dahil ≈ß's photostream  

The Jal Mahal or "Water Palace" in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

It was built in 1799 by the then Maharajah and was modelled on a similar palace in Udaipur.

The lake in which it sits, Man Sagar, is man made and very shallow. It dries up completely in times of drought.

The palace was built as a summer residence because, being surrounded by water, it was cooler.

It is now abandoned though the roof garden is still maintained.

This is a rework of an old post which attempts to capture the illusion that the palace is "floating" on the water.

I shan't be around very much between now and the new year so I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and New Year.

Comments are very welcome but please no invites as I won't have time to deal with them.

(For those that are interested, this is our Christmas card for this year. It was originally shot in 1981 and has been re-photographed, tweaked, selectively coloured, text added and, of course, approved at every stage by the AD. It features our two children, now aged 36 and 38.)

For you, the best Christmas record of all time!!!

This was shot from the slopes of Loughrigg, over Rydal Water with, to the right, the whole of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

In my humble opinion, one of the finest walks in Lakeland.

A group of foxgloves high on the slopes of Catbells in the UK Lake District.

I live close to a small river and often walk along the towpath. Regardless of the weather, almost always I find great subjects to photograph.

This was taken along one of my favourite stretches early one November morning about five years ago.

I came across it a few days ago when I was looking for some pictures taken locally to hang in the newly decorated bedroom (yes folks, it's finally finished!!!). I played around with it and added a texture and think the result is quite pleasing.

But now I can't make up my mind if I prefer the textured one or the untextured version shown below.

So you decide for me! (Though I must add that, as always, the Artistic Director will be the final judge!!!)