Explore Dec 16, 2015 #66

 

In 1943 Dutch artist M. C. Escher created a reptile lithograph that depicts a desk on which there is a drawing of a pattern of reptiles. The reptiles come to life and crawl around the desk, over the objects on it and eventually re-enter the drawing.

 

Escher would love the colors and patterns here! The Common Agama, Red-headed Rock Agama, or Rainbow Agama (Agama agama) is a species of lizard from the Agamidae family, found in most of Subsaharan Africa.

 

It can often be seen in the heat of the day. In the breeding season, the males develop dramatically colorful markings, the head and neck and tail turning bright orange, and the body dark blue. Outside of the breeding season, the male is a plain brown. The females and juveniles are always more cryptically marked. This lizard can be found climbing rocks and walls. Its primary source of food is insects.

 

The males are territorial, claiming small to medium patches of land which they defend against other mature males. Juveniles and females reside within the territories unchallenged. The mature males become agitated when confronting each other; nodding vigorously, arching, skipping sideways, and clashing tails. The loser is chased out of the territory.

 

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami FL

www.susanfordcollins.com

RELATES TO LEEDS TOTW: STAIRS (John Fotohouse Jan 2009)

 

Alas, she will never resemble my dear departed friend.

www.flickr.com/photos/jamesw-bell/292288524/

 

Though she looked quite interesting with these lights and shadows!

A long exposure here relates to the tired weather beaten lighthouse situated at the end of Neist Point on the extreme Western tip of the Isle of Skye.

 

This iconic landmark is quite dishevelled when you get up close to it. I spent some time exploring this location on a recent trip to the island. This was the best of several attempts at a long exposure shot from the top of the cliffs. The wind was gusting and despite my best efforts to try and keep the tripod and camera steady the wind was winning!

 

You can make out the Island of Uist in the Outer Hebrides on the far horizon.

History:

There are many legends surrounding the Ekenäs Castle and every castle worth its salt has obviously Ekenäs several resident ghosts.

 

One of those eerie legends relating Earl Mauritz Vellingk (1651-1727) who was a general, diplomat, adviser to the Swedish King and Governor General of Bremen-Verden. When Frederick I, King of Sweden ended Vellink in conflict with him as the Earl urged the Holstein throne while the king took a stand for the hannoverska.

King Frederick I chose to show the privy Parliamentary committee documents relating to secret loans Vellink taken in Prussia for the Swedish state's behalf. Vellink arrested and sentenced to lose lives, honor and property. The punishment was changed, however, before it could be implemented and mitigated to imprisonment of Linköping Castle, loss of Vellinks councilor position and his shield of Nobility.

Vellink were never to sit in prison in Linköping, on his way to, he died in Mjölby inn.

 

It is not, however, Earl himself haunting in Ekenäs, but a boy as he let incarcerate in a vaulted cellar. It is said that when problems began to pile up for the count, he was looking up a bunch of important documents, placed them in the heaviest coffin he could find and took the help of a poor shepherd boy to dump the casket in the lake Teden just outside the castle.

 

In order not to let the shepherd boy, whose name was Nils, reveal what happened sounded Vellink turn him into a cellar. From this point on the various stories a bit apart. Some argue that Vellink from the start sounded mura the door to the vault for the boy would die there. Others say instead that the door was not walled up, but the idea was that the boy would eventually be released, but that he had forgotten where (or Vellink arrested and therefore could not return for placing Nils). Eventually Nils died of hunger and cold, and when the corpse eventually found bricked it up to hide what happened. Regardless, Nils became a ghost who still said to haunt Ekenäs.

 

According to legend, one should certainly not try to enter "Nisse's den" because then something bad happen with both Ekenäs Castle and its owner. There are also stories of people who tried not gone far before they hit by acute illness or horrific accidents.

 

www.ekenasslott.se/

large

 

full set here

Project 365 // Day 174

Reached #138 on Explore, April 30th, 2011.

 

Today, I arrived in New York city, though just for the day. I was here on business, so I did not have a lot of time to explore or see many places, but I did have time to do one thing – get to the top of the Empire State Building – and man, was it worth it. I have never before had such a breathtaking view, I literally felt like I was on top of the world. Strangely, one thing ran through my mind while I was up here, and it was Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" song. Before today, I could never relate to the lyrics, since I had never been here before, but now I can see and feel the meaning of the song.

 

New York is an inspiring city, it truly is the capital of the world.

 

To see the complete Project 365 photo gallery, click here.

To see complete New York photo gallery, click here.

Copyright © 2011 Onigun Studio. All rights reserved. Follow me on twitter.

His Golden Touch

 

One day, as Ovid relates in Metamorphoses XI, Dionysus found that his old schoolmaster and foster father, the satyr Silenus, was missing. The old satyr had been drinking wine and wandered away drunk, to be found by some Phrygian peasants who carried him to their king, Midas (alternatively, Silenus passed out in Midas' rose garden). Midas recognized him and treated him hospitably, entertaining him for ten days and nights with politeness, while Silenus delighted Midas and his friends with stories and songs. On the eleventh day, he brought Silenus back to Dionysus in Lydia. Dionysus offered Midas his choice of whatever reward he wished for. Midas asked that whatever he might touch should be changed into gold.

 

Midas rejoiced in his new power, which he hastened to put to the test. He touched an oak twig and a stone; both turned to gold. Overjoyed, as soon as he got home, he touched every rose in the rose garden, and all became gold. He ordered the servants to set a feast on the table. Upon discovering how even the food and drink turned into gold in his hands, he regretted his wish and cursed it. Claudian states in his In Rufinem: "So Midas, king of Lydia, swelled at first with pride when he found he could transform everything he touched to gold; but when he beheld his food grow rigid and his drink harden into golden ice then he understood that this gift was a bane and in his loathing for gold, cursed his prayer."

Another Image relating to History. This is a statue of Queen Victoria holding her regalia. In the background is an example from the centre of Birmingham of the sort of buildings of visual power that she managed to lead over decades.

 

This video “MIX 9” is another selection of images, both graphic, design and Photographic. The idea is to show the range of styles and techniques from right across my wide range of styles. It is followed in my Photostream by individual images taken from the video, but shown as single images at full size. These will appear on my photostream spread over the following week.

 

There are more examples of these Mixes on my portfolio website :-

 

pleech96.wixsite.com/portfolio

 

Tales of history relate that Dinajpur derived its name from Raja Dinaj or Dinaraj, founder of the Dinajpur Rajbari. But others say that after usurping the Ilyas Shahi rule, the famous Raja Ganesh of the early 15th century was the real founder of this house for a brief period. At the end of the 17th century Srimanta Dutta Chaudhury became the zamindar of Dinajpur and after him, his sister's son Sukhdeva Ghosh inherited the property as Srimanta's son had a premature death. Sukhdeva's son Prannath Ray became famous and powerful and began the construction of the famous Kantanagar Nava-Ratna Temple, now known as the Kantajir Mandir, one of the most precious heritage structures.

 

It is difficult to conceive what the main palace block looked like when it was young and bold. Wild leaves and veins have wrapped the building like octopus tendrils while the skeleton and naked brick structures give a horrid look as the ageing plaster is almost worn out of the walls. In different parts of the building, structural girders are exposed while there is no roof above. Still from his historical study and the remaining ruins, Dr Nazimuddin Ahmed gave a vivid description of the structures in one of his publications published in 1986.

 

"The imposing façade of the two-storey palace, facing east has a broad frontage of about 150 feet. The central part carrying a 10 feet wide verandah above is projected prominently. The front projection has a series of elegant Ionic columns in pairs with round shafts on the upper floor.

 

"The parapet is plain except for a curved plaque-wall in the centre, bearing in relief, two elephants standing face to face and holding a crown. Above and below it are some indistinct English letters. On either side of the balcony a broad spiral masonry staircase leads up to the upper storey. The roof of the 15 feet wide balcony collapsed.

 

"Immediately behind the balcony a large hall (50"X20") originally flagged with white marble stone and flanked by two 10" wide verandahs on the east and west is roofed over with massive iron girders. The lofty 25 feet high roof is in a highly disintegrating condition. On its north there is another smaller (30"X 20") hall and on the south a broad corridor leads to the inner quadrangle of residential quarters."

 

If the bricks could paint or write the tales of the Rajbari and its inhabitants, what a book could have been written! But with the silent walls, the palace has now grown old and inexpressive. It has faced not only the cruelty of time but also the ravages of nature like the 1897 earthquake that had left it badly damaged. Although the palace was largely rebuilt by Maharaja Sir Girijanath Ray Bahadur, time has not spared it from its claws. It is up to us now whether we would at least let the ruins remain and let our future generations see them and let their imagination flow back to the past and touch our heritage.

 

other pictures from the set Dinajpur Rajbari .... Discovering the hidden glory

  

Years later, after having lived in an illusion of grandeur due to the fifteen minutes of race stardom, the tortoise finds himself roaming the seediest speakeasies and turtle brothels. Exhausting all connections and friendships, he once again finds himself alone.

 

Poor reptile, I can relate.

 

As you can probably tell from this post, I am suffering from the photographers equivalent of writers block. I recently purchased a new lens and have some time this weekend to shoot, hopefully I will have something more interesting to post soon.

 

highest position #1

Please do not steal my images. I may give permission to use if you ask me.

Another decade ago photo (2025 -> 2015). Another "Railfan Weekend" photo relating to NP 3617... which is on the other end of this train. (Look closely).

 

At the time, NP 3617 wasn't yet operational, so why not use a beautiful Soo Line FP7 to move the photo train around?

 

Soo 2500 was shoving hard moving the train to Palmers, the next photo location. Northern Pacific observation car "Rainier Club" and NP Caboose 1311 are along for the ride with the CN ore jennies.

 

Maybe someday there will be more railfan weekends... I have some ideas...

Relate all the objects and tell an interesting story or a quote or a kavithai.....

Await and Awaken©

 

Relate within the same letter of life's law

As easy as a first breath of cherishment galore

Howsoever the day may have begun,

It's course in your hands may still be spun

That door remains open till the day is done

To welcome with opportune resolve life's home run

 

Call it emotional topiary, your garden, your space

No overnight fantasticism can over-emphasise apace

The quality of being the mirror before sightseeing seen,

Sets the beautified scene so miraculously serene

Renewable, inexhaustible, when finally found it's never lost

That is the feeling of being warmed at the touch of a Sun thawing frost

 

Two worlds away unite within the same second

As much as the first owes the last over which it is reckoned

Birthdays split the differences as we all move through time at the same pace

Every range of clock face imaginable and none a disgrace

It tells of antiquity within the presence of valour

And speaks a charmed silence which awaits and awakens within flowing candour.

 

by anglia24

10h45: 24/01/2009

©2009 anglia24

I think most anyone can relate to a desire to talk to someone we no longer can. For whatever reason, whether it be for estrangement or death, there are some people we wish we could talk to but can't. These are conversations unfinished, ties untethered, connections lost. Sometimes those manifest into conversations we have with ourselves, because that is the only cathartic closure or resolution there is. The morning at dawn when I shot this, I thought of how connected I feel to my grandfather when I'm out alone in nature. How I feel I am sort of with him when I'm surrounded by trees, as if his memory is tied somehow to the tall oaks, redbuds and pines of our Oklahoma landscape. In Native American lore, they believe that when a loved one dies a red fern grows in its place as a symbol of eternity, and the kind of love that transcends time.

Loup des bois . Gray Wolf

 

Shot at Parc Omega which is a ten-kilometer nature roadway in Montebello, Quebec.

Sea Princess Scenic Nature, Seals & Fjord Cruise tour out of Northeast Harbor Maine is a great way to see Nature and spectacular views of Mount Desert Island.

From the Middle Ages, beetroot was used as a treatment for a variety of conditions, especially illnesses relating to digestion and the blood.

... Slightly confused slippers.

 

While I was shopping for a new computer, after my old one died a death, I found myself some very comfortable slippers. Heavenly in the evenings, as long as Rufus goes out for his last pee at a reasonable time!

 

Thank you all for your comments relating to Graham. He's much better and has been to see our GP, who changed his meds around a bit, great reesults - so far.

 

I was having some much needed physio for my back and both legs. Sadly, for some unknown reason the chap has closed his rooms. I staggered up there this afternoon, only to find myself having to stagger back home. 😒

 

Maybe view large, but thank you for any favourites. :)

On those heights he builds for himself tabernacles -- tabernacles of peace, there longs and loves and gazes across, until the welcomest of all hours draws him down into the waters of the spring --

 

- Novalis (1800)

 

PHOTO NOTE:

With a photo essay - like a photo book or zine - it is important to see each individual photograph in context with the rest of the series. In other words, the way I have laid out Hymns to the Night is not only to fit the quotes from Novalis' poem, but to relate each photo to the previous one and the one that comes after it. Nothing is random. So if you're just looking at an individual photo in your activities feed or a group, rather than my photostream, you are missing the point entirely!

Can you relate? I got up early because I wanted to photograph some places in town at sunrise. Hoping for warm light and strong shadows.

Almost all the sites I visited had changed into construction sites though and I really got in a bad mood.

I decided to go on since I was there anyway and time can be precious.

Then I saw the light on this window. Diffused by the tree. It's shadows casted on the wall. It instantly changed my mood. I started to photograph other things than planned and got home with a really nice set of photos. You have got to stay open minded.

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Olympus E-300, Zuiko Digital 40–150mm F3.5–4.5

Taking a photograph that you want is often a compromise between ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture.

 

Within each of those parameters they are a compromise.

 

ISO, relates to light sensitivity of the sensor or film and the higher it is the more electronic noise or grain will be composed with your photograph, which is distracting and renders a subject "fuzzy". I chose ISO800. ISO determines what Aperture to set.

 

With Shutter Speed, a photographer must consider the focal length and weight of the lens and overall balance or center-of-gravity of the camera body and lens combination and he or she would the intent of the image, that is, to stop all motion or leave sufficient motion-blur to show action. I chose 1/4,000 second, to freeze the motion of the bee's body in flight and leave sufficient motion-blur of the bee's wings to show it flying and suspended in air by the Lift and turbulence its wings generate. Shutter Speed determines what Aperture to set.

 

Aperture focuses the desired light onto the sensor or film. Aperture determines the amount of light that focuses onto the sensor or film. Aperture determines what ISO and Shutter Speed too set. Aperture determines the amount of Bokeh in the background. Aperture determines Depth of Field and at f/8.0 I was able to achieve sharp focus on the bee's body, as it flew toward me, but its head and bum are out of focus as are the flowers. Also, using too fine an Aperture setting, more sensor spots and dust and lens imperfections will appear in a photo, as well as diffraction, as well as needing a higher ISO and slower Shutter Speed.

 

Lastly, timing is everything. If I focused and released the shutter a millisecond sooner, the bee's head would be in focus, but it's body wouldn't be.

 

Some of these decisions can be made in advance of approaching your subject, but may not be accurate and would need to be adjusted.

  

A gentle reminder about copyright and intellectual property-

Ⓒ Cassidy Photography (All images in this Flickr portfolio)

 

cassidyphotography.net

   

I am reposting this message and creation from my December 2019 post

 

Although this was written in 2019 I knew something big was going to take place on earth in the months ahead.

 

It is as relevant today as it was back in 2019 because it relates to today in 2021

 

I underestimated the severity of this message. In saying this I was extremely unsettled for many months and prayed as I knew something was going to happen but I did not know exactly what.

I had endured many months of suffering knowing. Through this process things became crystal clear to me and with that an understanding of the higher picture and ultimately a sense of surrendering to 'what is' and a sense of Peace and Calm came with this, along with so much gratitude for being guided and shown. A blessing and a curse

 

To add to this, many souls have sacrificed themselves - knowingly and unknowingly to wake up humanity.

We can never know the soul agreement that each of us has made when we birthed into this world.

 

I am eternally grateful to the many souls who have endured hell on earth, lost their lives to awaken the masses to the reality of this world.

 

There are many people at this time on earth who are struggling with all that is happening in our world.

 

I was guided with this message and design back in 2019 - it started many months before it was completed by December of that year.

 

I hope that this message will bring some understanding and comfort to anyone who is struggling right now.

 

Despite her name Black Winged Goddess, she does bring a message of Hope and Unity to humanity.

 

We are living in times of great destruction of the world as we know it, earth changes, fires, floods, earthquakes.

 

Here alone in Australia we sit in horror at the extent of the fires rampage across the country. Unprecedented fires and weather in the history of our existence (well what is on record)

 

Whilst horrific - the earth we live on has always been full of cyclic changes.

 

Ancient cities have been discovered under the sea, we are naive to think that the world as we know it will remain the same.

 

What continents exist now may no longer exist. What coastline exists now is slowly being swallowed up by the ocean.

 

Volcanic eruptions are changing the face of the planet as are earthquakes - the list is long.

We cannot stop the force of Mother Nature. We live on a planet that has always endured such destruction.

 

We have pole shifts taking place - all kinds of catastrophic events happening across the Globe. We are but a spit in the ocean to the wide Galaxies that we know of. Yet we think we are precious in some way.

 

I cannot help but wonder why I was so drawn to create this "Black Winged Goddess" let alone give her the name of Black Winged Goddess. But I was drawn, my soul was pushing me for weeks with a "slight vision" of what I needed to create. It now makes total sense to me why I was so drawn to create The Black Winged Goddess, given the state of our world and humanity.

 

My soul as always when I listen guides me with powerful messages and reminds me to just 'be' to accept 'what is'.

 

We may not like the current state of our world, but it is what it is and all we can do is stay strong within ourselves and hold the power of 'love' in our hearts despite seeing so much being played out on the planet.

 

Kali (Hindu) - was known as a deity of the Fearsome Demon destroying Goddess who represents death and rebirth - so her name means "Black One".

 

We can never truly comprehend or understand the power of mother nature - we have abused her for centuries, taken her for granted and she is a living breathing consciousness so powerful that we dare not go up against here.

 

In recent years we have seen the influence of the feminine energy on earth which for eons has been dominated by the male energy.

So it makes complete sense to me that we are witness to so much destruction on the planet.

 

We are witness to the destruction of our societies as we know it, breakdown of families, law, politics.

 

So much of humanity is at war with the 'system', the injustices, and the lack of balance within our society. The homeless, the abused, the forgotten souls, the mental health issues that seem to have become rampant, the rise of Corporate wealth while humanity is trapped in slavery. We have learnt nothing as a humanity over the past how many hundred years?

 

In order for rebirth, for new growth, a culling needs to take place - hence the energy of the Black Winged Goddess she is both the Destroyer and the Giver of New Life.

 

We have elected to be here at this time on the planet - despite the suffering we witness or endure - I know at a higher level it is absolutely necessary for real change to take place.

 

Our world is a very different place to the one we have known - and whilst we have believed we have had a safe and reasonable planet in which to live, the reality is much Evil has existed and people have been brainwashed to the point of being zombies. There has been so much suppression imposed upon humanity even to the extreme of vaccinations and fluoride to our water supply. All of these chemicals act as suppressants to our brain! It has been a deliberate agenda of the existing power on earth. Their agenda has always been to rule, control and suppress the populous.

 

Humanity is awakening and with this will be uproar, dis - ease, a culling if you like. It is time for humanity to step out of fear and into their true power which is within each and every one of us.

 

New growth, new beginnings but not before the dismantling of the old - it has to be this way.

 

These times we are living through were written in history.

 

So I have created "The Black Winged Goddess" she is available in different styles, inside a Dome with beautiful etched glass or stand alone. She will rotate or can be static.

 

She is available on MP in the Stand Alone version (rotating) or can be seen in world at my store.

 

****This POST IS NOT to promote my MP. I will not put my MP link here for this reason. If anyone does not have the money and would like a version of her please send me a notecard in world with your full name and I will happily send one to you. This is NOT about promoting my MP it is about assisting humanity at this time***.

 

I hope you enjoy and embrace 'The "Black Winged Goddess' and rather be in fear of her - understand she brings 'New Life" but first the old has to die for the new to be born.

 

How appropriate for a New Year of 2020 fast approaching.

 

Interestingly and unconsciously I created 4 of these Black Winged Goddesses.

 

The year 2020 equates to the number 4 in Numerology.

 

The #4 represents a Universal energy. (see below for a deeper understanding of the #4)

 

The # 2 - Is the most feminine and often underestimated when it comes to power and strength. She is always gentle, tactful, diplomatic, forgiving and understanding. She likes to keep peace and likes to avoid confrontation. # 2 is the survivor and extremely resilient force. Her shape looks as though she is bent back on a knee with head bowed in humility and service. However when enough pressure is applied to the # 2 energy. Some would perceive her as weak and powerless due to this servitude shape. However never underestimate the power behind #2 because she represents the power (double) #1 who is the all powerful warrior who will shake and destroy no matter what. So #2 brings the balance but never underestimate the power of 2 Energy.

 

The #4 Energy in more detail

 

The 4 is without a doubt masculine, reflecting strength and stability. His chief characteristics are dependability, productivity, punctuality and obedience. He is trustworthy, patient, conventional and a traditionalist.

 

Tend to be rule followers. 4 is the area of sciences, upholding the law (such as Government and the military). The #4 represents Disciplined, systematic, Dependable, Strong. Loyal

 

Four is the basis of all solid objects. Four points are used in constructing the simplest solid and thus four is the number symbolizing the way of construction. In many religions, four is seen as the number for earth, and representing the four elements, Air Earth, Water and Fire.

At its extreme 4's can tend to overreact to violence.

 

So 2020 seems to have more challenges ahead and I suspect we will be seeing more uprising across the planet (#2 energy) with totalitarianism (#4 energy) being played out like never before. Perhaps more of what the world has witnessed in Hong Kong this year.

 

It is as if the two energies Masculine & Feminine are battling against one another. But at the same time, I cannot help but feel and acknowledge UNITY - and this is what I will remain focused upon during the year ahead. We must stand united. We are after all 'one humanity'

 

We are without doubt living in very challenging times.

May peace be with you!

Copyright December 2019 Chant Lyric

 

Please share with anyone who you believe may take some comfort during these days - not because I want awards, in fact I do not want awards. This is for humanity and was given to me through the Grace of God

This post is NOT about promoting my MP - she is available there for anyone who wants to purchase her. For anyone who truly feels drawn to her and the strength and comfort she brings to me, and do not have the money to purchase her. Please contact me in world with a notecard, give me your full name and I will happily send her free of charge to you.

 

My original posts can be seen here www.flickr.com/photos/58903384@N04/49251189433/in/datepos...

www.flickr.com/photos/58903384@N04/49251186488/in/photost...

   

112 pictures in 2012, #29 Leap Day (any shot to be taken on, or relating to 29th Februari2012)

 

Explore, Highest position: #132 on Wednesday, March 7, 2012

It is truly difficult to effectively relate how graceful and ethereal Manta Rays are as they perform their nightly ballet in the warm waters near Kona Hawaii. This image perhaps does the work of hundreds of adjectives in relating the emotion you feel as these massive creatures glide inches from your face.

If you would like to read more about swimming with Mantas and see more photos of this adventure, check-out my blog article: www.firefallphotography.com/swimming-manta-rays-tips-phot...

Have a great day!

 

Jeff

My Website ¦ Facebook ¦ My Blog ¦ Google+

  

Explored 9/21/13

‭When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs.

When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.

~Ansel Adams

 

To make someone feel, make someone relate, make someone think - this is the beauty of it all. Making some sort of an impact has and always will be my purpose in why I take photographs.

 

I believe as photographers, we all have a story to tell of why or how we got into photography.

 

2006.

 

A year that dramatically altered my perspective on life and the spark that ignited my passion for photography.

 

It was during that year,‭ ‬two people who meant the world to me passed away‭ ‬8‭ ‬months apart from each other. Never had I anticipated experiencing death at such a rapid rate.‭ ‬Emotional turmoil took over and depression became a part of me.‭ ‬I was no longer the same person, I was filled with denial, pain and sadness. I felt numb to the world and every person in it. I was in a constant battle with my emotions, not knowing where to turn for support in such a difficult time.

 

For months I had obsessively been glancing at sites that contained photography from Deviant Art photographers.‭ ‬With every picture that came across my eye while scrolling down the pages,‭ ‬a lightning bolt of questions and curiosity struck me:‭ “‬How can someone capture something so beautiful in such a short amount of time‭?”‬ The fact that each photograph was unique and held a different view fascinated me.‭ ‬I quickly aspired to experiment with taking pictures.‭ Due to such a powerful curiosity,‭ ‬I'm sure you can imagine the delight that filled me when I got my first camera - a Canon Powershot - as a present for Christmas.‭ ‬Little did I know that what I first deemed as an‭ “‬experiment‭”‬ would within time turn into an escape,‭ ‬a passion that would heal me greatly.‭

 

‭I began to feel the world looked so much more beautiful when I looked at it through a camera's viewfinder. Every day I would be out in my backyard taking photographs, and in those moments capturing what surrounded me, I didn't feel pain. I didn't feel sadness. I didn't feel numb - I felt peace. Taking photographs made me rediscover who I was as a person. My camera became my greatest friend who knew all my secrets and witnessed me metamorphosis.

 

‭It's hard to believe it's been 3 years.

Being a part of Flickr has been such an uplifting experience for me.

‭Three years ago, I never would have imagined gaining such inspiration, support and friendship from so many extraordinary people. For that and so much more, I am forever grateful.

 

‭Photography is a true saving grace.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The conventional English translation appeared in John Heywood's collection of Proverbs in 1546. Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable also credits Erasmus, and relates it to other Latin proverbs, Planta quae saepius transfertus non coalescit, or Saepius plantata arbor fructum profert exiguum, which mean that a frequently replanted plant or tree (respectively) yields little fruit. It appears that the original intent of the proverb saw the growth of moss as desirable, and that the intent was to condemn mobility as unprofitable. The contemporary interpretation has turned the traditional understanding on its head.

 

Erasmus's proverb gave the name "rolling stone" to people who meet this description.

 

What would i do without Wickipedia!?

 

Anycheese, more interestingly, this is Wistmans Wood. A magical and enchanted woodland full of knarly, twisted, stunted Oak trees and mossy granite boulders. I have been here many times, never before with camera. It is soooo difficult to get a composition. The woodland is thought to be one of the few remnants of ancient woodland on Dartmoor dating from prehistoric times. Apparently the wood is haunted by a pack of Yeth hounds and it is from here that they start their wild hunt across the moorland. They follow their master, who may be the Devil, Odin, or any number of spectral huntsmen on the search for souls across the moorlands. The dogs are described as jet-black in colour snorting fire from their nostrils. Coooool! Didnt see any though.. I will go back on a full moon and really take some shots.

www.wakefield.gov.uk/events-and-culture/castles/sandal-ca...

Sandal Castle was probably first built in the early 12th century after William de Warenne received the Manor of Wakefield from Henry I in about 1106.de Warenne shield

 

The earthwork motte and bailey castle was probably completed by about 1130.

 

The archaeological evidence suggests that the rebuilding in stone started at the very end of the 12th century and continued throughout much of the 13th century. The only documentary records relating to the building work are references to materials being supplied for building work in 1270 and 1275.

 

The castle seems to have been completely unoccupied from about 1600 until it was briefly re-fortified by a Royalist garrison in 1645 during the Civil Wars. The occupation lasted only a few months and the castle surrendered on 1 October 1645. In 1646 on the orders of Parliament the castle was stripped of its defences. The heap of stonework that was left quickly became overgrown. The masonry that did survive was revealed during the excavations in 1964 -1973.

A friend recently asked some of my pictures from a previous trip to Barrow. That made me realised how much work there is still left to be done... it is certainly overwhelming to see how many pixels are still sleeping there and everywhere and yet, I am already planning more photography trips... oh well! I am sure many of you can relate to the same situation. I have posted many close-up pictures of birds lately and although I enjoy the rush of getting close to them and capturing great details of their features, "birdscape" photography is what makes me want to travel again and again and again... Yes, I like to diversify my photostream and can get bored easily when dealing with the same species so, I will probably post some more from Barrow over the next little while. There are still a few species left from the Falklands.... hope to get back at them later. Thanks for hanging around during my twists and turns.

Ruben M. Benjamin (1833-1917), an attorney known for litigation relating to railroad regulation, had this Italianate-style house built for him and his wife, Laura, upon their marriage in 1856. The builder, carpenter John L. Routt (1826-1907), would go on to serve as the first and seventh Governor of Colorado from 1876 to 1879, and 1891 to 1893. He also served as Mayor of Denver from 1883 to 1885.

 

Benjamin received his primary education at Kinderhook Academy, New York and in 1853 was graduated from Amherst College with high honors. He was principal of Hopkins Academy at Hadley, Massachusetts, one year and was a student a year later in the Harvard Law School and the next year he was a tutor at Amherst. He arrived in Bloomington in the spring of 1856. In the fall he appeared before Judge (and future Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court) David Davis at Lincoln, Illinois, for his bar exam. One of the examiners was Abraham Lincoln. He passed the test and later became a close friend of the future 16th U.S. president.

 

Benjamin was a prominent attorney who represented the people in The People vs. Chicago and Alton Railroad. That case was widely considered a benchmark ruling that allowed the government to regulate private enterprises.

 

After Benjamin "retired" from the practice of law, he devoted his time to writing textbooks that were used at many of the most prominent law schools in the country. He also served as a McLean County judge from 1877 to 1886, and served for a time as the dean of the law school faculty at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.

 

The Ruben M. Benjamin House is listed both by itself and as a contributing property in Bloomington's East Grove Street District. The only other home in the East Grove Street District to have this distinction is the George H. Cox House previously shown in this McLean County series.

 

The East Grove Street District includes 43 houses and apartment buildings, 25 of which are considered contributing buildings. The houses in the district were built between 1855 and 1915 for many of Bloomington's upper middle class residents. Due to a building boom between 1880 and 1900, the then-popular Queen Anne style is the most prevalent in the district. Other popular architectural styles in the district include Greek Revival homes from the 1850s, Italianate homes built between 1860 and 1880, and Arts and Crafts homes built in the 1900s. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1987.

 

Bloomington is the seat of McLean County. It is adjacent to Normal, and is the more populous of the two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area. Bloomington is home to State Farm Insurance, Country Financial and Beer Nuts. Illinois Wesleyan University is located here, while the neighboring twin city of Normal is home to Illinois State University and Heartland Community College. Bloomington is 135 miles (217 km) southwest of Chicago, and 162 miles (261 km) northeast of St. Louis. The estimated population of Bloomington in 2019 was 77,330, with a metro population of 191,067.

Blythe a Day - How to Sell a Haunted House (Bewitched) - 10/1/25

 

For Sale in Spookytown: Classic Haunted Beauty

 

About the Property:

Beautiful classic 4 bed 3 bath tri-level in coveted Spookytown. Original fireplaces and staircases. Hard wood flooring throughout. Old creaky windows, attic ghosts, furnace, updated electrical and much more!

 

Features:

Actual clawfoot tubs

2 ghosts

Secret staircase & door

Creaky floors

Large windows

Attic bats

Real skeletons in the closets

 

Call Drusilla, our expert relator, for a private tour.

 

House photo I took on a fall drive and recolored

Daunting Drusilla Blythe

 

Credits :

 

Blueberry - Can't Relate - Boots Flat & High Heels @ Main Store

Blueberry - Can't Relate - Fishnet Stockings @ Main Store

Blueberry - Can't Relate - Shorts & Belts @ Main Store

Blueberry - Can't Relate - Tops Alone @ Main Store

Blueberry - Can't Relate - Wrap Around Cardigan @ Main Store

Doe: Gabriella Hair @ Collabor88

Eyes : {S0NG} :: Crow Eyes Gacha - pale blue @ Epiphany

Doe: Monster Backpack (Hold) - Pink Gacha @ Main Store

  

Romazin - Earrings - Tori @ Sense

Romazin - Necklace - Tori 1 @ Sense

Romazin - Necklace - Tori 2 @ Sense

Romazin - Necklace - Tori 3 @ Sense

 

MINIMAL - Town Hall Backdrop -flower balcony-MINIMAL - Town Hall Backdrop @ Kustom9

 

SPELL : Bike -Mushrooms - RARE @ Main Store

ionic : Antique books & iron chair @ Main Store

ionic : Interior plant @ Main Store

ionic : Store Sign (Black & Gold) @ Main Store

ionic : Tea Store Sign @ Main Store

ionic: Fountain (tiled) @ Main Store

 

from Madras Fruit Stand Decor Gacha @ Main Store

Madras Green Apple Box

Madras Watermelon

Madras Raspberry Basket

Madras Mulberry Basket

Madras Purple Grapes

Madras Green grapes

Madras Cherry Tray

Madras Apple Box

Madras Fruit Table

Madras Banana Box

Madras Pineapple Boat rare

 

@Pandemonium ink

 

I think all of us who love K-pop can relate to this movie...

Fantasy or not, the truth is that my soul was trapped in the demon of K-pop, and what a beautiful way this movie conveys that...

I recommend it...

But I'm taking this opportunity to say goodbye to the K-pop community in SL. For personal reasons, I'm hanging up my gloves, as they say in the daily struggle of life...

Just like in real life, things happen in SL that sometimes force you to make these decisions, and I feel I need to take a step back...

And returning to my principles as a model, dressing my Virtual Barbie has always been my priority...

To everyone who respected me and accepted my friendship in the K-pop world, THANK YOU.

I still love Korean culture, I still respect it, I like K-pop, and I always will... And my avatar will maintain that vibe for now... but I don't rule out a big change soon!

 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything I've learned. I'll keep that!

 

Créditos - Credits:

melindabaynsl.blogspot.com/2025/07/demon-hunter-kpop-by-m...

 

No. 4 - 5 :- The Cathedral Church of St. Columb, Londonderry.

 

Press Release:

Insertion of Time Capsule to the Siege Heroes Mound

Within the grounds of St. Columb’s Cathedral

02 November 2006

 

To coincide with the ongoing restoration of the Siege Heroes Mound within the grounds of St.Columb's Cathedral, the Apprentice Boys of Derry will insert a time capsule within the newly installed stonework which will be fixed in place on Friday 3rd November.

 

The time capsule will hold a collection of items relating to the year 2006, some of which are of significance to the Apprentice Boys of Derry including a DVD of their 2006 annual parade, a copy of a local newspaper which covered their 2006 parade and a CD of a band which leads their annual parade. The Apprentice Boys of Derry hope that the time capsule and its contents will help to symbolize what has taken place within the organization during this current year.

 

The mound itself lies within the grounds of the historic St.Columb's Cathedral and is highly visible from both the City Walls and the main approach to the Cathedral via London Street.

Works to the mound are currently ongoing and incorporate the restoration of the metal work railings, the conservation and restoration of the monument itself, installation of new high quality granite stonework, and associated hard and soft landscaping works to include new planting and a wider access way to the mound itself.

 

The works are being funded through Derry City Council’s Economic Development Action Plan are being project managed by the Council’s City Engineers Department.

 

The restoration of the Siege Heroes Mound forms part of a number of tourism infrastructure projects initiated as part of the Council's Local Economic Development Plan and which also includes the restoration of the Bogside Murals and also the conservation of the City's cannon guns.

 

Ends

Derrycity.gov.uk

  

To look Large:-

farm3.static.flickr.com/2439/3749029044_9e1c9acbae_b.jpg

 

Taken on August 14, 2007 at 11:03 BST

Relatable.

The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) a memorial relating the historical impact of and on Bomber Command during the Second World War. Located on Canwick Hill, overlooking the city of Lincoln in Lincolnshire.

 

The city of Lincoln was selected for the location of the IBCC because 27 RAF Bomber Command stations (over a third of all Bomber Command stations) were based in the county during World War II. The large amount of airfields led to Lincolnshire being nicknamed the "Bomber County".

 

Located at Canwick Hill, the centre is just under two and half miles from RAF Waddington, which suffered the greatest losses of any Bomber Command station, and close to the former Avro aircraft production facility at Bracebridge Heath. A view of Lincoln Cathedral, a prominent landmark for aircrews, forms an important part of the vista from the centre of the Memorial Spire.

 

The aim of the IBCC is to tell the personal stories of members of the RAF Bomber Command, ground crew and civilians impacted by the bombing campaigns during the Second World War. The centre will also provide a comprehensive record of the role of Bomber Command's squadrons and to digitally display historical documentation and photographs relating to the activity of Bomber Command.

 

Within the grounds of the International Bomber Command Centre the Spire Memorial was erected on 10 May 2015. The memorial is a spire, reflecting the connection to Lincoln Cathedral. Created out of Corten A weathering steel, it is based on the dimensions of the wingspan of a Lancaster bomber, being 102ft high and 16ft at the base. The Spire was officially unveiled in October 2015 to an audience of 3,600 guests including 312 Bomber veterans.

 

The spire is encircled by walls carrying the names of all 57,871 men and women who gave their lives whilst serving in or supporting Bomber Command. This is the only place in the world where all these losses are memorialised.

 

Information Source:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Bomber_Command_Centre

 

Ely, NV - Nevada Northern Railway Museum - The Executive Director of the Museum, relates the trials, tragedies, and tenacious efforts undertaken by staff and volunteers to restore Nevada Northern 4-6-0 No. 40 back into service. - In 2001, it looked like 40 might be sidelined for good. The Federal Railroad Administration issued new boiler rules and 40 was relegated to the engine house gathering dust. - No one should undertake the rebuilding of a steam locomotive lightly. - In February 2005, locomotive 40's whistle resonates across the Great Basin, repeating an audible announcement that dates to 1910—the Queen is under steam!

 

Check out My Website www.rickwillis-photos.com

There are plenty of things I could tell you about this image but what I am going to relate tonight is only going to involve the mistake I made.

 

One of the risks to habits is that you can come to rely on them overly much. A case in point would be that by an unofficial rule I generally keep my Hasselblad backs loaded with 400 ISO film, one back for color and the other for b&w. When I do load a different speed film in one of my backs I try to make a note because I am so used to 400 speed film in them that I have mis-exposed film before because of mistaken assumption.

 

Before this latest trip up to the Olympic Peninsula I had been working a lot and photographing only a little. As such by the time I got up there my black and white back was halfway through a roll of film I could not remember loading and so I could not remember which film was in it. Normally no note would mean 400 speed but something in my brain was tickling away that this was not true, that I had loaded something out of the ordinary in terms of film speed in this back.

 

So what are my options at this point with about six frames left to expose? Well I could trust my habits and expose at 400. I could attempt to second guess motives and backtrack through memory to deduce which film I might have loaded. I could meter somewhere in between. This latter is what I did. I figured the only other speed I would have loaded would have been 100 ISO film. So if I metered at 200 then I would only be wrong by a stop. If it was 100, I would be a stop under and considering that I normally overexpose by habit anyway, all would be ok. If it was 400, then I would be a stop over (or two with my usual overexposure). and film so readily forgives overexposure. Seriously, you can get away with three or four stops over and still produce reasonable images. Additionally I was going to be a bit less choosy with those six frames and try to blow through them quickly so I could confirm the film and if necessary backtrack to re-expose any images.

 

Thus I set off. Unfortunately it was sunny and clear and conducive to heavy ND shooting so "blowing through" half a roll takes on a slightly different meaning when shooting through 18 stops of neutral density. It took a few hours but I managed, wound the roll and unloaded it... to find a roll of Rollei RPX 25. Umm yeah. So metering for 200, maybe overexposing by design by a stop I was still going to be two stops under. That was a bit disappointing. Usually I defer to the decisions that past-Zeb makes. He often seems to think of things that present-Zeb appreciates. But this time I was wondering what in the heck that past me was thinking by loading a roll of 25 speed film in a camera that usually uses 400 speed and not putting a note on it to warn present-Zeb how to expose it properly. Sheesh.

 

So I had a bit of a sinking feeling in my stomach, figuring not even the forgiveness of film was going to save me this time. Luckily I was still on the same beach and did backtrack to re-expose the images I felt most strongly about. I debated having the roll pushed when I got back but then the first half had theoretically been exposed accurately and I couldn't really remember what was on it, so I didn't want to push process that stuff, so I just let it go, morbidly curious to see how thin the negs would be. Imagine my surprise when the stuff that came back turned out to be fairly usable... at least some of it. This image for example was metered somewhere around 100 to 200 ISO, which means I probably overexposed it to begin with due to the deep shadows in the frame. But that is ok, I wanted the cliffs to be black anyway.

 

So what to take from all this? I guess mostly that we all make mistakes. In fact you ought to find opportunities to make mistakes. They keep us sharp, they are opportunities to learn, they sometimes show us things we may not have discovered on our own, they remind us that we are fallible in our decision-making. And I tell you about this one in particular so that you know that I am not above making such silly errors. I tend to curate out most of the images I don't consider worth the time to post or your time to see. I edit down to the good stuff, which really means the stuff that I like for one reason and another. And I think with practice and by limiting how much I post I tend to only share the stuff that is noteworthy for good reasons. But that can easily lead to the mistaken perception that maybe I don't make the same mistakes you make. That I don't screw up my calculations or forget something simple and obvious. Well trust me, I do. And sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. On this case I got lucky, no thanks to my past self.

 

Hasselblad 500C

Rollei RPX 25

Thanks so much for visiting.

Happy safe privacy to all of us!

Copyrights (c) Nira Dabush.

Documents relating to the Spanish colonial empire are kept in the Archivo General de Indias in Seville. It is considered to be the most comprehensive and important archive for the Spanish colonial era. The building and archive have been a World Heritage Site since 1987.

The valuable files and documents are of course well protected these days, so that only mock-ups are on the shelves in the rooms that can be visited...

With deadlines coming up,

the overwhelming numbing sensation

is oddly alarming

 

If only time could cease to be.

  

I need 6 photos to put in my portfolio in which relate to a theme. I was thinking maybe "conceptual" as a theme...

 

any ideas?

  

no graphics please! they'll be deleted. comments are more than welcome :) encouraged, even.

 

Explored # 43

La Casa Rosada (English: The Pink House) is the executive mansion and office of the President of Argentina. The palatial mansion is known officially as Casa de Gobierno, ("House of Government" or "Government House"). Normally, the President lives at the Quinta de Olivos, the official residence of the President of Argentina, which is located in Olivos, Buenos Aires Province. The characteristic color of the Casa Rosada is baby pink, and is considered one of the most emblematic buildings in Buenos Aires. The building also houses a museum, which contains objects relating to former presidents of Argentina. It has been declared a National Historic Monument of Argentina.

...relating to the first in comments!

 

A few things can be described about this. The location is Bingsjö in Sweden, Päckosgården to be more exact. Once the home of a musician...

 

This year I will try to stay away from the cruising nights and concentrate on this place ;) More to come on that...

June 05, 2016

 

Villatic:

[vi-lat-ik]

adjective

1. of or relating to the country or to a farm; rural.

 

-----

 

It's a cool, gray and rainy Sunday here which is perfect for some quality time in the kitchen!

 

We desperately need the rain, and I really needed to get caught up and ready for the work week ahead by preparing food so the rain is working out just fine for me.

 

The garden is being watered and I'm not tempted to go sit out in the sun with a good book. Win, win!

 

I bought a lot of basil plants this week and so I was on the hunt for a recipe that would work for Sweet Sunday, then I got it in my head that I needed scones for the week which narrowed down my search until I came across this!

 

In the future, I think I would double the basil, lessen the strawberries and maybe throw some jam in the mix for additional flavour, but this reccipe is not a bad starting point!

 

Recipe:

 

Ingredients:

3 cups of flour

1/3 cup of sugar

1 teaspoon of salt

2 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

3/4 cup of unsalted butter, cut into small chunks

1 cup of buttermilk

1 cup chopped of fresh strawberries

1/4 cup of fresh chopped basil

1 tablespoon of buttermilk, for brushing

Brown sugar for sprinkling

 

Directions:

01. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

02. Mix together dry ingredients in a large bowl from flour - baking soda.

03. Add butter and mix using pastry cutter, a knife or your hands, until mixture resembles coarse meal.

04. Add buttermilk and mix until just combined. Fold in strawberries and basil.

05. Lightly dust flour onto work surface. Divide dough in half. Working with one batch at a time, shape dough into 3/4 inch thick circle. Cut into 8 wedges.

06. Lay on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

07. Repeat with other dough.

08. Brush tops of scones with buttermilk and sprinkle with brown sugar.

09. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

 

Hope everyone is having a Sweet Sunday!

 

Click "L" for a larger view.

Source: Through AQAL Eyes: Part 1: A Critique of The Wilber-Kofman Model of Holonic Categories by Mark Edwards

 

Summaries of Mark Edwards' Constructive Criticisms of Integral Theory by Michael Zimmerman

El título viene porque la hice en el barranco de La Encantada, cuyo nombre viene de una leyenda que relata que los moros escondieron un fabuloso tesoro en una cueva del barranco y que para su custodia lo dejaron bajo la protección de una doncella encantada, que, una vez cada cien años, se deja ver entre las solitarias peñas del barranco y quien la encuentre será el dueño de las fabulosas riquezas ocultas por el encantamiento.

La dama en cuestión es una hembra joven de Chalcolestes viridis.

En el río Serpis, cerca de Planes (Alicante) España

 

The title comes because I made it in the gully of La Encantada, whose name comes from a legend that relates that the Moors hid a fabulous treasure in a cave in the ravine and that for their custody they left it under the protection of an enchanted maiden, who, once every hundred years, it is allowed to be seen among the lonely rocks of the ravine and whoever finds it will be the owner of the fabulous riches hidden by the enchantment.

The lady in question is a young female of Chalcolestes viridis.

On the river Serpis, near Planes (Alicante) Spain

June 25, 2011.

This is my sister

I'm only getting started. I won't blackout

Thank you so much Meggie for the testimonial :)

 

I've been thinking for a long while over the topic of meeting new people, and watching the previous ones leave as new ones enter.

Maybe everyone is meant to meet one monster in their lives, the ghost of their past that whispers in the haunting darkness, the one shadow that will never let them go. It awakens in the night, waiting for the hours to tick by so it can press its suffocating weight onto your shoulders. Insomnia keeps your eyes wide open, allowing you to feel the pressure from the shadow.

There's no escaping, because nightmares only materialise in pure silence, when your thoughts are fleeing in hurried bursts from your mind. When the only sound is the jagged edge of your breath catching in the ragged air. When your hands are clenched in tight little grips on the sheets, and you feel an inconsolable sense of grief.

All that you have lost, and the pain you have gone through, slowly collected in that one shadow, all weighing down on you. All the memories. All the recollections. They're all waiting in the dark to come back and haunt you.

Remembering a memory is akin to taking a blurred photograph and putting it in your pocket. You will always remember what happened in that instant, but not too clearly; yet clearly enough to know the general details. And try as you might, you will never be able to change the memory. Because it has already been printed, and it has become a fact of life.

 

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Not certain how this relates to Cool Hand Luke, but I have to say that this Great Brown Heron did have a bit of shaking going on while resting in the shallow waters along Horsepen Bayou. Yes, it is a juvenile Great Blue Heron that hasn’t transitioned to the adult blue colors and my Great Brown reference is just another lame attempt at humor. My daughter will tell you that you don’t have to laugh at my jokes. I did like the feather detail.

 

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