European destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita virosa) in Dibuny, north-west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 9, 2016
Chinese Theatre, destroyed during the war, in Alexandrovskiy Park of Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo, residence of Russian tsars). Near Sankt Petersburg, Russia, October 22, 2000
Enjoying a collection of destroying angel mushrooms with President of Gulf States Mycological Society David Lewis in Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve. Warren, Texas, June 23, 2018
Cross section of destroying angel mushrooms Amanita bisporigera on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 6, 2020
A house destroyed by a hurricane(?) near the Knubble in Acoaxet. Massachusetts, May 30, 2003
Taking a closer look at a destroying angel mushroom Amanita bisporigera by President of Gulf States Mycological Society David Lewis in Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve. Warren, Texas, June 23, 2018
Destroyed and abandoned Muslim Cemetery in downtown Beer-Sheva. The Middle East, February 18, 2000
Destroyed and abandoned Muslim Cemetery in downtown Beer-Sheva. Main shopping center Canion Hanegev is on the background. The Middle East, February 18, 2000
Ruins of an ancient Crusader s fortress destroying by the sea at Mediterranean beach in southern Ashkelon. The Middle East, September 19, 2001
Amanita bisporigera(?) (Destroying angel) mushrooms near Lake Rico in Massasoit State Park. East Taunton, Massachusetts, September 19, 2004
Debris of the destroyed houses of Bet Atab village, 4 miles east from Beit Shemesh. The Middle East, July 5, 2001
Ruins of cisterns (?) of an ancient Crusader s fortress destroying by the sea at Mediterranean beach in southern Ashkelon. The Middle East, September 19, 2001
Destroyed houses of Bet Atab village, 4 miles east from Beit Shemesh. The Middle East, July 5, 2001
Abandoned and destroyed Moslem Cemetery in downtown Beer-Sheva. The central supermarket Canyon HaNegev is on the background. The Middle East, December 22, 2000
A house destroyed by a hurricane(?) in Acoaxet. Massachusetts, October 3, 2003
A gate of Christian Orthodox monastery on Konevets Island in Ladozhskoe Lake, with a Russian inscription "Close gate firmly. Draught destroys the painting". North from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 8, 2002
European destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita virosa) in Zakhodskoe, 50 miles north from Saint Petersburg. Leningrad Region, Russia, August 7, 2016
Destroying angel mushroom Amanita bisporigera in Wolf Pen Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 19, 2017
Dissected destroying angel mushroom Amanita bisporigera in Wolf Pen Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 19, 2017
Dissected destroying angel mushroom Amanita bisporigera on Sundew Trail in Big Thicket National Preserve. Kountze, Texas, June 23, 2018
European destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita virosa) on Lenin Trail near Dibuny, north-west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 15, 2018
European destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita virosa) in moss on Lenin Trail near Dibuny, north-west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 15, 2018
European destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita virosa) near Dibuny, north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, August 25, 2018
Destroying angel mushroom Amanita bisporigera on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, September 22, 2018
Destroying angel mushrooms Amanita bisporigera in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 26, 2018
Dissected destroying angel mushrooms Amanita bisporigera(?) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 12, 2019
Destroying angel mushroom Amanita bisporigera on Sundew Trail in Big Thicket National Preserve. Kountze, Texas, June 23, 2018
Destroying angel mushrooms Amanita bisporigera(?) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 12, 2019
Destroying angel mushrooms Amanita bisporigera in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 12, 2019
Destroying angel mushrooms Amanita bisporigera on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 6, 2020
Sandy road in a young forest grown in area destroyed by a hurricane 10 years ago between Lembolovo and Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 11, 2021
Destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 13, 2021
Cross section of destroying angel mushroom (Amanita bisporigera) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 13, 2021
Destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, October 13, 2021
Destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) together with a bolete on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, October 13, 2021
Cross section of destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, October 13, 2021
Destroying Angel mushroom (Amanita bisporigera) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 1, 2021
Cross section of Destroying Angel mushroom (Amanita bisporigera) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 1, 2021
Destroying Angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 17, 2022
Cross section of Destroying Angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 17, 2022
Spores of destroying Angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) at low magnification, collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 17, 2022
Spores of destroying Angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 17, 2022
Spores of destroying Angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) under a microscope, collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 17, 2022
Destroying Angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) on Yaupon Loop Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 9, 2023
Small destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 12, 2023
Gills of Destroying Angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 12, 2023
Spores of destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera) (cap turns slightly yellow in KOH), collected in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 12, 2023
Eastern North American destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera)(?) under oaks on a trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2024
Side view of Eastern North American destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera)(?) on a trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2024
Underside of Eastern North American destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera)(?) on a trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2024
White ring on stem of Eastern North American destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera)(?) on a trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2024
Spores of Eastern North American destroying angel mushrooms (Amanita bisporigera)(?) collected on a trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 29, 2024
Rebuilding of the Forest Building (Russian: Lesnoy Korpus) in a major reconstruction project at the historic Sestroretsk Resort (Sestroretsky Kurort). The original Sestroretsk Resort was a famous health spa complex founded in 1898 by engineer Peter Avenarius. It featured several grand wooden structures, including a massive Kursaal (concert hall), a mud bath facility, and the Forest Building. The resort was a hub for St. Petersburg s elite and intelligentsia in the early 20th century. The original Forest Building was a beautiful wooden hotel and sanatorium building constructed in the early 1900s. It was a key part of the ensemble but was destroyed during World War II. The new structure faithfully replicates the "Northern Art Nouveau" style of the original resort architecture, characterized by its complex roofline, spires, towers, and wooden detailing that harmonizes with the surrounding pine forest and dunes. The exterior appears nearly complete, showing the elaborate wooden facade, the large central dome, and the corner towers with their needle-like spires. The scaffolding indicates that finishing work is still in progress. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
This view from the St. Nicholas Church tower looks south-east, contrasting the medieval Old Town with the modern business district in the background. The large, L-shaped building with the dark gray roof in the center-right is the Writers House (Kirjanike Maja) on Harju Street. Completed in 1963, this Soviet-era modernist building stands out among the older red-roofed structures. It was built on the ruins of buildings destroyed in the 1944 March bombing and remains a cultural hub, housing the Estonian Writers Union and a famous bookstore. In the distance, the sleek glass high-rises of Tallinn s modern city center dominate the horizon. Key skyscrapers include the Swisso^tel Tallinn and the twin towers of the Tornima"e complex, symbolizing the city s rapid economic development since regaining independence. The open area visible to the right, just beyond the dense red roofs, is Freedom Square (Vabaduse va"ljak). Although partially obscured, this major public plaza marks the southern edge of the Old Town and is home to the Victory Column of the War of Independence. Estonia, October 16, 2025
This view from the tower of St. Nicholas Church offers a fascinating contrast between medieval history, post-war reconstruction, and modern urban growth, looking east towards the city center. The most prominent building in the immediate foreground is the large, grey, L-shaped structure known as the Writers House (Kirjanike Maja) on Harju Street. Built in 1963 on the ruins of buildings destroyed during the 1944 Soviet bombing of Tallinn, this modernist structure is a significant cultural landmark. It houses the Estonian Writers Union, a well-known bookstore, and the famous Cafe Pegasus, serving as a hub for the country s literary scene. The street running along the left side of the Writers House is Harju Street, historically one of the city s main commercial arteries. The open green space visible nearby (part of the Harju Street green area) was also created following the wartime destruction, serving as a memorial and recreational space before partial reconstruction debates in recent years. In the background, the view opens up to Tallinn s modern business district. The cluster of high-rise glass buildings, including the distinct wedge-shaped Swisso^tel and the SEB Bank headquarters, illustrates the city s rapid economic development and stands in stark contrast to the red-tiled roofs of the Old Town below. Estonia, October 16, 2025
This is the No~elasilma ("Eye of the Needle") Gate, a reconstructed section of the medieval urban fabric located at the end of Niguliste Street. Originally, this area was a densely built-up part of the Old Town, near the historic Harju Gate. However, the neighborhood was largely destroyed during the March 1944 Soviet bombing, which leveled about 20% of Tallinn s buildings, particularly in the Harju and Niguliste street areas. The ruins stood for decades before the area was cleared and later redeveloped as a green space and memorial. The No~elasilma Gate itself was reconstructed in 2006-2007 as part of an effort to restore the medieval street network and mark the historical boundary of the former churchyard. The structure consists of two limestone walls with arched openings, mimicking the narrow passageways typical of the medieval city. Looking through the gate, you see the cobblestones of Niguliste Street. In the background stands a distinct corner tower with a red tiled roof, part of the residential block that survived or was restored after the war. The modern apartment buildings on the left (Harju Street area) are post-war constructions, filling the void left by the bombing. The gate now serves as a poignant reminder of the city s lost layers and its resilience. Estonia, October 16, 2025
This perspective on Harju Street captures a striking mix of Soviet-era modernism and medieval heritage in the heart of Tallinn s Old Town. The prominent grey building on the right is the Writers House (Kirjanike Maja), located at Harju 1. Designed by architects August Volberg and Heili Volberg and completed in 1963, it is a prime example of post-war modernist architecture in Estonia. The foreground reveals traces of the area s turbulent history. The open green space on the left (Harju Street Park) occupies the site of buildings destroyed during the March 1944 Soviet bombing. For decades, these ruins were a painful scar, but the area has since been redeveloped into a recreational space that memorializes the lost urban fabric while providing a breathing room in the dense Old Town. The blue truck cabin visible in the foreground of the Harju Street photo is a GAZ-51, a legendary Soviet-era truck that was a common sight in Estonia for decades. Estonia, October 16, 2025
This close-up view of the GAZ-51 truck highlights its surreal juxtaposition against the classic architecture of Tallinn s Old Town. The blue cabin is heavily weathered, with rust eating through the paint and missing headlights, emphasizing its status as a ruin or relic. The large green industrial mechanism mounted on the back--resembling a boom or auger--dominates the frame, extending horizontally like a cannon barrel. Distinct graffiti tags (like "WEK") on the door add a layer of contemporary urban decay, contrasting with the historic setting. Directly behind the truck, across the street, is a building housing a Bu"roomaailm (Office World) store. The truck sits on a grassy slope, part of the Harju Street Green Area, which covers the ruins of buildings destroyed in 1944. The contrast between the lush green grass, the rusting Soviet metal, and the maintained city street captures the eclectic spirit of this specific corner of Tallinn. Estonia, October 16, 2025
Kino So~prus (Cinema So~prus). Completed in 1955, this is a prime example of Stalinist Empire style architecture (Socialist Classicism). The fac,ade features a curved colonnade with 18 octagonal columns and 15 dolomite relief emblems that symbolize various arts, sciences, and industries, such as fishing and mining. "So~prus" means "Friendship" in Estonian. It was built on the site of buildings destroyed during the 1944 March bombing. For decades, it served as the city s premier cinema and was the first "multiplex" in Estonia with two halls. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
A temporary protest installation located directly in front of the Russian Embassy at Pikk 19 in Tallinn s Old Town. The barricades and posters are situated along the sidewalk of Pikk Street, facing the embassy building. This narrow, historic street has become a focal point for public demonstrations since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The installation serves as a persistent protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It features Ukrainian flags, anti-war messages, graphic images of war damage (such as destroyed buildings in Ukrainian cities), and tributes to figures like Alexei Navalny. The display transforms a section of the picturesque Old Town into a politically charged space, forcing diplomats and passersby to confront the realities of the conflict. The protest materials are often updated by activists and local residents to reflect ongoing events. The sign "If they decide to kill me, it means we are incredibly strong - Navalny" references the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, whose death in prison in February 2024 sparked renewed gatherings and memorials at this exact spot. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
The installation captures a vivid and direct form of protest directly facing the Russian embassy on Pikk Street. The central panel displays a graphic depiction of Vladimir Putin with a rat s body, lying dead under a Soviet flag with the slogan "Sooner rather than later" and "Putin Zdoh" (a play on words combining the "Z" war symbol with the Russian word for "died" or "croaked"). This reflects the intense anger and desire for regime change among protestors. The red poster on the right translates to "Reveal who gets Kremlin money in Estonia" (Paljastame, kes saavad Kremli raha Eestis), referencing concerns about Russian influence and corruption within Estonian politics and society. A black-and-white photo of Alexei Navalny is pinned to the fence, honoring the Russian opposition leader who died in prison in early 2024. His image serves as a symbol of resistance against the Putin regime. The fence is covered with layers of weather-beaten signs, photos of destroyed Ukrainian apartment blocks (like the one in the top right), and slogans in multiple languages (Estonian, English, Russian, Ukrainian). This accumulation shows that the protest is not a one-time event but a sustained, evolving vigil kept alive by locals and activists. The poster on the far right features a red handprint with names, symbolizing the "blood on the hands" of those complicit in the war or sympathetic to the Kremlin s actions. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
