Until recently I was convinced that Bakewell blondie was a Derbyshire-based tribute act, though it turns out that it's a quite tasty cake.

Today the Hereios of the We’re Here! Group are enjoying Cake, have it and eat it too! That's because it's Sheila's sister's birthday, and we're all invited.

PS On a technical note, I remembered (for once) to use my phone camera's 'food' setting; the result seems to be that only the central area is in focus, which seems a bit strange.

I'm not convinced that Night Heron is the most appropriate name for this bird as all the ones I have seen have been active in the daytime!

It was the only wet day during a week in Hungary's bird-rich Hortbagy National Park when I encountered this heron - just 3 metres away behind a glass-fronted bird hide. I was ferreting about in the bushes outside the lakeside hide (looking for caterpillars!) when I saw this heron parachute in. I had a feeling it had landed on or near the reeds in front of the hide, so I entered as silently as I could and my camera was already mounted on a tripod ready for action. As I clicked away, I knew the bird could hear the noise of the camera - but was puzzled because he couldn't see me behind the one-way view glass. It's a shame it was raining and the light was poor, but it was an unforgettable moment to be so close to such a special bird.

Thanks for taking the time to view and comment on my photographs – it is greatly appreciated and encouraging!

© Roger Wasley 2015 all rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction for any reason is prohibited.

~Story people~

I'm a bit angry today, cause some IDIOT is stealing our photos again! And I already reported him like 12 hours ago and he is still here! :/

Sooo not good Flickr!

And I'm just wondering ... is really that hard to do something about this people? I see lots of web pages, which don't allow right click and copy&paste on their photos! Is this totally impossible for Flickr??

And no I don't want to go FF, cause I want the whooooole world to see my photos and I don't want to have a biiiig watermark over my photos!

Well HGGT guys ... hope this little bow is green enough! I just need something sweet for today! :)

Please no large glittery graphics, photos or big group invites in your comments!

Explored ... #161! :)

Should you be convinced you'll never be able to learn bird calls, start with the Gray Catbird. Once you've heard its catty mew you won't forget it. Follow the sound into thickets and vine tangles and you'll be rewarded by a somber gray bird with a black cap and bright rusty feathers under the tail. Gray Catbirds are relatives of mockingbirds and thrashers, and they share that group's vocal abilities, copying the sounds of other species and stringing them together to make their own song. [Ref: allaboutbirds.org]

While still not too convinced of Maren returning in my storiline, I thought too much about it that I ended coming up with a whole final arc for Aigara's story I ultimately decided to make "canon". However, it's not like he does much in the finale... Ups, talking too much =P

I'm convinced that looking out the window and seeing these two increases the quality of people's lives and maybe even the value of their property.

Do you think there's a polite way I could ask people to contribute to Jimmy and Mack's upkeep? They're not cheap.

Arcadia State Beach. Cannon Beach, Oregon USA.

Playing with designs on a new logo, any feedback welcome.

Floridians are convinced that it's really cold down here at this time of year. This photo was taken about half an hour after the sun had come up, and the air temperature here at the water's edge was probably about 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

(When I asked Siri about this, she said, "Cogitating ... 55 deegrees Fahrenheit converts to about 12.8 degrees Celsius." Seriously ... who says "cogitating" these days?")

Anyway -- if this woman had been from New Hampshire or Boston, she probably would have been dressed in a mini-bikini. I've been wearing shorts and a t-shirt since I got down here a couple days before Christmas, and the local people think I'm stark raving mad ...

Note: I chose this as my "photo of the day" for March 1, 2015.

********************************

I'm spending the winter months of 2014-2015 in a warm spot on the beach in Indialantic, FL (if I have Internet access, it doesn't matter too much where I'm physically located).

I'm trying to get up about an hour before sunrise every morning, and be out on the beach for a morning walk just as the sun peeks up above the horizon.

On the very first morning, and every morning thereafter, I've immediately noticed that I was not the only person on the beach. There are joggers and walkers out getting their exercise, and *lots* of fishermen casting their lines out into the surf. But down by the 5th Avenue boardwalk -- where you can park your car and get a cup of coffee/latte/whatever from the local Starbucks -- there are lots and lots of people who clearly come down here just to watch the sunrise

These are some of the people...

I convinced my wife you come with me to check out some of the places I visited the day before. Unfortunately the weather wasn't as nice so we had to omit some of the stops. Despite that, we had a blast. On another sad note, we had four more days left in Iceland but a stationary front with a lot of rain pretty much washed out the remainder of our trip. What a bummer.

I took these photos in mid-September 2021.

"In 2046, NEC (Northern European Commission) convinced leaders of the ISEA (Imperials of Southeast Asia) that the SE. Asia - S. Euro Province Treaty of 2045 was an armament/dominance chain that would inevitably overthrow each continent one by one. Intercepted messages showed that their battleplans were flawed and poorly developed yet strong enough to make a war w/ Asia over in less than a year." NEC Field Marshal Bernett Geschwin and ISEA Lieutenant Kiska Shih would each send in a hardened veteran task force to carry out the job. NEC deployed the famed 49th Infantry 'Meadowmen' and ISEA's 21st Samurais' 'Red Batons' to take down the PEUC's 67th Artillery Battalion. The most famous part recalled was the Siege of Ryu Ame, in which their were sevral rebelious citizens and extremely high resistance 3 miles away by 231mm Bon Bon Mortars. The only artillery received by Allied forces were 80mm 'Whiskey Rocket' Quad mortars and 75mm 'Tank Carbines'. The raids took place from the landings on May 9th 2046 to the parliament capture of June 14th, 2046 in several classified locations."

I am not convinced that these seeds are mature but as they are freshly harvested I will sow them immediately.

A couple years ago Arjen Lommen of the Passiflorahoeve Netherlands produced a seedling and I was told a few days ago by Maurizio Vecchia (National collection Passiflora, Italy) that he has a young plant. If I can succeed in raising these, I will be donating specimens to Kew Gardens in the name of my benefactor. (Thank you!)

Henk van Aalst said a few days ago to a mutual acquaintance that he has the species in his collection but it is not offered for sale on his website.

I convinced my wife you come with me to check out some of the places I visited the day before. Unfortunately the weather wasn't as nice so we had to omit some of the stops. Despite that, we had a blast. On another sad note, we had four more days left in Iceland but a stationary front with a lot of rain pretty much washed out the remainder of our trip. What a bummer.

I took these photos in mid-September 2021.

What is it about crossdressing that gives some men a such state of mind that only those of us who feel compelled to do it and get to do it can fully experience?

As I have mentioned, countless times, I am convinced that I was born a crossdresser and it has to do with my brain's wiring rather than any childhood trauma or fetish. I was not forcefully dressed as a girl or" humiliated" in that way at any point in my life, but have memories, from a very early age, about willingly trying on some of my mother's garments and shoes, that obviously did not fit. I am the oldest of four children and the one sister is the youngest, and ten years younger than I. So, there were no big sisters in the picture either. It has always been something I have felt compelled to do and have found ways to do it throughout my life. At first there was the guilt and shame, then the thrill and excitement and, once I came to terms with it, the real peace and enjoyment.

Do I need an answer to the question with which I started this writing? Not really; all I need is self acceptance and ways to express this facet of my being.

Young CDs have it easier today since there is more awareness and even acceptance or tolerance from society. Those who are around my age and older had to go through rough times and many still do. My advice to all is to not try to find an explanation or cure but rather for self acceptance. Once you come to terms with who you are, you will be able to fully enjoy your feminine expression and presentation.

There is always the issue of keeping it in hiding, and that is perhaps the most difficult phase that most of us, older girls, have gone through. At one point or another we have had to hide it from loved ones and, in most cases, from friends, coworkers and other people around us. The fear of being rejected or disowned by loved ones is always too strong an issue to come clean with our spouse and family. I was lucky to confide my "secret" to my wife, for 30 years now, when we were only friends and know that most of our sisters still live in hiding. In my opinion, a loved one will appreciate our telling them and if they really love us they will at least tolerate it within reasonable limits. It is very important that to have clear information from trustworthy sources so that they can draw their own conclusions and realize that we are not gay or want to be women. Please do not take this as encouragement but rather as something to take into consideration.

Feeling AT EASE will only come when the guilt and shame is gone.

_______________________________________________________

¿Por qué travestirse causa tal estado mental en algunos hombres que solo quienes sienten el impulso de hacerlo y llegan a hacerlo pueden realmente experimentar?

Como he mencionado, innumerables veces, estoy convencido de que nací crossdresser y que esto es a causa de la manera en que mi cerebro está cableado y no tiene que ver con algún trauma de infancia o fetichismo. Jamás fui forzada a vestir de nena cuando era niño o "humillado" de esa manera en mi vida, pero tengo recuerdos, de muy temprana edad, en los que por mi propia voluntad me ponía prendas y zapatos de mi madre aunque me quedaban enormes. Soy el mayor de cuatro hermanos y la única mujer es la menor , con 10 años menos que yo; por lo que tampoco existió el factor "hermana mayor". Siempre he sentido este impulso y, a lo largo de mi vida, he encontrado la manera de hacerlo. Al principio me producía la vergüenza y la culpa, luego era la emoción y éxtasis y, una vez me acepté como soy, vino la verdadera paz y disfrute.

¿Necesito tener respuesta a la pregunta con la que inicié este texto? En realidad, no; todo lo que necesito es esa auto-aceptación y oportunidades para expresar esta faceta de mi ser.

Los CD jóvenes la tienen más fácil hoy ya que hay más difusión, tolerancia y hasta aceptación por parte de la sociedad. Quienes somos de mi generación o anteriores, tuvieron que pasar por etapas difíciles y muchos las siguen padeciendo. Mi consejo es que no intenten de encontrar una explicación o cura sino que se acepten como son. Una vez dejan de sentirse culpables y se aceptan como son, podrán verdaderamente disfrutar a plenitud de su manifestación y presentación femenina.

por supuesto que siempre está el asunto de mantenerlo en secreto y este es, sin duda, el aspecto más difícil por el que la mayoría de nosotros, los CD mayores, hemos tenido que pasar. En algún momento u otro de nuestras vidas hemos tenido que ocultarnos de seres queridos, y en la mayoría de casos, de amistades, compañeros de trabajo y personas a nuestro derredor. El temor a ser rechazados o desconocidos por seres queridas es demasiado fuerte como para confiarlo a nuestras esposas o familiares. Yo tuve la suerte de haberle confiado "el secreto" a mi esposa, con quien llevo 30 años de matrimonio, cuando solamente éramos amigos y sé que muchos CD siguen viniéndolo en secreto. En mi opinión, un apersona amada apreciará que les confiemos esta parte de nosotros y si verdaderamente nos aman, al menos lo tolerarán dentro de ciertos límites. Es muy importante tener argumentos de fuentes confiables para que puedan comprender que no somos gay ni queremos ser mujeres, al momento de explicar. Por favor no tomen esto como motivación pero sí como algo a tomar en cuenta.

Nos sentiremos A GUSTO, hasta que la culpa y la vergüenza se hayan ido.

Well, I really wanted to see this film. I liked the first one, and this one looked so epic in trailers. However, when I saw critic's ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, I really was surprised and even shocked: ratings were so low😱 So I decided to check this film out by myself and went on it...

And now I'm convinced once again, how critics can be wrong. In my opinion the film was spectacular, I really enjoyed it. ATtLG is much more brighter that Burton's AiW, and I think it makes this film more better than the first one (original was a bit too dark in my opinion). I remember that some critics called film's plot 'illogical', but I'd say that this film doesn't need any logic: Wonderland is the land of crazy people, and it definetly doesn't need logic at all. I've found the story in this film pretty entertaining. So, I want to say: don't trust critics. See for yourself.

"I'm almost convinced that I'm never awake. I'm not sure if I'm not in fact dreaming when I live, and living when I dream, or if dreaming and living are for me intersected, intermingled things that together form my conscious self." - Fernando Pessoa

With what is happening lately, I feel like I'm awake yet I'm not fully there. sigh*

This is me, rocking the chair in the hospital room.

Another week of being in that room and I really need to work with what I have. (I can't do hallways anymore because the security caught me once already! :P We'll see.... )

I'm convinced that nowhere on the east coast do we get to see the first hand battle between Mother Nature and humans as along Hwy 12 on the Outer Banks. It's a beautiful place that I love to visit and respect the hell out of people who grow up there, work there and call it home.

The final pictures I took on this wondrous piece of art. I'm convinced I could have taken a 100 more, given time :-)

Goodbye Fantasy Faire 2015!!

I have had very little opportunity to get out and shoot pictures lately. I had stage 4 arthritis in my left hip and it was just too painful to walk much. However on 2/26 I had hip replacement surgery and on 3.12 I had a check up to see if I was walking well enough to drive and return to work. I was released to return to work and start driving again on 3.18 but on this day I convinced my wife that she needed to help get me out of the house and find the plow extra called for this day. Beig a good sport she did and we found slowly proceeding to the Whittier Branch where over two feet of snow had fallen. Alas we would never get there as the DOT decided they would need to bring down an avalanche with the howitzer so the train didn't make it past Girdwood under my watch. Nonetheless it was good to get out and take some photos. I owe a good deal of gratitude to wife who was a good sport about it all, although I did take her to lunch first. 3.12.24

Bright suns, travelers!

Ever since building and sharing my miniature diorama of the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge layout based on the early Imagineering concept art in 2016 (long before the official name had been announced and many referred to the developing expansions at the time as “Star Wars Land,”) I had convinced myself that I was going to build larger, minifigure-scale sections of Batuu once the land was open and the details of Black Spire Outpost could be experienced up close and personal.

After pouring through as many reference photos, videos, and concept art as I could get my hands on, I now present a minifg-scale display of the entrance/facade to the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction, home of Ohnaka Transport Solutions.

With the iconic Millennium Falcon docked out front of the curved hangar bay, beneath the rocky spires of an alien world, this section of Galaxy’s Edge is perhaps what we all think of when we think of a perfect amalgamation of the visual aesthetics of not only the Galaxy’s Edge experience, but Star Wars in general. I worked diligently to capture all the details I could pack in at this scale, attempting to blend the natural landscape of the Batuu spires with the weathered and lived-in hangar building. Using the 75257 version of the Falcon (with some minor exterior modifications and added greebles), the rest was built up and around to create a bustling corner of Black Spire Outpost for Hondo Ohnaka to conduct his smuggling operations, while avoiding the suspicion of the First Order patrols.

Thanks for checking out my design! Good journeys to you all— Til the spire!

A few weeks back I convinced a couple of my friends to come along with me on the Peyto lake hike for a sunrise shoot. Guided by the soft moonlight reflecting off the white snow we made our way through knee deep snow to this location. The fresh powder on the trees, soft pink hues of dawn and the glacial lake like the crowning jewel of the landscape, so precious to behold it makes us realize the true treasures of our beautiful world.

I convinced my wife you come with me to check out some of the places I visited the day before. Unfortunately the weather wasn't as nice so we had to omit some of the stops. Despite that, we had a blast. On another sad note, we had four more days left in Iceland but a stationary front with a lot of rain pretty much washed out the remainder of our trip. What a bummer.

I took these photos in mid-September 2021.

A friend convinced me to upload this... I'm tempted to take it down...

just some stuff/concepts I've been experimenting on for a couple of weeks... behind the scenes I guess. I decided to share one... so take a look before I remove it.

"Though the long tradition of “snipe hunt” pranks at summer camp has convinced many people otherwise, Wilson’s Snipes aren’t made-up creatures. These plump, long-billed birds are among the most widespread shorebirds in North America. They can be tough to see thanks to their cryptic brown and buff coloration and secretive nature. But in summer they often stand on fence posts or take to the sky with a fast, zigzagging flight and an unusual “winnowing” sound made with the tail." From AllAboutBirds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wilsons_Snipe/id

According to Fisher and Acorn's book, "Birds of Alberta", "the common Snipe is both secretive and well camouflaged, so few people notice it until it flushes suddenly from a nearby grassy tussock. As soon as the Snipe takes to the air, it performs a series of quick zigzags - an evasive maneuver designed to confuse predators. Because of this habit, Snipes were among the most difficult birds to shoot (in the days when shorebirds were hunted for sport), and skilled sportsmen were known as "snipers" - a term later adopted by the military."

youtu.be/Z16CUdX2g5Q

The 10 photos posted this morning are photos taken on 23 June 2019 in my "usual" area, on my way home from the annual Ghost Watershed Alliance botany walk and BBQ. After a birdless morning, I knew I would be able to find a few birds closer to home. I hadn't really expected to find a Bobolink, so this was an extra treat.

That day, 23 June, was a fun day, despite the fact that it was raining a good part of the time. It was the annual Ghost Watershed Alliance walk, which ends with a delicious fundraiser BBQ at noon. This botany walk, through the forest and along the top of the cliff by the Ghost River, is led by our main Naturalist, Gus Yaki, and hosted by Erik Butters. I can't remember how many of these events I have been to over the years, but certainly a few.

It was a very early start to that day, as I wanted to allow about two hours' travel time. There has been some flooding in certain areas and I wasn't sure if there might be a road or two blocked off. As it turned out, I reached the meeting place in plenty of time, so drove a bit further to see what I could find. Just an attractive, old wagon that I have seen before, and some adorable, new calves in one of the fields.

I like to drive myself out there, as I then have the choice to drive somewhere else when all is finished, if I have any energy left. Exactly what I did, enjoying myself photographing Mountain Bluebirds, a Wilson's Snipe, and the Bobolink which was unfortunately perched on a high wire. Better than nothing, though.

www.wijnandschouten.com

Me neither.

The photo captures the quiet beauty of the morning, some years ago. I was just minding my own business, stopping along the country road to take pictures when an Ohio State Patrol Officer turned on his siren briefly as he pulled up behind my parked car. I was 50 feet further on, playing with the camera. As he walked up to me, I raised my arms high, camera and all, trying to convey that I wasn't a risk to him. A few sentences convinced him I was OK but he ordered me to get on my way. I said, Yes, sir! And would you like me to send you a copy of the best photos? He glared at me and turned away.

Probably February the year of 2004, east of St. Mary's, in NW Ohio.

I was at work today and I heard the garbage truck coming down the next street and I thought it sounded different, I was almost convinced that it was the demo Isuzu GenV which Suez’s Rocklea depot are currently using as it sounded like an Isuzu. However when I caught a glimpse of it I saw that it was a brand new demo Dennis Series 5 Raptor but when it accelerated it had a really unusual and unique sound to it, it sounded nothing like the traditional Cummins/Allison drivetrain, it had a real whine and then when it slowed down a retarder kicked in a bit like the sound that buses make when the retarder turns on during heavy breaking. I had to get some gear from my car and luckily the truck was doing the other side of the street so I managed to get two pictures and I almost thought it was powered by natural gas due to the big cover where the fuel tank should be, but on closer inspection at smoko I saw it had an AdBlue tank and knew it was a diesel powered beast. It then clicked to me that this was one of the new Dennis Elite 2 Hybrid trucks which I have seen and heard about on the internet, I was pretty chuffed to see one, pretty rare even for a demo. The cooler thing about this truck is that even though it’s a Raptor Series 5 which normally rev to around 850-900rpm, this truck revved all to 950rpm during collections just like a GenV which what made me think it was the Isuzu GenV as it didn’t sound like a Cummins powered truck. Anyway the truck is powered by the usual Cummins ISLe5 but features a brand new Hydraulic Hybrid drivetrain made by Parker Hannfin of the US which is called the RunWise Hydraulic Hybrid Drive System which replaces the usual Allison driveline.

I’m not sure how popular this hybrid technology will be, it may be good at saving fuel, however if it costs significantly more than the traditional Cummins/Allison option I can’t imagine it being too popular as most waste companies tend to go for proven, reliable concepts and are all after a very good deal when the head to the dealer, however they are always after lower maintenance and running cost’s, so there are some interesting times ahead.

I'm curious as to why Suez have quite a few new demo trucks in the Rocklea depot at the moment, thankfully I get to see most of them. I also saw the new Acco/Bucher GenV on the way home from work picking up green waste and as they have had it for so long I wonder if they acquired it, I wonder that as one of the green waste trucks caught fire a few weeks ago down around Calamvale and I am not sure if it’s a write off truck. I’ll be planning to get some footage over the Christmas break so I will try to get more info off the drivers, but I’ll see if I can get any footage of the new trucks Suez are currently using!

You convinced me to buy some fake flowers for your dad today on our anniversary. "They're undying flowers, Mom!" (You know how I hate to watch flowers dying slow deaths in front of me.) I don't know if it was the 10,000 things on my mind, the store's massive assault on my senses, or the idea of buying expensive fake flowers but I could not for the life of me make a decision. 30 minutes and a mild panic attack later, I decided on one pink peony. It cost $4.99 and was 40% off. You helped me do the math. Parenting you little people has fried all my brain cells but I am happy. It is a happy life we have made.

I wasn't entirely convinced about these "buildable figures" but the Grievous model certainly did catch my eye, so I ended up grabbing one on special for 20% off...

During the build, two things struck me; first was how large this guy is, the second was how flippin' elegant this 'constraction' system really is, especially with these new fairing parts.

So after I was done, I was suitably impressed, and naturally, had to get Obi-wan so I could pose the two for this duel.

I've also put Vader on my xmas list (because, Vader) and will almost certainly pick up the First Order Stormtrooper from the second wave cos it looks damn cool. Might even get that X-wing pilot too.

These figures are a great size and are super posable - they look fantastic on display!

I’ve finally convinced my little sister Kandi Robbins to both smile and pose for a photo with me.

That’s a joke!!!!!!!

Anyone who knows Kandi probably can not imagine her camera shy nor without her signature big smile.

From my experience, her smile is genuine. She has a lot to grin about and be proud of. This composite image shows one example.

Kandi’s story is told, with gorgeous photos, in this month’s ALM magazine (left). You can read that her interview is highlighted on the magazine cover reproduced in this composite image.

It's just another dot point on her ballooning resume......

Now that she’s been a model who just walked in the New York Fashion Show, featured in a mainstream bridal magazine, and included as an actor in shows you see streaming on TV, is “Too Much Kandi?” a relevant question?

Not for me. See her stuff at www.kandis-land.com/

In the photo of us (right side), I appear to be swooning over Kandi. That may well be. But it could also be that I’m overcome with the scent of those cut flowers pinned to my hair. Not kidding!

I love witnessing friends pursuing their dreams, but watching Kandi is becoming nearly a full-time job. Wow!

Enjoy,

Nora

PS- I do not remember who shot this image with my smartphone. Please LMK and I’ll give photo credit.

When we first adopted Bogart, we were convinced that he didn't have a mean bone in his body. Or, if he did, it was amputated with his worthless leg that had dangled at his side since birth. However, our opinion has change over the past several months. First, Bogart's jealousy emerged. Then, yes, a mean streak. Bogart knows that Magnus loves sticks. So Bogart grabs sticks from Magnus' mouth for the sole purpose of breaking them. It even goes deeper than that. . .

#74 Backlit

112 pictures in 2012

[SOOC, f/2.8, ISO 100, shutter speed 1/500, +2 EV]

After being convinced to try out the high ISO on my new camera, I waited patiently for CF4412 and CF4411 to power through on 2194 to Botany, at the unheard of level of 12800 ISO!

2019-02-11 SRS CF4412-CF4411 Maldon 2194N

Zeng Chenggang: "Lotus", NordArt 2018

Hub van Doorne was convinced that one day everybody would like to own a car. This led to the construction of a prototype of a cheap car that would provide shelter against the elements, hence its nickname : "Mobile Raincoat'. As it was only 80 cm wide, it would pass through most front doors.

The car had a hydraulic converter, developed by Daf. This prototype was not further developed. The folding roof acted as an emergency exit in case the car turned over and ended up on its single door.

150 cc

Vmax : 45 km/h

DAF Museum

Eindhoven

Nederland - Netherlands

August 2018

View on black

I occassionally get asked by friends whether there is actually any colour in Wales (and people)! Well I can't answer both of those questions with this photo but hopefully I can dispel the myth that I live in a monchrome world.

This photo is really a reminder for me that you just have to keep trying your best to get out, even if at times it doesn't seem like it'll be worth it. I had my best pout on yesterday evening as the rain came down around 7pm and looked set to scupper my plans to get out. Eventually it cleared though and I convinced my (lovely!) wife to ferry me around. I didn't really know what to shoot and the first place I stopped really didn't offer anything. So I figured I'd head back to the breakwater and see if there was much on offer near this new landing point. I thought it was going to be another fruitless evening as the bright sunshine was lovely to stand in but it's angle made it difficult for me to get any kind of composition. However just as it started to set the opportunity to take this shot made itself available.

I think this is a real success for my new filters. Without the grad NDs, I'm not sure I'd have managed to get the balance right. I'm really enjoying using them and they're less of a fiddle than I expected.

Shot details

Canon 600D (T3i/Kiss X5)

Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 EF-S USM @ 10mm

Lee Big Stopper

Lee .9 Soft Grad ND

ISO 100

300 second exposure @ f11

PSE10

500px | G+ | My website

a recent selfie... big changes are in the air but not very convinced

am I doing the right thing???

Things Mac has convinced Evie of:

You have to be 80 to get a Santa license.

Some Santas are perverts and try to eat you in your sleep.

Pervert- a person who forces you to eat white snow.

Important people have machines that change the weather.

Christmas trees can speak and sing, and after Christmas, they fly up into the sky.

Some people lie to sheep just because they're sheep.

Location: Coruscant, Underworld

///Log Entry\\\

This has not been a good week. First, I lost my speeder. Then, I got stabbed in the arm by a lightsaber. I'm convinced Coruscant is cursed. At least Sev and I managed to escape from the Sith assassin. That's a positive, right? Though if Cray and Jehk hadn't shown up to check on our progress, we'd have been goners. I'm beginning to agree with Sev that we need to get off this planet.

But before I left, I wanted to pay that weapons dealer in the underworld one last visit. Zach had given us instructions to "clean out" the Coruscant underworld, so what better place to start than with that speeder-stealing nerf herder? Unfortunately, he wasn't at his shop when Sev and I came looking for him. As we left, I overheard his protocol droid mention that he was meeting some clients near the sewers to hand-off some weapons. So, we headed to the sewers. I made sure to bring along a pair of stuncuffs so that we could detain him and hand him over to the New Republic.

At the sewers, I was overjoyed to see the Golden Nexu safe and sound. However, it was clear that rescuing her might be difficult. As it turned out, the weapons dealer's clients were a Bestoonian warrior and the Sith assassin.

"Give me the axe," Sev said. "I'll create a diversion."

"Not with my beskar axe you won't."

Sev grinned. "Trust me."

I gave Sev the axe, and he handed me his blaster since I had lost mine while fighting the Sith assassin. I snuck closer to the weapons dealer and his clients until I was close enough to overhear their conversation.

"Here are the two crates of blasters you requested, Ochi" said the weapons dealer. "I also took the liberty of bringing along a camtono of thermal detonators. Perhaps we could make a deal, hm?

"Where is the dagger?" snapped Ochi.

The weapons dealer laughed. "That dusty old relic? Yes, yes, I brought it."

The Bestoonian fidgeted impatiently. "That dagger is very important to my employer. I must have it."

"Any item can be acquired at the right price," said the weapons dealer with a smile.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Sev creeping along the edge of the sewer and onto a bridge leading across the sewage. I think I understood what he was doing. By splitting up, we could attack the group from two sides. This was a good plan.

"Mara!" Sev shouted suddenly. "You don't have to serve the Sith."

Nope, this was a horrible plan.

The weapons dealer and Ochi spun around. The Sith assassin ignited her lightsaber and sprinted towards Sev. I started blasting at the weapons dealer and Ochi while Sev and the assassin clashed blades on the bridge. With one smooth movement, the Bestoonian ripped the dagger from the weapons dealer's hands. The weapons dealer clutched at the blade, but Ochi struck him in the chest with the dagger. Grabbing the whimpering man by the collar, Ochi snarled, "No one negotiates with the Sith. We take what is ours." A powerful shove sent the weapons dealer sprawling into the sewer, and with a desperate cry, he sank beneath the foul water. Can't say that I was sorry to see him go.

By this time, I had reached the Golden Nexu, and I jumped in the cockpit. It felt good to be reunited with my ride. I powered up the blaster cannons and directed a volley of blaster fire at the Bestoonian. Ochi lept out of the way, and realizing that he was now outgunned, he darted away into the shadows. So much for loyalty.

I swung the Golden Nexu around to face Sev and Mara, who were still battling on the bridge.

"I know you're conflicted," Sev told the assassin as he dodged the crackling red blades of her lightsaber. "You always have been. They said it's what made you weak, but it's what makes you strong."

Dank ferrik, I thought. Did he prepare a speech beforehand? Does he have notes?

"You're a failed experiment," the assassin snarled. "You're nothing."

Fire burned in Sev's eyes. "I am what I choose to be."

He swung the beskar axe in a powerful arc that sent Mara stumbling backward. Seeing me in the Golden Nexu, Sev jumped out of my line of fire, and I locked my blaster cannons onto the assassin.

"Put your lightsaber down, or I'll blast you into the next galaxy," I shouted.

It only took a moment for the Sith assassin to see that she was trapped, and she cautiously threw her lightsaber onto the metal platform. I tossed my pair of stuncuffs to Sev, who quickly placed the cuffs on Mara's wrists.

"I warn you," Mara said. "The Sith will come for me."

"If they're anything like Ochi, we won't be seeing them soon," Sev said.

The Sith assassin frowned. "What do you plan to do with me?"

"For starters, I can think of a certain Jedi who would like to ask you a few questions," I said. "Ever heard of Luke Skywalker?"

///End Log\\\

This is my entry for the third and final phase of the third mission in the Survivors RPG. Check out the RPG! www.flickr.com/groups/thesurvivorsrpg/

God bless!

-BH

Last weekend I convinced my wife to take pictures of her. It is the first time I experimented with low key pictures. For a real low key it seems there is to much light but I and she like it.

All pictures done in the living room. :-)

Strobist info: Selfmade striplights camera left and camera right. The striplight behind her was equipped with ohne YN560III @ 24mm and 1/8 (down to 1/16) power. The keylight was equipped with an YN560III @ 24mm and 1/4 power. All speedlights triggered with the 560-TX.

Post processing: I tried a new workflow for beauty retouching. This is my first trial and I try to improve it. I want to get rid of the frequency seperation. So in this picture I just used really decent the healing brush and heavy D&B. After that some color corrections and a curve to improve the overall look. Nothing else done (no blurred skin :-D ).

PS: I'm really proud of my wife. She has always to model for me and she get never bored! Love you!

~StoryPeople

HBW!!

32/365

Between 1898 and 1906 three adjacent houses in one block on the fashionable boulevard 'Passeig de Gracia' were built by some of the most important modernist architects: Casa Amatller (designed by Puig i Cadafalch), Casa Lléo Morera (designed by Domènech i Montaner) and Gaudí's Casa Batlló.

All three houses were designed in a different interpretation of the modernist style in what seems like a competition between the architects. This lead to the local term 'Mançana de la Discordia', which means apple of discord, referring to Greek mythology where an apple, given by the goddess Eris 'to the fairest' lead to a dispute between three goddesses, eventually leading to the Trojan War. Conveniently the word mançana also means 'block', so the expression 'Mançana de la Discordia' can also be translated as 'Block of Discord'.

Of the three houses, Wooden door, Gaudi style Casa Batlló is the most expressive. The house was originally built between 1875 and 1877. In 1900 it was bought by the rich industrialist Josep Battló i Casanovas who commissioned Gaudí to tear down the old house and reconstruct a new one. Gaudí however convinced Battló to remodel the existing building. Between 1904 and 1906 Gaudí redesigned the facade and roof, added an extra floor and completely remodeled the interior.

The façade of the Casa Batlló is quite whimsical. It is made of sandstone covered with colorful trencadis (a Catalan type of mosaic). Typical of Gaudí, straight lines are avoided whenever possible. The first floor features irregularly sculpted oval Detail of the roofwindows. Balconies at the lower floors have bone-like pillars, those on the upper floors look like pieces of skulls. These features gave the house the nickname 'House of Bones'. The enlarged windows on the first floor gave it another nickname, 'House of Yawns'.

The colorful scaled roof recalls a reptile skin. According to some authorities on Gaudí architecture, the roof represents a dragon; the small turret with a cross would symbolize the sword of St. George stuck into the dragon. The bones and skulls on the facade represent all the dragon's victims.

Some explanation would serve.

I'm completely convinced that Mother Nature loves nature photographers. It may not always show, and sometimes the answer is 'not today', but Ma Nature does feel the love.

Many are the days when I go out to photograph, and find very little. Sound familiar? However, on so very many of those days, as I'm hiking out of the area, reconciled to having few results, something wonderful and unexpected will appear.

So it was today. The hike into and through the woods was 95% exercise, with a couple of so-so photos. I was on the trail out of the woods, literally half a minute from being done, when a big bird flew over me from behind.

It landed well up in a tree, directly above a place where several families of Canada Geese were eating spilled corn. Clearly it was trying to choose from the smorgasbord below.

I started snapping right away, from a distance. Shoot a few, move several steps closer, shoot a few...etc. I got close enough that it scared the geese away, and then the hawk flew off. I watched, and it landed on the top of a pole nearby, in the railroad yard.

THIS is the teaser photo. It would stand alone, but there are better to come. I think this may be the Red Tail Morph I showed some days ago...about two miles from where this was shot.

Because the question came up, I will repeat again: The hawk is a Krider's Morph juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk, hence the almost completely white chest.

DISCLAIMER: my nature and wildlife photos are shot in the wild, handheld, while hiking. No blinds, no tripods, no remote triggers. When I can see my subjects, they can see and hear me!

Convinced it's the idea of me feeling like the witch from Wizard of Oz on a "I'm melting" sort of way hmm maybe I need Look into getting green skin and pointy nose and adding that to my looks to try 🤔

some friends are convinced something weird and magnificent is going to happen today ... she says it will be an 'enlightenment of the mind' and he says maybe he'll win the lottto (says he heard a voice ... i hope he's right) ... so what are they doing today to receive these wonderous gifts?? ... why, they are headed up to the indian casino for the day! ... lol

anyway, they enjoy some of my weirder images and said i should put togeter an image to celebrate this special day, so i put this together for them ... well, they said it's a bit too weird .... what????

... so, i asked, maybe if i added a hat??? ... give him a bit more class (see in comments) .... nope, still to strange, they said .... i can't win!!

anyway, enjoy the images, unless they're too strange for you, too ... a few images combined and, as usual, tossed about with a bit of orton and a few textures ... enjoy the weekend and a big thank you to our vets!!