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El castillo de Burgalimar (del árabe Burj al-Hamma, 'torre de los Baños'), es una fortaleza califal, construida en el siglo x sobre un pequeño cerro que domina la localidad de Baños de la Encina, situada en el norte de la provincia de Jaén (Andalucía, España).
Rodeado y flanqueado por una robusta y almenada muralla con catorce torres, más una decimoquinta torre del homenaje de factura cristiana, el castillo apenas ha sufrido daños, ya sean causados por el tiempo o la acción humana. Representa por tanto un ejemplo perfecto de fortaleza andalusí del siglo x, y constituye el conjunto fortificado mejor preservado de la época califal, al mismo tiempo que es uno de los castillos musulmanes mejor conservados de toda España. Su inestimable valor histórico y artístico es la razón por la que este castillo llegó a ser declarado como Monumento Nacional en 1931.1os de la Encina (Jaén)
(Wikipedia)
photography can make no pretensions to represent the first, but beauty can be represented by its means and picturesqueness has never had so perfect an interpreter :-)
Henry Peach Robinson
Truth Matters!
prunus, blireana plum, j c raulston arboretum, ncsu, raleigh, north carolina
La foto representa la portada principal vista desde dentro de la ciudad palatina o La Ciudad Brillante de Medina Azahara. En sueños vi venir por ese camino idealizado las personas o personajes del segundo milenio que eran recibidos con grandes fiestas y boato por el Califa. Como la belleza es efímera solo duró este esplendor una docena de años . La envidia la arruino y ha estado olvidada. Los cordobeses queremos que la Unesco vea en estas ruinas lo que pensamos y lo que significa aunque sea por poco tiempo la ciudad mas importante del mundo.
Representa a Latona, madre de Apolo y Diana siendo increpada por los hombres que como castigo se van convirtiendo en ranas.
Historia:Este conjunto de mármol esculpido por los hermanos Marsy en 1670 es una las obras más famosas de Versalles y representa a Latona y sus hijos, dando nombre al estanque sobre el que se erige. Inspirado en Las metamorfosis de Ovidio, el estanque de Latona ilustra la metamorfosis de los campesinos de Licia en anfibios tras haber impedido a la diosa y a sus hijos Diana y Apolo beber en un estanque. El estanque y el parterre que lo rodean –diseñado por André Le Nôtre– fueron íntegramente restaurados en el año 2015.
Everything it represented, was... Well... Everything.
His momma knew he wasn't going to be the type to walk the line. Ever since he was a kid, he flirted with Risk.
Mahler - Sinfonia nr. 5 - Adagietto - Claudio Abbado.
The Deer Hunter - Can't Take My Eyes off You Pelicula 1978 interpretada por los actores
Can't Take My Eyes Off You NO puedo quitar mis ojos de ti - Frankie Valli ESPAÑOL
COLEGIATA SANTA MARIA LA MAYOR DE TORO.
Su construcción comienza a finales del s. XII, se desarrolla en tres etapas entre el románico y el gótico. Todo un testimonio plástico alcanzado en Toro en el s. XII. En su interior destaca la Portada de la Majestad, s. XIII, esculpida en piedra conserva su policromía original. En ella dos temas principales de la época; la Exaltación de la Virgen y la Iglesia, representa el Juicio Final . En la Sacristía cabe destacar la talla de la Virgen de la Mosca, obra flamenca del s. XVI. un calvario de marfil y carey blanco del s. XVII y distintos retablos y esculturas de talleres locales.
www.lugaresconhistoria.com/toro-zamora
Muchas gracias por vuestros favoritos y comentarios.
Saludos.
Autel comportant un bas-relief central représentant la Cène, encadrée par quatre colonnettes. Tabernacle dont la porte centrale est en onyx. Retable composé de deux niches comportant des hauts-reliefs représentant des scènes de la vie de saint Martin (dont la Charité de saint Martin à gauche), couronnées par une arcature gothique ajourée. Aux extrémités du retable, des niches étroites à dais abritent des statues de saint Pierre et saint Paul. Au-dessus de l'exposition, au centre, une autre niche à dais surmontée d'une flèche, abrité un Christ bénissant. De part et d'autre, dans de plus petites niches, des statues d'anges. Sur l'autel, six chandeliers en bronze doré et sur le tabernacle, une croix d'autel en bronze doré.
Because it represents ‘23 - 2 dimes and 3 pennies, little buddy!….
Both of these duckies were gifts from my SIL who knows how much I love macros and duckies— perfect, right? The tiny ducky fits on a dime— there’s a size verification shot and a set-up shot for this posting in my photostream.
for the first Macro Monday theme of the new year, on 1/1/23, of “new”
…….💙 🎉🆕 HMM 🆕👶💙
For me this photo is representing a lot of how I'm feeling right now. No matter if I'm reading a newspaper, watching TV ore just looking at my surroundings and the people in it. I'm feeling like that snail that is moving unstoppable to a point were it’s not going any further. I think the snail isn't aware of that, but unfortunately I am. Everyone can have its own thoughts now and I'm closing like William Shakespeare did once in Hamlet: “The rest is silence".
Dieses Bild representiert viel von dem, was gerade in mir vor sich geht, egal ob ich Zeitungsartikel lese, den Fernseher einschalte oder einfach nur mein Umfeld und die Menschen darin beobachte. Ich fühle mich wie diese Schnecke die sich unaufhaltsam auf einen Punkt zubewegt, an dem es offensichtlich nicht mehr weiter geht. Ich denke, die Schnecke ist sich dessen nicht bewusst, ich bin es mir unglücklicher Weise schon. Weitere Gedanken darf sich jeder selbst machen und ich schließe wie einst William Shakespeare in Hamlet: "Der Rest ist Schweigen".
more of this on my website at: www.shoot-to-catch.de
Jan Hus was a Czech church reformer executed in 1415. His teachings had a profound influence on the history of the Czech nation.
Jan Hus’s contribution to the development of the Czech literary language was the introduction of diacritical marks, such as: č, š, ř, ž, á, í, é. The purpose of this innovation was representing each sound by only one symbol and eleminating digraphs (sounds represented by two letters).
The inscription on the monument reads “Milujte se, pravdy každému přejte”, which means more or less: “Love one another, wish the truth to everyone”. This is a shortened version of a quote from one of Hus’s letters from prison. The day of his execution, July 6th, is a public holiday in Czechia (Jan Hus Day).
El castillo de Turégano, situado sobre un promontorio que domina la villa, constituye la imagen más representativa de la localidad, símbolo del pueblo, y visita obligada para los turistas.
Es Monumento Nacional desde 1931 y está declarado Bien de Interés Cultural
The picture represents the feelings and point of view of the intelligence behind the camera. This disease of our age is boredom and a good photographer must combat it. The way to do this is by invention – by surprise. When I say a good picture has surprise value I mean that it stimulates my thinking and intrigues me. The best way to achieve surprise quality is by avoiding clichés. Imitation is the greatest danger of the young photographer.
Alexey Brodovitch
Photography, February 1964
HMM! Ukraine Matters!
prunus, Blireana plum, j c raulston arboretum, ncsu, raleigh, north carolina
“The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short.”
— Homaro Cantu
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BLACK FAIR | Azul | La Vie en Pose | XTC- | [rD] |
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All the details SimplyAnafied
... but we do not represent hope for them!
Let us keep the flowers in the soil; no plucking!
― Mehmet Murat ildan
Topaz Studio
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Use without permission is illegal.
Please, don't fave and run, you will get yourself blocked.
The Byodo-In Temple, located at the foot of the Ko’olau Mountains in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, welcomes people of all faiths to worship, meditate or simply appreciate its beauty and history as a non-practicing Buddhist temple. Built in 1963, the Byodo-In Temple is a Hawaii state landmark.
O’ahu’s Byodo-In Temple represents a smaller scale replica of the almost 1,000-year old Byodo-In Temple in Uji, Japan, which is a United Nations World Heritage Site.
Source: byodo-in.com/
Painted ceramic benches representing all the provinces in Spain are arranged round the square.
It was built because of the Ibero-american Exhibition of 1929, held in Seville. Its creator was Aníbal González. He mixed a style inspired by the Renaissance with typical elements from the city: exposed brick, ceramics and wrought iron (worked by Domingo Prida). Its floor plan is semicircular. It is dominated by 2 towers, one on each side of the enclosed area, which frame the central building where the main rooms are. Between the two towers runs a network of galleries with an arcade of semicircular arches leading to exits in different parts of the square, where a fountain stands.
The Darling Buds of May by H E Bates
ANSH 117 (19) represent a book title
Weekly Alphabet Challenge 'season'
Le Cisne Branco est un voilier brésilien exerçant des fonctions diplomatiques et de relations publiques. Sa mission est de représenter le pays dans les événements nautiques nationaux et internationaux. Il est également utilisé comme navire-école.
Il a été commandé par la Marine pour les célébrations du 500e anniversaire de la Découverte du Brésil et a permis de participer à la traversée commémorative de l'Atlantique avec un voilier.
Il a été construit aux Pays-Bas et a un navire jumeau, le Stad Amsterdam, naviguant sous le pavillon des Pays-Bas.
Il a subi un accident en Équateur lorsqu'il est entré en collision avec un pont à Guayaquil en raison du fort courant.
The Cisne Branco is a Brazilian sailboat performing diplomatic and public relations functions. Its mission is to represent the country in national and international nautical events. She is also used as a school ship.
It was commissioned by the Navy for the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Discovery of Brazil and allowed participating in the commemorative crossing of the Atlantic with a sailboat.
She was built in the Netherlands and has a sister vessel, the Stad Amsterdam, sailing under the flag of the Netherlands.
She had an accident in Ecuador when she collided with a bridge in Guayaquil due to the strong current there.
Painted ceramic benches representing all the provinces in Spain are arranged round the square.
It was built because of the Ibero-american Exhibition of 1929, held in Seville. Its creator was Aníbal González. He mixed a style inspired by the Renaissance with typical elements from the city: exposed brick, ceramics and wrought iron (worked by Domingo Prida). Its floor plan is semicircular. It is dominated by 2 towers, one on each side of the enclosed area, which frame the central building where the main rooms are. Between the two towers runs a network of galleries with an arcade of semicircular arches leading to exits in different parts of the square, where a fountain stands.
Meaning & Symbolism of Chrysanthemums
With a history that dates back to 15th century B.C., chrysanthemum mythology is filled with a multitude of stories and symbolism. Named from the Greek prefix "chrys-" meaning golden (its original color) and "-anthemion," meaning flower, years of artful cultivation have produced a full range of colors, from white to purple to red. Daisy-like with a typically yellow center and a decorative pompon, chrysanthemums symbolize optimism and joy. They're the November birth flower, the 13th wedding anniversary flower and the official flower of the city of Chicago. In Japan, there's even a "Festival of Happiness" to celebrate this flower each year.
A symbol of the sun, the Japanese consider the orderly unfolding of the chrysanthemum's petals to represent perfection, and Confucius once suggested they be used as an object of meditation. It's said that a single petal of this celebrated flower placed at the bottom of a wine glass will encourage a long and healthy life.
Note: A good Flickr friend, JS Hsu from Taiwan took me to visit such.
Representante de la arquitectura de finales del siglo XIX, obra del arquitecto Santiago Rebollar, que finalizó su construcción en 1892. Destaca la fachada principal, rematada con el escudo de la ciudad, y la de la Merced, con una tribuna de columnas jónicas coronadas por un frontón. Toda la parte baja del edificio es de piedra caliza blanca y la superior de ladrillo visto y piedra caliza.
En el interior una impresionante escalera, desarrollada en dos vertientes y cubierta por una cúpula decorada por Ángel Andrade y Samuel Luna. En sus galerías, como exposición permanente, destaca la obra de Andrade junto a otros pintores y escultores de la provincia.
My keychain.
One and All is the motto that represents unity and inclusiveness and reflects the spirit of Cornish people. The fifteen balls (bezants/coins) on the shield is the coat of arms of the Duke of Cornwall. The bird is a chough and is a small, glossy black crow with a long, curved red bill and a symbol of Cornwall. The crown represents the Duchy of Cornwall. The miner and fisherman represent the trades of what once brought Cornwall much wealth.
This keychain holds my keys and reminds me of my Cornish roots day after day.
HMM!
Macro Mondays: Keychain
Painted ceramic benches representing all the provinces in Spain are arranged round the square.
It was built because of the Ibero-american Exhibition of 1929, held in Seville. Its creator was Aníbal González. He mixed a style inspired by the Renaissance with typical elements from the city: exposed brick, ceramics and wrought iron (worked by Domingo Prida). Its floor plan is semicircular. It is dominated by 2 towers, one on each side of the enclosed area, which frame the central building where the main rooms are. Between the two towers runs a network of galleries with an arcade of semicircular arches leading to exits in different parts of the square, where a fountain stands.
Constituye el corazón de la ciudad y punto de encuentro y referencia urbana para los forasteros. En 1927 surgió, de una importante reforma, la actual plaza, que tuvo ya en la época romana el carácter de lugar principal de la capital de la Bética, y a la que algunos llamaron la Roma andaluza.
La mayoría de los edificios que la delimitan conserva el sello del tiempo de su apertura. En el centro de la plaza destaca una estatua ecuestre que representa a Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, el Gran Capitán realizada en bronce .
… the California Poppy, such a beautiful and irresistible sight in person! The textured background here includes a mesh fence surrounding the flowers at the Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach.
The Thurisaz rune (ᚦ) represents the ability to confront obstacles, the strength to endure adversity, and the protection of mighty forces. Like the thorn it symbolizes, this rune reminds you that true strength lies not just in attack, but in defense and resilience. It suggests that you have the inner fortitude to face any challenge that stands in your way, urging you to stand firm and embrace your power.
Thurisaz is a rune of both conflict and transformation, showing that through struggle, growth is achieved. It calls on you to harness your inner strength wisely, channeling your energy to break through barriers and drive positive change. More than just a force of destruction, Thurisaz is a guardian—its presence in your path signifies that you are not alone, as unseen forces shield and guide you. Whether in battle, personal trials, or major life transitions, this rune is a reminder that your resilience is your greatest weapon, and through perseverance, victory is within reach.
"Thurisaz is the force that breaks and the strength that endures—embrace the storm, for it forges the warrior within."
Iglesia que se ubica en la Plaza Mayor de la localidad granadina de Benamaurel, y que representa el punto más alto de dicha localidad.
Esta Iglesia fue construida en 1520 sobre una mezquita Árabe, bajo la advación de Santa María, destacando su torre, de estilo mudejar, y que consta de una sola nave, con cuatro capillas abiertas en el muro izquierdo mediante arcos de medio punto conectados dos a dos.
Después de perderse el artesonado en un incendio en el año 1.837, se cubrió con una estructura de madera que todavía hoy conserva.
The Corvette represents America’s first true sports car. Until the early 1960s a sports car usually meant a foreign import. Now a cult car in its own right, the Corvette was introduced in 1953 as the first serried-built production car to have a fibreglass body.
Initial sales, however, were disappointing, so much so that manufacture was almost abandoned in 1955. Subsequent redesigns and upgrading saved the marque.
This 1960 Chevrolet Corvette convertible is on display in Haynes Motor Museum.
Theme Song ::: Jeremih - Planez ft. J. Cole
Tattoo ::: { Speakeasy } King Tattoo
Hat ::: REPRESENT - THE 6LACK CAP "Noir" - NEW @ Man Cave
Chain ::: Ecstasy & Oxycodone - "BLESSED"Bible Pendant + Cuban(Gold)
Shorts ::: REPRESENT - Drawstring Pods Short "Noir"
"A stunning 20-metre reconstruction of a 1,000-year-old Viking trading vessel, the Saga Farmann completes its epic two-year journey from Norway to London this August, retracing ancient Viking trade routes across Europe. Built using UNESCO-recognised traditional techniques with oak and pine wood, this remarkable ship represents the perfect marriage of ancient craftsmanship and modern maritime adventure.
The vessel’s brief London appearance offers a rare opportunity for enthusiasts to experience Viking maritime heritage first-hand. It will also be the star attraction at September’s Classic Boat Festival, held at St Katharine Docks on the 6th and 7th of September, alongside the famous Dunkirk Little Ships."
www.skdocks.co.uk/events/viking-ship-saga-farman/
For more info in this special visitor:
El Desfile de los Príncipes (en alemán Fürstenzug) es el nombre de un mural ubicado en el centro histórico de la ciudad alemana de Dresde. Muestra un desfile de jinetes de un tamaño mayor que el natural y está formado por unos 24 000 azulejos de porcelana de Meissen, por lo que es el mosaico de porcelana más grande del mundo. Tiene 102 m de longitud, 8,5 m de altura y una superficie de 957 m². Representa a los soberanos de la casa de Wettin entre 1123 y 1906. Se encuentra en la Augustusstraße, en la pared norte del establo de la corte real situado en el Residenzschloss. Está al este de la Plaza del Palacio (Schlossplatz) y al oeste de la Frauenkirche.
EXPLORE 16-10-23
This picture represents and interesting event in this chick’s life history. Up to this point, at least during the time I was lucky enough to be watching, the most Junior would do was peck at his food. He relied upon Mom to tear up the prey and feed it to him. They demonstrated a very close bond, lots of Mom preening her pride and joy and sometimes Junior preening Mom. This shot was taken close to sunset. Mom took the foot shown in her beak, a body part Junior in the past seemed to relish, and flew to a nearby branch. From there she made a call I hadn’t heard before. It was explained to me by Karen, a woman also watching, that Mom was attempting to entice Junior to make the short flight from the nest branch to where she was perched with the tasty tidbit. I hadn’t seen the chick attempt to fly but his feathers had grown in a lot and it would not have surprised me to see a short flight. Unfortunately, I can’t get back to the nest until after Junior will have fled the coup but hope he or she has a bright future and will not move too far from the neighborhood. (Bubo virginianus). (Sony a1ii, 400mm lens, f/3.2, 1/2000 second, ISO 3200).
Las casas árabes se han convertido en museo,en ellas hay murales representativos de la vida cotidiana.Estas casas andalusí se caracterizan por la ausencia de mobiliario,ya que una misma estancia servía durante el día para labores cotidianas y de noche se habilitaba para el reposo nocturno
Las Alondras y todos los representantes de su familia los alaudidos, son cada día mas escasos,
Habitantes de espacios abiertos, sufren como otras tantas especies de aves, la explotación intensiva de muchos pastizales.
Campos de cultivo de cereales de crecimiento rápido que se siegan antes de que las aves puedan haber terminado su ciclo reproductor y rociados de herbicidas y pesticidas que envenenan a sus presas, la verdad es que no lo tienen fácil para sobrevivir.
Sin embargo, bastan que en esos cultivos intensivos, se dejen pequeñas parcelas de terrenos sin sembrar, donde crezcan las mal llamadas malas hierbas y no se echen tantos pesticidas y herbicidas a los cultivos, que al final también nosotros los terminamos ingiriendo y acumulando en nuestros tejidos, para que las alondras y demás aves habitantes de estos espacios, pudiesen criar y alimentarse.
¿Estaremos dispuestos a ello?.
En algunos lugares se hace con resultados muy buenos en lo referente a los aguiluchos cenizos y pálidos,
Ojala esa sensibilidad cada vez este mas presente, pero tengo muchas dudas de ello.
En la foto una Alondra común (Alauda arvensis) .
Saludos.
From the Statue of Liberty to this 101 year old coin she represents the ideal the USA should strive for. Although I have to admit the cynical side of me is thinking the dollar is what really defines my nation. HMM and thanks for your views, faves and comments.
Barberton daisy and Gerbera jamesonii
Barberton daisy can purify air and remove formaldehyde and benzene. Barberton daisy are valued most in gardens for the striking colors of their large blooms. Often used in flower beds, cut flower gardens, and container plantings, they can make a striking addition to any kind of flower garden.
The gerbera daisy on the other hand symbolizes purity, innocence, and beauty. The most significant characteristic of this flower is its bright, radiant colors, which represent energy and rejuvenation to many. Its colors encourage youthfulness and joy that radiate into the daily lives of individuals.
This close-up photograph captures the rich textures and deep hues of assorted dried flowers, a subject that often symbolizes eternity, memory, and nostalgia. Unlike fresh blooms, dried flowers represent a beauty that endures over time, often used to signify lasting love or preserved memories.
Symbolism and Meaning Eternal Love & Resilience: Dried flowers are powerful symbols of bonds that survive the passage of time. Nostalgia: They serve as physical touchstones, capturing a moment or season frozen in time. Transformation: They embody a beauty that ages gracefully, offering a different kind of wisdom than fresh blooms.
Standing tall in divine grace, this is the magnificent bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, at Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, Malaysia. Rising over 30 meters high, she represents compassion, kindness, and love—values deeply cherished in Buddhist culture.
Kek Lok Si, Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temple, has been a beacon of spirituality and cultural pride since the late 19th century. This awe-inspiring pavilion, completed in 2009, shelters the goddess with its intricately carved pillars and vibrant roof, symbolizing both strength and serenity.
A visit to Kek Lok Si is not only a spiritual journey but also a visual delight—where history, architecture, and faith come together in perfect harmony.
Tip for Visitors: The temple's hilltop location offers a stunning panoramic view of Penang, especially at sunset. Don’t miss this sacred masterpiece!
the sculpture represents a 4-leaf clover, and looks different dependent on where you stand. It is the symbol of Beuningen, end represents the 4 villages within the administrative region
Nakhthorhed, à genoux, mains sur les cuisses, est ici représenté dans une attitude de prière. D’après les inscriptions hiéroglyphiques gravées sur le pilier dorsal, il est un haut serviteur de l’Etat, un prêtre proche du pharaon Psammétique II, au 6e siècle avant J.C. Sur le pourtour de la base, deux formules d’offrande le placent sous la protection du dieu Thot. Placer ainsi son effigie dans un temple est ce moyen pour les commanditaires de bénéficier des offrandes qui sont faites à la divinité. Le style épuré rappelle par ailleurs la statuaire de l’Ancien Empire, au 3e millénaire avant J.C. La qualité de la sculpture de cette statue, l’une des plus anciennes dans la collection française, a joué un grand rôle dans la prise en charge de l’art égyptien au même rang que l’art gréco-romain.
Paris. Musée du Louvre. Collection Sallier -achat 1816.
Flickr Blog Post #12
Backdrop - FOXCITY. Photo Booth - Woxcity (Equal 10)
Top - REPRESENT - Somber Parka "Signature, Camo" (Kustom 9)
Bottoms - LoyaltyAndUnity - Dark Denim Biker Jean (N/A)
Shoes - [VALE KOER] "SPEEDSTER" SNEAKERS (Collabor 88)
Accessories - [VEX] The Cross (24k) 24inch (ManCave)
[VEX] Figaro Bracelet (24k) (ManCave)
BJEWLA Ruby Ring VB M (Access)
MULLOY - Okala Glasses (Mainstore)
Hair - YÜTH : KARIM HAIR (Mainstore)
With two Le Mans wins, dozens of grand prix victories, five Targa Florios, a Manufacturers’ Championship, and the build of some of the pre-war period’s most celebrated sports and luxury automobiles to its credit, it is no wonder that the Bugatti marque is regularly honored at world-class concours d’elegance and museums. The Molsheim, France-based brand is so esteemed that a commemoration of its 100th anniversary was never in doubt. So when the occasion arrived in 2009, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance duly pronounced Bugatti’s centenary as one of the event’s guiding themes.
This opportunity was not lost on Bugatti Automobiles SaS, the modern successor to Ettore Bugatti’s original Alsatian concern. The company’s signature product, the 1,001-horsepower Veyron 16.4, had spent years in careful development by the VW Group’s specialized engineers, and was received with justifiable acclaim by journalists and enthusiasts alike upon its 2005 introduction, redefining the benchmark for the modern hypercar in the process.
The Veyron was capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.46 seconds, en route to a top speed just over 408 km/h (nearly 254 mph). Built around a magnificent mid-mounted, quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W-16 engine with four valves per cylinder and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, it astonished the world with its surefootedness even at the most extreme speeds, enabled by a full-time Haldex all-wheel-drive system. The stopping power was stunning, as the Veyron was anchored by massive carbon-ceramic disc brakes with 15.7-inch discs and eight-piston, four-pad calipers up front, while 15-inch discs with six-piston, two-pad calipers were mounted at the rear. The alloy wheels, respectively 20 and 21 inches at the front and rear, were shod with special Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 PAX run-flat tires engineered specifically for the Veyron.
Three different drive modes governed the dizzying array of technology: a Normal mode, at which the ride height was 4.9 inches; a Handling mode that deployed the rear spoiler and lowered ride height to 3.15 inches; and a special, key-activated High-Speed mode that dropped ride height to 2.56 inches in front and 2.75 at the rear, while changing the spoiler position. Even the car’s ancillary systems, including no fewer than 10 radiators, were marvels of automotive engineering conceived to perform under the most demanding circumstances.
All of this was encased within an intricately hand-crafted structure, actually shorter in overall length than a modern Porsche 911, though riding on a longer 106.7-inch wheelbase, while being noticeably lower and wider than the benchmark German sports car of the day. It was instantly and definitively recognizable as the pinnacle product that it aspired to be—the modern Bugatti, a sporting speed machine that looked and performed like absolutely nothing else on the road.
The American White Pelican, frequently spoken of as "THE CLOUD DANCER” representing their graceful, soaring flight in groups, often moving together in the sky. The White Pelican is a masterpiece of natural avionic architecture, a creature of stark, snowy elegance and of prehistoric size. On the water, it sits high and buoyant like a regal white galleon. In the air, it transforms into a master of the thermals with its massive 9-foot wingspan tipped with ink-black flight feathers that only reveal themselves in motion.
Unlike its rugged, salt-sprayed cousin the Brown Pelican, the White Pelican possesses a luminous, pristine plumage that seems to glow even on overcast days. It's most striking feature is the massive tangerine-orange bill, which during the breeding season, develops a strange keratinous horn on the upper ridge...a temporary crown that gives the bird a mythical, archaic appearance.
On the water they dip their pouched bills to scoop up fish, or tip-up like an oversized dabbling duck. Sometimes, groups of pelicans work together to herd fish into the shallows for easy feeding. Look for them on inland lakes in summer and near coastlines in winter.
When they move, they do so with a quiet, synchronized grace. Watching a flock circling and soaring in a tight rising column high above the California landscape is a hypnotic experience, as the CLOUD DANCERS alternate between brilliant white to sudden black with every tilt of their black tipped wings against the deep blue sky.