The Renaissance Center (aka GM Renaissance Center) is a group of seven interconnected skyscrapers in downtown Detroit, on the shore of the Detroit River. The complex is owned by General Motors, which uses it as its world headquarters. The central tower, the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center with its curved glass-clad facade, is the second tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. It has been the tallest building in Michigan since it was erected in 1977. The principal architect was John Portman.

"Sheep River Falls day use area and hike is located on the Sheep River approximately 36km west of the Town of Turner Valley. It is between the Blue Rock Campground and Sandy McNabb campground. The trail winds along the west side of the Sheep River gorge with excellent views of the foothills and Rocky Mountains. Views of the river pools and eddies along the Sheep River are beautiful and very inviting. To bad the water is to cold for swimming. The Sheep River runs crystal clear and is home to wild Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout and Rainbow Trout. You'll need a fishing license to try your luck, see regulations for catch and release. Deer, Elk, Bear and Bighorn Sheep are all around this area." - text taken from www.albertawow.com/hikes/Sheep_River_Falls/Sheep_River_Fa...

"A vast playground of over 50 interconnected provincial parks and recreation areas, Kananaskis Country covers 4,257 sq km (1,643 sq mi) of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies.

Welcome to year round backcountry bliss. In summer, get out and golf, hike, bike, fish, ride, paddle or climb. Get the adrenaline pumping on a wet and wild whitewater rafting trip. Sleep under the stars in a provincial park campsite or get a permit and spend the night in the backcountry. Winter is all thrills and chills, with dog sledding, ice climbing, skating, snowmobiling, and world class skiing. As if this weren’t enough, add jaw-dropping mountain vistas, over a dozen protected areas and subtract the crowds of the nearby national parks. The result is pure Rocky Mountain high." - text taken from travelalberta.com/Places%20to%20Go/Parks/Kananaskis%20Cou...

For camping, trails and more information on facilities, visit www.albertaparks.ca/sheep-river/information-facilities/tr...

GPS location: Lat: 50.615014 Long: -114.705138

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

www.purveshtrivediphotography.com

In 1868, British police first manually used red and green gas lights to control horse carriage traffic at night outside the House of Commons. According to Washington State University Magazine, the Americans then contributed the following:

"American policeman Lester Wire designed the first electric traffic light. It was first installed in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 5, 1914, at the corner of 105th and Euclid Avenue.

1917 — First interconnected traffic signal system installed in Salt Lake City, with six connected intersections controlled simultaneously from a manual switch.

1920 — William Potts, a Detroit policeman, invented the first four-way and three-colored traffic lights. He introduced yellow lights to indicate the light would change soon. Detroit became the first city to implement the four-way and three-colored traffic lights."

CCWeek38: Geometry in Road Signs (Diamond-shaped traffic sign)

it has become undeniably proven how in many cases we are interconnected by friends, family, acquaintances, etc. I find it hard in fact to find ANYTHING that is not connected to something else in this world of ours. Deep huh, :-)

A bison died sometime early in the winter, but was socked in place - and preserved - by the water frozen solid around it. Although these interconnected shallow ponds a few miles east of Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone are very slow to thaw out, the moment a carcass emerges in the spring, all of the local scavengers show up. When I first arrived, there was a single coyote feasting on the remains, though it was accompanied by a raven and a magpie awaiting their chance.

Eventually the coyote moved on and the bald eagles and ravens showed up in force. Although both of the eagles are mature, the one standing on top of the carcass clearly has higher social rank than the one waiting to the left for its turn.

As a group, by the way, ravens are the largest consumers of meat by volume of any species in Yellowstone. Each bird has limited capacity, but the number of individuals together forms a powerful clean-up crew.

Lots to go around, but never enough, especially as the "lean season" winds down.

I might add, for the benefit of those who noticed this isn't the technically finest photograph I ever took, I was quite far from the melee, as is appropriate when wildlife that has managed to survive the deprivations of a long winter has an opportunity to get some quality nutrition. Not to mention that one would not want to complete with a carnivorous scavenger that will also willingly kill and consume live prey. Bears, particularly very hungry male grizzlies, will always avail themselves in a situation like this, and are very often the first ones on a carcass released from the ice. They do the other carrion-eaters the favor of pulling the carcass onto the ice or land, making access easier for them, too.

Absolutely amazing Lightfestival Ghent 2021

'Interconnected' by Create (www.create.eu/ )

Just as the Ghent skyline is world famous for its 3 towers, 3 fascinating structures rise from the water surface at Portus Ganda during the light festival.

Source: lichtfestival.stad.gent/nl/kunstwerken-2021/interconnected

---------------------------

Absoluut fantastisch Lichtfestival Gent 2021

'Interconnected' van Create (www.create.eu/ )

Net zoals de Gentse skyline wereldberoemd is voor zijn 3 torens, rijzen tijdens het lichtfestival 3 fascinerende structuren op uit het wateroppervlakte aan Portus Ganda

Bron: lichtfestival.stad.gent/nl/kunstwerken-2021/interconnected

Plitvice ( pronounced [plîtʋitse)Lakes National Park's waterfalls.Plitvice Lakes National Park is the oldest national park in Southeast Europe and the largest national park in Croatia.The national park is world famous for its lakes arranged in cascades The sixteen lakes are separated into an upper and lower cluster formed by runoff from the mountains,the lakes are all interconnected and follow the water flow, descending from an altitude of 636 to 503 m (2,087 to 1,650 ft) over a distance of some eight km, aligned in a south-north direction. The lakes collectively cover an area of about two square kilometers, with the water exiting from the lowest lake forming the Korana River.

The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colors, ranging from azure to green, grey or blue. The colors change constantly depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight.

In the City of Light there is no centre nor suburbs because all is important, everything & everyone are interconnected by the Light.

(Multiple exposure, ICM and digital painting)

My entry for the May Explore TakeOver contest on Flickr Social:

www.flickr.com/groups/2684497@N24/discuss/721577219230316...

www.flickr.com/groups/2684497@N24/discuss/721577219186248...

In a break from the painful (for me) process of editing and up-loading photos for my new Album "Anteprima Design Week" where many more pictures are yet to come, I've done this work using four of my photos taken at Euroluce 2023: 3 photos of special glass neon tubes displayed all over from the ceiling to two meters above from the flooring of a peculiar dark hall (exhibitor "Preciosa") and 1 photo of golden pepitas.

It was a while I was missing to do new Planispheric Art and this here has indeed been inspired by my awesome visit at the Salone del Mobile. No need to say I had fun to digitally paint over in my freehand style.

Ref._MG_9321-26-27-9140 The city of Light VM DEF

©WhiteAngel Photography + #PlanisphericArt. All rights reserved

Timon lepidus is one of the largest members of its family. The adult is 30 to 60 cm (0.98 to 1.97 ft) in total length (including tail) and may reach up to 90 cm (3.0 ft), weighing more than 0.5 kg (1.1 lb).[3] About two-thirds of its length is tail. Newly hatched young are 4 to 5 cm (1.5 to 2 in) long, excluding tail.

This is a robust lizard with a serrated collar. The male has a characteristic broad head. It has thick, strong legs, with long, curved claws. The dorsal background colour is usually green, but sometimes grey or brownish, especially on the head and tail. This is overlaid with black stippling that may form a bold pattern of interconnected rosettes. The underside is yellowish or greenish with both the male and female sporting bright blue spots along the flanks, though the male is typically brighter in colour than the female. Young are green, grey, or brown, with yellowish or white, often black-edged, spots all over.

Lynnmour, District of North Vancouver, British Columbia,

Canada.

A classic moon gate leads to the Oriental Garden, a tranquil setting reminiscent of Japan. The authentic Japanese tea house is a gift shop operated by the North Shore Association for the Physically Handicapped.

The Park & Tilford Gardens is a 1.5-acre (6,100 m2) (originally 3-acre (12,000 m2)) botanic garden situated in the City of North Vancouver, British Columbia. The complex, established in 1969 as a community project of Canadian Park & Tilford Distilleries Ltd., consists of eight separate but interconnected areas. The original gardens were designed by Harry J. Webb of Justice & Webb Landscape Architects.

Light design.Raw photography,slight edit (chopping from larger field,contrast adjustment to render the tiniest filaments), no retouching.

The upload file is almost 22MB, took me half an hour + 2 time outs of the server to upload it to Flickr but I see it now so downsized, what a pity, I was willing it's possible to surf & navigate inside this picture, like it was years ago on Flickr.

Anyway, pls, zoom it to enjoy it better. If possible, I'll try to replace it with a larger upload.

My photo represents my way to visually illustrate the concept of Oneness,

whose discovery and comprehension is an essential step towards Awareness and finally Enlightenment.

©WhiteAngel Photography. All rights reserved.

Non dirò "Tutto é connesso" perché nella ns. società ormai il lemma é inteso solo come esser connessi alla rete, 24/g, cosa che considero piuttosto un malanno mentre il senso della mia foto finalizza un concetto di spessore e importanza ben diversi.

©WhiteAngel Photography. All rights reserved.

#mieuxvautlavraiechose #BetterTheRealThing #LieberdasEchte #Megliociòcheèvero #Meglioquellovero

Ref. Tutto é collegato DSCN1934 (RAW Pareidolia)

EXPLORE: manually explored by the Panel of FlickrSocialMedia Jurors on TakeOver Day Contest, June 26 2024, theme #Movement

# 252 > 250

The indigenous artists and master carvers of Haida Gwaii have created magnificent hand-split, post-and-beam cedar houses and finely carved totem poles on Canada’s Pacific northwest coast. They are widely appreciated both as fine art and as signifiers of an ancient and enduring Haida culture.

Construction of this late 19th-century Haida Gwaii village replica began in the late 1950s under the direction of renowned Haida artist, Bill Reid, and Kwakwaka’wakw artist, Doug Cranmer. Master Haida carver and hereditary chief, Jim Hart, carved the replacement frontal pole on the larger family dwelling. The red-tonged Dogfish Mortuary Pole looms in the forefront.

The dwellings and carvings are an integral part of Haida myth, cosmology, clan affiliation, family history and social rank - all intricately interconnected to other essential cultural practices (drum-making, storytelling, singing, dancing, potlatch ceremonies) that thrive today amid a flourishing "renaissance" and renewal in indigenous arts and crafts.

The village complex is situated on traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) people and now sits high on the edge of the steep Point Grey escarpment overlooking Vancouver’s Spanish Banks, Howe Sound, the ocean and beyond. explore#276

© All rights to these photos and descriptions are reserved

I am so blown away!!! My artwork called "Interconnected" was published in the June 2020 "Living The Photo Artistic Life" art magazine!

Wow!! What an honor!!

And thank you, dear Flickr friends, for all your faves and comments. I appreciated each and every one!

HE > i

NOTW

Excerpt from www.mississauga.ca/arts-and-culture/arts/public-art/tempo...:

Interconnection by Moonlight Murals Collective is one of over 35 public artworks on display across the City of Mississauga.

Moonlight Murals Collective, 2022

Exterior acrylic on asphalt

Living Arts Drive, between Burnhamthorpe Road West and Square One Drive

Interconnection is a new temporary public artwork by Moonlight Murals Collective, integrated with the protected, on-road bike lanes on Living Arts Drive. These ground murals are located in the buffer zones that run alongside the cycling and parking/road lanes, helping to build a safe, connected, convenient and comfortable cycling network in Mississauga.

“Our aim in these ground paintings was not only to create a visually pleasing piece of art, but also to tell the story of people in a growing town such as Mississauga and how interconnected we are, not only to each other but also to nature and the land we reside on. Each thematic panel seamlessly connects to the next and at times, appear as opposing forces that make a complete whole reminiscent of the concept of Yin and Yang. Our designs focus on the relationship between humans and the natural environment and inspire the viewers to discover their imagination, emotion, interaction and relationship with their surroundings.” – Moonlight Murals Collective

This image is included in a gallery "Blue" curated by Andy Montgomery.

Average depth : 22 to 30 m (72 to 98 ft)

Max. depth : 30 m (98 ft)

Inferno Crater Lake is a large hot spring located in the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley on the North Island of New Zealand, and the largest geyser-like feature in the world. The actual geyser is not visible, as it plays underwater at the bottom of the lake, however, fumaroles are visible on the lake's shore and the rock wall behind it.

The water temperature in the lake ranges from 35 to 80 °C (95 to 176 °F), with acidity up to pH 2.2, and lake levels that vary up to 12 metres (39 ft), following a complicated 38-day cycle that includes an overflow stage. White silica deposits grow up to the overflow level, and the lake's colour is a result of finely divided silica suspended in the water. At low water levels the lake can be a dull grey colour, changing to an intensely sky blue colour at higher lake levels, in particular after the overflow stage.

Inferno Crater was blasted out of the side of the locally prominent Mt Haszard as part of the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption, which opened several craters along a 17 kilometres (11 mi) rift stretching southwest from Mount Tarawera to the nearby Southern Crater. Inferno Crater's trumpet-shaped lake bed is up to 30 metres (98 ft) deep when the lake is full, which is also when it reaches its highest temperature.

Since 1901 the lake occupying Inferno Crater has exhibited water-level variations closely associated with the Waimangu Geyser cycle. Inferno Crater Lake and its neighbouring Frying Pan Lake form a unique relationship and follow an interconnected rhythmic cycle of hydrology variations repeating itself over the course of roughly 38 days. When the water level and temperature of Inferno Crater Lake increase, the water level and outflow of Frying Pan Lake decrease. Comparable cyclic activity is unknown in other hydrothermal systems in the world.

The system has been the subject of studies since monitoring equipment was installed in the area in 1970. Four distinct phases can be recognised in its cycle: First, the lake level rises steadily from its lowest level by a total of almost 5 metres (16 ft) over the course of 8 days, and then it commences oscillating. The average lake level keeps rising over the course of the oscillations of the second phase until it reaches overflow level. At that point, the lake's volume has increased by 45,800 cubic metres (1,620,000 cu ft). Next, the lake overflows for about 51 hours at a rate of almost 80 liter per second, discharging on average 140,000 cubic metres (4,900,000 cu ft) of over 70 °C (158 °F) hot water down a temporary overflow stream into Waimangu Stream in the valley below. The last stage sees the lake recede to its low level over the last 13 days of the cycle, its water temperature also falling to the low point. During that stage, around 30 million liters of water drain back under Mt Haszard.

Inferno Crater Lake is accessible via a side track with 50 steps off the main Waimangu walking track. It is one of three lakes filling craters created in the vicinity during the 1886 event. (Wikipedia)

For the Peaceful use of Atomic Energy

A Surrealistic Walk through Tubes & Spheres with "Nuclear Power"

Atomic Age & Technological Progress

"The story of the Atomium is, above all, one of love, the love that the Belgians have for an extraordinary structure symbolising a frame of mind that wittily combines aesthetic daring with technical mastery. The appearance of the Atomium is unusual and unforgettable. It has a rare quality of lifting everyone’s spirits and firing their imagination."

Diane Hennebert

- Atoms Magnified 165 billion Times -

The balls are arranged like a school chemistry set to represent atoms in their crystal lattice,except these are 165 billion times bigger.

Faith in Progress depicted on 9 iron crystal interconnected spheres representing atoms.The diameter of each sphere is 18 metres and they are connected by tubes with escalators and lifts.

It was dreamed up by the engineer André Waterkeyn and the spheres were fitted out by the architects André & Jean Polak.

The Atomium,102 metres high,was the main pavilion and icon of the World Fair of Brussels (1958),commonly called Expo 58.

It symbolised the democratic will to maintain peace among all the nations,faith in progress,both technical and scientific and, finally,an optimistic vision of the future of a modern,new,technological world for a better life for mankind.

Universal Landmarks & Futuristic Sculptures in Brussels.

For the Peaceful use of Atomic Energy .....

"It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well." René Descartes

PS : BRUEGEL AT THE ATOMIUM in 2019

Brussels pays tribute to Bruegel,the greatest Flemish painter of the 16th century.On the occasion of the 450th anniversary of his death in 1569,the Atomium is proposing an exhibition that will plunge its visitors into the picturesque and colourful world of this artistic genius.

Date: From mid September 2019 to mid September 2020

© all rights reserved by B℮n

The Netherlands is a small country of 16 million people, but it boasts a quarter of a million competitive speedskaters, and millions more who skate for fun. What's the story? Natural ice in the Netherlands is a rare occurrence. In fact, some winters there's no natural ice at all. Maybe that explains why the Dutch love to skate outdoors. They hardly ever get the chance! But when a cold wave hits, and the interconnected maze of canals, rivers and lakes freeze over, it's a spontaneous celebration, a national holiday. Infinite sea of ice is perfect for ice skating journeys. Ice skating is not only a Dutch sport, it also underwrites the history, art and culture of the Netherlands. Perhaps most importantly a good freeze provides the Dutch a chance to discover the wilderness and an outdoor challenge within their own landscape. The Netherlands are a long distance skater's dream. Hundreds of kilometres of potential routes can carry the skater to the heart of a wild landscape. Today after 4 years we could ice skate in Monnickendam.

Waterland in the winter is a real skater’s paradise. As temperatures plunge across Europe, many are cursing the cold. But not in the Netherlands. Many are hoping for further frigid conditions. Photo of Samantha on the Pierebaan in Monnickendam. Our first time skating in 2017.

Terwijl schaatsbond KNSB voor de zekerheid nog een officiële waarschuwing afgaf om voorzichtig te zijn op meren, sloten en kanalen waagde een aantal mensen het erop en bond de schaatsen onder. Op 22 januari 2017 verzamelden meerdere mensen op de Pierebaan in Monnickendam zich ter hoogte van de halfpipe. Dat is de plek waar het ijs het sterkst was. Vaak wordt er aangehouden dat het ijs een centimeter of 10 dik moet zijn om veilig op te kunnen schaatsen, en het ijs op de Pierebaan is op het dikste gedeelte maar een centimeter of vijf dik, maar dat weerhield tientallen mensen er niet van om toch even het ijs op te gaan. Bij de Pierebaan was de meest gehoorde reactie: “het is dun, maar het kan wel…”. En dat leverde mooie plaatjes op. Mensen van alle leeftijden op schaatsen, kinderen die een buikschuiver willen maken, mensen die voorzichtig even willen voelen hoe het is om op het ijs te staan. De aantrekkingskracht van het ijs is enorm. Onze eerste op de schaats in 2017. De laatste keer op natuurijs was 4 jaar geleden. Foto van mijn dochter Samantha.

HSS 😊😊😍

I know friends, that I have included many quotes, which of course, you don't have to read. I do sincerely believe with all my heart that war is the problem not the solution. We need to come to the table and work out our differences with dignity, compassion, understanding, knowledge and the real will for peace and to avoid physical pain at all costs. I believe and hope that this work to be a powerful message in that direction.

The sky takes on shades of orange during sunrise and sunset, the colour that gives you hope that the sun will set only to rise again.

Ram Charan

There is no blue without yellow and without orange.

Vincent Van Gogh

Orange is the color of the sun. It is vital and a good color generally, indicating thoughtfulness and consideration of others.

Edgar Cayce

Orange strengthens your emotional body, encouraging a general feeling of joy, well-being, and cheerfulness. Orange vibration foods are: oranges, tangerines, apricots, mangoes, peaches and carrots.

Tae Yun Kim

Orange is the happiest color.

Frank Sinatra

Orange is the color of positive thinking and optimism.

Remez Sasson

Orange is a color of liberation, from the pains of hurtful love and inner insecurities. To channel orange is to truly be free, to be you.

Frank Ocean

Bullets cannot be recalled. They cannot be uninvented. But they can be taken out of the gun.

Martin Amis

It takes twenty years or more of peace to make a man; it takes only twenty seconds of war to destroy him.

Baudouin I

War is an invention of the human mind. The human mind can invent peace with justice.

Norman Cousins

Wars never hurt anybody except the people who die.

Salvador Dali

Come you masters of war

You that build all the guns

You that build the death planes

You that build the big bombs

You that hide behind walls

You that hide behind desks

I just want you to know

I can see through your masks.

Bob Dylan

The most shocking fact about war is that its victims and its instruments are individual human beings, and that these individual beings are condemned by the monstrous conventions of politics to murder or be murdered in quarrels not their own.

Aldous Huxley

The first casualty, when war comes, is truth.

Hiram Johnson

The belief in the inevitability of war is a self-fulfilling prophecy... We need an alternative vision, to see the world as one, as interconnected.

Dennis Kucinich

The great question is, can war be outlawed from the world? If so, it would mark the greatest advance in civilization since the Sermon on the Mount.

Douglas MacArthur

The strength of a civilization is not measured by its ability to fight wars, but rather by its ability to prevent them.

Gene Roddenberry

Preparedness for war is an incentive to war, and the only hope of permanent peace is the systematic and scientific disarmament of all the nations of the world

Anna Howard Shaw

With heartfelt and genuine thanks for your kind visit. Have a wonderful and beautiful day, be well, keep your eyes open, appreciate the beauty surrounding you, enjoy creating, stay safe and laugh often! ❤️❤️❤️

The new building was designed by the British architect Norman, Lord Foster and civil & structural engineers Ove Arup & Partners with service design by J. Roger Preston & Partners, and was constructed by Wimpey International. From the concept to completion, it took seven years (1978–1985). The building is 180 metres high with 47 storeys and four basement levels. The building has a modular design consisting of five steel modules prefabricated in the UK by Scott Lithgow Shipbuilders near Glasgow, and shipped to Hong Kong. About 30,000 tons of steel and 4,500 tons of aluminium were used.

The original design was heavily inspired by the Douglas Gilling designed Qantas International Centre in Sydney (currently known as Suncorp Place).

The new Lobby and its 2-part Asian Story Wall were designed by Greg Pearce, of One Space Limited. Pearce was also the Principal Architect of the Hong Kong Airport Express (MTR) station. Conceived as a minimalist glass envelope, the new lobby is designed to be deferential to Foster's structure and appears almost to be part of the original.

The building is also one of the few to not have elevators as the primary carrier of building traffic. Instead, elevators only stop every few floors, and floors are interconnected by escalators.

The main characteristic of HSBC Hong Kong headquarters is its absence of internal supporting structure.

Another notable feature is that natural sunlight is the major source of lighting inside the building. There is a bank of giant mirrors at the top of the atrium, which can reflect natural sunlight into the atrium and hence down into the plaza. Through the use of natural sunlight, this design helps to conserve energy. Additionally, sun shades are provided on the external facades to block direct sunlight going into the building and to reduce heat gain. Instead of fresh water, sea water is used as coolant for the air-conditioning system.

All flooring is made from lightweight movable panels, under which lies a comprehensive network of power, telecommunication, and air-conditioning systems. This design was to allow equipment such as computer terminals to be installed quickly and easily.

Because of the urgency to finish the project, the construction of the building relied heavily on off-site prefabrication; components were manufactured all over the world. For example, the structural steel came from Britain; the glass, aluminium cladding and flooring came from the United States while the service modules came from Japan.

The inverted 'va' segments of the suspension trusses spanning the construction at double-height levels is the most obvious characteristic of the building. It consists of eight groups of four aluminium-clad steel columns which ascend from the foundations up through the core structure, and five levels of triangular suspension trusses which are locked into these masts.

Source: Wikipedia

A remake of my last year's work, the building of which was delayed for more than a month. I am extremely pleased that we managed to add so many details, and especially that all the parts in the model are interconnected (yes, there are such problems). I should mention that the body of the car was borrowed from a tow truck built by De-Marco

India, Kerala or Kēraḷam, Backwaters.

Shore operated lift fishing nets are a type of stationary lift nets, commonly known in India as "Chinese fishing nets", each installation is operated by a team of 4 to 6 fishermen.

In India they are mostly found in Kerala’s Backwaters & coastal areas around the cities of Kollam & Kochi, where they became besides for fishing also a tourist attraction & a beloved photo motive.

This for India unusual fishing method is almost unique to the area of Kerala,

This fishing method was introduced by Chinese explorers who landed there in the 14th century. One assumption of the city name Kochi is “co-chin”, the interpretation is meaning “like China”

The scenery of the Kerala Backwaters with the orange glimmering light of the sunset at dusk,

a vivacious day descends to the shadow & the calm of the night, punctuated at times by the screeching of birds.

📌….unique backwaters are a network of interconnected five large lakes linked by canals, both manmade, fed by 38 rivers & brackish lagoons extending nearly half the length of Kerala state. A labyrinthine system formed by almost 1.000 km of waterways lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, known as the “Malabar Coast”.

The backwaters have an exceptional ecosystem; freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea, formed by the action of waves & shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range.

A Thannermukkom Salt Water Barrier, preventing salt water from the sea is entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes.

Numerous unique aquatic species including mudskippers, crabs, frogs, water birds such as kingfishers, darters, terns, darters & cormorants, animals like otters & turtles live in the backwaters area. Palm trees, pandanus bushes & other leafy plants grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green shade to the surrounding landscape.

👉 One World one Dream,

🙏...Danke, Xièxie 谢谢, Thanks, Gracias, Merci, Grazie, Obrigado, Arigatô, Dhanyavad, Chokrane to you & over

17 million visits in my photostream with countless motivating comments

Happy Earth Day! This photo is very popular, for various reasons, but to me it's always portrayed the harmonic relationship humans can have with the natural world. I hope everyone takes some time today to recognize that this planet does not belong to us - we are merely a small part of a vast and interconnected network of ecosystems and organisms. The environment is in dire need of help - and I hope photos like this remind us that coexistence is not just possible, but necessary.

Excerpt from Plitvice-lakes.info:

The group of Plitvice’s Upper Lakes consist of twelve lakes, interconnected and separated by natural travertine and tufa barriers.

Here is a list of all Upper Lakes:

1.Prošćansko

2.Ciginovac

3.Okrugljak

4.Batinovac

5.Veliko jezero

6.Malo jezero

7.Vir

8.Galovac

9.Milino jezero

10.Gradinsko

11.Burgeti

12.Kozjak

The water from the lowest lake in this group (Kozjak) eventually connects with Milanovac, the first lake in Lower Lakes group.

The Palouse River thunders over the edge of its 198-foot (60 m) basalt precipice in the channeled scablands of southeastern Washington state. Although an impressive flow, this is actually quite low for this time of year, as it has been a very dry winter and spring.

"The Palouse Falls and surrounding canyons were created when the Missoula Floods overtopped the south valley wall of the ancestral Palouse River, diverting it to the current course to the Snake River by erosion of a new channel. The area is characterized by interconnected and hanging flood-created coulees, cataracts, plunge pools, kolk created potholes, rock benches, buttes and pinnacles typical of scablands. Palouse Falls State Park is located at the falls, protecting this part of the uniquely scenic area." [Wikipedia]

Thanks to the efforts of some local elementary school students, Palouse Falls was declared the official state waterfall by the Washington legislature last year. Good work, kids!

Ngwe Saung beach is situated near Yangon city and it can be reached within a 5-hour drive from Yangon. The beach itself is approximately 9 miles long and one of the longest beach in South East Asia and newly opened beach in Ayeyarwaddy delta region interconnected with the Andaman Sea. Moreover, Ngwe Saung is located a bit south of Ngapali which is also another popular beach resorts in Myanmar.

Germany, Berlin, Haus Schwarzenberg street art gallery, Summer 2024

On the north side of Berlin’s famous Hackescher Markt stands the entrance to the Hackeschen Höfe, a series of interconnected art nouveau courtyards featuring shopping, entertainment, and dining. Just a bit farther up the street, however, another courtyard is hidden away all on its own. Lacking a grand entryway, it can be easy to miss, but through its humble portal lies a hot spot of Berlin street art. Since street art is mercurial and chaotic by its very nature, the art on display in the alley next to Haus Schwarzenberg changes on an almost weekly basis, with new pieces being painted on, papered over, added to, and repurposed in the constantly evolving collage that washes over this little urban oasis. Famous street artists have been known to add to the churn. The alley also features a famous painting of Anne Frank by Jimmy C that remains intact and untouched. The existence of this vibrant cultural pocket is thanks chiefly to Haus Schwarzenberg, a non-profit arts organization that occupies the building adjoining the alley.

India, Kerala or Kēraḷam, Backwaters.

Kerala’s from civilization almost untouched rich in fish, fertile unique backwaters, South India, a network of interconnected five large lakes linked by canals, both manmade, fed by 38 rivers & brackish lagoons extending nearly half the length of Kerala state. A labyrinthine system formed by almost 1.000 km of waterways lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, known as the “Malabar Coast”.

Therefor the” Keralites”, natives to Kerala, describe the green paradise for fauna & flora along the Malabar coast since ever very simply as;…

📍…“Gods own Country”, …now who can beat this description?.

The backwaters have an exceptional ecosystem; freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea, formed by the action of waves & shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range.

A Thannermukkom Salt Water Barrier, preventing salt water from the sea is entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes.

Numerous unique aquatic species including mudskippers, crabs, frogs, water birds such as kingfishers, darters, terns, darters & cormorants, animals like otters & turtles live in the backwaters area. Palm trees, pandanus bushes & other leafy plants grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green shade to the surrounding landscape.

📌….The unique backwaters are a network of interconnected five large lakes linked by canals, both manmade, fed by 38 rivers & brackish lagoons extending nearly half the length of Kerala state. A labyrinthine system formed by almost 1.000 km of waterways lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, known as the “Malabar Coast”.

The backwaters have an exceptional ecosystem; freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea, formed by the action of waves & shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range.

In the middle of this landscape there are a number of towns & cities, which serve as the starting & end points of backwater cruises. The backwaters are one of the noticeable tourist attractions in Kerala.

👉 One World one Dream,

🙏...Danke, Xièxie 谢谢, Thanks, Gracias, Merci, Grazie, Obrigado, Arigatô, Dhanyavad, Chokrane to you & over

17 million visits in my photostream with countless motivating comments

Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing comprising a large number of interconnected baffled cells. Wing shape is maintained by the suspension lines, the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing, and the aerodynamic forces of the air flowing over the outside.

Despite not using an engine, paragliders flight can last many hours and cover many hundreds of kilometers, though flights of one to two hours and covering some tens of kilometers are more the norm. By skillful exploitation of sources of lift, the pilot may gain height, often climbing to altitudes of a few thousand meters.

This paraglider started near the old castle of Kallmünz, a picturesque village located at the confluence of Naab and Vils in the Upper Palatinate.

Text adapted from Wikipedia.

This photo appeared in this week's North Hawaii News, which was published this morning.

This was the first assignment where I was both the story writer and photographer. The article I wrote is found below this photo's byline, seen here:

BILL ADAMS | NORTH HAWAII NEWS

The session was held at the Waimea Music Exchange store in the Parker Ranch Center this past Saturday.

--

Studies In The Art Of The Slack Key

by Bill Adams

The Waimea Music Exchange store at Parker Center was filled with the beautiful sounds of Hawaiian music this past Saturday morning as a group of students from Cornell University participated in a slack key guitar lesson taught by the Big Island's own Don Kauli'a, whose album "Sweet Wahine" was nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award.

The students are enrolled in Cornell's Earth and Environmental Systems (EES) Field Program. A 5-month course which spans the entire spring semester, students engage in field, class and laboratory studies focused on the various ecosystems of our Hawaiian island chain and of Hawaii's history and culture.

Led by Professor Dr. Alexandra Moore, the EES Field Program is based out of Waimea and hosted by the Hawaii Preparatory Academy. The students' living quarters is the 8-bedroom Waiaka House near the main campus of HPA.

Dr. Moore explained, "The students are immersed in studies geared towards "Kumu Pa'a I Ka 'Aina, which translates to 'Knowledge and understanding that comes from the land.'"

The stated mission of the EES Field Program is "To inspire stewardship of the Earth through first-hand experience with the power, and fragility, of Earth's interconnected systems."

Upon completion of the EES Field Program, students will achieve 18 credit hours from courses such as; Field Study of the Earth System, Biogeochemistry of the Hawaiian Islands, Field Study of Marine Ecosystems, Internship Experience, and an Introduction to Hawaiian History and Culture, which included Saturday's slack key guitar lesson.

The Program stresses the importance of respecting the Hawaiian ancestral lands and to give something back to the community by engaging in a variety of service learning (in class) projects and local volunteer opportunities. Students are also encouraged to explore ways in which they can contribute to the well-being of their adopted community.

Before Saturday's lesson began, the students were able to briefly meet and chat with another famous Big Island slack key guitar master, Sonny Lim, a 2007 Grammy Award winner for his work on the album, "Slack Key Guitar Volume 2".

Participating in Saturday's guitar lessons were a diverse group of five Cornell University students; Hannah Kubica, a junior from Little Falls, New York, Keisuke Irie, a senior from Bergen County, New Jersey, Matt Connelly, a sophomore from Syracuse, New York, Kourtney Reynolds, a senior from San Diego, California and Tyler Huth, a sophomore from Boston, Massachusetts.

More information about Cornell University's EES Field Program can be found on the Internet at www.geo.cornell.edu/hawaii.

Excerpt from www.bwst.ca/the-artists/tessera:

Quintin Teszeri

Location: 22

Title: Untangling

Material: Recuperated metal

Quintin Teszeri is an artist and teacher whose work interweaves everyday insignificance and total uniqueness. With graduate degrees in art history, studio art, and teaching, his practice exists in a variety of forms. These have been presented by Nuit Blanche Toronto, Blackwood Gallery, Printed Matter Inc., and NoRoutine Books.

Artist Statement:

Untangling is made of recuperated metal from obsolete bag signs found in Burlington — the upside-down U’s wrapped in plastic advertising that visually and environmentally litter roadsides. The loosening knot features five continuous loops that never touch. It’s a material exercise in imagining more sustainable and meaningfully interconnected aesthetics.

Conrail BRSE slams across the D&H diamond at Voorheesville, NY on the Selkirk Branch. A pair of SD60Ms lead this Chicago (Clearing Yard - BRC) to Selkirk train. Immediately behind the power is what was referred to as the "mini-oil", a block of GATX Tank Train cars that operated between Hammond, IN and the Port of Albany. These cars were interconnected and, if everything was in order, could be unloaded from one end of the consist. Today the diamonds here are long gone, as is the former D&H 2nd Subdivision to the east between "VO" and Albany. However, change is constant. Norfolk Southern is rebuilding a connection between the two lines which will eventually see run-through intermodal trains to Ayer, MA as a condition of the CSX takeover of Pan Am.

Conrail BRSE-0:

CR 5568 SD60M

Looking up at the Umeda Sky Building skyscraper in Osaka.

From Wikipedia:

The Umeda Sky Building (梅田スカイビル, Umeda Sukai Biru) is a two-tower mixed-use skyscraper located in Osaka, Japan. Located in the outskirts of Umeda business district in Kita-ku, Osaka, the Umeda Sky Building consists of two 40-story towers that connect at their two uppermost stories, which are interconnected via glass bridges with escalators and elevators which crosses the tower's open atrium space in the ground floor area. It is currently the fifteenth-tallest building in the prefecture, and is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.

The towers reached a total height of 170 m (557.74 ft) while the overall height of the tower including the towers' spires is at 190 metres (623.4 ft). The towers were designed by Hiroshi Hara, and was constructed by Takenaka Corporation and was completed in 1993.

It has been observed by some historians, that California was built backwards. That is mining and industry came first and settlers and farmers came later. Today, California’s economy is driven by agriculture and technology but once it was all about mining and gold. Nevada County is one of those communities that had several huge mines that drove foundries as far away as San Francisco but also in tiny Nevada City. Nevada County boasted both the miles deep Empire mine that grew so extensive it eventually merged with the North Star Mine. Their head shafts were over a mile apart but their horizontal shafts became interconnected. Today there are two mining museums in Grass Valley on being the Empire Mine State Park and this is the North Star Mine Museum. nevadacountyhistory.org/north-star-mining-museum/

Plitvice Lakes National Park is the oldest national park in the Southeast Europe (founded in 1949) and the largest national park in Croatia. In 1979, Plitvice Lakes National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, among the first natural sites worldwide. Over 1.2 million visitors are recorded each year by the Plitvice Lakes NP authority.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is world-famous for its sixteen (16!) lakes arranged in cascades, interconnected by waterfalls, like a string of pearls which follows the natural flow of water. The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colors, ranging from azure to green, grey or blue. They are among the ten most beautiful lakes in the world, according to many travel guides (check this link for example). Vegetation surrounding the lakes, including local forest, provides beautiful setting and contrast with the blueness of the water. The colours are especially beautiful in the Autumn.

Designed by Lundgaard & Tranberg, the towers consist of 5 interconnected tubular towers of varying heights with the tallest being 67 metres. The facade is clad in Tombac, a copper and zinc alloy, giving it a distinctive apperance

India, Kerala or Kēraḷam, Backwaters.

The nature of the Kerala Backwaters immersed in the orange glow of the sunset, a vivacious day descends to the shadow & the calm of the night, punctuated at times by the screeching of birds.

📌….unique backwaters are a network of interconnected five large lakes linked by canals, both manmade, fed by 38 rivers & brackish lagoons extending nearly half the length of Kerala state. A labyrinthine system formed by almost 1.000 km of waterways lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, known as the “Malabar Coast”.

The backwaters have an exceptional ecosystem; freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea, formed by the action of waves & shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range.

A Thannermukkom Salt Water Barrier, preventing salt water from the sea is entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes.

Numerous unique aquatic species including mudskippers, crabs, frogs, water birds such as kingfishers, darters, terns, darters & cormorants, animals like otters & turtles live in the backwaters area. Palm trees, pandanus bushes & other leafy plants grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green shade to the surrounding landscape.

👉 One World one Dream,

🙏...Danke, Xièxie 谢谢, Thanks, Gracias, Merci, Grazie, Obrigado, Arigatô, Dhanyavad, Chokrane to you & over

17 million visits in my photostream with countless motivating comments

Tonlé Sap (literally large river (tonle); fresh, not salty (sap), commonly translated to "Great Lake") refers to a seasonally inundated freshwater lake, the Tonlé Sap Lake and an attached river, the 120 km (75 mi) long Tonlé Sap River, that connects the lake to the Mekong.

They form the central part of a complex hydrological system, situated in the 12,876 km2 (4,971 sq mi) Cambodian floodplain covered with a mosaic of natural and agricultural habitats that the Mekong replenishes with water and sediments annually. The central plain formation is the result of millions of years of Mekong alluvial deposition and discharge. From a geological perspective, the Tonlé Sap Lake and Tonlé Sap River are a current freeze-frame representation of the slowly, but ever shifting Lower Mekong Basin. Annual fluctuation of the Mekong's water volume, supplemented by the Asian Monsoon regime causes the unique flow reversal of the Tonle Sap River.

The Tonlé Sap Lake occupies a geological depression (the lowest lying area) of the vast alluvial and lacustrine floodplain in the Lower Mekong Basin, which had been induced by the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate. The lake's size, length and water volume varies considerably over the course of a year from an area of around 2,500 km2 (965 sq mi), a volume of 1 km3 (0 cu mi) and a length of 160 km (99 mi) at the end of the dry season in late April to an area of up to 16,000 km2 (6,178 sq mi), a volume of 80 km3 (19 cu mi) and a length of 250 km (160 mi) as the Mekong maximum and the peak of the South-West monsoon's precipitation culminate in September and early October.

As one of the world’s most varied and productive ecosystems the region has always been of central importance for Cambodia's food provision. It proved capable to maintain the Angkorean civilization, the largest pre-industrial settlement complex in world history. Either directly or indirectly it affects the livelihood of large numbers of a predominantly rural population to this day. With regards to a growing and migrating population, ineffective administration and widespread indifference towards environmental issues the lake and its surrounding ecosystem is coming under increasing pressure from over-exploitation and habitat degradation, fragmentation and loss. All Mekong riparian states have either announced or already implemented plans to increasingly exploit the river's hydroelectric potential. A succession of international facilities that dam the river's mainstream is likely to be the gravest danger yet for the entire Tonle Sap eco-region.

The largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, that contains an exceptional large variety of interconnected eco-regions with a high degree of biodiversity is a biodiversity hotspot and was designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1997.

Fountain Of Wealth

Supported by four 13.8 metres high bronze legs and spreading over an area of 1683.07 metres, the Fountain of Wealth has been accorded the status of "World's Largest Fountain" in the 1998 edition of the Guinness Book of Records. It is symbolically the ring in the palm of the hand, guaranteeing the retention of wealth. It is destined to be Singapore's most visited tourist destination.

The plaza would provide a large outdoor space for people to gather. But on its own, it would not achieve sufficient visual impact. A dramatic fountain was proposed as a visual focus. The Fountain Plaza, now the focal point of Suntec City, is also at the heart of the Marina Centre area. Not only is it the hub of circulation within the development, it also draws life from the surrounding buildings. This is why it sits off centre within Suntec City -so that it can be directly connected to its neighbours.

The flowing water from the Fountain is also a potent symbol as water is the essence of life in almost every culture. Located round this symbolic centre of life are the buildings which make up Suntec City. These buildings attract human activity - life - to the area. At ground level, vehicles flow around the fountain plaza while pedestrians flow into the buildings around it. Below ground, at the Fountain Terrace, all the buildings are interconnected by shops and restaurants. The complex is also connected to its neighbours by both underground and street-level pedestrian linkways.

Excerpt from roncesvallesvillage.ca:

The design concept of the mural reflects the thematic framework set out by our BIA’s Street Advisory Committee. These themes include: Nature in the City, the Urban Community, and the interconnected concepts of Legacy, Sustainability and Stewardship.

We have stories of prophets who came to the people a millennium ago to give visions of the future that would come in stages called the Seven Fires. In recent times there has been a talk of an Eighth Fire in which the ancestor prophets say that to light the Eighth Fire Indigenous People will come forward with their knowledge connecting with the western knowledge and from this union a new people will emerge lighting the Eighth and final Fire. This will begin the golden age of peace.

My work reflects this same importance of sharing the story of ancient Anishinaabe footsteps that crossed Roncesvalles in days gone by. It’s inspiring to know that we the Anishinaabe Peoples are still here sharing stories/oral histories much as our ancestors did for thousands of years and thus bringing the values of our culture into the present day …

Please visit roncesvallesvillage.ca/8thfire/ to see the explanation for this mural.

India, Kerala or Kēraḷam, Backwaters.

Kerala’s rich in fish, fertile unique backwaters, South India, a network of interconnected five large lakes linked by canals, both manmade, fed by 38 rivers & brackish lagoons extending nearly half the length of Kerala state. A labyrinthine system formed by almost 1.000 km of waterways lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, known as the “Malabar Coast”.

The backwaters have an exceptional ecosystem; freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea, formed by the action of waves & shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range.

A Thannermukkom Salt Water Barrier, preventing salt water from the sea is entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes.

Numerous unique aquatic species including mudskippers, crabs, frogs, water birds such as kingfishers, darters, terns, darters & cormorants, animals like otters & turtles live in the backwaters area. Palm trees, pandanus bushes & other leafy plants grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green shade to the surrounding landscape.

📌….The unique backwaters are a network of interconnected five large lakes linked by canals, both manmade, fed by 38 rivers & brackish lagoons extending nearly half the length of Kerala state. A labyrinthine system formed by almost 1.000 km of waterways lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, known as the “Malabar Coast”.

The backwaters have an exceptional ecosystem; freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea, formed by the action of waves & shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range.

In the middle of this landscape there are a number of towns & cities, which serve as the starting & end points of backwater cruises. The backwaters are one of the noticeable tourist attractions in Kerala.

👉 One World one Dream,

🙏...Danke, Xièxie 谢谢, Thanks, Gracias, Merci, Grazie, Obrigado, Arigatô, Dhanyavad, Chokrane to you & over

17 million visits in my photostream with countless motivating comments

View of Glenicmurrin Lough from the Glenicmurrin side road to Rossaveel, which branches off from the N59 main road at Oughterard, County Galway, Ireland

Some background information:

Glenicmurrin Lough is a scenic lake in the Connemara region of the Irish County Galway. With a surface area of approximately 1.65 sqare kilometres (0.64 square miles) it lies within the civil parish of Kilcummin in the Barony of Moycullen. The terrain around the lake features rolling Connemara hills, peat bogs, and open water with characteristic moorland vegetation. Glenicmurrin Jough is frequented by both hikers and cyclists as several hiking loops and road cycling routes around the lough offer scenic Connemara views.

But the lake is also a vibrant destination for anglers as it is home to sea trout, brown trout, grilse, and notably Arctic char. Furthermore, it is part of the Costello & Fermoyle Fishery system, known for fly fishing and complex water flows that help manage fish migration through interconnected loughs and rivers. The Arctic char population in Glenicmurrin is considered significant, representing a remnant post‑Ice Age species that has persisted here when many similar populations have vanished

Glenicmurrin Lough receives ist water from several nearby lakes, including Loughnaskeha, Muckanagh Lough, and Lough Cloonadoon, while its outflow is the Cashla river. The river and lake system hydrology plays a key role in local fish migration: water flows can even reverse into nearby lakes Muckanagh and Clonadoon during floods, drawing sea trout into movement patterns beneficial to anglers and conservation.

With its more than 200 residents Rossaveel, whereto the Glenicmurrin side road led us, is a little Gaeltacht fishing village located about 37 kilometres (23 miles) to the west of Galway City. The village is the home of the Ros a' Mhíl centre, an Irish language immersion summer camp for teenagers. But it is mainly frequented for the ferry service to the Aran Islands that is run from Rossaveel harbour.

Connemara is a region on the Atlantic coast of western County Galway. The area has a strong association with traditional Irish culture and contains much of the Connacht Irish-speaking Gaeltacht, which is a key part of the identity of the region and is the largest Gaeltacht in the country.

Historically, Connemara was part of the territory of Iar Connacht (West Connacht). Geographically, it has many mountains (notably the Twelve Pins), peninsulas, coves, islands and small lakes. Connemara National Park is in the northwest of the region, which is mostly rural. Its largest settlement is Clifden.

County Galway is a county in the west of Ireland, taking up the south of the province of Connacht. The traditional county includes the city of Galway, but the city and county are separate local government areas. Currently, the population of the county is more than 276,000. In the west of the county, there are several Irish-speaking areas.

The first inhabitants in the Galway area arrived over 7000 years ago. The county originally comprised several kingdoms and territories which predate the formation of the county. These kingdoms included Aidhne, Uí Maine, Maigh Seóla, Conmhaícne Mara, Soghain and Máenmaige. In 1569, County Galway became an official entity. The region known as Connemara retains a distinct identity within the county, though its boundaries are unclear. Hence, it may account for as much as one third or as little as 20% of the county. Places of interest in Galway are among others the Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey and Dunguaire Castle.

I hope that aspen trees don't feel pain! Fortunately a lot of aspen trees are actually clones growing out of adjacent tree roots, so an entire grove may be interconnected, much of the "life" is below ground, and a burned grove can send up hundreds of shoots the following spring from surviving roots. This fall I'll be visiting some groves that burned a couple of years ago, to see if I can capture colorful leaves against charred trunks.

Taken from my driveway earlier this week.

I have been trying to slow down and find the beauty that is around though it could be hidden in plain sight. I liked the way the web has three legs connecting it in the middle which is held within the opening of the chained link fence. The image makes me think of how strong yet fragile our world is and how we are all interconnected. When we join together we can give support to those who need it.

Tonlé Sap (literally large river (tonle); fresh, not salty (sap), commonly translated to "Great Lake") refers to a seasonally inundated freshwater lake, the Tonlé Sap Lake and an attached river, the 120 km (75 mi) long Tonlé Sap River, that connects the lake to the Mekong.

They form the central part of a complex hydrological system, situated in the 12,876 km2 (4,971 sq mi) Cambodian floodplain covered with a mosaic of natural and agricultural habitats that the Mekong replenishes with water and sediments annually. The central plain formation is the result of millions of years of Mekong alluvial deposition and discharge. From a geological perspective, the Tonlé Sap Lake and Tonlé Sap River are a current freeze-frame representation of the slowly, but ever shifting Lower Mekong Basin. Annual fluctuation of the Mekong's water volume, supplemented by the Asian Monsoon regime causes the unique flow reversal of the Tonle Sap River.

The Tonlé Sap Lake occupies a geological depression (the lowest lying area) of the vast alluvial and lacustrine floodplain in the Lower Mekong Basin, which had been induced by the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate. The lake's size, length and water volume varies considerably over the course of a year from an area of around 2,500 km2 (965 sq mi), a volume of 1 km3 (0 cu mi) and a length of 160 km (99 mi) at the end of the dry season in late April to an area of up to 16,000 km2 (6,178 sq mi), a volume of 80 km3 (19 cu mi) and a length of 250 km (160 mi) as the Mekong maximum and the peak of the South-West monsoon's precipitation culminate in September and early October.

As one of the world’s most varied and productive ecosystems the region has always been of central importance for Cambodia's food provision. It proved capable to maintain the Angkorean civilization, the largest pre-industrial settlement complex in world history. Either directly or indirectly it affects the livelihood of large numbers of a predominantly rural population to this day. With regards to a growing and migrating population, ineffective administration and widespread indifference towards environmental issues the lake and its surrounding ecosystem is coming under increasing pressure from over-exploitation and habitat degradation, fragmentation and loss. All Mekong riparian states have either announced or already implemented plans to increasingly exploit the river's hydroelectric potential. A succession of international facilities that dam the river's mainstream is likely to be the gravest danger yet for the entire Tonle Sap eco-region.

The largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, that contains an exceptional large variety of interconnected eco-regions with a high degree of biodiversity is a biodiversity hotspot and was designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1997.

India, Kerala or Kēraḷam, Backwaters.

Kerala’s rich, fertile unique backwaters, South India, a network of interconnected five large lakes linked by canals, both manmade, fed by 38 rivers & brackish lagoons extending nearly half the length of Kerala state. A labyrinthine system formed by almost 1.000 km of waterways lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, known as the “Malabar Coast”.

The backwaters have an exceptional ecosystem; freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea, formed by the action of waves & shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range.

A Thannermukkom Salt Water Barrier, preventing salt water from the sea is entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes.

Numerous unique aquatic species including mudskippers, crabs, frogs, water birds such as kingfishers, darters, terns, darters & cormorants, animals like otters & turtles live in the backwaters area. Palm trees, pandanus bushes & other leafy plants grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green shade to the surrounding landscape.

In the middle of this landscape there are a number of towns & cities, which serve as the starting & end points of backwater cruises. The backwaters are one of the noticeable tourist attractions in Kerala.

👉 One World one Dream,

🙏...Danke, Xièxie 谢谢, Thanks, Gracias, Merci, Grazie, Obrigado, Arigatô, Dhanyavad, Chokrane to you & over

17 million visits in my photostream with countless motivating comments

Un grand pavois est un étendage de pavillons de signalisation (alphabet et chiffres) reliés entre eux de l'avant à l'arrière d'un bateau, en passant par les mâts.

Pour les arrivées et les départs les hommes sont dans la mâture.

Great bulwark is a spreading of signal flags (alphabet and numbers) interconnected front to the back of a boat through the masts.

For arrivals and departures men are aloft.

At Coronado State Monument, you not only get to see the classic Kuaua Ruin, but also an impressive view of Rio Grande and Sandia mountains beyond it.

If you are into the Native American history, this place is well worth a visit. The prehistoric Pueblo Indian village of Kuaua was one of many large settlements established during the Classic Period (1325 to 1600 A.D.) of Anasazi Culture. The site, located on the west bank of the Rio Grande, includes the remains of 1,200 interconnected adobe-walled surface dwellings and storage rooms, six kivas and three ceremonial plazas. The design is considered to be a typical village plan of the period. Also located on the site is a Spanish Pueblo Revival style museum designed by noted New Mexico architect John Gaw Meem. [National Park Service]

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is Croatia’s best-known national park, listed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage sites. It is a popular visiting destination all year round, and must-see for every visitor to Croatia.

Well known for its system of cascading lakes - whereby sixteen lovely lakes are interconnected by cascades and waterfalls. The park is simply beautiful. The main focus of park's beauty are sixteen lakes, divided into two parts - Gornja jezera (Upper lakes) and Donja Jezera (Lower Lakes), as well as numerous waterfalls and cascades.

For video, please visit youtu.be/6p-MI7efeCw

India, Kerala or Kēraḷam, Backwaters.

The unique backwaters are a network of interconnected five large lakes linked by canals, both manmade, fed by 38 rivers & brackish lagoons extending nearly half the length of Kerala state. A labyrinthine system formed by almost 1.000 km of waterways lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, known as the “Malabar Coast”.

The backwaters have an exceptional ecosystem; freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea, formed by the action of waves & shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range.

A Thannermukkom Salt Water Barrier, preventing salt water from the sea is entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes. Numerous unique aquatic species including mudskippers, crabs, frogs, water birds such as kingfishers, darters, terns, darters & cormorants, animals like otters & turtles live in the backwaters area. Palm trees, pandanus bushes & other leafy plants grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green shade to the surrounding landscape.

👉 One World one Dream,

🙏...Danke, Xièxie 谢谢, Thanks, Gracias, Merci, Grazie, Obrigado, Arigatô, Dhanyavad, Chokrane to you & over

17 million visits in my photostream with countless motivating comments