Lake Saimaa, Finland

Lake Saimaa, Finland

Lake Saimaa, Finland

Lake Saimaa, Finland

Waiting for sunset to go down.

Alone, shaped by wind, aged by silence - yet standing still.

Looking west from Pritchard Road outside of Maple Park, Illinois.

The trains were busy. As I was getting to this location, 2 eastbounds went trough and when I pulled up to get set up I figured I would only get a sunset shot. Been there done that but I wanted the shot anyway. A train would be nice but I wasn't going to count on that at this point. But, when I walked onto the tracks and checked, I could see the distant train which eventually became the train in my shot above.

I just kept snapping as it approached and lo and behold the sun aligned and the train got close enough to be prominent in the scene and it all came together perfectly! I got the shot :-)

The next shot is the landscape crop of the one above.

It was a very short freight train, about 10 cars, so after it passed through I checked again and could see yet another eastbound in the distance. You can see the headlights in the bottom 2 shots and the sun setting quickly to the right.

photo rights reserved by B℮n

Narikala Fortress, one of the oldest and most striking landmarks in Tbilisi, dates back to the 4th century, originally built by the Persians as a defensive stronghold. Perched on a hill, the fortress was later expanded by Arabs and Mongols, and has withstood the test of time. Walking through the ancient ruins, you can sense the centuries of history and the stories embedded in its stones. The view from the top of Narikala is breathtaking, offering a panoramic vista over Tbilisi. From this vantage point, you can see the winding Kura River, the iconic Metekhi Church perched on a cliff, and the towering Sameba Cathedral, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. The old city below, with its charming wooden balconies and narrow streets, adds to the beauty of this historic cityscape.

At the base of the fortress lies the National Botanical Garden of Georgia, a peaceful green oasis where visitors can unwind amidst exotic plant species, serene pathways, and flowing streams. With its waterfalls and lush vegetation, the botanical garden offers a beautiful contrast to the ancient fortress above, providing a tranquil retreat that harmoniously blends nature with the city’s historical landscape.

The National Botanical Garden of Georgia, located in Tbilisi, is a beautiful oasis covering 161 hectares at the base of the Narikala Fortress. Once serving as the royal garden for Georgian kings, it now hosts an impressive collection of over 4,500 plant species from around the world. The garden offers scenic walking paths, tranquil streams, and a striking waterfall that enhances its serene atmosphere. Established in the 19th century, the garden provides visitors with a peaceful escape from the bustling city and is a popular spot for nature lovers and hikers. In addition to its rich flora, the garden regularly hosts educational and scientific events, making it a hub for biodiversity and conservation. Its location at the edge of the old town not only offers a retreat for relaxation but also stunning views of Tbilisi and the surrounding landscape.

Narikala-fort, een van de oudste en meest indrukwekkende monumenten van Tbilisi, heeft een rijke geschiedenis die teruggaat tot de 4e eeuw, toen het door de Perzen werd opgericht als verdedigingsbolwerk. Het fort, strategisch gelegen op een heuvel, werd later versterkt door de Arabieren en Mongolen en heeft sindsdien de tand des tijds doorstaan. Terwijl je door de ruïnes wandelt, voel je de eeuwenoude geschiedenis en de verhalen die in de stenen verborgen liggen. Het uitzicht vanaf de top van Narikala is adembenemend en biedt een schilderachtig panorama over Tbilisi. Van hieruit zie je de kronkelende Kura-rivier, het iconische Metekhi-kerkje op een klif, en de grote Sameba-kathedraal, een van de grootste orthodoxe kerken ter wereld, die het stadsbeeld domineert. Je kunt ook de oude stad bewonderen met haar karakteristieke huizen met houten balkons en smalle straatjes vol geschiedenis. Aan de voet van Narikala ligt de Nationale Botanische Tuin van Georgië, een serene, groene oase waar bezoekers kunnen ontspannen te midden van exotische plantensoorten, rustige paden, en stromende beekjes. De botanische tuin, met zijn watervallen en dichte vegetatie, biedt een prachtig contrast met het historische fort dat erboven uitrijst. Het is de perfecte plek voor een rustige wandeling, waarbij de natuur zich harmonieus vermengt met het historische landschap van de stad.

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Sunset from atop the Montjuic Castle.

Lake Saimaa, Finland

Vista do rio Douro e da cidade do Porto a partir do miradouro da Serra do Pilar, em Vila Nova de Gaia. ️

Lake Saimaa, Finland

Finn Slough View

photo rights reserved by B℮n

Betlemi Street in Tbilisi is a charming and historic neighborhood located in the heart of the Old Town, at the foot of the Narikala Fortress. This district is known for its narrow, winding streets, colorful wooden balconies, and traditional Georgian architecture. In addition to its religious and cultural landmarks, such as the Betlemi churches, the neighborhood is also home to a variety of small businesses, such as traditional shoemakers and craftsmen. In this neighborhood, you will find small, artisanal workshops that have been practicing the same craftsmanship for generations. This shoemaker works in a modest space and repairs shoes by hand using traditional techniques. His work, as well as that of other local craftsmen, adds an authentic and unique atmosphere to Betlemi. Despite the modernization of the city, this artisanal culture remains strong, and both locals and tourists appreciate the services of these small businesses. The combination of historic charm and traditional crafts makes Betlemi a vibrant and interesting neighborhood in Tbilisi.

The Betlemi Street district is known for its peaceful, almost timeless atmosphere, with stunning views of the city from its higher vantage points. The streets are steep and often lead to hidden courtyards and small squares that capture Tbilisi’s old-world charm. Betlemi Street is also a cultural hotspot, where art galleries, cafes, craft workshops and boutiques sit alongside historical landmarks, creating a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Visitors who stroll through this area experience the essence of Tbilisi’s past while being surrounded by the vibrant spirit of the present.

De Betlemi-straat in Tbilisi is een charmante en historische buurt, gelegen in het hart van de oude stad, aan de voet van het Narikala-fort. Deze wijk staat bekend om zijn smalle, kronkelende straatjes, kleurrijke houten balkons en traditionele Georgische architectuur. Naast de religieuze en culturele bezienswaardigheden, zoals de Betlemi-kerken, biedt de buurt ook een thuis aan een verscheidenheid aan kleine zelfstandigen, zoals traditionele schoenmakers en ambachtslieden. In deze buurt vind je kleine, ambachtelijke werkplaatsen die al generaties lang dezelfde vakmanschap uitoefenen. Deze schoenmaker werkt in een bescheiden ruimte en repareert schoenen met de hand, waarbij hij gebruik maakt van traditionele technieken. Zijn werk, net als dat van andere lokale ambachtslieden, voegt een authentieke en unieke sfeer toe aan Betlemi. Ondanks de modernisering van de stad blijft deze ambachtelijke cultuur sterk aanwezig, en zowel de lokale bevolking als toeristen waarderen de diensten van deze kleine zelfstandigen. De combinatie van historische charme en traditionele ambachten maakt Betlemi tot een levendige en boeiende wijk in Tbilisi.

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Russia, Pskov region, Kremlin sunset view

Climbing the hill for the melancholic sunset and serene moon rising, I can see the bottom of the sea. Pure life, pure water.

Picture taken from a hill on Gili Laba island, Flores Sea, East Nusa Tenggara islands, Indonesia.

Cornish, Maine.

Panorama view of the sunset today from Hessian Hill in Cornish.

McHenry Dam Sunset ~ McHenry, Illinois

Shot this a couple weeks ago. All that ice is long gone by now.

Have a great weekend everyone :-)

Lake Saimaa, Finland

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in Colorado. This sunset photo was taken from Sunset View. This was one of the many stops on my almost 3000 mile road trip to, and through, Colorado. DSC_7832A

This eastbound train is actually parked between Rochelle and Steward. We waited for it to come through Steward at the curve but it didn't budge so we opted for sunset shots.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!!

You’re So Far Away from Me

But not that far

Will I see you again soon?

Of course, catch you on the flip side

But it was fun with you today

Tomorrow might be just as beautiful

I’ll think about you

You know I do

Another work of short poetry or prose to complement the image captured one late afternoon around sunset at Spitler Knoll Overlook in Shenandoah National Park. The view is looking to the west across a grassy meadow and then to more distant ridges and peaks of the Shenandoah-Middle Section and then Masanutten Mountain. My thought on composing this image was to go wide angle with the view and include the couple, whose back was turned to me, in the meadow and balance that with them seemingly looking to the sunset off in the distance. The rest was finding the exposure I wanted to not blow any highlights and angling my Nikon Z8 camera to minimize the lens artifacts captured with the image.

Airplane over building with beautiful sunset sky

Lake Saimaa, Finland

Herrick Lake ~ Wheaton, Illinois @ sunset

Perry Road, Lee County, Illinois

Onboard Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-1000.

As the Namibian sun dips below the horizon, a herd of graceful antelopes gathers beneath the golden sky. The warm hues of twilight cast a mesmerizing glow over the landscape, creating a serene and captivating wildlife moment in the heart of Africa.

Sunset at Roccella Jonica Port (Calabria, Italy) - Canon 600D with Canon1022mm