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Here's a pretty Long Hoverfly. Sphaerophoria scripta, forcing herself on the not yet opened flowers of tall Water Dropwort, Oenanthe crocata. She's apparently not susceptible to its deadly qualities. In Dutch the plant is called Dodemansvingers, Deadmansfingers; the roots, shaped like fingers, are deadly to human beings (www.flickr.com/photos/87453322@N00/26505149263/in/photost...). Scholars have traced back Homer's expression of 'Sardonic grin' to ancient Phoenician Sardinia (ca. 1200 BCE). Some sources claim that an extract from this plant was used there to execute criminals, and also as a drug for the euthanasia of the elderly apparently instead of bludgeoning them to death or throwing them off a cliff. I've tried to trace the sources for that story, reading through possibly relevant passages among others of Celsus and Procopius but could find nothing to make the claim dead certain. Anyone out there in Flickrland? I'd be most grateful for a good reference...

Windows of Opportunity" have been on my mind a lot. We are tentatively scheduled to take a May tour of Bryce & Zion canyons with Road Scholar in May of 2022. The COVID numbers are rising. If I were in my 40's , I would wait and say that there would be other opportunities "when life becomes more normal (safe)". I am in my mid-70's and healthy. There is still the thought in the back of my mind as to how many windows of opportunity will be in my future. We will decide as the time draws nearer.

I am reflecting, not complaining. We have weathered the pandemic well and our living situation is comfortable. I have also had many opportunities in the past to experience other places. The Irish rover in my genes still longs for a look beyond my present horizon, however, and it's a nagging feeling.

There will be one other post in this "windows of opportunity" series.

A road in North Chingford.

Given a painting treatment.

"What else?" Says Pearl after finishing "Intellectuals and Society" by Thomas Sowell.

HDR

Seated among piles of leather-bound books and ink-stained parchments, the wise and knowledgeable old scholar carefully studies the works of the past, learning from them and copying them to preserve the knowledge of days gone by for the learners of the future.

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This is my very quickly built entry to the Byzantium Contest over on Classic Castle. When Constantinople fell in 1453, scholars who had preserved and studied the ancient Greek and Roman classics for years were forced to flee to other parts of Europe, such as Italy and France. This reintroduction of the ancient works is what rekindled European appreciation for classical thought and art and started the Renaissance.

This was a fun build, took me less than a day, which is pretty fast for me! Thanks for looking! :)

Soli Deo Gloria!

Built in the 17th century the covered stairs allowed generations of people reach the church and school at the upper part of Sighisoara citadel safe from bad weather.

Still in use today as much by teenage students as tourists.

OOC portrait of my character, Ignatious Falkner

Kagbeni, Nepal.

Spring in North Staffordshire

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God Of War

The Scholar Cap is a four-pointed velvet hat which can be worn with the brim folded up or pulled down. It was worn by academics in the medieval and renaissance eras and is the precursor to today's graduation cap.

Available at WLRP for a 25% discount during the month of May.

Fur: Torvie by Angelicus

Tunic: Tyr by Neon Sheep

To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.

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I was lucky enough to teach in this beautiful old school for 17 years. It was built in 1873 but the grammar school dates from much earlier. It is a wonderful building and now has a preservation order on it so will be kept and maintained as a piece of history. today I had to meet a colleague in there and was astounded how easy it was just to step back in time.

Scholar Green, Staffordshire

A white heron looking for knowledge in between the reeds, in the courtyard water ponds at the "Museo Nacional de Antropologia" in Mexico City.

Part 1 of a small series with the challenge theme being Enlightenment for Photo Battles! photobattles.wordpress.com/

Showing what enlightenment could represent for different kinds of people depending on what's relevant to their lives.

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Scholar, Final Fantasy XIV

Photographer: A.Z.Production Cosplay Photography (www.facebook.com/azproductioncosp)

Cosplayer: Shiaya Costumes (www.facebook.com/ShiayaCostumes/)

Setup: Main: Godox AD360 with Phottix Para-Pro 1.5m; Edge Godox AD200 with 1/2 CTO gel

My dog, showing their more intellectual sides.

May 20, 2018.

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The Scholar

I'm from the dirt road poison ivy league of campfires, guitars, and river swings

Got the good life down and if you hang around we can get a little dust on that collar

Cause I'm a genuine, certified dirt road scholar

Graduated the top of the school of hard knocks

pass the bar anytime I ain't thirsty

my country clubs exclusive to none but a fishing pole would come in handy

no you ain't really lived till you get chill bumps from a coyote cry

or fine dine till you've cooked on a mountain...

~Song sung by Dean Brody~

Scholar, Final Fantasy XIV

Photographer: A.Z.Production Cosplay Photography (www.facebook.com/azproductioncosp)

Cosplayer: Shiaya Costumes (www.facebook.com/ShiayaCostumes/)

Setup: Main: Godox AD360 with Phottix Para-Pro 1.5m; Edge Godox AD200 with 1/2 CTO gel