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Fly Agaric
Amanita muscaria
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, is a basidiomycete of the genus Amanita. It is also a muscimol mushroom. Native throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Amanita muscaria has been unintentionally introduced to many countries in the Southern Hemisphere, generally as a symbiont with pine and birch plantations, and is now a true cosmopolitan species. It associates with various deciduous and coniferous trees.
Arguably the most iconic toadstool species, the fly agaric is a large white-gilled, white-spotted, usually red mushroom, and is one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. This includes video game design, such as the extensive use of a recognizable Amantia muscaria in the Mario franchise and its Super Mushroom power up.
Despite its easily distinguishable features, Amanita muscaria is a fungus with several known variations, or subspecies. These subspecies are slightly different, some have yellow or white caps, but they are all usually called fly agarics, and they are most of the time recognizable by their notable white spots. Recent DNA fungi research, however, has shown that some of these variations are not muscarias at all, such as the peach-colored fly agaric for example, but the common name 'fly agaric' clings on.
Although classified as poisonous, reports of human deaths resulting from A. muscaria ingestion are extremely rare. After parboiling twice with water draining—which weakens its toxicity and breaks down the mushroom's psychoactive substances—it is eaten in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. All Amanita muscaria varieties, but in particular A. muscaria var. muscaria, are noted for their hallucinogenic properties, with the main psychoactive constituents being the neurotoxins ibotenic acid and muscimol.
A local variety of the mushroom was used as an intoxicant and entheogen by the indigenous peoples of Siberia and by the Sámi, and has a religious significance in these cultures. There has been much speculation on possible traditional use of this mushroom as an intoxicant in other places such as the Middle East, Eurasia, North America, and Scandinavia.
Moray or Muray is an archaeological site in Peru approximately 50 Km (31 mi) northwest of Cuzco on a high plateau at about 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) and just west of the village of Maras. The site contains unusual Inca ruins, mostly consisting of several terraced circular depressions, the largest of which is approximately 30 m (98 ft) deep. As with many other Inca sites, it also has an irrigation system.
The purpose of these depressions is uncertain, but their depth, design, and orientation with respect to wind and sun creates a temperature difference of as much as 15 °C (27 °F) between the top and the bottom. It is possible this large temperature difference was used by the Inca to study the effects of different climatic conditions on crops. Speculation about the site has led to discussion about Moray as an Inca agricultural experiment Its microclimatic conditions and other significant characteristics led to the use of the site as a center for the ancient study of domestication, acclimatization, and hybridization of wild vegetable species that were modified or adapted for human consumption.
Source: Wikipedia. I am unable to add this shot to the map because it has no knowledge of Moray. Could we not have access to a real map, such as Google Maps?
Ab Fahrplanwechsel im Dezember 2021 wechselte die Bespannung der beiden IC-Zugpaare im Allgäu von Loks aus dem BW Ulm auf die 218-er des BW Kempten. So wurde natürlich darauf spekuliert, dass die ozeanblau-beige 218 446 vor den Fernzügen zum Einsatz kommen könnte. Am Neujahrstag war es dann soweit. Bei milden Temperaturen und schneeloser Landschaft konnte ich das Allgäuer Schmuckstück vor dem IC 2085 auf der Fahrt nach Oberstdorf bei Heimenhofen aufnehmen.
As of the timetable change in December 2021, the two IC train pairs in the Allgäu changed from locomotives from the Ulm BW to the 218s from the Kempten BW. Naturally, there was speculation that the ocean blue-beige 218 446 could be used in front of the long-distance trains. On New Year's Day, the time had come. With mild temperatures and a snowless landscape, I was able to take a picture of the Allgäu gem in front of IC 2085 on its way to Oberstdorf near Heimenhofen.
Regno Unito, Scozia, Edimburgo, Primavera 2023
Victoria Street, nel centro storico di Edimburgo, è uno dei luoghi più fotografati della città. la sua curva dolce e le facciate colorate dei negozi la rendono meta preferita per turisti, cartoline e spot televisivi.
Victoria Street fu costruita tra il 1829-1834 come parte di una serie di miglioramenti al centro storico, con l'obiettivo di migliorare l'accesso alla città. Sul lato nord della strada, vi è una terrazza, sopra una serie di archi che si è successivamente riempita di negozi. Oggi la strada è un incantevole angolo del centro storico, ma ci sono ancora alcuni aspetti di un oscuro passato. Qui vi era la casa del maggiore Weir, un uomo noto come 'il Mago del West Bow', che fu giustiziato per stregoneria nel 1670. Si pensava che la sua casa fosse stata completamente demolita al tempo della costruzione di Victoria Street, ma ora sembra alcune parti siano sopravvissute, nascoste nel Quaker Meeting House sulla terrazza superiore. Un pensiero interessante i turisti in cerca dell'imprevisto.
Victoria Street in Edinburgh Old Town is one of the most photographed locations in the city. Its gentle curve and colourful shopfronts making it favourite spot for tourist photos, postcards and TV adverts.
Victoria Street was built between 1829-34 as part of a series of improvements to the Old Town, with the aim of improving access around the city. On the north side of the street a terrace was built, with a series of arches underneath which were later filled with shops. Today the street is a charming corner of the Old Town, but recent speculation suggests that a relic of its darker past may still exist. This was the location of Major Weir’s house, a man notorious as ‘the Wizard of the West Bow’, who was executed for witchcraft in 1670. It was thought that his house was completely demolished when Victoria Street was built, but it now seems that some parts may still exist, hidden in the Quaker Meeting House on the upper terrace. An intriguing thought for those visiting to shop, dine or looking for the unexpected.
tacoma, washington
actually, I have no idea for what purpose the tall, skinny construction will eventually serve. i invite your speculation.
Travelling along Costa Brava and not least exploring the Emporda where the first people arrived already some 5 centures BC is always a most exciting travel.
This time in the hills by the Port of Selva not far from Gerona we visited the impressive Benedictine Monestary and other nearby places around the Monestary. And what a story to be found about this place at WIKI:
The true origin of the monastery is not known, which has given rise to speculation and legend; such as its foundation by monks who disembarked in the area with the remains of Saint Peter and other saints, to save them from the Barbarian hordes that invaded the Western Roman Empire. Once the danger had passed the Pope Boniface IV commanded them to construct a monastery.
The first documentation of the existence of the monastery dates 878, when it was mentioned as a simple monastery cell consecrated to Saint Peter, but it is not until 945 when an independent Benedictine monastery was founded, led by an abbot. Connected with the County of Empúries, it reached its maximum splendor between the 11th and 12th centuries until its final decay in the 17th century. Its increasing importance is reflected in its status as a point of pilgrimage.
In the 17th century it was sacked in several occasions and in 1793 was deserted by the benedictine community, which was transferred to Vila-sacred and finally settled in Figueres in 1809, until it was dissolved.
The monastery was declared a national monument in 1930. In 1935 the first restoration work was initiated.
(As the sky was almost blasted in the white light I added some coffee filter to the uper part)
Deep in the forest listening to wild speculation and unsubstantiated rhetoric...
This only works if you are prone to speaking HiPerBoliColly
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric (pronounced /ˈ or fly Amanita (pronounced , is a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. Native throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Amanita muscaria has been unintentionally introduced to many countries in the Southern Hemisphere, generally as a symbiont with pine plantations, and is now a true cosmopolitan species. It associates with various deciduous and coniferous trees. The quintessential toadstool, it is a large white-gilled, white-spotted, usually deep red mushroom, one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. Several subspecies, with differing cap colour have been recognised to date, including the brown regalis (considered a separate species), the yellow-orange flavivolata, guessowii, and formosa, and the pinkish persicina. Genetic studies published in 2006 and 2008 show several sharply delineated clades which may represent separate species.
Although generally considered poisonous, deaths are extremely rare, and it has been consumed as a food in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America after parboiling in water. Amanita muscaria is now primarily famed for its hallucinogenic properties, with its main psychoactive constituent being the compound muscimol. It was used as an intoxicant and entheogen by the peoples of Siberia and has a religious significance in these cultures. There has been much speculation on traditional use of this mushroom as an intoxicant in places other than Siberia; however, such traditions are far less well-documented.
Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan
龍安寺御陵ノ下町 右京区 京都市日本
Ryoanji Temple (龍安寺, Ryōanji) is the site of Japan's most famous rock garden, which attracts hundreds of visitors every day. Originally an aristocrat's villa during the Heian Period, the site was converted into a Zen temple in 1450.
As for the history of Ryoanji's famous rock garden, the facts are less certain. The garden's date of construction is unknown and there are a number of speculations regarding its designer. The garden consists of a rectangular plot of pebbles surrounded by low earthen walls, with 15 rocks laid out in small groups on patches of moss. An interesting feature of the garden's design is that from any vantage point at least one of the rocks is always hidden from the viewer.
Source: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3909.html
The glaciated remnant of a volcanic plug is a dominant feature of the landscape of northern Tasmania. The powerful weather of this latitude and the uninterrupted fetch of the Southern Ocean to the west produce big seas and strong winds, so The Nut is a vital bulwark against the weather and provides safe anchorage for the fishing fleet in its lee.
While in Stanley, we explored the menus of seafood, starting with scallop pies, next seafood chowder, grilled ocean trout...
And we stayed in the historic Stanley Hotel in a very comfortable room. Eating in their bistro was special too... and for the lover of beef, Cape Grim Rib Eye is worth the price.
As for Circular Head (nowadays the name for the local government area) which has become known as The Nut almost universally today, it was named by Matthew Flinders in 1798 during his voyage of circumnavigation of Tasmania, by which he demonstrated it was an island separated from Australia by Bass Strait. And in my school days in far away Queensland, I knew it by that name, and appreciated it and its tombolo as one of the finer but interesting details of the coastline, when mapping Tasmania.
But 'The Nut' it is, yet there is much speculation about the origins of this snappier nomenclature, The Nut. Some say is a shortened version of its Aboriginal name, Moo-Nut-Re-Ker. Then another layer comes from the time of construction of the breakwater when it was said that the rock of this massif was “a hard nut to crack”.
While watching from this vantage point we saw a pod of porpoises, and in the evening watched fairy penguins coming in to roost around the base of The Nut.
Die Kirche in Herschdorf am "Langen Berg" wurde nach dem Abriss der zu kleinen und baufälligen Vorgängerkirche in den Jahren 1687-1691 erbaut. ). Auffallend ist der Kirchturm. Um seine Entstehung rankten sich viele Spekulationen. Der Initiator des Baues selbst, Pfarrer Jakob Günther Werner, gibt in seinen Aufzeichnungen darüber Auskunft: Ein runder Turm war billiger, sollte dem rauen Klima besser widerstehen und war aus dem örtlich vorhandenen Steinmaterial stabiler zu bauen. Dieser Turm wurde 1691 fertiggestellt. Anfang des 19. Jahrhunderts und nach dem Brand vom 18. Oktober 1990 wurde er im oberen Teil erneuert.
The church in Herschdorf am "Langen Berg" was built in the years 1687-1691 after the demolition of the previous church, which was too small and dilapidated. ). The church tower is striking. There have been many speculations about its origin. The initiator of the construction himself, Pastor Jakob Günther Werner, provides information about this in his notes: A round tower was cheaper, should withstand the harsh climate better and was more stable to build from the stone material available locally. This tower was completed in 1691. At the beginning of the 19th century and after the fire of October 18, 1990, the upper part was renovated.
HaPPy New Year 2015. No. 8812.
Thank You dear Flickr friends for your inspiration.
My Admiration to Vincent Van Gogh.
"Vincent Willem van Gogh (Dutch: [ˈvɪnsɛnt ˈʋɪləm vɑn ˈɣɔx] 30 March 1853 – 29 July 1890) was a Post-Impressionist painter of Dutch origin whose work—notable for its rough beauty, emotional honesty, and bold color—had a far-reaching influence on 20th-century art. After years of painful anxiety and frequent bouts of mental illness, he died aged 37 from a gunshot wound, generally accepted to be self-inflicted (although no gun was ever found).
He began to draw as a child, and he continued to draw throughout the years that led up to his decision to become an artist. He did not begin painting until his late twenties, completing many of his best-known works during the last two years of his life. In just over a decade, he produced more than 2,100 artworks, consisting of 860 oil paintings and more than 1,300 watercolors, drawings, sketches, and prints. His work included self portraits, landscapes, still lifes, portraits as well as paintings of cypresses, wheat fields and sunflowers.
He spent his early adulthood working for a firm of art dealers, traveling between The Hague, London, and Paris, after which he taught for a time in England at Isleworth and Ramsgate. One of his early aspirations was to become a pastor, and from 1879 he worked as a missionary in a mining region in Belgium, where he began to sketch people from the local community. In 1885, he painted his first major work, entitled The Potato Eaters. His palette at the time consisted mainly of somber earth tones and showed no sign of the vivid coloration that distinguished his later work. In March 1886, he moved to Paris and discovered the French Impressionists. Later, he moved to the south of France and was influenced by the strong sunlight he found there. His work grew brighter in color, and he developed the unique and highly recognizable style that became fully realized during his stay in Arles in 1888. The extent to which his mental health affected his painting has been a subject of speculation since his death. Despite a widespread tendency to romanticize his ill health, modern critics see an artist deeply frustrated by the inactivity and incoherence brought about by his bouts of illness. According to art critic Robert Hughes, Van Gogh's late works show an artist at the height of his ability, completely in control and "longing for concision and grace".
Calakmul (auch Kalakmul) war während der klassischen Periode eine mächtige Stadt der Maya. Zusammen mit El Mirador und Tikal ist Calakmul eine der größten jemals entdeckten Maya-Städte. Calakmul befindet sich rund 300 km südöstlich der Stadt Campeche (Mexiko) im gleichnamigen Bundesstaat.
Calakmul erstreckte sich auf einer Fläche von ca. 30 Quadratkilometern und besaß über 100 Kolossalbauten; es sind insgesamt mehr als 5000 Gebäude bekannt. Dominierend sind hier vor allem die sogenannten „Strukturen“ I und II. Letztere besitzt eine Höhe von ca. 45 Metern. Der Großteil von Calakmul ist jedoch bisher weder ausgegraben noch eingehender erforscht worden. Über die Einwohnerzahlen lassen sich nur Spekulationen anstellen. Für den Stadtkern etwa wird eine Bevölkerung von etwa 50.000 Menschen angenommen.
Calakmul (also Kalakmul) was a powerful Mayan city during the classical period. Along with El Mirador and Tikal, Calakmul is one of the largest Mayan cities ever discovered. Calakmul is located around 300 km southeast of the city of Campeche (Mexico) in the state of the same name.
Calakmul spread over an area of approximately 30 square kilometers and had over 100 colossal buildings; a total of more than 5000 buildings are known. The so-called "structures" I and II dominate here. The latter has a height of approx. 45 meters. However, most of Calakmul has not been excavated or explored in depth. Only speculations can be made about the population. A population of around 50,000 people is assumed for the city center.
"Besides this May
We know
There is Another—
How fair
Our Speculations of the Foreigner!
Some know Him whom We knew—
Sweet Wonder—
A Nature be
Where Saints, and our plain going Neighbor
Keep May!"
- Emily Dickinson
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Calakmul (auch Kalakmul) war während der klassischen Periode eine mächtige Stadt der Maya. Zusammen mit El Mirador und Tikal ist Calakmul eine der größten jemals entdeckten Maya-Städte. Calakmul befindet sich rund 300 km südöstlich der Stadt Campeche (Mexiko) im gleichnamigen Bundesstaat.
Calakmul erstreckte sich auf einer Fläche von ca. 30 Quadratkilometern und besaß über 100 Kolossalbauten; es sind insgesamt mehr als 5000 Gebäude bekannt. Dominierend sind hier vor allem die sogenannten „Strukturen“ I und II. Letztere besitzt eine Höhe von ca. 45 Metern. Der Großteil von Calakmul ist jedoch bisher weder ausgegraben noch eingehender erforscht worden. Über die Einwohnerzahlen lassen sich nur Spekulationen anstellen. Für den Stadtkern etwa wird eine Bevölkerung von etwa 50.000 Menschen angenommen.
Calakmul (also Kalakmul) was a powerful Mayan city during the classical period. Along with El Mirador and Tikal, Calakmul is one of the largest Mayan cities ever discovered. Calakmul is located around 300 km southeast of the city of Campeche (Mexico) in the state of the same name.
Calakmul spread over an area of approximately 30 square kilometers and had over 100 colossal buildings; a total of more than 5000 buildings are known. The so-called "structures" I and II dominate here. The latter has a height of approx. 45 meters. However, most of Calakmul has not been excavated or explored in depth. Only speculations can be made about the population. A population of around 50,000 people is assumed for the city center.
Via Giulia is a street in the historic centre of Rome, Italy, mostly in rione Regola, although its northern part belongs to rione Ponte. It was one of the first important urban planning projects in Renaissance Rome.
History
The Via Giulia was designed circa 1508 by Pope Julius II but the original plan was only partially carried out. This was the first attempt since Antiquity to pierce a new thoroughfare through the heart of Rome and a very early example of urban renewal. Via Giulia runs from the Ponte Sisto to the church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini, following the tight curve of the Tiber. In the 16th-century, housing facing the street was favored by borghesi, and specially by the Florentine community in Rome. Today its modest structures provide one of Rome's elite shopping streets, noted for its antique shops.
The Via Giulia runs in a straight line for a full kilometer, an innovation easily taken for granted today. The via was one aspect of Julius' wide-reaching program for the refurbishment of a resurgent Rome and Papal state. His financial reforms, undertaken from the first year of his pontificate, aimed to free the Papacy from its dependence on the great Roman families such as the Orsini and Colonna, and instead relying on Tuscan bankers, notably to Agostino Chigi, member of a banking family of Siena. A part of Julius' overall plan was the reorganization of the medieval city of Rome, whose unrealized assets were becoming apparent as the renewed city grew in economic importance, recovering from the sleepy backwater it had become during the fourteenth century.
The new street was intended as an artery connecting all the governmental institutions, which were crowded in the single section: the Palazzo della Cancelleria, being completed at that very moment, the papal mint and the projected Palazzo dei Tribunali.
The laying-out of the street was placed in the hands of Donato Bramante, who was in charge of the works at the new Basilica of Saint Peter, taking shape on the other side of the river. Vasari states, "The pope was determined to place in Strada Giulia, which was under Bramante's direction, all the offices and administrative seats of power of Rome in one place, for the convenience of those who had business to do there, having been until then constantly much inconvenienced.
At the same time the new artery linked the river port of the Ripa Grande with the new Via della Lungara, and by the Via Giulia to the Ponte Sisto, in order to bring merchandise securely and conveniently to the heart of the marketing and banking zone.
Work was halted on Bramante's majestic Palazzo dei Tribunali, which was to have assembled under one roof all the judicature of Rome. It remained half-built for a generation, to the regret of artists like Vasari. With this an essential element in Julius' urbanistic project was lost.
The street developed as a line of modest houses with gardens behind them, built for private owners or confraternities, sometimes on speculation, broken by more ambitious palazzi. This is the urban context of the "houses of Raphael", with their ground floor street-front shops.
The grand palazzi turned their backs to Via Giulia. In the 1540s Michelangelo had a plan for the constricted gardens of Palazzo Farnese to be connected by a bridge to the Farnese villa in Trastevere on the right bank, Villa Farnesina. The elegant arch still spanning Via Giulia belongs to this other grand unrealized scheme.
/Wikipedia/
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric (pronounced /ˈæɡərɪk/) or fly Amanita (pronounced /ˌæməˈnaɪtə/), is a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. Native throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Amanita muscaria has been unintentionally introduced to many countries in the Southern Hemisphere, generally as a symbiont with pine plantations, and is now a true cosmopolitan species. It associates with various deciduous and coniferous trees. The quintessential toadstool, it is a large white-gilled, white-spotted, usually deep red mushroom, one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. Several subspecies, with differing cap colour have been recognised to date, including the brown regalis (considered a separate species), the yellow-orange flavivolata, guessowii, and formosa, and the pinkish persicina. Genetic studies published in 2006 and 2008 show several sharply delineated clades which may represent separate species.
Although generally considered poisonous, deaths are extremely rare, and it has been consumed as a food in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America after parboiling in water. Amanita muscaria is now primarily famed for its hallucinogenic properties, with its main psychoactive constituent being the compound muscimol. It was used as an intoxicant and entheogen by the peoples of Siberia and has a religious significance in these cultures. There has been much speculation on traditional use of this mushroom as an intoxicant in places other than Siberia; however, such traditions are far less well-documented.
Statue in the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens. Angerona was "an old Roman goddess, whose name and functions are variously explained" (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angerona) , i.e. there isn't any assured knowledge about them, the explanations are pure speculation.
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angerona
I liked the light;-)
The pyramid is 30 m high, has a base edge length of 55 m and rises in nine pyramid steps. The stairways on all four sides include 365 steps. This number is made up as follows: Three flights of stairs have 91 steps and the northern flight of stairs has 92, resulting in 365. This calculation, which is supposed to refer to the days of the year, was already considered pure speculation by older authors.[1] In fact, the number of steps is the result of the restoration campaigns - the north and west sides were restored by the Mexican Dirección de Antropología (from 1923 under José Reygadas Vértiz), the east side by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (1979 under Peter J. Schmidt) ; the south side remained unrestored. The number of steps reached in this way varies between 91 and 93, if only because the terrain slopes slightly to the south.
Calakmul (auch Kalakmul) war während der klassischen Periode eine mächtige Stadt der Maya. Zusammen mit El Mirador und Tikal ist Calakmul eine der größten jemals entdeckten Maya-Städte. Calakmul befindet sich rund 300 km südöstlich der Stadt Campeche (Mexiko) im gleichnamigen Bundesstaat.
Calakmul erstreckte sich auf einer Fläche von ca. 30 Quadratkilometern und besaß über 100 Kolossalbauten; es sind insgesamt mehr als 5000 Gebäude bekannt. Dominierend sind hier vor allem die sogenannten „Strukturen“ I und II. Letztere besitzt eine Höhe von ca. 45 Metern. Der Großteil von Calakmul ist jedoch bisher weder ausgegraben noch eingehender erforscht worden. Über die Einwohnerzahlen lassen sich nur Spekulationen anstellen. Für den Stadtkern etwa wird eine Bevölkerung von etwa 50.000 Menschen angenommen.
Calakmul (also Kalakmul) was a powerful Mayan city during the classical period. Along with El Mirador and Tikal, Calakmul is one of the largest Mayan cities ever discovered. Calakmul is located around 300 km southeast of the city of Campeche (Mexico) in the state of the same name.
Calakmul spread over an area of approximately 30 square kilometers and had over 100 colossal buildings; a total of more than 5000 buildings are known. The so-called "structures" I and II dominate here. The latter has a height of approx. 45 meters. However, most of Calakmul has not been excavated or explored in depth. Only speculations can be made about the population. A population of around 50,000 people is assumed for the city center.
From the National Park Service website: The saguaro cactus (Carnegia gigantea) is a truly iconic symbol of the Sonoran Desert. Its remarkable size and ability to endure harsh desert conditions has endeared it to many people.
Cristate or “crested” saguaros form when the cells in the growing stem begin to divide outward, rather than in the circular pattern of a normal cactus. This is an unusual mutation which results in the growth of a large fan-shaped crest at the growing tip of a saguaro’s main stem or arms.
The cause for this mutation is unknown; however, there has been some speculation about the presence of a “trigger,” which may initiate the process. One heavily implicated
trigger is frost, as crested saguaros tend to be more common in the northernmost parts of their range. Unfortunately there is not enough evidence to confirm this theory. I took this shot in Saguaro National Park East.
Mount Robson, 3954m—the most prominent mountain in the Rockies—partially hidden by clouds; mixed forest of conifers and aspens; and a broad field of grasses and forbs—especially the purple Lupinus sp.—at the Mount Robson Provincial Park Visitor Center on the Yellowhead Highway. bcparks.ca/mount-robson-park/#park-overview-container
Fabulous park, with an amazing array of natural wonders, rich history, and beautiful scenery. This particular (iconic) view struck me as strange, with only Lupins in bloom, and such a sharp break between forest and prairie. Lupins can be a pioneer species in reclamation areas, breaking up and enriching overcompacted soil. Did they build the Visitor Center on a logging site, which is still—over a century later—in the initial stages of recovery in this high, cold climate? It was my only visit, so that’s a heavy weight of speculation to lay on a first impression.
Happy Smile on Saturday!
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Processing Paul C Swift M42 in colour!
Data: NASA, ESA, Hubble
Note on Coloration
source Wiki:
Observers have long noted a distinctive greenish tint to the nebula, in addition to regions of red and of blue-violet. The red hue is a result of the Hα recombination line radiation at a wavelength of 656.3 nm. The blue-violet coloration is the reflected radiation from the massive O-class stars at the core of the nebula.
The green hue was a puzzle for astronomers in the early part of the 20th century because none of the known spectral lines at that time could explain it. There was some speculation that the lines were caused by a new element, and the name nebulium was coined for this mysterious material. With better understanding of atomic physics, however, it was later determined that the green spectrum was caused by a low-probability electron transition in doubly ionized oxygen, a so-called "forbidden transition". This radiation was all but impossible to reproduce in the laboratory at the time, because it depended on the quiescent and nearly collision-free environment found in the high vacuum of deep space.
#fineart #Astrophotography #Space #astronomia
Calakmul (auch Kalakmul) war während der klassischen Periode eine mächtige Stadt der Maya. Zusammen mit El Mirador und Tikal ist Calakmul eine der größten jemals entdeckten Maya-Städte. Calakmul befindet sich rund 300 km südöstlich der Stadt Campeche (Mexiko) im gleichnamigen Bundesstaat.
Calakmul erstreckte sich auf einer Fläche von ca. 30 Quadratkilometern und besaß über 100 Kolossalbauten; es sind insgesamt mehr als 5000 Gebäude bekannt. Dominierend sind hier vor allem die sogenannten „Strukturen“ I und II. Letztere besitzt eine Höhe von ca. 45 Metern. Der Großteil von Calakmul ist jedoch bisher weder ausgegraben noch eingehender erforscht worden. Über die Einwohnerzahlen lassen sich nur Spekulationen anstellen. Für den Stadtkern etwa wird eine Bevölkerung von etwa 50.000 Menschen angenommen.
Calakmul (also Kalakmul) was a powerful Mayan city during the classical period. Along with El Mirador and Tikal, Calakmul is one of the largest Mayan cities ever discovered. Calakmul is located around 300 km southeast of the city of Campeche (Mexico) in the state of the same name.
Calakmul spread over an area of approximately 30 square kilometers and had over 100 colossal buildings; a total of more than 5000 buildings are known. The so-called "structures" I and II dominate here. The latter has a height of approx. 45 meters. However, most of Calakmul has not been excavated or explored in depth. Only speculations can be made about the population. A population of around 50,000 people is assumed for the city center.
The Shore Temple (built in 700–728 AD) is so named because it overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. At the time of its creation, the site was a busy port during the reign of Narasimhavarman II of the Pallava dynasty. The tsunami of December 2004 that struck the coastline of Coromandel exposed an old collapsed temple built entirely of granite blocks. This has renewed speculation that Mahablaipuram was a part of the Seven Pagodas described in the diaries of Europeans, of which six temples remain submerged in the sea. The tsunami also exposed some ancient rock sculptures of lions, elephants, and peacocks that used to decorate walls and temples during the Pallava period during the 7th and 8th centuries. Located at the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the Kancheepuram district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
The last 2 of many purchased in 1989, LS&I U30C's 3009 and 3000 haul another 60 loads back to Eagle mills on the 7 Tilden. While there is a lot of speculation of newer power coming, but those rumors have been running for years. Until then, when the blues aren't enough, the greens are what draw so many to the north.
As things slowly emerge from the depths of what is hopefully the final lockdown, I was reflecting on the last 12 months. Looking back it all seems a bit of a disjointed haze of confinement and pandemic scenario speculation!
Photographically it has been a strange year too, with numerous enforced trawls through the archives. That in itself has been a mixed bag, with some decent images found that were sadly ignored in the first instance. How many such shots do we overlook from the first pass, in the constant pursuit of new images and new locations, in a time when we were free to roam. There were also opportunities to critically review old files and think, I would do this differently if I had the chance again!
Well we are almost at the stage where those fresh opportunities are almost within our grasp and I'm looking forward to getting back out there and revisiting some old haunts and have some plans for new ones too.
Anyway enough of this reminiscent rambling. This shot is of a lane about 10 minutes walk from my house and as you can see it presents a lovely autumnal scene. Lets hope by the time Autumn 2021 arrives we are back to some sort of normality in the world!
Vík lies directly south of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which itself is on top of the Katla volcano. Katla has not erupted since 1918, and this longer than typical dormant period has led to speculation that an eruption may occur soon. An eruption of Katla could melt enough ice to trigger an enormous flash flood, potentially large enough to obliterate the entire town. The town's church, located high on a hill, is believed to be the only building that would survive such a flood. Thus, the people of Vík practice periodic drills and are trained to rush to the church at the first sign of an eruption. The town of about 300 inhabitants has 1,400 hotel rooms for scientists and tourists, who are also briefed about Katla's dangers. (Wikipedia)
those who follow events on the railway will no doubt by now have heard that the operating body of the llangollen railway--the PLC has asked it's bankers to appoint a receiver---full details are to be found on their website . Having read the comments and speculation to be found on appropriate internet sites , I will not add to them ,but will simply express the hope that whilst this is indeed a serious blow to the railway , it is not necessarily a fatal one
July 20, 2021
Crazy Tuesday Theme: different sizes.
“Like this cup, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you wisdom unless you first empty your cup? - Nyogen Senzaki
😁HaPpY CrAzY Tuesday😁
Calakmul (auch Kalakmul) war während der klassischen Periode eine mächtige Stadt der Maya. Zusammen mit El Mirador und Tikal ist Calakmul eine der größten jemals entdeckten Maya-Städte. Calakmul befindet sich rund 300 km südöstlich der Stadt Campeche (Mexiko) im gleichnamigen Bundesstaat.
Calakmul erstreckte sich auf einer Fläche von ca. 30 Quadratkilometern und besaß über 100 Kolossalbauten; es sind insgesamt mehr als 5000 Gebäude bekannt. Dominierend sind hier vor allem die sogenannten „Strukturen“ I und II. Letztere besitzt eine Höhe von ca. 45 Metern. Der Großteil von Calakmul ist jedoch bisher weder ausgegraben noch eingehender erforscht worden. Über die Einwohnerzahlen lassen sich nur Spekulationen anstellen. Für den Stadtkern etwa wird eine Bevölkerung von etwa 50.000 Menschen angenommen.
Calakmul (also Kalakmul) was a powerful Mayan city during the classical period. Along with El Mirador and Tikal, Calakmul is one of the largest Mayan cities ever discovered. Calakmul is located around 300 km southeast of the city of Campeche (Mexico) in the state of the same name.
Calakmul spread over an area of approximately 30 square kilometers and had over 100 colossal buildings; a total of more than 5000 buildings are known. The so-called "structures" I and II dominate here. The latter has a height of approx. 45 meters. However, most of Calakmul has not been excavated or explored in depth. Only speculations can be made about the population. A population of around 50,000 people is assumed for the city center.
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, is a basidiomycete of the genus Amanita. It is also a muscimol mushroom. Native throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Amanita muscaria has been unintentionally introduced to many countries in the Southern Hemisphere, generally as a symbiont with pine and birch plantations, and is now a true cosmopolitan species. It associates with various deciduous and coniferous trees.
Arguably the most iconic toadstool species, the fly agaric is a large white-gilled, white-spotted, usually red mushroom, and is one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. This includes video game design, such as the extensive use of a recognizable Amanita muscaria in the Mario franchise and its Super Mushroom power up.
Despite its easily distinguishable features, Amanita muscaria is a fungus with several known variations, or subspecies. These subspecies are slightly different, some have yellow or white caps, but they are all usually called fly agarics, and they are most of the time recognizable by their notable white spots. Recent DNA fungi research, however, has shown that some of these variations are not muscarias at all, such as the peach-colored fly agaric for example, but the common name 'fly agaric' clings on.
Although classified as poisonous, reports of human deaths resulting from A. muscaria ingestion are extremely rare. After parboiling twice with water draining—which weakens its toxicity and breaks down the mushroom's psychoactive substances—it is eaten in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. All Amanita muscaria varieties, but in particular A. muscaria var. muscaria, are noted for their hallucinogenic properties, with the main psychoactive constituents being the neurotoxins ibotenic acid and muscimol. A local variety of the mushroom was used as an intoxicant and entheogen by the indigenous peoples of Siberia and by the Sámi, and has a religious significance in these cultures. There has been much speculation on possible traditional use of this mushroom as an intoxicant in other places such as the Middle East, Eurasia, North America, and Scandinavia. (Wikipedia) Heusden-Zolder, Belgium
Excerpt from Wikipedia:
The Fleisch Bridge (German: Fleischbrücke or "Meat Bridge") or Pegnitz Bridge (Pegnitzbrücke) is a late Renaissance bridge in Nuremberg, Germany. The bridge crosses the river Pegnitz in the center of the old town, linking the districts St. Sebald and St. Lorenz along the axis of the main market. The single-arch bridge was built between 1596 and 1598 and replaced an earlier mixed construction of stone and wood which had been repeatedly destroyed by flood.
The Fleisch Bridge is notable for several technical features that were advanced for its time. These include an unusual large width of 15.3 m, and a clear span of 27 m which made it the largest masonry bridge arch in Germany at the time of its construction. With a rise of only 4.2 m, the arch features a span-to-rise ratio of 6.4 to 1, giving the bridge an almost unprecedented flat profile.
This, however, came at the cost of high lateral thrusts even for a segmental arch bridge. This problem was solved by a particularly innovative construction of the abutments which were built onto 2000 wooden piles, 400 of which were rammed obliquely into the grounds. A very similar arrangement of the abutments had also been implemented slightly earlier at the Rialto Bridge, leading to speculations about a technology transfer from Venice, with which Nuremberg shared close trade links. A recent in-depth research, however, stresses the originality of the Fleisch Bridge on grounds of technical differences between the two bridges.
The Fleisch Bridge has practically remained unchanged since the addition of a portal in 1599 and survived World War II almost unscathed. A Latin inscription at the portal reads: Omnia habent ortus suaque in crementa sed ecce quem cernis nunquam bos fuit hic Vitulus ("All things have a beginning and grow, but the ox upon whom you now look was never a calf.").
Calakmul (auch Kalakmul) war während der klassischen Periode eine mächtige Stadt der Maya. Zusammen mit El Mirador und Tikal ist Calakmul eine der größten jemals entdeckten Maya-Städte. Calakmul befindet sich rund 300 km südöstlich der Stadt Campeche (Mexiko) im gleichnamigen Bundesstaat.
Calakmul erstreckte sich auf einer Fläche von ca. 30 Quadratkilometern und besaß über 100 Kolossalbauten; es sind insgesamt mehr als 5000 Gebäude bekannt. Dominierend sind hier vor allem die sogenannten „Strukturen“ I und II. Letztere besitzt eine Höhe von ca. 45 Metern. Der Großteil von Calakmul ist jedoch bisher weder ausgegraben noch eingehender erforscht worden. Über die Einwohnerzahlen lassen sich nur Spekulationen anstellen. Für den Stadtkern etwa wird eine Bevölkerung von etwa 50.000 Menschen angenommen.
Calakmul (also Kalakmul) was a powerful Mayan city during the classical period. Along with El Mirador and Tikal, Calakmul is one of the largest Mayan cities ever discovered. Calakmul is located around 300 km southeast of the city of Campeche (Mexico) in the state of the same name.
Calakmul spread over an area of approximately 30 square kilometers and had over 100 colossal buildings; a total of more than 5000 buildings are known. The so-called "structures" I and II dominate here. The latter has a height of approx. 45 meters. However, most of Calakmul has not been excavated or explored in depth. Only speculations can be made about the population. A population of around 50,000 people is assumed for the city center.
Historic first nesting of Zitting Cisticola in Britain
Zitting Cisticola has bred in Britain for the first time, with a pair raising young in Suffolk this summer.(2025)
The long-anticipated milestone was documented this month at Walberswick NNR in Suffolk, where birders noted clear evidence of successful nesting. The breakthrough was first signalled on 3 August, when a singing male was discovered at the reserve, sparking speculation that a second bird – thought to be a female – might also be present.
That speculation turned to certainty on 22 August, when both adults were seen carrying food to at least three freshly fledged juveniles. A fourth chick was confirmed the following morning, leaving no doubt that the species has bred in Britain for the first time.
(Bird Guides UK. 08 2025)
Zitting cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) La Janda Andalucia Spain 0179
Clevedon Court was built in the early 14th century by Sir John de Clevedon. There is speculation that it may lie on the site of a Roman building, based on excavations to the south of the house in 1961/62. The house incorporates remnants of a 13th-century building which lie at an angle to the rest of the house.
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric (pronounced /ˈ or fly Amanita (pronounced , is a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. Native throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Amanita muscaria has been unintentionally introduced to many countries in the Southern Hemisphere, generally as a symbiont with pine plantations, and is now a true cosmopolitan species. It associates with various deciduous and coniferous trees. The quintessential toadstool, it is a large white-gilled, white-spotted, usually deep red mushroom, one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. Several subspecies, with differing cap colour have been recognised to date, including the brown regalis (considered a separate species), the yellow-orange flavivolata, guessowii, and formosa, and the pinkish persicina. Genetic studies published in 2006 and 2008 show several sharply delineated clades which may represent separate species.
Although generally considered poisonous, deaths are extremely rare, and it has been consumed as a food in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America after parboiling in water. Amanita muscaria is now primarily famed for its hallucinogenic properties, with its main psychoactive constituent being the compound muscimol. It was used as an intoxicant and entheogen by the peoples of Siberia and has a religious significance in these cultures. There has been much speculation on traditional use of this mushroom as an intoxicant in places other than Siberia; however, such traditions are far less well-documented.
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric (pronounced /ˈæɡərɪk/) or fly Amanita (pronounced /ˌæməˈnaɪtə/), is a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. Native throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Amanita muscaria has been unintentionally introduced to many countries in the Southern Hemisphere, generally as a symbiont with pine plantations, and is now a true cosmopolitan species. It associates with various deciduous and coniferous trees. The quintessential toadstool, it is a large white-gilled, white-spotted, usually deep red mushroom, one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. Several subspecies, with differing cap colour have been recognised to date, including the brown regalis (considered a separate species), the yellow-orange flavivolata, guessowii, and formosa, and the pinkish persicina. Genetic studies published in 2006 and 2008 show several sharply delineated clades which may represent separate species.
Although generally considered poisonous, deaths are extremely rare, and it has been consumed as a food in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America after parboiling in water. Amanita muscaria is now primarily famed for its hallucinogenic properties, with its main psychoactive constituent being the compound muscimol. It was used as an intoxicant and entheogen by the peoples of Siberia and has a religious significance in these cultures. There has been much speculation on traditional use of this mushroom as an intoxicant in places other than Siberia; however, such traditions are far less well-documented.
Crook, Wyoming
At least once a year we try to get out to the Black Hills area. Approaching Devils Tower from the east on Hwy 24, the view is quite impressive!
There is much speculation and mystic associated with this landmark. But to Native Americans, it's no mystery, it is part of their culture!
Copyright 2016
Patient accumulation of facts and then speculation about their meaning is the nature of authorship in both mediums :-)
Peter Bunnell
Peace Now!
aster, sarah p duke gardens, duke university, durham, north carolina
specially invented pyramides to celebrate the beauty of each precious flower. Used in times of tulip mania and hyper speculation on prices for tulip bulbs.
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric (pronounced /ˈ or fly Amanita (pronounced , is a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. Native throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Amanita muscaria has been unintentionally introduced to many countries in the Southern Hemisphere, generally as a symbiont with pine plantations, and is now a true cosmopolitan species. It associates with various deciduous and coniferous trees. The quintessential toadstool, it is a large white-gilled, white-spotted, usually deep red mushroom, one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. Several subspecies, with differing cap colour have been recognised to date, including the brown regalis (considered a separate species), the yellow-orange flavivolata, guessowii, and formosa, and the pinkish persicina. Genetic studies published in 2006 and 2008 show several sharply delineated clades which may represent separate species.
Although generally considered poisonous, deaths are extremely rare, and it has been consumed as a food in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America after parboiling in water. Amanita muscaria is now primarily famed for its hallucinogenic properties, with its main psychoactive constituent being the compound muscimol. It was used as an intoxicant and entheogen by the peoples of Siberia and has a religious significance in these cultures. There has been much speculation on traditional use of this mushroom as an intoxicant in places other than Siberia; however, such traditions are far less well-documented.