Visiting The Past Series.

Another stunning piece of artwork in my opinion again near Brick Lane London. As the previous one it is now gone and replaced by another. On this chilly windy day with not many people around i took around an hour to get this . I wanted someone to interact with the artwork and i was fairly pleased with the result .

Thanks for reading : )

P.S. my last photo for at least a couple of weeks so will be off Flickr in a few days and look forward to seeing your new work , thanks for all your support ❤︎

That's what I decided to do when I spotted these Sunflowers. I started with What if and finished with Why Not : )

______________________________________________

The Sunflower:

Helianthus is a genus comprising about 70 species of annual and perennial flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae commonly known as Sunflowers. Except for three South American species, the species of Helianthus are native to North America and Central America.

The best-known species is the common sunflower (Helianthus annuus), whose round flower heads in combination with the ligules look like the Sun. This and other species, notably Jerusalem artichoke are cultivated in temperate regions and some tropical regions as food crops for humans, cattle, and poultry, and as ornamental plants.

(Nikon Z6, 24-120/4.0 @ 84 mm, 1/20 @ f/4.5, ISO 100, edited to taste)

The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail is found in most provinces and territories in Canada, as its name implies. Its range extends north of the Arctic Circle in the Yukon, and to Churchill in Manitoba, Little Shagamu River in Ontario, and to Schefferville in Quebec. It does not occur in southern British Columbia, being replaced there by the western tiger swallowtail, Papilio rutulus, or in southwestern Ontario, approximately west of Toronto, where it is replaced by the eastern tiger swallowtail. It has not been reported from Labrador, but has been seen in western Newfoundland. It is seen in the northern third of the United States. Within this range, it is a very common and well-known butterfly, even more so around woodland edges. It is one of the most common puddling species and often hundreds will gather at a single puddle. (Wikipedia)

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Butterflies seem to be in short supply this year so I was pleased to find this swallowtail feeding on the nectar of the honeysuckle.

Carden Alvar, Ramara, Ontario, Canada. May 2023.

The Abbey of St. Jean des Vignes was a monastery of Augustinian canons in Soissons, France, southwest of the city center. Only ruins remain, of which the west facade remains one of the more outstanding examples of architecture in the town. It is a listed historic monument.

The abbey was founded on St. John's hill in 1076 by Hughes Le Blanc as a community of Augustinian canons.

Initially built in Romanesque style, the initial buildings were replaced at the end of the 12th century by those extant today. The west facade was begun in the 12th century, but not finished until the 16th. The refectory and cellar date from the 13th century, parts of the cloisters from the end of the 13th century, while other parts are from the 16th century, as is the abbot's lodging.

When the abbey was suppressed during the French Revolution the premises were put to use for military purposes, and an arsenal was added.

The site was acquired by the town of Soissons in the 1970s and the remaining buildings are now occupied by educational and heritage-related organizations.

This camel was at the Caversham Wildlife Park

Australian feral camels are feral populations of dromedaries. Imported into Australia from British India and Afghanistan during the 19th century for transport and construction during the colonisation of the central and western parts of Australia, many were released into the wild after motorised transport replaced the use of camels in the early 20th century

#sliderssunday

The berlin cube cloudified and kaleidoscoped for Sliders Sunday. Composite made of two images taken there in mid July. The first image is a capture I took standing right next to the cube's facade and pointing the camera straight up. In Photoshop, I copied the layer with the original image, flipped the new layer horizontally, and cross-faded it with the first layer by using the blending mode "Overlay" at 75 % opacity. 100 % would have resulted in a punchier look on the right side, but I rather liked the softness and that it somehow looks as if the cube would slowly dissolve into or merge with the clouds. The next step was to replace the sky above the cube(s). For that I used a small part of the very first image I'd taken at the cube; I was just about to compose the image in the viewfinder when I noticed the bird, and decided to skip the composing part in favour of the bird ;-) (Birds, just like photographers, love the new berlin cube. There was a constant coming and going on the cube's roof, and it seems that, while not even all new tenants have moved in, yet, the cube's roof has already been occupied by the bird population that lives in the Hauptbahnhof area.) Next, I gently HDRified the finished composite in Aurora, then went into ON1 where I added some sunbeams to the upper sky part of the image, and added a soft glow for an extra airy look.

Happy Sliders Sunday, Everyone, have a nice and safe new week ahead!

Kleine Spiegel-Spielerei vom "berlin cube" für den Sliders Sunday. Dieses Bild ist zusammengesetzt aus zwei verschiedenen Fotos, die ich dort Mitte Juli gemacht habe. Für Foto Nr. 1 hatte ich fast an der Fassade des Cubes gelehnt und die Kamera direkt nach oben gerichtet. Dieses Foto habe ich in Photoshop auf einer kopierten Ebene einfach horizontal gespiegelt und mit dem darunter liegenden Originalbild bei 75 % Deckkraft ineinanderkopiert. Danach habe ich den Himmel über "den Cubes" ersetzt, und zwar mit einem kleinen Teil des allerersten Fotos, das ich dort gemacht hatte. Ich war gerade dabei gewesen, eine gute Position zu finden, um den Cube möglichst sauber ausgerichtet fotografieren zu können, bemerkte dann aber den Vogel und beschloss, das saubere Ausrichten zugunsten des Vogels auf das nächste Foto zu verschieben ;-) Überhaupt ist der neue Cube schon sehr beliebt bei den Vögeln, die rund um den Berliner Hauptbahnhof leben. Während längst noch nicht alle Mieter in den Cube eingezogen sind, hat die Vogel-Gang vom Hauptbahnhof bereits das gesamte Dach in Beschlag genommen ;-) Bearbeitungstechnisch habe ich das fertig zusammengesetzte Bild erst in Aurora sanft HDRisiert und dann, in ON1, dem oberen Teil ein paar Sonnenstrahlen und zum Abschluss dem gesamten Foto ein leichtes Leuchten verpasst, um den luftig-leichten Look zu betonen.

Ich wünsche Euch einen guten Start in die neue Woche, bleibt gesund, liebe Flickr-Freunde :-)

Well, the result here is no mistake - but it is due to one.

This is the central, octagonal tower as seen from the interior of Ely cathedral. It's current look is due to a collapse to the tower structure in 1322, probably due to building works in the vicinity. The tower dated to Norman times (work on the cathedral we see today began in 1083) and the tower was not so much completely replaced as re-styled to its current, quite eye-catching Gothic look.

ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved

Do not use without permission.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AYl10qxc0M

I fell by the wayside like everyone else

I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, but I was just kidding myself

Our every moment, I start to replace

'Cause now that they're gone, all I hear are the words that I needed to say

When you hurt under the surface

Like troubled water running cold

Well, time can heal, but this won't

So, before you go, was there something I could've said to make your heart beat better?

If only I'd have known you had a storm to weather

So, before you go, was there something I could've said to make it all stop hurting?

It kills me how your mind can make you feel so worthless

So, before you go

Was never the right time, whenever you called

Went little by little by little until there was nothing at all

Our every moment, I start to replay

But all I can think about is seeing that look on your face

When you hurt under the surface

Like troubled water running cold

Well, time can heal, but this won't

So, before you go, was there something I could've said to make your heart beat better?

If only I'd have known you had a storm to weather

So, before you go, was there something I could've said to make it all stop hurting?

It kills me how your mind can make you feel so worthless

So, before you go

Would we be better off by now

If I'd have let my walls come down?

Maybe, I guess we'll never know

You know, you know

Before you go, was there something I could've said to make your heart beat better?

If only I'd have known you had a storm to weather

So, before you go, was there something I could've said to make it all stop hurting?

It kills me how your mind can make you feel so worthless

So, before you go

La Ceja, Colombia; 2.300 meters above sea level.

Mimus gilvus (Tropical Mockingbird / Sinsonte tropical)

The Tropical Mockingbird is the neotropical counterpart to the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottus), replacing Northern Mockingbird south of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The two species are similar in appearance, but Tropical Mockingbird has less white in the wings, lacking the white primary coverts and white bases to the primaries of Northern Mockingbird.

neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p...

The first attempt to replace the wooden fort with a stone kremlin was recorded in 1374, but construction was limited to a single tower, known as the Dmitrovskaya Tower (this has not survived). Under the rule of Ivan III, Nizhny Novgorod played the role of a guard city, having a permanent garrison; it served as a place for gathering troops for Moscow’s actions against the Khanate of Kazan. In order to strengthen the defenses of the city, construction works on the walls began again.

Construction of the stone Kremlin of Nizhny Novgorod began in 1500 with the building of the Ivanovskaya Tower; the main work commenced in 1508 and by 1515 a grandiose building was completed. The oak walls that formed the old fortifications were destroyed by a huge fire in 1513. The two kilometer wall was reinforced by 13 towers (one of them – Zachatskaya – was on the shore of the Volga; not preserved, but was rebuilt in 2012). This “Stone City” had a permanent garrison with solid artillery weapons. With the fall of Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin lost its military significance, and later it housed the city and provincial authorities.

Memorial “Gorky for the front!” on the territory of the Kremlin between Dmitrovskaya and Kladovaya (Pantry) towers. 1986

During the World War II, the roofs of the Taynitskaya, the Severnaya, and the Chasovaya Towers were dismantled and anti-aircraft machine guns were installed on the upper platforms. Thus, the fortress defended the airspace of the city from the Luftwaffe. The Luftwaffe bombed the Kanavinsky Bridge and the Fair, but the Kremlin's air defense defended these objects.

The Council of Ministers of the RSFSR issued an order on January 30, 1949 for the restoration of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin.

In October 2018, archaeologists discovered the remains of a medieval settlement and cemetery on the site of the destroyed church of St. Simeon Stylites. The finds belong to the 13th century, and the most ancient cultural layer - to 1221, when Nizhny Novgorod was founded. After all the excavations, the exhibits will be museified, and the church of St. Simeon the Stylite will be recreated at this place.

In 2021, before the 800th anniversary of Nizhny Novgorod, a major restoration was carried out. Under its terms, the most important thing was the restoration of the historic "battle road" inside the Kremlin wall. The city had been waiting for this event for 230 years. Since August 2021, locals and tourists can walk a full circular route along the large fortress wall while inside it. Its length is 2 km.

Replaced with New Larger Lightroom A.I. Noise Reduction image 30-05-2023

⭐️Thank you in Advance for your kind ‘Faves’ Visits and Comments they are so very much appreciated. 👍

I cannot always ‘Thank’ everyone individually, for their Visits and ‘Faves’ however, I will always try to respond and thank all those that leave a ‘Comment’. If I do not reply to your 'Comment', it is not because I am ignoring you, it's because I have not seen the 'Comment'.

Your 'Comments' do not always appear in 'Notifications' or Flickr mail, so, I am sorry for any delay in responding. Often your 'Comment' is only spotted 'On the Page' on the day, that I see it. (seen ONLY when replying to someone HAS 'Commented' on the image, and I see a notification)

Replaced sky via Luminar 4, cloned out builders’ detritus and door panel mismatch (see earlier pic)...some contrast boosting via Snapseed and AdobePhotoshopExpress... ‘inspiration’ vía a copious amount of iced Yellowtail Chardonnay.

The original Tappen Zee Bridge was built in 1955 where Interstate 87 flowed over north to Albany and straight on to the Canadian border towards Montreal. However by the ninety eighties it was already obsolete in design in that it was too narrow to handle the contemporary traffic flow. By the nineties negligence and the elements forced the state to spend huge amounts on money just to keep it safely repaired and there were was strong pressure to have a new bridge replaced it. Finally after literally decades of political and financial haggling the new replacement bridge shown above opened up for service with two extra lanes for traffic and considered vastly more visually pleasing in design compared to the old bridge was considered by many an eyesore and named after Governor Mario Coumo who initiated the moves to have a new bridge built while the old bridge which was dynamited and sold for scrap.

Sefton Park, Liverpool.

View On White

This was made with my first attempt to create a texture. It's quite basic made using watercolor paper and charcoal, scanned into the computer. Unfortunately I hadnt realised the paper was too large for the scanner so it was quite what I had wanted. The photo has had the usual treatment in photomatix and photoshop.

Abandoned farm house

© All rights reserved. Replaced photo to large size. (hmm, for me, flickr must have been a friendlier place with the comments back then.)

Detail shot of the beautiful waterfalls at Healey Dell near Rochdale. Taken with my new Rx100 that's replaced all my camera gear :D

A scenic view of the Main Building (known colloquially as The Tower or UT Tower) as seen from the marble benches at the intersection of University Ave. and Martin Luther King Blvd. on south side of the University of Texas campus.

The Main Building is a structure at the center of the University of Texas at Austin campus just north of the State Capitol Building and Downtown Austin. The Main Building's 307-foot (94 m) tower has 28 floors and is one of the most recognizable symbols of the university and the city.

Designed by Paul Philippe Cret, the Beaux-Arts style building was constructed between 1934-1937, replacing an earlier Victorian-Gothic style Main Building that stood on the campus from 1882 to 1934. The 28-story building, including an outdoor observation deck, rises to a height of 307 ft (94 m). At the top of the Tower is a carillon of 56 bells which is played daily. The building now mainly contains administrative offices, along with a three-floor life sciences library and the Miriam Lutcher Stark Library of early and significant editions of English Romanticist works.

The University of Texas at Austin, shortened to UT Austin, UT, or Texas, is a public research university and the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, the University of Texas is composed of over 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students and over 24,000 faculty and staff.

A Public Ivy, it is a major center for academic research. The university houses seven museums and seventeen libraries, including the LBJ Presidential Library and the Blanton Museum of Art.

George on a mission! best viewed On Black

or viewed

large.

As you can imagine a quick shot (i have since replaced it with a straightened version).

Please also visit my bubble set

This photo won the weekly contest on the 200views group (23/9/05). I'm honoured =). Here's the 200views winners blog were all the winning pictures are put. Some damn fine photos in there too.

Added to cream of the crop as a personal favourite.

Baneservice Sverige hauls a sand train Halmstad - Limmared. The sand is going to the Ardagh glas production plant in Limmared. Baneservice is using the recently overhauled and repainted TMY 1111 for this train. It is owned by Svensk Tagkraft AB (STAB). it lost its original EMD-motor several years ago when it was replaced by a Cummins-motor. On the picture the loaded sand train 60064 to Limmared at Aplared on the electrified line Värnamo - Boras.

Amtrak put 164 into phase IV heritage paint to replace phase IV unit 184 which was repainted in the standard scheme after some repairs. Here the still fresh looking 164 is on the point of the Capitol Limited as it flies towards Toledo across the former NYC "Air Line" in Swanton, OH. 6/9/2023

UPDATED Image replaced 13-02-2026 (found during a Lightroom Catalogue re-build) The image on the LEFT was the ORIGINAL POST, the image on the RIGHT is the REAL COLOUR of LEO (being confirmed that it IS him) a neighbours cat (in MORNING light) who sadly passed away over 10 years ago.😭😭😭

⭐️Thank you in Advance for your kind ‘Faves’ Visits and Comments they are so very much appreciated. 👍

I cannot always ‘Thank’ everyone individually, for their Visits and ‘Faves’ however, I will always try to respond and thank all those that leave a ‘Comment’. If I do not reply to your 'Comment', it is not because I am ignoring you, it's because I have not seen the 'Comment'.

Your 'Comments' do not always appear in 'Notifications' or Flickr mail, so, I am sorry for any delay in responding. Often your 'Comment' is only spotted 'On the Page' on the day, that I see it. (seen ONLY when replying to someone HAS 'Commented' on the image, and I see a notification)

I replaced the small perch wih a stick I had found at one of the rapids in the Rio Grande. I put the camera on the tripod a few feet way. Then I set up my Canon R7 to be controlled by the Canon app in my iPhone while I was inside the house. Then just waited, and waited. And then waited some more. Finally, my small friend showed up late in the day as the light was going down. In my excitement I did not raise the ISO. I was lucky to get one sharp frame at 1/15 sec.

(replaced with different version!)

Craig Tara is a holiday camp located near Ayr in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is run by Haven Holidays, who took over and renamed the former Butlin's Ayr camp in 1999.

The site was built just before the Second World War by Butlins but was then requisitioned becoming in 1941 a Navy training camp associated with HMS Scotia. After the Second World was over, it opened as a Butlins camp in 1947.

In 1987, the park was updated following a £25 million investment to improve the park. In 1988, the park was relaunched as "Butlin's Wonderwest World". The camp operated as a popular Scottish Butlins holiday resort until the 1990s though the resort suffered from events related to alcohol and drug consumption as well as violence in the 80s and 90s. To improve security in the park, security guards were recruited and CCTV added. The park also had a church facility and provided religious services. By 1998, the camp could hold up to 4,500 visitors and 1,500 daytrippers. In 1998, parts of Butlin's Wonderwest World were demolished.

In 1999, the camp became part of Haven Holidays, along with the Pwllheli camp, as part of an internal reorganisation within Bourne Leisure, which owned both Butlins and Haven. Haven Holidays renamed the site Craig Tara and replaced the chalet accommodation with static caravans. A £2.5 million development plan was announced at this time. The park was reopened by Kenny Dalglish. It included new luxury caravans and had some 40 to 50 permanent staff, with up to 300 seasonal workers in employment at Craig Tara.

I popped down Loch Eilt to a location where I could look across at the Fort William to Mallaig line. Quickly I saw I hadn't got the right day. I need the waters to be flat calm to get a nice reflection. And some nice light on the hills would help. The train, the Jacobite, was only slightly late but when it came, horror of horrors it was an old diesel relic pulling the train, and not a famous Black Five.........todays' train, no steam or smolke, definitely couldn't be called the Hogwart's Express. I tried imagining how many passengers would be disappointed the steam engine had been replaced with a diesel: it's just not the same.

So I had decided on a two frame stitched pano shot but that went wrong too! I seem to have cut off the end of the train in 'merging' the images. So with a steam train, streaming smoke and steam against the mountains, reflected on still waters it might have looked something, but...not today! At least I don't have to travel far for another try, but I can't predict what the conditions are like on the other side of the mountains from home!

This large dairy barn, built in 1910, sits on the Hjertoos Farm, now know as the Hjertoos Tree Farm in Carnation WA. The Hjertoos, a Norwegian family, arrived in the Snoqualmie Valley in the 1880s. Bergette and Andrew Hjertoos bought this farm from the Shaw family in 1901. At the time the place included a two-story log house, a large house for boarders, and a substantial orchard. In 1905 the Hjertoos build a two-story, wood frame farmhouse to replace the earlier structures. Lumber for the building came from the Preston Mill Company at Preston. The large barn followed in 1910. Though some of the original acreage has been sold or donated, the core of the property remains in the Hjertoos family. Today the farm operates as a tree farm and the barn contain a “loft” available for meetings or overnight lodging. The farm (both house and barn) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Severn Bridge (Welsh: Pont Hafren), sometimes also called the Severn-Wye Bridge is a motorway suspension bridge spanning the River Severn and River Wye between Aust, South Gloucestershire (just north of Bristol) in England, and Chepstow, Monmouthshire in South East Wales, via Beachley, Gloucestershire, a peninsula between the two rivers. It is the original Severn road crossing between England and Wales and took three and half years[3] to construct at a cost of £8 million.[4] It replaced the Aust ferry.

The bridge was opened on 8 September 1966, by Queen Elizabeth II, who hailed it as the dawn of a new economic era for South Wales. The bridge was granted Grade I listed status on 26 November 1999.[5]

replaced **

1st photo uploaded taken with my "new" D750 and nikon 200-500. My good old D300s replaced.

The Museum of Liverpool in Liverpool, England, tells the story of Liverpool and its people, and reflects the city's global significance. It opened in 2011 as newest addition to the National Museums Liverpool group replacing the former Museum of Liverpool Life.

Located in: The Liverpool Waterfront

Address: Pier Head, Mann Island, Liverpool L3 1DG

Replaced with New Lightroom A.I. Noise Reduction image 31-05-2023 Image on Left is original post. Noise was so poor, I had to reduce the 'sharpening' to 25%. (at 200 dpi)

Image on Right is A.I Noise Reduced at full 100% 'sharpening' (240 dpi hence bigger image)

⭐️Thank you in Advance for your kind ‘Faves’ Visits and Comments they are so very much appreciated. 👍

I cannot always ‘Thank’ everyone individually, for their Visits and ‘Faves’ however, I will always try to respond and thank all those that leave a ‘Comment’. If I do not reply to your 'Comment', it is not because I am ignoring you, it's because I have not seen the 'Comment'.

Your 'Comments' do not always appear in 'Notifications' or Flickr mail, so, I am sorry for any delay in responding. Often your 'Comment' is only spotted 'On the Page' on the day, that I see it. (seen ONLY when replying to someone HAS 'Commented' on the image, and I see a notification)

(Original uploaded photo replaced with this cropped version.)

Atlantic seaside resort town in Southern Maine. The town is home of Palace Playland, an amusement park that dates back to 1902 and occupies four acres of beachfront.

Attractions included "The Carousel," with hand-carved wooden horses from Germany, beautifully painted and gold-leaf accented. "The Jack and Jill“ consisted of a large bucket that hoisted two people to the top of a 50 foot slide and dumped them out. Dominating the park was “Noah’s Ark,” a huge ark-shaped funhouse that rocked back and forth while parents hung onto their little ones straining to run through the below-deck passages.

A fire in 1969, reportedly started by a penny that replaced a fuse, consumed the park.

I couldn't bring myself photograph the cookie-cutter attractions that now make up Palace Playland. Those childhood pictures of unique charm and character exist only in my mind.

Martkopi Monastery is located 35 kilometers from Tbilisi, Georgia in a resplendant mountain forest of Kvemo Kartli Region. Founded in the 6th century by Assyrian Father Anton Martkopeli, the complex holds cultural significance to Georgians and is the site of one of the country’s most infamous unsolved murders.

Martkopi Monastery Complex consists of the Deity, Virgin Mary, St. George and Father Anton Churches, as well as a belltower and living quarters for monks. The icon of St. Anton Martkopeli, the site’s most sacred relic which is rumored to possess miraculous powers, is also on display. To the east of Martkopi Monastery is Anton's Pillar, which overlooks dense forest from atop a mountain precipice. The pillar can be reached with a 20-30-minute hike on a well-marked trail up the mountainside. From the top, one can enjoy breathtaking views of the monastic complex year-round.

Anton Martkopeli was one of the thirteen 6th-century Assyrian missionaries who traveled from Mesopotamia to Georgia to strengthen Christianity in the country. Upon arrival, Father Anton opted to live in a secluded enclave on Mount Akriani, where he would pray fervently day and night. In the coming years he converted many people to Christianity before living out the last 15 years of his life in the place where Anton’s Pillar now stands. He lived as a hermit, which is also implied by the name Martkopeli (Martomkopeli), which in Georgian means "one who lives in solitude". The nearby village of Martkopi also adopted this name in the 6th century, having previously been known as Akriani. Father Anton became known in the region as a miracle worker and was soon surrounded by a crowd of followers, which in time led to the revival of Martkopi's monastic life.

Martkopi Monastery has come under attack multiple times over the centuries by various invaders, suffering partiuclarly extensive damage during Tamerlane’s conquest in 1395. A century later, Georgia was officially dissolved into smaller kingdoms. Martkopi was annexed to the Kingdom of Kakheti, where it was highly regarded by Kakheti’s kings.

In the 17th century, restoration efforts helped to reverse much of the damage which Marktopi had sustained since the Tamerlane era. The monastery went on to serve as an educational center until the mid-18th century. Extensive renovations were carried out in the 19th century, at which time a new builing for Church of the Deity was built to replace its crumbling medieval prededessor. Kirion II, head of the Georgian Orthodox Church from 1917-1918, resided there in his final days after becoming a monk toward the end of his life. In the summer of 1918, he was murdered in his chambers at Martkopi in a senseless killing which remains unsolved to this day.

Martkopi Monastery continued to function as a hermitage until 1934. It served as a shelter for homeless children in the 1950s - 1960s and a recreational home in later years. In 1989, the monastery was again restored to the Georgian Orthodox Church by Patriarch Ilia II.

Currently, Martkopi Monastery Complex remains open for visitors and is a worthwhile stop for travelers passing through Georgia’s Kvemo Kartli Region.

Strip District Neighborhood in Pittsburgh

No utility wires

Warning : ALL RIGHTS RESERVED : do not use my photos without my EXPLICIT permission

All my images are protected by PIXSY and COPYTRACK.

Replaced this shot with one with texture and frame added to it.

They are very tiny.... only about 3 inches tall .

Not many left, but those that are still blooming look great.

Macro ... pagh... I wasn't holding the camera very steady for a hand held shot here ... but, the colours are lovely, so I'm adding it anyway.. .... and if I trot out again to try for a better photo, I'll replace it.

While we were walking on the Bangor Garth pier 2nd longest in Wales we came across new planks being replaced on the pier that was built in 1896.

This image is of the Naples pier, an historic SW Florida landmark. Florida is a sunny place, but I chose to develop this as a monochrome to better reflect the water-light. For those interested, a history of the pier is presented below.

The history of the Naples Pier is as dynamic as the City on the Gulf. It has withstood six major hurricanes and recently underwent a major renovation. In 2015, the wood on the pier was replaced with Brazilian ipe, an impressive material that could last up to three decades. It’s also supposed to be cool to the touch, something beachgoers will undoubtedly appreciate. The pier also got bigger bathrooms and new sea turtle-friendly lights.

Before the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) was finished in 1928, the only way people could get to Naples was by boat via the Naples Pier. However, before the wooden pier was finished, there was a shell road from Fort Myers to Naples.

The city’s first post office was located at the end of the pier before it was destroyed by an accidental cigarette fire in 1912. The pier survived the fire—and hurricanes in 1910, 1926, 1935, 1944, 1960, and 2017. Throughout the years, the structure has proven to be as resilient as the people who frequent it.

The Naples Pier was officially completed in 1889 and helped transport guests to and from the Old Naples Hotel, which opened a year later. Other Naples homes, like Palm Cottage, sprang up around the pier as well. The original structure was a T-shaped, 600-foot wharf. Changing rooms, a bathhouse, and freight lifts were installed in 1909. A year later, a hurricane destroyed much of the pier. It was reconstructed to be 100 feet longer with two wings that formed a “V.”

Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be the first time the pier had to be rebuilt after a hurricane.

In 1926, another storm struck and damaged the pier yet again. There was another devastating hurricane in 1935, but it was the hurricane of 1944 that prompted the pier to be rebuilt to sturdier standards. The next version of the pier would be in 22 feet of water and 100 feet longer. This is when the pier started to become known as more of a fishing, dancing, and sunset viewing destination.

In 1960, the infamous Hurricane Donna hit Florida and caused the pier to be completely reconstructed. The pier collapsed under the weight of Category 4 water and winds. Fast forward 10 months later and it was standing again—still a major Naples landmark and community gathering place in the heart of the city.

The Naples Pier saw more major renovations in 2015 and had to be shut down two years later for repairs from Hurricane Irma. But no matter what, the pier isn’t going anywhere. It’s part of the heartbeat of Naples and that’s how it will stay.

*Replaced 10/2/2026

Though long gone and replaced by Pixar Pier, Paradise Pier lives on in bright colorful memories. This is a re-edited version of a previous upload with more color, vibrance and light.

replaced

replacing Tulip number 131...:-)

Replacing the leaky skylight in my wife’s Florida house. It leaked constantly during Tropical Storm Nicole.

Bartholome Island

Galapagos Islands

South America

Off The Coast of Ecuador

According to Wikipedia, Grapsus grapsus is one of the most common crabs along the western coast of the Americas. It is known variously as, "red rock crab", "abuete negro", and along with crabs such as Percnon gibbesi as, "Sally Lightfoot". The crab is about eight inches in size.

Grapsus grapsus is found along the Pacific coast of Mexico, Central America, South America (as far south as northern Peru), and on nearby islands, including the Galápagos Islands. It is also found along the Atlantic coast of South America, but is replaced in the eastern Atlantic Ocean (Ascension Island and West Africa) by its congener Grapsus adscensionis.

This crab lives among the rocks at the often turbulent, windy shore, just above the limit of the sea spray. It feeds on algae primarily, sometimes sampling other plant matter and dead animals. It is a quick-moving and agile crab, and hard to catch. Not considered very edible by humans, it is used as bait by fishermen.

G. grapsus has been observed in an apparent cleaning symbiosis taking ticks from marine iguanas on the Galápagos Islands.

Grapsus grapsus was collected by Charles Darwin during his voyages on HMS Beagle.

ARCO Camino de Santiago A Coruña/Vigo - Irún/Bilbao cruzando el Sil sobre el viaducto de Sequeiros. En 2008, el diurno Galicia - País Vasco pasó denominarse ARCO Camino de Santiago, sustituyendo el material rodante de serie 9000/10000 por coches ARCO y las locomotoras Mitsubishi 269 por Siemens 252. 29/05/2008

ARCO Camino de Santiago A Coruña / Vigo - Irún / Bilbao crossing the Sil river on Sequeiros viaduct. In 2008, the intercity service Galicia - Basque Country was renamed ARCO Camino de Santiago, replacing Renfe's 9000/10000 series rolling stock with ARCO coaches and Mitsubishi 269 locomotives with Siemens 252 ones.