Sunlit grasses on the shores of Lake Taupo.

This female Merlin had begun ripping into her catch when we located her in the shade of the pine trees. (Thank you, Ivan Deng for your sharp eye.) And when some pesky magpies started harassing her, she stopped tearing into her catch, gave the magpies a hard look and uttered a series of shrill calls to indicate her displeasure.

A quick look through my camera's viewfinder revealed a blood-stained beak and legs. Turfs of feathers further revealed that the unfortunate victim was probably a robin or waxwing.

Taken on: Nov, Hermitage Park, Edmonton, Alberta.

Nikon D500 w/ 500f4G; f4; 1/125; -1/3EV, ISO640

Lightroom 6.0

All rights reserved. No unauthorized use.

Thank you very much for your visit and comment

Agapanthus buds blooming...taken at Melbourne Botanical Gardens...

viewed enlarged for details....or type z twice.

Enjoy Karen Carpenter singing

"We Only Just Begun"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=__VQX2Xn7tI

Many thanks for your visit, comments, invites and faves...it is always appreciated...

Happy Sunday

This big, turquoise-tiled minaret was begun in 1851 by Mohammed Amin Khan, who according to legend wanted to build a minaret so high he could see all the way to Bukhara. Unfortunately, the khan dropped dead in 1855 leaving the beautifully tiled structure unfinished.

East of the minaret, beside the medressa, is the small, plain Sayid Alauddin Mausoleum, dating to 1310 when Khiva was under the Golden Horde of the Mongol empire. You might find people praying in front of the 19th-century tiled sarcophagus.

Chiwa is a city of approximately 50,000 people located in Xorazm Region, Uzbekistan. According to archaeological data, the city was established in the beginning of the Christian era. It is the former capital of Khwarezmia and the Khanate of Chiwa. Itchan Kala in Khiva was the first site in Uzbekistan to be inscribed in the World Heritage List (1991)

Backstory:

November 27th, 1943. The alien fleet has begun it's path of destruction. The fleet has been stationed over Mexico for the past 5 years, sending out huge dropships to the towns and cities. Mexico was destroyed in the first week of the war, every man woman and child was infected and turned into black skeleton-like aliens. The fleet was moving north, moving for the first time in the 5 years of war. If they weren't stopped America would fall. Texas, New Mexico and Arizona are crucial to our counter attack. New Mexico was gassed, Texas hosted a 2 year battle before falling and Arizona was bombed a year ago. Arizona, although bombed, was still inhabitable. Small conflicts raged across the state as the alien ground troops advanced. Today is the day we fight back. At the very bottom of the Arizona desert were two German outposts, LJ-42 and LJ-43. LJ-43 got hit by a plasma bomb, sending rubble everywhere. LJ-42 was subject to viscous attacks from the black beasts, and eventually failed. The Germans were killed and a AA gun was installed to destroy any of our helicopters reaching it. That was a year ago, it's now crawling with aliens and, if intel is right, Russians the alien scum has infected. We're weak, exhausted and tired, but we need to get it back. Our plan is rubbish, but it's the best we have. A small German force will be sent to sneak up and disable the AA gun. Once that's out the way I will lead my American soldiers and jeeps and begin the assault. The Germans will then send in a Kartoffelstampfer,, followed by the Chinese and their new hardsuits. Together we might just pull this thing off...

Notes:

I hate building dioramas. I struggle with anything over 2x2, so I'm surprised I'm still in one piece after building a 48x48. Scenes just aren't my thing. I like building minifigures or detailed grey vehicles that all look the same. That said, I've always wanted to do a big battle thingymabob. Everyone has been pestering me to build a Weird War II diorama and this contest was the inspiration I needed. I rounded up my troops, scrapped my 300 diorama and began building day and night. It's taken me about 50-60 hours to do this. Half was spent building/changing, a quarter was spent searching for a single frickin' piece and the last quarter was spent repairing it after the German Vertical Tank fell on top of everything. There's been ups and downs, but I think it's all been worth it.

Thank you, TheBricks™ for being the 100th fav'!

completing in Art what is begun in Nature. I think I garden more to the eye than to the appetites :-)

A. Bronson Alcott, 1846 journal

HMM! HPPT!

prunus mume, pink japanese flowering apricot, 'Bonita', j c raulston arboretum, ncsu, raleigh, north carolina

Primula flower buds arising in a sea of primula flowers...taken at the Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne.

Enjoy The Carpenter's classic song " We've Only Just Begun"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sFej5pnVXI

Many thanks for your visit, comment, invites and favs...it is always appreciated.

Happy Friday

A blooming Agapanthus flower taken at the Melbourne Botanical Gardens...

One of the many Carpenters' hit songs...." We Only Just Begun "

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kPD4LtA1vo

Many thanks for your visit, comments, invites and faves...it is always appreciated..

Happy Saturday

The Birds begun at Four o'clock—

Their period for Dawn—

A Music numerous as space—

But neighboring as Noon—

I could not count their Force—

Their Voices did expend

As Brook by Brook bestows itself

To multiply the Pond.

Their Witnesses were not—

Except occasional man—

In homely industry arrayed—

To overtake the Morn—

Nor was it for applause—

That I could ascertain—

But independent Ecstasy

Of Deity and Men—

By Six, the Flood had done—

No Tumult there had been

Of Dressing, or Departure—

And yet the Band was gone—

The Sun engrossed the East—

The Day controlled the World—

The Miracle that introduced

Forgotten, as fulfilled.

Emily Dickinson

Startd playing with my own photo from a lake with swans,

add some layers and kit : mill : pixabay, tree: Lorie Davison, clouds: Golden Crolalo.

Thanks for your kind visit, comment and fav. It´s much appreciated!!

By knot of one, the spells begun

By knot of two, it cometh true

By knot of three, thus shall it be

By knot of four, tis strengthened more

By knot of five, so may it thrive

By knot of six, the spell we fix

By knot of seven, the stars of heaven

By knot of eight, the hand of fate

By knot of nine, THE THING BE MINE....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua2k52n_Bvw

NEW DRD - Forest Ritual Site

@ SALEM!

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Prism%20Events/128/114/22

DRD - Forest Ritual Site - SpellBook

DRD - Forest Ritual Site - Altar

DRD - Forest Ritual Site - Cauldron

DRD - Forest Ritual Site - Tree Trunk

DRD - Forest Ritual Site - Treestump

Other Stuff

*LODE* Face Accessory - Leila [brown]

*LODE* Face Accessory - Leila [green]

Meva Helmet Dark

[P.0.E] - Wayfarer Chest Armor

PFC~Raven Pauldron

ZIBSKA Noir#14 Eyemakeup

For you, kardia mou...

"Here i am - this is me

There's no where else on earth i'd rather be

Here i am - it's just me and you

Tonight we make our dreams come true

It's a new world - it's a new start

It’s alive with the beating of - young hearts

It’s a new day - it's a new plan

I’ve been waiting for you

Here i am

Here we are - we've just begun

And after all this time - our time has come

Yeah, here we are - still goin' strong

Right here in the place where we belong

It's a new world - it's a new start

It’s alive with the beating of - young hearts

It’s a new day - it's a new plan

I’ve been waiting for you

Here i am."

🎧Here I Am

The goldfinches around here have begun to look like bright blobs of yellow and gold. A joy to see.

Love this little vegetarian.

The fall has begun. Today was the first sunny day after rain and I used the time to buy a coffe on the market this morning and some pumpkin for a tasty soup. Everywhere you can see the last fruits of summer. It is so nice to feel the last warm sunbeams in my face. Baloo thought it was fun chasing the leaves.

Hope you like my pic. Taken at Luane's.

Thank you for your favs, comments and awards...

*hugs* Ash

Soundcheck: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9jKwji7imU

texture by lenabemanna

We have only begun to love the earth.

We have only begun to imagine the fullness of life.

How could we tire of hope?

So much is in bud.

How can desire fail?

We have only begun to imagine justice and mercy.

We have only begun to know the power that is in us.

How could we tire of hope?

So much is in bud.

So much is unfolding, so much unfolding that must

complete its gesture.

So much, so much is in bud.

We have only begun to love the earth.

........ "Beginners," a song by Norma Luccock, adapted from Denise Levertov's poem by the same name.

Thanks to all who visit, fave, comment, and extend invitations. Your support is much appreciated. I will be sure to visit your work, too

The day begun with this amazing view. Unbelievable! Feels a magic place to return, to relax and to find the next nice part of this place.

Taken at: Where our Journey begins

Music advice: www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8T17Eg2wbM

Thank you for favs, awards and comments. I appreciate all your lovely supports.

*hugs* ash

The Gothic Temple, initially called the Temple of Liberty and perhaps begun as a temple to Apollo, is a very early example of Gothic Revival architecture as it dates from 1741 based on a design by James Gibbs. Horace Walpole remarked of it, "in the heretical corner of my heart I adore the Gothic Building, which, by some unusual inspiration, Gibbs has made pure and beautiful and venerable." The building is triangular with a turret on each point, the tallest being the one on the east side and Bevington suggests that its design "may have been inspired by the Triangular Lodge at Rushton and the interior of the Temple Church in London, both of which provide links to Lord Cobham's supposed ancestors."

See also www.landmarktrust.org.uk for staying in the Gothic Temple!

“♫Our rebellion has begun

Dominion, dominion♫”

🎧 Listen to ıllıllı ❣ INSPIRATION:❣ ıllıllı

Press L to see larger //

Presiona L para ver en grande

⭐️Featuring:

💓SLS~Engine Room (MAR 20 - APR 20) 2022

💓JIAN

💓Vendetta

💓.: SYNNERGY :.

⚡[ VENDETTA ] JARED Skin -LELUTKA EVOX @MAN CAVE EVENT

(Wearing T3 CLASSIC)

♥----Outfit----♥ Ropa:

⚡AsteroidBox. Frederick Suit @Engine Room

(Jake & Legacy)

♥----Accesories----♥ Accesorios:

⚡[mizu] Top Secret Documents (SHHHH) @Engine Room

Includes:

SAYO - Edison Drafting Table

SAYO - Edison Drafting Scrolls

SAYO - Edison Drafting Stool - Adult

♥----Animal----♥:

⚡JIAN -NEW Conure @JIAN Mainstore

Display:

JIAN Conure Wanderer / Flying Crimson Belly

JIAN Conure Wanderer / Ground Sun

♥----Backdrop----♥ Escena:

⚡ Synnergy// Steampunk Clock Station Backdrop @Mainstore

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

FULL CREDITS & SLURLS in my Blog -> *Click Here*

Facebook 💬 www.facebook.com/DressMeUpBlog

An Everlast flower ( Straw flower) just beginning to bloom. Taken at this year's Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show in Carlton Garden in March.

Hope you enjoy The Carpenter's song ..."We only Just Begun"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=__VQX2Xn7tI

Many thanks for your visit, comments, invites and favs...it is always appreciated.

Happy Friday

The manor was begun in 1807 by Martin Ryerson who controlled iron mines and forges on the property. The house and land were purchased in 1853 by Peter Cooper (who designed, built, and drove the first steam-powered locomotive, the Tom Thumb) and his son-in-law, Abram S. Hewitt. The Hewitts made it their summer home and constructed major additions in 1864, 1875, 1900 and 1910. The house currently has 51 rooms, 24 fireplaces and more than 250 windows. Ringwood is in north central New Jersey very close to the New York border.

I believe it is safe to say that butterfly season has begun. There are several beautiful monarchs flitting about the yard. I counted five in the yard but there were others in the neighboring yards. Giant swallowtails, zebra longwings, gulf fritillaries, and sulfurs have also been visiting. And of course, I released several Polydamas swallowtails that awoke from their winter slumber.

With that being said, now that it is March I have officially started collecting eggs and caterpillars to raise. I do believe it shall be a glorious summer of life and color.

I hope your day is splendid. Happy snapping.

Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate that very much!

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © all rights reserved.

Regards, Bram (BraCom)

My Homepage | Facebook

Spring has already begun for this great tit, it sings lustily

Location: Goeree, the Netherlands

Please don't use my images on websites or any other media without my permission.

© All rights reserved

My portfolio website

Order prints at Werk aan de muur

My Instagram account

It’s December, the Christmas countdown has begun, I took this photo from my tree, I wanted to get a nice long exposure capture with a ornament to give it that postcard look.

Spring is almost here and time to start working in the garden.

Peter and Oleg go to help Mommy Marian.

OLEG: Come Peter, let's go into the garden to help Mommy Marian. I drive the tractor with trailer through the garden. We load the trailer with dead leaves and take them to the compost bin.

PETER:

Can I sit in the trailer Oleg?

OLEG: Good, but hold tight! Here we go.

PETER:

Have you ever sat on a tractor Oleg before?

OLEG: No.

PETER:

Do you know how to steer?

OLEG: Eh ... no

I'll put my foot on the pedal and we'll see what happens.

PETER:

Oleg ... Watch out. You drive to a big hole.

OLEG:

We have a problem. We are stuck

A touch of color at Salem Lake.

Winston-Salem, NC

Taken near Crescent, OK

Begun in 1220, Salisbury Cathedral was largely built over 38 years, with the tower and spire added later in 1320. Salisbury's remains the tallest church spire in the UK standing at 404ft (123m). A section of the tower and spire is seen here through a cinquefoil opening in the wall of the cloisters which are themselves the largest in England.

"The moon has awoken with the sleep of the sun, the light has been broken; the spell has begun"

Sponsored Item: [DPSP] - Bones (wear) Exclusive @ eBento Event October 11 - 31 maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/EBENTO/131/127/21

Props included: Skeleton, Grave, Holdable Rose

Blog: aurora0skye.blogspot.com/2021/10/blog-post_17.html

#DPSP #Ebento #TableauVivant #MoonAmore #Friday

What a beautiful old Victorian house. The colors and architecture pulled me in, but look at the porches. I love the one above the front door. The large porch spans the front and side of the house. The pretty front entrance with the faux columns is another plus.

I see it still has its lightening rods entact. I’m guessing turn of the century on the age of this house.

I am happy to see work has begun on the porch and right side of the house. It doesn’t look like it is being lived in at present. I hope this one is fully restored.

This was one of my most exciting finds in nature. A Monarch Chrysalis! I happend to be looking in the butterfly garden at a local nature preserve, and I noticed this "thing" hanging on the stalk of a verbenum plant. After close inspection, lo and behold it was a Monarch Chrysalis!! A wild and natural one to boot! I found that to be very cool and took several macro shots. The actual Chrysalis was probably no more than 3/4 inch tall. View large (L) for detail.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the evening ~!

The manor was begun in 1807 by Martin Ryerson who controlled iron mines and forges on the property. The house and land were purchased in 1853 by Peter Cooper (who designed, built, and drove the first steam-powered locomotive, the Tom Thumb) and his son-in-law, Abram S. Hewitt. The Hewitts made it their summer home and constructed major additions in 1864, 1875, 1900 and 1910. The house currently has 51 rooms, 24 fireplaces and more than 250 windows. Ringwood is in north central New Jersey very close to the New York border.

www.shutterstock.com/g/UrtraTama

stock.adobe.com/jp/contributor/208733025/Urtra%20Tama

stock.adobe.com/jp/contributor/208733025/Ultra%20Tama

The Court of the Myrtles is the central part of the Comares Palace inside the Alhambra palace complex in Granada, Spain. It is located east of the Mexuar and west of the Palace of the Lions. It was begun by the Nasrid sultan Isma'il I in the early 14th century and significantly modified by his successors Yusuf I and Muhammad V later in the same century. In addition to the Court of the Myrtles, the palace's most important element is Hall of Ambassadors (Spanish: Salón de los Embajadores), the sultan's throne hall and one of the most impressive chambers in the Alhambra.

The name of the Palace, Comares, has led to various etymological research. For instance, Diego de Guadix wrote a dictionary about Arabic words in which it is said that Comares originally comes from cun and ari. The first term means "stand up" and the second one "look", in other words it would have meant "Stand up and look around" or possibly "Open your eyes and see", which is a way of referring the beauty of the place. In the sixteenth century, a historian from Granada called Luis de Mármol Carvajal claimed that the term Comares derived from the word Comaraxía, which actually has a meaning related to a craftsmanship labor very appreciated by Muslims: a manufacturing technique of glass for exterior and ceilings. A third suggested theory is that the name comes from the Arab word qumariyya or qamariyya. These ones designate the stained glasses that can be glimpsed from the Hall of the Ambassadors' balcony. According to scholar James Dickie, another possibility is that Qumarish was the name of a region in the North of Africa where most craftsmen came from, in other words, the place might be called Comares in honour of the people who worked there. Yet another suggestion is that it derives from an Arabic word relating to the Moon, such as the adjective form qamarīyya.

The name of the Court of the Myrtles (Patio de los Arrayanes) is due to the myrtle bushes that surround the central pool. Because of the pool, the courtyard is also called the Patio de la Alberca ('Courtyard of the Pool'). It is sometimes also called the Patio de Comares ('Comares Court').

The Alhambra was a palace complex and citadel begun in 1238 by Muhammad I Ibn al-Ahmar, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty that ruled the Emirate of Granada. Several palaces were built and expanded by his successors Muhammad II (r. 1273–1302) and Muhammad III (r. 1302–1309). In 1314 Isma'il I came to the throne and undertook many further works in the Alhambra. His reign marked the beginning of the "classical" period or high point of Nasrid architecture. Isma'il decided to build a new palace complex to serve as the official palace of the sultan and the state, known as the Qaṣr al-Sultan or Dār al-Mulk. The core of this complex was the Comares Palace, while another wing of the palace, the Mexuar, extended to the west. On the east side the Comares Baths, a royal hammam, were also built. The baths are probably the section that is best-preserved from Isma'il I's time, as the rest of the complex was significantly modified and refurbished by his successors.

Yusuf I (r. 1333–1354) expanded the palace, most notably building the Comares Tower and the Hall of the Ambassadors (the throne hall) on the north side of the Court of the Myrtles; prior to this, a smaller lookout room or mirador may have existed on this side, similar to earlier palaces like the Partal Palace or the Generalife. He also built or converted existing towers along the northern walls of the Alhambra to serve new purposes, such as the Torre de Machuca in the Mexuar and the Torre de la Cautiva in another area further east. Under Muhammad V (r. 1354–1359 and 1362–1391) Nasrid architecture reached its apogee, which is evident in the nearby Palace of the Lions which he built to the east of the Comares Palace. Between 1362 and 1365, he rebuilt or refurbished the Mexuar and between 1362 and 1367 he refurbished the Comares Palace (namely the Court of the Myrtles and the Hall of Ambassadors). The Comares Façade on the south side of the Patio de Cuarto Dorado ('Courtyard of the Gilded Room') is dated to 1370 during his reign. Thus, the Comares Palace's current appearance and decoration was finalized by Muhammad V, whose name is mentioned in many surviving inscriptions inside.

After the 1492 conquest of Granada by the Catholic Monarchs, the Alhambra was converted into a royal palace of Christian Spain. Significant modifications were carried out in the Mexuar and in the environment around the Comares Palace. The Catholic Monarchs linked the Comares Palace and the Palace of the Lions together for the first time. The Spanish monarchs also knew the significance of the Comares Tower in the complex and when they visited the Alhambra the royal flag was flown from this tower instead of the Torre de la Vela in the Alcazaba. In the 16th century, some southern parts of the Comares Palace were demolished to make way for the new Renaissance-style Palace of Charles V.

In the 19th century Rafael Contreras undertook many restorations across the Alhambra palace complex, sometimes adding his own modifications. In the Comares Palace he added crenelated turrets above the east and west ends of the Sala de la Barca (on the north side of the Court of the Myrtles) and also repainted the Comares Baths in garish colours that are likely inaccurate. In 1890, a fire severely damaged the Sala de la Barca, resulting in the loss of its wooden ceiling. The ceiling was later reconstructed with the help of surviving fragments and finished in 1965.

Smudge has begun to learn the 'bounds' a bit better. When we first got him (he's a rescue) this scene would have had him bouncing and leaping in an attempt to 'get at them' . Now he realises that ambition is thwarted as he's on a lead and constrained so he's content just giving them an extra 'hard stare' . The good lad actually comes away calmly when I say 'no leave' with only the odd backward stare whereas before it would be a major performance to pull him away. Saying all that if it wasn't for the lead .......... and the sheep know it!!

1000 m above sea level . Styria . Austria . Europe

Nesting season has begun. I have discovered three Great Blue Heron nests in Cypress trees, closer than I've ever seen them. From the trail I can easily observe their "elaborate courtship and pair-bonding displays that include a ritualized greeting, stick transfers, and nest relief ceremony in which the birds erect their plumes and “clapper” their bill tips. Pairs are mostly monogamous during a season, but they choose new partners each year." Cornell Lab

April 27, 2023 - South of Odessa Nebraska US

*** Like | Follow | Subscribe | NebraskaSC ***

Prints Available...Click Here

I've been waiting... & I've had some opportunities to chase the past few systems that came through eastern Nebraska. But I didn't. Time factors & distance would have put me back home about 4:30am. I'm getting older... my bio-clock wasn't going to let me chase those storms.

Watching all the freak'n incredible pics every year, come across my feed from other chasers across the nation. Just some phenomenal storm photography already in 2023. I finally get to get a few snaps of some weak storms out that evening. At least it is a start.

I have to be patient & wait till late April to mid May to see anything of photographic significance come into play into south central Nebraska & north central Kansas. I'm not the only one noticing that 2023 has been weary of our normal moisture flow this time of year. Its has been rather dry & the drought here continues. Especially Western & South Central Nebraska this year.

I was glad to blow the dust of the old cam & get a few snaps of this evenings storm. Non Severe as it passed through south central Nebraska this evening. It sure was photogenic. Bet the farmers were enjoying what rain we did get out of this system.

*** Please NOTE and RESPECT the Copyright ***

Copyright 2023

Dale Kaminski @ NebraskaSC Photography

All Rights Reserved

This image may not be copied, reproduced, published or distributed in any medium without the expressed written permission of the copyright holder.

#ForeverChasing

#NebraskaSC

t is that time of year again and the spoonbills are starting to nest build. An amazing species and awesome to watch and photograph as they go about their daily routine !!!!

Wishing you a wonderful day and a very blessed one too !!

wordpress.com/post/adonishansome.wordpress.com/2833

Cloudy skies and a gentle drizzle kept me close to home today, but my garden offered a bright spot: a geranium, just beginning to bud. The sight sparked a memory, and soon Karen Carpenter's voice filled my ears with "We've Only Just Begun" as I worked on this photo.

🎶 Before the rising sun, we fly

So many roads to choose

We'll start out walking and learn to run. And yes, we've just begun 🎶

__________________________

Geraniums:

Want to add a splash of happy to your life? Geraniums are your answer. These guys are bursting with bold, beautiful blooms in all sorts of colors, and they're super easy to care for. Just pop them in a sunny spot, give them a little water, and watch them thrive, whether it's on a windowsill, patio, or hanging basket!

(Nikon Z6III, Nikor 105/2.8, 1/2000 @ f/3.3, ISO 400, edited to taste)

Recently, Jasper has begun honing his culinary skills. Last night it was a lovely crustless quiche with sun-dried tomatoes, bacon and cheese. He's a pretty good cook.

(lest anyone think I put my dog's head in a hot oven, I'll reveal how I did it. I had my GoPro camera on a small Gorilla-type tripod on the rack in the cold oven. I put the dish up to the camera to hide the section of the dish where quiche had already been consumed the day before. I asked Jasper to put his paws up on the oven door and put his paws in the waiting oven mitts. I placed a small bit of ham on the handle of the casserole dish to hod his attention. Using my phone as a remote viewer and clicker. I clicked a few shots. On the computer, I Photoshopped out the ham that was holding Jasper's attention. Then I made a selection of the heating elements of the oven. I copied those elements to a new layer and used a hue/saturation layer to change them from a dull black to a red hue. I then used a Gaussian blur on the heating elements to make them look like they're glowing. From setup to completed photo, probably 20-30 minutes)