Welcome to JAN-FEB. 2016’s Top Submissions of Unframed-Nature.
Thank you for being here whether you are a Member yet or not!
We welcome EACH one of you, and your support!
We welcome all the support you members give us, from participating in a variety of ways!
SO, THANK YOU!
A GRAND Welcome to ALL of Our 
NEW MEMBERS! 
And a HUGE thank you to all of you Loyal Members who have been submitting fantastic
Nature Work to our Group for years by now!
Without you, we just simply wouldn’t be here.
Thank you to our Admins., and... MEMBERS!! -who returned to vote on the four main folders for us, this time!
So we hope those Members who usually like to vote, and any other Members who'd like to participate in this every OTHER monthly event, will join us next time for voting in the TOP SUBS of MAR.-APR., 2016.
After all, we believe it's the Group's Group!
So, let’s continue to submit our own BEST QUALITY work, enjoy it, improve upon it, enjoy the work of others, and Nature in general. It’s what it’s all about-
combining our love of Art with our love of Nature, and coming together under that commonality!
Without further ado...
Please Enjoy The Voted Top Submissions of JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SELECTED!
[
Each section/folder has a small group, at the VERY TOP, where those had received slightly more votes. These will be copied to the Featured Folder, AND eventually 
'd by our Points 
Account at Unframed-Nature-PTSThe others are in no particular order.]
From: Birds, Invertebrates, Aquatics, Amphibians, Reptiles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Land Mammals, Wild & Dommestic
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
:thumb588489596:
:thumb501039739:
:thumb589937159:
From: Nature Much Closer:bigthumb581448441:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
:thumb593307760:
:thumb590781004:
:thumb592942464: From: All ‘Scapes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
:thumb585274605:
:thumb584552703:
:thumb349517786::thumb558108425::thumb589596393:
FROM OUR FOUR SPECIAL FOLDERS...
From: Animal Adoption and Animal Welfare
- This is well worth at least a click and a read, all to show simple creativity and that it doesn't have to be too difficult to find ways to take care of our animal counter-parts on Earth!
- If you can't adopt, you might be a good candidate for fostering! Good foster parents, are so needed! 
Monthly Theme/ Adopt A CatAs April blows in like a lion in Midwest, my sister tells us of another tiny homeless kitty on the streets of survivial. Lucy came from that same environment as tonight dips to the mid °20's.-
This month is, "Pets Are Wonderful Month". Maybe you can make a difference, possibly think about saving one kitty, one animal!
I know that I don't photograph Lucy like I used to, but she is happy, in a warm home with lots of love. So many kitties don't have that, till someone makes a difference in their lives.
We think of April as "Earth Month". In an effort of saving the environment and world animal survival population, let's think about adoption, save a kitty, save a cat, it will be the best gift for you have ever received!
These are a few examples of our monthly theme, people with adoption stores or of cats that have changed you for the better!
Help us find the beautiful stories!
Beautiful article about Adoption of cats... wish I found more articles like it or, about adoption of other types of animals.
- It's a bit difficult to know which folder to put this sweetie in, because it's not endangered, but it IS an "Environmental Issue" which IS part of our NEXT special folder, and we usually think of THIS folder for the Welfare of Domestic Animals- but given the ISSUE, itself, I realized that which FOLDER, is "splitting hairs", as we say.
The important thing here is, the POINT of the message.
The above are important so pieces! Please... I wish we had more of these types of educational art pieces to feature!
From: Endangered Species & Environmental IssuesRe-CyclingMy heart lies deep within, buried-
By the very beings whose life
I daily sustain.
When the rain comes, its cycle finished,
Their plates are full and their cups overflow
But they thank me not with words.
They thank me with tall buildings,
Metal erections that scrape against
My outstretched throat.
They thank me with jarring vibrations,
Causing the most deadly of waste
To fall in places unprepared for such toxins.
Their lands dry up, and plants cry out
Asking why their mother has forsaken them,
Not understanding my plight.
I have been trapped
By these beings whose lives depend on me,
Forced into a cycle of unending death.
The trees bend to my will,
Storms rock the seashores,
And men die by droves.
But my purpose is life,
And as my heart beats loudly,
My tears grow the grass tall.
Fields grow plentiful once more,
And again they forget.
They continue to attack my roots.
I cry out as I try to hold the world together.
I cry out as the heat burns my head and my feet.
I scream as the pain becom
I LOVE to see writing in our folders, and on matters like these, WOW!
:bigthumb587607631:
The above pieces are also so important! Please... I wish we had more of these types of educational art pieces to feature! From: Humans, Architecture, & Transportation in NATURE
:bigthumb590564907:
:bigthumb596186083:
From: Still Life, Concepts, Abstract, Crafts, Fantasy in NATUREAprilShe's all dressed up, so bright and grand;- Yay more awesome writing!
In floral gown and rainbow band.
The swallows sing, and dawn comes hurrying
To greet the Spring in peak of glory!
The noise and hustle wake the day,
Which unveils sun to light Spring's way.
The butterflies applaud, excited;
By friendly April all invited.
The mellow grounds revive in greens
To gentle music of clear streams.
Breeze sends out tickling sensations
To gather smiles for celebration.
So let yourself become enthralled
By April's festive, blooming ball!
:bigthumb211522882:
:bigthumb592856267:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our Group’s NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS! RE-Featured From: “The Group’s Donors’ Folder”from the last TWO Months' Donors, To be Copied to the Featured Folder, and THEN... eventually
'd by:Unframed-Nature-PTS
:thumb526354452:
:thumb584431425:
Despairing Winter's Eclipse It came upon me suddenly.:thumb586238878:
The realization was quick,
and keen – and all the things
they tell you to be careful of.
It was, of course, the chance–
the opportunity that captured
my immortal soul.
I was slowly, surely dying.
Each of us is only granted
so much time on this earth.
Mine was running out.
But when he'd come to me,
offering the golden opportunity,
I couldn't turn him away.
To start over was only
a pipe dream I'd once
given thought to.
It wasn't a matter of medicines,
of doctors who said life was
quickly leaving my frail frame.
&
Our Group’s MOST Recent Donors of POINTS bergunty
:bigthumb304617122::bigthumb585575600:
:bigthumb537862373::bigthumb452250256:
shilaktit
cacharoth
awesome43
Sassy-Cat-Sooo-Catty
:bigthumb357060117::bigthumb579724559:
:bigthumb585091760:
philippeL
Ingelore
:bigthumb601395628:
Ancient--One
UszatyArbuz
TeaPhotography
Again, we just want to give a shout-out of BIG THANKS for the support we receive from the aweome group:
_____________________
Thank you greatly, to ALL of those who have been keeping our group going, in this particular way!
We have been using many of the benefits that SuperGroup does offer us, which I might add, is helpful for a Group that is of this size and of this much activity.
AND KEEP YOUR 
OPEN FOR SOME VERY VERY SPECIAL ACTIVITIES COMING UP VERY SOON, FOR WHICH POINTS WOULD BE HELPFUL. A COUPLE POINTS TO SPARE? THANK YOU WITH HUGE HEARTS, IN ADVANCE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our Group’s MEMBERS of THE MONTH Thank you to these fabulous Members who have been loyal to our Group in various ways, and for a while now!
For example, doing things like:
Voting in THIS here- our Every OTHER Monthly Event, Supporting our Group/Articles with Positive Comments and/or Fav's, Supporting our Themes by Participating in them and Promoting them, Supporting our CONTESTS by participating and promoting and/or donating prizes/points, supporting the group through donating points, or helping out other members when they have a question and by faving each other's work, or simply submitting work regularly, and other ways, too!
(Of course NO single MEMBER of the MONTH is doing ALL of these,
that doesn't seem possible!... but there are some Members, WHO strive to do as much as they can... ) How kind and generous of them!
We are very grateful for all they do and for being such valuable Members of our Group here!
JANUARY marthig
- Honourary! 
Martha is an Honourary Member of the Month. She has supported this group in such a variety ways for at least as long as I have taken over the group, and if I listed all the things she has done for this group, we'd be here ALL year.
Stygma
- Honourary! 
Johanne is an Honourary Member of the Month, too. She has been very supportive of our group, in similar ways, but also some different ways, and we have been blessed to have the myriad of ways she's been helpful to us.
FEBRUARY LUCILALEYLA
:bigthumb599631883::bigthumb592312896:
:bigthumb552134465:
marijeberting
Becoming A Part of Unframed-Nature's Admin. TEAM We are still looking for "Supporting Team Members" to join our Admin. Team!
If you would be interested in becoming a part of our wonderful Admin. TeamPLEASE NOTE ME, TeaPhotography.
You may want to LOOK at our APPLICATION, first, and answer as many questions as you want, or feel like answering.
It's DEFINITELY MORE INFORMAL than it looks- really!
It just gives us an idea, as well, as you, our potentially newest Admin., a general idea of things.
Administrator Application for Unframed-NatureUnframed-Nature's Application for Administrative Position
Accepting Applications for Administrator Positions at Unframed-Nature is now: OPEN!
Introduction
Before you apply, please know that volunteering for a large and active group here on dA, such as Unframed-Nature is a real and true commitment, which will take up some of your time on at least a weekly basis, maybe more.
Unframed-Nature is special in many ways, but from an Administrative view point, it is very special because we have always had good luck with our current Administrators, most of which have been with the Group, as Administrators, for a very long time.
We are a very friendly Team, both with each other, and with the Members, as well. This means when we do have to decline works, we do give a reason, and we are friendly about it. It means, that upon occasion if there is something that we disagree about within the Admin. Team, we disagree nic
Obviously you do NOT have to be qualified in every area. I certainly am not! 
Unframed-Nature's UpComing News Articles 
The LIST of THE TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY of Unframed-Nature ACTIVITIES & EVENTS- which we have planned, which will ALL BEGIN: TOWARD END OF APRIL,
ALL ENDING: TOWARD END OF JUNE
Upcoming Themes & Contests Our Upcoming THEMES and next BIG CONTEST are ALL about to occur within approximately two months time! They will all have something to do with our TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY of Unframed-Nature!
There will be several activities and events, including... ONE BIG CONTEST!!!
Keep your
OPEN, for this LIST of Activities and Events, which will be out quite soon!
POINTS for Our Group! 
We HOPE to continue to have TWO BIG Contests per year as we get further into 2016. Including the one we do have planned during and related to our TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY activities and events! AND... we hoping to have some points for a series of smaller activities & events, also related to our TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Though, we DO hope for other prizes during this ANNIVERSARY time, we are of course also hoping to give out point, & especially for the BIG CONTEST, which is true of our BIG CONTESTS, every single year! We will still have a few smaller monthly Themes, this year, which are much smaller than our BIG CONTEST, therefore come with smaller points, but certainly we'd like to have point prizes, to offer. The next Theme is planned so far, after all of the ANNIVERSARY events, will maybe be around... August. We sometimes use points for other special occasions or circumstances, on a smaller scales. At this point, we DO plan to renew our SUPERGROUP Status next THIS VERY DECEMBER 1st, 2016 for 2017. We are always trying to think ahead for this. 
These are some of the things that your very, VERY generous points help us to be able to accomplish, as a large and active group. AND, this year, with THE TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY, it's a bit different, as we are hoping for just a bit more to cover a bit more of our activities... Thank you truly again so very much for your kind and benevolent help!
If you are able to donate a few points, feel free to donate to our group, HERE:
Unframed-Nature-PTS Any point helps, and you will read there, how our donors are rewarded! 
FAQ Sheet for 2016 It is placed in multiple locations throughout our Group site, as well as, inside of EACH gallery folder.
The reason that it is literally everywhere, is for the convenience of BOTH Members and Administrators, & because NO ONE, is expected to memerize the length of the document, it is always at our fingertips, to refer to.
UPDATED FAQ Sheet for Unframed-Nature 2016:iconhugpileplz: Welcome (Back) to Unframed-Nature,
and to Our NEWLY Completed Group FAQ for 2016! :iconhugpileplz:
:iconcip25::iconcip26::iconcip27::iconcip28::iconcip29::iconcip26::iconcip25:
simply scroll DIRECTLY past this first section on "Introduction and Welcome" TO the SECTION where you will find exactly what you are looking for!
Thank you! Hope that helps!***
:iconwhiteflowerplz: Introduction and Welcome! :iconwhiteflowerplz:
First, I would like to take a moment to wish ALL of our Admins., Members, Affiliates, & Friends of our Group,
A REALLY SUPER YEAR in 2016!
:iconnewyear2plz:
If you are a NEW Member, thank you for joining us, and Welcome to our Group! We really hope you will enjoy our fun-loving Nature group, and our UNIQUE way of doing things!
:icongrouphugplz:
And if you'
When needing something specific, simply scroll to the section you need to know.
For example:
to understand about a particular folder, or submission limits,
OR, times when our Group Closes such as every OTHER month, for a week, and during the holidays, once a year.
Please be aware of our group closures!
You ARE responsible for what is held in FAQ, but we ARE kind and helpful group.
PLEASE NOTE:We have had an issue about a particular submission that came across our group. And the truth actual is there is not an exact specific rule that describes submissions, such as the one am referring to. Therefore my very capable admins. must use their best judgement, and this must be respected.
I have yet to have a moment to speak with them as a whole TEAM, on this exact matter, but I have spoken with at least one, who reached out to me. I already knew *part* of the story, from the Member.
The thing is, we can't always create a specific rule for every possible thing that does come up, or our FAQ sheet, would be even LONGER!
However, if this is something, that has come up repeatedly, it would seem, that I might need to. SO, if and when this addition is added, you as our members, will be alerted to the change.
However, the most bottom line here, which IS and ALWAYS has been, in the FAQ, is respect of our Administrators, who are unpaid and loyal volunteers. Of course we all have different personalities, and not all of us are bubbly and naturally on the extra warm side, but respect does go both ways, and so we do try to do the same, and we appreciate your respect as well! So, thank you, in advance...
... and give me time and patience (as always) while I work further on this issue.
WE ARE A COMMUNITY SUPPORTING GROUP!
HERE ARE A FEW GROUPS WE SUPPORT REGULARLY!
Feel free to check them out, you'll be glad you did!
Other AWESOME Groups, Founded by our own ADMINS., HERE!
Founder: 
donate here: Fractal-Love-Points
and 
Founder:
and 
and
Founder: 
donate here: NaturesHaven-Pts and
Founder: 
Founder: 
Dear Fellow-Admins.,
If I have missed any of you, who are working as a FOUNDER of another GROUP,
PLEASE DO let me know!
Affiliate Groups’ CONTEST WINNERS! { YOUR GROUP WINNERS COULD BE HERE!
}PLEASE CHECK THE CONTESTS or EVENTS WE ARE PROMOTING FOR AFFILIATES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF OUR PROFILE PAGE!! If you want us to PROMOTE a Contest or EVENT from YOUR GROUP, SEND us a GROUP NOTE! If you want us to FEATURE the WINNERS,too let us know at the same time, and then, SEND us the WINNERS in a GROUP NOTE, as well. 
Thank you for your attention to our Wonderful Affiliates.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you ALL,
BOTH to our Active Members and Actively working Admins. alike!
A serious and
HEART-FELT THANKS to ALL of my fellow-Admins., There are just no words great enough to express my utter gratitude for all that they've done in the past, present, and future.
I just love our TEAM!
An EXTRAORDINARY TEAM it IS!
WE, AT Unframed-Nature
WISH YOU ALL.....
A VERY HAPPY TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY!
I hope you'll get involved in our planned activites, because I certainly look forward to celebrating with you, one of the oldest groups here on dA!
Tea
Your Founder, aka Senior Team Leader...
