them, "You have dishonoured my holy day and refused my request. Your hearts are of stone. Therefore, as punishment, you shall be turned to stone and remain here forever." Upon saying that, the sisters were transformed into huge rocks, which from that day on became known as the Three Sisters.

www.tourismus.li/en/summer/hiking/popular-hikes/Fuerstens...

© all rights reserved by B℮n

Please take your time... and enjoy it large on black

People from all around the world come to this quaint Dutch village located an hour’s drive north of Amsterdam. Enkhuizen is a beautiful city in the Netherlands in the province of North Holland. Enkhuizen was one of the harbour-towns of the East India Company - VOC, just like Hoorn and Amsterdam, from where overseas trade with the East Indies was conducted. It received city rights in 1355. In the mid-17th century, Enkhuizen was at the peak of its power and was one of the most important harbour cities in the Netherlands. However, due to a variety of reasons, notably the silting up of the harbours, Enkhuizen lost its position to Amsterdam. Nowadays, Enkhuizen continues the maritime tradition and has one of the largest marinas of the Netherlands. It is also the location of the Zuiderzeemuseum, an open-air museum reflecting life in the villages around the Zuiderzee throughout history. Enkhuizen is a great place to walk or cycle from one monument to another. The town is also a water lover's paradise. Boats abound; at times, every second street seems to be a canal.

In the 17th century, Enkhuizen was one of the wealthiest cities of Holland. It gained power and influence as a member of the VOC. Enkhuizen’s rich history is still noticeable today as you walk through the old inner city with its numerous state mansions, canals, churches, city walls and harbors. A walk across the Drommedaris-bridge brings you to a street called Dijk, which is lined with excellent examples of home styles from the 18th century - photo above.

Enkhuizen is een stad en gemeente in de regio West-Friesland, in de Nederlandse provincie Noord-Holland. De gemeente ligt aan zowel het Markermeer als het IJsselmeer. Enkhuizen staat bekend als de Haringstad vanwege haar verleden als centrum voor de haringvisserij. De geschiedenis van de Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, kortweg VOC, is in Enkhuizen nog duidelijk zichtbaar. De VOC was in de 17e en 18e eeuw de grootste handelsonderneming ter wereld die met zijn prachtige schepen naar Aziatische landen reisde om handel te drijven. Door de gunstige ligging aan het IJsselmeer was het aantrekkelijke om hier een Kamer’ van de VOC te vestigen. De Drommedaris hier aan de linkerkant te zien, de verdedigingstoren aan de haven, en het centrum met de historische panden herinneren nog aan deze welvarende tijd. Vanzelfsprekend kan de watersporter hier zijn hart ophalen. De Westfriese Waterweken, de Klipperrace en het Jazzfestival zijn een greep uit de vele evenementen die ieder jaar in en om de haven worden georganiseerd. Ook aan cultuur is geen gebrek. In het Zuiderzeemuseum tonen ambachtslieden hun werk en krijg je een indruk van het leven aan zee. In Enkhuizen wordt nog Enkhuizens gesproken, een West-Fries dialect.

♫ Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder, Consider all, all of the worlds Thy hands have made

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed

´phe

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art

How great Thou art, how great Thou art ♫

Hoje dia 19 de Agosto é o Dia internacional da Fotografia e nada mais justo que para lembrar a data, colocar um talentoso fotografo como o Amigo Alvaro em ação e com a mão na botija.

* Todas as Fotos da Sequencia estão abertas, pois já foram publicadas anteriormente.

Foto: O Fotografo e o Por do Sol - Praia de Piratininga - Niteroi - Rio de Janeiro - Brasil

Video: ♪ How Great Thou Art ♪ - Sandi Patty

Conforme a Lei 9.610/98, é proibida a reprodução total ou parcial ou divulgação comercial ou não sem a autorização prévia e expressa do autor (artigo 29). ® Todos os direitos reservados.

Hope you are having a great weekend :-)

☼

☼

Created for Kreative People August Challenge - SUNSHINE DAYS

happy sliders sunday everyone, have a terrific week ahead!

Historical city wall walk bathed in sunlight in Waiblingen

Waiblingen is a town in the southwest of Germany, located in the center of the densely populated Stuttgart Region, directly neighboring Stuttgart. It is the capital of the Rems-Murr district.

Waiblingen was first mentioned in Carolingian documents in 885 at the time of Charles the Fat. It received its town charter in 1250.

Waiblingen was property of the Salian kings, from whom the Hohenstaufen dukes and kings inherited it. It is assumed that the Italian name of the Hohenstaufen party, Ghibelline, is derived from "Waiblingen".

The town was almost completely destroyed in 1634 during the Thirty Years' War, and its citizens either killed or deported. It was rebuilt after the war; the existing old central part of the town dates back to the years between 1640 and 1700. Its fortifications are now well restored. (Wikipedia)

© 2013 Ursula Sander - All rights reserved.

Somali kittens - reposting an old shot of Ivanhoe and siblings 8 weeks old.

First posted 2013 - reposted for the "Happy Caturday" theme "Memories", 13.10.2018.

Dushara Burning Red Ivanhoe (left) with littermates (Somali cats), 17.06.2007

Olympus E-400 Digital Camera

A bit of a slider view from Fête Paradiso, a celebration of vintage French carnival rides, carousels and games - Governors Island, New York.

Happy Slider Sunday - HSS

Texture by Skeletalmess and Lenabem-Anna.

Additional information on the exhibit can be found at: www.feteparadiso.com/about

Smoo Cave is a large combined sea cave and freshwater cave in Durness in Sutherland, Highland, Scotland.

Una noche contemplando las estrellas con los amigos Javi Benedito, Emilio Pérez y con mi chica Carmen Pla

On the way to the Isle of Skye we chose the route via Glen Coe. The Buachaille Etive Mòr (gaelic for "the great herdsman/shepherd of Etive") is a distinctive mountain at the entrace to Glen Coe.

Single Raw HDR image of the Space Shuttle, Enterprise at the National Air and Space Museum in Virginia.

Feel free to leave a comment!

- My Website

- Facebook - Dan Chui Photography

... salud, buenas luces y muchas gracias!!! ...... xo♥ox ...

... health, good lights and thanks so much!!! ... xo♥ox ...

... Music: "My Baby Just Cares For Me" (Walter Donaldson & Gus Kahn) very funny clip with the fabulous voice of Nina Simone!!! ... enjoy it!!!

... www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYSbUOoq4Vg ... 03.40 ...

Rather nice panoramic view "up" O'Connell Street from the top of Nelson's Pillar. We think this was taken around 1950, but would love confirmation or suggestions to the contrary.

Very surprised when I zoomed in to see that the clock actually said Clery's Store - referred to by generations solely as Clery's!

Date: Circa 1957/1958 and no later than 1961/62 (thanks to DannyM8, Mr Tayto, Archiseek).

NLI Ref.: VR 5140

I've been to London for a training course, and just after the course I went outside to take this picture (I attended the course into one of those buildings). I was really amazed on how long the "blue hour" lasts in London, it may really lasts one hour actually... :-) In Italy even in June the "magic light" only lasts for less than one hour... and that's a pity, since I have really few time for my long exposures. :-(

This picture is the result of a lot of work: 6 long exposure stacked (3 with ND8 filter and 3 without) for a total of 300 seconds. I have then enhanced reflections and sharpness in Photoshop.

Many thanks to Francesco and Paolo for supporting me in taking this picture. A big thank you also to Daniel Borg which I had the opportunity to know in London, he is very friendly and shared some hints on how to reach this location: make sure you don't miss his photostream, since he is a great photographer.

_________

Sono stato a Londra per un corso di formazione e subito dopo il corso sono andato scattare questa foto (ho frequentato il corso in uno di quegli edifici).

Sono rimasto davvero stupito da quanto duri "l'ora blu" a Londra, circa un'ora per la precisione... :-) In Italia dura molto, ma molto meno... una mezzoretta scarsa anche in giugno quando si è vicini all'equinozio... è davvero un peccato per le mie esposizioni lunghe. :-)

Questa foto è il risultato di 6 diverse esposizioni (3 con filtro ND8 e 3 senza) per un totale di circa 300 secondi (il mio amico Luca starà pensando che ho montato il cavalleto prima che costruissero i palazzi...). In Photoshop, dopo aver sovrapposto e allineato gli scatti, ho lavorato con le maschere per migliorare il contrasto dei riflessi.

Un ringraziamento speciale a Paolo e Francesco per avermi supportato nello scatto. Un grosso ringraziamento anche per Daniel Borg che ho avuto l'opportunità di conoscere personalmente a Londra, è stato davvero gentile a condividere alcuni dei suoi "trucchetti" e soprattutto grazie per avermi dato delle indicazioni su come raggiungere questo punto di ripresa. Mi raccomando, fate un giro nel suo photostream, ha molto talento.

_________

Technical details:

Focal Length: 17mm

Aperture: between f/16 and f/22

Exposure: between 30s and 70s for a total of 300s approximately

ISO: 100

Filter: 3 shots with ND8 and 3 shots without

Post Processing: pictures stacking with Phothoshop, plus some enhancements in reflections, contrasts and colors.

Luca Libralato Photography

Laguna de Corga y al fondo la montaña de Penameda desde la ruta conocida como Trilho do Nascente do Río Vez.

Reserva de la Biosfera Transfronteriza Gerês-Xurés (RBTGX).

In Explore: #223

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

A quick upload to say a huge thanks, my account has passed 5 million views today. I would like to thank everyone that has left a comment, a fave or has simply viewed my account. Flickr is such an amazing community, I have learnt so much from all of you!!!

A origem do Convento de Nossa Senhora da Pena, implantado num dos cumes mais elevados da Serra de Sintra, perde-se na noite dos tempos. O interesse pelo local onde hoje se ergue majestosamente o Palácio da Pena remonta à época Medieval, altura em que segundo a tradição, teria ocorrido uma aparição da Virgem, tendo-se aí edificado então uma pequenina ermida dedicada a Nossa Senhora da Pena, na qual, por ordem de D. João I, os priores da Igreja de Santa Maria de Sintra celebravam missa todos os sábados. A devoção régia a este orago encontra-se bem documentada. Em 1493, veio D. João II a esta ermida com D. Leonor, sua mulher, pagar um voto à Senhora da Pena, mas foi D. Manuel I quem lhe dedicou especial afeição. Por sua ordem, no ano de 1503, efetuaram-se terraplanagens e edificou-se, um acrescento a ermida. Também D. João III e D. Catarina expressaram aqui os seus votos.

O impressionante e surrealista Palácio da Pena em Sintra, foi uma das principais residências da família real Portuguesa durante o século XIX, e é um dos melhores exemplos do estilo romântico em Portugal. Por ter sido residência de verão da realeza, encontram-se no seu interior numerosas coleções reais que se trasladaram para o palácio e ao mesmo tempo foram criados ricos ornamentos, desde os célebres revestimentos de tapeçaria até às paredes pintadas a óleo. O palácio é uma das razões pela qual Sintra foi declarada Património da Humanidade pela UNESCO, este assenta sobre grandes penhascos no monte da Pena e foi construído no lugar onde se encontrava um antigo convento de frades da Ordem de São Jerónimo. Apresenta uma mistura de estilos arquitetónicos totalmente intencional. Podem-se encontrar elementos pertencentes ao neogótico, neomanuelino, neoislâmico, neorrenascentista e em menor escala à arquitetura colonial. Isto deve-se ao facto da mentalidade romântica do século XIX se encontrar enormemente fascinada por tudo o que era exótico.

Dentro do palácio há várias divisões decoradas, como os salões e os quartos reais tal como eram há dois séculos atrás, apesar de infelizmente não ser possível tirar fotografias. No palácio há muitos lugares a partir dos quais se podem ter vistas fantásticas de Sintra e arredores, como os seus belos jardins que são sem dúvida um lugar recomendado para visitar. O Palácio Nacional da Pena localiza-se na vila de Sintra, freguesia de São Pedro de Penaferrim, concelho de Sintra, no distrito de Lisboa. Representa uma das melhores expressões do Romantismo arquitetónico do século XIX no mundo, constituindo-se como o primeiro palácio neste estilo em toda a Europa, erguido cerca de 30 anos antes do carismático Castelo de Neuschwanstein, na Baviera, Alemanha.

Em 7 de Julho de 2007 foi eleito como uma das Sete maravilhas de Portugal. A primitiva ocupação do topo escarpado da serra de Sintra onde se localiza o atual Palácio ocorreu com a construção de uma pequena capela dedicada a Nossa Senhora da Pena, durante o reinado de João II. No século XVI, Manuel I de Portugal no cumprimento de uma promessa, ordenou a sua reconstrução de raiz. Doou-a à Ordem de São Jerónimo, determinando a construção de um convento de madeira, e substituindo-o um pouco mais tarde, por um edifício de cantaria, com acomodações para 18 monges. No século XVIII a queda de um raio destruiu parte da torre, capela e sacristia, danos que foram agravados com a decorrência do terramoto de 1755, que deixou o convento em ruínas, apenas a zona do altar-mor na capela, com um magnífico retábulo em mármore e alabastro atribuído a Nicolau de Chanterenne, permaneceu intacta.

No século XIX a paisagem da serra de Sintra e as ruínas do antigo convento maravilharam o Rei-consorte Fernando II de Portugal, que em 1838 decidiu adquirir o velho convento, toda a cerca envolvente, o Castelo dos Mouros bem como quintas e matas circundantes. No que dizia respeito à área do antigo convento, promoveu-lhe diversas obras de restauro, com o intuito de fazer do edifício a sua futura residência de Verão. O novo projeto foi encomendado ao mineralogista germânico Barão von Eschwege, arquiteto amador. Homem viajado, Eschwege, que nascera em Hessen, deveria conhecer pelo menos em forma de projeto, as obras que Frederico Guilherme IV da Prússia empreendera com o concurso de Schinkel nos Castelos do Reno, tendo passado em viagem de estudo por Berlim, Inglaterra, França, Argélia e Espanha. Em Sintra, os trabalhos decorreram rapidamente e a obra estaria quase concluída em 1847, segundo o projeto do Alemão, mas com intervenções decisivas ao nível dos detalhes decorativos e simbólicos do Rei-consorte. Muitos dos detalhes, no plano construtivo e decorativo, ficaram a dever-se ao eclético e exótico temperamento romântico do próprio monarca que, a par de arcos ogivais, torres de sugestão medieval e elementos de inspiração árabe, desenhou e fez reproduzir na fachada norte do Palácio, uma imitação do Capítulo do Convento de Cristo em Tomar.

Após a morte de D. Fernando, o palácio foi herdado pela sua segunda esposa, Elisa Hendler, Condessa de Edla, o que à época gerou grande controvérsia pública, dado que se considerava já o histórico edifício como um monumento Nacional. A viúva de D. Fernando procurou então chegar a um acordo com o Estado Português e recebeu uma proposta de compra por parte de Luís I de Portugal em 1889 em nome do Estado, que aceitou, reservando então para si apenas o Chalé da Condessa, onde continuou a residir. Com essa aquisição, o Palácio passou para o património nacional português, integrando o património da Coroa. Durante o reinado de Carlos I de Portugal, a Família Real ocupou com frequência o Palácio, tornando-se a residência predileta da Rainha D. Amélia, que se ocupou da decoração dos aposentos íntimos. Aqui foi servido um almoço à comitiva de Eduardo VII do Reino Unido, aquando da sua visita oficial ao país, em 1903.

Após o regicídio, a Rainha D. Amélia retirou-se ainda mais para o Palácio da Pena, rodeada das amigas e dos seus cães de estimação. Aqui recebia com alguma frequência a visita do filho, Manuel II de Portugal, que nele tinha os seus aposentos reservados. Quando rebentou a revolta de 4 de Outubro, em 1910, D. Amélia aguardou na Pena o evoluir da situação, chegando a subir aos terraços com a sua comitiva para observar sinais dos combates em Lisboa. No dia seguinte, partiu ao encontro de D. Manuel, em Mafra, voltando na mesma tarde ao Palácio da Pena, onde passou a noite de 4 para 5 de Outubro, a última que passou em Portugal antes da queda da Monarquia. No dia seguinte, conhecido o triunfo da República, partiu de novo para Mafra, ao encontro do filho e da sogra, de onde partiriam todos para o exílio. Com a implantação da República Portuguesa, o palácio foi convertido em museu, com a designação oficial de Palácio Nacional da Pena. Em 1945, a rainha D. Amélia, de visita a Portugal, voltou ao Palácio da Pena, onde pediu para estar sozinha durante alguns minutos, era o seu Palácio predileto. Atualmente o Palácio da Pena constitui um dos mais deslumbrantes estabelecimentos museológicos do País, encontrando-se tanto o imóvel, como o seu recheio, praticamente intactos.

«Hoje é o dia mais feliz da minha vida. Conheço a Itália, a Sicília, a Grécia e o Egipto, e nunca vi nada, nada, que valha a Pena. É a coisa mais bela que tenho visto. Este é o verdadeiro jardim de Klingsor e, lá no alto, está o Castelo do Santo Graal.» - Richard Strauss.

A Lenda das pegas

No Palácio Nacional de Sintra existe uma sala cujo teto está pintado com diversos desenhos de pegas. Diz-se que o Rei e a Rainha que lá viviam nessa época fizeram casar mais de um cento de mulheres, entrando na conta as que com ele próprio se tinham casado, seguindo tão bons exemplos. Não havia uma ligação ilícita, nem um adultério conhecido, a corte era como uma escola. D. Filipa, pregando ao peito o seu véu de esposa casta, com os olhos levantados ao céu, não perdoava, era terrível na sua mansidão e trazia o marido sobre um domínio espinhoso. Certo dia, segundo reza a lenda, o Rei esqueceu-se do seu dever e furtivamente pregou um beijo na face de uma das aias, quando nisto apareceu de imediato acusadora e grave a Rainha casta e loira, sem dizer uma palavra, mas com um ar medonho de reprovação. D. João, sem jeito e titubeando, disse-lhe uma tolice: "Foi por bem!". A rainha saiu solenemente sem responder. Eram ciúmes? Não, ciúmes só sente quem está apaixonado, e não me parece que fosse o caso. Apenas sentia o seu orgulho ferido.

Rapidamente a notícia espalhou-se pelo palácio, e toda a criadagem andava com a frase "Foi por bem" na boca. Chateado com a situação, o Rei decidiu tomar uma iniciativa, mandou construir uma sala para a criadagem. Todos ficaram radiantes contando os dias que faltavam para a sala estar pronta. Finalmente chegou o dia, iam conhecer a sala. Qual não foi o espanto de todos ao verem que o teto da tal sala estava todo pintado com pegas, que tinham escrito no bico "Pour Bien". (traduza-se por bem). Ora digam lá se as lendas não são uma coisa maravilhosa com capacidade de se adaptarem a todos os tempos…

A Lenda do jardim da Lindaria.

O palácio da pena está rodeado de belos jardins, e um deles é o jardim da lindaria que segundo a lenda era o local para onde as mouras vinham sempre que saiam do banho, respirar a frescura do ar e o perfume embalsamado das flores. Uma dessas mouras enfeitiçou-se de amores por um cristão que ali escondido a observava. O seu marido, ao descobrir tal traição de imediato a, matou. Diz a lenda que ainda hoje, todas as noites a moura volta ao jardim em busca do cristão por quem se apaixonou, e que jamais terá sossego enquanto não o encontrar.

Copyright ©

All images and texts are copyrighted, with all rights reserved. Please do not use, copy or edit any of my images or text without my written permission. If you want to use my texts or photographs please contact this address. asousacar@clix.pt

*===***===* Todos os direitos reservados ==***== Todos los derechos reservados ==***== All rights reserved ==**== Tutti i diritti riservati ==**== Alle Rechte vorbehalten ==**== Tous droits réservés =**=

... for "Working Toward A Better World"

... el aislamiento no es la solución, es el problema!!! / ... the isolation is not the answer, it is the problem!!!

... salud, buenas luces y muchas gracias a todos / as!!! / ... health, good lights and thanks so much to all!!!! ... xo♥ox ... =:o)))))

... Music: "Another brick on the wall" (Pink Floyd) cover by Korn ( included in the OST of "The Faculty" by Robert Rodriguez) ... a hard version for a hard times!!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qns99goEHRU

... NoTa: ... cielo y gaviotas añadidas con PS!!! / ... sky and seagulls added with PS!!!

Love this line up of men, boys, donkeys and dog outside Ballydehob in Co. Cork!

The dog owner is absolutely ensuring that his dog is recorded for posterity by holding the dog immobile. Amazingly Donkey #1 is also holding his pose perfectly face on to the camera, while Donkey #2 is adamant that his best side is captured.

And what's going on with the boy at extreme right - singing? reciting? yawning?

Date: Circa 1899-1910 (thanks derangedlemur and Tin of beans)

NLI Ref.: OCO 347

My ✞ Alfie is 4 years today!

About 2 years on three paws and still "going strong"

He is so sweet, even more than in his "younger years" ;-))

He is talking to us in his own language our darling Prins.

Although he looks quite disturbed here, he Always give us smiles!

Sending you hugs and joy.

in friendship, Addy

Alfie has passed away ♱ on August 5th 2021

Goodbye my Heart♥

5ª QDD Fotografica Internacional Piloña 2013

5ª International Photo Hangout Piloña 2013

Informacion aqui:

Seen and photographed on an Osaka sanpo with Fukuda-san, hyossie-san, Kome, Maeda-san, Makio-san, Minoru-san, Mitsuru-san, nansya-san and Hitomi-san, Roger, Taizo-san, Teruhide-san, Toshi-san, Yoshi-san, and Yuki-san. Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan. February 16, 2013.

The Pannonian Plain is a large plain in Central Europe that remained when the Pliocene Pannonian Sea dried out. It is a geomorphological subsystem of the Alps-Himalaya system.

The river Danube divides the plain roughly in half.

The plain is divided among Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.

The plain is roughly bounded by the Carpathian mountains, the Alps, the Dinaric Alps and the Balkan mountains.

Although rain is not plentiful, it usually falls when necessary and the plain is a major agricultural area; it is sometimes said that these fields of rich loamy loess soil could feed the whole of Europe. For its early settlers, the plain offered few sources of metals or stone. Thus when archaeologists come upon objects of obsidian or chert, copper or gold, they have almost unparalleled opportunities to interpret ancient pathways of trade.

The precursor to the present plain was a shallow sea that reached its greatest extent during the Pliocene, when three to four kilometres of sediments were deposited.

The plain was named after the Pannonians, a northern Illyrian tribe. Various different peoples inhabited the plain during its history. In the first century BC, the eastern parts of the plain belonged to the Dacian state, and in the first century AD its western parts were subsumed into the Roman Empire. The Roman province named Pannonia was established in the area, and the city of Sirmium, today Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia, became one of the four capital cities of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pannonian_Plain

" O mamma mia istimada

ite ses tue pro me:

un anghelu, una fada

ses sempre indaffarada

non pensas mai pro te!

In tottu s'universu

quadratu o tundu

se mi mancas tue

est sa fine de su mundu."

sarebbe la fine del mondo! "

A few of us came upon these Barred Owls grooming each other while we were doing a spring bird survey. It was fascinating to see how they were being so gentle with each other. I was hiding behind a tree so as not to disturb the birds.

The light was terrible and I don't use flash on owls, so I had to crank up the ISO and hope for the best. Handheld at 1/60 sec.

Orange County, Florida, USA

Happy Valentines Day

Canon Rebel XSi and Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Taken in Odaiba, Tokyo.

We've had some nice weather these past few days in Tokyo. This was the scene on Saturday evening overlooking Tokyo Bay. Thanks for viewing.

Please press 'L' to view in the lightbox.

Canon EOS 60D | Original + 25% HDR Blend | ISO 100 | f/11 | Lens at 18mm | AWB | My work is for sale on Getty Images | Coko Art | Amazon

Ontem aproveitando o Feriado do Dia do Trabalhador, estive com alguns amigos aqui do Flickr, juntamente com a minha prima Bia e alguns amigos dela, passando uma tarde muito agradavel com pessoas de primeiro escalão em fotografia e convivio na Praia de Itacoatiara e como sempre acontece quando saimos juntos para fotografar, a tarde não foi feita apenas de grandes imagens, mas grandes momentos de alegria e confraternizaçao.

* As fotos da segunda sequencia estão abertas, pois ja foram publicadas anterioremente, elas foram tiradas em outra ocasião.

Foto: Piscina Natural - Praia de Itacoatiara - Niteroi - Rio de Janeiro - Brasil

According to Law 9.610/98, it is prohibited the partial or total commercial reproduction without the previous written authorization of the author (article 29). ® All rights are reserved.

Conforme a Lei 9.610/98, é proibida a reprodução total e parcial ou divulgação comercial ou não sem a autorização prévia e expressa do autor (artigo 29). ® Todos os direitos reservados