canonshooter2005-off for a month to teach's photostream  

This flower, the name of which remains unknown to me was called by the owner as Queen of the Flowers. My reading said otherwise and so it remains unknown to this day. One thing though that is very clear to me; this must be the most intricately engineered flower by Nature. I greet my flickr friends Happy Valentine's Day. Scholars say the custom originated in Britain and France when on feast day of St. Valentine on Feb. 14, it is the time that birds search for their mate. Others say, the holiday is dedicated to the memory of St. Valentine, a priest who was arrested and condemned to die because he was defying the orders of the then Emperor who issued orders for his armies not to be distracted from their campaigns by falling in love and marrying. St. Valentine, thought the order was unjust and secretly begun marrying soldiers. He was clubbed and stoned to death, and failing to die, his head was cut off. While in jail, he wrote the daughter of his jailer,"be my valentine".

Happy Calentine's Day to one and all.

This is the second set covering the street dancing from the starting point down the long national road to end in a sports complex where the dancing competition will be held. The complex has a basketball court and a stage. I with my two companions positioned ourselves in front of the stage and sat on the cement floor. Our mistake was we were on the extreme right such that spectators lining the length of the basketball court would come forward and covering our view. Right after the last group performed, we stood up with great difficulty and went out for a breath of fresh air. The performance this year of the groups is a bar above the high standards established last year with first places and second. I am always impressed with each year''s costume and dance routine. Thank you Mayor Gerry Pelayo and we will see you next year, Mr. Congressman.

If you ever find yourself around this part of my city in early February, just leave me a note and I will be glad to show you this gem of a fiesta.

Candaba, a town in the province of Pampanga held its 5th Ibon-Ebon Fesitival and possibly its last if the Municipal Council will not pass an ordinance to institutionalize the event and if the festival will no longer get the support of the local officials. Candaba has captured the attention, praises of radio, newspapers and television. The town is in the map of tourists, local and foreign and the many bird watchers club of the world. It is the home of the Bird Sanctuary.

I have divided my photographs of this Feb, 4, 2012 event in two parts. The first, this set, consists of 40 photos and the second of more than 40 but which will also include photographs of the Bird
Sanctuary and landscapes of the beautiful Candaba.

The Hot Air Balloon is that of the sun welcoming everybody with a smile and warmth of life. Below its basket is a bottle of beer. Join me in a toast to my GRANDSON GABRIEL LUCAS (LUKE) born today, Sunday January 29, 2012 under the YEAR OF THE WATER DRAGON at 1:07 PM.

YIPEE!!! He joins 4 other grandsons and 1 granddaughter.

My youngest grandson, named Gabriel Lucas and who will be called Luke weighed 7 pounds and 16 ounces. He was due last Jan. 26, 2012 and I posted the Chinese New Year Canon 7D for the purpose of announcing birth. This NIKON D7000 set then will be for his birthdate. The proud parents are my son Raymond and wife Rosette. Several times a day we used to ask is Luke ready to be born. When days passed (the period was from 2 weeks ago to This Friday) and when he chose to remain WATCHING the favorite of his father STAR WARS, we will say, perhaps he now into replay.

The past two weeks also meant, I had to stay at home. That was good for me and I saved a lot for gas.

The photos here are the product of my tweaks of the Nikon's
sensors.