If you've read the headline, you'll see it appears that this week's article is a bit different … and it is.
Below is a link to an article Buzz posted earlier this week, and, it should not go unnoticed … so … below is "the link" alluded to in the headline. Please check it out.
As for the rest of the headline … the "abstract" refers to two new paintings I did this week, and, the "surreal," to the image atop the article.
Thanks for the "link" concept, but it appears after two days to have been entirely ineffective. However, I'm not at all surprised that the topic of vintage cameras doen't quite match politics or even movies anyway.
I have a new lamp for my fishroom. It's a mid-century modern Royal Haeger Leaping Fish. I got a good deal on it with an original shade, but there are a couple of dings on the lamp and part of the finial is broken off. If anyone ever finds a replacement finial anywhere I'd love to have it.
I shop a lot of antique stores but don’t recall seeing this model of lamp yet. I’ll keep my eyes peeled in the future. Maybe I’ll find an identical one that is busted up but has an intact finial. Happens more often than you think.
Yes. I have to get some new shelving and move around some junk first and then start setting up my aquariums down in the basement. I'll be taking most of the back half.
I think this is one of my best edits. So I found this piece when I was in Greece, and was so amazed with its detail that I had to have it and haggled the price down to something reasonable. Mind you, getting a piece of art like this home from an over seas trip is a bit harrowing. I took all kinds of precautions wrapping it up and babying it in my carry on luggage, then freaked out on a stewardess who told me my bag was too big so it had to go in checked luggage. I got it home safe and unscathed, and hung it with a large group of other pieces, where it just didn’t get the honor it deserved for a couple years. We just had a new bathroom built in the basement, for which my wife took full control of the design. It looks great, but I saw an opportunity to showcase this piece without it having to compete with other pieces. She relented (unwillingly), and now this hangs above the toilet, where I can stare into her eyes while I get rid of my morning coffee. I haven’t turned to stone yet!
Here’s the funny part - when I got home from Greece, I then checked Amazon to see if anything like it was available. The exact same piece was there for the same price I haggled this one down to. Lol. It’s even cheaper now.
Thanks Raven. What I don’t like is how whatever I post here loses resolution when I post it. I don’t know if it’s because I only access this site with my phone or what, but this image on my phone is much sharper in my photo library than what gets posted here. It’s been an issue forever that I haven’t been able to resolve.
I can understand the frustration, Hal. My problem is that many of the artwork that I post devolves into the default hat image not long after posting it, or at least a day or so later, and I not anyone here on NT has an answer as to why.
Although,from my end, your image looks very clear and and really vibrant. But, I am looking at it from my Monitor, not from a phone of some sort which I don't have.
We have brought art and other decorative objects home from foreign trips and it can be quite a hassle, carrying boxes on the plane, hoping nothing breaks.
It depends on what it is being used for. The item that you see smoking is a bit of burning Sage that is used during a healing ceremony for cleansing and purifying the Soul and Spirit, and for getting rid of evil spirits. It is also used for 'Smudging' ceremonies, which are for much the same purpose, and depending on the traditions of the various Tribes.
While some similar traditions are shared among many Tribes, there are also many different traditions among the many Tribes.
It's actually just one opener with the photos taken of it lying flat and upright. I just noticed that the colors of the shells look different in the two photos, but that must be due to how the light reflected at different angles. It is about 8 inches long.
I guess the way one is laying down and the other is standing up made it look like there were two of them. It really is a very unique looking bottle opener.
I am really fond of the various patterns of the insides of such shells. They can be made into very beautiful jewelry as well.
I have had it for a long time, but I have never used it to open a bottle. We have it on display as an art piece.
My guess is that the shells are mother-of-pearl from inside abalones, or oysters, affixed to the metal underneath. There are small bolts, visible in the photos, running along the top and the bottom, holding the mother-of-pearl pieces in place.
The headwaters of the Mississippi River. On the far side of the rock barrier is Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota and on this side of the rock barrier is the start of the Great Mississippi River.
An Anishinaabe getting his feet wet in the Headwater of the Mississippi.
IMO: Landscape views are always prettier when there is water in them. Animals too .. food .. lol
Maybe I'm weird but I always feel more overall at peace when I live not far from a body of freshwater myself... Lakes, steams, rivers. LOL Oceans don't count.
But in pictures for me oceans are fine... Yep maybe weird... O well.
Very special photos Kavika. It is hard to believe that the mighty Mississippi river begins its life in such a small, shallow and a rather unimpressive way.
Interesting fact, the Mississippi runs due north for the first 20 miles and flows into Lake Bemidji (crossing waters) then due east for 100 miles then turns south for over 2,000 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.
That is very interesting information, Kavika. I have never read or heard of the Mississippi river head waters running in those different directions before flowing South across America and into the Gulf of Mexico.
Great array of photos, G. The area surrounding the city looks rather desert like. A very interesting place to visit. Thank you for sharing these photos with us.
Thanks, Dig. Spain has a rich and varied history. Because the Moors inhabited parts of Spain for several hundred years, the Moorish (Muslim) influence is very strong, especially in regards to architecture. The word "Alcazar" is, of course, Moorish. The Moors were North African Muslims who first conquered most of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), which they called al-Andalus, beginning in 711 A.D. Today, the southern Spanish province where Seville, Cordoba and Granada are located is called Andalucia. Andalucia was under Moorish control from the 8th-15th centuries.
Nicest coloured Morning Glory I've ever seen. The back yard of the home I grew up in had Morning Glories, but just mundane colour. The centre of that one seems to glow.
That's a very interesting photo of the flower, Steve. The flower looks like it is actually alive with the bright eye in the center. A very well photographed flower for a very interesting effect.
Cute little tweeters, Mac. The one in the middle looks like his feathers are a bit ruffled...could be due to what the bird in front of it is saying. I gather the smaller one is keeping its distance from the other two.
I worked my butt off in Florida, Good money though. I retired in Phoenix , NO hurricanes to wipe out everything I worked my butt off to earn.
Personally, I liked FL much better, I miss my lakes and the ocean and the long days from having large bodies of water on both sides of the state reflecting the sun.
Lots of sunny long days in FL with plenty of time to work full time and still have plenty of time to play as well each day !.
Great photos of very lovely places, steve. I have been to Pheonix a few times, but, it is good to see parts of it I have never seen while there. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I thought of that as well, steve. Especially, the one of the girl with her back arched so closely. Unless she is double jointed she may certainly have some problems with her back later in years. Even if she is double jointed, she might still have some back issues when she grows older.
Makes my back hurt just looking at her act. (grin)
I think that the photo of the man contemplating the water is tremendous in its subject matter, composition and monochromatic color scheme highlighted by the blue cap and a bit of greenery.
The kit fox was born in and lives in the woods behind my back yard; it was born last year. The den is a depression and tunnel under the root ball of a huge, fallen tree, which, you see behind the kit.
Thank you very much Buzz. I'm just happy that you like and enjoy my creations. However you word the way you feel about my artwork, it is always very much appreciated. (smile)
Yes, this IS a special group. It's great to have, along with a few other special interest ones where there are no members who seem to be here for no other reason but to insult other members which I guess gets them their kicks since they have no interest in anything intellectual or creative.
A very strong, effective composition in a number of ways; the skull's diagonals lead the viewer's eye to a kind of horizon along a lower third created by the subject's folded legs, beyond which is an "arch" formed by the upper body and raised arms and ceremonial objects that frames it all contextually and beautifully!
I was playing with layers a while back, trying to make something look like it was coming out of something else. I couldn't do it very well, but yours is great. Nice job.
Thank you Dig. Indeed layering can be very difficult. It took me a while to learn the technique and being able to get the effect I want. It takes more than one step to get the right look. It also depends on what your editing software will allow and/or provide. I use PowerPoint as well as CorelDraw for the different artwork, as one provides features that PowerPoint does not, and vise versa. But, PowerPoint is my main editing and creating software.
I was a Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for several years, and I tested a good many of their various software. When I showed some of the PowerPoint developers some of my artwork they were really surprised, as PowerPoint is meant for creating presentations and Kiosks for business promotions and advertising. They had never thought of it being used the way I was using it.
I was thinking it was suppose to bloom before leafing out though.
I just went out to check one of mine and yeah, there's tiny flowers coming out but no regular leaves yet.
Maybe yours is too young, or it's still too soon after the shipping ordeal. It's also a different variety than mine, so maybe the blooms are still on the way. At any rate, I hope it grows a good amount for you this summer. If it does, you should surely get to see it bloom next year.
They didn't exactly send it to you in the best condition. The root ball was all dried out, wasn't it? I'd say you did just fine bringing it back to life. It looks like it's putting out nice, healthy leaves. It might grow well for you this year.
It made me laugh to see her kind of slam into the birdhouse with that big bunch moss the first time. I think she had smaller amounts after that, or maybe she just didn't let it block her vision so much.
Or he. I'm not actually sure which one builds the nest. Maybe they both do, for all I know. It sure looked like only one of them was doing all the work, though.
Both male and female chickadees excavate a cavity in a site usually selected by the female. Once the nest chamber is hollowed out (it averages 21 cm deep) the female builds the cup-shaped nest hidden within, using moss and other coarse material for the foundation and lining it with softer material such as rabbit fur.
Looks like your team won in overtime and will advance. I haven't been following. I'm not much of a basketball fan. Football is about the only sport I watch anymore.
A piebald or pied animal is one that has a pattern of unpigmented spots on a pigmented background of hair, feathers or scales. Thus a piebald brown and white squirrel, is a brown squirrel with white spots. The animal's skin under the white is not pigmented.
Same here, Pat, and they all had rather pale blue eyes. I am a devoted horse lover and practically grew up riding horses, and I have seen a very wide variety of different horses, and the piebald ones are really beautiful.
Those are amazing photos, Pat. I know that various animals have different colored fur that live in varied parts of the country, and I have seen some of them myself in the different states where I have lived over the years. But....I have never seen a 'blond' squirrel. Reds, grays, browns, etc. but never a 'blond' one.
I'm very glad that you posted these photos so I can add a 'blond' squirrel to my list of awesome wonders of the Creators' pranks.
Tonight's full moon, low in the sky but above the trees, still with a little of that just-above-the-horizon color. I forgot about it and missed it when it was first coming up and almost certainly more colorful.
I'm going out later when it's higher, to hopefully get that big, clear, full moon shot I've been waiting for (bright overnight white).
I'm going out later when it's higher, to hopefully get that big, clear, full moon shot I've been waiting for (bright overnight white).
Here we go. This is exactly the shot I've been waiting for. Edited slightly for sharpness and contrast. I wonder how well this would print? I may try tomorrow and see.
This massive sculpture is located in the mountains of Sichuan Province as a memorial to those who lost their lives there during the great 2008 earthquake that wiped out whole communities. You can tell its size by comparing with the people observing it in the bottom left of the photo.
Yes, it is the basic shape of a Chinese "junk", but with many figures carved into it.
Chinese junk . Boats were an important way of getting around in Ancient China. Wooden sailing ships, called junks , were used by merchants to carry goods along rivers and canals or by sea. They were also used by pirates , who stole from the merchant ships. Junks were the first ships to have rudders, which allowed them to be steered easily.
If you've read the headline, you'll see it appears that this week's article is a bit different … and it is.
Below is a link to an article Buzz posted earlier this week, and, it should not go unnoticed … so … below is "the link" alluded to in the headline. Please check it out.
As for the rest of the headline … the "abstract" refers to two new paintings I did this week, and, the "surreal," to the image atop the article.
POST WHAT YOU'VE GOT ladies & gents.
Love your new paintings, Mac. They are truly awesome.
can't decide, I like'em both.
Thanks for the "link" concept, but it appears after two days to have been entirely ineffective. However, I'm not at all surprised that the topic of vintage cameras doen't quite match politics or even movies anyway.
I liked your camera article.
I have a new lamp for my fishroom. It's a mid-century modern Royal Haeger Leaping Fish. I got a good deal on it with an original shade, but there are a couple of dings on the lamp and part of the finial is broken off. If anyone ever finds a replacement finial anywhere I'd love to have it.
Love your new lamp, EG. And the original lamp shade makes it even more awesome.
I shop a lot of antique stores but don’t recall seeing this model of lamp yet. I’ll keep my eyes peeled in the future. Maybe I’ll find an identical one that is busted up but has an intact finial. Happens more often than you think.
That would be great, Hal! Thanks so much!
I like the lamp.
You would probably like to have a fish bottle opener...
By fishroom I assume you mean the room with your aquaria. Love the lamp.
Yes. I have to get some new shelving and move around some junk first and then start setting up my aquariums down in the basement. I'll be taking most of the back half.
I think this is one of my best edits. So I found this piece when I was in Greece, and was so amazed with its detail that I had to have it and haggled the price down to something reasonable. Mind you, getting a piece of art like this home from an over seas trip is a bit harrowing. I took all kinds of precautions wrapping it up and babying it in my carry on luggage, then freaked out on a stewardess who told me my bag was too big so it had to go in checked luggage. I got it home safe and unscathed, and hung it with a large group of other pieces, where it just didn’t get the honor it deserved for a couple years. We just had a new bathroom built in the basement, for which my wife took full control of the design. It looks great, but I saw an opportunity to showcase this piece without it having to compete with other pieces. She relented (unwillingly), and now this hangs above the toilet, where I can stare into her eyes while I get rid of my morning coffee. I haven’t turned to stone yet!
Here’s the funny part - when I got home from Greece, I then checked Amazon to see if anything like it was available. The exact same piece was there for the same price I haggled this one down to. Lol. It’s even cheaper now.
Indeed your editing skills are greatly improving, Hal. And it now has its own display room. Enjoy the go! (grin)
Thanks Raven. What I don’t like is how whatever I post here loses resolution when I post it. I don’t know if it’s because I only access this site with my phone or what, but this image on my phone is much sharper in my photo library than what gets posted here. It’s been an issue forever that I haven’t been able to resolve.
I can understand the frustration, Hal. My problem is that many of the artwork that I post devolves into the default hat image not long after posting it, or at least a day or so later, and I not anyone here on NT has an answer as to why.
Although,from my end, your image looks very clear and and really vibrant. But, I am looking at it from my Monitor, not from a phone of some sort which I don't have.
Scary Medusa!
We have brought art and other decorative objects home from foreign trips and it can be quite a hassle, carrying boxes on the plane, hoping nothing breaks.
LOL. I'd put that up ACROSS from my toilet, so I'd never have constipation - it would scare the shit out of me.
wow, an amazing likeness of the ex during my divorce.
LMAO.. Reminds me of mine too, but it's missing the sword and fire..
You guys are funny.
Friday has arrived again. And here is my new artwork to celebrate....
That is very nice, Raven Wing. What does everything in the picture represent?
These are some of the various items that Shamans and Medicine Men/Women use while performing their religious and/or healing ceremonies.
That's interesting. Does each item have a different power or attribute?
It depends on what it is being used for. The item that you see smoking is a bit of burning Sage that is used during a healing ceremony for cleansing and purifying the Soul and Spirit, and for getting rid of evil spirits. It is also used for 'Smudging' ceremonies, which are for much the same purpose, and depending on the traditions of the various Tribes.
While some similar traditions are shared among many Tribes, there are also many different traditions among the many Tribes.
Everything about that image is amazing, including framing that could not possibly be a better match to enhance the image.
Thank you very much, Buzz. I'm very glad that you like both the primary image and the framing. I truly appreciate your kind words.
This fish is a bottle opener from Mexico. It stands if the tail is bent for balance.
Beautiful openers, G. The scales and other components look as if they are the insides of various seashells.
It's actually just one opener with the photos taken of it lying flat and upright. I just noticed that the colors of the shells look different in the two photos, but that must be due to how the light reflected at different angles. It is about 8 inches long.
I guess the way one is laying down and the other is standing up made it look like there were two of them. It really is a very unique looking bottle opener.
I am really fond of the various patterns of the insides of such shells. They can be made into very beautiful jewelry as well.
I have had it for a long time, but I have never used it to open a bottle. We have it on display as an art piece.
My guess is that the shells are mother-of-pearl from inside abalones, or oysters, affixed to the metal underneath. There are small bolts, visible in the photos, running along the top and the bottom, holding the mother-of-pearl pieces in place.
Quite unique - a fish you could catch using bottle caps for bait.
Very cool!
My seaside dream cottage
© CZG 2021
That is a beautiful painting. I would love to have a seaside cottage.
A really beautiful work of art, pink. Very nicely painted, and nicely framed.
Well done!
Lovely. I once saw something like that in real life - a cottage by a beach on Nantucket Island with roses growing up its sides and on its roof.
Living by an ocean is many people's dream home... Till they own one.
Salt water destroys everything !! All it takes is time.
PS: I know from experience. Never again !
Looking more French Impressionist with each painting!
monet is my favorite.
The headwaters of the Mississippi River. On the far side of the rock barrier is Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota and on this side of the rock barrier is the start of the Great Mississippi River.
An Anishinaabe getting his feet wet in the Headwater of the Mississippi.
Very pretty !
IMO: Landscape views are always prettier when there is water in them. Animals too .. food .. lol
Maybe I'm weird but I always feel more overall at peace when I live not far from a body of freshwater myself... Lakes, steams, rivers. LOL Oceans don't count.
But in pictures for me oceans are fine... Yep maybe weird... O well.
Cool photos, Kavika.
Very special photos Kavika. It is hard to believe that the mighty Mississippi river begins its life in such a small, shallow and a rather unimpressive way.
Interesting fact, the Mississippi runs due north for the first 20 miles and flows into Lake Bemidji (crossing waters) then due east for 100 miles then turns south for over 2,000 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.
That is very interesting information, Kavika. I have never read or heard of the Mississippi river head waters running in those different directions before flowing South across America and into the Gulf of Mexico.
Thank you for the added information.
An afternoon in Segovia, Spain.
Segovia is an ancient city dating to pre-Roman times. It is fairly compact in size.
The aqueduct is Roman from the late 1st to early 2nd century A.D. It ends in the middle of the city.
The Segovia Cathedral is the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain.
The Alcazar is a royal palace that dates from at least 1122 A.D.
Views of Segovia and surrounding area from the Alcazar
In the city
Great photo essay, G.
Thanks, Kavika
Well done! Photo essays like these make our Group especially viable, providing "education" as well as aesthetics!
Thank you!
Damn!!! I was only in Madrid, Toledo, Malaga and Marbella - wish I had seen more of Spain. You have captured so many fascinating sites there.
Spain is a very historic, interesting country. It was fun visiting there. And the food is great!
Great array of photos, G. The area surrounding the city looks rather desert like. A very interesting place to visit. Thank you for sharing these photos with us.
Thanks, Raven Wing. It's not desert, but it was certainly arid in that part of Spain at the time of our visit.
I guess the area outside of the city in photo #6 looks much like a desert behind the city that made me think it was in a desert area.
It was very dry.
Absolutely spectacular set of photos! Now, that's a town with some history -- a Roman aqueduct, a Muslim fortress, and a Christian cathedral.
Outstanding, G.
Thanks, Dig. Spain has a rich and varied history. Because the Moors inhabited parts of Spain for several hundred years, the Moorish (Muslim) influence is very strong, especially in regards to architecture. The word "Alcazar" is, of course, Moorish. The Moors were North African Muslims who first conquered most of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), which they called al-Andalus, beginning in 711 A.D. Today, the southern Spanish province where Seville, Cordoba and Granada are located is called Andalucia. Andalucia was under Moorish control from the 8th-15th centuries.
Still looking for my pictures of the Spanish Skirts.
Meanwhile, thanks for the Morning Glory, Steve.
Nicest coloured Morning Glory I've ever seen. The back yard of the home I grew up in had Morning Glories, but just mundane colour. The centre of that one seems to glow.
Very beautiful flower.
What's the story Morning Glory...
I usually hate vines but I did have those on a front fence long ago. Not as invasive as some other vines and easier to control.
That's a very interesting photo of the flower, Steve. The flower looks like it is actually alive with the bright eye in the center. A very well photographed flower for a very interesting effect.
I took that nearly 20 years ago. I had my just bought my first digital camera and was playing with settings. I thought it turned out pretty cool.
That it did, Steve. You did very well.
Interesting geology - whare is that?
Northern New Mexico.
Interesting red rock formation.
Heading to Saturday. Thanks to all for the good beginning.
Three for our three day weekend.
House Sparrows
© A. Mac/A.G.
That is a terrific photo.
One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and the fourth already left.
Cute little tweeters, Mac. The one in the middle looks like his feathers are a bit ruffled...could be due to what the bird in front of it is saying. I gather the smaller one is keeping its distance from the other two.
The Hoover dam and Colorado River.
The photo was taken in October 2010 from the just complete Mike O'Callahan and Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.
This is a photo of the bridge.
Great photos, Kavika.
Dam good photos, Kavika.
WOW !
Those are great photo, Kavika. The dam and the bridge are very impressive. The tour of the dam is really interesting. We were there about 3 years ago.
Pat Tillman is truly a great American hero.
Mike O'Callahan besides being the governor of Nevada was a war hero as well.
U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army
Years of service 1946–1948
1950–1952
Battles/wars Korean War
Awards Bronze Star ribbon.svg Bronze Star
Silver Star ribbon.svg Silver Star
Purple Heart BAR.svg Purple Heart Shapre'
That's interesting. Thanks for the info.
Melbourne Fl
Phoenix Az
Places to retire to? Both look pretty good to me.
I worked my butt off in Florida, Good money though. I retired in Phoenix , NO hurricanes to wipe out everything I worked my butt off to earn.
Personally, I liked FL much better, I miss my lakes and the ocean and the long days from having large bodies of water on both sides of the state reflecting the sun.
Lots of sunny long days in FL with plenty of time to work full time and still have plenty of time to play as well each day !.
BUT, I do not miss those damn hurricanes !
Nice photos, Steve.
Thank you Gsquaed
Great photos of very lovely places, steve. I have been to Pheonix a few times, but, it is good to see parts of it I have never seen while there. Thank you for sharing it with us.
You're welcome Ravan, Although Phoenix is dry as Hell there are some man made ponds.. Sad after Fl though.
Here's a guy who knows how to use his head...
..
Here's a girl who knows how to use her teeth....
.
And here's a guy who just wants to think about it....
Great photos, Buzz. Those acrobats are really impressive.
I agree, but I do wonder if they pay for it in the long run.
I thought of that as well, steve. Especially, the one of the girl with her back arched so closely. Unless she is double jointed she may certainly have some problems with her back later in years. Even if she is double jointed, she might still have some back issues when she grows older.
Makes my back hurt just looking at her act. (grin)
Mine too Raven. OUCH !!
I think that the photo of the man contemplating the water is tremendous in its subject matter, composition and monochromatic color scheme highlighted by the blue cap and a bit of greenery.
Thank you GG.
It's Saturday, my friends!
© A.Mac/A.G.
Is that a pup by you?
The closest I get to nature (unless I go for a drive) is seeing a dead possum on the road.
The kit fox was born in and lives in the woods behind my back yard; it was born last year. The den is a depression and tunnel under the root ball of a huge, fallen tree, which, you see behind the kit.
What a cute little fox it is too. Great photo, Mac.
Could that be an ad for a movie?
.
Here is one for Saturday.....
I'm running out of superlatives - having to get repetative - that is a totally magnificent creation.
Thank you very much Buzz. I'm just happy that you like and enjoy my creations. However you word the way you feel about my artwork, it is always very much appreciated. (smile)
One more before Sunday, and, once again, a thank you to all who make this Group special.
A Bald Eagle takes Off
© A. Mac/A.G.
Yes, this IS a special group. It's great to have, along with a few other special interest ones where there are no members who seem to be here for no other reason but to insult other members which I guess gets them their kicks since they have no interest in anything intellectual or creative.
A great photo of the Bald Eagle taking flight, Mac. And beautiful editing of the photo as well.
This morning's sunrise and tonight's sunset. Stone Creek, Ocala, FL.
The second one is perfect.
Those are beautiful, Kavika. A perfect start and end to the day.
I've rarely seen such a beautiful sunrise, certainly not here.
Fantastic photos.
Beautiful shots, Kav.
My contribution. Makes me feel like I am giving something. Haha
An excellent contribution - did you buy one?
Yeah, that was mine. I am wearing it now.
Moving on to Sunday.......
A smudging ritual?
Yes, Buzz, it is.
A very strong, effective composition in a number of ways; the skull's diagonals lead the viewer's eye to a kind of horizon along a lower third created by the subject's folded legs, beyond which is an "arch" formed by the upper body and raised arms and ceremonial objects that frames it all contextually and beautifully!
IMO, RW, this is a "masterpiece"!
Thank you so much, Mac, and I truly appreciate your great compliment. It means a great deal.
That is really spectacular, Raven Wing.
Thank you, G. I sincerely appreciate it.
Sunset over the Yellow River
That is a beauty, Buzz.
I agree with Kavika, it truly is a beautiful sunset. And the reflection on the waters edge is awesome.
Very nice photo.
Sunday!
It's TROUT SEASON in Pennsylvania … and … even the paraphernalia of the fly-tying, fly fisherman, is a joy to behold.
© A. Mac/A.G.
Looks like a work in progress, Mac. And one that is a lot of fun. Good luck with your fishing.
As I've said before, IMO the consummate fisherman is the fly fisherman who ties his/her own flies.
One more for Sunday.....
I was playing with layers a while back, trying to make something look like it was coming out of something else. I couldn't do it very well, but yours is great. Nice job.
Thank you Dig. Indeed layering can be very difficult. It took me a while to learn the technique and being able to get the effect I want. It takes more than one step to get the right look. It also depends on what your editing software will allow and/or provide. I use PowerPoint as well as CorelDraw for the different artwork, as one provides features that PowerPoint does not, and vise versa. But, PowerPoint is my main editing and creating software.
I was a Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for several years, and I tested a good many of their various software. When I showed some of the PowerPoint developers some of my artwork they were really surprised, as PowerPoint is meant for creating presentations and Kiosks for business promotions and advertising. They had never thought of it being used the way I was using it.
Live and learn as they say.
Very nice, RW,
Thank you very much, Kavika. I am really glad that you like it.
The mesmerizing gaze of the wolf, blended so perfectly into the burl. It says to me "I know who you are."
Thanks Buzz. And I get that feeling as well when looking into the Wolf's eyes. It's like the Wolf is looking deep into my soul.
A stormy evening yesterday...
Budding leaves, silhouetted against storm clouds with the sun peeking through...
From today, a crab apple in bloom (and just a hint of new green in the woods behind)...
Looking up the side...
Zoomed in on a blossom...
Hyacinths still blooming...
Wild bluets...
Pileated woodpeckers...
Looks like I'm having chickadees instead of wrens in the hanging bird house this year...
A short video of them working on their nest yesterday...
Ok, ya'll are upsetting me...Haha
I can sit in my backyard and look at my neighbors privacy fence....
Lol. Hey, how's your new redbud? Coming back to life yet?
I looked earlier and it just now has new growth sprouting out.
So the little one survived the winter.
I was thinking it was suppose to bloom before leafing out though.
I just went out to check one of mine and yeah, there's tiny flowers coming out but no regular leaves yet.
Maybe yours is too young, or it's still too soon after the shipping ordeal. It's also a different variety than mine, so maybe the blooms are still on the way. At any rate, I hope it grows a good amount for you this summer. If it does, you should surely get to see it bloom next year.
Yeah, looks nothing like mine. Just went out and took a pic.
Pay no attention to the clover taking over my yard...Haha
A small branch but looks like leaves. I figure nothing this year.
It is still only about four ft., little guy.
I am happy it is surviving though.
First tree I ever planted myself. Sad for a tree hugger, I know...
They didn't exactly send it to you in the best condition. The root ball was all dried out, wasn't it? I'd say you did just fine bringing it back to life. It looks like it's putting out nice, healthy leaves. It might grow well for you this year.
And clover is good for the bees.
Well hopefully next year. Haha
What it is suppose to look like.
Very nice series of photos, Dig.
Moving day but no moving van.
It made me laugh to see her kind of slam into the birdhouse with that big bunch moss the first time. I think she had smaller amounts after that, or maybe she just didn't let it block her vision so much.
Or he. I'm not actually sure which one builds the nest. Maybe they both do, for all I know. It sure looked like only one of them was doing all the work, though.
I saw that and had to replay it to be sure I saw it correctly...LOL, blinded by moss.
I just looked it up at All About Birds. The female builds the nest.
It doesn't explain how they get the rabbit fur.
Great "animal behavior" video & perfect musical accompaniment!
I'm glad someone liked that.
Your skills and creativity grow by leaps and bounds.
Thanks, Buzz.
Terrific photos. Dig. Nice flowers. The woodpeckers are really beautiful. The video is great and your musical pick is perfect. It makes the video.
Watching the UCLA-Alabama game now. It just went into halftime with UCLA ahead 40-29. Go Bruins!!!!!
Thanks.
Looks like your team won in overtime and will advance. I haven't been following. I'm not much of a basketball fan. Football is about the only sport I watch anymore.
It was a really exciting game.
March Madness is a lot of fun.
Blond squirrels...
I've never seen a white (albino?) squirrel before. Even in wooded areas I've not seen one squirrel where I am now - but I don't wonder why.
I was just about to say that. I have never seen one before.
These aren't albino, just very blond for some reason.
A piebald or pied animal is one that has a pattern of unpigmented spots on a pigmented background of hair, feathers or scales. Thus a piebald brown and white squirrel, is a brown squirrel with white spots. The animal's skin under the white is not pigmented.
Doxies come in a variety of colors/combos one is the piebald and it's very popular among doxie owners.
Interesting, thanks A. Mac. I've only ever seen piebald horses.
That's a cutie.
Another addition to my 'never seen before' list. I have seen a lot of different Doxies, but, the piebald Doxie is a new one for me. And it is a cutie.
Same here, Pat, and they all had rather pale blue eyes. I am a devoted horse lover and practically grew up riding horses, and I have seen a very wide variety of different horses, and the piebald ones are really beautiful.
That's really cool, Pat.
There's a gray squirrel around here that has really light colored ears, but I've never seen anything like that before.
Thanks !
Those are amazing photos, Pat. I know that various animals have different colored fur that live in varied parts of the country, and I have seen some of them myself in the different states where I have lived over the years. But....I have never seen a 'blond' squirrel. Reds, grays, browns, etc. but never a 'blond' one.
I'm very glad that you posted these photos so I can add a 'blond' squirrel to my list of awesome wonders of the Creators' pranks.
Thanks to all for another outstanding three day weekend; I will lock this one down on Monday morning.
Tonight's full moon, low in the sky but above the trees, still with a little of that just-above-the-horizon color. I forgot about it and missed it when it was first coming up and almost certainly more colorful.
I'm going out later when it's higher, to hopefully get that big, clear, full moon shot I've been waiting for (bright overnight white).
That's really is a beautiful shot, Dig. It is not only very colorful, but, it is very big as well. Excellent photo!
Outstanding, Dig.
Put some pepperoni on it and it'll hit your eye like a big pizza pie. Can they use green cheese to make pizza?
Here we go. This is exactly the shot I've been waiting for. Edited slightly for sharpness and contrast. I wonder how well this would print? I may try tomorrow and see.
Great shot, Dig! Totally awesome.
This massive sculpture is located in the mountains of Sichuan Province as a memorial to those who lost their lives there during the great 2008 earthquake that wiped out whole communities. You can tell its size by comparing with the people observing it in the bottom left of the photo.
Cool, Buzz. Is it supposed to be reminiscent of a boat? Are those sails at the top?
Yes, it is the basic shape of a Chinese "junk", but with many figures carved into it.
That is truly a wonderful work of art. Thank you for sharing it with us, Buzz.
Closing shop 'til Friday; thanks again.