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The garden at Sissinghurst Castle in the Weald of Kent, in England at Sissinghurst village, is owned and maintained by the National Trust. It is among the most famous gardens in England and is grade I listed.
Sissinghurst's garden was created in the 1930s by Vita Sackville-West, poet and gardening writer, and her husband Harold Nicolson, author and diplomat. Sackville-West was a writer on the fringes of the Bloomsbury Group who found her greatest popularity in the weekly columns she contributed as gardening correspondent of The Observer, which incidentally—for she never touted it—made her own garden famous. The garden itself is designed as a series of 'rooms', each with a different character of colour and/or theme, the walls being high clipped hedges and many pink brick walls. The rooms and 'doors' are so arranged that, as one enjoys the beauty in a given room, one suddenly discovers a new vista into another part of the garden, making a walk a series of discoveries that keeps leading one into yet another area of the garden. Nicolson spent his efforts coming up with interesting new interconnections, while Sackville-West focused on making the flowers in the interior of each room exciting.
For Sackville-West, Sissinghurst and its garden rooms came to be a poignant and romantic substitute for Knole, reputedly the largest house in Britain, which as the only child of Lionel, the 3rd Lord Sackville she would have inherited had she been a male, but which had passed to her cousin as the male heir.
The site is ancient; "hurst" is the Saxon term for an enclosed wood. A manor house with a three-armed moat was built here in the Middle Ages. In 1305, King Edward I spent a night here. It was long thought that in 1490 Thomas Baker, a man from Cranbrook, purchased Sissinghurst, although there is no evidence for it. What is certain is that the house was given a new brick gatehouse in the 1530s by Sir John Baker, one of Henry VIII's Privy Councillors, and greatly enlarged in the 1560s by his son Sir Richard Baker, when it became the centre of a 700-acre (2.8 km2) deer park. In August 1573 Queen Elizabeth I spent three nights at Sissinghurst.
After the collapse of the Baker family in the late 17th century, the building had many uses: as a prisoner-of-war camp during the Seven Years' War; as the workhouse for the Cranbrook Union; after which it became homes for farm labourers.
Sackville-West and Nicolson found Sissinghurst in 1930 after concern that their property Long Barn, near Sevenoaks, Kent, was close to development over which they had no control. Although Sissinghurst was derelict, they purchased the ruins and the farm around it and began constructing the garden we know today. The layout by Nicolson and planting by Sackville-West were both strongly influenced by the gardens of Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens; by the earlier Cothay Manor in Somerset, laid out by Nicolson's friend Reginald Cooper, and described by one garden writer as the "Sissinghurst of the West Country"; and by Hidcote Manor Garden, designed and owned by Lawrence Johnston, which Sackville-West helped to preserve. Sissinghurst was first opened to the public in 1938.
The National Trust took over the whole of Sissinghurst, its garden, farm and buildings, in 1967. The garden epitomises the English garden of the mid-20th century. It is now very popular and can be crowded in peak holiday periods. In 2009, BBC Four broadcast an eight-part television documentary series called Sissinghurst, describing the house and garden and the attempts by Adam Nicolson and his wife Sarah Raven, who are 'Resident Donors', to restore a form of traditional Wealden agriculture to the Castle Farm. Their plan is to use the land to grow ingredients for lunches in the Sissinghurst restaurant. A fuller version of the story can be found in Nicolson's book, Sissinghurst: An Unfinished History (2008).
For further information please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sissinghurst_Castle_Garden and www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden
🇫🇷 Le décor pourrait être en rapport avec une tradition locale, aujourd’hui oubliée, concernant l’origine d’une relique de la croix conservée au monastère, à moins qu’il n’ait fait allusion à une cérémonie religieuse exaltant la croix et sa signification pour des militaires. Si l’on en est réduit aux hypothèses, il est sûr en revanche que cette croix fut l’objet d’une dévotion importante L’image de Constantin et Hélène, qui réaffirme la dévotion portée à la relique du saint Bois, est liée au panneau des donateurs (les donateurs qui ont contribué à l'aménagement de ces églises, sont remerciés par leur portrait et leur nom inscrit (ou non).
Cette fresque est peinte sur la voute
version noir et blanc auteur inconnu
www.flickr.com/gp/philippedaniele/92C25G19S9
🇬🇧 The decoration may be related to a local tradition, now forgotten, concerning the origin of a relic of the cross kept at the monastery, unless it alluded to a religious ceremony exalting the cross and its significance for soldiers. If we are reduced to hypotheses, it is certain that this cross was the object of an important devotion The image of Constantine and Helena, which reaffirms the devotion to the relic of the Holy Grove, is linked to the donors' panel (the donors who contributed to the development of these churches are thanked by their portrait and their name inscribed (or not).
This fresco is painted on the vault
Black and white version Author unknown
www.flickr.com/gp/philippedaniele/92C25G19S9
🇩🇪 Die Verzierung kann sich auf eine heute vergessene lokale Überlieferung beziehen, die sich auf die Herkunft einer im Kloster aufbewahrten Kreuzreliquie bezieht, es sei denn, sie spielte auf eine religiöse Zeremonie an, bei der das Kreuz und seine Bedeutung für die Soldaten erhoben wurden. Wenn wir uns auf Hypothesen beschränken, ist es sicher, dass dieses Kreuz Gegenstand einer bedeutenden Verehrung war. Das Bild von Konstantin und Helena, das die Verehrung der Reliquie des Heiligen Hains bekräftigt, ist mit der Stiftertafel verbunden (den Spendern, die zur Entwicklung dieser Kirchen beigetragen haben, wird durch ihr Porträt und ihren Namen gedankt (oder auch nicht).
Dieses Fresko ist auf das Gewölbe gemalt
Schwarz-Weiß-Version Autor unbekannt
www.flickr.com/gp/philippedaniele/92C25G19S9philippedaniele/92C25G19S9 ...
🇪🇸 La decoración puede referirse a una tradición local hoy olvidada, que se relaciona con el origen de una reliquia de la cruz guardada en el monasterio, a menos que se refiera a una ceremonia religiosa en la que se exaltó la cruz y su significado para los soldados. Si nos limitamos a las hipótesis, es seguro que esta cruz fue objeto de una veneración significativa. La imagen de Constantino y Helena, que refuerza la veneración de la reliquia del Santo Hain, está asociada con la tabla de los donantes (a los donantes que contribuyeron al desarrollo de estas iglesias se les agradece a través de su retrato y su nombre (o no). Este fresco está pintado en la bóveda.Versión en blanco y negro Autor desconocidowww.flickr.com/gp/philippedaniele/92C25G19S9
🇮🇹 La decorazione può riferirsi a una tradizione locale oggi dimenticata, che riguarda l'origine di una reliquia della croce conservata nel monastero, a meno che non si riferisca a una cerimonia religiosa in cui la croce e il suo significato per i soldati erano esaltati. Se ci limitiamo a ipotesi, è certo che questa croce fosse oggetto di una significativa venerazione. L'immagine di Costantino e Elena, che conferma la venerazione della reliquia del Santo Bosco, è collegata alla tavola di fondazione (ai donatori che hanno contribuito allo sviluppo di queste chiese viene riconosciuto il merito attraverso il loro ritratto e il loro nome (o anche no). Questo affresco è dipinto sulla voltaVersione in bianco e nero Autore sconosciutowww.flickr.com/gp/philippedaniele/92C25G19S9
The spider species Araniella displicata, commonly known as Six-spotted Orb-weaver, belongs to the genus Araniella, in the family Araneidae. Araniella displicata spiders have been sighted 20 times by contributing members. Based on collected data, the geographic range for Araniella displicata includes 2 countries and 7 states in the United States. Araniella displicata is most often sighted outdoors, and during the month of June. spiderid.com/spider/araneidae/araniella/displicata/
The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope's mid-infrared view of the Pillars of Creation strikes a chilling tone. Thousands of stars that exist in this region disappear from view — and seemingly endless layers of gas and dust become the centrepiece.
The detection of dust by Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) is extremely important — dust is a major ingredient for star formation. Many stars are actively forming in these dense blue-grey pillars. When knots of gas and dust with sufficient mass form in these regions, they begin to collapse under their own gravitational attraction, slowly heat up, and eventually form new stars.
Although the stars appear to be missing, they aren’t. Stars typically do not emit much mid-infrared light. Instead, they are easiest to detect in ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light. In this MIRI view, two types of stars can be identified. The stars at the end of the thick, dusty pillars have recently eroded most of the more distant material surrounding them but they can be seen in mid-infrared light because they are still surrounded by cloaks of dust. In contrast, blue tones indicate stars that are older and have shed most of their gas and dust.
Mid-infrared light also details dense regions of gas and dust. The red region toward the top, which forms a delicate V shape, is where the dust is both diffuse and cooler. And although it may seem like the scene clears toward the bottom left of this view, the darkest grey areas are where densest and coolest regions of dust lie. Notice that there are many fewer stars and no background galaxies popping into view.
Webb’s mid-infrared data will help researchers determine exactly how much dust is in this region — and what it’s made of. These details will make models of the Pillars of Creation far more precise. Over time, we will begin to understand more clearly how stars form and burst out of these dusty clouds over millions of years.
Contrast this view with Webb’s near-infrared light image.
MIRI was contributed by ESA and NASA, with the instrument designed and built by a consortium of nationally funded European Institutes (The MIRI European Consortium) in partnership with JPL and the University of Arizona.
Image Description: Semi-opaque layers of blue and grey gas and dust start at the bottom left and rise toward the top right. There are three prominent pillars. The left pillar is the largest and widest. The peaks of the second and third pillars are set off in darker shades of blue outlines. Few red stars appear within the pillars. Some blue and white stars dot the overall scene.
Download more versions of this image.
Credit:
NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, J. DePasquale (STScI), A. Pagan (STScI); CC BY 4.0
The number of oriental white storks has increased recently. One of them happened to fly all the way from Hyo - go to our town UEDA, NAGANO prefecture about three years ago .
In addition to that, it was the first time in my life that l came across the stork around my neighborhood.
Since then , she has visited and stayed here in UEDA many times .
By the way, it's said that there are more than 100ponds called TAMEIKE in UEDA , especially around the district of SHIODA DAIRA. TAMEIKE means the ponds built for agricultural uses, especially for rice farming . As we've had little precipitation since olden times, most of them had been built by the order of an local FUDAL Lord during the Edo Period about 400years ago .
Each pond has a variety kinds of surroundings with so many different kinds of living things .
Thus she seems to like our town very much , I think.
2015年の上田商工会議所のｶﾚﾝﾀﾞｰ1*2月の写真に、私のｺｳﾉﾄﾘ写真をと、お話しいただき実現した事も、ほんとに光栄な事でした。ありがとうございます。また県内の新聞のコンテストニュース部門で1席になったことも今となってはいい思い出です。そしてモンチッチドレスデザインコンテスト最優秀賞頂き、北原さんの箱根、河口湖おもちゃの博物館等に飾られたのも素敵な思い出です。誰も知らない土地でよくここまでやって来たなー。たまには、自分を自分で誉めてあげないといけませんね。40代半ばの中年お母さんですが、パワフルに毎日楽しく暮らしています。
The Deadliest Natural Disaster in U.S. History: The Galveston Hurricane of 1900
On September 8, 1900, the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history occurred when the low-elevation island of Galveston, Texas, was struck by a category four hurricane that resulted in 135 mph winds and a deadly tidal surge. The hurricane, also known as the Great Galveston Storm, leveled 3,600 buildings and killed an estimated 6,000 to 12,000 people. Primitive forecasting techniques and ignored warnings contributed to the high number of fatalities.
Galveston was the largest city in Texas at the turn of the century. It had a bustling shipping port and was among the richest urban areas in the United States. It had a population of 37,000 that swelled each summer when vacationers flocked to the island to enjoy the beaches. Hurricane forecasting science at the turn of the century was not very sophisticated. The U.S. Weather Bureau relied on warnings from arriving ships or telegraphed warnings from islands in the Caribbean.
General Motors Pontiac East Assembly Plant, Pontiac Michigan
Featured on Flickr Explore Front Page - August 27, 2010 - Best Position #9
I finally was able to fit in a quick shoot last week so headed over to the nearest industrial complex to see if anything looked interesting. This 3.4 million square foot plant is one of the many casualties of GM's bankruptcy last year that has contributed to the downward spiral of the U.S. automotive industry.
Article: GM Shuts Down Assembly Plant
Matmata is a small Berber-speaking town in Tunisia with approximately 2,000 inhabitants.
The town lies on the edge of the Sahara Desert, approximately 450 kilometers south of the capital, Tunis, and relatively close to Gabès. The area surrounding Matmata strongly resembles a lunar landscape, with craters and characteristic hills. The name Matmata is derived from the name of a Berber tribe from this area. Vertical dwellings have been dug into the ground, creating a relatively cool environment where people still live today.
The science fiction film series Star Wars was partly filmed in Matmata, which also contributed to the town's fame.
In this rare image taken on 19 July, the wide-angle camera on the international Cassini spacecraft has captured Saturn’s rings and our planet Earth and Moon in the same frame.
The dark side of Saturn, its bright limb, the main rings, the F ring, and the G and E rings are clearly seen; the limb of Saturn and the F ring are overexposed. The ‘breaks’ in the brightness of Saturn’s limb are due to the shadows of the rings on the globe of Saturn, preventing sunlight from shining through the atmosphere in those regions. The E and G rings have been brightened for better visibility.
Earth, 1.44 billion km away in this image, appears as a blue dot at centre right; the Moon can be seen as a fainter protrusion off its right side. The other bright dots nearby are stars.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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Built in 1895, this Gothic Revival-style building was built for the Conklin family, and features a red brick exterior, bonnet roof with exposed rafter tails, blind gothic arches, rusticated stone sills and lintels, first floor retail storefronts with decorative cornices, one-over-one and casement replacement windows, a stone base and recessed brick panels around many of the second floor windows. The building is a contributing structure in the State Street Historic District, listed on the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places.
60040 passes Attenborough working 6M57 07:15 Lindsey-Kingsbury (taken using a pole). Finally nailed this one after too many failed attempts to remember, clouds, WiFi failure, flat batteries, lost USB cable, sheds have all contributed to it taking so long to get it right
One of the islands within the Päijänne National Park, the island of Harhu used to be home to a famous fisherman Toivo Pylväläinen, also known as the “Hermi" of Lake Päijänne for many years.
He settled on the island in the mid 1930s and fished by net, hook and trailing. His natural curiosity and the need to support himself by fishing and selling fish in nearby Lahti were just a few factors which contributed to the fact that he began to make his own lures in the mid 1930s. He developed his own model which became a legend.
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I'm back. And I am very thankful to my Flickr friend, who made me that wonderful gift. You have a big heart! 💖
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Erakon maja Päijänteen Koreakoivun saaressa.
Keskellä Päijännettä olevassa pienessä saaressa on aikoinaan asunut kalastaja Toivo Pylväläinen, jota kutsuttiin Harhun eli Koreakoivun Erakoksi. Hän asui erakkona Päijänteen saarella lähes 40 vuotta.
Photographed on an afternoon with great clouds at Lindo Lake in Lakeside, California. I would always like to have clouds, water and healthy vegetation in all of my infrared pictures as I think those elements contribute to building a strong image. I used channel swapping to turn the sky blue. I do use a polarizing filter with infrared because I think it accentuates the effect. Here is a link to a tutorial on playing with infrared images. www.lifepixel.com/photo-tutorials/infrared-photoshop-videos
I've been taking infrared images for at least 15 years with a total of 3 different cameras. It's much easier to take infrared images digitally that it was in the film days. If you like this look, I have an album of infrared photographs, creatively named Infrared.
Jerash, the Gerasa of Antiquity (Ancient Greek: Γέρασα, Hebrew: גַ'רַש), is the capital and largest city of Jerash Governorate (محافظة جرش), which is situated in the north of Jordan, 48 kilometres (30 mi) north of the capital Amman towards Syria. Jerash Governorate's geographical features vary from cold mountains to fertile valleys from 250 to 300 metres (820 to 980 above sea level, suitable for growing a wide variety of crops.
In the latter Ottoman period, the city of Jerash's name was abandoned and changed to Sakib, yet this was not a permanent development, as the name "Jerash" reappears in Ottoman tax registers by the end of 16th century.
A strong earthquake in 749 AD destroyed large parts of Jerash, while subsequent earthquakes along with the wars and turmoil contributed to additional destruction. Its destruction and ruins remained buried in the soil for hundreds of years until they were discovered by German Orientalist Ulrich Jasper Seetzen in 1806. He began excavation and a return to life of the current Jerash by inhabitants of older villages. 70 years later, this was followed by the Muslim community, Circassians, who emigrated to Jordan from the Caucasus in 1878 after the Ottoman-Russian war. Subsequently a large community of people from Syria came to the area at the beginning of the 20th century.
Gerasa es el nombre de una antigua ciudad de la Decápolis. Sus ruinas representan una de las ciudades romanas más importantes y mejor conservadas del Próximo Oriente, y se ubican en la región de Gilead, al noroeste de Jordania.
Recientes excavaciones muestran que Jerash ya estaba habitada durante la Edad del Bronce y la Edad del Hierro (3200 a. C. - 1200 a. C.). Después de la conquista romana, en el año 63 a. C., Jerash y sus contornos fueron anexionados a la provincia romana de Siria, y más tarde se integró en la Decápolis. En 90 d. C. se incorporó a la provincia de Arabia, que incluía la ciudad de Filadelfia (actual Ammán). Los romanos garantizaron la paz y la seguridad en el área, lo que permitió a sus habitantes dedicar su tiempo y sus energías al desarrollo económico y a la construcción. En la segunda mitad del siglo I, la ciudad de Jerash alcanzó una gran prosperidad. En 106 el emperador Trajano construyó calzadas que atravesaban las provincias, lo que incrementó las actividades comerciales de la ciudad. Adriano visitó Jerash en los años 129-130. Una inscripción latina registra la dedicatoria religiosa hecha por miembros de la guardia imperial que invernaron allí. El arco de triunfo -o Arco de Adriano- fue erigido para solemnizar la visita.
Jerash, situado 48 quilômetros ao norte de Amman, é considerado um dos maiores e mais bem preservados lugares da cultura romana no mundo, fora da Itália. Atualmente, suas ruas colunatas, banhos, teatros, praças e arcos permanecem em condição excepcional. Dentro dos restos das muralhas da cidade, arqueólogos encontraram as ruínas de estabelecimento datadas na época posterior ao Neolítico, indicando a ocupação humana nesta localidade para mais de 6500 anos. Isto não surpreende sendo que a área é situada idealmente para a habitação humana. Jerash, é bem abastecida de água, e sua altitude de 500 metros proporciona-lhe um clima temperado e uma excelente visão sobre as áreas mais baixas que rodeiam a cidade.
A história de Jerash é uma mistura do mundo greco-romano da bacia mediterrânea, e das antigas tradições da Arábia Oriental. De fato, o próprio nome da cidade reflete esta interação. Os habitantes Árabe-Semitas mais antigos, que habitavam na área durante o período pré-clássico do primeiro milênio BCE. chamavam sua aldeia Garschu. Os romanos posteriormente helenizaram o antigo nome árabe de Garschu para Gerasa, e a Biblia refere-se "à região dos Gerasenos" (Mk 5:1; Lc 8:26). No fim do século 19, os habitantes árabes e circanos dos pequenos estabelecimentos rurais transformaram a Gerasa romana em Jerash árabe.
The Ontario County Courthouse is located in Canandaigua, New York, United States. The United States v. Susan B. Anthony trial took place in this courthouse in 1873. It is a contributing property to the Canandaigua Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
The original purpose of this image was to contribute to FlickrFriday’s theme of the week (in November 2020) on "#remote". This theme was appropriate to illustrate the situation of "lockdown" with all its consequences of physical, sensory and social isolation.
L’objectif initial de cette image était de contribuer au thème de la semaine de FlickrFriday sur «#isolé ». Cette thématique était intéressante pour illustrer la situation de « confinement » avec toutes ses conséquences d’isolement physique, sensoriel et social.
Copyright 2005 Ron Diorio
from "Random acts of rendering" a series in progress
Health officials said the New York patient reportedly had unsafe anal sex with hundreds of partners while taking crystal methamphetamine. The drug's stimulating effect and erasure of inhibitions contribute to sex marathons that have increased the spread of HIV, they explained.
Jerash is the capital and the largest city of Jerash Governorate, Jordan, with a population of 50,745 as of 2015. Located 48 kilometres (30 mi) north of the capital of Jordan, Amman.
The history of the city is a blend of the Greco-Roman world of the Mediterranean Basin and the ancient traditions of the Arab Orient. The name of the city reflects this interaction. The earliest Arab/Semitic inhabitants, who lived in the area during the pre-classical period of the 1st millennium BCE, named their village Garshu. The Romans later Hellenized the former Arabic name of Garshu into Gerasa. Later, the name transformed into the Arabic Jerash.
The city flourished until the mid-eighth century CE, when the 749 Galilee earthquake destroyed large parts of it, while subsequent earthquakes (847 Damascus earthquake) contributed to additional destruction. However, In the early 12th century, by the year 1120, Zahir ad-Din Toghtekin, atabeg of Damascus ordered a garrison of forty men stationed in Jerash to convert the Temple of Artemis into a fortress. It was captured in 1121 by Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem, and utterly destroyed.
Jerash was then deserted until it reappeared in the Ottoman tax registers in the 16th century. It had a population of 12 households in 1596. However, the archaeologists have found a small Mamluk hamlet in the Northwest Quarter which indicates that Jerash was resettled before the Ottoman era. The excavations conducted since 2011 have shed light on the Middle Islamic period as recent discoveries have uncovered a large concentration of Middle Islamic/Mamluk structures and pottery.
In 1806, the German traveler, Ulrich Jasper Seetzen, came across and wrote about the ruins he recognized. In 1885, the Ottoman authorities directed the Circassian immigrants who were mainly of peasant stock to settle in Jerash, and distributed arable land among them.
The ancient city has been gradually revealed through a series of excavations which commenced in 1925, and continue to this day.
Early science results from NASA’s Juno mission to Jupiter portray the largest planet in our solar system as a complex, gigantic, turbulent world, with Earth-sized polar cyclones, plunging storm systems that travel deep into the heart of the gas giant, and a mammoth, lumpy magnetic field that may indicate it was generated closer to the planet’s surface than previously thought.
This image shows Jupiter’s south pole, as seen by NASA’s Juno spacecraft from an altitude of 32,000 miles (52,000 kilometers). The oval features are cyclones, up to 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) in diameter. Multiple images taken with the JunoCam instrument on three separate orbits were combined to show all areas in daylight, enhanced color, and stereographic projection.
Read more: go.nasa.gov/2rEgNhT
Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Betsy Asher Hall/Gervasio Robles
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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The San Francisco Pride parade is a world-renowned LGBT pride parade. It is held on Sunday morning of the Festival. The route is usually along San Francisco's Market Street, from Beale Street to 8th Street.[1] The parade starts nominally at 10:30 am, though it is hours before all the contingents are able to get onto the parade route, and the last contingent doesn't leave the parade route until 2-4 pm.
The parade consists of hundreds of contingents from various groups and organizations. Some of the more well-known contingents are:
Women's Motorcycle Contingent, also known as Dykes On Bikes.[2] Several hundred motorcycle riders, all women. Some of the women are topless, some wear leather or fanciful costumes. The sound of hundreds of motorcycle engines gives this contingent a big impact. Part of the reason they are first in the parade is that it's difficult for motorcycles to run reliably at the walking pace of the rest of the parade, so as the first contingent they can move faster. On November 13, 2006, they won a battle to trademark the name "Dykes on Bikes", having struggled since 2003 to persuade the United States Patent and Trademark Office that "dyke" was not an offensive word.[3][4]
PFLAG, or Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Usually one of the largest contingents, featuring several hundred people. These are typically the (straight) parents or family members of LGBT people, sometimes marching together with their LGBT relatives. Many carry signs indicating where their PFLAG chapter comes from. It's common to see signs from all over Northern California. This contingent is notable for the swell in cheers (and some tears) that follow it along the route.
Politicians frequently participate in the parade, as a way of making themselves visible to LGBT prospective voters.
Churches of many denominations, or religious-oriented LGBT groups, contribute several dozen contingents.
Dance clubs and LGBT-oriented entertainment businesses contribute several contingents. It's common for a dance club to decorate a flat-bed truck or float, and have several people dancing on it, along with loud dance music.
The Leather Contingent consists of lesbian, gay and pansexual leather and BDSM groups.
Groups which are anti-gay typically do not have contingents. During the 1990s it was common to see anti-gay protestors in the spectator area along the parade route, holding large signs condemning homosexuality, often with biblical passages. In the 2000s such protestors have become less common.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators, if not over a million, line the parade route along Market Street. Some arrive hours in advance to claim a prime spot on the curb with a clear view of the street. Others climb onto bus shelters, the walls of subway station stairs, or scaffolding on buildings to get a clear view. As the parade ends, the spectators are able to pass through the barriers and march down Market street behind the parade. The end of the parade route is near the Festival location at the Civic Center.
Excerpt from Wikipedia:
St Peter's Church is a Roman Catholic church in the inner city of Munich, southern Germany. It is the oldest church in the district.
Before the foundation of Munich as a city in 1158, there had been a pre-Merovingian church on this site. 8th century monks lived around this church on a hill called Petersbergl. At the end of the 12th century a new church in the Bavarian Romanesque style was consecrated, and expanded in Gothic style shortly before the great fire in 1327, which destroyed the building.
After its reconstruction the church was dedicated anew in 1368. In the early 17th century the 91 meter spire received its Renaissance steeple top and a new Baroque choir was added.
The interior is dominated by the high altar to which Erasmus Grasser contributed the figure of Saint Peter. Among other masterpieces of all periods are five Gothic paintings by Jan Polack and several altars by Ignaz Günther. The ceiling fresco by Johann Baptist Zimmermann (1753–56) was restored in 1999-2000.
The parish church of Saint Peter, whose 91 meters high tower is commonly known as "Alter Peter" - Old Pete - and which is emblematic of Munich, is the oldest recorded parish church in Munich and presumably the originating point for the whole city.
Sabiá-laranjeira: o pássaro dos poetas
Para ouvir seu canto: aves.brasil.nom.br/servlet/searchSounds?action=PREVIOUS
To listen his song: aves.brasil.nom.br/servlet/searchSounds?action=PREVIOUS
Rufous-bellied Thrush
Known as Sabiá-laranjeira in Brazil (Turdus rufiventris) this thrush is pretty common and this one was frantically trying to find its chick after a storm at the weekend had dislodged its nest.
The Sabiá, or Thrush, is known for the beauty of both its plumage and its song and is found all over Brazil, in 12 species, the best known of which is the Rufous-bellied Thrush, or Sabiá-laranjeira, Brazil’s national bird. Like many birds, it migrates north to the warm tropical zone in the winter and returns to the temperate zone when the climate in southern Brazil starts to get warm again. It lives alone or in pairs, in forests, parks, backyards and forested urban areas and can live 25 to 30 years. Hopping along the ground, it feeds on the coconuts from several species of palm tree, spitting out the pits after about an hour and contributing to the distribution of these plants. It also feeds on oranges and mature papayas, as well as insects and spiders. For years, the Sabiá has been celebrated in both writing and music , including in several very famous Brazilian poems and songs. Because of its widespread presence and popularity in Brazilian culture, the Brazilian Wildlife Preservation Association proposed that it be designated as an official national symbol of Brazil, a suggestion first made in 1968 that had gradually gained widespread public support by 1987, when a first (but unsuccessful) attempt was made to declare it Brazil’s national bird. Finally, on October 4, 2002, the Sabiá-laranjeira became the newest official symbol of Brazil, designated as the national bird in a Presidential Decree, which included for the first time its scientific name, “Turdus rufiventris.”
Nome científico: Turdos Rufiventris
Família: Turdídeios
Localização geográfica: regiões Centro Oeste, Sudeste e Sul do Brasil e mata atlântica.
O sabiá-laranjeira é uma ave brasileira, das mais populares, citada por diversos poetas como o pássaro que canta no tempo do amor, ou seja, na primavera.
O seu aspecto é de plumagem com cores que variam entre cinza claro a cinza escuro no dorso, o peito é esbranquiçado e o abdome varia de vermelho-ferrugem a marrom escuro na barriga, sendo que as tonalidades mudam conforme a região. Por exemplo, no nordeste brasileiro a cor do abdome é mais clara, amarelada.
Tamanho: 25cm.
Longevidade: em torno de 30 anos.
Na natureza prefere andar em casais, ao invés de em bando. Preferem as beiradas de matas, pomares, capoeiras, beiras de serras e estradas, praças e quintais, sempre por perto de água abundante. É um pássaro territorialista, e demarca uma área geográfica quando está em processo de reprodução e não aceita a presença de outras aves da espécie.
O canto
O sabiá-laranjeira, também conhecido como sabiá amarelo ou de peito roxo, é um dos melhores cantores do mundo. Seu canto é nostálgico e se assemelha ao som de uma flauta. É usado inclusive para conquistar as fêmeas antes do acasalamento.
O macho canta para ensinar os filhotes, ou seja, os pequeninos podem ser treinados e, se conviver desde pequeno com outras espécies, pode ser influenciado pelo canto delas e passar a ter um canto impuro.
Instalação: viveiros de no mínimo 1m de comprimento x 2m de altura x 2m de profundidade. O ninho é sólido, em forma de tigela, formado de ramos e fibras de raízes, com barro na base. Dentro é constituído de raízes finas e macias. Em cativeiro, pode ser um vaso de xaxim pequeno.
A higiene diária do viveiro é fundamental e é bom lembrar que o sabiá-laranjeira gosta de banhar-se com frequência.
Alimentação onívora: na natureza come no chão e nos galhos sementes, insetos, larvas, minhocas e frutas maduras, especialmente mamão e abacate.
Reprodução: os sabiás atingem a maturidade sexual aos 9 meses e se acasalam na primavera, sendo que a postura, que pode ocorrer até 3 vezes por temporada (de Setembro a Janeiro), é de 2 a 3 ovos. O período de incubação é de 15 dias.
Não há dimorfismo sexual, pois, ambos são iguais e a fêmea também canta, mas numa frequência bem menor que o macho.
Para o acasalamento, isola-se o macho num viveiro por 2 semanas. Coloca-se a fêmea e ouça o seu cortejo melodioso e nostálgico para atrai-la e incentivá-la à postura dos ovos.
Os filhotes devem ser mantidos com os pais por até pelo menos um mês, inclusive para aprender a cantar.
No Brasil podem ser encontradas outras espécies de sabiá, tais como:
Sabiá-Una;
Sabiá-Pardo;
Sabiá-Branco;
Sabiá-Coleira.
Crédito:
Texto retirado no site "My Pet", no endereço:
Links
In this huge open pit in Germany brown coal is being gained in order to fulfil our energy needs. One can see the chimneys of the powerplants blazing out the carbondioxe in the air.
Burning coal produces lots of carbondioxide and contributes massively to the warming of the planet.
The name of this mining project is Garzweiler, actually the name of the village that has disappeared because of the mining. Notice the wind turbines, an interesting contrast to this rather devastating form of energy production.
Are you an optimist or a pessimist...what is your point of view?
"Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute." ~Gil Stern
Eastern Whipbird -Psophodes olivaceus
Having mostly-green plumage and living in the dense undergrowth, the Eastern Whipbird is seen far less often than it is heard. Its whip-crack call is a characteristic of many of the moist forests in eastern Australia. The unusual feature of this call is that it is often performed by two birds calling in unison, with one bird contributing the first part of the call and another giving the second part. This so-called ‘antiphonal’ calling involved great co-ordination between the two birds to give the call its familiar whip-crack sound.
Caltabellotta stands at an altitude of about 900m. Its Arab name, Kalat-al-Ballut (Oaks’ Rock) evokes the look of the village that is perched atop a rock. Its dominant position contributed to protect it from the attacks of enemies throughout the centuries
A view of the front facade of the Caldwell County Courthouse in Lockhart, TX. Built in 1894, the courthouse was designed by Henry E.M. Guidon in the Second Empire architectural style. The exterior of the three-story structure is built with cream-colored limestone and red sandstone. The central clock tower houses a four-faced Seth Thomas Clock Company clock and a 900-pound bell. The mansard roof of the courthouse is characteristic of Second Empire design.
In 1978, the courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as a contributing property of the Caldwell County Courthouse Historic District.
The rare Purple Martin, a member of the swallow family return from South America in late April every year. During the winter they soak up the sun east of the Andes in Columbia, Bolivia and Brazil.
OASES (Organization Advocating Sanctuary for Endangered Species) has contributed funds and labour for adding and maintaining nest boxes at the Tod Inlet colony for a number of years.
In 1985, there were 5 breeding pairs of western purple martins left in the wild, now there are nearly a 1000 thanks to those nest boxes located in various safe locations.
The nest boxes are located very high up on pilings to ensure that the Purple Martins have a safe location away from land predators.
The New York State Capitol is the capitol building of the U.S. state of New York. Housing the New York State Legislature, it is located in the state capital city Albany as part of the Empire State Plaza on State Street in Capitol Park. The building, completed in 1899 at a cost of $25 million (worth approximately half a billion current dollars), was the most expensive government building of its time.[citation needed] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, then included as a contributing property when the Lafayette Park Historic District was listed in 1978. The following year it was declared a National Historic Landmark
In 1868, British police first manually used red and green gas lights to control horse carriage traffic at night outside the House of Commons. According to Washington State University Magazine, the Americans then contributed the following:
"American policeman Lester Wire designed the first electric traffic light. It was first installed in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 5, 1914, at the corner of 105th and Euclid Avenue.
1917 — First interconnected traffic signal system installed in Salt Lake City, with six connected intersections controlled simultaneously from a manual switch.
1920 — William Potts, a Detroit policeman, invented the first four-way and three-colored traffic lights. He introduced yellow lights to indicate the light would change soon. Detroit became the first city to implement the four-way and three-colored traffic lights."
CCWeek38: Geometry in Road Signs (Diamond-shaped traffic sign)
Clustered at the center of this image are six brilliant spots of light, four of them creating a circle around a central pair. Appearances can be deceiving, however, as this formation is not composed of six individual galaxies, but is actually two separate galaxies and one distant quasar imaged four times. Data from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope also indicates that there is a seventh spot of light in the very center, which is a rare fifth image of the distant quasar. This rare phenomenon is the result of the two central galaxies, which are in the foreground, acting as a lens.
The four bright points around the galaxy pair, and the fainter one in the very center, are in fact five separate images of a single quasar (known as 2M1310-1714), an extremely luminous but distant object. The reason we see this quintuple effect is a phenomenon called gravitational lensing. Gravitational lensing occurs when a celestial object with an enormous amount of mass – such as a pair of galaxies – causes the fabric of space to warp. When light from a distant object travels through that gravitationally warped space, it is magnified and bent around the huge mass. This allows humans here on Earth to observe multiple, magnified images of the far-away source. The quasar in this image actually lies farther away from Earth than the pair of galaxies. The galaxy pair’s enormous mass bent and magnified the light from the distant quasar, giving the incredible appearance that the galaxies are surrounded by four quasars – when in reality, a single quasar lies far beyond them!
Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) imaged the trio in spectacular detail. It was installed on Hubble in 2009 during Hubble Servicing Mission 4, Hubble’s final servicing mission. WFC3 continues to provide both top-quality data and fantastic images 12 years after its installation.
Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, T. Treu; Acknowledgment: J. Schmidt
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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This display was from an area called the Museum. It is part of the Bombay Beach Biennale which occurs on random dates in the spring. The Biennale was founded in 2015 to provide renegade artistic, musical and philosophical expression outside of commercial galleries and events. It also highlights the ecological crisis of the Salton Sea. While thousands of people attend the party and many contribute art, music and performances of every description, we must have visited during a hiatus as we saw almost no one. A culminating celebration happened in mid-April last year. We missed it.
We give them less importance because of what they do.But they contributed the most in our liberation war.They are farmers.That time they were huge in number.These people are very humble and kind.The most beautiful thing about them is they don't want lot more.They want least foods and clothings to live a miserable war.We only value those who are whealthier than us.Actually we make people feel they are not like us.
If you like my photograph, feel free to download it.
Just click the link down below in case you wish to contribute with a donation. That would be highly appreciated, thank you :)
I've seen a couple of saxes contributed already here. This is a sort of abstract macro of the alto sax I played in high school band decades ago. I took a few super close-ups, unrecognizable as a musical instrument, and some that tried to capture as much as I could within the three-inch limitation. The intricate workings make for a crowded, chaotic frame, so I went with a very shallow depth of field shot to focus mostly on just one finger pad.
The New York State Capitol is the capitol building of the U.S. state of New York. Housing the New York State Legislature, it is located in the state capital city Albany as part of the Empire State Plaza on State Street in Capitol Park. The building, completed in 1899 at a cost of $25 million (worth approximately half a billion current dollars), was the most expensive government building of its time.[citation needed] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, then included as a contributing property when the Lafayette Park Historic District was listed in 1978. The following year it was declared a National Historic Landmark
Germany, Wedel, the River Elbe near Hamburg,
one of the remaining last few fish trawlers on the Elbe.
Fishing on the Lower & Outer Elbe is of considerable importance for the region & with its environmentally friendly technology, is exemplary within the European Union.
The preservation of fisheries also serves environmental protection, because it ensures a lasting interest in sufficient water quality, biodiversity & efficiency of the aquatic habitats, it can thus contribute to an improvement in water ecology.
👉 One World one Dream,
🙏...Danke, Xièxie 谢谢, Thanks, Gracias, Merci, Grazie, Obrigado, Arigatô, Dhanyavad, Chokrane to you & over
17 million visits in my photostream with countless motivating comments
Heumarkt U-Bahn station, Cologne, Germany
Lighting for the new Heumarkt U-Bahn station
in Cologne creates lively views
Each of the eight stations on the new North-South rapid transit (U-Bahn) line in Cologne was designed by a different architectural firm. Four of these stations use lighting technology from WE-EF. The largest of the stations, which is at Heumarkt, offers an impressive demonstration of how the luminaires contribute to function, safety and aesthetics all at the same time.
Featuring vaulted ceilings, the surprisingly large hall on the top floor of the new Heumarkt U-Bahn station resembles a church nave. In reality, however, it serves a purely worldly function as an access point to the deeper train lines and the location of a 300-m2 shopping pavilion. If Cologne's East-West line is moved below ground at some point, this intermediate level will be transformed into a train station as well.
The dynamics and vivacity of Heumarkt station are conveyed through the architecture, not only by the lively vaulted hall but also the numerous cut-outs and visual axes that open up a wide range of new perspectives. From some locations the entire height of the building can be seen – from the deep level of the North-South line and the intermediate level, to the glassed stairways leading above ground, where natural daylight enters the structure.
Given the great differences in room heights, some spanning various floor levels, the task for the lighting design team was to generate sufficient illuminance at the transport levels from a wide range of lighting point heights. A particularly versatile lighting instrument was required in order to manage the heterogeneous installation positions as well as the installation/mounting conditions, using a continuous luminaire design. WE-EF DOC240 recessed exterior downlights are the ideal solution for evenly powerful and flexible lighting.
In the Heumarkt station, DOC240 luminaires are mounted in a variety of combinations – incorporated with cross-members and integrated with the perforated metal sheet cladding of the station ceiling, and directly installed in both level and inclined concrete ceilings. In areas that are difficult to access, such as above the escalators and stairways, the downlights have been installed on luminaire lifts. These lifts make it possible to lower the luminaires for servicing or to replace lamps, which is a tool-free process.
Arranged in pairs between the cross-members along the apex of the arched ceiling, DOC240 luminaires form an impressive band of light. They direct impressive light downwards, while WE-EF FLC131 projectors illuminate the ceiling panels along the zenith line.
Architects:Coersmeier Tebroke Architektur GmbH, Cologne
Lighting Designer:Lichtdesign-Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, Prof. Heinrich Kramer, Cologne
First experiments with a new form in the ever-evolving world of Pano-Sabotage photography that's been dubbed "MonitorPano". It's both a new turn for me and a return to a very old tactic I used in 2012 where I achieved coarse but provoking layers by photographing, with my Canon Rebel XS, my computers screen saver as it faded in and out between images in my photo files. The great thing was that the images didn't just click from one to the next like a slide show, they faded in and out over top of each other. There was always a "crossover" point where the two images would occupy the same amount of "presence" on the screen thereby becoming "fused" or "blended" ... in effect ... layered. A cruder version of Brian Enos Installation piece, "77 Million Paintings", perhaps, but using the same idea.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0_4rCfpNzw
By the time Apple brought out the next Operating System, they'd taken out that scrolling slide show feature from what was then "iPhoto" and re-dubbed it "Photos". It always amazes me how the Silicon Valley geeks always "improve" things by taking out unique and wonderful features. Gotta mow it all down to sameness and uniformity, I guess. Unique features are seen as "mistakes".
Liz Mack has asked, "How long will it take for Apple to 'correct' the algorithms that allow for Pano-Sabotage photography ?"
MonitorPano, even though being hotly used right now and to great effect has actually been around quietly for a few years now. Don of the PANO-vision group was actually one of the first Pano-Sabotage artists to start "pano-ing" his desktop screen, and has often produced some very unique work with this method. Recently, Bill Smith, Paul Ewing and Liz Mack have taken it up with a vengeance with striking results.
"Graph ET 1" is the first finished piece that I created using the same technique the Paul, Bill, Liz and Don use. All of us in "PANO-Vision" learn a lot from each other and each of us makes invaluable contributions to the groups knowledge and technique base by that sharing. In PANO, as well call it for short, it's not about competition. We thrive by sharing. Each of us grows by contributing to an ongoing and easy exchange.
"MonitorPano" is achieved by setting one's cell phone camera on "Pano", clicking it on, while focusing on the desktop monitor and using the other hand to tap the arrow right ( or left ) key to quickly jump from photo to photo while the cell phone hand is pano-sabotaging the whole "pass". Tricky, and it takes some co-ordination, but it can be quite surprising what results.
This image was created for the PANO-Vision Groups Summer Contest, "PANO to the Metal".
www.flickr.com/groups/2892788@N23/discuss/72157667684597037/
Image culled from SLR shots done in 2011 and
"MonitorPanoed" and processed June 6, 2018.
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© Richard S Warner ( Visionheart ) - 2018. All Rights Reserved. This image is not for use in any form without explicit, express, written permission.
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I am VERY proud to announce that I was chosen to be the feature artist of the "Kreative People" Group's Spring Gallery - Running until the end of June. I really must thank both abstractartangel77 and Xandram for bestowing me with this great honour. The link to the gallery appears below:
Please visit my Kreative People Highlight Gallery HERE
I noviluni di questa estate non sono stati molto favorevoli. Spesso sereno ma con il cielo veramente poco trasparente. Inoltre anche la temperatura ambiente ha contribuito a complicare le cose per chi utilizza le DSLR non raffreddate.
Infatti in questa circostanza pur essendo a 1600 metri slm la temperatura non è mai scesa sotto i 20°C facendo lavorare il sensore della mia 550D intorno ai 26°-27°C e file.raw con rumore termico.
Ad ogni modo ho tentato di ottenere il massimo dall'immagine combinata con DSS.
Persino il gradiente da inquinamento luminoso ha voluto complicarmi la vita, ma spero che il risultato sia comunque gradevole.
The new moon this summer were not very favorable. Often without clouds but with very little transparent sky. Also, the ambient temperature has contributed to complicate matters for those who use DSLR uncooled.
In fact, on this occasion despite being at 1600 meters above sea level, the temperature never dropped below 20 ° C making the sensor work in my 550D around 26 ° -27 ° C and file.raw with thermal noise.
Anyway I tried to get the most from the image combined with DSS.
Even from light pollution gradient wanted complicate my life, but I hope that the result is still pleasant
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Lens: Zenit Giove-11A 135mm f/4
Camera: Canon EOS 550D (Rebel T2i) mod. Baader BCF
Mount: Sky Watcher HEQ5 Synscan
Seeing 2 (scala Antoniadi inversa)
29x300s 1600iso / 21 dark / 21 flat / 21 bias
date 09/07/2016
temperature 22°C (media)
Temperature sensor: 26°C (media)
Integration 2h 25min
Location: monti Nebrodi, (Sicily-Italy) 1550m slm
Elaborazione DSS + PSCS3.
If you like my photograph, feel free to download it.
Just click the link down below in case you wish to contribute with a donation. That would be highly appreciated, thank you :)
¿acaso no es la vida una suma de momentos? ¿Y que tal si tratamos de vivir cada uno de ellos de forma intensa y con actitud positiva? Hoy en día estamos rodeados de actitudes violentas por parte de las personas en general, uno lo ve todos los días. La impotencia me llena de angustia a veces, solo me queda contribuir en lo personal y mantener una actitud positiva y no caer en el juego de las confrontaciones innecesarias.
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Isn't life a sum of moments? And what if we try to live each of them intensely and with a positive attitude? Today we are surrounded by violent attitudes on the part of people in general, one sees it every day. Impotence fills me with anguish sometimes, I can only contribute personally and maintain a positive attitude and not fall into the game of unnecessary confrontations.
A view of the South State Street side of the William Brown Building in Rockford's West Downtown Historic District. Designed in 1889-91 and completed in 1892, the William Brown Building was one of the last major commercial buildings completed in Rockford between the Panic of 1893 and the Roaring Twenties. The building, named in honor of Judge William Brown, a successful lawyer and politician in the city who died during construction, is representative of the Romanesque Revival style that evolved from Henry Hobson Richardson who, along with Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan, are often referred to as the "Trinity of American Architecture." The style was inspired by the ancient Romans (1066-1200), but it was Richardson's personal interpretation and adaptation that accounts for the originality and importance of the work.
The William Brown Building's significant features of the style include its rusticated red stone base surrounding a monumental arched entry, monochromatic smooth red brick facing the upper stories, grouped windows recessed within the arches supported by pilasters, and rounded turrets. Occupying the prominent corner of South Main and Chestnut streets, the William Brown Building location was a result of the increased development on the west side of the river after the construction of the Chestnut Street Bridge in 1890. The building is one of the last remaining significant Romanesque Revival buildings in Rockford. Sadly, the name of the architect has been lost to history.
For its role as a significant local example of Romanesque architecture, the William Brown Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. The building was also listed as a contributing property when the West Downtown Rockford Historic District was created in 2007. Now converted into studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom rental lofts, the building is now known as the William Brown Lofts.
Joseph Aspdin of Leeds patented Portland Cement on 21 October 1924. While it revolutionised modern building, it has also contributed significantly to global warming. Nevertheless, it is not only still much in use but also being further developed to be more eco- and user-friendly as well as self-cleaning.
John Smeaton of Leeds is thought to have created the first modern concrete, a mixture of limestone and clay which was resistant to water, whilst he was preparing his work on the Eddystone Lighthouse around 1755.
Joseph Aspdin on Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Aspdin
Archaeologists working on the site of Brunel’s Great Western Dockyard development next to Brunel’s ss Great Britain, have discovered what is thought to be the first ever substantial use of Portland cement in the construction of a major building.
www.culture24.org.uk/history/archaeology/industrial+archa...
Originating in Leeds
www.mylearning.org/jpage.asp?jpageid=719&journeyid=200
The development of Portland Cement
www.buildingconservation.com/articles/prtlndcmnt/prtlndcm...
The history of concrete and cement
inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blconcrete.htm
Portland Cement on Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_cement
Ordinary Portland Cement with extraordinarily CO2 emissions. What can be done to reduce them?
www.buildingforafuture.co.uk/autumn05/ordinary_portland_c...
Self-cleaning concrete
www.cement.org/tech/self_cleaning.asp
John Smeaton on Wikipedia
I'm not really great with flower shots therefore very unusual for me to come up with a photo like this! :P See what all you flower flickr mates have done to me haha! i reckon i've caught the flora disease from most of you and have been feeling pretty flowery lately... ooh how exciting! :P That's one good reason why i thought i should contribute my little share into the nature community.
Anyway this shot came by when I was feeding my dog at the backyard last evening and happen to see this first lily which has blossomed next to the pond in my garden. That's pretty.. plucked 2 of them (as you can see the other one has not open yet)...into the vase they go and here comes thee camera LOL!