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Seemingly, a mobile advert on St Giles High Street, London WC2, rather than the more usual all-over advertising livery on a regular service bus.
This East Lancs bodied Dennis Trident that started life with Metrobus in 2001 with a different registration number, Y416 HMY.
Sony a7 + Canon FDn 28mm f/2.0
the first thing i have to say about leonard knight is that he is possibly the purest soul i have ever met. there isn't an ounce of negative energy or hate in this man's body. i have visited salvation mountain several times over the years and i'm constantly baffled by this man's hard work and heart of gold. my love for this place is surprising considering my strong resentment of christianity, and religion in general. my main bouts with tolerating christianity are the constant complications, contradictions, and pick-n-choose betrayals of scripture by modern-day followers, alongside the seemingly never-ending stream of hate it produces. leonard, on the other hand, seems to have a similar view, and may have the purest, most original take on christianity that i have come across - one of uncomplicated love and faith in the good works of his god and people. he has laboriously created a psychedelic wonderland and work of art that would be utterly amazing even for a young, healthy person, and all without a tint of pride or ego. for what its worth, i can only imagine what the world would be like if more people approached religion like this man, or had his unbeatable love.
Fata Morgana
Seemingly flying mountains while travelling on the very long roads of Patagonian Argentinian steppes, due to fata Morgana optical effect.
Prov. Chubut - Argentina
Notes // On Black // Interesthings // Continente Patagonia
Cruising seemingly effortlessly over the undulations of a calm Atlantic Ocean, the fulmar flies at such low altitude that its wingtip draws a trail in the surface as it banks, or crests a wave. In this moment, it scores the surface of the water with the lightest of touches.
As a fellow traveller of the air, I look in awe at this scene of composure and precision; skills honed to perfection, a master of the sky and sea.
Compared to my earlier shot of the fulmar, this one is certainly touched: in particular heavily cropped.
Seemingly oblivious to the silver cross parents on his left, Hamilton's mayor, Fred Eisenberger, spent most of the wreath-laying ceremony at today's Remembrance service chatting and laughing with the local MPP Andrea Horvath.
This was THE railfan event of 2018...at least in the Northeast. Seemingly every railfan within 200 miles, maybe more, was here spread out around the valley going for different angles. Some even planned their shots for 6 months I hear! Not me though, I didn't even know about this move until about three weeks before this. Thanks to Michael Sullivan I didn't have to do any planning...just sit shotgun and enjoy the ride.
The Sprit of Union Pacific, specially painted SD70ACe 1943 leads UP's OCS dinner train special operating as NS train 066-03 makes for an incongruous sight passing the stunningly restored former Erie WC tower as they sail east on Main 1 of New Jersey Transit's Main Line at MP 23.6.
Constructed by the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad in 1890, the wooden Victorian styled structured would serve the Erie, EL, Conrail, and NJT before the latter finally closed the tower in 1986. Restoration work began in 2004 and the exterior was restored and painted by the end of 2005. Interior work continued and the tower opened as a museum in 2009, but work has been ongoing culminating in the return of the original CTC board to the tower in March of 2021. Much has been written about this tower over the years so here are several links to get you started if you care to learn and see more:
www.thehistorygirl.com/2016/09/waldwick-nj-station-and-to...
www.trains.com/trn/railroads/history/erie-railroads-waldw...
railpace.com/waldwick-tower-model-board-restoration/
And to learn a bit more about what this train was about and why it was here check out this earlier image and the caption: flic.kr/p/2jdqNum
Waldwick, New Jersey
Sunday June 3, 2018
Telling a story in three simple images let's go to 2) The Bad
Seemingly little changed on the Maine Centrail for the first couple years until 1983 when Guilford bought the Boston and Maine ending a 13 year long bankruptcy. When the road then turned around a year later and purchased the Delaware and Hudson Railway it had created a 4000 mile system stretching from the Canadian border in northern Maine as far west as Buffalo, as far south as Alexandria, VA and to Harrisburg and Philadelphia. There was promise in the air and for a brief shining moment hope ran high that New England railroading was on the cusp of a renaissance and there would be a strong regional competitor for Conrail, then still a ward of the government which had just begun to turn a profit itself. This news story sums up the hope of those early days: youtu.be/tmoH1uZaBb8
But the lustre would quickly fade and the hope turned bad as the railroad abandoned routes, laid of workers and restructured work rules. A strike came in 1986 followed by a longer and more disruptive one in 1987 that threatened the entirety of railroading in the northeast. Employees suffered, customers suffered and the pride and good will evaporated overnight. It wad a sad time and this far less polished video helps illustrate how the railroad broke bad: youtu.be/wjvVPpzKU3U
Later came legal but manipulative tactics to change work rules by playing a shell game of leasing the B&M and MEC line by line to Springfield Terminal, a tiny shortline in Vermont wholly owned by the B&M and hence Guilford. While that tactic worked in New England they weren't able to manipulate the D&H similarly and only four years after creating the system they gave up and cast off the old Bridge Line into bankruptcy.
Retrenching to New England Guilford Transportation soldiered on as an enigma looked upon with derision and disgust by many.
In Lawrence this sign on the bedraggled yard office standing beside a twisted yard yard full of mostly rusty disconnected wobbly tracks remains showing off the stylized white G arrow logo and signature gray and orange of the railroad everyone loved to hate.
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Thursday February 7, 2019
Scrapped due to extensive corrosion of all the circuit boards and ecus, seemingly they’d spent a good time in a pool of water from a leaky roof causing the vehicle to no longer function properly, off to the scrapyard it went with no interested buyers wanting to take on such a project at short notice
After one restless, seemingly sleepless night, the 6 a.m. wake-up call was heard, and all the elves gathered for roll-call at Santa’s Workshop entrance. After singing the traditional elf song to start the day, Santa announced the duties for the day.
“I’ll start by assigning the one job most of you have done, but since we’re shuffling things this year, that job will be given to the one or ones who have not performed this job. Normally, this job is assigned for those elves who display non-Santa type behavior. Most of you have been, ahem, ‘privileged’ to have that job. But I know there are some of you who have not had that privilege. So, I ask you all, who needs to do the infamous job of ‘Reindeer Duty’?”
All the elves simultaneously pointed to Maurice. Poor Celeste was standing next to him, and she thought they were all pointing to her.
“But this is my first year here!” she exclaimed, beginning to cry.
“No, Celeste. They’re pointing at me. It’s my turn this year to do that ‘great’ job of ‘Reindeer Duty.’”
“What do you do for ‘Reindeer Duty’?”
“Let me show you. Come on. And besides, if you do this now, you won’t have to do it again!”
Found at the local supermarket yesterday: a -for me- new vegetable, called romanesco, seemingly a cross between cauliflower and broccoli. But foremost an interesting object with a shape and color reminding me of coral or outerworldly landscapes.
By the way, haven't tasted it yet!
Seemingly out of nowhere, the former L&N Cumberland Valley Subdivision sprang to life with coming upon of southbound CSX empty coal train C623 as they steadily made their way South through the community of Blackmont, KY, on the afternoon of October 4, 2020.
Seemingly alone in a remote desert, I am 10 feet from my family and 1/4 mile from my car (and food and drink)! :^)
Seemingly endless French Oak barrels of Quintessa cabernet sauvignon age in man-made caves deep underground at Quintessa Winery and Vineyard.
Napa Valley, California
seemingly abandoned cars in an area that is being "recycled" - The area was once a thriving community, where people lived and loved. Now desolate, devoid of character, it will be office towers and high-rise apartment buildings - afternoon - Lanzhou, Gansu, China
A Deep Hug and Hearfelt thank you to my Friend Emma for playing along
www.flickr.com/photos/193415394@N05
Masquerade Ball
“Raffles” Pitch
“Cheerio” A J Raffles at your service. Don’t know if any of you have ever heard of me, but I’ve been accused of being a man of many talents, but by no means was that always said as a compliment.
Also, I do love playing cricket.
Batting in a cricket match produces for me the same flow of adrenaline as that of my secret game: Jewel Thievery.
A J Raffles is a fictional character whom I admire for the introduction above. For I am, like him, a professional Jewel Thief.
And tonight was no exception as far as any adrenaline flow Raffles would have felt, for I was experiencing what I can imagine was the same exhilaration.
This evening I was attending a surprisingly posh masquerade ball being held at a large venue in Wales.
It was a very elegant affair, with the many ladies present putting on their most pretty attire and wearing out that evening, their most expensive vault kept baubles.
The venue seated about 500 guests with a raised dance floor at one end, next to a fully stocked bar and a large outside balcony overlooking some rose gardens lined by old woods.
I had decided to attire myself as said Raffles for a tongue-in-cheek tribute to what I hoped to gain this evening.
Mostly to gain some jewels by parting some of the ladies from the lovely ones they were wearing. Which, here tonight, presented a plethora of opportunities.
I would try and make it as pleasant as it possibly could be for my chosen female victims as my fingers worked over their exquisitely clad figures while removing their valuable jewels.
I find that a few kind words, some attention, and possibly dancing produced a little sugar that helps with the bitter pill I am giving them to swallow
This evening I was wearing all black attire of tails, vest, shirt, and tie. Since it was a masquerading affair, I wore a black phantom of the opera half mask. Since this was business as well as pleasure I was wearing no gentlemanly gloves, needing my nimbly flexible fingers to be free.
After I entered I made several slow rounds to learn the layout, doing some light mingling along the way.
The odd thing about this masquerading ball was that there were no fancy costumes. Everyone was dressed in their best evening out attire, with masks just added.
I made a catch right away as I impressed an older matronly lady enough that she called over her 30 something daughter to meet me.
It was now my turn to be impressed.
The daughter, Celcia, was dressed in a very elegant long-sleeved dress of silver satin. Her jewels were all set with diamonds. Her silver half mask is set in rhinestones.
We went off alone to look over the gardens from the balcony.
We guess what each other is “masked” as. I told her she must be “Lucy”
“Lucy?” she questioned
I laughed lifting her silky hair up and then running my fingers down the side of her long swaying diamond earrings, as I said. “lucy in the sky with diamonds. “
“Good guess, but I'm just Cecelia, not anyone else. And you sir, are you an undertaker?”
I chuckled. “ Not quite as dark as that, I'm shooting for a Raffles image tonight.”
“Well Mr. Raffles, not sure who you are, but it is my pleasure to meet you.”
We chatted for a bit more, then Celcia was called back inside by her mother who stood by the balcony entrance.
I took her hand, rings flashing. “ the pleasure is all mine dear ‘only Ceclia’l said grinning.
She rewarded me for my praise with a clingy hug.
I watched her leave with clenched fists, her gown swishing along down her figure quite provocatively. I opened one of my fists and admired the diamond bracelet that lay there. Her now naked wrist was covered up by the silver satin cuffed sleeve of the lovely Cecilia's dress, hiding her loss.
£23,000
I slipped it inside a hidden pocket of my vest, and patting it, went back inside.
The band had started playing and the dance floor was fast filling up.
I spied a group of ladies wearing feathery masks who were huddled at one end of the floor, blocking an aisleway, watching the assembling dancing couples. I approached and overheard that they were waiting for their partners to come back from the bar.
Since they were blocking my path, I went up and asked if I could cut through. They obligingly parted and as I went in between them one of the ladies tripped against another as I ‘accidentally’ stepped on her satin gowns’ long train as she moved to make way. I caught her and apologized as I held her, my fingers freely feeling along down her figure. I helped her back on her high heels, steadying her. Helping myself at the same time to the leaf-shaped diamond studded clip that was pinned to the side of her chocolate brown gown.
The diamond-studded clip soon joined the pocketed diamond bracelet.
£18,000
My third score that evening almost literally fell into my lap.
I had ordered a brandy at the bar figuring to take a brief respite. There were two ladies next to me chatting away. The one immediately next to me kept bumping against me as she laughed at almost everything the other lady was saying.
I didn't mine, for her thicke wine-colored silk blouse was a pleasure to feel rubbing up against me. Also, a pleasure to see where the magnificently large rings she was wearing on her fingers as well as the diamonds wrapped around her wrist.
Then it happened. The laughing lady’s friend knocked their drinks over. Some of which happily splashed on my arm.
As apologies were given and received, with much giggling, I came to the rescue with my silk handkerchief.
Lending it to them I allowed them to wipe themselves up. As we chatted, the lady next to me finished with it and handed it back. I took up her fingers as she did, and holding them down lifted and kissed the back of her hand. I also was running my damp handkerchief over her still wet fingers as I did, easily slipping of her largest flashy cocktail ring in the process.
£ 9500
Then the dancing began in earnest.
I was now sitting at a table on the outside balcony, watching the crowded dance floor and the amazing show of the ladies flowing attire, and their flickering jewels, that were being showcased there.
Also in my view was a table where a handsome bearded male was enviably sitting alone with not one, but two attractively attired and ornamented lades.
One lady was wearing a black satin blouse with a long thicke red velvet skirt. She was wearing rubies and diamonds around her throat and wrists that were just a treat to look at, and covet.
The other was fashionably wearing a slick satin high necked gown of deep red that spilled down along her figure in a most scintillating manner. Her jewellery was a winning collection of diamonds worn seemingly everywhere from her figure. Of those, I would award a purple ribbon to the dangling necklace that lay around and fell from her throat that dripped columns of diamonds down the front of her sheer red gown, as the best in the show.
I saw the man rise, and pull out the chair of the lady wearing the rubies. He then led her off to the upper dance floor, unknowingly leaving the lady in red vulnerably alone.
I saw the remaining lady stand up and with what I imagined to be a whimsical manner, walked to the edge of the balcony.
I started to rise.
But a gold mask-wearing bloke from another table approached her before I had half risen and began talking to her. I learned then that her name was Emma.
What was odd is that the man had been sitting at a table with a lady wearing a sky blue satin dress, black satin jacket, and pearls. She looked very sad watching her gold mask-wearing tablemate talking to Emma.
I had dejectedly sat back down, watching with curious interest.
The gold masked bloke took Emma by the hand and led her to the dance floor.
I saw the lady in sky blue satin, and the pricey pearl slowly rises and follow.
As then, did I.
The lady in blue was standing in the side of the dancefloor, her posture told me she was both sad and dejected.
I went up and stood next to her. Without looking at me the lady in sky blue sleek satin said...
“Why are men such idiots?” then she looked at me, and blushed apologetically “I am so sorry.”
I held up my hand. “Apology accepted, a dance though would help ease the pain.”
She eagerly went with me and taking her warm, soft figure in my arms we joined in.
She did not appear to want any conversation from me. I let her hold tightly against me. We danced in silence, both lost in our own respective thoughts.
I had decided that a dance would not be enough to ‘ease my pain’ and as she distractedly looked around for the gold masked bloke dancing with Emma, I allowed my hand the move up to her shoulder, then over to the single strand of glistening pearls that lay around her throat.
Easily locating, then slipping open, the hinged silver clasp, I gently pulled the slippery smooth necklace away from around her neck and quickly pocketed it.
£ 8700
I had no sooner done so than I felt her shake, and saw that we were now close to the gold masked male dancing with Emma. One would need a crowbar to separate him from her. I could tell Emma was not enjoying herself.
I was watching, with melancholy interest, Emma’s diamonds dripping down from the necklace that lay low along the high neckline of her luxurious red satin gown, just dangling below her breasts.
A desiring fire was starting to stir from deep within, my fingers felt like curling. So close and yet so far...
I turned my partner around so we were facing away. I started to say something when I felt an unexpected, firm tap on my shoulder.
Well, one could imagine where my mind went as I turned my head.
Relieved, I saw that it was not one of the rental security men.
It was the gold masked table partner of the lady in blue satin I was dancing with.
I saw his more recent partner, Emma, the one in red whose dazzling necklace was a stirring lure, standing there in the middle of the dance floor, alone and confused.
“Switch partners.” He told me, it was not a question.
I looked at mine and she nodded ok.
I left her to be grasped up in his arms and went to Emma, the lady in red, who willingly came into mine.
“What then, was that all about? I asked smiling.
Emma answered with a giggle. “ He was telling her he wanted to see other women. But she is not supposed to he dancing with other men, especially handsome ones like you!”
With a shy nod of my head I thanked her, telling her that I thought she looked extraordinarily beautiful this evening.
Sweetly smiling she turned her head down with blushing cheeks, thanking me.
My hand meanwhile, which had been resting motionless along her shoulder, moved to her throat, my fingers blindly seeking and locating the clasp of her necklace.
My partner felt none of that.
It was as she nodded after my words of praise that I flicked apart the jewelled chains’ clasp that my fingers had fiddled open.
As she looked back up I began to delicately slip the diamond chain up over her shoulder, watching as the diamonds hanging from its’ centre were gliding up effortlessly from along the front of her red satin gown, then up and around the gowns’ slick high neckline, before disappearing from my view.
She smiled most fetchingly into my eyes, oblivious to the fact her heavily jeweled diamond necklace had been disappearing over her shoulder.
£ 58000
The music was ending and I happened to look over by the double oak doors of the main entrance on the opposite side of the mammoth hall.
Who did I spy but the lady in the sleek sky blue satin dress and smooth black jacket being led out by the gold mask-wearing bloke who had cut in on us? I saw an opportunity to plant a seed.
I pointed it out to Emma. “Wonder where they are off too in such a hurry?”
“They do appear to be on a mission,” said Emma watching.
“I hope they weren't up to something?” I said suspiciously.
“Like what ?” Emma asked watching the couple scurrying out the door.
“Oh, nothing. I guess I read too many mystery novels. I answered stealing a look at the now bare neckline of Emma’s gown.
The music ended and I walked Emma back to the balcony. Her table was deserted so I took her over and seated her before taking my leave.
I began to make another round of the tables inside. On the lookout for fresh prey amongst the beautifully attired female guests.
I soon snagged a young damsel who had been deserted by her friends and looked bored. Not boring were the collection of rubies she was wearing with her elaborate maroon taffeta puffy ball gown that would have shamed a princess.
I asked and got permission to dance with her. She asked me who I was this evening. When I mentioned Raffle’s name she, unfortunately, caught on to who he was.
“Oh a thief, will make sure to lock my rubies up this evening to keep them safe! She giggled touching her handsome ruby and diamond necklace
I thought to myself... “Well, they are now.” while saying. “ I was thinking of him being a cricket player, not a thief.”
We both laughed over that, but I knew this one was a dead end. I could not wait until the dance was through so I could resume the hunt. I really had thought none of the younger ones would have ever read about AJ Raffles and that it would be my inside joke.
We parted after the dance, she headed off happily back to her friends.
I was watching her, deciding what to do next, when a soft gloved hand unexpectedly rested on my shoulder.
Turning, my eyes took in a young lady in downy soft, flowy peach chiffon over a shiny pink silk number, along with a row of sparkling matched diamonds around her throat. And earrings to match, as well as a thin band of diamonds holding back her freshly washed chestnut coloured hair. She wore a striking blue mask with ostrich feathers.
She shyly asked if I was available for the next dance. And I happily told her I was. She put her head down blushing. And I was able to savor her delectably pretty matched diamond stone necklace.
I whisked her off to the upper dance floor as the music began.
When the inevitable questions came up as to who I was this evening I answered...”The cricket player Raffles, at your service.”
She laughed with a Twitter. “Quite pleasant to meet you cricket player Raffles.” then she moved her hand higher up my back and came in a little closer.
I followed suit, feeling her hot figure slip in against my own. My fingers at her waist kept moving up until I reached the back of her neck. Carefully undoing her necklace I gave it a slight tug, figuring her soft smooth gown would allow the rest of my trick to work. It did, slipping off easily from around her throat, slithering like a glimmering snake up over her shoulder, out of my sight, and into my waiting hand behind her back.
My pretty dance partner felt nothing, as I then pocketed her expensive necklace.
£42,000
I then calmly began to finish the dance.
It was then, as I was looking down at the area below the raised platform of the dance floor, that I spotted something shiny, then a flashing brilliant fire erupted, all coming from one of the tables below the dancing areas raised platform.
I maneuvered us in closer for a better peek.
I made out a lone female sitting at a side table.
It was the vivid deep green of her shiny party dress that then first caught my eye.
It was the amazingly brilliant sparklers she was sporting from various points of interest along her delightful figure, especially the fiery necklace she was playing with, that finished the capture.
Only real jewels, or a remarkably good set of imitations, would produce that kind of bright gleaming shimmer!
I was betting they were real.
She was vulnerable, sitting there quite remarkably alone at her side table, drinking slowly from a small goblet of wine. Sitting there wearing in all appearances to be a collection of diamond sparklers that would easily be worth a cool £50 to £75 thousand of what the London ruffians would call “ice”.
They would also be rudely calling her “that loaded bird”. But to me, she was a rather fetchingly adorned Lass who needed some company, and perhaps just a wee bit of trimming.
The dance ended and I calmly led my partner back to her table before taking my leave. Though trying not to appear in a hurry. I still politely declined her offer to join in a drink at her table.
Then with eager anticipation, circled about hoping that the girl I had spotted was still there, and still alone.
When I got there I saw to my dismay that the bird had flown the coup. The table was deserted
I waited a few long minutes, eyeing around for other opportunities in the area, then my eyes lit up as I saw her coming back, alone.
I observed her for a satisfying few long minutes from a shadowy corner. She was younger than anyone I had yet met, but it was impossible to determine how young.
And she obviously was bored.
Intriguingly I could still not truly tell about the authenticity of her amazing collection of diamonds from my vantage.
The set was decidedly quite lovely, consisting of a dangling chain set with I guess were diamond chips and ending with a swaying diamond heart-shaped pendant, matching long earrings, a wide bracelet, and numerous shimmering rings.
The earrings were brilliant, falling from her ears in sheets of (synthetic/real ?) diamonds, larger stones were set at the earrings clasp, and they shone like the real thing.
They all contributed to making up the shimmer that surrounded her figure like some wickedly glittering halo.
She was wearing a black bandits mask, which I felt added to the mystic.
This young chick was certainly jeweled up, calling out to be looked into further.
I approached her from behind, placing a hand delicately upon a plushly soft shoulder, and daringly gave a greeting as I felt her startled figure flinch.
I cheerfully said, “Hello Samantha.”
She turned and said apologizing,
“I’m not Samantha, wrong girl.”
I answered back, disappointed “ No, you certainly are not my friend Samantha.”
I then carefully looked her over, up and down… before saying.
“Far prettier, if I dare say.”
I had ascertained by now that she was quite a bit younger than 20. And that most of her jewelry was quite good imitation’s. Her heart shaped pendent contained real diamonds, but not valuable enough for my attention. The only fly in the ointment was her earrings. They appeared to be worth quite a bit actually.
I decided to hold off judgment and went on playing her on. Much like a fly fisherman will play a trout, not sure if he still wants to actually land it.
I went on…
“Well stranger, How do you do, Hold anyone up lately?”
I had taken her off guard and she did not answer back right away.
She gulped., obviously making a decision.
She sweetly raised a hand. “How do you do sir, my name is Nancy, and no, despite the mask, I'm not a thief.”
Taking her hand I kissed it with much pageantry. “Pleasure is all mine, glad my watch and wallet are safe”. I chuckled merrily, looking down at her thoughtfully.
Then, still holding her hand, I boldly asked…” May I sit for a bit, rather tuckered out at the moment?”
She nodded her head without hesitation. Her flash earrings swayed with a beckoning motion.
I slipped in the seat in front of her, my back to the dance floor. She was looking at me with a curious smile.
I smiled back, asking…
“So Nancy, what then, does your character do for a living if she is not a thief?”
“ I am an amateur detective.”
I nodded before asking….
“ Well, that is quite interesting indeed, what kind of cases do you like working on?”
She did not know how to answer that and squirmed as I watchers her face turn red, really making the freckles show up on her cheeks.
I saved her discomfort by saying…
“ I bet you are really clever at catching thieves. And that is why you are here this evening? Or are you taking the night off?”
Taking the cue, She nodded saying in a low voice.
“No thieves here tonight.”
I laughed in what I hoped would be a winning manner while answering. “ I guess not, probably no reason for one to be here. So miss Nancy, you've not asked whom I am playing this evening.”
”Let me see, an Undertaker ?” ”Nancy,” said teasingly.
I chuckled..”Not even close. A.J. Raffles, cricketer, at your command my lady.”
She had no idea who A.J.Raffles was, I could see that. And I decided to enlighten her a bit by telling a story.
He chuckled. “Never heard of him? Well, Raffles loved to play cricket, as well as several other hobbies. And there is a story behind that, as a lad, that helped him choose his course as an adult. Care to hear it?”
She eagerly nodded yes, while taking a sip of wine.
I began my tale…
“When A.J. Raffles was a lad of ten he attended a wedding where his parents were both best man and maid of honor. A.J sat at a table with an older Great Auntie who paid him no heed.
He soon fell in with a group of bored older boys who had been throwing dice in a makeshift crown and anchor board. The game had been broken up by one of the servers and they had all been chased away
AJ was huddled in with that group as they watched the dressed-up wedding guests up on the dance floor. They began talking amongst themselves, commenting over the scene before them.
Look at dem jools the birds are wearing. Bet they'd be worth a lot. One of the lads said. Another quipped back that too bad those dames weren't their age. Yeah, like that would mean anything. What would you do, lift their jools? Came the teasing retort. Hell yeah, I would say a cocky lad. And someone else said I like to see you do it. AJ was taking all this in, squirming a bit because he had always had a secret desire to somehow make a collection of the pretty jewellery he'd seen ladies wearing. Tonight was no different.
“Nancy” smirked “Sounds like my brother.”
“There you go then, you know how he felt also “ I answered smiling curiously before continuing...
Well as fate would have it, two young teenage girls came walking past, purposefully close. They threw the group of boys a rather coy look while passing.
One was dressed in a slick satin high necked gown of deep red with a long rhinestone necklace and earrings. Her companion was wearing a sky blue sleek satin party dress, smooth black jacket, and strands of imitation pearls.
No sooner had they passed than the inner circle of boys began to dare and double dare. Money was put up in bets that enticed two of the lads to take up the challenge. That being to come away with the girl’s necklaces.
The two lads left, and as the others looked on, went up to the two young lassies and began to converse. The giggling girls finally allowed themselves to be led to the dance floor
As they began to dance, more bets were made amongst the remaining lads, with young AJ joining in. Spending his only farthing on blue satin losing her pearls, and doubling that it would be done without her noticing.
Both of the dancing boys made several amateur attempts upon their female partner’s jewels.
Blue satin, misinterpreting why her partner had his hand high up on her backside, giggled and fled away. Red satin ran off after her friend, but not before the wily lad who had been holding her had given even her a hug, nicking her shimmering necklace off from around the high collar of her slick gown as she struggled free.
He came back triumphantly to collect his winnings. Though some argued that seeing her necklace had not been touching skin it was not a real contest. He got his winnings in the end and the group wandered off, the prized necklace being passed around with envy.
AJ stayed behind contemplating. he watched as the lads stopped by a table where a young girl sat alone. She was wearing a long bridesmaid's gown of silk dyed in several shades of teal and green. A single string of real pearls hung down from her bare neck. Expensively swinging down elegantly. He knew what the group of lads was discussing in their private huddle. AJ moved off not wishing to see anymore.
“Those poor girls, I am glad your character walked away from that instead of embarking on a life of crime, “ said “Nancy” to me.
“Yes indeed. “ I answered, looking at my pretty partner. Her shiny emerald green blouse was mesmerizingly beautiful, but not quite as mesmerizing as the hanging rhinestone diamond chain and pendent she still wore due to my hesitation overtaking it.
My fingers curled seeking opportunity, cursing that I may have missed it.
“Nancy, out of curiosity, if I’m not prying, you mentioned your brother would like my Raffles’s story?”
Oh! I could see I hit a pleasant nerve, as she smiled excitedly at me, her hand playing with her pendant as she spoke, a bit hoarsely I noticed.
“Yes he would, your Raffle story is similar to a game he likes playing.”
“Please tell me more, it sounds like you have fun playing it,” I said, with curious intentions.
She giggled. “Well, we play it in the woods. I wear a play dress and play jewelry. My brother plays a thief who tries to rob me of my jewels. Then if he does, he hides and I play the detective trying to find him. I know it sounds rather odd.”
That really opened my eyes, and thoughts started to race through my head.
“I took her hand. “No, not at all odd, sounds rather exciting.”
So they like to play games of jewels stolen. Right up my alley. I thought to myself while eyeballing her necklace.
“No,” I said to myself. Not the necklace. If anything the earrings.”
But I could not see how It could be done. So I chased the teasingly tempting thought out of my head.
A silence ensued for a minute, and as I watched,” Nancy” was looking over my shoulder up at the raised platform of the dance floor behind me, watching something.
I turned around, following her eyes.
A man with a green cummerbund was dancing with an attractive redhead.
She was wearing an elegant eye-catching blue taffeta gown with a scooped neckline, ruffled half sleeves, and knee-length skirt. She was wearing what was probably her best jewels, a sapphire and diamond jewelry set that sparkled deliciously under the ceiling lights of the great banquet hall. The necklace was especially pretty. A heavy gold v shape set with large pear-shaped sapphires interspersed with smaller round diamonds. She wore a deep blue mask that covered her eyes and nose.
I turned back, and Nancy” dropped her eyes back onto mine.
I asked thoughtfully…
“I see you are looking at that lady, pretty in blue, with the sparkly sapphire jewels”
She guiltily nodded yes,
“If you wait a bit, you will meet them. That’s my mum and father.
I complimented her…
“You both are very pretty, if I may be so bold?”
Taking up her hand and I kissed it…
“But now, I must be toddling off, taken up too much of your time I’m afraid .”
We both stood up to say goodbye.
Shen then. Quite cheerfully, held out her hands for a friendly hug.
I did so willingly and my fingers securely patted up along her back. it felt very nice and I became aware of a rather pleasant prickling sensation causing a rise in my feelings.
“Well “Nancy” I hope you liked my Raffles story.
“Nancy” nodded yes, then asked me
“Do you think Raffles regretted not playing the games those boys were up to?”
Holding her hand, I patted down along her sleeve reassuringly… as I said
“I think Raffles is the type never to regret anything, what do you think?”
“Nancy” nodded her head happily satisfied. Her dazzling earrings flickered quite beautifully.
I smiled at myself broadly.
“Here “Nancy” allow me to get you seated.”
She sat. And as I gripped my fingers supportively along her arms as I slid the chair forward.
I then again lifted and kissed her hand.
“Righto” I nodded and was off.
I headed back around to the bar, when whom did I spy? “Nancy’s” mother, standing alone by the bar. I saw some drunken sod bump hard against her from behind, almost causing her to lose balance.
A handsome red-headed man was turning away from the bar holding a brandy and she fell against him.
It was her husband. The man she has been dancing with.
Laughing, the pair moved off.
Grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, I followed them out to the outside balcony. There I took a seat at my table and kept watch.
I watched as from another table, where a 40ish lady wearing a wedding ring was sitting alone, rise and began walking towards me.
She was resplendent in a long black sleeveless plush velvet gown, wearing long black satin gloves. Her pearl jewelry shone like do many small bright moons. Earrings, triple strand necklace, and a very wide bracelet set with not only valuably real pearls, but expensively with purple amethyst stones also.
The bracelet fits snugly around her shiny gloved wrist. And anyone in my profession knows a snug bracelet is a far simpler item to remove than a loose-fitting one.
The purple satin half-face mask she wore added much to her winningly pretty look.
She gave me the eye as she walked past and I rose to follow.
We ended up dancing. Her name, real name(and that of her character from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's) was Holly.
Holly, like “Nancy”, had never heard of the Raffles character either.
I left her after we had danced, holding her heart.
The hand which she placed had placed over her heart, no longer sporting her expensively wide pearl and amethyst bracelet.
£ 23000
She then suddenly had to go to the loo and darted off. I looked back at her table and saw a man in a tiger-striped mask was pulling out a chair to sit there.
I also figured it was time to scurry off. I had gotten me one more score.
I went down the steps leading off the raised dance floor, running right into “Nancy’s” mum swishing her way around at the bottom of the platform
“Seize the day-old chap”
My thoughts of leaving were put on hold as I looked her pretty, and expensively attired, figure over.
I held her up, saying I needed to apologize.
She looked into my face, her eyes twinkling like her daughters. Her sapphire and diamond jewellery also twinkling. But unlike her daughter’s, these she was wearing were very real.
“Apologize for what?” she asked in all innocence. I could also tell she was a bit tipsy from drink. Which considerably lowered her guard with me.
“ I saw that twit rudely bumping against you at the bar earlier, without apologizing. So I am for him.” I said with a neat little bow.
“Aren't you just a dear." she gushed, blushing. Just like her daughter, she had freckles also.
“Would you husband mind if I offered a dance as a consolation?” I asked with daring.
“Oh, I think a quick one would be ok,” she said smiling, accepting my offer.
I placed my arm around her glossy taffeta sleek waist and led her to the lower dance area.
It was a slow dance, and I took her into my arms with a delightfully delicious feeling of anticipation. Her sleekly taffeta-covered figure was a pleasure to warmly hold in my arms, and her twinkling jewels a pleasure to watch.
I, with real curiosity, asked who she was playing at this evening. She replied,” miss Moneypenny” then asked who I was.
Not wishing to jinx my good fortune, I lied. “ I am an undertaker, here to collect souls”
She laughed looking sassily into my eyes.
“Liar”
“Ok then, I'm really a bad cricket player.”
“Really, bad as in naughty?” she asked pleasantly vexed.
This one is fun, I thought to myself. I wondered mischievously if she was the catalyst if her children’s play game ideas had been inherited from her?
But I asked no questions along those lines. Instead, I decided to test the water with a story.
I then went into a similar story that I had told “Nancy” except to her mother I changed to arena from a wedding reception to a cricket match, and the group of lads was trying to steal kisses, not jewels, from their chosen victims.
My partner listened with a deep reflective interest.
So intent was she in my tale, that I was able to easily undo her necklaces ‘clasp and watch the shimmering beauty being slipped away by me from up her front, then around her throat, finally to be pulled out of sight behind her back. All skillfully done without the cheerfully happy lady feeling absolutely anything amiss.
Just like her daughter I thought. Innocent and as trusting as a lamb before being fleeced for the first time by a mock shepherd.
And reflectively, both had been dressed as soft as downy chicks when they had both caught the eye of the same wiley gilded feather plucking fox.
These were the thoughts in the back of my mind as I stowed my dance partner's glittering sapphire and diamond necklace away...
£6300
I finished my story just a few seconds after the music ended. We broke apart only once I had finished.
She hugged me and gave me a peck on the cheek for being so nice
“Here is a stolen kiss,” she whispered
She then, (of course after nicking her necklace) mentioned that her husband was also a cricket player. With his bloody police station’s team!
I was stunned. Half wishing she had told me her husband was a “copper” before I had nicked her jewels.
Figuring I had now finally worn out my luck, and welcome, I made up an excuse of my own and watched as her shiny evening dress swished and swayed all along with her lovely figure while she made her way back towards the unseen table where I knew her pretty daughter was sitting.
“Bloody fool, I had taken the necklace off a copper’s wife...“
I murmured this, chastising myself, shaking my head at my folly as I stared off in disbelief.
Understandably I think, I then decided I should probably best be on my way home.
I had already planned my exit earlier, not knowing when I would be needing it.
Deciding to avoid at all costs leaving by the main doors by which I had come in, I had earlier discovered a small set of stone stairs that led off the balcony.
The stairs were narrow and hidden from the view of the balcony. A simple rope with an “Off Limits” sign guarded the entrance. They led down to the small patch of woods that lined the rose gardens.
On the far end of the woods was a small cemetery, next to which I had discreetly parked my 61 Lotus elite sports car.
I made my way to the balcony and looked around. There weren't that many guests left out there. A group of men smoking cigars and drinking brandy stood at one end. I could make out the rather stout form of “Nancy’s” father in with them. His back was to me.
In a corner sat Emma with her tablemates. The male was telling a very animated story.
A few other tables were occupied, about 1/3 of them. None near the hidden stairway.
I made my way there. Reaching it, I again surveyed the area. I could see the 3 people sitting at Emma’s we're laughing. Emma had a hand to her chest. Suddenly a look of alarm crossed her face as she felt around, obviously not finding her diamonds. Her friends were asking what was wrong. I saw her look back at the empty table where the gold masked bloke had sat, the one who had cut in on me as after her deserting Emma on the dance floor.
As I disappeared unseen from view I remember thinking I was glad that I had sowed that seed of thought to Emma while we had watched the couple leaving the ballroom.
€€€€€€€€€€€
I got to the bottom of the stairs and made my way to the wooded path the ran the length of the gardens.
Thinking I was alone, made me feel safe to quickly begin to stroll away along the path, throwing the caution I had had all evening to the wind.
Suddenly I froze in step.
I had caught the unmistakable sight of a lady's sparkly jewels as she was walking through the gardens to the left of my path.
I was not out here alone?
And I could not believe lady would not be out here alone either.
I snuck up, cloaked by the shadows of the trees, to get a better look
Shocked I saw it was “Nancy”, out of her, apparently alone.
I watched “Nancy” as she moved about. My mind traveled into the realms of speculation.
What if my young friend had indeed been wearing jewels worth £75,000?
And I find her like this, vulnerably alone.
Would I be tempted to break character, and ….
I shook my head. I would probably not. Especially now that I knew her father was a policeman of some sort.
But someone who did not know her father was a “copper”, and perhaps thought the diamonds she was were real… well they may not feel the same about letting her be.
Suddenly a rabbit jumped from the judge, startling both of us. I see her have a gasp, hand shooting up to her chest.
As her jewels flickered in a mad frenzy, a thought popped in my head, making me grin with expectations.
“Time to give “Nancy” a taste of my games. I thought wickedly. “
I snuck up behind her, and placing my hands over her eyes, pulled her soft figure back up against my own.
“ Hello, Samantha, fancy meeting you here.”
“Raffles!” She blurted with relief…
I pulled my hands away, allowing them the liberty to feel through her hair, examining also her earrings, feeling along the hinged clasps to get a feel for what I was about to do...
I then stepped back, as she, with a deep sigh of relief, quickly turned around.
“Not playing a game alone, are ye Lass?” I asked, looking down into her pretty green eyes.
“No.” She said shaking her head, hair flying…
I smiled, placing my hands inside my pockets, as I watched her with interest.
She giggled while trying to lecture me…” you gave me quite the start sir. “
He placed a finger under my chin, lifting it so I was looking up into his eyes.
“Stand still,” I commanded and moved around behind her.
“Good thing I didn’t do what first popped into my devious mind...
I felt his knuckle go into my back…
”Stick ‘ em up miss .”
“Good thing you didn’t I would have peed myself... I giggled.
“Raffles” chuckled:
“Stay in character miss .” Was what I heard from behind me
I raised them up, imagining like I was actually being held up. My heart began to race again with a feeling of delicious danger as I spoke.
“What do you want from me?”
Raffles, still holding his knuckle into my back …reached out his other hand with an open palm as he spoke.
”Put your hands down, I’ve taken a fancy to that bracelet of yours. So please hand it over. “
I shivered, saying smartly. “I don’t believe a real thief would say please …”
My friend “Raffles” responded.
“Would my real victim ask that? Try a different tack.”
Trembling again, with delicious delight. I played along.
“No sir, not my bracelet, anything but that …”
“That’s better, a bit of heartfelt pleading can never heart.
After a second the hand withdrew.
Raffles laughed amiably…
“Ok miss, keep your bracelet then. “
He chuckled from behind, removing his knuckle….
“It was only a thought I had when I saw you out here walking alone, remembering the story of the games you play with your brother, did I do ok?”.
“Smashing .” I giggled gleefully “Spot on.”
She put my hands down to my sides as I placed a hand on her smooth satin-covered shoulder and ran it down her satin blouse’s sleeve as I came back around to face her.
“All kidding aside, you really shouldn’t be out here alone “Nancy” someone less inviting as me may have been about. And I don’t mean your brother let’s see you back safe Lass.”
I nodded.
He lifted my hand and pulled my back to him. Coddling along against his warm figure, Raffles led me back along the path to the stairway.
“I’ll be leaving you here “Nancy” I was on my way home.
I looked up into his face. “it was fun meeting you, sorry you have to go. “
“So am I Lass.”
As I looked down in her upturned face I realized by the look in her eyes, that I had her lulled into such a state of complacency that I found myself unable to control any longer my thieving impulse.
Police parent or not, those earrings “Nancy” was wearing deserved to be plucked.
My fingers began to curl as I pulled her to me, with wicked intent…
We for the second time, hugged goodbye, a deeply fulfilling embrace it was by all standards, as well as presenting a perfect opportunity to set myself in position.
We broke apart and I tickled my fingers up her smooth satin-clad sides, then lifted her hair high up over her head.
I let her hair back down, letting its silken strands spill over my fingers fingers
She giggled as it tickled. My fingers reached her dangling, desirable earrings.
I spoke, my eyes locked in hers, my fingers ready…
“A Very pretty one you are, and don’t ever let anyone say differently.”
I felt her squirm with excitement, her chin up, looking deep within my eyes.
I took the opportunity given me to curl my fingers around her old-fashioned hinged clasped earrings. I gently applied pressure to the backside of the hinges and in unison slipped off both danglers from her earlobes. As her shivering figure greatly aided my endeavor.
I let my hands drop to my vest pocket as I watched her shoulder-length red hair fall back into place, covering my dirty deed.
£2200
I had been holding my breath. For this type of maneuver was as tricky as stealing the diamond collar from around the neck of a sleeping Persian cat without waking her. “Nancy”, relishing in my praise, never felt a prick as I had taken them from her ears.
Releasing my breath I took a step back complimenting that her hair was much prettier when down.
As she looked up at me with those doe wide adult-looking mascara brushed eyes, I felt a flicker of unease over filching her earrings.
She suddenly propelled herself again in my arms and gave me a very smothering, very long hug.
We broke apart.
“Go now, you before I change my mind about playing games.”
I let her go with a chuckle, holding my ground as I watched her pretty green satin party dress swishing merrily along with her figure.
She started up the stairs, then stopping raised up her hands.
I froze, then saw she was merely blowing me a kiss.
Pulling my hands from my vest pocket as I deposited her earrings, I pretended to catch her kiss and added it to my collection.
“My second this evening,” I said mysteriously…
Then turning away, I went off down along the path.
Quickly reaching my car, I opened a secret compartment inside the boot, emptied my pockets of the purloined jewels, and stashed them safely away.
Then hopping in on the right, I fired the engine to life and drove away in the opposite direction.
Addendum
Several weeks after securely hiding the over £188,000 in jewels I had gotten away with, I was flabbergasted to read in their local paper that the robbery was believed to have been committed by a gang of thieves. With none of the descriptions given really matched mine...
Probably not so shocking was the statement giving the total value of the stolen jewellery, as reported to the insurance agencies from the 0ver 30 females claiming to be victims, coming in to a bit over...
£325,000!
To Read the story from ‘Nancy Drew’s “ Perspective
Click Below
The Tornado Rat Rod is a highly-modified, "hotrod" variant of the rusty Tornado, which is seemingly inspired by the custom 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Rat Rod Wagon built in 2014 by Chris Walker from ITW Hot Rods.
The front clip of the car was completely removed in favour of an extended chassis, featuring a drop-beam aluminium bar with small suspension linkages and two articulated bars connected to the structure, in a similar fashion to the Hotknife and the Fränken Stange. Its front end is fitted with a small bumper with turn signals and two circular headlamps over it. It has a massive engine fitted with high velocity stacks, side exhaust stacks and cam covers bearing "TORNADO" badges. The sides of the car are mostly identical to the Tornado, but the rear fenders were cut in order to fit the large rear wheels. The greenhouse area remains identical in shape and design, as well as the whole rear end. On the underside, the rear axle was lifted and supported by four articulated bars and small suspension linkages.
The vehicle is painted in a single color for the body and a portion of the engine block. It uses a set of wheels consisting of "Dukes" rims with standard-sized treaded tires for the front, and "Five Star" rims with large-sized slicks for the rear, both having a colorable surrounding only seen in naturally-generated examples (i.e. Content Creator). However, switching colors from the custom front wheels may also affect the rear ones, though it will lose its color when the front wheels are reverted back to the default ones.
As with animated primary drives in the motorcycles of the Bikers update, the Tornado Rat Rod features an animated timing belt powering every engine pulley.
Created in lego miniland scale for #mocaround48 challenge #ratrod
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS # 6
The Rangers must face a seemingly all-powerful threat entirely on their own without the guidance of Zordon. As the fate of the world hangs in the balance, Jason must lead the Rangers through these darkest of times.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES UNIVERSE # 1
Introducing a new era in TMNT! This series will explore characters and story-lines that are pivotal to the IDW TMNT universe! When a mysterious new mutant targets Baxter Stockman, it will be up to the TMNT to reluctantly save him. Little does everyone know that a larger trap is being laid by a new arch-foe! Plus a back-up story from TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman and comics legend Bill Sienkiewicz!
CARNAGE (2015) # 11
Carnage’s search for more power leads him to a mysterious and secluded island. But who are the island’s mysterious inhabitants? And what terrifying secrets do they hold?
FUTURE QUEST # 4
An earth-shattering power has come to life in the jungles of South America, and Team Quest and Birdman race the forces of F.E.A.R. to reach it first! There they find time ripped apart in a lost valley where dinosaurs and cavemen run wild once more as the ancient legend of Mightor is revealed! Only the shipwrecked aliens Jan and Jace hold the secrets of what fate awaits our world, but as a force led by Jezebel Jade attacks, what new hero will rise?
PREDATOR VS. JUDGE DREDD VS. ALIEN # 2
Want to make apocalypse stew? Throw in four Judges, one insane genetic scientist, a smattering of emoji-based cultists, a dash of Predator, and a pinch of essence of xenomorph, mix, and retreat to the nearest bunker. In this issue, Dredd follows a criminal cult leader into the Alabama Morass. A crew of Predators arrives on Earth to rescue a kidnapped comrade. And they both unwittingly wander into the territory of a revenge-obsessed, gene-splicing scientist who’s just gotten his hands on a xenomorph skull-and the universe’s deadliest DNA!
GOTHAM ACADEMY ANNUAL # 1
When the Gotham Academy student body comes down with a mysterious disease, Pomeline and Colton disagree on the origin of the threat, causing a fissure in Detective Club! The team fractures to get to the bottom of the case…but who will solve it first? Will Maps be able to reunite her friends? Will they ever eat pizza together again?! Join the search for clues in the first ever Gotham Academy Annual, precursor to Gotham Academy: Second Semester!
A seemingly out of place quaint chocolate shop along Clarendon Street in the heart of the Back Bay. Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Una pintoresca chocolatería aparentemente fuera de lugar en Clarendon Street, en el corazón de Back Bay. Boston, Massachusetts, Estados Unidos.
With seemingly Autumn in full swing 60039 passes through Treeton working the Sun 6E68 1012 Kingsbury - Humber empty tanks.
24 9 17
Well past sunset wispy clouds seemingly point to the illuminated Golden Gate Bridge and the City by the Bay. The San Francisco skyline begins to sparkle with lights as the Bay Bridge celebrates Bay Lights, the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge's sister bridge on the bay.
Both the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay Bridge were build at about the same time both using a suspension design. Last year the Golden Gate celebrated its 75th birthday and this year the celebration continues with the Bay Bridge.
While filming the bridge I have been asked why it's called the Golden Gate Bridge while it is clearly a bright orange? The answer is actually quite simple, the opening to San Francisco Bay is surrounded by hills covered in Golden Grass during much of the summer and fall months. The Golden Gate existed long before the Bridge. The Bridge was named after the straight that it spans and not the color of the bridge itself. You can see some of that golden grass in the foreground but the hills behind the camera are covered in it and often covered with California Poppies.
The famous Art Deco design of the bridge was not the first choice and there were many objects to the construction. A dislike of the cantilever design that was originally planned let to the more elegant replacement that we see today. Many of the elements of the bridge are more for ascetic effect rather than structural support. The bridge is illuminated by a number of spot lights that are directed at the two towers. Street lights, matching the Art Deco design line both sides of the bridge. The near side is restricted to bicycle traffic while the far side allows for both pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Both walkways are protected by a low rail which make it easy to view the city no matter your height as you walk across the span. It was reported this was due to the small stature of the designer who wanted a clear view. That consideration would later come in to criticism given the bridge is often used by those wishing to end it all.
Shooting the bridge and getting a unique shot is tricky and knowing the right times is key. The area is swept by high winds most of the year due the nature of the landscape around the bridge. During summer months fog blows in off the Pacific shrouding the bridge in the clouds. On a rare morning you may be lucky to see the fog down on the water so the top of the bridge and perhaps even the deck are visible from the Marin Headlands near Hawk Hill. To get this shot takes sheer luck or a lot of tries as it is fairly rare when the elements come together just right to create the proper effect. I've tried many of times but was only successful just this last year.
© Darvin Atkeson
Giant Shield Bugs and Nymphs (Tessaratomidae)
(see adjacent photostream images for others in this series)
Tessaratomid Giant Shield Bug Nymph (Tessaratomidae)
As in other hemipterans, tessaratomids are hemimetabolic, undergoing incomplete metamorphosis. This means that they do not possess larval and pupal stages. Instead, juvenile tessaratomids (called nymphs), hatch directly from the eggs.
Nymphs usually undergo four to five successive stages of moultings (ecdysis), increasing in size and becoming more adult-like with each stage until the final moulting. They are wingless throughout these developmental stages. The stages are individually known as instars, with the earliest stage (just after hatching) being known as the first nymphal instar.
Tessaratomid nymphs often differ significantly from adults in the colours and patterns exhibited. In my local species, nymphs exhibit strikingly vibrant colours in contrast to the relative drabness of adults. These colours can also vary between instars and seemingly depending on the food plant.
The onset of spring and new plant growth with fresh shoots emerging, heralds the arrival of a multitude of these bug nymphs in all their sizes, colours, shapes, species and instar stages. It is also true that many nymphal stages are unidentified with respect to the adults they become.
Pu'er, Yunnan, China
See more images of the nymphal forms of Tessaratomid Giant Shield Bugs in my photostream HERE. And adult Tessaratomid Giant Shield Bugs HERE.
The wedge-tailed eagle or bunjil (Aquila audax) is the largest bird of prey in Australia, and is also found in southern New Guinea, part of Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. It has long, fairly broad wings, fully feathered legs, and an unmistakable wedge-shaped tail. The wedge-tailed eagle is one of 12 species of large, predominantly dark-coloured booted eagles in the genus Aquila found worldwide. A large brown bird of prey, it has a wingspan up to 2.84 m and a length up to 1.06 m. Wedge-tailed eagles are highly aerial, soaring for hours on end without wingbeat and seemingly without effort, regularly reaching 1,800 m and sometimes considerably higher. The purpose of soaring is unknown. Their keen eyesight extends into ultraviolet bands. 15228
In a seemingly depressing news week there was potential for some good news. Doubt has been cast on the future of the Garden Bridge in London. Millions of public money has been wasted already but at least more might not be spent. This would bring to an end to public money being used to create a public place/private space in central London within sight of the City banking area. Imagine if bankers of today followed the example of their Victorian counterparts and paid to create public spaces in London (and other cities), especially in more deprived areas.
Hello there. Relevant comments welcome but please do NOT post any link(s). All my images are my own original work, under my copyright, with all rights reserved. You need my permission to use any image for ANY purpose.
Copyright infringement is theft.
Seemingly tiny train rolling next to a line of dense evergreens near Bonnya.
The background is dominated by the signature hilly terrain of Outer-Somogy, covered with fertile land and forests.
Seemingly floating, as if in a trance.
This is the same egret in my previous post (shown in the first comment box below), applying its "air brakes" before coming to a graceful landing. :)
.
Tradition holds that a wooden church, part of a nuns’ skete existed in the area, as seemingly attested by a 1642 document.
A princely order of 1672-1673 provided that the leather smiths – tăbăcari or tabaci – of another district be moved there;
these workers gave rise to the name of their new neighbourhood, and originally had a single church, which was later demolished.
The earliest sure mention of an older church comes from missionary Blasius Kleiner, who mentions it in a pre-1761 list of Bucharest churches.
The present church, situated on a hillock, dates to 1763-1765.
As recorded in the pisanie, now lost, the ktetor was a captain at the court of Prince Constantine Mavrocordatos.
A 1798 inventory mentions the church as being the parish of the Apostol district, home to millers and bakers.
Butchers moved in once a slaughterhouse opened, so that it was sometimes called the “cutting church” (Biserica de la Tăiere) and, from the neighboring tribunal, the “judgment church” (Biserica de la Judecată).
Significant repairs took place in 1810 and again in 1820-1830.
The church underwent restoration in 1864, fixing damage from the earthquakes of 1802 and 1838.
The flagstone floor dates to that time, while the shingle roof was replaced by lead sheeting in 1894.
The columns and arches separating the nave from the narthex were eliminated, enlarging the interior.
The masonry dome above the nave was replaced by a lighter wooden one, coated in tin.
The more recent bell tower, added along after the small portico, was first made of wood, then in 1910 changed for a metal one.
That year also saw the addition of a wooden choir area, changed to reinforced concrete in 1956-1957.
Serious damage was caused by the earthquakes of 1940 and especially 1977; repairs were undertaken in 1979, with additional exterior work in 2002-2003.
The initial frescoes were redone in oil in 1894 by Gheorghe Tattarescu and another artist.
Businessman Dumitru Mociorniță helped finance a restoration of the art in 1924, with further repairs taking place in 1983.
The exterior painting, which consisted of saints’ faces in medallions above the windows, was eliminated on three sides during the 1864 enlargement.
The icon of Paraskeva of the Balkans is original to the building, while other icons date to 1864; the iconostasis is of wood.
In 1987-1989, near the end of the Nicolae Ceaușescu regime, the church was threatened first with demolition, then with being obscured by building apartment blocks all around it.
Implementation of the proposals was frequently delayed due to petitions addressed to the authorities and the Orthodox hierarchy, as well as through efforts by engineers and builders.
The threat of new buildings obscuring the church continued until 1991-1992, after the Romanian Revolution, and construction was only halted due to the strenuous efforts of the parish priest.
The foundations of the blocks of flats were covered in 1995-1996.
The cross-shaped church measures 25 meters long by 7.8-10 meters wide;
it is around 9 meters high at the cornice and 18 meters at the tip of the domes.
The small, enclosed portico is an addition to the west end, the Pantocrator dome sits above the nave and the bell tower above the narthex.
The latter is accessed by a staircase starting from a little tower against the north facade.
The apses have three sides on the exterior and are semicircular on the interior, with quarter-sphere ceilings.
The ceiling acquired its present appearance in 1864:
it is vaulted in the space between narthex and nave, then giving way to the main dome.
Both domes are octagonal, covered in tin, with bulbous roofs.
The larger dome ends in an octagonal roof lantern that supports a metal cross.
The exterior is of painted masonry.
The simple string course lies below the midpoint of the facade.
Further down are the windows, separated by rectangular panels, while the upper part is simple, the original medallions being swallowed up by masonry during repairs.
The western facade features a triangular pediment, once painted and now almost bare.
Three icons are painted below: Saint Nicholas on the left, Saint Philotheia on the right and the patrons in the center.
The church has a spacious yard; the parish house lies on the grounds, to the north.
This is a (seemingly) poor paint job in the brand new parking garage at my medical/dental school. The paint makes it look like the wall is bleeding! It also looks like someone tried to clean it off the wall with little success. The way that the paint bled looked really impressive to me and I just had to try and grab a pic of it before they were successful in cleaning it up. Who knows, they might just end up leaving it haha.
Enjoy :)
Seemingly quite a highly specced model with the graphics and whitewalls, this one is visiting from The Netherlands
Photographed in Tanzania from a safari vehicle, no cover
Seemingly as abundant as Impalas in Africa, the smaller Thomson's gazelle is also high on the menu of Africa's many predators.
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Thank you for your visit!
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From Wikipedia: Thomson's gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) is one of the best known species of gazelles. It is named after explorer Joseph Thomson and is sometimes referred to as a "tommie". It is considered by some to be a subspecies of the red-fronted gazelle and was formerly considered a member of the genus Gazella within the subgenus Eudorcas, before Eudorcas was elevated to genus status.
Thomson's gazelles can be found in numbers exceeding 200,000 in Africa and are recognized as the most common type of gazelle in East Africa. A small fast antelope, the Thomson's gazelle is claimed to have top speeds up to 80–90 km/h (50–55 mph). It is the fourth-fastest land animal, after the cheetah (its main predator), pronghorn, and springbok.
Description:
Thomson's gazelle is a relatively small gazelle; it stands 60–70 cm (24–28 in) at the shoulder. Males weigh 20–35 kg (44–77 lb), while the slightly lighter females weigh 15–25 kg (33–55 lb). Facial characteristics of the gazelle include white rings around the eyes, black stripes running from a corner of the eye to the nose, rufous stripes running from the horns to the nose, a dark patch on the nose, and a light forehead
Social behavior:
During the wet season, a time when grass is abundant, adult male gazelles graze extensively. They spread out more and establish breeding territories. Younger males usually spend their time in bachelor groups, and are prevented from entering the territories. Females form migratory groups that enter the males' territories, mostly the ones with the highest-quality resources. As the female groups pass through and forage, the territorial males may try to herd them, and are usually successful in preventing single females from leaving, but not whole groups. Subadult males usually establish dominance through actual combat, while adults are more likely to do rituals. If a bachelor male should be passing through a territorial male's region, the male will chase the offender out of his territory.
When patrolling his territory, a male may use his horns to gore the grass, soil, or a bush. Males also mark grass stems with their preorbital glands, which emit a dark secretion. Territories of different males may share a boundary. When territorial males meet at the border of their territories, they engage in mock fights in which they rush towards each other as if they are about to clash, but without touching. After this, they graze in a frontal position, then in parallel and then in reverse, and move away from each other while constantly grazing. These rituals have no victor, but merely maintain the boundaries of the territories. Territorial males usually do not enter another male's territory. If a male is chasing an escaping female, he will stop the chase if she runs into another territory, but the neighboring male will continue the chase.
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A tiny bird seemingly overflowing with energy, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet forages almost frantically through lower branches of shrubs and trees. Its habit of constantly flicking its wings is a key identification clue. Smaller than a warbler or chickadee, this plain green-gray bird has a white eyering and a white bar on the wing. Alas, the male’s brilliant ruby crown patch usually stays hidden—your best chance to see it is to find an excited male singing in spring or summer. (All about birds)
All constructive comments are appreciated. TIA.
Seemingly joined at the hip these three engines seem to be perpetually coupled together forming the consist for the HAL Albany turn.
La città è circondata da zone apparentemente aride.
Qui è presente un giardino pubblico, ben tenuto, con prati rasati di un bel verde, cespugli fioriti, alberi rigogliosi e giochi per bambini.
L'Oman produce molta dell'acqua che distribuisce nel paese con la desalinizzazione dell'acqua di mare.
The city is surrounded by seemingly barren areas.
Here there is a well-kept public garden with beautifully green lawns, flowering bushes, luxuriant trees and games for children.
Oman produces much of the water it distributes in the country by desalination of sea water.
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Seemingly abandoned former Stagecoach Fife Volvo B10M-55 number 339/20339 R339HFS pictured at its current location at the Blar Mhor Industrial estate between Fort William and Banavie in Lochaber on Friday 21/11/2025.
i have very poor vision, and, okay, i was just too lazy to walk across the street to see if one of those signs said anything in english.re denomination or openness to all. sorry about that.
church
the mission
san francisco, california
A quartet of BNSF GEs lead yet another one of the seemingly endless number of intermodal trains west through the desert. In the distance, one can barely make out part of the Petrified Forest National Park.
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BNSF ES44C4 #3823
BNSF ES44C4 #6738
BNSF ES44C4 #3895
BNSF C44-9W #5242
Interested in purchasing a digital download of this photo? Let me know and I will add it to my Etsy Shop, MittenRailandMarine! Follow this link to see what images are currently listed for sale: www.etsy.com/shop/MittenRailandMarine
If you are interested in specific locomotives or freighters, please contact me. I have been photographing trains and ships for over 15 years and have accumulated an extensive library!
Interested in purchasing a high-quality digital download of this photo, suitable for printing and framing? Let me know and I will add it to my Etsy Shop, MittenRailandMarine! Follow this link to see what images are currently listed for sale: www.etsy.com/shop/MittenRailandMarine
If you are interested in specific locomotives, trains, or freighters, please contact me. I have been photographing trains and ships for over 15 years and have accumulated an extensive library!
'This roadtrip is going to be great!', they had said.
Well, here I was, driving down a seemingly endless road in Kansas, and had been doing so for over two hours. I could hardly remember the last time I touched the wheel - this road just kept going straight ahead with not even the slightest hint of a curve. The scenery was no better and could be summed up in one word: plains. Green, flat, never-ending plains. Sure, ahead you had the majestic outline of the Rockies, and yes, it seemed to be pretty close. But it had already seemed close two hours ago. Like a mirage, taunting you with the promise of something better just to remain out of reach, and at this point I had stopped hoping.
Behind me, eight of my travel companions were all snoozing. Odd, since it was only mid-afternoon, but it seemed this environment had a sedative effect on everyone, not just me. Next to me sat my designated map reader who was the only reason I had not yet gone crazy. There was obviously no map reading to be done. Here there was only one direction: straight ahead. To his credit, he had instead taken it upon himself to keep me occupied and we had had some pretty interesting conversations. Ultimately though, even he had been reduced to just sitting there staring blindly into the distance. We were two friends suffering together in this seemingly static nightmare.
But wait! Surely the mountians were closer now? And we could even spot some of the hills coming up. This was it! It had to be! Yes, the road started to bend, and soon we found ourselves cruising through the foothills! The road flowing with the terrain around it - something new to see around every corner. And trees! Glorious trees!
I looked over at my fellow companion with a smile and he was smiling too. Finally we had some enjoyable driving ahead of us! Our perserverence had paid off!
- 'Good job Emil' I heard a voice from the back. 'Pull over as soon as you can and we'll switch drivers'.
It seemed I was destined to enjoy the foothills through a heavily tinted window in the back of an overcrowded van instead of of having the pleasure of driving through this wonderful landscape.
This was from a road trip I took in university with some friends, and although perhaps a bit exaggerated here, the road through Kansas into Colorado is certainly not the most exciting driving to be had ;) Boring driving aside, the trip was loads of fun and I would love to go back with the family some time. But yeah, I'm a trees and mountains kinda guy, and open landscapes, though pretty in its own way, is not where I feel at home. Trees please!
Seemingly in the wrong part of the UK for any Greatest Gathering positional moves, I thought I'd better make an effort for 57307 hauling the Jackson Pollock liveried 390119 as 5Z35 1235 Edge Hill CS to Crewe. These locos don’t make a great racket but this one could be heard a good way out under full power.
The formation hauled a long sold out 1Z35 from Crewe into Derby Litchurch Lane, which presumably had the line scratchers frothing!
The train is seen passing Acton Bridge on 31st July 2025.
Pole shot.
A seemingly recent arrival locally, I've seen it a few times on the move so was glad to catch up with it here.
A clean MOT in September 2021, showing just over 90k, suggests that this should be around for a while.The general MOT history isn't bad, although a failure of two wrongly coloured indicators a couple of years back is a little intriguing.
I've taken seemingly a thousand slides here since the new Loachapoka siding was built in 2010, but it's still a favorite spot and good for "lazy easy" fanning being only 10 minutes from the house. After taking care of some roadmaster duties keeping the pine tree growth pruned back, Q605 heads south with the usual GE trio. Do think this only the second time I've pulled out the 200mm here.
After seemingly months of cloudy evenings it finally cleared up enough to provide a nice sunset. Lake Underhill, Orlando, FL.
Seemingly curious male American Goldfinch at rest on an overcast windy afternoon.
Common. Molting from winter to summer coat. Soon he'll be bright gold wearing a fancy black beret style topknot.
Out of seemingly nowhere, IC SD70 #1001 makes an appearance on the point of train 396 as they roll through mile 2 of the Halton Sub on a sunny but chilly February day. Unfortunately due to a timely appearance by a 271 on the south track, the shot in the sunlight I originally set out for was effectively ruined, but I'll take this over nothing anyday!
Funnily enough, I was not done for Illinois Central units today, as the CN 3008 (IC Heritage Unit) was fast approaching on the Kingston Sub leading Z149. I find it quite fascinating how I was able to snag a shot of the real deal before shooting the modern take on it in the same day.