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This series features homegrown heirloom tomatoes*. As everyone with a garden knows, when tomatoes turn ripe, they all seem to ripen at the same time. So we had a whole bunch of different types of tomatoes waiting to be bagged & frozen for the winter. I was just going to take a shot or two.. and then got a bit carried away. I tried a few different things with composition, lighting & post production, I think some things worked better than others so, please let me know what you think.
*more about heirloom plants click here.
If you like my work click the "Follow" button on Flickr.
Check out my Blog rumimume.blogspot.ca/
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I had to search several of my field guides to help make this ID of this scruffy character... (and they weren't a lot of help). Knowing it was a Woodpecker, I judged its features compared to all of the adult birds in the overall family that I know to be regular, if not common, up here. This is the first juvenile Williamson's Sapsucker that I have imaged... or even IDed up here. The Red-napped Sapsucker juvie male is very similar... in fact it was my first ID selection. At this time of year I concentrate on juvie images... the young birds change so fast, and quality images are lacking in the usual reference sources. ( I welcome comments and/or especially corrections to these IDs.)
IMG_3037; Williamson's Sapsucker
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Features and Functions:
- Engines Rotate for Vertical Landing
- Turret can Rotate 180 Degrees
- Turret is Accessible from the Command Deck
- Finished Interiors
- Rotating Side Mounted Guns
- Foldable Landing Gear
- Loading Ramp
- Jump Seats for Four Man SWAT Team
- Easy Access to Lower Level (Command Deck Floor Folds and Lifts Out)
- Two Prisoner Cells
- Pilot and Navigator Chairs
Credits:
Side-Mounted Turrets: Legohaulic
Command Chairs: Legodrome
Rear Exhaust Grilles: Larry Lars
At the Hirshhorn (10/29/2016). The work features a single, sequin-clad woman strumming an E-minor chord endlessly, rotating on a pedestal in a gold-tinseled room, a performance that walks a characteristic line between kitsch and earnest commentary on feminine objectification. A rotating cast of Washington-area musicians will play the "Woman."
This series features homegrown heirloom tomatoes*. As everyone with a garden knows, when tomatoes turn ripe, they all seem to ripen at the same time. So we had a whole bunch of different types of tomatoes waiting to be bagged & frozen for the winter. I was just going to take a shot or two.. and then got a bit carried away. I tried a few different things with composition, lighting & post production, I think some things worked better than others so, please let me know what you think.
*more about heirloom plants click here.
If you like my work click the "Follow" button on Flickr.
Check out my Blog rumimume.blogspot.ca/
I'm also on Google+ plus.google.com/106313488075670991016/posts
You can get my "Pic-of-The-day" in your twitter feed by following @rumimumesf on twitter
And as promised yesterday here are a picture of the back side and the AT-RT in full crouching position.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium (formerly Sydney Aquarium) is a public aquarium that features a large variety of Australian aquatic life, displaying more than 700 species comprising more than 13,000 individual fish and other sea and water creatures from most of Australia's water habitats. Opened in 1988, it is regarded as one of Sydney's premier tourist attractions with over 55% of its visitors each year coming from overseas.
The aquarium features 14 themed zones including Jurassic Seas, Discovery Rockpool, Shark Walk, and the world’s largest Great Barrier Reef display. Along the way, visitors encounter animals unique to each habitat, including one of only four dugongs on display in the world, sharks, stingrays, penguins and tropical fish, among others.
It is a public aquarium located in the city of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the eastern (city) side of Darling Harbour to the north of the Pyrmont Bridge. It is a full institutional member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
Here’s a very “volumetric” split crystal design – beginning to show some of the features associated with skeletal form crystals? Can you spot where? Let’s take a look at the details!
Before I do, however, I just want to make a quick note that the whole family is under the weather at the moment – and has been for roughly a week; that would be about the duration of this series. We’re doing okay, it’s not COVID, but likely RSV. Being sick sucks, it completely drains me of all energy and sleep is never enough nor is it rejuvenating. I think we’re past the worst of it now, but these posts have been about all I can motivate myself to accomplish. Your positive comments have been a huge boost, so this paragraph is simply to say thanks. I’m glad these images are appreciated.
This snowflake is definitely growing in layers. You can see a lot of lines running (vaguely and varying) 60-degrees from the main spine of each branch, and they can be quite thick! This snowflake answers another mystery with how these spines interact with the main snowflake as it builds thickness. For example, look at the bottom branch, right near the tip. See how tall the spine is above the rest? You can use the shadows/reflections to the right of it to get some visual comparison. However, take a look to the bottom right branch, in the middle. Where did the spine go?
We see a hint of the answer to the right of it, still in the middle. There are some dark spots! Those are little canyons in the surface, which are getting “ceilinged” over. The snowflake is filling in to become the same thickness overall. But then there was “eureka” moment for me. There’s a feature in SO MANY snowflakes that I never understood before. Why are there (so incredibly frequently) two parallel lines of bubbles running down the length of the snowflake? In this specimen, we can see them forming. Look to the lower-left branch!
See two parallel DARK lines, opposing the brighter lines on the lower-right branch? Bingo. They are in the process of being filled in. My theory is this: the spine forms as thicker than the rest of the snowflake, much more rapidly. However, the rest of the branch eventually thickens up to the same topographical height… but the walls of the spine are steep like a cliff, and water vapour cannot get inside to completely back-fill these areas. They in turn get a ceiling over top, forming bubbles. Woo! I think I’m correct on the “how” for this one, but the “why” is still outstanding to some degree. Why do snowflakes grow out thinly, then thicken up over time?
I believe this might be partially answered by the “knife-edge instability”. If you have two bricklayers each building a wall from available materials, and one is building a wall three bricks deep, he’d be a lot slower than someone building a wall only one brick thick. So then, utilizing this “thin wall” approach, a snowflake shoots out as a thinner piece of ice faster, but continues to thicken over time as the interior area still has access to some “bricks” (water vapour).
But don’t forget the skeletal form traits! You can also see it on the bottom branches, where there is evidence that the spines have grown so thick that they have “anviled”-out and are growing further along the top, with a gap underneath. Because this outward-growing ceiling is also quite thin, it can grow faster than some of the other surrounding features. You can see this easily on all four bottom branches, but such details are obscured on the top two, belonging to the other half of the “split” crystal with their surface features facing away from the camera.
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L'architecte Mathieu de Layens originaire de Soignies, auteur entre autres de l'hôtel de ville de Louvain, fut appelé pour en dresser les plans. Il devait s'agir d'un édifice en style gothique flamboyant mais il semble bien que le plan (que l'on n'a pas retrouvé) n'ait pas été respecté, notamment par l'abandon du deuxième étage, qui était pourtant prévu. Le campanile de style Renaissance fut ajouté au XVIIIe siècle. Il contient une cloche datant de 1390, la Bancloque, et porte une horloge à cadran donnant sur la Grand-Place ainsi qu'une horloge lumineuse. Le XIXe siècle vit diverses modifications de la façade, l'enlèvement des meneaux de pierre à l'étage et de divers ornements de pierre.
The architect Mathieu de Layens, originally from Soignies and the designer of Leuven's town hall, among other projects, was commissioned to draw up the plans. It was intended to be a Flamboyant Gothic building, but it seems that the plan (which has not been found) was not followed, notably by the omission of the second floor, which had been included in the initial design. The Renaissance-style bell tower was added in the 18th century. It houses a bell dating from 1390, the Bancloque, and features a clock with a dial facing the Grote Markt (Grand Place) as well as a lighted clock. The 19th century saw various alterations to the façade, including the removal of the stone mullions on the upper floor and various stone ornaments.
Description of Buildings:
Gesu Church is a rectangular structure of structural steel, reinforced-concrete construction and features exterior walls covered with stucco.
An arcaded portico projects from the west façade of the church and is divided by four massive piers into three bays.
The piers and pilasters on the opposite wall rest
on cubical pedestals approximately nine feet high. A chamfered molding serves as a capital for each pier and is repeated, at the same level as a belt course
running completely around the building.
The central bay of the portico projects slightly, and its arch springs from two semi-engaged Doric columns, thus framing
the main entrance of the church.
Articulation of the west wall echoes the tripartite divisions of the portico with semicircular arched portals at each bay. Double doors of wood and glass are recessed within the portal and have dentilled transoms and cartouches above.
The north façade of the church features an elevated basement from which piers rise to the architrave above. Indented panels between the piers contain tall, semi-circular arched stained glass windows.
A tripartite tower complex embellishes the roof. The central tower which is square in plan, rises in a series of steps and contains a belfry with arched windows. Two hipped roof towers flank the central tower.
Gesu Rectory is located directly east of the church and is connected to it. This four story rectangular structure is of structural steel, reinforced concrete construction, and its exterior walls are covered with stucco. Its pedimented gable
roof is covered with Spanish tile.
The main entrance is located in the center bay of the north façade and features a double door with large lights. The majority of windows are three over one double
hung sash. Round arch windows grace the fourth floor.
Gesu School is located east of the rectory. The building is a five story rectangular structure of reinforced concrete construction covered with stucco. A flat roof with parapet tops the building and features a pediment above the main entrance.
The focal point of the building is a grand, three story portico on the north façade. Ionic columns support the portico and are repeated in pilasters separating each bay. The main entrance features a colossal semi-circular arch with double doors.
The Fathers of the Society of Jesus have been instrumental in the establishment of Gesù Catholic Church from its inception. Gesù Parish was established as a result of the large Catholic community present in Miami. The original wooden church was built on land donated by Henry Flagler, and as Miami began to grow the need for a larger Church became a necessity. In 1921, the first cornerstone of this concrete and steel structure was laid to suit the needs of the growing Catholic community in Miami
Through the years, Gesù has been a spiritual ambassador to Catholics living in South Florida. It has taken on many roles aside from being a Church. For more than 75 years, Gesù Church started Gesù School which provided elementary and high school education. The school was run by the Sisters of St. Joseph
In addition, the Centro Hispano Católico at Gesù assisted Cuban refugees and refugees from other Central American countries with basic needs and helped with assimilation into a foreign country. From 1959-1982, the Centro Hispano Católico provided refugees with food, clothes, medical care, jobs, housing, daycare, school tuition, English classes, and immigration assistance. In 1962, Gesù served as headquarters to the Pedro Pan operation which bought more than 14,000 unaccompanied children from Communist Cuba
In September 1961, Gesù housed Belén Jesuit Preparatory School for a year and a half. After being exiled from Cuba, Jesuit Priests opened a school for refugee students who were living in Miami. This was the beginning of Belén Jesuit in South Florida.
Today, Gesù Catholic Church remains the spiritual center of downtown Miami. As the oldest church in South Florida, Gesù invites all to visit this historic landmark that has been serving South Florida’s Catholic community for nearly 120 years.
Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:
www.halsema.org/places/miami/GesuChurchandRectory.pdf
© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.
Brockholes is a new kind of nature reserve, an unreserved reserve owned and managed by The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside.
There's lots to see and do at Brockholes, you can hunt out our floating Visitor Village with a restaurant, shops and Welcome Centre or explore our family-friendly hides, walking trails and play area.
At Brockholes you can explore our beautiful reserve, see the wildlife that call it ‘home’ or hunt out our Visitor Village with restaurant and shops, all of which float (yes really!) on one of our lakes.
Our floating Visitor Village features a gift shop and a restaurant providing stunning views across the lake. You can also discover our interactive Welcome Centre and learn all about the wildlife that you could see on-site. Be sure to call in to pick up a welcome leaflet that will help you plan your day. You can view the reserve map in our Welcome Leaflet here to help you plan your first visit.
2013/14 Opening Times:
4th November 2013 to 31 March 2014 10am-4pm
1st April 2014 to 31st October 2014 10am-5pm
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day only
Car Park Charges
We don't charge for entry and any profits made here go back into looking after the reserve. So every time you pay for parking, treat yourself in the shop or enjoy some lunch, you are helping look after the reserve and the wildlife that visits us!
Sorry no dogs allowed!
There is a good reason! Dogs can disturb wildlife, especially nesting birds. If your dog was to get too close to a nesting bird it would cause the mother to leave the nest. So to avoid any accidents we ask that you don’t bring your dog. (Assistance dogs are welcome.)
Explore the reserve
Brockholes is one of the best sites in the UK for many species of bird and has one of the largest strips of ancient woodland in the county. You can take a stroll by the River Ribble, explore our woods or enjoy the lakes on site, which have all been specially designed to attract all kinds of wildlife for you to see!
Walks around Brockholes
What can I see at Brockholes?
Read about the happy habitats we've been working hard to create at Brockholes.
Watch out!
The Visitor Village floats on water and there are lots of areas of open water on the reserve. Take care in these areas and keep an eye on any children with you. The following activities are not allowed on the reserve:
Barbecues and fires
Fishing
Swimming
Please do not feed the birds
Big gulls know it’s much easier to find food when we leave it lying around rather than finding their own lunch. Here at Brockholes we have lots of species breeding with us, little ringed and ringed plover, lapwing, oystercatcher and redshank. Unfortunately the big gulls will eat the chicks of these special birds so if we feed the gulls and encourage them to stay there is a big chance that they will eat our important chicks, so please do not feed the birds and take your leftover picnic away with you.
www.brockholes.org/our-journey
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust has been working on developing Brockholes for nearly 20 years, here is an overview of our journey.
1992 Lancashire Wildlife Trust first contests the quarrying of Brockholes.
27 November 2006 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust has four weeks to raise £50,000 to buy the Brockholes site, near Preston, and protect it from development. Brockholes sits next to J31 of the M6 and is the size of 120 football pitches.
15 January 2007 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust makes the biggest land purchase in its history - thanks to donations from Wildlife Trust members, and an investment of £800,000 from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) under the Newlands scheme. The project to buy and develop Brockholes is also supported by The Tubney Charitable Trust.
3 May 2007 Ian Selby is appointed as Brockholes project manager. Ian has 20 years' experience of managing the North West's canal network for British Waterways, followed by environmental regeneration work. Sophie Leadsom, Brockholes' new reserve manager, has worked in conservation for 14 years.
July 2007 The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced the launch of a new open competition to design new visitor facilities.
5 October 2007 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust announced the shortlist for the new multi-million pound visitor centre. 61 architects from all over Europe submitted designs. The five were Adam Khan Architects, Arca, Architecture 2B, AY Architects, McDowell + Benedetti.
25 February 2008 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) and partners announce the winner of its competition to design a visitor facility. Adam Khan Architects was selected for its inspirational design concept: "A Floating World". Designed as a cluster of buildings constructed largely of wood and other sustainable materials, it resembles an ancient marshland village.
April 2008 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust announced the completion of its first phase of preparatory work, including the restoration of the wetlands, creation of ponds, seeding of meadows, planting new hedgerows and trees, making access paths and building proper bird watching hides.
March 2009 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust secured £8million of funding from the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA). The investment was made under ‘Newlands’, a NWDA and Forestry Commission programme that is regenerating brownfield land across the Northwest into economically viable community woodland.
Summer 2009 Volunteers gave us 134 hours of their time to help propagate our own reed seedlings on-site. We ended up with 20,000 new redd seedlings ready to plant out around our new visitor centre, creating two hecatres of brand new reedbed.
August 2009 The Lancashire Wildlife Trust were granted detailed planning permission for the site.
December 2009 Contractors first day of work as they begin to construct the iconic floating visitors centre. Press conference being held with a ‘cutting of the first sod’
November 2010 A herd of longhorn cattle move into Brockholes to graze the reserve.
December 2010 BBC Countryfile fronted by Julia Bradbury visit Brockholes to film a feature that airs in January 2011.
March 2011 Brockholes makes history as the Visitor Village is floated for the first time.
Easter Sunday 2011 Brockholes opens its doors to the public for the first time!
www.brockholes.org/happy-habitats-brockholes
Happy habitats at Brockholes
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust are using their expertise to create habitats that will encourage lots of different species to visit the site, read more about the work we are doing on the reserve...
Number 1 Pit
Uniform and steep, the edges around the original gravel pit used to look very different. The island looked different too – an egg-shaped piece of land sticking out of the water by three metres. These land profiles weren’t great for the bird species and aquatic invertebrates we wanted to attract. So, with bulldozer and digger we pushed earth into the lake to create shallow, underwater ledges and peninsulas where birds can roost and feed, safe from predators. Diving ducks, such as Great Crested Grebe, now hunt for fish in the deep water.
Nook Pool
The edge of this pool has been planted with reed to create places for small fish and aquatic invertebrates like dragonfly larvae to hide and grow, away from predator fish. The shelter provided by the vegetation provides an ideal hunting ground for lots of species of dragonfly including the impressive Brown Hawker and Emperor Dragonfly.
Meadow Lake
This shallow lake is great for bird watching: when the water level is down, wading birds feed on small invertebrates in the exposed mud. This lake has some of the richest water plant life in and around it, including White Water Lily and Cuckooflower. The reed fringes are becoming well established and hold some of the largest populations of birds on site. The islands provide safe roosting and breeding areas, we keep the vegetation short so the birds can watch out for predators.
Boilton Marsh
This area is part of our newly created wet grassland habitat. We remodelled 17,000 cubic metres of quarry spoil to create 10 hectares of wet grassland with nearly 2km of channels and five pools. This is the ideal habitat for breeding wading birds such as Lapwing, Redshank and Snipe. We now graze traditional breeds of cattle and sheep that thrive on the coarse grasses and rushes and provide the low grassland sward that encourages wading birds to nest.
The channels and pools are kept topped up by using a high-level reservoir, filled from Number One Pit by way of a solar pump.
Woodland
Brockholes is fringed by the ancient woodland of Boilton, Red Scar and Tunbrook Woods. Woodland has grown here for thousands of years and developed a very rich variety of wildlife. Looking after our trees and paths will help the woodland to thrive and enable you to see the wildlife safely.
Reedbeds
Reedbeds are home to Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers, Reed Buntings and Water Rail. We protect the new reed from grazing birds like Coot, Mute Swan and Canada Goose, by erecting chicken wire fences and baling string barriers. It will take several years before our lak fringes start to look like reedbeds. You might notice that the Visitor Village has been nestled in reedbed. This helps it to blend into the reserve and allows you to hear the song and chatter of the birds that nest there.
www.brockholes.org/brockholes-partners-and-funders
Brockholes partners and funders
For the past ten years, The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside have been working to secure this site of national environmental importance, and restore habitats to their full potential.
The £8.6 million of regeneration funding was provided for the Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Reserve project has been granted under 'Newlands' - a £59 million, Northwest Regional Development Agency and Forestry Commission programme to transform brownfield land into durable community woodland, which act as catalysts for economic, social and environmental gain.
The Lancashire Environmental Fund awarded £446,000 for the development of the education facilities, hides and infrastructure on the site. Tubney Charitable Trust granted £350,000 for Biodiversity and Natural England DEFRA's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund awarded circa. £300,000. The Environment Agency granted £50,000 for the continued development of Brockholes.
The support of these funders helped make Brockholes a reality, as did the amazing support from our public appeal, which raised an amazing £63,000 - the most successful public appeal the Lancashire Wildlife Trust has ever run!
Volunteering at Brockholes
Around 200 volunteers have now been recruited, inducted and trained to begin volunteering at Brockholes, so we offer an enormous thank you to all who are helping it make such a big impact on our visitors... Volunteers truly are the face of Brockholes.
There are currently some exciting opportunities to be had volunteering here at Brockholes. Please have a look below at roles (you can click on the titles to download a full role description) which might suit you and click here to register, mentioning Brockholes and the role on the form.
Seasonal Activities Volunteer
Our seasonal activities program is the ideal opportunity for young people aged 16-23 to get involved here at Brockholes.
Running throughout all school holiday periods, you are expected to volunteer for 7 hours per week (normally one full day).
The Seasonal Activities Volunteer role is ideal for friendly, outgoing people who want to utilise their creative skills and help visitors – in particular children – enjoy the reserve. You will work alongside other volunteers to plan and deliver a variety of activities including pond dipping, guided walks, bird watching. The role will also include assisting with larger events such as our Extreme Adventure Weekend and Craft Fayres. Support will be given to you by the Events & Communications Manager.
This placement is perfect for those undertaking various award schemes, such as the Duke of Edinburgh award, as over the course of the summer you have the opportunity to gain upto 50 volunteering hours.
For full details on the role and what it entails, click here.
Seasonal Retail & Visitor Services
Our seasonal activities program is the ideal opportunity for young people aged 16-23 to get involved here at Brockholes.
As a volunteer for Retail & Visitor Services you will provide a warm welcome for visitors, helping to ensure that their Brockholes experience is a positive one. You will help visitors by providing them with information about products on sale in our gift stores and help them plan their visit by telling them about the various events and activities we have on offer.
The role suits a friendly, outgoing person who has an interest in wildlife and conservation.
Running throughout the school holiday periods, you are expected to volunteer for 7 hours per week (normally one full day).
This placement is perfect for those undertaking various award schemes, such as the Duke of Edinburgh award, as over the course of the summer you have the opportunity to gain upto 50 volunteering hours.
Each volunteer will be required to undergo a minimum of 1 and a half days training before they start. If you’d like to find out more or ask questions about any of these roles do not hesitate to get in touch with Catherine Haddon, Volunteering Support Officer on 01772 324 129 or email volunteer@lancswt.org.uk
Awards
Brockholes has scooped many high profile awards since opening in April 2011:
2013 Lancashire Tourism Award for Best Conference/Meeting venue
VisitEngland's Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) 'Excellent'
Green Tourism Gold Award
Customer at the Heart Award
Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards 'Marketing Campaign of the Year'
National Wood Award
BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ for the interim design stage
Chartered Institute of Building Services – Building of the Year 2011
Civic Trust Award
Civic Trust Special Award for Sustainability
Highly Commended in portfolio of Newlands sites in Landscape Awards
CIWEM Living Wetlands award
Greenbuilds award
Green Apple Awards for the Visitor Centre
Sustainable Project of the year – 2012 Building Awards
RICS North West – Overall award
RICS North West – Tourism and Leisure
RICS NW – Design & Innovation
RIBA North West Building of the Year
RIBA North West Sustainability Award
RIBA Award for top 50 new buildings in the UK
Brockholes is an award winning-venue, which floats on one of our lakes - the only one of its kind in the UK.
Combine this unique design with access straight off the M6, a beautiful nature reserve, ample parking and on site catering, and you have found yourself the perfect venue for your next event. View our Conference Brochure here.
We think Brockholes is the natural place to do business, our dedicated centre can cater for 50 to 130 delegates.
We have a choice of two conference rooms and a reception/break-out area.
www.brockholes.org/conference-packages
At Brockholes we want you to be in control of your event as much as possible. This is why we have created these basic packages, enabling you to tweak each element to build an individual event.
Alternatively, we can cater to your specific requests if you require half day, early morning or evening hire.
Here is an overview of our conference packages, please contact us for a quote.
Our Conference brochure can be viewed in digi-book format here.
Day Delegate Package
Private room hire from 9am - 5pm
Tea and coffee served on arrival with bacon rolls
Mineral water for each guest
Tea and coffee served mid-morning
Buffet lunch served with tea, coffee and fresh fruit platter
Tea, coffee and biscuits served mid-afternoon
Use of a flip chart, screen and projector
Recycled pen and notepad for each delegate
Dedicated co-ordinator to assist you throughout the planning to delivery of your meeting
24 Hour Delegate Package
All of the above plus;
Three course dinner
Full breakfast
Accommodation in a standard bedroom at our recommended accommodation supplier
Accommodation
Preferential rates are available on request from a local hotel when booking through the Brockholes Sales Team.
We can tailor our packages to suit your needs. Make the UK's first floating venue your next choice
Please contact us for more information or to arrange a meeting or showround with our Conference Sales Co-ordinator
Call us on 01772 872005 or enter your details below and we will contact you to discuss your requirements.
www.brockholes.org/sponsorship-opportunities
Sponsorship Opportunities
Brockholes is an award winning nature reserve owned and manages by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, which was opened in 2011. The 250 acre reserve is already attracting record numbers of breeding birds and around 170,000 visitors each year. Brockholes runs a wide range of events throughout the year and has a particularly strong offer for families. Events include wild families, school holiday clubs, school and community group visits, self led trails and larger festivals during the summer holidays.
The key marketing campaigns run targeting families include Christmas, Summer and Easter. Each campaign targets a series of family focused publications across the North West, with a monthly average reach online of over 40,000 people through the website and social media. Advertising and direct marketing campaigns have an average reach of 70% of the total North West population.
Sponsorship and Partnership Opportunities
Summer at Brockholes sees a host of family events each year, from school holiday clubs to open air theatre, guided walks to family fun. Over the Summer period, Brockholes expects to welcome over 60,000 visitors. The marketing campaign is multi channel and will reach a wide audience of families across the North West. Brockholes has also been featured in the National Press for some of the unique events run. We have some new opportunities for sponsorship and partnership, which will allow your business to raise brand awareness and fulfill part of your Corporate Social Responsibility by supporting Brockholes and The Lancashire Wildlife Trust.
Summer at Brockholes Headline Sponsorship £4500
Expose your brand to thousands of families across the North West.
- Logo on all Summer promotional material
- Inclusion in all four of the Summer e-news and Lancashire Wildlife Trust e-news
- Sponsor Feature on Brockholes.org
- On site promotion
- Promotion through social media channels
- Inclusion in all PR activity
- Temporary use of Brockholes logo on promotional material directly related to the partnership
Wild Families Sponsorship £4000 per year
Our Wild Families events are always fully booked. With themes ranging from scarecrow hunts to nature detectives, each event provides quality family time for family members of all ages. Events are run throughout school holidays.
-Logo on marketing materials for Wild Families
-Inclusion in PR for trail launch
-Inclusion in social media activity
-Inclusion in Brockholes e-news
Seasonal Trail Sponsorship £500 per trail
Each visitor to Brockholes can collect their free seasonal trail on arrival. The trail helps visitors to explore the reserve, learn more about what to see and how the reserve changes with the season and challenges them to spot things.
-Logo on sponsorship trail
-Inclusion in PR for trail launch
-Inclusion in social media activity around the trail
Half term at Brockholes £1500
-Logo on all marketing materials
-Inclusion in launch PR
-Social media promotion
Annual Headline Sponsorship £10,000
- Logo inclusion on all Promotional Material
- Dedicated web page on Brockholes.org
- On site promotion
- Dedicated stand area on key event days
- Promotion through Brockholes and LWT e-news, member magazine
- Promotion through social media channels
- Inclusion in all PR activity
-Discounted delegate rate on our conference facilities
Children's Corner £500
Would you like to help brighten up the children's corner in our restuarant for our younger visitors?
-Inclusion in PR activity
-Recognition in the children's area
-Inclusion in activity to our database promoting the new area
To talk to us more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Ruth Gaskell rgaskell@lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129.
www.brockholes.org/commercial-opportunities
Commercial Opportunities
Make Brockholes your business
Businesses are being offered an opportunity to become partners in a North West tourism and wildlife success story.
Brockholes nature reserve is entering the second phase of development which will provide commercial opportunities for other businesses and boost local employment.
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust attraction attracted 185,000 people to its nature reserve and the first ever floating visitor village in the UK, last year. It is looking to top that visitor figure this year.
Just off the M6 at Preston and easily accessible from anywhere in the UK, Brockholes has received more than 30 regional and national awards despite only opening in 2011. Visitors continue to pour in despite the reserve being surrounded by the attractions of Manchester, Blackpool and Liverpool.
The business has shown year-on-year growth and, as a result, is seeking commercial partners for the next phase of development.
Anne Selby, Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trust said “Brockholes has performed incredibly well despite being launched in a recession. We have steered the business through the stormy weather and achieved fantastic results.
“We are now looking to move into the next phase of development. As a conservation charity, we want to ensure our focus remains on the nature conservation of the reserve, whilst ensuring the commercial income supports this work. We are looking for expressions of interest at this stage and asking businesses to be creative with their proposals.”
The Visitor Village has a restaurant, shops, conference centre, welcome centre and education centre. Major companies have made use of the conference centre including RBS and Aldi. The surrounding nature reserve is continuing to grow, with an increasing population of resident creatures and rare visitors like red kite, bittern and otter.
Anne continued: “Brockholes received funding for the initial start up and development phases but it was always designed to be a self-sustaining model. By making the most of the commercial opportunities and keeping these balanced carefully with the needs of nature, we believe we can continue to success of Brockholes into the future and achieve even more fantastic results for wildlife, our wide range of visitors and the tourism economy”.
Opportunities include retail, water sports (non-motorised), indoor play provision, events partners and mobile food concessions. However, the Trust is open to hear if any investors would wish to develop sympathetic commercial facilities on the site.
An opportunity information pack is available by request from:
Karen Williams Karen.Williams@brockholes.org
Expressions of interest should initially be made to
Lindsey Poole, Commercial Development Manager lpoole@lancswt.org.uk
Group Visits
Whether it’s a full day out or just a quick stop off on the way to your destination, Brockholes is the ideal place for groups to visit.
There's so much for all ages to see and learn about at Brockholes. Everyone from toddlers to seniors will find something to fascinate them, whether through our exciting range of organised events, or by just wandering around the site.
We are passionately committed to lifelong learning for all – our belief is that everyone should leave knowing something they didn't when they arrived! The Lancashire Wildlife Trust has over a decade of experience in delivering environmental education, so you can relax, enjoy the surroundings and be sure to come away both enchanted and enlightened...
We have several options for various groups, each with a variety of benefits. For more information click on the relevant link below…
Coach Groups
School Groups
Community Groups
To enquire about group visits please call 01772 872000 or email info@brockholes.org. Or leave your details on the form below and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Coach Groups
Situated next to Junction 31 on the M6, we are the ideal stop for coach trips, whether it is for a short stop, as a green motorway services, or as part of a full day visit.
Free entry for coaches and convenient coach drop-off point
We have a variety of walking trails for your group to explore, ranging from half an hour to 2 hours in length.
We have our floating visitor village that features a stunning waterside restaurant, 2 unique gift shops and a welcome centre with exhibits, which are ideal should your guests decide for something less active (or if the weather lets you down)!
All our buildings are fully accessible, while the vast majority of our paths are well surfaced, level and suitable for wheelchairs.
We now have a more convenient drop-off point exclusively for coaches and in addition have a number of benefits for coach groups:
• Free entry to the reserve and visitor centre
• Free coach parking
• Refreshment voucher for the coach driver
• Free familiarisation visit for group organisers
• Free meet and greet at the coach (on request)
• Free Brockholes welcome leaflet and trail guide
• Free events and activities throughout the year (visit our events calendar for details)
• Free play area
• Pre-booked guided tours (available at an extra charge)
• Adapted toilets available at the visitor centre
Please note that there is a 4 metre high bridge on the entrance to Brockholes. We also advise all coaches to let us know of their visit in advance by calling us on 01772 872000.
For any further information please just call 01772 872000, email info@brockholes.org
School Groups
Our 250 acre nature reserve and Visitor Village is a great place for school groups to visit. Children can learn about the geological history and how the quarrying has shaped the land today. And because we are a new nature reserve, you can watch it grow! It is also home to the UK's first floating Visitor Village.
Most importantly of all, the children will be able to see that Brockholes is home to a host of wildlife, with many different species of bird popping by throughout the year, along with brown hare, dragonfly and deer to name a few!
Facilities
Your school will have use of the education centre on our floating visitor village and you will have at least one Education Officer dedicated to your group throughout the day.
Plus... NEW FOR 2014!
Next year your school will be able to get even closer to nature at Brockholes by booking an education session in our new purpose-built bird hide classroom, right on the edge of the lake!
The hide will overlook No 1 Pit Lake which is home to many different species of birds and you'll also be able to look across to the new sand martin wall, which will provide valuable breeding habitat when they arrive in spring.
Why not your details below if you'd like us to keep to informed of these exciting new developments!
Programmes
We offer a wide range of programmes including:
Big Adventure in a Miniature World
Life Cycles
Migration and Hibernation
Environmental Art
Geography and Geology
Forest School
You can read more about the education programmes available at Brockholes here.
Education Team
Our Education Team are based at Brockholes and have a huge amount of experience in inspiring young people about the natural world. They are a lively bunch and pride themselves on creating an exciting and memorable experience for your school. You can read about how great our team is here: Meet the Education Team.
Outreach
Can't get to us? Then we can come to you! Our outreach education programme is very popular and offers a wide range of programmes for those who are unable to reach Brockholes.You can view our Outreach Programmes here.
For any information just call us on 01772 872000 for more information, email eduadmin@lancswt.org.uk
Community Groups
Brockholes is a great place to bring your community group, whether it's the Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Brownies or Beavers or a rambling or photography group, there is something for everyone!
As well as exploring our stunning nature reserve you can enjoy an activity such as a guided walk, a mini-beast hunt or an environmental art session.
You can visit Brockholes during the day or we have special community group evenings when the reserve is open beyond our usual opening hours. Group activities usually take place between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.
Forest Schools
Forest Schools is a unique outdoor learning experience that improves children's self-esteem, confidence and abilities.
Brockholes provides an inspirational setting for Forest Schools sessions and training, and is conveniently located just off junction 31 of the M6 at Preston.
Our Forest School sessions are designed and delivered by our experienced and fully qualified Education Team including our Level 3 Trained Forest Schools Practioner.
Our next Forest Schools adult training session will be running in October. To find out more about Forest School sessions at Brockholes please call 01772 872017 or email kphillips@lancswt.org.uk
Shop til you flock
Why not drop into our two on-site shops, The Nest and Village Store, which are packed with all sorts of goodies. We've a variety of products from local beverages and food, to cards and books and crafts and jewellery. They are the perfect place to pick up a unique gift... and there's plenty of treats for the little ones too!
The Nest
The Nest is home to an inspiring collection of gifts, jewellery, books, toys, arts & crafts. Discover what's inside The Nest here.
The Village Store
The Village Store stocks a wide range of products, from locally sourced food and drink treats to bird food, garden accessories and wildlife books. Come and look inside here.
Membership of the Wildlife Trust
Brockholes is a Lancashire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. You can become a member today or talk to our friendly staff members and volunteers on your next visit to Brockholes. Gift membership is available in The Nest or you can buy it online here.
Our restaurant is the perfect place to stop and watch the world go by with panoramic views of our lake. Scrumptious homemade dishes and a taste bud tingling selection of Lancashire's finest local produce are all here to tempt you, along with fair trade tea and coffee.
Our restaurant is open from 10am to 5pm.
www.brockholes.org/very-special-occasions
Brockholes is a fantastic place for your very special occasions.
Our floating venue is one of the newest and most unique in Lancashire and promises you and your guests an unforgetable event whatever the occasion.
We have a dedicated function centre that can accomodate weddings, christenings and all sort of functions.
The clean, contemporary finish of our venue means that you have the perfect opportunity to put your own stamp on your event, with a flexible range of catering available from our on-site restaurant.
We have a dedicated Conference and Events Co-ordinator that will be available to help you plan your special occasion.
Very Special Weddings
We had our first wedding celebration September 2011 and since then it's been all go with Wedding Fayres and lots more bookings for this year and next. Find out more about weddings at Brockholes here.
Very Special Christenings
Brockholes is a real family friendly venue for a Christening celebration that you will remember for years to come. Find out more here.
For general enquiries about holding a function at Brockholes please call 01772 872005 or email philip.dunn@brockholes.org.
Here are some more pics and features of the easyride passenger airspeeder
I just put some decals for the screens and controls
Hope you like it! 😁
This funky, experimental bracelet features vintage comic art from the Adventures of Tintin - Red Rackham's Treasure. The Tintin comics were created in 1929. Red Rackham's Treasure follows Tintin and friends as they search for the pirate booty procured by Captain Haddock's ancestor, Sir Francis Haddock, in the West Indies. Tintin and Snowy receive some unexpected help in the form of a hard-of-hearing inventor named Professor Calculus. It's a lot of fun, with some submarine and diving adventures.
Mount McKinley, Alaska is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 11 crew member on the International Space Station in August 2005. This view – of the highest point in North America (20,230 feet) looks as if it were taken from an aircraft. The station crew member took advantage of cloud free skies and the powerful 800 mm lens to photograph this peak, 800 miles to the north of the spacecraft, which was located over the Gulf of Alaska.
One of the long-standing experiments on the International Space Station is called Crew Earth Observations. The unique vantage point of Earth from space has allowed astronauts to capture some of the most compelling photographs ever seen. They are not only beautiful photographs, but also offer insight into how the planet is changing over time, from human-caused changes like urban growth and reservoir construction, to natural dynamic events such as hurricanes, floods and volcanic eruptions. Crew members have been photographing Earth from space since the early Mercury missions beginning in 1961. The continuous images taken from the space station ensure this record remains unbroken.
In celebration of Earth month, Marshall has posted images on Instagram of our planet beginning with Expedition 1 from 2000 all the way through the current Expedition 47.
To follow NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center on Instagram, click here.
Marshall's Flickr will be posting these images this week in further celebration of Earth month. Keep up with all the images by clicking here.
_____________________________________________
These official NASA photographs are being made available for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photographs. The photographs may not be used in materials, advertisements, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by NASA. All Images used must be credited. For information on usage rights please visit: www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelin...
The SD60M features a "North American safety cab" design and has a full-width short hood. Early models until 1990 featured a three-piece windshield with vertical windows.
Purchasers of this model included Union Pacific Railroad, Burlington Northern and the Soo Line.
Later production from 1991 used two windshield panes that were sloped back, and had a somewhat shorter nose tapered on the sides.
The 3-piece models were always a bit odd to see along the Geneva Subdivision, and this one pulling a ballast train through Winfield made an odd sight
Encased in some of Mother natures features, lies this old house. It's neighbours being tree lined valleys, woods, waterfalls and streams, a real getaway indeed.
Maras, Urubamba Province, Cusco Region, Peru
High up in Peru’s Sacred Valley are the magnificent salt ponds of Maras. The mines have been worked since pre-Inca times, always as a cooperative, and are based on a simple but ingenious system. A hot spring at the top gushes out hypersalinised water, which is directed into a series of shallow evaporation pools, each with a polygonal shape and entry and exit notches for the water to continue down. This photograph was taken in the January rains in 2017 and features the myriad ponds from upon high.
Today’s picture features the current construction of the Infinity Tower (to the right of the picture), which has been under development (on and off), since 2006
This is located at the beginning, or entrance part of the Dubai Marina complex. The Construction of the 330 metres (1,083 ft) building began in February 2006 and when completed will have 73 stories and be the world's tallest high rise building with a twist of 90°. Each floor is rotated by 1.2° to achieve the full 90° spiral, creating the shape of a helix. The Tower will have residential apartments, conference rooms, tennis courts, pools, gym, nursery and spa. I can only image what it will cost to buy an apartment there!!
The sky is a bit misty/hazy in this picture, as it was a hazy day. For 4 of the 9 days I was there it was quite hazy, which took away the clarity of some of the photographs. I arrived at this part of the complex after the blue hour so had to load up on filters to try and control the excessive spot lights.
Noted by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson as “a jewel for downtown Fort Pierce and the Treasure Coast”, the four-story Federal Courthouse features a full-height atrium with exposed gable steel roof trusses and an expansive exterior glass wall. Column-free areas and a 21- foot floor-to-floor height at the third-floor level allow for the addition of future courtrooms to complement the two provided on the fourth floor.
The building structure consists of cast-in-place concrete slabs and joists framing to cast-in-place concrete frames supported on a mat foundation. The architectural standing seam roofing across the main roof level is supported by sloped steel structural elements bearing on the flat concrete roof structure. The roofing at the two fourth-floor courtrooms is framed and supported by pitched steel bar joists with a steel roof deck, providing high ceilings for the courtrooms.
The exterior walls, designed for blast and wind load requirements, are comprised of reinforced concrete masonry units with a stucco finish.
As required by the GSA, the project conforms to the ISC Security Design Criteria as well as their Progressive Collapse requirements.
Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:
www.emporis.com/buildings/1260927/alto-adams-united-state...
www.woodspeacock.com/engineering/ft-pierce-federal-courth....
www.flsd.uscourts.gov/content/fort-pierce
pat.bhamaps.com/TabReport.aspx?appid=8c205c54407f4486855e...
© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.
At the Hirshhorn (10/30/2016). The work features a single, sequin-clad woman strumming an E-minor chord endlessly, rotating on a pedestal in a gold-tinseled room, a performance that walks a characteristic line between kitsch and earnest commentary on feminine objectification. A rotating cast of Washington-area musicians will play the "Woman."
You can't take these bricks from me! This model is Shiny! At just over 2000 pieces, this is our largest model ever! The goal with this model was to have it be as accurate as possible while also making it very playable. It makes for a great display model but also has many fun play features. The model has many opening hatches and panels to give you access to the full interior.
Interior includes:
-Cockpit
-Hallway
-Dining room
-Engine room
-Infirmary
-Cargo bay
-2 Shuttles
-Rotating Engines
Instructions available here: buildbetterbricks.com/collections/our-newest-products/pro...
*Features:
- Item 100% mesh
- 100% original mesh and design made by Colyn Jewell
- Fully rendered textures with light and shadows for a realistic effects
- Textures come with NORMAL MAPS and SPECULAR MAPS.
- Included : shadow map templates for front and back sides, and UV template for alpha mesh on top.
- Prims: 7
- Permissions
Copy / Modify / No Transfer
MESH VIEWER
This item require mesh enabled viewer
For any questions send IM to Colyn Jewell
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Antares/138/96/2003
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Mesh-Kiosk-by-Rogue-Star-Des...
Also known as Prizer Fac or Pritzker Fac this abandoned university campus features wainscoted rooms, an auditorium and an impressive staircase. Some of the buildings are still in use, most parts however are abandoned, some of the roofs already collapsed. Thus, it's just a matter of time before this place will be gone.
Please note that this image is protected by copyright law. If you want to use it in any way, please contact me first.
More images at
This set features something remarkable! A Chieftain Mk11 Tank, built in 1968 and now owned by Joe Hewes (@mrhewess). It’s been brilliantly adapted to plough using a Dowdeswell DP7E plough, transforming a piece of military engineering into a working agricultural machine. Captured at the British Ploughing Championships 2025, it’s an unforgettable sight. The power of a tank turning the soil where tractors and horses usually tread, a perfect mix of innovation, heritage, and British humour.
The Basilica is the largest Franciscan church in the world. Its most notable features are its sixteen chapels, many of them decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his pupils, and its tombs and cenotaphs. Legend says that Santa Croce was founded by St Francis himself
4W features Fort Lauderdale's highest rooftop pool and fully appointed Sky Club. Discover Eight at 4W, an exclusive SpeakEasy Lounge reminiscent of old Fort Lauderdale. Fit at 4 features state-of-the-art Italian cardio and strength equipment, while our ZEN at 4 allows for Barre, Yoga, and Dance fitness. Modern interior finishes are crisp and bright with quartz countertops and hard surface flooring throughout the apartment homes. Residents will enjoy unparalleled luxury living within walking distance of the best social spots in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:
en.phorio.com/four_west_las_olas,_fort_lauderdale,_united...
www.skyscrapercenter.com/company/2196
www.apartments.com/4-west-las-olas-fort-lauderdale-fl/kv1...
www.emporis.com/buildings/1400088/4-west-las-olas-fort-la...
© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.
This work features an orange tarp draped in a cloud or mound-like formation adorned with abalone shells, a precious material that has long been traded by Indigenous people and used in ceremony and regalia. The work is an indirect response shaped by the artist's encounter with descriptions of shell mounds in California and the histories linked to the Russian fur trade that enslaved her Peoples. The tarp recalls those used as temporary shelter and protection from weather.
An architectural features of the university building in Mecca. This university is for boys only. Designed and built by American architects using precast material
For Tomatoskin Here's another version
The Alfa Romeo 6C name was used on road, race, and sports cars produced between 1927 and 1954 by Alfa Romeo; the "6C" name refers to the six cylinders of the car's straight-six engine. Bodies for these cars were made by coachbuilders such as James Young, Zagato, Touring Superleggera, Castagna, and Pinin Farina. Beginning in 1933 there was also a 6C version with an Alfa factory body, built in Portello. In the early 1920s Vittorio Jano received a commission to create a lightweight, high performance vehicle to replace the Giuseppe Merosi designed RL and RM models. The car was introduced in April 1925 at the Salone dell' Automobile di Milano as the 6C 1500. It was based on Alfa's P2 Grand Prix car, using a single overhead cam 1,487 cc in-line six-cylinder engine, producing 44 horsepower. In 1928 the 1500 Sport was presented, which was the first Alfa Romeo road car with double overhead camshafts.
6C 1500 (1927–1929)
Alfa Romeo 6C 1500
1929 6C 1500 Super Sport, 1929, in the Louwman Collection
Overview
Production1927–1929
Powertrain
Engine1.5 L (1,487 cc) I6
1.5 L (1,487 cc) supercharged I6
Transmission4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase
2,900 mm (114.2 in) 4-seater[1]
3,100 mm (122.0 in) 6-str., Normale[1]
2,920 mm (115.0 in) Sport, S.S.[2]
In the mid-1920s, Alfa's RL was considered too large and heavy, so a new development began. The 2-litre formula that had led to Alfa Romeo winning the Automobile World Championship in 1925, changed to 1.5-litres for the 1926 season. The 6C 1500 was introduced in 1925 at the Milan Motor Show. Series production started in 1927,[3] with the P2 Grand Prix car as a starting point.The Alfa Romeo 6C-1500 Super Sport features a twin overhead cam six cylinder engine with a bore of 62 mm and stroke of 82 mm, giving a displacement of 1487 cc, as against the P2's 1,987 cc, while supercharging was dropped. First versions were bodied by James Young and Carrozzeria Touring.
In 1928, the 6C Sport model was released, with a dual overhead-camshaft engine. Its sport version won many races, including the 1928 Mille Miglia. Total production was 3,000 (200 with DOHC engines). Ten examples of a supercharged (compressore, compressor) Super Sport variant were also built. Wikipedia
Now features on "Leeds By Night" vid
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c_6KJV_6Ek
On this occasion I fell for the wily charms of a local prostitute. She asked for two quid for chips and a coffee whilst I asked for some photos for posterity in exchange! Not only is she a prostitute by profession but in this instance an Officer of Fair Trade ;O)
Despite her seemingly lax approach she is not unwise to the prying eyes of CCTV in the vicinity and does her best to avoid them whilst working.
Although local vice in the Holbeck/Sovereign Street area can be the object of scorn, I find the experience of meeting them, for some reason, personally upsetting!
But disregarding these observations, she seems happy in herself and agreed she is a part of local history as is any other tradesperson within Leeds.
Winter visitor. Believed to be migrating from Turkey/Spain. Key features of adult are yellowish bill with blackish cere, whitish head and neck, fluffy white ruff, rufescent-buff upper parts, rufous brown underparts and thighs with prominent pale streaking, and dark grey legs and feet. Regularly makes long journey in search of carcasses. Habitat in semi-desert, dry open plains and hills.
Compare with Cinereous Vulture, with Himalayan Griffon.
Luckily for me, this bird landed close to the safari truck out of nowhere!
Nikon D850, 500 mm f/4e lens, f/5.6, /1250s, ISO 320.
Thanks to all of you who fave and comment on the photograph.
One of the most obvious features of the Brolga’s behaviour is its courtship display, an elaborate dance. The dance begins with a pair of birds picking up grass, tossing it into the air and catching it again. This is followed by the birds repeatedly leaping a metre into the air with wings outstretched, followed by stretching their necks upwards, bowing to one another, bobbing their heads, walking about and calling. Sometimes the dance is done alone or in a group, with the birds lining up opposite one another.
I was driving along the Fogg Dam wall and spotted this pair of birds seeking some midday shade. The big male was making a few dips and springing up to his full impressive height and opening his wings but no full on leaps. still to be able to step out of the car lay flat on the wall and this pair are less than 50m away as they just slowly dance away
It is very disheartening to see a dry dam and flood plane at a time when this area should be at least 1m deep under flood water. just hope that the rain today has helped...
The garden features various irises with different colours and types, creating a vibrant and colourful landscape.
👉 Marina features a cute bubbles ponytail and curly bangs.
Available for only 50L$ from May 31st to June 2nd in Wasabi main store.
👉 Sun is our new release for the upcoming Hair Fair 2024, it features twin braided pigtails and a summery head scarf. Both rigged and unrigged options are included.
Each style at the Hair Fair donates to Wigs for Kids.
Available starting June 1st at Hair Fair 2024.
🔥 GIVEAWAY 🔥 ➜ ENDED, winners in comments.
Like, follow and comment with your SL username either here on Flickr, or like, share and comment on Facebook for a chance to win 1 of 5 Absolute Packs of Sun.
P.S. If you're picked as a winner, but already purchased the hair, you'll get the equivalent value in store credit.
Items used in our posters are ➜ HERE.
This photo was taken on the island of Crete, Greece, in a rocky coastal inlet. Shallow pools of clear water form among jagged stones and pebbles, revealing submerged textures and geological layers. The foreground is filled with scattered rocks, while the background features a mountainous landmass under a partly cloudy sky. The scene captures the interplay between land and sea — where erosion, mineral rhythm, and Mediterranean light converge in quiet clarity.
Cette photo a été prise sur l’île de Crète, en Grèce, dans une crique rocheuse côtière. Des bassins peu profonds d’eau claire se forment entre les pierres et galets, révélant des textures immergées et des strates géologiques. Le premier plan est rempli de roches éparses, tandis qu’à l’arrière-plan s’étend une masse montagneuse sous un ciel partiellement nuageux. La scène saisit l’interaction entre terre et mer — où érosion, rythme minéral et lumière méditerranéenne se rencontrent dans une clarté silencieuse.
Grayton Beach State Park is a park on Florida's Emerald Coast, west of Panama City. If features a trail system through a pristine set of dunes in addition to an untarnished section of beach featuring the region's fine sand and colorful clear ocean water.
The Old Lake Worth City Hall, also known as the Lake Worth City Hall Annex, is a historic site in Lake Worth, Florida. It is located at 414 Lake Avenue.
The building originally served as Lake Worth's elementary school until June 1928. North Grade and South Grade Elementary Schools opened the following fall. The building was subsequently remodeled to provide for the Commission Chamber and administrative offices. On May 18, 1989, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The Lake Worth Historical Museum is located on the second floor, and features antiques, tools, clothing, photographs, and other local and historic artifacts.
With a quickly growing population in the 1910s, the city of Lake Worth recognized the need for a school. After the Palm Beach Farms Company donated land to the Palm Beach County Board of Public Instruction, a small, wood-frame schoolhouse was built in 1912, with Lucerne Avenue located to the north, Lake Avenue to the south, and Federal Highway to the east. Upon opening on October 20, 1912, 24 students were enrolled, which nearly doubled by the end of the school year.
The expanding population soon necessitated the need for a larger schoolhouse, with the school board commissioning design plans and construction in 1914, to be funded by an approved $25,000 bond. The new, two story schoolhouse included 12 classrooms, each of which contained either 36 large desks or 45 small desks. After the construction of other schools, such as Lake Worth Community High School in 1922, the city government purchased the building in August 1926 due to its need for space for administrative functions.
The building was renovated after being sold to the city government, with classrooms being converted into offices and a telephone being installed. In July 1927, the former schoolhouse was rededicated as city hall. Lake Worth was devastated by the effects of the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane, including city hall. Along the northwest corner of the building, the exterior wall in its entirety collapsed, while the north tower was destroyed and the bay at the northeastern side of the building was removed. The roof suffered complete destruction. As a result, Lake Worth was without a functional center for city government. City hall operations were temporarily moved to the Lauriston Building, then located at the corner of Lake Avenue and Dixie Highway. In late 1928, architect Floyd King drew up plans for restoring city hall. Upon completion of restoration in 1929, the building featured a Mission–Spanish Revival design, a radical change from the previous architectural style.
Administrative functions for the city government resumed after the building reopened in 1929. The building continued to be used for city hall operations until April 1973, when nearly all local government departments – with the exception of the electrical and water utilities – moved to the civic center building along Dixie Highway between Lake Avenue and Lucerne Avenue. In 1980, the Lake Worth Historical Museum opened on the second floor; it features antiques, tools, clothing, photographs, and other local artifacts relating to the history of Lake Worth. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 18, 1989.
Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Lake_Worth_City_Hall
www.yelp.com/biz/city-of-lake-worth-city-hall-lake-worth
www.pbcgov.org/papa/Asps/PropertyDetail/PropertyDetail.as...
wesblackman.blogspot.com/2012/01/more-on-architect-g-sher...
© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.
If you are not French, it’s likely you haven’t ever heard the word “Saintonge”, and have no clue what it means. If you are French, it’s probably the same thing. Unless, that is, you are a fan of Romanesque, in which case you know that Saintonge, that small region of France centered around the town of Saintes (hence the name), not far from the Atlantic Ocean, just North of Bordeaux... features the highest density of Romanesque churches of all the country!
I had never visited that area of France, and so in the middle of October 2021, I took that long overdue trip and stayed two weeks in Saintes, driving left and right daily to photograph all the most significant Romanesque churches... and unfortunately leaving out many others, as they are so thick on the ground!
Being by nature a human activity, even the best and purest of arts can, in time, overdo itself and teeter upon the brink of baroque, exaggeration and overabundance. Built around 1160, about ten years after its magnificent neighbor in Rétaud (which we have seen a few days ago), the Notre-Dame church in Rioux is largely regarded among specialists as having gone slightly over the top in terms of outside decoration.
I have seen the exact same thing with the enclos paroissiaux (“parish enclosures”) in Brittany: the desire to do better and grander than the neighbors, combined with the existence of generous financial means, often leads to an overdoing of things in which the spiritual appears to be drowned in a wave of refinement and superficiality.
This almost exaggerated decoration is often cited as one of the chief reasons why this church was only listed as a Historic Landmark in 1903, while its neighbor in Rétaud was listed in 1862. In the late 1950s, François Eygun, Director of Historic Antiquities, wrote: “This is no more the elegant richness, but the exaggeration of a quality pushed beyond the limits of the reasonable and into bad taste.”
We, visitors of the 21st century, may take a more lenient approach... or maybe it is our own taste that has been distorted over the years by lack of backbone, cheap and self-fulfilling enjoyment (read: selfies!) and reality TV... I will let my viewers decide.
Strangely enough, the façade is probably the most understated part of this church. The top part of the bell tower is from the 15th century, but all the rest shows a remarkable restraint, with only the Virgin in a mandorla and abstract motifs on the voussures around and over the main door.