SUNDAY BEST #465 - SOUTHERN CROSS

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;
3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;
4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity.

Please do not use this meme to advertise our goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

The Southern Cross, or Crux, is a prominent constellation in the southern sky, famous for its distinctive cross shape formed by four bright stars (with a fifth dimmer star often included) and its use as a navigation guide to find the south celestial pole. Visible year-round from the Southern Hemisphere, it's a significant cultural symbol in Australia, New Zealand, and other southern nations, appearing on their flags and holding deep meaning in Indigenous traditions.

Name: Crux (Latin for "cross").

Stars: Four bright stars form the cross, with Acrux (Alpha Crucis) being the brightest, and Gacrux (Gamma Crucis) marking the top.

The Pointers: The two bright stars, Alpha Centauri and Beta Centauri (part of the Centaurus constellation), point towards the Southern Cross, helping locate it. 

Navigation: A line extended from the long axis of the cross points toward the South Celestial Pole, a vital marker for navigation.

Location: It lies in a bright part of the Milky Way and contains the Jewel Box open star cluster (NGC 4755) and the dark Coalsack Nebula.

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Last week, Rupam Sarma in India posted this fine B&W image. Please visit his blog for more great shots.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is a festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. It is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture, and has been added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2024.

Marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, this festival takes place from Chinese New Year's Eve (the evening preceding the first day of the year) to the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the year. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February.

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,
and also the Seasons meme.

SUNDAY BEST #416 - CHINESE NEW YEAR

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;
3) Leave a comment here once you have posted
4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity.

Please do not use this meme to advertise our goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

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Last week, Lydia in Sydney showed us some photos of Sydney. This one tickled my fancy because of the interesting angle of this Sydney icon. Please visit her blog for more great shots.

NIGHT GARDEN

Enjoying the full moon in the garden on this summer night. A digital mosaic of several photos.

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,

and also part of the Seasons meme.

SUNDAY BEST #403 - VENUS ON BIN NIGHT

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.
The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;
3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;
4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity.
Please do not use this meme to advertise our goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

Taking out the rubbish bins on Sunday night, couldn't help noticing Venus up in the Western sky. Yep, that's the Evening Star...

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Last week, Lydia in Sydney posted this lovely photo of Piha Beach in New Zealand. Please visit her blog for more great shots.

SUNDAY BEST #397 - COMET A3

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:

1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;

2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;

3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;

4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity.

Please do not use this meme to advertise our goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

Right now, south of the equator, amateur astronomers are watching a comet that's just emerged from behind the sun. Soon, it will be the turn of observers in the Northern Hemisphere, but will Comet A3 — also known as C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) — really become one of the brightest comets visible in the Northern Hemisphere in the last 100 years, as claimed by Star Walk? Or even potentially visible in daylight during October, as Sky & Telescope suggests?

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Last week, Rupam Sarma from India posted this lovely shot. Please visit his blog for more great photos.

SUNDAY BEST #395 - MELBOURNE DOCKLANDS

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.
The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;
3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;
4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity.

Please do not use this meme to advertise our goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

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Last week, Jim in Sydney contributed this iconic view in Sydney Harbour. Please visit his blog for more great shots of Sydney.

SUNDAY BEST #380 - HOME

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;
3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;
4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity.

Please do not use this meme to advertise our goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

"Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in." -  Robert Frost

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Last week, Linda in Virginia posted some lovely photos from the Seven Bends State Park. This was my favourite. Please visit her blog for more great shots.

SUNDAY BEST #360 - ORION

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;
3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;
4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity.

Please do not use this meme to advertise our goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

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Last week, Taken for Granted from the USA shared this lovely festive photo of a house all lit up for Christmas. Please visit his blog for more great shots.

SUNDAY BEST #346 - MOONRISE

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;
3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;
4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity.

Please do not use this meme to advertise our goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

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Last week, Taken for Granted in the USA shared the lovely photo below. Please visit his blog for more great shots.

SUNDAY BEST #343 - RUBBISH NIGHT

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;
3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;
4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity.

Please do not use this meme to advertise our goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

Sunday is rubbish night on our street and when I put the bin out, it was quite a nice night view down the deserted, quiet street.

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Last week, Kwarkito in Paris, France, shared some wonderful photos of an Indian celebration in Paris. Please visit his blog for more great shots.

SUNDAY BEST #317 - MOONLIGHT

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;
3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;
4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity.

Please do not use this meme to advertise your goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

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Last week, Kwarkito in Paris shared this beautiful B&W shot of a woman seen through glass. Please visit his blog for more great photos.

SUNDAY BEST #287 - BY NIGHT

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;
3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;
4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity!

Please do not use this meme to advertise your goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

Melbourne by night puts on a good show!

This post is also part of the Photo Sunday meme

and also part of the Weekend Reflections meme

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Last week, Kwarkito in Paris posted this lovely photo below. Please visit his blog for more beautiful photos and thought-provoking posts.

SUNDAY BEST #280 - DINING OUT

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;
3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;
4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity!

Please do not use this meme to advertise your goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

I know it's the wrong season in the photo, and also the wrong time of day, and also the wrong place, and also the wrong century, but this photo reminds me so much of the Renoir painting "Luncheon of the Boating Party". Simply because they're both images of people having a meal with friends and having a good time!

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Last week, Klara in Poland shared some delightful images of poppy fields at sunset. Please visit her blog for more photos.

SUNDAY BEST #266 - WAITING

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;
3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;
4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity!

Please do not use this meme to advertise your goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

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Last week, Emille in the US posted the lovely photo below. Please visit her blog for more!

SUNDAY BEST #249 - NIGHT

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;
3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;
4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity!

Please do not use this meme to advertise your goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

The theme is of your own choosing, so post on any subject you desire.

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Last week, Lydia in Sydney shared some photos taken in Sydney Harbour, please visit her blog for more!

SUNDAY BEST #235 - SYDNEY

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:
1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;
2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here; 3) Leave a comment here once you have posted; 4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity! Please do not use this meme to advertise your goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

The theme is of your own choosing, so post on any subject you desire.

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MOONRISE

View from our window on a fine night with a full moon rising.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

MY SUNDAY BEST MEME #178 - PERTH EVENING

Welcome to the meme, "My Sunday Best", which is a photographic and creative meme that allows you to showcase your talents in imaging. Every Sunday, you can post here showing an image you have created using your camera, (and/or) image processing software, and/or painting and drawing in the conventional way and have scanned in.

The rules are simple:

1) Create your image and post it up on your blog;

2) Put the "My Sunday Best" logo image link somewhere on your post so people can click and come by here;

3) Leave a comment here once you have posted;

4) Visit other posters' blogs and be amazed with their creativity!

Please do not use this meme to advertise your goods or services. This is a creative meme and any inappropriate links or comments shall be removed immediately.

The theme is of your own choosing, so post on any subject you desire.

Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia, with an estimated population of 1.74 million living in the Perth metropolitan area. The metropolitan area is located in the South West Division of Western Australia, between the Indian Ocean and a low coastal escarpment known as the Darling Range.

The central business district and suburbs of Perth are situated on the banks of the Swan River. Shortly after the establishment of the port settlement of Fremantle, Perth was founded on 12 June 1829 by Captain James Stirling as the political centre of the Swan River Colony. As the business and administration centre for the resource-rich state, Perth has grown consistently.

This post is also part of the Weekend Reflections meme,

and also part of the Photo Sunday meme.

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Last week, Lydia in Sydney posted this wonderful sunrise photo. Please visit her blog for more great shots.

ON THE RIVERBANK

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme.

I heard a beautiful Hindi song yesterday and I had to go and find out what the lyrics meant. It was easy enough to find them in Hindi, however, an English translation was lacking. I tried to get Google Translate to assist, but it only gave me the bare gist of them, and I could only gain a tantalising suggestion of what the song was about.

I remembered a photo on the banks of the Yarra River in Melbourne that I had taken some time ago and which I recovered from archives (see above). Looking at it and listening to the song, having in mind the suggestion of the meaning, I wrote a poem that more or less is akin to the essence of the Hindi lyrics. I would be grateful if any Indian readers of this blog can enlighten me as to whether an English translation of the actual song lyrics exists and whether my version is akin to it.

The song is called "Ye raatein, ye mausam, nadee ka kinaara"

From the 1958 Film “Dilli Ka Thug”; Lyrics by Shailendra, Music by Ravi

Originally sung by Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle. Here is a beautiful recent cover version by Ayushi Arora.

On a Night like Tonight

By NJV after Shailendra

On a night like tonight,

in Spring like this Spring,

When the fickle breeze blew gently,

Our two hearts came together

On the riverbank lit by the silver moonlight

On a night like tonight,

in Spring like this Spring,

When the fickle breeze blew gently,

Our two hearts came together

And they said we’ll never part.

Why is the moonlight different

On this night, which should be like that night?

Our love is no more, our hearts are broken

Our hands are not clasped,

Our eyes are blinded by our separation.

On a night like tonight,

in Spring like that Spring,

When the fickle breeze blows gently…

We should be together now, just like then,

Revelling in our love, becoming one, just like then.

The stars shone brightly on us,

Blessing our love, while the moon smiled.

Where is the moon to speak on my behalf tonight?

Why are the stars so silent?

Why have we drifted so far apart?

On a night like tonight,

in Spring like this Spring,

When the fickle breeze blew cold,

We parted and you said: “Don’t ever bother me again!”

And I was aghast, wishing our love would not end.

The stars shine brightly now,

And the moon is burning ardently,

The fickle breeze blows complicitly now –

Come back and give me your heart again

You’ve pledged it to me, and I’ve pledged you mine.

On this night, which should be like that night,

I’m telling you, I’ll always be your true love,

In this Spring, while the stars are singing and the moon avers my feelings

Come back and let’s enjoy our love while we are young,

Open your heart and let my open heart join it.

On a night like tonight,

in Spring like this Spring,

When the fickle breeze blew gently,

Our two hearts came together, remember?

And they said we’ll never part, remember?