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Another shot taken during a visit to Sissinghurst on a dull, drizzly Sunday in late May. Here are links to the official National Trust site and the Wikipedia article:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sissinghurst_Castle_Garden
Weltschmerz
Sentimental Pessimism
HKD
Was ist Weltschmerz?
Die Neunjährige berichtete ihrer gleichaltrigen Cousine, die neben ihr und ihrer Mutter im Zugabteil saß, wie ihr Freund vom Nachbarhof sie verlassen musste, weil seine Familie umzog. Es war eine dramatische Schilderung, die mir meine Gefühle als Kind wieder in Erinnerung rief. Sie schienen mir das Herz zu zerreißen und ebenso schien Sandra unter ähnlichen Gefühlen zu leiden.
Trennungsschmerz stürzte auch mich in die emotionale Hölle und ich begann, innere Abwehrmechanismen gegen mich selbst aufzubauen. Die Außenwelt hänselte mich wegen der gezeigten Emotionen und so begann ich, gegen meine Umwelt eine Protesthaltung zu entwickeln. Verbote, Vorschriften, Gesetze und bis ins kleinste Detail vorgeschriebene Regeln der Etikette machten es mir unmöglich, meine wahren Gefühle zu zeigen, ohne dafür bestraft zu werden.
Meine Selbstkontrolle verstärkte sich mit zunehmendem Alter, doch der authentische Ausdruck meiner Gefühle war verloren gegangen. Ich war unfähig geworden, etwas oder jemanden auf der emotionalen Ebene zu lieben. Toleranz ersetzte die herzlichen Gefühle und mit der Vernunft wuchs der Respekt gegenüber anderen, doch kindliche Emotionen wie Lebenslust, Freude und Herzlichkeit waren verloren. Und hier im Zug sah und hörte ich, wie mein damaliger Prozess ablief.
„Stell dich nicht so an!“ sagte die kaum dreißigjährige Mutter. „Wir alle müssen Verluste hinnehmen und wir müssen stark sein. Das Leben ist kein Zuckerschlecken.“
Sandra wehrte sich gegen die Verurteilung ihrer Gefühle und sagte immer wieder, dass sie doch weinen dürfen muss.
„Die Oma sagt auch, wer liebt, darf weinen.“
Ich erinnerte mich, mein Vater sagte, dass Jungen nicht weinen dürften. Da er mein Vorbild war, begann ich, meine sentimentalen Gefühle zu verachten. Diese Selbstverachtung half mir, mich in einer gesellschaftlichen Umgebung angemessen förmlich zu verhalten, doch die Maske schmerzte und ich wurde schließlich krank.
Durch den Schmerz dieser Krankheit motiviert, machte ich mich auf die Suche nach dem heiligen Gral, die Suche nach Selbsterkenntnis und Selbstheilung. Und diese führte zurück in meine Kindheit, genauer: sie erweckte meine eingeschlafene kindliche Gefühlswelt zu der besonders die herzlichen Emotionen gehören. Ja, sagte ich mir. Wer liebt, darf weinen.
„Liebe“, sagte die Mutter. „Was weißt du schon von Liebe? Sie ist ein Luxus, den man sich in dieser Welt nicht leisten kann.“
Wird Sandra diese Aussage eines Tages glauben? Wird auch sie sich eines Tages nicht mehr gestatten, ihr Herz zu öffnen, nicht nur weil eine mögliche Trennung wieder schmerzt, sondern weil die Mutter als Vorbild ihren erlernten Pragmatismus als richtiges Verhalten weitergegeben hat.
Die entscheidenden Prägungen laufen im Kindesalter. Was ist gut? Was ist böse? Das darfst du. Das darfst du nicht!
„Du hast bald schon einen neuen Freund“, sagte die Mutter und meinte, Sandra solle endlich mit ihrem Selbstmitleid aufhören. Das führe zu nichts.
Bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt hatte die Cousine kaum gesprochen, doch nun sagte sie, dass ihr Kaninchen schon lange tot sei und ihr Papa habe ihr erklärt, sie dürfe ruhig traurig sein. Aber sie wolle nicht länger traurig sein und Weltschmerz haben.
„Oh, Gott!“ sagte die Mutter. „Was weiß mein Bruder schon von Weltschmerz? Er bringt immer noch alles durcheinander.“
„Bringt er nicht“, entgegnete die Cousine. „Papa hat mir das genau erklärt. Jede unerwünschte Trennung löst Schmerzen in der Seele aus.“
„Und was hat das mit Weltschmerz zu tun?“ wollte die Mutter nun wissen.
„Das weiß ich nicht“, gestand die Cousine und ergänzte ärgerlich. „Aber du weißt es auch nicht!“
HKD
Digital art based on own photography and textures
HKD
What is Weltschmerz?
The nine-year-old told her cousins, who sat next to her and her mother in the train compartment, how her friend from the neighbouring farm had had to leave her, because his family had moved. It was a dramatic narrative, which recalled in memory my feelings as a child. They seemed to rend my heart, just as Sandra seemed to suffer from similar feelings.
The pain of separation had also plunged me into emotional hell, and I began to develop internal defense mechanisms against myself. The outside world taunted me because of the emotions I expressed, so I began to develop a protest against my environment. Prohibitions, regulations, laws, and the prescribed rules of etiquette to the minutest detail made it impossible for me to show my true feelings without being punished.
My self-control intensified with increasing age; however, the authentic expression of my emotions had been lost. I became incapable of loving anything or anyone on an emotional level. Tolerance replaced warm feelings, and with reason, respect for others increased, but childlike emotions such as love of life, joy, and warmth were lost. And here on the train, I saw and heard how my development process had occurred.
"Don't act that way," said her mother, who was scarcely thirty years old. "We must all experience loss, and we must be strong. Life is no picnic."
Sandra refused to accept the condemnation of her emotions and kept repeating that she must still be allowed to cry. "Grandma says anyone who loves is allowed to weep."
I remembered how my father had said that boys should not cry. Since he was my role model, I began to despise my sentimental emotions. This self-loathing helped me to behave appropriately in formal social surroundings; however, the mask hurt and I ultimately became sick.
Motivated by the pain of this disease, I began my quest for the Holy Grail, the quest for self-knowledge and self-healing. And this led back to my childhood, or rather it awakened my sleeping childhood world of feelings to which especially the heartfelt emotions belong. Yes, I said to myself: Anyone who loves must be allowed to cry.
"Love," said her mother. "What do you know of love? It is a luxury that you cannot afford in this world. "
Will Sandra believe this assertion one day? Will she too one day no longer allow her heart to open up, not only because of the possible pain of separation, but because as a role model, her mother had passed on her learned pragmatism as right conduct? We experience critical imprints in our childhoods: What is good? What is evil? This you may do. You must not do that!
"You will soon have a new friend," said her mother, meaning that Sandra should at long last give up her self-pity. It would lead to nothing.
Up to this point, Sandra’s cousin had not spoken, but now she said that her rabbit had been long dead and that her dad had told her that she should be peacefully sad. But now she could no longer even be sad and have Weltschmerz.
"Oh God!" said the mother. "What does my brother know of Weltschmerz? He still makes such a mess of things."
"He does not," retorted Sandra’s cousin. "My dad explained it clearly to me. Every unwanted separation triggers pain within the soul."
"And what does all of this have to do with Weltschmerz?" the mother now demanded.
"I do not know," admitted the cousin and then added angrily. "But neither do you!"
HKD
Translated by Cougar Brenneman – Many thanks!
This naive cape fur seal pup and its mother were too far from their main colony. Separated from its mother the pup provided a pack of black-backed jackals a terrified plaything to practise hunting on. Luckily for the pup the jackals weren't hungry and after being harrassed for short while it managed to escape into the safety of the Atlantic ocean.
Kurz vor Sonnenuntergang öffnet sich nochmal die Wolkenschicht und bestrahlt die Österreichisch-Schweizerische Grenze.
Zwei Einzelaufnahmen gestitcht.
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Just before sunset again opens the clouds and irradiates the Austrian-Swiss border.
Two images stitchet.
Once owned by the BBC Television Company, It was used for outside coverage of events such as Race Meetings etc,Photographed in Hulls East Park before taking part in the Hull to Bridlington East Coast Run,
This is taken at English Landing Park in Parkville, MO.
Another Topaz experiment. This time I'm using Topaz impressions which seems to be a really cool program. But outside of perhaps marketing or an ad campaign, I have a hard time thinking someone would desire this as fine art knowing that it's not REALLY a painting. All the same I still think it's a pretty neat image. Hope you enjoy!
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Explore # 443 16-10-14 Out
Constructed in 1928 as a first-class hotel and entertainment center, the Leland building is twenty-two stories high. When built, it was the tallest building in Illinois outside of Chicago. It was designed by Anker Sveere Graven and Arthur Guy Mayger of Chicago. The architects called their building “a modern adaptation of the Italian Romanesque style”. It is now being used as an apartment building.As a hotel the Aurora-Leland had all the modern amenities of the times—including telephones in every room. Topping this sky scraper was the Sky Club, a dinner and dancing club outfitted with elaborate decor and furnishings of the highest quality. The views from the Sky Club as well as its elegance made it a place to see and be seen by the local socialites. "Swanks" from Chicago thought the Sky Club a fun place to take their dates. Philip K. Wrigley, fan dancer Sally Rand, and the singing cowboy Gene Autry are some of the famous names seen there. Recordings were made there by such famous blues musicians as John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson.The tower is also known, however, for being a popular spot for committing suicide. Many have taken their own life by jumping off the 22 story tower into the river below. Because of this, many consider the building to be haunted. Those who live inside the now apartment complex claim that they often hear moans in the elevator and smell foul odors throughout the building.
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View on large please!
Having bored you to death with some photos of Paris, I though I'd surprise you and show you a photo from... ...London! Believe it or not, this temple is slap bang in the middle of a semi-industrial, semi-suburban area of North West London. To be honest, it's not the best of areas, which makes this even more amazing.
I've called this, "Neasden Temple," although it's proper name is Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London. I guess you can now see why I have used it's nickname. It is actually the biggest Hindu temple in use outside India. When I first saw it, I thought it looked quite Cambodian. Turns out that Angkor Wat is bigger than this, but no longer used as a Hindu temple. It cost 12 million pounds to build and was funded entirely by the Hindu community. Traditional methods and materials were used to make it and was the first traditional Hindu stone temple in Europe. It was also the largest concrete pour in the UK. It is constructed using 2,828 tonnes of Bulgarian limestone and 2,000 tonnes of Italian Carrara marble.
I rushed to get here for sunset, but the bus took forever. I caught the tail end of it, but it turns out the sun was in the wrong direction, so I settled for a blue hour shot. It's surprisingly hard to get a decent angle of this place. When I arrived, everyone was pouring out of their worship and there were signs on the gate saying no photos (and security guards to back it up). I was taking a snap though the gates with my iPhone, when an Indian women came up to me and asked why I didn't go into the courtyard. I said because there was no cameras allowed and, as I was wearing shorts, I didn't want to cause offence either. She said it was fine and talked to the guys on the gate. I'm not sure what she said, but they let me in!
I set up my tripod and reeled of a few groups of seven-exposure shots. I thanked the security guards on the gate as I left and had to then get a bus back through the deepest, darkest parts of the North (Wild) West. At least now I've added a Hindu temple to my collection of church and mosque shots.
This shot is hugely detailed, so please take time to view it a little larger. (Press L) I would link the the original 5500px photo, but people may steal it.
No images in comments please.
Details
Canon EOS 5D Mark II / ISO 100 / f/13 / 17-40mm @ 26mm
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View of Humayun’s Tomb as seen from the central fountain in the gardens.
Humayun’s Tomb - Built in the middle of the 16th century by the widow of the Moghul emperor Humayun, this tomb launched a new architectural era that reflected its Persian influence, culminating in the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri. The Moghuls brought to India their love of gardens and fountains and left a legacy of harmonious structures, such as this mausoleum, that fuse symmetry with decorative splendor.
Resting on an immense two-story platform, the tomb structure of red sandstone and white marble is surrounded by gardens intersected by water channels in the Moghuls' beloved charbagh design: perfectly square gardens divided into four (char) square parts. The marble dome covering the actual tomb is another first: a dome within a dome (the interior dome is set inside the soaring dome seen from outside), a style later used in the Taj Mahal.
Good Morning to the World from Jon's Place in Thailand.
My Spacecraft is a'Rocken with SRV
(Stevie Ray Vaughan).
Music echo's out across the river and deep into the jungle.
"Jungle Fever" for every body................;-)
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Jasmine plants are in full bloom just outside the windows, smellen good !
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The Worm, WeeNee and the Monkey are racing around playing grab asson the porch.
Birds are singing along with Stevie.
And breakfast is about to be served.
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Life is one big oyster, trick is how you eat it..;-)
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Thank You.
Jon&Crew.
Please help with your donations here.
www.gofundme.com/saving-thai-temple-dogs.
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Maho Beach is a beach on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin. It is famous for the Princess Juliana International Airport adjacent to the beach.
Arriving aircraft must touch down as close as possible to the beginning of Runway 10 due to the short runway length of 2,300 metres (7,500 ft), resulting in aircraft on their final approach flying over the beach at minimal altitude.
Due to the unique proximity of low flying airliners, the location is very popular with plane spotters. This is one of the few places in the world where aircraft can be viewed in their flightpath just outside the end of the runway. Watching airliners pass over the beach is such a popular activity that daily arrivals and departures airline timetables are displayed on a board in most bars and restaurants on the beach, and the Sunset Bar and Grill has a speaker on its outside deck that broadcasts the radio transmissions between pilots and the airport's control tower.
Just came back from a Caribbean cruise vacation, on the Allure of the Seas. Had a great time with friends. I knew photos where going to be scarce, it was going to be a relaxing trip, for the most part. While at Maho Beach, it was impressive to see the planes landing, so close over the beach. I pulled to the side to get something interesting for the foreground. This is a hand held two image panorama, merged in PS.
Have a great week ahead!
As always, thank you for stopping by and looking. I appreciate your comments and visits!
Antelope Island State Park
Leaving the Tetons was extremely difficult, I didn't want to leave but I had to literally drag myself out of Wyoming after staying there for around a week, I had one more destination to see, Yosemite.
I was in Yosemite just months prior to this trip but on my first trip out I didn't get to see Tunnel View or Glacier Point (noob mistake) easily the two greatest places to go to in Yosemite. So I decided
to suck it up and drive from Yellowstone to Yosemite. I figured it'd take me atleast two days driving but I was down for the solo challenge. I left the Tetons with a sad "goodbye" and headed further west.
As I drove through Idaho I got to see some very interesting landscapes including state parks and National Forests, none of which I really had time to stop and enjoy, since I had an extra day I figured I'd
head on down to one of my favorite states, Utah. But where should I stop? Arches...Bryce...something new? I decided to skip out on the National Parks and head to a State Park for once, surprising right?
I woke up from my motel just across from the Elk National Refuge just miles outside of Grand Teton National Park and headed towards non other than Antelope Island State Park, I honestly did zero research
on the area but from pictures and what not I always thought it looked pretty interesting. I mean how cool is it that there is literally an unhabited island crawling with bison and pronghorn just miles away
from a giant metropolis.
I arrived on the island around noon, the Salt Lake area was surprisingly awesome. Salt Lake City was what I thought Denver would be like. But I continued on, I only had so much time to see the area. After
driving down a salt flat sort of cause way for 5 minutes or so (after driving through a neighborhood) I arrived at a AISP toll booth, I forget what the admission price was but it was WORTH IT. If your ever
passing through like I was, go out on a limb and spend a few hours taking in the "island." I paid and continued on the causeway seeing tons of birds...and more birds...and birds. That was about it. The one
thing I do remember is...the Salt Lake really smelled...bad. No way to describe, it was just a bad smell, worse than Yellowstones sulphur. After a while you learn to block it out, just close your windows and
hope for the best. So anyways I continued to drive down this "salt flat" causeway and I was able to see a large sort of mountain protruding out of the middle of the giant salt lake, the closer I got the more
I realized that was my destination.
I finally arrived on the island only to find a lot of the island was closed, it was the off season and it was during the week so none of the food stops were open even the visitor center was closed when I arrived.
But whatever, I was here to see sights, take some pictures and maybe run into an antelope or three. I grabbed my park map and started to explore. Within 10 minutes I saw a bison, oddly walking down a beach...a sight
I never thought I'd see. I was heading down to the Farmington Bay area and decided to drive up the one very steep hill, which is actually a lot of fun. The views from the top are amazing. Its hard to describe Antelope
Island in a way, it reminds me of the Big Sur sort of and in other ways not at all. On my way back a Antelope ran right out in front of my truck and decided to relieve itself in the middle of the road, but thanks for the
pictures Mr. Antelope.
I headed down to the beach, and the smell got worse. Once on the beach you can really take in the beauty of the island, I honestly felt like I was on the set of Lord Of The Rings or something, the rolling barren hills,
the quiteness of the area, I was virtually the only one on the island in my 4-5 hours I only seen maybe 4-5 other cars. I walked the beach for a little stumbling upon cool rocks and bison tracks virtually every few feet.
At the point where the water met the sand I noticed a sort of odd blackish sand that I thought was different (At this point I was collecting sand from all the areas I visited) so I decided to go scoop some up to take home.
Getting within 3 feet of the black "sand" I found the "sand" wasn't "sand" at all...it was actually millions...maybe billions of some sort of insect maybe mayflys? And they all took off and of course landed all over me.
Im sure someone was watching and laughing at me when they saw the hoard of bugs flying at me.
After leaving the beach I decided to call it a day, I still had to make it to California the next day. AISP is an awesome place, I wish I could've stayed an extra day.
Doomsday. Outside my window.
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The Doge's Palace (Italian: Palazzo Ducale) is a gothic palace, and one of the main landmarks of the city of Venice, northern Italy. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice, opening as a museum in 1923. Today it is one of the 11 museums of the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia system. In 2010 it was visited by 1.358.186 people.
In 810, Doge Angelo Partecipazio moved the seat of government from the island of Malamocco to the area of the present-day Rialto, when it was decided a palatium duci, a ducal palace, should be built. However, no traces remains of that 9th century building as the palace was partially destroyed in the 10th century by a fire. The following reconstruction works were undertaken at the behest of Doge Sebastiano Ziani (1172-1178). A great reformer, he would drastically change the entire layout of the St. Mark's Square. The new palace was built out of fortresses, one façade to the Piazzeta, the other overlooking the St. Mark's Basin.
Although only few traces remain of that palace, some Byzantine-Venetian architecture characteristics can still be seen at the ground floor, with the wall base in Istrian stone and some herring-bone-pattern brick paving. Political changes in the mid-13th century led to the need to re-think the palace's structure due to the considerable increase in the number of the Great Council's members. The new Gothic palace's constructions started around 1340, focusing moslty on the side of the building facing the lagoon. Only in 1424, did Doge Francesco Foscari decide to extend the rebuilding works to the wing overlooking the Piazzetta, serving as law-courts, and with a ground floor arcade on the outside, open first floor loggias running along the façade, and the internal courtyard side of the wing, completed with the construction of the Porta della Carta (1442). In 1483, a violent fire broke out in the side of the palace overlooking the canal, where the Doge's Apartments were. Once again, an important reconstruction became necessary and was comissioned from Antonio Rizzo, who would introduce the new Renaissance language to the building's architecture.
An entire new structure was raised alongside the canal, stretching from the ponte della Canonica to the Ponte della Paglia, with the official rooms of the government decorated with works comissioned from Vittore Carpaccio, Giorgione, Alvise Vivarini and Giovanni Bellini. Another huge fire in 1547 destroyed some of the rooms on the second floor, but fortunately without undermining the structure as a whole. Reurbishment works were being held at the palace when on 1577 a third fire destroyed the Scrutinio Room and the Great Council Chamber, together with works by Gentile da Fabriano, Pisanello, Alvise Vivarini, Vittore Carpaccio, Giovanni Bellini, Pordenone, and Titian. In the subsequent rebuilding work it was decided to respect the original Gothic style, despite the submission of a neo-classical alternative designs by the influential Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. However, there are some classical features — for example, since the 16th century, the palace has been linked to the prison by the Bridge of Sighs. As well as being the ducal residence, the palace housed political institutions of the Republic of Venice until the Napoleonic occupation of the city in 1797, when its role inevitably changed. Venice was subejcted first to French rule, then to Austrian, and finally in 1866 it became part of Italy.
Over this period, the palace as occupied by various administrative offices as well as housing the Biblioteca Marciana and other important cultural institutions within the city. By the end of the 19th century, the structure was showing clear signs of decay, and the Italian government set aside significant funds for its restoration and all public offices were moved elsewhere, with the exception of the State Office for the protection of historical Monuments, which is still housed at the palace's loggia floor. In 1923, the Italian State, owner of the building, entrusted the management to the Venetian municipality to be run as a museum. Since 1996, the Doge’s Palace has been part of the Venetian museums network, which comes under the management of the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia since 2008.
For more information please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doge%27s_Palace,_Venice
Venice (Italian: Venezia [veˈnɛttsja] ( listen), Venetian: Venexia [veˈnɛsja]) is a city in northeast Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region. In 2009, there were 270,098 people residing in Venice's comune (the population estimate of 272,000 inhabitants includes the population of the whole Comune of Venezia; around 60,000 in the historic city of Venice (Centro storico); 176,000 in Terraferma (the Mainland), mostly in the large frazioni of Mestre and Marghera; 31,000 live on other islands in the lagoon). Together with Padua and Treviso, the city is included in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area (PATREVE) (population 1,600,000).
The name is derived from the ancient Veneti people who inhabited the region by the 10th century B.C. The city historically was the capital of the Venetian Republic. Venice has been known as the "La Dominante", "Serenissima", "Queen of the Adriatic", "City of Water", "City of Masks", "City of Bridges", "The Floating City", and "City of Canals". Luigi Barzini described it in The New York Times as "undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man". Venice has also been described by the Times Online as being one of Europe's most romantic cities.
The city stretches across 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy. The saltwater lagoon stretches along the shoreline between the mouths of the Po (south) and the Piave (north) Rivers.
The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and a staging area for the Crusades and the Battle of Lepanto, as well as a very important center of commerce (especially silk, grain, and spice) and art in the 13th century up to the end of the 17th century. This made Venice a wealthy city throughout most of its history. It is also known for its several important artistic movements, especially the Renaissance period. Venice has played an important role in the history of symphonic and operatic music, and it is the birthplace of Antonio Vivaldi.
Please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice for further information...
My picture is here www.flickr.com/cameras/sony/dslr-a200/ ! I'm so happy !!!!! ; ))))
Thanks Sony200Boy for tell me !!!!
Wish you have a wonderful saturday !!!! ; ))
Please ... View On Black ... Thank you !!!!
EXPLORE! May 7, 2009! My 15th Explore!
Picture taken in a field between Gumley and Saddington, Leicester-shire. Saddington can be seen in the background, with the reservoir lower down.
As usual, this is not HDR.
Thank you to anyone who may comment.
Enjoy this early morning view of the Lower Manhattan skyline, taken shortly before sunrise at Exchange Place in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Some of the best views of Lower Manhattan and Midtown Manhattan can be enjoyed from New Jersey. It is certainly worth the commute. I used to live only five blocks away from this spot. While watching the boats sail up and down along the Hudson River in the late evenings, with few people around, I always found Exchange Place to be a calm haven of reflective introspection. It is one of my favorite spots in the NYC metropolitan area.
I also spent the “Y2K” switchover from 1999 to 2000 here with about 100 people, including my little sister, from which you could see fireworks from Times Square and the Statue of Liberty simultaneously.
The statue is the Katyn Memorial, in observation of the horrendous massacre of Polish citizens that took place in Russia during World War II. On the front side of the memorial, there is also a rectangular plaque observing the devastating loss of life that took place on September 11, 2001.
One humorous note: Before cell phones took over the populace, it was considered “long distance” to call NYC from Jersey City. I remember frequently questioning AT&T why I paid long distance fees to a place I could see outside my window.
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For everyone in the nation -- and the world -- who felt the loss of life, innocence, and the anguish that was inflicted on Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012 -- I share your grief in my mind and in my heart.
WATCH ***TIA: YEAR IN PHOTOS 2012***
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June 19, 2015
"The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves." - Ray Kroc
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It was a busy Friday, but the day passed quickly and in no time the weekend was upon us.
Ran a few errands after work and then spent the evening chatting with friends and neighbours and enjoying the mild weather.
I did manage to get a couple shots while I was outside, which was lucky because by the time I came back in the house there wasn't much light left in the day.
Anyway, hope everyone has had a good day.
Click "L" for a larger view.
Ironically the snow started last Sunday on the same day as our Santa Claus Parade was scheduled. Just before Santa comes, all our downtown decorations go up and it's a beautiful light show at night. Here's a look at some of the lights by day, just outside the place I work.
Looks like a nice day, but the windchill made it feel around -17, so it was a quick few shots and back indoors!
Woke up the morning of taking this photo by two young lads parking a stolen car outside my house, before taking off on the back of a bike, i went out to find some neighbours had already phoned the gardai (police), by the time they arrived i had already found the cloth they wiped the car down with in my front garden and i then helped the gardai find an xbox and laptop at the top of my road, which is where these hoodlums always stash their loot after a night of thievery, luckily it seems they had only broken into one house in an adjacent town and we had recovered everything for them, but later on having talked to one of the gardai i found that they were still looking for another car stolen from the same house, well at least that family will get something back and those criminals might think twice before bringing their stolen goods up my way. Although being up that early did have its advantages i managed to slip down to the cove where the old bathing houses were in bray and snapped this shot.
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I didn't realize the impact this picket fence would have until I saw it on the big screen. My eye is drawn to the top of the fence's arch then back to the glassless window. I wonder what dreams where left behind that picket fence?
Happy Fence Friday and keep those dreams alive!
One of my favourite reserves in the whole North of England due to it's open plan nature. There are many lakes, ponds, reedbeds and meadows. There are lots of nature trails and as you walk around you can see the wildlife and observe it from the paths.
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/s/staidans/
St Aidan's is a perfect place to get close to nature and relax, unwind or exercise in a stress-free environment. Just outside Leeds on the banks of the River Aire, it's a big new space to walk, run, cycle, or ride your horse and enjoy the wildlife that surrounds you.
It has a wide range of wild plants and animals, and is home to thousands of birds, brown hares, roe deer, wild flowers and insects - all living in a stunning landscape of vast reedbeds, grassland, woodland, lakes, ponds and islands.
With a variety of circular paths of varying lengths and large areas of open grassland, St Aidan’s is a great place for families to enjoy the outdoors, share a picnic and play together.
Over 7.5 miles (12 km) of footpaths, bridleways and cycle routes connect the surrounding communities, with links to national footpath and cycle networks. St Aidan's is a fantastic place for locals wishing to explore the wider countryside or as a destination for people who love nature.
Opening times
St Aidan's is an open access site. Opening times apply to the visitor centre and car park. From March-October they're open from 9.30 am to 5 pm. From September-February it's 9.30 am to 4 pm. They're closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Entrance charges
Entry to the site is free but donations to help us continue our work are welcome. There is a car park charge of £2.50 per car for RSPB non-members. RSPB members and disabled badge holders park for free.
Information for dog owners
Dogs are allowed on the reserve as long as they are kept on a lead in the appropriate designated zones. There are some less sensitive areas within St Aidan's where dogs are allowed off the lead. Please check with staff before letting dogs off the lead.
Star species
Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.
Bittern
Bitterns are brown, secretive herons, camouflaged to hide amongst reeds. Visit in spring to hear male bitterns 'booming' or summer to watch the parents making feeding flights.
Great crested grebe
Watch the amazing courtship ritual of great crested grebes on the open water in spring. You may see pairs performing their 'weed dance' when they present one another with weed and patter across the surface of the water together.
Little owl
You may be lucky enough to find one of these compact owls perched in a tree or on a fencepost. They become very active at dusk and you may hear their shrill calls.
Marsh harrier
Look for marsh harriers gliding over the reedbed with their wings held upwards in a shallow 'v'. In spring, pairs perform their breathtaking 'skydancing' displays high in the sky.
Skylark
Spring visits will be enriched by the beautiful song of skylarks. They rise up into the air from the grassland until they are barely visible and only their song can be heard
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/s/staidans/seasonal_highli...
Seasonal highlights
Each season brings a different experience at our nature reserves. In spring, the air is filled with birdsong as they compete to establish territories and attract a mate. In summer, look out for young birds making their first venture into the outside world. Autumn brings large movements of migrating birds - some heading south to a warmer climate, others seeking refuge in the UK from the cold Arctic winter. In winter, look out for large flocks of birds gathering to feed, or flying at dusk to form large roosts to keep warm.
Spring
Look out for marsh harriers displaying over the reedbeds, great crested grebes performing their elaborate courtship dances and returning swallows skimming low over the water and grasslands as they collect insects. Listen out for skylarks filling the air with their song, the deep booming of male bitterns, male snipe 'drumming' as they vibrate their tail feathers to attract females and lapwings calling as they perform their aerobatic displays. Enjoy the fusion of colour as wildflowers burst into bloom and a host of brightly-coloured butterflies and dragonflies take to the wing. Spring is also a great time to see kestrels. You can often see several hovering around the site at the same time as they hunt for voles in the grassland. Kestrels have also been seen nesting in the huge dragline.
Summer
Watch overhead for herons and little egrets dropping into the reeds to feed, female bitterns flying low over the reedbeds as they seek out food for their chicks or marsh harriers passing food to each other in flight. Keep an eye on the open water for lines of young ducklings paddling along behind their parents or young great crested grebes riding around on their parents' backs and admire the abundant lilypads on the lakes. Stoats, weasels and water voles are often seen at this time of year as are basking butterflies and dragonflies hawking the waters edge. Thousands of black-headed gulls set up a colony at this time of the year filling the air with their calls. Summer is the best time to spot the elusive black necked grebe as it will have its fluffy youngsters in tow. Avocets also nest at this time of year. St Aidan’s is a good place to spot this iconic bird that is the logo of the RSPB.
Autumn
Autumn sees the arrival of migrant birds, such as black-tailed godwits, ruffs and green sandpipers. Local birdwatchers will also spot a few rarities such as spoonbills and pectoral sandpipers. Huge flocks of lapwings arrive to spend winter with us and can be seen around pool edges and on grassland. Short-eared owls hunt over the reedbeds and our winter wildfowl begin to arrive. Look out for flashes of blue as kingfishers flit up and down the river.
Winter
Waders and wildfowl such as lapwings, curlews, wigeons, teals, shovelers and goldeneyes gather in big numbers, roosting and feeding across the grasslands and pools. Water rails can be spotted feeding on frozen pools, or you can listen out for their strange, pig-like squealing! The elusive bittern is also drawn out into the open at times. One of the most awesome spectacles in winter is seeing massive flocks of roosting birds panic and fly into the air as peregrines hunt over the site. Look and listen out for overwintering stonechats. Their calls sound like two pebbles being knocked together!
Facilities
Facilities
•Visitor centre
•Car park : There's a car park charge of £2.50 per car for RSPB non-members. RSPB members and disabled badge holders park for free. We have cycle parking and a height restriction of 2.7 m (8' 10'') for vehicles.
•Toilets
•Disabled toilets
•Baby-changing facilities
•Picnic area
•Group bookings accepted
•Guided walks available
•Good for walking
•Pushchair friendly
Nature trails
Bowers Bimble: Starting from the car park, this 0.9-mile (1.5 km) flat trail takes you on a short walk around Bowers Lake then through grassland and wild flower meadows. Great for a relaxing stroll (20-30 minutes).
Lowther Loop: For a walk through shady woodland glades and along the banks of the River Aire, venture onto this 1.3 mile (2 km) flat trail. In wet winter months, it’s a welly boot walk (60 minutes).
Hillside Hike: For stunning landscapes and panoramic views of the nature park and surrounding areas, t ake a hike onto the hillside. This trail is 1.3 miles (2 km) with some steep hills and inclines, which wind through the trees and grassland (40-60 minutes).
Reedbed Ramble: To explore the magic of the whispering reedbeds, take a walk on this 1.7-mile (2.8 km) flat route that runs around the edges of the reedbeds and loops back to the main entrance (40-45 minutes).
As the new custodians of St Aidan's, we are aiming to improve the accessibility of our paths as soon as we can. Please contact us for updates on footpath and bridleway conditions.
Refreshments available
•Hot drinks
•Cold drinks
•Snacks
•Confectionery
By train
The nearest train stations are Woodlesford (3.2 miles), Castleford (3.2 miles) and Garforth (4.3 miles). If you're going to be walking or cycling from the station to St Aidan's, choose Woodlesford station. Turn left out of the station then left onto the main road. When you get to the bridge over the Aire and Calder navigation, cross it, then turn right and walk along the riverbank until you reach St Aidan's. If you're going to take a taxi from the station to St Aidan's, head towards Castleford station as it's easier to get a taxi there.
By bus
The nearest bus stop is just outside the entrance to St Aidan’s, on Astley Lane. The Number 167 Leeds to Castleford bus stops here and is run by Arriva Yorkshire.
By road
Reach us from junction 46 of the M1. Follow the A63, signposted Selby and Garforth. At the roundabout, take the fourth left for Wakefield A642, Swillington and Oulton. Follow the A642 for 1.5 miles then turn left on to Astley Lane. St Aidan's is 1.8 miles on the right.
From Castleford, follow the A656 (Barnsdale Road) north out of the town centre for 1.4 miles. Turn left onto Station Road towards Allerton Bywater and travel 1.2 miles. Turn left onto the Leeds Road (next to the yellow corner shop). St Aidan’s is 0.5 miles along the road on the left.
Other ways to get to the reserve
It's easy to get to St Aidan's by bike. The site is bordered on its south-east edge by the Trans-Pennine Trail central section (Route 67). This runs north all the way to Leeds city centre, and south to join the main east-west route near our Old Moor nature reserve at Barnsley. There is also a local cycle route called the Linesway Greenway (Route 697) that runs between Garforth and Allerton Bywater with a spur at the Allerton Bywater end that links into the site. St Aidan's is also bordered by the Leeds Country Way. Maps of this route can be found on the Leeds City Council website. There are also many other local footpaths and bridleways that link into the site from the surrounding towns and villages.
Coastline view
La Perla (The Pearl)
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
See a closer view HERE
(Description from Wikipedia)
La Perla is a slum neighborhood outside of the northern historic city wall of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, stretching about 600 meters along the rocky Atlantic coast immediately east of the Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery and down the slope from (north of) Calle Norzagaray.
La Perla was established in the late 19th century. Initially, the area was the site of a slaughterhouse because the law required them - as well as cemeteries - to be established away from the main community center; in this case, outside the city walls. Some time later, farmers and workers started living around the slaughterhouse and established their houses there.
In spite of its amazing oceanfront location (in most cities such properties would be home to the wealthiest individuals), in recent years La Perla has become more known because of the high rate of illegal drug trafficking and crime.
See more shots at my Puerto Rico set.
~ Explored : September 18. 2011 ~
"Adventure in the Land of the Ancient Gods"
LADAKH : Day 5
The local visitors walking uphill to the Hemis monastery to watch the annual Buddhist festival in Ladakh.
On the 5th day journey in Ladakh (10th july 2011), we visited the Hemis Monastery where the Hemis festival held once a year in Ladakh . We can’t see the monastery from this spot because the building hidden back in the valley's rough rocks and unfortunately we had to stop here, because the police have blocked the road for hundreds busses axcepted small cars allowed to enter the location. We still have not fully accustomed to the altitude and almost impossible to walk with the camera gear as far as 1 km uphill to the monastery. But we immediately noticed there were a small car (Maruti Omni) here giving the place a touristy feel. Again, it was our luck!
The Hemis monastery stands hidden deep in a gorge, 40 km southeast of Ladakh where the place has a major annual festival named after the monastery. It is celebrated on the tenth day of lunar month in the Tibetan calendar. The festival is celebrated in the commemoration of the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. As the Hemis festival is held during the peak summer season. It attracts the largest number of people from with in and outside Ladakh.
© Sayid Budi ~ All rights reserved 2011
Female Blue Dasher. Female dragonflies generally hide, so they are more difficult to find and photograph, than the males who often perch and display prominently. This female blue dasher is very different than the more flamboyant blue males (see photo in the comment box) but those eyes are beautifully colored.
2014_07_26_EOS 7D_0717 v1
The Carolina Wren is easily recognized by the white stripe above each eye and its distinctive "tail-up" posture that it assumes as it flits about the bushes. Energetic and vocal this little wren has one of the loudest songs of any small bird. Males sing their “tea-kettle-tea-kettle-tea-kettle-tea." song hundreds of times a day, all year long. One particularly busy bird was recorded singing almost 3,000 times in a single day!
Carolina wrens form lifelong pair bonds and pairs often stay together for years. The birds move and feed together, where you see one, you will usually see its mate foraging close by. The pair works together to build a nest, which can be in a tree hole or on a branch, but Carolina wrens are well known for choosing to nest in man made structures such as mail boxes, door wreaths, flower pots, or even a cardboard box in a garage. They use sticks, hair, feathers, and anything that looks suitable—even shed snakeskins. They often build multiple nests then select one to raise their chicks.
When feeding, a Carolina wren hops around on the ground and in the underbrush turning over dead leaves, and probing cracks and crannies for spiders, insects and larvae. They also eat fruit and berries, but rarely come to bird feeders.
A female lays 3-4 eggs, then incubates them for 14 days, during which time the male brings her food. The parents feed the chicks in the nest for two weeks, then, after the chicks fledge, the parents continue to feed them for a further two weeks. A pair of Carolina wrens can have three broods in a year.
I found this one in my backyard. Lake Wales, Florida.
Today, I left the job I've been doing for 6.5 years. Today an era ended. Thursday a new chapter commences...
I've been restless, so the best thing to do when I'm restless is to get outside, chase the sunset, just be amongst the majesty of a beautiful sky...
How many more months until Summer??
This has been a brutal winter thus far. I am growing tired of driving into work when it is 1 degree outside. And when I come home in the evening, I just want to sit in front of the fireplace to warm up. Fortunately, I’ll get a little reprieve next week from these artic temps, and plan on blowing the dust off my camera and take my first photos in 2009.
But honestly….I really can’t wait to capture more summer sunsets like these on Lake Erie. I feel so fortunate living this close to the lake!
I am still fascinated with the pipevine swallowtail butterfly as it flits about the yard. The caterpillars are very difficult to raise. Although their numbers are up in my yard I can see why they are rare. Females will lay eggs on the Dutchmans pipevine which is plentiful in my yard but it seems to be a bit toxic to them, so they eat for a few days then die. Aristolochia fimbriata (White Veined Hardy Dutchman's Pipe) seems to work well to raise these beauties. I have some of that variety but not a lot of it. I am trying to grow some inside to be transplanted outside for spring and of course keep some inside as clean predator free food for any caterpillars I can find to raise.
Yet another long exposure from last week. It's not often you see sheep in this area any more.
This was a difficult shot to process. The greenhouse with all its light was very dominant.
This shot is a little bit outside my "comfort zone". I am therefore looking forward to your comments, if any.
Thanks for stopping by.
All comments are appreciated.
Hey guys I have just started a Facebook page if you could give it a like that would be fantastic. Thank you all for taking the time to look at my photos.
