This is a fantastic photograph.
WOW.
EYE POPPIN.

Thanks Ana! Been one of my favourites!

I have a flower photograph that is very similar.
Well, it's probably a total opposite, given that it's a flower, but otherwise, it's very much the same.
It's a dead flower...that's sorta close to rust.

Life is like a train ride. We get on. We ride. We get off. We get back on and ride some more. There are accidents and there are delays. At certain stops there are surprises. Some of these will translate into great moments of joy, some will result in profound sorrow.

When we are born and we first board the train, we meet people whom we think will be with us for the entire journey. Those people are our parents! Sadly, this is far from the truth.

Our parents are with us for as long as we absolutely need them. They too have journeys they must complete. We live on with the memories of their love, affection, friendship, guidance and their ever presence.

There are others who board the train and who eventually become very important to us, in turn.
These people are our brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances, whom we will learn to love, and cherish.

Some people consider their journey like a jaunty tour. They will just go merrily along. Others, will encounter many upsets, tears, losses on their journey.

Others still, will linger on to offer a helping hand to anyone in need. Some people on the train will leave an everlasting impression when they get off….

Some will get on and get off the train so quickly, they will scarsely leave a sign that they ever travelled along with you or ever crossed your path…

We will sometimes be upset that some passengers whom we love, will choose to sit in another compartment and leave us to travel on our own.

Then again, there’s nothing that says we can’t seek them out anyway.

Nevertheless, once sought out and found, we may not even be able to sit next to them because that seat will already be taken. That’s okay …everyone’s journey will be filled with hopes, dreams, challenges, setbacks and goodbyes.

We must strive to make the best of it… no matter what...
We must constantly strive to understand our travel companions and look for the best in everyone.

Remember that at any moment during our journey, any one of our travel companions can have a weak moment and be in need of our help. We too may vacilate or hesitate, even trip… hopefully we can count on someone being there to be supportive and understanding… The bigger mystery of our journey is that we don’t know when our last stop will come.

Neither do we know when our travel companions will make their last stop.

Not even those sitting in the seat next to us. Personally, I know I’ll be sad to make my final stop…. I’m sure of it!

My separation from all those friends and acquaintances I made during the train ride will be painful. Leaving all those I’m close to will be a sad thing. But then again, I’m certain that one day I’ll get to the main station only to meet up with everone else. They’ll all be carrying their baggage… most of which they didn’t have when they first got on this train.

I’ll be glad to see them again. I’ll also be glad to have contributed to their baggage… and to have enriched their lives, just as much as they will have contributed to my baggage and enriched my life.

We’re all on this train ride together. Above all, we should all try to strive to make the ride as pleasant and memorable as we can, right up until we each make the final stop and leave the train for the last time.

All aboard!
Safe journey!!
BON VOYAGE

Jealous!

hahaha, the kayak is loaded on my truck right now and I'm heading out for a paddle this morning.

I hope you had a great day!

Yup I did. Went back to this spot in fact. 10km's paddled and very sore arms this morning. Love it!

Beautiful

An old 1 room school house close to where I live. Unfortunately it burned to the ground this past winter and is now lost.

optimistic view!

Thanks Hampshire!!!

How lucky! It makes you wonder what she (he) was thinking when you made eye contact!

I suspect it was - should I run? or What a stupid fool. or Cheeeeeeese! :)

An old one room schoolhouse near where I live. This past winter it burned down and is lost forever.

A very special atmosphere, I like it, Scott. :)

Thanks Martine.

So special,yet sad...lucky they had you to capture it! Great day...so onimous!

I love the coloring. It makes the train look surreal. Merry! I'd try to see if the brown in the front could be cloned out. Very Polar Express!

That's a good idea hampshire to remove the brown and make it all snow. Would love to get rid of those power lines but I have up on them. Thanks!

Thanks for the tip Vernon, I primarily use mac these days put I'll put it on my old windows box and take a look, looks very interesting.

Well done. Great details and colors! The best HDR I ever seen. +fav

Very inviting!

That is really a fantastic shot.

Thanks folks!

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, Bermuda.

That lens-flare is crazy.

Ya it is :) Never realized how tough it would be to shoot a lighthouse at night. I wanted to go up and unscrew that light bulb on the building, it was killing me haha

Storm Approaching. Caught this one afternoon on my way home from work.

Yeah... sky is very dramatic and furious! Like the contrast of gray sky and green grass. Beautiful photo as always!

Daaaang. That sky feels heavy. Perfect for the topic.

Thanks Mikhail and Brandon! Was one of those luck catches you get driving sometimes.