Of course, as it is in the Netherlands, there could be no shortage of flowers, tulips are yet to come. Let's start with Muscaris (grape hyacinths), which I found in the most beautiful spring garden I have ever seen. Flowers and Helios lenses make fantastic combinations, look at this bokeh! 🪻🪻🪻
Gear:
• Sony α5000
• Helios 44-2 58mm f/2.0 (KMZ 1974)
• K&F M42-Sony E Adapter
We love nature, even one located under a glass roof. This is a huge strelitzia (our favorite houseplant), commonly known as the Bird of Paradise Plant. I took this photo in Amsterdam, at one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world called Hortus Botanicus, which was founded in 1638. 🪴🪴🪴
Last month I tagged along on a hunt to identify vernal pools. Vernal pools are seasonal wetlands covered by shallow water for variable periods from winter to spring. They may be completely dry during the summer and fall.
These photos were shot with my old Pentax Super-Takumar 300mm F4 lens manufactured between 1965 and 71. It's a beast, but I occasionally manage to get some good shots with it.
Yesterday Jewels and I hiked a fun trail at Avalanche Preserve in Boyne City, Michigan. This photo was taken at a relatively flat section, but there were lots of elevation changes with an overlook at the top.
This ancient city was commercially developed in the first century by colonial #Roman olive producers. By the end of the 4th century it had separated from the #RomanEmpire and collapsed, perhaps by earthquake; abandoned in the 11th century after it became a Muslim dynastic center.
Weird name, beautiful car, and an awesome world first: This is the Volvo Amazon, the first car to be sold with seatbelts as standard equipment — first as lap belts in the front, and again later with three-point belts. Quite the landmark moment, times two!
As for the name, the Amazon was named for the fierce warrior women of Greek mythology — not for the river, and not for the shitty retail megacorp. BUT! Thanks to a copyright conflict, the name could only be used in Sweden, and so this car was also the first Volvo with the brand's later familiar three-digit naming. Thus it was the 120 series in export markets.
Lastly, it was also the main inspiration for Peter Horbury's design of the 900/850-succeeding 1996 S80 and V70, bringing curves back to the Volvo brand. Ironic that it was among the models that saw Volvo move away from the three-number naming started with the Amazon/120.
This is a gem of a museum with a genuine throwback to another age. I enjoy wandering through the exhibits admiring the vast collection of #skeletons from around the world.
This tiny chapel is within the last remaining gate protecting the upper city of Zagreb. There was a fire here in the 17th century and the only thing to survive was an image of the Virgin Mary; the chapel has been a pilgrimage destination ever since. People come to light a candle and thank Mary for protecting them.
Hiking on a #cinderCone I could hear the mountain "breathe" - distinct low booms every minute or so, as if hungry. The landscape there is eerie black with #birch#tree forests in stark contrast. I stayed late in the evening for a light show of lava and hot boulders.
As we experience our 3rd consecutive overnight of late-April frost warnings here in Metro Detroit, I wanted to document our backyard magnolia blossoms before they brown and fall away. I don’t expect them to survive the week, but they at least had a longer run than they did last Spring.
The #AnnenbergEstate, built in 1966, was a winter retreat for media mogul Walter #Annenberg. It hosted many world leaders and celebrities over the years. Now it is open to the public to visit the spectacular home and gardens.
I just played around with my new vintage lens that's over 50 years old, and I'm surprised at how sharp it is, even when connected to a teleconverter.
Gear:
• Sony α6400
• Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135 mm f/3.5 (3rd version, zebra, early 1970s)
• Soligor Auto Tele Converter 2X to fit Pentax M42 (Japan)
• K&F M42-Sony E Adapter