View allAll Photos Tagged CLOSETONATURE
As I was looking for finches in the area, this boy suddenly landed on the bush near me. First it was in the leaves, then in the shade, and finally it posed for me in the open - for a few seconds...
This image is included in 3 galleries :- 1) "birds-" curated by Henny in Denmark, 2) "MIX_08" by Willie Sturges and 3) "Birds's Universe 31" by Paulina Ungureanu.
This image is included in 3 galleries:- 1) "The Stillness Speaks 1" curated by thanks 173rd Airborne, 2) "Mother Natures Capture too" by J.R. McMellen and 3) "premio selecto de hacedor de imagenes" by byktor -f.d.
Lake Daylesford is an artificial lake in the town of Daylesford, Victoria, Australia. It was completed in either 1927 or 1929 after many years of campaigning, beginning in 1893. It was designed by Walter Burley Griffin, the American architect who won the competition to design the city of Canberra. Lake Daylesford was formed when the dam wall was built across Wombat Creek above the Central Springs in 1929. The town wanted an ornamental body of water to beautify the scarred creek landscape.
Primary inflows : Wombat Creek
Primary outflows : Molonglo River
Average depth : 2m (6.6 ft)
Maximum depth : 9m (30 ft)
This was taken about an hour before sunset: autumn colours were highlighted against a clear blue sky. The 5 poplar trees in view here have shed most of their leaves, yet skeleton trunks and branches were still strutting up beautifully. The water was still, and the reflections were close to perfect symmetry.
The lake is about 112 km north-west of Melbourne CBD. From the Dja Dja Wurrung people, who first inhabited the land thousands of years ago, to the Swiss Italian migrants of the gold rush and Melbourne's turn-of-the-century holidaymakers, Daylesford has long been considered a special place of healing.
( Explored : May 19, 2023 #89 )
This image is included in a gallery "Natura 23" curated by
Stefano Bacci.
Papilio anactus, the dainty swallowtail, dingy swallowtail or small citrus butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly from the family Papilionidae, that is endemic to Australia. For protection against predators, this non-poisonous butterfly mimics the poisonous male Cressida cressida, another swallowtail butterfly that obtains its toxic properties through its host plant, the Dutchman's pipe. The eggs are relatively large, pale yellow, and roughly spherical.
Females only lay eggs on the newly grown leaves of the host plant. The eggs change to an orange colour when the larvae are almost ready to emerge. They are laid at the edge of larger leaves, either above and beneath. The larvae develop inside the egg immediately after being laid. Eggs normally hatch after approximately 3 or 4 days, but the duration may vary depending on the time at which they are laid. The eggs are prone to small predators that eat the contents of the egg, and are also commonly parasitized by small wasps. Unfertilised eggs are sometimes laid.
Here a female is attending to her freshly laid egg on a lemon tree leaf. This is my first encounter of this species.
This image is included in 2 galleries :- 1) "Cliffs" curated by Corentin Grosset and 2) "The Best of Nature and Landscape 5" by Thomas Luckman.
"London Bridge" is a tourist attraction along Great Ocean Road, about 10 minutes drive from the Port Campbell Township. The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 243 kilometres stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford.
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.
It was a mild morning: the wind was gentle and the temperature was timidly cool. This was taken about 22 minutes before sunrise. The thin, long clouds in the distance appeared golden. The sun would rise (5:57am) from the left-hand side. Looking beyond the horizon is Bass Strait.
( Explored : Apr 15, 2023 #72 )
This image is included in a gallery "Mariposas" curated by Almudena García.
Tirumala limniace, the blue tiger, is a butterfly found in South Asia, and Southeast Asia that belongs to the brush-footed butterfly family, Nymphalidae. More specifically it is part of the crows and tigers or danaid group. This butterfly shows gregarious migratory behaviour in southern India. In some places, it may be found in congregations with Danaus genutia, Tirumala septentrionis, Euploea sylvester, Euploea core, Parantica aglea, and at high elevations, with Parantica nilgiriensis, on Crotalaria. (攝於大埔 香港 鳳園蝴蝶保育區)
(Not explored)
This image is included in 2 galleries:- 1) Paesaggi 25" curated by Stefano Bacci and 2) "Liquid Light" by Michael Caine.
Lake Daylesford is an artificial lake in the town of Daylesford, Victoria, Australia. It was completed in either 1927 or 1929 after many years of campaigning, beginning in 1893. It was designed by Walter Burley Griffin, the American architect who won the competition to design the city of Canberra. Lake Daylesford was formed when the dam wall was built across Wombat Creek above the Central Springs in 1929. The town wanted an ornamental body of water to beautify the scarred creek landscape.
Primary inflows : Wombat Creek
Primary outflows : Molonglo River
Average depth : 2m (6.6 ft)
Maximum depth : 9m (30 ft)
The lake is about 112 km north-west of Melbourne CBD. From the Dja Dja Wurrung people, who first inhabited the land thousands of years ago, to the Swiss Italian migrants of the gold rush and Melbourne's turn-of-the-century holidaymakers, Daylesford has long been considered a special place of healing.
The water was still, and the reflections of autumn foliage and the barren poplars on the lake were like mirror images. For some reasons, there was a bluish-purple tinge hovering over the lake surface.
( Explored : Jul 9, 2023 #53 )
This image is included in 8 galleries :- 1) "PANORAMI E LUOGHI. LANDSCAPES AND SITE" curated by maurosnaier, 2) "SPECTACULAR LANDSCAPES OF THE WORD VII." by miguelitoiglesias777, 3) "CLOUDS AND SKIES OF THE WORK VI." by miguelitoiglesias777, 4) "AUSTRALIA LANDSCAPES AND PEOPLE.AUSTRALIA PAISAJES Y GENTES." by miguelitoiglesias777, 5) "Nature" by TheBlueArcadianStore, 6) "Aqua Water" by Ian Amsden, 7) "LANDSCAPE VOL 18" by Jean-paul Vancoppenolle and 8 "PLACERES VISUALES-volumen 7" by byktor -f.d..
The Bay of Fires (indigenous name: larapuna) is a bay on the north eastern coast of Tasmania, extending from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point. It is a 29 km long sweep of powder-white sand and crystal-clear seas, with a string of superb beaches, punctuated by lagoons and rocky headlands, backed by coastal heath and bush.
The bay was given its name in 1773 by Captain Tobias Furneaux in Adventure, who saw the fires of Aboriginal people on the beaches along the coast line. The Bay of Fires is characterized by white beaches, blue water and huge granite blocks that are coloured bright orange by lichens. Perhaps, Captain Tobias Furneaux named the bay after these fiery red rocks. The lichens responsible for the orange hue in the rocks of Bay of Fires belong to the family Hymeneliaceae.
The conservation area is divided into three sections, with Anson's Bay dividing the southern and northern ends. A scenic view of the bay can be glimpsed by driving along the coast to The Gardens.
This was taken near The Gardens.
(Explored Jun 8, 2020 #97)
This image is included in 4 galleries:- 1) "INTERPHOTO * TOP FLICKR 2021" curated by Gianfranco Marzetti, 2) "Favourite Landscapes" by MK Hardy, 3) "Most Outstanding Landscapes in the World" by mark doyle and 4) "Light Show Begins" by JCareyPhotoGallery.
Located northeast of Hobart on Tasmania's Freycinet Peninsula, Wineglass Bay is one of the famous beautiful beaches of the world. It is often assumed to be called 'wineglass' due to the circular shape of a glass and the clear water contained within, but it has also been suggested the name came from the colour of blood and guts resulting from previous whaling activities.
For about 20 years in the early 1800’s, the southern corner of Wineglass Bay housed a thriving whaling station. Whalers predominantly hunted the Southern Right, Humpback and Sperm Whales as well as the Australian Fur Seal. When the whaling stations operated here, the water in the bay would turn red with the slaughtered creatures' blood. A gruesome tale, the water in the bay is said to have been crimson with the blood of the slaughtered whales, such that it appeared as a glass of full bodied red wine. While the whaling lasted less than 2 decades, the name has endured.
I got to the Wineglass Bay Viewing Platform at about 6:30 pm on November 5, 2019. The clouds were thick and the sky looked greying and dull. Around 7:40 pm, the clouds started to lift and streaks of light shone through from the west. In a very short time the whole atmosphere appeared to be invigorated. This was taken 1.5 minutes after the earlier posting. Sunset colours were now just past the peak. Hazards Lagoon is to the right of the Wineglass Beach, and further right is a glimpse of Promise Bay. Reflections on the water surface were intoxicatingly beautiful. I was all by myself.
(Explored: Nov 14, 2021 #77 )
This image is included in 2 galleries :- 1) "Macro Magic" curated by Richard Harvey UK and and 4) "Paesaggi 22" by Stefano Bacci.
鳳園蝴蝶保育區
This image is included in 2 galleries :- 1) "INTERPHOTO * TOP FLICKR 2022" curated by Gianfranco Marzetti and 2) "Colour" by Micheal.
This image is included in 2 galleries :- 1) "Landscape" curated by Sahan Mendis and 2) "Universal Landscape (vol.2)" by ReNato '59.
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: the light was soft and it was windless. In the middle is Mount Fairview (2745m), named for the view from its summit. Upper Victoria Glacier is on the right.
(Explored: Aug 16, 2022 #25)
This species is aggressive to other honeyeaters. Here this bird has just finished feeding on Grevillea (Peaches and Cream) and is about to move on.
The little wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera), also known as the brush wattlebird, is a passerine bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. It is found in coastal and sub-coastal south-eastern Australia. (Wikipedia)
As with other honeyeaters, Little Wattlebirds feed on nectar, which is obtained using a long, brush-tipped tongue, specially adapted to probing deep into flowers. Other food includes insects, flowers, berries and some seeds. Most feeding is done while perched, but some insects are caught in mid-air. Birds may feed alone or in small to large groups. (Birdlife Australia)
This image is included in 2 galleries :- 1) "Insects" curated by Philippe Ampe and 2) "Natura 23" by Stefano Bacci .
This is a female Monarch. The female has noticeably thicker wing veins, which give her a darker appearance. The hind wings are spotless.
This was taken at a flower bed on Centre Island, Toronto, Canada.
Simpsons Gap (Arrernte: Rungutjirpa) is one of the gaps in the West MacDonnell Ranges in Australia's Northern Territory. It is located 18 kilometres west from Alice Springs, on the Larapinta Trail. The gap is home to various plants and wildlife, including the black-footed rock-wallaby. It is the site of a permanent waterhole.
Known as Rungutjirpa to the Arrernte Aboriginal people, Simpsons Gap was the mythological home of a group of giant goanna ancestors.
Rungutjirpa is an important spiritual place for the Arrernte people, who have inhabited the Arrernte area since before European discovery. It was later visited by surveyor Gilbert Rotherdale McMinn in 1871 while he was searching for a better route for the Overland Telegraph Line. (Wikipedia)
This image is included in a gallery "INTERPHOTO * TOP FLICKR 2022" curated by Marzetti Gianfranco.
This image is included in a gallery "Photo Gallery" curated by Ryan Walker.
Troides Birdwing is also called Golden Birdwing. This was taken at the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Parks near the Niagara Falls in Canada. Golden Birdwing (Troides aeacus) is a large butterfly belonging to the Swallowtail (Papilionidae family). The Troides Birdwing butterfly has an impressive windspan of 13-15cm. Females are much larger than the males. The contrasting golden yellow spots adorning the jet black wings and abdomen, warn predators they are poisonous. Toxins are sequestered by the caterpillar as it feeds on plants from the genus Aristolochia or Pipevine. (Sourced from the booklet of the Butterfly Conservatory).
This was taken at a visit to Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory.
This image is included in a gallery "Favourite Landscapes" curated by MK Hardy.
The Twelve Apostles is a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park. Their proximity to one another has made the site a popular tourist attraction. Currently there are eight apostles left but the name remains significant and spectacular especially in the Australian tourism industry. The apostles were formed by erosion: the harsh and extreme weather conditions from the South Ocean gradually eroded the soft limestone to form caves in the cliffs, which then became arches, which in turn collapsed; leaving rock stacks up to 45metres high. The site was known as the Sow and Piglets until 1922 (Muttonbird Island, near Loch Ard Gorge, was the Sow, and the smaller rock stacks were the Piglets); after which it was renamed to The Apostles for tourism purposes. The formation eventually became known as the Twelve Apostles.
It was a fine evening. The sea was calm. The sunset time was 8:27 pm, and this was taken at 9:11 pm, long after sunset. The afterglow from the left hand side conjured up much magical effects on the sea mist and clouds. The cliffs along the coast are still visible. From this position we can make out 5 intact Apostles in silhouttes and 1 fallen Apostle (crumbled on 3.7.2005). Looking beyond the horizon is Bass Strait.
This image is included in 2 galleries : 1) "Landscapes" curated by Anna Azarova and 2) "90+Faves - Top-pics Gallery ( XI )" by roba66.
Zhangjiajie 張家界, also known in Tujia language as Zhangx, is a prefecture-level city in the northwestern part of Hunan Province, China. It comprises the district of Yongding, Wulingyuan and counties of Cili and Sangzhi. It contains the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, part of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area which was as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 as well as an AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park’s landscape was formed by millions of years of geological processes. The area was originally covered by an ocean, and over time, tectonic movements caused the land to rise above the water level. This process created the sandstone pillars that can be seen throughout the park today.
The floating ‘Hallelujah Mountains’ movie Avatar by James Cameron were inspired by a real place on Earth - Zhangjiajie.
This was taken on board a cable car going up to see the scenic spots. The autumn mist makes this vista atmospheric, like a Chinese water colour painting.
(explored Jun 6, 2021 #44)
This image is included in 3 galleries :- 1) "Février 2021 #2" curated by Impatience_1, 2) "Ces superbes rivages...# 2" curated by Impatience_1 and 3) "" by Stefano Bacci.
Just off Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia, between Point Addis and Anglesea is a spectacular, but hazardous, 5 km section of cliffed coast and energetic beaches. The cliffs are composed of weathered sandstone that continually slumps and, in places, falls onto the beaches. The three beaches face south-south-east and receive waves averaging 1.5 m which, beside producing wide, energetic surf, help to erode the base of the cliffs and bluffs. Access to these beaches is not recommended owing to rock falls.The first beach (Black Rocks Beach) extends 1 km from Point Addis to Black Rocks. It can be reached via a walking track from the Point Addis car park. It usually has a single bar, cut by permanent rips against each headland, and two central rips. The backing bluffs are fairly subdued, reaching only 30 m. Eumeralla Beach is 2.2 km long and backed by massive slumps in its 90 m high bluffs. The beach sand is coarser, resulting in a surf zone dominated by rips every 300 m. Demons Bluff, as the name suggests, is a sheer, 30 to 50 m high, eroding cliff, fronted by a narrow, 1.5 km long beach that is awash at high tide. Rock falls commonly cover parts of the beach, which can only be reached on foot along the base of the cliffs. The beach has a wide surf zone, dominated by rips every 300 m. The Anglesea sewer works back the beach. (sourced from Beachsafe)
This was taken on an overcast morning, the sun came out to illuminate the cliff faces just for a few very brief moments.
(explored: Dec 20, 2020 #134)
This was taken near Cape Bruny Lighthouse. These beautiful hexagonal hexagonal basalt columns were well appreciated under a direct sun, from a distance across Courts Bay. The turquoise water was a bonus.
Bruny Island is a 362-square-kilometre island located off the south-eastern coast of Tasmania, Australia. The island is separated from the Tasmanian mainland by the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, and its east coast lies within the Tasman Sea. Storm Bay is located to the island's northeast. Both the island and the channel are named after French explorer Bruni d'Entrecasteaux. Its traditional Aboriginal name is lunawanna-allonah, which survives as the name of two island settlements, Alonnah and Lunawanna.
(explored Nov 13, 2020 #112)
This image is included in 5 galleries 1) "Birds with awesome mohawks and other fabulous, feathery 'dos #2" curated by sdttds, 2) "Photo Gallery" curated by Ryan Miller, 3) "BIRDS 9" by Jean-paul Vancoppenolle, 4) "~favorite birding ~" by
mark doyle and 5) "Australian Birds" by Garry Sanders.
A gregarious species, the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is often seen in large flocks, though it also occurs in pairs and trios. It is an active, noisy and conspicuous species which is mainly arboreal, spending much of the day feeding, sometimes in a loose association with Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos. At sunset, flocks of this species are often seen flying high, returning from feeding areas to roosts in large trees along the banks of rivers or streams. They may be less wary while feeding than at other times, and generally do not allow a close approach by an observer, readily taking flight and screeching loudly.
As its name suggests, the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is a cockatoo with largely black plumage and scarlet panels in the tail, at least in the males. Females have yellow spots on the head, neck and wings, and orange-yellow barring on the breast and undertail. Both sexes have dark brown eyes and brown-grey legs and feet; males have a dark grey bill, while the bill of the female is off-white. (Birdlife Australia)
This image is included in 2 galleries :- 1) "Stunning Photos - Set Five" curated by Pamela dot M and 2) "Butterflies and Moths 2" by Glass Angel.
White Dragontail is a medium sized butterfly , wing span ranges from 40 to 45 mm. Wings are mainly black, the triangular forewing with hyaline cells, short and narrow radial cells in the hindwing, and has a pair of slender tails which looks like swallow's tail. Its adult is the smallest in the Papilionidae family in the world. Ref: Fung Yuen Biodiversity Series. White Dragontail by Pun Sui Fai.
When feeding, they stay on one flower very briefly, usually for a second or two, then swiftly jump to another with no predictable route Capturing them in motion is a great challenge.
This image is included in a gallery "LANDSCAPE VOL 18" curated by Jean-paul Vancoppenolle
This image highlights the largest of the 4 main limestone stacks. Beyond is Bass Strait.
The Bay of Islands is located in Blairgowrie, Sorrento. Blairgowrie is a seaside town in Metropolitan Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula, approximately 63 km south of Melbourne’s city centre, Victoria, Australia.
The Bay of Islands lies to the east of Diamond Bay and is part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park.
(Explored: Oct 29, 2021 #240 )
This image is included in 3 galleries :- 1) "2022 12 27 Di acer2" curated by BAKAWI, 2) "Paesaggi 20" by Stefano Bacci and 3) "Sunset/Sunrise 24(702" by DAN VARTANIAN.
This was taken on a fine summer's evening, moments before the sun disappeared from the horizon. The sea was relatively calm and only an occasional gentle breeze turned up to break the serenity. It was cloudless, hence the sky was a pure golden-orange.
Previously known as Island Archway, they are about 160 metres from Loch Ard Gorge. The arch collapsed in June 2009 and the two remaining rock pillars have since been officially named Tom and Eva after the two survivors of the Loch Ard shipwreck.
Australian's European history has numerous stories of shipwrecks, and one of the worst tragedies was that of the Loch Ard, wrecked on Mutton Bird Island reefs in 1878, just off the Shipwreck Coast in Victoria, Australia.
The Loch Ard was an iron-hulled three masted clipper ship, whose name came from a lake just west of the village of Aberfoyle in Scotland. It was on a non-stop voyage from London to Melbourne with passengers that included members of the Carmichael family. Three months out from London, after days of fog and haze, Captain Gibb had trouble calculating his position for the critical pass into Bass Strait's western entrance (a 90 km passage between the coast and King Island). On the 1st June, 1878, the captain tried to take evasive action when he saw how close they were to the cliffs. This was to no avail when the ship struck the reefs of Mutton Bird Island, just off the coast. The mast and rigging smashed, some of it onto the deck and trapping some people, others were washed overboard, then the ship began to roll. It took only fifteen minutes for the Loch Ard to sink. Of the 54 passengers and crew, there were only two survivors, Tom Pearce, a member of the crew and 18 year old Eva Carmichael, who was travelling with her family. Tom, clinging to a overturned lifeboat, was washed into a deep gorge, that now bears the name the Loch Ard Gorge. Eva, who could not swim, managed to cling to some wreckage from the ship, which drifted through huge twin cliffs into a small bay of the gorge. She was very exhausted, and Tom saw her in the waves and despite being exhausted himself, swam out to rescue her, and after an hour long struggle managed to bring her safely back to land. Tom took Eva to a cave at the end of the gorge, then climbed the cliffs to get help, not seeing the steps that were already cut into the cliff face. He ran into a party from nearby Glenample Station who returned with him to rescue Eva. After their recovery they never saw each other again, as Eva returned to Ireland and later married. Tom eventually became a ship's captain. (Sourced from Internet)
( Explored : Dec 29, 2022 #166 )
This image is included in 2 galleries:- 1) "INTERPHOTO * TOP FLICKR 2022" curated by Gianfranco Marzetti, 2) "Insects & other bugs" by Cheryl Blay and 3) "Macro - Close up n°2" by Yannick Sauvage.
Danaus chrysippus, also known as the plain tiger, African queen, or African monarch, is a medium-sized butterfly widespread in Asia, Australia and Africa. It belongs to the Danainae subfamily of the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. Danainae primarily consume plants in the genus Asclepias, more commonly called milkweed. Milkweed contains toxic compounds, cardenolides, which are often consumed and stored by many butterflies. Because of their emetic properties, the plain tiger is unpalatable to most predators. As a result, the species' coloration is widely mimicked by other species of butterflies.
This female butterfly here is feeding on common beggarticks, which is non toxic.
D. chrysippus encompasses three main subspecies: D. c. alcippus, D. c. chrysippus, and D. c. orientis. These subspecies are found concentrated in specific regions within the larger range of the entire species.
The plain tiger is believed to be one of the first butterflies depicted in art. A 3500-year-old ancient Egyptian fresco in Luxor features the oldest known illustration of this species. (Wikipedia)
This image is included in 4 galleries :- 1) "Landscapes" curated by Dave Williams (imageryaspects), 2) "Interesting Photographs that are pleasing to the eye." by Arth Wen, 3) "Mountains" by Glass Angel and 4) "Paesaggi 24" by Stefano Bacci..
Huangshan (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.
This is a hand-held HDR image taken near Yungu Ropeway on a gloomy spring morning. There is still ice on the cliff face. The whole area is very picturesque - like scenes in a classical Chinese painting. In addition, the pale yellow-orange colour in the distant sky is surrealistically beautiful.
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。
此圖攝於雲谷索道站附近, 請問有人知道景點名稱是甚麽?
(Explored: Jul 15, 2022 #32)
This image is included in 2 galleries:- 1) "landscape vol 8" curated by Jean-paul Vancoppenolle and 2) "Foto 2022 - 1" by Jaroslav Kuhtreiber.
The Pinnacles are located at the tip of Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island. About 360 million years ago, molten rock forced its way up from the earth's core. It cooled very slowly beneath the ground, forming the pinkish brown granite which is Cape Woolamai's foundation. The granite was exposed as the mountains above wore down due to weathering and wave action. The granite extends down to an unknown depth below sea level. The Pinnacles we now see are the result of cracks which formed as the rock was cooling and shrinking. They have been further sculptured by rain and wave action.
The texture of the formation is beautifully appreciated in the warm morning sun. The blue sea beyond and to the left is Bass Strait.
Phillip Island, also known as Corriong or Millowl in the Boonwurrung language, is an Australian island about 140 km south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. The island is named after Governor Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, by explorer and seaman George Bass, who sailed in an open whale boat, arriving from Sydney on 5 January 1798.
Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of the Western Port. It is 26 km long and 9 km wide, with an area of about 100 km2. It has 97 km of coastline and is part of the Bass Coast Shire.
( Explored: Jan 22, 2022 #237 )
This image is included in a gallery "Natura 22" curated by Stefano Bacci.
The New Holland honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) is a honeyeater species found throughout southern Australia. It was among the first birds to be scientifically described in Australia, and was initially named Certhia novaehollandiae.
The bird is around 18 cm (7.1 in) long and is mainly black, with a white iris, white facial tufts and yellow margins on its wing and tail feathers. It is a very active bird and rarely sits long enough to give an extended view. When danger approaches a New Holland honeyeater, such as a bird of prey, a group of honeyeaters will form together and give a warning call. Sexes are similar in looks with the exception that females are, on average, slightly smaller. Young New Holland honeyeaters (<1 year old) have similar colouring but have grey eyes and a yellow gape and 'whiskers' near the nares. They appear to be a socially monogamous bird with no sign of co-operative breeding, but this observation is yet to be examined.
New Holland honeyeaters obtain most of their carbohydrate requirements from the nectar of flowers. Consequently, they are key pollinators of many flowering plant species, many of which are endemic to Australia, such as Banksia, Hakea, Xanthorrhoea, and Acacia. Nectar does not contain protein, so New Holland honeyeaters must supplement their diet with invertebrates, such as spiders and insects that are rich in protein. (Birdlife Australia)
This image is included in 2 galleries:- 1) "Photographs of beauty to the eye." curated by Arth Wen and 2) "LANDSCAPE VOL 18" by Jean-paul Vancoppenolle.
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.
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 UFO is naturally formed hollow rock, and small children can climb inside and poke their head out through the hole.
This was taken about 20 metres from the summit. The slanting Winter afternoon sun creates interesting shades and shadows and makes the rocks look warm and beautiful. On an overcast day the volcanic rocks are dark without direct illumination.
(explored: Sep 3, 2021 #83)
A young rhino calf takes its first steps into the vast Namibian savannah, full of curiosity and strength. Captured in golden sunlight, this image symbolizes the beauty of wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting these majestic creatures for future generations.
This image is included in 4 galleries :- 1) "Mère Nature" curated by Jacques Bonicel, 2) "US South West 3" by try...error, 3) "Spectacular landscapes and seascapes - Volume V" by Foxy Liz and 4) "Fantastic Fantasy" by Philippe Ampe.
Upper Antelope Canyon, about 200m long, is a slot canyon in the American Southwest. It is on Navajo land east of Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon includes two separate, scenic slot canyon sections, referred to individually as "Upper Antelope Canyon" or "The Crack" Antelope Canyon "or" The Corkscrew ". The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tsé bighánílíní, which means 'the place where water runs through rocks'. Lower Antelope Canyon is Hazdistazí (called "Hasdestwazi" by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department), or 'spiral rock arches'. Both are in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation.
Antelope Canyon's winding walls were carved by fast flowing flash flood waters. The floods carried abrasive sand, rocks logs and other debris picked up by the sudden torrents. Over millenia, these floods sculpted natural corridors through the soft sandstone. (sourced from internet)
This is a hand-held HDR. It is called "Heart of the Canyon" according to our local guide Eddie. It is pertinent to dedicate this image to lovers across the world on St. Valentine's Day.
(Not explored)
The London Bridge area is the most northern beach in the Mornington Peninsula National Park and borders Point Nepean National Park. This famous landform is composed of sandstone and has been formed through weathering action of thousands of years of wind, rain and waves. Portsea is a town in the outer south-east of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is located approximately 60 kilometres south of the Melbourne CBD, on the opposite side of Port Phillip Bay.
This was taken at low tide from the side where the sea arch is not obvious.
This image is included in a gallery "Photo Gallery" curated by Ryan Miller.
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 witchdoctor 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)
(Explored : Jun 25, 2022 #133)
The sunset time was 8:38 pm, and this was taken at 8:54 pm. It was a fine evening, though I'd like there were more clouds to enliven the sky. The soft afterglow coming from the right illuminated the texture of The Razorback beautifully.
Port Campbell National Park is world famous for its extraordinary collection of wave-sculpted rock formations and the Twelve Apostles. It is situated approximately 190 kilometres south-west of Melbourne and approximately 10 kilometres east of Warrnambool. One of the rock stack is called the "Razorback". The sharp edges and bumps along its back are caused by wind-blown spray, which hardens small areas of rock. The softer rock around these erodes away, leaving an uneven surface. Wave energy channelled along the side of the stack carves the deep smooth grooves just above sea level. With one wave every 14 seconds, there is a lot of erosion over a year, a century, or a thousand years.
The Razorback once extended much further out to sea. The force of the waves gradually eroded and undercut the base of the stack. Vertical cracks in the stack were widened by rainwater, forming a line of weakness. Huge blocks of rock then collapsed into the sea, leaving the rock shelf we can see today. (Info according to Parks Victoria)
( Explored : Dec 12, 2022 #52 )
This image is included in 2 galleries:- 1) "INTERPHOTO * TOP FLICKR 2021" curated by Gianfranco Marzetti and 2) "MARAVILLAS ESPEJADAS -volumen 3" by byktor -f.d.
The Red Stone Forest (Hongshilin National Geopark) is located in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, China. These red carbonate rocks are believed to be formed during Ordovician, the second period of the Paleozoic era, between the Cambrian and Silurian periods. The stone formations originated underwater, later rising above sea level following tectonic shifts. The natural elements and 450 million years of erosion gave them their striking wavy texture. The rocks are known to change hues with the weather and seasons, with a deep rusty red being their most distinctive, hence the park’s name, the “Red Stone Forest.”
This was taken in an overcast, autumn afternoon.
紅石林國家地質公園是中國湖南省湘西土家族苗族自治州古丈縣紅石林鎮的國家地質公園。園內有罕見的紅色碳酸鹽岩石林，形成於奧陶紀，石林顏色會隨季節和天氣改變。這些石柱不但顏色各異，而且大小不等。有的高達七、八米，而有些則像半埋於地下的巨獸骨架。
(Explored Oct 13, 2021 #153)
This image is included in 3 galleries :- 1) "Stunning Images" curated by anandamoy chatterji, 2) "ASIE & OCÉANIE T1" by alainmichot93 and 3 ) "Paesaggi 12" by Stefano Bacci .
About 77km from Hobart, just south of the narrow isthmus at Eaglehawk Neck, the east coast of the Tasman Peninsula there are several easy-to-reach wonders, including Tasmans Arch and Devils Kitchen. Tasmans Arch is a tall natural bridge in the sea cliffs This geological feature probably started as a sea cave, then a tunnel, and developed into its modern form after the collapse of the cave roof. It is one of several such coastal landforms in the Tasman National Park that have developed in the Permian-age siltstone.
(Explored: Jul 14, 2020 #163)
This image is included in a gallery "lugares increibles" curated by BYKTOR-f.d.
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in south western Utah. The major feature of the park is Bryce Canyon, which despite its name, is not a canyon, but a collection of giant natural amphitheatres along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks. The red, orange, and white colours of the rocks provide spectacular views for park visitors. Bryce sits at a much higher elevation than nearby Zion National Park. The rim at Bryce varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet (2,400 to 2,700 m). The Bryce Canyon area was settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1850s and was named after Ebenezer Bryce, who homesteaded in the area in 1874. The area around Bryce Canyon became a National Monument in 1923 and was designated as a National Park in 1928. The park covers 35,835 acres (55.992 sq mi; 14,502 ha; 145.02 km2) and receives substantially fewer visitors than Zion National Park (nearly 4.3 million in 2016) or Grand Canyon National Park (nearly 6 million in 2016), largely due to Bryce's more remote location. (Sourced from Internet)
This was taken at Bryce Point (8300 ft above sea level).
This image is included in 3 galleries :- 1) "A World of Natural Wonder Places 2" curate by Jim and Nina Pollock, 2) "Australia in Focus" by morgonsilkstone and 3) "Paesaggi 24" by Stefano Bacci.
This images highlights 2 of the 4 main limestone stacks. Beyond is Bass Strait.
The Bay of Islands are located in Blairgowrie, Sorrento. Blairgowrie is a seaside town in Metropolitan Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula, approximately 63 km south of Melbourne’s city centre, Victoria, Australia.
(explored: Nov 29, 2020 #140)
This image is included in 6 galleries 1) "sea, lake, river" curated by Maria Mk, 2) "2021 01 25 Montag" by BAKAWI, 3) "5" by yara lee, 4) "World in Focus G6" by morgonsilkstone, 5) "New Zealand in Focus" by morgonsilkstone and 6) "Pekné foto 2021 - 7" by jaroslav Kuhtreiber.
Listed with the New Zeland Historic Places, overlooking the mouth of the Otago Harbour, the Taiaroa Head Lighthouse is one of the most iconic landmarks of the Otago Peninsula. It is located on a cliff of Taiaroa Head, about 20 miles north east of Dunedin. Close by is the Royal Albatross Centre, which is the only place in the world where albatross nest near civilization. The lighthouse was built in 1864, with a round, white stone tower and red latern roof. This was taken near the Royal Albatross Centre.
Dunedin is situated at the head of Otago Harbour, a narrow inlet extending south-westward for some 15 miles. The harbour is a recent creation formed by the flooding of two river valleys. From the time of its foundation in 1848, the city has spread slowly over the low-lying flats and nearby hills and across the isthmus to the slopes of the Otago Peninsula.
Captured this image at Waiwhakahehe Lookout.
(explored Jan 25, 2021 #119)
This image is included in 5 galleries :- 1) "Places I Have Seen" curated by JimP (in Sarnia), 2) "Nature #8" by Kathy (kfocean01), 3) "World in Focus G20" by dave hangover, 4) "Australia in Focus" by dave hangover and 5) "LUGARES INCREIBLES volumen 2" by byktor -f.d..
The Twelve Apostles is a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park. Their proximity to one another has made the site a popular tourist attraction. Currently there are eight apostles left but the name remains significant and spectacular especially in the Australian tourism industry. The apostles were formed by erosion: the harsh and extreme weather conditions from the South Ocean gradually eroded the soft limestone to form caves in the cliffs, which then became arches, which in turn collapsed; leaving rock stacks up to 45metres high. The site was known as the Sow and Piglets until 1922 (Muttonbird Island, near Loch Ard Gorge, was the Sow, and the smaller rock stacks were the Piglets); after which it was renamed to The Apostles for tourism purposes. The formation eventually became known as the Twelve Apostles.
(not explored)
This image is included in 4 galleries 1) "TOP FLICKR * INTERPHOTO-TOP PHOTOSHARING" curated by Gianfranco Marzetti, 2) "Australia in Focus" by dave hangover, 3) "Australia" by tmmashe@bellsouth.net and 4) "from around the world" by fotoris web.
Kata Tjuṯa (means many heads), also known as the Olgas, is a group of large, dome shaped rock formations or bornhardts located about 32 km west of Uluru and 360 km (220 mi) southwest of Alice Springs. Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, located 25 km to the east, and Kata Tjuṯa form the two major landmarks within the Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. The 36 domes that make up Kata Tjuṯa cover an area of 21.68 km2 (8.37 sq mi), are composed of conglomerate, a sedimentary rock consisting of cobbles and boulders of varying rock types including granite and basalt, cemented by a matrix of sandstone. The highest dome, Mount Olga, is 1,066 m (3,497 ft) above sea level, or approximately 546 m (1,791 ft) above the surrounding plain (198 m (650 ft) higher than Uluru. They are thought to have been one huge piece of rock, much like Uluru, that has weathered over millions of years to become an intriguing series of individual formations. Kata Tjuta has been listed as Dual UNESCO heritage site.
This was taken on board a helicopter run by the PROFESSIONAL HELICOPTER SERVICES. The domes were illuminated beautifully in the warm spring morning light.
This image is included in a gallery "Favourite Landscapes" curated by MK Hardy.
This was taken after a heavy shower. The air was fresh.
"A very pretty and historically significant spot on the east coast of South Bruny Island at Adventure Bay.
Like many sites in & around Adventure Bay, the site was visited & documented by several early explorers including Furneaux, Bligh, Cook & Tobin.
The two trees, which still stand were used by James Cook & others to navigate to the outlet of Resolution Creek for the replenishment of fresh drinking water. " (Re: Tasmanian Heritage Register by pakabay @ Tripadvisor)
This image is included in a gallery "Most Outstanding Landscapes in the World" curated by mark doyle.
A stone throw's distance from the 12 Apostles is a sightseeing stopoff called Gibson Steps. Reaching the beach surface via 86 steps, two huge limestone stacks, referred to as Gog and Magog by locals, are towering into the sky at an arm's length. Surveying these stacks at such a close distance, visitors are easily "dwarfed" if not enthralled.
Gog and Magog are names that appear in the Old Testament and in numerous subsequent works, including the Book of Revelation and the Qur'an, sometimes indicating individuals and sometimes lands and peoples. Sometimes, but not always, they are connected with the "end times", and the passages from the Book of Ezekiel and Book of Revelation in particular have attracted attention for this reason.
Gibson Steps --- originally built by the Aborigines, subsequently maintained by Hugh Gibson of the Glenample Homestead, are a steep and slippery flight of rocky steps, giving access to a wild, kelp-covered beach beneath the 70 metre cliff.
Looking beyond the horizon is Great Australian Bight.
According to Alison Dods of Parks Victoria, Gog is the male and the larger stack, whereas the smaller one is Magog and is the female.
This image is included in 2 galleries :- 1) "INTERPHOTO * TOP FLICKR 2022" curated by Gianfranco Marzetti and 2) "BIRDS" by Süskind Dostoevsky Poe.
A New Zealand icon, the tui is loved for its singing voice and unique plumage. At first glance the bird appears completely black except for a small tuft of white feathers at its neck and a small white wing patch, causing it to resemble a parson in clerical attire. On closer inspection it can be seen that tui have brown feathers on the back and flanks, a multi-coloured iridescent sheen that varies with the angle from which the light strikes them, and a dusting of small, white-shafted feathers on the back and sides of the neck that produce a lacy collar. The name tui is from the Māori name tūī and is the species formal common name. It is only found in New Zealand.
This bird came to feed on the nectar of the New Zealand flax outside the Apartment we were staying in Franz Josef, South Island. The morning light was beautiful. The yellow-orange powder on its forehead was the pollen from the red flax flower.
This image is included in a gallery "POETRIES@poeticpacific" curated by Poetic Pacific.
This was taken on a fine summer's morning. Looking beyond the horizon is Bass Strait. The Cowrie Patch Beach with exposed rocks, together with the onshore rushing waves all help to constitute a picturesque serenity.
Cape Woolamai is located at the south-eastern tip of Phillip Island, just a few Km from Newhaven. It is named after the very distinctive landform that consists of granite cliffs and golden beaches.
Phillip Island, also known as Corriong or Millowl in the Boonwurrung language, is an Australian island about 140 km south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. The island is named after Governor Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, by explorer and seaman George Bass, who sailed in an open whale boat, arriving from Sydney on 5 January 1798.