This gorge, often called the Grand Canyon of Europe, is a beautiful range of mountains looking down on the river that runs through the whole gorge. A great spectacle, popular with tourists who visit the sights of Provence.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdon_Gorge

IN LOVING MEMORY OF GÉRARD (PIFOU) WHO LOVED PROVENCE, fRANCE.

DEFINITELY VIEW WITH MAGNIFIER

I have to confess that I was both surprised and quietly chuffed when I uploaded this and saw that I’d caught this little fellow fairly cleanly. He appeared from nowhere into that exact position, obligingly stopped for a fraction of a second as the sunlight hit him, and then was gone.

I had been patiently plotting up that little bit of lavender hoping a bee might come and land somewhere on it and was just about to give up because holding the 20x magnifier in place on the back of the LCD with pressure from my eye for any length of time can become uncomfortable, so I was about to quit when there was a glint in the sunlight. I didn’t even think about it before I knew it I had moved the camera and hit the button - one shot and gone - . I hoped the focus point had found him. I checked and saw that Ihad indeed caught him but I can never tell whether something is in proper focus even with that powerful magnifier - I can tell if it is blurred, but often they look sharp but when I upload to the big screen, they are anything but.

This time it was! :^))

The great reed warbler breeds in Europe and the west Palearctic. It does not breed in Great Britain, but is an irregular visitor. Its population has in recent decades increased around the eastern Baltic Sea, while it has become rarer at the western end of its range. It is a migratory bird, wintering in tropical Africa. This bird migrates north at a rather late date, and some birds remain in their winter quarters until the end of April (Wiki).

It is about the size of a thrush and the largest European warbler.

It was an overcast morning which was limiting for photography, sun came out mid-late morning, but had moved around too far, becoming more of hindrance. The bird kept his distance in mid reed bed, bar two very brief forays into the nearest reeds, the first chasing smaller Reed Warblers off his performance pitch. He also tended to frequent a particular set of reed stems for his singing recitals. This puts it at a very extreme range for photos, especially with a strip of tall reeds in front of the block of reeds where it sings most visibly.

Nevertheless, it was a great experience to see and hear this bird, for the first time for me.

Apologies to those who commented on and faved a previous photo of this bird that I posted, I wasn't too happy with the grain upon enlargement using Flickr's magnifier on my iMac, hence the removal of the earlier post.

Thank you for your faves and comments, which are much appreciated.

Water drops on a birch leaf (Betula species, Betulaceae) after a rain behave like small lenses that magnify the leaf's veins.

This is likely a birch leaf.

Vilas County, Wisconsin

OC222144m

Golden ringed Dragonfly.

Cordulegaster boltonii

This is the UK’s largest dragonfly and you won’t be surprised to know that it is also a voracious predator and powerful flyer, eating damsel flies, bees, wasps and even other dragonflies. I managed to photograph it with the help of my wife, which is an amusing story in itself…..

My wife said to me “have you got the right lens on for a dragonfly” - “yes” says I and she led me to where it was, on a pot plant on the patio low to the ground. Despite it’s very large size, at least 8cm - well over 3 inches, those markings and me using my 20x magnifier on the back of the LCD monitor, I just could not find it, right under my nose, centimetres away and big enough to trip over but I couldn’t find it.. My wife - blessed with both brain and eye,

stood behind me as I knelt so she could see where exactly I was pointing the camera…….

“Left…..left….left…..right a bit… find the edge of the pot……up a bit ….now you should have it……”

And there it was. What a team!

And now it is here :^)

First blooms of 2023 - Winter Aconite.

Something dawned on me as I was lying face down in the mud and damp in a shady spot in the garden trying to photograph this tiny flower - only a couple of inches high, along with some snowdrops, and that was, that most no one else would have to do this! They would simply kneel, flip the screen up and hold the camera at ground level. But as I have to keep my eye directly on my 20x magnifier, and that is held in place on the LCD monitor by camera pressure which pushes the screen back into place, I can neither flip up the screen nor kneel down - so, get down and dirty it is. Chuckle.

I guess in a way it is a throwback to the good old days when there were no LCD monitors - but then, if all I had was a view finder, I couldn't do this anyway......

Greatest thanks to my wife who has just set me straight below... it seems there is no mud in our garden - therefore it wasn't mud, it was wet earth or soil, ....

Anthophila Fabriciana

Nettle Tap Moth

I took this one last year , but as I didn't managed to capture another one this year - and these ox-eye daisies are going over, I thought I would put. it up. Actually, I haven't managed to capture a single butterfly or moth as yet this year despite there having been an abundance of them. Ah well....

This tiny nettle tap moth is said to be about 10-15mm, I'm going to say this one was no more than 10mm as I recall that was quite a small daisy it was on. Whatever, it's still the smallest moth I've never seen :^))

Incidentally, without my 20x magnifier on the lcd, there is no way I would ever have known this tiny chap was there even then.......

In my years on the lake, I have noted with some amusement how the herons watch me approach only to inevitably fly off the moment I raise my camera. So it is with all the wildlife around here (probably because they have never really become accustomed to humans) so when I actually find something willing to pose, however briefly, it is a moment of simple and unexpected pleasure.

So it was with this young heron who I watched prowl the banks for some time, seemingly unperturbed, as I drifted near...of course, without my camera.

The next day, I returned to the spot, hoping against hope that I might find him again. I was sitting in the canoe scanning the shoreline when a significant fluttering occurred over my head and looking back I saw him perched on a dead tree not 10 feet away. He proceeded to glide down to the shore and began his hunt, me, this time camera at the ready, snapping away. One of the real joys of an event like this is the instant affinity and kinship one feels when another species deigns to share an otherwise private moment. Special indeed.

I liked his pose in this one and it's worth a click on the magnifier I think.

I had a bit of a job photographing this pretty little Comma butterfly which my wife pointed out to me blending in on a yellow dogwood. Even through my 20x magnifier on the LCD it was really difficult for me picking up any contrast - well, honestly, I couldn't see any. As a consequence I took a few and this was the only one worth keeping - even then she was hanging off the bottom of the photograph! (now cropped for balance) Fortunately, my frustration was surpassed only by her patience. It was worth it, she's a pretty little lady.

I went to an art show, here in Austin, Sunday and saw these eyepiece magnifiers hanging down. Than, I realized how cool it looked with the sun shinning on the tent behind the booth I was standing in front of. After that, it was just one of those lucky times, right camera, right lens kind of day..;) Click on image for best view

This isn't a reflection. I shot through the eye glass. It's the tent on the other side

Another macro shot using a simple magnifier. This flower is simply wonderful!

This is a keepsake that I used on a regular basis when I was working....

It measures the size of the Mesh, when Sieving Chocolate....at Cadbury Bros.

Part of my job was to replace torn and damaged Sieves to maintain quality...

As many of you know, this is the time of year when I have already posted numerous snow photos because I happen to live in an area with the highest probability of snow this time of year in the US (except Alaska). In fact, the historical likelihood of a white Christmas here is about 98%. Looking back through my archives, I have never personally recorded snowlessness at this time of year.

We've actually only had one measurable snowfall which has vanished with 24 hour temperatures consistently and unusually in a very narrow range of 35-42F/2-4C. Last night it rained. This of course has also caused any incipient ice on the lake to vanish. It has also been consistently grey and the sun has been absent for some time, the cloud cover in the winter, of course, holding the warmth.

While the local merchants are unhappy as winter sports activity will be significantly delayed, I can't say that I mind (especially after the unending and severe winter of 2013-2014) as it provides easier access through the woods in much more comfortable garb. This image accurately conveys the scene, the subjects, as are we all, seemingly waiting and wondering what's going on.

[Much better larger; the magnifier works well here...]

....has there been a holy miracle giving Magoo the sight of a birder!?!?!

Well actually......erm....nah of course not :^)

I've been trying for ages to figure a way I might somehow catch a bird in one of our garden trees and well, came up with nothing. So I decided to park up on the little branch right next to the bird feeder which is cropped out on the left. Looking through the 20x magnifier on the back of the LCD monitor, everytime I thought I caught a flicker of movement I clicked away, and, eventually......

My first tree bird in 3 years!!! And the illusion of a competent birder LOL!

Next challenge - one of the Red Kites that fly regularly over OUR house - I've taken literally hundreds and hundreds and so far gotten little better than blurry blobs and 99% nothing at all. But I'll get one of you kite boys, where there's a will and all that ......

Unfortunately I did not have a CMM at hand to throw into that mess for good measure... 😁

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

Smile on Saturday.

.....but you can't hide.

Was sat on a bench in the garden trying to catch a bird near one of the feeders when I heard the crows wings flap low overhead and settle in the old apple tree near me. I scanned and scanned through my 20x magnifier on the LCD but couldn't find him, despite the dark and light contrast, I was about to give up when I passed over him as he moved and I picked up the movement not the shape. Gotcha! :^)

While I can't be without the 20x, the one problem with it is that it reduces the visible area on the LCD drastically, perhaps down to 5%, so on a large zoom tis a bit needle and haystackish with Mr Magoo looking for the needle. Fortunately, he moved as I passed over him otherwise, even at that size I would have missed him.

Everything in nature invites us constantly to be what we are.

― Gretel Ehrlich

I will be out all day tomorrow so will catch up with you on the weekend!

I posted this image to a private group before, so apologies to those of you who have already seen it:)

Featuring Nutmeg at the Epiphany....this collection is full of mystery and beautifully textured designs....Pictured from the collection in no particular order:

10. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Table

9. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Armchair Brown Adult

8. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Armchair Black Adult

7. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Bag Maroon

2. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Bag of Souls Brown RARE

5. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Bag Black

6. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Bag Brown

4. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Raven RARE

16. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Papers

17. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Candle

14. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Tray

12. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Pocket Watch

18. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Phonograph

13. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Magnifier

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Book3

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Book2

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Book1

The Epiphany: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Epiphany/86/141/989

Nutmeg Mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/REKA%20NUTMEG/233/125/21

Nutmeg Flickr: flic.kr/ps/Yr6Sn

Other Nutmeg items pictured available at the mainstore: (Landmark above)

Nutmeg. Attic Hideout Painting (no shadow)_Bonus Item

ReKa. Still Life / 3 (group gift)

Nutmeg. Forgotten Library Book Pile

Nutmeg. Old Oriental Rug3_Bonus Item

Nutmeg. Attic Hideout Vase Set

Nutmeg. Attic Hideout Candle Holder1

Nutmeg. Attic Hideout Candle Holder2

Nutmeg. Forgotten Library Side Table

Build: DRD Mystery Mansion new release available now at the mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Death%20Row/115/140/21

Other DRD items pictured from DRD and available for a limited time at Uber:

DRD - Antique Shoppe - Carpet Rectangle

DRD - Antique Shoppe - Chandelier B

Uber: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Uber/126/129/1200

Thanks for your support! ❤️

Leica M-E / Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar ZM 4/85 mm

Leica M10 silver

Leitz Visoflex III (19497) with 90° magnifier (16499)

Magnifer 5x (16461)

Leitz Elmar-V 3.5/65 mm black (1973) in Leitz focusing mount black (16464)

Leitz Telyt-V 4/200m all black (1969) with M-adapter (16466)

Leitz Tele-Elmar 4/135mm (1978) with Leitz intermediate ring

(16471) and (14020)

I needed to lose you to find me

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlJDTxahav0

Selena Gomez - Lose You To Love Me

Wearing:

.Entwined. Sophie

GENUS Project - Genus Head - Baby Face

amara beauty - Corissa eyeshadows GENUS

HARO Rosy Dress – Maitreya

HARO Neckerchief - Maitreya

Scene:

8f8 - forgotten secrets

01_8f8 - forgotten secrets - within the ruins RARE

03_8f8 - forgotten secrets - anima di concerto RARE

04_8f8 - forgotten secrets - dance with your hands

10_8f8 - forgotten secrets - creepy hugger

11_8f8 - forgotten secrets - broken image

12_8f8 - forgotten secrets - mystical woods

13_8f8 - forgotten secrets - night sky

16_8f8 - forgotten secrets - locked in silence

17_8f8 - forgotten secrets - private knowledge

20_8f8 - forgotten secrets – deartime

21_8f8 - forgotten secrets - distant calling

22_8f8 - forgotten secrets - key is in the bottle

23_8f8 - forgotten secrets - karma

32_8f8 - forgotten secrets - trembling light

24_8f8 - forgotten secrets – prosperity

8f8 - forgotten secrets – peace

25_8f8 - forgotten secrets - love

27_8f8 - forgotten secrets - breaking free

28_8f8 - forgotten secrets - carrie

29_8f8 - forgotten secrets - can you read the sound?

32_8f8 - forgotten secrets - trembling light

- 8f8 - Storyteller's Burrow

20 - 8f8 - Storyteller's Burrow - Curtain

34 - 8f8 - Storyteller's Burrow - Old Rugs

32 - 8f8 - Storyteller's Burrow - Pipe Set

40 - 8f8 - Storyteller's Burrow - Lantern Cage

35 - 8f8 - Storyteller's Burrow - Stairway to Knowledge

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's

9. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Armchair Brown PG

11. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Draped Table

13. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Magnifier

16. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Papers

. Nutmeg. Memoirs Diaries set:

3. Nutmeg. Memoirs Diaries set RARE

15. Nutmeg. Memoirs Diaries set Red

Nutmeg. Countryside Dream Collection:

Nutmeg. Countryside Dream Spruce Branch

Nutmeg. Countryside Dream Knitting

Apt B // Summer Travel Luggage RARE

.03 [ kunst ] - Phonograph record (1)

.05 [ kunst ] - Phonograph record (3)

.09 [ kunst ] - Candle holder

05 [ kunst ] - Blood jug RARE

.06 [ kunst ] - Blood globet

Au ras de la mare toutes le couleurs chaudes sont à exploiter pour magnifier son sujet. ici cette grenouille joue la star dans son habit de lumières...

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At the level of the pond all the warm colors are to be exploited to magnify its subject. Here this frog plays the star in his suit of lights...

HBW everyone!

Taken right after rain and the sun was shining.

Thank you for visiting ;)

Pretty sweet viewing with the magnifier, if so inclined.

The entrance to the Cochem Imperial Castle is up there on the left and the washrooms are on the right when you get to the top.

Hearkening back to days of yore and gosh darn, my hasenpfeffer is tasteless again! "Küchenchef! Küchenchef!"

This Magnifying Glass slides up from its own hard plastic case. When up, it also activates a small light on the underside, which also helps to clearly see what is being magnified. Just push gently at the top, and the lens slides into the case. The light automatically turns off at the same time. Comes with two batteries installed, plus two replacements.

Theme: "Optical Instruments"

Thank you for taking the time to view my photo, and for the faves and comments you make, thank you.

It was almost dark and cloudy when I took this zoom across the valley of the distant mountain.

Looking through my 20x magnifier on the back of the little screen it was obvious the image would be much brighter than it really was. I wanted the photo to be a more realistic representation of the conditions so, as I shoot jpeg and do only bare minimal if any pp, beyond minor crops and straightening, I underexposed it to what I thought - as best I could - was more accurate reflection. It feels about right.

The FF focal length equivalent would be around 120mm I think.....

Nutmeg ‘s Soul collector set @Epiphany

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Draped Table

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Candle

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Raven RARE

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Papers

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Bag of Souls Brown RARE

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Bag of Souls Maroon RARE

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Phonograph

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Armchair Black

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Magnifier

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Book1

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Book2

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Book3

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Bag Brown

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Bag Maroon

Your taxi to all things wonderful…

Droplet on a peacock feather for Macro Mondays

taken with the Lensbaby Edge50 and I kept the lens straight, so no slice of focus... this optic also has a pull out magnifier in the front to get closer!!

For Smile on Saturday! - Optical instruments

This hands-free hanging magnifier belonged to my paternal grandparents. Van Waffle (Pappy) might have used it for looking at his stamp collection or Fern (Mimi) might have used it to read books and the newspaper. I felt closer to Pappy than my other three grandparents. He had been a self-made, successful business owner and a hard man by many accounts. I never saw that side of him. The year I was born he suffered a heart attack and retired. I guess it softened him. He had time for me. He remained active and did not have another heart attack until 20 years later when he died peacefully in his sleep, age 82. I've kept this magnifier since Mimi moved out of their house into a nursing home 30 years ago, knowing it would become useful someday. So far I have only used it two or three times to fix difficult knitting errors. Pappy would be puzzled to find me using it in fibrecraft, but he shared my enjoyment of gardening and storytelling.

Project 365, 2023 Edition: Day 25/365

Thank you to everyone who visits, faves, and comments.

emotional and messy

sometimes lost and confused

but if you only realized

the wisdom behind those eyes

with a heart that never lies

would you storm the world

like you haven't a thing to lose? - Courtney Peppernell

Nutmeg

Homely Comfort Sofa w/Throw

Low Light Nights Striped Armchair

Sunroom Clock

Forgotten Library Bust

Autumn Lounge Coffee Table

Quiet Daybreak Rugs

Warm Respite Leather Ottoman

Apple Fall / West Village

Old Canvas Trunk

Wireless Gramophone

Pampas Grass

Globe w/ Books

Figs in Bowl

Vintage Gallery Original Poster - Ephemera

Penrose Task Lamp

Eleanora Bedside Table - Chalkboard

'Lucky Numbers' Cigarettes & Tray

Single Cut Hydrangea

Books - Arrangement 9

Books - Arrangement 10

Books - Arrangement 7

Original Artwork: Kumquat Sketch

Kingsbury Pendant Lamp

Amelie Magnifiers

Jar Candle - Tobacco

Cushion - Stripes, Charcoal

Potted Agave

Vintage Dice Decor

Rosehip Branch in Milk Glass Vase

Signature Speaker - Black

Carved Stag Bust

Avani

East Display Cabinet

Orono Collection Floral Drawing, III

Orono Collection Floral Drawing, I

Scarlet Creative

Darcy Linen Static Curtain

Windows From Trinity Cabin (Modified)

North Oak

Zion Weaved Baskets

Belvedair Leaf Vase

22769

Faux Fireplace

Junk Marketplace

Vintage Clock

Ariskea

Old Books

Dahlia

Belladonna Tea Cup

Petrichor

Covenna Hourglass:// Harvest Moon

Digs

Warren Double Cabinet

Dust Bunny

Sweet Dreams Fiddle Leaf

Nutmeg. Soul Collector's @ The Epiphany:

7. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Bag Maroon

8. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Armchair Black Adult

12. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Pocket Watch

16. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Papers

13. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Magnifier

15. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Books

2. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Bag of Souls Brown RARE

11. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Draped Table

17. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Candle

14. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Tray

4. Nutmeg. Soul Collector's Raven RARE

Nutmeg. Old Oriental Rug1_Bonus Item

Nutmeg. Attic Hideout Vase Set

ANC: Garden by anc "hydrangea"  (gray)

[noctis] ~Black Melancholy Carpet 11d rug

DRD - Antique Shoppe - Old Door Display

07 -DaD- Spooktacular Steampunk- Pumpkin cup oxide m/t @ The Arcade Gacha

Magnifier

Tiny, fiery red salvia - still going!

Apart from a small crop, and removing a bright spot bottom right hand corner, it hasn't been touched. The effect was gained by angle of sunlight just touching the tips in the shade, and camera settings.

On one like this, where the light stands out to me through my 20x magnifier on the LCD, I normally take several metering / exposure combos, because if I wait to see what they. are like when I upload, if I have to come back the light has changed. On this occasion this one stood out from the others.

Frog Pond Florals reject..... go figure.

A simple Hover Fly on a weed at the place near Glendevon we were staying for the weekend..... hand held of course.....! Was trying out some Magnifier Filters for the end of my lens... this was X4.

A lovely old town in the Marche region of Italy ...

Many streets are very steep. If you look with the magnifier, you can see the handrail on the right.

Une superbe ville medievale, dans la province des Marches

Beaucoup de rues sont tres abruptes ... si vous regardez avec la loupe, vous pouvez voir la balustrade a droite ...

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Dati Tecnici

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a) Leica M7 + Leica Summicron M 35mm f. 2,0 ASPH. 6bit;

b) Tempo 1/125s con apertura f.4,0 + 2/3 di stop;

c) Lettura Esposimetrica con Gossen Lunalite (Effettuate tre letture a Luce Incidente sui due lati estremi opposti del soggetto e una sul fondo);

d) Negativo Ilford FP4 PLUS Prof 125 Asa (esposta a 400 Asa);

e) Scansione con Agfa Duoscan T2500 Pro;

f) Prima Post-Produzione Corel Photo-Paint X7 64Bit e Adobe Photoshop CS6 64Bit;

g) Post-Produzione di completamento con Nikon Capture NX 2.

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Mio breve Curriculum Vitae su LinkedIn: - My Brief Curriculum Vitae on LinkedIn:

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Visualizza il profilo di Luigi Mirto/ArchiMlFotoWord

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Tutti i diritti riservati ©2025/2035 da ArchiMlFotoWord/Luigi Mirto/Photography; International Museum Art Gallery of Photography New York; Gallery Marchandise Museun Art of Photography Chicago.

Nessuna immagine o parte di essa può essere riprodotta o trasmessa in qualsiasi forma e con qualsiasi mezzo senza preventiva autorizzazione.

.

All rights reserved ©2025/2035 by ArchiMlFotoWord/Luigi Mirto/Photography; International Museum Art Gallery of Photography New York; Gallery Marchandise Museun Art of Photography Chicago.

No images or part thereof may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means Without prior permission. .

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Italiano

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Immagine tratta dal Racconto Reportage ”Vite Vissute, ……Vite Abbandonate”

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"Un racconto reportage che è stato effettuato presso alcune case di cura dove queste persone spesso vengono lasciati e dimenticati, presso le loro abitazioni, negli ospedali (questa nell'Ospedale Psichiatrico di via Pindemonte a Palermo-Sicilia- "quando ancora era operativo"), in alcune comunità che accolgono questi anziani in quanto dimenticati dai figli e parenti e soprattutto per strada."

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English

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Image from the story Reportage "Lives lived, ...... lives Left Behind"

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"A narrative report that was done at some nursing homes where these people are often forgotten and left at their homes, hospitals (Psychiatric hospital in this way Pindemonte in Palermo - Sicily - "when it was still operating), in some communities that welcome them as elderly forgotten by their children and relatives and especially on the road."

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Andrea Bocelli - SOGNO

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Luigi Mirto/ArchiMlFotoWord's most interesting photos on Flickriver

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Per questa immagine ho scritto:

Il viale delle foglie che cantano

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Fra la fitta nebbia e l’albeggiar

d’una fredda mattina autunnale

nelle inquiete penombre

di un viale d’alberi secolari

s’ode un fil di voce lamentare e

lunghi pianti singhiozzare.

A piedi nudi e passo incerto

coperta da un lercio

e fiorito abitino…

vaga, quasi danzando,

da sola una minuta bambina

fra le fredde lastre del viale.

Non lontan da lei

c’è un “angelo custode”

che,…fra le umide panchine e

le cadute foglie rinsecchite,

acquattato, fa capolino a vegliar

l’incerto volteggiar

e solitario vagar

di quell’anima solitaria.

Tutt’un tratto si ferma e

immobile rimane,

abbandonate e dritte

le sue esili braccia al corpicino

col capo chino a guardar

dei suoi piedini scalzi

le dita giocherellare fra

le foglie secche scricchiolare.

Pian pianino mi avvicino e…

fermo li rimane,

quell”angelo custode”

mi scruta ma mi lascia passare.

Rivolgo a lei la parola ma…

sorridente e con voce soffusa

mi dice: SSsss….le senti?, parlano con me,

cantano le foglie del viale

sono le mie foglie incantate.

Rimango intontito e mi commuovo

impaurito mi giro verso….

un forte fruscio di foglie dal vento spazzate

in cerca di qualcuno, di un parente

di una madre che mi possa spiegare.

Ma ad un tratto il silenzio diventa tombale

non c’è più nessuno, tuto è svanito,

anche quell”angelo custode” è volato

rimango solo io in quel freddo e lugubre viale.

……………………………………….……..Luigi Mirto.

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The avenue of singing leaves

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Between the thick fog and the dawn

of a cold autumn morning

in the restless shadows

of an avenue of centuries-old trees

you can hear a thread of a voice lamenting

and long sobbing cries.

Barefoot and with an uncertain step

covered by a dirty

and flowery dress…

a tiny little girl wanders, almost dancing,

alone

among the cold flagstones of the avenue.

Not far from her

there is a “guardian angel”

who,…between the damp benches and

the fallen dried leaves,

crouching, peeps out to watch

over the uncertain whirling

and solitary wandering

of that solitary soul.

Suddenly she stops and

remains still,

her slender arms stretched out and straight

her head bowed to watch

her bare feet

her fingers playing among

the dry leaves crackling.

I slowly approach her and...

she remains still there,

that "guardian angel"

scrutinizes me but lets me pass.

I address her but...

smiling and with a soft voice

she says to me: SSsss....can you hear them?, they are talking to me,

the leaves of the avenue are singing

they are my enchanted leaves.

I remain stunned and moved

frightened I turn towards...

a loud rustling of leaves swept by the wind

looking for someone, a relative

a mother who can explain to me.

But suddenly the silence becomes deathly

there is no one left, everything has vanished,

even that “guardian angel” has flown

I am the only one left in that cold and gloomy avenue.

……………………………………….……..Luigi Mirto..

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.Italiano

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Tratto da una situazione reale verificatosi mentre ero in giro per effettuare delle foto per questa esposizione. Ripresa presso l'EX Ospedale Psichiatrico di Palermo di via Gaetano La Loggia in una cupa mattina autunnale.

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Vincitrice di diversi concorsi in Italia ed all'estero fa parte del reportage “Vite vissute,…vite abbandonate” realizzato qualche anno fa e presentato in diverse esposizione fra cui all”International Museum Art Gallery of Photography New York 2013” aggiudicandosi il 2° Premio e al “Gallery Marchandise Museun Art of Photography Chicago 2012” ottenendo una Menzione d’Onore. Ho presentato anche alcune immagini singole a diversi concorsi ottenendo molti riconoscimenti e premi

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English

Taken from a real situation that occurred while I was out taking photos for this exhibition. Taken at the EX Psychiatric Hospital of Palermo in via Gaetano La Loggia on a dark autumn morning.

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Winner of several competitions in Italy and abroad, it is part of the reportage “Vite vissute, …vite abbandono” made a few years ago and presented in several exhibitions including the “International Museum Art Gallery of Photography New York 2013” winning 2nd Prize and the “Gallery Marchandise Museun Art of Photography Chicago 2012” obtaining an Honorable Mention. I have also presented some single images to several competitions obtaining many awards and prizes.

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Canto Della Terra - Andrea Bocelli

With the exception of the camera, everything about this photo is vintage: the two magnifiers, the piece of marble that serves as a background, the lens with which this photo was taken, not to mention me... 😅

Thank you for your views, faves and or comments, they are much appreciated!

Credits:

Apple Fall Hardwick Manor

Apple Fall Amelie Magnifiers - Now available at Men Only Monthly

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Apple Fall Atelier Pendant Lamp

Apple Fall Bed Warmers

Apple Fall Books & Map

Apple Fall Coffee & Muffin

Apple Fall Countryfolk Bed

Apple Fall Dutch Parlour Chair

Apple Fall Monogram Suitcases

Apple Fall Period Fireplace - Now Available at Shiny Shabby maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shiny%20Shabby/105/110/23

Apple Fall Plan Chest

Apple Fall Rug

junk. street sign. carnaby street. black. leaning.

junk. street sign. portobello rd. white. leaning

Lark - Vintage Dress Form (1-light)

Scarlet Creative Safari Blinds

Skye Light Rays - Dusty Medium

Soy. Superlong potted cactus A w/stand

Soy. Superlong potted cactus B w/stand

An LED-illuminated magnifier. This enlarged and enhanced version of an ordinary magnifying glass is an indispensable device, especially to my aging eyes.

Ambiance toute en douceur et tons pastel pour magnifier ces fritillaires 2023.

Sur FaceBook : www.facebook.com/algriphotographie

et sur Instagram : www.instagram.com/alain_gri/

Bend don't Break

"I did! I did taw a puddy tat!"

Done for Kreative People's Treat This 274 challenge and using two of abstractartangel77's fractal images, of which can be found in the first comment box... thanks Sandy!

Pretty cool viewing with the magnifier, if so inclined.

Moth - Silver Y, so called because of the wing markings.

This little character was surprisingly difficult to photograph sharply. He moved quite leisurely, wasn’t bothered by my presence and gave me plenty of time - and they all came out blurred. Trouble is, his entire body seems to shimmer, tremble and vibrate rapidly the whole time, at first I thought it was just the light reflecting on him, I could tell through my magnifier there was something odd but didn’t know what.. So, discovering they were all blurred, on the off chance the next day at exactly the same time I returned to these same chives and within 2 minutes, quite surprisingly he was back. They were a lot better this time but even with the shutter up at 1000 some were still a bit blurry.

Blowing snow.

Posting 6K TIFF version.

If anyone is interested, lots of detail with magnifier.

4-frame pano stitched in Hugin.

Dance fly - Empis tessellata.

I was scanning the philadelphus aureus through my magnifier on the back of the screen hoping to find some pleasing contrast when this chap landed right where I was pointed, I quickly took a shot in case he disappeared which is just as well because he did, just there for an instant - luckily it was in decent focus and the sun at a nice angle, bright and from my right making all the pollen on him sparkle enough to give sleepless nights. Chuckle.

Unless my wife finds them for me this is the only way I ever catch flies and other insects, they are either there already on the flower when I go to it, or they land when I am in the process. Bees and buzzers are a bit different as I can sort of track them with my ears

It is only mid-June and in going over photos already taken this month I am overwhelmed by the volume and the task of deciding which I might upload. This happens every spring, perhaps explained by this image....a simple look at a feature of a type found throughout the woodlands. Every walk or venture out on the lake yields endless photo ops and by the time I get back, I find I have inevitably taken between 50-100 shots. I probably have many years of accumulation which I have never properly looked at because the next day adds to the volume.

This is the time of year when the green is stunning in its perfection. Even using the magnifier, which I encourage, I challenge you to wander the woods and try to spot even a touch of brown on any of the fresh and perfect growth. And with blue skies peeking through the canopy, all one can do is breathe deep and be grateful.

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As an aside, I was happy to see Flickr reactivated the note function lost for no apparent reason in all the changes a few years ago. While I never abused it, it could be useful in a number of ways. For those unfamiliar with it or, like me, couldn't figure out to use it now, or don't want to use it or have it used on their images, here's the tutorial: www.flickr.com/help/forum/en-us/72157668990488722/