oldest and still active

 

I appreciate how much information is included in these Lithuanian lighthouse stamps. 

Originally built in 1796, this one was completely destroyed in WWII and reconstructed and renovated in 1953.  The focal height is 44 metres and the light range is 33 km (21 mi, or 18 nautical miles)

collared

 is he happy, or not?

CATURDAY

chateau

 Fontainebleau

and a long view

Fountainebleau is one of the largest French royal chateaux.  It was a favourite hunting lodge of the kings but was gradually transformed into a genuine palace and became a museum and a Unesco World Heritage Site 

x, y, z

xeric plants

above, rachet fruits are known for a high antioxident content and are used to reduce inflammation and lower blood sugar

while the chandelier plant helps to relieve belly aches and is used as a tea to soothe coughs, colds and flu

The buff tail on the queen is an orangish brown colour, while the males and workers tails are more a pale off white.   They can stay awake during winter and will continue to forage during the warmer days.

 

A double collared sunbird from southern Africa.  He's an energetic little guy with a bright, metallic green head and breast with a narrow metallic blue band separating the larger bright red band from the green breast.

and so we have come to our final alphabet week for Sunday Stamps (for now).   It has been a fun ride with so many interesting, and sometimes truly unique and unexpected selections!

sleeping cat

on a Greek Island 

CATURDAY

houses

Tchaikovsky Memorial House

Japan

tenement houses

some different styles of houses for Thursday Postcard Hunt

woody

 

a wood duck a "resplendent denizen of woodland waterways" and a pileated woodpecker which shares many characteristics with the cartoon character Woody Woodpecker

serenade

 Kalinka-Malinka   this fast paced song is a playful plea for a beautiful girl to fall in love with the singer

how do we feel about the accordian?

CATURDAY

three churches

St James Anglican Church, St John's Evangelical Lutheran, and Trinity United

there are other churches in this small town, but these are the ones that get all the glory - and the photographs!

Over in Romania is this painted church, one of eight that are UNESCO listed

a 1970s view of the Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik

and,  Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin

a new month and a new theme of architecture. first up: churches.  next week: houses