It was raining all day, but by the end of the day the sky clear up so I decided to take a walk by the woods after work and try to catch that special 3D pop that is only possible under particular light conditions but not quite there yet.

What do you think? Does it have that 3D look?

A view from the South Shetlands, Antarctica

DISTINCTIVE water bird, the largest in he region, when swimming the neck is held in a elegant curve. FAMILY gruops with parents are often seen. They mate for life.

TRY TO POST all British birds seen, but have not put up a SWAN for years, shame on me. Seen at Stodmarsh nature reserve Kent.

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THANK YOU, for your visit and kind comments, will return the visit as soon as possible. Enjoy the Lords day, stay safe and well , God bless.......................Tomx.

The Mackinac Bridge is currently the fifth longest suspension bridge in the world. In 1998, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan became the longest with a total suspension of 12,826 feet. The Mackinac Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere.

The total length of the Mackinac Bridge is 26,372 feet. The length of the suspension bridge (including anchorages) is 8,614 feet. The length from cable bent pier to cable bent pier is 7,400 feet. Length of main span (between towers) is 3,800 feet.

The width of the roadway is 54 feet. The outside lanes are 12 feet wide (2), the inside lanes are 11 feet wide (2), the center mall is 2 feet wide, and the catwalk, curb and rail width is 3 feet on each side – totaling 54 feet. The stiffening truss width in the suspended span is 68 feet wide making it wider than the roadway it supports.

The height of the roadway at mid-span is approximately 200 feet above water level. The vertical clearance at normal temperature is 155 feet at the center of the main suspension span and 135 feet at the boundaries of the 3,000 ft. navigation channel.

All suspension bridges are designed to move to accommodate wind, change in temperature, and weight. It is possible that the deck at center span could move as much as 35 feet (east or west) due to high winds. This would only happen under severe wind conditions. The deck would not swing or “sway” but rather move slowly in one direction based on the force and direction of the wind. After the wind subsides, the weight of the vehicles crossing would slowly move it back into center position.

The steel superstructure will support one ton per lineal foot per roadway (northbound or southbound). The length of the steel superstructure is 19,243 feet. Each direction will, therefore, support 19,243 tons. The answer is 38,486 tons (2 x 19,243 tons).

www.mackinacbridge.org/history/the-mighty-mac/

"Leave no stone unturned. Deeply explore the beauty of your life."

Quote - Neil Gaiman

My absence lasted a little longer than expected. Back from vacation, unexpected work on the garden turned out to be possible again....stones from the driveway removed and replaced with gravel for the parking space and borders for new plants.

Hope that now finally a quiet time will come. Happy start of your week ;-))

It is possible that there was a church on this site in Saxon times, and it is known that a church was built here about 1250-70. The record of Rectors of Child Okeford Superior and of Child Okeford Inferior begins in 1297. In 1297 Galfrid de Stocks was presented to the Parish as priest, by his relative Roger de Stocks, who held the land under the King.

The old medieval church was largely knocked down in 1878 and a “new” church built. The new North Chancel Aisle, designed for 52 Sunday School children, was actually occupied by the new Organ. This was built to a specification set by Dr (later Sir) Arthur Sullivan. The Vestry, which had been in the Tower, was also moved to the new North Chancel Aisle, where it remains.

It would be possible to get this shot where I live HOWEVER that is not what happened.

The hawk is my shot that I took while out on a winter hike and although I do have trees like these around here, these particular trees are courtesy Unsplashed. I blended the two together for a little winter wonderland.

- pOOnsh

Jessie Outfit

6 SIZES - Legacy, Perky, Reborn, Kupra, Kups, Maitreya

IT INCLUDES Sweater, Skirt+Panties, Pasties, HUD (14 colors + 7 prints)

Web Dew

::WD:: Sneakers Fatpack

Boots for:

Maitreya- Legacy- Kupra- Erika- Reborn- eBody Curvy- Slink- Belleza

all info in the blog

blog

Anything is possible @Frogmore Cottage. Just ask me. Parcel 8 now available. This home is on the SW edge of Frogmore Cottage, Harry Potter home from Scarlet, with views of Magical Mousehole to the west. Private and secluded. 2000L / week 800 prims. This home will be fully furnished in the next days so hurry to reserve now while customized decor is still available. The parcel itself is 3328 sqm with an entry gate that is quite hidden, a furnished deck on water's edge, and a gazebo that is ready for your decor. Frogmore Cottage has many common areas that are designed and landscaped with attention to detail for you and your guests. As this is a full region, 30K prims, we have space and prims available for private parties (contact me inworld for info). Frogmore Cottage, Mousehole, and The Shambles are all Frogmore group access only. Taxi ---> maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Frogmore%20Cottage/102/37/29. We also have another home available, Parcel 1, 8f8 Burrow home, fully furnished, overlooking Frogmore Cottage Cove with sweeping views of Mousehole. 2000L / week 250 prims for your own decor. Taxi --> maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Frogmore%20Cottage/80/177/30

*Join our group now for access to The Shambles 2023 - opening soon*

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

/ Twilight in mist viewed from Crissy Field, San Francisco

Thanks a lot for your visit and seeing!

．I’ll out of town for two weeks, hoping see you as soon as possible.

．我將外出兩個星期，希望可以儘快回來。謝謝你的造訪！

From the top, an impressive plateau, it is possible to contemplate the entire city of Rio and its surroundings – it is possible to see the Sugar Loaf, Christ the Redeemer, the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, São Conrado and Barra da Tijuca, and even the mountains of Serra of the Organs. It's an unforgettable sight!

PS. Me being photographed by one of my guides, Marcelo Kastrup (Adrena Rio).

Possible geometries for an impossible daily life

Geometrias possíveis para um cotidiano impossível

São Paulo, Brazil, 2023

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O inevitável cotidiano / The inevitable daily

Coleção: A poesia dos movimentos invisíveis

É inevitável, pontos de conflito, linhas de organização e insurreição, invisbilidades. O tempo passa... por cima.

A poesia dos movimentos invisíveis: um olhar, um passo, um gesto, as linhas da cidade ou um detalhe qualquer, completados pelo olhar, criando uma poética nos movimentos que só existem no encontro entre corpos, fotógrafo, local, pessoas fotografados e quem vê a foto, e isso pode gerar uma potência de presença, uma dança estática.

[ENGLISH]

The inevitable daily

Collection: The poetry of invisible movements

It is inevitable, points of conflict, lines of organization and insurrection, invisibility. Time passes... over.

A look, a step, a gesture, the lines of the city or any detail, completed by the look, creating a poetics in the movements that only exist in the encounter between bodies, photographer, place, people photographed and who sees the photo, and this can generate a power of presence, a static dance.

Después de bastante tiempo sin ir a Sanabria aproveché este fin de semana para hacer una ruta fotográfica buscando de forma especial las cascadas de los ríos y arroyos que bajan con bastante caudal. Esta foto es la primera de una serie que iré publicando.

Esra cascadita corresponde a un arroyo llamado "arroyo del Baillo", que baja por el pueblo de San Ciprián de Sanabria, y desemboca en el río Trefacio. Mi intención no era quedarme aquí, sino llegar por una ruta de senderismo hasta la cascada de los Vados, pero no fue posible, la parte superior de la cascadita es el camino de la ruta, pero había tanta agua, que ni siquiera pude dar un breve paseo, aquí me quedé sin remedio. Al menos pude sacar esta foto nada habitual, porque en condiciones normales el agua discurre mansamente entre las piedras.

After not going to Sanabria for a long time, I took advantage of this weekend to do a photographic route, looking especially for the waterfalls of the rivers and streams that flow down with a lot of flow. This photo is the first of a series that I will be posting.

This little waterfall corresponds to a stream called "arroyo del Baillo", which runs down through the town of San Ciprián de Sanabria, and flows into the Trefacio River. My intention was not to stay here, but to arrive by hiking to the Vados waterfall, but it was not possible, the upper part of the waterfall is the path of the route, but there was so much water that I couldn't even take a look. short walk, here I was hopeless. At least I was able to take this unusual photo, because under normal conditions the water flows gently between the stones.

Après ne pas être allé à Sanabria pendant longtemps, j'ai profité de ce week-end pour faire un parcours photographique, à la recherche notamment des cascades des rivières et ruisseaux qui coulent avec beaucoup de débit. Cette photo est la première d'une série que je vais publier.

Cette petite cascade correspond à un ruisseau appelé "arroyo del Baillo", qui traverse la ville de San Ciprián de Sanabria et se jette dans la rivière Trefacio. Mon intention n'était pas de rester ici, mais d'arriver en randonnée à la cascade de Vados, mais ce n'était pas possible, la partie supérieure de la cascade est le chemin du parcours, mais il y avait tellement d'eau que je ne pouvais même pas prendre un coup d'oeil courte marche, ici j'étais sans espoir. Au moins j'ai pu prendre cette photo insolite, car dans des conditions normales l'eau s'écoule doucement entre les pierres.

Nachdem ich lange Zeit nicht nach Sanabria gefahren bin, habe ich dieses Wochenende genutzt, um eine fotografische Route zu machen, wobei ich besonders nach den Wasserfällen der Flüsse und Bäche gesucht habe, die mit viel Strömung nach unten fließen. Dieses Foto ist das erste einer Reihe, die ich veröffentlichen werde.

Dieser kleine Wasserfall entspricht einem Bach namens "arroyo del Baillo", der durch die Stadt San Ciprián de Sanabria fließt und in den Fluss Trefacio mündet. Meine Absicht war nicht, hier zu bleiben, sondern zu Fuß zum Vados-Wasserfall zu gelangen, aber es war nicht möglich, der obere Teil des Wasserfalls ist der Pfad der Route, aber es gab so viel Wasser, dass ich nicht einmal mitnehmen konnte ein Blick, kurzer Spaziergang, hier war ich hoffnungslos. Immerhin konnte ich dieses ungewöhnliche Foto machen, denn unter normalen Bedingungen fließt das Wasser sanft zwischen den Steinen hindurch.

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.

Albert Einstein

HBW 😊 😊 😍

Thank you for your kind visit. Have a wonderful and beautiful day! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

On digital cameras there is often a Macro Focus mode which switches the auto focus system to attempt to focus on subjects much closer to the lens.

Flash: Flash did not fire

This old mining tunnel was next to the waterfall. Unlike most caves and old mines, there was no fence or warning sign trying to keep people out. It was possible to walk a good way into the tunnel and i didn't find the end of it.

Pose/Lush Poses - Cowboy - Men Pose Pack

Tattoo / Leven Ink Tattoo - Crow Tattoo (unpacked)

Hair / Sintiklia - Hair Eric - Naturals

Pants / RKKN. Hooligan Combat Pants - Pink

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In the evening sun and after the rain: Großer Brachvogel (Numenius arquata) - (eurasion) curlew

My "explored" album is here:

www.flickr.com/gp/jenslpz/LzXVPNJ098

My 2019-2023 tours album is here:

www.flickr.com/gp/jenslpz/SKf0o8040w

My bird album is here:

www.flickr.com/gp/jenslpz/1240SmAXK4

My nature album is here:

www.flickr.com/gp/jenslpz/27PwYUERX2

My Canon EOS R / R5 / R6 album is here:

www.flickr.com/gp/jenslpz/bgkttsBw35

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Großer Brachvogel (Numenius arquata) - (eurasion) curlew

de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gro%C3%9Fer_Brachvogel

Der Große Brachvogel (Numenius arquata) ist eine Vogelart aus der Familie der Schnepfenvögel (Scolopacidae). Es werden zwei Unterarten unterschieden. Die Nominatform ist in Mitteleuropa ein zunehmend seltener Brut- und Sommervogel. Die Rote Liste der Brutvögel Deutschlands von 2015 führt die Art in der Kategorie 1 als vom Aussterben bedroht.[1] Er ist während der Zugzeiten ein regelmäßiger Durchzügler und Rastvogel, der gebietsweise auch überwintert.[2]

In Deutschland war der Große Brachvogel im Jahre 1982 Vogel des Jahres.

Beschreibung

Der Große Brachvogel ist etwa 50 bis 60 cm lang und wiegt zwischen 600 und 1000 Gramm. Die Flügelspannweite beträgt 80 bis 100 cm. Die Vögel sind die größten Watvögel, und sie sind in Europa die häufigsten Vertreter der Brachvögel. Charakteristisches Kennzeichen des Großen Brachvogels ist der lange und stark nach unten gekrümmte Schnabel. Das Weibchen ist etwas größer als das Männchen und hat einen deutlich stärker gebogenen und längeren Schnabel. Ansonsten sehen die Geschlechter gleich aus.

Große Brachvögel sind eher unscheinbar gefärbt. Der Kopf, der Hals, die Brust die Körperoberseite sind fahl beigebraun mit dunklen Streifen und Flecken. Die Wangen sind dunkel gestrichelt und kontrastieren dadurch mit dem hellen Kinn- und Kehlfleck. Die Brust ist etwas kräftiger gestreift und wird zum Bauch hin heller. Im Flug wird der weiße Bürzel sichtbar, der mit dem weißen Rücken einen weißen Keil bildet.

Eurasian curlew

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_curlew

The Eurasian curlew or common curlew (Numenius arquata) is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. It is one of the most widespread of the curlews, breeding across temperate Europe and Asia. In Europe, this species is often referred to just as the "curlew", and in Scotland known as the "whaup" in Scots.

This is the largest wader in its range, at 50–60 cm (20–24 in) in length, with an 89–106 cm (35–42 in) wingspan and a body weight of 410–1,360 g (0.90–3.00 lb).[2] It is mainly greyish brown, with a white back, greyish-blue legs and a very long curved bill. Males and females look identical, but the bill is longest in the adult female. It is generally not possible to recognize the sex of a single Eurasian curlew, or even several ones, as there is much variation; telling male and female of a mated pair apart is usually possible however.

The familiar call is a loud curloo-oo.

The only similar species over most of the curlew's range is the whimbrel (N. phaeopus). The whimbrel is smaller and has a shorter bill with a kink rather than a smooth curve. Flying curlews may also resemble bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica) in their winter plumages; however, the latter have a smaller body, a slightly upturned beak, and legs that do not reach far beyond their tail tips. The Eurasian curlew's feet are longer, forming a conspicuous "point".

The curlew exists as a migratory species over most of its range, wintering in Africa, southern Europe and south Asia. Occasionally a vagrant individual reaches places far from its normal range, such as Nova Scotia[3] and the Marianas.[4][5] It is present all year in the milder climates of Ireland and the United Kingdom and its adjacent European coasts.

The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. They run for about 14 kilometres. At their southern end, they rise 120 metres (390 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag's Head, and, eight kilometres to the north, they reach their maximum height of 214 metres (702 ft) just north of O'Brien's Tower, a round stone tower near the midpoint of the cliffs, built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O'Brien, then continue at lower heights. The closest settlements are the villages of Liscannor (6 km south) and Doolin (7 km north).

From the cliffs, and from atop the tower, visitors can see the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, the Maumturks and Twelve Pins mountain ranges to the north in County Galway, and Loop Head to the south. The cliffs rank among the most visited tourist sites in Ireland, with around 1.5 million visits per annum.

The cliffs consist mainly of beds of Namurian shale and sandstone, with the oldest rocks being found at the bottom of the cliffs. It is possible to see 300-million-year-old river channels cutting through, forming unconformities at the base of the cliffs.

At peak season, there are an estimated 30,000 pairs of birds living on the cliffs, representing more than 20 species. These include Atlantic puffins, which live in large colonies at isolated parts of the cliffs and on the small Goat Island, and razorbills. The site is an Important Bird Area.

A wide range of sea life can also be seen, from grey seals through porpoises, dolphins, minke whales and basking sharks, as well as, occasionally, sunfish. On land, feral goats, foxes, badgers and the Irish hare are found, along with various breeds of farm cattle.

Not 100% sure but I suspect it's ticks that are damaging the birds eyes, if you zoom in just under the eye there's something that looks like a fresh tick. Sorry Jean Marie but your comment made sense, I think you are right it's the ticks that's damaging the eyes..

“I never lose hope,

For hope is the road travelled between impossible to possible.”

― Gillian Duce

Possible geometries for an impossible daily life

Geometrias possíveis para um cotidiano impossível

São Paulo, Brazil, 2023

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Coleção: A poesia dos movimentos invisíveis

É inevitável, pontos de conflito, linhas de organização e insurreição, invisbilidades. O tempo passa... por cima.

A poesia dos movimentos invisíveis: um olhar, um passo, um gesto, as linhas da cidade ou um detalhe qualquer, completados pelo olhar, criando uma poética nos movimentos que só existem no encontro entre corpos, fotógrafo, local, pessoas fotografados e quem vê a foto, e isso pode gerar uma potência de presença, uma dança estática.

[ENGLISH]

Collection: The poetry of invisible movements

It is inevitable, points of conflict, lines of organization and insurrection, invisibility. Time passes... over.

A look, a step, a gesture, the lines of the city or any detail, completed by the look, creating a poetics in the movements that only exist in the encounter between bodies, photographer, place, people photographed and who sees the photo, and this can generate a power of presence, a static dance.

Castle Heeswijk is water citadel former at Heeswijk from the 11th century. The castle had been restored in 2005. Already in the year 1080 there a preamble of the current castle, so-called motte-burcht arose. In the course of the middle ages the motte (castle hillock) were blunted and on the place of the citadel a castle were built. Castle Heeswijk several times have played a role in the history. It did not succeed prince Maurits around 1600 up to two times to take the castle. It's halfbrother Frederik Hendrik succeeded in this in 1629, however, in, so that he could besiege then s' Hertogenbosch. In 1672 the sun king Lodewijk XIV the uninvited guest on castle Heeswijk were during its fight against the republic. On the end of the 18th century Pichegru, general still used the castle of the French revolution under the guidance of Napoleon, as a headquarter. In 1835, André bought baron of pine Bogaerde of Terbrugge the castle touched in decline and started immediately a massive reconstruction. For its growing collection art objects and curiosa, of him and of its sons, the noblemen Louis and Donat, the castle was extended with among other things the weapon room and the Irontower.

The current castle museum gives a picture of the life sitation and the collect tradion from the middle of the 19th century. After the recent restorations there meanwhile guided tours by the castle are possible. The weapon room of the castle does service as official marrylocation of the municipality Bernheze. In under the promenade cellar roofs lain (marry)partys and receptions are given and the carriage house of castle accommodate Heeswijk - and training facilities as well as congress - and presentation spaces meet.

if you want to see the castle and you use a car navigator is the end destiny is the Gouverneursweg, Heeswijk-Dinther

Kasteel Heeswijk is laying on circa 10 minutes from 's Hertogenbosch en 20 minutes from Eindhoven.

Lagos de Covadonga, Asturias, España.

Los lagos de Covadonga son dos pequeños lagos, el Enol y el Ercina, de origen glaciar situados en la parte asturiana del parque nacional de los Picos de Europa, en el macizo occidental de dicha cadena montañosa. Existe un tercer lago, el Bricial, que solo tiene agua durante el deshielo, pero también pertenece al conjunto

Se sitúan en el concejo de Cangas de Onís y se accede a ellos a través de una carretera de 14,5 km que nace en el Real Sitio de Covadonga para llegar en primer lugar al lago Enol, incluyendo también una pequeña carretera que les llevaría hasta el Lago Ercina. Su frecuente uso desde 1983 como final de etapa en la Vuelta ciclista a España ha popularizado internacionalmente el paraje.

La afluencia masiva de turistas, sobre todo aficionados al ciclismo, ha obligado a limitar el desarrollo de pruebas ciclistas en el entorno de Los Lagos. No obstante, la zona cuenta con una infraestructura turística.

La excesiva afluencia de visitas, en especial en temporada alta, también ha supuesto que el acceso en coche a los Lagos esté restringido, pudiendo acceder únicamente utilizando el transporte público habilitado para ello. Los vehículos particulares no pueden circular por la carretera de acceso a Los Lagos durante 6 meses al año, en temporada alta. En temporada baja, no hay restricciones de acceso con vehículo particular.

En las proximidades del lago Ercina, en Buferrera,​ hasta 1979 se explotaron minas de hierro, manganeso y mercurio. Las personas que visitan dicho paraje tienen a su disposición un aparcamiento "aparcamiento de Buferrera", un centro de visitantes , un refugio y dos bares restaurante para su disfrute.

The lakes of Covadonga are two small lakes, Enol and Ercina, of glacial origin located in the Asturian part of the Picos de Europa national park, in the western massif of said mountain chain. There is a third lake, Bricial, which only has water during the thaw, but also belongs to the group

They are located in the municipality of Cangas de Onís and are accessed through a 14.5 km road that begins in the Royal Site of Covadonga to first reach Lake Enol, also including a small road that would take them to Lake Ercina. Its frequent use since 1983 as the end of the stage in the Cycling Tour of Spain has made the place internationally popular.

The massive influx of tourists, especially cycling fans, has forced the development of cycling events in the Los Lagos area to be limited. However, the area has a tourist infrastructure.

The excessive influx of visitors, especially in high season, has also meant that access by car to the Lakes is restricted, with access only possible using public transport enabled for this purpose. Private vehicles cannot circulate on the access road to Los Lagos for 6 months a year, during high season. In low season, there are no access restrictions with a private vehicle.

In the vicinity of Lake Ercina, in Buferrera, iron, manganese and mercury mines were exploited until 1979. People who visit this area have at their disposal a parking lot "Buferrera parking", a visitor center, a shelter and two restaurant bars for their enjoyment.

Credits

Possible geometries for an impossible daily life

Geometrias possíveis para um cotidiano impossível

São Paulo, Brazil, 2023

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Coleção: A poesia dos movimentos invisíveis

É inevitável, pontos de conflito, linhas de organização e insurreição, invisbilidades. O tempo passa... por cima.

A poesia dos movimentos invisíveis: um olhar, um passo, um gesto, as linhas da cidade ou um detalhe qualquer, completados pelo olhar, criando uma poética nos movimentos que só existem no encontro entre corpos, fotógrafo, local, pessoas fotografados e quem vê a foto, e isso pode gerar uma potência de presença, uma dança estática.

[ENGLISH]

Collection: The poetry of invisible movements

It is inevitable, points of conflict, lines of organization and insurrection, invisibility. Time passes... over.

A look, a step, a gesture, the lines of the city or any detail, completed by the look, creating a poetics in the movements that only exist in the encounter between bodies, photographer, place, people photographed and who sees the photo, and this can generate a power of presence, a static dance.

This was the first image I shot, at this new favorite place. The composition is similar to my previous post; however the lighting is very different. Shot during sunset, I was able to record a wide range in contrast of light. A neutral density grad is necessary to keep both the sky and canyon details as correctly exposed as possible. Adjusting white & color balance in post-processing keeps tones looking very close to the way my eyes witnessed the scene.

Possible juv

Spain; Murcia, Los Alcazares 27/11/21

Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)

My best photos are here: www.lacerta-bilineata.com/ticino-best-photos-of-southern-...

More TICINO/TESSIN Wildlife Photos (all taken in my garden in Monteggio/Ti, Switzerland): it.lacerta-bilineata.com/ramarro-occidentale-lacerta-bili...

If you're interested, you'll find a more detailed closeup here (it's the 8th photo from the top): www.lacerta-bilineata.com/western-green-lizard-lacerta-bi...

My latest ANIMAL VIDEO (it's very brief but pretty unusual: a tiny wall lizard attacks two young great tits): www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQqkSsyrm7E

THE STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: MY LONG AND ARDUOUS JOURNEY TO BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY

If you've set yourself the challenge of exclusively shooting the wildlife in your own back yard, you might find - as I did - that bird photography is really, really hard.

It's not that reptiles are easy to photograph either, mind - but at least the ones in my garden stay (for the most part) on the ground, and one can learn how to carefully approach them with a camera. They're also clearly egoists, which from a photographer's point of view is is a great character trait: if a lizard detects a human in its vicinity, it's only interested in saving its own skin, and it won't alarm its buddies.

But birds... oh man. Over the years, my feathered friends and I have developed a lovely routine that now defines our peaceful co-existence. As soon as I as much as open a window (let alone the door), I'm instantly greeted by an eruption of panicky fluttering and hysterical shouts from my garden: "SAVE YOUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND FLY FOR YOUR LIVES: THE HAIRLESS, PINK MONSTER IS COMING!!! (Yes, I speak bird, and I know that this is exactly what they are shouting 😉).

Needless to say, with the exception of the redstart I already showed here, all my efforts to get the kind of detailed shots I usually strive for with my nature photography ended in complete failure and utter disillusionment. I was ready to give up on stalking the winged misanthropes in my garden altogether, but then winter came - and changed everything.

One day this past January I observed my neighbor Signora P - a kind, elderly Italian lady - putting something on the low garden wall in front of my house. At first I thought she was just putting some treat there for her cat Romeo; the young tom patrols that wall constantly (it's his favorite spot in the garden, and during the warmer months he usually lurks in the thick foliage next to it to prey on lizards).

But once I detected a lot of movement on that wall through my window, I understood she had put a little pile of bread crumbs there; she was feeding the birds who soon arrived in flocks. This was certainly well-intended on my neighbor's part, but her noble action came with a catch, and I'm afraid quite literally.

When I took a stroll through my garden the next day I discovered a suspicious amount of feathers on the ground next to the wall. Romeo had apparently switched from his low-calorie summer diet (lizard) to more energy-rich meals consisting of "fowl" (it was winter after all, so from a nutritionist's point of view this made sense).

I would find fresh traces of Romeo's victims (mostly feathers, but also the odd wing) in my garden over the following days; so my first intuition that my neighbor was feeding her cat hadn't been that far off after all, as Romeo was now clearly being "served" fresh birds on a daily basis. And although the hungry visitors seemed to be aware of the danger and became slightly more prudent, they just couldn't resist the tasty snacks Signora P put on that wall - and neither could Romeo.

It was obvious that I had to act, but talking to my neighbor - who is as stubborn as she is kind - would have been futile, I knew that much. I pondered the matter long and hard - until a light bulb went off in my head. The idea was genius. If successful, what I had in mind would not only increase the birds' chances of surviving Romeo's appetite, but also greatly benefit my own photographic endeavors.

I started to enact my master plan the very next day by buying a giant bag of bird feed (consisting mainly of sunflower seeds) from the store. Then I dragged a huge piece of a tree trunk (approx. 120 cm in height) that we normally chop firewood on in the shed out into the garden and emptied almost half of the bag's content on top of it. Signora P's buffet for birds (and cats) was about to get some serious competition 😊.

My reasoning was as follows: not only would the birds be lured away from the fatally low garden wall to a place where they were safe from the cat - there was nothing around that tree trunk that provided cover for a predator, and the birds had a nice 360° view around it at all times - but I was also able to photograph them while hiding in the shed.

However, in order for my plan to work there was one little extra measure I had to take, and it was one that risked lowering my own life expectancy considerably once the owner of the property - my mom - discovered it. You see, our shed is completely windowless, so if I wanted to use it as a blind, I had no choice but to cut a hole into one of its wooden walls... which I promptly did (I figured all's fair in love - and photography 😉).

Granted, I have absolutely zero carpentering skills, and it showed. That hole was an ugly mess: the shed's wall seemed to have had an encounter with Jack Nicholson's ax-wielding lunatic character from the film 'The Shining'. Needless to say, I was incredibly proud of my work (I mean, come on: there now was a hole where before there wasn't a hole, and it was big enough for the lens of my camera to peek through, so it was mission accomplished as far as I was concerned).

Now all I had to do was wait for the birds to discover the tree trunk. In the meantime I started to mentally prepare myself for the inevitable confrontation with my mom and go through possible explanations for that splintering hole in the wall (it was either gonna be a rabid woodpecker attack or an emergency rescue mission with a feeding tube for a little kid that had accidentally locked himself inside the shed - both seemed valid options, though I slightly preferred the locked-in kid due to the involved drama and heroism 😉).

A whole day went by, and not a single bird visited the sunflower seeds. I had expected that it might take a few hours until the first of the ever curious great tits or blue tits would show up, but given how tiny my garden is, an entire day seemed excessive. Then another day came and went: the birds kept flocking to the bread crumbs on the wall, and my tree trunk kept collecting dust. To add injury to insult, a few fresh feathers on the ground were proof that Romeo was still feasting.

It was incredibly frustrating: I provided my winged guests with a much better view - plus a higher chance of surviving the cuisine - than Signora P's place; I risked (almost) certain death at the hands of my own mother (OK, the act of vandalism on the shed I had committed for my own benefit, but still), yet the birds kept ignoring me.

Then, after three days, just before sunset, I spotted a single blue tit on the tree trunk picking away at the sunflower seeds.

When I got up the next morning I immediately realized that the loud noise that accompanies each and every tit activity had shifted from the wall to the shed. At last the dam had broken: there was a flurry of movement around the tree trunk, and I counted at least 5 different species of birds feasting on the sunflower seeds.

From day 4 onward my plan worked beautifully: the birds now indeed mostly ignored Romeo's "snack wall" and kept to the tree trunk. And yes, I was able to play peeping tom from behind the shed's wall and photograph them!! 😊

Thus, dear readers, I finally managed to produce some acceptable bird photos, and I had even saved my feathered friends from a deadly foe in the process. All through winter and spring I took advantage of my new bird hide, and in late May I started mixing some cherries with the sunflower seeds. The idea was to attract a Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius), and as you can see, it worked!

It took me almost three weeks and more than a few tricks to capture that clever fella, but given how long I've been rambling here already, that's a story for another day. As for my mom, she still doesn't know about the hole in the wall, so please don't snitch! 😉.

I hope you like the photo and wish you all a wonderful weekend! Many greetings from Switzerland, and as always: let me know what you think in the comments 🙏 😊 ❤!

P.S. if anyone has their own funny tale about the obstacles we photographers are prepared to overcome for a desired photo, please write it in the comments: I love such stories 😊

I make sure to dress in full camo and try to be as discreet as possible when I am out taking photos. I don't want to frighten the animals or birds.

My internet keeps crashing, so I will be literally off and on Won't be fixed until at least Saturday.

Snapshot

While it was possible to catch an Alco leading a freight in the early 70's, it was quite extraordinary to find one on a TV train. Yet here's Penn Central Alco C425 2444 leading train TV9, one of PC's hottest, west at East Syracuse NY.

in honor of everyone digging out this morning.... Kind of sad I am in Santa Fe and missing it all

Weathered Wood Spokes possible from a custom fence or special feature, but looks nice and worn, fond it along the way..

photographybyjw Weathered Wood Spokes wheel half rustic worn old

rural country

Possible abberant/hybrid

April Aurora lol

something i found in a file from April:))

hope you like it:)) have been learning alot since april both about photography and shooting auroras and i can't wait to try it out on this season:)) but when shooting this shot if i remember correctly i only had one aurora session previous to this one:)

still haven't been able to shoot anything lately, well had a session last sunday but that was not such a good session that i had been hoping for......

and pretty soon the freakin sun is dropping below the horizon and won't be back until around the 20th of January..........

well hopefully it will be possible to get some midday sessions during the weekend, but we have to see:))

hope everyone is having a great weekend:))

and thanks for stopping by and for leaving comments and faves, much appreciated:))

TOUCH

Touch the things that are kept on the table in front of you

Clock pen-stand an old letter

Idol of Buddha Bertolt Brecht and Che Guevara’s photos

Open the drawer and touch its old sadness

Touch a blank sheet of paper with the words’ fingers

Touch like a pebble the still water of a van Gogh painting

Starting life’s hullabaloo in it

Touch your forehead and hold it for a long while without feeling shame

To touch it isn’t necessary for someone to sit close

From very far it is possible to touch even

Like a bird from a distance who keeps her eggs protected

‘Please do not touch’ or ‘Touching is prohibited’ don’t believe in such phrases

These are long-running conspiracies

Religious-gurus holding flags wearing crowns and shawls

Bomb-throwers, war-raisers indulge in for keeping us apart

The more dirt the more waste they spit

Only by touch can they be cleansed

Touch you must even though it turns things topsy-turvy

Don’t touch the way gods priests bigots devotees disciples

Touch each others’ feet and heads

Rather touch the way the tall grass appears to caress the moon and stars

Go inward feel the moist spot touch

See if it still remains there or not in these ruthless times.

Mangalesh Dabral

© Translation: 2008, Sudeep Sen

“Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming. When nothing is certain, anything is possible”

― Mandy Hale

Happy Sliders Sunday ( I almost missed it!)

digital art

When you're blessed with golden light you take as many shots as possible. Just hope you don't get fed up with another from January.

Moose trying to use as little energy as possible in southern Grand Teton National Park near the Gros Ventre River. There is little nourishment available, but spring will soon arrive.