Visual Candies
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... but probably not for the nose? ;-))
Fruits of a stinking iris / Übelriechende Schwertlilie (Iris foetidissima)
in Botanical Garden, Frankfurt
It is known as "stinking" because some people find the smell of its leaves unpleasant when crushed or bruised, an odour that has been described as "beefy". (Wikipedia)
But who should crush Iris leaves?
Kingfisher - Alcedo Atthis
Double click..
The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) also known as the Eurasian kingfisher, and river kingfisher, is a small kingfisher with seven subspecies recognized within its wide distribution across Eurasia and North Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but migrates from areas where rivers freeze in winter.
This sparrow-sized bird has the typical short-tailed, large-headed kingfisher profile; it has blue upperparts, orange underparts and a long bill. It feeds mainly on fish, caught by diving, and has special visual adaptations to enable it to see prey under water. The glossy white eggs are laid in a nest at the end of a burrow in a riverbank.
The female is identical in appearance to the male except that her lower mandible is orange-red with a black tip. The juvenile is similar to the adult, but with duller and greener upperparts and paler underparts. Its bill is black, and the legs are also initially black. Feathers are moulted gradually between July and November with the main flight feathers taking 90–100 days to moult and regrow. Some that moult late may suspend their moult during cold winter weather.
The flight of the kingfisher is fast, direct and usually low over water. The short rounded wings whirr rapidly, and a bird flying away shows an electric-blue "flash" down its back.
The common kingfisher is widely distributed over Europe, Asia, and North Africa, mainly south of 60°N. It is a common breeding species over much of its vast Eurasian range, but in North Africa it is mainly a winter visitor, although it is a scarce breeding resident in coastal Morocco and Tunisia. In temperate regions, this kingfisher inhabits clear, slow-flowing streams and rivers, and lakes with well-vegetated banks. It frequents scrubs and bushes with overhanging branches close to shallow open water in which it hunts. In winter it is more coastal, often feeding in estuaries or harbours and along rocky seashores. Tropical populations are found by slow-flowing rivers, in mangrove creeks and in swamps.
Like all kingfishers, the common kingfisher is highly territorial; since it must eat around 60% of its body weight each day, it is essential to have control of a suitable stretch of river. It is solitary for most of the year, roosting alone in heavy cover. If another kingfisher enters its territory, both birds display from perches, and fights may occur, in which a bird will grab the other's beak and try to hold it under water. Pairs form in the autumn but each bird retains a separate territory, generally at least 1 km (0.62 mi) long, but up to 3.5 km (2.2 mi) and territories are not merged until the spring.
Very few birds live longer than one breeding season. The oldest bird on record was 21 years.
They are also listed as a Schedule 1 species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act offering them additional protection.
Population:
UK breeding:
3,800-6,400 pairs
I discovered these thistles in a field of wheat while jogging. I returned two days later with my camera just to discover that the farmer was about to harvest this field. I asked if I could take some pictures first which he was totally okay with.
One day later this would not have been possible.
Der Münchener U-Bahnhof Harthof: Die säulenlose Bahnsteighalle strahlt eine gewisse Nüchternheit aus, ist sie doch in ihrer Gestaltung vergleichsweise "unaufregend". Bei näherer Betrachtung fallen jedoch die durchdacht integrierte Beleuchtung und der behutsame Umgang mit Formen, Farben und Materialien auf. Die gefaltete Dachkonstruktion dient gleichermaßen als Lichtreflektor wie auch als gliederndes Element des Bahnsteigs, hat man doch das Gefühl, in einem Bauwerk mit herkömmlichen Dach zu sein. Die mit hellrosa und granatroten Glasfliesen verzierten Wände nehmen Bezug auf das kräftige rot des Linienbandes. Geplant wurde der Bahnhof vom Architektur-büro Obermeyer in Zusammenarbeit mit dem städtischen U-Bahn-Referat. Eröffnung:
20. November 1993. (Quelle: www.u-bahn-muenchen.de)
Munich’s Harthof Underground Station: The columnless platform hall exudes a certain sobriety, since its design is comparatively “inexciting. ” On closer inspection, however, the well-thought-out integrated lighting and the careful handling of shapes, colours and materials stand out. The folded roof construction serves both as a light reflector and as a structural element of the platform, since you have the feeling of being in a building with a conventional roof. The walls decorated with light pink and garnet red glass tiles refer to the strong red of the line ribbon. The station was planned by the Obermeyer architectural office in collaboration with the city’s subway department. Opening: 20 November 1993. (Source: www. u-bahn-muenchen. de)
Website: www.heiko-roebke-photography.de
We were out Kayaking with another couple in our tandem boats when others needed to pass. We had purposefully come to a tight inlet where seals could be seen sunbathing however, it was feeding time and none were present. Although minutes prior to this shot, one came to within 20 feet or our Kayak to have a peek at us, then bolted with a splash. All the basic colors were present, from red to green, from yellow to blue, and more. The entire spectrum delighted our eyes with a treasure trove of visual sensations.
Part of the stuff I get to take back to my classroom. I have thousands of marbles for a behavior system I do with my students. I've been purging my house of all the stuff I need to take back to school with me next month and hallelujah, I found my marbles.
HBW!
Made front page, yahoo :)
Luis und Bärbel sitzen nun brav auf der Rückbank !
Luis and Bärbel are now sitting well behaved in the back seat !
"If you want to express yourself you must present something tangible. But after a while this has only the function of a historic document. Objects aren't very important any more. I want to get to the origin of matter, to the thought behind it." Joseph Beuys, 1969. Ignore the Exif data, this shot was done with the Helios 44M-7 wide-open.
Series: May You Live in Interesting Times.
La Biennale Venice 2019
Pavilion of Romania: Dan Mihălțianu
Unfinished Conversations on the Weight of Absence
www.labiennale.org/en/news/biennale-arte-2019-may-you-liv...
I must admit this hasn’t been the first time to have experienced this unique bonding, when the bird accepted my presence and wouldn’t fly away. Call it “interspecies communication" if you wish, or telepathy - I don’t know (smile).
After taking a few good shots with my 400mm f5.6, I have decided to take the chance and switch lenses, for a shallower DOF. The cute owl didn't move a bit. I must admit having experienced a feeling of acceptance and trust. I gave the owl its space by not getting too close.
Shot taken at f2.8 with Canon 5dIII coupled with canon 70-200 f/2.8 II.
It's true, I really did wake up to this view of the Himalayas while in Nepal last year. God's palette is always extraordinary, often quite complex. But there are other times when the Extraordinary sings with His palette a rather simple tune, in much the same way the strings on a cello sing when they are gently stroked with the bow.
Simple.
Pure.
Rich.
That was how the Himalayas sang that morning.
MUSIC: Jacqueline du Pré, Bach, Suites for Solo Cello No. 1 & 2
B&W - because Kansas was indeed that...
and I like this better
Model: Olivia
Featured Favorite:
With new each image I will mention one of my very favorite Flicker photographers. These are not in any order except for chronologically - how could one possibly rank such different artists?
(18) Diana Rubi - As of this posting she has only 56 images on Flickr, yet Diana's images are fantastically creative and artistic. Go to her stream and be prepared to say "Wow!"
www.flickr.com/photos/157875543@N06/
p.s. Flickr has recommended my group. Please check out the Little Select Gallery of Eclectic Visual Poetry
Thank you
An ominous view over Clear Lake yesterday morning as the weather forecast was predicting freezing rain, sleet mixed with snow for our area starting late last night!
Well guess what? The weather man must know what he is doing because that is just what we are experiencing here this morning!
Sigh . . . not good!
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