View allAll Photos Tagged CLOSETONATURE
This was captured near the North Head Cafe, Manly, NSW.
The Australian brushturkey or Australian brush-turkey or gweela (Alectura lathami), also frequently called the scrub turkey or bush turkey, is a common, widespread species of mound-building bird from the family Megapodiidae found in eastern Australia from Far North Queensland to Eurobodalla on the south coast of New South Wales. The Australian brush-turkey has also been introduced to Kangaroo Island in South Australia. It is the largest extant representative of the family Megapodiidae, and is one of three species to inhabit Australia. (Wikipedia)
This image is included in a gallery "LUGARES INCREIBLES volumen 2" curated by BYKTOR-f.d.
This huge boulder (15m x 7m) is believed to have come from nowhere, sitting precariously on a solid cliff, overlooking the myriad of mountains and peaks below.
Huangshan 黄山 (Yellow Mountain) is a jagged range of more than 70 knifelike peaks in eastern China’s Anhui province. The region's low-hanging clouds, distinctively shaped granite rocks and twisted pine trees have been subjects of numerous classical paintings and poems. Cable cars provide access to several peaks, and steep paved trails with thousands of stone steps snake past many of the range's famous viewpoints. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of China's major tourist destinations.
飛來石的傳說: 飛來石位於黃山光明頂的西北方，高約15米，寬7米，如同從天而降，兀立於峰頂，是黃山非常著名的一處奇景。
關於飛來石的來歷，也有一段有趣的故事。相傳，宋代有個叫單福的石匠，一生造成了不少石橋，也想在自己家鄉門口的江山建造一座，只可惜缺少幫手。他膝下只有一女名叫小姣，長得聰明美麗。小姣知道父親的心思，便自告奮勇要求幫助父親建造石橋。但那深山採石，百里運石的苦和累，小女子怎麼受得了，所以單福就是不答應。小姣跪在地上苦苦哀求，單福沒奈何，才含淚點頭。
單福還叫來三個徒弟幫忙，於是不久就開工了。由於開山運石的苦和累實在難受，大徒弟和二徒弟先後悄悄地溜了。單福和女兒，三徒弟為修橋鐵了心，繼續風裏雨裏苦幹著。但好幾年過去了，運到江邊的石頭只有一小堆，這樣累死苦死，橋也建不起來。
小姣一咬牙，請人寫了“捐身修橋”四個大字，插了個草標，坐到江邊石堆旁。一連三天，來看的人無數，但望望滔滔的江水，就都走了。這天，忽然來了個瘸子，身背一把扇子，摘了草標，問小姣願願意跟他走，小姣回答說：“什麼時候把大山裏的開採的石頭全運到江邊，就什麼時候跟你走。”
這瘸子原來是八仙中的鐵拐李。他擠出人群，騰雲駕霧，很快來到百裏外的大山，從背上拿下扇子，對著單福和三徒弟開出的石頭就扇。石頭竟都飛了起來，又紛紛都落在江邊。單福和三徒弟也被從山上扇到造橋工地。鐵拐李還怕不夠，又對身下立著的一塊巨石扇了三扇子，他就站在那巨石上飛到江邊。只見底下盡人，未敢讓巨石落下。又聽單福大聲說：“石頭夠了”他便駕起雲頭，飄游起來，游到黃山，見黃山風景秀麗，便將石頭落下。從此，這飛來石就給黃山增添了絕妙的一景。
黃山位於中國安徽省南部黃山市境內。黃山古稱黟山，南北長約40千米，東西寬約30千米。黃山素以「奇松、怪石、雲海、溫泉」四絕聞名天下。那72峰、24溪、2湖、3瀑，峰峰奇特，溪溪曲折、極盡天下山水之美，更聚名山大川之勝。黃山最高峰是蓮花峰，海拔1860米 ，位 於黃山中部、站在玉屏樓向前望去, 猶如一朵含苞初放的蓮花, 峻峭高聳, 仰天怒放。晴天從蓮花峰頂可遙見江西的廬山和似帶的長江。黃山三大主峰之一的天都峰，與蓮花峰爭雄對峙。它位於黃山東南部，人稱無上之都會, 海拔1829米、從玉屏樓至天都峰約15千米，其間有黃山最險峻的峰嶺，峰上的石樓，坡度都在70度以上；尤以中途的鯽魚背最險。
This image in included in a gallery "Colors" curated by by cristian salvadori.
Hutt Lagoon is a salty lake with a pink hue due to the presence of the carotenoid-producing algae Dunaliella salina, which is a source of ß-carotene, a food-colouring agent and source of vitamin A. The lagoon contains the world's largest microalgae production plant, a 250-hectare (620-acre) series of artificial ponds used to farm Dunaliella salina. (Sourced from the internet)
Hutt Lagoon is about 55 km from Kalbarri towards Port Gregory, Western Australia. It smells stinky when near. A coat of salt deposit covering the stones is clearly visible.
This is the "Hanging Rock" proper. It is a solid boulder "hanging" between 2 other boulders. It is one of the routes to go to the upper levels. The moss growths on the surface make it look more textured and beautiful.
Hanging Rock (also known as Mount Diogenes, Dryden's Rock, and to some of its traditional owners as Ngannelong) is a distinctive geological formation in central Victoria, Australia. A former volcano, it lies 718m above sea level (105m above plain level) on the plain between the two small townships of Newham and Hesket, approximately 70 km north-west of Melbourne and a few kilometres north of Mount Macedon.
Hanging Rock is a mamelon, created 6.25 million years ago by stiff magma pouring from a vent and congealing in place. Often thought to be a volcanic plug, it is not. Two other mamelons exist nearby, created in the same period: Camels Hump, to the south on Mount Macedon and, to the east, Crozier's Rocks. All three mamelons are composed of soda trachyte. As Hanging Rock's magma cooled and contracted it split into rough columns. These weathered over time into the many pinnacles that can be seen today.
This image is included in 2 galleries 1) "MIX_05" curated by Willie Sturges and 2) "Scene Against the Sky" by bobtee178.
In late winter afternoon light, the rocks take on a warmth colour. Gum trees on the left are casting shadows on the pillars. A half-moon just above the ‘organ pipes’ adds additional austere atmosphere.
The hexagonal basalt columns known as the "Organ Pipes" which sit in the bed of the creek is of the order of 70 metres (230 ft) high.
The Organ Pipes National Park, abbreviated as OPNP, is a national park located in the Central region of Victoria, Australia. The 121-hectare (300-acre) protected area was established with the focus on conservation of the native flora and fauna, and preservation of the geological features in the Jacksons Creek, a part of the Maribyrnong valley, north-west of Melbourne. It is situated in a deep gorge in the grassy, basalt Keilor plains.
Within Organ Pipes National Park, the valley walls of Jacksons Creek expose Pleistocene volcanic rocks of the New Volcanic Group. These 2.5 to 2.8 million year-old basalt lavas, commonly known as "trap rock," fractured during cooling into vertically standing, hexagonal basalt columns. These columns are locally known as the "organ pipes" for which this park is named. Over the last one to two million years, the slow cutting by Jackson Creek of its valley down into the basaltic plains and through the underlying trap rock exposed these geological structures. The bottom of the valley of Jackson Creek also exposes a prehistoric buried creek valley, which is cut into 400 million year-old (Silurian) mudstones and sandstones. The bottom of this buried valley contains ancient creek gravel. Both the ancient river valley and the Silurian sedimentary rock lies buried beneath the basaltic volcanic rocks of the New Volcanic Group. Marine fossils that are found in the Silurian sedimentary rocks demonstrate that they accumulated beneath a prehistoric ocean.
A Friends’ group, (the first in Australia) the "Friends of Organ Pipes" (FOOPS), comprising conservation activists to support the efforts of rehabilitation of the OPNP’s indigenous flora and fauna, supplemented the work of the Victoria Park system under which the OPNP was declared a National Park. The park's importance to the whole region as a "center for education about the geology, flora and fauna of the Keilor Plains, and the restoration of degraded land" is important. With its inclusion in the IUCN Category III (Natural Monuments) of the United Nations’ list of National Parks and Protected Areas, there is a greater recognition of the need to protect or preserve outstanding natural features. (Sourced from Internet)
The "bridge" joining the arch crumbled on 15/1/1990. Now only the arch is standing to brave the waves and tides and winds and harsh Australian sun. It is now called London Arch.
This shot is taken shortly after sunset, with the near-full moon shining from the top left hand sky.
This image is included in a gallery "landscape vol 7" curated by Jean-paul Vancoppenolle.
This close-up image of the 3 Sisters was taken on a warm summer evening, from Echo Point. Here the rock faces reflect different hues of the warm setting sun, in contrast to the dark blue valley beyond and below.
The Three Sisters is the Blue Mountains’ most spectacular landmark. Located at Echo Point Katoomba, around 2.5 kilometres from the Great Western Highway, this iconic visitor attraction is experienced by millions of people each year.
The Three Sisters is essentially an unusual rock formation representing three sisters who according to Aboriginal legend were turned to stone. The character of the Three Sisters changes throughout the day and throughout the seasons as the sunlight brings out the magnificent colours. The Three Sisters is also floodlit until around 11pm each evening looking simply spectacular set against the black background of the night sky.Each of the Three Sisters stand at 922, 918 & 906 metres tall, respectively. They are actually over 3000 feet above sea level! The Wall of Kings is in the far left while Mount Solitary is just not far beyond to the right.
The Legend is that " The Aboriginal dream-time legend has it that three sisters, 'Meehni', 'Wimlah' and Gunnedoo' lived in the Jamison Valley as members of the Katoomba tribe. These beautiful young ladies had fallen in love with three brothers from the Nepean tribe, yet tribal law forbade them to marry. The brothers were not happy to accept this law and so decided to use force to capture the three sisters causing a major tribal battle. As the lives of the three sisters were seriously in danger, a witch doctor from the Katoomba tribe took it upon himself to turn the three sisters into stone to protect them from any harm. While he had intended to reverse the spell when the battle was over, the witch doctor himself was killed. As only he could reverse the spell to return the ladies to their former beauty, the sisters remain in their magnificent rock formation as a reminder of this battle for generations to come.
(Sourced from BluemountainsAustralia.com.au)
This image is included in 2 galleries :- 1) "Favourite Bird Photographs I" curated by Jacob Yesh-Brochstein and 2) "Des oiseaux de plus. More birds." by rosedenovembre..
This image is included in 2 galleries:- 1) "waterfalls of our world; The big and the small ones." curated by enfin enfin and 2) "PAISAJES DE ENSUEÑO-volumen 2" by byktor -f.d..
Niagara Falls is the collective name for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between Canada and the United States; more specifically, between the province of Ontario and the state of New York.
Accordding to information from the Niagara Parks :-
• More than 168,000 cubic metres (6 million cubic ft.) of water go over the crestline of the Falls every minute during peak daytime tourist hours.
• The average fall from Lake Erie to the beginning of the upper Niagara Rapids is only 2.7 metres (9 ft.)
• The Canadian Horseshoe Falls drops an average of 57 metres (188 ft.) into the Lower Niagara River.
• The crest line of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls is approximately 670 metres (2,200 ft.) wide. The plunge pool beneath the Falls is 35 metres (100 ft.) deep.
This is seen from the Canadian side and from a distance.
This image is included in 3 galleries :- 1) "Butterflies 125(1963)" curated by DAN VARTANIAN, 2 ) "Nature" by hussi48 and 3) "Amazing Photos" by Daren Rose.
Feeding on forget-me-not.
This moth is very small, very colourful and quick in flight. They feed on wild flowers.
According to Wikipedia: The Heliotrope Moth (Utetheisa pulchelloides) is a moth of the Arctiidae family. It is found in the Indo-Australian region including Borneo, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Papua, Seychelles and most of Australia.
This images is included in a gallery "LANDSCAPE VOL 18" curated by Jean-paul Vancoppenolle.
Hubbard Glacier is a glacier located in eastern Alaska and part of Yukon, Canada, and named after Gardiner Hubbard. It is a valley glacier with a face about 9.6 km across and 90 m high.
This was taken on board a cruise ship Celebrity Century-X. Despite a fair distance from it, the small avalanches were frequent and quite loud.
This image is included in a gallery "|38| Parrots parakeets lorikeets exotics etc." curated by Calvin Virginia.
A pair of red-rumped parrots sit on a dead branch, soaking the warmth of Autumn morning sun. Suddenly Mrs Parrot takes off, and Mr Parrot follows...
This image is included in a gallery "|38| Parrots parakeets lorikeets exotics etc." curated by Calvin Virginia.
The Fifeshire / Arrow Rock is an iconic landmark of Nelson waterfront off State Highway 6, South Island, Newzealand. The rock is illuminated after dark and before sunrise.
Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson Region. Nelson is the oldest city in the South Island and the second-oldest settled city in New Zealand, It was established in 1841 and was proclaimed a city by royal charter in 1858.
This was taken at dawn. Arrow Rock was lit by flood light from the shore.
This image is included in a gallery "Blue" curated by Andy Montgomery.
Average depth : 22 to 30 m (72 to 98 ft)
Max. depth : 30 m (98 ft)
Inferno Crater Lake is a large hot spring located in the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley on the North Island of New Zealand, and the largest geyser-like feature in the world. The actual geyser is not visible, as it plays underwater at the bottom of the lake, however, fumaroles are visible on the lake's shore and the rock wall behind it.
The water temperature in the lake ranges from 35 to 80 °C (95 to 176 °F), with acidity up to pH 2.2, and lake levels that vary up to 12 metres (39 ft), following a complicated 38-day cycle that includes an overflow stage. White silica deposits grow up to the overflow level, and the lake's colour is a result of finely divided silica suspended in the water. At low water levels the lake can be a dull grey colour, changing to an intensely sky blue colour at higher lake levels, in particular after the overflow stage.
Inferno Crater was blasted out of the side of the locally prominent Mt Haszard as part of the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption, which opened several craters along a 17 kilometres (11 mi) rift stretching southwest from Mount Tarawera to the nearby Southern Crater. Inferno Crater's trumpet-shaped lake bed is up to 30 metres (98 ft) deep when the lake is full, which is also when it reaches its highest temperature.
Since 1901 the lake occupying Inferno Crater has exhibited water-level variations closely associated with the Waimangu Geyser cycle. Inferno Crater Lake and its neighbouring Frying Pan Lake form a unique relationship and follow an interconnected rhythmic cycle of hydrology variations repeating itself over the course of roughly 38 days. When the water level and temperature of Inferno Crater Lake increase, the water level and outflow of Frying Pan Lake decrease. Comparable cyclic activity is unknown in other hydrothermal systems in the world.
The system has been the subject of studies since monitoring equipment was installed in the area in 1970. Four distinct phases can be recognised in its cycle: First, the lake level rises steadily from its lowest level by a total of almost 5 metres (16 ft) over the course of 8 days, and then it commences oscillating. The average lake level keeps rising over the course of the oscillations of the second phase until it reaches overflow level. At that point, the lake's volume has increased by 45,800 cubic metres (1,620,000 cu ft). Next, the lake overflows for about 51 hours at a rate of almost 80 liter per second, discharging on average 140,000 cubic metres (4,900,000 cu ft) of over 70 °C (158 °F) hot water down a temporary overflow stream into Waimangu Stream in the valley below. The last stage sees the lake recede to its low level over the last 13 days of the cycle, its water temperature also falling to the low point. During that stage, around 30 million liters of water drain back under Mt Haszard.
Inferno Crater Lake is accessible via a side track with 50 steps off the main Waimangu walking track. It is one of three lakes filling craters created in the vicinity during the 1886 event. (Wikipedia)
This image is included in 3 galleries :- 1) "Butterfly" curated by Anandamoy Chatterji, 2) "PAPILLONS 2" by Jean-paul Vancoppenolle and 3) "Bolboretas-Mariposas" byJose Luis Cernadas Iglesias.
This image is included in a gallery "Birds / Aves XI" curated by LusoFox.
They are like gems sparkling in the sky when in flight, especially in the morning and evening. They are really fast and hard to capture on "film".
This image is included in 7 galleries :- 1) "new1" curated by Krinkrin1 , 2) "Elles me plainsent 24" by michellefouineur, 3) "Reino Animal-Aves" by cruz dario33 and 4) "Wildlife 01" by Jason Wright, 5) "Spectacular Images of Birds In Flight!" by Lena Dezaneka, 6) "Natura 23" by Stefano Bacci and 7) "Birds - Parrots" by Radoslav Besenyi.
(explored May 26, 2010 #237)
This image is included in a gallery "el vuelo propio" curated by BYKTOR-f.d.
The Himalayan Griffon, Vulture (Gyps himalayensis) is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is closely related to the European Griffon Vulture, G. fulvus.
Adults average 106 cm (42 inches) in length and 272 cm (108 inches) across the wings; they weigh 9.7 kg (21.4 lbs). They are the second largest Old World vulture, behind only the Eurasian Black Vulture in size.
It breeds on crags in mountains in the Himalayas and Tibet, laying a single egg. Birds may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident. Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of animals, which it finds by soaring over open areas and mountains. These birds often move in flocks.
Captured this one at Sky Mountain, Wulumuqi, China. It was a very brief encounter and I only managed to capture two useful ones.
攝於烏魯木齊天山天池馬雅山觀景台
This image is in 3 galleries : 1) "Flying Birds" curated by Tatters and 2) "Good" by Igarrido1 and 3) "INTERPHOTO * TOP FLICKR 2021" by Gianfranco Marzetti.
The red wattlebird is a passerine bird native to southern Australia. At 33–37 cm in length, it is the second largest species of Australian honeyeater. It has mainly grey-brown plumage, with red eyes, distinctive pinkish-red wattles on either side of the neck, white streaks on the chest and a large bright yellow patch on the lower belly. The sexes are similar in plumage. Juveniles have less prominent wattles and browner eyes. John White described the red wattlebird in 1790. Three subspecies are recognized.
(explored: Apr 29, 2010 #59)
This was taken at an aquarium prior to going through the immigration at the Vancouver International Airport. The graceful movements of the gellyfishes from a close range took my breath away.
This image is included in a gallery "The best of the sea" curated by Wolfgang Göttler.
The "bridge" joining the arch crumbled on 15/1/1990. Now only the arch is standing to brave the waves and tides and winds and harsh Australian sun.
The Great Ocean Road is a great scenic route. Some days you get sunshine; some days you get rain. When the winds howl at the sea and the waves take it out on the rocks, you get a picture like this.
This image is included in 3 galleries :- 1) "Stunning Bird Shots-XXI" curated by anandamoy, 2) "Birds 105" by Paulina Ungureanu and 3) "Flying Birds" by Paulina Ungureanu.
This image is included in a gallery "I love lighthouse! Here are some of my favorites...in and outside of Second Life!" curated by Lanay Resident.
The Wood Islands Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse situated on the Island's southeastern shore, located in Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island (PEI). The Lighthouse is a well preserved three storey tower with an adjoining one and one half storey keeper's residence. The white shingled tower is topped by a red iron lantern, which is enclosed by a white railing on the observation deck. The red roof of the dwelling provides a striking contrast to the white shingled exterior of the dwelling.
During its session of 1874, the Canadian Parliament appropriated $6,000 for the construction of a lighthouse at Wood Islands, as an aid of marine traffic in the Northumberland Strait, being finished in the autumn of 1876, it was put into operation on 1 November 1876. It is the second oldest lighthouse, on PEI, with an attached dwelling and tower of this style.
The 16.5 meters lighthouse tower is built on a stone foundation with a focal height of 21.8 meters. It has a nominal range of 12 nautical miles. It was deactivated in 2007.
This image was taken on board the NFL Vehicular Ferry departing from PEI on a fine morning.
On a June day in 2009 a rain storm warning was in force, as evidenced by the dark grey clouds beyond the trees. The low afternoon sun broke through the thick clouds for a very brief moment. A white-faced heron was feeding on the lawn. Sensing my approaching, it suddenly took off ...
This image is included in a gallery "Landscapes" curated by Sal Polizzotti.
Hanging Rock contains numerous distinctive rock formations, including the "Hanging Rock" itself (a boulder suspended between other boulders, under which is the main entrance path), the Colonnade, the Eagle and the UFO. The highest point on Hanging Rock is 718 metres above sea level and 105 metres above the plain below.
Hanging Rock (also known as Mount Diogenes, Dryden's Rock, and to some of its traditional owners as Ngannelong) is a distinctive geological formation in central Victoria, Australia. A former volcano, it lies 718m above sea level (105m above plain level) on the plain between the two small townships of Newham and Hesket, approximately 70 km north-west of Melbourne and a few kilometres north of Mount Macedon.
Hanging Rock is a mamelon, created 6.25 million years ago by stiff magma pouring from a vent and congealing in place. Often thought to be a volcanic plug, it is not. Two other mamelons exist nearby, created in the same period: Camels Hump, to the south on Mount Macedon and, to the east, Crozier's Rocks. All three mamelons are composed of soda trachyte. As Hanging Rock's magma cooled and contracted it split into rough columns. These weathered over time into the many pinnacles that can be seen today.
This taken from across a grass paddock on fine winter morning. A mob of kangaroos were out there on the lawn enjoying morning sun. They always keep an watchful eye on people passing by.
This image is included in 2 galleries:-1) "Birds 2" curated by FinnCamera and 2) "Birds 1." also by FinnCamera.
This image is included in a gallery "PAISAJES INCREÍBLES.PAISAJES DE ALUCINE XVLVXXVXXVXXXXVI." curated by Lagarto (miguelitoiglesias21).
Milford Sound / Piopiotahi is a fiord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island within Fiordland National Park, Piopiotahi Marine Reserve, and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. It has been judged the world's top travel destination in an international survey and is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist destination. Rudyard Kipling had previously called it the eighth Wonder of the World.
Milford Sound is named after Milford Haven in Wales, while the Cleddau River which flows into the sound is also named for its Welsh namesake. The Māori named the sound Piopiotahi after the thrush-like piopio bird, now extinct. Piopiotahi means "a single piopio", harking back to the legend of Māui trying to win immortality for mankind—when Maui died in the attempt, a piopio was said to have flown here in mourning.
With a mean annual rainfall of 6,412 mm (252 in) each year, a high level even for the West Coast, Milford Sound is known as the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand and one of the wettest in the world. Rainfall can reach 250 mm (10 in) during a span of 24 hours. The rainfall creates dozens of temporary waterfalls (as well as a number of major, more permanent ones) cascading down the cliff faces, some reaching a thousand metres in length. Smaller falls from such heights may never reach the bottom of the sound, drifting away in the wind.
This is an hand-held HDR taken on a dull, cold and rainy day, on board a cruise ship Milford Mariner.
This image is included in a gallery "Photo Gallery" curated by Ryan Walker.
Lake Louise, also called Lake of the Little Fishes by the Stoney Nakota First Nations people, is a glacial lake within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. The village of Lake Louise is on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), which is 57 knots (106 km/h; 66 mph) west of Banff, Alberta. The emerald color of the water comes from rock flour carried into the lake by melt-water from the glaciers that overlook the lake. The lake has a surface of 0.8 km2 (0.31 sq mi) and is drained through the 3 km long Louise Creek into the Bow River. Moraine Lake and Lake Agnes are also accessible from Lake Louise.
Lake Louise was originally named "Emerald Lake". In 1884 the name was changed, naming it after the daughter of Queen Victoria, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta. (Wikipedia)
This was taken on a fine summer morning. A thin mist was still lingering above the lake surface. The Big Beehive is in the middle right. Victoria Glacier is in the middle left, and Mt Fairview is on the left.
I am happy that the hair on its back reflecting the glory of the morning has been preserved.
This image is included in 3 galleries :- 1)"Featured Creatures" curated by DietzCL, 2) "Butterfly VII" by rio en medio and 3) "Butterlfies 8(058)" by Dan Vartanian.
The colourful phenomenon was created by early gold-mining activities: sluicing work in the 1880s revealed the 'pink' hills near the historic town of Heathcote.
The Pink Cliffs Reserve is about 140km from Melbourne CBD. It was originally man made but is now considered one of Victoria's natural wonders. The multi-coloured soft granite exposed as a moonscape surface in the central portion of the reserve is the best known feature hence its name, Pink Cliffs.
These big marble-shaped boulders are located at the entrance to the Reserve. Lichen growth on them adds further interesting texture. More images of the reserve will follow.
This image is included in a gallery:- 1) "colour" by Sylvia Okkerse.
Wa-io-tapu (Māori for "sacred waters") is an active geothermal area at the southern end of the Okataina Volcanic Centre, just north of the Reporoa caldera, in New Zealand's Taupo Volcanic Zone. It is 27 kilometres south of Rotorua. Due to dramatic geothermal conditions beneath the earth, the area has many hot springs noted for their colourful appearance, in addition to the Lady Knox Geyser, Champagne Pool, Artist's Palette, Primrose Terrace and boiling mud pools. These can mostly be viewed through access by foot, and in addition to a paid and curated experience, naturally forming hot springs appear around the area. The geothermal area covers 18 square kilometres. Prior to European occupation the area was the homeland of the Ngati Whaoa tribe who descended from those on the Arawa waka.
Covering some 18 sq.km, with the volcanic dome of Mungakakaramea (Rainbow Mountain) at its northern boundary, the area is literally covered with collapsed craters, cold and boiling pools of mud, water and streaming fumaroles. The general public sees only a very small portion. The area is associated with volcanic activity dating back about 160,000 years and is located right on the edge of the largest volcanic caldera (depression) within the active Taupo Volcanic Zone.
The wide range of colours in the area are all natural and are due to different mineral elements, the predominant colours being :- Green (colloidal sulphur / ferrous salts), Orange (Antimony), Purple (Manganese oxide), White (Silica), Yellow-primrose (Sulphur), Red-brown (Iron oxide) and Black (Sulphur and carbon). (Sourced from offical wedsite)
Macroglossum is a species of Sphingidae. The three common species found in Hong Kong are M. pyrrhosticta, M. varigatum and M. heliophila. They have long proboscis and hover at the flowers when they feed, thus they are called Hummingbird Hawk Moth in the U.S. and Bee Moths in Europe.
They are very small and fast and unpredictable in flight path.
(explored Mar 22, 2020 #97)
A striking close-up of a warthog in its natural habitat, exuding confidence and resilience. The sharp focus on its rugged features and curved tusks highlights its unique beauty, while the blurred background enhances the sense of depth and wilderness.
This image is included in 2 galleries:- 1) "I love lighthouse! Here are some of my favorites...in and outside of Second Life!" curated by Lanay Resident and 2) "The Sea" by Jane Statham.
On a chilly Autumn morning, the sea is rough, quite a few fishing enthusiastics in their waders are there to brave the light rain and unfriendly waves... Viewed from Fairhaven Beach.
Originally called Eagles Nest Point, the lighthouse was built in 1891. It is located in Aireys Inlet, a small town along Great Ocean Road, somewhere between Anglesea and Lorne. The lighthouse is 34 metres high with an elevation of 66 metres.
Operator: Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
Light source: 120v, 1000W tungsten halogen lamp.
Intensity: White 116,000 CD. Red 23,000 CD.
Range: White 20 nautical miles, Red 16 nautical miles.
Character: Group flash 4 every 20 seconds.
This image is included in 3 galleries 1) "Nature XIV" curated by Mel & Daniel2, 2) "Vogels (Birds) nr. 02" by Ximma and 3) "BIRDS AND INSECTS" by century 21 a.c. best in images and videos blogspot.