Just Ducky

These ducks are using a section of the iced over harbor on the Main River in Hassfurt as a “rest stop” of sorts. A little known fact about the duck is that it is a clean bird. Given the opportunity, a duck would prefer not to use the water it swims and eats in as a bathroom. Here, ducks are using a section of the ice for just that purpose. Look closely at the photograph and you will notice several “spots” used as open-air urinals.

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Getting Outside

We have time these days to get out and enjoy the weather. It doesn’t matter if it is cold and snowing like it was today. And it doesn’t matter if all we do is walk to the store and back.

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Kaufhaus Mendel

Kaufhaus Mendel

Originally uploaded by kilgorebrian13

This is a large old house in the middle of town. It’s empty and I think it is or soon will be for sale. If I had the money, I would love to renovate it, and would live there, even though it is on the main street through town.

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Compare

Here are the two versions of “GLORIA.” I straightened the original and then used the “faintlavender” filter from optikVerve Labs Virtual Photographer add in to Adobe Elements. Nothing else was needed (in my opinion) to make this photo a little more interesting.

Unedited original

Edited Version

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Marktplatz 1

No. 973

Originally uploaded by kilgorebrian13

A roof top display at the Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt with the Rathaus in the background. This is a real Christmas display with a real building in the background. I played with the original some to get this unreal effect.

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August II der Starke / Elector of Saxony

August II der Starke

Originally uploaded by kilgorebrian13

Also known as Augustus II, by the grace of God, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania, Ruthenia, Prussia, Masovia, Samogitia, Livonia, Kiev, Volhynia, Podolia, Smolensk, Severia and Chernihiv, and Hereditary Duke and Prince-Elector of Saxony, etc.

As Elector of Saxony, he is perhaps best remembered as a patron of the arts and architecture. He established the Saxon capital of Dresden as a major cultural centre, attracting artists and musicians from across Europe to his court. Augustus also amassed an impressive art collection and built fantastic baroque palaces at Dresden and Warsaw.

He was also King of Poland. Twice.

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Dam

Dam

Originally uploaded by kilgorebrian13

There wasn’t much going on this morning. Walked over the Main River and a floodgate was down a little, I suppose to drop the water level behind it.

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Reeds and Trees

The wind was blowing pretty hard this morning as I walked the Mainaue between Hassfurt and Augsfeld. But it was still when I took this picture of the trees behind some reeds which grow near the water around here. Judging by how the reeds are growing, the wind must blow pretty steady in one direction most of the time.

I wasn’t quite sure where I was going this morning, but as I continued on a path it eventually made a loop completely around the small lake that is part of the flood plain. Swans are nesting on the back side of this lake. I had never seen swans in flight until this morning, when three of them circled overhead before landing on the far side of the lake. By the time I made it around to where they had landed, the clouds had rolled in. 

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Sunrise

Every morning I try to get out early and wander on foot in different directions. I’m trying to learn my way around the area, plus I prefer sunrise to sunset for picture taking. Since I’m an early riser, this works out better for me.

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The Main River

It seems I can’t stay away from the Main River in the mornings. Sitting right on the bank as the Gaisburg came by heading upriver, I nearly was swamped by its deceptively gentle looking wake.

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