View allAll Photos Tagged omnipresent
Omniprésent, le Milan noir est à la Mongolie ce que la Corneille noire ou le Choucas des tours est à la France. On le rencontre partout et bien souvent au sein même des villages et autres sites habités. Faute d'arbres pour se percher, il n'est pas rare d'observer des groupes de plusieurs dizaines d'individus posés à même le sol.
Printemps et sa couleur verte omniprésente.. et si on se penchait sur ce qui n'est pas vert dans cette belle saison ?
Un Regional Express traccionat per una de les aleshores omnipresents locomotores de la sèrie 143 creua l'Elba poc després d'haver iniciat el trajecte que el durà fins a Cottbus.
Un Regional Express traccionado por una de las entonces omnipresentes locomotoras de la serie 143 cruza el Elba poco después de haber iniciado el trayecto que le llevará hasta Cottbus.
A Regional Express train, hauled by one of the then ubiquitous class 143 locomotives, crosses the Elbe river shortly after starting its journey to Cottbus.
Freightliner 70020 passes Kings Sutton with 4M61 Southampton to Trafford Park.
The pink ONE containers will soon be omnipresent as the ONE shipping company is a Japanese merger of Mitsui OSK, NYK and K Line all of which will be very familiar to container watchers. (That assumes Trump and BREXIT don't finish off container shipping).
6 August 2018.
ML_20180806_0048br
I was reminded of this image (and this spot) recently. My memory of these moments was pretty close at hand so the recall was a fairly easy and rapid thing. There is a lot to remember about the time I made this image, notably the wind. I remember having to lean a good 20 degrees into the wind or risk the gusts shoving me a couple of steps to the side every time they whipped up and over the small ridge I was hiking. I love wind like that. But that is of course not all there is to recall. The sight was certainly something to make one pause, as were the sounds. The boom and roar of the ocean, amplified on this day by the omnipresent wind.
But memory is a funny thing. I have read that once a memory is transferred from short term to long term it is there for keeps, we never lose it, it is tucked away in our brains for the rest of our life barring disease or brain injury. After it is stored it just becomes a matter of recalling it and those with good memories usually do this by building associations, such as linking this sight to the memory of that tempestuous wind. The more associations we have to a memory, the better we are recalling it.
And I sometimes wonder about this with technology. You may be surprised how many customers I deal with on a daily basis who do not remember their own phone numbers, let alone the number for their husband/wife/son/daughter. They don't remember because they don't think they have to, their phones can remember for them. So there is either no transfer to long term memory at all, or the associative links are poor.
I used to think of photography as a means to better remember certain moments. And it is. The image made at that time becomes an association. Pick up a print and remember the time you created it. But I am concerned about a growing over-reliance on our cameras to remember for us. Pull out a phone, snap a photo to remember it for you, don't put the effort into actually creating a memory, move on, forget. Which is a bit sad and a bit scary considering the pricelessness of the moment, the incredible value found in each unique, unrepeatable scene. I will go back to this section of beach one day, but it won't be the same time, it will be a different series of moments.
Photography helps us remember, but as with all things, an over-reliance on it is detrimental - our own abilities go unused, they atrophy. How much care do we take with each of those photos we are snapping to turn those into long term memories?
This is one reason I like pinhole (this image isn't) and extremely long exposures on my Hasselblad (this image is). I had the camera set up for several minutes exposing this scene. So I had to stop, I had to wait, I had many, many moments on my hands. I used them. I stopped. I looked. I listened. I felt. I did my best to remember each of them. Because most of our lives are gifted with a wealth of moments, but whatever that number is, it is still very, very finite. It will run out someday and you probably don't want to be in a position where you eventually wish you could have spent more time in each of them. Better to do it the first time around. The moments are invaluable, remember them.
Gardens by the Bay (« jardins près de la baie ») est un parc naturel urbain situé dans le centre de Singapour.
S'étendant sur 101 ha et abritant près de 20 000 espèces différentes de plantes, ce parc fait partie d'une stratégie du gouvernement singapourien visant à transformer la « ville-jardin » en une « ville dans un jardin », avec comme objectif déclaré d'améliorer la qualité de vie en améliorant la verdure et la flore de la cité-État. Cité où la verdure omniprésente fait partie intégrante de son paysage urbain, les espaces verts couvrant plus de 50 % de son territoire.
Riquewhir, , Alsace, France.
Riquewihr en idioma francés, Reichenweier en alsaciano, es una localidad y comuna francesa situada en el departamento de Alto Rin, en la región de Alsacia.
Por su belleza y atractivo turístico es uno de los pueblos distinguidos por la asociación Les plus beaux villages de France.
Esta ciudad fortificada rodeada de viñas es una auténtica joya. En el pueblo de Riquewihr abundan las casas de colores con entramado con fachadas decoradas con viejos rótulos. Algunas casas están adornadas con bonitas ventanas saledizas. Las omnipresentes flores y plantas trepadoras refuerzan el atractivo del pueblo.
Para descubrir el patrimonio arquitectónico único de Riquewihr, lo mejor es pasear y admirar, en el ocio, los innumerables monumentos. Se puede descubrir el ayuntamiento de estilo neo-clásico. El castillo de Württemberg en 1539 ahora alberga el museo de la comunicación. Además del edificio notable, puede supervisar la posición a través de las edades. El antiguo patio de la Abadía de Autrey desde 1510 tiene un innegable encanto con su torreta ascendente desde el sótano hasta el ático y bóveda con ocho costillas apoyo a una terraza. Va a pasar por el Museo del Dolder. Esta entrada de la puerta fortificada de la ciudad tiene un campanario de 25 metros de altura con una cara exterior bélico y la apariencia benévola en el casco urbano. La torre de los ladrones 1550 es la antigua prisión. Se pueden visitar las cámaras de tortura y mazmorras húmedas donde matones estaban cerradas. Por último, paseando por las calles, se pueden admirar las fachadas de las casas de los siglos XVI y XVII incluidos en el inventario de monumentos históricos. Entre ellos, por nombrar algunos sólo por el bien de sus nombres tan evocador, la antigua casa de tonelería, la casa llamó a los ranúnculo y enólogos de casas esperan en silencio.
Riquewihr in French, Reichenweier in Alsatian, is a town and commune in the department of Haut-Rhin in the Alsace region.
For its beauty and tourist attraction is one of the villages distinguished by the association Les plus beaux villages de France.
This fortified town surrounded by vineyards is a real gem. In the village of Riquewihr, houses with colorful, half-timbered facades adorned with old signs abound. Some houses are adorned with pretty bay windows. The ubiquitous flowers and climbing plants reinforce the appeal of the town.
To discover the unique architectural heritage of Riquewihr, the best is to stroll and admire, in leisure, the countless monuments. During your no, you can discover the neo-classical style town hall. The castle of Württemberg in 1539 now houses the Museum of Communication. In addition to the remarkable building, it can monitor the position throughout the ages. The old courtyard of the Abbey of Autrey since 1510 has an undeniable charm with its turret ascending from the basement to the attic and vault with eight ribs supporting a terrace. You will pass by the Dolder Museum. This entrance of the fortified gate of the city has a bell tower of 25 meters of height with an external warlike face and the benevolent appearance in the urban helmet. The tower of the thieves 1550 is the old prison. You can visit the torture chambers and wet dungeons where thugs were closed. Finally, walking through the streets, you can admire the facades of the houses of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries included in the inventory of historical monuments. Among them, to name a few just for the sake of their names so evocative, the old coop house, the house called the ranunculus and house winemakers wait in silence.
Self-timer shot taken at sunset from the summit of Monte Rocciamelone (3,538 m - 11,608 ft).
One of the aspects that distinguish this well-known mountain in the italian Susa Valley is that its south side stretches down towards the plain, with a difference in height of 3,000 meters... all without encountering any immediate visual obstacle, as often happens in many other peaks of the Alps.
The gaze ranges free from the Parco Dell’Orsiera-Rocciavré (here almost submerged by the sea of clouds) to the distant, omnipresent, pyramid of Monviso.
What can I say... it is definitely an experience, something that goes far beyond saying "I saw something beautiful".
Then, when you find yourself above the clouds, the magic is guaranteed: it is like admiring a silent ocean... with the only very particular difference that water is in a gaseous state instead of liquid :-)
YouTube channel “ALPS pictures & tales”
Instagram @roberto.bertero
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©Roberto Bertero, All Rights Reserved. This image is not available for use on websites, blogs or other media without the explicit written permission of the photographer.
Cavolo street mural on St. Laurent in Montreal.
Spanish artist Ricardo Cavolo was a part of the 2017 Montreal fifth edition of MURAL International Public Art Festival.
Ricardo is a graduate in Fin Arts from Salamanca University. Ricardos work ranges from paper to murals to the sides of trains.
Eyes are omnipresent in Cavolo’s pieces. If you are at the St-Laurent parking lot and feel like you are being stared at by a million eyes, you have found Cavolo!
Balinese Temple dancer at Tari Barong Dan Keris, Jalan Raya, Batu Bulan (Batubulan), Bali, Indonesia
Balinese dances are a very ancient dance tradition that is a part of the religious and artistic expression among the Balinese people. In Hinduism, dance is an accompaniment to the perpetual dissolving and reforming of the world. In Bali there are various categories of dance, including epic performances such as the omnipresent Mahabharata and Ramayana. Certain ceremonies at village temples feature a special performance of a dance-drama, a battle between the mythical characters Rangda, the witch representing evil, and Barong, the lion or dragon, representing good. Bali dancers learn the craft as children from their mothers as soon as they are born, in the womb they are played the Balinese music and are taught to dance with their hands before they can walk. Official training as a Bali dancer starts as young as 7. In Balinese dance the movement is closely associated with the rhythms produced by the gamelan, a musical ensemble specific to Java and Bali. Multiple levels of articulations in the face, eyes, hands, arms, hips, and feet are coordinated to reflect layers of percussive sounds.
El Museo Jurásico de Asturias (MUJA) está ubicado en la llamada Rasa de San Telmo, en el concejo de Colunga, a medio camino de la capital del concejo y la localidad de Lastres, con un acceso en pendiente que parte de la AS-257.
El MUJA se levanta en un terreno alto desde el que descubrimos unas vistas magníficas del litoral oriental de la región. Se convierte en un mirador omnipresente del paisaje jurásico que hay a sus pies y que ha decidido catalogar y archivar. Así que el primer mérito del museo lo encontramos desde esta posición, en el exterior, contemplando la panorámica marítima que se abre a nuestros ojos.
En las afueras del MUJA encontramos otras réplicas grandilocuentes, como la del Diplodocus, que se une a las existentes de un gran terópodo y de un estegosaurio. La reproducción tiene 27 metros de largo y tres toneladas de peso. La ha realizado la empresa Dinokinetics de León.
The Jurassic Museum of Asturias (MUJA) is located in the so-called Rasa de San Telmo, in the council of Colunga, halfway to the capital of the council and the village of Lastres, with a slope access part of the AS-257 .
The MUJA stands on high ground from which to discover a magnificent view of the eastern coastal region. It becomes a pervasive viewpoint Jurassic landscape is at his feet and has decided to catalog and archive. So the first museum we find merit in this position, outside, watching the maritime panorama opens up before our eyes.
Outside the grand MUJA find other replicas, such as the Diplodocus, which binds to the existence of a large theropod and a stegosaurus. The reproduction is 27 meters long and three tons. The company has made Dinokinetics of Leon.
Omnipresent WAP4 Mr. 55 from Electric Loco shed, Erode towing on time running 13352/18190 Alappuzha - Dhanbad/TATA meets 65 mins late running 13351/18189 Dhanbad/TATA - Alappuzha express led by WAP4 Mr. 50 from same shed !
Me llamo Mario y soy Hallador…bueno, lo era.(segunda entrega de tres).
Vi más fotos. En todas era la protagonista. En diferentes posturas y con distintos escenarios. Siempre ella. En algunas, con esa luz que solo regala el atardecer, se veía la sombra del fotógrafo, un hombre parecía, de largas piernas y aspecto algo desgarbado. Ella estaba siempre sonriente y relajada. Empecé a perder interés.
Comenzó una nueva serie de fotos algo diferente, parecían tomadas con un teleobjetivo. Seguía siendo la protagonista, pero ahora se la veía entrando en un edificio de oficinas, recogiendo a unos niños del colegio, conduciendo un coche último modelo, entrando y saliendo de un portal señorial que parecía de un barrio caro y elegante.
Empecé a sentir más miedo que curiosidad, esa mujer estaba siendo espiada, ¿Por qué?, ¿Para qué?. Secuestros, chantajes, rescates…la tarjeta me quemaba en las manos. Era fácil destruirla y olvidarme. Pero la tarjeta, tenía vida propia, insistía, me llamaba. Sí me llamaba, y sus gritos eran cada vez más fuertes.
Tan fuertes que olvidé mi trabajo, mis estaciones, aeropuertos y pasillos del metro. Solo sabía explorar y explorar esa tarjeta.
En una de las fotos tomada con teleobjetivo, pude ver a la mujer de espaldas, en un café en semi penumbra, con un hombre joven enfrente, y parecía que ese hombre rozaba su mano. De nuevo volví a ampliar la foto, para asegurarme de esa leve caricia.
La curiosidad y la obsesión se apoderaron de mi tiempo y de mi vida. Compré un programa informático que me permitía explorar las fotos, regular la luz, la intensidad de las sombras, escudriñar dentro de esas sombras y descubrir detalles y matices que convertían cada foto en una realidad diferente.
Perseguí fachadas y lugares, visité archivos fotográficos del ayuntamiento para cotejar los adornos de aquel portal que se repetía y repetía. Fui cercando el barrio, la calle y la casa. ¡La tenía!.
Recorrí colegios privados, con escolares de lujo, navegué en sus webs y analicé cada bolsillo, solapa, camisa o corbata de sus uniformes. Comparé los bocetos y figurines con la realidad de las fotos. Identifiqué varios colegios. Me acerqué a los mismos y comparé sus jardines y patios deportivos con los que aparecían en las fotos. ¡lo tenía!.
Le tocó el turno a los edificios de oficinas, grandes bloques de acero y cristal. Visité parques empresariales, me fijé hasta en el más mínimo detalle del edificio del que veía salir y entrar una y otra vez a la mujer. Aprendí a observar y a escudriñar. ¡y conseguí identificar el edificio!, ¡Lo tenía!.
El cerco se iba estrechando, sabía ya dónde vivía la mujer, dónde trabajaba y a qué colegio iban sus hijos, pero había muchas más preguntas y me faltaban respuestas. Como me faltaban días para descubrir esas respuestas.
No buscaba más objetos perdidos, mi negocio empezaba a resentirse, no salía a la calle, no hablaba con nadie, solo escudriñaba las fotos.
Mi nueva obsesión era el tipo que acariciaba su mano y el café donde todo esto sucedía. No conseguía identificar el local y el hombre me parecía muy poco interesante para una mujer como la que yo había aprendido a conocer en las fotos. Alta, esbelta, elegante, distinguida, con aspecto sereno y controlado, excepto por su cabello rojizo, siempre revuelto, enredado y anárquico.
Poco a poco empecé a odiar a ese hombre. Lo creía capaz de cualquier cosa. Percibía que dominaba a la situación, a la mujer, a su vida, su casa y su existencia. Era el dueño de todo, mientras que yo solo poseía la minúscula tarjeta.
Mejoré el programa informático, aumenté su capacidad de rastreo, ampliación y enfoque. Navegué dentro de cada imagen, llegué a conocer cada detalle de fachadas, casas, locales, ropas, tejidos, colores, niños, coches y adolescentes. Lo sabía todo de élla. Excepto qué estaba ocurriendo de verdad.
Empezaba a rendirme, cuando un día conseguí eliminar una sombra oscura de la foto del café, inyectar luz en un rincón de la sala y descubrí, como agazapado, un rostro, una cara y especialmente unos ojos, que miraban sin disimulo a la pareja que levemente rozaba sus manos en la mesa del primer plano. ¡Había visto más veces esa cara!. Volví a rastrear mi material fotográfico, y de nuevo encontré esos ojos, siempre posados en la mujer del cabello rojo. En la puerta del colegio, de la oficina, de la casa. ¡¿Cómo no lo había descubierto antes?!. Una figura omnipresente, poderosa, dominante.
Había entrado en escena un tercer personaje que no me gustaba nada. Y empecé a odiarle con todas mis fuerzas, Al final, la mujer del cabello rojo parecía atrapada entre dos hombres, el que miraba y el que rozaba su mano.
Había una foto que se repetía y a la que no había dado importancia. Un calendario, de esos grandes que se cuelgan en algunas cocinas o en los talleres mecánicos. Había por lo menos diez fotos de ese calendario, con varias fechas tachadas…excepto una, que alguien rodeó con un círculo rojo de trazo fuerte y resuelto. El 20 de marzo. Quedaban seis días …¿Para qué?.
Algo iba a pasar el 20 de marzo y solo yo podría detenerlo, porque sospechaba que algún peligro se cernía sobre la mujer de los cabellos rojos.
Continuará ...
Viene de : www.flickr.com/photos/eriaaire/29171638230/in/photostream/
PARA LA NAVIDAD!
Oh, Espíritu de Luz Eterna eleva el ojo de mi Concentración hacia el interior de tu morada eterna. Déjame estar y contemplar el valle astral de tu sabiduría divina y, permite, te lo pido encarecidamente, que mis ideas se llenen del brillo inmenso de tu gracia.
Aquí estoy, en esta gozosa Conciencia infinita y omnipresente realidad eterna. Te consagro, Oh Divino néctar de la paz, esta Navidad para brindarte mi gratitud eterna por esta felicidad de vida que me otorgas.
¡Oh Divina Omnipresencia!, humildemente aquí estoy preparado para la venida de mi redención, para recibir al niño interior que nace en este árbol de mi corazón. Tus regalos de amor, paz, perdón, compasión, abundancia, bondad, comprensión y conciencia espiritual están envueltos con el papel dorado de tu gozo divino, y atada tu bendita voluntad con el moño de luz de tu más pura verdad.
¡Oh Divina Lámpara de mi camino!, en este amanecer Navideño, despierta en mi tu aura gloriosa, para así abrir los regalos devotos de mi corazón hacia tu rostro de luz infinita. Estas ofrendas de compasión y calma están sellados con el abrazo de tu gozo divino y, atado con las cintas de tu eterna felicidad hacia el sonido cósmico de OM.
Acepta mi humilde alma como regalo y purifica las cualidades transparentes que hay en mí. Hazla brillar con tu poder inmenso. Acepta mi devoción hacia tu Luz, pues al darme a mí mismo hacia tu gracia, podré saciarme del poder de tu comunión divina. Así, mi corazón latirá no en mí, sino al sentir todas las cosas. En mi mente, en mi alma y en cada átomo refulgente de mi cuerpo, que vive de tu vasto alivio.
En este silencio inmenso, en esta serena calma, prepararé en la cuna de mi Conciencia astral toda tu luz, para así recibir al niño infinito que da paz y gozo renovado. Cada día que viva se transformará en una verdadera gracia de Navidad, tanto al abrazarme hacia tu luz divina, como al compartir mi vida con mis prójimos.
VOTOS NAVIDEÑOS
En la inmensidad divina del Espíritu me prepararé para el advenimiento del niño de amor omnipresente. Limpiaré la cuna de mi conciencia y mi corazón, que se encuentra manchada por el sarro del egoísmo, la rabia de la usura, la gangrena de la indiferencia, el ruido de la negatividad, la densidad del apego a los sentidos, la desgracia del miedo, el veneno de la crítica destructiva y la pena del resentimiento. La limpiaré practicando diario y profundamente el silencio, la introspección, la calma y el discernimiento. Mejoraré esa cuna con las sanadoras cualidades del amor fraternal, la reconciliación del alma, la humildad, la fe, el deseo perenne de alcanzar la percepción divina, de ser tocado por la gracia cósmica, la fuerza de voluntad, la concentración, la abnegación, la compasión, el autocontrol, la generosidad, la oración y la mesura para poder celebrar con amor universal el nacimiento del niño Dios que habita en mi energía vital.
Que este día de Navidad la PAZ se derrame en cada corazón, y vierta en cada ser la fragancia del amor, atraviese con sus rayos y limpie de preocupaciones todo ruido. Que la PAZ extinga toda inquietud y vivifique los pensamientos hacia la armonía. Que la PAZ sea el vino del Espíritu que fluya hacia todos los corazones de esta Tierra sagrada, y bebamos todos de esa copa eterna, para así apagar el drama de los sueños tristes y alegres que el escenario de los egos protagoniza. Oh, bendita Energía Cósmica, haz que tu espada de PAZ corte con su filo la dura y cruel batalla de las pruebas de los egos, y así puedan ver la única y verdadera realidad: la CONCIENCIA infalible del VER.
Gracias infinitas, Oh Energía Cósmica, por todos los parabienes que me has otorgado, y la gracia divina de disfrutar de esta vida gloriosa.
DELTON SANTAMARÍA
Gorges d'Omblèze dans le massif du Vercors.
Elles résultent de l'érosion du plateau calcaire par la Gervanne (cours d'eau). Ici, l'eau est omniprésente, avec des cascades et une végétation luxuriante qui amènent de la fraîcheur lors des chaudes journées d'été et en fait tout son charme.
"There are
So many positions of
Love:
Each curve on a branch,
The thousand different ways
Your eyes can embrace us,
The infinite shapes your
Mind can draw,
The spring
Orchestra of scents,
The currents of light combusting
Like passionate lips,
The revolution of Existence's skirt
Whose folds contain other worlds.
Your every sigh that falls against
His inconceivable
Omnipresent
Body."
— Hafez
The last days have brought storm and much rain. So the canyon creek has much water to get down. This place is just underneath the last shooting (Rocks). The canyon is narrow, green is omnipresent, water is loud, the spot is charming. Far below there once was a mill fed by 8 springs and destructed by a debris avalanche in 1964. Currently this is a natural preserve.
Lugar_Citadino
{La Ciudad Se Vive, No Se Teme}
Fotografía N° | Picture No. 1,947
EN
SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
Algunas líneas del Metro de Santiago, como la 4 y 5, tienen una importante gracia, la de viajar al descubierto a través de un viaducto que transita más o menos a 10 metros de altura, y desde donde se puede ver parte importante de la ciudad, con toda su evolución temporal y vida diaria con un gran acompañante, la Cordillera de Los Andes.
Desde una cordillera con nieve, justo después de la época de lluvias hasta esta cordillera rocosa de época veraniega, la cordillera es omnipresente. Ahora, con la época de otoño e invierno, estamos a la espera de estos nuevos paisajes, y qué mejor es mirarlos desde el Metro de Santiago, rumbo a nuestros trabajos, lugares de estudio, o en realidad, a donde sea.
ABOUT | ACERCA
[The Place]
Santiago Subway Network
Line 4
Alstom AS - 2002 train (model)
Passing through viaduct between San José de La Estrella and Los Quillayes stations
Andes Mountains in the background
Municipality of La Florida
Greater Santiago
Metropolitan Region
Chile
[El Lugar]
Metro de Santiago Subway
Linea 4
Tren Alstom AS - 2002 (modelo)
Pasando por viaducto, entre las estaciones San José de La Estrella y Los Quillayes
Al fondo, la Cordillera de Los Andes
Comuna de La Florida
Gran Santiago
Región Metropolitana
Chile
MEDIA
También nos puedes ver en | You can also see us at:
Instagram de Transporte Citadino
[contacto | contact]: lugar.citadino@gmail.com
Lugar_Citadino
Idea, foto, texto y posteo hecho por:
Idea, picture, text and post made by:
Felipe Burgos Álvarez
March, 2019 | Marzo de 2019
Todos los derechos reservados | All Rights Reserved
While this location lost the big, ground level arch logo near the front entrance, it looks like it did gain some unfortunate wind damage to the south face of the tall road sign within the last two years. It also looks as if all but the last little bit of classic red and yellow is gone from the building now as well, with the new playplace and front signs being installed sometime within the first two weeks of May 2016. Again, they could just stop right there and do away with adding any fins and eyebrow(s) as far as I'm concerned. Think about it McDonald's: how can we make fun of these eyebrow remodels if you do away with the actual eyebrow!?
I'm going to move the Walmart Wednesday photos for this week over to Thursday, just to keep from having back to back Senatobia photos.
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McDonald's, 2000-built, Norfleet Dr.. near Getwell Dr., Senatobia MS
Gardens by the Bay (« jardins près de la baie ») est un parc naturel urbain situé dans le centre de Singapour.
S'étendant sur 101 ha et abritant près de 20 000 espèces différentes de plantes, ce parc fait partie d'une stratégie du gouvernement singapourien visant à transformer la « ville-jardin » en une « ville dans un jardin », avec comme objectif déclaré d'améliorer la qualité de vie en améliorant la verdure et la flore de la cité-État. Cité où la verdure omniprésente fait partie intégrante de son paysage urbain, les espaces verts couvrant plus de 50 % de son territoire.
of South Africa.
The legendary Baobabs are omnipresent ...
Pufuri, Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Time in Color
Quick! Colors through the window
Colors on fields and forests
Before the weather changes
And changes everything
Empties fields and forests of their substance
And ponds and farms
How fleeting the sun is!
How the sky mocks our admiring gaze
Eternity is an optical illusion
Immensity a dubious abstraction
The wheatfields’ gold – quick!
The pink of bricks piled on a building-site – quick!
The foliage’s chilly green – quick!
The rust-color of bushes, train-tracks, roadbeds – quick!
The yellow of colza in nearly-black fields
The silver of streams
The silt-browned green of fish-filled rivers – quick!
Cabbages’ purple in well-mannered squares – quick!
The road’s grey – quick!
The absolute blue of clear sun-softened autumn days – quick!
Red! Red! Tractors’, cars’, traffic-lights’ red – quick!
The red of a hunter’s cap, his rifle wedged in his armpit – quick!
(And soon the imagined red of a slain beast’s blood)
The metallic green of our roadside poplars – quick!
Blue slate roofs – quick!
The blue of distant mountains – quick!
Stone blue, horizon blue,
Blue light falling in a fine mist on the world – quick!
And white – I had almost forgotten white – the white of dusty roads, earthen ones
The white of cows lazing in pastures – quick!
Omnipresent white, that the eye disdains
Of a wall between two cypresses, of trucks going swiftly past
White – quick!
Then black! Black! The black of fertile earth ploughed over and over again – quick!
The black of a horse driven mad by the trains
Who gallops in crazed circles alongside the fence – quick!
The black of a village chimney silent as a closed mouth – quick!
The black of a village church-bell never to be caught up in the savior’s arms –
quick!
White, black, green, pink, blue and gold –
Quick! Quick! Quick!
Emmanuel Moses
Translation: Marilyn Hacker
Walking out of Zermatt one morning on the hike towards Sunnegga we turned around and enjoyed this beautiful view back on the village with its omnipresent signature peak.
O aparecimento das primeiras petinhas-dos-prados marca o final da época estival. Esta espécie omnipresente, mas nem sempre fácil de observar, invade o país no início do outono e, fazendo jus ao seu nome, povoa os prados portugueses. A petinha-dos-prados é uma espécie insetívora, facto que pode ser facilmente reconhecido pelo seu bico fino. A plumagem é castanha esverdeada, o peito é fortemente malhado e as patas são rosadas. Esta petinha pode confundir-se com outras espécies do mesmo género, mas com alguma prática pode ser distinguida da petinha-ribeirinha e da petinha-marítima pela plumagem mais esverdeada e pelas patas rosadas; da petinha-dos-campos (espécie estival) pelo peito fortemente malhado; e da petinha-das-árvores (que também é estival) pela ausência de nuances amareladas no peito e pelos tons esverdeados da plumagem. De todos os passeriformes que nos visitam no outono e no inverno, a petinha-dos-prados é certamente um dos mais abundantes, estando presente em todo o tipo de terrenos agrícolas, pastagens, incultos ou campos encharcados. Os primeiros indivíduos surgem por vezes em finais de setembro, mas é no mês de outubro que as petinhas-dos-prados chegam em grande número ao nosso país, podendo ser observadas ao longo do outono e do inverno. Em março começam a partir, desaparecendo as últimas em pirncípios de abril.
Fonte:http://www.avesdeportugal.info/antpra.html
Shoot réalisé fin août 2021 en Sologne près de Marcilly-en-Villette.
Le ciel n'a pas particulièrement fameux, la pollution lumineuse est quasiment omniprésente notamment à l'horizon (sur le bas et le haut de la photo).
On notera également un espèce d'artefact circulaire laiteux qui entour le centre de la composition. Je pense fortement que c'est lié aux conditions atmosphériques (sûrement de l'humidité).
Assemblage de 6 photos avec 2 plans différents mais depuis le même point de vue sur monture Star Adventurer (pour la compensation de la rotation terrestre) :
6*30" f/2 ISO 800
APN : Sony Alpha 7III
Objo : Sigma 20mm f/1.4
Riquewhir, , Alsace, France.
Riquewihr en idioma francés, Reichenweier en alsaciano, es una localidad y comuna francesa situada en el departamento de Alto Rin, en la región de Alsacia.
Por su belleza y atractivo turístico es uno de los pueblos distinguidos por la asociación Les plus beaux villages de France.
Esta ciudad fortificada rodeada de viñas es una auténtica joya. En el pueblo de Riquewihr abundan las casas de colores con entramado con fachadas decoradas con viejos rótulos. Algunas casas están adornadas con bonitas ventanas saledizas. Las omnipresentes flores y plantas trepadoras refuerzan el atractivo del pueblo.
Para descubrir el patrimonio arquitectónico único de Riquewihr, lo mejor es pasear y admirar, en el ocio, los innumerables monumentos. Se puede descubrir el ayuntamiento de estilo neo-clásico. El castillo de Württemberg en 1539 ahora alberga el museo de la comunicación. Además del edificio notable, puede supervisar la posición a través de las edades. El antiguo patio de la Abadía de Autrey desde 1510 tiene un innegable encanto con su torreta ascendente desde el sótano hasta el ático y bóveda con ocho costillas apoyo a una terraza. Va a pasar por el Museo del Dolder. Esta entrada de la puerta fortificada de la ciudad tiene un campanario de 25 metros de altura con una cara exterior bélico y la apariencia benévola en el casco urbano. La torre de los ladrones 1550 es la antigua prisión. Se pueden visitar las cámaras de tortura y mazmorras húmedas donde matones estaban cerradas. Por último, paseando por las calles, se pueden admirar las fachadas de las casas de los siglos XVI y XVII incluidos en el inventario de monumentos históricos. Entre ellos, por nombrar algunos sólo por el bien de sus nombres tan evocador, la antigua casa de tonelería, la casa llamó a los ranúnculo y enólogos de casas esperan en silencio.
Riquewihr in French, Reichenweier in Alsatian, is a town and commune in the department of Haut-Rhin in the Alsace region.
For its beauty and tourist attraction is one of the villages distinguished by the association Les plus beaux villages de France.
This fortified town surrounded by vineyards is a real gem. In the village of Riquewihr, houses with colorful, half-timbered facades adorned with old signs abound. Some houses are adorned with pretty bay windows. The ubiquitous flowers and climbing plants reinforce the appeal of the town.
To discover the unique architectural heritage of Riquewihr, the best is to stroll and admire, in leisure, the countless monuments. During your no, you can discover the neo-classical style town hall. The castle of Württemberg in 1539 now houses the Museum of Communication. In addition to the remarkable building, it can monitor the position throughout the ages. The old courtyard of the Abbey of Autrey since 1510 has an undeniable charm with its turret ascending from the basement to the attic and vault with eight ribs supporting a terrace. You will pass by the Dolder Museum. This entrance of the fortified gate of the city has a bell tower of 25 meters of height with an external warlike face and the benevolent appearance in the urban helmet. The tower of the thieves 1550 is the old prison. You can visit the torture chambers and wet dungeons where thugs were closed. Finally, walking through the streets, you can admire the facades of the houses of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries included in the inventory of historical monuments. Among them, to name a few just for the sake of their names so evocative, the old coop house, the house called the ranunculus and house winemakers wait in silence.
"La Testa", "Le due Teste", symbole omniprésent en Sicile !
Si vous allez en Sicile, vous retrouverez ces superbes têtes en céramique un peu partout, sculptées en forme de vases dans lesquelles on y insère des plantes, ou que l’on retrouve sur les tables (en format réduit) pour y insérer des condiments et biscottes lorsqu’on vous sert l’apéro et les antipastis. Plusieurs commerçants, ainsi que nombre de résidents siciliens, arborent fièrement ces céramiques en tant qu’objets décoratifs et représentatifs de leur culture. Mais pourquoi ?
Quelques légendes siciliennes se cachent derrière ces vases. Une 1ère histoire (légende) parle d’un jeune couple : un Maure et une Sicilienne.
Il était une fois, à l’époque de l’occupation arabe en Sicile, dans le quartier arabe de la Kalsa à Palerme, une belle jeune fille qui passait beaucoup de temps à s’occuper des plantes et des fleurs de son balcon. Un jour, un jeune militaire Maure qui passait non loin de sa demeure, la vit et tomba éperdument amoureux d’elle. Il lui déclara son amour, et la jeune femme, surprise et confuse, tomba à son tour amoureuse de l’audacieux jeune soldat. Toutefois, lorsqu’elle apprend que le jeune homme était déjà marié, la nuit précédant son retour au pays, elle le tue en lui tranchant la tête afin qu’ils demeurent ensemble pour toujours. Elle utilisa ensuite sa tête comme pot pour un plant de basilic, symbole de passion et de royauté. La plante devint si belle que les voisins, envieux, commencèrent à façonner des vases similaires pour tenter d’égaler les exploits botanistes de la veuve sicilienne.
Cette histoire n’est d’ailleurs aucunement liée à celle de Saint-Maurice le martyr, pas plus que l’histoire qui suit.
Une autre histoire (légende) nous vient cette fois de la ville portuaire de Messina (en Sicile), également porte d’accès au continent, et de ce fait, à l’Italie.
C’est l’histoire d’Elisabetta et de Lorenzo. Elisabetta était fille de riches marchands de Messina. Lorenzo était un beau jeune homme issu d’une famille modeste de Pise, mais également serviteur pour la famille d’Elisabetta. Comme on peut s’en douter, ils tombèrent amoureux. Lorsque les frères d’Elisabetta découvrirent cet amour interdit, ils tuèrent Lorenzo et firent disparaître le corps. Inconsolable, la pauvre Elisabetta trouva le lieu où le corps de Lorenzo avait été caché, trancha la tête de ce dernier et l’emporta avec elle dans sa chambre, puis enfouit la tête de Lorenzo dans un pot de basilic. La jeune femme passa le reste de sa vie à pleurer et à parler à la plante de basilic, jusqu’à sa mort. On ignore combien d’années a duré ce deuil si douloureux.
La Sicile, tout comme la Sardaigne et la Corse sont voisins immédiats du nord-ouest africain, une zone continentale occupée par les arabes depuis des millénaires. L’héritage arabe est d’ailleurs omniprésent en Sicile, autant dans l’art et l’architecture que dans l’agriculture et la cuisine sicilienne. Les légendes mauresques font partie de cet héritage.
(texte trouvé sur Internet, et repris par Claude Lina dans sa galerie Flickr).
Riquewhir, , Alsace, France.
Riquewihr en idioma francés, Reichenweier en alsaciano, es una localidad y comuna francesa situada en el departamento de Alto Rin, en la región de Alsacia.
Por su belleza y atractivo turístico es uno de los pueblos distinguidos por la asociación Les plus beaux villages de France.
Esta ciudad fortificada rodeada de viñas es una auténtica joya. En el pueblo de Riquewihr abundan las casas de colores con entramado con fachadas decoradas con viejos rótulos. Algunas casas están adornadas con bonitas ventanas saledizas. Las omnipresentes flores y plantas trepadoras refuerzan el atractivo del pueblo.
Para descubrir el patrimonio arquitectónico único de Riquewihr, lo mejor es pasear y admirar, en el ocio, los innumerables monumentos. Se puede descubrir el ayuntamiento de estilo neo-clásico. El castillo de Württemberg en 1539 ahora alberga el museo de la comunicación. Además del edificio notable, puede supervisar la posición a través de las edades. El antiguo patio de la Abadía de Autrey desde 1510 tiene un innegable encanto con su torreta ascendente desde el sótano hasta el ático y bóveda con ocho costillas apoyo a una terraza. Va a pasar por el Museo del Dolder. Esta entrada de la puerta fortificada de la ciudad tiene un campanario de 25 metros de altura con una cara exterior bélico y la apariencia benévola en el casco urbano. La torre de los ladrones 1550 es la antigua prisión. Se pueden visitar las cámaras de tortura y mazmorras húmedas donde matones estaban cerradas. Por último, paseando por las calles, se pueden admirar las fachadas de las casas de los siglos XVI y XVII incluidos en el inventario de monumentos históricos. Entre ellos, por nombrar algunos sólo por el bien de sus nombres tan evocador, la antigua casa de tonelería, la casa llamó a los ranúnculo y enólogos de casas esperan en silencio.
Riquewihr in French, Reichenweier in Alsatian, is a town and commune in the department of Haut-Rhin in the Alsace region.
For its beauty and tourist attraction is one of the villages distinguished by the association Les plus beaux villages de France.
This fortified town surrounded by vineyards is a real gem. In the village of Riquewihr, houses with colorful, half-timbered facades adorned with old signs abound. Some houses are adorned with pretty bay windows. The ubiquitous flowers and climbing plants reinforce the appeal of the town.
To discover the unique architectural heritage of Riquewihr, the best is to stroll and admire, in leisure, the countless monuments. During your no, you can discover the neo-classical style town hall. The castle of Württemberg in 1539 now houses the Museum of Communication. In addition to the remarkable building, it can monitor the position throughout the ages. The old courtyard of the Abbey of Autrey since 1510 has an undeniable charm with its turret ascending from the basement to the attic and vault with eight ribs supporting a terrace. You will pass by the Dolder Museum. This entrance of the fortified gate of the city has a bell tower of 25 meters of height with an external warlike face and the benevolent appearance in the urban helmet. The tower of the thieves 1550 is the old prison. You can visit the torture chambers and wet dungeons where thugs were closed. Finally, walking through the streets, you can admire the facades of the houses of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries included in the inventory of historical monuments. Among them, to name a few just for the sake of their names so evocative, the old coop house, the house called the ranunculus and house winemakers wait in silence.
Aan de aanvang van een nieuw decennium was de stemming allerzijds zeer positief, dankzij een gestadige economische groei mocht de situatie van ons vaderland tamelijk florissant genoemd worden. Eenieder maakte zich weinig zorgen over de dag van morgen en vele agenda's werden in rap tempo gevuld met geplande vakanties, carrièreplannen en wat dies meer zij. Niemand had echter kunnen bevroeden dat één klein virus dit alles geheel door elkander kon gooien, waardoor des mensen bestaan eensklaps op zijn grondvesten schudde en onze nietigheid op dit aardrijk andermaal werd aangetoond.
U begrijpt het reeds, we spreken in dezen over het gevreesde, doch tegelijk omnipresente coronavirus. Deszelfs aanvang vond plaats in 's werelds grootste dictatuur, meer bepaald in de Chinese miljoenenstad Wuhan. In deze stad stierven eind 2019 plotsklaps verscheidene mensen op een mysterieuze wijze aan een ogenschijnlijk weinig bedreigende longontsteking. De mensheid bleek met een nieuw virus te maken te hebben, te weten het SARS-CoV-2-virus, waarbij de bijbehorende ziekte COVID-19 werd genaamd, hetgeen in de volksmond reeds gauw de korte naam 'corona' kreeg toebedeeld. Vanzelfsprekend werd in het begin getracht de mysterieuze sterfgevallen buiten de publiciteit te houden, doch nademaal vele mensen geïnfecteerd werden met het zeer besmettelijke coronavirus kreeg ook de buitenwereld lucht van deze ziekte. Het nieuwe coronavirus is in feite niet veel anders dan de griepvirussen die jaarlijks voor een heuse griepgolf zorgen, doch twee factoren leidden ertoe dat het nieuwe coronavirus als buitengewoon bedreigend werd gezien: ofschoon vele mensen nauwelijks iets van het virus gevoelden, was het virus wel zeer besmettelijk, terwijl het feit dat het een nieuw virus betrof er anderzijds toe leidde dat niemand weerstand kon bieden tegen dit nieuwe virus. Hierdoor mag het virus gelijkenissen vertonen met de vele griepvirussen, deszelfs uitwerking was echter vele malen erger. De ziekte verspreidde zich zeer snel over de stad, waarbij vele mensen besmet raakten en een deel hunner aanvankelijk geen klachten vertoonden, doch daarna snel het tijdelijke met het eeuwige verwisselden na een korte, doch heftige longontsteking. De bede dat het virus zich niet al te zeer zou verspreiden smolt echter reeds gauw als sneeuw voor de zon toen ook mensen uit de rest van China met het coronavirus besmet raakten. De Chinese overheid nam draconische maatregelen om het virus in te dammen, noodhospitalen werden in een recordtempo gebouwd om de vele patiënten te kunnen verzorgen, terwijl de vele oosterlingen wekenlang in hun huis werden opgesloten.
Ondanks het zeer besmettelijke karakter van het coronavirus leidde dit alles in onze contreien tot nul en generlei beroering. Een wereldwijde pandemie die de levens veler mensen kost, dat was immers iets uit het verleden. Ondanks het feit dat het openbare leven in China ten enenmale stil was gevallen, leefde men in het Westen voort zoals voorheen, alsof er niets aan de hand ware. Langzaam maar zeker begon dit echter te schuiven. Het virus bleek de landsgrenzen te hebben overschreden en ook in Zuid-Korea overleden vele mensen aan deze gevreesde ziekte. Het was echter wel Zuid-Korea, een land in het verre Oosten - nog steeds niet bedreigend dus. Toen het virus ook Europa bereikte door voet aan wal te zetten in Italië, begon een deel onzer toch ietwat onrustiger te worden, nu het virus immers steeds dichterbij kwam. Ook in Italië verspreidde het virus zich in een ongekend hoog tempo onder de bevolking, hetwelk tot dramatische toestanden op de intensive cares in de hospitalen leidde. Vervolgens was het feitelijk een kwestie van tijd vooraleer het virus ook in Nederland arriveren, uiteindelijk werd op 27 februari het eerste bestemmingsgeval gemeld. Desondanks bleven velen er nog altijd rustig onder, de kans dat het virus ons persoonlijk zou raken was nog altijd zeer gering. Wel, toen het virus ook in Nederland zich verspreidde – met name in Noord-Brabant in het begin – begonnen de gemoederen wat onrustig te raken. Toen de intensive cares hier te lande eveneens volstroomden met vele coronapatiënten, begon de ernst van het virus langzamerhand door te dringen bij de meesten onzer. Het keerpunt was wel het begin van de intelligentie lockdown, dewelke op de persconferentie van 12 maart werd aangekondigd. De hogescholen en universiteiten sloten hun deuren, alle evenementen werden verboden en thuiswerken werd de norm waar mogelijk. Wat volgde was een haast bizarre ommekeer, eensklaps veranderde het leven drastisch. Als ik op de volgende dag met de trein reisde, waren de gevolgen reeds ten dele zichtbaar: het aantal reizigers was zienderogen afgenomen en bij tijd en wijle werden de eerste mensen met een mondkapje op gezien. De volgende dag, zaterdag 13 maart, maakte ik mijn – zo later bleek – voorlopig laatste reis naar België. Met name deze dag was toch wel heel bijzonder voor mij, dikmaals was ik de enige reiziger in de ganse coupé, vervoersbewijzen werden niet meer gecontroleerd en des avonds was het niet meer mogelijk om een frietje in de frituur te eten, daar het zitgedeelte was afgesloten. Ja, het leven begon echt te veranderen… Slechts één dag later werd de intelligente lockdown andermaal verstrengd. Ook de basisscholen en het voortgezet onderwijs sloten hun deuren, terwijl de horeca eveneens gedwongen werd te sluiten. Het devies was voortaan als volgt: beperk de sociale contacten, vermijd onnodige activiteiten buitenshuis en houd anderhalve meter afstand aan.
Ofschoon het virus vanzelfsprekend de meeste impact had op hen, die daadwerkelijk besmet raakten en dikwijls zelfs overleden aan corona, had het virus ook een grote impact op de zorg, waar men te kampen had met de overvolle intensive cares vol coronapatiënten. Tegen het einde van maart begon de vraag zelfs op te komen wat men moest doen, als er simpelweg niet genoeg bedden over waren… Door de ingrijpende maatregelen begon het aantal opnames echter op dit kritieke punt te dalen, waardoor deze angst nooit werkelijkheid is geworden. Desondanks had het coronavirus ook een grote invloed op het leven van hen, die niet besmet raakten. Ach, welk een impact bleek corona immers op ons aller leven te hebben. Vakanties konden niet meer doorgaan, vrienden konden niet meer worden ontmoet, kerkdiensten werden afgeschaft, een avond uit eten kon geen doorgang meer vinden – waarlijk, op bijkans alle facetten van ons bestaan oefende dit virus zijn invloed uit. De vele weken die volgden waren derhalve zekerlijk weken die wij nimmer zullen vergeten. Dikmaals kwamen mensen slechts buiten om boodschappen te doen, daar het merendeel der bevolking ook nog eens thuis werkte. In het openbaar vervoer zakte het aantal reizigers in tot circa vijf procent van het normale aantal, waardoor het zelfs op een station als Utrecht Centraal een rariteit was om een reiziger waar te nemen. Ofschoon het weder te dien dage zeer goed was, kon daar nauwelijks van genoten worden, daar het immers ongewenst was om onnodig buiten te zijn. We mogen dientenvolge van een geluk spreken dat de lockdown in Nederland nog niet zo streng was als in Spanje, waar het zelfs verboden was om buiten te komen voor activiteiten die niet strikt noodzakelijk waren. Waar het eens zo vanzelfsprekend was voor Uw fotograaf om naar België te gaan, was dit eensklaps onmogelijk geworden, sedert 18 maart sloten de zuiderburen hun grenzen voor niet-essentiële verplaatsingen. Vele weken lang kwam ik derhalve niet verder dan één dorp verderop, ook mijn leefwereld werd dus zeer beperkt.
Na vele weken zonder sociale contacten werd de drang naar vrijheid schier onhoudbaar. Eens te meer werd immers ervaren hoe belangrijk het is om niet enkel lichamelijk, doch ook geestelijk gezond te zijn. Zodoende maakte ik plannen om op 22 april voor het eerst in vele weken weer eens verder dan een dorp verderop te gaan, teneinde wat afleiding te hebben in deze moeilijke tijd. Daar de grens met België nog altijd gesloten was, diende de plek van bestemming wel ergens in Nederland te liggen. Na enige beraadslagingen kwam de Valleilijn bovendrijven, een sfeervolle enkelsporige spoorlijn in het midden des lands, dewelke Amersfoort met Ede verbindt. Sedert 2006 verzorgt Connexxion het treinvervoer op deze lijn, waarbij het merendeel der treinen met een der vijf Protostreinstellen rijdt. Daar de fabrikant dezer treinstellen – Fahrzeugtechnik Dessau (FTD) – reeds gauw na de productie failliet ging, zijn de vijf Protosstellen op de Valleilijn de enige treinen in de ganse wereld van dit type. Tesamen met het feit dat de Valleilijn dikwijls kenmerken van een lokaalspoorlijn vertoont - in gans Ede bedraagt de maximumsnelheid bijvoorbeeld slechts veertig kilometer per uur - zorgt dit ervoor dat de spoorlijn bepaald geen gemiddelde Nederlandse spoorlijn is. Daarenboven loopt de spoorlijn door de Gelderse Vallei, een zeer agrarisch gebied, zodat landelijke scènes langs deze lijn aan de orde van de dag zijn. De kenmerkende lichtblauwe Valleilijnkleurstelling zorgt er tevens voor dat de unieke Protosstellen gemakkelijk te herkennen zijn. Deze mijns inziens fraaie kleurstelling zal helaas vanaf december 2021 verdwijnen, met ingang van de nieuwe concessie worden de treinen in een RRReis-outfit gestoken. RRReis is de benaming voor een nieuw merk dat het openbaar vervoer in het grootste deel van de provincies Flevoland, Gelderland en Overijssel omvat. Ook de Valleilijn gaat onder deze concessie vallen, zodat de paars-blauw-groene RRReis-kleurstelling leidend wordt op de treinstellen.
Dit alles vormde voor ondergetekende de aanleiding om eens naar deze spoorlijn te reizen. Het feit dat de Valleilijn een wat onbekendere spoorlijn in het midden des lands is, dat bovendien een vrij kalm bestaan leidt, leidde ertoe dat ik in de afgelopen jaren nauwelijks foto's had gemaakt op deze spoorlijn. Over het algemeen ben ik immers dikmaals in België te vinden en bij mijn zeldzame dagjes uit in eigen land vertoef ik meestentijds in andere oorden. Dankzij de lockdown werd ik echter gedwongen een bestemming in eigen land op te zoeken, hetwelk de keuze op de Valleilijn deed vallen. Sedert de aanvang van de lockdown was het - ironisch genoeg - zeer goed weer, in tegenstelling tot de periode ervoor. De zon scheen zeer vaak, hetgeen dikwijls gepaard ging met strakblauwe luchten. Reden te over dus om eindelijk eens een Protos vast te leggen op de Valleilijn, zodat ik een bezoekje plande op 22 april. Daar ik niet een ganse dag onderweg wenste te zijn, werd slechts een bezoek aan één fotopunt voorzien. Begin 2019 maakte ik reeds een foto van een Flirt te Meulunteren, zodat ik mij nu op een ander fotopunt wenste te richten. Een leuke foto van vorig jaar indachtig besloot ik om eens naar dat fotopunt te gaan, hetwelk in het buurtschap Doesburgerbuurt ligt. De metershoge populier aldaar is toch wel typerend voor dat fotopunt, terwijl de akker links voor de zo kenmerkende agrarische sfeer in die contreien zorgt.
Enfin, zo gezegd, zo gedaan en zo kwam ik na een lange reis omstreeks vijf over twee uiteindelijk in Lunteren aan. Door het zeer goede weder had ik het reeds snel aardig warm, zodat een verkoelend ijsje meer dan welkom was. In die week was het zeer geliefde, doch normaal peperdure Ben & Jerry's-ijs in de aanbieding bij de Albert Heijn, hetwelk mij deed besluiten om naar de lokale supermarkt te gaan om daar een bak ijs te halen. Eenmaal aangekomen bij 's lands grootste grootgrutter bleken vele anderen mij reeds voor te zijn geweest, zodat het ijs was uitverkocht... Gelukkig bleek er nog meer ijs, dat normaal vrij duur is, in de aanbieding te zijn, namelijk pindakaasijs van het merk Häagen-Dazs. Ik besloot dus om daar een bak van mee te nemen, waarna ik vervolgens met de fiets richting de Peteweg ging, de plek waar het fotopunt is gelegen. Daar ik nog meer dan genoeg tijd had voordat de trein zou passeren, besloot ik om de toeristische route te nemen via de Boslaan. Dit betoonde een prachtige, zeer lommerrijke laan te zijn, waarlijk zeer mooi om doorheen te fietsen. Vervolgens sloeg ik rechtsaf de Molenweg in, een zandweg tussen verscheidene engen gelegen. Een eng is een oude, middeleeuwse akker die dikmaals voorkomt in deze omgeving. Typerend voor een eng is het feit dat de akker enigszins gebold is en hoger dan de weg ligt. Dit komt door het feit dat er veelvuldig mest over de akkers werd uitgereden, waardoor des akkers niveau langzaam steeg. Een eeuwenoud stukje cultuurlandschap, dat een van de beschermde onderdelen van de Doesburgerbuurt vormt. Nadat ik op het fotopunt was aangekomen, zag ik dat de populier al mooi groen kleurde, dat was mooi meegenomen. Ik besloot nog even neder te zijgen, teneinde alvast wat ijs te eten. Even voor half drie passeerde een Flirt mij vanuit de andere richting, het duurde dus niet lang meer, vooraleer de trein naar Ede zou passeren. Ik had echter pech, de trein bleek met een Flirt te rijden, terwijl ik eigenlijk op een Protos had gehoopt. Enfin, daar de tegentrein eveneens een Flirt was, beduidde dit dat de volgende trein naar Ede een Protos zou zijn, waardoor ik nog even bleef wachten voor de volgende trein. Terwijl ik zo in het heerlijk schijnende zonnetje zat, kon de wachttijd prima worden doorgebracht dankzij het zeer goed smakende ijs dat ik tot mijn beschikking had. Nadat het ijs op was - en ik weer 1350 kilocalorieën rijker was - duurde het niet lang meer, vooraleer de trein zou komen. Vanuit de richting Ede kwam de Flirt langs, waarna ik mij opstelde om weldra stoptrein 31339 naar Ede-Wageningen vast te leggen. In de landelijke omgeving van de Doesburgerbuurt zien we derhalve de 5032, een der vijf Protostreinen, passeren op weg naar Ede. Na de foto was het weer tijd om mijn spullen in te pakken en de lange terugreis aan te vangen. Al met al was het toch wel een geslaagde middag, waarbij het bovenal zeer aangenaam was om eindelijk weer eens op pad te zijn geweest.
Riquewhir, , Alsace, France.
Riquewihr en idioma francés, Reichenweier en alsaciano, es una localidad y comuna francesa situada en el departamento de Alto Rin, en la región de Alsacia.
Por su belleza y atractivo turístico es uno de los pueblos distinguidos por la asociación Les plus beaux villages de France.
Esta ciudad fortificada rodeada de viñas es una auténtica joya. En el pueblo de Riquewihr abundan las casas de colores con entramado con fachadas decoradas con viejos rótulos. Algunas casas están adornadas con bonitas ventanas saledizas. Las omnipresentes flores y plantas trepadoras refuerzan el atractivo del pueblo.
Para descubrir el patrimonio arquitectónico único de Riquewihr, lo mejor es pasear y admirar, en el ocio, los innumerables monumentos. Se puede descubrir el ayuntamiento de estilo neo-clásico. El castillo de Württemberg en 1539 ahora alberga el museo de la comunicación. Además del edificio notable, puede supervisar la posición a través de las edades. El antiguo patio de la Abadía de Autrey desde 1510 tiene un innegable encanto con su torreta ascendente desde el sótano hasta el ático y bóveda con ocho costillas apoyo a una terraza. Va a pasar por el Museo del Dolder. Esta entrada de la puerta fortificada de la ciudad tiene un campanario de 25 metros de altura con una cara exterior bélico y la apariencia benévola en el casco urbano. La torre de los ladrones 1550 es la antigua prisión. Se pueden visitar las cámaras de tortura y mazmorras húmedas donde matones estaban cerradas. Por último, paseando por las calles, se pueden admirar las fachadas de las casas de los siglos XVI y XVII incluidos en el inventario de monumentos históricos. Entre ellos, por nombrar algunos sólo por el bien de sus nombres tan evocador, la antigua casa de tonelería, la casa llamó a los ranúnculo y enólogos de casas esperan en silencio.
Riquewihr in French, Reichenweier in Alsatian, is a town and commune in the department of Haut-Rhin in the Alsace region.
For its beauty and tourist attraction is one of the villages distinguished by the association Les plus beaux villages de France.
This fortified town surrounded by vineyards is a real gem. In the village of Riquewihr, houses with colorful, half-timbered facades adorned with old signs abound. Some houses are adorned with pretty bay windows. The ubiquitous flowers and climbing plants reinforce the appeal of the town.
To discover the unique architectural heritage of Riquewihr, the best is to stroll and admire, in leisure, the countless monuments. During your no, you can discover the neo-classical style town hall. The castle of Württemberg in 1539 now houses the Museum of Communication. In addition to the remarkable building, it can monitor the position throughout the ages. The old courtyard of the Abbey of Autrey since 1510 has an undeniable charm with its turret ascending from the basement to the attic and vault with eight ribs supporting a terrace. You will pass by the Dolder Museum. This entrance of the fortified gate of the city has a bell tower of 25 meters of height with an external warlike face and the benevolent appearance in the urban helmet. The tower of the thieves 1550 is the old prison. You can visit the torture chambers and wet dungeons where thugs were closed. Finally, walking through the streets, you can admire the facades of the houses of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries included in the inventory of historical monuments. Among them, to name a few just for the sake of their names so evocative, the old coop house, the house called the ranunculus and house winemakers wait in silence.
A former Stagecoach London (numbered SLD285) ALX200 bodied Dart has been repainted from McColl's livery into the omnipresent blue McGill's swoop. The dual door configuration has led to a bit of rearrangement of the fleetnames on the nearside.
Portail nord de la Rosslyn Chapel, village de Roslin, dans le Midlothian en Écosse. Une visite inspirée du roman "Da Vinci Code" de Dan Brown.
Située à environ 11 km au sud d'Édimbourg, cette église a été construite au 15 e siècle. Elle fut dessinée par William Sinclair héritier d'une famille noble écossaise descendant des chevaliers Normands de Saint-Clair et, selon la légende, liée aux Chevaliers du Temple.
La construction commencée en 1440 ne fut achevée qu’en 1486, soit 6 ans après le décès de son créateur qui y fut enterré. La chapelle est connue pour son nombre important de sculptures, gravures et décorations, tant à l'extérieur, qu'à l'intérieur. Parmi ces éléments, deux de ses piliers sont remarquables: le pilier de l’Apprenti et le pilier du Maître, de chaque côté du pilier de l’Artisan.
Bien que des scènes bibliques soient représentées, il faut remarquer que leur nombre est minoritaire comparé aux autres styles de sculptures, d'inspiration celtique, nordique, et même païenne ou islamique. On dénombre pas moins d'une centaine de Green Man, et la végétation est omniprésente. De plus, de nombreux symboles templiers et maçonniques, sont présents à l'extérieur du bâtiment, sur les murs, ou encore au plafond : compas, équerres, damiers, colonnes, etc.
Cette particularité serait probablement due au fait que William Sinclair, puis ses descendants par la suite, aurait été nommé Grand Maître maçon, i.e. Patron et protecteur des Maçons écossais et irlandais dès 1441. Cela expliquerait aussi les références à cette chapelle dans le roman Da Vinci Code de Dan Brown.
Mafalda omnipresente en el viejo barrio porteño de San Telmo.
Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires,
Argentina
Yes they are omnipresent etc etc but these exceedingly common little birds still have lovely subtle markings.
I understand it is practically illegal to not have a Fly Agaric in your Fungi album. I came across this whilst walking the dogs with just camera and no tripod or accessories to hand. Being omnipresent I went for the full cliched presentation, sadly no gnomes or fairies were available.
The Castro Verde is an absolutely magical area. The rolling Steppe habitat comes to life in Spring and a whole range of colours can be seen. The landscapes are open and rolling, making the sky look big and wide. The region does not receive many visitors and are very tranquil. In spring the land comes to life with the sound of Blackbirds, Calandra Larks, Quail too name but a few. I was lucky to see Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Lesser-Short-toed Lark, Thekla Lark, Nightingale, Melodious Warbler were just some of the birds I added to my list in this region. I also saw an Iberian Hare. It is a great place to relax in.
1. Special Protection Area (SPA) Castro Verde
This vast area (790 square kms) of rolling steppe land is a complete contrast to the Algarve and highly recommended for a day trip, being only around an hour’s drive north. Comprising the largest expanses of the steppic grassland plains in Portugal that form a mosaic with wide savannah-like open Holm Oak montado woodlands. Throughout the year the whole area is absolutely enchanting, both for its birds and the outstanding scenery that never fails to induce a vow to return. This seemingly never-ending wilderness is lush and liberally coated with wildflowers in the winter and spring, while in the summer and autumn the area becomes extremely arid and often desert-like. The SPA Castro Verde is one of the most important areas in Europe for sought after species like Lesser Kestrel, Great and Little Bustards and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. The area also supports a great diversity and high density of raptors, which includes nearly all of Portugal’s breeding species.
What to see when, around Castro Verde
During spring and early summer the best grasslands resound with the impressionable sound of Calandra Larks and the incredibly abundant Corn Buntings, while Montagu’s Harriers, Lesser Kestrels and Black Kites arrive to breed in quantity and become common birds in these pristine habitats. Great and Little Bustards display in early spring the latter being at its easiest to see at this time of year. Short-toed, Booted and Bonelli’s Eagles all breed in the general area and use the grasslands as regular hunting grounds. Other species that breed in this region include Stone-curlew, Great Spotted Cuckoo, European Roller, European Bee-eater, Pallid Swift, Woodlark, Short-toed, Crested and Thekla Larks, Tawny Pipit, Crag Martin, Black-eared Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Cetti’s, Great Reed and Melodious Warblers, Woodchat and Southern Grey Shrikes, Golden Oriole and Spanish Sparrow as well as the omnipresent Azure-winged Magpies and Hoopoes.
Both Collared Pratincole and Gull-billed Terns occur in the area regularly and sometimes breed, depending on the water levels at key sites. In an undisclosed area Spanish Imperial Eagles have recently set up territories and by employing great care and patience they can often be seen soaring over the area. Simon supplies all his observations to the team that is monitoring this exciting re-establishment. Eurasian Black and Eurasian Griffon Vultures use the area almost daily on their searches for carrion, involving birds of a non-breeding age and one cannot help but prophesise the eventual colonisation of the Eurasian Black Vulture in this admirably suitable area.
Outside the breeding season the absence of the summer visitors is compensated by the arrival of an array of winter birds that join the many attractive resident species, including the omni-present bustards, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Calandra Larks and resident raptors. Red Kites occupy in considerable numbers and its not at all unusual to see over 30 individuals are in a day, Hen Harriers hunt over the grasslands in good numbers too while the occasional Peregrine or Merlin add further interest to the raptors. Eurasian Black and Eurasian Griffon Vultures are more regularly seen outside the breeding season, as are Spanish Imperial Eagles due to dispersal of younger birds from Spain. Golden Eagle is more wide ranging at this time of year too and 1st year birds are often recorded. Large numbers of wintering Lapwing and Golden Plover settle here and Skylarks and Meadow Pipits become truly abundant. Around 1000 Common Cranes occur, often feeding on fallen acorns in the open Holm Oak woodlands from late October to March (the highest count in the winter of 2007-8 revealed 1300 inds)
This region is well worth visiting all the year round but during the incredibly hot July and August, when birding is often uncomfortable and the heat-haze can make for frustrating viewing, seriously early starts are recommended. On these days we can include a short afternoon visit to Castro Marim (see “Wetlands”). For the most enthusiastic, a 2-3 day tour is ideal and can be easily arranged together with attractive and economic accommodation in the area. This will give ample time for the more difficult species and permit a deeper appreciation of this superb area.
Access in the SPA Castro Verde
Important information (particularly relevant to the observation of Great Bustard):
It is thanks to the Liga da Proteção da Natureza (LPN www.lpn.pt) for the continued existence of high quality steppic habitats in this region. In 1993 the LPN purchased 5 properties in this area (total: 1700ha.) at a time when the whole region was under imminent threat of becoming forested with non-native eucalyptus forest. This would have meant the loss of one of the most important areas of its kind in Europe. Not only did the LPN manage to prevent this from happening on land they purchased but also, through a successful lobby, actually caused a complete turn around within the government and achieved SPA status for the whole area in 1993. The LPN continue to work with the implementation of wide-ranging nature protection projects, notably a long-term program centred on the conservation of the pseudo-steppe habitats within the SPA; “ O Programa Castro Verde Sustentavel”.
Unfortunately, excessive pressure from visiting birdwatchers in recent years has driven the LPN to prohibit free access onto their land (all entrances have large green gates labelled LPN and usually clear signs depicting a design with a Little Bustard’s head and a tractor). These gates should always be closed but as some local farmers tend to leave them open it encourages un-informed birders to just drive in. (Always close them if you see them open!). Due to the increasing numbers of visiting birdwatchers and the proximity of the tracks to Great Bustard leks some disturbance has been unavoidable. Sadly, a few people have even walked across managed habitats in the breeding season, usually in attempts to get closer photographs. Because of this, the LPN have desperately been trying to halt access onto their land - this has been difficult because of lenient Portuguese laws and also because local farmers need to have access to their land by thoroughfare. There has even been a recent case of attempted egg collecting (not birders), which was investigated by the local police and Interpol.
Great Bustards will just not tolerate approach within at least 500 metres and if they are displaying any disturbance of this nature will cut down display time and consequently, reduce their breeding success. As the LPN is almost solely responsible for the dramatic increase in this, by far the largest Great Bustard population in Portugal, these recent trends have become a cause for concern and are counter-productive to their ongoing habitat management etc. Understandably, some birdwatchers just do not realise the consequences of pushing too close and making these creatures fly - just once a day in the breeding season can have a marked effect on their population. The great majority of birdwatchers don't mean to be selfish but in actual fact one cannot closely approach these birds without disturbance. If you should be lucky enough to encounter Great Bustards outside of the LPN land, please observe the following:
Great Bustard observation code as practiced and encouraged by the LPN
1.Keep to an absolute minimum distance of 5-600 metres when at all possible.
2. Stay part of the car - ie; get out but don’t separate one-self visually.
3. Stay on tracks
4. Keep movements very gentle and be very quiet
5. Keep observations to less than around 20 mins
6. Drive away slowly
In this way one can enjoy the Great Bustards without making them nervous
LPN Castro Verde Environmental Education Centre:
“Centro de Educação Ambiental de Vale Gonçalinho”
Simon strongly suggests to anyone visiting the area for the first time to make a visit to this centre; it’s an ideal way to start the day being only some 10 mins drive north-east from Castro Verde.
Tel: (00351) 286 328 309 (Usually closed on Sundays and Mondays).
One can visit this centre freely from 9am - 5 pm. There are free walking trails here that are very good for Little Bustard, European Roller, Lesser Kestrel and Calandra Lark and to a lesser extent, Great Bustard and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. The charming staff speak excellent English and will give birdwatching advice for the whole region, including details of recent interesting sightings.
Books and T-shirts etc. are available for purchase in the small
shop, as well as a selection of free informative leaflets (donations welcome!).
At the centre one can easily become a member of the non-profit making LPN and help them with their many conservation projects. Through advance booking, the LPN will take small groups (up to 6) to see the wildlife of the region including the Bustards etc. Note that as over the years Simon has led voluntary trips for members of the LPN and SPEA and regularly supplies data from the region, he has a special arrangement for entering some LPN land in the SPA Castro Verde.
To reach the Centro de Educação Ambiental de Vale Gonçalinho:
Take the Beja road (IP2) from Castro Verde - soon one will see an adjacent (the old road) road to the right. Get on this at the first opportunity at around 2.5 kms from Castro Verde. Continue in the Beja direction and after around another 2 kms a well-made track to the right is clearly signposted for the centre. Drive down here for approx 1 km (looking out for Calandra Larks and Little Bustards!)
until you come to a long white building - you are at the centre.
Some conservation dependent species of the SPA Castro Verde
The Castro Verde region is the most important area in Portugal for a number of rare and endangered birds that depend totally or partially on extensive steppic habitats. The sustainability of these depends largely on man’s influence. The major threats are; intensification of agriculture through modern farming methods, the reduction of traditional grazing pastures and afforestation. Below is some general information and up to date facts and figures about the conservation of some of the most important species that are found in the Castro Verde region and its environs.
Great Bustard
According to an extensive and rigorous survey of the Great Bustard population in Portugal in 2005 this fabulous species recently suffered some small extinctions in a couple of areas but had increased overall. This increase is largely due to the existence of one large high-quality area – the SPA Castro Verde. Here the total number of 1,093 individuals counted in 2005 represents nearly 80% of the Portuguese total – a marked increase since the last major census in 2002 when 912 individuals were detected. Countrywide, the major threats to Great Bustard in Portugal were identified as; agricultural intensification, afforestation as well as collision with power lines, illegal hunting and road building. In the Castro Verde region, where the LPN works with local farmers to achieve environmentally sustainable agricultural practices and habitat management, the main cause for concern are power lines – 19 Great Bustards were found to have collided with them between October 2004 and September 2005. Undoubtedly the Castro Verde region is as good as anywhere in the world for observing this shy and vulnerable species although due to its extreme sensitivity, especially during the breeding season it is imperative that visiting birdwatchers respect access rules to private land and follow the observation code set out by the LPN (see above).
Citation: Leitão, D; Jolivet, C; Rodriguez, M and Tavares, J., eds Bustard Conservation in Europe in the last 15 Years: current trends, best practices and future priorities. Birdlife International, 2006.
Little Bustard
The LIFE-nature funded project: “Project Tetrax – Conservation of Little Bustard in the Alentejo” included intensive surveys of both the breeding and wintering population. Also, and importantly, action plans with the co-operation of local farmers and central administration were developed. The breeding population census (2003-2005) showed that the SPA Castro Verde was by far the most important single area for this species, holding 3440 displaying males. Data collected also revealed densities as high as 9.8 males per 100 hectares, which is the highest recorded anywhere and further highlights the crucial importance the area has for grassland species in general. As this survey forms a baseline for future monitoring it is not yet possible to conclude an actual trend for the Little Bustard population in Portugal, although the initial results indicate a substantial increase in comparison to previous fieldwork. It is likely however, that the increased coverage and the high data quality collected during this project have largely clouded any reliable comparison with the past. As with many steppe-land species the main threats identified during Project Tetrax were agricultural intensification and afforestation. If these changes to land use are not halted it is believed, despite the present large population in Portugal that Little Bustard could be threatened with extinction in the short to medium term.
Citation: Leitão, D; Jolivet, C; Rodriguez, M and Tavares, J., eds Bustard Conservation in Europe in the last 15 Years: current trends, best practices and future priorities. Birdlife International, 2006.
Lesser Kestrel
Due to drastic reductions in the breeding populations of this charming falcon the Lesser Kestrel is considered an endangered species. The LPN has been working closely with this species throughout Portugal since 1993 when the national population had hit a low of less than 150 pairs. Now, thanks to the efforts of the LPN there are over 450 breeding pairs in Portugal and are still increasing. Presently, the SPA Castro Verde holds over 70% of the country’s population. Between 2002 and 2006 the LPN launched a Life-nature project: “Re-establishment of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanii) in Portugal”. Among the many actions taken by the LPN the provision of new nesting sites and the improvement of old ones have benefited this colonially nesting species. Meanwhile, ongoing deals with landowners that promote friendly farming practices have substantially increased the amount of insect prey so important to this migratory falcon. During the project’s 4 years the incredible figure of 2797 juveniles were ringed and preliminary understanding indicates that most of these return to their birthplace.
Citation: Henriques, I & Alcazar, R. 2006. Um olhar sobre o Peneiriero-das-torres (Falco naumanii) do projecto LIFE-Natureza Peneiriero-das-torres – “Recuperação de Peneiriero-das-torres (Falco naumanii) em Portugal. LPN, Lisboa, Portugal.
Black-bellied Sandgrouse
This is another scarce species that is entirely restricted to large and undisturbed areas of steppe-type habitats. Again this bird’s stronghold in Portugal is the SPA Castro Verde, which holds more than half of the total national population. There are now believed to be more Black-bellied Sandgrouse than previously thought in Portugal, although the population is almost certainly less than 1000 individuals. It is an extremely difficult species to census – a recent study in the region of Morão in central-east Portugal revealed that over 300 individuals are now known to be resident. A reliable census of their situation in the whole of Portugal is awaited. The Black-bellied Sandgrouse is a notoriously elusive species that demands, maybe more than any other in the region, previous experience in order to be seen. The usual view is of small groups in flight that are flushed unknowingly by the observer, their atmospheric flight calls giving them away. Views on the ground, if at all, are nearly always at great distance as this bird will usually get up and fly on approach to within 1 km. only to settle even further away!
Montagu’s Harrier
The first Montagu’s Harriers return to the SPA Castro Verde to breed from as early as late February where they occupy most of this enormous area. From mid-March this easily seen raptor becomes quite literally abundant and due to its apparent lack of fear, delights observers as they quarter at low level over the grasslands and cereal crops of the region. In a single day it is not unusual to see 20 different individuals. Thanks to LPN’s efforts with the local farmers their habitat has improved in recent years and their nest sites protected from machinery during harvest time, which often coincides with the times that unfledged young are still in the nest. Interestingly, a pair of Marsh Harriers has been breeding in similar cereal-steppe habitats, which is quite normal in Eastern Europe but practically unheard of in the west where they are almost exclusively confined to reedbeds.
European Roller
Only around 100 pairs breed in Portugal, being much more scarce than many visitors imagine. The European Roller has suffered considerable declines over much of its range and once again, the decline of suitable habitat due to modern agricultural practices is the key factor. This much sought after species is a staggeringly colourful migrant and flight views never fail to leave an unforgettable impression on the observer. The SPA Castro Verde has the highest density of breeding pairs in the country, partly due to the placement of nest boxes and breeding walls for Lesser Kestrel by the LPN in suitable habitat and partly because of the ideal conditions that this area presents. It is a fairly late migrant, the first birds tending to arrive around the 1st week of April with occasional sightings considerably earlier. The European Roller, despite its colours is not always easy to see and is absent from many apparently suitable areas. A visit to a known breeding site is the most reliable method!
Calandra Lark
This, the largest of all larks is another specialist of the interior arid areas of Portugal where it is rather patchily distributed. The winter flocks can comprise of many 100’s of birds while in late winter these split up to occupy favoured sites. Even in the breeding season Calandra Lark is gregarious – breeding in loose colonies when it is normal to witness the memorable sight and sound of various birds in slow-motion song flight at their favoured spots. Their distinctive sounds are an integral part of the best habitats in the region and one will find that their presence coincides with other sought-after species of the region. Short-toed Larks, Tawny Pipits and Black-eared Wheatears often occupy the same areas as this species.
Common Crane
A large proportion of the European wintering population resides in central-western Iberia with most occupying favoured areas in the Spanish Extramadura. Portugal receives its portion though, confined mainly to central-eastern areas on the Spanish border and around Castro Verde. Well over 1000 Common Cranes winter in the SPA Castro Verde, arriving in numbers around late October and leaving by mid-March. Despite their numbers it is rather difficult to find them in their preferred feeding areas below the extensive Holm Oak montado woodlands, where they feed on fallen acorns. The best strategy for success is to stakeout one of their roosting sites, with care not to cause any interruptions that can cause considerable stress when incoming groups are settling. The sight and sound of wild Common Cranes assembling to roost must be one of the most awe-inspiring spectacles that nature has to offer.
Black-shouldered Kite
The stronghold in Europe for this enchanting raptor are the interior wooded plains of the western Spanish Extramadura and its natural continuation in Portugal’s Alentejo. In winter they can sometimes be seen hunting over the open plains of the Castro Verde region but this is not their breeding habitat. This is a bird of savannah-like Holm Oak montado-type woodland interspersed with cereal crops. This habitat forms a large part of the SPA Castro Verde and well-travelled visitors to the area in the dry season often comment on its uncanny resemblance to the African savannah. Although quite a common resident species it is becoming apparent that after the breeding season, many birds vacate the searing heat of mid-summer. It is then, that they often hunt in the periphery of wetlands and other cooler coastal areas of the Alentejo and especially, in the Lisbon region. By mid-autumn most of the local breeders are back in territory and are usually easily seen from then and to the end of the breeding season.
Taken during one of the lengthy walks I take every day on the North Sea island Sylt. It is a simple landscape which is dominated by the omnipresent sea and wonderful dunes and beaches. And when the sea draws back it reveals vast mudflat plains which hold their own special kind of beauty. I have always loved the German North Sea Coast and I subconsciously start smiling whenever I have climbed that last dune and behold the sea. And if I had the money (like 3-4 million €), I would buy a house and settle down here and only shoot dunes, beaches, sunsets and mudflats instead of boring animal portraits.
Enjoy!
The last days have brought storm and much rain. So the canyon creek has much water to get down. This place is just underneath the last shooting (Rocks). The canyon is narrow green is omnipresent, water is loud, the spot is charming. Far below there once was a mill fed by 8 springs and destructed by a debris avalanche in 1964. Currently this is a natural preserve.
Lighting setup used to create the omnipresent light of a music video look: One SB-600. Dial it up enough and point it in the right direction, and a hallway can become a softbox.
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Meet Noa. Noa was, unti quite recently a post-doc at Columbia, but now she wants to try new paths, such as a degree in Clinical Psych at my very own TC. No, these are probably not going in her Psych application; she's also trying out the world of modeling on the side.
Difficile d'échapper à l'omniprésence des travaux de restauration: en l'occurrence la bâche verte...
Mick pouncing on his omnipresent blue ball.
For fun, see alternate takes below.
Technical info:
Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Lens: Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM
Shutter: 1/640
Aperture: f1.8
ISO: 100
Lighting: Ambient.
Processed in Adobe Photoshop CS5.
It only made them cuter.
Baobao was looking at his new furry mouse toy (Version 2.0 I call it). His previous 3-year-old one was sucked up by the vacuum cleaner and covered in dust and particles. So I reckon, it is time to upgrade his toy. :-)
His silly P H O T O B O O K for sale.
** My sincere apologies but comments with pics / links to other photostreams and "non-comments" will be deleted. Please also refrain from posting invites to groups especially those that needs compulsory commenting. Thank you for visiting! **
El ojo observa impávido la belleza de la providencia, vigila y controla a la persona. La omnipresencia transmite los placeres de la imaginación. Ver las cosas sin término. Llenar el ánimo de una sorpresa agradable; la idea de poseer algo que antes no se había poseído. La misma extrañeza o novedad es la que presta encantos a un monstruo y nos hace agradables las imperfecciones mismas de la naturaleza.
Jolie géométrie entre l'humanité et la nature en Espagne. 🇪🇸 🌾🐑🌱🐄 Une chose qui m’a particulièrement marqué pendant cette mission, c’est l’incroyable diversité de formes et de couleurs des champs d’agriculture et des pâturages de par le monde. 🌍🌏🌎 Peut-être que devenir ambassadeur de la FAO m’y a rendu plus attentif… Leur omniprésence sur Terre est évidemment liée au besoin de sécurité alimentaire des populations, et malgré leur immense variété, une chose ne change pas : on a besoin de faire pousser de la nourriture. Des champs et des prairies ronds, carrés, autour des rivières, dans les creux des vallées, dans les déserts, qui transforment le paysage. À mesure que notre climat change, nous devons nous adapter et apprendre à cultiver différemment pour garantir une alimentation saine pour tous. #WorldFoodDay #ArtGriculture
Nice interplay between human and nature in Spain.🌾🐐🌱🐄If there is one thing I have noticed this mission it is that agriculture and pastures come in all shapes and sizes, maybe being @FAO good-will ambassador made me more aware of the #CropArt in the 🌍🌏🌎. It is logical because humans all over the world need food security, and throughout our changing landscapes the need to grow food doesn't change. Crop fields and pastures come in many shapes and sizes: round, square, in-between and landscape-changing or river-diverting, and in deserts. As our climate changes we need to adapt and farm differently as necessary to ensure healthy food for all.
Credits: ESA/NASA–T. Pesquet
532B5266