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Mameda Town and its surroundings, which developed as a townspeople's land during the Tenryo period, retained a lot of land division at the time of residence, and traditional buildings remain well as a group, so the range of about 10.7 hectares was selected as a national important preservation district for groups of traditional buildings on December 10, 2004.
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca.
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During our most recent trip to Zion National Park, I went to one of my favorite viewpoints, the Canyon Overlook, as it has become a tradition for me. I always love capturing the golden hour scenes of canyons, even though it's a challenging experience. However, the challenge of getting it right always seems to lure me out, even on a cold, blustery evening.
In the past, I relied heavily on exposure blending using an HDR plug-in and was never fully satisfied with the results. Over the years, I have learned that taking images with intention is important when you plan on exposure blending later. For this scene, I took images by exposing the darkest shadows and dialed in exposure compensation until I got the bright part in the sky exposed perfectly. It took me about five images, including my safety shots. Although I am not fully there with my editing, I love the results more now.
Sicilia es archiconocida por sus mercantes con vagones H y hasta hace poco 656 en cabeza. Desde papel hasta agua llegan en estos fléxibles vagones marrones o verdes.
Ese día, viendo el panorama nublado, decidí hacer una foto imposible con sol, en la salida norte de Acireale, y superlativa fue mi sorpresa al ver un antiguo vagón Gabs en cabeza de la composición, probablemente una de las últimas veces que se vieron este tipo de vagones en Sicilia
© Important notice: do not use my images without my written permission, even for a non commercial use. If you're interested in any of my photos you must contact me first. All my images are under full copyright.
© All rights reserved.
The Hōzōmon, also known as the "Treasure-House Gate," is the second of two large entrance gates leading to the Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. This impressive two-story gate, known as a nijūmon, houses many of the temple's treasures on its second floor. Among these treasures are a copy of the Lotus Sutra, designated as a Japanese National Treasure, and the Issai-kyō, a complete collection of Buddhist scriptures recognized as an Important Cultural Property.
The first floor of the gate features two statues of Niō, the guardians of Buddha, three large lanterns, and two massive straw sandals called waraji. The Niō statues, standing 5.45 meters tall, are positioned on either side of the gate's south face. Due to these statues, the gate was originally named Niōmon before being renamed Hōzōmon.
The gate also includes three large lanterns. The most prominent is a red chōchin lantern hanging in the center of the gate's opening. Measuring 3.75 meters in height, 2.7 meters in diameter, and weighing 400 kg, the lantern displays the name of the town Kobunachō. The current version of the lantern dates back to 2003, when ¥5 million was donated by the residents of Kobunachō to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Edo period. On either side of the chōchin hang two copper Tōrō lanterns, each 2.75 meters tall and weighing approximately 1000 kg.
On the north (back) face of the Hōzōmon are the waraji, two straw sandals measuring 4.5 meters long, 1.5 meters wide, and weighing 400 kg each.
The history of Hōzōmon dates back to 942 AD, when it was first built by Taira no Kinmasa. It was destroyed by fire in 1631 and rebuilt by Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1636. The gate stood for another 300 years until it was destroyed again during the Tokyo air raids of 1945. In 1964, the current steel-reinforced concrete structure was built with a donation of ¥150 million from Yonetarō Motoya. Since the gate was reconstructed using flame-resistant materials, the upper story of the Hōzōmon stores the Sensō-ji's sacred sutras.
The Hōzōmon gate is not only a significant architectural structure but also a symbol of resilience and cultural heritage. It stands 22.7 meters tall, 21 meters wide, and 8 meters deep, making it an imposing and impressive sight. The gate serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Sensō-ji temple and its importance in Japanese history and culture.
Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan
IMPORTANT: for non-pro users who read the anecdote on a computer, just enlarge your screen to 120% (or more), then the full text will appear below the photo with a white background - which makes reading so much easier.
My best photos (mostly not on Flickr) are here: www.lacerta-bilineata.com/ticino-best-photos-of-southern-...
THE STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO:
The photo above is far from perfect - believe me, I'm aware. But I'm still very proud of the shot: because getting it was such an excruciatingly long process that it drove me to the brink of insanity. I'm afraid the anecdote that follows is equally long (though hopefully only half as excruciating 😉), but especially for birders it might be interesting.
To provide some context: In the winter of '23 I started feeding the birds in my garden on a huge tree trunk which I'd dragged underneath the fig tree right opposite my wooden shed. And it was through a small hole in that shed's wall that I was then able to photograph my unsuspecting avian guests from a distance of not even two meters (that's a story in and of itself, you can read all about here: www.flickr.com/photos/191055893@N07/52994208987/in/datepo... )
Using the shed as a blind was a game-changer for me; I hadn't managed to produce more than a single usable bird photo in the years before, and now within only a few weeks I succeeded in capturing most of the regular visitors to my garden (nuthatch, blue tit, great tit, marsh tit, dunnock, Italian sparrow and many more) up close and in great detail - yet I wasn't satisfied.
The reason for that was simple: the most beautiful bird in the neighborhood - a Eurasian jay - had so far eluded my camera. I was hell-bent on capturing that fella, but he stubbornly and consistently refused to play along. I'm aware not all jays of the species Garrulus glandarius are that difficult to photograph, but unlucky for me, mine was a regular diva and obvious VIB (that's short for Very Important Bird - in case you wondered 😉), and he behaved as such.
On the few occasions that Mr. Jay did grace my garden with his presence - and I could observe this through a window from the house - he would fly onto a branch of the fig tree right above my buffet for birds, sit there for maybe twenty seconds contemplating what was on display below, only to then fly away again (and I swear I could see him wrinkle his nose - or rather beak - before he took off 😉).
To be fair, it probably wasn't just the menu that didn't convince him; I'm pretty sure this jay knew something fishy (or worse: human) was going on in the shed, and my sunflower seeds and peanuts - which he could probably also get from birdhouses nearby where no paparazzi were lurking - just weren't good enough for him to be willing to take a risk.
Naturally I also tried other delicacies, ranging from fresh apples to grapes to raisins and other dried fruit, but nothing worked; Mr. VIB remained suspicious, which was more than a little frustrating.
Now at this point it might be worth mentioning what probably every birder already knows, namely that Eurasian jays are incredibly clever. If they don't want to have their picture taken and you insist, well, then it becomes a battle of wills between you and the smartest guy in the woods.
It becomes a game of chess, but one where you're up against a grandmaster: only you don't know it yet (unbeknownst to many, every insane asylum comes with a special wing that is reserved for wildlife photographers who tried to get a jay photo - the so called "Jay Wing" - where only the toughest and most experienced psychiatrists are allowed to treat the poor souls 😉).
I had no luck with the jay all winter, but I wasn't ready to give up (nor was I ready to have myself admitted to the "Jay Wing" - yet 😉). Once spring arrived, I hoped to attract Mr. Bluewings with a special treat. Growing up near a fruit orchard, I knew how much Eurasian jays loved cherries, and in May I could finally get the first fresh ones - still imports - from the store.
That timing was crucial, because the cherry trees around my village didn't bear any ripe fruit yet that could have competed with mine - though they would be soon. So there was now this very small window of time where I was able to offer our local "star" the kind of exclusive VIB-treatment that he clearly demanded.
And it worked... almost. It took a few days, during which the jay probably observed the tree trunk from afar (I imagined him with binoculars, in a trench-coat and with a fedora hat like a private eye from the 1940s 😉 ), but eventually he couldn't resist the juicy bribe, and he indeed came to collect the cherries.
The only problem was: the clever devil timed his raids on the buffet so perfectly that I was never in the shed when he did it. It was crazy, but I never even saw him from the house; once the cherries started disappearing, I just assumed it had to be him, because the other birds showed zero interest in anything other than the nuts and the seeds.
For almost a week the same story kept repeating itself (with slight variations): sometime during the day - and never at the same time - the cherries were being collected. The thief never took more than four or five, and it always happened within a time frame of around ten minutes (this I deducted because I checked the tree trunk at pretty close intervals) - and without exception during a moment when I wasn't there to witness it.
By now it was obvious that the jay had the house and the shed under constant surveillance, probably from a high vantage point up in the trees outside my garden where he could even see me through the windows, while I couldn't see him. It drove me nuts: the meticulousness and stealth with which this fella went about his cherry-thieving business were simply unreal!
He might have been a diva, but he showed incredible discipline: once he'd had his fill, he didn't come back, and the rest of the cherries remained untouched until the evening. It was hopeless: if I wasn't willing to observe the tree trunk non-stop or hire a private detective (and I admit I considered the latter for a moment 😉), it was clear I wouldn't see as much as a tail feather. But then I had an idea.
You have to know that I didn't want the bird food to be visible in my photos, so right from the start, I had put three somewhat photogenic looking logs of firewood in a little triangle on the tree trunk, and I'd always "hidden" the bird food in their midst (a bit of a cheat, I know, but all's fair in love and photography 😁).
This meant that while I could see those logs through the window from my house, I couldn't see the cherries and thus never had a visual clue when they started to go missing. The next day I put a single cherry on one of the logs, the remaining ones I put in the space between, like I had done before.
I went back into the house and made myself comfortable with my laptop on the sofa next to the window. Every once in a while I would turn my head to see whether the cherry was still there. After maybe two hours, it finally happened: A moment before I had still seen its silhouette clearly, and now the cherry had disappeared.
I jumped up and quickly (but silently) snuck into the shed where my camera was already mounted on the tripod and ready. The adrenaline started to kick in: I had no idea if my plan would work. The logic behind my idea was: if the jay went for the most exposed cherry first and was then busy for a minute or so eating it somewhere, maybe he wouldn't notice me sneak into the shed.
The suspense was nearly unbearable; sweat was dripping from my brow into my eye, and I didn't dare to move, for fear the slightest noise (like my clothes rustling) would give my position away to the jay. I looked through the viewfinder, eyes squinted, frozen like a statue, for what felt like eternity (but in reality couldn't have been more than a minute or two), when out of nowhere he appeared: the master thief materialized on one of the logs like some sort of magic trick.
And yes: it was the jay - and he looked magnificent. He made a quick movement with his head, and then he was gone. I was stunned. It all had happened so fast that I hadn't even tried to get him in focus - I just stood there, almost shocked. I had never had a chance to get a shot. A minute later, while I was still silently cursing myself, my prized bird appeared again. I fumbled on my camera - he was gone before I could do so much as adjust the direction of the lens.
I started cursing loudly now - I just couldn't help it - but the jay didn't seem to mind. Within the next three minutes he came back two more times, and all I had to show for in the end was a perfectly focused - albeit entirely birdless - photo of the logs on the tree trunk (well, that and some very nice clumps of my own hair in my hands 😆). I hoped against hope he would appear one more time, but he didn't; he'd taken his usual five cherries, and the raid was over for the day.
I have to say that despite my anger (mostly at myself), I was impressed: the speed with which my adversary acted was incredible - no wonder I had never seen him. But there was simply no way I could shoot this lightning fast creature the way I usually do, which is by selecting the smallest focus and then only aiming for the eye. If I wanted to capture Mr. Bluewings at all, I had to switch to auto and continuous shooting mode, hoping one of the photos would end up being in focus.
I enacted my new strategy the next day, and thankfully the trick with the single exposed cherry on the log worked again: the jay went for it first, and I was again able to quickly sneak into the shed, apparently undetected. As had happened the day before, Master Garrulus glandarius appeared out of nowhere - and again was gone before I could even think of pressing the trigger.
But after the third attempt, my timing was finally right; I aimed and shuttered in rapid fire as if I were working a machine gun; the camera went "trrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!" (yes, that's my best imitation of that sound 😂 ), and I could see immediately how that noise irritated the jay. Weirdly enough, he seemed to be much more bothered by the camera noise than he was by my constant muttering and swearing.
This time, he didn't come back for a fifth and final cherry. But I couldn't have cared less (and as a nature lover it embarrasses me to admit this); I was in a reckless, almost feverish "hunter mode", and the only thing that mattered now was my photographic prize.
I was euphoric, because I knew I had captured the jay. Still in the shed, I immediately went through the photos, fingers trembling with excitement (I know this must sound exaggerated and very ridiculous to most people, but I bet you photographers out there know exactly what I'm talking about 😄).
My euphoria dissipated quicker than you could utter the words "Jay Wing". Even on the small camera screen it became instantly apparent the pictures were unusable. They were out of focus at best and a total blur at worst. I scanned my surroundings for a suitable object or surface where I could bash my head in. I wanted to scream (and maybe I did - my neighbors looked at me funny later that day, but then they often do that 😂).
So far it was 3:0 for the bird. I had failed at every attempt, and he had outplayed me on every level. To make matters worse, I didn't dare to apply the continuous shooting mode again: the noise was just too loud, and I was afraid I would scare the jay away for good (plus the results - due to my ineptitude - weren't likely to improve).
I was used to photographing reptiles, insects and roe deer, and none of them moved as fast as the Eurasian jay: I needed more time. Just a few seconds would have been enough, but I realized the clever bird would never give me those. The situation seemed hopeless - until I had an unexpected Eureka moment. All of a sudden I knew how I might get an extra second (or two) with Mr. VIB (provided he did come back after my loud shuttering).
The following morning I went to the tree trunk once more, and again I put a single cherry on one of the logs, but the rest - you know: the ones that I always put into the middle of this log triangle - I covered with some thin twigs. Not too many - after all, the bait had to remain visible underneath the twigs - but enough that a single picking motion wouldn't be enough to snatch a cherry.
"Your move, Mr. Jay," I thought as I went into the house. I lay down on the sofa, then I waited. The jay didn't come. All day long I regularly peered out the window: the silhouette of the lone cherry on the log remained in place, like some weird little statue, mocking me.
I became convinced the intense camera noise the previous day had disgruntled the jay to the point where he'd had enough of my shenanigans. Hard as it was, I had to get ready to accept the fact that my trophy shot of this beautiful bird just wasn't gonna happen. Then, sometime during the late afternoon, I suddenly noticed the cherry was gone. Ten seconds later I was in the shed - and ready.
The look on the jay's face when he landed on one of the logs was almost comical. He apparently hadn't noticed the twigs before, and his short moment of hesitation was all I needed to get a first shot. He heard the noise and looked right at me - click! - and that was my second shot, which nicely captured the bewildered look on his face (you can see that photo here: www.flickr.com/photos/191055893@N07/52994208987/in/datepo... ).
It only took Mr. Bluewings two seconds to adjust to the new situation; he quickly threw out a few twigs with his beak, picked up a cherry - click! (my third shot, that you can see above) - and off he flew. But it was clear the jay knew exactly he was being photographed, and he didn't like it one bit. The annoyed expression on his face had been unmistakable: he looked like Sean Penn when he's confronted with a paparazzo.
Meanwhile I was over the moon: it had worked (and a quick check on the tiny camera screen confirmed this); I had at least two acceptable photos. The few extra seconds the twigs bought me had done the trick.
All's well that ends well, as the saying goes, and if the 'Tale Of The Jay' were to conclude here (and it could), this would indeed be a happy ending. After all, I had eventually outsmarted the clever bird and gotten my desired photos. But there is a short epilogue to the story, and I believe it's worth telling (and if you made it to this point, you might as well continue reading 😉).
You see, I was only able to pull off the "single-cherry/twigs strategy" one more time (the very next day, and you can see those photos here: www.lacerta-bilineata.com/post/eurasian-jay-garrulus-glan... ) - and then never again. Two days later, the single cherry was still visible on the log at nightfall, and so I assumed the jay hadn't come. But when I went to check - big surprise! - five of the other cherries were gone.
"Well," I thought, "That's pure coincidence." In my mind there was no way the jay could have realized the exposed cherry on the log disappearing was my visual clue that his stealth "attack" had started: no animal was that smart. And yet I have no other explanation, because believe it or not: he never went for the single cherry again. Ever.
In all my subsequent attempts, my visual clue remained untouched, while the jay cheekily collected the other cherries. And soon after, the cherry trees around the village were starting to bear ripe fruit, and the jay's visits to my garden stopped. In fact for the entire remainder of the year, there were no more photos for me of Mr. Garrulus glandarius.
So in the end - who REALLY won this game of chess between me and the jay? If you ask me, I'd have to call it a draw (and that's probably still being generous to myself) - but you be the judge. 😉
P.S. This year I photographed and filmed a Eurasian jay in my garden (I have no idea if it was the same fella as last year), and this clip here might give you an idea just how quick these guys are: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA9s_bciA-Y - I timed the cherry theft: it takes the jay not even two seconds to land, snatch his prize and take off again (you can also watch it in slow-mo), so I guess I shouldn't be too hard on myself. 😂
Many thanks for looking and reading, and have a wonderful weekend everyone 🙏 😊 ❤ - and as always, let me know what you think in the comments (I'd be particularly interested if anyone had similar experiences with jays or other clever corvids - or was outsmarted by any other wild animal the way I was).
In response to the entirely unfair, children's Christmas parody of Jingle Bells.
"Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg, The Batmobile Lost a Wheel and the Joker Got Awaaaaaaaa-ay!"
Moraine Lake
© Important notice: do not use my images without my written permission, even for a non commercial use. If you're interested in any of my photos you must contact me first. All my images are under full copyright.
© All rights reserved.
© Important notice: do not use my images without my written permission, even for a non commercial use. If you're interested in any of my photos you must contact me first. All my images are under full copyright.
© All rights reserved.
Windows are an important part of street photography for me. On the one hand, there are the interesting reflections, but also the confusion that sometimes arises and has to be resolved first. I love it. I would be delighted if you would take a look at the pictures in my album. Only if you feel like it, of course :-) Best regards MarioM.
Fenster sind für mich in der Streetphotographie ein wichtiger Bestandteil. Zum einen sind da die interessanten Spiegelungen aber auch Verwirrungen, die es manchmal gibt und die erst einmal aufgelöst werden muss. I liebe es. Es würde mich freuen, wenn du dir die Bilder in meinem Album ansehen würdest. Natürlich nur wenn du Lust hast :-) Liebe Grüsse MarioM.
© Important notice: do not use my images without my written permission, even for a non commercial use. If you're interested in any of my photos you must contact me first. All my images are under full copyright.
© All rights reserved.
© Important notice: do not use my images without my written permission, even for a non commercial use. If you're interested in any of my photos you must contact me first. All my images are under full copyright.
© All rights reserved.
Stitched image.
Apollonia was perhaps the most important of the several classical towns of the same name. It was founded around 600 BC by Greek colonists from Corinth and possibly Corcyra, who established a trading settlement on a largely abandoned coastal site by invitation of the local Illyrians. Corinthian colonial policy seems to have been relatively liberal, focused on resource extraction for the support of their homeland, rather than exploitation or expulsion of the local Illyrian population. Apollonia gradually gained political independence from Corinth and was organized as a polis under an oligarchic system. Aristotle describes Apollonia's oligarchy as a small Greek elite class, largely descended from the original colonists, ruling over a largely local Illyrian population.
From the second century BC Apollonia allied itself with the Roman Republic, which maintained a military base there for a time. The city flourished in the Roman period, housing a renowned school of Greek philosophy, rhetoric, and military training which attracted students from across the empire. Augustus, the first Roman emperor, studied at Apollonia in his youth. The city began to decline in the 3rd century AD when its harbor started silting up as a result of an earthquake. It was abandoned in the 4th century AD.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollonia_(Illyria)
#AbFav_PHOTOSTORY
#AbFav_TIME
For three years I travelled early morning from Ostend station to Brussels, to my courses... and late back, for 3 winters I did not see Ostend in the daylight.
In the morning I often had to run, I lived quite nearby, so... I thought I had all the time.
I have changed my attitude over the years!
People CAN change, if they WANT TO!.
Have a wonderful day and thank you, M, (*_*)
For more: www.indigo2photography.com
IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
Time, clocks, station, time, timer, Antwerp, Belgium, architecture, colour, horizontal, "magda indigo"
When I visit one of my favorite coffee houses and I'm in the mood for something scrumptious, reliable and most importantly... satisfying, I always go for a Classic Clubhouse Sandwich with Chips. There's just something so simple and timeless about how it tastes and the experience I get every time; it tastes like Old Americana and Memories, if a sandwich could even embody such. High standards for a sandwich to live up to right? But for me, a Clubhouse just hits the spot.
Find the Classic Club Sandwich at Kustom9 this April starting the 15th, Second Life time. Enjoy!
Onam in Kerala is the most important festival. This a season of happiness. It would me much like what Diwali is like for the people of North India.
People buy their new clothes, new gadgets, new everything around Onam time...
For more on Onam and its historical origin
A performer enacts a saga representing a peacock. Sadly, I am not aware of the iconography of this figure dressed in peacock regalia.
Edit. - I am told,( see 1st comment) , that this is Lord Subramanayam, son of Shiva, who is popularly worshipped in South India as Murugan.
View Large Size on Black, It gives you all the details
Camera: Nikon D70
Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 25 mm
Exposure: -0.35
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
DSC_0764 from ACR sel le br sh tfm with full wings
© Important notice: do not use my images without my written permission, even for a non commercial use. If you're interested in any of my photos you must contact me first. All my images are under full copyright.
© All rights reserved
"The most important things are the hardest to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them -- words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than living size when they're brought out. But it's more than that, isn't it? The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away. And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you've said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it. That's the worst, I think. When the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller but for want of an understanding ear."
― Stephen King
There is nothing beautiful about war, not even when it happens in an exotic place like Hawaii. Nonotheless, wars have been all over human history. Some of the most important facts of our history were related to combats and their outcomes. And on this very day and this very place, 76 years ago a key combat took place: the battle of Pearl Harbor. The attack was a surprise military strike by the Japanese armed forces to a US naval base located in the island of Oahu in Hawaii. It was the critical event that led USA to enter World War II. Who won and who lost may be very important historically, however at the end of the day humanity lost as thousands of people died on that beautiful island. Lets hope that as human beings we learned from our mistakes in the past and that present and future generations wont have to live the horror of another world war. What you see in this photo is the Submarine Bowfin that was used in various operations during World War II by US Navy. It was built in Portsmouth Navy Yard in 1942 and decommissioned on 1947 after 9 successful patrols. At the background you can see Ford island where the main airstrip that was under attack was located. Most of the US combat ships that were torpedoed and sinked were anchored in the main water area of this frame. Among them was USS Arizona, a ship that visitors can see from above during the tour.
Δεν υπάρχει τιποτα ομορφο σε εναν πολεμο, ακομη και αν συμβαινει σε ενα εξωτικο μερος οπως η Hawaii. Παρολαυτα, η ανθρωπινη ιστορια ειναι διασπαρτη απο πολεμους. Μερικα απο τα σημαντικοτερα γεγονοτα της ιστοριας μας ειναι συνδεδεμενα με μαχες και τα αποτελεσματα τους. Και σαν σημερα πριν απο 76 χρονια, σε αυτο το μερος μια πολυ σημαντικη μαχη ελαβε χωρα: η μαχη του Pearl Harbor. Η επιθεση ηταν μια αιφνιδια στρατιωτικη επιχειρηση των Ιαπωνικων ενοπλων δυναμεων εναντια σε μια ναυτικη βάση των ΗΠΑ στο νησι Oahu της Hawaii. Αποτελεσε το κρισιμο γεγονος που ωθησε τις ΗΠΑ να συμμετάσχουν στον δευτερο παγκοσμιο πολεμο. Το ποιος κερδισε και ποιος εχασε στη μαχη μπορει ιστορικα να ειναι πολυ σημαντικο γεγονος, το αποτελεσμα ειναι ομως οτι η ανθρωποτητα βγηκε λαβωμενη καθως χιλιαδες ανθρωποι αφησαν την τελευταια τους πνοη σε αυτο το ομορφο νησι. Ας ελπισουμε οτι ως ανθρωπινα οντα διδαχτηκαμε απο τα λαθη του παρελθοντος και οτι η τωρινη και οι μελλοντικες γενιες δε θα ζησουν τη φρικη ενος ακομη παγκοσμιου πολεμου. Σε αυτη τη φωτογραφια βλεπετε το υποβρυχιο Bowfin το οποιο χρησιμοποιηθηκε σε πολλες επιχειρησεις κατα τη διαρκεια του πολεμου. Το υποβρυχιο κατασκευαστηκε στο Ναυπηγειο του Portsmouth το 1942 και παροπληστηκε το 1947 επειτα απο 9 επιτυχεις περιοδιες. Στο βαθος της φωτο φαινεται το νησι Ford πανω στο οποιο βρισκοταν ο αεροδιαδρομος που απετελεσε βασικο στοχο κατα την επιθεση. Στη θαλασσια εκταση που φαινεται στο καδρο βρισκονταν τα περισσοτερα απο τα πολεμικα πλοια των ΗΠΑ τα οποια βομβαρδιστηκαν μεχρι να βυθιστουν. Αναμεσα τους και το USS Arizona, το οποιο μπορει καποιος να επισκεφτει μεσω θαλάσσης ακολουθωντας το guided tour.
Reserva Laguna Nimez (Patagonia) 20240206
Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve is an IBA Important Bird Area. There is a variety of 80 species of birds, both Patagonian residents and migrators between waterbirds, landbirds, shore birds and birds of pray. It has an important nesting reed area, patagonin steppe bushes, wetland and lake shore.
Established around A.D. 972, Esztergom has always played an important role in Hungary's history. It was the birth and coronation place of the first Hungarian king, St. Stephen, as well as the capital of Hungary until the 13th century. Esztergom is the seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church and home to the Basilica of Esztergom, a masterpiece of Classicism and the third largest church in Europe.
A couple of views of a young comrorant that was fishing in the rock pools at Maer Rocks Exmouth. It didn't seem worried by me at all.
A large and conspicuous waterbird, the cormorant has an almost primitive appearance with its long neck making it appear reptilian. It is often seen standing with its wings held out to dry. Regarded by some as black, sinister and greedy, cormorants are supreme fishers which can bring them into conflict with anglers and they have been persecuted in the past. The UK holds internationally important wintering numbers.
in our culture of busyness and distraction, important things get lost: compassion, creativity, and presence. when i'm in a rush or lost in thoughts, i more easily box people into "other." but when i pause, i see our interconnection. it's not my pain or your pain, it's just pain. i can breathe in the collective pain, and breathe out love, acceptance, and compassion—compassion for myself, for friends, for strangers; compassion for the world.
Yesterday was a horrible day. While overcast, the temperature climbed steadily along with windy conditions leading to the hottest day for 12 years.(since 2014) according to the ABC. A state of emergency has been declared after multiple fires were ripping through the state.
Staying under cover was so important for humans and wildlife, though we are yet to know the overall death toll (3 missing) and damage to land and property.
The air is smoky here in Melbourne this morning with clouds, wind and lightning storms overnight.
I really don't know how the emergency services people manage and the wonderful CFA volunteers.
Power and phone services are also non-operable in some affected areas.
On a brighter note - the cooler weather has arrived giving some days to recover. But not enough rain to impact the fires raging out of control.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-09/fire-weather-heatwave-live....
Up north Queensland, a tropical low possible Cyclone is threatening large dumps of rain with probable flooding. I hope people keep safe there as well.
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
The Domain and Royal Botanic Gardens are some of the most important open spaces in Australia’s urban landscape. The 29 hectares of gardens are surrounded by 51 hectares of parkland including the Sydney Domain. They were officially recognised as a botanic garden in 1816, while only becoming ‘Royal’ in 1959. The site is one of the world’s oldest colonial botanic gardens and one of the most important botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere (only Rio de Janeiro is older).
The area attracts around 4 million people a year. As well as enjoying its natural beauty, visitors can gain an appreciation of the history of the city and the changing aesthetics of public gardens. The gardens have long hosted many of Sydney’s important cultural institutions as well as being the site for big open-air concerts and operas.
The Botanic Gardens were the site of the first government farm in the colony of New South Wales in 1788 (and called the Governor’s Farm in 1792). Governor Phillip ordered the cultivation of 20 acres in 1788, with that area part of Governor Phillip’s private reserve.
The organisation of the gardens illustrates their associations with the 18th century European scientific world of Sir Joseph Banks, Sir William Hooker, and others. They are Australia’s oldest scientific institution for botany and horticulture. In 1821 Superintendent Charles Fraser, a botanist, was appointed to develop the gardens along scientific grounds for the first time. Fraser accompanied John Oxley on his inland journeys and brought back plant specimens.
In 1825 Governor Brisbane extended the garden west of Farm Cove for an experimental garden designed to acclimatise both Australian plants for export and others being imported. Colonists were interested in ‘exotics’ and brought many of them with them to be added to the garden plant collection. In 1829 grape vines were planted. These became a foundation of the Australian wine industry.
Despite conservative opposition, in 1831 Governor Bourke opened the roads and paths for general access and by the 1850s military, sporting and ceremonial events had become common in the Domain.
Sydney’s central parklands are an historic site that has had an important role in place making in the city. Their role as a community asset as well as their part in the story of Australian nation-building are often undervalued. The memory of place, its continuity, and the changes it represents, are important in the construction of a city’s identity and its community’s sensibility.
An edited version of a piece written by Ian Willis at
camdenhistorynotes.wordpress.com/2017/01/26/sydneys-royal...
There is a second railroad in the Pittston area that interchanges with the RBMN. In business since 1994 the Luzerne and Susquehanna operates 60 miles of assorted bits of cast of scraps of once important class 1 routes that once served the Scranton Wilkes-Barre area. The valley was placed with a nearly incomprehensible web of rails at one time that generated carloads and revenue to boggle the mind. But now so little remains and what does is but a shadow of itself. In fact the trackage beneath this unit that sits stationary, blue flagged, and tied down was once the LV's mainline into Wilkes-Barre.
LS 1751 itself is an EMD GP9 blt. Oct. 1959 ad Pennsylvania Railroad 7242. The venerable geep is now the property of RJ Corman Railroad group which bought the L&S in August 2020. One wonders if 1751 will survive and trade her somber LS black for brilliant Corman crimson. I guess we'll just have to wait and see...
Pittston, Pennsylvania
Sunday June 20, 2021
This scene captures the vibrant essence of Mechelen, a historic city in Belgium, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and cultural significance. The buildings along this pedestrian street showcase traditional Flemish architecture with ornate facades and intricate gables, reflecting the city's rich history. Mechelen was an important center of art and politics during the Renaissance period and retains its charm through these architectural gems, which blend Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles.
Economically, Mechelen thrives as a hub of trade and tourism. The bustling street in the image is lined with cafes and shops, indicating the city's reliance on local and international visitors. Historically, the city played a significant role in the cloth trade during the Middle Ages, and this legacy continues as Mechelen markets itself as a destination for unique crafts, jewelry, and artisanal goods. Today, its vibrant local economy combines traditional industries with modern business opportunities.
Culinary traditions are also highlighted in Mechelen's street life. The cafes seen in the image represent Belgium's renowned love for gastronomy. Visitors can enjoy regional specialties like Mechelen's famous 'cuckoo' chicken, paired with Belgian fries, or indulge in craft beers brewed locally. Dessert lovers often find themselves enchanted by the city's assortment of waffles, chocolates, and pastries, all of which are easily accessible in this lively district.
Overall, this street scene encapsulates the essence of Mechelen as a harmonious blend of history, culture, and modernity. The cobblestone square at the forefront evokes a sense of timelessness, while the vibrant activity and colorful shopfronts signal a city alive with energy. Mechelen’s charm lies in its ability to bridge the past and present seamlessly, offering both residents and tourists a rich and diverse experience.
RX_03931_20240528_Mechelen
It's important that I see the little things. The way that leaf is curled. The sunlight dancing on the leaves. The underside of the flower. I never want to not see all of the details.
© Important notice: Do not use my images without my written permission, even for a non commercial use. If you're interested in any of my photos you must contact me first. All my images are under full copyright.
© All rights reserved.
One of my favourite celtic music
I would like to dedicate this image to my dear friend and favourite Sherpa Christophe Please, have a look at his stream. Thanks :-)
Le phare de Ploumanac’h construit en granite rose.
The lighthouse of Ploumanac'h built with pink granite.
Ploumanac'h - Perros-Guirec - Côtes-d'Armor - Bretagne - France
We had just finished an important dinner meeting with some friends of ours when I noticed the sun hitting the distant trees. I knew that it looked very promising and that we would have very little time to get there. We drove as fast as was safe and legal and made it to our favorite lake spot as the color exploded in every direction. This colorful view was opposite the direction of sunset. The reason this sunset was extra special was that it came after some other really sweet news. It was honestly such a blessing from the Lord to have both of these things happen on the same night.
Excerpt from miyajima.or.jp/english/spot/spot_other.html:
Designated as a National Important Cultural Property on August 29, 1910
Hokoku Shrine is dedicated to the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (one of the three unifiers of Japan in the 16th century) and his loyal aid Kato Kiyomasa. The reason for building this structure is clearly stated in a letter by Ankokuji Ekei, head monk of Ankokuji Temple. In 1587, Ekei asked Daiganji Temple, the temple in charge of construction and repair work in Miyajima including Itsukushima Shrine, to build a Buddhist library in which the chanting of Senbu-kyo sutras could be held every month. As there is no board ceiling or outer gate, it is believed that the construction of the building was not completed.
Originally, Amida Buddha and two subordinate Buddhist saints, Anan and Kasho-sonja, were enshrined in the Buddhist altar until the early Meiji era. Since that time, however, the altar has been used in Shinto rituals.
The building is called Senjokaku (Hall of One Thousand Tatami Mats), reflecting its standing as the largest structure on Miyajima Island. The shrine was a popular landmark in Miyajima where many people came to relax and cool themselves and to buy popular souvenirs such as tooth picks, and a variety of legends and traditions have been created here.
The fact that this structure, unique among the buildings belonging to Itsukushima Shrine, is unpainted and that its exact date of founding is recorded makes it a valuable gauge of the passage of time. The traces of weathering on its pillars and floor boards can be used to determine the approximate age of any other wooden structure on Miyajima.
A piece of wood used as a measuring device in the reconstruction work of the O-Torii in 1873 hangs on a pillar under the floor of the south part of the shrine. Countless votive picture tablets that had been hanging on the walls of Itsukushima Shrine buildings until the mid Meiji era decorate the walls inside the hall.
The shrine did not yet exist at the time of the Battle of Itsukushima in 1555 when the Mori clan defeated the Sue clan to unify the Chugoku region. The headquarters of the Sue clan was located on this hill, which was then called To-no-oka (Pagoda Hill). Starting in the Meiji era, the hill was developed through the establishment of stone steps, among other additions.
Excerpt from www.japan-experience.com/all-about-japan/miyajima/temples...:
Its bare appearance may not intrigue you at first. Only unfinished walls and a hundred pillars. Although the building is pretty, there is something missing. But once inside, look up: the gigantic ceiling is covered with a mosaic of paintings whose subjects are as varied as the styles and periods of implementation. Medieval battles, Buddhist representations, landscapes and animals in a modern style, the eye does not know where to turn.
Camera: Rolleiflex 3.5B TLR Zenar 75mm f3.5 1954
Film: Ilford SFX 200 Black and White 120
Scanned by Walkens House of Film, Melbourne, Australia
The Rolleiflex TLR camera is exceptionally good for close shots, but I wanted to see how it would handle a landscape. An immediate issue in composition is the 6x6 square format. As you can see here there is a lot of negative space (though I would argue those clouds are an important element in the picture). Whereas I would definitely need an orange filter to bring out the definition in the clouds with 35mm, the medium format film handles this situation without difficulty. If you enlarge this photograph you'll even see a duck swimming in the North Esk River.
After a week when temperatures across the UK have hovered above a sweltering 30C/85F, I found myself longing for the chill and fog of early spring, and revisited a shot which I captured at the centre of Richmond Park in early April. On many mornings I'd hoped for calm conditions that would bring heavier fog, and before this particular sunrise the low wind speed and near-freezing temperature near the Pen Ponds created fog so dense that, for a couple of hours, visibility dropped to about 20 metres. As the sun finally crept above the woodland and created various shades of orange and pink on the horizon, I came across the bare branches of an oak tree, and next to it the remains of a broken tree trunk, part of which now lay on the ground. Something about this scene captivated me, so I stopped to capture it.
The image is a blend of seven bracketed exposures, and proved to be a fun editing project because of the contrast between intense foggy light around the sun and deep shadows covering the trees and foreground. I began by blending my exposures using luminosity masks, bringing up visibility of the tree trunks while toning down brightness around the sun. I then refined my own masks in order to select and intensify the fog in the background. This was achieved by duplicating the blue channel in the Channels Panel and using a Levels adjustment to increase the channel's contrast between Darks and Midtones, effectively removing the trees and grass from the selection. After extracting the highlights around the sun using a selection from my Brights luminosity masks, I was left with a selection of just the foggy background, where I blended in my brightest exposures using a combination of linear and reflective gradient masks.
Colour-grading the image was very straightforward, as the mixture of early-morning blues across the landscape and intense warm tones in the sky only needed a little emphasis. Using Colour Balance adjustments with Apply Image as a layer mask, I gave the midtones and shadows a colder finish, and targeted the brighter area around the sun to increase the reds and magentas in the highlights. Setting two low-opacity Colour Lookup adjustments to Soft Light, I then used the Foggy Night preset for the foreground and the Soft Warming preset for the sky.
Using Nik's Colour Efex Pro, I brought out a little of the tree trunks' texture using the Detail Extractor filter, and at the same time softened the detail in the sky using the Sunlight filter, which helped to bring out the hazy glow across the scene when I'd captured it. While I thought that viewers' eyes would gravitate to the sun emerging between the tree's branches, the tree and the trunks among the fog were what drew me to the scene, and I felt it was important to try to emphasise their weathered texture and, ultimately, their "character". There was something hopeful about the colour spreading across the horizon as the sun rose, but at the same time something poignant about a scene that seemed to tell a story of nature's brutality and illustrate how certain things, once broken, can't easily be healed or repaired.
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Brazil
Cuiaba River
The Pantanal
South America
This image celebrates International Jaguar Day.
International Jaguar Day was created to raise awareness about the increasing threats facing the jaguar and the critical conservation efforts ensuring its survival from Mexico to Argentina.
Observed annually on November 29, International Jaguar Day celebrates the Americas’ largest wild cat as an umbrella species for biodiversity conservation and an icon for sustainable development and the centuries-old cultural heritage of Central and South America.
The jaguar (Panthera onca) is a large felid species and the only extant member of the genus Panthera native to the Americas. The jaguar's present range extends from Southwestern United States and Mexico in North America, across much of Central America, and south to Paraguay and northern Argentina in South America.
It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List; and its numbers are declining. Threats include loss and fragmentation of habitat.
Overall, the jaguar is the largest native cat species of the New World and the third largest in the world. This spotted cat closely resembles the leopard, but is usually larger and sturdier. It ranges across a variety of forested and open terrains, but its preferred habitat is tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest, swamps and wooded regions.
The jaguar enjoys swimming and is largely a solitary, opportunistic, stalk-and-ambush predator at the top of the food chain. As a keystone species it plays an important role in stabilizing ecosystems and regulating prey populations.
© Important notice: please, do not use my images without my permission, even for a non commercial use.
If you are interested in any of my photos, you have to contact me first.
All my photos are under full copyright.
© All rights reserved. Thank you.
Iron Range, Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia
Why is World Parrot Day so important to this cockatoo?
In late 2021, the rare and striking palm cockatoo had its conservation status reclassified from least concern to endangered following a recent population drop. Major habitat loss has been cited as the primary cause of the species’ decline. Australia’s palm cockatoos are found only in the rainforests of Cape York Peninsula, at the northern tip of Queensland. Land clearing due to mining and worsening bushfires due to climate change are shrinking the species’ already limited viable habitat.
Making matters worse, the palm cockatoo has an unusually slow rate of reproduction. Females lay only a single egg every two years. Research suggests that chick loss to due predation results in palm cockatoo pairs only producing—on average—a single offspring every ten years. There are thought to be fewer than 1,500 birds remaining in the wild. (Source: www.aviculturehub.com.au/)
While photographing in the Cape York Peninsula in November 2022, we went out five nights in a row to look for these birds as they came in from a day of foraging. We were lucky to watch this particular male on several nights when he called loudly to claim his territory and bring in his mate. See flic.kr/p/2oEf6eG for a photo of the pair.
It was incredible being able to watch these birds on multiple evenings and witness a wide range of behaviors including the famous drumming they do with sticks and hard nuts; this behavior has earned them the nickname "Ringo Star."
Wenn Männer in der Balance sind, sieht das anders aus als bei Frauen.
Weiss jemand warum?
Dieses Foto habe ich für einen Fotowettbewerb hochgeladen, natürlich mit Erlaubnis meines Ehemannes .. ;)))
In der Balance ist seine Liebe zu mir und das ist das Allerwichtigste für mich - Danke Schatz 💖
When men are in balance, it looks different than with women.
Does anyone know why?
I uploaded this photo for a photo contest, of course with my husband's permission .. ;)))
In balance is his love for me and that is the most important thing for me - thank you darling 💖
Cuando los hombres están en equilibrio, se ve diferente que con las mujeres.
¿Alguien sabe por qué?
He subido esta foto para un concurso de fotografía, por supuesto con el permiso de mi marido .. ;)))
En equilibrio está su amor por mí y eso es lo más importante para mí, gracias, cariño 💖
Vorher / Before / Antes:
www.flickr.com/photos/mayawalti/43184067061
Bitte respektiere mein Copyright. Keine Verwendung des Fotos ohne meine ausdrückliche Genehmigung.
Please respect my copyright. No use of the photo without my expressly permission.
Por favor, respete mis derechos de autor. Ningún uso de la foto sin mi permiso explícito.
And the weekend ends with a sky full of colours, and a shining goodbye from that really important star. By Sunday. I miss you already.
Windows are an important part of street photography for me. On the one hand, there are the interesting reflections, but also the confusion that sometimes arises and has to be resolved first. I love it. I would be delighted if you would take a look at the pictures in my album. Only if you feel like it, of course :-) Best regards MarioM.
Fenster sind für mich in der Streetphotographie ein wichtiger Bestandteil. Zum einen sind da die interessanten Spiegelungen aber auch Verwirrungen, die es manchmal gibt und die erst einmal aufgelöst werden muss. I liebe es. Es würde mich freuen, wenn du dir die Bilder in meinem Album ansehen würdest. Natürlich nur wenn du Lust hast :-) Liebe Grüsse MarioM.
© Important notice: do not use my images without my written permission, even for a non commercial use. If you're interested in any of my photos you must contact me first. All my images are under full copyright.
© All rights reserved.
1-Il cellulare. La mia porta con gli affetti. Gli incontri lungo la strada. La telefonata tanto attessa. Il messaggio che non arriva mai.
2-Le sigarette. Le indecisioni, le incomprensioni, l'appiglio ai sogni che tanto non si materializzano.
3-Il mouse. La mia coperta di Linus. La realtà che si fa virtuale. Degli amici. Molti. Il contatto con il mondo attorno a me. Droga.
...have fascinated me and I am deeply impressed every time I see them somewhere in the forests of Switzerland. I know this picture is not very new anymore but I recently got some input or an idea from someone who shared his beautiful photo from a jay with us here on Flickr. I had completely forgotten that I have various pictures of jays myself, but never published them on my photostream here. This happens to me very often because I spend most of my time in the wild nature and can then take photos of various animals. The time spent out there is the most important thing for me and the wonderful moments of being able to experience it up close and in the middle of the wild. Selecting the many photos later on is always a lot of work for me and I shy away from it whenever possible. In this way, many of my photos stay on the memory card for a long time before I copy them to my computer. A lot of things are forgotten and I only discover the pictures when I really find the time or when I get a thought-provoking idea from someone like now. In this sense, I would like to thank Mike for recently publishing one of his photos of jays. www.flickr.com/photos/191055893@N07/
This was a good opportunity to check myself again to see if I have anything useful about jays - this beautiful and clever bird of the forest.
As you can see, I found what I was looking for, but I had a lot of trouble choosing one photo from the many that I have. On top of that, I have a lot of trouble choosing one of my usually many photos. I really hope that I have chosen the right one for you and that it is beautiful enough to enjoy?
Well, the story behind this photo might also be informative for you. Actually, I was out and about in the forests of Switzerland and my surroundings again, primarily to photograph squirrels, because I now knew very well where you could find them and at what time. But things usually turn out differently than you think and, as is so often the case out there in nature, you experience small or large surprises. Anyway, I saw squirrels and was able to photograph some very nicely, but the real star of the day was definitely the jay. Why? To my great surprise and even greater joy, the jay passed by several times where I was photographing the squirrels, or at least trying to haha..
This jay sat on a branch not very far from me and maybe watched me doing something strange. At least that's how it seemed to me and it didn't fly away straight away but stayed in the tree for a while before moving on. As if that wasn't enough, he kept coming back to me and the whole game started again. I was simply fascinated by this magnificent bird with its beautiful blue feathers on its side. What more could you expect from a day in the wild than such an amazing spectacle that you can then capture with your camera. There was just one thing that annoyed me a little: my wrong settings on my camera. I was probably a bit nervous and set the exposure time much too short because I now had a camera with image stabilization. In that sense, I could have halved the time and the ISO values would not have been so high. I can't change it now and I'm very happy despite everything because the really nice thing about it all was the great experience with the clever jay, which made me lose track of time that day.
The wonders of creation are so diverse that this beauty will never end. Creation is here. It is in you right now, it has always been. The world is a wonder. The world is magic. The world is love. And it is here, now.
- Iroquois Indian
We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who cannot speak for themselves, like the birds, animals, fish and trees.
- Qwatsinas Edward Moody