This blue hour photograph of Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands (MBS) with drifting clouds was taken from the building roof of Marina Barrage. The lit natural and super-trees in the Garden, domes and distinctive boat-like roof top design of MBS, are some of the attractive features of Marina Bay. The floating pontoon in the right foreground provides space for small vessels to be moored.

Best wishes for a great weekend!

The largest sphere of the Pearl of the Orient Tower.

The tower features in total 11 spheres in various sizes. The biggest sphere is 50 meters in diameter with an open air observation deck 90 meters above ground level.

© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.

Trompe Loeil has come out with the Modern Hensley Cottage for faMESHed this round..so many wonderful features in this home from the large open windows with shutters (open and close with the click of your mouse) , to the gorgeous rock fireplaces on both levels. If you don't have a kitchen set, never fear! There is a version that includes a kitchen, so you can just move right in and get to cooking! The upper floor has a beautiful sprawling outside deck perfect for entertaining...I decided to feature that space so you can see how beautiful and roomy it is! Pictured:

Trompe Loeil - Hensley Modern Cottage PG and Adult Versions available

faMESHed event: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FaMESHed/226/144/1001

Trompe Loeil Mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hyde%20Park/224/167/39

Trompe Loeil Flickr: flic.kr/ps/32Kg2u

Additional items used:

[Tia] Valarie Silverleaf Wreath

Apple Fall Hampton Outdoor Fireplace

Apple Fall Summer Parasol

Apple Fall Chester Outdoor Dining Chair

Apple Fall Design Books

Apple Fall Althea Rug - Antique Dark

Apple Fall Althea Rug - Antique Light

West Village Clinton Bed, Charcoal Quilted - Adult

hive // areca palm plant

hive // large palm plant . dark

hive // kentia palm plant

dust bunny . giant palm plant

Nutmeg. Disarray Old Jar Plant

Succulent Bowl CHEZ MOI

Pixel Mode - Under the Sun - Weathered Coffee Table

Pixel Mode - Under the Sun - Sectional - White RARE

[Rezz Room] British Shorthair Napping

~BAZAR~Berlin-painting3

dust bunny . potted cheese plant

dust bunny . potted bromeliad

dust bunny . potted jade plant

dust bunny . potted rubber tree

dust bunny . potted dragon tree

Thanks for your support always! ❤️

Features:

Rosalia bento female poses

******Available in main store as a weekend sale from now until the 10th****

6 bento poses with mirror

Poses Stand include

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

-Inworld- Mainstore Lush

-Webside- Marketplace

One of the features I love so much about the barred owl is their eyes . They are so big and so bright. You can not help but love them. Another species that is hard for me to stop from hitting the shutter button.

Wishing you a great start to the new week and may it be a blessed one too !!

Thruscross is a hamlet in the Harrogate district of North Yorkshire, England. It lies in the Washburn Valley, 11 miles west of Harrogate. The parish includes Thruscross Reservoir and a large area of moorland west of the reservoir

eng.taiwan.net.tw/pda/m1.aspx?sNo=0002113&id=6596

Wanggong is a typical fishing village. It is famous for its oyster culture business and rich natural landscapes and cultural resources, such as the coastal features like mangrove forests, water birds, fiddler crabs and mudskippers; the fishing village scenes like the Wanggong Fishing Port, lighthouse, sea-watching platform and bamboo rafts; and local industries like the asparagus fields, dairy ranches, and aquaculture ponds. The Changhua County Government is also undertaking the Wanggong Port Area Reengineering Program to renew the area in order to attract more visitors. The Hanbao Wetlands in the township is one of the ideal spots for water bird watching just next to the outlet of Dadu River. Environmental groups are planning to develop the area into an ecological park and have already organized the Hanbao Wild Bird Festival which made bird lovers excited. Fangyuan has a wide variety of agricultural and fishery specialties, and the gourmet foods of Wanggong are the favorites of connoisseurs. Therefore, your backpack will be full after an excursion to Fangyuan.

zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E7%8E%8B%E5%8A%9F

王功，舊名王宮，台灣地名，位於彰化縣芳苑鄉，居王功漁港之西，是縣道148線起點。[參 1][參 2][參 3]

王功的興盛衰落全與漁港緊連，境內寺廟於此時期內應運而生，如：壽山宮、福海宮皆是當地居民的重要信仰，後期發展成觀光及美食，如：王功夕照成為王功漁火節活動主題，以及芳漢路是以蚵嗲為主的美食街。[參 4][參 5]如今，王功為一觀光兼具商業的市集。

At Pashley Manor Gardens you will discover 11 acres of beautiful borders and vistas – the culmination of a lifetime of passion for gardening, an appetite for beauty and an admiration of the tradition of the English Country garden. These graceful gardens, on the border of Sussex and Kent, are family owned and maintained – visitors often express delight at the attention to detail displayed throughout and the intimate, peaceful atmosphere.

All the ingredients of the English Country Garden are present – sweeping herbaceous borders, ha-ha, well maintained lawns, box hedges, espaliered rose walk, historic walled garden, inspiring kitchen garden, venerable trees and the Grade I listed house as a backdrop. The gardens are a haven for wildlife – bees, butterflies and small birds as well as moor hens, ducks and a black swan. Then, of course, the plants! Borders overflowing with perennials and annuals – the look changing through the seasons, but always abundantly filled, and each garden ‘room’ planted in a different colour theme.

Pashley is also renowned for fantastic displays of tulips, roses and dahlias. Our annual Tulip Festival features more than 48,000 tulips this year! During Special Rose Week over a hundred varieties of rose swathe the walls, climb obelisks and bloom in flower beds. Then in late summer our Dahlia Days event transforms the gardens once more with bountiful, brightly coloured dahlias in every border and pot.

Add to all this a Café and Terrace with excellent garden views, serving delicious homemade lunches, scones and cakes; Sculpture and Art Exhibitions; a Gift Shop with Plant Sales; and a friendly, knowledgeable team waiting to welcome you, and the recipe for a wonderful day out is complete.

For more information please visit www.pashleymanorgardens.com/

The most noticeable features of Bidean nam Bian are the famous Three Sisters of Glen Coe, three steeply-sided ridges that extend north into the Glen.

Two of the sisters, Gearr Aonach (Short Ridge) and Aonach Dubh (Black Ridge) converge at Stob Coire nan Lochan, a 1,115 m (3,658 feet) subsidiary peak of

Bidean nam Bian that lies about 1 km to the northeast of the actual summit.

The final, most easterly sister, Beinn Fhada (Long Hill), joins the Bidean nam Bian massif at the summit of Stob Coire Sgreamhac

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Good%20Girls/199/194/22

For Details, check out my Blog at roselennafashions.blogspot.com/2021/04/gloss_20.html

The windmills are the quintessential features of Mykonos landscape. There are plenty of them that have become a part and parcel of Mykonos. Visitors to Mykonos can see the windmills irrespective of the locale. From a distance, one can easily figure out the windmills, courtesy of their silhouette. They are primarily concentrated in the neighborhood of Chora and some are also located in and around Alevkantra. These innovative wheels were primarily used for crushing agricultural yields. In all, there were 16 such windmills in operation.

They are conspicuous by their snow-white color, spherical shape with the customary pointed roof made of the finest variety of wood. In the good old days, they were wind operated as Mykonos is renowned for their gusty wind, which continues to blow even today. The Windmills of Chora and the ones at Ano Mera were a great boon to the people of those localities and they were primarily used for grinding the agricultural products that were meant to be transported to places outside Mykonos.

As of now, with the advent of modernity, the windmills are no longer operational. But they continue to be a symbol of Mykonos rich virile past. Being hundreds of years old, most of the windmills have been thoroughly renovated and some have even been converted into museums, the most famous being the Bonis Windmill.

Mykonos windmills are a living testimony of the island's use of innovation when it came to tapping the enormous power of the wind to grind Mykonos agricultural produces.

source

Hello everyone! Harajuku Event's March round is current running! Today's photo features A beautiful pose from Tsuki Available @ ===Harajuku=== Until 4/10! Also, another great product available at Vagrant's mainstore! This dress has great texture quality and lots of options to go with it! Great pickup for the upcoming spring season! If you enjoy the photo please favorite, follow, and comment! Have a beautiful day!

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Vagrant - Emma Tender Edition Dress

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~Contents

Top

Skirt

~Fitted For

Legacy F

L Perky

Lara

L Petite

Kupra

Freya

~Features

6 Top & Skirt Colors

6 Panties Colors

5 Materials Options

Toggle Panties

Mainstore

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

Tsuki - Yomi Pose & Animation Pack

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

~Features

4 Standing Animations + Curvy Versions

4 Static Poses + Mirror + Curvy Versions

1 Pose Stand

Mainstore

=========================

Stealthic - Venice

Vibing - Leila Rings

Tres Beau - Yena Skin

Velour - Curvy Muse

Lelutka - Siwa

Meshbody - Legacy Feminine

Features: NoRevenge The Kawaii Hat available on Mainstore.

Happy Shopping! ♥

Additonal Credits:

Dress: M.Birdie - "Kaven Look" [RARE]

Jacket: AMITOMO "Yours"

Choker: Revoul [Group Gift]

Edwards Gardens in Toronto features a fountain that includes a gold statue. It's located within the larger Toronto Botanical Garden complex. The fountain is a prominent feature, often seen in photos and descriptions of the garden.

Sastrugi

Sastrugi, or zastrugi, are features formed by erosion of snow by wind. They are found in polar regions, and in snowy, wind-swept areas of temperate regions, such as frozen lakes or mountain ridges. Sastrugi are distinguished by upwind-facing points, resembling anvils, which move downwind as the surface erodes. These points usually lie along ridges parallel to the prevailing wind; they are steep on the windward side and sloping to the leeward side. Smaller irregularities of this type are known as ripples (small, ~10 mm high) or wind ridges.

Large sastrugi are troublesome to skiers and snowboarders. Traveling on the irregular surface of sastrugi can be very tiring, and can risk breaking equipment—ripples and waves are often undercut and the surface is hard and unforgiving, with constant minor topographic changes between ridge and trough.

Etymology

The words sastrugi and zastrugi are Russian-language plurals; the singular is zastruga. The form sastruga started as the German-language transliteration of the Russian word заструга (plural: заструги).

A Latin-type analogical singular sastrugus is used in various writings on exploration of the South Pole, including Robert Falcon Scott's expedition's diaries and Ernest Shackleton's The Heart of the Antarctic.

Formation mechanism

White and black colors on sastrugi are not lights and shadows, they demonstrate difference in radioreflectivity of snow deposits on the windward and leeward sides of a sastruga.

Under the action of steady wind, free snow particles accumulate and drift like the sand grains in barchan dunes, and the resulting drifting snow shapes are also popularly referred to as barchans. Inuit of Canada call them kalutoqaniq. When winds slacken, the drifted formations consolidate via sublimation and recrystallization. Subsequent winds erode kalutoqaniq into the sculptured forms of sastrugi. Inuit call large sculpturings kaioqlaq and small ripples tumarinyiq. Further erosion may turn kaioqlaq back into drifting kalutoqaniq. An intermediate stage of erosion is mapsuk, an overhanging shape. On the windward side of a ridge, the base erodes faster than the top, producing a shape like an anvil tip pointing upwind.

On sea ice

Sastrugi are more likely to form on first-year sea ice than on multiyear ice. First-year ice is smoother than multiyear ice, which allows the wind to pass uniformly over the surface without topographic obstructions. Except during the melt season, snow is dry and light in climates cold enough for sea ice, allowing the snow to be easily blown and create sastrugi parallel to the wind direction. The locations of sastrugi are fixed by March in the northern hemisphere and may be linked to the formation of melt ponds. Melt ponds are more likely to form in the depressions between sastrugi on first-year ice.

Source: Wikipedia

When in Cambridge this time we stayed at Christ's College - in what is, during the Academic year, student accommodations. It was much more charming than that might suggest, especially since this was a rather large room in a house built in 1823, with historical features (such as the windows in re-imagined Tudor style) preserved.

ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved

Do not use without permission.

IMG_1730 2023 04

🌸[SURPLUS MOTORS] Benedict v7.3🌸

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Benedict uses ALM and PBR elements

The Benedict is ready for GTFO!. GTFO! is a fun cargo/transport game. More info on sl-gtfo.com/

Features on your Benedict include:

-10 body colors (2 sections) or add your own

-Option to switch between black tires and whitewalls

-License plate change

-Projectors lights (advanced light settings only)

-Shadow on/off

-RL sounds

-Re-size

-Smoother driving

-Multiple driver and passenger animations

-Multiple shift styles

-Exhaust smoke

-Adjustable seating

-Automatic/Manual Transmission

-Unlock/Lock

-Alarm

-Eject

-Working lights

-Opening doors/hood/trunk

....And more features to boot!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Check it out @

[SURPLUS MOTORS] Mainstore

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Amityville/69/69/24

[SURPLUS MOTORS] Marketplace:

marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/124438

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Usagi Society - Barbara Hair

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~Features

86 Colors

3 Rigged Sizes

1 Unrigged Bangs

Toggle Materials

Toggle Bright

RGB Color Picker

2 Syles

~AVAILABLE @ Access Event Until 12/8

Access: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ACCESS/246/114/22

Mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hashira/175/57/4

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

Epoch - Mirabella Sweater

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

~Fitted For

Legacy

Reborn

Maitreya

Kupra

~Features

12 Solid Colors

28 Graphic Textures

~Set Also Includes

Panties

Shorts

~AVAILABLE @ Mainstore

Mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Faerie%20Isle/72/17/2332

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

Epoch - Curvy Joggers

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

~Fitted For

Reborn Juicy Rolls

~Features

10 Solid Colors

10 Pattern Textures

~AVAILABLE @ Mainstore

Mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Faerie%20Isle/72/17/2332

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

DenDen Poses - Position Pose

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

~Features

1 Pose Stand

1 Pose Ball

1 Static Pose

~AVAILABLE @ Mainstore

DenDen: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kiwi%20Island/218/79/25

MP: marketplace.secondlife.com/p/DenDen-Position/23738331

========================

Skellybones - Navel Heart Piercing

Lelutka - Avalon

eBody - Reborn

eBody - Juicy Rolls Addon

Features: ⏰ NEW UPDATE ⏰ from Moni Cheri The Gemma Bikini Set Now with 15 brand new happy colors for Happy Weekend L$60 sale! TODAY!

Now at the Mainstore!

Happy Shopping!

Thanks so much for being my muse Vasco ♥!

Features of Tyneside around Newcastle Castle. The Castle Keep, offering superb views across the city, down to the River Tyne and across Gateshead, also providing a grandstand view of the railway and the station.

The bridge carries the East Coast Main Line across the access road to the High Level Bridge. The plaque on the bridge is "Abbot & Co 1848 Gateshead", indicating it was completed before the High Level Bridge across the River Tyne.

This shot features the Ringsptiz on the left (2625m) and Tullen in the clouds on the right (2653m). Both peaks are part of the Peitlerkofelgruppe, a relatively small mountain group in South Tyrol. Another photo taken while on the Greater Dolomites Road.

*Press L for best viewing.

Link to ~My best photos~

*** All my photos are © All Rights Reserved. ***

This Photo:

- The Galaxy Hall of Fame

- *WOW* Level 1 Hall of Fame

- The Galaxy Stars Administrator's Award and Hall of Fame

- *WOW* Level 2 Hall of Fame and Top of the Tops

- 10+Best People's Choice Awards

- *WOW* Level 3 +10 Awards Showcase Gallery

- Nice As It Gets End of Journey Showcase & Appreciation Seal

- DSLR Autofocus Ultimate Achievement +10 Award

- Lasting Impression Prestige Club Gallery

- DSLR Grandmaster of Photography

- !* Nature’s Great & Pure Highlights ☘ Royal + Empire Awards & Kingdom + Emperor Galleries

Tram 28 Lisbon. Classic yellow trams retaining original 1930s features like brass dials & polished wood interiors

The number 28 tram in Lisbon connects Martim Moniz with Campo Ourique, and passes through the popular tourist districts of Graca, Alfama, Baixa and Estrela.

For visitors, this is the classic Lisbon tram journey, riding in a quaint yellow tram as it rattles and screeches through the narrow streets of the city.

Along the E28 route, delightful Remodelado trams trundle, and these retain many of their original 1930s features, including polished wood interiors, brass dials and cheery yellow paintwork. In any other city, these trams would be housed in a museum, but in Lisbon, they are an integral part of the public transport network.

These historic trams are still in use, as the number 28 tram route is completely unsuitable for modern trams, due to its numerous tight turns, narrow streets and steep gradients. The E28 tram follows a very scenic route, passing through many of Lisbon’s historic districts, and provides one of the best tours of the city.

The ride on the number 28 tram is one of the highlights of Lisbon, but its popularity means it frequently suffers from over-tourism. There are some very simple tips to get the most from the experience.

• Ride the tram early (or late) in the day, to avoid the mid-day crowds.

• Board the tram at Martim Moniz (or Campo Ourique), as there is a better chance of getting a seat.

• Always be wary of pickpockets

• Purchase the 24-hour public transport ticket from any metro station. This removes the hassle of buying a ticket on board and is exceptional value for money

• Ride the entire route, as there is so much to see.

• If standing, hold on tight, as the brakes are very sharp!

Update: this is actually not a geyser, but a pool at the Black Sand Basin.

From the website: www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/blacksand.htm

Temperature 180°F Dimensions 145x191 feet. Depth 23.5 feet. Sunset Lake is a shallow thermal pool with a soft sinter bottom and yellow and orange bacteria and algae edges. The pool discharges into Iron Creek, and overflows into Rainbow Pool creating a large microbial mat between the two thermal features. The 1959 earthquake triggered an eruption of Sunset Lake and the surge of hot water killed the bacteria and algae in the run-off channels. It has erupted only occasionally since 1959; during eruption it surges three feet high but may reach eight to ten feet. No known underground connection exists between Rainbow Pool or other Black Sand Basin thermal features.

Thank you for taken your time to visit me, comments or faves are always much appreciated!

♛

[theSkinnery] - Enola (LeLutkaEVOX) @ UBER

∘Shape included | Compatible with all Evox heads

∘7 eyebrow options (browless included) / Makeup Kit

∘Neck blend built in / Hairbase option on skin / HD Ears

♛

RAWR! - Safe Necklace

Rigged

PBR Materials

Full Color Change Hud

Hide/Show Features

♛

RAWR! - Safe Nails

Rigged

PBR Materials

Full Color Change Hud

Hide/Show Features

♛

RAWR! - Safe Hand Adornments

Rigged

PBR Materials

Full Color Change Hud

Hide/Show Features

♛

Animosity - C-480 Pose

Comes in one size only. Copy modify no transfer.

♛

Additional Credits:

Both Wearing TheSkinnery Skin

Reborn Body & Waifu

Legacy Male Body

LELUTKA Head Aaron, and Sugar

~[LeiMotiv] Ruska Cap

Amitie Closet (PBR)

Early morning in the wonderful Glendalough Valley located in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. It stretches across almost 23,000 hectares south of Dublin. The largest of Ireland’s National Parks and the only one in the East Wicklow, it features wide-open vistas, winding mountain roads and fast-flowing streams that descend into the deep lakes of the wooded valleys, including St Kevin’s monastic settlement at Glendalough.

Ochre-coloured mountains, hauntingly beautiful forests, gushing streams and placid lakes – the Wicklow Mountains in County Wicklow boast some of the most striking landscapes on the island of Ireland.

Situated surprisingly close to Dublin city, and yet with an otherworldly atmosphere, the mountains’ unique landscapes have been an inspiration for poets and painters, as well as filmmakers, with major productions including Braveheart, Barry Lyndon, The Green Knight and Disenchanted all filmed here.

A true flavour of Ireland’s ancient wilderness awaits you in the park. Come visit Ireland

Features:

-Digital camo

-Upgraded pistol grip

-Foregrip

-RDS that will draw a red box around hostiles

My computer crashed, so I'll have to do a different weapon if I don't get in with this.

Wooden 'drag' bicycle ...

- optional features like cup holder and ax bicycle stand ☺☺!

the features

....protected from bunnies

odd garden features

iPhone, provoke camera app

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

my website

I added two rescue groups at the top of the menu on my website. one of them is jon's

the other is the rescue that provided us with three loving hounds.

**I spent the afternoon trying to fix my husband's lorex surveillance system. it didn't fix.

I'll try to comment tomorrow.

grrr.....

Clifford Pier is an iconic landmark located at Marina Bay Singapore, and was completed in 1933. It has served as a landing point for immigrants and other sea passengers. A red oil lamp used to hang from the pier as a guide to seafarers, and it is fondly remembered as the Red Lamp Pier. It had since been renovated as a restaurant. The interior designer has adopted pleasing decorations that complements the original and unique architectural features, including the red lanterns, and the floor tiles provide captivating reflections.

This image features the Green Ibis (Mesembrinibis cayennensis), captured in Restrepo, Meta, Colombia. Known for its iridescent green and purple feathers, the ibis stands out beautifully against the vibrant backdrop of the lush Colombian environment. The bird was perched delicately on a tree branch, where its sleek silhouette contrasted against the soft light filtering through the canopy. The calm, tranquil atmosphere of the scene was a perfect match for capturing the bird’s elegant form and reflective plumage.

In terms of technique, I used a Canon R5 with a 800mm f/11 lens and a 1.4x extender to maintain the required reach while preserving image clarity. The f/16 aperture ensured that both the bird and its environment were in focus, while the ISO 1600 helped balance the low light of the forest. The resulting sharpness and depth allow the vibrant plumage and the bird’s intricate textures to come through vividly. Capturing such a shot in the wild, with the ibis being perfectly positioned, required patience, but the payoff was worth it.

©2023 Adam Rainoff Photographer

More Goodies from the Vintage&Cool Fair, opening Aug21st!

This picture features items from Oddity, Nova, Serenity Style, and Image Essentials

Credits: www.lextalks.wordpress.com

This ancient fortress had a final military role to play during the Second World War, when an anti-aircraft battery was installed on Dumbarton Rock. Four high-explosive bombs landed on the Rock in May of 1941. There was some damage to its structures (for example, the Magazine was hit, although, fortunately, it had long ceased to be used for its original purpose), but there were no casualties. No traces of the gun emplacements are visible. Quoted from the Geograph website

Robin - Erithacus rubecula

Our ever reliable Little Robin...

The European robin (Erithacus rubecula), known simply as the robin or robin redbreast in the British Isles, is a small insectivorous passerine bird, specifically a chat, that was formerly classified as a member of the thrush family (Turdidae) but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher.

The robin occurs in Eurasia east to Western Siberia, south to Algeria and on the Atlantic islands as far west as the Azores and Madeira. It is a vagrant in Iceland. In the south-east, it reaches the Caucasus range. Irish and British robins are largely resident but a small minority, usually female, migrate to southern Europe during winter, a few as far as Spain. Scandinavian and Russian robins migrate to Britain and western Europe to escape the harsher winters. These migrants can be recognised by the greyer tone of the upper parts of their bodies and duller orange breast. The European robin prefers spruce woods in northern Europe, contrasting with its preference for parks and gardens in Ireland and Britain.

Attempts to introduce the European robin into Australia and New Zealand in the latter part of the 19th century were unsuccessful. Birds were released around Melbourne, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin by various local acclimatisation societies, with none becoming established. There was a similar outcome in North America as birds failed to establish after being released in Long Island, New York in 1852, Oregon in 1889–1892, and the Saanich Peninsula in British Columbia in 1908–1910.

The robin is diurnal, although has been reported to be active hunting insects on moonlit nights or near artificial light at night. Well known to British and Irish gardeners, it is relatively unafraid of people and drawn to human activities involving the digging of soil, in order to look out for earthworms and other food freshly turned up. Indeed, the robin is considered to be a gardener's friend and for various folklore reasons the robin would never be harmed. In continental Europe on the other hand, robins were hunted and killed as with most other small birds, and are more wary.

Robins also approach large wild animals, such as wild boar and other animals which disturb the ground, to look for any food that might be brought to the surface. In autumn and winter, robins will supplement their usual diet of terrestrial invertebrates, such as spiders, worms and insects, with berries and fruit. They will also eat seed mixtures placed on bird-tables.

The robin features prominently in British folklore, and that of northwestern France, but much less so in other parts of Europe. It was held to be a storm-cloud bird and sacred to Thor, the god of thunder, in Norse mythology. Robins feature in the traditional children's tale, Babes in the Wood; the birds cover the dead bodies of the children.

More recently, the robin has become strongly associated with Christmas, taking a starring role on many Christmas cards since the mid 19th century. The robin has appeared on many Christmas postage stamps. An old British folk tale seeks to explain the robin's distinctive breast. Legend has it that when Jesus was dying on the cross, the robin, then simply brown in colour, flew to his side and sang into his ear in order to comfort him in his pain. The blood from his wounds stained the robin's breast, and thereafter all robins got the mark of Christ's blood upon them.

An alternative legend has it that its breast was scorched fetching water for souls in Purgatory.

The association with Christmas more probably arises from the fact that postmen in Victorian Britain wore red jackets and were nicknamed "Robins"; the robin featured on the Christmas card is an emblem of the postman delivering the card.

In the 1960s, in a vote publicised by The Times, the robin was adopted as the unofficial national bird of the UK.

In 2015, the robin was again voted Britain's national bird in a poll organised by birdwatcher David Lindo, taking 34% of the final vote.

Features SP3G SUIT by GABRIEL and MEPHISTO HORNS by LEVEL IX. Both available NOW at the ENGINE ROOM.

Indigenous form

Loosely applicable

Transitory condition

The North Carolina Executive Mansion - beautiful for various reasons, including its historic architecture, elegant design, and carefully maintained interior and exterior. Built in 1891, the mansion has undergone several renovations and upgrades over the years, preserving its classic features while incorporating modern amenities. Its beautiful landscaped grounds and gardens also add to its aesthetic appeal. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. It serves as the official residence of the governor of North Carolina.

Hard to ignore this rocky natural leading line to the lighthouse!

The history of Cape Palliser Lighthouse:

Cape Palliser features prominently in Maori history and the legends of Kupe. The area also featured in the colonisation of New Zealand.

The rugged coast and notorious Cook Strait gales contributed to many early shipwrecks. Six months before the light was lit in 1897, a ship was wrecked within 4 miles of the new tower and 12 of the 21 crew drowned. While a light on Cape Palliser reduced the number of shipwrecks, the area still remained hazardous for the unwary.

The tower at Cape Palliser has been painted with red and white stripes to make it stand out from the hills behind it. There are only two other lighthouses in New Zealand with stripes, rather than the standard plain white. Dog Island Lighthouse and Cape Campbell Lighthouse have black and white stripes.

Operation of the Cape Palliser light:

Cape Palliser lighthouse is still fitted with the original Fresnel lens, which was installed in 1897.

In 1954 the light was converted from oil to diesel-generated electricity. In 1967 it was connected to mains electricity. A diesel-electric generator provides standby emergency power.

The lighthouse was automated and the keepers were withdrawn in 1986.

The light is monitored remotely from Maritime New Zealand’s Wellington office.

Life at Cape Palliser light station:

Owing to its isolation in the early days, life at Cape Palliser created its own unique problems for the keepers and their families.

The original access to the lighthouse was a dirt track up a 58 metre-high cliff. This was a dangerous walk for the keepers, especially in stormy weather.

In 1912 a set of 258 steps were built up to the tower, which provided the keepers with much safer access, although still a physically demanding walk.

Stores were delivered to the station every 3 months. If the seas were too rough, the stores could be landed at the more sheltered Kawakawa Bay, some 6 kilometres away. The Cape Palliser letter book is filled with countless tales of stores being lost during the unloading process.

With the storage buildings and keepers’ homes at sea level, the unloading was easier than at many other stations where goods had to be hauled up cliffs using a trolley on rails. The keepers still had to haul the light supplies (oil and kerosene) up the cliff face to the light station. They did this on a railway, using a hand winch.

When the lighthouse was eventually connected to the nearby settlements by road, keepers would collect their mail and supplies once a week from Pirinoa. (Courtesy www.maritimenz.govt.nz)

© Dominic Scott 2024

Muscat, Oman.

The Interior of this grand mosque features the world's second largest hand-woven carpet and chandelier.

The reflections were from the shiny floor.

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Valley of Fire State Park is a public recreation and nature preservation area located 16 miles (26 km) south of Overton, Nevada. The state park derives its name from red sandstone formations, the Aztec Sandstone, which formed from shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago. These features, which are the centerpiece of the park's attractions, often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays. It is Nevada's oldest state park. It was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1968.

Valley of Fire is located 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Las Vegas, at an elevation between 1,320–3,009 feet (402–917 m). It abuts the Lake Mead National Recreation Area on the east at the Virgin River confluence.

Kinderdijk is a village in the the Netherlands' South Holland province, known for its iconic 18th-century windmills. Its water-management network features 19 mills and 3 pumping stations, plus dikes and reservoirs that control flooding in the polder (low-lying land). Waterways, footpaths and bike trails crisscross the area, leading to the main visitors center and museums in preserved working windmills.

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Head Catwa

Head Applier Glam Affair Lily at Kustom 9

Group Gift from Scandalize

Now Playing Defying Gravity

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Excerpt from historicwalkingtrail.com/location/texas-masonic-lodge/:

The Texas Lodge Masonic Hall is one of the oldest, most iconic buildings in San Juan Bautista, andthe second oldest masonic lodge in California that is still active in its original location. The Free and Accepted Masonsis the first fraternal organization in San Juan.

Edward Farris Storey migrated to California with 42 other Texan Masons in 1852, and was granted a charter in 1854 to found a Masonic Lodge in the area of San Juan. By the end of 1854, according to Lodge minutes, membership was 20. The Masons met in various places until the National Hotel (located where Verutti Park is now) was built in 1858, and a room was made available for their meetings. Membership had grown to 110 by 1867 when they decided to build their own building. A wooden sign above the Texas Lodge Masonic Hall entrance reads “Texas Lodge #46 F&AM Chartered May 6, 1854, Building Completed, June 24, 1869.”

The upper floor of the building has continued to be used as the meeting hall of the Masons, and the lower floor was originally rented to doctors and other professionals. The large main room downstairs has served in a variety of capacities over the years. It was used for the Wells Fargo Express Office, the Justice of the Peace Office, the meeting space for monthly City Council meetings around the turn of the 19th century; then the telephone company used the space from 1901-1924; the U.S. Post Office was then housed in the space, followed by the San Juan library until 1979. Most recently, the downstairs rooms have been rented to businesses .

This rectangular two and a half story building is constructed in the Italianate Victorian style with a wood-framed structural system on a concrete foundation. The façade is symmetrical and has a 3-step stairway leading to a central recessed entrance flanked by 4 symmetrically placed 8-pane vertical window doors with triangular pediment moldings above.

The second story has 5 vertical paired arched windows with elaborate molded pediments above. The overhanging boxed cornice features scroll corbels and decorated parapet. A recessed central gable pediment tops the cornice and denotes the main entrance, and the front door swings both inward and outward. A rectangular tower with a low overhanging hipped roof and tall arched windows rises from the junction of the central gable and the medium pitched, side-gabled roof made of corrugated metal. The sides feature symmetrically placed 6-pane sash windows with molded cornice and a broken pediment on the lower cornice of the roof gable. Other notable features are quoined wood corners imitating stone, the framed semi-circular air vents within the side pediments, and the horizontal redwood shiplap siding throughout. One-story medium-gabled roof additions extend from the rear; an iron fire escape on the east side and a wooden fire escape on the west were also added. The original board sidewalk along the full width of the building was replaced with a gravel walk, which was then transitioned to concrete steps. In 2017 the building underwent a much-needed, extensive renovation and exterior painting.

Freemasonry describes itself as a “beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.”Accordingly, buildings are to be constructed in an east/west orientation (sunrise and sunset), representing Solomon’s Temple. This building adorns gold enhancement of the starburst pattern framed within the side gables and the gold ball atop the cupola, depicts the sun at meridian height. Symbols and rituals abound in the upstairs meeting room: the compass and the square, which is the most widely known symbol of Masonry, the all-seeing eye, and the letter G, symbolizing both geometry and God. Masons use metaphors from geometry and the architecture of stonemasonry to represent their ongoing pursuit of knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills.