ROBUST bird, strongly associated with forest thickets and dense vegetation where there are trees. Usually in pairs, rather elusive and sulking, so when one comes out into the open, I treated my camera like a machine gun lol.

===============================================

I've been a bit amiss with my posting and will try to catch up a bit (again) but staying rather busy this Fall and now with the leaves just about at peak color I thought it time to head out and enjoy the scenery. High Point State Park has always been a popular destination in New Jersey and I've been here many, many times but this year may very well be the first time the monument was actually open! I brought my camera and wasn't disappointed with the inner stairway and its 291 steps. I should have run back to the car and got my tripod but I didn't. Then again, if I got the perfect stairway shot that I had in mind I probably wouldn't have come up with this Fall slider of sorts. So it goes and I'm happy on this fine Sunday! Created for the Slider Sunday group - HSS!

It has been great fun watching the fawns this summer as they zoom through the woods. Every once in a while, they stop to kick up their heels or buck into the air like a bronco. It has also been quite frustrating at times. That is because, wisely, they don't spend much time standing still in the open. I caught this one on the edge of the woods, taking a look around, while its mom was eating.

There's not much light in the shade and I had to use slow shutter speed and shot wide open. I was glad that this beauty stayed still for an instant and I'd managed to get this shot without subject motion.

(Taken on: Hermitage Park, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)

Thank you very much for the visit and comment.

This Red-necked Grebe looks like it is sleeping but with an eye open. I watched it drift a little as it dozed for a bit.

Taken 21 May 2019 in Anchorage, Alaska.

My first time on shooting from this side of Science World. Now that the Olympic Village is open, I will definitely come back.

My wife and I were shooting at the same location. Have a look at her stream, too.

Thanks everyone for their kind comments, faves and visits!

dream your

dreams

with your eyes

closed . . . but

live your

dreams

with your eyes

open

♫

🎧 tune

come and catch me babe

i am fallling

come save me baby

I'm calling

come be with me babe

come as you are

come catch a fire babe

don't let me fade away

don't let me fade away

come catch a feeling

it's electrifying me

eyes wide open

i am dreaming

free falling baby

awake before I'm down

free falling baby

awake before I'm down

awake before im down

awake before im down

free falling baby

i need to feel loved

come hold me babe

i need to feel loved

Was nice to see this little owl in the open. I usually see them buried deep within the brambles.

Yes I have my mouth open, I eat, but I also look at you..!/

oui j'ai la bouche ouverte, je mange, mais je vous regarde aussi

When you hike in or around Yosemite...it pays to keep your eyes open. I ran to catch this one! enjoy

See my Facebook here: www.facebook.com/SteveBondPhotography

and, Good morning ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و

Reina cafe is open!

I look forward to welcoming you with a super sweet cake and a super bitter coffee in the cafe where wonderful jazz is played 😉 (It's fake lol)

【memo】

@The Epiphany

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Epiphany/151/27/90

:::ChicChica::: SugarComa #1

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:::ChicChica::: SugarComa #25 RARE

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:::ChicChica::: SugarComa VIP

👍:::ChicChica::: Mainstore

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ChicLand/36/129/30

andika[repos ]Coffee dripset-C

andika[repos ]Coffee

andika[repos ]hot chocolatte

andika[repos ]takeaway box set-A

andika[repos ]takeaway box set-B

andika[repos ]takeaway cup set-C

andika[repos ]RARE sink

*OLD WORLD* (6) Coffee kettle - green

@Mainstore

andika[Donut Worry be Happy]A/3Li

👍andika Mainstore

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poecila/44/53/3014

D-LAB -cb-Container. BASE

👍D-LAB Mainstore

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poecila/75/160/4006

*barberyumyum*P11(FAT)(Unpacked)

:::Breath:::epron(brown)

♬♬♬Today's Tune♬♬♬

youtu.be/Ba8IRKNHtgo

The buds have just opened - I had forgotten what a beautiful colour this one is!

more of Talia's Photoshoot here: viv-alicious.blogspot.com/2023/06/alule-photoshoot.html

This is Gray Catbird, sweet little bird. Most Likely she collided with car, she lost lots of feathers, I took shot from angle which is will not reveal it, "private" tail almost gone, cage is always open, I'm happy to see her eating berries and seeds but what is really makes me happy, now she can fly again :)

Come To My Window

Melissa Etheridge

Come to my window

Crawl inside, wait by the light of the moon

Come to my window

I'll be home soon

I would dial the numbers

Just to listen to your breath

I would stand inside my hell

And hold the hand of death

You don't know how far I'd go

To ease this precious ache

You don't know how much I'd give

Or how much I can take

Just to reach you

Just to reach you

Oh to reach you

Come to my window

Crawl inside, wait by the light of the moon

Come to my window, I'll be home soon

Keeping my eyes open

I cannot afford to sleep

Giving away promises

I know that I can't keep

Nothing fills the blackness

That has seeped into my chest

I need you in my blood

I am forsaking all the rest

Just to reach you

Just to reach you

Oh to reach you, oh

Come to my window

Crawl inside, wait by the light of the moon

Come to my window, I'll be home soon

I don't care what they think

I don't care what they say

What do they know about this love

Anyway

Come, come to my window

I'll be home, I'll be home, I'll be home

I am coming home

Come to my window, oh-ho

Crawl inside, wait by the light of the moon

Come to my window, I'll be home soon

I'll be home, I'll be home

I am coming home

Come to my window, oh ho

Crawl inside, wait by the light of the moon

Come to my window

I'll be home soon

I'll be home, I'll be home, I'll be home

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Melissa L. Etheridge

Come To My Window lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Butterflies are elusive, so I was surprised this guy stayed still for a while with wings open. I think this one's called a Blue Morpho, not sure.

I chose my bracelet with the open clasp for the MacroMondays challenge of #open..I placed a small pearl at a distance to help focus the eye on the "open" area. I hope it's not a distraction...

Taken at: Luane's World

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Le%20Monde%20Perdu/136/204/23

♫🎶♬ SONG ♫🎶♬

Like a small boat, on the ocean

Sending big waves, into motion

Like how a single word, can make a heart open

I might only have one match, but I can make an explosion

And all those things I didn't say

Wrecking balls inside my brain

I will scream them loud tonight

Can you hear my voice this time?

This is my fight song

Take back my life song

Prove I'm alright song

My power's turned on

Starting right now I'll be strong

I'll play my fight song

And I don't really care if nobody else believes

'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Your words were spoken

Carefully chosen

For me

Each one a msg

And insight

To some degree

When i wake up

My eyes are open

I can see

I can hear you

All around me

I feel free

There is comfort here

Where i wait

For you

There is sunlight

Shining through

There is comfort here

Where i wait

For you

There is sunlight

Shining through

Why am i nervous

My hands they're shaking

My heart it beats

Your specter haunts me

And taunts me

I cant breathe

When i wake up

My eyes are open

I can see

I can feel you

All around me

I can breathe

There is comfort here

Where i wait

For you

There is sunlight

Shining through

There is comfort here

Where i wait

For you

There is sunlight

Shining through

We're moving on

Moving on

There is comfort here

Where i wait

For you

There is sunlight

Shining through

🎶🎶🎶

Eyes wide open... I walk the landscape

And I keep what I see... forever... a clear picture...

An immense mantle of water, a drop... moves the world...

Exact powerful current... an almost deep blue.

A breath of air... spins... the better world...

Ray of sunshine... greatest light... to share...

The mirror never lies... faithful as no one...

It makes the life... passion energy...

which always touch someone.

Go... mirror of water... treats and saves what is ours after all...

In us... lives art... to be part of a better world...

I know... that banal gestures... seem little...

but may be fundamental.

Go... mirror of water... treats and saves what is ours after all...

In us... lives art... to be part of a better world...

Go... mirror of water... treats and saves what is ours after all...

In us... lives art... to be part of a better world... go...

*my own translation from lyrics of Paulo Gonzo - Espelho de outra Água

!gO!

Visit this location at La Vie in Second Life

My buddy for the day is the one and only Jane St. Clair. She has helped me design decals, edit photos, watch TV, make some soup - I don't know how I would get through my day without all of her help.

Venus Laowa 105mm f/2 (T/3.2) STF, wide open. I'm new to this lens and its double aperture so join me as I experiment and learn how to make the most of this unusual feature.

Common Brown Butterfly (Heteronympha merope)

We have had three Common Browns in the back garden for a week or so. I have been trying to get a shot of one with its wings open - I am still trying. This one let me get in very close as it rested.

Happy Eyes of March!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsJSwGc4lsA&list=RDjUfTJyU7oQ...

I dread early mornings but once my eyes stay open, I feel enchanted.

Freesia (Freesia refracta)

For my 100 Flowers - 2022 Project.

The Freesias are open.

I won't be posting over the weekend, Louise and her boyfriend are down from Sydney for a few days. I will catch up with your images when I get a chance.

I spoke to God today

And she said that she's ashamed

What have I become

What have I done

I spoke to the Devil today

And he swears he's not to blame

And I understood

'Cause I feel the same

Arms wide open

I stand alone

I'm no hero

And I'm not made of stone

Right or wrong

I can hardly tell

I'm on the wrong side of Heaven

And the righteous side of Hell

(I'm on) The wrong side of Heaven

And the righteous side, the righteous side of hell

I heard from God today

And she sounded just like me

What have I done

And who have I become

I saw the Devil today

And he looked a lot like me

I looked away

I turned away

Arms wide open

I stand alone

I'm no hero

And I'm not made of stone

Right or wrong

I can hardly tell

I'm on the wrong side of Heaven

And the righteous side of Hell

(I'm on) The wrong side of Heaven

And the righteous side, the righteous side of hell

I'm not defending

Downward descending

Falling further and further away

Getting closer every day

I'm getting closer every day

To the end

To the end, the end, the end, I'm getting closer every day

Arms wide open

I stand alone

I'm no hero

And I'm not made of stone

Right or wrong

I can hardly tell

I'm on the wrong side of Heaven

And the righteous side of Hell

(I'm on) The wrong side of Heaven

And the righteous side of Hell

(I'm on) The wrong side of Heaven

And the righteous side, righteous side of Hell

♫ Listen to me

Michigan. May 2021.

I encounter this species every year on my Michigan WarblerWhisperer trip either seeing them drinking from a puddle along a dirt road or more likely hearing them call. Sometimes they call from rather close like this one did. The harder part is getting one in the open.

I did a background replacement on this image using Photoshop as the original image showed a lot of clutter with many of these stick branches.

Kestrel's are notoriously difficult to get close to. Even those on wires usually take off if the car stops, let alone if a door opens. I was wandering around Belle Glade (agricultural land) when this male kestrel flew up over a building in pursuit of a red-shouldered hawk that had wandered into the kestrel's territory. I managed to get off a few shots in the second or two he was visible. The male kestrel is recognized by its bright orange/brown tail, and blue/gray wing feathers. For whatever reason, I see a lot more females than males and was excited when I managed to photograph this one. (American Kestrer - Falco sparverius)

Leave The Door Open_Silk Sonic

Say baby, say baby, say baby

What you doin'? (What you doin'?)

Where you at? (Where you at?)

Oh, you got plans? (You got plans?)

Don't say that (shut yo' trap)

I'm sippin' wine (sip, sip)

In a robe (drip, drip)

I look too good (look too good)

To be alone (woo-hoo)

My house clean (house clean)

My pool warm (pool warm)

Just shaved (smooth like a newborn)

We should be dancing, romancing, in the east wing

And the west wing of this mansion, what's happenin'?

I ain't playin' no games

Every word that I say

Is coming straight from the heart

So if you tryna lay in these arms

I'ma leave the door open

(I'ma leave the door open)

Songwriters: Brandon Anderson / Christopher Brown / Dernst Emile / Peter Hernandez

Picture taken @ Nelipot

It was a mere 8 C with a fierce north wind but the Sun was bright and Lesser Celandine had half-heartedly opened up. First time this year I saw a Wild Bee out in the open. I'm not sure but perhaps an Andrena... Indeed, Andrena flavipes, with thanks to Bernhard Jacobi. A male.

This was shot at 6AM just as the public lobby opened – I wanted to capture before sunrise so the windows were not overly bright and the focus of the photo stayed on the art.

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama created a signature pumpkin sculptures for the office lobby of Millenia Tower

• Buddy Guy • What Kind Of Woman Is This •

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zhV99Bvrgg

The gates of Heaven must be open

I think I saw an angel just walk by

Hey, the gates of heaven must be open

I think I saw an angel just walk by

I heard a blind man screamin', say

Now there goes a sight for my sore eyes

There goes a sight for my sore eyes

Now there goes a sight for my sore eyes

What kind of woman is this?

You should be locked up, pretty girl

In my bedroom with me

Hey, you should be locked up, pretty girl

In my bedroom with me

So we can do the same thing that Adam

Did under that old apple tree

What he did under that apple tree

What he did under that apple tree

Well, well, well, well, well, well

Choke out

Here I come again

There's always some good lookin' girls

Hangin' 'round this famous place

Well, hey, there's always some good lookin' girls

Hangin' round this famous place, talkin' bout legends now

Aww, but this particular one

Looked like somethin' from outer space

She looked like somethin' from outer space

What kind of woman is this?

Hmm, what kind of woman is this?

What kind of woman is this?

Ooh, what kind of woman is this?

Look at that, she shakes all over when she walk

She made a blind man see

Made a dumb man talk

What kind of woman is this?

Hmm, shucks

Tell me, hey, what kind of woman is this, man?

Somebody gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta

Gotta, gotta, gotta tell me, tell me

What kind of woman is this?

Short Eared Owl at dusk. I was hiding in the undergrowth some distance away, but think it might have spotted me :-). Of the shots taken, this was the most 'eyes wide open'.

I recently downloaded DXO Raw processing software for a 30 day free trial - and have tested it on a few different shots. The ones it seems to work best on are low light / high ISO like this - it is noticeably better (in detail and lack of colour noise) than just processing with Topaz AI Sharpen.

Taken in Norfolk.

~The head and lash is from Lelutka called Axalon 3.1

~The shape not edited is from LILO's FIT called Marie

~The applier is from [avarosa] called Avena Skin (Brows) shade Chantily and i bought it at the Kustom9 event

~Body is from Maitreya called Lara V5.3

~Lip shade is from Insol: called Kim HD

lipgloss and it's at Kustom9

~The eye applier is Avi Glam called

Eternity, shade is spice

~Liner is from Izzies, style no 03

~Mole is from Mimi

~Pores are from Pr.etty called

Blush with Pores 50% Lel Evo X

~Necklace and earrings are from

Bowtique called Cherry set

~The hair is from Doux called Pamela

also used bang style No.2 from his shop

~Dress is from Zenith called

Celine and the shade came from

the fat pack, i bought it at Kustom9

the event is not open i used the Cam sim

The gates of Heaven must be open

I think I saw an angel just walk by

Hey, the gates of heaven must be open

I think I saw an angel just walk by

I heard a blind man screamin', say

Now there goes a sight for my sore eyes

There goes a sight for my sore eyes

Now there goes a sight for my sore eyes

What kind of woman is this?

You should be locked up, pretty girl

In my bedroom with me

Hey, you should be locked up, pretty girl

In my bedroom with me

So we can do the same thing that Adam

Did under that old apple tree

What he did under that apple tree

What he did under that apple tree

Well, well, well, well, well, well

Choke out

Here I come again

There's always some good lookin' girls

Hangin' 'round this famous place

Well, hey, there's always some good lookin' girls

Hangin' round this famous place, talkin' bout legends now

Aww, but this particular one

Looked like somethin' from outer space

She looked like somethin' from outer space

What kind of woman is this?

Hmm, what kind of woman is this?

What kind of woman is this?

Ooh, what kind of woman is this?

Look at that, she shakes all over when she walk

She made a blind man see

Made a dumb man talk

What kind of woman is this?

Hmm, shucks

Tell me, hey, what kind of woman is this, man?

Somebody gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta

Gotta, gotta, gotta tell me, tell me

What kind of woman is this?

youtu.be/0zhV99Bvrgg

この花は傘が開く様に螺旋状の蕾が形を変えてゆきます。夕方から蕾を撮っていましたが、目を離した隙に花が開いてしまいました。

花の命は短いので、夜中に花瓶に入れた花と三脚を持って近所の公園で撮影しました。

夜の撮影は1人の至福の時間ですが、蚊にたくさん刺されてしまいました。

This flower has spiral buds that change shape like an umbrella opens. I had been taking buds from the evening, but the flowers opened when I took my eyes off.

Since the life of flowers is short, I took a picture of a flower in a vase and a tripod in the neighborhood park at midnight.

The night shot was a blissful time for one person, but I was bitten by a lot of mosquitoes.

60mm macro

MEMO

園芸関係ではキダチチョウセンアサガオ属（ブルグマンシア属、いわゆる「エンジェルズ・トランペット」の類）の植物をひっくるめて、区別せずに「ダチュラ」「チョウセンアサガオ」などと呼ぶ場合もあるが、キダチチョウセンアサガオ属は、木本化する多年草のグループであり、明確に種類の異なるものである。

Devil's trumpet

Metel

Clapper Rail

Ocean City, NJ

Today at 7:00 AM I dropped my camera off and went to Walmart. I saw on the side of the road a clapper rail and four tiny black chicks out in the open. I made sure they got off of the road. I normally would have my camera but I have not had a lot of great shots lately.

Someday I am going to get one of these guys with the beautiful iridescent blue wings open. I guess it's good to have an unfulfilled goal. In the meantime I do think the camouflage underside of their wings is pretty amazing too.

Please press L and view in full screen.

Thank you so much for your visit!

Peeblespair Website ~ Tumblr ~ Instagram

Again the visit here wasn't without incident. Upon arrival I found both car parks were closed. The top one for an unknown reason and the main one closest to the path up for resurfacing work. They are currently resurfacing the path too with diggers and JCB's dotted along it's length with wagons going back and forth dropping off materials, more about this later.

I got out and walked over to a stern looking man in a hi-vis jacket. He spoke with a broad Geordie accent and informed me the car park was closed and that the path up whilst open (it's a public footpath,) was treacherous and I'd be knee deep in mud if I attempted it.

After having a little chat where we spoke about Newcastle United's resurgence and mentioning how tough the weather had been for photography his demeanour softened and he told me to swing the van in next to his car by the welfare container being used for the workers but they couldn't be responsible for any damage. 'Can't charge you mate, there's no facilities open.'

I thanked him and put my wellies on in preparation for the knee deep mud. It wasn't as bad as he claimed with only a small section that was muddy but easy enough to negotiate.

The wind was just as strong as it had been in previous days and with the pools being in a valley it was funneled up like a venturi and was even stronger than lower down. Thankfully it was blowing from directly behind me so I knew I wouldn't have any issues with spray which by this point was becoming my nemesis. I only saw two other people in the couple of hours I spent here which for The Fairy Pools is probably unheard of.

After trying various compositions, as and when the wind would allow and happy that I'd have a few shots I could work with I returned to the car park and had another little chat over a cup of tea I made for us both in the van. More football talk and the relative merits of foreign owners etc. I thanked him again for his kindness and as I didn't have to pay the £8 for the car park I gave him a fiver and told him to buy himself a beer.

On the drive back I had to pull over in the passing places a number of times to let a wagon through and the fourth wagon I saw flashed me to go first. Except he pulled over on a small strip of uneven concrete that wasn't anywhere near as wide as the passing places. It seemed to happen in slow motion. The strip of surface began to crumble under the the weight and slowly the wagon started to tip over until it finally came to rest at about 30 degrees. Thankfully the driver was unhurt but he was particularly sweary and very angry. I've never heard the 'f word' used so many times in one sentence before. Think Begbie from Trainspotting levels of anger and square it and you'd still not be close.

I spent three days on Skye. I fell over, slipped or was blown over eight times. I got a parking ticket despite being the only vehicle parked at The Quiraing after a council worker dropping off fence poles told me to park in any of the roadside bays ( the main car park doesn't allow motorhomes or vans to park in it, ) but neglected to tell me the closest one to the path was allocated for minibuses only, I got a puncture shortly after the ticket on the awful road just by Loch Fada and The Storr because of the potholes and I had to change the wheel in 40mph winds and driving rain after knocking on the door of a house to see if I could use his phone to ring the recovery company because I had no reception, unless he had a scaffold bar handy for additional leverage because the wheel brace wasn't for budging the wheel nuts. Amazingly he did. I saw a wagon tip over, spent countless hours huddled behind boulders and had to dive on concrete in the car park at Elgol to save the camera after the tripod blew over. Oh and a waterfall flowing in the wrong direction.

I absolutely loved it though, but would quite like my next trip to not have so many incidents.

Though they are usually a dime a dozen at nearby refuges, Common Gallinules are not common at all on Horsepen Bayou. But on this day I saw no less than five and probably heard a few more so they may be establishing a foothold here. They mostly skulk within the reeds and scurry back when caught in the open. I can count on one hand with a digit left over the times I have seen them fly here, and when they do, it is just a low skip across the water to disappear into the reeds on the other bank. Thus an unexpected highlight of an already productive outing.

I tried my luck this morning in getting the Least Bitterns that have been reported lately. It was very frustrating watching them fly by in the distant and hanging out in the reeds so far out and in the open. I waited patiently and was watching the reeds for any movement. I kept quiet from the other two photographers as I noticed the reeds parting. I snuck away and boom! This adult parted the reeds and looked around about 10ft in front of me. I just cropped the left and right side to make this portrait. Another lifer and lucky shot! :) Click image for enlarged view.

-- Face appliers I am wearing --

VAIN - Trick Treat

Visit Fall season Hunt

Visit Mainstore

-- Eye Appliers --

Avoixs / BLIND RAGE set

Knife - {-Maru Kado-} & violetta. - Don't open...

Opening on October 24th The summoning Event

Like I said, to my grandchildren this, SEE THE ENCHANTED WOOD, was an enchanting and enchanted wood! They already are quite used to the small digital cameras and how to take photos, now they are more and more interested and more curious in some of the ‘tricks’ and creativity, especially my granddaughter.

After the ‘normal’ shot, with my camera on the tripod and while the shutter was open I moved the camera upwards creating the blur effect. They thought it was magic!

I like it because it’s such a lovely blend of the autumn colours with the tree trunks so strong.

View On proper Black

I wish you all a clear day and would like to give a special THANK YOU, Magda (*_*)

Find: @ [TWS] Event

"With arms wide open, I stand alone

I'm no hero, and I'm not made of stone

Am I right or wrong? I can hardly tell

'Cause I'm on the wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side of hell".

---

"Con los brazos abiertos, estoy solo

No soy un héroe, y no soy de piedra

¿Tengo razón o no? Apenas puedo decir

Porque estoy en el lado equivocado del cielo, y el lado justo del infierno".

P. Einar

*Tune_________

Credits* *My WebSite*

I hope that you like it ^.^

*If you need any data about this photo, ask me please. Too, you can find the other products in older posts.

#AdamsPhotoChallenge

Photo taken at Surf & Schitt Beach where "...everyone is a Schitt surfer". (Shout out to Lucky 7 surf boards and apparel)

@http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Serena%20Unicorn/201/96/23

130 years ago today this iconic structure opened. I am fortunate to have this , now dedicated a UNESCO site, nearly on my doorstep and has given me a great deal of photographic challenges and pleasures the last few years.

🎧 listen

Come n save me baby

I'm calling

Come and be with me babe

Come and be with me babe

Come after a while

Come catch a cloud babe

Don't let me fade away

Don't let me fade away

Come catch a feeling

It left a fire in me

Eyes wide open

I'm dreaming

Taken at Luanes World - Le Monde Perdu

Here the snow factory is always open

Qui la fabbrica della neve è sempre aperta

Enlarged view

All rights reserved © Nick Outdoor Photography

Fritillaria Meleagris, also known as Snake's head Fritillary presumably because of the way the bud looks prior to opening. This one has just gone past that stage and is beginning to open.

I would try and get a shot of one of those buds but not sure if they will still be around - woke up this morning to about 3" of snow everywhere. More than we have had all winter......