Generally quite dark compared to other orb web spiders and can be found close to water where their webs are spun on fencing, buildings and bridges and rarely on vegetation. Close to a river near me where I live a river flows under a road in a tunnel these Orbweb spiders can be found and seen in their webs close to the lights that help to light up the pathway where they have the best of both worlds, warmth from the lights where I have even seen the adults spiders here in February with snow outside and plus their prey such as moths and flies are attracted to the lights also. Its amazing to see their webs so close together and not eating each other, nature can be truly amazing at times.

Церковь Покрова на Нерли внесена в Список всемирного наследия ЮНЕСКО.

Когда пишут и говорят об этом храме, обычно приводят слова Игоря Грабаря: «Церковь Покрова на Нерли близ Владимира является не только самым совершенным храмом, созданным на Руси, но и одним из величайших памятников мирового искусства».

Храм был возведен за один год в 1165 году князем Андреем Боголюбским.

Во времена своей «молодости» храм выглядел иначе, а холм-пьедестал, является делом рук человеческих.

Подземная часть храма составляет 5,30 м . В устье Нерли вырос искусственный холм, ставший пьедесталом для церкви Покрова и предохраняющий ее от коварных весенних вод. Холм был покрыт панцирем из белокаменных плит с водосточными желобами и лестницами, сбегающими к пристани.

Пропорции храма необыкновенно изящны и красивы. Часто этот храм сравнивают с образом красной девицы Здесь все направлено на достижение эффекта максимальной стройности и высоты. Множество деталей, еле уловимых, очень деликатных, подчеркивают вертикальную ось сооружения.

The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl, a UNESCO world heritage site.

When you write and say about this temple, usually cite the words of Igor Grabar, "the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl near Vladimir is not only the most perfect temple, created in Russia, but also one of the greatest monuments of world art".

The temple was erected in one year in 1165 by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky.

In the days of his "youth" the temple looked different, and the hill-a pedestal, is the work of human hands.

The underground part of the temple is 5,30 m . At the mouth of the Nerl rose artificial hill, which has become the pedestal for the Church of the Intercession and protect it from the treacherous waters of the spring. The hill was covered with a shell of white stone slabs with gutters and stairs leading down to the Marina.

The proportions of the temple are unusually graceful and beautiful. Often this temple is compared with the image of maiden Here everything is directed on achieving maximal effect of slenderness and height. Many parts, subtle, very delicate, emphasize the vertical axis of the construction.

People tend to compare this to Halong Bay due to its similar mountainous shape landscape, however, most of these are on land.

Usually if you got here earlier, you would see a different scene, whereby there would be many tourists and boat activities, instead, when I was here late (about to get dark), all I saw was a load of empty boats. But I liked what I saw here, a beautiful sunset and a quiet scene.

We borrowed bicycles from our hotels and rode here, along the way, seeing this small city during sunset and at night. A very beautiful city. BTW, this place is one of the places where they filmed the new King Kong in 2016. Can't wait to see the movie and see how this area was used.

Updated: Watched the Kong movie, not really presenting the real scenery here. Oh well, what do I expect from Hollywood, where everything is made-believe.

Created for

The Hypo Music Festival challenge

Sinead O'Connor Nothing Compares To You lyrics by Prince

Hands taken in public domain , faces and processing are mine.

All rights reserved. Image can not be inserted in blogs, websites or any other form, without my written permission.

Another photo from Tokkekøb Hegn, North of Copenhagen on Christmas Day. What I find interesting is how the snow appears different, depending on the light, e.g. compare the last 3 photos I posted.

Have a great weekend all!

Compare the architecture of the Historical Museum of Russia and the Cathedral of our Lady of Kazan

Scandalize Melange Set Jeans/Belt/Top/Sleeves

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*Vanilla Bae* Grace Boots

.:EMO-tions:. * STEPHANIE *

Roosters (McGraw) Classic Western Hat

LeMont- Hummingbird Dreadnought Whiskey Guitar

For Male and Female.

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Europe, The Netherlands, Zuid Holland, Rotterdam Zuid, Kop van Zuid, Trompetjes (cut from all sides)

Testing out the macro capabilities of the Sigma 150 with the lens wide open for the first time. The subject: our 'little trumpets' - or 'saxophones'? ;-)

This is number 1246 of Minimalism / explicit Graphism.

The soundtrack: Compared to what - Eddie Haris & Less McCann.

Winter has shown up in our area now with temperatures below zero, frozen lakes and beautiful sunshine. Compared tor the last months with rain, clouds and shades of grey this is a significant improvement. Dear winter, we love you. But please do not stay too long and give way to spring. Hücker Moor, Ostwestfalen, Germany

—————

special thanks to: lelutka, simple bloom, kunglers, glam affair, and tuus sl (maybe soon).

—————

🎧 chris cornell → nothing compares 2 u ❥

. featured items .

♥ lelutka  »  evo-x head-ryn 3.1 [bom] //update//

   ≕ for full details see the faq for evo and evo-x

♥ kunglers  »  odette set @access sl [¹] //new//

   set includes: l/r earrings w/matching

   l/r rigged rings: maitreya kupra,

   ≕ legacy, slink, tonic, plus l/r unrigged

   ≕ texture hud w/4 metals; 7 big gems

   ≕ exclusively at access sl event → sept.12 ‐ oct.8, 2021

♥ [sb]  »  *evox avalon* msshields left-symm diamond [brows, hd applier/bom]

   ≕ also available on marketplace.

♥ [glam affair]  »  tera layer [lel. evo-x, beige, bom]

   ≕ shown w/feckles (a) 50%, blush, neck shadow-light

♥ tuus  »  ryn 3.1-x ga tera v1.1 [lel. evo] //new// maybe soon

—————

. anatomy, hair, and makeup .

  tram  »  j1227 hair

  a r t e  »  candy eyes [fatpack]

  toksik  »  lashes 3 [evo/evo-x]

  shiny stuffs  »  sittying pretty gloss 75% [evo-x, bom]

  maitreya  »  lara v5.3 base + petite v1.0 addon

  [glam affair]  »  body skin [fit,maitreya beige,bom]

  omega  »  system installer [lelutka, eyes]

. clothing .

  justbecause  »  brooklyn dress [lara petite, fatpack]

. accessories .

  toksik  »  cushy baret

  ***tentacio***  »  delicacy [holdable]

. setup .

  t. wizardly  »  one-off, ad-hoc thumb ring pose n/a

  lelutka  »  axis hud face

  anypose  »  bvh hud v1.81

  lumipro  »  lumipro 18

. endnotes .

  ¹access sl event → sept.12 ‐ oct.8, 2021 ↪ teleport

—————

copyright © 2021 truth wizardly. all rights reserved.

// -tuesday, september 14, 2021 8:42:45 pm est-

// @20210914_lel_ryn_3.1_ga_tera_beige_[final].png

My attempt at the "Flickr Friday" theme "Idioms".

Shot with a Kodak "Micro-File Ektar 63 mm" lens on a Canon EOS R5.

Weather conditions improved in the late afternoon. This is a northwestward view from a hill that used to be the site for Chichijima's weather station.

The island in the left is Nishijima (西島, western island), while those in the right are Hyoutanjima (瓢箪島 gourd island), Anijima (兄島 older brother island), and Hitomarujima (人丸島).

According the climate data provided by Japan Meteorological Agency, average temperature of the coldest month in Chichijima is 18.5 degree Celsius, which means Chichijima has a tropical climate.

Annual precipitation of Chichijima is 1,296 mm, and the precipitation of the driest month is 51.6 mm, which means Chichijima has the tropical monsoon climate (Am) as compared to the humid subtropical climate (Cfa) in the Izu islands and the main island part of Tokyo.

Chichijima's climate is relatively dry judging from the Japanese standard; annual precipitation of downtown Tokyo is 1,530 mm.

but compared to your eyes

nothing shines quite as bright

and when we looked to the sky

it's not mine but i want it

and i need it

~mayday parade

happy early bokeh wednesday? :D

thank you owlfeathers. and nakano.photography for the testimonials. :) :)

Zeiss 50mm Planar f/2

Two Starlings (Sturnus Vulgaris) admire each others new styles after a dip in the bath!!

Head: LELUTKA SKYLER at Main Store

NEW: Not Found - Marshal Hairbase (Lelutka) at Shiny Shabby

Not Found - Chris Facial Hair (Lelutka) at Main Store

Lightroom just did another update with new tools, and there is now AI enhanced noise reduction. Figured I would give a quick whirl and see what it could do with a night scene captured this past summer at Mono Lake.

The new AI version is on the left, and the right is the version as I edited in Lightroom.

Some pretty impressive results. View large and check them out to compare. The sky, water and light in the water, and the tufa details ... pretty cool results I think.

Let me know what you think with just this quick check. More to learn with this tool and how to apply. Fun to try and learn new things.

I dont usually do birds in flight, but as ive been not able to spend much money during lockdown.. Ive upgraded my Canon 7Dmk1 to a 7Dmk2 and the difference is huge! Im over the moon! Tracking birds in flight justs feels effortless compared to the mk1. So thought id share this photo taken with me new 7Dmk2 :)

struthio molybdophanes

as compared to the Common Ostrich, the plumage of the male Somali Ostrich is more densily black, the bare areas are blue-grey and the eyes are grey-brown. The female has blue-grey eyes.

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: vulnerable

Somalische struisvogel

Autruche de Somalie

Somalistrauss

Many thanks for your views, favorites and supportive comments.

All rights reserved. ©

Mrs. K was kind enough to capture a shot of me sloshing in the rain across the Alaska Tundra to photograph an Alaska Brown Bear.

It was the thrill of a lifetime and truly a Bucket List Item.

In the Alaska Tundra, conditions are cold. The summer is brief, with temperatures above freezing lasting for only a few weeks at most. However, this "warm" summer coincides with periods of almost 24 hour daylight, so plant growth can be explosive.

A wide variety of plants species can be found on the tundra. What most of them have in common are growth characteristics - they tend to grow low to the ground.

Among the common types of tundra plants are willows, sedges and grasses. Many in dwarf forms compared to their growth forms in warmer climes. Lichens and mosses are also important, particularly in the harshest climates.

The long day length that accompanies the short summer is a boon to plants, which are able to photosynthesize 24 hours a day in some places. This leads to rapid plant growth.

A surprising number of insects are able to endure the harsh winters (many as frost-resistant eggs); these also undergo rapid development in the summer. Many bird species migrate from southern areas to the tundra each year for the reduced competition and plentiful insect harvest; this rich diet enables them to rear their young in an otherwise bleak environment.

These two kids are a lot of inspiration for me. I hope not to get bored with it, which seems to become a series. Still untitled, however.

I was thinking, looking at the image, of how much freer and happier the times of my childhood were compared to today's childhood. But will it be like this or is it just an adult vision? One thing is certain. The world was smaller, the space around the house was wild enough for explorations of all kinds and, above all, we were always outside, without too many commitments, less controlled, without a cell phone and with the keys in the lock on the front door.

I found this musical mashup and found it interesting. Not many DJ can mix songs in a good way. I prefer one song at a time if this happens.

Bob Marley and Billy Idol - "With a Rebel Yell, She Cried, 'Don't Give Up the Fight'"

©All rights reserved. Image can not be inserted in blogs, websites or any other form, without my written permission.

Thanks for stopping by, everything is always very appreciated

I wish everyone a good week

MIXMASTER CHALLENGE #81 - Chef: brillianthues

CHEF brillianthues wants us to create a surreal garden ...

➤ Your image should feature unrealistic, large scale plants and/or flowers...

➤ Also one or more very small scale people as compared to the plants/flowers ...

➤ And one or more round object(s): circle, orb, globe, mandala, etc. ...

➤ Plus the background must be a pattern or gradient.

➤ NO buildings or other architectural structures.

www.flickr.com/groups/1000750@N24/discuss/721577219246032...

From Sonnet 18

It is well known now as Shakespeare's phrase "The Darling Buds of May" was used as the title for his novel by H.E. Bates... which has since been adapted for television too 😊

Apologies for using my Japanese plum in 3 successive photos - I am enjoying it before it freezes (-2.6c last night)

For the Smile on Saturday challenge: "picture with added text"

HCC and HSoS ;o)

Cliché and Smile on Saturday: Here

my Plum blossom set: Here

Blend and Merge: Here

Sonnet 18

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm'd;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade,

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;

Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st:

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Named after the rich cinnamon color of the body, this is a resident bird in India, but migratory for short distances within the country though. They are also found outside of India.

The female is more shy of the pair and they are less seen compared to the males. The area has several males and females - the males are seen flying a lot, but the female tends to stay with the nest. I am sure there is a nest nearby - but since the reeds are pretty tall, its hard to get a sight of the chick. This is also one of the few shots I have of the female in flight.

Its preferred habitat is reed beds on the edges of shallow lakes, wet rice / paddy fields, swamps and marshy areas surrounded by reeds.

Thank you so much for your views and feedback. Much appreciated.

Winter is pretty cold in my region. Especially comparing to the south of the country and Europe. But I like the combination of the frosty conditions and the feeling of the warm winter's sunlight.

Here's my favourite pine tree forest in the early morning.

Merry Christmas, my dear friends!

Thank you for all the comments and faves.

Compared to the other ports of Enkhuizen is the Old Harbor (Dutch: Oude Haven) more a canal.

After a heavy storm in 1542 the Old Port was dug to protect the vessels.

This is what we saw during our Cycling holiday in Noord-Holland, the Netherlands, where we have cycled through the beautiful landscape.

© www.tomjutte.tk

.

Compared to the rufous one I posted yesterday, this one looks far more like a bumblebee with a nice white tail

Compared to the Bee Hummingbird the Cuban Emerald is a giant! The emerald seems to be quite widespread, I think we saw them at every location we visited though it still took me several days before I managed to get a decent photo of one.

www.texastargetbirds.com

_MG_5160-web

Chlorostilbon ricordii

Compared to other chillies, the jalapeño heat level varies from mild to hot depending on cultivation. The number of scars on the pepper, which appear as small brown lines, called 'corking', has a positive correlation with heat level, as growing conditions which increase heat level also cause the pepper to form scars. So if you like yours hot look for the scars.

Also #99/120 Strong: 120 Pictures in 2020

Nuuk has a maritime-influenced tundra climate (Köppen ET) with cold, long, snowy winters and cool, short summers. Although the winters in Nuuk are relatively cold, they are milder compared to other tundra climates, such as in Alaska in the United States or parts of Eastern Siberia. On 21 December, the shortest day and longest night of the year, the sun rises at 10:30 am and sets at 2:20 pm. By contrast, on the longest day and shortest night of the year, 21 June, the sun rises at 2:54 am and does not set until 12:04 am, giving a quasi-Midnight Sun

Masai Mara National Reserve

Kenya

East Africa

Happy Caturday!!

The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the five species in the genus Panthera, a member of the Felidae. The leopard occurs in a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia and is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because leopard populations are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation and are declining in large parts of the global range.

Contemporary records suggest that the leopard occurs in only 25% of its historical global range. Leopards are hunted illegally, and their body parts are smuggled in the wildlife trade for medicinal practices and decoration.

Compared to other wild cats, the leopard has relatively short legs and a long body with a large skull. It is similar in appearance to the jaguar, but generally has a smaller, lighter physique. Its fur is marked with rosettes similar to those of the jaguar, but the leopard's rosettes are smaller and more densely packed, and do not usually have central spots as the jaguar's do. Both leopards and jaguars that are melanistic are known as black panthers.

The leopard is distinguished by its well-camouflaged fur, opportunistic hunting behavior, broad diet, and strength (which it uses to move heavy carcasses into trees), as well as its ability to adapt to various habitats ranging from rainforest to steppe, including arid and montane areas, and its ability to run at speeds of up to 58 kilometres per hour (36 mph). – Wikipedia

...." And when we bring what is within us out into the world, miracles happen" by Ralph Waldo Emmerson

Oklahoma is home to the most marijuana dispensaries per capita of any state in the USA. Known as the "Wild West of Weed," there are more dispensaries (over 2,000) currently operating in the state then there are gas stations. There are about 36 shops for every 100,000 residents.

Medical marijuana cardholders are allowed to purchase up to three ounces of marijuana flower at once from a dispensary. They are allowed to have a total of eight ounces of cannabis in their private residence.

Flower, which is “traditional” marijuana bud, is the most popular product with 49% of transactions compared to only 13% for Edibles, the next highest.

I really don't know!

This unmistakable long-winged flycatcher is widespread (though rarely very numerous) throughout much of South America. As the name implies it occurs around cliffs, landslides, and even buildings. Medium size, warm rufous coloration (brightest on the wings), and habitat are distinctive. Some variation across range, with birds in the Andes having more whitish speckling on the face. Compare with Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, which is larger and has a streaked throat. Usually seen singly or in pairs, perched conspicuously on a snag, rock face, powerline, or building.

Loreto Road, Ecuador. July 2019.

Nothing Compares...

Vivitar 105mm f2.8

Engakuji (円覚寺) is another Zen temple of the Rinzai sect in Kamakura. It was founded by Houjou Tokimune (北条時宗 1251 - 1284) for Wuxue Zuyuan (無学祖元 1226 - 1286) invited from China to commemorate those who died in the Mongolian Invasions (元寇) in 1274 and 1281.

This temple used to be a private temple for the Houjou clan (北条氏) as compared to Kenchouji for the Kamakura shogunate.

The Houjou used to be a local Samurai family based in the Izu peninsula just to the west of Kamakura. They were originally a supervisor of Minamoto no Yoritomo (源頼朝 1147 - 1199) when he was exiled to Izu at the age of 13 after the Minamoto clan (源氏) was defeated by the Taira clan (平氏) in the political rivalry in the imperial court.

The Houjou supported Yoritomo to strike back the Taira clan and establish the Kamakura shogunate, for which the Houjou was awarded the hereditary regent position in the Kamakura shogunate. Yoritomo’s wife also came from the Houjou.

Houjou Tokimune was the 8th Regent of the Kamakura shogunate.

Oogane is an old bell installed in the precinct of Engakuji.

Candid portrait of two men, seen at Ballinrobe Racecourse on a blindingly sunny day.

Seen in the arboretum in Rogów :)

The Rogów Arboretum, established in 1925, is the Station of Protection and Shaping of Forest Ecosystems. It covers an area of 54 ha and is of an exceptional character as compared with other centers of the type in Poland or Europe, because it has been built from the very beginning as a research – didactic object and, moreover, it was located in the forest and has been tightly connected with the forest experimental study from the moment of its origin. The Arboretum consists of three basic parts: the dendrological collections (about 22 ha), the forest experimental plots (about 18 ha) and the alpine garden (1.5 ha).

The dendrological collections that is tree and shrub individuals planted either separately or in groups or small area forms, are mainly concentrated in the central and southern part of the Arboretum, covering a total of 2350 species and varieties. The Arboretum’s specialty is its collection of maples and shrubs from China. This segment is managed naturally, having the look of more a forest park than a typical botanical garden. The trees give the shelter and the proper microclimate for the introduced trees and shrubs.

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Biały rododendron w arboretum w Rogowie :)

Arboretum w Rogowie – należy do grupy najcenniejszych, najbogatszych w gatunki i odmiany drzew i krzewów tego typu ogrodów w Europie. Położony jest w dawnym siedlisku leśnym i ma charakter parku leśnego. Od początku istnienia (1925 r.) podlega pod Wydział Leśny SGGW. Na jego obszarze znajdują się jedne z najbogatszych i najciekawszych kolekcji drzew i krzewów Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej. Najchętniej odwiedzanym miejscem w ogrodzie jest alpinarium. Oprócz wyniesionych na 2 m ponad poziom gruntu skalniaków, założono tu ciąg strumyków, kilka oczek wodnych i 5-arowy staw z wyspą. W rogowskim alpinarium można obejrzeć ponad 400 gatunków i odmian roślin, pochodzących z gór całego świata. W większości są to byliny, ale nie tylko. Rosną tu także krzewy i drzewa terenów górzystych, np. majestatyczne świerki serbskie, kształtne limby czy srebrzyste jodły kalifornijskie.

The Autumn Lady’s-tresses (Spiranthes spiralis) and Cat’s-ear (Hypochaeris radicata, I believe), This is the site where these small orchids (the last wild orchids that flower in the season in the UK) are particularly well present in their hundreds. Though this year, compared to our last visit few years ago, the numbers seems reduced and they look even smaller. The ground was quite dry and New Forest ponies teamed up with cows are at work here keeping everything they can eat low in height. New Forest. England, UK.

Scaled to same dimensions on Photoshop ,same perch at different time to show size difference

Rutherglen Bug (Nysius vinitor) left

Brown Mirid Bug (Creontiades pacificus) right

Interesting to see the two species on the one flower today'

As I am wont to say 'I am about 10 hours behind on an 8 hour day today'

Will catch up when I can.

To my surprise, I didn't see many swallowtails here, compared to those metalmarks, brushfoots, and hairtreaks.

Such a pretty swallowtail!

DSCN9528-MWTEP03TOP10-EXP0P30-BPP30-DPP70-FIN-CU_AE_M_CM-CLA20-VAL20

Always compare the original, you can read detailed description of the real building there:

Diesen Sommer wird in Solin reichlich Zement auf die Bahn verladen. Im Vergleich zu den Vorjahren hat die Zahl der Zementzüge erfreulicherweise scheinbar zugenommen. Während die beladenen Ganzzüge immer mit zwei Loks fahren, reicht für die Leerzüge auch eine Maschine. Am 05.07.2025 war 2063 003 mit einer Garnitur Leerwagen nach Solin unterwegs und wurde am Einfahrsignal Labin verewigt. (Bild vom Hochstativ)

This summer, a large amount of cement is being loaded onto the railway in Solin. Compared to previous years, the number of cement trains has increased. While the loaded trains always run with two locomotives, one locomotive is sufficient for the empty trains. On July 5, 2025, 2063 003 was traveling to Solin with a set of empty wagons and was photographed in Labin. (Photo from a high tripod)

Little compares to the astonishing and piercing stare of a Short-eared Owl! Bright yellow eyes, set in black which seem kohl-rimmed and a bird not afraid to stare at you, whilst sitting in the open during the day.

The bird is named after two small feather tufts on the top of its head, which look like ears (although the bird’s real ears are hidden away on the side of the head, covered in the head feathers), but most of the time these are not visible as they are held flat to the head. (Hawk and Owl Trust).

My thanks to anyone who views, faves or comments on any of my photos. It is much appreciated.

Compared with the little rustic church at Myndtown (next picture), the Church of St Laurence in Church Stretton seems like a rather grand building.The impressive Grade I-listed church dates from the 12th century though an earlier Anglo-Saxon wooden church may have stood on this site. Like many old English churches there have been substantial alterations and extensions over the years. The nave of the church dates from the 12th century, and the transepts from the following century. The chancel and the upper stage of the tower are from the 15th century. The south vestry was added in 1831, and west aisles were added to the transepts during a restoration by S. Pountney Smith in 1867–68. There were further restorations in 1882 and in 1932.

For full details please see britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101383267-church-of-st-lawre....