Sunday Selections #248

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  I am continuing the 'home and away' theme this week.

Starting with home.  And, because I am consistent  boring, I am again going to feature the sky, the garden and some birds.

 

A galah.  

A long-billed corella, who looks as if he/she could give a ferocious nip.  They are strictly vegetarian though - with the exception that they do nip the pigeons wings and tails.

Himself is in Amsterdam at the moment.  He has seen Van Gogh's Starry Night and Edvard Munch's The Scream which fills me with envy.

However, before I share some of Amsterdam just a few more from Russia, all again taken at the Hermitage in St Peterburg.  These took over ten days to reach me due to my email issues, but I loved them.

 That is a candlestick!!!

 Loved the parquet flooring

Also flooring.

And now to Amsterdam.

The flower markets.  How I wish he could bring some of those bulbs home...

Another canal tour.  Beautiful isn't it?

An entrance to the Amsterdam Museum.

.These are at another entrance to the museum, described as a walkable piece of art.  I am not certain I would feel comfortable walking on it though.

He is having a ball.  Which is lovely.

Sunday Selections #247

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  I am continuing the 'home and away' theme this week. 

Starting with home.

The sky has been a joy.

A moody sunset.

And a gentle dawn.

The garden continues to shine - particularly after some blissful rain.

For Joanne Noragon.

Peruvian Lily or Alstromeria

 Double Delight.

While the garden and I loved the rain, a small group of corellas didn't fare so well.  They look as if they had mud baths, and some days later are still severely grubby.

And to 'the away' part of this photo heavy post.

The smaller portion caught a very fast train from Moscow to St Peterburg.  And my request, and for Andrew, he took a few photos of said train, and I am assured that there are more.  And better.

St Peterburg is also big on cathedrals...

A river cruise.

And he has spend days and days at the Hermitage Museum, and I expect could spend weeks there and not see it all.

Some of these photos lead me to believe that the very best and most ornate fairy stories are set in Russia.

Even the public seating, and I gather that is what is was, is very, very ornate.

He has a few more days in St Peterburg, and then heads off to the Netherlands...