#knot ring

[theultimateclare]

[d218jewels]

Why should you wait when you can propose her, it’s the right time to grab this ring and be together with you loved ones

[gemsafire]

Two different ring styles which have historically been given as love tokens. Which do you prefer?

[azuresins]

The Phantomhive Ring Nonofficial merchandise, fanmade, custom. ·3D modeled in SolidWorks by @noirserviteur ·3D printed using resin, then cast in sterling silver ·Fitted with blue sapphire (+ diamond chips, soon)

[lonelywretchjervistetch]

The State Birds Initiative: Delaware (#1)

Welcome to the first official poll of the State Birds Initiative! Now, before the poll, one thing real quick. My suggestion is that you read the post below before voting in the poll below. That's especially important if you're lacking any context about the birds being presented as the new (or old) State Bird of the First State, Delaware. This is to be fully informed as to why these are being presented, and to make your choices appropriately. Lastly, some of these birds, you will notice, go against some of the rules listed in the introduction post. All is explained after the jump where the explanations are, I promise you that. But with that...OK! Here's the poll!

More details after the jump!

Welcome to Delaware, the First State!

Admitted into the Union in 1787 as the first state of this country, Delaware is the nation's second smallest, giving it the additional nickname "the Small Wonder"! Its capital is Dover, its most populous city if Wilmington (pictured above), and it's best known for its proximity to the Delaware River and the Delaware Bay, which it's actually named after. This does mean that Delaware Bay, for various reasons, will be one of the most important features of this post, since the wildlife that gathers around it is pretty ubiquitous in the state.

But OK, enough grade-school reporting of basic state statistics. What's Joe Biden's home state actually like, from the view of the citizens? On reddit, a user named hajisaurus said that Delaware is like a small town, but as an entire state. Compact, but eventful and familiar. Another user, raycooke, referred to it as the US condensed into miniature, with business in the north, beaches in the south and east, and farms in the middle. But the general vibe, it seems, is "familiar". Not overly friendly, but definitely close enough to be familiar. Also...the Bobbie.

God, that's a good looking sandwich. Invented in Delaware? Hell yeah. Anyway, off of turkey and onto birds. Personally, what all this says to me is that the chosen State Bird should be an easy-to-find sight, found throughout most of the state, and familiar to Delawareans in general. Something common but uniquely Delawarean would be great. In terms of habitat, water-bound seems appropriate, especially looking at beaches and estuaries. Again, the entire eastern border of the state touches the Delaware River or Bay, meaning water is somewhat important to the state (as is seafood).

Now, those Delawareans amongst us may have different opinions of what makes Delaware Delaware, and what represents its people most accurately. Which...yeah, I'm not from there, and I've only been there twice, and that's because I drove through it. Maybe went to one rest stop near Dover. And for the record, SOLID-ass rest stops in Delaware along the highway, just saying. Great job there, Delaware. But, yeah, PLEASE tell me if there's something else to take into account. And that goes for ALL of the states in this series, by the way. I can't claim to be an expert in any way here, so please call me on my bullshit if you feel that you have to. But, with that said, let's talk about what I do know: birds.

Red Knot (Calidris canutus)

For many of you, especially the bird-inclined amongst us, this was always going to be the obvious answer to this question. The Red Knot is an iconic Delaware bird for birdwatchers, as they're attracted to the state in MASSIVE numbers during migratory seasons. It's one of the most important and famous migrations in the country, and the flocks of Red Knots and other shorebirds are the main attraction. Why? Easy answer: the Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus).

Delaware Bay is the site of the horseshoe crab's largest migration in the USA. This isn't the only place in the country they're found, but it's DEFINITELY the largest population of the species by a SIGHT. And speaking of iconic species, the horseshoe crab certainly fits the bill as a charismatic species of conservation concern. Which is why it may be curious that I'm highlighting the Red Knot, since they, y'know...EAT horseshoe crab eggs, alongside other birds in the great Atlantic seaboard migration. But that's actually why horseshoe crabs are so important.

Red Knots, amongst other shorebirds, depend on the horsehoe crabs for food, as these stopovers in Delaware Bay allow them to continue with their journey. Without the horseshoe crabs of Delaware, their life wouldn't be possible, and certainly not in the massive numbers found during migration. Understand, this is a threatened species, especially in the United States, that gathers in Delaware Bay in the thousands, with 2022 numbers being about 39,800 in a population. That's HUGE. The Red Knot is a symbol of this ecological boom, and both species should be celebrated. That's the reason the Red Knot is often given as the answer to this question of State Bird of Delaware, including by the Lab of Ornithology's article posted last year. Plus, it's got an iconic appearance, it's easy to find, and it tells a great story (which also includes a migratory distance of ~9,000 miles, which is crazy). Perfect, right?

...It doesn't breed in Delaware. It actually doesn't even breed in the United States. No, the Red Knot breeds in Nunavut and Greenland, above the limits of the Arctic Circle. I meant it when I said the Red Knot used Delaware as a stopover site. As such, it's an event when they arrive in Delaware twice a year...but they do leave. Pretty quickly, even. So, sure, the Red Knot is a great candidate for a number of reasons, but...is it OK if it doesn't actually breed in the state? I'd argue for it, since Delaware is is highest abundance of the species during migration in the country, and it's iconic in that way in particular. But I'll leave that as a question for you all to decide.

Let's go on to the next one, shall we?

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

OK, this one might be cheating a bit, since the bird in question is found basically...well, everywhere. It's definitely not native to Delaware alone, and doesn't even breed there. So why even include this bird in the running? Easy answer: it's in the name. It's the only bird species in the world with the state of Delaware in its scientific name. However, this is also cheating, since the name actually refers to the Delaware River, not the state itself. That's because the bird was first described and discovered along the river, which flows from New York, through New Jersey and Pennsylvania, until ending in Delaware and the Delaware Bay. And yeah...technically that was in New Jersey. BUT STILL! Only bird with Delaware in the name, just sayin'. And after all, if the Red Knot can be considered despite not breeding in the state, then...what about the Ring-billed Gull? Or...maybe I'll save this one for New Jersey.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

OK, this one I'm actually a bit enthusiastic about, partially because I love raptors, and I especially love this raptor. The American Kestrel is a small falcon, and is in fact the smallest falcon (and raptor) in North America. About the size of a mourning dove, they're pint-sized predators, specializing on insects, rodents, lizards, and the occasional sparrow or songbird. They're also versatile, living all over the USA in various habitats. And that, of course, includes Delaware. This is a breeding species in the state, so it already has that above the other two previously discussed! And to top it all off...it's literally a small wonder. Come on, man! This is perfect! A scrappy falcon that's literally red, white, and grayish-blue!

But, OK, if it's common all over, why specifically Delaware? Because it's actually threatened in Delaware, fun fact. This is prominent enough to have inspired the Brandywine Zoo to work with the American Kestrel Partnership (part of The Peregrine Fund, who we'll discuss again on another day or five), and start the Delaware Kestrel Partnership, which monitors kestrel populations in the state. The species' population has decreased by 88% in Delaware and surrounding states in the last 50 years, which is...dramatic. It's a species that desperately needs saving and attention, and work in Delaware can be applied in the kestrel's entire range. Look, I beg you to check this out, because it's a fascinating set of projects. And honestly, this alone would have me include the American Kestrel on this list. Plus...that would also make this the first raptor to become a state bird.

Yeah. Take a look. NO raptors amongst the State Birds. Insane.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Now, this one seems out of nowhere, but hear me out. For whatever reason, the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) seems to be completely ignored as a state bird across the entire country, despite it being one of the MOST iconic birds in the United States. I mean, come on, almost all of us have seen a GBH at some point in our lives, especially if we live near water. But why suggest it for Delaware specifically, then? Well, the herons breed in Delaware, so that's checked off. They're found in the state year-round, making them easy to access and identify with. They're definitely iconic in appearance. They highlight the marshlands and wetlands of Delaware as an important ecosystem of concern. And...uh...

Look, I'll be straight with you. "Blue Heron" is the closest I could get to...another set of words associated with Delaware and birds. Because honestly, it's genuinely somewhat difficult to separate Delaware from those two words, and this would be a fairly minor change that would allow the use of that term with little fuss! And honestly, the Great Blue Heron isn't the worst choice in the world for Delaware, even if it admittedly barely breeds in the state compared to others. And...like...oh, goddammit, fine, let's get this over with.

Delaware Blue Hen (Gallus domesticus)

Delaware. Look at me. Why...in the blue HELL...did you choose a goddamn chicken as your state bird? I mean, for God's sake, it's not a wild bird, and even if it is a breed developed in the state, IT IS A CHICKEN! What possible reason could there be to choose this bird over all the other possible birds? And look, I like chickens as much as the next guy. Used to raise and keep them as a kid, so I do love them, but this just feels wrong. But OK, let's make the argument for them by looking at Delaware's original argument.

So, from basic cursory research, the Delaware Blue Hen dates back to the Revolutionary War. Apparently, one of the regiments of the American army raised fighting game chickens that were so well-known, the regiment itself became known as the "Blue Hens". It's also possible that the leader of this regiment, Jonathan Caldwell, had a special blue hen that had blue offspring, and the men in the regiment also took to calling themselves "Sons of the Blue Hen." Which means...shit. That means the Blue Hen actually has cultural relevancy specific to the state of Delaware. Damn, that's actually a good argument for their assignment. But with that said...there actually is a problem here.

The Delaware Blue Hen doesn't technically exist.

Yeah, this isn't actually a recognized breed of chicken, despite the INSANE amount of devotion Delawareans have for it. I mean, military regiments, sports teams, even the unofficial nickname for the state is named after the Blue Hen, and it's technically not a real chicken breed. Instead, they're actually American Game hens that are crossed with Andalusian Blue hens to get that iconic coloration, but they're not actually an isolated breed.

So...what does this mean? Because this is genuinely a problem, right? Delaware's state bird doesn't actually exist, AND it's a chicken. Well...I have a proposition for you, Delaware. Because I do recognize the fact that the Blue Hen seems to mean a lot to you, both now and historically. So, if that's the case, we need to recontextualize this guy in a couple of ways. So, here's my proposition...

Make the Delaware Blue Hen the State Game Bird.

Haven't brought this up yet, but some states have what's called a "state game bird" alongside the actual state bird. Game birds, by the classical and nonscientific definition, are members of the Galliformes and Anseriformes that are associated with hunting and food. And technically...the chicken counts. Yeah, Delaware easily could ratify the Delaware Blue Hen into service as the State Game Bird, which makes even more sense when you consider its role AS A SPORTS MASCOT! See what I mean? But that's not the end of it.

You'll also have to find some way to get the hen recognized as an independent breed. I have NO idea what the process is for that (I guess this is the pathway to do it?), but it's probably gonna take a bunch of breeders and number of years to turn this into a defined breed. Hell, as it stands, not every chicken hatched to a Blue Hen is even blue. So, hey, get on it, Delawarean chicken breeders! Make you state proud!

And that's the information on the candidates for the Delaware State Bird! Will the Delaware maintain its place? Will the Red Knot take it, despite the controversy surrounding the choice? Will my bullshit proposal for the Great Blue Heron actually resonate with some people? Up to Tumblr!

As for the next state, it's time to hop next door to Pennsylvania, and to a State Bird that also technically doesn't exist...for a somewhat different reason. And yes, for the record, I know the below GIF is technically the wrong species, BUT MY CHOICES IN GIFS ARE FEW

See you soon, and happy birding!

Introduction to the State Birds Initiative

1. Delaware - Poll | Results 2. Pennsylvania - Poll | Results 3. New Jersey - Poll | Results 4. Georgia - Poll | Results 5. Connecticut - Poll | Results 6. Massachusetts - Poll | Results

[the-art-of-sanshoku]

have a married couple headcannon where godai wears his ring on a necklace because he doesn't want to scuff it with all the handiwork he does otherwise

[invisibleintrovertartist]

This might as well be a neonnova blog now...

(Also thank you all the people who leave nice comments in the tags. I read them all and they really cheer me up and make me smile <3).

Also sorry about the bad quality of some of the pictures (again). The winter season isn't kind on natural sunlight here.

[wildsaltair]

I’d like to thank Maximus Decimus Meridius for inventing loyalty and emotional intelligence and devotion and goodheartedness. and also sex

[bcolfanfic]

can we get soft john and gale

sweet boysss. young vets wise when john is doin' really good with his sobriety and they've just had their Big wedding and life is actually going really good they're so soft with each other. like giddy newlyweds even though they've been married on paper for over a year at that point. road trip down to a nice lil beach town in south carolina after the wedding and are so ridiculously soft and lovey and sweet and it's just. really nice. john takes sooo many pics of gale, makes him stop at all the state signs to take photos and gale indulges him on it happily because seeing him so relaxed and happy makes him over the moon.

they already had rings but got new, nicer ones for the wedding as a Fresh Start thing. are always messing with them on each other fingers with they're holding hands. and john loves feelin' the metal of gale's ring against his skin when they're in bed. if u forgot john is a bottom in yv au yayyy.

[yridenergyridenergy]

On the verge of Halloween, here's..... Sa•die•ko!

[boylerpf]

James Avery 14K Gold Love Knot Heart Ring

Source - Boylerpf

[d218jewels]

🦚 This custom cocktail ring, "EYE OF THE PEACOCK," is a showstopper! Lab-grown diamonds, 14k gold, and a stunning blue sapphire. 💎💍 #customjewelry #cocktailring #labgrowndiamonds #bluesapphire

[hawkeyedflame]

being a lesbian sucks because i go to a lindsey stirling show and i am blown away by her athleticism, physique and skill born of years of incredibly hard work, and i cannot tell if i want her body or if i want her body 🙄

[hellonerf]

i save doujins png by png on my computer so i can read it easily at random times when i think about it. and not use vpn. usually it's this one specific caname doujin. rn it's welcoming morning

[sonxofxgondor]

@thegreatstrongbow asked: ❛it would be a shame to waste such a perfect opportunity.❜

Sexual Tension Prompts.

Cheeks dried from their tears, no longer wet from the sorrows spread, the comfort of Aragorn had done much to bring peace onto Boromir. Settled the troubles of his mind, his inner most spirit; thoughts and woes so awful that they dared not to be spoken aloud. Torments of fire and ash, dead all around, corpses rotted from the inside with hearts still bleeding, full of life and vigor. Good men and women of Gondor, who had sacrificed more than they should, for the sake of everyone who called the lands that surrounded the Fellowship home. From the Misty Mountains to the Shire, Lothlorien a realm that disguised its hurts beneath delicate song and silvered light. Beautiful and breathtaking - strange to Boromir but in the most pleasant of ways, as though he stepped into a world undiscovered before. Voices within his head had ceased for the time. Calmed in their words, deep within the curves and confusions, hope nurtured. Galadriel, kind and fairest lady, dressed in gold and white; Boromir found his smile again.

Disappearance of one friend given chance for the arrival of another, it was the seat beside Boromir that Beleg took, tree-base warmed by the body of Aragorn. Absorbed by the space shared between them, with joy did the two men converse together. About everything and anything, tales of simpler years and the adventures of family, feats of either Man or Elf. Beleg was honest and blunt. Cheerful as he told all stories - from the lips of one first born - the slow recollection of old memories. What had been forgotten but was no longer. What was still yet to be unearthed. Returned to Middle-Earth by the hands of Mandos; there was mention of Turin, beloved brother and friend, an incident of death. Boromir stopped not in his own reminiscence; described Faramir and Denethor, the loss of Finduilas, the gentle people of Minas Tirith, of all Gondor. It was only when his rambles rested, laughter spent on his lips, grin so wide, that it became known that they were pressed so close.

Twisted entire on the tree root that they sat upon, thick and sturdy, knees touching and the cloths of their tunics brushing. So close that Boromir could see the perfection of Beleg's skin; riddled not by the cruelty of the summer sun, smooth in look, tanned. Accompanied by darkened eyes - irises of invitation - memories of childhood, walks during autumn when leaves blew in the breeze. Flickered between brunette and umber, breath nearest his skin awoke a spark in Boromir, coaxed an unexpected shiver, the scent of Beleg. Centuries old but ageless to the touch; something to be yearned for, wholly desired, an invisible string that pulled Boromir ever closer. As though cheated by some spell, the question of a kiss danced in the airs, what was not drawn into Boromir's breathless lungs. Brave suggestion; Beleg stole the words from Boromir, quiet and almost missed themself.

"Yes. I do suppose it would be, Beleg." Boromir agreed, excitement lifted at the end, blush on his face, tongue dragged across his lips, a hunger in his belly.

"I would want nothing more than that - to have your kiss on my lips. But... it's been so long since I've shared in one. All my days have been dedicated to battle and glory; I remember little of what to do."

Boromir promised, moved to Beleg so that no gap laid between, as if their bodies could become one despite the layers on their skins, hands splayed on the tree bark below, a crutch. "And yet, I'd give anything to learn again with you. Beleg, can you not see that I find you beautiful? Not before you have I ever seen a more handsome man; none so brave as you nor as wise. Your kindness to me and our friends, it has only furthered the sentiment. It would be an honor to have your kiss, a pleasure. But take not my words lightly, Beleg. I would not allow our actions of eagerness to shame you or I. A kiss between us, as brothers in the fight we endure, as a soldier committed to his people, it means everything. It cannot be done for foolish sakes. Gods forgive me if we were spotted by our companions, the Lord and Lady! Kiss me now in this vow, or do not give me your taste at all."

"Beleg, let it not be a shame... a wasted opportunity..." Boromir whispered after silence passed, a plea from starved lips, desperate hands. "If it be of your will, as much as mine, let us do as we may. Kiss me, Beleg. Kiss me now; for I can't wait another moment!"

[mrs-trophy-wife]