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Not far from the shuttered Detroit train station, a few dilapidated houses stand near a row of vacant lots; and, they have been tagged beyond belief - some of it is really extraordinary graffiti. Yes, they are in near collapse state, and yes, I wouldn't bring your kids traipsing up the rickety stairs; but it was very cool seeing these monuments to urban art. This gentleman showed us around, and was very generous with his time. Though he didn't want me to take his picture initially, he warmed up after a while. Oh, and the dude had some amazing hands. I shook his hand when I left and I couldn't help but feel I had the most "dove soft" hands in the world. This guy has survivor's hands, like a boxer‘s... hard, callused and strong.
Stapelia gigantea is an interesting plant that resembles cactus, with clumps of 4-sided spineless stems. Carrion flowers are native to S. Africa.
Blooming Time: September. Flowers are large, fleshy, shaped as 5-pointed stars; they have an elaborate circular fleshy disk in the center. The flowers smell like carrion and are not offensive if blooming outside. Flowers are 10-16 inches across.
Culture: Stapelia gigantea need full sun and moderate water in the growing season. They need a well-drained soil (2 parts loam to 1 part sharp sand) with small pebbles mixed in for drainage. They need a cool, dry rest period in winter. Fertilize once during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. They are best managed in pots and can withstand extreme heat.
Propagation: Stapelia gigantea are propagated by stem cuttings. Take cutting in spring when new growth begins. Let cuttings callus up for 2-3 weeks before planting.
The chacma baboon (Papio ursinus), also known as the Cape baboon, is, like all other baboons, from the Old World monkey family. It is one of the largest of all monkeys. Located primarily in southern Africa, the chacma baboon has a wide variety of social behaviors, including a dominance hierarchy, collective foraging, adoption of young by females, and friendship pairings.
All baboons have long, dog-like muzzles, heavy, powerful jaws with sharp canine teeth, close-set eyes, thick fur except on their muzzles, short tails, and rough spots on their protruding buttocks, called ischial callosities. These calluses are nerveless, hairless pads of skin that provide for the sitting comfort of the baboon.
Baboons in captivity have been known to live up to 45 years, while in the wild their life expectancy is about 30 years. Most baboons live in hierarchical troops. Group sizes vary between five and 250 animals (often about 50 or so), depending on specific circumstances, especially species and time of year.
In general the species is not threatened, but human population pressure has increased contact between humans and baboons. Hunting, accidents and trapping kill or remove many baboons from the wild. This has reduced baboon numbers and disrupted their social structure. The collective noun for baboons is commonly "troop".
This image was taken in the Kariega Private Game Reserve near Port Elizabeth in South Africa.
tiny piece of glass in the callus - i just love it, when I find things like this at the end of a barefoot day. over days and weeks, it slowly walks out of the callus
SANT MATEU DE BAGES-PINTURA-ART-ESGLESIA-PARROQUIAL-CREU DE TERME-AQUAREL·LES-PAISATGES-PINTOR-ERNEST DESCALS-
En el pueblo de montaña de SANT MATEU DE BAGES, muy cercano a Callús y a Suria, en la Catalunya interior, he pintado unas acuarelas que quieren recoger la atmósfera del lugar, con la espectral CREU DE TERME, cruz de término, descansando sobre la verde hierba y la Esglesia Parroquial definiendo el paisaje, pintura con acuarela sobre papel de 27 x 35 centímetros, el ejercicio de capturar la luz del momento en obras que se basan en las sugerencias recibidas del paisaje. Pinturas de excursiones por la comarca para Pintar todos los pueblos y sus diversas característcas, lo conocemos como diversidad paisajista, cuadros del artista pintor Ernest Descals disfrutando del modo acuarelista, que nos permite con poco, mostrar mucho.
When it comes to rugged and handsome, the Angophora costata fits the bill perfectly. This native tree, also called Smooth-barked Apple, Rusty Gum or Sydney Red Gum, grows into magnificent specimens. An Angophora is a close relative to the Corymbia, and the Eucalyptus, except an Angophora has leaves on its stem that are exactly opposite each other. It is a beautiful tree known for its clusters of white flowers from December to February. But it’s the bark that is extraordinary.
Rusty, which is the better name, refers to the "bleeding' from wounds, which is not a gum but a kino. Gums can be dissolved in hot water. The kino is exuded when a tree is damaged and no doubt helps heal the wound. The kino contains tannin and was valued as a treatment for diarrhoea, bleeding and throat infections by the Aborigines.
This gum is a large, wide, spreading tree growing to a height of between 15 and 25 m. The trunk is often gnarled and crooked with a pink to pale grey, sometimes rusty-stained bark. The timber is rather brittle. In nature the butts of fallen limbs form callused bumps on the trunk and add to the gnarled appearance.
Its name Angophora is from two Greek words, meaning 'vessel' or 'goblet', and 'to bear or carry', referring to the shape of the fruits; and costata means ribbed as the capsules bear prominent ribs.
SN/NC: Epidendrum Secundum, Orchidaceae Family
This is one of the crucifix orchids, is a poorly understood reed stemmed species, which Dressler (1989) describes as "the Epidendrum secundum complex." According to Dressler, there are dozens of varieties, some of which appear to deserve species rank. Arditti and Ghani note that E. secundum has the distinction of bearing the longest seeds known in the Orchidaceae, 6.0 mm long. By comparison, the seeds of E. ibaguense (another crucifix orchid) are only 2.9 mm long.
Like the other members of E. subg. Amphiglottium, E. secundum is a sympodial plant which has thin stems covered from the base with imbricating sheaths which are leaf bearing above, a terminal inflorescence covered at its base with thin imbricating sheaths, and flowers with the lip adnate to the column to its apex. The flowers are non-resupinate (unlike E. ibaguense and E. radicans), can come in shades of lilac, red, orange, or yellow, and feature a notable callus on the fringed trilobate lip. The plant is rather cool-growing and can tolerate a light frost.
Epidendrum secundum, es una de las orquídeas crucifijo, una especie de tallo de lengüeta poco conocida, que Dressler (1989) describe como "el complejo de Epidendrum secundum". Según Dressler, hay docenas de variedades, algunas de las cuales parecen merecer rango de especie. Arditti y Ghani notan que E. secundum tiene la distinción de tener las semillas más largas conocidas en las Orchidaceae, de 6 mm de largo. En comparación, las semillas de E. ibaguense (otra orquídea crucifijo) tienen solo 2,9 mm de largo. Al igual que los otros miembros de E. subg. Amphiglottium, E. secundum es una planta simpádica que tiene tallos delgados cubiertos desde la base con vainas imbricadas que llevan hojas arriba, una inflorescencia terminal cubierta en su base con finas vainas imbricadas y flores con el labio adnado a la columna hasta su ápice . Las flores no son resupinadas (a diferencia de E. ibaguense y E. radicans), pueden presentarse en tonos lilas, rojos, naranjas, amarillos o blancos, y presentan un callo notable en el labio trilobulado con flecos. La planta es bastante fría y puede tolerar una helada ligera. (Wikipedia)
No Brasil é conhecida como flor-de-cristo e tem muitas variedades. Se acredita que ela é orginária da Colombia.
[CAT]: A poc a poc i bona lletra, es la premissa per fer el descens pel ramal de Súria, en els trams menys mimats amb totes les seves travesses de fusta i multitud de tirafons extraviats, amb les seves juntes castigades pel pas del temps i dels trens, es com un camí ple d'obstacles que s'han de superar per arribar a destí sa i estalvi. I com no, la mes venerada por un servidor en les últimes setmanes, la 254.01 baixant silenciosament la ració diària de sal al seu pas pel petit viaducte sobre la riera de Bellver.
[ES]: Vísteme despacio que tengo prisa, es la premisa para hacer el descenso por el ramal de Súria en los tramos menos mimados, con todas sus traviesas de madera y multitud de tirafondos extraviados, con sus juntas castigadas por el paso del tiempo y de los trenes, es como un camino lleno de obstáculos que hay que superar para llegar a destino sano y salvo. Y como no, la mas venerada por un servidor en las últimas semanas, la 254.01 bajando sigilosamente la ración diaria de sal a su paso por el pequeño viaducto sobre la riera de Bellver.
Anja's plantar wart hardly three weeks later. A callus has grown which is so thick that it draws the whole weight from the forefoot entirely on the wart. Walking and standing is hellishly painful and the wart needs to be thickly padded by foam-rubber cushions. Unfortunately, Anja's tight shoes leave no space for any cushioned inserts because of the thick wart, so Anja decided to remove the callus again.
Luckily she took this pic of her impressive wart before paring. It was made after a walk which was so painful that she had to pull off her shoes and lay down. Even half an hour later she still felt the throbbing of her wart deep in her foot. The extreme painfulness of the wart is also due to her sweaty feet. Moisture has softened the hard callus which now caused increased additional pain. Anja admitted that her feet would smell terribly which would be also due to the inserts which she uses daily.
Italien / Friaul / Julische Alpen - Auf dem Weg zurück vom Monte Sart
Alpine ibex
Alpensteinböcke
The Julian Alps (Slovene: Julijske Alpe, Italian: Alpi Giulie, Venetian: Alpe Jułie, Friulian: Alps Juliis, German: Julische Alpen) are a mountain range of the Southern Limestone Alps that stretches from northeastern Italy to Slovenia, where they rise to 2,864 m at Mount Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia. A large part of the Julian Alps is included in Triglav National Park. The second highest peak of the range, the 2,755 m high Jôf di Montasio, lies in Italy.
The Julian Alps cover an estimated 4,400 km2 (of which 1,542 km2 lies in Italy). They are located between the Sava Valley and Canale Valley. They are divided into the Eastern and Western Julian Alps.
Name
The Julian Alps were known in antiquity as Alpes Iuliae, and also attested as Alpes Julianae c. AD 670, Alpis Julia c. 734, and Alpes Iulias in 1090. Like the municipium of Forum Julii (now Cividale del Friuli) at the foot of the mountains, the range was named after Julius Caesar of the gens Julia, perhaps due to a road built by Julius Caesar and completed by Augustus.
Eastern Julian Alps
There are many peaks in the Eastern Julian Alps over 2,000 m high, and they are mainly parts of ridges. The most prominent peaks are visible by their height and size. There are high plateaus on the eastern border, such as Pokljuka, Mežakla, and Jelovica.
The main peaks by height are the following:
Triglav 2,864 m (9,396 ft) – the highest mountain and on the coat of arms of Slovenia
Škrlatica 2,740 m (8,990 ft)
Mangart 2,679 m (8,789 ft)
Jalovec 2,645 m (8,678 ft)
Razor 2,601 m (8,533 ft)
Kanjavec 2,568 m (8,425 ft)
Prisojnik 2,546 m (8,353 ft)
Rjavina 2,532 m (8,307 ft)
Prestreljenik 2,499 m (8,199 ft)
Špik 2,472 m (8,110 ft)
Tosc 2,275 m (7,464 ft)
Krn 2,244 m (7,362 ft)
Western Julian Alps
The Western Julian Alps cover a much smaller area, and are located mainly in Italy. Only the Kanin group lies in part in Slovenia. The main peaks by height are:
Jôf di Montasio (2,755 m or 9,039 ft)
Jôf Fuart (2,666 m or 8,747 ft)
High Mount Kanin (2,582 m or 8,471 ft)
Jôf di Miezegnot (2,087 m or 6,847 ft)
(Wikipedia)
The Alpine ibex (Capra ibex), also known as the steinbock, is a European species of goat that lives in the Alps. It is one of ten species in the genus Capra and its closest living relative is the Iberian ibex. The Alpine ibex is a sexually dimorphic species; males are larger and carry longer horns than females. Its coat is brownish-grey. Alpine ibexes tend to live in steep, rough terrain and open alpine meadows. They can be found at elevations as high as 3,300 m (10,800 ft) and their sharp hooves allow them to scale the steep slopes and cliffs of their mountainous habitat.
Alpine ibexes primarily feed on grass and are active throughout the year. Although they are social animals, adult males and females segregate for most of the year, coming together only to mate. During the breeding season, males use their long horns to fight for access to females. Ibexes have few predators but may succumb to parasites and diseases.
By the 19th century, the Alpine ibex had been extirpated from most of its range and it went through a population bottleneck of fewer than 100 individuals during its near-extinction event, leading to very low genetic diversity across populations. The species has been successfully reintroduced to parts of its historical range. All individuals living today descend from the stock in Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy. As of 2020, the IUCN lists the species as being of least concern.
Taxonomy
Carl Linnaeus first described the Alpine ibex in 1758. It is classified in the genus Capra with nine other species of goat. Capra is Latin for 'she-goat' while the species name ibex is translated from Latin as 'chamois' and is possibly derived from an earlier Alpine language.
Fossils of the genus Tossunnoria are found in late Miocene deposits in China; these fossils appear to have been transitional between goats and their ancestors. The genus Capra may have originated in Central Asia and spread to Europe, the Caucasus, and East Africa from the Pliocene and into the Pleistocene. Mitochondrial and Y chromosome evidence show hybridisation of species in this lineage. Fossils of the Alpine ibex dating from the last glacial period during the late Pleistocene have been found in France and Italy. The Alpine Ibex and the Iberian ibex (C. pyrenaica) probably evolved from the extinct Pleistocene species Capra camburgensis, whose fossils have been found in Germany. The Alpine ibex appears to have been larger during the Pleistocene than in the modern day.
In the 20th century, the Nubian (C. nubiana), walia (C. walie), and Siberian ibex (C. sibirica) were considered to be subspecies of the Alpine ibex; populations in the Alps were given the trinomial of C. i. ibex. Genetic evidence from 2006 has supported the status of these Ibexes as separate species.
Appearance
Alpine ibexes are sexually dimorphic. Males grow to a height of 90 to 101 cm (35 to 40 in) at the withers with a body length of 149–171 cm (59–67 in) and weigh 67–117 kg (148–258 lb). Females are much smaller and have a shoulder height of 73–84 cm (29–33 in), a body length of 121–141 cm (48–56 in), and weigh 17–32 kg (37–71 lb).
The Alpine ibex is a stocky animal with a tough neck and robust legs with short metapodials. Compared with most other wild goats, the species has a wide, shortened snout. Adaptations for climbing include sharp, highly separated hooves and a rubbery callus under the front feet. Both male and female Alpine ibexes have large, backwards-curving horns with an elliptical cross-section and a trilateral-shaped core. Transverse ridges on the front surface of the horns mark an otherwise flat surface. At 69–98 cm (27–39 in), the horns of males are substantially longer than those of females, which reach only 18–35 cm (7.1–13.8 in) in length.
The species has brownish-grey hair over most of its body but lighter in colour on the belly with dark markings on the chin and throat. The hair on the chest region is nearly black and there are stripes along the dorsal (back) surface. The Alpine ibex is duller-coloured than other members of its genus. As with other goats, only males have a beard. Ibexes moult in spring, when their thick winter coat consisting of woolly underfur is replaced with a short, thin summer coat. Their winter coat grows back in the autumn. As in other members of Capra, the Alpine ibex has glands near the eyes, groin, and feet but none on the face.
Distribution and habitat
The Alpine ibex is native to the Alps of central Europe; its range includes France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Germany, and Austria. Fossils of the species have been found as far south as Greece, where it became locally extinct about 7,500 years ago due to human predation. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, the species disappeared from much of its range due to hunting, leaving by the 19th century one surviving population in and around Gran Paradiso, Italy. The species has since been reintroduced into parts of its former range, as well as new areas such as Slovenia and Bulgaria.
The Alpine Ibex is an excellent climber; it occupies steep, rough terrain at elevations of 1,800 to 3,300 m (5,900 to 10,800 ft). It prefers to live in open areas, but when there is little snow and depending on population density, adult males may gather in larch and mixed larch-spruce woodland. Outside the breeding season, the sexes live in separate habitats. Females are more likely to be found on steep slopes while males prefer more level ground. Males inhabit lowland meadows during the spring, when fresh grass appears, and climb to alpine meadows during the summer. In early winter, both males and females move to steep, rocky slopes to avoid dense buildups of snow. Alpine ibexes prefer slopes of 30–45°, and take refuge in small caves and overhangs.
Behaviour and ecology
The Alpine ibex is strictly herbivorous; its diet consists mostly of grass, which is preferred all year; during the summer, ibexes supplement their diet with herbs, while during autumn and winter they also eat dwarf shrubs and conifer shoots. The most-commonly eaten grass genera are Agrostis, Avena, Calamagrostis, Festuca, Phleum, Poa, Sesleria, and Trisetum. In the spring, animals of both sexes spend about the same amount of time feeding during the day, while in summer, females, particularly those that are lactating, eat more than males. High temperatures cause heat stress in large adult males, reducing their feeding time, but they may avoid this problem by feeding at night.
In Gran Paradiso, home ranges of the Alpine Ibex can exceed 700 ha (1,700 acres) and in reintroduced populations, home ranges may approach 3,000 ha (7,400 acres). Home-range size depends on the availability of resources and the time of year. Home ranges tend to be largest during summer and autumn, smallest in winter, and intermediate in spring. Females' home ranges are usually smaller than those of males. Ibexes do not hibernate during the winter; they take shelter on cold winter nights and bask in the mornings. They also reduce their heart rate and metabolism.
The Alpine ibex may compete for resources with chamois and red deer; the presence of these species may force the ibex to occupy higher elevations.] The Alpine ibex's climbing ability is such that it has been observed scaling the 57-degree slopes of the Cingino Dam in Piedmont, Italy, where it licks salts. Only females and kids, which are lighter and have shorter legs than adult males, will climb the steep dam. Kids have been observed at 49 m (161 ft), ascending in a zig-zag path while descending in straight paths.
Social behaviour
The Alpine ibex is a social species but it tends to live in groups that are based on sex and age. For most of the year, adult males group separately from females, and older males live separately from young males. Female groups consist of 5–10 members and male groups usually have 2–16 members but sometimes have more than 50. Dependent kids live with their mothers in female groups. Segregation between the sexes is a gradual process; males younger than nine years may still associate with female groups. Adult males, particularly older males, are more likely to be found alone than females. Social spacing tends to be looser in the summer, when there is more room to feed. Ibexes have stable social connections; they consistently regroup with the same individuals when ecological conditions force them together. Female groups tend to be more stable than male groups.
Adult males and females gather together in December and January, the breeding season, then separate again in April and May. Among males, a dominance hierarchy based on size, age, and horn length exists. Hierarchies are established outside the breeding season, allowing males to focus more on mating and less on fighting. Males use their horns for combat; they bash rivals' sides or clash head-to-head often by rearing then clashing downwards.
Alpine ibexes communicate mainly through short, sharp whistles that serve mostly as alarm calls and may occur singularly or in succession with short gaps. Females and their young communicate by bleating.
Reproduction and growth
The mating season begins in December and typically lasts for around six weeks. During this time, male herds break up into smaller groups and search for females. The rut takes place in two phases; in the first phase, males interact with females as a group and in the second phase, one male separates from his group to follow a female in oestrus. Dominant males between nine and twelve years old follow a female and guard her from rivals while subordinate, younger males between two and six years old try to sneak past the tending male when he is distracted. If the female flees, both dominant and subordinate males will try to follow her. During courtship, the male stretches the neck, flicks the tongue, curls the upper lip, urinates, and sniffs the female. After copulation, the male rejoins his group and restarts the first phase of the rut. Environmental conditions can affect courtship in the species; for example, snow can limit the males' ability to follow females and mate with them.
The female is in oestrus for around 20 days and gestation averages around five months, and typically results in the birth of one or sometimes two kids. Females give birth away from their social groups on rocky slopes that are relatively safe from predators. After a few days, the kids can move on their own. Mothers and kids gather into nursery groups, where young are nursed for up to five months. Nursery groups can also include non-lactating females. Alpine ibexes reach sexual maturity in 18 months but continue to grow until females are five to six and males are nine to eleven years old.
The horns grow throughout life. Young are born without horns, which become visible as tiny tips at one month and reach 20–25 mm (0.8–1.0 in) in the second month. In males, the horns grow at about 8 cm (3.1 in) per year for the first five-and-a-half years, slowing to half that rate once the animal reaches 10 years of age. The slowing of horn growth in males coincides with aging. The age of an ibex can be determined by annual growth rings in the horns, which stop growing in winter.
Mortality and health
Male Alpine Ibexes live for around 16 years while females live for around 20 years. The species has a high adult survival rate compared with other herbivores around its size. In one study, all kids reached two years of age and the majority of adults lived for 13 years, although most 13-year-old males did not reach the age of 15. Alpine ibexes have a low rate of predation; their mountain habitat keeps them safe from predators like wolves, though golden eagles may prey on young. In Gran Paradiso, causes of death are old age, lack of food, and disease. They are also killed by avalanches.
Alpine ibexes may suffer necrosis and fibrosis caused by the bacteria Brucella melitensis, and foot rot caused by Dichelobacter nodosus. Infections from Mycoplasma conjunctivae damage the eye via keratoconjunctivitis and can lead to death rates of up to 30%. Ibexes can host gastrointestinal parasites such as coccidia, strongyles, Teladorsagia circumcincta, and Marshallagi amarshalli as well as lungworms, mainly Muellerius capillaris. Several individuals have died from heart diseases, including arteriosclerosis, cardiac fibrosis, sarcosporidiosis, and valvular heart disease.
Conservation
During the Middle Ages, the Alpine ibex ranged throughout the Alpine region of Europe. Starting in the early 16th century, the overall population declined due almost entirely to hunting by humans, especially with the introduction of firearms] By the 19th century, only around 100 individuals remained in and around Gran Paradiso in north-west Italy and on the Italian-French border. In 1821, the Government of Piedmont banned hunting of the Alpine ibex and in 1854, Victor Emmanuel II declared Gran Paradiso a royal hunting reserve. In 1920, his grandson Victor Emmanuel III of Italy donated the land to the state of Italy and it was established as a national park. By 1933, the Alpine ibex population reached 4,000 but subsequent mismanagement by the Fascist government caused it to drop to around 400 by 1945. Their protection improved again after the war and by 2005, there were 4,000 in the national park. In the late 20th century, the Gran Paradiso population was used for reintroductions into other parts of Italy.
Starting in 1902, several Alpine ibexes from Gran Paradiso were taken into captive facilities in Switzerland for selective breeding and reintroduction into the wild. Until 1948, translocated founder animals were captive-bred. Afterwards, there were reintroductions of wild-born specimens from established populations in Piz Albris, Le Pleureur, and Augstmatthorn. These gave rise to the populations in France and Austria. Alpine ibexes also recolonised areas on their own. The Alpine ibex population reached 3,020 in 1914, 20,000 in 1991, and 55,297 in 2015, and by 1975, the species occupied much of its medieval range. In the 1890s, ibexes were introduced to Slovenia despite the lack of evidence of their presence there following the last glacial period. In 1980, ibexes were translocated to Bulgaria.
Between 2015 and 2017, there were around 9,000 ibexes in 30 colonies in France, over 17,800 individuals and 30 colonies in Switzerland, over 16,400 ibexes in 67 colonies in Italy, around 9,000 in 27 colonies in Austria, around 500 in five colonies in Germany, and almost 280 ibexes and four colonies in Slovenia. As of 2020, the IUCN considers the Alpine ibex to be of Least Concern with a stable population trend. It was given a recovery score of 79%, making it "moderately depleted". While the species would likely have gone extinct without conservation efforts in the 19th and 20th centuries, as of 2021, it has a low conservation dependence. According to the IUCN, without current protections, the population decline of the species would be minimal. Some countries allow limited hunting.
Having gone through a genetic bottleneck, the Alpine ibex population has low genetic diversity and is at risk of inbreeding depression. A 2020 analysis found highly deleterious mutations were lost in these new populations but they had also gained mildly deleterious ones. The genetic purity of the species may be threatened by hybridisation with domestic goats, which have been allowed to roam in the Alpine Ibex's habitat. The genetic bottleneck of populations may increase vulnerability to infectious diseases because their immune system has low major histocompatibility complex diversity. In the Bornes Massif region of the French Alps, management actions, including a test-and-cull program to control outbreaks, effectively reduced Brucella infection prevalence in adult females from 51% in 2013 to 21% in 2018, and active infections also significantly declined.
Cultural significance
The Alpine ibex is called the steinbock, which originated from the Old High German word steinboc, literally "stone buck". Several European names for the animal developed from this, including the French bouquetin and the Italian stambecco. The Alpine ibex is one of many animals depicted in the art of the Late Pleistocene-era Magdalenian culture in Western Europe. Local people used Ibexes for traditional medicine; the horn material was used to counter cramps, poisoning, and hysteria, while the blood was thought to prevent stones from developing in the bladder. The species' value as a source of medicine led to its near extinction. Since its recovery, the Alpine ibex has been seen as a resilient symbol of the mountain range. The species is depicted on the coat of arms of the Swiss canton of Grisons.
(Wikipedia)
Die Julischen Alpen (umgangssprachlich auch Julier; slowenisch Julijske Alpe; italienisch Alpi Giulie) sind eine Gebirgsgruppe der Südlichen Kalkalpen südlich des Alpenhauptkammes. Ihr Ostteil liegt in den slowenischen Gebieten Ober- und Innerkrain, der Westteil in der italienischen Region Friaul-Julisch Venetien. Sie werden in Nord-Süd-Richtung zwischen dem Saifnitzer Sattel und dem Cerknosattel zentral von der Donau-Adria-Wasserscheide durchlaufen.
Name
Der Name bezieht sich auf Gaius Iulius Caesar, der im Gebiet von Friaul und Westkrain das Municipium Forum Iulii einrichtete. In der Antike umfasste die Bezeichnung „Julische Alpen“ auch Gebirge weiter im Süden; so gehörten die im heutigen Slowenien liegenden Mittelgebirge des Ternowaner und des Birnbaumer Waldes dazu, während sie heute eigenständige Regionen bilden.
Lage
Die Nordwest- und Nordgrenze zu den Karnischen Alpen verläuft von Ragogna über die Saifnitzer Talwasserscheide bis Tarvis im Kanaltal.
Die Nordostgrenze zur Gebirgsgruppe Karawanken und Bachergebirge verläuft von Tarvis über den Ratschacher Sattel entlang des Oberen Savetals bis zur Stadt Kranj.
Im Osten bildet die Save unterhalb von Kranj bis zur 13 km entfernten westlichen Einmündung der Sora bei Medvode die Grenze zu den Steiner Alpen.
Im Süden bildet das Tal der Sora von ihrer Saveeinmündung bei Medvode aufwärts bis Škofja Loka, danach das Tal der Poljanščica aufwärts bis zum Cerknosattel, die Idrijca abwärts bis zur Einmündung in den Isonzo und danach dessen Tal abwärts bis Görz (Einmündung der Vipava in den Isonzo im Süden der Stadt Gorica) die Grenze der Julischen Alpen zum Karst.
Die Südwestgrenze der Julischen Alpen von Goricia bis Ragogna zur Oberitalienischen Tiefebene ist gleichzeitig Alpengebietsgrenze.
Beschaffenheit
Die Julischen Alpen sind ein sehr schroffer Gebirgsstock. Höchster Berg ist der Triglav (Dreikopf), 2864 m, zugleich höchster Berg Sloweniens und des früheren Jugoslawiens. Vereinzelt finden sich Kargletscher. Die Julischen Alpen werden durch das Raibler Tal, den Predilpass und das Tal der Koritnica und Soča in eine östliche und eine westliche Gruppe geteilt.
Übergänge und Verkehr
Vršičpass
Predilpass
Neveasattel
Bahnstrecke Jesenice–Trieste Campo Marzio (Wocheinerbahn)
Bevölkerung und Geschichte
Die Julischen Alpen waren und sind Grenze zwischen slowenischem und friaulischem Sprachgebiet. Da sie zur Gänze zumindest zeitweise Teil des Stammesherzogtums Baiern und später des Habsburger-Reichs waren, großteils durch Jahrhunderte, fasste das Deutsche vereinzelt Fuß, namentlich in der Sprachinsel Zarz und im Kanaltal.
Italien erhielt von Österreich 1866 mit Friaul Anteil an den Julischen Alpen.
Die touristische Erschließung leisteten Belsazar Hacquet, der die Erstbesteigung des Triglav betrieb (1778), und vor allem Julius Kugy.
Im Ersten Weltkrieg verlief in den Juliern eine Front, an der ein sehr zermürbender Stellungskrieg geführt wurde, dessen Folgen noch heute durch Stellungen, Stacheldrahtreste und sogar Blindgänger gegenwärtig sind (vgl. Gebirgskrieg 1915–1918). Nach dem Ersten Weltkrieg erhielt Italien den Großteil der Julier, musste sich jedoch nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg wieder an die Wasserscheide zwischen Tagliamento und Gailitz diesseits und Save und Isonzo jenseits zurückziehen. Der Rest fiel an Jugoslawien beziehungsweise an den Freistaat Triest.
In der Folge fasste auch das Italienische in diesem Gebiete Fuß, so dass es heute viersprachig ist.
Wirtschaft
Die Julischen Alpen zeigen sich heute als strukturschwaches Gebiet. Der Bleibergbau in Raibl kam bereits im späten 20. Jahrhundert zum Erliegen, und der Niedergang der Landwirtschaft traf ein derart schwer zu bewirtschaftendes Gebiet besonders.
Gemeinden wie Tarvis, Ratschach und Kronau leben gut vom Kleinen Grenzverkehr am Dreiländereck Slowenien, Italien und Österreich.
Wichtigste Gipfel der Julischen Alpen
Triglav 2864 m
Montasch 2754 m
Škrlatica 2740 m
Mangart 2677 m
Jôf Fuart (Wischberg) 2666 m
Jalovec 2645 m
Razor 2602 m
Großer Kanin 2585 m
Kanjavec 2568 m
Prisojnik 2547 m
Kleine Mojstrovka 2332 m
Strug 2265 m
Touristenzentren
Bled (Veldes) (Sommer; Casino, See)
Bohinj (Wochein) (Sommer und Winter; Skigebiete)
Bovec (Flitsch) (Sommer und Winter; Sočatal, Skigebiete)
Kranjska Gora (Kronau) (Sommer und Winter; Skigebiet, Casino)
Rateče (Ratschach) (Weltcupschanze in Planica)
Tarvis (Sommer und Winter)
Neveasattel (Skigebiet)
(Wikipedia)
Der Alpensteinbock (Capra ibex) ist eine in den Alpen wieder verbreitete Art von Steinböcken aus der Gattung der Ziegen. Ein weiblicher Steinbock wird Steingeiß genannt und ist nicht so groß wie ein männlicher.
Merkmale
Ein Alpensteinbock hat im Durchschnitt eine Kopfrumpflänge von 150 cm und eine Schulterhöhe von 90 cm. Geißen sind etwa 40 kg schwer, wohingegen Böcke über 100 kg wiegen können. Der Bock verfügt über ein imposantes, gebogenes Gehörn (bis zu 1 m Länge), während die Geiß nur kurze, kaum gebogene Hörner hat. Die Böcke besitzen einen Ziegenbart. Böcke haben im Sommer ein dunkelbraunes Fell; das Fell der Weibchen ist mehr rötlich oder goldbraun. Im Winter wird das Fell beider Geschlechter gräulich.
Im Jahr 2012 wurden am Rotmoosferner im hinteren Ötztal, Österreich, Reste eines Alpensteinbocks ausgegraben und untersucht. Sie wurden als mindestens 3.300 Jahre alt bestimmt und belegen, dass die Exemplare damals etwas größer ausgebildet waren. Der 40 cm lange Teil eines Horns wurde erstmals 2014 im Archäologiemuseum Bozen ausgestellt.
Lebensraum
In den Alpen lebt der Steinbock auf der Höhe zwischen der Wald- und Eisgrenze. Dabei steigt er bis in Höhen von 3500 m auf. Im Winter bleibt er allerdings in tieferen Lagen als im Sommer, und auch im Sommer steigt er zum Fressen oft auf alpine Wiesen ab, während er zum Übernachten die großen Höhen aufsucht.
Lebensweise
Eine Steinbockherde setzt sich aus zehn bis zwanzig Weibchen und Jungtieren zusammen. Daneben gibt es die weniger stabilen Junggesellenherden noch nicht ganz ausgewachsener Böcke sowie einzeln lebende alte Böcke. Zur Fortpflanzungszeit in den Monaten Dezember/Januar suchen die Böcke die Weibchen auf und versuchen, Kontrolle über die Herde zu erlangen. Zwischen konkurrierenden Böcken kommt es dabei zu Kämpfen. Ein Bock muss mindestens sechs Jahre alt sein, um eine Chance zu haben, diese Kämpfe zu überstehen und einen Harem zu gewinnen. Über den Winter bleibt der Bock bei der Herde und verlässt sie im Frühling.
Nach einer Tragzeit von fünf bis sechs Monaten kommt im Zeitraum Mai bis Ende Juni ein Jungtier (Kitz), selten auch zwei, zur Welt. Das Junge kann vom ersten Tag an laufen und wird ein Jahr lang vom Muttertier gesäugt. Danach fressen Steinböcke unter anderem Gräser und Kräuter. Die Lebensdauer eines Steinbocks kann über zwanzig Jahre betragen.
Die Wiedereinbürgerung des Steinwildes in den Alpen hat in einigen Regionen gezeigt, dass Steinwild einen großen Einfluss auf die sie umgebende Landschaft hat. Aufgrund der in den 1920er Jahren wieder eingebürgerten Steinböcke nahm im Bereich des Schafbergs und des Piz Albris bei Pontresina im Oberengadin die Hangabtragung zu. Verantwortlich dafür waren Vertritt-Schäden des Steinwildes.
Verbreitungsgebiet
Während des Eiszeitalters war der Alpensteinbock weit über die Gebirge Mittel- und Osteuropas verbreitet. Im Südosten erreichte er Bulgarien und Griechenland, im Norden die Schwäbische Alb. Im Paläolithikum und bis in die Jungsteinzeit waren Steinböcke in manchen bergigen Regionen über Jahrtausende Hauptjagdwild des Menschen. Noch im frühen Holozän, bis vor etwa 8.000 Jahren, kam die Art in den Bergen Griechenlands vor. Bejagung scheint hier zum Verschwinden der Art ab etwa 5.600 v. Chr. geführt zu haben. Daher erwägt man, die Tiere wieder dort anzusiedeln.
Der Steinbock wurde in der früheren Zeit stark mystifiziert, was dazu führte, dass fast alles Verwertbare des Steinbocks, vom Blut über die Haare bis hin zu den Exkrementen, als Medizin gegen verschiedene Krankheiten eingesetzt wurde. Dies führte fast zum Aussterben der Art in Europa. Mitte des 17. Jahrhunderts war der Alpensteinbock auf dem Territorium des Gotteshausbundes, dessen Wappentier er war, ausgerottet, und Anfang des 19. Jahrhunderts war der Steinbock im gesamten Alpenraum bis auf etwa 100 Tiere im italienischen Gran Paradiso ausgerottet. Der Gressoneyer Förster Josef Zumstein und der Naturkundler Albert Girtanner konnten 1820 die Behörden dazu bewegen, die letzten Steinböcke im Gran Paradiso zu schützen. Ab 1821 wurden Steinböcke im gesamten Gebiet des Hauses Savoyen unter Schutz gestellt. 1856 machte König Viktor Emanuel II. von Sardinien-Piemont die Region zu einem seiner Jagdreviere und stellte eine große Zahl Wildhüter ein. Der Bestand wuchs bis Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts auf 3000 Tiere. Dank erfolgreicher Wiederansiedlungsprogramme ist aus dem einstigen Restbestand von unter 100 Tieren der Steinbock inzwischen wieder in weiten Teilen seines ursprünglichen Lebensraums verbreitet. Alle heute in den Alpen lebenden Steinböcke stammen von diesen 100 Tieren ab.
Obwohl von der Schweiz (deren Kanton Graubünden das Tier immerhin im Wappen trägt) damals wiederholt Gesuche für die Umsiedlung von Steinböcken gestellt wurden, erlaubte Viktor Emanuel III. den Export von Steinböcken nicht. So wurden dann 1906 die ersten Tiere in die Schweiz geschmuggelt und in den Wildpark Peter und Paul bei St. Gallen gebracht, wo sie gezüchtet wurden. 1911 erfolgte mit diesen Tieren eine erste, noch erfolglose Aussetzungsaktion. Ab 1915 wurden zur Züchtung auch Steinböcke in den Alpenwildpark Harder bei Interlaken gebracht, zuerst ein Zuchtpaar aus dem Wildpark Peter und Paul, anschließend direkt aus dem Gran Paradiso. Im Jahr 1920 begann dann die erfolgreiche Ansiedlung in den Bündner Bergen. Sämtliche heute in der Schweiz lebenden Steinböcke stammen von Tieren aus den zwei genannten Tierparks ab.
Bestände
Der Alpensteinbock ist nicht mehr gefährdet (IUCN Least Concern). In der Schweiz leben 18.694 Tiere (Stand 2021) und in Italien 13.500 Steinböcke, das entspricht zusammen zwei Dritteln der Gesamtpopulation in den Alpen, die etwa 45.000 Tiere umfasst. In der Schweiz, wo die erfolgreiche Wiederansiedlung 1920 angefangen hatte, wird der Bestand seit 1977 durch Jagd reguliert.
Der Bestand in Österreich, wo 1924 die ersten Tiere erfolgreich wieder angesiedelt werden konnten, beläuft sich auf 4500 Tiere. Die Wiederansiedlung von Alpensteinböcken findet in der Regel breite Unterstützung bei der Bevölkerung und bei den Kommunen, da ein Bestand von Steinböcken häufig in der touristischen Vermarktung von alpinen Ferienorten genutzt wird.
In den französischen Alpen leben circa 10.000 Steinböcke (Stand 2014), vor allem im Nationalpark Mercantour, auf dessen bis 1947 zu Italien gehörendem Gebiet in den Seealpen bereits im Jahr 1921 die Wiederansiedlung begann, und im Nationalpark Vanoise, der mit circa 2500 Tieren die größte französische Steinbockpopulation aufweist.
In Deutschland gibt es fünf Populationen: zwei kleinere in der Nähe vom Graswangtal/Ammerwald sowie in der Nähe von Bayrischzell und drei größere in den Allgäuer Alpen, an der Benediktenwand und im Hagengebirge. Der Beginn der Wiederbesiedlung in den deutschen Alpen war 1936 bei Berchtesgaden. Bei einer offiziellen Zählung 2010 ermittelten Förster und Jäger 450 Alpensteinböcke in Bayerns Bergen; im Sommer 2016 waren es bereits 730. In Slowenien liegt der Bestand bei 400 Individuen an frei lebenden Alpensteinböcken. Im Jahr 1971 tauchten die ersten Exemplare auch in Liechtenstein am Falknis auf.
Systematik
Der Alpensteinbock ist eine von mehreren als Steinböcke bezeichneten Arten der Gattung der Ziegen (Capra). Früher wurde er aufgrund äußerer Merkmale mit dem Sibirischen Steinbock (C. sibirica) und dem Nubischen Steinbock (C. nubiana) zu einer Art zusammengefasst.
Genetische Untersuchungen deuten allerdings stark darauf hin, dass der Alpensteinbock, der Sibirische Steinbock und der Nubische Steinbock jeweils eigene Arten darstellen, wobei der Sibirische Steinbock an der Basis der wilden Ziegenarten steht. Die äußerlichen Ähnlichkeiten zum Alpensteinbock und zum Nubischen Steinbock wären demnach kein Zeichen enger Verwandtschaft, sondern Plesiomorphien. Der Alpensteinbock gleicht dagegen in genetischer Hinsicht sehr dem äußerlich recht verschiedenen Iberiensteinbock, der ihm geographisch auch am nächsten steht.
(Wikipedia)
Devil's gold miners. That's how they are called. They are the miners of Ijen, in southern Java, the last sulfur mine in the world in an active volcano. It is anachronistic and incredible to observe their living and working conditions. They leave the base camp at the foot of the volcano and with a three-hour walk they arrive at the top of the mountain and then descend for 300 meters in the mouth of the volcano, two or three times a day. They go back with 70/100 kg of sulfur on their shoulders. The path is steep and at the bottom there is the most dangerous sulfur lake in the world. All this for 12 euros per day. Their average life is 50 years. The more fortunate (few) have anti gas goggles. Most have a rag to cover their mouth. Sulfur exhalations are toxic, burn eyes and lungs and corrode skin and teeth. We went down twice in a week because we could not believe our eyes. We met some of them who told us their story, their health problems related to the calluses that are formed on their shoulders for the inhuman weight they carry. We were upset and hypnotized by this unreal world
Weird note: My index and thumbs are slightly swollen and warm all the way down to the bone from force pinning Lego Technic beams (lift arms). I wonder if Technic designers have the same problem from working hours on stuff. It doesn't hurt - it's just like the feeling from doing gardening in the spring. I may get some really weird Lego calluses from this. At least my fingers are a lot stronger from 3 years of Legoing now.
I powered through redoing all the fins just so I could get to this point this morning and check my work.
It's definitely stronger, able to stand with minimal flex on the ends of 15 arms.
I think I like the proportions and look - it looks "faster" with these curves and shape. It usually takes me 3-5 passes on something before I really like the look, after just getting something together to prove out that it's practical.
(Pan troglodytes) 2G9A4735.jpg
Gestation: about 8 months
Born: 1 baby
Longevity: 40 years
Status: threatened
habitat:
He lives in tropical forests in West Africa and Central
Diet :
The chimpanzee is a true omnivore that eats fruit, leaves, nuts, insects and small mammals.
Description :
Chimpanzees are threatened by increasing human activities (deforestation, trafficking, consumption) or by diseases like Ebola. Throughout Africa populations are declining. Sexual dimorphism in chimpanzees is less marked than in gorillas, the male simply being larger and heavier than the female. When the female is in heat, she has large red tumescences calluses on his buttocks. During this period, the dominant male will mate at the end of the cycle, when the chances of fertilization is the highest. After 8 months of gestation the female gives birth to a baby. Small stay with their mothers until their 6/10 years. Up to 10 years, the mother of the little give him affection, fed, taught him to walk, and protects from danger. Females can have small with different males and male relationships do not last long, but with their mothers and their young. Chimpanzees live and travel in groups. Chimpanzees use them many means of communication: cries, sounds, physical postures, facial expression and gestures. They share and do things for the good of their community.
I were very happy (and very lucky) to meet them in Nyungwe primary forest (Rwanda south-west).
Gestation : environ 8 mois
Naissance : 1 petit
Longévité : 40 ans
Statut : menacé
Habitat :
Il vit en forêt tropicale dans l'Afrique de l'ouest et centrale
Régime alimentaire :
Le chimpanzé est un véritable omnivore qui se nourrit de fruits, de feuilles, de noix, d'insectes et de petits mammifères.
Description :
Les chimpanzés sont menacés par le développement des activités humaines (déforestation, trafic, consommation) ou par des maladies comme la fièvre Ebola. Partout en Afrique les populations seraient en régression. Le dimorphisme sexuel chez les chimpanzés est moins marqué que chez les gorilles, le mâle étant simplement plus grand et lourd que la femelle. Lorsque la femelle est en chaleur, elle présente de larges tumescences rouges sur ses callosités fessières. Durant cette période, le mâle dominant s'accouplera à la fin du cycle, lorsque les chances de fécondation sont les plus élevées. Après 8 mois de gestation la femelle donne naissance à un petit. Les petits restes avec leurs mères jusqu'à leurs 6/10 ans. Jusqu'à 10 ans, la mère du petit lui donne de l'affection, le nourrit, lui apprend à marcher, et le protège du danger. Les femelles peuvent avoir des petits avec différents mâles et les relations des mâles ne durent pas longtemps, sauf avec leurs mères et leurs petits. Les chimpanzés vivent et voyagent dans des groupes. Les chimpanzés utilisent entre eux de nombreux moyens de communication : cris, sons, postures physiques, expression faciales et mimiques. Ils partagent et font des choses pour le bien de leur communauté.
J'ai eu la chance de les observer en pleine nature dans la forêt primaire de Nyungwe (Rwanda sud-ouest).
a tiny man
deformed
crippled
damaged
in the midst of taller stronger healthier more well off humans
crawls
ever
so
S. L............. O................. W ................... L ..................... Y
a little
at
a
time
with
his beggars
bowl...........
calluses on his palms
calluses on his soles
in the monsoon
in the hot sun
for a man has to eat
to survive
in
Ujjain
Photography’s new conscience
[LIFER]
Location: Kedah, Malaysia
Went for a 3D2N herping trip with buddies from the north.
Also known as Speckled Coral Snake.
Malay name: Ular Pantai Bintik Kecil.
I've been looking for this species for over 5 years and finally everything fall into place when a friend showed me a photo of this snake. A villager found it. This is one of the snake highlight of 2021. Saving the best for last of 2021. Check out the color and pattern of its head and tail look almost similar (another form defense mechanism to confuse its predator).
Distribution: Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Southern Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, & Laos.
Reproduction: Oviparous (reproduce by laying eggs)
Calliophis maculiceps, commonly known as the speckled coral snake or the small-spotted coral snake, is a species of venomous elapid snake endemic to Southeast Asia. Five subspecies are recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Subspecies
The following five subspecies are considered valid:
-Calliophis maculiceps atrofrontalis (Sauvage, 1877)
-Calliophis maculiceps hughi (Cochran, 1927)
-Calliophis maculiceps maculiceps (Günther, 1858)
-Calliophis maculiceps michaelis Deuve, 1961
-Calliophis maculiceps smithi Klemmer, 1963
Source: Reptiledatabase
Bite Report from Jones et al., (2020). file:///C:/Users/vteo2/Downloads/Jonesetal2020v51pp429_432.pdf
Patient's Report:
At 0907 h, noticeable swelling of the finger started to develop in conjunction with localized numbness. The patient was taken to the hospital immediately. At 0947 h the patient’s throat began to feel uncomfortable, which made it more difficult to swallow. The patient arrived at the hospital at 0949 h. Increased swelling and a mild throbbing in the patient’s finger were reported at 0958 h and the doctors began monitoring the patient at 1002 h, which included intravenous (IV) hydration and a breathing tube. At 1043 h the patient noted further numbness around the cheek and mouth area. Furthermore, the patient re-ported an uncomfortable ache in his elbow and arm at 1150 h, which may be due to having to remain in a hospital bed for the previous 2 h. At 1251 h the patient was moved to another room within the hospital and had begun to show signs of recovery with no additional symptoms being reported, e.g., discomfort in his throat, face, or arms. By 1430 h, the swelling in the patient's finger had reduced substantially. The progression of the bite site can be seen in Fig. 1A–F. The next morning at 0945 h, the patient reported pain at the bite-site which continued down his finger and into his palm. He was kept in the hospital for two more nights to ensure that no delayed symptoms occurred and remained on an IV and breathing tube throughout his stay. Within three days after being discharged from the hospital, and the fifth day post-bite, the pain had subsided and normal functionality of the finger was regained. On 29 October 2017, 18 days after the bite, a slight-ly swollen callus formed on the bite site. The patient stated that he experienced pain when applying pressure on the spot. This condition continued for two more days, and on the third day the hardened callus around the bite site was reduced but was still noticeable. By 2 November 2017, the hardness had subsided, and the swelling was barely noticeable. A week later strong pain was felt at the joints of the finger, enhanced when fingers were clenched into a fist. The pain was still present the next day though reduced, and only noticeable when pressure was applied and during finger movement. By the 11 November 2017, no more pain was felt at the bite site and surrounding area, and the patient’s hand regained normal function.
Voyez l'incroyable callus verruqueux du labelle de Epidendrum weerakitianum in situ ! Je l'ai observé pour la première fois dans la forêt oú je vis durant une promenade de Noel (le meilleur cadeau), bien que nous avions déjà réalisé une observation plus au nord. Département du Valle del Cauca. Espece endémique (exclusive) de Colombie.
Vean al increíble callo verrucoso del labio de Epidendrum weerakitianum in situ ! Lo observé por primera vez en el bosque donde vivo durante una caminata navideña (el mejor regalo), aunque ya lo teníamos registrado más al norte. Departamento del Valle del Cauca. Especie endémica (exclusiva) de Colombia.
Small pieces of glass and other stuff can stay incrusted in the callus for a long time untill it walks off again - just natural for a urban barefooter!
On ne compte plus les saints d'origine bretonne, ils sont aussi nombreux que les brins d'herbe des prés. Il en est même de si vieux que leur légende s'est perdue. Mais ils servent tous à quelque chose comme par exemple saint Cado qui guérit les sourds, saint Pabin et saint Dogmaël les rhumatismes, saint Modez les durillons ... Il y a aussi autant de façon de les honorer qu'il y a de saints: Un agneau tacheté pour saint Avoye, une poignée de clous pour saint Efflam, du beurre pour saint Nicodème... Saint Gildas , lui guérit de la rage et aime bien les coqs et poules en offrande, une cage pour recueillir les volailles persiste encore dans la chapelle même si elle n'est plus utilisée ! Étrange n'est ce pas ? En fait, les plus anciens des saints bretons semblent très proches du paganisme. Ont ils gardé aussi les traces du druidisme des peuples celtes ?
The Chapel of St. Gildas
There are countless saints of Breton origin, they are as numerous as the grass of the meadow. Some are so old that even their legend has been lost. But they all serve a purpose such as St. Cado that heals the deaf and St. Pabin and St. Dogmael rheumatism, St. Modez it's calluses ... There are also many ways to honor them as much as there are saints: A spotted lamb for St.Avoye , a handful of nails for St. Efflam , butter for St. Nicodemus ... Saint Gildas, the saint of this chapel heals from rage and likes roosters and hens as offer, a cage to collect poultry persists in the chapel even if it is no more used ! Strange isn't it ? In fact, all the oldest of the Breton saints seem very close to paganism. Have they also kept traces of Celtic Druidism ?
.....................................................
Ar chapel Sant-Weltas, la chapelle Saint-Gildas (style gothique du XVè siècle), Carnoët, Bretagne, France
The tech chose this color for my toe nails because a lot of women are wearing it this summer. And she told me that it'll be a wonderful conversation starter when women notice that we're wearing the same color on our toes.
Update:
This photo was taken about 3 weeks ago.
But today I was in the nail salon, waiting my turn to get a fill on my french manicure, wearing a generic women's polo shirt and shorts, nude pantyhose and the flats from my "Amanda's Flats" pictures, minimal makeup, and my purse. A man walked in and sat down next to me, looking somewhat self-conscious in a shop full of women. After a few minutes, he awkwardly started to talk, and told me that he was there to "have my calluses attended to." I told him that was always good and "more men should take care of their feet". Then I told him "they do a great job here with pedicures", slipped out of my flats and held up my nylon-covered, bright-pink-nailed feet for him to see. "Wow, very pretty, miss, but I won't be getting any polish on mine." "Oh, you don't need to get color, but you really should treat yourself to clear polish. It makes them look nice for longer. Here, I even use clear polish on these." And both French-manicured hands went up to show him. He stared at them attentively for a few seconds and said "Gorgeous nails," but our respective techs interrupted his gaze and called us to their stations. Since he was a first timer he was addressed as "sir." I've been going there almost forever, so they called me by Miss Amanda.
The ladies (both techs and customers) were fine with his presence, but nonetheless, with three women around him, at in various stages of having their pretty polish applied, and one (me) getting a fill, he seemed a bit nervous, like someone was going to bite him! (Or worse yet, give him - gasp - red nail polish!!!) He was done before I was...and didn't get any polish, but I think he'll at least be back for another pedicure.
Maybe our paths will cross again and I can get him convinced to try clear!
Close up of an Arbutus tree trunk with brightly coloured canker growth.
Most infections occur through injuries from freezing, sunburn, or cuts, but under ideal conditions the fungus can infect uninjured bark. All ages and sizes of arbutus are affected with larger older madrones having the most mortality.
Symptoms are black or purplish areas developing in the bark of main trunks or major branches. Soon a canker develops in the discolored area.
Eventually, dead bark sloughs off, leaving a sunken area surrounded by callus tissue. Wood in the cankered area is cracked longitudinally and dark masses of spores can be seen. Rapidly spreading cankers have smooth margins and no callus tissue.
Cankers may spiral around, girdling and killing trunks and branches. Non-vigorous trees may decline rapidly and die in a year or two while more vigorous trees may persist for years with multiple cankers.
CALLÚS-PINTURA-POBLES-BAGES-BARCELONA-PAISATGES-CASES-CATALUNYA-QUADRES-ARTISTA-PINTOR-ERNEST DESCALS-
Conjunto de casas con sus patios traseros en el pueblo de CALLÚS, entre Manresa y Suria encontramos esta población en la que el pintar sus paisajes resulta un placer. Cuadros del artista Pintor Ernest Descals con los pueblos de la Comarca de El Bages en Barcelona, Catalunya Central. Pintura sobre papel de 50 x 65 centímetros.
You may recall last summer that I realized I was very much the "tenderfoot" and spent a number of evenings walking barefoot around the neighborhood. I also wore my "pain" shoes poking staples into my sole as I walked. But this summer I had been busy with other things and had only taken a few barefoot walks.
While on a mini-vacation in upstate New York, I hiked to the top of a mountain (only a few hundred feet, there was a road most of the way up, but that few hundred feet was a difficult rocky climb). And there is this husband and wife who hadn't paid attention to the "sturdy footwear recommended" sign and were climbing barefoot. They had both started with flip-flops and discovered they weren't "sturdy". They made it to the top, and that reminded me, I really needed to toughen my soles.
Shortly after I got back, I started wearing my "barefoot" shoes, most often my Asics wrestling shoes which had lost their soles to powder a couple of years ago, but also my older Nike white canvas wrestling shoes which lost their soles years ago, and my Capezio jazz shoes, on which most of the soles wore away, also years ago.
I wore them all day, every day for a month, shopping, to work, on long walks, everywhere. I then took a brief break of a couple of weeks, mostly to be able to photo some of the "new" shoes I had recently acquired. And now, I'm back wearing the barefoot shoes, at least until the weather gets too chilly.
I've made progress, but still need a lot more callus to reach my goal. The "yard" around the building where I work is filled with crushed stone, with sharp edges. When I started this exercise, I couldn't bear to stand barefoot on the stone more than a few seconds, let alone walk on it. I'm now to the point I can actually walk around on it, slowly and not at all comfortably. The sharp edges of the stones still hurt my feet.
My goal is to be able to walk barefoot on those stones without pain, just as I can with shoes on.