Living in the Eastern Sierra can be an adventure in itself, with periodic wildfires fanned by high winds in dry conditions. In August of 2020 the Slink Fire erupted in the Slinkard Valley, and eventually came over the ridge to appear above the homes in the towns of Walker and Coleville in Little Antelope Valley. I captured this image just a few miles from my house, along the detour of Highway 395. Fortunately this fire was contained before it cause too much damage, but a later one fanned by winds over 50 MPH burned over 70 structures in the neighboring community of Walker. Residents and governmental agencies have been reducing sagebrush in and around neighborhoods to minimize future fire wildfire risk.

This Slink Fire panorama was captured Sunday night, August 31, as it burns over the towns of Coleville and Walker in Little Antelope Valley. By September 1, the fire was significantly reduced by air tankers and helicopters. Highway 395 re-opened.

Slink Fire updates: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7105/

Indeed, chess played a significant role in the cultural and intellectual life of the Ottoman Empire. The game's popularity extended across different social classes, and its strategic nature made it a valuable tool for military training and intellectual development.

The use of chess as a means of military education is noteworthy, as it reflects the recognition of the game's ability to enhance strategic thinking and planning. The Ottomans integrated chess into the curriculum of military academies, providing officers with a practical and enjoyable way to develop their strategic skills.

The artistic and cultural aspects of Ottoman chess sets highlight the intersection of chess with the broader artistic traditions of the time. The intricate designs and motifs inspired by Islamic art and architecture not only added aesthetic value to the chess sets but also showcased the cultural richness of the Ottoman Empire.

The existence of manuscripts and treatises on chess from the Ottoman period underscores the intellectual engagement with the game. These works not only discussed strategies and rules but also delved into the cultural and philosophical dimensions of chess. Such writings contributed to the broader intellectual heritage of the Ottoman Empire.

The widespread popularity of chess, evident in its presence in various social settings, from the courts of the sultans to coffeehouses, reflects its accessibility to people from different walks of life. The local variations and adaptations of the game over time further demonstrate its dynamic evolution within the Ottoman cultural context.

Overall, the history of chess in the Ottoman Empire is a fascinating chapter that highlights the multifaceted role of the game in shaping intellectual, artistic, and military aspects of society during that period.

Info from the NT website.

“New Worke“ began life as a hunting lodge in the mid 1500s. It was built by the courtier, Sir Nicholas Poyntz, using medieval stones from a nearby dissolved abbey. This was never his family home but he used it as an impressive place for lavish entertaining.

Over the next 400 years, the house was expanded and remodelled a number of times. A succession of families made their home in what is now Newark Park. The most significant building phase was undertaken in the 1790s by the Reverend Lewis Clutterbuck using the architect, James Wyatt.

The Clutterbuck family continued to own Newark Park – although for 50 years it was leased to the King Family. Three generations later, Catherine Annie Power-Clutterbuck left the estate to the National Trust in 1949.

By 1970, the estate was in need of some restoration. An American architect, Bob Parsons, leased it from the National Trust and spent almost 30 years taming the grounds and returning the house to a home. Once again, it became a place known for its hospitality.

The estate has some lovely walks through the woodlands, well worth a visit. As yet we have not been inside the house, keeping that for a rainy day!

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

I'm also on:

22-greg-taylor.pixels.com

www.instagram.com/gregtaylorphotography/

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All images are copyright protected so please do not use any of my work for commercial purposes.

Additionally, please do not contact me if you want to do business in NFT's as I am not interested. However, prints are available through my website above with significant new content being added by the week.

A new company Firefly attempted to launch a much smaller, cheaper rocket last night at Vandenberg Space Force -- unfortunately they experienced (in their words) "An Anomaly" 2 minutes into flight and had to abort the mission over the Pacific Ocean.

Actually check that, significant portions of metal and insulation have actually floated to the ground just east of Santa Maria, now that's a little scary and is NOT supposed to happen.

Starting from the beginning when they delayed the launch an hour it was sort of doomed to failure.

My dictionary defines Anomaly as "Something abnormal; an irregularity" --

Those Texans sure have a gift for understatement.

S

Significant short summer sun setting silently. =)

location: Carkeek Park: Seattle, Washington.

Thank You for viewing this image my flickr friends.

~ seen in my photostream: www.flickr.com/photos/donpar/show

Significant accomplishments past, present and future.

"Hero - Mariah Carey and Pavarotti"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KPUU-t28lg

This shot is dedicated to my entire student who made it in the end.

To name few that I could remember: Nazri, Siti Khodijah, Marfis,

Amirul, Noor Faridzatul Ain and others.....strive for more

Rainfall has also been significantly lower than the average for the time of year and exceptionally low tides - not helped by this week's 'Super Blue Blood Moon' - are thought to have contributed to the lack of water in the area. It's not the first time the canals have run dry, though.

Unusually low tides in 2015 and 2016 meant Venice experienced some of its lowest water levels since records began, exposing large patches of mud and silt around the city.

"In winter low tides are common," a city council tidal officer explained to a local newspaper in December 2015. "But these levels are way below normal: it's a small record."

Boats stranded in Venice

Boats are stranded in the canals

Getty

According to local experts, heavy investment in flood-barrier projects has resulted in a lack of money to support the removal of mud and sediment from the canals, a report by The Independent noted.

Along with the lack of waterways maintenance, residents in the city have also expressed their concerns over the high numbers of tourists who flock to Venice daily. An estimated 30 million visit every year, while the historic town itself has only around 55,000 inhabitants. In November, Italy's government decided to ban large cruise ships from the Grand Canal in a bid to limit tourists.

The Milky Way Galaxy is most significant to humans because it is home sweet home. But when it comes down to it, our galaxy is a typical barred spiral, much like billion of other galaxy in the universe.

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The Milky Way ia a barred spiral galaxy, about 100,000 light-years across. If you could look down on it from the top, you would see a central bulge surrounded by four large spiral arms that warp around it. Spiral galaxies make up about two-third of the galaxies in the universe.

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The Milky Way does not sit still, but is constantly rotating. As such, the arms are moving through space. The sun and the solar system travel with them. The solar system travels at an average speed of 515.000 mph (828,000 km/h). Even at this rapid speed, the solar system would take about 230 million years to travel all the way around the Milky Way.

Under the same keys, two musical worlds came together in an event celebrating the 150th anniversary of the births of Sergei Rachmaninov and Maurice Ravel. Four pianists, divided across two pianos, brought to life significant works by the two composers, each interpreting their unique musical language with mastery. Rachmaninov was represented through his romantic virtuosity, while Ravel shone with his impressionistic refinement. An extraordinary evening in which the stylistic diversity of these two musical worlds intertwined harmoniously, offering the audience a memorable experience of unity and creativity.

"So far, Israel has starved to death at least 440 Palestinians in Gaza, and thousands of children are acutely malnourished.

Palestinian families face an impossible choice: risk death for food or slowly starve."

www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/10/3/live-israel-blo... ▪️"I wish the attack on the Manchester synagogue had never happened. I also feel weird about even talking about it while dozens of Palestinians are killed today whose individual names I’ll never know and whose individual deaths I’ll never see decried in western media headlines. ▪️Their lives didn’t matter any less than the two people who were murdered in the synagogue attack. They’re just not white westerners, so their lives aren’t treated as significant. Their violent deaths aren’t seen as horrific. Their murderers aren’t denounced as monsters." - Caitlin Johnstone

▪️"O na bai'r ymosodiad ar y synagog ym

Manceinion heb ddigwydd. Rwy'n teimlo'n rhyfedd hyd yn oed wrth siarad amdano, tra bo dwsinau o Balesteiniaid yn cael eu lladd heddiw, rhai na byddaf byth yn gwybod eu henwau, rhai na chaiff eu marwolaeth byth ei gondemnio ym mhenawdau cyfryngau'r Gorllewin. ▪️Doedd eu bywyd nhw ddim yn fwy dibwys na'r ddau a gafodd eu llofruddio yn yr ymosodiad ar y synagog. Ond nid pobl groenwyn o'r Gorllewin mohonyn nhw, felly ni chaiff eu bywyd nhw ei drin fel rhywbeth arwyddocaol. Welir mo'u marwolaeth dreisiol fel rhywbeth erchyll. Chaiff y llofruddion mo'u condemnio fel angenfilod." - Caitlin Johnstone open.substack.com/pub/caitlinjohnstone/p/on-the-mancheste...

_____________

▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️Llangrannog, Ceredigion

Denali has two significant summits: the South Summit is the higher one at 20,310 feet (6,190 m), while the North Summit has an elevation of 19,470 ft (5,934 m). They are both in view here.

The South Summit is the climbing target. The North Summit doesn't draw as many climbers.

A shot or two more of Denali then moving on.

Thanks for taking a look!

The Columbia- Wrightsville Bridge is nothing less than one of the most historically significant concrete bridges in the United States. The bridge was the longest multi-span concrete arch bridge in the world when built, and even today it at the very least remains among the longest examples. In addition to its jaw-dropping 28 arch spans each spanning an impressive 185 feet, an additional 20 approach spans (mostly curved t-beams) complete the bridge which is over a mile long in total length. Also, with a 48 foot wide out-to-out deck width containing a 38 foot roadway, this is also a fairly wide bridge for its age as well. The length of the bridge coupled with its width results in a bridge with a footprint of about eight acres! Aside from its size, the bridge is significant in other areas. Innovative methods were developed to construct this extraordinarily long bridge in both a short period of time and in a financially reasonable way. The bridge is located at a historic crossing and is the fifth crossing at the location. A sixth generation crossing carries US-30 traffic just north of the historic bridge, with the historic bridge continuing to carry a significant volume of local traffic between Columbia and Wrightsville. The historic Columbia - Wrightsville Bridge is also noteworthy for its very ornate design. The arches of the bridge have numerous decorative shapes and details incorporated into them, as do the railings on the bridge. There are also decorative light fixtures and even and electrical access panels for the lighting on the bridge are decoratively designed and appear to be made of bronze. The attention to detail is impressive There are even attractive curved benches that are concrete and are built right into the railing at the end of the bridge. The bridge demonstrates a great attention made to producing a bridge that is truly beautiful and architecturally sensible, a stark contrast to modern bridges built today. Indeed the simple and unadorned US-30 bridge visible just to the north of the historic bridge

1.26-mile-long bridge carries Route 462 over the Susquehanna River b

WIth a very heavy train out of Detroit Rougmere, CSX L302 took their sweet time between Rougmere and South Lyon where we set up to wait. It was fortunate they were so slow as we fought shadows on the signal for a significant amount of time. With no shadows where we needed sun, the fresh MAC glows in the late afternoon light as they pass through the east end of the siding.

After significant rain, the spillway at Brazos Bend State Park fills with water and becomes a haven for feeding birds and gators. This is one of my first images of a January morning, taken with the earliest bits of light. SE Texas 1/2017

Esztergom was the capital of Hungary from the 10th till the mid-13th century when King Béla IV of Hungary moved the royal seat to Buda. During the same period, the castle of Esztergom was built on the site of ancient Roman castrum. It served not only as the royal residence until the 1241 (the Mongol invasion), but also as the center of the Hungarian state, religion, and Esztergom county.

After changing his residence to Budapest, Béla IV gave the palace and castle to the archbishop. Following these events, the castle was built and decorated by the bishops. The center of the king’s town, which was surrounded by walls, was still under royal authority. A number of different monasteries did return or settle in the religious center.

Meanwhile, the citizenry had been fighting to maintain and reclaim the rights of towns against the expansion of the church within the royal town. In the chaotic years after the fall of the House of Árpád, Esztergom suffered another calamity: in 1304, the forces of Wenceslaus II, the Czech king occupied and raided the castle. In the years to come, the castle was owned by several individuals: Róbert Károly and then Louis the Great patronized the town.

The Ottoman conquest of Mohács in 1526 brought a decline to the previously flourishing Esztergom as well. In the Battle of Mohács, the archbishop of Esztergom died. In the period between 1526 and 1543, when two rival kings reigned in Hungary, Esztergom was besieged six times. At times it was the forces of Ferdinand I or John Zápolya, at other times the Ottomans attacked. Finally, in 1530, Ferdinand I occupied the castle. He put foreign mercenaries in the castle, and sent the chapter and the bishopric to Nagyszombat and Pozsony.

However, in 1543 Sultan Suleiman I attacked the castle and took it. Esztergom became the centre of an Ottoman sanjak controlling several counties, and also a significant castle on the northwest border of the Ottoman Empire. In the 17th century Esztergom was besieged and conquered several times during the Ottoman-Habsburg Wars. Most of the buildings in the castle and the town that had been built in the Middle Ages were destroyed during this period, and there were only uninhabitable, smothered ruins to welcome the liberators.

In 1761 the bishopric regained control over the castle, where they started the preliminary processes of the reconstruction of the new religious center: the middle of the Várhegy (Castle Hill), the remains of Saint Stephen and Saint Adalbert churches were carried away to provide room for the new cathedral.

www.spottinghistory.com/view/4624/esztergom-castle/

posted for film noir: Saturday Self-Challenge

My long-standing, long-suffering, very significant other half was my accomplice in this.

I like to participate in the challenges/themes for this group - this week rather out of my comfort zone but I enjoyed being pushed.

No other diners were annoyed in the making of this portrait....

gratitude for all visits to my photostream

wishing you a great weekend

The Pantanal

Brazil

South America

The yacare caiman (Caiman yacare), also known commonly as the jacare caiman, Spanish 'yacaré', Paraguayan caiman, piranha caiman, red caiman, southern spectacled caiman, , jacaré in Portuguese and îakaré in Old Tupi, is a species of caiman, a crocodilian in the family Alligatoridae. The species is endemic to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.

Brown in color and covered with dark blotches, males grow to a total length (including tail) of 2–3 metres (6.6–9.8 ft) and females to 1.4 metres (4.6 ft).

Typical habitats of this caiman include lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Its diet primarily consists of aquatic animals, such as snails, and occasionally land vertebrates.

Mating occurs in the rainy season and eggs hatch in March, with young fending for themselves as soon as they hatch.

The yacare caiman was hunted heavily for its skin to use for leather in the 1980s, which caused its population to decrease significantly. However, trading restrictions placed since have caused its population to increase. Its population in the Pantanal is about 10 million, and it is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List.

#macromondays #Tableware

The latest #macromondays challenge #Tableware prompts me to share this picture with you.

The year almost has come to end and i guess all of you know the classic historic new year parody called Dinner for One. That one inspired me to use this spoon in addition to those lyrics....means cheerio miss sophie !!!

Tableware refers to the various items used for setting and serving meals at a dining table. It encompasses a wide range of objects, each with its specific function and design. Here's a breakdown of common types of tableware:

Plates:

Dinner Plates: The main course is typically served on these larger plates.

Salad Plates: Smaller than dinner plates, used for serving salads or appetizers.

Dessert Plates: Even smaller, reserved for sweet treats.

Bowls:

Soup Bowls: Deeper bowls designed for serving soups or stews.

Cereal Bowls: Shallower than soup bowls, used for serving breakfast cereals or desserts.

Cups and Mugs:

Teacups: Smaller cups used for serving tea.

Coffee Mugs: Larger cups for serving coffee or other hot beverages.

Glasses:

Water Glasses: Typically used for serving water during meals.

Wine Glasses: Designed to enhance the experience of drinking wine.

Tumblers: Versatile glasses for various beverages.

Flatware (Cutlery):

Forks: Used for picking up and conveying food to the mouth.

Knives: Cutting and slicing utensils.

Spoons: Used for liquids, soups, and desserts.

Serving Dishes:

Platters: Large, flat dishes for serving main courses or appetizers.

Bowls: Various sizes for serving side dishes, salads, or snacks.

Serving Utensils:

Serving Spoons: Larger spoons for serving food from communal dishes.

Tongs: Used for picking up and serving items like salad or bread.

Napkin Rings and Napkins:

Napkin Rings: Decorative rings to hold folded napkins.

Napkins: Used for wiping hands and faces during meals.

Tablecloths and Placemats:

Tablecloths: Large pieces of fabric that cover the entire table for decorative and practical purposes.

Placemats: Individual mats placed under each setting for protection and decoration.

Salt and Pepper Shakers:

Containers for salt and pepper, often found on dining tables for seasoning.

Condiment Dishes:

Small dishes for serving sauces, dressings, or condiments.

Trivets:

Heat-resistant mats or stands for placing hot dishes on the table.

Tableware comes in a variety of materials, styles, and designs, allowing for personalization and coordination with the overall dining experience or home decor. Whether formal or casual, the choice of tableware can significantly contribute to the ambiance of a meal.

Thank you for visits, comments and favs!

Vielen Dank für Eure Besuche, Kommentare und Sternchen!

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved

Flickr app doesn't support sRGB color. For best viewing use your browser.

GOOooooOOooOD Morning and Day, my lovely friends!!!!!

Happy, peacful and sunny new week wishes from Georgia to you all! :-)

"The Black-capped Chickadee is a non-migratory species found coast to coast, including much of Canada and the northern two thirds of the United States. Resident throughout its range, this species has northern populations that must withstand short days and very cold temperatures during winter. Under such conditions, individuals lower their body temperature at night and enter regulated hypothermia, saving significant amounts of energy." Birds of the World

posting for: Macro Mondays: I made this

- a tiny section ** of a watercolour I made about to go home after another few months' stay in hospital

- the trees a little 'van Gogh' maybe

- now in full remission for 20+ years, thanks to my significant other half, meds' compliance and my own efforts

** measures 3" x 3"

Ah, Friday, thank goodness it's here! I don't know about you, but I've had such a busy week this week! It seems like things really pick up at the hospital around the Holidays. As of this afternoon my life should calm down significantly, so I'll get to spend my usual ridiculous amount of time playing on Flickr :-)

This is another fence from my Thanksgiving trip home to Oklahoma. Texture by Kim Klassen.

Happy Friday Flickr Friends!

2025 is a very special year for Merrythought Bears. It is their 95th anniversary, which is a significant milestone when you think that this business has survived all the turbulence of the mid to late Twentieth Century and beyond.

As part of their celebrations, Merrythought have released their 95th Anniversary Commemorative Teddy Bear. Mine arrived today!

Marrying Sapphire (45th) and Golden (50th) anniversary years, the Merrythought 95th Anniversary Commemorative Teddy Bear is a most distinguished bear, who has been beautifully hand-crafted from two tones of the finest golden mohair, combined with pure cotton velvet. Merrythought’s stunning 95th anniversary colours subtly feature throughout the bear’s design, including the simplified logo embroidered upon his left paw. A special edition 95th anniversary foot label is stitched on his right paw, marking what is a significant milestone in Merrythought’s longstanding history. The Merrythought 95th Anniversary Commemorative Teddy Bear. is adorned with a luscious double satin bow, in the centre of which is a detailed twenty-four carat gold-plated pendant embellished with the iconic Merrythought wishbone, framed by sapphire crystals. The reverse is engraved with the Merrythought logo, and ’95 years, 1930-2025’

Each Merrythought 95th Anniversary Commemorative Teddy Bear. is individually numbered as part of a limited edition of 1930 pieces to mark the year of Merrythought's commencement. Mine is number 23.

The story of Merrythought began in 1930. William Gordon Holmes, owner of a spinning mill in Yorkshire called ‘Holmes & Laxton’, recognised the opportunity to make premium soft toys from the luxurious natural fibres they sourced. He found a beautiful brick foundry building in Ironbridge, Shropshire, home of the industrial revolution, and with the help of a team of skilled local seamstresses, Merrythought was born.

The first collection was designed by Florence Attwood, a remarkable pattern maker who overcame many challenges associated with being deaf and unable to speak, to create some of our most iconic designs. This included the original Merrythought and Magnet teddy bears, which still have a strong influence upon the designs they create today. With cheap imports increasingly affecting the traditional British toy sector in the 1970s, Merrythought focused on the growing teddy bear collectors market. Impressive collections of beautifully-designed limited edition bears were created and sold through British retailers, and also distributed across new export markets, including the United States and Japan. Even His Majesty King Charles III has a Merrythought hippo, gifted to him when he was still the Prince of Wales during a royal visit to Marks and Spencer’s flagship London store in 1982. Today the Merrythought teddy bear is still widely regarded as the ultimate childhood toy, treasured by children and adult collectors across the globe. The company’s timeless traditional characters continue to be hand-made in the original factory, alongside stunning limited edition bears that commemorative occasions such as the Olympic Games and Royal occasions.

Merchant Street, a block-long commercial street bordered by E. Prairie St. on the north, and E, Main St. on the south, is the heart of the Decatur Downtown Historic District. This view looks to the south from E. Prairie St.

The Merchant Street block consists of the nine structures along the east side of Merchant St. On the west side of Merchant St. are three buildings, all of which have N. Main St. addresses. The original facades of the buildings on Merchant St. are well-maintained and highly cohesive. The same building height - three stories - generally prevails and the same material - brick - is used throughout. Commercial Italianate is the predominant style and exhibits a high degree of architectural detail.

Eleven of the 12 total buildings in this block are significant properties within the historic district. The eleven significant buildings were all constructed between the 1860s and 1910. One modern building, located on west side of Merchant St. near E. Main St., is a non-contributing property. The most interesting of these buildings will be highlighted in future posts.

Decatur is the seat of Macon County. The city was founded in 1829 and is situated along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in central Illinois. Decatur has an economy based on industrial and agricultural commodity processing and production. The city is home of private Millikin University and public Richland Community College.

Decatur's estimated population for 2019 was 70,746, making Decatur the thirteenth-most populous city in Illinois, and the state's sixth-most populous city outside the Chicago metropolitan area.

Larnaca Salt Lakes region - a network of salt lakes that temporarily sustain over 10,000 migratory flamingos for 4 months a year. In the summer, however, the area is reduced to an expansive evaporated salt plain. Ramsar site, given protected status and one of the most ecologically significant areas in Cyprus.

With this photo of the famous water castle, we now say goodbye to the warehouse district in Hamburg.

I once again really enjoyed the visit (it was my third) and found a few insights and perspectives that had previously escaped me. And it certainly wasn't my last visit here.

By the way, this is the second photo from the sunset, when I was waiting here for the colorful sky and illuminated buildings to come together.

As you can see, thick clouds moved in shortly after picture number 1, which unfortunately ruined the plan.

Nature cannot be planned and that is a good thing.

If you compare both photos you can also see that the water level is rising again. The small watercourse on the right is significantly wider here than in the photo I took before.

If you have the time and desire, you can go backwards in my gallery and look at the other version again for comparison.

Mit diesem Foto vom berühmten Wasserschloss verabschieden wir uns nun auch von der Speicherstadt in Hamburg.

Ich habe den Besuch wieder einmal sehr genossen (es war mein Dritter) und ein paar Einblicke und Blickwinkel gefunden, die mir bisher entgangen waren. Und es war mit Sicherheit nicht mein letzter Besuch hier.

Das ist übrigens das zweite Foto vom dem Sonnenuntergang, als ich hier auf das Zusammentreffen von einem farbigen Himmel und erleuchteten Gebäuden gewartet hatte.

Wie ihr seht sind kurz nach Bild Nr. 1 dicke Wolken herein gezogen, die den Plan leider zunichte gemacht haben.

Natur lässt sich eben nicht planen und das ist auch gut so.

Außerdem kann man sehen, wenn man beide Foto vergleicht, dass der Wasserspiegel gerade wieder steigt. Der kleine Wasserlauf auf der rechten Seite ist hier nämlich schon deutlich breiter als auch dem Foto, welches ich zuvor gemacht hatte.

Wenn Ihr Zeit und Lust habt könnt Ihr ja mal in meiner Galerie zurück gehen, und Euch die andere Version zum Vergleich nochmal ansehen.

more of this on my website at: www.shoot-to-catch.de

The BIGZ building is a building located in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is one of the most famous architectural landmarks of Serbian modern architecture. In recent times it represents a significant cultural, artistic and social spot

Edzná is a Maya archaeological site in the north of the Mexican state of Campeche.

The most remarkable building at the site is the main temple located at the plaza. Built on a platform 40 m high, it provides a wide overview of the surroundings. Another significant building located in the plaza is a ball court. Two parallel structures make up the ball court. The top rooms of the ball court were possibly used to store images of the gods associated with the events, along with items needed for the games.

Edzná was already inhabited in 400 BC, and it was abandoned c. 1500 AD. During the time of occupation, a government was set up whose power was legitimized by the relationship between governors and the deities. In the Late Classic period Edzná was part of the Calakmul polity. Edzná may have been inhabited as early as 600 BC but it took until 200 AD before it developed into a major city. The word Edzná comes from "House of the Itzaes". The architectural style of this site shows signs of the Puuc style, even though it is far from the Puuc Hills sites. The decline and eventual abandonment of Edzná remains a mystery today.

Edzná was discovered in 1907. The first organised excavations started in 1958. In 1986, coordinating agencies began to employ Guatemalan refugees in the excavation, restoration and maintenance at Edzná.

A street view looking south from Central Park at the 100 block of N. Water Street in downtown Decatur. All but two of the buildings seen on the west (right) side of the street are either contributing or significant buildings in the Decatur Downtown Historic District added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

The non-contributing buildings are the single story (Murphy & Co.) building on the southwest corner of N. Water and E. Prairie streets, and a three story, modern retail and office building seen at the opposite end of the block on the northwest corner of on the N. Water and E. Main St. The buildings on the east side of the 100 block lie outside the boundaries of the historic district.

All of the architectural contributing and significant buildings were constructed between 1892 and 1915. The most interesting of these buildings will be highlighted in future posts.

Decatur is the seat of Macon County. The city was founded in 1829 and is situated along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in central Illinois. Decatur has an economy based on industrial and agricultural commodity processing and production. The city is home of private Millikin University and public Richland Community College.

Decatur's estimated population for 2019 was 70,746, making Decatur the thirteenth-most populous city in Illinois, and the state's sixth-most populous city outside the Chicago metropolitan area.

Another of the exhibits at the The Brighton Jetty Classic Sculptures Exhibition in Adelaide. The exhibition has been running for 8 years, and continues to grow as a significant Community Arts event.

following the first significant snowstorm of the season (8th of October). Six inches of snow fell; this image was taken two days later.

Mammoth Mountain is a lava dome complex partially located within the town of Mammoth Lakes, California, in the Inyo National Forest of Madera and Mono Counties. Mammoth still produces hazardous volcanic gases that kill trees and tragically caused ski patroller fatalities in 2006.

Mammoth is the highest ski resort in California and is notable for the unusually large amount of snowfall it receives compared to other Eastern Sierra peaks—about 400" annually and about 300 out of 365 days of sunshine—due to its location in a low gap in the Sierra crest. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammoth_Mountain

Fujifilm X-S10. Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS. 21mm, f/10, 1/40 sec, ISO 80. Thanks for viewing.

The New Orleans Coltons

I didn't know anything about these folks until we wandered up on the sidewalk outside their house! Some interesting facts and great history, not to mention the great works of art in their yard to commemorate their family history!!

sbc.edu/news/significant-gift-from-richard-c-colton-jr-wi...

www.yourlykes.com/history/

Like three years ago, starting the new season with a wonderful and enchanting Hubble's Variable Nebula (NGC 2261)

Previous approach: www.flickr.com/photos/olegbr/8552071862/in/dateposted/

I wanted to personally check whether it still variable ...

It was found that this is so :)

Here animation L-channel 200%: olegbr.astroclub.kiev.ua/files/astrofoto/NGC2261/NGC2261_...

Of course, 3 years - a very large interval for observing the changes in the nebula. Everything is much faster: www.umanitoba.ca/science/astronomy/cbrown/imaging/hvn/ana...

In 2013-2016 animation, I drew attention to the star just above the nebula, which is for 3 years significantly shifted to the right.

To heighten the effect, combined with the current picture image DSS., For about 60 years, the offset is already pretty decent. olegbr.astroclub.kiev.ua/files/astrofoto/NGC2261/NGC2261_...

Here www.astrosurf.com/mcianci/ngc2261.html Italian colleague calculated that the proper motion (proper motion) of the star 0.2" per year. The name is NLTT 16798 and is listed as High Proper Motion Star: simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=NLTT+16798

Explanation: What causes Hubble's Variable Nebula to vary? The unusual nebula pictured above changes its appearance noticeably in just a few weeks. Discovered over 200 years ago and subsequently cataloged as NGC 2661, the remarkable nebula is named for Edwin Hubble, who studied it earlier this century. Hubble's Variable Nebula is a reflection nebula made of gas and fine dust fanning out from the star R Monocerotis. The faint nebula is about one light-year across and lies about 2500 light-years away towards the constellation of Monocerotis. A leading variability explanation for Hubble's Variable Nebula holds that dense knots of opaque dust pass close to R Mon and cast moving shadows onto the reflecting dust seen in the rest of the nebula. (text:http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap991020.html)

This picture was photographed during 4 and 6 February 2016 in Khlepcha observatory, Ukraine.

Equipment: home assembled reflector 10 in., f/3.8

Mount WhiteSwan-180 with a control system «Eqdrive Standart», camera QSI-583wsg, Televue Paracorr-2. Off-axis guidecamera QHY5L-II.

LRGB filter set Baader Planetarium.

L = 29 * 600 seconds , bin.1, RGB = 11 * 300-450 seconds, bin.2 each filter. About 8 hours.

FWHM source in L filter 2.10"-2.97", sum in L channel - 2.55"

The height above the horizon from 40° to 48°, the scale of 1"/ pixel.

Processed Pixinsight 1.8 and Photoshop CS6

Easley Missouri

Katy Trail

Mile Marker 163

1898

This is the only bridge along the Katy Trail to be awarded a significant ranking due to the experimental and unique design of the truss.

97304 "John Tiley" (with 97303 on the rear) on The Cambrian Line at Westbury, Shropshire with 6C74, the 18.37 Crewe Basford Hall to Talerddig engineers, Wednesday 5.5.21.

2021 represents a significant milestone in the history of the Phoenix Railway-Photographic Circle with the celebration of our 50th anniversary by publishing a book to showcase some of the members work, past and present, from 1971 to the present day.

The book contains 14 chapters and 144 pages of photographs depicting the work of over 50 accomplished railway photographers with many differing styles and approaches. It takes an alternative view on photographing the railway scene over the past 50 years.

The book, called 50 Years of Phoenix will be published on 14th May 2021 with pre-orders now being taken – click on this link to order your copy: www.mortonsbooks.co.uk/product/view/productCode/15554

Why not take a look at the PRPC web site at www.phoenix-rpc.co.uk/index.html.

Significant rain Saturday night covered the iris with water droplets. Photographed in my flower garden. Most of my iris were passed down from my grandfather to my mother, and now to me. I believe that I have them correctly identified, but don't know the names of several. Any help will be appreciated. Most of the iris that I have were hybridized and purchased in the 1970's although a few that my grandfather first planted may be from the 1950's and 1960's. My mother may have purchased a few of them in the 1980's.

IMG_8294

My significant other half suggested a 'mystery' outing today, to include breakfast. I had no idea of our destination until we arrived at Salt Café by the water at Wicor, already busy at an early hour.

Breakfast was great and then Ray proposed a walk along the shore to Portchester Castle. The route there and back, along the Coastal Path, was a total of 3.5 miles, the furthest I have managed for ages. It was strange to reflect that this time last year I could barely walk, was in a lot of pain and using a mobility scooter.

I've never given much credence to miracles. However, being able to walk freely after a hip replacement/my own hard work at prescribed exercises, does seem miraculous.

The weather was hot and we found a pub in Portchester for a pit stop. Luckily, on the return to Wicor, there were seats overlooking the water, plus ice-cream, cold drinks and cookies half way along.

I have put together this collage to remember what, for me, has been a momentous day.

This pretty yellow flower belongs to the Easter cassia (Senna pendula var. glabrata) and is regarded as a significant environmental weed in New South Wales and Queensland.

United Kingdom, Norfolk, Cromer, Summer 2024

Cromer is a classic North Norfolk seaside town, situated on a cliff-top overlooking fine sandy beaches. Cromer Pier has survived despite bad damage over the years and is a traditional seaside pier with a Lifeboat Station and Pavilion Theatre, which still stages end of pier shows. Cromer was developed into a significant resort by the late Victorians, when healthy breezes were sought rather than sun-drenched sands. Cromer church dominates the town as it has the tallest tower in Norfolk. The streets and alleys are crammed with shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes. The fishing industry may have declined, but Cromer crabs are still as famous as ever with fishing boats, launched from the beach in season, tending to hundreds of crab pots.

Lincoln's City Hall and Fire Department sits at the intersection of Broadway and N. McLean St., kitty-corner from the Logan County Courthouse on the northeast corner of the square. Constructed in 1886, the handsome Romanesque Revival building is a significant property in the Lincoln Courthouse Square Historic District that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

The telephone booth seen on the roof of City Hall is a Route 66 landmark. In the old days, the roof was used by the fire department as a lookout for weather spotters. If severe weather was spotted, a direct line from the booth to the fire house alerted the department to activate the storm siren.

The phone booth was added in the 1960s, and I can't imagine standing in it with the wind howling. This unique roof ornament was nearly lost to history when City Hall received a new roof in 2009 but, because of the historic value and the tradition, citizens spoke up and the historic conversation piece was kept in place.

The two buildings seen to north (left) of the courthouse in the 100 block of N. McLean St. also lie within the historic district. The closest building with two different facades at 114-116 N. McLean St. is an early 20th century commercial structure that is a contributing property in the historic district. The second building at 118 N. McLean St. dates to the 1890s. Originally an Italianate design, the structure was remodeled in the 1970s and is a non-contributing property in the district.

Lincoln is the seat of Logan County, which is situated in central Illinois approximately 26 miles northeast of Springfield, the state capitol. The estimated population of Lincoln in 2018 was 13,685.

Significant ascending power !!

Starting from the second half of the 17 th century Sedniv was the place where large landowners the Lyzogubs arranged their main manor. The members of this glorious Ukrainian Cossack family played a significant role in the history and culture of Ukraine.

In 1687 Hetman Ivan Mazepa, designated Jacob Lyzogub the Chernigov colonel. In 1689 Mazepa endowed him richly with lands near Chernigov, including Sednev for his participation in the Crimean campaign. Son of Jacob Lyzogub, Efim was the Chernihiv colonel as well. In 1690 he began the construction of ancestral estate in Sedniv. On the right high bank of the Snov river he managed to lay a large park, build wooden residential buildings, stone building and the Resurrection church as the family burial vault.

The following generations of the Lyzogubs were all the militaries. In the first half of the 19th century one of five brothers Lyzogubs Andrei Ivanovich (1804-1864) retired and settled for good in Sedniv at the age of twenty-five years. He was joined by his brother, Ilya Ivanovich (1787-1867) – a retired colonel, a participant of the war with Napoleon and Alexander Ivanovich (1790-1839) – major general. The old building proved to be rather small. The estate was expanded along the mountain over again. The brothers turned the family homestead in the picturesque architectural ensemble. They attached a tower in a pseudogothic style to the old Cossack stone building and on the flank of the hill above the Snov river there was placed a gazebo.

To unite old and new territories of the estate the old rampart of the ancient settlement of Snov was cut through and a small bridge was spanned over the moat.

Park of the new estate acquired the romantic features according to the fashion trends of that time. Scenic views and the rampart proved very handy. In the end of the rampart that is on a steep slope at the river, a typical for romantic parks mysterious grotto with an entrance was embedded right in the ground. It was once decorated with local river mussels like the “sea bed” . Circular hole was in the ceiling, and a small window that overlooked the Snov river. By efforts of Ilya Ivanovich there were installed fountains in the park. One of them, called “Getman”, spurted higher than the famous “Samson” in Peterhof.

In the mid of th 19th century in the middle of the park there was built an U-shaped the Lyzogubs’ large house in the style of late classicism in place of the old wooden one.

The manor house is a one-storey building that bears typical features of eclectic architecture. It has two projection in the facade on both sides and a semicircular oriel in the center of the fasade that is turned to the river and fine detail decoration. House is placed parallelly to the slope.

All the buildings in the estate seemed to stress the attractiveness of the landscapes that was greatly admired by the owners: the tower over the entrance to Cossack stone building, the grotto, the oriel and white-column rotunda are oriented to the east overlooking the river.

Unfortunately, the park is now neglected. The slopes are so overgrown that one can hardly see the scenery across the river. There are age-old chestnuts, oaks, maples, which remember many guests of the Lyzogubs.

And among them were artists L. Zhemchuzhnikov and A. Slastion, writers L. Glebov and B. Grinchenko. There is still a lime tree in the park in the shade of which Taras Shevchenko liked to have a rest during his visits to Sedniv.

The Lizogubs themselves were rather talented human beings. Thus Alexander Lyzogub is known as the Ukrainian composer, one of the founders of Ukrainian piano music. He was the author of nocturnes, mazurkas, ballads, and variations on the theme of Ukrainian folk songs.

Ilya Ivanovich was keen on music as well. Mykola Markevych characterized him as: “A wonderful musician, a pianist, cellist, singer and composer, a good painter, a person keen on hydraulics. He decorates Sedniv with parks and fountains and lives quietly, modestly, but as an aristocrat.” The younger brother of Andrei Ivanovich was fond of painting and painted a few icons for the iconostasis of the Resurrection church.

In November 2009 President of Ukraine issued the decree to establish State Historical and National Preserve “The Lyzogubs’ Estate” in Sedniv.

The Church of St. Francis, an example of Sicilian Baroque, the original building was in Arab-Norman style with three naves and twelve altars, in addition to the main one.

In 1680, Msgr. Francesco Maria Grifeo (then bishop of the diocese ), he decided to turn it into baroque style, the two side aisles were demolished, and the nave was raised and covered with a barrel vault.

He was then reopened for worship in 1703, to be closed again following the earthquake of Belize in 1968, during which the church and the adjoining convent suffered significant damage. In 1977 the restoration works were started.

Double glazed windows are slightly concave due to the vacuum in between the two panes of glass which results in significant distortion. This is the sun shining on our house reflected in the window opposite with a tracery of malus floribunda branches in the foreground. It's a different kind of image for me but it made an interesting change.

Centennial Gardens

Water is another significant landscaping feature. From the lower pool, water is pumped to the main pool and then to the top of the cliff where it cascades in down the 40-meter rock face.

Spray from the waterfall has encouraged the growth of plants on the limestone cliff face. . At night, when lit with green illumination, the scene is one of almost primeval beauty.

These well-landscaped gardens were once a quarry manned by prison labour. The gardens were developed in 1974 to commemorate the centenary of the establishment of Napier as a borough and a city. Initially prisoners and later Council gardeners transformed the bare former quarry into the present verdant gardens. All the soil had to be moved onto the site.

Many of Napier Hill's roadside retaining walls were built by working parties of prisoners. Dressed limestone from the quarry was known locally as "shell rock". In the 1920s and 1930s, it was very popular with local architects and builders who specified it for ornamental walls and pillars.

When the quarry was closed, this local supply of "shell rock" dried up.

www.flickr.com/photos/97201328@N02/26978260655/in/datepos...

Thanks to all who take the time to visit and comment on my photo stream....it's greatly appreciated. Also for all of the invitations to join or post my photos into groups!

Nelson Bay is a significant township of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on a bay of the same name on the southern shore of Port Stephens about 60 kilometres (37 mi) by road north-east of Newcastle, its nearest rail link. At the 2016 census, Nelson Bay had a population of 5,820.

It is a major tourism centre, particularly for dolphin and whale watching, surfing, diving, fishing and other recreational aquatic activities. The eastern boundaries of Nelson Bay lie within the Tomaree National Park