Thunder and Lightning from around the World
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Little Tern - Sterna Albifrons
This delightful chattering seabird is the UK's smallest tern. It is short-tailed and has a fast flight. Its bill is a distinctive yellow with a black tip. It is noisy at its breeding colony where courtship starts with an aerial display involving the male calling and carrying a fish to attract a mate, which chases him up high before he descends, gliding with wings in a 'V'.
Its vulnerable nesting sites and its decline in Europe make it an Amber List species. It is also listed as a Schedule 1 species in The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
This bird breeds on the coasts and inland waterways of temperate and tropical Europe and Asia. It is strongly migratory, wintering in the subtropical and tropical oceans as far south as South Africa and Australia.
There are three subspecies, the nominate albifrons occurring in Europe to North Africa and western Asia; guineae of western and central Africa; and sinensis of East Asia and the north and east coasts of Australia.[4]
The little tern breeds in colonies on gravel or shingle coasts and islands. It lays two to four eggs on the ground. Like all white terns, it is defensive of its nest and young and will attack intruders.
Like most other white terns, the little tern feeds by plunge-diving for fish, usually from saline environments. The offering of fish by the male to the female is part of the courtship display.
At the beginning of the 19th century the little tern was a common bird of European shores, rivers and wetlands, but in the 20th century populations of coastal areas decreased because of habitat loss, pollution and human disturbance.
The loss of inland populations has been even more severe, since due to dams, river regulation and sediment extraction it has lost most of its former habitats. The Little Tern population has declined or become extinct in many European countries, and former breeding places on large rivers like the Danube, Elbe and Rhine ceased. Nowadays, only few river systems in Europe possess suitable habitats; the Loire/Allier in France, the Vistula/Odra in Poland, the Po/Ticino in Italy, the Daugava in Latvia, the Nemunas in Lithuania, the Sava in Croatia and the Drava in Hungary and Croatia. The status of the little tern on the rivers Tagus and lower Danube is uncertain.
Koloc is a natural dolomite bridge on the Island of Brac, Croatia. It is 12 meters high and 20 meters wide and consists of 2 semi-arches that come together in the middle, formed by wind and water erosion. The name comes from the rock's shape, which is reminiscent of the traditional island cake called Koloc or Baskot.
There are many legends and stories related to this natural phenomenon, mostly involving the supernatural and the spiritual, like dancing fairies and elves (Baldrick might chime in on that one) and one legend says that anyone who passes under the bridge will be granted all their wishes. :-)
another Lofoten islands liquid mirror landscape as there are so many. I especially liked the shape of the "sound wave", its colours and the stillness involving everything around :)
Swallowing a meal for the great egret (Ardea alba) involves flicking its food into the air followed by a gulp.
The two egret images are taken in the same location (a small pond at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge) but on different days. It is possible it is the same bird, but not guaranteed because we have seen as many as 8 great egrets at once in this location.
I went with two images because they tell different parts of the same story. I think I like the "kerplunk" one better because of the fat water droplets frozen in time and the mirror like reflection, but I also do like the action shot "bottoms up". Let me know if you have an opinion!
Glamping: A form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping. :)
Mini Airstream catching some evening, summer rays.
Campers on the Fraser River
BC
Canada
A special thanks to you all, for taking the time to view and acknowledge my photography.
I appreciate your visits & kind words of support.
Happy clicks....
~Christie by the River
**Best experienced in full screen
*** No part of this image may be copied, reproduced, or distributed outside Flickr, without my express written permission. Thank-you
Quote: Be different, be unique .... why be a copy, when you were born an original.
Bird photography sounds peaceful. You picture me quietly communing with nature, sipping coffee while majestic creatures flutter by, posing politely like they’re in a Disney movie. That’s a lie. The truth involves hauling lawn chairs, tripods, and a camera bag that weighs more than a third grader across the desert before sunrise—all to sit motionless next to a glorified livestock trough filled with water I wouldn’t let my enemies drink.
This cattle tank, which I have gentrified into a “desert oasis” (by tossing in a stick), is now a fine-dining establishment for birds. The stick is important. I found it on the ground, which makes it natural, and I chose one with bark and lichen because birds don’t like muddy feet—and I like a pretty perch.
Birds don’t just fly in, though. First, they land about twenty-five feet away in what I call the staging area, where they scope things out and decide if it’s safe to drink. Just as I know birds come here for water, they know hawks come here for birds. If it seems risky, they vanish into the brush to post angry tweets about predator privilege.
This time, an American Robin decided to play along. He glided down to the branch, dipped his beak into the water, then raised his head to swallow—because robins, like most birds, can’t gulp. They rely on gravity to get the water down. No swallow muscles. No peristalsis. Just tip and pray.
As he tilted his head back, water spilled from his beak. I fired off a burst of photos. In this frame, he’s in perfect profile, water spilling from his bill, with a few droplets stopped in mid-air and a few reached the surface, sending delicate ripples across the pond.
His reflection was beautiful and haunting, like a bird pondering the mysteries of hydration—or maybe just wondering why some guy shoved a branch in his drinking fountain.
In the desert, water is liquid gold. To birds, cattle tanks are survival. To me, they’re proof that lugging heavy gear into the wilderness to photograph a robin mid-sip is a perfectly reasonable way to spend retirement.
Especially if you're trying to avoid housework.
He lifts his head to the sky—a gravity feed,
’Cause evolution said, “Nah—gulping’s not a need.
Plan de la Besurta, La Ribagorza, Huesca, Aragón, España.
Ruta cuyo itinerario discurre en el entorno de las pistas de esquí nórdico de Llanos del Hospital en el Valle de Benasque. La ruta tiene su inicio en el Plan del Hospital atravesando en su recorrido bellos parajes como el Plan de Estan y el Plan de la Besurta para llegar finalmente hasta el espectacular Plan d´Aiguallut con magnificas vistas al pico Aneto. Se trata de recorrer una parte del conocido como Camino dels Aranesos que originalmente unía el Plan del Hospital con el Valle de Arán.
El recorrido se divide en tres tramos, un primer tramo muy corto y sencillo hasta el Plan de l'Estan, un segundo tramo tambien muy sencillo hasta la Besurta y un tramo final algo más exigente aunque accesible a cualquier senderista acostumbrado a la montaña hasta el Forau d´Aiguallut.
Route whose itinerary runs around the Nordic ski slopes of Llanos del Hospital in the Benasque Valley. The route begins in the Pllan del Hospital, passing through beautiful places such as the Plan de Estan and the Plan de la Besurta to finally reach the spectacular Plan d'Aiguallut with magnificent views of the Aneto peak. It involves walking through a part of what is known as the Camino dels Aranesos, which originally linked the Hospital Plan with the Aran Valley.
The route is divided into three sections, a first very short and easy section to Plan de l'Estan, a second section that is also very simple to Besurta and a final section that is somewhat more demanding although accessible to any hiker accustomed to the mountains until the Forau d'Aiguallut.
Ah! what pleasant visions haunt me
As I gaze upon the sea!
All the old romantic legends,
All my dreams, come back to me.
-The Secret of the Sea, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Treat This" is a bi-weekly challenge at Kreative People, involving source images which you are invited to download, manipulate, and share with the group. Work can be combined with other photos, treated with textures and effects, painted, or manipulated in any other way your imagination dictates. See this week’s source images in the comment box below. My manipulation is above.
Come give it a go!
www.flickr.com/groups/1752359@N21/discuss/72157662933444178/
Cheile Băniței (located in the area of Petroșani, near the E79 road, in Hunedoara county), a spectacular, fascinating place! The route involves walking through water.
Black-browed Albatross are monogamous and often mate for life. So no surprise that both, "Bikering and Beakering" can mark their relationship from time to time. They generally live 30 years but apparently can live up to 70 years... Juveniles return to the colony after 2 to 3 years but only start breeding around the 10th year, until then, they will only practice courtship rituals. The rituals could be quite elaborated and involve mutual feeding, beak touching and preening between mates. They use their fanned tail in courting displays... so, this seems to be a "non-bickering" session here...
Warming up before the parade.
This festival Involves various bagads from Brittany (Bretagne), Wales (Pays de Galles), Ireland (Irelande), Scotland (Ecosse) and Galicia (Galice, Espagne. Spain).
Following the parade, the various groups went to the large tents where their area was represented with food and a a bar:
There was a tent for Brittany, with folkloric dance and a cider bar; a tent for Wales, also with dance and a bar; a tent for Ireland with Irish dance, ale and rum; a tent for Scotland, with dance and rum, and a tent for Galicia, also with dance and a bar.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBbH51QmuRo
Bagad de Lann Bihoué: The Bagad of the French National Navy:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBVxLF4qR-0
Le Bagad Cap Caval de Plomeur:
In the little white house to the left of the laundromat lived a little old lady named Ida Mae. While photographing the beautiful old patina and signage of the decrepit building, Ida Mae came out of her house to see what I was up to. Upon informing her of my desire to record historic structures and to post them so that others around the world can see and appreciate them, she began to recount to me the entire history of the place and of how she and her deceased husband ran the business for years and were able to live next door and raise their family while doing so. This is in extreme southern Illinois where the southern dialect prevails and Ida Mae sure had a charming one. Her southern hospitality was on full display as she recounted her years of involvement with the old laundromat. When I left finally, I began to realize that I was more moved by the charm of this old southern lady than I was by the exceedingly photogenic structure I came here to record. All old objects have a human story. Sometimes we get to see it and hear it as we go about our photographic adventures. This very image shows forth the importance of our work. We are no less involved in social documentation than Dorothea Lange in her work during the thirties with the dust bowl refugees. The signage on this humble historic structure is now long gone and so is Ida Mae. The current owners have completely remodeled the old building destroying the old signage and patina in the process. Let us pause to reflect on the importance of our work and salute the lives of the working people that have made it possible. God bless you Ida Mae. Heaven holds a place for those who pray.
The Dornier Do 31 is an experimental vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) jet-propelled transport designed and produced by West German aircraft manufacturer Dornier.
The development of the Do 31 was motivated principally by heavy interest expressed by the German Air Force in the acquisition of short take-off and vertical landing aircraft (STOVL)-capable aircraft. Such ambitions received a further boost from the issuing of NATO specification NBMR-4, which called for a VTOL-capable tactical support aircraft that would be operated in conjunction with the EWR VJ 101, a West German VTOL strike aircraft designed under the NATO contract of BMR-3. A total of three aircraft, two flight-capable and one static airframe, were constructed and used for testing. On 10 February 1967, the Do 31 performed its maiden flight; the first hovering flight of the type took place during July 1967.
In addition to performing test flights, Dornier often demonstrated the Do 31 prototypes to officials and the general public, such as at the 1969 Paris Air Show. Several world records were set by the type during its limited flying career. When the high cost, technical and logistical difficulties of operating such an aircraft were realized, the German Air Force opted to cease trials involving VTOL aircraft, such as the Do 31, VJ101, and the later VFW VAK 191B. In the face of limited sales prospects and a lack of state support, the Do 31 and other VTOL projects lingered as research projects for a time prior to their manufacturers abandoning all activity. The Do 31 remains the only VTOL-capable jet-powered transport aircraft to ever fly.
Courtship dance. This didn't involve the anticipated rush together from distant positions, What I assume to be the female emerged from the water in this upright stance facing away from the male which responded by emerging a short distance away and moving towards her in the same upright position as she continued to face away. Once the male was directly behind her, she turned and they stood treading water and facing each other nodding and head turning, eventually slowly dropping down into a facing horizontal position.
Thought I had the 1.4 converter on the lens yesterday as the birds are quite distant and that was my intention. Just noticed in posting these shots I must have left it on the 300mm lens after a trip out the previous evening. Never even realised. Doh!
Thanks for the faves and comments. Appreciated.
Waterscape 8/100 for 2025.
Hi everyone, this is Trevor. Trevor, this is everyone. Trevor & I first crossed paths in Norway back in 2017. He’s a proud native of Flåm, a picturesque little town nestled among the fjords, home to waterfalls, scenic railways, and a thriving population of self-respecting trolls just like Trevor. But despite the breathtaking views, Trevor had itchy feet. Though to be fair that may have just been the lichen. Either way, he was keen to see more of the world.
Over a couple of beers, because most of my best ideas come when drinking beer, we struck up a deal. He’d join me on my European adventures and, if he behaved himself, make the long journey back to Australia with me. Turns out, he was an excellent travel companion! He never snored, never complained, and, unlike a certain wife I shan't mention, never rolled his eyes when I stopped to take yet another photo of him in precarious situations. There are snapshots of Trevor at airports, train stations, castle courtyards, beer gardens, atop Swiss Alps, and generally being as dramatic as only a troll can be.
That said, he does have his quirks. The sun is a no-go. This is understandable considering it has a nasty habit of turning him into a very dull-looking rock. And bridges? Absolutely not. He won’t explain why, but I suspect it involves goats. Gruff ones.
Back in Australia, I didn't see him for a long time. I thought he’d wandered off on another adventure, but it turns out he was that suspiciously lumpy rock in my backyard. So, I brought him inside out of the deadly sunlight, dusted him off and decided it’s time for him to start tagging along again, avoiding sunny days. And potential run-ins with livestock.
Today’s outing took us to The Entrance, a fascinating place where the Pacific Ocean meanders inland and becomes Tuggerah Lake. And I only nearly lost him to the ocean twice. And to a particularly enthusiastic and possibly nearsighted seagull. He just can't wait for his next adventure !
I hope everyone's had a good week. Thank you all for the kind likes and comments — they’re always greatly appreciated!
As I write this, I'm feeling incredibly down and disappointed about a total failure of an adventure last night. So, it's nice to be reminded of a nice visit to the Plaza de Espana in Seville.
Typically for me, it wasn't a great trip (generally nothing can be that good if it involves me- mental health, woo!) but there were highlights. With only a few people milling about this vast space and a lovely calm, warm air around us, I was really able to relax and enjoy myself.
Another rare HDR for me, and as usual I've tried to avoid the in-your-face "HERE I AM, I'M AN HDR" feel many photographs give off. Combing a number of exposures has the extra benefit of eradicating even more of the annoying humans who tend to wander through the shot. Boo, humans!
But then, would I want a completely unpopulated, silent world? ...Nah. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.
What does it say when your interpretation of going crazy involves pushing the sliders of Capture One to the limit ;-)
What causes a squirrel to be white?
White Squirrels | Coastal and Marine Laboratory
The white squirrel is actually a genetic anomaly due to a mutated gene from the common Eastern Gray Squirrel. It is called leucism, which is a condition characterized by reduced pigmentation in animals caused by a recessive allele. Unlike albinism, it is a reduction in all types of skin pigment, not just melanin.
What is the difference between leucistic and albino?
Leucism vs. Albinism in the Animal Kingdom
Leucism and albinism are often difficult to tell apart in animals since the conditions share some of the same characteristics. While albinism refers to the complete lack of melanin—the natural pigment that gives skin, feathers, hair, and eyes their color—leucism involves a partial loss of pigmentation.
Thanks to everyone that views and comments on my images - very much appreciated.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. On all my images, Use without permission is illegal.
Sony ILCE-7RM5
I wish I had died a thousand years ago - Amazing Broken Man
Morbid much :p
Figured I haven’t done the red sheet properly for a good while, so made some effort with it that didn’t involve wrapping it round a tree.
You might start to get bored of blue tit and gold finch photographs? But they are the only photogenic birds we seem to get it the garden. The sparrows and starlings never seem to pose nicely! I must admit though I do much prefer being out in the garden with a coffee and my camera for an hour hoping for a good bird shot rather than forcing myself to be creative indoors which whilst I think the results can look ok... the whole process feels a bit contrived and the best shots always seem to take longer than you thought it would and generally involve many attempts and lots of mess! I do want to do some oil and water stuff though... have you any lockdown photography plans you just have not got round to yet.
I have also decided to get myself a web site... clueless where to start but on many U tubers recommendations im thinking squarespace.
For Macro Mondays theme 'Guilty Pleasure'.
Well of course my guilty pleasure would be snail photography, hence the reason for incorporating a lens in the composition. In fact it was Macro Mondays back in 2016 that started me on my snail whispering journey (see first comment box).
I do feel rather guilty as all you proper photographers likely wonder why I spend so much time on snails - well, it's fun to work with such engaging little creatures and I enjoy the challenge of getting them to perform. Every week I really do try to come up with an idea that doesn't involve them, but I might as well face it, I'm addicted to snails...
The title for the image is taken from the 1950 film Sunset Boulevard in which Gloria Swanson in her role as Norma Desmond, an aging delusional silent film star, utters the iconic line.
No snails were harmed in the making of this photograph.
Pareidolia is a psychological phenomenon involving a stimulus (an image or a sound) wherein the mind perceives a familiar pattern of something where none actually exists.
- Wiki
Day 258/365:
We collected our grandson from school and took him to his swimming lesson today. This is an ICM (using the slow shutter app on my iPhone) of one of the interesting buildings next to the swimming pool. I blended two images together for a bit more oomph.
I'm hanging in here by the skin of my teeth and apologise for my lack of involvement. I really picked the wrong year to decide to do another 365.
More and more of a certain past "leader's" odiferous actions are making their presences known to the public. They involve much ore than simply wearing a brown suit to a meeting like his predecessor did. Photoleap was used to create this image.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: I Do Not Condone Any Acts Of Vandalism Nor Do I Participate In Such Criminal Activity. I Am Simply An Observant and Take Photos Of This Graffiti You Have Come Across. ALSO I Will Not Condone Any Usage Of My Photos To Support Any Legal Matter Involving These Acts Of Vandalism Therefore YOU ARE NOT WELCOME TO VIEW OR TAKE THIS MATERIAL For ANY Purpose...
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: I Do Not Condone Any Acts Of Vandalism Nor Do I Participate In Such Criminal Activity. I Am Simply An Observant and Take Photos Of This Graffiti You Have Come Across. ALSO I Will Not Condone Any Usage Of My Photos To Support Any Legal Matter Involving These Acts Of Vandalism Therefore YOU ARE NOT WELCOME TO VIEW OR TAKE THIS MATERIAL For ANY Purpose...
The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), also known as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru and Bolivia. It has also been introduced to New Zealand, the Caribbean islands, and some countries in Europe. The picture shows a female (doe) whitetail ready to drink water looking out for photographers. They adorn the area with its presence; however walkers need to guard for ticks and drivers for road crossing as there are many accidents involving dears.
"The contemplative journey, because it involves the purification of the unconscious, is not a magic carpet to bliss. It is an exercise of letting go of the false self, a humbling process, because it is the only self we know. God approaches us from many different perspectives: illness, misfortune, bankruptcy, divorce proceedings, rejection, inner trials. God has not promised to take away our trial, but to help us to change our attitudes toward them. That is what holiness really is. In this life, happiness is rooted in our basic attitude toward reality."
- Thomas Keating, The Human Condition: Contemplation and Transformation
The Marjal de Pego-Oliva is a protected natural area located in the Valencian Community, Spain. This wetland is located between the provinces of Alicante and Valencia, and extends between the municipalities of Pego (Alicante) and Oliva (Valencia). It is known for its ecological richness and biodiversity, being a place of great interest for the conservation of aquatic flora and fauna.
### Main Features
1. **Freshwater Wetland**:
- The Marjal de Pego-Oliva is one of the most important freshwater wetlands in the Valencian Community. The water comes mainly from underground springs and the Bullent River, ensuring a constant, good quality supply.
2. **Biodiversity**:
- This ecosystem is home to a wide variety of species of both flora and fauna. Among the plants, reeds, reeds and reeds stand out, which are typical of wetlands. As for fauna, you can find bird species such as the bittern, the royal warbler and various species of ducks. It is also an important habitat for amphibians and reptiles, as well as for fish species such as the fartet and the samarugo, both of which are in danger of extinction.
3. **Area of Conservation Interest**:
- The marsh is included in various environmental protection networks, such as the Natura 2000 Network, which is a European ecological network of biodiversity conservation areas.
4. **Water Importance**:
- In addition to its ecological value, La Marjal de Pego-Oliva is crucial for the water management of the region. It acts as a natural water filtration and storage system, helping to maintain hydrological balance and prevent flooding.
5. **Recreational and Educational Activities**:
- The natural space offers numerous opportunities for ecotourism. There are interpretive trails and bird watching routes that allow visitors to enjoy and learn about this valuable ecosystem without harming it. Educational activities are carried out to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and their conservation.
### Management and Conservation
The management of La Marjal de Pego-Oliva involves coordinated efforts between different administrations and conservation organizations. Management plans are carried out to protect threatened species, control invasive species and maintain water quality. The involvement of the local community is also vital for the conservation and sustainable use of this natural environment.
In summary, La Marjal de Pego-Oliva is a natural treasure that combines landscape beauty, biodiversity and crucial ecological functions, being a model of wetland conservation in the region.
This morning, as I was getting ready for work, I got the first of what would turn out to be MANY texts regarding the bizzarre-o situation involving a 34 year-old, Santa Fe Warbonnet-painted B40-8W leading a westbound business train towards the city I reside in.
This is the second shot that I got of the O-PADTOP (Paducah, KY-Topeka, KS), and it's taken just about 20 minutes before sunset. This is at Herschell Rd., which is just east of Tecumseh, KS, and MP 44 on BNSF's Topeka Sub.
As if it wasn't evident from the start that this was an extremely rare occurrence, the BNSF 552 literally died about 100 yards from its destination, as it stopped at Topeka's 2nd St. Interlocking. Breakdowns like this certainly won't help the cause of getting old units like this assigned as solo motors to trains like this in the future, deadheads or not.
A female Common Goldeneye is taking off, which involves running along the water with feet helping wings to get airborne. This process is more involved than in some duck species, such as Mallard and the teals, which leap out of the water in an explosive jump (aided by the wings pushing down on the water to give lift).
Kudos to the birders who figure out who these drifters are and then take the trouble to help other birders find them.
This guy was way off his patch.
"While today’s vagrant might be tomorrow’s model citizen, destined to become a colonizer and perhaps an established resident, as Grinnell (1922) asserted, most vagrants might be viewed as “failed colonization attempts”. Newton (2008: 267–299) summarized quite well the various explanations of the causes of vagrancy put forward over the past century or so. They include: normal dispersal over long distances, population growth or expansion, drift by winds, migration overshoots, deviant directional tendencies (right time but wrong direction), mirror-image migration, and reversed direction migration. While all explanations probably play a role and explain the occurrence of some vagrant individuals, we address the latter three explanations as they likely involve the vast majority of landbirds. The mirror-image misorientation theory, originally developed by DeSante (1973), and described by Diamond (1982), proposed that vagrants are misoriented by confusion of right and left in relating an inherited migration direction to a compass reference direction. Mirror-image misorientation theory accounts for observations made by DeSante (1983a) that in certain situations large-angle misorientations seem more frequent than small or intermediate deviations from the normal migration course (Alerstam, 1990). Misorientation by the wind has long been suggested as a cause of accidentals (Austin, 1971), but Thorup et al. (2012) found differently, as the authors used radio telemetry to track individual migratory flights of several species of songbirds from the Faroe Islands, approximately halfway between Norway and Iceland, far west of their normal migration route. Birds with expected easterly and south-easterly migration direction departed westward out over the Atlantic Ocean, indicating that these birds are actively flying in the “wrong” direction and that their occurrence is not caused by wind drift. However, on Attu Island, in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska, Hameed et al. (2009) found statistical evidence that the occurrence of spring Asian vagrants on this North Pacific island were correlated with storm winds from the west."
Okay. I promised myself that my next upload would be colour (and preferably not involve my face) so when I saw the sunset I grabbed my camera and went.
The whole feather concept wasn't planned, I just picked them up as I ran out. The birds weren't either, ha, they're actually a shape I inadvertantly made with the feathers in an outtake and I noticed they looked like a bird so I used it.
Oh and I'm not graceful in any way so that pose was damn hard okay.
I'm not going to tell you that this is representative of how I want to fly away, because I'm actually far too cynical to be an artist.
Muchos amour my lovelies <3
tumblr tumblr tumblr (i linked a different one with each hyperlink so it's like a lucky dip yaaay fun)
Broto, Sobrarbe, Aragón, España.
Broto es un municipio de España en la provincia de Huesca, Comunidad Autónoma de Aragón. Tiene un área de 128,50 km² con una población de 531 habitantes (INE 2018) y una densidad de 4,28 hab/km².
La villa de Broto es la cabecera natural del Valle de Broto, y tradicionalmente ha sido el lugar de reunión del Conzello de Broto, una institución del valle que antiguamente hacía las veces de parlamento y diputación de todos los pueblos del mismo, donde se debían tomar todas las decisiones que implicasen a los vecinos de éste; concesiones de explotaciones forestales y agropecuarias, regulaciones económicas y arrendamientos, facerías (especialmente importantes en este lugar las que lo unían con el valle francés de Barèges), tribunal, etc. La institución todavía es funcional hoy en día, aunque en un grado mayor de como lo estaba antiguamente, hoy en día es gobernada sobre todo por los núcleos de Broto y la vecina Torla-Ordesa. Sus funciones están hoy muy menguadas respecto al grado de autonomía de que gozaba con los antiguos fueros, dado que contaba con auspicio de la casa real aragonesa, siendo por primera vez regulado su funcionamiento en el siglo XIII.
El Conzello efectuaba sus reuniones dentro del edificio de la Cárcel, que además incluye dependencias que se utilizaron hasta el siglo XVIII como prisión, y donde algunos de los reclusos realizaron grabados en las paredes, algunos de ellos con singular destreza, que se han convertido en uno más de los múltiples atractivos de la villa, siendo visitables en fechas concretas.
El núcleo de Broto se estructura en torno a la carretera nacional, llamada Avenida de Ordesa a su paso por la villa, con todos los comercios abiertos a ella. La iglesia se encuentra en la parte más elevada del pueblo, al mismo lado de la carretera que la cárcel, aunque esta segunda se encuentra más cerca del río. Por el lado sur de la carretera cabe buscar la Plaza de las Herrerías (también llamada "de la Santa Cruz" o "de los Porches") que constituye una de las visiones más hermosas de la población.
Los dos barrios que componen Broto están separados uno a cada orilla del Ara, con el barrio de la Santa Cruz en el norte, y en el sur el llamado Barrio de los Porches. Es una costumbre muy arraigada en los pueblos del Alto Aragón considerar y nombrar como barrios diferentes simples agrupaciones de casas que, como en este caso, están separadas únicamente por un curso de agua sobre el cual se levanta un puente. Antiguamente ambos barrios estaban unidos por un único puente medieval que fue desgraciadamente destruido en el transcurso de la Guerra Civil (cabe destacar la crudeza que alcanzó dicho conflicto en esta zona de Aragón, llegando a su punto cumbre con el fenómeno llamado la Bolsa de Bielsa). Hoy en día entre ambos barrios la carretera circula por un puente de hormigón.
Actualmente, puente románico sólo se conserva el que cruza por encima del río Sorrosal junto a la llamada Cascada del Sorrosal, un salto de agua que se precipita de una pared de roca hasta caer por debajo de la villa de Broto. El puente del Sorrosal está hoy en día cerrado al tránsito de personas que tienen que pasar por un puente paralelo habilitado a pocos metros y que, así mismo, conduce al vecino lugar de Oto.
Broto is a municipality of Spain in the province of Huesca, Autonomous Community of Aragon. It has an area of 128.50 km² with a population of 531 inhabitants (INE 2018) and a density of 4.28 inhabitants / km².
The town of Broto is the natural head of the Broto Valley, and traditionally it has been the meeting place of the Conzello de Broto, an institution of the valley that formerly served as parliament and deputation of all the towns of the same, where they had to take all decisions involving its neighbors; forest and agricultural exploitation concessions, economic regulations and leases, faceries (especially important in this place those that linked it with the French valley of Barèges), court, etc. The institution is still functional today, although to a greater degree than it was in the past, today it is governed mainly by the towns of Broto and neighboring Torla-Ordesa. Today its functions are greatly diminished with respect to the degree of autonomy it enjoyed with the old fueros, since it was sponsored by the Aragonese royal house, its operation being regulated for the first time in the 13th century.
The Conzello held its meetings inside the Prison building, which also includes rooms that were used as a prison until the 18th century, and where some of the inmates made engravings on the walls, some of them with singular skill, which have become one more of the multiple attractions of the town, being visited on specific dates.
The nucleus of Broto is structured around the national highway, called Avenida de Ordesa as it passes through the town, with all the shops open to it. The church is located in the highest part of town, on the same side of the road as the jail, although the latter is closer to the river. On the south side of the road, you can look for the Plaza de las Herrerías (also called "de la Santa Cruz" or "de los Porches") which constitutes one of the most beautiful views of the town.
The two neighborhoods that make up Broto are separated, one on each bank of the Ara, with the Santa Cruz neighborhood in the north and the so-called Barrio de los Porches in the south. It is a deeply rooted custom in the towns of Alto Aragón to consider and name as different neighborhoods simple groupings of houses that, as in this case, are separated only by a watercourse over which a bridge rises. Formerly both neighborhoods were linked by a single medieval bridge that was unfortunately destroyed in the course of the Civil War (it is worth noting the harshness that this conflict reached in this area of Aragon, reaching its peak with the phenomenon called the Bielsa Stock Exchange) . Today between the two neighborhoods the road runs over a concrete bridge.
Currently, the only surviving Romanesque bridge is the one that crosses over the river Sorrosal next to the so-called Cascada del Sorrosal, a waterfall that falls from a rock wall until it falls below the town of Broto. The Sorrosal bridge is nowadays closed to the transit of people who have to go through a parallel bridge enabled a few meters away and that, likewise, leads to the neighboring place of Oto.
The abandoned Fox Store in Grant County, Oregon. Fox is named after Fox Creek, a tributary of the North Fork John Day River. The creek was named for an incident involving a fox that occurred during a hunting or prospecting trip in pioneer days.
Pasadena Presbyterian Church has a proud past: it was the first church to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the new city of Pasadena in 1875.
In the decades since, PPC has enriched the lives of thousands of children, youth and adults through engaging worship, lively fellowship, thoughtful learning, and hands-on service to our community and the world.
For generations, Pasadena Presbyterian Church has been know for its outstanding music program. Music at PPC expresses our joy in God's love, enhances worship, enriches the congregation both young and old, and serves as an inspiring vehicle for community outreach.
The music ministry at PPC includes a number of choirs and ensembles, involving over one hundred musicians from Kindergarten on up. Participation is open to any who wish to join.
Pasadena. California.
My happiness always involves Ruffy. And nothing is better than that. Well… maybe Ruffy x 6 is better. ;-) Create your own happiness and Happy Smile on Saturday! Hope this makes you smile. :-)
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I've been working on this pic for about a week and before it gets overdone, I'd better post it. You wouldn't believe how different it looks each day!!
If you don't recognize her, that's my Ruffy. I created this for the Smile on Saturday group, selfie with half a face theme. I know it's not Saturday.. Maybe you'll smile before Saturday. ;-)
I'm still trying to get Ruffy's blood sugar #'s under control. Today I'm testing her blood every 2 hours, doing her 2nd blood glucose curve. Have been giving her insulin shots 2x daily, but for the 1st time, today her sugar # was low! It's usually really high! So no insulin today. Scary stuff!! Have to keep calling the vet & they tell me what to do. OK.. back to create your own happiness...
Traditional storytelling involves a narrator transmitting a fixed story to an audience of one or more, employing various verbal tones, physical gestures, and facial expressions to evoke reactions and participation from the audience. This process is anchored in the reality that the story's basic structure never changes.
- - - It was a dark and stormy night - - -
The work of Swedish artist Hilma af Klint is inspiring. I regularly refer to her style in my image generation. On the Screenpunk website an article on Af Klint.
As you probably know, the Dartford Warbler is only so named as a couple of them which happened to have been shot in Dartford were described in the late 1700's and given their english name as a result. Being a naturalist in those days seemed to involve shooting anything that moved!
I doubt there were ever many in Dartford and there certainly aren't now in the creeping sprawl from London.
I prefer the old country nickname, with Furze the anglo-saxon for Gorse.
Inle Lake is a freshwater lake located in the Nyaungshwe Township of Taunggyi District of Shan State, Myanmar (Burma). It is the second largest lake in Myanmar with an estimated surface area of 116 km2, and one of the highest at an elevation of 880m.
Most transportation on the lake is traditionally by small boats, or by somewhat larger boats fitted with single cylinder inboard diesel engines. Local fishermen are known for practicing a distinctive rowing style which involves standing at the stern on one leg and wrapping the other leg around the oar. This unique style evolved for the reason that the lake is covered by reeds and floating plants making it difficult to see above them while sitting. Standing provides the rower with a view beyond the reeds. However, the leg rowing style is only practiced by the men. Women row in the customary style, using the oar with their hands, sitting cross legged at the stern.