Listening to Carole King today… another old Rocker that’s made beautiful music for a number of years.

Carole King is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who has been active since 1958. King has made 25 solo albums, the most successful being Tapestry, which held the record for most weeks at No. 1 by a female artist for more than 20 years.

Her record sales were estimated at more than 75 million copies worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She has been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a performer and songwriter.

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The Hooded Merganser:

Spotted this Female Hooded Merganser Strutting Her Stuff after finishing a breakfast of Frog Legs alfresco. The legs were still attached to the frog, so it took her awhile to dine, but she seems to have had a Happy Ending : )

Hooded Mergansers are fairly common on small ponds and rivers, where they dive for fish, crayfish, and other food, seizing it in their thin, serrated bills. They find their prey underwater by sight. They can actually change the refractive properties of their eyes to improve their underwater vision. In addition, they have an extra eyelid, called a “nictitating membrane,” which is transparent and helps protect the eye during swimming, like a pair of goggles.

Hooded Merganser ducklings leave their nest cavity within 24 hours of hatching. First, their mother checks the area around the nest and calls to the nestlings from ground level. From inside the nest, the little fluffballs scramble up to the entrance hole and then flutter to the ground, which may be 50 feet or more below them. In some cases, they have to walk half a mile or more with their mother to the nearest body of water.

The oldest recorded Hooded Merganser was a male and at least 14 years, 6 months old when he was shot in Mississippi in 2009. He had been banded in Minnesota in 1995.

(Sony, 200-600 @ 600 mm, 1/400 @ f/6.3, ISO 5000, edited to taste)

Since you've been gone I've had to find

Different ways to grieve

There's days that I don't even want it on my mind

But tonight I'm weak

So, I'm gonna pull out pictures, ones with you in 'em

Laugh and cry a little while reminiscing

I can't help

That all I think about is

How you were taken way too soon

It ain't the same here without you

I gotta say, missing you comes in waves

And tonight I'm drowning

Taken at Bunratty folk museum, Near Limerick Ireland.

Texture's & Effect's by William Walton & Topaz.

European Pine martens are a species I have long since wanted to photograph especially in their habitat however it did take a trip to the Scottish Highlands to fulfil my goal, up at 5 am each morning my patience paid off and over four days many images were taken. Feeling very privileged and also delighted at being able to see these creatures in their environment. Dave

Been awhile since I've seen the Bobcats, but finally saw one yesterday and took several shots of him. I spent a bit of time one on one then left for an hour and returned. He was still in the general area looking for prey. I had other obligations and had to leave. He tried a few times to grab prey but was unsuccessful. Next time! Click for large view.

Since it is only 19 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 degrees Celsius) this morning and it feels like winter has definitely arrived in Minnesota, I thought I would post just one more butterfly photo :)

Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park

Coon Rapids, Minnesota

Since so many recognized my referenc eto the Band a flock of Seagulls on a recent shot thought I would use this shot to refer to one of there well known songs, This Gulls seems to have ran fron the flock

Comments appreciated, Constructive critique even more appreciated, best way for me to learn

better on B l a c k M a g i c

Explore

The island of San Michele, located in the lagoon close to Venice, has been the city's cemetery since the early nineteenth century.

There's also a church with a peaceful cloister leading to the cemetery.

Ever since Istanbul is Istanbul (song text: French/Turkish lyrics)

youtu.be/vN3j36Zfuc0

Lying down on a rock in the middle of Kanlica,

I make my tears swim towards Hisar,

There’s nothing left to do, she wanted to go and went away

Though I understand, it pains me deeply, as it ended so one-sidedly.

I now need the lodos (southwest winds), a paddle, a boat

A few bottles of red wine in the hidden stash, both the earth and sky are red

I curse at whatever came and passed, if it’s vulgar so be it

The morning star, left from the evening, falls on me.

Oh, ever since Istanbul is Istanbul,

It’s never witnessed such grief

I’m dying from your love

There’s no trace of pride left in me.

Ever since Istanbul is Istanbul,

It’s never witnessed such grief

I’m dying from your love

There’s no trace of pride left in me.

What a pity, how man is defeated by himself,

No cure for betrayal has been found, the heart is an immense black void

Nothing can be done, that’s just how the heart is, it only loved

I’m about to know a new skin, a new excitement.

I now need the lodos (south west winds) , a paddle, a boat

A few bottles of red wine in the hidden stash, both the earth and sky are red

I curse at whatever came and passed, if it’s vulgar so be it

The morning star, left from the evening, falls on me.

Oh, ever since Istanbul is Istanbul,

It’s never witnessed such grief

I’m dying from your love

There’s no trace of pride left in me.

Ever since Istanbul is Istanbul,

It’s never witnessed such grief

I’m dying a wretched death from your love

There’s no trace of pride left in me.

Featuring:

∇ #aesthetic. // Gemma Crop - FATPACK

Available at the Mainstore

∇ SamPoses - Liesbeth

EXCLUSIVE at the POSE FAIR

December 7th to December 28th

Song:

∇ Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone (VIDEO)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7UrFYvl5TE

T-Minus two hours. It's been months since I've been out nightscaping and I'm feeling like Rip VanWinkle, as I am throwing my gear in the car on my way to the Nightscape Photography Conference In Moab Utah.

So proud to announce that I have been invited to speak at the conference.......Wait, wait, hold-up. I'm not sure if I was "invited" It was more like I finagled my way into a spot on the staff, It's really a bizarre story too hard too believe, but to make a long story short, after talking to Royce Bair on the phone I managed to, via Royce's kindness land a spot in a side conference room.

That quickly changed to two presentations and two workshops. I have spent the last two years preparing a line of products that teaches the techniques I use in the field to navigate, plan alignments and predict the weather.

I think I found a niche.

The Smart App bootcamp sold-out in 5 Hrs. Whaaaat!

Wait, it gets better. Well maybe I will save that for my next post.

I should mention that Wayne Pinkston had a hand in my participation there, he has got to be the coolest "Night walker" on the face of the Earth.

Thanks Wayne and Thanks to Royce as well. You guys are two amazing people!!!

Wish me luck my friends!!!

Thanks as always, for taking the time to take a look at my photos, and reading my descriptions.

I am always grateful for your views, comments, faves, and support, they are truly appreciated!! Have a great day my friends!! :)

Always Respect Mother Nature And Your Fellow Man, So:

****TreadLightly>LeaveNoTrace> PackItIn/PackItOut****

Blog

Song

Oporto's Luis I bridge perspective. Probably the main atraction of the best 2017 european destination.

Been awhile since I posted a monochrome image. Sometimes b/w works as good or better than technicolor presentations.

My long-exposure capture of Montana's Ousel Falls captured the mist trail nicely as it floated downstream. Truly an enchanting waterfall.

Enjoy a wonderful Tuesday!

The beautifully lit Churchill Arms in Notting Hill Gate in London.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Since I was not able to hike this weekend and the weather is stormy today, I thought I would post a sunset from a couple months ago.

[**Note: I did not enhance or change the colors in these photos at all - everything really was pink!]

As someone who has been obsessed with sunsets since I was a child, I have watched some untold number of them over the years, and photographed many. But once in awhile there still comes a sunset that is like nothing I have seen before. This remarkable evening in Cannon Beach this summer was one of those.

As mentioned in the previously posted “Golden Gift”, the last day there was foggy and I wasn’t sure if there would be a sunset to see, but late in the afternoon some rays of sunshine broke through the clouds and turned everything to gold.

The clouds returned after that golden moment, but as it approached the time for sunset, something extraordinary happened. The sun turned pink! And then the sky and waves did too. I was completely transfixed by the jaw-dropping sight of it all. It was so striking that I’m posting multiple images because it feels like the only way to really convey the entirety of the moment.

And like the physical light of a sublime sunset that suddenly bursts through the clouds, sometimes a similar metaphorical light appears in one’s life. Perchance in the form of an unexpected friendship that one didn’t know was needed, but has now become a cherished gift. A friendship that illuminates the shadows to which one had grown so accustomed that their presence was no longer noticed. As one’s eyes adjust to the dark when light fades and dusk falls, so it happens with life as well. Until a friend, perhaps unknowingly on their part, extends the steady glow of warmth and light that sparks a heartfelt song of luminescent joy.

So this post is dedicated, with much gratitude, to that special glow of incandescent friends :-)

Since 2013, I've photographed this side door to the music hall at Snug Harbor on Staten Island, New York. Most recently, just before moving to Savannah in 2017.

Listen ♫

fineartamerica.com/profiles/mike-linnihan.html

Brighton Methodist Church

Built in 1881 by Norwegian immigrants, Brighton Methodist Church, the small country chapel shown here, cost $1,800 to build - a fortune at the time.

Rural churches were an important social part of family life in the 1880s. On Sunday, the family would dress in their Sunday best clothes for the church service and social gathering that followed the services.

This was often viewed as an opportunity to escape the hard work and isolation of farm life.

As soon as a settlement was established, the local families would join together to build a church for their community.

Many of the churches had strong ethnic and cultural ties to the specific nationality of the settlement. It was not uncommon to hear a sermon in German, Norwegian, or Swedish instead of English.

After the church closed in 1984, it was donated to Farmamerica by the congregation.

I did something different with this one, since I was using a different skin I created a face for the Avalon head which is not my usual head. This skin looks great on Avalon! Also got to say I love the Xue shirt from ZFG.T he end of the year/beginning of the next are hugely stressful times, take care to self care and enjoy yourself :)

Credits:

Skin:

Dantel - Ocean Head Skin Tone 01 (On Avalon head)

Dantel Body Skin Slim Normal Breasts Tone 01

Eyebrows: Dantel EVO-X Upwards Arched

Available @ The Dantel Main Store

Shirt: ZFG - XUE shirt

Available @ ZFG Main Store

Photo taken @ Sunny's Photo Studio - Pose: Caffeinated

www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1tDFtMjwAE

I wish I found some better sounds no one's ever heard

I wish I had a better voice that sang some better words

I wish I found some chords in an order that is new

I wish I didn't have to rhyme every time I sang

I was told when I get older, all my fears would shrink

But now I'm insecure, and I care what people think

My name's Blurryface and I care what you think

My name's Blurryface and I care what you think

Wish we could turn back time

To the good old days

When our mama sang us to sleep

But now we're stressed out (oh)

Wish we could turn back time (oh)

To the good old days (oh)

When our mama sang us to sleep

But now we're stressed out

We're stressed out

Since most migrant waterfowl have moved north of Iowa now, chances are very good that this trumpeter swan pair will be nesting right here at Cardinal Marsh this year. This would be the fourth year in row for trumpeter swans to stay here and nest for the summer following a long and sad 150 year hiatus as they were hunted to the brink of extinction during the pioneer era.

Ever since 1853 the so-called Waterleidingduinen south of Zandvoort aan Zee have provided Amsterdam with clean and fresh drinking water. It's a large nature reserve and protected water harvesting area. But an inexpensive permit will allow you to walk here to admire its beauties. See also my www.flickr.com/photos/87453322@N00/41910319222/in/photoli....

Under a sullen sky that's exactly what I did.

Here's a pleasant natural landscape with a herd of Fallow Deer beginning their crossing towards the dunes which slide into the North Sea a few kilometers to the right (west).

Since everyone is busy at the same time and has a lot to do,

it is extremely important to travel away from

it all to reflect at a distance on our actual situation in the present and to interpret the secret laws

that rule our lives.

Dear contemporaries, my song wants to emphasize that the world needs

someone who lives on an island in a cave and watches and

listens

to the limits of existence, a spiritual spy,

an outpost in no man's land! The lone man on Salami's island by Hjalmar Gullberg © www.ludwigriml.com

Rhinoceros: since 1973 the population has recovered well and increased to 544 animals around the turn of the century. To ensure the survival of the endangered species in case of epidemics animals are translocated annually from Chitwan to the Bardia National Park and the Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve since 1986. However, the population has repeatedly been jeopardized by poaching: in 2002 alone, poachers killed 37 individuals in order to saw off and sell their valuable horns.[6] Chitwan has the largest population of Indian rhinoceros in Nepal, estimated at 605 individuals out of 645 in total in the country.

Der Park ist bekannt für die Population des Panzernashorns, die bis zur Jahrtausendwende auf 544 Tiere und bis zum Frühjahr 2015 auf 645 Nashörner[6] angewachsen war. Seit 1986 werden alljährlich Tiere von Chitwan in den Bardia-Nationalpark und in das Suklaphanta-Wildreservat übersiedelt. Die Population war aber immer wieder durch Wilderei stark gefährdet: allein im Jahre 2002 haben Wilderer 37 Tiere grausam getötet, um das kostbare Horn absägen und verkaufen zu können. Die letzte Zählung im Jahr 2011 ergab insgesamt 503 Nashörner im Park, im selben Zeitraum starben zwei Tiere durch Wilderer. Bei der Zählung im Frühjahr 2015 wurden 645 Tiere in Nepal gefunden[6], davon 605 im Chitwan-Nationalpark[8], während gleichzeitig in den letzten drei Jahren kein Tier durch Wilderer ums Leben kam.

Since taking the challenge of learning a bit about high key for macro Mondays I think it will be a good idea to learn more about low key as well. I believe this image qualifies as a low key shot. However, it does not count as learning about low key, it was an accident :) The flower was highlighted by the sun and there were deep shadows all around it.

I'm not really sure what I would use low key images for on a regular basis but the high key images will be handy when I have something to sell.

Regardless, I never want to stop learning, even if it is just for the sake of learning.

Have a wonderful day and happy snapping.

Since I have no new small birds to post, here is a close Bald Eagle fly by from a session on December 03.

Stathcona County, Alberta.

Since the love that you left is all that I get

I want you to know

That if I can't be close to you

I'll settle for the ghost of you

I miss you more than life.

And if you can't be next to me

Your memory is ecstasy

I miss you more than life

Ghost -Justin Bieber

Happy birthday to my star in the heaven. Bless me and hug me as always.

My grandma's birthday. Hope to see you again someday.

Falkirk wheel

60 second exposure-i decided to experiment and altered the zoom on the 14-45 lens as the picture was being taken.This was the result.

BEST LARGE

P.S. 20 MINUTES LATER,IN THE PITCH DARK AND VIEWING MY IMAGES IN THE VIEWFINDER,I WALKED STRAIGHT OFF THE CONCRETE AND PLUNGED CHEST DEEP INTO THE CANAL .LUCKILY INSTINCT MADE ME HOLD THE CAMERA ABOVE MY HEAD.I HAD TO THEN WALK HALF A MILE HOME.

NOBODY BETTER BE LAUGHING!

Since 1975

Astro Set - Available at @ The Secret Garden (May. 01st to 30th).

Since 1975 Mainstore

For more details check my blog MR. MORNINGSTAR

Since I didn't have any success photographing birds today I thought I'd spend some time going through images of this past spring. I'll take the next few days to post a bunch of warblers, and other birds! Here is one shot of a perched Tree Sparrow with fog in the background that was actively being burned away by the sun!

Prairie grass for dinner again - since the Prairie Dog's i diet consists of grasses and leaves. A little too fibrous for my taste!

Wasn't to worried about the Corona Virus when I had to lay down in a prairie dog field to get this shot -- they may eat veggies but still poop a lot!

Late afternoon sunlight streams down the canyon wall onto the barn belonging to the Historic Gifford Homestead (circa 1908). Fruita Valley - Capitol Reef National Park - Utah.

Just for you Boss, your request.

Masters of Photography Admin. Award.

Perfection in Pictures Supreme Image.

Pinnacle of Excellence - Pinnacle Photography.

Excellence Award of Gallery de la Gravure.

Best Gallery of Fantastic Shots - Showroom.

Tsumi - Dirtbag tee

Available in Sabbath Event.

REVERIE ✦ Eno Lipstick✦

Available in Sabbath Event.

. Spookie Store . • Natural Nails

Available in Sabbath Event.

(reposted this image since I was having some issues for viewing)

(thanks Carlton and Holly for your help letting me know it!)

Textura: Ana Librillana

Since I no longer wear three piece suits, this timepiece has not seen much use. Just pulling it out of the drawer gives me a smile in remembrance of earlier times.

A poppy is a flowering plant in the subfamily Papaveroideae of the family Papaveraceae. Poppies are herbaceous plants, often grown for their colourful flowers. One species of poppy, Papaver somniferum, is the source of the narcotic drug opium which contains powerful medicinal alkaloids such as morphine and has been used since ancient times as an analgesic and narcotic medicinal and recreational drug. It also produces edible seeds. Following the trench warfare in the poppy fields of Flanders, Belgium during World War I, poppies have become a symbol of remembrance of soldiers who have died during wartime. Poppies are herbaceous annual, biennial or short-lived perennial plants. Some species are monocarpic, dying after flowering. Poppies can be over a metre tall with flowers up to 15 centimetres across. Flowers of species (not cultivars) have 4 to 6 petals, many stamens forming a conspicuous whorl in the center of the flower and an ovary of from 2 to many fused carpels. The petals are showy, may be of almost any color and some have markings. 17752

Since we summited Mt Tammany after sunset last time, we tried again a week later and arrived 30 minutes before sunset. This time the sun was mostly covered by low clouds yet managed to peak out for a minute or less from time to time. I wasn't brave enough to go all the way out to the edge which offered a better POV and would include the Delaware River - the down-sloping boulders looked way too slippery for my comfort level.

Image was taken 10 minutes after sunset. If you zoom in you shall see a twister-like cloud formation (1/3 from the left side). That's an artificial cloud induced by some industries; there were 3 of them on the horizon (only 1 was included in this shot).

Happy Monday!

❝Since everything is in our heads, we had better not lose them.❞

Since Finding Nemo came out, it's almost become almost a requirement for aquariums to have Clownfish and Palette Surgeonfish together in the same tank.

Boston - Don't Look Back

Where To Find It

Ruby Poses - Sales Bag - Lay With Me In A Field Of Flowers

Prop Included (Flowers)

RAWR! Hope Necklaces

Upper and Lower Necklace Included

12 Textures For Metals, Gem 1 & 2 & Pearls

Easy Resize menu

Saturday Sale - in store

RAWR! RAWR! Hope Armlets

12 Textures For Metals, Gem 1 & 2, and Pearls

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Saturday Sale - in store

RAWR! RAWR! Venus Rings

12 Textures For Metals, Gem 1 & 2, and Pearls

Easy Resize menu

Saturday Sale - in store

Limited Addiction - Britney Set

Texture Hud 20 Colors For Each

Comes with Top, Strings, and Skirt

Maitreya, Legacy

Since 1975

Wila Bustier & Wila Pants - Availables at @ Black Fair (Sept. 10th to 24th).

Since 1975 Mainstore

Rose Nature Backdrop - Available at The Bearded Guy Mainstore

For more details check my blog MR. MORNINGSTAR

Since 2007, with the government of Rafael Correa, the tourism brand "Ecuador Ama la Vida" has been transformed, with which the nation's tourism promotion would be sold. Focused on considering it as a country friendly and respectful of nature, natural biodiversity, and cultural diversity of the peoples. And for this, means of exploiting them are developed along with the private economy.

The country has two cities with UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Quito and Cuenca, as well as two natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Galapagos Islands and Sangay National Park in addition to one World Biosphere Reserve, such as the Cajas Massif. Culturally, the Toquilla straw hat and the culture of the Zapara indigenous people are recognized. The most popular sites for national and foreign tourists have different nuances due to the various tourist activities offered by the country.

Ever since I was a small child I loved this little bird and dreamed that some day I would see him. Up until that point I only saw it on the cover of a book. My first glimpse of one was in Connecticut many years later and I stopped the car to take in his beauty !! He is small but packed with gorgeous colors. Last week I was able to capture an image in Central Florida . Needless to say I was thrilled .

Wishing you a beautiful and blessed day !!!!!!!!!!!