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As I was chasing after a bunch of small birds flitting around in a nearby bush with my camera, I realized I was being observed.
This handsome Cooper Hawk was keeping a close eye on me (although I think he was probably more interested in the little birds I was photographing ).
I walked under the willow tree to get a few pictures of him, and he gave me this rather haughty look before off.
After a rather good morning in Atlanta with K444 & P52, I headed north for Etowah, TN to grab W024, a loaded welded rail train with a SD50-3 leading a SD40-2. After waiting over 3 days to leave Etowah, it finally got a crew late in the afternoon & started to head south for Atlanta. Here, we see it on the north side of Chatsworth with the last pocket of sunshine for the day lighting it up. You know you're having a good day when an SD50 leader in 2021 is not at the top of your priority list, even if there were only 4 of them active on CSX at the time that this was shot.
Ci sono alcuni luoghi del pianeta in cui la solitudine è un elemento essenziale per coglierne la bellezza. Il silenzio, il vento, il buio squarciato solo dalle stelle... e dal display di una macchina fotografica di un altro sconosciuto fotografo, ben appostato, che continuava ad accendere la sua pila... :O meglio soli che...
Weekend impegnatissimo, sarò più off che on. Saluti stellari :D
PS: Foto di archivio, campi di stelle, Joshua tree National Park, California, aprile 2016
It was rather difficult to find any information about the person who gave their name to Camellia japonica 'Lavinia Maggi' (or just 'Contessa Lavinia Maggi'). It appears that a certain Onofrio Maggi cultivated this camellia some time in the middle of the 19th century. We know this, because the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) awarded it a First Class Certificate (FCC) in 1862. I believe, after some searching, that this was Onofrio Maggi di Gradella (1809 - 1880). This Onofrio had a daughter Lavinia (1862 - 1935), of whom all I know that she was married to two men of the local nobility, Carlo Guaineri and Francesco Dionisi Piomarta, and had one son with her second husband, the marchese Ottavio Dionisi Piomarta. None of these seem to have had any greater historical significance.
Nubian Village isn't a singular village, but rather refers to the Nubian communities residing on Elephantine Island, located on the Nile River near Aswan, Egypt. These communities, primarily Siou and Koti, offer a vibrant glimpse into Nubian culture, known for its:
Colorful houses: The most striking feature is the brightly painted houses with geometric patterns, reflecting the Nubian spirit and adding a cheerful touch to the landscape.
Warm hospitality: Nubians are renowned for their welcoming nature and often invite visitors to their homes for a cup of Karkade, a traditional hibiscus flower tea.
Rich history: The Nubians have a long and fascinating history, evident in their unique language, customs, and traditions. They were skilled builders, farmers, and warriors, and their influence can be seen throughout the region.
While the island has seen some development in recent times, it retains a peaceful and rural atmosphere, offering a welcome contrast to the bustling city of Aswan across the river.
Here are some additional points to consider:
Accessibility: Exploring the villages can be challenging for those with mobility limitations due to uneven terrain and narrow pathways.
Dress code: As Elephantine Island is more conservative than Aswan, dressing modestly is recommended, especially when visiting local homes or religious sites.
Best time to visit: The later afternoon offers pleasant temperatures and the opportunity to witness the captivating sunset over the Nile from one of the island's cafes or tea shops.
Visiting the Nubian villages is a worthwhile experience for those seeking a cultural immersion and a glimpse into the unique way of life of the Nubian people.
***
"Africa is the cradle of humanity and knowledge."
Unknown: History of Africa
After admiring the bare brick walls inside a Costa cafe I thought to touch one. It was a rather good fake wallpaper! The four filament table lamp was also fake - LED. Enjoyed the sausage burger though.
A rather cloudy early afternoon sky casts a bluish tint over the rails, as if it were blue hour - something I didn't want to change in post. Open vistas almost always and everywhere. Here view in direction to Knin/Bosnia. Dalmatia and especially its hinterland are a wonder in which something went awry 82 years ago. Or actually much before that, as history of this area attests.
The cameraphone capture edited in Snapseed app.
~SHORTCUTS~ ...→Press [F11] and [L] key to engage Full Screen (Light box) mode with black background ↔ Press the same key or [Esc] to return... →Press [F] to "Like" (Fave)... →Press [C] to comment.
As the sun beams down on a bright and enchanting spring afternoon, the outdoors eagerly peek into the cozy confines of the lounge. Here, amidst a scene of hopeful anticipation, rather large "bumblebees" engage in playful antics, flitting joyfully among the soft sofas and beds. The air is alive with the inviting aroma of citrus, mimosas, and incense, weaving a tapestry of sensory delight.
Within this whimsical haven, numerous comfortable areas await discovery, including an array of exciting books ready to whisk you away on imaginative adventures. Even the daisies, watching from behind the curtains, seem to partake in the day's festivities. It's a perfect opportunity to relax with a refreshing drink in hand, lose yourself in the pages of a captivating book, and savor the essence of spring from the serenity of this spring lounge.
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Credits
∘ Swank Event
ZMIYA @ SWANK EVENT :: The Loft
Useless Addition @ SWANK EVENT: Daisy Lawn Decor
Sparrows Nest @ SWANK EVENT - LEMON TREE
Sparrows Nest @ SWANK EVENT - ORANGE TREE AND RUG
Sparrows Nest @ SWANK EVENT - SPRING CHEST
Sparrows Nest @ SWANK EVENT - SPRING DRAWERS
∘ [Rezz Room]
[Rezz Room] French Bulldog Bee Bicolor Animesh (Companion)
[Rezz Room] French Bulldog Bee Unicolor Animesh (Companion)
∘ Bricolage
Bricolage Spring Pillow Set One - Dovetail
Bricolage Spring Pillow Set One - Leopard Yellow Floral
Bricolage Pillow Spring Set Two - Daffodils
Bricolage Pillow Spring Set Two - Dianthus
Bricolage Spring Pillow Set Three - Yellow Bird
∘ Elm.
Elm. Daisy Decor//Hanging Lamp [White]
Elm. Daisy Decor//Rug [White]
Elm. Daisy Decor//Rug [Yellow]
Elm. Juliet Reading Nook
∘ Fancy Fall
Fancy Fall Fancy Champs Mimosa Board @ Kustom9
Fancy Fall Fancy Champs Mimosa @ Kustom9
∘ FINCA
5. FINCA. Airplane red @ The Arcade
12.FINCA. Hot air Balloon white @ The Arcade
FINCA- Barn door - mahogany / double
FINCA - cat food/water tray
∘ junk.
junk. t. pipe light.
∘ Pitaya
AB+Pitaya. Coastal Set . Curtains. 02
Pitaya -Here comes the spring - Clay vase long
Pitaya -Here comes the spring - Clay vase short
Pitaya - Classic Rugs - Clean grey
∘ Dead Unicorn
Dead Unicorn - Phone Clutter White
Dead Unicorn - Bead Curtain L Wooden
∘ Fundati
(Fundati) Vibrant Grass
(Fundati) dahlia tall purple
(Fundati) dahlia tall red
(Fundati) Gerbera Daisy
(Fundati) Mossy Rock 4
Fundati .-. 1 Pine Tree
Fundati .-. 2 Pine Tree
Fundati .-. 3 Pine Tree
∘ KraftWork
KraftWork Taylor Modular Sofa . Middle ADULT
KraftWork Taylor Modular Sofa . Corner ADULT
KraftWork Taylor Modular Sofa . Add-On Blanket
KraftWork Taylor Modular Sofa . Add-On Pillow
KraftWork Taylor Modular Sofa . Ottoman NO ANIMS
∘ Vespertine
{vespertine} - fresh daffodils / yellow.
{vespertine} - incense clutter / bunny
∘ Misc
FOXCITY. Decor - Sunset Lamp (Prism EDT & Shadows EDT)
:FNY: Designs:Butterfly Cluster - Spring - Animesh V1.3
Granola. Knitted Shroomy Stool PG ~ Brown Shrooms.
MishMish - Pengu got an incense 1
WRONG - LEATHER - BR - WURBERRY - ADULT
After a rather good morning in Atlanta with K444 & P52, I headed north for Etowah, TN to grab W024, a loaded welded rail train with a SD50-3 leading a SD40-2. After waiting over 3 days to leave Etowah, it finally got a crew late in the afternoon & started to head south for Atlanta. Here, we see it passing through Old Fort, TN as the sun breaks through the clouds. You know you're having a good day when an SD50 leader in 2021 is not at the top of your priority list, even if there were only 4 of them active on CSX at the time that this was shot.
It was snowing today and I decided to take pictures from inside. After all, that's what windows are for.
Rather like poppy petals, those on Cistus are very fragile and vulnerable to wind and rain. Just now we're in a warm and sunny spell, so my three Cistus bushes are covered in blooms.
Last Friday my classmate Jean-Pierre Jobogo Mirindi submitted the final draft of his thesis, had a little celebration on Saturday night and returned to the Congo on Sunday where he is a ranger in the extremely dangerous Virunga National Park, where gorillas and rangers are frequently murdered (200 rangers since 1994!).
It was a small send off, only Professor Tom Hayden, head of the department of zoology in UCD, his friend (she took the pic) and me. Tom's book, Exploring Irish Mammals, is the definitive work on the subject, and if you'd like to hear about one of the more extraordinary cases he has dealt with follow this link www.rte.ie/news/2006/1018/drivetime.html
scroll down the page and click on "Co. Down Pensioner attacked by stoat"!
A rather charming 1972 Citroën H or HY van which operates as the 'Burger Belles' gourmet burger van around the town of Salcombe in Devon (UK).
www.flickr.com/photos/stuart166axe/tags/citroen/
Photograph courtesy, copyright and taken by my regular photostream contributor David and is posted here with very kind permission.
It was a rather cold, dark and cloudy day at Lower Klamath NWR, but we were very glad to see these Greater White-Fronted Geese before they head to the high arctic to breed. They make a lovely, soothing sound, and it was a delight to just sit and listen to them in addition to photographing them. At the California/ Oregon border.
A rather friendly Pheasant, taken in the gardens at Wentworth Woodhouse in November. The pheasants in the garden seemed a lot less timid than usual, so I was able to get close enough to capture this without changing to my longer lens.
I found this eye-catching fellow just as it emerged from molting. Then spent an hour or so watching it and taking photos. ;-)
This rather impressive creature had found the perfect spot - in the warm, humid interior of my brother's greenhouse.
After comments about the sharpness on the original image www.flickr.com/photos/66104887@N06/9327904634/in/photostr..., I though it might be worth a bit of cropping!
Uncommon, rather large woodcreeper of humid tropical forest; infrequently seen away from ant swarms. Found singly or in twos and threes, often with Tawny-winged and Ruddy Woodcreepers at army ant swarms. Perches upright on trunks at all levels; often rather sluggish. Often looks dark and plain overall, with dark mask and pale base to stout bill. Dark barring on head and body visible with good views. Loud whistled song given mainly around dawn, a whistled “too’ih tooh’ih.”
Tico Rainforest B&B, Horquetas de Sarapiqui, Costa Rica.
The best of fotovilag.hu
Thank you for visiting. The images in this photostream are the work of a collective rather than a single person. We are unable to respond to each comment or request but we are thankful for viewing our photostream.
This is a rather simple vintage kitchen tool. As far as we know it was used as some kind of hand mixer / whisk / frother (you rolled the stick between your hands to move/rotate the 4 cm wide 'star'). It belonged to my husband's gran, but he can't remember that she ever used it - so it might have be some family heirloom of hers
It's the only vintage technology I found here at our flat except for the more common vintage photography equipment (analogue bodys, lenses, exposure/light meter) and cassettes / records / turntable : ))
Crazy Tuesday - theme of February 15, 2022: Vintage Technology
Edit: Found something similar still for sale in India:
youtu.be/QX80zmBe8x0?feature=shared
Shedding light on what is opaque doesn’t mean that suddenly you see the big picture, it rather more means, that you continue moving- layer by layer- as part of the development of a living creature. // S‘agapo Kostaki mou
Beth & Joe - I'd Rather Go Blind - Live in Amsterdam
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEHwO_UEp7A
Texture used
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/LORI-NOVO-Bar-Solo-Cheer-2/2...
Credits
DOUX - Yadira Hairstyle
*PKC* LeL EVO X Massi Earrings
Bracelet - Majesty Diamonds & Gold ~ Chop Zuey
ORSINI Jewel Care CLOE Necklace
:V.e. Jennifer Dress MT Black
Built from 1825-1835, the privately funded canal connected New Haven, Connecticut to Northhampton, Massachusetts. The advent of railroads quickly made the canal obsolete and its tow path became the route of a major north-south railroad. Today the tracks are gone, replaced with a paved walking/cycling path while the canal itself has returned to nature, resembling a slow moving stream rather than the artery of commerce it once was.
She was mad at the other squirrel coming around. She sat up in the pine and voiced her opinion.I may not always get to thank you for every fave or reply to a comment that you might leave here on my image but, just know each comment is read and very much appreciated.
This fall has been a rather disappointing season for LFE (Low Fog Event) in the Bay Area. We have had numerous weather patterns that appeared primed for low fog to occur only for conditions to fizzle away at the last moment. Having been away on business travel during the only 2 sunrise LFE events this fall I was itching to catch some low fog action.
During this mid-October afternoon low fog began pushing into the bay. The fog stayed very low below the bridge deck and remained there for hours. Hence I joined up with Jeff, Tung, and Tarun up to the Marin Headlands in hopes of catching the fog at sunset. In addition to the low fog a high cloud system was approaching SF from the south.
We initially headed up to Slacker Hill but once we saw the fog deck lower we bolted down to our ideal spot: Battery Spencer. Battery Spencer seemed to offer the best option with a more southerly view to capture the bulk of the high clouds and seeing the bridge up close. The fog stayed low and the high clouds burned. However just as the sky was reaching its peak, the fog began growing exponentially and we were forced to abandon our Battery Spencer viewpoint. It was not long before fog began pouring over both Hawk Hill and Slacker Hill engulfing much of the Marin Headlands. Nonetheless it was still a beautiful evening witnessing the low fog and high cloud combination.
Sony α7r II
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II
Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)
New Hampshire
During the winter and non breeding seasons they travel in large groups in search of fruit.
Supposedly the original "Bohemians" were travelers or refuges from central Europe. This species is therefore true to it's name and was in fact well named.
The information below is from a "Cool Green Science" web page and the Nature Conservancy
"Waxwings Really Have Wax Wings" BY Matthew L. Miller
"Waxwings really have wax wing tips. The bright red, visible on the wing feathers of some waxwings, is actually waxy red secretions. The red wax tips are appendages on the bird’s secondary feathers. They’re colored by astaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment.
While it was originally thought that the red tips functioned to protect the feathers from wear and tear, there is little to no evidence for this hypothesis.
Rather, the red secondary tips appear to be status signals that function in mate selection.
Interestingly, the red appendages of both Waxwing species increase in number and size with a bird’s age: individuals with zero to five waxy tips are thought to be more immature birds, while those with greater than nine are thought to be older.
Individuals within these two categories tend to associate as mates. Pairs of older birds (those with greater than nine waxy tips) nest earlier and raise more young than do immature birds, suggesting that this plumage characteristic is an important signal in mate choice and social organization.
Most of this information comes from a wonderfully informative article..... By Matt Miller I've enclosed the link below and it's a wonderful read for anyone who has interest in both Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings."
Here is a link if your interested in more...
blog.nature.org/science/2017/02/27/waxwings-really-have-w...
A rather dodgy photo through the fence of 44209, freshly outshopped in the current CFCL Australia colour scheme. As the unit is still on transfer bogies, I imagine a bit more work will be done prior to it re-entering service. The unit was last on hire to El Zorro when it suffered a seized traction motor, which required it to be moved to Goulburn for repairs.
Up until it was repainted, '09 carried the livery of the defunct "R&H Transport Company", as seen at Gelco in 2010
We got up rather uncomfortably early - for me at least - and went to The View, the hotel in the Park owned and operated by the Navajo Tribe. There's a viewing platform out the back, and we were joined there by many other photographers. This is one of my favorite results from that morning. It was taken about twelve to thirteen minutes before sunrise.
I was rather at a loss yesterday about what to do for Sliders Sunday this week. Wonderful ideas were notable for their absence. So I thought I would have a play with that good old favourite - a dahlia pic.
There are four endpoints in this set: two are fairly well-travelled approaches and two are sheer experiment.
The first is a fairly straight rendition of the image using the Radiance and Smudge filters of Topaz Studio. The radiance lengthens and strengthens the lines while smudge smoothes surfaces. The result lends a greater sense of physicality, particularly in the petals, that works well with flowers - a bit like an oil painting. The difficulty with this approach is getting the balance right - if you look at the image in detail you can see the filters are having a real party so you need to resist overdoing it. But what is right depends quite a lot on the device and scale that the image is seen at. In other words, you are doomed :(
You can play Spot the Fly with this one ;)
The second is a mirror version created entirely in Affinity Photo. I thought I’d got over my obsession with mirroring flowers, but apparently not. This one is made setting up the adjustment with five mirrors and then searching about a bit with the origin to find an interesting image. Most of the work was in getting rid of the background.
Symmetry in an image has a strange effect on our minds. It increases visual impact but reduces attention span. I call it the ‘wow!... boring’ effect. I still like creating symmetric flower images because it makes me look more closely at the flower and see things that I’d previously missed.
The last two I feel a bit apologetic about as they are not really finished pieces but proofs of concept. They are both made using an approach I stumbled across with my previous Sliders Sunday playtime, that of duplicating the image layer and then changing the blend mode of the top layer to Difference. That just creates a black screen (because there is no difference between the layers). The fun starts when you begin mangling the top layer.
Previously I’d just used Liquify to mangle the layer (this pushes pixels around without smudging). It’s easy to do in Affinity because the Liquify adjustment is just another layer that remains editable. But that was not enough here - having a predominantly white flower doesn’t work as well as the multicoloured one last time. So I dabbled in my diddling with Recolour, Smudge, Gradient Map and Liquify. The textured one is mainly Smudge, and the other is several Difference results together in a composite.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy some of them and that they encourage you to have a bit of fun yourself. I’d love to hear which is your favourite. I’ll post a link to the in-camera version in the first comment so that you can see where we started with this set.
Thanks for taking the time to look. I hope you enjoy the image. Happy Sliders Sunday :)
Rather dreich evening on Princes Street ("dreich is an old Scots term for dismal weather, and is a great word that just suits this kind of weather). Couple of very quick shots with the phone camera on way home from book event.
Ripponden
Taken from the rather wet and muddy public footpath which descends at the side of the dam, to the bottom and then back up the other side. Or, if you don’t want to go back up and walk along the wall, you can take the path by the side of the river along towards the village. The recent storms, Ciara and Dennis have resulted in the massive overflow of water, the path has taken a beating too, much of it has been washed away and the wooden fencing blown over. It’s also rather damp in the bottom with all the spray from the water. I did notice though, more or less centre picture, some pink flowers just starting to bloom on a Rhododendron bush, they are out very early this year.
Thank you for your visit and your comments, they are greatly appreciated.
Two have one test train parked up in Holgate sidings rather choice. But to have two, now that's just cheeky.
ROG 37601 sits in no1 siding with one test train, whilst Colas' 37175 top and tails 37116 with a second in no3 siding in between duties.
:) If you celebrate this beautiful season of Christmas here is a
Challenge for the season: (too often i look like this brown morphed egret :)
"Let's
Approach
Christmas
with
an
Expectant
hush,
rather
than
a
Last
Minute
Rush"
:)
You will LOVE this "A Cappella" group Penatonix! WOW!!!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_MGWio-vc
and if you liked that one, here is another one
Why couldn't we give peace a chance? This 60's symbol of peace had so much hope back in the day, but much like this warped and tarnished symbol, peace remains illusive. It may be easier for many people to hate rather than to love, but I have seen the power of love, of faith, of forgiveness, and reconciliation enough times to know that peace is the better choice.
New Albany, IN
2023
© James Rice, All Rights Reserved
LOL, seem a little shy or rather playful?
Aaah my imagination running wild again!
Gerbera is a genus of ornamental plants from the sunflower family. It was named in honour of the German naturalist Traugott Gerber.
It has approximately 30 species in the wild, extending to South America, Africa and tropical Asia.
Colours include white, yellow, orange, red, and pink. The center of the flower is sometimes black.
It is the fifth most used cut flower in the world (after rose, carnation, chrysanthemum, and tulip).
Have a good day and thanks for your visit, so very much appreciated, Magda, (*_*)
For more: www.indigo2photography.com
IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
Well this is a serious question.....isn’t it!
But we need to know the answer!!!
Would you rather have Nutella or marmalade on your bread????
The Short-eared Owl is a specialist predator of small mammals, predominantly voles. They can be seen quartering an area of suitable habitat, listening and looking for signs of prey in the grass below. Quartering flight involves a mixture of flapping and gliding, with the bird sometimes hovering briefly before dropping down onto unsuspecting prey. (BTO).
Another “Shortie” shot. I haven’t been getting out and about as much with the camera recently, so I thought I’d show one or two photos from this rather enjoyable afternoon I had earlier this month.
My thanks to anyone who views, faves or comments on any of my photos. It is much appreciated.