More from the aquarium.

One of the most disappointing things about the Venice trip was that the Doge's Palace and Old Prison were partially hidden by hoardings to cover up restoration work being carried out on them. The hoardings were advertising something or other, apparently allowed to do so as they were sponsoring some of the work. This left the Bridge Of Sighs looking very sad (IMO):

St. Mary in the Mountains Church in Virginia City, Nevada, built in 1879 during the town's silver mining boom days. I shot this on Kodachrome in September 1966. That's my mother, brother and, mostly obscured, my father walking down the street.

Too bad about the Bridge of Sighs, Martin. It's normally a particularly beautiful, evocative and melancholy sight.

Tredici, I am in awe of your barn owl shot. Absolutely stunning!

I almost didn't post this one, as it's a lousy photo, but a beautiful bird. My gardener pointed it out to me this morning, it took me a good two minutes to see it. By the time I got my camera I had time for one shot only before it flew off. It's a Blue-Crowned Motmot, a member of the kingfisher family. It has a gorgeous long tail with raquet tips which are hidden in this photo by a leaf. (Grr, I know... lousy shot... why am I posting it.... )

You can see the gorgeous tail on this wiki page.
This is the reason why I had such a hard time spotting it.

The original, flanked by the new kids on the block.



The one on the right was the unnamed experimental version, the one on the left is the newer version with the ridiculous name, (which hopefully will be replaced soon), and the one in the middle is the stuff that the wussy English cannot eat.

Just had to post this picture for Satuguru. The train leaving Agen station heading to Toulous, France.

One more from the aquarium then I will stop, these are very small and some kind of eel, they are more like the size of earthworms.

Those look like Garden Eels Sue. Hard to be sure as they are very shy and divers can't get close enough to see them properly - they go back into their burrows whey you approach. Very nich shot.

Fantastic photos, everyone! Tredici, now that everybody has hugged Chicky, it's my turn! I have always wanted a miniature, long-haired dachsund. Mags, your tri-pod photo had me laughing, and I'm inviting myself over for some Baileys.

I was traveling behind this truck yesterday on the New Jersey Turnpike and wondered how Angela felt about having her name on the back of this truck.

While we were in Venice I just had to go to see the Rialto bridge, thankfully unspoilt by restoration works! It really was very interesting to see such a unique bridge with the shops either side. A roaring trade in umbrellas was done on the day!

Nice train Lady! And I have actually driven along what must have been the length of the New Jersey Turnpike when we bussed it round a lot of the States in 1980.

This is a typical view of Hampstead Heath as the leaves turn red and yellow.

Enjoyable aquarium shots, sue, bring 'em on. Lady, that's an interesting roof in your train shot. Martin, another great holiday photo. Ozzz, "the one in the middle is the stuff that the wussy English cannot eat." LOL! . Sat, another nice autumnal shot of England. ClaraSue, funny the things you see on the road, eh? And you're welcome for Bailey's anytime!

Ok, today an artsy shot from me. "Silver ball bearings and Monet-esque flowers"

Thanks Mags, I took a lot yesterday as it was all looking very scenic. Here's one of the many ponds on the heath.

The church looked so pretty with the late afternoon sun yesterday, so I zoomed to max (it was well over a mile away) and captured the geese as well.

A cake which was made to celebrate my niece's partner return from Afghanistan!

The day after the Venice trip, we woke to find snow on the tops of the mountains and, thankfully, another bright & sunny day. This shows both quite well.

Oh Jane, I didn't know he was back. Best wishes! It's a super cake!

sue: I was disappointed to see the note where you said "I'll stop".. I was anxiously awaiting the next aquarium pic! I plan on uploading some of my own if I ever get my hard drive sorted out.

clarasue: giggled out loud at the possible relationship between the Angela and the "warning" on the truck lol

jane: very nice cake, but even nicer that he made it back : )

satguru: oh my but those woods would make an excellent halloween location with all those gnarly trees!

mags: that was a really neat link to the "where's waldo" (errm.. where's the dang bird) pic.. how did you do that?

lily: don't you just love those "happy accidents"? very nice pic.

tredici: I am insanely jealous about your owl photo. Most folks don't get to see one at ALL in the wild, never mind get a fabulous picture of one. Am submitting one from my "neck of the woods" (not nearly as nice as yours)

I thinnk both of the owl shots are fantastic.
Such a nice variety of photos lately - thanks to everyone for showing them.

ANother shot from the freak show .. a four eared lamb ...

Lovely cake Jane, glad he's back safe and sound. Friday's brought another round of interesting pics. (Lol at the lamb) Jakeroo, beautiful bird. How did I make the notes? Double left click on the photo, and type in note. Anyone can leave notes, not just the page owner.

Great cake Jane, and greater still that he's safely home! Love both owl pics, and Sue's aquarium pics, and the four-eared lamb!

Spotting this abandoned boot by the roadside had me thinking up all kinds of scenarios. Was the owner running for the bus, or away from a pursuer? Did the boot get caught in the bus door? Did a naughty three year old throw it out the car window? Perhaps it just fell from a moving van? It was gone when I passed the same spot today, 24 hours after taking the photo...

had any precipitation lately? Perhaps a wicked witch simply melted away LOL

I love the photos of Italy, Martin. The owls are beautiful.



Don Bosco Church, Matunga, Mumbai

had any precipitation lately? Perhaps a wicked witch simply melted away LOL

Ooh, Jakeroo, I hadn't thought of that!