[WPRESTO]

No background info on this one? I'm curious.

The sculptor is Igor Mitoraj, probably best known for the monumental head called "Eros Bound," an urban sculpture in Vancouver. This one is simply labeled "The Hands," although I've seen illustrations where it is called "praying hands." Just on the basis of inspection, it seems to be making a statement about someone being persecuted for their religious beliefs, or maintaining their faith in the face of oppression and persecution. I had seen a picture of this piece some years ago, and found it powerful. I unexpectedly came upon the original at the Vatican museum in June. It was a gift to the Vatican by the artist. I used PP to eliminate distracting background from the image file.

[eddie1960]

The sculptor is Igor Mitoraj, probably best known for the monumental head called "Eros Bound," an urban sculpture in Vancouver. This one is simply labeled "The Hands," although I've seen illustrations where it is called "praying hands." Just on the basis of inspection, it seems to be making a statement about someone being persecuted for their religious beliefs, or maintaining their faith in the face of oppression and persecution. I had seen a picture of this piece some years ago, and found it powerful. I unexpectedly came upon the original at the Vatican museum in June. It was a gift to the Vatican by the artist. I used PP to eliminate distracting background from the image file.

thought I'd seen them before , i think if I look through my vatican shots i will come across them, thanks for the explanation

[pentaximus]

I used PP to eliminate distracting background from the image file.

Oh, I see that now. Well, it's a powerful sculpture indeed. And a nice job by the photographer, too. Thanks for the backstory.

[WPRESTO]

I am an entomologist. It looks like a social gathering to me.

Hi Blue: Looks to me as if the ants are feeding on the scattered remains of a much larger arthropod, maybe a horseshoe crab?? or something of that sort.

[pentaximus]

I am an entomologist. It looks like a social gathering to me.

So my flickr caption was spot on then.

[pentaximus]

Hi Blue: Looks to me as if the ants are feeding on the scattered remains of a much larger arthropod, maybe a horseshoe crab?? or something of that sort.

Arthropod, yes. But much smaller. This is (was) some sort of scarab beetle.

[WPRESTO]

Hi Blue: Looks to me as if the ants are feeding on the scattered remains of a much larger arthropod, maybe a horseshoe crab?? or something of that sort.

I'll retract the "horseshoe crab" guess. That lump in the background seems to be a large beetle, on its back, with its legs sticking up. What at first looked like a swimming appendage on the right is maybe a piece of a wing??

[Blue]

So my flickr caption was spot on then.

Sure enough!

[pentaximus]

N is for NF. Neurofibromatosis, a disorder resulting in sometimes painful tumors affecting the nervous system. These are volunteers raising awareness at the Georgia Marathon this spring.

[pentaximus]

M is for Methodist . . .

M? Wait, did you play a "reverse" card? Is this like UNO?

[eddie1960]

M? Wait, did you play a "reverse" card? Is this like UNO?

i thought m was for minah (then we all got in a discussion and confused things )

[Blue]

M? Wait, did you play a "reverse" card? Is this like UNO?

No, just one of those moments.

O is for Old grave marker . . .

[eddie1960]

O is for O'holics - a great band from Gothenberg O2 (apparently the Oxygen shot)

[Blue]

[noelcmn]

M is for MINAH. These Asiatic (India) birds were introduced to, and are now naturalized on Hawaii.

8 pairs were introduced into South Africa about 100 years ago, and today they are officially a pest. Very aggessive birds, overpowering most of our indigeneous birds. I hate them!
Also posted for O- that would make it 3 OOO's.
P for Pisces