Never get involved with a couple having an argument. I went back another way.

A scene in Epping Forest re-imagined in colour. I think lock down is finally getting to me.

A combination of several images.

A week or so ago, I wrote about my favourite (endangered) Garry oak meadow. I wasn't very clear. As often happens, I was arguing from more than one place at once. A couple of commenters misunderstood me completely... and I don't blame them. I was pretty muddled. Here's what I was trying to say (and I'll try to be clearer).

Our world has reached a stage where hardly anything is "natural." Think about it. Try to name just one thing. It's nearly impossible, given how much we humans have altered the planet. Even the weather... which would seem the most natural thing of all... is so mucked up because of what we've done to the environment.

Last year, some scientists reported the results of their study of highrise window grime around Toronto. They found significant amounts of chemicals banned in North America for decades... presumably carrried here by atmospheric systems from less developed countries with fewer regulations.

More recently, I listened to a radio doc. in which a young Canadian recounted her experience living in China for a year. She tried to ride a bicycle and couldn't; couldn't breathe. Even walking, she said she sometimes vomited from the sheer thickness of the air pollution.

Tempting, when you hear that, to look around smugly at your own apparently wide-open spaces, and clean air, and pristine wilderness... but, no. It's not pristine. Nothing is any more. Because the whole broader global ecosystem has been altered in presumably irreversable ways.

And here's another anecdote to illustrate the point.

Some years ago, there was a massive fire in Yellowstone Park; it burned for weeks. It stymied all firefighting efforts and, at one point, someone said "Why not let it burn?" That's what would happen in nature, after all. Forest fires were part of the natural order of things... clearing out brush and dead wood and whatnot and making space for rejuvenated habitat.

But that only works within a natural system. And we ain't got one. Not any more. And no... I'm not despairing... just trying (not too successfully I fear) to make my argument that almost NOTHING is natural.

Living in houses? Driving cars? Using computers? Flying in planes? It's all way-out shit when you really stop and think about it.

Which makes rubber masks seem... well... if not natural, then certainly within the range of "normal" in today's world.

But... wait. There IS something natural left.

Love. Long may it reign. And may we some day reach a place where no one is judged or punished or ostracized for who they love. Because that's the most unnatural phenomenon of all.

(Added to the Cream of the Crop pool as most interesting, as judged by Flickr.)

Double-crested cormorants arguing about roosting rights. I took twenty photos of the squabble. I combined two of them to show the best facial expressions and wing positions.

Due to my fascination with bokeh, I usually shoot wide open. The problem with that is that very little of the image is in focus and due to the quick moving nature of my subjects, most of the time the wrong part ends up being in focus. Sometimes, however, lady luck or whoever is in charge of these things bestows a smile on you. That was the case here, because beak, forehead and eye are exactly what I was aiming for. Would have been nice if the feet had been as sharp as well, but I suppose you could make the argument that they portray a bit of a sense of motion. (That’s an excuse, really). Oh, and what is my female sparrow buddy levitating over? That would be the metal flower, courtesy of my daughter.

Simple man – Lynyrd Skynyrd

Two Chaffinches having a little argument.

Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs).

© 2022 Marc Haegeman. All Rights Reserved

I’m at that stage of my life where I keep myself out of arguments. Even if you tell me 1+1=5 you’re absolutely correct, enjoy.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGGWhOUYObc

@ Radio Ocho Tango Place

This is not a medieval ruine somewhere in Europe, this is the Bishop Castle in Colorado. Jim Bishop has built it alone since 1969 against all odds like missing money, hard labor, arguments with authorities, brands, blows, personal strocks of fate... This really incredible building, lost in the wilderness of Colorado, wil probably never be completed, but in this case the way is a goal...

Bonneval-sur-Arc est une commune française située dans le département de la Savoie, en région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, sur le cours de l'Arc. Le village, situé au fond de la vallée de la Maurienne dans le parc national de la Vanoise, est l'un des 157 villages qui adhèrent à l'association les plus beaux villages de France chargée de promouvoir les arguments touristiques de petites communes rurales riches d'un patrimoine de qualité. Il concourt à l'édition 2015 de l'émission de télévision française Le Village préféré des Français.

Avocets in Axios Delta National Park, Macedonia, Greece

Pas plus d'un centimètre pour ce spécimen qui a quelques jours. Déjà tous les arguments et atouts pour faire vibrer et s'exalter un photographe e nature.

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No more than a centimeter for this specimen that is a few days old. Already all the arguments and assets to vibrate and exalt a photographer e nature.

Philip

A day at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park, London. A place for free speach and argumentation.

These two were very passionate about their religious arguments, but it was a much friendlier discussion than what it seems.

Lots of photos of that day at: aleadamphotos.wordpress.com/2016/09/10/a-day-at-speakers-...

Lately, I've been, I've been thinking

I want you to be happier, I want you to be happier

When the morning comes

When we see what we've become

In the cold light of day we're a flame in the wind

Not the fire that we've begun

Every argument, every word we can't take back

'Cause with the all that has happened

I think that we both know the way that this story ends

Then only for a minute

I want to change my mind

'Cause this just don't feel right to me

I wanna raise your spirits

I want to see you smile but

Know that means I'll have to leave

Know that means I'll have to leave

Lately, I've been, I've been thinking

I want you to be happier, I want you to be happier

When the evening falls

And I'm left there with my thoughts

And the image of you being with someone else

Well, that's eating me up inside

But we run our course, we pretend that we're okay

Now if we jump together at least we can swim

Far away from the wreck we made.

A lighthouse is a guidance for real, like in a building

For some reason lighthouses have always fascinated me

A guidance in your life is your intuition

As hard as it can be

As easy as it can be

It's always there

Whispering

We tend to listen more to our ego tho

Our ego always have the arguments, the solutions

Why to do things

How to do things

Definitely how and why not to do things

It's often the easy way-solutions or the more fun stuff to do

Your ego keeps on building up arguments why it's smart to follow the egos way

Be aware when you repeatedly think the same arguments over and over again

It's your ego talking, it never whispers

It's cool to know tho, now you can choose to listen if you want, either it's the ego or the intuition

I love knowing

Knowledge rules

I just have to add this little music for you, I love Pink Floyd, it totally rules :D

I haven't heard this one before.

Talking to a loved one today, while this one was playing in the background, totally made this music a lovely piece of art the rest of my day.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_y5zY-Nd38

Avalon Marshes Catcott Nature reserves, Somerset

Thank you in Advance for your kind ‘Faves’ and visits they are so very much appreciated.

Your 'Fave' does not always appear in 'Notifications' or Flickr mail, so, I am sorry for any delay in responding. Often your 'Fave' is only spotted 'On the Page' in ‘and xxx more people’ list on the day, that I see it. (seen ONLY when checking WHEN someone HAS 'faved' the image)

Thank you for your kind comments and visits they are very much appreciated.

I cannot always ‘Thank’ everyone individually, however, I will still try to respond and thank all those that leave a ‘Comment’.

Tree Swallows - Hirondelles bicolores

St-Armand, Quebec, Canada

Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.

-- Pedro Calderon de la Barca

[Larger provides further evidence]

This photo of a grebe having an argument with a coot over territory. It was triggered when their babies were swimming around and overlapped but too close, as it turned out, to the grebe's nest. The sound was significant and the grebe's low posture was interesting to watch play out. Coot is in next photo.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhF34xLMOpY

"La VIBRATION de l' UNIVERS"

de SERGE - REIVER NAZARE .

vadeker.net/beyond/contact/lois_sur_les_extraterrestres.html

"LOIS et REGLEMENTS sur le CONTACT avec les EXTRATERRESTRES" ... aux USA .

"C' est dans l' air du temps que cette ""paranoïa anti-extraterrestre"" soit devenue mondiale . Il faudrait se méfier de tout contact avec un intelligence extraterrestre ou toutes formes de vie extraterrestre . Et, comme chacun le sait , nul n' est censé ignorer la Loi , même si c' est pour réglementer un contact avec un phénomène qui n' est pas censé exister , car il n' est pas officiellement reconnu , mais qui pourrait tout de même l' être si on ouvre grand les yeux .

Les Gouvernements jouent ainsi avec les contradictions et ils ne manquent pas d' imaginations ni d' arguments pour légiférer sur un contrôle de ceux qui seraient confrontés au phénomène ovnien . Nous retrouvons des Lois à géométrie variable parce qu'on ne sait jamais ce qui pourrait se passer dans la tête d' un terrien ...

Les Politiques en parlent , les Militaires les craignent , les Stratèges ne savent plus sur quel pied danser ...

Un bref aperçu pour avoir une idée du contexte culturel et idéologique dans lesquels émergent ces Lois ..."

(Motion Blur)

Thank you , my Friends , for your Visits ...

The morning air was cool and fresh as my car pushed its way up the Tioga Pass Road toward the Yosemite High Country. It was May in the Eastern Sierra and the snowmelt had made little lakes out of what would be grassy meadows later in the year. I stopped for a bit to walk around one of the lakes… snapping pics and enjoying the quiet. It was a Delightful Day !!

A little further up the Tioga Pass Road lies Tuolumne Meadows, one of the largest high-elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada, Tuolumne Meadows at 8,600 feet has been also among the most visible to past pioneers, and present visitors and scientists.

There’s a lot of argument about which stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail has the most breathtaking scenery, but for lovers of high-alpine landscapes, it’s tough to beat the stretch of trail through Yosemite’s Tuolumne Meadows, the largest subalpine meadow in the Sierra Nevada. This is stark, fragile, granite country. The beauty of this region's glacial-cut peaks, gem-like lakes, verdant meadows, and abundant wildlife make it a hiking paradise.

Note: The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) is a treasured pathway through some of the most outstanding scenic terrain in the United States. Beginning in southern California at the Mexican border, the PCT travels a total distance of 2,650 miles through California, Oregon, and Washington until reaching the Canadian border.

Nikon Z6, 14-24/2.8 @ 16.5 mm, 8 sec @ f/11, ISO 100, processed to taste)

Udny Castle is a tower house in the parish of Udny, southwest of the village of Pitmedden and northeast of the hamlet of Udny Green, Aberdeenshire, in the northeast of Scotland. The area is generally flat but the castle is sited on the highest ground and can be seen for a considerable distance. Its exact construction date is unknown, but its foundations probably date from the late 14th or early 15th century. Additional storeys were added and a later extension, described as a "modern mansion", was incorporated but subsequently demolished. It is a Category A listed building.

Sited on the highest area in a generally flat terrain, the castle can be seen from a considerable distance. The exact construction date is not known but it was probably initially constructed by the Udny family in the 14th or 15th century. The property is first recorded when it is shown on a charter for David II instigated by Ronald of Uldney.

MacGibbon and Ross suggested a construction date of the turn of the 16–17th centuries, but the indentation of the upper floors and thickness of the foundation walls suggest a much earlier date. The main construction work of the keep is believed to have spanned over 100 years and been undertaken by three consecutive lairds; it is reported to have "ruined them all".

The Udny family also owned Knockhall Castle and lived there until 1734 when Knockhall was destroyed by fire; they then returned to Udny. Jamie Fleeman, the Laird's fool, was responsible for saving the family papers from being destroyed in the fire.

The castle was abandoned sometime around 1775 then repair work was undertaken in 1801.

Colonel John Robert Fullerton Udny inherited the estate in 1802. He had been an army officer since 1797 but retired after his marriage to Emily Fitzhugh in 1812. Thereafter he only visited the estate occasionally as his main residence was in London. The couple had one son, John Augustus Udny, but he died a bachelor in 1859. The Colonel's wife died in 1846 after which he had an affair with Ann Allat whom he married on 2 January 1854. However, the couple had a son, John Henry Udny, born out of wedlock on 9 May 1853. A legal case was heard by the House of Lords as to whether John Henry was entitled to inherit the estate as his parents had been unmarried when he was born. The legal arguments describe how the Colonel had wished to do restoration work on the castle but could not afford to do so "owing chiefly to his connection with the turf".

The Colonel died in 1861. The House of Lords had decided in favour of John Henry and he inherited the estate as "though illegitimate at his birth, [he] was legitimated by the subsequent marriage of his parents".

In 1887, it is recorded as owned by John Hay Udny and had been in the family's ownership for several centuries.

Bartizans were included when an extra storey was added in the 17th century.

A mansion house in the baronial style was added in 1874–75 to the design of architect James Maitland Wardrop (of the Wardrop and Anderson company) but was subsequently demolished during the 1960s. Wardrop's son, Hew, was also an architect and undertook some of the decorative work at the castle. He died suddenly of appendicitis while working at the castle on 4 November 1887.

In 1964, restoration work was begun on the original tower house and the mansion house was demolished. Historic Scotland listed the castle as a Category A listed building in April 1971.

Fortunately, I don't always have to go far to photograph birds. My sister lives just outside Utrecht in a divine location, where it flutters and croaks continuously. Every spring, more and more storks come to nest, and they regularly look down on us with satisfaction from the chimney as we sip a beer on the terrace. We regularly hear tawny owls (unfortunately the long-eared owls have not been sighted for a number of years), and there seem to be badgers that use the facilities of the local swimming pool every night without paying.

There is a very noisy heron colony. At the beginning of spring, the fight for the best nesting places begins, and later in the breeding season the young croak, squeak and burp for attention, because they need as much food as possible, preferably right away.

At the end of the breeding season there has been (I think) a change in the boys and girls behavior. They can now fly and they now stand in places outside the nest, often on branches, or like here on the ground, and it seems that they can no longer stand each other. They stand opposite each other for minutes, screeching and flapping their wings. I wonder if this was the prelude to the family breaking up, and whether they will now gradually go their own way. Who knows, can say so.

An argument in my living room that gets out of hand.

I absolutely do not tolerate this.

I have to stop them before it's too late.

Pair of geese at Island Cove Marina, Harrison, Tn.

The argument between these masked people looks worse than it was. In fact, there was no argument, just a friendly chat. The 'Paper & Clay' theatre which put on the Halloween parade made some fabulous masks. It was probably smaller parade than usually, as it was raining all day and evening, but kids joined in their own costume, as the parade proceeded through the Christie Pits neighbourhood. There was even a 6 piece brass band led by a prominent Toronto sax player Richard Underhill.

847. Toronto 2021-Oct 30, P1180427. Uploaded 2021-Oct 31. Lmx -ZS100.

Appelvinken ruzie 200320(xxxx)

Partagé entre Dieu et le Diable, entre entendre Bach et regarder les hommes, entre l’adoration et l’impiété, le mystère et le mépris, l’inquiétude et le ricanement, je ne saurais me décider entre les deux seules attitudes qui puissent séduire l’esprit : la frivolité et le renoncement. Pour laquelle opter alors que toutes les deux sont légitimes, et qu’aux arguments de l’une, l’autre oppose les siens avec autant de validité ? J’ouvre n’importe quel auteur galant du XVIIIè siècle : il me convainc ; je m’assombris à la lecture d’un « ars moriendi » quelconque : j’y consens de toute mon âme. Quel chemin prendre entre la farce et le sérieux ? Je renonce à la vie avec ses moyens : c’est le libertinage ; je la fuis – par une méthode qui l’annule – c’est l’ascétisme. Mais si je pratique les deux voies, tour à tout ou simultanément ?

Cioran

*

*

* Paisaje típico de la Comarca Subbética desde la ventana de un cortijo andaluz en un extenso olivar. Término municipal de Cabra de Córdoba, (La Igabrum tartesso-romana). Centro geográfico de Andalucía.

* Esta fotografía fue tomada desde la misma ventana desde la que, en mis años juveniles, realicé la anterior 40 años antes (aquella de las granadas y membrillos). El paso del tiempo parece que deja las cosas casi iguales pero la pátina del implacable transcurrir de las horas hinca su mella tanto en los elementos físicos como en el recuerdo.

Se trata de esos pequeños detalles que hacen que nosotros seamos “…yo y mis circunstancias…” como argumentaba Ortega y Gasset, y como suelo añadir a mis alumnos “…más mis recuerdos…”, porque sin recuerdos no seriamos nadie.

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* Bueno traer en nuestra evocación poética la letra de una canción muy bella de Serrat: Para escuchar (To listen) www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo1ceeYqQsk

Pequeñas cosas

Uno se cree

que las mató el tiempo y la ausencia

pero su tren

vendió boleto

de ida y vuelta.

nadie nos ve.

(JUAN MANUEL SERRAT. Del álbum musical “Mediterráneo”.)

This Eurasian Magpie was standing on the fence, with another one in the Poplar above it. They seemed to be having a conversation when, all of a sudden, this bird became quite agitated :)

This was one of those reflex shots. These two, what I think are Palm Warblers, suddenly flew out of a tree and had a second or two of arial argument. I’ve tried hard to identify the bird and have come up with our most common warbler, the Palm. But I invite you birders out there to correct me if I’ve mis-identified it. Thanks. (Setophaga palmarum) (Sony a1, 200-600 lens @ 362mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 second, ISO 1250)

youtu.be/SwX4b8ohI5o?list=FLZBEQmstIJUHVgR_pT_rz7g

1 of 4 involved in a territorial dispute...fun to watch the arguments...Marsh Hide at Baron's Haugh NR

Bonxie and fulmars in Shetland

It started with a careless squawk, and now they barely talk.

Arara Azul / Blue Macaw, Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

The Green Woodpecker still having an argument and demanding as most juveniles do!!

My alarm sounded at half three and through bleary eyes I turned it off. The internal argument raged...stay in bed Vs get your arse up. Get your arse up won and off I went to the far side of the Peak District.

I passed by Mam Tor, Winnats and Padley on my way. All of which looked resplendent shrouded in fog but I stuck to the plan and I arrived at a layby near around half four. A twenty minute walk later found me admiring this scene. The mist in the distance softening the rising sun which was bathing the mossy boulder and lone tree.

It's moments like this which you have to remember when that alarm goes off. I've not enjoyed a morning out with the camera as much as this morning ever. The bird song, the fresh air, the dew covered spider webs draped over the heather, the two Cuckoos in the distance calling one another and to top it off a lone Deer bounding through the misty woodland.

What3Words

///thin.spill.bravo

Better than any sign saying 'No'.

Well, we had a conversation and no argument. I would be sensible

On January 1, 2019, Rotterdam rapper Faysal Msyeh, better known as Feis, was shot dead after trying to calm an argument.

On the day Feis would turn 35, artist duo TelmoMiel started with a life-size mural as a monument against senseless violence.

Friends and family took the initiative for this tribute. Rapper Winne, one of his close friends, explained why: "Feis deserves a lasting tribute. The work he made, but above all the person he was, make him someone that many rely on. Especially when it's difficult, especially when it can be done better. Including him in the streetscape of his beloved Rotterdam-West is the least we can do for him and his legacy. A relatively small gesture, with great value for many Rotterdammers."

'Feis Forever', Streetart Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Location: Coolsestraat and the corner of West-Kruiskade

Artists: TelmoMiel

More info about TelmoMiel:

~~Since 2012, Telmo Pieper (Amsterdam, 1984) and Miel Krutzmann (Rotterdam, 1989) have been working together as an artist duo TelmoMiel. They met in 2006 at art school and learned a lot from working together. When they started making murals, they made individual pieces that they brought into one composition. Gradually this evolved into painting one image together, and designing and creating concepts as a duo. TelmoMiel have painted large-scale and surreal murals throughout Europe.~~

All info found on internet

I also spotted a mural of this duo in Ghent, Belgium. See first comment box

Kleine discussie tussen twee spelende kinderen op een pleintje in Kroatië. Dertig seconden later waren ze weer dikke vrienden.

"just a little bit left of center."

I am reminded of four definitions: A Radical is a man with both feet firmly planted— in the air. A Conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward. A Reactionary is a somnambulist walking backwards. A Liberal is a man who uses his legs and his hands at the behest-at the command — of his head :-)

Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1939

HSS!! Truth Matters! Character Matters!

camellia, 'Yuletide', little theater garden, raleigh, north carolina

.

…dans le ciel trois mille kilomètres au dessus ou même plus loin, un groupe d’anges est désemparé quand il est confronté avec les corps entassés sur un grand carré en dessous, et tandis que la température chute au-delà du zéro, leurs arguments et leurs soupirs se glacent en cristaux qui tombent un à un.

*

...en el cielo, tres mil kilómetros arriba, tal vez más, hay un grupo de ángeles desamparados cuando tienen que ver una serie de cuerpos amontonados acá abajo en una plaza y, mientras la temperatura cae por debajo de cero grados, sus argumentos y suspiros se hielan formando cristales que caen uno a uno.

Shang Qin (China, 1930)

*

Photo : à Talca (Maule, Chile)

Foto : en Talca (Maule, Chile)

Chloris chloris

Martin Mere WWT