hyperborea photos on Flickr

Newly settled juveniles, less than 2 mm long on red, calcareous algae encrusting rock. Smooth, very shallow, pear-shape saucer. The apex at the anterior initially has a minute spiral protoconch (surviving larval shell) which is sealed off and lost soon after metamorphosis. The summit of the shell is further back. Aperture rim is on a single plane conforming to the flat surface of encrusting algae. Almost transparent, showing viscera. Two or three longitudinal rows of iridescent blue dashes.

Concise Key id. features: 1Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FxDe

Part 1, SHELL FORMS, BELOW

Part 2, BODY & ANATOMY: 3Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FxtK

Part, 3 HABITS & ECOLOGY: 4Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Fx9M

Sets of OTHER SPECIES: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

PDF available at www.researchgate.net/publication/346673416_Patella_pelluc...

Patella pellucida Linnaeus, 1758

Authors: Paula Lightfoot, Erling Svensen and Ian F. Smith (text) September 2017.

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=147459

Synonyms: Anastes pellucida (Linnaeus, 1758); Helcion pellucidum (Linnaeus, 1758); Patella laevis Pennant, 1777; Patina pellucida (Linnaeus, 1758);

Vernacular names: Blue-rayed limpet, Peacock's feather (English); Brenigen lasresog, Brenigen rasen las (Welsh); Blåskæl (Danish); Blauwgestreepte schaalhoren (Dutch); durchscheinende Häubchenschnecke (German); Blåsnigel (Norwegian); Laminaria-skålsnäcka (Swedish); Helcion transparent (French);

GLOSSARY below.

Introduction

In addition to when they metamorphose from veliger larva to juvenile, all individuals of P. pellucida undergo pronounced morphological change when they mature at about 7mm length. Then, the anterior of the shell ceases to be reduced and starts to grow, probably because of a change from resorption to secretion by the mantle edge. Juvenile growth lines, shaped like tilted horseshoes open at the cut away anterior, are succeeded by unbroken growth lines around the entire shell, and the profile starts to rise. Subsequent adult survival and shell morphology vary greatly with the local environment and microhabitats used. The following describes the resulting forms in detail for the majority of individuals in Britain, but exceptions occur.

Shell Descriptions (Britain)

Growth stage1: veliger larva.

Habitat: Plankton. Shell length: Up to 0.2mm. Shape: initially a smooth bowl shape, rapidly becoming slightly spiral with barely more than one whorl (Lebour, 1937). 1Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FxDe Exterior surface: Smooth. Translucent.

Growth stage 2: newly settled juvenile.

Habitat: Usually on red, calcareous algae encrusting rock 2Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FxAi .

Shell length: Up to c. 2mm.

Shape: Very shallow saucer. The apex at the anterior intitially has a minute spiral protoconch (surviving larval shell) which is sealed off and lost soon after metamorphosis. The summit of the shell is further back. N.B. “apex” in this account refers to the protoconch location; the highest point of the shell above the substrate is referred to as the “summit”. Profile: Very low. Aperture outline: Pear-shape outline. Aperture rim: On a single plane conforming to the flat surface of encrusting algae. Exterior surface: Smooth, usually lacking epizoic growths. Translucence: Almost transparent, showing viscera. Colour: When live, the faintly horn-coloured shell is darkened by the visible viscera. Coloured rays: Two or three longitudinal rows of iridescent blue dashes .

Growth stage 3: juvenile.

Habitat: Laminaria fronds 3Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FxtK stipes 4Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Fx9M , and on 5Pp flic.kr/p/YNrZYJ and within 6Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FqqB holdfasts. Length: c. 2mm to c. 7mm. Height: Low, mean height 27% of length (Graham & Fretter,1947). Shape: Shallow saucer. Profile: Low, uninterrupted, streamlined 7Pp flic.kr/p/YLTpnd . Aperture outline: Oval, narrowest at anterior. Aperture rim: On a single plane conforming to the flat surface of Laminaria frond 8Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Fou2 . Those in holdfasts or depressions on stipes may have the rim curved up at the ends 9Pp flic.kr/p/Yss7so . Growth: Greatest at posterior, apex lost and anterior progressively removed, probably by resorption. Growth lines: horseshoe, open at anterior, in plan view. In side view, they slope downwards to where they end in the anterior quarter of shell. Most widely spaced at posterior 9Pp flic.kr/p/Yss7so . Thickness: very thin and fragile. Exterior surface: very smooth, no sculpture except fine growth lines 10Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FnSR , but less smooth with coarser growth lines if within a holdfast 9Pp flic.kr/p/Yss7so . Rarely, if ever, has any epibiotic growths. Translucence: almost transparent; body can usually be discerned through the shell 5Pp flic.kr/p/YNrZYJ . Colour: whitish, tinted horn to pale brown; partly due to the closely adhering, flimsy periostracum 8Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Fou2 . Coloured rays: two or three rows of iridescent blue/green hyphens/lines on 2mm and 3mm long shells 11Pp flic.kr/p/XQbnj8 ; about eight rows when 7mm long 12Pp flic.kr/p/YRn54i . Lines 0.1mm to 0.2mm wide. Occasionally, several red-brown rays among the blue ones 3Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FxtK . Interior: whitish, tinted horn to pale brown. Black, non-crystalline, colloidal particles underlie parts of the blue/green lines 13Pp flic.kr/p/YNKbDC . Sometimes, the horseshoe-shaped pedal retractor muscle-scar is visible14Pp flic.kr/p/XLDR8W .

Growth stage 4f, early adult on Laminaria frond.

Habitat: Laminaria fronds. Shell length: c. 7mm to c. 10mm. Height: raised, about 35% of length when 10mm long 15Pp flic.kr/p/YNKaz3 . Shape: dome. Profile: smoothly rounded, except for break in slope at anterior where new adult growth joins juvenile growth 15Pp flic.kr/p/YNKaz3 . Anterior steeper than posterior. Aperture outline: usually a broad oval 15Pp flic.kr/p/YNKaz3 , or almost circular 16Pp flic.kr/p/XLDNJ7 . Aperture rim: on a single plane conforming to the flat surface of Laminaria. Growth: growth commences at anterior. Adult growth forms a distinct skirt around the juvenile shell 15Pp flic.kr/p/YNKaz3 . Growth greater at posterior so the skirt is wider there. Growth lines: in plan view, now continuous around the whole shell on adult skirt. In side view, they slope down on the skirt towards the anterior, but are not cut off. Thickness: adult growth thicker and, sometimes, slight radial ribs develop on it. Exterior surface: very smooth, no sculpture except fine growth lines. Rarely has any epibiotic growths. Translucence: the brown, adult skirt is almost opaque 17Pp flic.kr/p/YNK8Wo , but the pedal-retractor muscle and, within the muscle outline, the blackish mantle and fine spray of black particles on the shell interior are discernible through the juvenile growth in good light 18Pp flic.kr/p/YNK81f . Colour: usually a stronger brown than on juveniles 18Pp flic.kr/p/YNK81f . Coloured rays: blue/green rays persist on juvenile growth, may extend onto new adult growth, but usually feeble 15Pp flic.kr/p/YNKaz3 or faint shadowy grey. Interior: juvenile area pale,translucent; adult skirt stronger brown. Increased number of black, colloidal particles under parts of the blue/green lines 19Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Y4Cv . Pedal retractor muscle-scar usually faint 16Pp flic.kr/p/XLDNJ7 .

Growth stage 5f, late adult on Laminaria frond.

Habitat: on Laminaria frond. Shell length: c. 11mm to c. 19mm.

Height: up to 50%, or more, of length. Shape: conoid, steeper at anterior, often resembles a Phrygian cap 20Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Y3uZ . Profile: posterior a long smooth convex curve, anterior a short and steep concave curve with break of slope where juvenile growth meets adult growth, and, on two year old individuals, where first year adult growth meets second year growth 21Pp .https://flic.kr/p/Z51JLg Aperture outline: a broad oval 22Pp flic.kr/p/Z51FP4 , sometimes approaching a circle 21Pp flic.kr/p/Z51JLg . Aperture rim: on a single plane conforming to the flat surface of Laminaria frond. Growth: wide skirt of adult growth all around shell makes up the majority of it. Posterior growth still exceeds anterior growth, but less markedly. Growth lines: in plan view, continuous around the whole shell on adult skirt. Thickness: increases only slightly. Exterior surface: smooth, usually with no epibiotic growth, or a little 20Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Y3uZ . Translucence: less than on juveniles, but can be sufficient for viscera to be discerned 22Pp flic.kr/p/Z51FP4 Colour: usually dark brown on live shells 21Pp flic.kr/p/Z51JLg . Coloured rays: blue lines persist on the juvenile growth and may continue on adult growth for part 21Pp flic.kr/p/Z51JLg or all 22Pp flic.kr/p/Z51FP4 of the way to the posterior edge, but often continuing as faint shadowy grey lines 21Pp flic.kr/p/Z51JLg . Rarely in Britain, bright blue lines continue on adult growth all around the shell 23Pp flic.kr/p/YRpuUg . Interior: variable colour, often blackish, with some iridescence 21Pp flic.kr/p/Z51JLg . Muscle scars vary in distinctness.

Growth stages 4s & 5s, adults on Laminaria stipe.

Habitat: Bowl-shape pit eaten into side of Laminaria stipe 24Pp flic.kr/p/YsLJPW & 25pp flic.kr/p/YNN5QC . Shell length: c.7mm to 10mm (4s) and c.11mm to 19mm (5s). Height: Variable, c.30% of length. Shape: Conoid, less steep than on frond dwellers because adult skirt flares laterally. Skirt forms majority of shell at stage 5 26pp flic.kr/p/YMdFeA . Profile: Posterior is two smooth convex curves with a very distinct break of slope between them. Anterior is convex on juvenile growth and straight on adult skirt, with a break of slope where the two parts meet. Aperture outline: A broad oval, sometimes approaching a circle. Aperture rim: Strongly curved up from the horizontal at the ends. Growth: Wide skirt of adult growth all around shell makes up the majority of it by stage 5. Posterior growth exceeds anterior growth.

Growth lines: In plan view, continuous around the whole shell on adult skirt. Thickness: Increased on both juvenile and adult growth by mantle secretion over the whole of the interior. Exterior surface: Smooth, often with no epibiotic growth, but some shells have small amounts, including algae 27Pp flic.kr/p/YRpsdK . Translucence: Adult growth opaque; juvenile growth may retain some translucence. Colour: Usually dark brown on live shells. Coloured rays: Blue lines persist on the juvenile growth and may continue on adult growth for part or all of the way to the posterior edge. Red-brown radiating lines are frequent, often alternating with the blue lines 26Pp flic.kr/p/YMdFeA . Interior: variable colour, often blackish or dark brown, with some iridescence. Muscle scars vary in distinctness; occasionally, there are a clearly marked, white mantle-attachment-scar, a distinct pedal-retractor-muscle scar and, within the muscle scar, a silky-white amphora mark 26Pp flic.kr/p/YMdFeA .

Growth stages 4h& 5h, adults within Laminaria holdfast.

Habitat: Bowl shaped cavity eaten into base of stipe within Laminaria holdfast 28Pp flic.kr/p/YRprJZ & 29Pp flic.kr/p/YsLEbY . Shell length: c.7mm to 10mm (4h) and c.11mm to 19mm, exceptionally 30mm (5h) 29.1Pp flic.kr/p/259hPe4 & 29.2Pp flic.kr/p/23McN7H .

Height: Mean height is 34% of length, varies17% to 57%. Shape: Wide variety of distorted conoids 30Pp flic.kr/p/YRpowg . Profile: very varied, but anterior steeper and shorter than posterior. Changes of gradient indicate change from juvenile to adult growth and, probably, annual pauses in growth. Aperture outline: a broad oval, sometimes approaching a circle 31Pp flic.kr/p/Z54JED . Aperture rim: Strongly curved up from the horizontal at the ends 28Pp flic.kr/p/YRprJZ & 32Pp flic.kr/p/YsPCqh . Growth: Wide skirt of adult growth all around shell makes up the majority of it by stage 5 33Pp flic.kr/p/Z54BWi . Posterior growth exceeds anterior growth. Growth lines: In plan view, lines are continuous around the whole shell on the adult skirt, but form tilted horseshoes on juvenile growth 34Pp flic.kr/p/YsPzTo . Thickness:Increased on both juvenile and adult growth by mantle secretion over the whole of the interior. Exterior surface: less smooth than on frond and stipe dwellers 35Pp flic.kr/p/YMgx9G and is very often partly 36Pp flic.kr/p/XQh5Kp or completely 37Pp flic.kr/p/XQh5nv coated with epizoic animals such as barnacles, bryozoa and tube worms. Smoother juvenile growth usually stays free of epizoa.

Translucence: Adult growth opaque 38Pp flic.kr/p/YMgFdh . Colour: Brown or dark brown.

Coloured rays: Blue lines persist on the juvenile growth, unless eroded 31Pp flic.kr/p/Z54JED and may, occasionally, continue on adult growth for part or all of the way to the posterior edge 35Pp flic.kr/p/YMgx9G but the blue is often less vibrant on the thicker adult growth. Red-brown radiating lines are frequent, often alternating with the blue lines 33Pp flic.kr/p/Z54BWi or replacing them 31Pp flic.kr/p/Z54JED & 39Pp flic.kr/p/Z54sFe . The lines are often concealed under epizoic growths. Interior: Varies, often partly iridescent 37Pp flic.kr/p/XQh5nv . Often the peripheral zone is brown, and the area within the pedal-retractor-muscle scar is grey or blackish 39Pp flic.kr/p/Z54sFe . The distinctness of the p-r-m scar, and of the mantle-attachment scar, varies from very clearly defined 36Pp flic.kr/p/XQh5Kp to indiscernible 35Pp flic.kr/p/YMgx9G . Usually, from the interior, any exterior blue lines hidden but, occasionally, they are faintly visible 33Pp flic.kr/p/Z54BWi .

Stranded shells

The layer of zig-zag lamellae of calcite that iridesces the blue rays is close to the surface and often abraded from beachworn shells, which consequently often lack rays 40Pp flic.kr/p/YNQK3W Occasionally the rays are eroded while live 31Pp flic.kr/p/Z54JED .

Shell Descriptions (Norway)

The following is based mainly on information and images from the Egersund area in southern Norway, and on Kain & Svendsen (1969). Images from other areas of Norway might require revision of this account. There are several differences in appearance and behaviour from those in Britain.

No images are available of newly settled juveniles under 2mm length (Growth Stage 2) on encrusting red calcareous algae (usual habitat in Britain), but an early adult (GS4) was photographed on calcareous algae 41Pp flic.kr/p/XAavbr . Juveniles (GS3) were observed on sublittoral fronds of Laminaria hyperborea 42Pp flic.kr/p/YQa8Xp and L. saccharina 43Pp flic.kr/p/YdW7zA . They had nearly-transparent, blue-rayed, low, smooth, streamlined shells, cut way at the anterior, similar to British examples. Early adults (GS4), as in Britain, cease anterior shell-loss and commence thicker growth all around the perimeter, and the anterior rises to form a dome 44Pp flic.kr/p/YdW49C . But, there is a marked difference from Britain because the new adult growth usually has blue rays, as vivid as on the juvenile, now on the anterior as well as the posterior 45Pp flic.kr/p/YyPJ7y . Those that survive as later-adults (GS5f) on fronds continue to have blue rays all around the shell as it grows 46Pp flic.kr/p/YBsbVD , and a few gain sufficient height to approximate to a Phrygian cap in profile 47Pp flic.kr/p/YBsanD & 48Pp flic.kr/p/Xy66BJ . A minority live on stipes 49Pp flic.kr/p/YyPF9u almost always on the top 10cm, including the junction of stipe with frond 50Pp flic.kr/p/XAamFR . Photographs viewed showed juveniles (GS3) and early adults (GS4) in pits that sometimes coalesce 51Pp flic.kr/p/YBs7iH . The shell-forms on stipes (GS3s & 4s) were similar to those on fronds, but they differed by usually lacking any, or many, blue rays on the anterior 52Pp flic.kr/p/XAajp6 and so resembled British specimens. Not a single distorted holdfast-dweller (GS5h), nor a vacant P. pellucida pit in a holdfast, was discovered in large samples from exposed and sheltered sites in Espegrend, S.W. Norway and Tromsö, N. Norway, and it appears that this form is absent from Norway (Kain & Svendsen,1969) .

GLOSSARY

afferent (adj. of vessel) = carrying blood etc. towards an organ.

aperture = mouth of gastropod shell; outlet for head and foot.

apex (definition for this account) = position of the larval protoconch (see summit).

branchial (adj.) = of or relating to gills (branchiae).

cephalic = (adj.) of or on the head.

cnidocytes = explosive stinging cells of hydroids, jellyfish, sea anemones etc. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidocyte

ctenidium = comb-like molluscan gill; usually an axis with a row of filaments either side.

efferent (adj. of vessel) = carrying blood etc. away from an organ.

ELWS = extreme low water spring tide (usually near March and September equinoxes).

epizoic (of a plant or animal) = growing or living non-parasitically on the exterior of a living animal.

GS1, GS2 etc. = Growth Stage 1 (planktonic veliger larva), Growth Stage 2 (newly settled juvenile) etc.

GS5f = Growth Stage 5 (late adult) living on Laminaria frond.

GS5h = Growth Stage 5 (late adult) living in Laminaria holdfast.

GS5s= Growth Stage 5 (late adult) living on Laminaria stipe.

haemocoel = system of interconnected spaces (sinuses) containing blood within body of a mollusc.

holdfast = rootlike in appearance, but not in function, tendrils attaching seaweed to the substrate. (a.k.a. hapteron).

mantle = sheet of tissue that secretes the shell and forms a cavity for the gill in most marine molluscs.

MLWS = mean low water spring tide level (mean level reached by lowest low tides for a few days every fortnight; Laminaria or Coralline zone on rocky coasts).

osphradium (pl. osphradia) = organ for testing water quality (chemical and/or for particles) usually near approach of inhalant current to ctenidium or pallial gills. Structure varied; including comblike, papillate or ribbing.

pallial (adj.) = of, relating to, or produced by the mantle (pallium).

periostracum = thin horny layer of chitinous material often coating shells.

phylogenetic (of development) = of change due to genetic make up.

resorb = absorb again that which was previously produced.

resorption = the process of absorbing again that which was previously produced.

stipe = stem of some brown seaweeds that supports the fronds and may contain a core of cells that transports sugars and nutrients within the alga.

summit (definition for this account) = highest point of the shell above the substrate (see apex).

trochophore = spherical or pear-shaped larva that moves with aid of girdle of cilia that beat to cause rotation. Stage preceding veliger, passed within gastropod egg in most spp. but free in plankton for patellid limpets, most Trochidae and Tricolia pullus, and, with no veliger, chitons.

veliger = shelled larva of marine gastropod or bivalve mollusc which feeds and swims by beating cilia of a velum (small on P. pellucida).

Flashes! by Kelson Vibber

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Reverse Flash is looking over at my 6YO son who's about to photobomb the frame in about two seconds.

@findnjewels as Jesse Quick

@new_element_studios as Kid Flash

@vigilantecosplay as Reverse Flash

Saturday at WonderCon 2017 (writeup)

Suicide Girls Booth by Kelson Vibber

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And, the second thing you see after walking onto the floor: the Suicide Girls

Saturday at Anaheim Comic Con.

X-Men and Friends by Kelson Vibber

5 4

Green Lantern, Spider-Man, and, um, someone (looks like Anna Mercury, don't think that's right) join X-Men Cyclops, Wolverine and Nightcrawler.

Saturday at WonderCon.

LEGO Batman, Robin and Joker by Kelson Vibber

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Saturday at Comic-Con 2013.

Dr. Fate, Black Canary cosplayers meet Marko from Saga by Kelson Vibber

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Saturday at WonderCon 2015. Writeup of the con.

Black Lantern Captain America by Kelson Vibber

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Waiting in the space between Marvel's Dark Reign panel and the DC Universe panel.

Saturday at Comic-Con International.

Северная пищуха, Ochotona hyperborea, Northern Pika by Oleg Nabrovenkov

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Chukotka

LEGO Bat Signal by Kelson Vibber

Saturday at WonderCon 2016

Quicksilver and Ms Marvel Cosplay by Kelson Vibber

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Saturday at WonderCon 2015. Writeup of the con.

Divers eye view to the surface through a ring of kelp in Loch Eriboll by NatureScot

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Laminaria hyperborea kelp forest

Date: 04/08/2015

Location: Loch Eriboll

Geographic position: 58°33'23" N 4°36'9" W

Original image file size: 27.8MB (.NEF - RAW format)

Photographer: George Stoyle

Gamora and Star-Lord by Kelson Vibber

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Saturday at LA Comic Con 2016

Arkona by Omar Lanzetti

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Fonte official FB page:

www.facebook.com/arkonarussia/info

The roots of Arkona are to be searched for in the beginning of 2002, when the members of local pagan community "Vyatichi" – Maria "Scream" Arhipova and Alexander "Warlock" Korolyov decided to form a band, according to their ideology and musical tastes.

Initially, the band was called "Hyperborea", it consisted of: Maria "Scream" Arhipova (vocal), Eugene Knyazev (guitar), Eugene Borzov (bass-guitar), Ilya Bogatyryov (guitar), Alexander "Warlock" Korolyov (drums), Olga Loginova (keyboard). In February 2002 the band was renamed into "Arkona". The musical materials of the band were pagan/folk metal based and the lyrics had an idea of ancient national beliefs and history of Slavonic Russia .

In the end of the year it was decided to record several songs as a demo-record. The process of recording took place in December 2002, at CDM-Records studio. The demo consisted of 3 tracks – "Kolyada", "Solntsevorot" and "Rus'"Now this record is included into live-play album "Zhizn' vo slavu" (2006) as bonus material.

Since the beginning of 2003 the band has started its concert activity. Many people heard them for the first time at "Yazycheskaya Rus'" fest, which was held 8th February 2003 at "Estakada" club. Other bands that took part there were Butterfly Temple , Pagan Reign, Svarga, Rossomahaar.

Until summer 2003 the band performed a few local concerts, and then the question of debut LP recording was raised.

Unfortunately, by that time, several band members had lost interest for the further musical creativity, and in September 2003 the band Arkona dissapears.

Maria decided to keep on solo and asks her Nargathrond project mates for help in recording an opening LP. She got all the orchestration written down and musicians obtained them for learning and training. By March 2004 the first LP "Vozrozhdenie" was recorded without even a single rehearsal.

Nowadays this LP is spread all over the world and has received its recognition. It is recognized as one of the most successful Slavonic pagan metal LP ever. Immediately after studio work, Maria dedicates herself to the creation of new songs, and by the end of summer 2004 the material for the second album "Lepta" was ready. It was recorded the following autumn with the same musicians.

The album was released in December 2004 and, though LP continues the same old themes from "Vozrozhdenie", it is done in more dark and gloomy style. In the recording of this LP (as in the recording of previous one) took part a poet and vocalist Les’yar ( Nevid', ex-Butterfly Temple ), not only as a performer, but also as lyrics writer (the song "Zarnitsy Nashei Svobody").

By the moment of LP release, Arkona revived as a band - it consisted of musicians, which took part in recording of two first LPs. They were: Sergey "Lazar" (guitar), Ruslan "Knyaz'" (bass-guitar), Vlad "Artist" (drums). Since the beginning of the year 2005 the band could be seen again performing live.

Irrepressible creativity of Maria doesn’t let her stop and by summer 2005 the band starts recording the third LP, the most complicated and varied album "Vo Slavu Velikim". The band decided to give up on using any synthesized instruments and used real ethnic instruments, so the list of musicians, that took part in this recording, considerably extended. One of the invited was a famous folk-musician Vladimir Cherepovskiy (Mervent, ex- Voinstvo Sidov, Veter Vody, Trio Mario) and members of bands Svarga and Alkonost.

The orchestration for the songs sometimes included over 100 record tracks, but the band overcame these difficulties and in September 2005 the LP gone gold. During its presentation the live performance was recorded and was released as a DVD and also included into live LP "Zhizn’ vo Slavu".

In May 2007 Arkona started recording the 4th album 'Ot Serdca K Nebu' ('From Heart to the Skies'), where the previously started theme of the rebirth of culture and native Slavic religion found its continuation.

As for the music of this album, it represents the mix of modern metal styles: from brutal death metal ('Shrouds of Celestial Sage') and raw black metal ('Over the Abyss of Ages') up to beautiful ballad rock ('Oh, My Sorrow, My Anguish') and lofty epic metal ('Long live Rus!', 'Kolo Rolls'), and also somber doom ('The Arrow').

All the variety is saturated with the atmosphere, characteristic for all works by Arkona, and plenty of Slavic folk... As it was on the previous record, all parts of ethnic wind instruments were composed by a very special musician, a specialist in ancient music, Vladimir Cherepovsky (gaita, gallega, small pipe, hurdy-gurdy, tin whistle, low whistle, sopilka, pipes, pan flute, ocarina, zafun).

Also the vocalists of the Byelorussian folk choir 'Gostitsa' took part in recording.

The design of the album cover was developed by the famous Belgian artist Kris Verwimp...

The March of 2008 was a turning point for the band. Arkona performed as one of the headliners at the biggest European pagan metal fest called Ragnarok Festival V. The performance was eagerly supported by more than 5000 pagan metal fans from every part of the world.

When they got home, there was a nice surprise waiting for them: a proposition to sign a contract with one of the biggest European labels Napalm Records, concerning the release of the album 'Ot Serdca K Nebu' and future works of the band.

After Napalm Records released it, the band went on a 30-day tour in Europe, which ended with the performance at the great festival called BRUTAL ASSAULT.

Back at home the band decided not to go on a long hiatus and in October 2008 started working on their 5th album 'Goi, Rode, Goi.'

The level maintained on the album 'Ot Serdca K Nebu' was very high, but the band aimed to make a very unique album, something that had never been done before by them.

In the breaks during recording the band managed to release and present the second DVD "Noch Velesova" in May 2009 at Napalm Records, and also Arkona performed at the German festival 'Winternoise.'

The work on the album was finished only in June 2009, and we can say now that it was the most laborious and time-taking recording, where more than 40 musicians participated.

For the first time the band used a full-fledged chorus and a string quintet, and the special pearl of this album is the 15-minute saga 'Na Moey Zemle' which is about the adventures of a Slav in European countries, with the participation of the musicians from such bands as Manegarm, Obtest, Skyforger, Menhir and Heidevolk.

The parts of ethnical instruments on this album are performed partly by Vladimir Cherepovsky and partly by Vladimir 'Volk', who has become a full-blown member of Arkona recently.

The album cover design was done by Kris Verwimp, known to many. He carried out enormous work drawing a series of conceptual illustrations for each song of this album.

Spider-Everyone by Kelson Vibber

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Spider-Man, Spider-Gwen, Silk, regular Gwen Stacy, and...wait, Spider-Link?

Sunday at LBCC 2015.

Norm Rapmund and Flash-y Art by Kelson Vibber

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He was selling some great-looking Flash prints, both on paper and printed on metal. The metal ones were shiny in both the literal and Firefly senses of the word.

Sunday at LBCC 2015.

Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) (Lagopus muta hyperborea) by Francisco Piedrahita

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Fuglefjella (Bird Cliff) Spitsbergen, Svalbard

White Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium candidum) - dehisced seed capsules by Brian

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Old dehisced seed capsules of the White Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium candidum) gathered on April 17, 2009 (plus two inflorescences from Platanthera hyperborea, the Northern Green Orchid). The Cypripedium seed capsules resulted almost entirely from hand pollination of a wild population. Click the linked text for photos of this episode of Human Pollination Syndrome.

Green Arrow and Black Canary by Kelson Vibber

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The boxing glove arrow was a nice touch.

Saturday at Comikaze Expo.

Squirrel Girl by Kelson Vibber

Saturday at WonderCon 2016

Calhoun and Fix-it Felix by Kelson Vibber

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From Wreck-it Ralph. She's got the scowl down perfectly.

Friday at Comic-Con 2014. See also my write-up of the con.

Snow White by Kelson Vibber

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At WonderCon 2012 ← writeup

Officers Hopps and Wilde by Kelson Vibber

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The @CosplayParents as Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps of the Zootopia Police Department.

At Long Beach Comic Con 2018.

Check out my writeup of the con!

Fiery Angelus, Sister of Battle and Mord-Sith by Kelson Vibber

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The woman on the right in red leather is a Mord-Sith from the Sword of Truth books / Legend of the Seeker TV show, and helped identify the others as Fiery Angelus and a Sister of Battle from Warhammer 40K.

At Comic-Con International ← Check out my write-ups.

Green and Scarlet by Kelson Vibber

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Green Lanterns Kyle Rayner and Soranik Natu with the Scarlet Witch.

Saturday at WonderCon 2013 in Anaheim. See also my write-up of the con.

Arkona by Omar Lanzetti

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