Fire Knife Dance

Although commercial fire knife dancing is performed with wooden poles wrapped in burning towels, traditional knife dancing was composed of a machete wrapped on both ends with a towel with a portion of the blade exposed in the middle.  The Samoans call it "siva afi".
A similar demonstration of a Samoan warrior's prowess is called the "ailao" - twirling, throwing, catching, and dancing with a war club.

Red Tailed Hawk

I was in Florida when I spotted this red- tailed hawk.  These birds of prey are often used in falconry, although traditionally, a falconer flies a falcon, an austringer flies a hawk.  A male falcon or hawk is called a tercel.

The feathers and other parts of the red-tailed hawk, like those of the bald eagle and the golden eagle, are considered sacred to many Native Americans.  Possession of their feathers are governed by the eagle feather law. 

Tower Bridge of London

I was leaving London to return to the States the next morning.  It had been showering all night, and the wind had not abated.  I wished I had brought my tripod instead of my monopod.  It was relatively late, (past midnite) so except for a handful of nite owls and bar hoppers, the majority of tourists were cozied up in their hotel rooms.  I waited for the wind to stop.  A group of tourists with cameras liked the corner where I stood and took some shots.  Waited for them to leave.  Waited for the wind to stop.  Wiped the droplets off my lens.  More people came by and asked me to take their picture.  I sucked in a lung full of air, not unlike when I'm about to press the shutter release, but for a less amicable reason.  I smiled anyway and took their picture. They left.  I looked around and behind - no one within a few steps.  The wind stopped. Took my shot.

Tower Bridge was completed in 1894 and crosses the River Thames by the Tower of London, from which it gets its name. Its bascules are lifted regularly to allow ships and boats to pass beneath the bridge.  The upper pedestrian walkway, suspended by the two towers, provides excellent views.
A real-time webcam of the Tower Bridge can be viewed from this link: Tower Bridge Exhibition

Spa Creek in the Morning

Were Chesapeake Bay the trunk, then one of its branches would be the Severn River, and the little twigs stemming from this branch would be the numerous creeks extending inland into Annapolis, such as Back, Spa, College, and Weems Creeks.  South of the Severn River is the South River with its own set of creeks, among them Aberdeen, Harness, and Duvall Creeks.

This was taken on Spa Creek, early one morning, after the hues of dawn had dissipated.  Gleaming over Spa Creek were the final shards of sunrise mingling with the darker shades of the creek.  It lasted barely a minute, but what a beautiful sight.

Here's an important link: Spa Creek Conservancy

Swans of St. James' Park

St. James' Park in the City of Westminster, Central London, is the oldest Royal Park in London.
This 90-acre park features a large lake that is a wildlife sanctuary for ducks, geese, swans and pelicans.