Just hanging out at the beach provides some great opportunities.

Thank you for taking the time to visit and as always, your views, comments, faves, and support are greatly appreciated!! :)

If you have any questions about this photo or about photography in general, I will do my best to help, just post a comment or send me a Flickr mail and I will respond as quickly as possible.

Fog and the sun rising can provide a nice opportunity to capture a scene. This picture of the tug boat slowly moving through the fog was taken a number of years ago in the Greek Isles. I just rediscovered the image in my archives and re-edited it.

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This species provides an example of sex role reversal with the females being more brightly coloured than the males. Females will also choose a male and then defend him against other females and when the chicks have arrived, the female scarpers and the male raises them on his own.

Thank you for taking a look at my images

Tumbling boulders provide a rock boundary for the waters of Burbage Brook; an incredibly scenic feature of Sheffield’s Padley Gorge and the Longsaw Estate; Hathersage, Peak District.

NB: It would be a crime as a photographer to visit this place without a camera of any description.

Created using: Topaz Labs, and Topaz Studio

Tunnel View provides one of the most famous views of Yosemite Valley. From here you can see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall rising from Yosemite Valley, with Half Dome in the background. This viewpoint is at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel along the Wawona Road (Highway 41).

– Hat, blazer, skirt:

:Dernier: "Fascinator" Hat - FATPACK. It is coordinated with the blazer and skirt. It provides a HUD of 20 colors and 5 gloss levels. Copy, Mod., Resizable

:Dernier: "Kris" Blazer - FATPACK. Fitted for Maitreya, Legacy, eBody Reborn and Kupra Original. The HUD comes in 12 colors + 3 exclusive pattern in the Fatpack. You can also choose from 5 degrees of gloss.

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Long Exposure of the Caerfanell river winding its way through the Talybont Forest in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Mid Wales, United Kingdom!

Due to the heavy rains that we recently experienced there was a swell in the river offering silky smooth white waters created from the long exposure being forced over the rocks and boulders!

The setting sun provides a gilded glow to the Castlemartin cliff tops above "The Green Bridge of Wales".

The shadows you see in the foreground are from the wooden viewing platform, which is set back from the cliff edge (for those who are afeared of heights!).

Tunnel View provides one of the most famous views of Yosemite Valley. From here you can see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall rising from Yosemite Valley, with Half Dome in the background. This viewpoint is at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel along the Wawona Road (Highway 41).

– the better to provide an alibi for all the despair we are going to feel anyway.

Albert Camus

Topaz Studio

Texture with thanks to Alan- sunsetsailor

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Use without permission is illegal.

Please, don't fave and run, you will get yourself blocked.

clustered bellflower - Campanula glomerata

Challenge 117 - NATURE'S GIFTS (2020 Art) - 5th place winner!

www.flickr.com/groups/1336746@N23/discuss/721577148493689...

Little Egret - Egretta garzetta

The little egret (Egretta garzetta) is a species of small heron in the family Ardeidae. The genus name comes from the Provençal French Aigrette, egret a diminutive of Aigron, heron. The species epithet garzetta is from the Italian name for this bird, garzetta or sgarzetta.

It is a white bird with a slender black beak, long black legs and, in the western race, yellow feet. As an aquatic bird, it feeds in shallow water and on land, consuming a variety of small creatures. It breeds colonially, often with other species of water birds, making a platform nest of sticks in a tree, bush or reed bed. A clutch of bluish-green eggs is laid and incubated by both parents. The young fledge at about six weeks of age.

Its breeding distribution is in wetlands in warm temperate to tropical parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. A successful colonist, its range has gradually expanded north, with stable and self-sustaining populations now present in the United Kingdom.

It first appeared in the UK in significant numbers in 1989 and first bred in Dorset in 1996

In warmer locations, most birds are permanent residents; northern populations, including many European birds, migrate to Africa and southern Asia to over-winter there. The birds may also wander north in late summer after the breeding season, and their tendency to disperse may have assisted in the recent expansion of the bird's range. At one time common in Western Europe, it was hunted extensively in the 19th century to provide plumes for the decoration of hats and became locally extinct in northwestern Europe and scarce in the south. Around 1950, conservation laws were introduced in southern Europe to protect the species and their numbers began to increase. By the beginning of the 21st century the bird was breeding again in France, the Netherlands, Ireland and Britain. It has also begun to colonise the New World; it was first seen in Barbados in 1954 and first bred there in 1994. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the bird's global conservation status as being of least concern..

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The Riffelsee lake trail provides scenic views of the highest mountains in the Alps, a lake surrounded by majestic mountains, unspoiled Alpine nature.

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Panorama of the Pennine Alps and Riffelsee lake, Valais, Switzerland. View from a height of 2815 m.

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See my new photos in the My Travels album:

Moerbrugge, Oostkamp, Belgium.

One of the oldest canals in Flanders (13th century), connecting Bruges with Ghent, it provides Bruges with water for its famous canals - without it, no Venice of the North! Both banks between Oostkamp and Beernem, are now a nature area, curated by Natuurpunt.

© 2021 Marc Haegeman. All Rights Reserved

Smuggler Cove and the shape it provides, inspires many images. It was evident early on that the clouds were going to deliver, so I made sure to get out to catch them. This time, the better shot was going to come from the cliff in the area rather than from the waters edge.

I made sure to visualize the photo prior and set up my tripod at the right spot. The clouds certainly delivered and their reflections were also terrific. Albeit unexpected, the absolute stillness of the ocean added to the final image.

www.photographycoach.ca/

Cryptic colouring provides the Grayling with excellent camouflage, making it difficult to see when at rest on bare ground, tree trunks, or stones. The wings are kept closed when not in flight and the forewings are usually tucked behind the hind wings, concealing the eyespots and making the butterfly appear smaller. In flight this is a distinctive, large butterfly with a looping and gliding flight, during which the paler bands on the upperwings are visible.

Taken at The Bog, Stiperstones,

Shrewsbury

Mesa Arch provides the frame for a stunning Utah landscape. Along the mesa to the east is another arch, named Washing Woman Arch. Below the mesa is the prominent white rim of spectacular canyons carved by the Colorado River and a breathtaking view of the Island in the Sky. Rounding out the view, the snow-capped peaks of the La Sal Mountains meet the sky at the horizon.

The Arch is right on the edge of a 500-foot cliff, part of a 1,200-foot drop into Buck Canyon.

This image was taken at sunrise.

Thank you for your comments,

Gemma

Copyright ©Maria Gemma June, 2015

Leo Rojas - El Condor Pasa

youtu.be/qyXfJyCsLvM

To provide a transparent coffin so as to be visible even if a posture of loved one is put in the coffin.

The Arcade　

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{anc} forget. wing leaf B [clear]1L

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{anc} cirque de reverie .2/ blanc / tent 41Li [W22/D18/H8] RARE

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The decisive battle starts on June 1!

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model：bisou

location:Home

The boreal woods provides secure cover, shelter and food for a host of creatures during the winter months such as this North American Moose (Alces alces) observed north of Opal, Alberta, Canada.

2 January, 2017.

Slide # GWB_20170102_8515.CR2

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The eastern meadowlark provides a bright splash of color on Florida's open grassy fields and prairies. Scan fence posts, low bushes or power lines for the adult bird with its yellow throat, breast and belly, and black "V" across the chest. Or listen for the sweet, melodious song: a plaintive, clear, descending whistle.

The eastern meadowlark breeds throughout eastern and central North America and in Mexico and parts of Central America and the Caribbean. This year-round Florida resident is not a lark, as its name suggests, but is in the same family as blackbirds and orioles. In size and shape, a perched meadowlark resembles a starling, but it is quail-like in its explosive take-off from the ground. Insects make up the bulk of the meadowlark's diet, but grass and weed seeds are also consumed.

In Florida, breeding takes place from late March through July. During courtship, the male jumps straight up into the air to display its bright yellow and black markings. Males often have two mates at a time. Females build nests on the ground, weaving fine grasses into surrounding vegetation and often incorporating a domed canopy of grass into the construction. Many nests are destroyed each year when cultivated fields are mowed.

Eastern meadowlarks are common on the prairies and pastures of the Florida peninsula, and are found throughout the state in suitable open habitat, including croplands and golf courses. In general, however, scientists have noted gradual population declines throughout the eastern meadowlark's range, probably due to habitat loss.

Found this one along Joe Overstreet Road in Osceola County Florida.

Walborn Reservoir, off Reeder Road.

Walborn Reservoir encompasses more than 1,852 total acres (1,235 in Stark County) and provides the perfect escape for equestrians, hikers, canoeists, and kayakers. Quiet trails travel through pine woods, brushlands, and oak and hickory forests. The reservoir was named for Dale Walborn, the mayor of Alliance from 1963-71, who initiated its construction.

ENG: The Hörner gondola lift provides access from the Bolsterlang valley to the Weiherkopf peak at an altitude of 1665 meters and the Bolsterlanger Horn peak at an altitude of 1588 meters.

At an altitude of 1540 meters, the cable car ends between the two peaks and from here the very steep path then leads towards Weiherkopf. In the sloping terrain is then the launch site for the paragliders with a fantastic view - in good weather - over the Allgäu Alps in Germany to Tyrol in Austria.

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GER: Die Gondelbahn „Hörnerbahn“ erschließt vom Bolsterlang Tal aus den Weiherkopf Gipfel in 1665 Meter Höhe sowie den Bolsterlanger Horn Gipfel in 1588 Meter Höhe.

In 1540 Meter Höhe endet die Seilbahn zwischen den beiden Gipfeln und von hier aus geht dann der sehr steile Weg Richtung Weiherkopf. Im Hanggelände ist dann der Startplatz für die Gleitschirme mit einem fantastischen Blick - bei guter Wetter - über die Allgäuer Alpen in Deutschland bis hin nach Tirol in Österreich.

Contrails (short for condensation trails) or vapor trails are line-shaped clouds produced by aircraft engine exhaust or changes in air pressure, typically at aircraft cruising altitudes several miles above the Earth's surface. Contrails are composed primarily of water, in the form of ice crystals. The combination of water vapor in aircraft engine exhaust and the low ambient temperatures that exist at high altitudes allows the formation of the trails. Impurities in the engine exhaust from the fuel, including sulfur compounds (0.05% by weight in jet fuel) provide some of the particles that can serve as sites for water droplet growth in the exhaust and, if water droplets form, they might freeze to form ice particles that compose a contrail. Their formation can also be triggered by changes in air pressure in wingtip vortices or in the air over the entire wing surface. Contrails, and other clouds directly resulting from human activity, are collectively named homogenitus.

Depending on the temperature and humidity at the altitude the contrails form, they may be visible for only a few seconds or minutes, or may persist for hours and spread to be several miles wide, eventually resembling natural cirrus or altocumulus clouds. Persistent contrails are of particular interest to scientists because they increase the cloudiness of the atmosphere. The resulting cloud forms are formally described as homomutatus, and may resemble cirrus, cirrocumulus, or cirrostratus, and are sometimes called cirrus aviaticus. Some persistent spreading contrails contribute to climate change. R_825

An OBB container train from Koper passes Čronotiče, an unidentified class 1216 provides additional power on the rear, 11 Sept 2021

"A vernal marsh is a temporary pool of water that provides habitat for distinctive plants and animals. With no built-in water source, but located at the lowest point of the area, a vernal marsh is created by water collection from the runoff of the surrounding upland slopes. Vernal means spring, and typically the marsh is fed by winter and spring storms.

The depression which contains the Madrona Marsh is apparently a swale in the ancient dune sand caused by aeolian processes. The marsh is fed by drainage waters and by rainfall. It has no outlet. Before the development of the City of Torrance, water for the marsh was supplied through natural channels; now, there are several storm drains that flow into the marsh from the west side. Runoff from irrigation in the neighboring housing tracts flows into the marsh through these drains. During a rainstorm, there is heavy runoff into the marsh by these routes. Additionally, on the southeast corner of the Preserve, there is a sump that collects rainwater and runoff. Water from the sump is filtered and pumped up to the marsh in the wet season only. After the rainy season passes, evaporation, percolation, and transpiration reduce the water depth by about a quarter inch per day. In most years, by the end of August or early September, the Preserve is dry and remains dry until the next rainy season. The soils of the Preserve consist of fine sand silt and clay."

friendsofmadronamarsh.com

"Madrona Marsh is a 10-acre vernal preserve located in Torrance, California. ... The Madrona Marsh preserve is a remnant of the once extensive natural systems that existed along the coastal plain and terraces of Southern California. The marsh is situated on a piece of land that was set aside for oil production in 1924."

ushistory.com

Beecraigs Park is 370 hectares of exciting and beautiful Country Park. You’ll find it nestled high in the Bathgate Hills near the historic town of Linlithgow. Beecraigs is the largest of West Lothian's 3 Country Parks and offers miles of woodland paths and trails to explore by foot, bike or horse as well as a wide range of leisure and recreational opportunities. The Ranger Service provides advice and activities, you can visit the Animal Attraction and see the Red Deer, Highland and Belted Galloway Cattle and Hebridean/North Ronaldsay Sheep or take a stroll around Beecraigs Loch. www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/beecraigs-country-park-...

Tokaanu Thermal Walk (20 minutes)

This short walk provides an interesting glimpse of a natural thermal area. See steaming hot mineral pools set in sinter basins and spluttering mud pools amidst the native bush.

For hundreds of years, Maori have used the geothermal resources of this area for cooking, bathing and leisure. Share in this tradition by having a therapeutic and relaxing swim at the nearby Tokaanu Thermal Pools.

Rainbow trout can often be seen here in the cold Tokaanu stream that flows beside the thermal area

Hot pools range in hues of turquoise blue and rich green to burnt orange and sulphuric yellow, making the steaming waters a must-see!

The vibrant colors are caused by miniral and sillicate interference .....

Yellow - Caused by Sulphur

Orange - Is due to antimony

Green - Sulphuran ferrous Salts

My appreciation and thanks to all of you for your comments awards and faves !!!!

These boats provide a ferry service across the Looe River to East Looe when there is sufficient water. It saves a walk down to the bridge and back again on the other side. West Looe and East Looe were once separate towns, but became united at the end of the 19th century. East Looe is by far the largest of the two and was once an important port for the export of tin and copper ore from the mines on Bodmin Moor, as well as farm and other produce. Some of the former warehouses can be seen on the other side of the river. The arrival of the railway and the end of the mining industry led to Looe's decline as a port and it became a popular seaside resort.

Excalibur Gondola [on the left] provides access to Blackcomb Mountain & Fitzsimmons Express [on the right] serves Whistler Mountain.

The two lifts began spinning for guests on Thursday, November 24 for the 2022-2023 winter season and with one of the longest ski and ride seasons anywhere, the resort anticipates remaining open through May 22, conditions permitting.

The ski areas at Whistler and Blackcomb are situated on two ridge-lines running roughly northwest to southeast [...].

Whistler Mountain is the basis of the southern of the two ridges, on the right when looking at the Whistler-Blackcomb ski area from Whistler Village.. It has a summit elevation of 2,184 meters (7,165 feet). The total vertical drop is 1,530 meters (5,020 feet) and 4,757 acres (1,925 ha) skiable inbound terrain.

Blackcomb Mountain is the northern ridge, on the left when viewed from the village. It has a lift-serviced elevation of 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) at the top of the 7th Heaven chair –

Together, Whistler and Blackcomb form the largest ski area in North America at 8,171 acres (33 km2). Either mountain alone would be in the top-five in terms of size. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistler_Blackcomb

Tunnel View provides one of the most famous views of Yosemite Valley. From here you can see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall rising from Yosemite Valley, with Half Dome in the background. This viewpoint is at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel along the Wawona Road (Highway 41).

Brambles and scrub provide good habitat for Dunnock which usually feed on the ground. The Dunnock was once misleadingly known as the Hedge Sparrow. For a long time it was thought to be related to the Wren. New research places them within a large group consisting of sparrows, finches and pippits.

The nave (west) of Paisley Abbey provides an example of original Medieval architecture dating from the 12th century. The earliest surviving architecture is the south-east doorway in the nave from the cloister, which has a round arched doorway typical of Romanesque or Norman architecture which was the prevalent architectural style before the adoption of Gothic. The choir (east end) and tower date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and are examples of Gothic Revival architecture. They were reconstructed in three main phases of restorations with the tower and choir conforming to the designs of Dr Peter MacGregor Chalmers. The roof in the nave is the most recent of restorations with the plaster ceiling by Dr Rev. Boog which was added in the 1790s being replaced by a timber roof in 1981.

provides wildlife with shelter and food and a corridor for travel...harbors wildlife that helps farmers with insect control...a variety of plants grow here that lure and support pollinators

The Torres Del Paine provide a superb backdrop to the Cascada Paine as it flows downstream with a thunderous roar.

These three Granite Needles of the "Towers of Paine" give this National Park its name and provide the ultimate challenge for the Regions Climbers. I will post a wider view of this waterfall at some point sowing its impressive scale.

The wildlife in the Park was pretty abundant too, we saw Condors, Guanacos, and lots of interesting birds and not long after this we had a close encounter with a large Puma.

The mouth of the harbour provides access to the Solent. It is best known as the home of the Royal Navy, HMNB Portsmouth. Because of its strategic location on the south coast of England, protected by the natural defence of the Isle of Wight, it has since the Middle Ages been the home to England's (and later Britain's) navy. The narrow entrance, and the forts surrounding it gave it a considerable advantage of being virtually impregnable to attack from the sea. Before the fortifications were built the French burned Portsmouth in 1338. During the civil war parliamentary forces were able to carry out a successful cutting-out expedition within the harbour and capture the six-gunned Henrietta Marie.

Ali provides the centre point for this wonderfully stereotypical "spooky hospital" shot.

I think everyone who goes here has to get atleast one of these.

quote by Mahatma Gandhi

22nd of April : Earth Day

Cumulus clouds provide the backdrop as this southbound loaded BNSF coal train for the Comanche Power Station in Pueblo powered by a pair of EMD SD70ACes snakes down the 1.02-percent grade south of Peetz, Colorado, on April 24, 2023.

C BAMMIC0 29A

South of Peetz, Colorado

The Northwalk opened on February 15th - it provides pedestrian and bike access to the north side of the George Washington Bridge. Part of a $2 Billion project that also replaced the cables on this side of the bridge. The south side pathway is now closed as repair work starts on that side and should be completed in 2027. When the southwalk opens it will be for pedestrians and the northwalk will be for bicycles only.

And apparently the no photos on the bridge policy has been lifted, I remember for years after 9/11 the Port Authority did not allow photography on the bridge. I made up for lost time and took over 100 photos yesterday on my first walk on the new path.

The Northwalk is beautiful and includes a large viewing platform. Before the upgrade there were 171 steps to climb up to the bridge now it's a gentle 5% grade that curves around.

The project to redevelop Cardiff Bay includes stretches along the two rivers that feed into the Bay - the Taff, and the one in this image, the Ely.

Modern apartment blocks overlook the largest of the marinas in the Bay - marinas that between them provide berths for over 1000 pleasure craft.

Ferromex's Automotriz Mexico-Piedras Negras surprisingly is doing track speed as it climbs the Distrito Viborillas grade.

A pair of nice looking Zebra painted AC4400CW's provide power for the Autorack train fully loaded with brand new Ford and Audi SUV's heading for the US market.

...provides its own gift....

Found this fallen beauty on a tiled walkway this morning.

Editing : Heal - in Snapseed to remove tile joints in the backround. Soft Focus and Vignette in Picasa

#ShotOniPhone, #iPhoneX

A fine bar and beautiful women provide a feast for the lips, you catch my drift? Captain!

Dogwood provides an attractive understorey carpet in the woodlands of northern North America and parts of Asia. The white 'petals' are in fact bracts. Holarctic distribution. From a slide.

220801 001DN

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The Victoria & Albert Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa, provides an enclosed area that is only accessible by water so that seals in the harbour have a safe place to catch some sleep. This female fur seal was the only one awake even though she found a nice sunny spot. At this time there were at least 20 seals sleeping in the pen.

From Wikipedia

The brown fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus), also known as the Cape fur seal, South African fur seal and Australian fur seal, is a species of fur seal. The brown fur seal is the largest and most robust member of the fur seals. It has a large and broad head with a pointed snout that may be flat or turned up slightly.[3] They have external ear flaps (pinnae) and their whiskers (vibrissae) are long, and may extend backward past the pinnae, especially in adult males. The fore flippers are covered with sparse hair over about three-quarters of their length. The hind flippers are short relative to the large body, with short, fleshy tips on the digits.[3] The size and weight of the brown fur seal depends on the subspecies. The Southern African subspecies is on average slightly larger than the Australian subspecies. Males of the African subspecies (A. p. pusillus) are 2.3 m (7.5 ft) in length on average and weigh 200–300 kg (440–660 lb).[4] Females are smaller, averaging 1.8 m (5.9 ft) in length and typically weighing 120 kg (260 lb).[5] Males of the Australian subspecies (A. p. doriferus) are 2.0–2.2 m (6.6–7.2 ft) in length and weigh 190–280 kg (420–620 lb).[6] Females are 1.2–1.8 m (3.9–5.9 ft) length and weigh 36–110 kilograms (79–243 lb).[5] Adult male brown fur seals are dark gray to brown, with a darker mane of short, coarse hairs and a light belly, while adult females are light brown to gray, with a light throat and darker back and belly. The fore flippers of the fur seal are dark brown to black.[3] Pups are born black and molt to gray with a pale throat within 3–5 months.[3] The skull of the African subspecies has a larger crest between the mastoid process and the jugular process of the exoccipital.

This mesmerizing aerial photograph of Cesky Krumlov provides a unique perspective, captured from the town's highest bridge, locally known as the "Bridge of Death." Set against the majestic Vltava River, this town boasts a remarkable history that spans over seven centuries. What sets Cesky Krumlov apart is its remarkably well-preserved medieval architecture, a stunning cityscape that unfurls like a fairy tale.Crowning the town's skyline is the iconic Cesky Krumlov Castle, a testament to a bygone era, with its origins dating back to the 13th century. Below, the labyrinthine streets are flanked by centuries-old buildings, adorned with intricate Gothic and Renaissance facades, showcasing the town's rich artistic and architectural heritage.The Vltava River, once a vital trade route connecting Northern and Southern Europe, played a pivotal role in the town's history. It facilitated activities such as fishing, milling, and river trade, contributing to the town's growth and development.Cesky Krumlov, with a population of around 14,000, maintains its intimate, small-town charm while welcoming visitors from across the globe. Its historic core, including the castle and a network of narrow medieval streets, received UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 1992, preserving the town's unique character.As you gaze upon this panoramic view, consider that Cesky Krumlov's rich heritage endures, offering a captivating glimpse into a bygone era, and earning its place as one of the world's most special and authentic towns.

in Explore 2022-08-16 (#123)

Sally Lightfoot crabs are rumoured to have been named after a Caribbean dancer, due to their agility in jumping from rock to rock, their ability to run in four directions and their capacity to climb up vertical slopes. This extreme agility makes them very difficult to catch.

They are brightly-coloured coastal scavengers, found in the Galapagos Islands and across the western coast of South and Central America. They have an extremely generalist diet, feeding on anything from sea lion placenta to other crabs. This makes them an important part of the ecosystem, as they provide services such as keeping the shore clean of any organic debris and eating ticks off marine iguanas. . Adult crabs show characteristic intense blue and red colouring on their shells, with a white or pale blue underbelly. Younger crabs have darker colouration with red spots, providing a higher degree of camouflage. Every time the crabs moult their shell, the spots become gradually larger, until they obtain the adult colouring.

Female Sally Lightfoot crabs carry their eggs around with them on their stomachs until they hatch into the water. The larvae then swim out to deeper waters, where they consume phytoplankton and undergo a rapid series of moults. Eventually they undergo metamorphosis to become juvenile crabs and swim to shore, where they start to scavenge, becoming bigger and more colourful with each moult. These juveniles tend to travel in large groups until they reach maturity, after which they become largely solitary when not mating. When they are not mating or feeding, the crabs spend their time hiding in cracks in rocks. If they are disturbed, they may spray water or shed one of their legs as a defence mechanism.

Their scientific name is Grapsus grapsus.