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Albinism is a genetic mutation that prevents the body from producing the pigment melanin
In this photo, the young Albino Tree Swallow is being fed by the parent. Notice the young bird's red eye, pinkish bill and legs. Both parents have normal coloration.
I'm thrilled that I'd managed to capture some record shots of the feeding action. It might take quite a while before another such opportunity would come my way.
500mm f4G @ f4
(Taken on July 2, JE Poole Wetland, St. Alberta, Alberta, Canada)
Thank you all very much for the visits and comments.
Monitoring the brine shrimp population of the Great Salt Lake is the responsibility of The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. This team is returning from a sampling run.
Multiple commercial operators on the Great Salt Lake harvest brine shrimp October - January. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has safeguards to prevent overharvesting.
The land behind the boat is an exposed reef. This reef should be underwater, but due to the low levels of the lake, the reef is exposed.
GPS is not the exact spot of the shot.
Greenfinch - Chloris chloris
The European greenfinch, or just greenfinch (Chloris chloris), is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.
This bird is widespread throughout Europe, north Africa and south west Asia. It is mainly resident, but some northernmost populations migrate further south. The greenfinch has also been introduced into both Australia and New Zealand. In Malta, it is considered a prestigious song bird, and it has been trapped for many years. It has been domesticated, and many Maltese people breed them.
Woodland edges, farmland hedges and gardens with relatively thick vegetation are favoured for breeding. It nests in trees or bushes, laying 3 to 6 Eggs.
This species can form large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other finches and buntings. They feed largely on seeds, but also take berries.
The protozoal parasite Trichomonas gallinae was known to infect pigeons and raptors but beginning in Britain in 2005, carcases of dead European greenfinches and common chaffinches were found to be infected with the parasite. The disease spread and in 2008 infected carcases were found in Norway, Sweden and Finland and a year later in Germany. The spread of the disease is believed to have been mediated by chaffinches as large numbers of the birds breed in northern Europe and winter in Britain. In Britain the number of infected carcases recovered each year declined after a peak in 2006. There was a reduction in the number of greenfinches from around 4.3 million to around 2.8 million but no significant decline in the overall number of chaffinches. A similar pattern occurred in Finland where, after the arrival of the disease in 2008, there was a reduction in the number of greenfinches but only a small change in the number of chaffinches.
Greenfinch populations declined during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but increased dramatically during the 1990s. A recent decline in numbers has been linked to an outbreak of trichomonosis, a parasite-induced disease which prevents the birds from feeding properly.
Population:
UK breeding:
1,700,000 pairs
Created for the Kreative People Contest 40: "Locked & Latched"
Thank you for your visit, comment or fave. All are much appreciated.
All rights reserved. This photo is not authorized for use on your blogs, pin boards, websites or use in any other way.
Photos and textures used are my own.
"I always have a mirror in front of me
which prevents me to see what is behind it.
I have never seen a biggest liar
and worst of all, it is like me ...
It looks very good while I'm not,
looks bad while i'm not that either.
Those who tell me "friend , stay as you are"
are those who lost the reflection.
I always have a mirror in front of me,
my heart falls on it and cracks,
my heart falls on it and cracks,
I always have a mirror in front of me ...
It reflects what women want
and so he convinces them that I am their other half.
They undress in front of it, they tell it sweet words,
behind the glass I look alone...
It plays as well as my standards
the divine voices that spoke to me as a child.
It brings them in front of me and in my size,
I go to reach them and clink the glass...
I always have a mirror in front of me,
my heart falls on it and cracks,
my heart falls on it and cracks,
I always have a mirror in front of me ...
I know that everyone now believes in mirrors,
on screens, in photocopiers and projectors,
They have made even games that players
live in a bowl and we all see them...
But I will brake my mirror in pieces,
I know that what he hides behindit, its you.
You who search through your black eyes
the only reflection in your life to be me."
Part of my first exhibition "Baptism of Fire" which was during all July 2021 @ Nitroglobus Gallery
Many thanks to all those who honored me with their visit!
Featuring |
This Is Wrong : Basic ULTRA Shine 3D 2022 @ Kinky Event
NOCHE: Devlin Briefs (with updated sizing for Legacy Athletic!)
Garden of Ku Tattoo Parlor : Baphomet
As the river of water meandered through the forest, we too meandered with it, but sticking close to the well worn path. With each step, we kept moving lower into the forest realizing that at some point it would be necessary to climb back up. Fortunately, the many wonders of nature prevented us from moving too quickly.
The undulating floor and various bare roots, made one look were one was walking. A vividly green fern helps too anchor this shot, while thriving in a crevasse among the moss covered rocks. And, the cloud covered sky helped even out the light, preventing any harsh shadows.
Circumstances prevented me from going on the River Park Walk this morning but that did mean I got to see the Stream Train that was on the Werribee line before heading to North Geelong and on to Ballarat. The two locos were under power as they came up the grade from Hoppers Crossing Station. Loco Y 112 was trailing at the rear of the train.
Muntjac Deer - Muntiacus reevesi
Doe
Reeves’ muntjac are small, stocky and russet brown in colour in summer and grey/brown in winter. Bucks have short (10 cm) antlers growing from long pedicles. Antlers are usually unbranched but a very short brow tine is occasionally found in old bucks. They also have visible upper canines (tusks) suggesting that they are a primitive species. Muntjac have two pairs of large glands on the face. The upper pair are the frontal glands, whilst the lower glands, below the eyes, are called sub-orbitals. Both glands are used to mark territories and boundaries. They have a ginger forehead with pronounced black lines running up the pedicles in bucks, and a dark diamond shape on does. The haunches are higher than the withers giving a hunched appearance. They have a fairly wide tail, which is held erect when disturbed.
Muntjac were brought from China to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire in the early 20th century. They are now widespread and increasing in number and range. Deliberate releases and escapes from Woburn, Northamptonshire, and Warwickshire led to the establishment of feral populations. Movement and release by humans led to their rapid spread across south and central England and Wales, however, north of the Humber distribution is patchy but reaches close to the Scottish border.
Muntjac like deciduous or coniferous forests, preferably with a diverse understorey. They are also found in scrub and overgrown urban gardens. Unlike other species of deer in Britain, muntjac do not cause significant damage to agricultural or timber crops. However, high densities may prevent coppice regeneration and the loss of some plants of conservation importance, such as primulas. Muntjac trophy hunting has only recently become popular so there is little tradition of muntjac stalking on country and forest estates. The most significant direct economic impact that muntjac have on human interests is in collisions with cars. However, this has welfare as well as economic implications.
In contrast to all other species of deer in Britain, muntjac do not have a defined breeding season (rut). Instead, they breed all year round and the does can conceive again within days of giving birth. Bucks may fight for access to does but remain unusually tolerant of subordinate males within their vicinity.
Does are capable of breeding at seven months old. After a gestation period of seven months, they give birth to a single kid and are ready to mate again within a few days.
Bucks can live up to 16 years and does up to 19 years, but these are exceptional.
Muntjac are generally solitary or found in pairs (doe with kid or buck with doe) although pair-bonding does not occur. Bucks defend small exclusive territories against other bucks whereas does' territories overlap with each other and with several bucks.
They are known as ‘barking deer’ from the repeated loud bark given under a number of circumstances. An alarmed muntjac may scream whereas maternal does and kids squeak.
Muntjac are active throughout the 24-hour period but make more use of open spaces during the hours of darkness in populations subject to frequent disturbance. Peak activity is at dawn and dusk. Long periods are spent ‘lying up’, where the deer lies down to ruminate after feeding.
The rusty patina in "Rat Rod" style has been waxed to prevent further corrosion
Up rated engine, suspension, brakes & wheels complete the Hot Rod for performance
To prevent you getting bored of snow shots (and me) I have posted some pics without any snow. But nevertheless all around me there is snow and so I hope you will come with me enjoying still more snow-shots. :-))
El tren (592.070) circula en sentido hacia Sagunto y su próxima parada es la Estación de Estivella.
La vegetación, en especial algunos pinos bastante altos impiden panorámicas de este puente.
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Renfe commuter train (Line C-5) crossing the bridge over the "Ravine of Sarva". ESTIVELLA (Valencia)
The train is moving in direction towards Sagunto and its next stop is at Estivella Station.
The vegetation, especially some rather tall pines prevent from getting panoramic views of this bridge.
Apolo
La mariposa se recuperaba después de una noche tormentosa.
Se trata de una hembra con el “sphragis” bien visible, cuyo tema ya he citado en alguna otra toma publicada.
En algunas especies, como Parnassius apollo y P. mnemosyne entre otras, los machos -tras la cópula- colocan a las hembras una sustancia que se solidifica denominada "sphragis", la cual tapa el acceso genital de la hembra de manera que impide el que se pueda aparear de nuevo con otro macho. Garantía de su estirpe?… En el momento de la puesta esa sustancia cede y permite la oviposición.
Abella - Laspaúles (Pirineo aragonés - España)
Muchas gracias por sus visitas, comentarios y favoritos.
Apollo.
The butterfly was recovering after a stormy night.
It is a female with the “sphragis” clearly visible, the subject of which I have already quoted in some other published shot.
In some species, such as Parnassius apollo and P. mnemosyne among others, the males - after the copulation - attach to the females a solidifying substance called "sphragis", which covers the female genital access in a way that prevents the can mate again with another male. Guarantee of its lineage?… At the time of laying this substance yields and allows oviposition.
Abella - Laspaúles (Aragonese Pyrenees - Spain)
Thank you very much for your visits, comments and faves.
Apollon.
Le papillon se remettait d'une nuit d'orage.
C'est une femelle avec les «sphragis» clairement visibles, dont j'ai déjà cité le sujet dans un autre plan publié.
Chez certaines espèces, comme Parnassius apollo et P. mnemosyne entre autres, les mâles - après la copulation - attachent aux femelles une substance solidifiante appelée "sphragis", qui recouvre l'accès génital féminin d'une manière qui empêche la peut s'accoupler à nouveau avec un autre mâle. Garantie de sa lignée?… Au moment de la ponte, cette substance cède et permet la ponte.
Abella - Laspaúles (Pyrénées aragonaises - Espagne)
Merci beaucoup pour vos visites, commentaires et favoris.
Climbing up Mam Tor on the Great Ridge that separates Castleton and Edale in the Peak District, Derbyshire.
The Great Ridge extends for approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from Mam Tor at the western end of the ridge to Lose Hill at the eastern end, the lowest point being Hollins Cross.
A path runs along the length of the ridge, and is roughly paved to prevent erosion caused by the large number of visitors. The only steep section of the path is Back Tor, just east of Hollins Cross, which may not be suitable for the very infirm.
West of Mam Tor, the high ground continues, slightly changing direction, as Rushup Edge.
Some people can subconsciously prevent you from becoming your best self.
Everything you do in this life- where you go, what you say, what you do and who you do it with is the result of your thoughts.
A big reason people fight is because people identify with their thoughts. When we were growing up, most of us believed that thoughts come from the inside. We thought that they were innately a part of us and that we *are* our thoughts. We started building our whole identities around our own little internal monologues.
And the bigger the idea, the more of your identity it represents. This is why politics and religion are such hotly debated topics, because they're such big ideas. If I say your political idea is a bad idea, and you base your identity on that idea, then effectively what you're hearing is that I'm calling you a bad person. You think that I'm attacking you, not the idea.
Something that might be even more common is that people just straight up attack the individual as a proxy for attacking that person's idea.
Somewhere along the way, a few people started realizing they had it all wrong.
In practice, a much better way to think about it is that the universe has an infinite number of streams of thoughts, so to speak, that our brains can kind of tap into like different radio stations. With this analogy, we no longer have to view ourselves as a series of thoughts but rather as an empty vessel by which thoughts pass through. Now we're like the DJ of a radio station, not the individual song. The self is merely an observer. It was this distinction that sparked one of the most famous philosophical debates of all time, which is, I think therefore I am versus I *do* therefore I am.
Spolier alert, you should pick the latter.
In this analogy, the self is determined by our ability to pick and choose different ideas from different streams of thoughts and combine them to form new ideas. Sort of like picking ingredients to make a sandwich.
This is different from the first paradigm, in which we would just take everything from the same stream and hope that the sandwich turns out good anyways.
Therapists know that this works, that's why when people come in complaining about depression, they're told to use the term "negative intrusive thoughts".
The idea is actually pretty simple. If you don't take ownership of the idea and instead you assign a label to it, then you can categorize it as something that life just happened to send your way but something that you're also allowed to throw away. You don't have to hold on to it because it's not actually a part of you. It's just a shitty song on the radio station.
So how does this all relate to other people holding you back?
To be continued..
Credited to Austin Ambrozi on TikTok
Vista de la localidad ribereña desde la ladera del cerro de San Jorge, completamente horadado de bodegas subterráneas en las que se envejece el mejor vino de la Ribera del Duero.
A la izquierda de la imagen tenemos una zarcera, que es un hueco que va desde la superficie hasta la bodega con el fin de ventilar y regular la temperatura.
Estos respiraderos, suelen estar protegidos por conos de piedra que sobresalen del suelo llegando en la mayoría de los casos a sobrepasar los dos metros de altura. Así se evita también la caída de tierra vegetal y de personas.
View of the village from the slope of the San Jorge hill, completely filled in with underground cellars in which the best wine of the Ribera del Duero is aged.
To the left of the image we have a "zarcera", which is a hole that goes from the surface to the cellar in order to ventilate and regulate the temperature.
These vents are usually protected by stone cones that protrude from the ground, in most cases exceeding two meters in height. This also prevents the fall of topsoil and people.
"The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), also called the varying hare or snowshoe rabbit, is a species of hare found in North America. It has the name "snowshoe" because of the large size of its hind feet. The animal's feet prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks. Its feet also have fur on the soles to protect it from freezing temperatures."
This is a young hare, probably born earlier this year.
view large
I approached this abandoned farm from a small SUV road which gave me different angles last November. A few more pictures from this trip will be displayed in the future.
The property is posted private which prevents me from looking in and had limited angles until the use of this new indirect approach.
In Tum, not far from Łęczyca, there is a powerful collegiate church that is an example of a well-preserved Romanesque style church, the greatest example in Poland. Church Saint Mary was built in the 12th century, but the exact date of the beginning of construction is unknown.
The Romanesque building, built of granite, sandstone and field stone, was not only an obvious religious function, but also a shelter for local population. The church was destroyed many times by war and then rebuilt. After being destroyed during World War II, already in 1947 was start rebuilt. It was decided to rebuild it as a significant example of Romanesque architecture with the restoration of the church's original style, i.e. Romanesque style. The side naves, however, have Gothic elements and the ceiling above the main nave is made of concrete. This solution prevents possible collapse of old walls.
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W Tumie, niedaleko od Łęczycy, znajduje się potężna kolegiata będąca przykładem świetnie zachowanego kościoła w stylu romańskim, najwspanialszy przykład w Polsce. Kościół pw. Najświętszej Marii Panny był zbudowany w XII wieku, ale dokładna data rozpoczęcia budowy świątyni w stylu romańskim nie jest znana.
Romańska budowla, zbudowana z granitu, piaskowca i kamienia polnego, prócz oczywistej funkcji religijnej, była również schronieniem dla okolicznej ludności. Kościół był wielokrotnie niszczony działaniami wojennymi a następnie odbudowywany. Po zniszczeniach w czasie II Wojny Światowej, już w 1947 roku rozpoczęto jego odbudowę. Postanowiono ją odbudować jako znaczący przykład architektury romańskiej z przywróceniem kościołowi pierwotnego stylu, czyli stylu romańskiego. W nawach bocznych zachowano jednak elementy gotyku a strop nad nawą główną wykonany jest z betonu. Rozwiązanie to zapobiega ewentualnemu zawaleniu się starych murów.
Remnants of twin dairy farm silos ( you'd have to look closely to see that there are two silos standing positioned, side by side ).
The silo domes are missing. (caps)
Farm silos are agricultural structures used to store and preserve bulk materials like grain or fermented feed (silage). They protect crops from the elements, prevent spoilage, and maintain nutritional value. The three main types are tower silos (vertical concrete or steel structures), bunker silos (wide concrete trenches), and bag silos (long plastic tubes).
Ref: Wikipedia
Fraser Valley
British Columbia
Canada
I truly appreciate your kind words and would like to thank-you all for your overwhelming support. ❤
~Christie
Elevated Bow River levels and temporary flood‑mitigation measures, include barriers and berms, due to heavy rainfall and snowmelt.
The sandbags being used for Calgary’s temporary riverbank protection are not the small hand‑filled bags you’d see at a hardware store. They are large industrial flood‑control bags, typically:
1 to 1.5 metres long
0.5 to 1 metre high when filled
Filled by heavy equipment, not by hand
Used to build temporary berms or reinforce eroding banks
This butterfly was seen in the Countrywood/Bancroft neighborhood of Walnut Creek, California.
Notice how the rear end looks like a butterfly head. This may be to prevent predators from attacking the real head.
For Macro Mondays theme 'Photographic Equipment'.
Brian is perched on the integral lens hood of my 14mm Samyang lens, staring nervously at the surface of the lens. The lens hood blocks stray light and so prevents glare and lens flare, particularly important for this lens that has a highly curved surface. The lens hood also protects the lens which is very helpful in this case as a filter cannot be used
No snails were harmed in the making of this photograph.
Agonoscelis rutila
Family: Pentatomidae (stink bugs)
Order: Hemiptera
Although an Australian native insect, this bug usually feeds on the sap of introduced Horehound plants, or others in the mint family (Lamiaceae) sometimes causing wilting. Although they prefer Lamiaceae, they are known to aggregate on a variety of other plants. In this case I think it is a different plant family; Billy Goat Weed, Ageratum sp. in the family Asteraceae. They also feed on various seeds including the Horehound.
The species is quite communal and aggregates with others of the species on the target plants. It has the capability to control the spread of the Horehound plant, which is considered to be a weed. However the Bug is the target of parasitoid wasps including the introduced egg parasitoid, Trissolcus basalis. Ironically this wasp was introduced to Australia to control another bug, the Green Vegetable Bug but has turned to preying on the native Horehound bug (and 25 other native bugs as well). So it seems that an introduced wasp is preventing a native bug from controlling an introduced weed!
This was a focus stacked image from 46 individual handheld shots using a 90mm Sony lens and a Sony A7R with flash. The stacking was done using Boltnev and Kacher's "Focus Stacker" app.
References:
Loch AD & Walter GH (1999) Multiple host use by the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) in a soybean agricultural system: biological control and environmental implications. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 1: 271-280.
Woodlands Historical Park
whp.altervista.org/weeds/marrubium-vulgare.php
DSC03631_DSC03687-2
The Strawberry Moon.
Not my planned composition. The thick low clouds prevented that so I had to settle for this. My new 150-450 performed well when I could get it out of the wind. Challenging shooting last night.
A carnivorous animal in the same family as weasels, badgers, mink etc. that lives primarily on a diet of fish but also includes frogs, crayfish, crabs and even a few waterfowl.
A coat of long guard hairs over their insulated underfur keeps them warm and dry so they can stay comfortable throughout the North American winters. They are very successful at hunting prey in our rivers, streams and ponds aided by their webbed feet, long muscular tail and sharp claws coupled with the ability to hold their breath for extended periods. As a preventative measure to becoming waterlogged they do spend a lot of time on land and enter the water only to hunt or travel much unlike the sea otters that spend most of their lives in the ocean. An overland sprint of 10 to 18 miles while searching for prey is not uncommon.
River otters seem to have the ability to live alone or in pairs but are quick to socialize in groups when other members are encountered. After mating and going through a gestation period of 80 - 90 days a female will give birth to 1 - 5 pups in a den called a holt or couch which she excavates under tree roots or a cache of rocks. Prior to the birth the female called a bitch or sow will drive the male (dog or boar) away and the pups or cubs will be tended to by the female and older offspring if still around. The pups will begin emerging from the den at about 1 month of age and mom will entice them into the water for their first swim at about 2 months. After the pups are weaned dad may return and help raise the juveniles until probably 1 year of age. Females attain sexual maturity at 2 years of age and males at 3.
River otters range in size from 10 to 33 lbs and 2.5 to 5 ' in length with females being about 1/3 the size of males. When not hunting prey they spend much time playing and frolicking with each other. This individual is one of a trio that has clawed its way onto the ice to enjoy the spoils caught underwater.
To prevent winter depression, it is wonderful to go outside, breathe in the fresh air and soak up some light, even if the sun is not shining as much as you would like. In the hilly countryside of South Limburg, all of this is available, including peace and space.
The photo was taken on the “Dikkebuiksweg” (Fat Belly Road) from Wijlre to Eyserbos. A narrow road closed for cars, with two nasty
Depuis le premier octobre, la campagne de dépistage du cancer du sein est lancée en France.
Mesdames, une simple mammographie pour éviter bien des soucis... !
You have got what you wanted, or rather what one half wanted and the other half tried to prevent from happening. A self-declared messiah with an unlimited sense of self-importance. He will try to subdue to his nativistic logic what is in fact a multitude of diversity, points of view and interests - in the US and world-wide. Such attempts at denying plurality and exchanging it for one's own monologue usually end in tears. Brace yourself. Sony A7iii.
Spindly white sticks threaded through with string in a makeshift fence, to prevent human traffic through a fragile area in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is one of the most fascinating birds of prey, known for its incredible ability to hunt fish. Its distribution is very wide, as it is found on almost every continent except Antarctica. Physical characteristics It is a large bird, with a wingspan of up to 170 cm. Its plumage is unmistakable: the upperparts are dark brown, while the underparts are predominantly white. The head is white with a characteristic dark brown mask that extends from the beak to behind the eyes. The wings are long, angular, and end in black tips. Diet and hunting method As its name suggests, its diet consists almost exclusively of fish, which it catches with a spectacular hunting technique. It flies low over the water, hovers in the air, and once it locates its prey, it dives with its talons forward. Their feet are specially adapted for this task: An opposable outer toe, which allows them to hold the fish with two toes forward and two back. Long, sharp nails. Pads with spicules on the soles of the toes to prevent the slippery fish from escaping. The Osprey in Spain In Spain, the Osprey has experienced a notable historical decline due to direct persecution and habitat destruction. However, in recent decades, the population has begun to recover. Breeding population: It is mainly found in the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, and Andalusia. There is also a population in the Chafarinas Islands. Wintering population: We can also find a considerable number of specimens that spend the winter on the Iberian Peninsula, especially in wetlands and coastal areas. Conservation status Although globally it is considered a species of "Least Concern", in some areas such as the Balearic Islands, it is listed as "Vulnerable" and is the subject of specific conservation plans. The main threats it faces are loss of coastal habitat, disturbance of nesting areas, and interaction with other species such as gulls.
You don't see this often these days but at one time a lot of shops tinted their windows to try and prevent things fading in the sunlight.
Well its so long ago that even Google thinks I am talking about a common problem with Microsoft windows 10.
Jungle prinia's are a warbler species that are the hulky twin of their city cousins - the plain Prinia. Both the species look very similar except for one thing - the size. The Jungle one is visibly bigger and that is what I use for identification.
We found a few singing openly in the fields on beautiful perches. I thought the nesting season is completed, but maybe I was wrong.
The overall birding activity is still quite low and while the rains have reduced considerably, they are still continuing preventing access to many of the countryside birding hotspots.
Thanks in advance for your views and feedback. Much appreciated.
At the beginning of the seventies, under a young mayor, my home town was modernized and awakened from its slumber. To this end, a new infrastructure was created with new roads and bridges to other parts of the town and, for the good of the community, some property owners had to give up their houses and were compensated elsewhere. One of those affected refused so stubbornly and
on the day of the demolition of his birthplace and childhood home, he jumped in front of the bulldozers to prevent it. It was no use. He was given a similar plot of land in another part of the city and his parents' house was partially rebuilt with original parts next to a stream. I recently passed it and the gable of this house was beautifully reflected in the water. The former owner died of grief a few years after the whole operation and never enjoyed his new home.
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Moon over Árbæjarsafn, Reykjavík, Iceland
The Arbaer Open Air Museum, or in icelandic: Árbæjarsafn, consists of more than 20 old buildings originating mostly from the centre of Reykjavik. Around the middle of the 20th century interest arose to preserve (to icelandic understandings) old buildings. The centre of Reykjavik around the turn of the 19th century was mainly made up of wooden houses being in a rather different state of maintainance. Also turf houses were still a quite normal sight in Reykjavik. Along with the increasing construction of buildings of more durable material the wooden buildings got into danger to disappear slowly out of the centre of the city. Actually the maintainance of wooden buildings is still a problem in Reykjavik where quite a few house owners do not care about the condition of their old wooden house. In the Arbaer Open Air Museum houses will be found that are of historical and artistic relevance. Through the preservation of the old houses memories will be kept alive with the older days and may prevent that the ties with the past get lost. The Arbaer Open Air Museum was opened in 1957 and gives the icelandic population as well as foreigh visitors a good idea of the architecture, way of life and living conditions in earlier days in Reykjavik.
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The story of Prague's Astronomical Clock (Orloj) is a mix of historical marvel and legendary curse.
The creator, Mikuláš of Kadaň (or Master Hanuš), was blinded by jealous city councilors to prevent him from building another masterpiece.
This lead him to sabotage the clock and curse it, causing anyone who tried to repair it to go mad or die.
The clock itself, working since 1410, is a complex medieval device showing time, astronomical positions, and zodiac signs, featuring moving figures of the Apostles and allegorical statues like Death (the Skeleton), Vanity, and Greed, which come alive hourly.
It was fun to see and hear.
L'Infinito di Giacomo Leopardi :
Sempre caro mi fu quest’ermo colle,
e questa siepe, che da tanta parte
dell’ultimo orizzonte il guardo esclude.
Ma sedendo e mirando, interminati
spazi di là da quella, e sovrumani
silenzi, e profondissima quïete
io nel pensier mi fingo; ove per poco
il cor non si spaura. E come il vento
odo stormir tra queste piante, io quello
infinito silenzio a questa voce
vo comparando: e mi sovvien l’eterno
e le morti stagioni, e la presente
e viva, e il suon di lei. Così tra questa
immensità s’annega il pensier mio:
e naufragar m’è dolce in questo mare.
THE INFINITE
The Infinite by Giacomo Leopardi:
I've always loved this hill,
And this hedge, which has so much
last horizon prevents me.
But as I sit and gaze, boundless
spaces beyond that, and superhuman
silences, and deepest quiet
in I thought I pretend, if just for
the heart is overwhelmed. And like the wind
I hear rustling through the trees I that
infinite silence to this entry
comparing vo: and I am reminded of the eternal
and the dead seasons, and the present
and alive, and the sound of it. So in this
immensity my thought is drowned:
and sweet to shipwreck in this sea.