The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), also known, particularly outside of North America, as simply the grey squirrel, is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus. It is native to eastern North America, where it is the most prodigious and ecologically essential natural forest regenerator. Widely introduced to certain places around the world, the eastern gray squirrel in Europe, in particular, is regarded as an invasive species.

In Europe, Sciurus carolinensis is included since 2016 in the list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern (the Union list). This implies that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union.

Mingo Falls, Cherokee, North Carolina

These falls are just south of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in a trust of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. At 120 feet tall, Mingo is one of the tallest and most impressive falls in the southern Appalachians. The hike to see it is short but strenuous, and you are rewarded with an impressive view from the base while standing on a charming little bridge over Mingo Creek. The word is Cherokee for "Big Bear".

As an added plus for getting to the falls, the town of Cherokee itself is far less commercialized and is saddled with less traffic than Gatlinburg, the northern alternative leading into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Be sure and stop in at the Oconaluftee Visitor's Center, there are herds of elk south of the center during morning and evening hours.

*Press L or left click on the photo for best viewing.

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Believed to be one of the oldest pottery villages in the country whose history, according to folklore, runs back to the Kandyan Era or even more. Resembling the Rajakari system of feudalist origin, more than 50 families engaged in manual clay pottery industry. This small village which has significantly transformed into modern day commercialization is situated 12 kilometres away from Kegalle at either side of the Kandy-Colombo main road. Beautiful clay works can also be bought for souvenir

Winter in São Paulo at the moment

23°C / 73°F

Nowadays it is still little known, but now it is being very commercialized, at least at CEAGESP (Market in São Paulo) I found several seedlings, they call succulent hedgehog.

This succulent caught my attention for its beauty. With a more delicate appearance, it certainly appears to be fragile, but on the contrary. Its rosette is very dense and can reach 10cm in height. The leaves are fleshy, dark blue-green, covered with tiny hairs. When kept in full sun, it intensifies its color, appearing black and keeps the rosettes denser and more compact.

Why choose this succulent at the time of arrangement? Firstly, it reproduces on the sides, which after some time fills a basin with several dense rosettes, secondly its color is very beautiful which gives a contrast of texture and interesting color in the arrangement.

The buds start to appear in summer, bright red in color, but with small white flowers, remaining for a few weeks.

The name "Sinocrassula" means "Chinese crassula". They come from the Yunnan province in the south of China, and also from the north of Burma. They grow at an altitude between 2,500 and 2,700 m

Synocrassula Yunnanesis prefers colder than warmer places. Remember that full sun does not mean hot places. What is easier to be cultivated in southern Brazil, due to our more tropical climate.

I love sports, so I applaud all athletes.

But there is also a negative feeling in my heart.

Most Tokyo citizens feel that why did the Olympics have to be held in the pandemic this year?

We don't want to see a commercialized sports show event, we want to see people truly enjoying each other.

SSOC Rieri Town in Tokyo

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SSOC/73/183/28

Mukutmanipur is a hidden treasure surrounded by green forests and hillocks. Mukutmanipur Dam is considered as the second largest dam in India. Far away from crowd and commercialization, a part of Mukutmanipur still lives in the aroma of tribal culture and offers spectacular sights to the tourists. It is also considered to be a dream destination for photography.

Urbino is the town that everyone wants to visit but has never heard of which explains why this beautiful city has never been commercialized to the extent that we see in some other areas of Italy. We can thank Federico da Montefeltro a bastard son who excelled at mercenary work for Urbino’s development into a cultural hub, after the legitimate heir died Federico assumed power leaving behind martial endeavors and embracing Renaissance ideals. The town sits between two steep hills with city life straddling between them the roads are more suited to carts than automobiles but all this adds to the charm as does the lack of tourists.

I took this on Sept 07, 2011 with my D70s and Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Lens at 52mm, 1/500s, f10 ISO 200 processed in LR, PS +Lumenzia ,Topaz, and DXO Nik

Disclaimer: My style is a study of romantic realism as well as a work in progress

Cai Rang Floating Market es uno de los más conocidos y visitados mercados flotantes del mundo. Un intenso tráfico de pequeñas y medianas embarcaciones de un lado al otro del río intercambiando mercancías de todo tipo. Como atracción turística que es, ha perdido algo de autenticidad, aún así, es visita obligada en la región del Mekong. En Cai Rang la actividad empieza temprano, sobre las 05:00 de la mañana, para empezar a decaer sobre las 11:00. La “hora punta” es sobre las 8:00, momento de más transito en el río. Una vez entre las embarcaciones, no paran de acercarse pequeñas embarcaciones ofreciendo café, comida, refrescos, frutas, etc. Sin duda que la afluencia de turistas ha provocado que muchos de ellos abandonen la comercialización de frutas, pescado y otros productos para enfocarse en el turista. Cai Rang reúne a los pequeños productores y agricultores de la zona en el río, donde intercambian y venden sus productos. Este mercado se realiza a diario, y además de las negociaciones de embarcación en embarcación, las orillas también tienen pequeños locales donde comprar o vender productos.

Cai Rang Floating Market is one of the best known and most visited floating markets in the world. An intense traffic of small and medium-sized boats from one side of the river to the other exchanging goods of all kinds. As a tourist attraction, it has lost some of its authenticity, yet it is still a must-see in the Mekong region. In Cai Rang the activity starts early, around 05:00 in the morning, to begin to decline around 11:00. The "rush hour" is around 8:00, the busiest time on the river. Once between the boats, small boats do not stop approaching offering coffee, food, soft drinks, fruits, etc. Undoubtedly, the influx of tourists has caused many of them to abandon the commercialization of fruits, fish and other products to focus on the tourist. Cai Rang brings together small producers and farmers in the area at the river, where they exchange and sell their products. This market is held on a daily basis, and in addition to negotiations from boat to boat, the shores also have small stores where they can buy or sell products.

Cai Rang Floating Market és un dels més coneguts i visitats mercats flotants del món. Un tràfic intens de petites i mitjanes embarcacions d'una banda a l'altra del riu intercanviant mercaderies de tota mena. Com a atracció turística que és, ha perdut una mica d'autenticitat, tot i així, és visita obligada a la regió del Mekong. A Cai Rang l'activitat comença aviat, cap a les 05:00 del matí, per començar a decaure cap a les 11:00. L'hora punta és sobre les 8:00, moment de més trànsit al riu. Un cop entre les embarcacions, no paren d'acostar-se petites embarcacions oferint cafè, menjar, refrescos, fruites, etc. Sens dubte que l'afluència de turistes ha provocat que molts abandonin la comercialització de fruites, peix i altres productes per enfocar-se en el turista. Cai Rang reuneix els petits productors i agricultors de la zona al riu, on intercanvien i venen els seus productes. Aquest mercat es fa cada dia, ia més de les negociacions d'embarcació en embarcació, les ribes també tenen petits locals on comprar o vendre productes.

Cai Rang Floating Market es uno de los más conocidos y visitados mercados flotantes del mundo. Un intenso tráfico de pequeñas y medianas embarcaciones de un lado al otro del río intercambiando mercancías de todo tipo. Como atracción turística que es, ha perdido algo de autenticidad, aún así, es visita obligada en la región del Mekong. En Cai Rang la actividad empieza temprano, sobre las 05:00 de la mañana, para empezar a decaer sobre las 11:00. La “hora punta” es sobre las 8:00, momento de más transito en el río. Una vez entre las embarcaciones, no paran de acercarse pequeñas embarcaciones ofreciendo café, comida, refrescos, frutas, etc. Sin duda que la afluencia de turistas ha provocado que muchos de ellos abandonen la comercialización de frutas, pescado y otros productos para enfocarse en el turista. Cai Rang reúne a los pequeños productores y agricultores de la zona en el río, donde intercambian y venden sus productos. Este mercado se realiza a diario, y además de las negociaciones de embarcación en embarcación, las orillas también tienen pequeños locales donde comprar o vender productos.

Cai Rang Floating Market is one of the best known and most visited floating markets in the world. An intense traffic of small and medium-sized boats from one side of the river to the other exchanging goods of all kinds. As a tourist attraction, it has lost some of its authenticity, yet it is still a must-see in the Mekong region. In Cai Rang the activity starts early, around 05:00 in the morning, to begin to decline around 11:00. The "rush hour" is around 8:00, the busiest time on the river. Once between the boats, small boats do not stop approaching offering coffee, food, soft drinks, fruits, etc. Undoubtedly, the influx of tourists has caused many of them to abandon the commercialization of fruits, fish and other products to focus on the tourist. Cai Rang brings together small producers and farmers in the area at the river, where they exchange and sell their products. This market is held on a daily basis, and in addition to negotiations from boat to boat, the shores also have small stores where they can buy or sell products.

Cai Rang Floating Market és un dels més coneguts i visitats mercats flotants del món. Un tràfic intens de petites i mitjanes embarcacions d'una banda a l'altra del riu intercanviant mercaderies de tota mena. Com a atracció turística que és, ha perdut una mica d'autenticitat, tot i així, és visita obligada a la regió del Mekong. A Cai Rang l'activitat comença aviat, cap a les 05:00 del matí, per començar a decaure cap a les 11:00. L'hora punta és sobre les 8:00, moment de més trànsit al riu. Un cop entre les embarcacions, no paren d'acostar-se petites embarcacions oferint cafè, menjar, refrescos, fruites, etc. Sens dubte que l'afluència de turistes ha provocat que molts abandonin la comercialització de fruites, peix i altres productes per enfocar-se en el turista. Cai Rang reuneix els petits productors i agricultors de la zona al riu, on intercanvien i venen els seus productes. Aquest mercat es fa cada dia, ia més de les negociacions d'embarcació en embarcació, les ribes també tenen petits locals on comprar o vendre productes.

All Saints' Day (Latin Sollemnitas Omnium Sanctorum) is a Christian feast commemorating all the saints, the "glorified members of the Church who have already reached perfection," both known and unknown. The feast is celebrated in the Western Church on November 1, and in the Orthodox Churches on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

Many people visit the graves of their relatives on this day and the following All Souls' Day. All Souls' Day in the Catholic Church is the day of remembrance for all the deceased. It is a widespread custom to decorate the graves with lights on these days.

On the eve, October 31, in the United States and many countries of Europe folk customs are celebrated Halloween. The word Halloween is derived from the English term All Hallows Eve, the liturgical eve of All Saints' Day. In its current form, which has come back from North America, it has taken on a highly commercialized and secularized form.

So today my minds are with my father! He past away almost 2 years ago.

You past away but my memories still are here. And a person is just gone if we do not think about him anymore. Soon, the 14th of November is your Birthday and i keep our lifetime moments in my heart!

Tracks in the sand

One night I had a dream:

I was walking along the sea with my master.

Against the dark night sky

shone, like streaks of light,

images from my life.

And each time I saw two footprints in the sand,

my own and my master's.

When the last image passed my eyes

I looked back.

I was startled to discover

that in many places of my life's journey

there was only a trace to be seen.

And those were the hardest times of my life.

Concerned, I asked the Lord:

"Lord, when I began to follow you,

you promised me

to be with me in all my ways.

But now I discover

that in the hardest times of my life

there is only a trace in the sand.

Why did you leave me alone

when I needed you most?"

Then he answered, "My dear child,

I love you and will never leave you alone,

especially in times of need and difficulty.

There, where you have seen only a trace

you have seen,

I have carried you."

Thank you for visits, comments and favs!

Vielen Dank für Eure Besuche, Kommentare und Sternchen!

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

You might think this picture was taken in the fall because of its beauty. But it wasn't. I just took it and it is dying! All the Pinon Trees in the Southwest are dying because of the drought. They are located in the mountains where I live in Airzona and New Mexico where I am from originally at an elevaton of around 6000 ft. They are very majestic and beautiful but thousands of them are dying in our national forrest. They also provide food to native Americans and wildlife and I like them to :) Anyway they will be gone soon if we don't get a lot of rain in the near future and coming years.

The pinyon or piñón pine group grows in southwestern North America, especially in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah, with the single-leaf pinyon pine just reaching into southern Idaho. The trees yield edible nuts, which are a staple food of Native Americans, and widely eaten as a snack and as an ingredient in New Mexican cuisine. The name comes from the Spanish pino piñonero, a name used for both the American varieties and the stone pine common in Spain, which also produces edible nuts typical of Mediterranean cuisine. Harvesting techniques of the prehistoric American Indians are still used today to collect the pinyon seeds for personal use or for commercialization. The pinyon nut or seed is high in fats and calories. In the western United States, pinyon pines are often found in pinyon–juniper woodlands.

Pinyon wood, especially when burned, has a distinctive fragrance, making it a common wood to burn in chimeneas.[2] Pinyon pine trees are also known to influence the soil in which they grow by increasing concentrations of both macronutrients and micronutrients.[3]

The two-needle piñón (Pinus edulis) is the official state tree of New Mexico.

The seeds of the pinyon pine, known as "pine nuts" or "piñóns", are an important food for American Indians living in the mountains of the North American Southwest. All species of pine produce edible seeds, but in North America only pinyon produces seeds large enough to be a major source of food.[8]

The pinyon has likely been a source of food since the arrival of Homo sapiens in the Great Basin and American Southwest (Oasisamerica). In the Great Basin, archaeological evidence indicates that the range of the pinyon pine expanded northward after the Ice Age, reaching its northernmost (and present) limit in southern Idaho about 4000 BCE.[9] Early Native Americans undoubtedly collected the edible seeds, but, at least in some areas, evidence of large quantities of pinyon nut harvesting does not appear until about 600 CE. Increased use of pinyon nuts was possibly related to a population increase of humans and a decline in the number of game animals, thereby forcing the Great Basin inhabitants to seek additional sources of food.[10]

The suitability of pinyon seeds as a staple food is reduced because of the unreliability of the harvest. Abundant crops of cones and seeds occur only every two to seven years, averaging a good crop every four years. Years of high production of seed tend to be the same over wide areas of the pinyon range.[11]

In 1878, naturalist John Muir described the Indian method of harvesting pinyon seeds in Nevada. In September and October, the harvesters knocked the cones off the pinyon trees with poles, stacked the cones into a pile, put brushwood on top, lit it, and lightly scorched the pinyon cones with fire. The scorching burned off the sticky resin coating the cones and loosened the seeds. The cones were then dried in the sun until the seeds could be easily extracted. Muir said the Indians closely watched the pinyon trees year-round and could predict the scarcity or abundance of the crop months before harvest time.[12] In 1891, naturalist B. H. Dutcher observed the harvesting of pinyon seeds by the Panamint Indians (Timbisha people) in the Panamint Range overlooking Death Valley, California. The harvesting method was similar to that observed by Muir in Nevada, except that the pinyon seeds were extracted immediately after the cones had been scorched in the brushwood fire.[13]

Both the above accounts described a method of extracting the seeds from the green cones. Another method is to leave the cones on the trees until they are dry and brown, then beat the cones with a stick, knocking the cones loose or the seeds loose from the cones which then fall to the ground where they can be collected.[14] The nomadic hunter-gathering people of the Great Basin usually consumed their pinyon seeds during the winter following harvest; the agricultural Pueblo people of the Rio Grande valley of New Mexico could store them for two or three years in pits.[15]

Each pinyon cone produces 10 to 30 seeds and a productive stand of pinyon trees in a good year can produce 250 pounds (110 kg) on 1 acre (0.40 ha) of land. An average worker can collect about 22 pounds (10.0 kg) of unshelled pinyon seed in a day's work. Production per worker of 22 pounds of unshelled pinyon seeds—more than one-half that in shelled seeds—amounts to nearly 30,000 calories of nutrition. That is a high yield for the effort expended by hunter-gatherers. Moreover, the pinyon seeds are high in fat, often in short supply for hunter-gatherers.[16]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1V8YRJnr4Q

Have You Ever Seen the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp5JCrSXkJY

For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnstCrL1_e0

Mr Tambourine Man - The Byrds

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZntYBFyuZd4

Bring it on Home to Me - The Animals

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPNR5aJ6H4E

Cry to Me - The Rolling Stones

Windermere is the largest natural lake in England. More than 11 miles (18 km) in length, and almost 1 mile (1.5 km) at its widest, it is known as a ribbon lake (long and thin) with maximum depth 219 ft (67 m). The lake was finally formed during the LGM glacial period some 16,000 years ago. Vessel speed on the lake was reduced to 10 mph in 2005.

It is the most commercialized of the English Lakes (Bowness is the adjoining town), known for its picturesque scenery, boating and surrounding walks etc. The lakes are crowded in the spring and summer months (a staggering 15.8 million visitors annually!), locals are relaxed and friendly, even on the busiest bank holiday weekends.

The Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) is an invasive species of waterfowl which is native to central and southern Africa. The species has a beige chest and dark brown, dark orange, black, and white feathers on its back. Distinctive dark brown patches surround its eyes.

Invasive Species

This species breeds widely in Africa except in deserts and dense forests, and is locally abundant. They are found mostly in the Nile Valley and south of the Sahara. While not breeding, it disperses somewhat, sometimes making longer migrations northwards into the arid regions of the Sahel. It spread to Great Britain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and Italy where there are self-sustaining populations which are mostly derived from escaped ornamental birds.Escapes have also bred on occasion in other places, such as Texas, Florida, California, and New Zealand.

The British population dates back to the 18th century, though only formally added to the British list in 1971. In Great Britain, it is found mainly in East Anglia, and in various locations along the River Thames, where it breeds at sites with open water, short grass and suitable nesting locations (either islands, holes in old trees or amongst epicormic shoots on old trees). During the winter, they are widely dispersed within river valleys, where they feed on short grass and cereals. In the United Kingdom in 2009, it was officially declared a non-native species. Accordingly, Egyptian geese in Great Britain may be shot without special permission if they cause problems.

In Europe, the species has been included since 2017 in the list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern (the Union list). This implies that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, used, exchanged or intentionally released into the environment and member states are obliged to try to eradicate the species.

Sweet remembrance of all the strong mothers in my family. A bright Mother's Day to all mothers in the world and peace and strength especially to those in war zones.

While some countries have a multi-century history of a day to celebrate mothers, the modern American version of the holiday began in the United States in the early 20th century at the initiative of Anna Jarvis, who organized the first Mother's Day service of worship and celebration at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia in 1907, which serves as the International Mother's Day Shrine today. The American version of Mother's Day has been criticized for having become too commercialized. Jarvis herself, who began the celebration as a liturgical observance, regretted this commercialism and expressed that this was never her intention. In response, Constance Adelaide Smith successfully advocated for Mothering Sunday as a commemoration of a broader definition of motherhood in many other parts of the English-speaking world. (Wikipedia)

Master Gardner's tour of gardens; TWU Butterfly Garden organized a table at this house.

The Dong Ya building, an Art Deco era building built in 1939, is probably one of the more iconic and somewhat well known kopitiams in Singapore.

Located at the heart of Keong Saik Road with a unique triangular view, it has somewhat been commercialized upwards but has so far stood the test of time.

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Back in the day, before Second Life became seized by commercialized fashion, people spent a lot of time creating immersive masterpieces, some destined to become great works of metaverse art in Second Life. Chouchou is one of those great works of art. Created in 2008 by Japanese pianist Arabesque Choche and vocalist Juliet Heberle, who together form the successful musical duet of Chouchou, the surrealistic sim was designed to complement and promote their ambient and dreamy music. Chouchou created a fervor throughout Second Life when it was initially opened. People streamed to the sim in record numbers. Over the years as Second Life evolved from a world of immersive creativity and metaverse design to a world more of commercial fashionism, Chouchou (and other fabulous builds) got lost by the wayside. Many people have never heard of Chouchou. Now, eleven years after it made its debut, it's closing its doors, possibly to be gone forever. There is much to see such as the above Momento Mori, an ethereal cathedral in the sky. I suggest when you visit to take the tour HUD offered to the right of the landing. Please visit before this magnificent build of Second Life yesteryear is gone forever.

In the meantime, or while visiting the sim, enjoy their latest creation, aptly titled Lost Utopia :

www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_-N86hHHYs

Momento Mori Chouchou V 78.131.1087

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Statue of Liberty, grandest gift from the people of France to celebrate the United States Centennial. For over 100 yrs, she was the first sight of Freedom for all who traveled to America prior to commercialization aviation. She as always gracefully stands in the narrows a sight of freedom.

...or for those of you (you know who you are) who hate valentine's day because it's too commercialized, too hallmark, too whatever, and think we shouldn't be forced to celebrate on a specific day, then here's a little love for you on february 18. enjoy!

full disclosure: i happen to love valentine's day.

Alberobello a Truli wonderful town made a UNESCO heritage site in 1996 and really has not been discovered by the masses like a lot of Italian wonders, most of the tourists are visiting from Europe and even if it has been commercialized somewhat it is still is a beautiful place with the highest concentration of Truli in the Puglian region.

How did this building design come to be you ask? Well legend has it that the Lord of the land in the 1500’s in order to avoid paying property tax to the King had his citizens build these homes as dry fit mortarless constructions so that they could be disassembled and moved or hidden when the tax assessor came into the region keeping his tax bill low, I am not so sure this would put him in good graces with his subjects but such is the way of life.

Most of the Truli in Alberobello have been turned into stores, restaurants, souvenir stands and accommodations for those that want a Truli authentic overnight experience this scene is on the main tourist drag catching the last of the days sunlight while a laid back shop keeper watches over the last of the visitors looking to fill their bags with the local kitsch before the sun goes down.

I took this on Sept 27, 2016 with my D750 and Nikon 24-85 f3.5-4.5 Lens at 26mm 1/100s f/16 ISO 250 processed in LR, PS +Lumenzia, Topaz , and DXO

Disclaimer: My style is a study of romantic realism as well as a work in progress

✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧

Back in the day, before Second Life became seized by commercialized fashion, people spent a lot of time creating immersive masterpieces, some destined to become great works of metaverse art in Second Life. Chouchou is one of those great works of art. Created in 2008 by Japanese pianist Arabesque Choche and vocalist Juliet Heberle, who together form the successful musical duet of Chouchou, the surrealistic sim was designed to complement and promote their ambient and dreamy music. Chouchou created a fervor throughout Second Life when it was initially opened. People streamed to the sim in record numbers. Over the years as Second Life evolved from a world of immersive creativity and metaverse design to a world more of commercial fashionism, Chouchou (and other fabulous builds) got lost by the wayside. Many people have never heard of Chouchou. Now, eleven years after it made its debut, it's closing its doors, possibly to be gone forever. There is much to see such as the above famous and surreal Chouchou piano. I suggest when you visit to take the tour HUD offered to the right of the landing. Please visit before this magnificent build, of Second Life yesteryear, is gone forever.

In the meantime, or while visiting the sim, enjoy their latest creation, aptly titled Lost Utopia :

www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_-N86hHHYs

Chouchou Chouchou 186.163.20

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– Neil Sedaka

I know this is corny but I love Christmas. It is such a magical time of the year. I know some would disagree with me. Their argument, it is crowded, commercialized and people are cranky. Perhaps.....but, everything is in perspective. Let me explain....yes, I have been alone and sad on Christmas. I have felt times where buy buy buy commercials have frustrated me. Moments where if I got hit by one more person and their rushing cart, that I might lose it. Trust me, I too have been there. But I started to realize, I could either focus on the bad, or the good. Instead of wallowing in self pity because I am alone on Christmas, I can instead go to the local church parish or nursing home and see if anyone needs anything. Someone else is surely lonely too and needs a tender word or a small gift to cheer them. When we see past our own circle around us we tend to see things a little differently. You can truly have your own "Christmas Carol" experience if you only soften your heart. Allow the real magic of Christmas to envelope you this year, see where it takes you. It will be an adventure you won't soon forget.

100 x Scenery 90/100

Photographer Mark Paulda visited a country that rejects Western values and where few ever visit. And when he returns to Bhutan in June, he’s bringing eight more cameras with him. Paulda was intent on showcasing the beauty, heritage and lush landscapes of this pristine country nestled between China and India in the rugged terrain of the eastern Himalayas—a country whose average annual household income is a mere $1,800 but measures its prosperity through a Gross National Happiness Index. It wasn’t until he made an unlikely friend that Paulda realized he needed to expand his photo project beyond his own viewfinder. After all, who better to reveal the mysterious world of Bhutan, than the Bhutanese themselves?

There is such an innocence to the people we don’t see in the western world. We’ve lost it—a genuine kindness that we have to look for because we put up boundaries and guards. To find this untainted world and experience that with the people, it really moved me,” said Paulda.

The government of Bhutan didn’t allow television or internet access until 1999, it is a region completely void of commercialization, banning franchises and international advertising. It is one of unique simplicity allowing for its citizens to sustain a traditional lifestyle. Bhutan limits tourism to preserve the culture and maintain its purity, which is a reason why Paulda journeyed there last year. He wanted to observe the intimacy one could have with its people, their traditions and way of life.

I help aspiring and established photographers get noticed so they can earn an income from photography or increase sales. My blog, Photographer’s Business Notebook is a wealth of information as is my Mark Paulda’s YouTube Channel. I also offer a variety of books, mentor services and online classes at Mark Paulda Photography Mentor

All images are available as Museum Quality Photographic Prints and Commercial Licensing. Feel free to contact me with any and all inquiries.

Follow My Once In A Lifetime Travel Experiences at Mark Paulda’s Travel Journal

Impatiens glandulifera, Himalayan balsam, is a large annual plant native to the Himalayas. Via human introduction it is now present across much of the Northern Hemisphere and is considered an invasive species in many areas. Uprooting or cutting the plants is an effective means of control.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impatiens_glandulifera

Beautiful Kailua Beach on the eastern shores of Oahu is a beautiful, pristine and peaceful beach where you can swim, surf, canoe or kayak to your hearts content. It is not crowded or over commercialized and super-touristy like Waikiki it ambiance is conducive to a relaxing time with the kids ones you love. - [ ] #developportdev @gothamtomato @developphotonewsletter @omsystem.cameras #excellent_america #omsystem @bheventspace @bhphoto @adorama @tamracphoto @tiffencompany #usaprimeshot @oahu_hawaiii @visit.hawaii

Had an opportunity to explore portions of Antelope Canyon that are not commercialized. Though not a glorious as the commercial parts, it was still great to see and we had miles of canyon to ourselves!

In 1915, Ford’s Model T represented one of the world’s great leaps forward in technological advancement, using the emerging science of assembly-line production to create a vehicle that was affordable to middle-class Americans. A key part of that was the eight-story Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant in the Bloomfield/Shadyside area on Baum Boulevard, along what was once known as Pittsburgh’s booming “automobile row.”

Now, that same building, renamed The Assembly, will pioneer Pittsburgh’s newest high-tech developments in cancer biomedical research and commercialization, anchored by the University of Pittsburgh.

Another small beautiful village like Eguisheim. But this village is more commercialized for tourism with restaurants everywhere.

Habitat fragmentation, reduced prey base, and human-wildlife conflict have greatly reduced this species’ population throughout most of their range. Although they are widely distributed across Africa and Asia, due to habitat fragmentation and loss, their range has reduced by 31 percent worldwide in the past three generations (about 22 years). The commercialized bushmeat trade has caused a collapse of prey populations across large parts of savanna Africa — estimated an average of 59 percent decline in prey populations across 78 protected areas.

Wat Arun has watched centuries of history flow past its steps. Today the river carries something new. A floating billboard that reminds us how quickly the modern world pushes into cultural spaces that deserve more care.

.

All Saints' Day (Latin Sollemnitas Omnium Sanctorum) is a Christian feast commemorating all the saints, the "glorified members of the Church who have already reached perfection," both known and unknown. The feast is celebrated in the Western Church on November 1, and in the Orthodox Churches on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

Many people visit the graves of their relatives on this day and the following All Souls' Day. All Souls' Day in the Catholic Church is the day of remembrance for all the deceased. It is a widespread custom to decorate the graves with lights on these days.

On the eve, October 31, in the United States and many countries of Europe folk customs are celebrated Halloween. The word Halloween is derived from the English term All Hallows Eve, the liturgical eve of All Saints' Day. In its current form, which has come back from North America, it has taken on a highly commercialized and secularized form.

So today my minds are with my father! He past away almost 3 years ago.

You past away but my memories still are here. And a person is just gone if we do not think about him anymore. Soon, the 14th of November is your Birthday and i keep our lifetime moments in my heart!

Today marks the anniversary of the day when nothing was the same anymore. From one second to the next, my world was torn apart. Since then, nothing is as it was and I'm just coming home from the cemetery. You fought for your life for a few weeks back then - but in the end the other side won! Weeks full of hope and fear were in vain. But time passes and yet life must go on without you. Today I miss you so much. All the memories come flooding back. Very emotional. And whenever I can't find words anymore I try to express myself with pictures. There would be so many things to tell. But it was no longer granted to us. You will always be in my heart - my beloved dad!

Tracks in the sand

One night I had a dream:

I was walking along the sea with my master.

Against the dark night sky

shone, like streaks of light,

images from my life.

And each time I saw two footprints in the sand,

my own and my master's.

When the last image passed my eyes

I looked back.

I was startled to discover

that in many places of my life's journey

there was only a trace to be seen.

And those were the hardest times of my life.

Concerned, I asked the Lord:

"Lord, when I began to follow you,

you promised me

to be with me in all my ways.

But now I discover

that in the hardest times of my life

there is only a trace in the sand.

Why did you leave me alone

when I needed you most?"

Then he answered, "My dear child,

I love you and will never leave you alone,

especially in times of need and difficulty.

There, where you have seen only a trace

you have seen,

I have carried you."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntYtCRbyYc8

Thank you for visits, comments and favs!

Vielen Dank für Eure Besuche, Kommentare und Sternchen!

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

One of Whanganui's hidden gems! If you like non commercialized basic beaches this is for you! I loved it!

The modern Mother's Day began in the early 20th century, largely through the efforts of Anna Jarvis, who wanted to honor her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, an activist who had organized "Mothers' Day Work Clubs" to improve public health and promote peace after the Civil War. Following her mother's death in 1905, Anna campaigned for an official holiday, leading to the first formal service in 1908 at a church in West Virginia. Her success was cemented in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

Ironically, Anna Jarvis spent the final years of her life trying to abolish the holiday. She became deeply embittered by its rapid commercialization, specifically despising the profit-driven sales of greeting cards, flowers, and candy. She believed the day should be about a personal, handwritten letter and a single white carnation—her mother's favorite flower—rather than extravagant gifts.

Pink Ceiba, the flowers of the world's fastest growing tree! The inside of its trunk is so soft that it has 4 inch spikes to protect it from predators... giving it its nickname, Monkey Tree, because a agile monkey can climb it!

The Ceiba tree figures an important part in the mythologies of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures. Several Amazonian tribes of eastern Peru believe deities live in Ceiba tree species throughout the jungle. The Maya civilization believed that Yaaxché, often depicted as a Ceiba trunk, connects the planes of the Underworld (Xibalba), the terrestrial realm and the skies. Unmistakable clusters of thick conical thorns on the Ceiba trunk were reproduced during the Classical Period on ceramic burial urns and incense holders by the southern lowland Maya.

Modern Maya still respectfully leave the tree standing when harvesting forest timber. The Ceiba tree is represented by a cross and serves as an important architectural motif in the Temple of the Cross Complex at Palenque.

Ceiba pentandra produces a light and strong fiber (kapok) used throughout history to fill life preservers, mattresses, pillows, tapestries, and dolls. Kapok has recently been replaced in commercial use by synthetic fibers. The oils of Ceiba seeds are extracted to make soap and fertilizers. The Ceiba continues to be commercialized in Asia especially in Java, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines.

Ceiba crispiflora

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami FL

www.susanfordcollins.com

Although Goa is famous for its beaches I also love the interiors of this beautiful state.The lush greenery,the coconut palms,the quaint villages and the air of peace and tranquilty.Unfortunately North Goa has become commercialized and crowded like many other parts of India but South Goa still retains much of the original laidback charm of this lovely state.I took this shot somewhere in South Goa.

Ornamental Sunflower. capture at Sriram White House in R T Nagar, Bengaluru.

The sunflower (Helianthus Annuus ) is native to North America but commercialization of the plant took place in Russia.

Sunflower became very popular as a cultivated plant in the 18th century. Most of the credit is given to Peter the Great. The plant was initially used as an ornamental, but by 1769 literature mentions sunflower cultivated by oil production. By 1830, the manufacture of sunflower oil was done on a commercial scale.

"By the early 19th century, Russian farmers were growing over 2 million acres of sunflower. During that time, two specific types had been identified: oil-type for oil production and a large variety for direct human consumption. Government research programs were implemented. V. S. Pustovoit developed a very successful breeding program at Krasnodar. Oil contents and yields were increased significantly. Today, the world's most prestigious sunflower scientific award is known as The Pustovoit Award."

Ozark National Forest after a thunderstorm. North Central Arkansas, not far from the town of Ben Hur. The Ozark region, with its mountainous, hardwood-forested terrain, is one of America's best kept nature secrets. There have been some efforts to commercialize this region for tourism, but most of it remains beautifully rustic.

HDR photo taken in-camera.

Salineras de Maras (Sacred Valley of The Incas) 20221126

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a territory full of incredible landscapes and unique archaeological sites. One of the most visited are the famous Salineras de Maras.

The Salineras de Maras is made up of more than 3,000 natural salt wells near the town of Maras. Each of the wells has a dimension of 5 square meters.

These pools are fed by a hypersaline underground spring that originated 110 million years ago during the formation of the Andes Mountains.

The people of Maras commercialize this salt, just as the Incas did hundreds of years ago.

Legend has it that the salty waters that flow from the mountain are the tears of Ayar Cachi. Within Inca mythology, this was one of the 4 brothers and sisters that originated the great empire of the Incas: The God Wiracocha made these brothers come out of a cave to found a great empire. Ayar Cachi threw a stone at a mountain forming a ravine. Then his brothers, fearing his strength and power, locked him up in the cave with deception, preventing him from being the founder of the empire. The tears of this character formed the pools that the sun dried later, forming the salt flats.

Yuyuan Gardens is somewhat known to be a tourist trap, as it has been commercialized rather much to the point that it feels rather overcrowded and claustrophobic with boxy traditional Chinese buildings all over.

Yet somehow many come here just to soak into the atmosphere, even if it feels somewhat unreal.

С Рождеством Христовым!

З Нараджэннем Хрыстовым!

З Різдвом Христовим! Христос сі народжується! Славімо його!

შობას გილოცავთ!

Շնորհավոր Սուրբ ծնունդ!

Merry Christmas!

Καλά Χριστούγεννα!

Christmas with no Santa, red outfits, numerous gifts and celebrated seven days after the New Year? No, it’s not a successful project by the Grinch. It’s Orthodox Christmas.

Many Orthodox Christians in the United States celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 in the Gregorian calendar. This date works to be December 25 in the Julian calendar, which pre-dates the Gregorian calendar. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the son of God.

For many Orthodox Christians, Christmas Day is not about presents, eggnog or Christmas characters that have become popular through commercialization. Christmas Day is a time to heal the soul. It is also a time of peace and unity.

White cloth is used on dinner tables in some countries to symbolize purity and the cloth that baby Jesus was wrapped in. Straw may be placed on these tables to symbolize the simplicity of the place where Jesus was born. Candles may be lit to represent the light of Christ and the festive Christmas meal represents the end of fasting.

Hybrid tea rose in the Volksgarten in Vienna

Breeders: Ping Lim and Jerry F. Twomey (USA 1991)

Commercialization: Meilland International (2002)

pharmarosarapid.at/rozsa/pullman-orient-express-917

And I think the first visitors of the year to the castle itself. You can see other visitors on the roof on the far right.

A charming place, made all the lovelier by its lack of commercialization, (just a simple tea-room in the medieval barn to the left of the gatehouse), still owned by the Fiennes family who bought it in 1377.

There was a good showing of the Snakes Head Fritillary, the small purple flowers in the foreground.

Well worth a visit, open Wednesday and Sunday afternoons until September. It may be possible to combine it with a visit to Broughton Grange Gardens at the other end of the village.

[polski opis niżej]

SU45-048 with regional passenger train no. 33236 to Leszno, leaves Wolsztyn and huge crowd celebrating annual Wolsztyn Steam Show and steam locomotives parade. Some steam locomotives are far in the background. The event that used to be relatively small in 90ies, became a well-known Wolsztyn Days in 2000s with many accompanying events throughout the area. To commercialize the railway part and attract more non-railway-related audience, the steam show became something like campy taste circus. On the other hand, it's always a kind of popularization of the railway theme among non-interested, as Poland is not like Germany or UK, where railfans are quite a huge society.

For me, these events were a perfect place to meet other railfanning people from around the country (and abroad). April 30, 2005.

Photo by Jarek / Chester

SU45-048 z pociągiem osobowym 33236 do Leszna odjeżdża z Wolsztyna w upalne popołudnie 30 kwietnia 2005 roku, zostawiając w tyle ogromny tłum świętujący kolejny doroczny Parowozowy Show i paradę lokomotyw (ledwo widoczne parowozy widać w tle). Ta coroczna parada była dawniej relatywnie kameralnym zjawiskiem, przyciągającym w sumie samych entuzjastów kolei, ale w latach 2000. stała się jedną z podstawowych atrakcji obchodzonych w tym czasie Dni Wolsztyna. Komercjalizacja imprezy i próba przyciągnięcia publiczoności na codzień obojętnej wobec kolei spowodowała powstanie nieco kiczowato-cyrkowej oprawy (no a Irek Bieleninik stał się głosem parowozowych imprez w Wolsztynie i Chabówce). Z drugiej strony, zasianie jakiejś świadomości kolejowej wśród obcej tematowi publiczności należy jednak uznać za pozytyw. No i te spotkania ze znajomymi z całego kraju.

Fot. Jarek / Chester

The Brown County Jaboree began informally in Bean Blossom as a free outdoor show featuring local musicians.

Gradually commercialized & professionally promoted, the Jamboree drew large crowds by 1941, including attendees from other states. The rural music park brought live country music to thousands of people & increased exposure for its musicians.

Amazing if not somewhat over commercialized slot canyon if on the Utah Arizona border. I avoided it for years due to crowds but finally relented. Spectacular features well worth being restricted to tours. No tripods allowed but no problem.

Tanah Lot is a rock formation off the Indonesian island of Bali. It is home of a pilgrimage temple, the Pura Tanah Lot (literally "Tanah Lot temple") and a popular tourist and cultural icon for photography and general exoticism.

The area leading to Tanah Lot is highly commercialized and people are required to pay to enter the area. To reach the temple, visitors must walk through a carefully planned set of Balinese market-format souvenir shops which cover each side of the path down to the sea. On the mainland cliff tops, restaurants have also been provided for tourists.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“Cloned meat is quietly getting closer to being sold in Canada — but people may not know they're buying it” ‒ National Post

“Cloned meat could be coming to a grocery store near you. Whether you’re receptive to the technology or not, you may be none the wiser from looking at the package. Health Canada has made moves to lift restrictions on meat from cloned cattle and pigs, no longer considering it a “novel food,” meaning it could be commercialized without notification or labelling.”

Health Canada, what an oxymoron!

Follow the science to the Brave New World. Hey, let’s slowly genetically modify people with mRNA technology and build nano-networks within the human body. Once this is finished, we can introduce a mandatory 666 master-chip and humanity can go full-blown transhuman. Woohoo!

The government of Canada doesn’t work for Canadians, they work for others. That’s why most everything they implement is from the United Nations, with its Agenda 21 sustainable development plan to take over the world.

The government of Canada, what an oxymoron!

The United Nations: Hey, everyone, we have a 100 year plan to take over the world!

The masses: Shh, we’re sleeping!

2 Thessalonians 2:11 “Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false.”

Exodus 9:12 “But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had spoken to Moses.”

God has hardened the hearts of the masses and given them a strong delusion. In the end, they will accept digital biometric IDs, central bank digital currencies, social credit scores, and Universal basic income; they will take the transhuman Beast-chip and worship the Beast.

Pink Ceiba, the flowers of the world's fastest growing tree. The inside of its trunk is so soft that it has 4 inch spikes to protect it from predators... giving it its nickname, Monkey Tree, because a agile monkey can climb it!

The Ceiba tree figures an important part in the mythologies of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures. Several Amazonian tribes of eastern Peru believe deities live in Ceiba tree species throughout the jungle. The Maya civilization believed that Yaaxché, often depicted as a Ceiba trunk, connects the planes of the Underworld (Xibalba), the terrestrial realm and the skies. Unmistakable clusters of thick conical thorns on the Ceiba trunk were reproduced during the Classical Period on ceramic burial urns and incense holders by the southern lowland Maya.

Modern Maya still respectfully leave the tree standing when harvesting forest timber. The Ceiba tree is represented by a cross and serves as an important architectural motif in the Temple of the Cross Complex at Palenque.

Ceiba pentandra produces a light and strong fiber (kapok) used throughout history to fill life preservers, mattresses, pillows, tapestries, and dolls. Kapok has recently been replaced in commercial use by synthetic fibers. The oils of Ceiba seeds are extracted to make soap and fertilizers. The Ceiba continues to be commercialized in Asia especially in Java, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines.

Ceiba crispiflora

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami FL

www.susanfordcollins.com

Praia da Adraga

Esta fotografia é dedicada ao meu Amigo Pedro, que teve um AVC e morreu, cerca de 2 semanas

This photo is dedicated to my friend Pedro, who suffered a stroke and died, about 2 weeks ago. I'll never forget you! RIP

Camera: Canon EOS300D

Lens: Sigma 10-20mm

Filter:Hitech GND 0.9 HE

all rights reserved © Pedro Miguel Barreiros

the copy, edition, publication, commercialization or reproduction of any images of this gallery are not allowed without my expressed permission.