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Bringing Burj Khalifa to life required a combination of visionary ideals and solid science. In the process, the project amassed an awe-inspiring number of facts, figures, and statistics.
World Records
At over 828 metres (2,716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories, Burj Khalifa holds the following records:
Tallest building in the world
Tallest free-standing structure in the world
Highest number of stories in the world
Highest occupied floor in the world
Highest outdoor observation deck in the world
Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world
Tallest service elevator in the world
Tallest of the Supertall
Not only is Burj Khalifa the world’s tallest building, it has also broken two other impressive records: tallest structure, previously held by the KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, and tallest free-standing structure, previously held by Toronto’s CN Tower. The Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has established 3 criteria to determine what makes a tall building tall. Burj Khalifa wins by far in all three categories.
Height to architectural top
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the architectural top of the building. This includes spires, but does not include antennae, signage, flagpoles or other functional-technical equipment. This measurement is the most widely used and is used to define the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat rankings of the Tallest Buildings in the World.
Highest occupied floor
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest continually occupied floor within the building. Maintenance areas are not included.
Height to tip
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest point of the building, irrespective of material or function of the highest element. This includes antennae, flagpoles, signage and other functional-technical equipment.
This is why you don't give a redneck gun powder and a camera. I felt like the only thing missing was the theme music to Mission Impossible.
Patience rewarded - 61306 LNER B1 'Mayflower' and 35018 Southern Railway Merchant Navy Class 'British India Line' double head the Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express as they cross Ribblehead Viaduct at sunset on 2 February 2019.
A snow covered Batty Moss illuminated by the setting sun adds to the wonderful sense of occasion and drama of this unique scene as both locomotives gently steam their way southbound on the return leg to London from Carlisle with a subtle exhaust emanating from both engines.
I've been after this shot for over 5 years and it requires the perfect combination of factors to bring the scene together; I believe the last time this occurred was in January 2012. Usually only one or two of the handful of runs that the Winter CME makes per year places the return leg of the train at Ribblehead at, or close to sunset. As the chances of a decent sunset are not particularly high this time of year, coupled with the tendency of the late running of the train, makes the odds heavily stacked against the shot coming together. Last week, however, the shot was definitely 'on' and finally my patience and determination were rewarded with some super lighting across the scene and the added bonus of a snow clad Batty Moss.
Ribblehead Viaduct, Yorkshire Dales National Park
Required .. this ole 1954 English Ford Consul wears her skin with pride . Great to see .. no fancy paintwork for this girl .
Australia Day 23
Ormiston
Brisbane
this is a digital version of the same scene. Previously I posted the film one. As it was captured using a vintage lens, the image still has some vintage charm and interesting color tones. At the same time digital version required a bit more work to prepare for publication.
Beethoven: Symphony no. 6 "Pastoral" (Furtwangler)
This composition will perfectly complement your experience.
Here is a film version. You can compare both and let me know which one you prefer.
If you have a chance to find a very positive and inspiring movie "The Green Beautiful" or "La belle Verte", you will enjoy it.
This photograph required some planning and strategy. Rio Grande's double track mainline emerged from the small town of Thistle, Utah, heading in a due east direction with Soldier Creek sandwiched between the right of way and US Highway 6. During the month of June, the sun angle moves into the northern hemisphere, especially early and late in the day. By June 12th of 1977, the lighting was 'as good as it gets' on the north side of the Rio Grande Zephyr as it ducked beneath the US Highway 89 overpass on a gorgeous morning in Spanish Fork Canyon.
Super power was required for the 1705 Merehead to Hanwell Loop.
59206 is paired up with 66413 and caught during a brief stop at Westbury. The subtle differences between the 59 and 66 can be picked out in this shot.
6600 hp available to the driver, pretty impressive.
As a foot note I would be having a serious word with the company that painted the trains in two different shades of orange....new colour chart required.
59206 is now 26 years old....not bad for an old girl.
In plants veins transport materials both to and from the plant tissues. In mammals however veins return blood back to the heart after it has traveled to parts of the body and delivered oxygen. The veins carry the deoxygenated blood
(which has picked up carbon dioxide on its journey) to the heart where it is again oxygenated for recirculation through the body via arteries. In plants veins perform both functions - they are a plant's life line, and plants are our life line.
During photosynthesis which requires light, plants produce and give off oxygen. At night when there is no light, plants absorb a small amount of oxygen and give off carbon dioxide; however overall, they produce many times more oxygen during the day than they consume at night. And that my friends, is what keeps us and our planet alive.
"In the process [photosynthesis], they produce oxygen, which constitutes a significant portion of the air we breathe so less plants means less recycling of
carbon dioxide and less oxygen production. Plants also give us food and fibers to make clothes and without photosynthesis, we would not be able to sustain the life we are living." Alessia Para Gallio, research assistant professor at Northwestern and at the Chicago Botanic Garden. She received her Ph.D. degree in Physiological Botany from Uppsala University, Sweden, with a thesis on plant development. (Quote Source:
19, 2012)
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Thank you for viewing my photos. Your comments and/or faves are greatly appreciated.
The Very Best View On Black And Large
(Explore) (157)
El interior
Las columnas de la nave central.
Detalle de la bóveda.
Gaudí evolucionó de un primer proyecto gótico hacia un estilo personal, orgánico, inspirado en las formas de la naturaleza: para librarse de los contrafuertes góticos, ideó el uso de columnas en forma de tronco de árbol, que permiten descargar el peso de las cubiertas directamente en el suelo, solución práctica a la vez que estética, ya que convierte el interior de las naves del templo en un espacio orgánico que semeja un bosque. En 1987 se inició la cimentación de las naves; para 1997 se completaron las bóvedas laterales y se empezó la central.
El templo tiene planta de cruz latina, con cinco naves de 90 metros de longitud, y crucero de tres naves de 60 metros; la nave central tiene un ancho de 15 metros, y 7,5 las laterales, haciendo un total de 45 metros; ancho del crucero, 30 metros. La altura es de 45 metros en las bóvedas de la nave central y 30 en las laterales, mientras que las del cimborio central llegarán a los 60 metros. Las naves laterales contendrán las cantorías para los coros. El ábside es lobulado, con deambulatorio entorno del presbiterio. El templo contará con un total de 36 columnas, que oscilarán entre 11,10 y 22,20 metros de altura, con bases de polígonos estrellados de varios lados según su ubicación: 6 (naves laterales), 8 (nave central), 10 (torres de los Evangelistas), 12 (torre de Jesús). Los materiales de construcción varían de la piedra de Montjuïc al granito, basalto o pórfido.
Las bóvedas son hiperbólicas, construidas con baldosas de mosaico veneciano. Gaudí utilizó la técnica de la bóveda catalana o bóveda tabicada, que consistía en la superposición de varias capas de ladrillos con argamasa. Las cubiertas son de forma piramidal, coronadas por una linterna y un farol. Los ventanales están pensados para distribuir una iluminación suave y armónica, creando un efecto de recogimiento, y tienen forma geométrica abstracta; las vidrieras de colores son obra de Joan Vila i Grau. Gaudí realizó profundos estudios acústicos y lumínicos para conseguir una perfecta sonoridad e iluminación en el interior del templo.
The church plan is that of a Latin cross with five aisles. The central nave vaults reach 45 meters while the side nave vaults reach 30 meters. The transept has 3 aisles. The columns are on a 7.5 meter grid however the columns of the apse, resting on del Villar's foundation, do not adhere to the grid, requiring a section of columns of the ambulatory to transition to the grid thus creating a horseshoe pattern to the layout of those columns. The crossing rests on the four central columns of porphyry supporting a great hyperboloid surrounded by two rings of 12 hyperboloids (currently under construction). The central vault reaches 60 meters. The apse will be capped by a hyperboloid vault reaching 75 meters. Gaudi intended that a visitor standing at the main entrance be able to see the vaults of the nave, crossing, and apse, thus the graduated increase in vault loftiness.
The columns of the interior are a unique Gaudi design. Besides branching to support their load, their ever-changing surfaces are the result of the intersection of various geometric forms. The simplest example is that of a square base evolving into an octagon as the column rises, then a 16-sided form, and eventually to a circle. This effect is the result of a three-dimensional intersection of helicoidal columns (for example a square cross-section column twisting clockwise and a similar one twisting counter-clockwise).
(Wikipedia)
L’hôtel de ville historique est la grande fierté de Leuven. C’est aussi l’un des hôtels de ville gothiques les plus connus au monde. La première pierre fut posée en 1439. La construction dura trente ans et nécessita trois architectes.
The historic town hall is the pride of Leuven. It is also one of the most famous gothic town halls in the world. The first stone was laid in 1439. The construction lasted thirty years and required three architects.
Buddhism does not require other religions to be wrong... in order to be right. That would be small minded.
- Domo Geshe Rinpoche -
Most important - and that is what I wish you all, my good
flickrfriends - to love what you do and to be content <3
Or why are rainbows more nearly a semicircle when the sun is high in the sky?
I am looking in the opposite direction to the rising sun. The rainbow is high in the sky and would almost be a semicircle ( if the view to the left wasn't blocked by the trees).
The sun has just come over the horizon behind my right shoulder - so the antisolar point is just below the horizon to the left in front of me. The rays in the sky seem to converge on or diverge from the antisolar point. The antisolar point forms the geometric centre of the rainbow so when the antisolar point (and the sun) are close to the horizon the rainbow is taller.
PS What was so clear to the naked eye looking at the scene was not so clearly recorded by the camera. Lots of processing required to get the rays and rainbow.
astro.carballada.com/wolf-rayet-134-wr-134-v1769-cyg/
This picture required a longer post-processing time due to the limited time integration used.
Tipically, I use over 60 hours of integration, but in this case, the integration time was only about 22 hours (even taken at f3.3).
I am planning to take more frames on narrow band this year to capture additional details.
Nevertheless, this image represents the first version captured during the previous summer.
I hope you like it.
WR 134 is a variable Wolf-Rayet star located around 6,000 light years away from Earth in the constellation of Cygnus, surrounded by a faint bubble nebula blown by the intense radiation and fast wind from the star. It is five times the radius of the sun, but due to a temperature over 63,000 K it is 400,000 times as luminous as the Sun. (credits wikipedia)
Equipment
Imaging Telescopes Or Lenses
Takahashi Epsilon-160ED
Imaging Cameras
QHYCCD QHY294 Pro M
Mounts
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro ×
Filters
Baader Blue (CMOS-Optimized) 36 mm · Baader Green (CMOS-Optimized) 36 mm · Baader H-alpha 6.5nm (CMOS-Optimized) 36 mm · Baader O-III 6.5nm (CMOS-Optimized) 36 mm · Baader Red (CMOS-Optimized) 36 mm · Baader S-II 6.5nm (CMOS-Optimized) 36 mm
Accessories
Pegasus Astro FocusCube2 · Pegasus Astro Powerbox Advance Gen2 · QHYCCD QHYCFW3-M-US · TS-Optics Off-axis guider 9mm (TSOAG9G2) ×
Software
Starkeeper Voyager Custom Array
Guiding Cameras
ZWO ASI290MM Mini
Acquisition details
Dates:
May 7, 2022 · May 29, 2022 · June 25, 2022 · July 2, 2022 · July 7, 2022
Frames:
Baader Blue (CMOS-Optimized) 36 mm: 120×60″(2h) bin 1×1
Baader Green (CMOS-Optimized) 36 mm: 120×60″(2h) (gain: 0.00) bin 1×1
Baader H-alpha 6.5nm (CMOS-Optimized) 36 mm: 40×600″(6h 40′) (gain: 1600.00) bin 1×1
Baader O-III 6.5nm (CMOS-Optimized) 36 mm: 55×600″(9h 10′) (gain: 1600.00) bin 1×1
Baader Red (CMOS-Optimized) 36 mm: 120×60″(2h) (gain: 0.00) bin 1×1
Integration:
21h 50′
Avg. Moon age:
14.36 days
Avg. Moon phase:
22.51%
RA center: 20h10m11s.79
DEC center: +36°10′28″.5
Pixel scale: 2.695 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: -89.825 degrees
Field radius: 1.239 degrees
WCS transformation: thin plate spline
Resolution: 1845x2748
File size: 6.6 MB
Locations: AAS Montsec, Àger, Lleida, Spain
Data source: Own remote observatory
Remote source: Non-commercial independent facility
** IF YOU REQUIRE AN UPDATE/ REDELIVERY, PLEASE VISIT THE REDELIVERY TERMINAL INSTORE**
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nouveaux/174/20/1001
Sorbet customer service has now resumed as normal!
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Sorbet. Customer service will be temporarily unavailable from 17th August - 11th September 2017 due to vacation.
If you require assistance with your Sorbet. purchase, please read the FAQ first, as it is likely your question has already been answered: sorbetsl.wordpress.com/faq/
If you still require assistance, please leave a NOTECARD with Xantheanne Resident and I will get back to you as soon as possible. But please remember this will take a long time.
Thank you for your understanding, and we'll see you in September!
X
"'It′s like you're my mirror (oh-oh)
My mirror staring back at me (oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh)
I couldn′t get any bigger (oh-oh)
With anyone else beside me (oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh)
And now it's clear as this promise
That we′re makin'
Two reflections into one
′Cause it's like you're my mirror (oh-oh)
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me"
Justin Timberlake - Mirrors
Head: LeL Evo X
Body: E-body Reborn
Hair: Studio Exposure
Outfit:
V-Twins KISMET! EXCLUSIVE RELEASE! Avaiable at Unik Event from April 7rh to may 2nd Teleport
Kismet is a sexy biker outfit which come with leather top, skirt and stocking(require MAZE Leg). Top in 12 colors and 3 levels of opacity; skirt in plain and 2 sets of patches *FITS mesh bodies Maitreya (classic & Petite), Legacy (Classic and Perky) and Reborn. MAIN STORE: Teleport
Made at Sunny's Studio:
FOXCITY. Photo Booth - Mirror Mirror
Front View
1911 Baker Electric Special Extension Coupe, Model V
In the first decades of the 20th century, electric vehicles seemed poised for primacy. Early internal-combustion engines were rudimentary, dangerous, and difficult to operate, requiring all sorts of pump priming and starter torqueing. Those tasks were uncouth for the wealthy gentlemen who were the automobile’s first customers and downright risky for the era’s women, clothed in voluminous, billowing Edwardian dresses and patriarchal notions of competence. Electric cars, on the other hand, were extremely simple to use. So long as the heavy batteries were maintained and charged, all one had to do was click the on switch, twist the go lever, and roll.
Having founded the American Ball Bearing Company in 1895, Midwestern engineer Walter C. Baker understood the basics of carriage production. This background gave him faith that he could make the leap into car building. Teaming up with his father-in-law and brother-in-law, he started the Baker Motor Vehicle Company in Cleveland in 1899. Seeing the aforementioned advantages inherent in electric vehicles, Baker decided to place his faith in this powertrain.
“Number one, it’s comfortable, and it’s not terribly difficult to drive,” said Stew Somerville, a volunteer mechanic at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome museum in upstate New York, which holds a 1911 Baker in its eclectic collection. “But part of the attraction of the electric automobile was the fact that it did not emit gasoline fumes, you didn’t have to crank-start the engine, there was no big wheel to wrestle with. It was a very smooth-handling automobile. You didn’t even have a loud, offensive horn. There’s a dainty little bell to warn of its coming.” Period ads were frequently, although not exclusively, pitched directly at women.
Baker’s first car to market was a two-seater, the Imperial Runabout. Priced at a competitive $850, it was first shown in New York at the city’s (and nation’s) first auto show. It attracted a number of notable buyers, including Thomas Edison, who purchased one as his very first car. (Edison designed the long-lived nickel-iron batteries used in some Baker vehicles.) By 1906, Baker was, briefly, the world’s top producer of electric vehicles.
But like many of his cohort in the emergent automotive industry, Baker wasn’t just in it for the business. He was in it for the speed. As his company was enjoying success in the consumer market, he was pursuing his dream by developing a series of advanced, record-setting racing cars. His first, the Torpedo, was built in 1902, at great personal expense to Baker. With its 11 batteries, 14-hp mid-mounted motor, outrageously low-slung 48-inch height, streamlined and lightweight white-pine and oilcloth body, and bizarre webbed canvas seat restraints, it seemed poised to set a world land speed record.
Sadly, in that year’s Automobile Club of America speed trials on Staten Island, the car was involved in a disastrous crash. After crossing the 1-kilometer (0.6 mile) mark in just over 30 seconds, Baker and his co-driver lost control and crashed into a group of spectators. One person died at the scene, and another died later from injuries. The drivers were both arrested and charged with manslaughter but were freed when it was determined that the crowd had pushed past protective barriers and onto the course. (Baker’s innovative safety harness likely protected the car’s occupants from serious injury.)
Further attempts with two smaller, single-seater race cars he named Torpedo Kid were also employed in pursuit of the land speed record but were subsequently abandoned following another, nonlethal spectator crash in 1903. Baker has often been noted as the first person to cross the 100-mph barrier, although his records weren’t official due to these wrecks.
Given this peril, Baker decided to forgo his quest for top speed. As gasoline-powered vehicles increased in popularity and gained infrastructural support, he shifted his attention instead to diminishing the electric car’s liabilities, particularly their limited range. He worked diligently on new battery designs, shaft drives, and other componentry. In 1910, Baker’s new chief engineer, Emil Gruenfeldt, set a record for distance driven on a single charge, taking a Baker Victoria for a 201-mile trip at an average speed of 12 mph. Not exactly Ludicrous speed, but an impressive feat nonetheless.
Baker’s successes gave the company prominence among the elite, and the company capitalized on this publicly. In advertisements around 1909, the brand boldly boasted about the King of Siam owning a Baker. The company made a similar splash in American politics when President William H. Taft’s administration purchased a 1909 model as one of the White House’s first automobiles. (A steam-powered White and two gasoline-powered Pierce-Arrows were also included, Taft hedging his bets on how the battle of the powertrains was going to play out.) Taft later added a 1912 Baker Victoria that went on to be driven by five First Ladies. The Baker brand maintains some celebrity allure today, with car-collecting comedian Jay Leno holding a 1909 model in his expansive collection.
As a means of offsetting some of the powertrain’s inherent shortcomings, Baker made investments in battery-charging infrastructure. The brand announced plans to open stations at every major intersection in Cleveland and to grow the network from there, although this effort became cost prohibitive and never came to fruition. Expansion into the production of electric trucks, police patrol wagons, and even trucks and bomb handlers for the U.S. Army during World War I was not enough to fend off the rising dominance of the internal-combustion engine, especially after the proliferation of the electric starter, first available on the 1912 Cadillac, significantly increased safety and convenience. By 1915, the Baker company was defunct.
By Brett Berk, Car and Driver
Cloud formations in Central Florida can be quite amazing, as this shot shows. Generally, when I've seen shots of this type, they are either from an airplane window, or focused on the top of mountains! This was taken from a dock in Holly Hill, Florida and shows the spectacular clouds just before sunset. no elevation required.
A rare glimpse of an 'inland whale,' its 'tail' disappearing under waves of marsh grasses! ;-)
Seminary Wood
Decatur (Legacy Park), Georgia, USA.
18 August 2023.
***************
▶ Photo by Yours For Good Fermentables.com.
▶ For a larger image, type 'L' (without the quotation marks).
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▶ Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M10 II.
— Lens: Olympus M.40-150mm F4.0-5.6 R.
— Edit: Photoshop Elements 15, Nik Collection (2016).
▶ Commercial use requires explicit permission, as per Creative Commons.
My latest project...A Canon IIIb.
This camera much like the early Leica's, has a two piece top plate. This requires a complete tear down to get to all the parts required for painting. A real PITA!!
On this one, the curtains were shot and the chrome had seen better days. A perfect candidate for rebuilding/refinishing.
Camera painted with Cerakote.
We pass this old church on our Main St regularly, but only yesterday noticed that some maintenance is in order.
One of Sue taking a similar photo in Comments.
©AnvilcloudPhotography
The theme for “Smile on Saturday” for the 4th of June is “tiny-tiny” which requires a small object to be photographed alongside a larger object to help give the item scale. When I read the theme, I thought how perfect it was for me, and a few of my friends who also post to this group. Anyone who follows my photostream knows that I love and collect 1:12 size miniatures which I photograph in realistic scenes. The artifice of recreating in minute detail items in 1:12 scale always amazes me, and it’s amazing how the eye can be fooled. Therefore, when the theme came up, I immediately thought of some of my kitchen accessories. I settled on the idea of baking, as I had only a few days prior to the announcement of the theme received a pastry preparation board and tray of empty tart casings. I originally just had the floured board and the tray of tart casings which I photographed alongside my beloved and well used rolling pin to show the scale. Then I decided to add to it, so I have included a fluted teacup that could be used to cut the ruffled pastry casings, the flour, butter and jug of water needed to make the pastry, and some P. C. Flett & Co. jam and some Macfie’s treacle to fill the tarts with. I even included cutlery and a floral spoon rest in the shape of a teapot. The latter is less than half a centimetre in diameter to give you a clue as to how tiny-tiny these objects are! I hope you like my miniature whimsy for this week, and that it brings a smile to your face.
All these miniatures are 1:12 scale, and some are artisan pieces.
The pastry preparation board, complete with flour, cut and uncut pastry and the rolling pin come from Kathleen Knight’s Dolls’ House Shop in the United Kingdom, as does the accompanying tray of pastry shells. Both are artisan made pieces with amazing attention to detail.
The rather worn and beaten looking enamelled flour cannister in the typical domestic Art Deco design and kitchen colours of the 1920s, cream and green, has been aged on purpose. An artisan piece, it also comes from Kathleen Knight’s Dolls’ House Shop, as do the 1920s enamel handled spoons and knife, the floral spoon rest in the shape of a teapot, and the hand painted tray on which the butter sits.
The jug with its dainty rose pattern and gilt rim is made by M.W. Reutter Porzellanfabrik in Germany, who specialise in making high quality porcelain miniatures. The floral patterned teacup comes from an online miniatures stockist on E-Bay.
The butter is also an artisan piece that has been hand painted and printed. It comes from Mick and Marie’s Miniatures in the United Kingdom.
The tin of Macfie’s Finest Black Treacleand jar of P.C. Flett and Company jam are 1:12 size artisan miniatures made by Little Things Dollhouse Miniatures in Lancashire, with great attention to detail paid to their labels and the shapes of their jars and cans. Robert Andrew Macfie sugar refiner was the first person to use the term Golden Syrup in 1840, a product made by his factory, the Macfie sugar refinery, in Liverpool. He also produced black treacle. P.C. Flett and Company was established in Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands by Peter Copeland Flett. He had inherited a small family owned ironmongers in Albert Street Kirkwall, which he inherited from his maternal family. He had a shed in the back of the shop where he made ginger ale, lemonade, jams and preserves from local produce. By the 1920s they had an office in Liverpool, and travelling representatives selling jams and preserves around Great Britain. I am not sure when the business ceased trading.
Not a classical shot according to the rules of composition, but this location doesn't care about composition... Its craziness on steroids and I wanted to highlight that in this photograph! The sunlight popped out for a few minutes to enable me to take this chaotic late afternoon shot of the rock wonderland which is White Pocket in Arizona... A tough place to get to requiring 4WD driving lengthy periods in deep sand, but when you get there, Oh My!!!
Jixi Mining Bureau's 'SY' 2-8-2 No.1446 has come to the rescue of sister 'SY' 0950 to shift its wagons on the icy tracks out of the Didao landsale yard during the morning of 4th January 2010 as workers make their way on and off shift.
© Copyright Gordon Edgar - All rights reserved. Please do not use any of these images without my explicit permission
© All rights reserved — any use, reproduction, or curation requires prior written permission via Flickr mail.
This morning, after the rain, I checked the BBC weather forecast before heading out to Bradgate Park, which showed sunshine over the Leicestershire region. Once again, the BBC did not let me down.
Spring always reminds us of the awakening of the earth — the end of a harsh winter reflected in a burst of colour across the landscape. Especially the pre-fruit season tones of the trees bring a quiet sense of joy.
For me, the first sign of spring is always the migration of swallows from Africa. They travel thousands of kilometres, return to build their nests, raise and train their young, and then head back to Africa to spend the winter.
Another fascinating aspect of spring is witnessing duck, goose, and swan families. Every year I observe how the young are protected, fed, and guided, and how both parents share responsibilities. Watching these first steps into life always reminds me of my own family.
Today was no different. Thirteen Mallard ducklings were following their mother, and I captured this moment together with two photographer friends. However, we chose not to get too close so as not to disturb their natural behaviour. Therefore, I am sharing a single documentary frame of this large family.
On my way back, I encountered another scene — a mother Mallard with a single duckling. Under the title “First Steps into Life,” I photographed their feeding moment on green grass.
Using my Nikon 500mm lens with a 1.4x teleconverter, reaching 700mm, I was able to record these moments from a respectful distance.
Upon entering Bradgate Park, I was greeted by a Jackdaw on the park sign, followed by a Robin generously offering its song and presence. A Goldcrest then revealed itself within the pine trees.
Nature in spring is built upon such a delicate balance — for those who are able to see it…
I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.
© All rights belong to R. Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission.
If you are interested in purchasing or licensing them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.
Lens & support:
Nikon AF-S TC-14E III — hand-held or monopod, SPORT VR enabled.
Aperture set to f/8, full focal length.
All images were converted from RAW to JPEG.
During long walks, I use either a Nikon cross-body strap or a monopod.
Monopod setup:
Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod
Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head (Standard Lever)
Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF
Your comments and constructive criticism are always appreciated.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to explore! 😊
Mafia dice requires each player to have 5 dice. The first player rolls their dice, passes any 6s to the player on their left and removes any dice showing a 1 from the game. Play continues with the player on the left. The game continues in this manner until one player is left with no dice and thus wins the game.
Developed with Darktable 3.6.0.
© All rights reserved — any use, reproduction, or curation requires prior written permission via Flickr mail.
A bumblebee pauses on a lavender flower, extending its proboscis deep into the blossoms to gather nectar. Capturing this quiet moment reminds us that nature's smallest workers perform remarkable tasks every day.
Encountering this beautiful Bumblebee amid the vibrant, soothing shades of lavender was a truly mesmerizing reflection of nature's raw vitality through my macro lens. Driven by this year's abundant rainfall and the subsequent enrichment of the flora across the North Aegean region, witnessing a noticeable increase in the population of these gentle creatures compared to previous years has filled me with immense hope and joy.With their striking, velvet-textured colors and calm, meticulous work ethic, these small creatures are the indispensable and unsung laborers of our ecosystem. They teach us a profound lesson in patience and dedication. We truly need to step closer and observe these tiny friends with greater attention and reverence. After all, the grandest miracles of life do not unfold in haste; they are beautifully hidden within the wings of these silent workers who fulfill their cosmic duties with absolute patience, grace, and deep devotion.
I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope these images bring you even a fraction of the joy I experienced while creating them.
Thank you for visiting my gallery — whether you leave a comment, add a favorite, or simply take a quiet moment to look around. Your presence and support truly mean a great deal to me. I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your photographic journeys.
© All rights reserved by R. Ertuğ. Please do not use these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or licensing any photograph, please feel free to contact me via Flickr Mail.
Tech Notes -
Camera: Nikon Z8 with Really Right Stuff Base Plate
Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
Hand-held or used with a monopod, always with SPORT VR enabled.
Typical aperture settings: f/5.6 for close detail work and around f/8 for full-body compositions.
All images were processed from RAW and converted to JPEG.
Monopod Setup: Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod
Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head
Your comments and constructive criticism are always welcome.
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to explore. 😊
Amsterdam, November 2020
All of my photographs are under copyright ©. None of these photographs may be reproduced and/or used in any way without my permission.
© NGimages / Nico Geerlings Photography
This is a shrub that lines one of the paths in the South Texas Botanical Gardens. The gardens only recently reopened and are requiring guests to wear masks and maintain social distancing (which was easy to do on this visit - it wasn't crowded at all). For 120 pictures in 2020 #96 "Shrubs".
With apologies to you know whom … I simply could not resist showing this little levitation gem enhanced by some cool rim light. Does not look too shabby in large either. What happened is that the resident squirrel received a visit from his south-american cousin, the flying squirrel. Family being what it is, and not to offend the south-american machismo, he pretended to be genuinely impressed by his cousin’s antics. But as soon as his cousin had left, he came over and in a conspiratorial voice whispered to me “Come watch this and bring your camera”. I had nothing better to do at the time, actually, I rarely have anything better to do at any time, and moved the Adirondack chair into position and observed his masterful command of levitation in some pretty cool lighting conditions. Truth be told, we were at this for about an hour and these lighting conditions occurred for only about 5 minutes.
I have a huge problem here. During my research for catchy tunes I came across this Elvis song that has absolutely nothing to do with this image. You may have noticed that does happen from time to time. What to do? I could just ignore this dilemma and post the song but the squirrel sprang to my aid and invoked an old light incantation whose origin is shrouded in mystery to this day. He turned to the sun and whispered "Kiss me Quick" …
" Taken At Ten Days Old This Cygnet,One Of Nine, Remains In Fine Fettle Due To The Fine Diet Of Bird Seeds, Suet and Sweet Corn Given By Regular Visitors To Sefton Parks Main Lake..."
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Copyright ©
All Of My Photographic Images Are Subject To Copyright ! Each Of My Photographs Remain My Intellectual Property ! All Rights Are Reserved And As Such, Do Not Use, Modify, Copy, Edit, Distribute Or Publish Any Of My Photographs ! If You Wish To Use Any Of My Photographs For Any Reproductive Purposes, Or Other Uses, My Written Permission Is Specifically Required, Contact Me Via Flickr Mail !