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Crotch's bumble bee on a Plummer's mariposa lily
Though we all think of honeybees when we think of bees in trouble, native bees are also under threat. This bee is one of those native bees, one that is endemic to California. While it has experienced steep declines in many areas, there are still a few in the Los Angeles area. According to Wikipedia:
"Bombus crotchii is a species of bumblebee known by the common name Crotch's bumblebee, named after the entomologist George Robert Crotch. It is native to California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico and has also been reported from Nevada.
This bee lives in grassland and scrub habitat types. It nests underground. Its food plants include
milkweeds, dustymaidens, lupines, medics, phacelias, and sages. This bee tolerates hotter and drier habitat types than do most bumblebees.
This is an endangered species. It is thought to have declined about 67% from its historic range, at least within the United States. It was once common in the Central Valley of California, but it is now hard to find there. This region has experienced urbanization and intensive agriculture, events that are thought to have contributed to the decline of the species.
Excerpt from Wikipedia:
The Nassauer Haus or Schlüsselfeldersche Stiftungshaus in Nuremberg is a medieval residential tower made of so-called red castle sandstone. Although originally built in Romanesque style, after several reconstructions the house is still characterized by Gothic style elements. It is the last still existing residential tower in Nuremberg.
The tower stands in the Lorenzer Altstadt, opposite the Lorenzkirche, in Karolinenstraße 2.
The name "Nassauer Haus" is the name in use for the corner house only since the 19th century and is based on an erroneous reference to the German king Adolf von Nassau († 1298). Until then, the building was referred to (since the early 18th century) as Schlüsselfelderisches Stiftungshaus. However, descendants of the king from the count's House of Nassau had possessions further north of the Lorenzkirche in the 15th century.
The construction method for fortified tower houses or residential towers came in the 13th century from Upper Italian cities to the German Reichsstädte trading with them. "Geschlechtertürme" were widespread in the (rather weakly fortified) trade centers to protect trade goods from raids, furthermore also as status symbols of noble families who had moved into the cities. In Regensburg, several family towers based on the Italian model are still preserved. Around 1430, about 65 are also said to have existed in Nuremberg, of which the Nassau House is the only surviving one.
The cellar (with an irregular cross-ribbed vault) and the two lower floors are dated to the 13th century. Around the 16th century, the vault of the cellar was raised, as well as that of the first floor. The hall-like cellar is used today as an inn. The two upper floors, which are clearly distinguished by regular ashlar masonry of a reddish hue from the small-scale structured masonry of the lower floors, belong to the 15th century. The original tower may have risen freestanding above the low wooden houses in the vicinity and may also have supported a wooden or half-timbered superstructure in the manner of the Amorbacher Templerhaus. At least the penultimate floor can be attributed to a reconstruction around 1422 by the then owner Jobst Haug. The top floor with its coat of arms frieze and the three pointed-helmeted corner towers was brought into the existing form around 1433 by Ulrich Ortlieb, who is also credited with the choir. The tower has a pyramid-shaped hipped roof.
The residential tower probably only became a "fortified tower" for romantic observers of the 19th century, who may have seen a uniform building in it, whereby the decorative battlement, the coat of arms frieze and the royal attribution may have contributed to this assessment. The most important external change is the installation of the round arched openings on the first floor in 1836; one of them was enlarged to a door around 1900. In the early period, the stone floors of the tower may have had only slit windows or embrasuress and a high entrance, as was customary at the time.
Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, Aug 24, 2021.
Worked the hedge for food but didn't come down to the water.
Vermivora cyanoptera
Blue-winged Warblers have expanded northward as landscapes changed to shrubbier habitats. This northward expansion increased contact and hybridization with Golden-winged Warblers. This hybridization and competition contributes to Golden-winged population declines.
source- Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
The garden at Sissinghurst Castle in the Weald of Kent, in England at Sissinghurst village, is owned and maintained by the National Trust. It is among the most famous gardens in England and is grade I listed.
Sissinghurst's garden was created in the 1930s by Vita Sackville-West, poet and gardening writer, and her husband Harold Nicolson, author and diplomat. Sackville-West was a writer on the fringes of the Bloomsbury Group who found her greatest popularity in the weekly columns she contributed as gardening correspondent of The Observer, which incidentally—for she never touted it—made her own garden famous. The garden itself is designed as a series of 'rooms', each with a different character of colour and/or theme, the walls being high clipped hedges and many pink brick walls. The rooms and 'doors' are so arranged that, as one enjoys the beauty in a given room, one suddenly discovers a new vista into another part of the garden, making a walk a series of discoveries that keeps leading one into yet another area of the garden. Nicolson spent his efforts coming up with interesting new interconnections, while Sackville-West focused on making the flowers in the interior of each room exciting.
For Sackville-West, Sissinghurst and its garden rooms came to be a poignant and romantic substitute for Knole, reputedly the largest house in Britain, which as the only child of Lionel, the 3rd Lord Sackville she would have inherited had she been a male, but which had passed to her cousin as the male heir.
The site is ancient; "hurst" is the Saxon term for an enclosed wood. A manor house with a three-armed moat was built here in the Middle Ages. In 1305, King Edward I spent a night here. It was long thought that in 1490 Thomas Baker, a man from Cranbrook, purchased Sissinghurst, although there is no evidence for it. What is certain is that the house was given a new brick gatehouse in the 1530s by Sir John Baker, one of Henry VIII's Privy Councillors, and greatly enlarged in the 1560s by his son Sir Richard Baker, when it became the centre of a 700-acre (2.8 km2) deer park. In August 1573 Queen Elizabeth I spent three nights at Sissinghurst.
After the collapse of the Baker family in the late 17th century, the building had many uses: as a prisoner-of-war camp during the Seven Years' War; as the workhouse for the Cranbrook Union; after which it became homes for farm labourers.
Sackville-West and Nicolson found Sissinghurst in 1930 after concern that their property Long Barn, near Sevenoaks, Kent, was close to development over which they had no control. Although Sissinghurst was derelict, they purchased the ruins and the farm around it and began constructing the garden we know today. The layout by Nicolson and planting by Sackville-West were both strongly influenced by the gardens of Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens; by the earlier Cothay Manor in Somerset, laid out by Nicolson's friend Reginald Cooper, and described by one garden writer as the "Sissinghurst of the West Country"; and by Hidcote Manor Garden, designed and owned by Lawrence Johnston, which Sackville-West helped to preserve. Sissinghurst was first opened to the public in 1938.
The National Trust took over the whole of Sissinghurst, its garden, farm and buildings, in 1967. The garden epitomises the English garden of the mid-20th century. It is now very popular and can be crowded in peak holiday periods. In 2009, BBC Four broadcast an eight-part television documentary series called Sissinghurst, describing the house and garden and the attempts by Adam Nicolson and his wife Sarah Raven, who are 'Resident Donors', to restore a form of traditional Wealden agriculture to the Castle Farm. Their plan is to use the land to grow ingredients for lunches in the Sissinghurst restaurant. A fuller version of the story can be found in Nicolson's book, Sissinghurst: An Unfinished History (2008).
For further information please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sissinghurst_Castle_Garden and www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden
SN/NC: Strongylodon macrobotrys, Fabaceae Family
Strongylodon macrobotrys, commonly known as the jade vine, emerald vine, or turquoise jade vine, is a leguminous vine endemic to the Philippines. It is a popular ornamental plant known for its cascading clusters of vibrant turquoise or greenish-blue claw-shaped flowers. Cultivating jade vine requires a tropical environment, making it a popular choice in botanical gardens and conservatories. The plant's striking appearance and limited distribution contribute to its allure among plant enthusiasts worldwide. Absolutely gorgeous!
Strongylodon macrobotrys, comumente conhecida como trepadeira-jade, videira-esmeralda ou jade-turquesa, é uma trepadeira leguminosa endêmica das Filipinas. É uma planta ornamental popular, conhecida por seus cachos em cascata de flores vibrantes em forma de garra, nas cores turquesa ou verde-azulada. O cultivo da trepadeira-jade requer um ambiente tropical, o que a torna uma escolha popular em jardins botânicos e estufas. A aparência marcante da planta e sua distribuição limitada contribuem para seu fascínio entre entusiastas de plantas worldwide. Simplesmente deslumbrante!
Strongylodon macrobotrys, comúnmente conocida como parra de jade, enredadera esmeralda o jade turquesa, es una enredadera leguminosa endémica de Filipinas. Es una planta ornamental popular, conocida por sus racimos en cascada de flores vibrantes en forma de garra, de color turquesa o verde azulado. Su cultivo requiere un ambiente tropical, por lo que es una elección popular en jardines botánicos e invernaderos. La apariencia llamativa de la planta y su distribución limitada contribuyen a su encanto entre los entusiastas de las plantas de todo el mundo. ¡Absolutamente impresionante!
Strongylodon macrobotrys, communément appelée liane de jade, liane émeraude ou jade turquoise, est une liane légumineuse endémique des Philippines. C'est une plante ornementale populaire, connue pour ses grappes en cascade de fleurs vibrantes en forme de griffe, de couleur turquoise ou bleu-vert. Sa culture nécessite un environnement tropical, ce qui en fait un choix populaire dans les jardins botaniques et les conservatoires. L'apparence frappante de la plante et sa distribution limitée contribuent à son attrait auprès des passionnés de plantes du monde entier. Absolument magnifique !
Strongylodon macrobotrys, comunemente nota come vite di giada, vite smeraldo o giada turchese, è una pianta rampicante leguminosa endemica delle Filippine. È una popolare pianta ornamentale, conosciuta per i suoi grappoli a cascata di vibranti fiori artigliati di colore turchese o verde-azzurro. La sua coltivazione richiede un ambiente tropicale, il che la rende una scelta popolare negli orti botanici e nelle serre. L'aspetto straordinario della pianta e la sua distribuzione limitata contribuiscono al suo fascino tra gli appassionati di piante di tutto il mondo. Assolutamente splendida!
Strongylodon macrobotrys, allgemein bekannt als Jaderanke, Smaragdranke oder Türkis-Jaderanke, ist eine leguminose Rankenpflanze, die auf den Philippinen endemisch ist. Sie ist eine beliebte Zierpflanze, die für ihre herabfallenden Trauben von lebhaften, krallenförmigen Blüten in Türkis oder Grünlich-Blau bekannt ist. Der Anbau der Jaderanke erfordert ein tropisches Klima, was sie zu einer beliebten Wahl in botanischen Gärten und Gewächshäusern macht. Das auffällige Erscheinungsbild der Pflanze und ihre begrenzte Verbreitung tragen zu ihrer Anziehungskraft bei Pflanzenliebhabern weltweit bei. Ganz wunderbar!
Strongylodon macrobotrys, algemeen bekend als de jaderank, smaragdrank of turkoois jaderank, is een peulvormige klimplant die endemisch is in de Filipijnen. Het is een populaire sierplant, bekend om zijn cascades van levendige, klauwvormige bloemen in turkoois of groenachtig blauw. De teelt van de jaderank vereist een tropische omgeving, waardoor het een populaire keuze is in botanische tuinen en kassen. Het opvallende uiterlijk van de plant en de beperkte verspreiding dragen bij aan haar aantrekkingskracht onder plantenliefhebbers wereldwijd. Echt prachtig!
ストロンギロドン・マクロボトリスは、一般にジェードバイン（翡翠葛）、エメラルドバイン、またはターコイズジェードバインとして知られ、フィリピン固有のマメ科のつる植物です。ターコイズまたは青緑色の鮮やかな爪形の花が滝のように連なる房で知られる人気の観賞植物です。栽培には熱帯環境が必要なため、植物園や温室でよく見られます。その印象的な外観と限られた分布が、世界中の植物愛好家の間で人気を集めています。実に見事です！
翡翠葛（Strongylodon macrobotrys），俗称碧玉藤、绿玉藤或绿松石碧玉藤，是菲律宾特有的一种豆科藤本植物。它是一种受欢迎的观赏植物，以其层叠的花序和 vibrant 的绿松石或蓝绿色爪形花朵而闻名。栽培碧玉藤需要热带环境，因此它是植物园和温室的热门选择。其引人注目的外观和有限的分布范围使其受到全球植物爱好者的追捧。真是太美了！
سترونجيلودون ماكروبوتريس، المعروفة باسم نبات اليشم، أو المتسلقة الزمردية، أو اليشم الفيروزي، هي نبتة متسلقة من البقوليات مستوطنة في الفلبين. إنها نبتة زينة مشهورة، معروفة بعناقيدها المتتالية من الأزهار الفيروزية أو المزرقة المخضرة المنقارية الشكل. زراعة نبات اليشم تتطلب بيئة استوائية، مما يجعله خيارًا شائعًا في الحدائق النباتية والمحميات. المظهر المذهل للنبتة وتوزيعها المحدود يساهم في جاذبيتها لدى عشاق النباتات حول العالم. رائعة حقًا!
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Hakone Gardens, a Japanese garden in Saratoga, California, was open at night for cherry blossom viewing in April. It was a a wonderful experience, the drizzling rain contributed to the mystical atmosphere. When I left I passed by a small bamboo garden, where a light casted barcodes on the ground.
I processed a paintery and a balanced HDR photo from three RAW exposures, merged them selectively, and carefully adjusted the color balance and curves for one version, then desaturated the result for another version. I welcome and appreciate your critical feedback.
-- ƒ/8.0, 50 mm, 10 sec, ISO 100, Sony A7 II, Canon 50mm f0.95, HDR, 3 RAW exposures, _DSC9042_3_4_hdr3pai5bal1f.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography
Fortunately this little Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) was happy to show off its slightly iridescent wings and distinctive long forked tail. All contribute to the species' superb aerobatic and aerodynamic performance — try photographing one in flight. Billabong beside Tallebudgera Creek in the background.
Un nouveau et beau quartier de Heerlen : le Maankwartier. Avec ce projet spécial, Heerlen doit retrouver son âme. C'est en tout cas la démarche du plasticien et designer du Maankwartier Michel Huisman. Le projet a été baptisé « Maankwartier » car, selon l'artiste, les choses allaient si mal pour la ville que dans les périodes sombres, la lumière ne pouvait venir que de la lune. Aussi sombre que soit la situation décrite par l'artiste, le Maankwartier est tout aussi dynamique quand on y jette un coup d'œil.
L'architecture des bâtiments du Maankwartier fait référence à l'ancienne industrie minière de Heerlen et de ses environs. Et l'ancienne industrie minière se reflète également dans le projet d'une autre manière particulière : l'ensemble du Maankwartier est relié à l'eau de mine des anciennes mines. "C'est un beau projet, où l'aspect industriel se reflète non seulement dans la conception, mais aussi dans l'utilisation de l'eau de mine", déclare avec enthousiasme Sjoerd Parren, chef de projet chez Mijnwater BV. Mijnwater veillera à ce que les maisons, les magasins, bureaux et L'hôtel du Maankwartier est chauffé et refroidi et l'eau chaude du robinet est fournie. Une grande attention a déjà été accordée au concept d’eau de mine dans les précédentes Enervisions. Un petit rappel : grâce au concept innovant d'eau de mine, l'eau résiduelle des anciens réservoirs souterrains d'eau de mine est utilisée pour chauffer et refroidir de nombreux bâtiments de la région. Les tunnels de la mine se trouvent à des profondeurs différentes, de sorte que l'eau dans ces tunnels a des températures différentes. L’eau des couloirs inférieurs est utilisée pour le chauffage et celle des couloirs supérieurs pour le refroidissement. Mijnwater contribue ainsi à rendre le Maankwartier plus durable. En plus de l'utilisation des eaux de mine, l'ensemble du Maankwartier est construit selon les principes de la construction durable. L’objectif est de réduire considérablement les pertes d’énergie. En outre, une attention particulière est accordée à la réutilisation locale du chaud et du froid.
A new and beautiful district of Heerlen: the Maankwartier. With this special project, Heerlen must find its soul. In any case, this is the approach of visual artist and Maankwartier designer Michel Huisman. The project was named “Maankwartier” because, according to the artist, things were so bad for the city that in dark times light could only come from the moon. As bleak as the situation the artist describes, the Maankwartier is just as dynamic when you take a look.
The architecture of the buildings in the Maankwartier refers to the former mining industry of Heerlen and its surroundings. And the old mining industry is also reflected in the project in another special way: the entire Maankwartier is connected to the mine water from the old mines. “This is a beautiful project, where the industrial look is reflected not only in the design, but also in the use of mine water,” says Sjoerd Parren, project manager at Mijnwater BV, enthusiastically. Mijnwater will ensure that the Maankwartier's homes, shops, offices and hotel are heated and cooled and hot tap water is supplied. Much attention has already been given to the concept of mine water in previous Enervisions. A quick reminder: thanks to the innovative mine water concept, residual water from old underground mine water tanks is used to heat and cool many buildings in the region. The mine tunnels are at different depths, so the water in these tunnels has different temperatures. Water from the lower corridors is used for heating and that from the upper corridors for cooling. Mijnwater thus contributes to making the Maankwartier more sustainable. In addition to the use of mine water, the entire Maankwartier is built according to the principles of sustainable construction. The aim is to significantly reduce energy losses. In addition, particular attention is paid to the local reuse of hot and cold.
The spider species Araniella displicata, commonly known as Six-spotted Orb-weaver, belongs to the genus Araniella, in the family Araneidae. Araniella displicata spiders have been sighted 20 times by contributing members. Based on collected data, the geographic range for Araniella displicata includes 2 countries and 7 states in the United States. Araniella displicata is most often sighted outdoors, and during the month of June. spiderid.com/spider/araneidae/araniella/displicata/
Suzhou (/suːˈdʒoʊ/; Chinese: 苏州), alternately romanized as Soochow, is a major city in southern Jiangsu province, East China. Suzhou is the most populous city in Jiangsu, and a major economic center and focal point of trade and commerce. Administratively, Suzhou is a prefecture-level city with a population of 6,715,559 in the city proper, and a total resident population of 12,748,262 as of the 2020 census in its administrative area.
The city's canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens have contributed to its status as one of the top tourist attractions and liveable cities in China. The Classical Gardens of Suzhou were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997 and 2000. Suzhou is often dubbed the "Venice of the East" or "Venice of China".
Suzhou (/suːˈdʒoʊ/; chino: 苏州), también romanizada como Soochow, es una importante ciudad del sur de la provincia de Jiangsu, en el este de China. Suzhou es la ciudad más poblada de Jiangsu y un importante centro económico y foco de comercio. Administrativamente, Suzhou es una ciudad a nivel de prefectura con una población de 6.715.559 habitantes en la ciudad propiamente dicha, y una población residente total de 12.748.262 habitantes según el censo de 2020 en su área administrativa.
Los canales, puentes de piedra, pagodas y jardines meticulosamente diseñados de la ciudad han contribuido a su estatus como una de las principales atracciones turísticas y ciudades habitables de China. Los Jardines Clásicos de Suzhou se incluyeron en la lista de Patrimonio de la Humanidad de la UNESCO en 1997 y 2000. Suzhou es apodada a menudo la "Venecia de Oriente" o la "Venecia de China".
With all due respect please do not Arward and Banners for me, it contributes nothing and I prefer a fave or a comment, both is also warmly appreciated.....:-))
WWT Slimbridge - Rushy Hide.
Whooper Swans are known for their loud, trumpeting calls, often described as a deep 'hoop' or 'whoop-whoop'. The sound can resemble an old-fashioned car air horn. These vocalisations are frequently heard during flight and in social interactions. The calls are more resonant and lower-pitched compared to other swan species, contributing to their common name. (Birdfact).
My thanks to anyone who views, faves or comments on any of my photos. It is much appreciated.
Explore #1 - 21/05/08...thank you all!!!
If you haven't checked out the Freephotoguides Project you should have a look... high quality guides for photographers... growing quickly. Check it out and join in the project by contributing a guide to your favorite photographic location.
Just thought I would post another one...almost the same angle. I included in this composition the other part of the wreck clearly visible to the right....the beach was pristine and that's what I particularly love about this series.
This statue is very rare. It is one of seven in the world identified as the most famous queen of Egypt: Cleopatra VII. Cleopatra VII was born in Macedonian family called the Ptolemies, who were famous for their vicious infighting. Matricide, patricide and fratricide were common in many generations, including Cleopatra VII's. She had several relatives killed so she might survive.
For generations the Romans coveted Egypt, a bountiful sours of grain they could use to feed their army. They used the fighting in Cleopatra's family as an excuse to send an envoy to Egypt: Julius Caesar. The Romans expected Caesar to choose someone who would be friendly towards the Roman Empire to be Egypt's new pharaoh. However, Julius Caesar was charmed by Cleopatra's wit and intelligence and brought her back to Rome as his lover. He supported Cleopatra as she struggled against her sister Arsinoe for the throne of Egypt.
Unfortunately Caesar was murdered on the Senate steps, and Cleopatra fled back to Egypt. The next envoy to Egypt was Mark Anthony, a friend of Caesar's. Anthony also fell in love with Cleopatra, and together they fought against Rome until they were defeated and Cleopatra was captured. She committed suicide, probably so she could not be dragged through the Roman streets in shame. Many of Cleopatra's statues were destroyed by the Romans after she died.
Her pose is classic Egyptian, probably meant to remind the Romans that her family had ruled Egypt as pharaohs for three centuries. However, her face is done in Greco-Roman style. The triple uraeus (snake) symbol on her brow is rare and helped to identify this statue as Cleopatra VII. This statue was broken below the ankles, and the feet were later "restored" using another material. At the rear of the statue is a support called a plinth. S strip in the center of the plinth would have held names and titles, but this area has been filled in.
c. 30 BCE
My aside - I did not know Cleopatra's Mummy [I am not sure if it is Cleopatra VII] is in the British Museum. A little more research on my part and I am certain the mummy in the British Museum is not Cleopatra VII:
- Cleopatra VII was:
- The Daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes (117- 51 BCE) , probably by Cleopatra V Tryphaena (ca 70-69 BCE)
-Succeeded her father Ptolemy XII with her brother Ptolemy XIII in 51 BCE
- Was expelled from Egypt in mid 48 BCE.
- Restored to power in August 48 BCE by Julius Caesar. With her brother Ptolemy XIV as co-ruler.
-Associated as senior ruler with her son Ptolemy XV probably 4 th September 44 BCE
- Died in 30 BCE
Here is what the plaque in the British Museum reads:
Cleopatra: the mummy of a young woman
The mummy and coffin of Cleopatra, daughter of Candace, from the Soter family burial, entered the British Museum in 1823 via the first collection of Henry Salt. The mummy is wrapped in many layers of cloth, with an outer shroud on which is painted a figure of the deceased woman. A comb and necklace of beads were placed on the body inside the wooden coffin. The hieroglyphic inscription on the coffin gives Cleopatra's age at death, for which a reading of 17 years, 1 month and 25 days has been proposed. X-ray studies using a CAT scanner show skeletal development and a fusion of the ends of the long bones which is consistent with this age.
The skeleton appears to be in good condition. The skull is tilted forward and the mouth is open. There are at least three packages in the right chest cavity, possibly the preserved internal organs. An object, about 9cm long, in the left chest cavity may be a roll of linen or a figurine. CAT scans also revealed the use of packing materials (probably mud or sand), which contribute to the substantial weight (about 75kg) of this mummy.
Pictures can be found here: www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=cleopatra+mummy&m=...
This NASA Hubble Space Telescope image, taken in near-infrared light, transforms the pillars into eerie, wispy silhouettes, which are seen against a background of myriad stars.
The near-infrared light can penetrate much of the gas and dust, revealing stars behind the nebula as well as hidden away inside the pillars. Some of the gas and dust clouds are so dense that even the near-infrared light cannot penetrate them. New stars embedded in the tops of the pillars, however, are apparent as bright sources that are unseen in the visible image.
The ghostly bluish haze around the dense edges of the pillars is material getting heated up by the intense ultraviolet radiation from a cluster of young, massive stars and evaporating away into space. The stellar grouping is above the pillars and cannot be seen in the image. At the top edge of the left-hand pillar, a gaseous fragment has been heated up and is flying away from the structure, underscoring the violent nature of star-forming regions.
Astronomers used filters that isolate the light from newly formed stars, which are invisible in the visible-light image. At these wavelengths, astronomers are seeing through the pillars and even through the back wall of the nebula cavity and can see the next generations of stars just as they're starting to emerge from their formative nursery.
Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
Read more: 1.usa.gov/1HGfkqr
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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Candles in memory of loved ones all over the world ~
We paused today on All Saints' Day to remember our loved ones who have gone on ahead of us. This season brings the bittersweet of memories- days with Jamie and others, thoughts so fleeting they seem like dreams . . .
In our own personal remembrances, many MANY of your loved ones have been remembered along with ours.
Thank you all for contributing to my survival here. Life has been hard but this virtual community continues to bouy me up.
With love and thoughts for you all ~ Kim
Images of Australia: 43/100
The Potoroo is a small native marsupial, characterized by its compact body, long tail and rounded ears. They are generally a solitary species, living in forests and scrublands, where they forage for insects fungi, grass, roots and berries. Predators include foxes and cats, and loss of habitat also contributes to their declining numbers. They are listed as vulnerable, but not yet endangered.
(Photographed at Australia Zoo)
Dahlia is a genus of bushy, tuberous, herbaceous perennial plants native to Mexico and Central America. A member of the Compositae (also called Asteraceae) family of dicotyledonous plants, its garden relatives thus include the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum, and zinnia. There are 42 species of dahlia, with hybrids commonly grown as garden plants. Flower forms are variable, with one head per stem; these can be as small as 5 cm (2 in) diameter or up to 30 cm (1 ft) ("dinner plate"). This great variety results from dahlias being octoploids—that is, they have eight sets of homologous chromosomes, whereas most plants have only two. In addition, dahlias also contain many transposons—genetic pieces that move from place to place upon an allele—which contributes to their manifesting such great diversity.
The dahlia was declared the national flower of Mexico in 1963. The tubers were grown as a food crop by the Aztecs, but this use largely died out after the Spanish Conquest. Attempts to introduce the tubers as a food crop in Europe were unsuccessful.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
When people are in sync, they mirror each others movements and postures. The sun and the subtle fragrant smell of cherry blossoms no doubt contributed to the mirroring of these two people enjoying a moment on the grass.
2.5 Seconds series
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Air pollution is a mixture of man-made solid particles and gases in the air we breathe that pose serious health and environmental threats. Such as fine particles and greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide) produced by the burning of fossil fuels, сar emissions, urban smog, chemicals from factories, dust, pollen and mold spores may be suspended as particles. Most of them come from energy use and agriculture.
Some air pollutants are poisonous. From smog hanging over cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution poses a major threat to health and climate. Inhaling them can increase the chance you'll have health problems. People with heart or lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk. Air pollution kills an estimated 7 million people worldwide every year. World Health Organization data shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. More than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO guideline limits.
While climate change is a global process, it has very local impacts. Increasing temperatures are directly linked to poor air quality which, in turn, can affect the heart and exacerbate cardiovascular disease. For examples a rise in pollen, due to increased plant growth, or a rise in molds, due to severe storms — both of which can worsen allergies and other lung diseases, such as asthma.
Carbon dioxide is widely considered to be a pollutant when associated with cars, planes, power plants, and other human activities that involve the burning of fossil fuels. That's because carbon dioxide is the most common of the greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change. Other greenhouse gases include methane which comes from such sources as landfills, the natural gas industry, and gas emitted by livestock, and is sulfur dioxide, a component of smog and a cause of acid rain.
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Behind the scenes
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Snorkling with Sea Lions off Floreana. It was amazing as they were so playful, one thought chewing on my flippers was a great game and another liked swimming really close and blowing bubbles in my face!
Galapagos Sea Lion
The Galápagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) breeds on the Galápagos Islands and – in smaller numbers – on Isla de la Plata (to Ecuador). Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. Their loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water make them the “welcoming party” of the islands. They are lightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males much larger than females. Adult males also tend to have a thicker, more robust neck, chest, and shoulders in comparison to their slender abdomen. Females are somewhat opposite males with a longer, more slender neck and thick torso. Once sexually mature, a male’s sagittal crest enlarges, forming a small, characteristic bump-like projection on their forehead. Galápagos Sea Lions, compared to California sea lions, have a slightly smaller sagittal crest and a shorter muzzle. Adult females and juveniles lack this physical characteristic altogether with a nearly flat head and little or no forehead. Both male and female sea lions have a pointy, whiskered nose and somewhat long, narrow muzzle. The young pups are almost dog-like in profile. Another characteristic that defines the sea lion are their external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative in which they are often confused with, the seal. The fore-flippers have a short fur extending from the wrist to the middle of the dorsal fin surface, but other than that, the flippers are covered in black, leathery skin. Although somewhat clumsy on land with their flippers, sea lions are amazingly agile in water. With their streamline bodies and flipper-like feet, they easily propel themselves through crashing surf and dangerously sharp coastal rocks. They also have the ability to control their flippers independently and thus change directions with ease and have more control over their body on land. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. Born with a longer, brownish-black lanugo, a pup's coat gradually fades to brown within the first five months of life. At this time, they undergo their first molt resulting in their adult coat. Feeding mostly on sardines, Galápagos Sea Lions sometimes travel ten to fifteen kilometers from the coast over the span of days to hunt for their prey. This is when they come into contact with their biggest predators: sharks and killer whales. Injuries and scars from attacks are often visible. Galápagos Sea Lions are especially vulnerable to human activity. Their inquisitive and social nature makes them more likely to approach areas inhabited by humans, and thus come into contact with human waste, fishing nets, and hooks. They occupy many different shoreline types from steep, rocky cliff sides to low-lying sandy beaches. To avoid overheating during the day, sea lions will take refuge from the sun under vegetation, rocks, and cliffs, and wade into tidal pools. Not only are sea lions social, they are also quite vocal. Adult male Galápagos Sea Lions often bark in long, repeated sequences that are loud and distinctive. Females and juveniles do not produce this repetitive bark, but both sexes and the younger pups will growl. From birth, a mother sea lion recognizes her pup’s distinct bark and can pin point it from a crowd of thirty or more barking sea lions. On land, sea lions form colonies at their hauling-out areas. Adult males known as Bulls are the head of the Colony, growing up to 7 ft (2 m) long and weighing up to 800 lb (363 kg). As males grow larger, they fight to win dominance of a harem of between 5 and 25 cows and the surrounding territory. Swimming from border to border of his colony, the dominant bull jealously defends his coastline against all other adult males. While patrolling his area, he frequently rears his head out of the water and barks, as an indication of his territorial ownership. The average dominant bull holds his territory for only a few months, until he is challenged by another male. On land, these fights start by stretching out the neck and barking in attempt to test each other’s bravery. If this isn’t enough to scare the opponent off, they begin pushing each other and biting around the neck area. If males weren’t equipped with a thick, muscular neck, their vital organs would be easily damaged during these fights. Blood, is often drawn, however, and many male sea lions have battle scars due to these territorial competitions. Losers are dramatically chased far from their territory by the new dominant bull with much splashing. Because there is only one male in each harem, there is always a surplus of “bachelor” male sea lions. They usually congregate fairly peaceably on less favorable areas of the coastline in “bachelor colonies.”. Because the dominant male of the harem cannot feed while defending his colony, he eventually becomes too tired and weak, and is overpowered by the well-nourished, fresh bull. Breeding takes place from May all the way through to January. Because of this prolonged breeding season and the extensive care required by the pups from their mother, there are dependent pups in the colonies year round. Each cow in the harem has a single pup born a year after conception. After about a week of continuous attention from birth, the female returns to the ocean and begins to forage, and just a week after that, the pup will follow her and begin to develop its swimming skills. When the pup is two to three weeks old the cow will mate again. The mothers will take the young pups with them into the water while nursing until around the 11th month when the pups are weaned from their mother’s milk and become dependent on their own hunting skills. The pups have a strong bond with their mother. The cow will nurture a pup for up to three years. In that time the cow and the pup will recognize each other's bark from the rest of the colony. Within the colony sea lion pups live together in a rookery. Pups can be seen together napping, playing, and feeding. It is not uncommon to see one cow 'baby-sitting' a group of pups while the other cows go off to feed.
Floreana (Champions Islet)
Located approximately 4 to 5 hours west of Española and equal distance south of Santa Cruz, this island has long been a favorite site of visitors including pirates, whalers and early settlers. One of the oldest islands Floreana illustrates the aging process of a volcanic island. Unlike the younger western islands, Floreana's volcano has been long extinct and is in the advanced stages of erosion. The erosion process gave the island the nutrients and soils need to sustain plant life. The combination of this rich soil and a good water supply have given the highlands of Floreana a diversified landscaping of native and introduced flora. Floreana is best known for its colorful history of buccaneers, whalers, convicts, and colonists. In 1793 British whalers established the Post Office Barrel to send letters to and from England. This tradition has continued over the years, and even today visitors may drop off and pick up letters, without stamps, to be carried to far destinations. Punta Cormorant offers two highly contrasting beaches. The landing beach is of volcanic origin and is composed of olivine crystals, giving it a greenish tinge. At the end of the short trail is a carbonate beach of extremely fine white sand. Formed by the erosion of coral skeletons, it is a nesting site for green sea turtles. In the 1930's Floreana was the setting for intrigue and mystery. A German dentist and his mistress, a young family (the Wittmer family who still live on the island) and a self-styled baroness with three men came to settle in the island. Shortly after the baroness and her lovers arrived chaos began. The baroness and her entourage terrorized the other inhabitants while planning to build a luxury hotel. Eventually the baroness, two of her lovers and the dentist all turned up missing or dead. There has been much investigation searching for what really happened on Floreana, but there have never been any hard answers. John Treherne wrote of these people in "The Galapagos Affair". Located just off Punta Cormorant, Champions Islet is the best snorkeling in the Galapagos! To see the Devil’s Crown you need to go underwater, an almost completely submerged volcano, which erosion has transformed the cone into a series of jagged peaks creating the "Devil's Crown". The remains of the volcano create a haven for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans and frigates. Red-billed tropical birds can be seen nesting in the crevices. The highlight of the visit is snorkeling in the center of the crater. You will play with sea lions, while swimming with schools of colorful king angel fish, balloon fish, hawkfish, scrawled filefish, yellowtail grunts, tiger snake eels, white-tipped sharks, eagle rays, amberjacks, wrasses, hammerhead sharks, and sea turtles. The water is a bit rough and the current is strong. The east to west current provides a fun ride as it pushes you through the crown. There is a tube on the western side that you can swim through if you are a strong swimmer (approximately 10-15 feet down) and come out on the other side.
Galapagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands (official name: Archipiélago de Colón; other Spanish names: Islas de Colón or Islas Galápagos) are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed around the equator in the Pacific Ocean, some 900 km west of Ecuador. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site: wildlife is its most notable feature. Because of the only very recent arrival of man the majority of the wildlife has no fear of humans and will allow visitors to walk right up them, often having to step over Iguanas or Sea Lions.The Galápagos islands and its surrounding waters are part of a province, a national park, and a biological marine reserve. The principal language on the islands is Spanish. The islands have a population of around 40,000, which is a 40-fold expansion in 50 years. The islands are geologically young and famed for their vast number of endemic species, which were studied by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle. His observations and collections contributed to the inception of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.
This stunning image, captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), shows part of the sky in the constellation of Sagittarius (The Archer). The region is rendered in exquisite detail — deep red and bright blue stars are scattered across the frame, set against a background of thousands of more distant stars and galaxies. Two features are particularly striking: the colors of the stars, and the dramatic crosses that burst from the centers of the brightest bodies.
While some of the colors in this frame have been enhanced and tweaked during the process of creating the image from the observational data, different stars do indeed glow in different colors. Stars differ in color according to their surface temperature: very hot stars are blue or white, while cooler stars are redder. They may be cooler because they are smaller, or because they are very old and have entered the red giant phase, when an old star expands and cools dramatically as its core collapses.
The crosses are nothing to do with the stars themselves, and, because Hubble orbits above Earth’s atmosphere, nor are they due to any kind of atmospheric disturbance. They are actually known as diffraction spikes, and are caused by the structure of the telescope itself.
Like all big modern telescopes, Hubble uses mirrors to capture light and form images. Its secondary mirror is supported by struts, called telescope spiders, arranged in a cross formation, and they diffract the incoming light. Diffraction is the slight bending of light as it passes near the edge of an object. Every cross in this image is due to a single set of struts within Hubble itself! Whilst the spikes are technically an inaccuracy, many astrophotographers choose to emphasize and celebrate them as a beautiful feature of their images.
Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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Podyjí National Park (Czech: Národní park Podyjí) is a national park in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It protects near-natural forests along the deep Dyje River valley. It is a biom whose well-preserved state is unique in Central Europe. It connects to the smaller Nationalpark Thayatal in Austria.
Podyjí National Park is characterized by extraordinary scenery, being home to features such as rocky amphitheatres, cliffs, meanders, detritus fields, impervious ravines, several types of heatland adorned with muilti-coloured layers of thermophilic plants, or alluvial plains around the river Dyje. The division of the valley along the river Dyje creates two distinctive ecological regions and thus contributes to the high biological diversity of the park.
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Did make a weekend (boat) trip across the Podyjí national park in late October to find it empty and silent on and around the Dyje river.
We were lucky with the weather: peak of autumn colours and delicate sunlight created a really fairy-tale atmosphere. It was (sometimes) cold on the river, however still very beautiful.
The Ontario County Courthouse is located in Canandaigua, New York, United States. The United States v. Susan B. Anthony trial took place in this courthouse in 1873. It is a contributing property to the Canandaigua Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Photographed on an afternoon with great clouds at Lindo Lake in Lakeside, California. I would always like to have clouds, water and healthy vegetation in all of my infrared pictures as I think those elements contribute to building a strong image. I used channel swapping to turn the sky blue. I do use a polarizing filter with infrared because I think it accentuates the effect. Here is a link to a tutorial on playing with infrared images. www.lifepixel.com/photo-tutorials/infrared-photoshop-videos
I've been taking infrared images for at least 15 years with a total of 3 different cameras. It's much easier to take infrared images digitally that it was in the film days. If you like this look, I have an album of infrared photographs, creatively named Infrared.
Jerash, the Gerasa of Antiquity (Ancient Greek: Γέρασα, Hebrew: גַ'רַש), is the capital and largest city of Jerash Governorate (محافظة جرش), which is situated in the north of Jordan, 48 kilometres (30 mi) north of the capital Amman towards Syria. Jerash Governorate's geographical features vary from cold mountains to fertile valleys from 250 to 300 metres (820 to 980 above sea level, suitable for growing a wide variety of crops.
In the latter Ottoman period, the city of Jerash's name was abandoned and changed to Sakib, yet this was not a permanent development, as the name "Jerash" reappears in Ottoman tax registers by the end of 16th century.
A strong earthquake in 749 AD destroyed large parts of Jerash, while subsequent earthquakes along with the wars and turmoil contributed to additional destruction. Its destruction and ruins remained buried in the soil for hundreds of years until they were discovered by German Orientalist Ulrich Jasper Seetzen in 1806. He began excavation and a return to life of the current Jerash by inhabitants of older villages. 70 years later, this was followed by the Muslim community, Circassians, who emigrated to Jordan from the Caucasus in 1878 after the Ottoman-Russian war. Subsequently a large community of people from Syria came to the area at the beginning of the 20th century.
Gerasa es el nombre de una antigua ciudad de la Decápolis. Sus ruinas representan una de las ciudades romanas más importantes y mejor conservadas del Próximo Oriente, y se ubican en la región de Gilead, al noroeste de Jordania.
Recientes excavaciones muestran que Jerash ya estaba habitada durante la Edad del Bronce y la Edad del Hierro (3200 a. C. - 1200 a. C.). Después de la conquista romana, en el año 63 a. C., Jerash y sus contornos fueron anexionados a la provincia romana de Siria, y más tarde se integró en la Decápolis. En 90 d. C. se incorporó a la provincia de Arabia, que incluía la ciudad de Filadelfia (actual Ammán). Los romanos garantizaron la paz y la seguridad en el área, lo que permitió a sus habitantes dedicar su tiempo y sus energías al desarrollo económico y a la construcción. En la segunda mitad del siglo I, la ciudad de Jerash alcanzó una gran prosperidad. En 106 el emperador Trajano construyó calzadas que atravesaban las provincias, lo que incrementó las actividades comerciales de la ciudad. Adriano visitó Jerash en los años 129-130. Una inscripción latina registra la dedicatoria religiosa hecha por miembros de la guardia imperial que invernaron allí. El arco de triunfo -o Arco de Adriano- fue erigido para solemnizar la visita.
Jerash, situado 48 quilômetros ao norte de Amman, é considerado um dos maiores e mais bem preservados lugares da cultura romana no mundo, fora da Itália. Atualmente, suas ruas colunatas, banhos, teatros, praças e arcos permanecem em condição excepcional. Dentro dos restos das muralhas da cidade, arqueólogos encontraram as ruínas de estabelecimento datadas na época posterior ao Neolítico, indicando a ocupação humana nesta localidade para mais de 6500 anos. Isto não surpreende sendo que a área é situada idealmente para a habitação humana. Jerash, é bem abastecida de água, e sua altitude de 500 metros proporciona-lhe um clima temperado e uma excelente visão sobre as áreas mais baixas que rodeiam a cidade.
A história de Jerash é uma mistura do mundo greco-romano da bacia mediterrânea, e das antigas tradições da Arábia Oriental. De fato, o próprio nome da cidade reflete esta interação. Os habitantes Árabe-Semitas mais antigos, que habitavam na área durante o período pré-clássico do primeiro milênio BCE. chamavam sua aldeia Garschu. Os romanos posteriormente helenizaram o antigo nome árabe de Garschu para Gerasa, e a Biblia refere-se "à região dos Gerasenos" (Mk 5:1; Lc 8:26). No fim do século 19, os habitantes árabes e circanos dos pequenos estabelecimentos rurais transformaram a Gerasa romana em Jerash árabe.
The San Francisco Pride parade is a world-renowned LGBT pride parade. It is held on Sunday morning of the Festival. The route is usually along San Francisco's Market Street, from Beale Street to 8th Street.[1] The parade starts nominally at 10:30 am, though it is hours before all the contingents are able to get onto the parade route, and the last contingent doesn't leave the parade route until 2-4 pm.
The parade consists of hundreds of contingents from various groups and organizations. Some of the more well-known contingents are:
Women's Motorcycle Contingent, also known as Dykes On Bikes.[2] Several hundred motorcycle riders, all women. Some of the women are topless, some wear leather or fanciful costumes. The sound of hundreds of motorcycle engines gives this contingent a big impact. Part of the reason they are first in the parade is that it's difficult for motorcycles to run reliably at the walking pace of the rest of the parade, so as the first contingent they can move faster. On November 13, 2006, they won a battle to trademark the name "Dykes on Bikes", having struggled since 2003 to persuade the United States Patent and Trademark Office that "dyke" was not an offensive word.[3][4]
PFLAG, or Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Usually one of the largest contingents, featuring several hundred people. These are typically the (straight) parents or family members of LGBT people, sometimes marching together with their LGBT relatives. Many carry signs indicating where their PFLAG chapter comes from. It's common to see signs from all over Northern California. This contingent is notable for the swell in cheers (and some tears) that follow it along the route.
Politicians frequently participate in the parade, as a way of making themselves visible to LGBT prospective voters.
Churches of many denominations, or religious-oriented LGBT groups, contribute several dozen contingents.
Dance clubs and LGBT-oriented entertainment businesses contribute several contingents. It's common for a dance club to decorate a flat-bed truck or float, and have several people dancing on it, along with loud dance music.
The Leather Contingent consists of lesbian, gay and pansexual leather and BDSM groups.
Groups which are anti-gay typically do not have contingents. During the 1990s it was common to see anti-gay protestors in the spectator area along the parade route, holding large signs condemning homosexuality, often with biblical passages. In the 2000s such protestors have become less common.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators, if not over a million, line the parade route along Market Street. Some arrive hours in advance to claim a prime spot on the curb with a clear view of the street. Others climb onto bus shelters, the walls of subway station stairs, or scaffolding on buildings to get a clear view. As the parade ends, the spectators are able to pass through the barriers and march down Market street behind the parade. The end of the parade route is near the Festival location at the Civic Center.
Yes a Giant african snail in the Philippines, but not only, it's pretty wide spread now throughout the pacifique and asia.
It's latin name: Achatina fulica
Identification: Full grown Achatina fulica reach up to 20 cm in length and 12 cm in maximum diameter. The dark and light brown (sometimes more of a cream color) swirls wrap around its cone like shell. Its convex body allows for about 7 to 9 whorls. The outlines of the whorls fluctuate from narrow to broad even within the same colony. An adult Achatina Fulica’s lip opening is generally very thin and sharp. The shell itself is thick and strong if healthy (needs a high calcium diet). The rest of the body resembles a slug like appearance with a variance in color.
Original Distribution: Achatina fulica originates from coastal East Africa particularly Kenya and Tanzania. First sightings occurred before the 1800’s.
Current Distribution: Giant African Snails can be found in most southern hemisphere countries, eg. throughout Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, Australia, New Zealand, South America. In addition, these snails have been identified in Southern, Southeastern and Eastern Asia, Polynesia and other Pacific Islands, West Indies and the United States. Typically, Giant African Snails have been found along the coastline and in southern states of the USA. However, sightings have also occurred in Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. These snails thrive in humid, tropical climates.
Site and Date of Introduction: As indicated in the map below, introduction of Giant African Snails dates back to the early 1800’s. These snails spread throughout East Africa into Ethiopa, Somalia, Mozambique, and Madagasar. Interestingly, they were not sighted in northern Africa until the late 1980’s.
The first occurrence of these snails outside of Africa was Bengal, India in 1847. Since then, the Giant African Snail has been transported mistakenly and purposefully throughout the countries listed in the above section.
Giant African Snails were first spotted in the US in the late 1940’s around San Pedro, California. Many of these snails were affixed to cargo imported to the US. Over 50 interceptions occurred within a ten year span (from 1948-1958) in the California ports.
In 1958, a young boy stashed Giant African Snails into his suitcase from his travels in Hawaii returning to California and driving to Arizona. Once the snails were discovered in his belongings, they family released them to the outdoors. Another very similar incident occurred in 1966, where another young boy visiting Hawaii decided to take a few Giant African Snails home to Miami, Florida to keep as pets and were released into the family’s garden. The Florida State eradication process took 10 years costing over one million dollars.
These snails continue to enter the US through illegal trade or in shipping containers and in plant shipments from the Hawaiian Islands, Guam and other Pacific Islands. Inspectors fairly easily identify these snails, intercept them and eradicate them.
Ecological Role: Achatina fulica forage on over 500 different plant species. During less favorable conditions (dry, cool), they nest in lose soil for during their period of hibernation. One may postulate that this behavior promotes health in the soil as the soil is churned and as matter from the snail settles into the soil. However, with over population, the snails destroy and pollute their surroundings, including the soil.
Benefit(s): Giant African Snails contribute to the degradation of animal matter. In addition, the Giant African Snail provides nutrients to the India glowworm Beetle; specifically to the larvae (male larvae consume 20 to 40 Achatinas; female larvae eat 40 to 60 Achatinas during their development). Other beetle species consume the Achatina fulica, such as the lampyriad and the coprine beetle.
The hermit crab is one of the most dangerous predators to the Achatina fulica and has been known to use the shell as its home. The coconut crab also views the Achatina fulica as a delicacy. The domesticated duck along with a vast variety of other bird species forage on Giant African Snails. Other mammals such as the wild pig prey on Achatina fulica.
Threat(s): The Giant African Snails’ greatest lethal threat to humans is eosinophilic meningitis. This condition is caused by the rat lungworm parasite, angiostrongylus cantonesnsis. Most often this parasite is transferred by eating the snail, as some humans consider snails a delicacy. In addition the Giant African Snail can carry the gram-negative bacterium, aeromonas hydrophila, causing a wide variety of symptoms, especially in persons with a weak immune system.
Giant African Snails cause great economic peril to farmers due to their propensity in consuming large amounts of crops/plants. Their diet consists of over 500 different plant species. A wide variety of horticulture and medicinal plants are known to be attacked by this snail. Not only does this decrease the income for agricultural producers, but it also impacts their living conditions (often requiring relocation) and decreases food and medical resources for humans, animals and other species.
The economic consequences persist in eradicating these creatures, sometimes costing millions of dollars. Another economic penalty involves the decrease in tourism. As noted earlier, Giant African Snails thrive in warm, tropical conditions – often tourist destinations.
Built in 1895, this Gothic Revival-style building was built for the Conklin family, and features a red brick exterior, bonnet roof with exposed rafter tails, blind gothic arches, rusticated stone sills and lintels, first floor retail storefronts with decorative cornices, one-over-one and casement replacement windows, a stone base and recessed brick panels around many of the second floor windows. The building is a contributing structure in the State Street Historic District, listed on the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places.
The Rio della Ca'en Duo in Castello one of the six sestieri of Venice, Veneto, Italy.
The name Castello derives from fortifications located in the island of Olivolo, today the island of San Pietro di Castello, in the High Middle Ages.
There is the Basilica of San Pietro de Castello, the episcopal seat until 1807, the year of the transfer of the bishopric by Napoleon to the Basilica of San Marco, which until then had been the Doge's chapel used only for special occasions.
The Sestier de Castello is the most oriental of the city. It is divided in two by the imposing extent of land and water contained in the Arsenal, an old industrial engine and military-industrial complex serving the maritime power of the Serenissima.
Placed on the margins of the political center, Saint-Marc, and of the commercial center (Rialto) of the city, the Sestier always lived mainly on the activity of the Arsenal and on the maintenance and supplying needs of the ships; an activity that did not survive in the middle of the twentieth century when the technological development of production structures contributed to making this complex. inadequate.
The devastation and damage to the churches, convents and other buildings of the tip of Sant'Antonio and its surroundings in the nineteenth century led to the realization of the current public gardens and the realization of the Biennial of Art between 1894 and 1987.
The Pier Luigi Penzo Sports Stadium, the Francesco Morosini Naval Academy, and the urban area erected between 1924 and 1928 were built in the zone from the improvement of the lais around the small monastic island of Sant'Elena
This image, taken with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, depicts a special class of star-forming nursery known as Free-floating Evaporating Gaseous Globules, or frEGGs for short. This object is formally known as J025157.5+600606.
When a massive new star starts to shine while still within the cool molecular gas cloud from which it formed, its energetic radiation can ionize the cloud’s hydrogen and create a large, hot bubble of ionized gas. Amazingly, located within this bubble of hot gas around a nearby massive star are the frEGGs: dark compact globules of dust and gas, some of which are giving birth to low-mass stars. The boundary between the cool, dusty frEGG and the hot gas bubble is seen as the glowing purple/blue edges in this fascinating image.
Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, R. Sahai
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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FDR Powwow: NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL - September 27th & 28th, 2008.
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FDR State Park
Yorktown Heights, Westchester, NY
In case you weren't aware, November is Native American Indian month in the United States and time is quickly Running Out.
In the 2008 presidential proclamation
designating this year’s National American Indian Heritage Month, the President of the United States wrote, “I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities.”
Whether your “appropriate programs and activities” are school programs, special events, letters to the editor, blogging, or personal ambassadorship for Native American culture, there’s still time to get involved!
Visit the Native Americans Rights Fund's (NARF) Native American Month Campaign page for suggestions of how to make this month meaningful in your community: narf.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=Modern_Day_Warri...
Wherever the rights, culture, or environment of Native Americans are threatened and NARF is there to stand up for what’s right to make governments at all levels respect the agreements made with native peoples.
Many thanks for your support,
John E. Echohawk
Executive Director
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ANYONE INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT THANKSGIVING from A First PEOPLE'S PERSPECTIVE please read:
First Voices Indigenous Radio on WBAI NY / Radio Pacifica
Thursdays, 10 AM to 11 AM ---> wbai.org/
Host: Tiokasin Ghosthorse
Web site: www.firstvoicesindigenousradio.org
Email: Tiokasin@gmail.com (This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view)
Voicemail: (212) 209-2979
First Voices broadcasts are available on CD. Contact using email/phone above.
Program description:
First Voices Indigenous Radio brings to the airwaves the experiences, perspectives and struggles of Indigenous people who have been almost totally excluded from both mainstream and progressive, alternative media. Our purpose is to help ensure the continuance and survival of Indigenous cultures and Nations by letting the People tell their own story, in their own words, and often in their own languages and ways of speaking. And with as little outside interference and interruption as possible.
As we open up the airwaves week after week to the voices seldom heard in the last 511 years, it is our hope that the newcomers to this Land - that is, every immigrant group - will begin to question their assumptions about Indigenous people here. We hope they become educated and informed, get activated, break down their romanticization, break free of their stereotypes, and begin to form real relationships with Indigenous communities based, finally, on respect and real understanding.
This one hour is devoted to bringing the voices of the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (i.e., North America) and connecting their struggles with those of other Indigenous Peoples around the world. And while never forgetting that standing upon Mother Earth is a great responsibility.
We ask our guests with great respect to do the honor of coming on the program to offer their knowledge, wisdom, and experience, a knowledge that has been handed down over hundreds of thousands of years. It is a responsibility we take very seriously, and we know it is with great urgency that we ask these voices to be shared in this time of changes. We hope we offer our listeners a perspective they have been missing for far too long. The voice America has tried to silence, the voices of Indigenous Peoples.
Tiokasin knows that First Voices Indigenous Radio belongs to all the Native Peoples here in Turtle Island (renamed North America by the occupiers). The responsibilities that can be taught by listening to the real land owners(so to speak) and understanding the knowledge, the wisdom, the struggles, and the unheard voices .
It is said that if the lies continue about Native peoples it will create an illusion that all Americans will dearly pay for in the future...and the future is now. What kind of world are Americans creating with their privilege of denying Native people's voice and the reality of truth that Natives experience daily.
Tiokasin's global perspective reality is the experience of living with and understanding these two worlds - Indigenous and non-Indigenous. The teachings of the Lakota are profound and relevant in the universe today! Lakota knowledge empowers through inclusion, by teaching responsibility of choices. This contributes to an emerging world, affecting the environmental/Mother Earth issues we as human beings ponder when it comes to what it means to be civilized.
Host/producer profile: Tiokasin Ghosthorse
Tiokasin Ghosthorseis host and producer of First Voices Indigenous Radio. He spoke, as a teenager, at the United Nations Conference on Human Rights International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. He participated in several occupations including Wounded Knee, SD in 1973, Lyle Point, WA, Western Shoshone, NV, and Big Mountain, AZ, and has been actively educating people who live on Turtle Island (N. America) and overseas since that time. Tiokasin is also a survivor of the "Reign of Terror" from 1972-1976 on the Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Boarding and Church Missionary School systems designed to "kill the Indian and save the man".
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photograph: A. Golden c. 2008.
8130-2-CX | MECONOPSIS BETONICIFOLIA
Himalayan flower imported by Elsie Reford in the early 1930s that has since become the floral emblem of the Gardens.
Visit : www.refordgardens.com/
From Wikipedia: Visit : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsie_Reford
Elsie Stephen Meighen - born January 22, 1872, Perth, Ontario - and Robert Wilson Reford - born in 1867, Montreal - got married on June 12, 1894.
Elsie Reford was a pioneer of Canadian horticulture, creating one of the largest private gardens in Canada on her estate, Estevan Lodge in eastern Québec. Located in Grand-Métis on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, her gardens have been open to the public since 1962 and operate under the name Les Jardins de Métis and Reford Gardens.
Born January 22, 1872 at Perth, Ontario, Elsie Reford was the eldest of three children born to Robert Meighen and Elsie Stephen. Coming from modest backgrounds themselves, Elsie’s parents ensured that their children received a good education. After being educated in Montreal, she was sent to finishing school in Dresden and Paris, returning to Montreal fluent in both German and French, and ready to take her place in society.
She married Robert Wilson Reford on June 12, 1894. She gave birth to two sons, Bruce in 1895 and Eric in 1900. Robert and Elsie Reford were, by many accounts, an ideal couple. In 1902, they built a house on Drummond Street in Montreal. They both loved the outdoors and they spend several weeks a year in a log cabin they built at Lac Caribou, south of Rimouski. In the autumn they hunted for caribou, deer, and ducks. They returned in winter to ski and snowshoe. Elsie Reford also liked to ride. She had learned as a girl and spent many hours riding on the slopes of Mount Royal. And of course, there was salmon-fishing – a sport at which she excelled.
In her day, she was known for her civic, social, and political activism. She was engaged in philanthropic activities, particularly for the Montreal Maternity Hospital and she was also the moving force behind the creation of the Women’s Canadian Club of Montreal, the first women club in Canada. She believed it important that the women become involved in debates over the great issues of the day, « something beyond the local gossip of the hour ». Her acquaintance with Lord Grey, the Governor-General of Canada from 1904 to 1911, led to her involvement in organizing, in 1908, Québec City’s tercentennial celebrations. The event was one of many to which she devoted herself in building bridges with French-Canadian community.
During the First World War, she joined her two sons in England and did volunteer work at the War Office, translating documents from German into English. After the war, she was active in the Victorian Order of Nurses, the Montreal Council of Social Agencies, and the National Association of Conservative Women.
In 1925 at the age of 53 years, Elsie Reford was operated for appendicitis and during her convalescence, her doctor counselled against fishing, fearing that she did not have the strength to return to the river.”Why not take up gardening?” he said, thinking this a more suitable pastime for a convalescent woman of a certain age. That is why she began laying out the gardens and supervising their construction. The gardens would take ten years to build, and would extend over more than twenty acres.
Elsie Reford had to overcome many difficulties in bringing her garden to life. First among them were the allergies that sometimes left her bedridden for days on end. The second obstacle was the property itself. Estevan was first and foremost a fishing lodge. The site was chosen because of its proximity to a salmon river and its dramatic views – not for the quality of the soil.
To counter-act nature’s deficiencies, she created soil for each of the plants she had selected, bringing peat and sand from nearby farms. This exchange was fortuitous to the local farmers, suffering through the Great Depression. Then, as now, the gardens provided much-needed work to an area with high unemployment. Elsie Reford’s genius as a gardener was born of the knowledge she developed of the needs of plants. Over the course of her long life, she became an expert plantsman. By the end of her life, Elsie Reford was able to counsel other gardeners, writing in the journals of the Royal Horticultural Society and the North American Lily Society. Elsie Reford was not a landscape architect and had no training of any kind as a garden designer. While she collected and appreciated art, she claimed no talents as an artist.
Elsie Stephen Reford died at her Drummond Street home on November 8, 1967 in her ninety-sixth year.
In 1995, the Reford Gardens ("Jardins de Métis") in Grand-Métis were designated a National Historic Site of Canada, as being an excellent Canadian example of the English-inspired garden.
LES JARDINS DE MÉTIS
Créés par Elsie Reford de 1926 à 1958, ces jardins témoignent de façon remarquable de l’art paysager à l’anglaise. Disposés dans un cadre naturel, un ensemble de jardins exhibent fleurs vivaces, arbres et arbustes. Le jardin des pommetiers, les rocailles et l’Allée royale évoquent l’œuvre de cette dame passionnée d’horticulture. Agrémenté d’un ruisseau et de sentiers sinueux, ce site jouit d’un microclimat favorable à la croissance d’espèces uniques au Canada. Les pavots bleus et les lis, privilégiés par Mme Reford, y fleurissent toujours et contribuent , avec d’autres plantes exotiques et indigènes, à l’harmonie de ces lieux.
Created by Elsie Reford between 1926 and 1958, these gardens are an inspired example of the English art of the garden. Woven into a natural setting, a series of gardens display perennials, trees and shrubs. A crab-apple orchard, a rock garden, and the Long Walk are also the legacy of this dedicated horticulturist. A microclimate favours the growth of species found nowhere else in Canada, while the stream and winding paths add to the charm. Elsie Reford’s beloved blue poppies and lilies still bloom and contribute, with other exotic and indigenous plants, to the harmony of the site.
Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
Gouvernement du Canada – Government of Canada
© Copyright
This photo and all those in my Photostream are protected by copyright. No one may reproduce, copy, transmit or manipulate them without my written permission.
1864
Niels Peter Clemmensen, looking back in time…..
Letters home....
Niels Peter Clemmensen passed away in 1931.
As a young man he was conscripted into the Danish armed forces and fought in the Danish/Prussian war of 1864. (1. Feb – 30. Oct. 1864)
I would like to thank Niels Peter’s Great-Grandson Kjeld for granting me access to the family’s treasure-trove of letters, paintings and photographs that form the basis of my photo-series, and for his permission to publicize my subsequent artwork.
This short-photo series, (which includes some of Niels Peter’s letters sent to his parents from the trenches in Southern Jutland), will also form an introduction to the family’s own private genealogical research. My sincere thanks for the trust in being able to contribute to the extensive digitalization of these letters, paintings and photographs.
See the complete 1864 album here:
Eastern gray squirrel- The grey squirrel was introduced into the UK in the 1800s. It provides an easy encounter with wildlife for many people, but can be damaging to woodlands and has contributed to the decline of the red squirrel.
The Hubble Space Telescope has snapped the closest images yet of the sky's latest visitor to make headlines, comet NEOWISE, after it passed by the Sun. This is the first time Hubble has photographed a comet of this brightness at such resolution after this close of a pass by the Sun.
This ground-based image of comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) was taken from the Northern Hemisphere on July 16, 2020. The inset image, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope on Aug. 8, 2020, reveals a close-up of the comet after its pass by the Sun. Hubble’s image zeroes in on the comet’s nucleus, which is too small to be seen. It’s estimated to measure no more than 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) across. Instead, the image shows a portion of the comet’s coma, the fuzzy glow, which measures about 11,000 miles (18,000 kilometers) across in this image.
The comet photos were taken after NEOWISE skimmed closest to the Sun on July 3, 2020, at a distance of 27 million miles (43 million kilometers). Other comets often break apart due to thermal and gravitational stresses at such close encounters, but Hubble’s view shows that apparently NEOWISE’s solid nucleus stayed intact.
Comet NEOWISE is considered the brightest visible from the Northern Hemisphere since 1997’s Hale-Bopp. It’s headed beyond the outer solar system, now traveling at a whopping 144,000 miles per hour. It will not return to the Sun for another nearly 7,000 years.
Credits: NASA, ESA, STScI, Q. Zhang (Caltech); ground-based image copyright © 2020 by Zoltan G. Levay, used with permission
www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/hubble-snaps-close-up-o...
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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Livestock mobility, flexible use of rangelands, and diverse herds were key elements of traditional nomadic pastoral practices throughout the world and contributed to the high ecological stability of pastoral systems.
Nomads are still found today on the Tibetan Plateau and Himalaya. Known in the Tibetan language as drokpa, translating as “high-pasture people,” there are an estimated two million Tibetan-speaking nomads spread over a vast area. Throughout the Tibetan areas of what is now the People’s Republic of China and in the northern parts of Bhutan, India and Nepal, nomads are an important element in the economy and society wherever they are found, but their way of life is disappearing.
Read more: maptia.com/danielmiller/stories/nomads-of-the-tibetan-pla...
Excerpt from webapp.driftscape.com/map/4060ecae-7510-11ec-8000-bc1c5a8...:
Untitled by Cheyenne Gold: I migrated to Canada from Trinidad as a child with my parents and siblings and we settled in North Etobicoke, eight minutes away from this mural location. For newcomers, it is very important to keep in touch with elements of home and feeling represented, and I remember not feeling represented and frankly misunderstood as someone from a small island. So I saw this mural as an opportunity to contribute to the visibility of Caribbean culture and I asked myself what would I have liked to see on a wall when I was a young immigrant Caribbean child growing up in this neighbourhood. I chose to depict a recognizably natural Caribbean scene of an island silhouette and a sky full of texture, colour, and contrast through a familiar tie-dye pattern, that would hopefully appeal to children and families. Elements of international travel are also highlighted in this piece to represent the resilient journeys embarked upon by Caribbean migrants.
Caribbean people represent a plethora of cultures, in Trinidad specifically a majority are descendants of Africa and India post-colonialism, and even after centuries of adversity and linear migration, people of the Caribbean diaspora seem to always successfully revive their identity even when “home” is outside of the Caribbean region. Thus, to me, Caribbean migrants, of whom make up the second largest ethnic group of North Etobicoke, are naturally resilient.
www.flickr.com/groups/2389839@N23/
The Black Bat Flower (Tacca chantieri), also known as Black Bat Flower, Cats Whiskers, Devil Flower, Bat Head Lily, Bat Plant, Devil’s Tongue, Black Tacca, and Voodoo Flower, is an exotic plant native to Southeast Asia. Its unique and intriguing features make it a standout in the world of ornamental plants.
The most striking characteristic of the Black Bat Flower is its distinctive blooms. These flowers, deep purple or nearly black, closely resemble a bat in flight, with ruffled wings and long, hanging filaments. The overall effect is both mysterious and gothic, contributing to the plant's allure.
Blooming primarily in spring and lasting until early autumn, the Black Bat Flower adds a touch of drama to gardens or indoor spaces. Even when not in bloom, the large and attractive leaves provide an ornamental backdrop.
In its natural habitat on the forest floor in tropical regions, Tacca chantieri thrives in well-draining, rich soil with high organic content. Partial shade or filtered sunlight is preferred, and maintaining consistently moist soil is crucial for its optimal growth.
Cultivating the Black Bat Flower may require attention to specific care requirements, including humidity levels and protection from direct sunlight. It is suitable for container gardening indoors, making it a popular choice for those looking to enjoy its exotic beauty in various climates.
The plant's unique appearance has led to cultural interpretations and symbolic meanings, with associations to mystery and the supernatural in some cultures. Overall, the Black Bat Flower stands out as a captivating and extraordinary addition to gardens and indoor spaces, providing a touch of the exotic and intriguing to any environment.
La foto es solo una excusa, una herramienta para hacer extensivo el mensaje, ¡ no es publicidad !, no es un engaño , es solamente un grito desesperado para conseguir un fin , salvar el que es uno de los entornos man singulares a nivel europeo mundial y desde luego único en España . Desconocido por muchos y maltratado por otros durante décadas de crecimiento urbanístico y expansión agrícola descontrolada. Si esperamos que lo salven los gobernantes ya esta acabado. Nos toca aportar y lo tenemos muy facil solamente con una firma “física” en alguno puntos señalado en el mapa del enlace para conseguir que el Mar Menor tenga personalidad jurídica lo que ayudara a agilizar los tramites para su defensa y conservación.
Firma y haz correr la voz porque es de todos
The photo is only an excuse, a tool to spread the message, it is not advertising! It is not a hoax, it is only a desperate cry to achieve an end, to save what is one of the most unique environments in Europe worldwide. and of course unique in Spain. Unknown to many and mistreated by others during decades of urban growth and uncontrolled agricultural expansion. If we wait for the rulers to save it, it is finished. We have to contribute and we have it very easy only with a "physical" signature at some point indicated on the link map to ensure that the Mar Menor has legal personality, which will help speed up the procedures for its defense and conservation.
Sign and spread the word because it belongs to everyone
Ahhww the exhibition at the Holst & Holst Gallery was beautiful the many talented Photographers and their work ♥.♥
I feel very honored that I could contribute my part to the January exhibition. Thank you soo muche Peachy Holst & Torsten Holst ♥
To all my Friends and Familiar and of course my Followers without you nothing goes ♥♥♥
I send you all a lot of love your Sophie Graycloud
Visit: The Holst & Holst Photography Gallery
Flickr Group: Holst & Holst Photography in Second Life
The New York State Capitol is the capitol building of the U.S. state of New York. Housing the New York State Legislature, it is located in the state capital city Albany as part of the Empire State Plaza on State Street in Capitol Park. The building, completed in 1899 at a cost of $25 million (worth approximately half a billion current dollars), was the most expensive government building of its time.[citation needed] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, then included as a contributing property when the Lafayette Park Historic District was listed in 1978. The following year it was declared a National Historic Landmark
This climate-friendly bio degradable fibre can contribute to reduce carbon emission. Traditionally Bangladesh was famous for jute production, which is mainly used for producing bags, sacks and many other materials. The fibre and the stalks are now processed for interior materials for high end vehicles. The introduction of plastics made the jute production almost extinct in Bangladesh. It is now reviving because of growing demand of natural fibre throughout the world. Which bags do you use during shopping?
The photo was taken in a remote village of Satkhira, Bangladesh. The farmer is processing the fibre with the use of flowing monsoon water.
Excerpt from www.biblewalks.com/annunciation-mosaics#Overview:
What is interesting in this Annunciation display is that each mosaic bears the characteristics of the contributing nation. For example, the Chinese Mary seems like a Chinese lady, while baby Jesus from Columbia looks South American. It is interesting to see how each nation visualized the annunciation in their own local eyes.
This is Canada.
In meteorology, a cloud is an aerosol consisting of a visible mass of minute liquid droplets, frozen crystals, or other particles suspended in the atmosphere of a planetary body or similar space. Water or various other chemicals may compose the droplets and crystals. On Earth, clouds are formed as a result of saturation of the air when it is cooled to its dew point, or when it gains sufficient moisture (usually in the form of water vapor) from an adjacent source to raise the dew point to the ambient temperature. They are seen in the Earth's homosphere, which includes the troposphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere. Nephology is the science of clouds, which is undertaken in the cloud physics branch of meteorology. There are two methods of naming clouds in their respective layers of the homosphere, Latin and common. Genus types in the troposphere, the atmospheric layer closest to Earth's surface, have Latin names due to the universal adoption of Luke Howard's nomenclature that was formally proposed in 1802. It became the basis of a modern international system that divides clouds into five physical forms which can be further divided or classified into altitude levels to derive ten basic genera. The main representative cloud types for each of these forms are stratus, cirrus, stratocumulus, cumulus, and cumulonimbus. Low-level clouds do not have any altitude-related prefixes. However mid-level stratiform and stratocumuliform types are given the prefix alto- while high-level variants of these same two forms carry the prefix cirro-. Genus types with sufficient vertical extent to occupy more than one level do not carry any altitude related prefixes. They are classified formally as low- or mid-level depending on the altitude at which each initially forms, and are also more informally characterized as multi-level or vertical. Most of the ten genera derived by this method of classification can be subdivided into species and further subdivided into varieties. Very low stratiform clouds that extend down to the Earth's surface are given the common names fog and mist, but have no Latin names.
Two things contribute to the moon being visible in daylight. First, it is bright enough that its light penetrates the scattered blue light of the sky. If you're looking at exactly the right spot with a telescope, you can also see the planets Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter in daylight, plus a few of the brightest stars (though few casual observers can actually pull this off). Secondly, the moon must be high enough in the sky to be visible. Because of the Earth's rotation, the moon is above the horizon roughly 12 hours out of every 24. Since those 12 hours almost never coincide with the roughly 12 hours of daylight in every 24 hours, the possible window for observing the moon in daylight averages about 6 hours a day. The moon is visible in daylight nearly every day, the exceptions being close to new moon, when the moon is too close to the sun to be visible, and close to full moon when it is only visible at night. The best times in the month to see the moon in daylight are close to first and last quarter, when the moon is 90 degrees away from the sun in the sky. R_5217