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This is the second in a series of collaborations with Beth involving multiple, digitally-manipulated photographic images. The modus operandi is the same as in our previous projects, namely emailing back and forth images, each taking a turn at creating something with it and continually adding in this vein until, through the magic of the interconnected worldwide web, we mutually agree that it is fini. However, prior to this, we primarily worked within DABC (Digital Art from a Blank Canvas) format, except in a few instances but, for this particular set of creations, collaborative abstracts are being combined with single subject photos (in this case, a McClaren 12C supercar) and allowing plenty of negative space in order to give prominence to both.
The first in the series is Possession.
Beth Rosengard's amazing photostream can be found here.
Uploaded for the Hypothetical Award's C.A.R. - Creative Automobile Reconstruction challenge.
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)
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
Excerpt from www.mississauga.ca/arts-and-culture/arts/public-art/tempo...:
Where the Land Meets the City: Stories of Land, Water and Community
This six-banner series brings together the heart of Mississauga—its land, water, and people. Inspired by the Credit River, Lake Ontario, local parks, and the oldest oak tree in the city, each banner celebrates how nature and community live side by side.
The artwork blends bold colors and meaningful symbols to tell stories of family, belonging, and connection. You’ll see references to local plant life, sacred animals, and the deep teachings carried by the land. The turtle, for example, reminds us of balance and creation, while the oak stands tall as a symbol of strength and time.
These banners are meant to brighten the streets with more than just colour—they’re here to share a sense of unity, invite reflection, and remind us that we’re all part of something bigger. Whether you’re walking by or taking a moment to pause, these pieces invite you into the story of Mississauga—rooted, growing, and full of life.
Excerpt from www.mississauga.ca/arts-and-culture/arts/public-art/tempo...:
Sky Dancers over Lake Ontario
Under a star-filled sky, three geese—nika—soar gracefully across the night, guided by the soft glow of the moon. Below them, the rippling waters of Lake Ontario mirror their movement, connecting sky and water in a quiet, harmonious rhythm.
In Anishinaabe teachings, geese symbolize teamwork, communication, and the importance of respectful cooperation within the community. Their flight formation reminds us that to build strong and supportive communities, we must move together in unity, with shared purpose and care.
In the distance, the silhouette of the city skyline rises against the horizon. It serves as a gentle reminder that even within urban spaces, the enduring rhythms of the land and water still remain, grounding us in the natural world.
Hummingbirds over Mississauga
This artwork beautifully captures the spirit of Mississauga through an Indigenous lens, embodying optimism, community, and connection to nature.
At the heart of the piece, two hummingbirds soar above the city skyline, symbolizing resilience, joy, and the strength of community. Hummingbirds, often seen as messengers in Indigenous teachings, represent the vibrancy and energy of Mississauga’s diverse neighborhoods.
The skyline, depicted in warm hues, reflects the city’s modern growth and cultural diversity, while the sun shines brightly, radiating a sense of warmth, hope, and unity. The blending of urban and natural elements symbolizes the balance between progress and deep-rooted traditions.
Below, the lush green landscape is rich with traditional Indigenous plants and medicines, such as wildflowers and berries, reinforcing themes of healing, renewal, and connection to the land. Flowing water at the bottom signifies harmony, movement, and life, essential aspects of both nature and thriving communities.
With its bold colors and dynamic composition, this piece welcomes all who walk Mississauga’s streets, inviting them to celebrate local pride, diversity, and shared belonging. It serves as a reminder that nature and urban life are interconnected, and that Indigenous teachings continue to shape and inspire the city’s future.
It's hard not to be distracted by all the graffiti on the walls...
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When we hear the phrase “first impression,” we tend to think of a person. Was the politician I recently voted for as inspiring when I heard his first speech as he was years later? (More so, sadly.) Was the girl that I married as beautiful at 13 as she was years later, in her twenties and thirties? (Yes, and yes.) Did Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind send more of a shiver down my spine in 1963 than it did when I heard it drifting from a car radio 45 years later? (No. It stops me dead in my tracks every time I hear it.)
It’s not just people that make first impressions on me. Cities do, too, perhaps because I encountered so many of them while my family moved every year throughout my childhood. Or perhaps it’s because, after seeing so many cities that I thought were different in the United States, I was so completely unprepared for the wild variety of sights and sounds and smells that I encountered as a grown man, when I traveled to Europe and South America, to Africa and Asia and Australia. And even today, there are cities that I’m visiting for the first time, and which continue to take me by surprise.
Athens is one of those cities. I don’t know what I was expecting… Something old, of course, something downright ancient, filled with smashed statues and marble columns like Rome, engraved with unreadable inscriptions in a language I never learned — but probably not as ancient as Cairo. Something hot and noisy and polluted and smelly, perhaps like Calcutta or the slums of Mumbai. Something gridlocked with noisy, honking traffic congestion, perhaps like Moscow.
What I didn’t expect was the wide, nearly-empty highways leading from the airport into the city. I didn’t expect the cleanliness of the tree-lined streets that ran in every direction. I did expect the white-washed buildings and houses that climbed the hills that surround the city — but the local people told me that buildings in Athens were positively gray compared to what I would have seen if I had stayed longer and ventured out to the Greek islands.
I also didn’t expect the graffiti that covered nearly every wall, on every building, up and down every street. They were mostly slogans and phrases in Greek (and therefore completely unintelligible to me), but with occasional crude references in English to IMF bankers, undercover policemen, a politician or two, and the CIA. There were a couple slogans from the Russian revolution of 1917, from the Castro uprising in Cuba, and even from the American revolution (“united we stand, divided we fall.”)
Naturally, I thought all of this had come about in just the past few months, as Greece has wrestled with its overwhelming financial crisis. But I was told by local citizens that much of the graffiti has been around for quite a bit longer than that – just as it has been in cities like New York and London. Some of it was wild and colorful, with cartoon figures and crazy faces … though I don’t think it quite rises to the level of “street art” that one sees in parts of SoHo, Tribeca, and the East Village in New York. What impressed me most about the graffiti in Athens was its vibrant energy; I felt like the artists were ready to punch a hole through the walls with their spray-cans.
These are merely my own first impressions; they won’t be the same as yours. Beyond that, there are a lot of facts, figures, and details if one wants to fully describe a city like Athens. Its recorded history spans some 3,400 years, and it includes the exploits of kings and generals, gods and philosophers, athletes and artists. There are statues and columns and ruins everywhere; and towering above it all is the breath-taking Acropolis. It’s far too rich and complex for me to describe here in any reasonable way; if you want to know more, find some books or scan the excellent Wikipedia summary.
It’s also hard to figure out what one should photograph on a first visit to a city like Athens. It’s impossible not to photograph the Acropolis, especially since it’s lit at night and visible from almost every corner of the city. I was interested in the possibility of photographing the complex in the special light before dawn or after sunset, but it’s closed to visitors except during “civilized” daytime hours. It’s also undergoing extensive renovations and repair, so much of it is covered in scaffolding, derricks, and cranes. In the end, I took a few panorama shots and telephoto shots, and explored the details by visiting the new Acropolis Museum, with the camera turned off.
Aside from that, the photos you’ll see here concentrate on two things: my unexpected “first impression” of the local graffiti, and my favorite of all subjects: people. In a couple cases, the subjects are unmistakably Greek – Greek orthodox priests, for example – and in a couple cases, you might think you were looking at a street scene in São Paulo or Mexico City. But in most of the shots, you’ll see examples of stylish, fashionable, interesting people that don’t look all that much different from the people I’ve photographed in New York, London, Rome, or Paris. Maybe we can attribute that to the homogenization of fashion and style in today’s interconnected global environment. Or maybe we can just chalk it up to the fact that people are, well … interesting … wherever you go.
In any case, enjoy. And if you get to Athens yourself, send me some photos of your own first impressions.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Southeast Europe and the largest national park in Croatia. In 1979, Plitvice Lakes National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage register.
The national park was founded in 1949 and is situated in the mountainous karst area of central Croatia, at the border to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The important north-south road connection, which passes through the national park area, connects the Croatian inland with the Adriatic coastal region.
The national park is world-famous for its lakes arranged in cascades. Currently, 16 lakes can be seen from the surface.
These lakes are a result of the confluence of several small rivers and subterranean karst rivers. The lakes are all interconnected and follow the water flow. They are separated by natural dams of travertine, which is deposited by the action of moss, algae, and bacteria. The particularly sensitive travertine barriers are the result of an interplay between water, air and plants. The encrusted plants and bacteria accumulate on top of each other, forming travertine barriers which grow at the rate of about 1 cm (0.4 in) per year.
The sixteen lakes are separated into an upper and lower cluster formed by runoff from the mountains, 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 kilometres (0.77 square miles), 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.
Through different climatic influences and the large difference in elevation within the protected area, a multifaceted flora and fauna has been created. The national park area is home to many endemic species. Those species that prevailed at the lakes before the arrival of man still exist.
source: Wikipedia.
Press ReleaseOct. 16, 2009
Natural Fire 10 - Joint Public Affairs Office
Opening ceremony in Northern Uganda marks start to humanitarian exercise
KITGUM, Uganda – The partnership exercise named Natural Fire 10, a multinational military exercise involving five East African partner states - plus partners from the U.S. military - began Oct. 16 in northern Uganda.
Soldiers from Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and the United States opened the exercise with a ceremony attended by senior military officials from each country.
The 10-day exercise focuses on humanitarian and civic assistance, disaster relief and regional security.
“The main objective of the exercise is to test the ability of our partner militaries to work together and with other organizations,” said Capt. Ronald Kakurungu, a spokesman for the Ugandan People’s Defense Force, who are hosting this year’s exercise. “Being able to work together improves our capability to respond to complex humanitarian emergencies and further demonstrate EAC members can act as one when facing challenges.”
Roughly 550 U.S. personnel and 133 military personnel from each of the five partner nations are taking part. All together, there will be nearly 1,220 participants. Three training opportunities are going on simultaneously. Medical, dental and engineering projects will assist the local community and security partnership exercises near Kitgum which will increase the soldiers’ ability to work together.
Meanwhile, in Kampala and Entebbe, military leaders and senior civilian officials from participating countries will take part in a tabletop exercise – facing simulated emergencies in Africa. This type of exercise will sharpen senior and mid-level military leaders’ skills in their response to disasters, to offer humanitarian assistance and to prepare for pandemic situations.
Medical care will include direct care by a doctor or dentist, to include optometry and pharmacy services as well as dental extractions. Education classes on HIV/AIDS, nutrition and hygiene will also be provided. The care will be provided at Pajimo Health Center, Palabek Health Center, Mucwini Health Center and Kitgum Government Hospital.
Engineers will work together to make improvements at a high school, primary school and a hospital. Improvements include repairing or replacing roofs, window panes and doors, repairing walls, installing handicap ramps and placing a concrete floor. Engineer projects will be conducted at the Kitgum High School, Mucwini Primary School and Kitgum Government Hospital.
Natural Fire 10 closes with a ceremony Oct. 25, when all participants will return to their countries.
“These opportunities place the EAC people face-to-face with both U.S. and partner nations displaying compassion and interest in their well-being,” Kakurungu said.
Natural Fire was first held in Kenya in 1998, with U.S. partnership. Since, then it has been held every two years in East Africa. In 2000, it grew to include Tanzania and Uganda, as well as the U.S. and Kenya – a significant step for the EAC alliance. In 2006, Natural Fire expanded to include field training and humanitarian assistance. Since then, the exercise has grown to feature five partner states, with the addition of soldiers from Burundi.
In September 2009, these five EAC partners completed their first exercise together, Mlima Kilimanjaro 2009, in Tanzania. Following Natural Fire 10, in November, the EAC partners will jointly participate in an exercise in Djibouti.
U.S. Army Africa, (USARAF), the land component of U.S. Africa Command, is co-leading the exercise with the Ugandan military. USARAF is committed to partnering African nations to enhance mutual understanding and increase stability, security and peace on the continent. That includes are strong cooperation with the EAC members. USARAF’s role supports U.S. President Barack Obama’s speech encouraging partnership among African countries with the US.
"African prosperity can expand America’s. Africa’s health and security can contribute to the world’s....so I do not see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world – as partners with America on behalf of the future that we want for all our children" - U.S. President Barack Obama, Ghana, July 2009.
Cleared for public release.
Staff Sgt. John Okumu carries the colors of the United States of America at the head of a formation of Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines of Task Force Kitgum during the opening ceremony for Natural Fire 10, Kitgum, Uganda, Oct. 16, 2009.
Photos by Spc. Jason Nolte, 21st Theater Sustainment Command
To learn more about U.S. Army Africa visit our official website at www.usaraf.army.mil
Official Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/usarmyafrica
Official YouTube video channel: www.youtube.com/usarmyafrica
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.
A fishing net over one of the natural canals of 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
Kintsugi is a series of interconnected mixed media photo books/zines meant to be read together, though in no particular order. The title refers to the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery, where fractures are not concealed but transformed into part of the whole. Similarly, the narrative unfolds in fragments—entries, logs, memos, and notes that, assembled, reveal a larger structure.
The texts document the Habitat and its inhabitants, who, under the supervision of The Vault, tend to the surrounding terrain and to the Shells—enigmatic local forms whose nature remains uncertain. What emerges is a record of observation, repair, and transformation—an act of narrative kintsugi.
Ocellated Lizard (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). 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. Photo by Nick Dobbs, Bergerac, France 07-08-12
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”.
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
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.
Herons, after their lunch they fly away over the paddy fields to .....somewhere.
The great white heron/egret are herons that have white or beige plumage, developing typically milky white, fine plumes during breeding season. The difference between a heron & an egret is rather nebulous, depending more on appearance than ecology. The word "egret" comes from the French word "aigrette" meaning both "silver heron" & "brush", referring to the long, filamentous feathers that seem to cascade down an egret's back during the breeding season.
Distributed across in most regions of the world with tropical & warmer climate, building tree-nests in colonies close to water.
📌….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.
The Paddy fields in the Kerala area are below sea level. Bunds around the rice fields keep out overflowing water into the fields.
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.
👉 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
We are beings of both body and soul, navigating through a complex and interconnected world. Our journey is one of self-discovery, contemplation, and emotional growth. We are capable of both great wisdom and great folly, and our choices shape our destiny. As we navigate through the waters of life, we must learn to balance the past, present, and future, to embrace the unknown with courage and curiosity, and to cultivate a clear and unbiased mind. By doing so, we can discover the true meaning of our existence and find our place in the grand tapestry of life.
© all rights reserved by B℮n
Please take your time... to View it large on black
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 same as last year we could ice skating on the Gouwsea. Ice skating can be done from Monnickendam - Nes - Marken and from Marken back. Infinite sea of ice is perfect for ice skating journeys. Besides ice skating Dutch also love Ice yachting. This is the sport of sailing and racing iceboats and is very popular in the Netherlands. Ice boats are racing at a speed of 100 km an hour over the ice of the Gouwsea.
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 taken of five Dutch speed skaters on the vast frozen Gouwsea. A historical moment since crossing the Gouwsea by skates is such a rare occurrence. Today I skate from Monnickendam - Nes - Marken - Nes and back to Monnickendam a trip of 16km, such a beautiful sea of ice to enjoy.
Op 26 januari 2013 een schaatstocht gemaakt met m'n dochter Samantha rond de Gouwzee van Monnickendam - Nes - Marken - Monnickendam. Bij Volendam lag dit keer te veel sneeuw en onbegaanbaar. Eindelijk weer een dag waarin Waterlanders de ijzers konden onderbinden. De Gouwzee helemaal dichtbevroren en dit is nu al vier van de drie laatste winters gebeurd. Maar het blijft een historische ijstocht. Vele honderden schaatsenrijders zoeken vandaag de bevroren oppervlakte van de Gouwzee op voor een schaatstocht langs alle havens. Mensen kunnen een rondje Gouwzee schaatsen. Een groot ijsoppervlakte tussen Monickendam en Marken met prima ijs. Een oneindig mooi gezicht op deze ijszee anno 2013. Het was genieten. De weilanden zijn hier wit, de Gouwzee totaal bevroren en de adem komt in kleine grijze pufjes uit mijn mond. Handen op de rug. Rustig ademen. Ik geniet van het geluid van de ijzers over het ijs en het prachtige uitzicht over de besneeuwde landschap. Het ijs is geweldig hier. Ik stop nog even voor het maken van foto. Vijf toerschaatser schaatsen hier richting Monnickendam met een flinke tegenwind.
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.
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
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.
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.
For my wife, my other half.
.
PHOTO RECIPE
___________________
Ingredients:
Chinese baoding balls
white paper for bottom and background
50mm F1.8 II +Canon 40D
White plastic diffuser
How it's done:
Simply set balls on paper, with paper bent up to provide background. Compose with one ball behind the other. Set aperture small enough to get good focus on one ball, and leave other in bokeh-liscious blurr.
I used the on camera flash, diffused through handheld white plastic diffuser. Manual exposure. Import RAW file to Adobe, do some contrast magic and pop it to flickr for your enjoyment and my ego!
What do you think? Not bad for a simple shot or it sucks?
Kintsugi is a series of interconnected mixed media photo books/zines meant to be read together, though in no particular order. The title refers to the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery, where fractures are not concealed but transformed into part of the whole. Similarly, the narrative unfolds in fragments—entries, logs, memos, and notes that, assembled, reveal a larger structure.
The texts document the Habitat and its inhabitants, who, under the supervision of The Vault, tend to the surrounding terrain and to the Shells—enigmatic local forms whose nature remains uncertain. What emerges is a record of observation, repair, and transformation—an act of narrative kintsugi.
This species can be found in most of Europe, including Great Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine.
Habitat.
These flies mainly occur in meadows and spruce forest edges.
Description.
Acidia cognata is a relatively large species, the body length reaching 6.5–7.0 millimetres (0.26–0.28 in), while the wing length reaches 4.9–6.9 millimetres (0.19–0.27 in). It has a golden orange-brown body. The head is pale yellow-white, with bright red eyes and a dull stripe on the forehead. The wings are markedly colored and shows five dark grey or brownish bands, which are interconnected. The first bandage begins at the base of the wings, while the fifth band lies on the wing tip.
De hoefbladboorvlieg (Acidia cognata) is een vliegensoort uit de familie van de boorvliegen (Tephritidae). De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1817 door Wiedemann.
Everything is part of everything. Some see a galaxy behaving like a molecule. or a solar system an atom. Few things in the nature are unique. she keeps using the same patterns over and over again in different ways. Here I see a brain with all its synapses. and ganglia interconnected in numerous ways.
This should be the door to your tavern.
Here? How?
Oh, just like L-Space, the Library Space, all Taverns are interconnected. Did it never happen to you, that you started drinking in one tavern, and woke up in another tavern on the other side of town?
Tavern Project Day 3751
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
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
Spreads from Kintsugi, a series of interconnected zines I’m working on. It is meant to be read in any order. Like the art of mending pottery, its fractured narrative forms a whole through fragments—logs, memos, and entries from the Habitat and its inhabitants. Overseen by The Vault, the inhabitants tend to the terrain and the Shells, blurring the line between human and machine, present and future, memory and repair.
Please feel free to have a browse of my Cyber Art Gallery - Exhibition:
www.flickr.com/photos/terryeve-draughting-ltd/albums/7217...
Artist Statement:
This abstract painting is a response to the powerful and raw beauty of the Scottish West Coast. The scene is both familiar and dreamlike, evoking the vastness of the landscape while allowing the viewer to feel the intense, often turbulent energy that resides within it.
In the foreground, the houses, walls, and fences are hinted at through bold, stippled & stabbing brushstrokes that convey their presence without becoming literal. These strokes are a burst of colour, with a cacophony of reds, blues, and yellows, each layer of paint building on the next. The brushwork is unapologetically brutal, reflecting the rugged, untamed spirit of the environment, yet there is a rhythmic harmony within the chaos. The shapes and forms are not defined by precision but rather by the emotional resonance of their implied outlines, allowing the viewer’s eye to wander freely, discovering the structure in the abstraction.
Moving towards the coastline, the colour palette shifts and softens slightly, but the raw energy remains. The sea is suggested through a combination of textured strokes and blended hues that evoke both the stillness and volatility of the water. The shoreline, though abstracted, becomes a more tangible presence as it recedes toward the bay, where the mountains rise up in a dreamlike haze. Their purple and pink tones emerge softly from the canvas, creating a sense of distance, while a few higher, snow-capped peaks offer a serene contrast to the vibrant chaos below.
The distant mountains, though depicted with minimal detail, serve as a grounding element, offering balance to the otherwise dynamic scene. Their snow-capped summits provide a quiet, calm counterpoint to the energetic brushstrokes and colourful turbulence of the foreground. The interplay between these elements reflects the duality of the West Coast landscape: simultaneously vast and intimate, tranquil and wild.
This work is a meditation on the emotional impact of landscape. Through abstraction, I aim to capture the essence of place—not through exacting representation, but through the evocation of atmosphere and the raw power of colour and texture. The painting is an invitation to feel the land, the sea, and the sky as one interconnected force, where the physical beauty of the scene gives way to the emotional experience of being in that space.
The An Teallach Mountain, one of Scotland's big & beautiful mountains. A hard day out for the experienced mountaineers / walkers.
© Jeff R. Clow
Mount Rundle is probably one of the most photographed mountains in the world... considering that it towers over Banff, Canada.
This was taken west of downtown and was shot from Vermilion Lakes - which is a series of three lakes that are interconnected and give an opportunity for plenty of foreground interest when photographing the jagged peak that is Mount Rundle.
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”.
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
Spreads from Kintsugi, a series of interconnected zines I’m working on. It is meant to be read in any order. Like the art of mending pottery, its fractured narrative forms a whole through fragments—logs, memos, and entries from the Habitat and its inhabitants. Overseen by The Vault, the inhabitants tend to the terrain and the Shells, blurring the line between human and machine, present and future, memory and repair.
I’m diving deeper and deeper into the surreal, sci fi world. Some of the images and text is done a long time ago. I’m now editing and putting it all together. It is all finally coming together!
still playing catch up here on flickr! i took this over this past winter - also when i wrote the description:
i always lean towards wanting to be so elegant, with my ways, and more specifically, with my words. but sometimes it just feels like the universe punched you in the face with a giant icicle. and there is no other way to put things more accurately. everything shatters, it hurts, you cant see straight, and its freaking ice cold.
im thankful i havent felt this way for a while now, but as the physical chill of the air here today in beautiful minnesota ripped across my skin i was reminded for a brief second - our emotional and physical beings are truly so interconnected.
im also so thankful to feel so supported. im thankful that i can be honest with you guys. that i can talk about things, both present and past, and feel no need to censor myself. it reminds me of a couple years ago when i colored my hair teal, and i always got asked - arent you worried no one will hire you with blue hair? well, no, i wasnt worried. cause i know yall got my back. sometimes im a broken record, but to anyone reading this, i absolutely hope you never forget how much you mean to me. its cause of you that i dont have to feel so cold.
p.s. funny story, i took a pic of my broken iphone to layer on and create the broken glasses. at least the thing is useful still.
follow on facebook to stay more up to date!
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.
📌….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
Foxes often live in the vicinity of humans. But I have never seen one in such a big city as Munich so far. On the outer rims of the inner city, where we live, there are several parks that are almost interconnected with each other. In the snowy, cold days of January I met our new neighbor already three times. Two times after dark, and once in the morning.
LA: Vulpes vulpes
EN: Red fox
DE: Rotfuchs
HU: Vörös róka
ÖBZ, Munich, Germany
One of the recurring themes of my daydreams is the flashback to some distant thought or memory. Sometimes a specific event or encounter. Other times a snippet of a past conversation, now torn away from its original context. Was in the midst of one of these flashback the other day, recalling a moment with someone I haven't seen or spoken with in over 30 years. "Why on earth am I thinking about this now?" I wonder to self. I got to thinking about what led me to that recollection. Funny thing is that it's almost never a metaphorical direct flight. More often it's a cascading effect like knocking over a row of dominoes. I hit an initial trip wire of thought, and that leads to a quick succession of other (quite random) thoughts and suddenly there I am, caught in a momentary time warp. There's little rhyme or reason to it. The end product varies. Sometimes I return to the same place in time, sometimes not. That's the nature of a flashback I suppose, bringing back a repressed memory. In my case I'm generally not recalling any sort of emotional trauma. That's the weird part. The returning thoughts are often quite mundane, but for some reason were ingrained deep down. Now as my age advances, they float back to the surface. I've noticed another pattern where specific tasks (usually physical, not involving a great deal of thought in their own right) lead me back down the same memory path. Somehow the modern day task has become interconnected with a past event, and the connection can remain for weeks or even months until it is broken off by a new one. I've even noticed this in my sleeping dreams where I'll either return to the past, or something from the past will return to the present. This will cause me to remember things of which I had no conscious memory. I wonder if time is not as linear as it seems. I also wonder if any of this plays out visually in photography, or at the very least helps shape the way I see things when out shooting.
I associated this story with the little figurine in this photo I suppose on account of the missing head. A metaphor for daydreaming on one level. When I first encountered this tiny statue I was struck by the awful juxtaposition of peace and serenity in the lower half of the body with the ghastly decapitation. But even more startling perhaps is the seeming ease with which the two realms coexist...the past blending with the new reality. The perched bird seemed to tie it all together somehow. Anyway the mere act of photographing this tableau ensures that it will be available for future playback in my mind.
In around the 11th century, two byzantine chapels were carved directly into the rock of the Davelis cave entrance which are rather unusual in the fact that they are interconnected, converging as one church within two sanctums and are said to be dedicated to Saint Spyridon and Saint Nicolas. The smaller of the chapels contains glyphs and engravings thought to have been produced by the anchorites, and there is a mural in the larger one depicting Michael Akominatos, the last Greek archbishop of Athens.
They were used by twelfth-century Christian hermits associated with the Gnostics.
Today's outing with the Environmental Cultural Club of Attica (www.peripolo.gr) was to visit the Ancient quarries of Mount Pentelikon where the world renowned marble was taken from, which was used to build the Acropolis and other Ancient Monuments.
The ancient quarry is protected by law, and used exclusively to obtain material for the Acropolis Restoration Project. This roadway, used to transport marble blocks from the quarry to the Acropolis in antiquity, is a continual downhill, and follows the natural lay of the land. It has been researched and fully documented by the chief Acropolis restoration architect, Professor Manolis Korres, in his award-winning book "From Pentelicon to the Parthenon". A monastery is also located in the middle of the mountain, north-east of city centre.
Thanassis Fournarakos - Θανάσης Φουρναράκος
Professional Photographer, Athens, Greece
(retired in 2011, born in 1946).
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
None of my images may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, manipulated or used on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. THANK YOU!
This photograph has achieved the following highest awards:
* GALAXY HALL OF FAME
* THE GALAXY STARS HALL OF FAME
India, Kerala or Kēraḷam, Backwaters, “The big Bamboo”
Bamboo forests play a key role in combating the threat of global warming, converting around 35% more CO2 into oxygen than a hectare of the same sized ordinary trees, also are they providing a home to many species that are at risk of losing their habitat to deforestation.
Bamboo is a grass & grows indefinitely, the fastest growing bamboo grows up to 91 cm per day; giant bamboo grows up to 30 m in just 6 months.
In bamboo, as in other grasses, the intern odal regions of the stem are usually hollow & the vascular bundles in the cross-section are scattered throughout the stem instead of in a cylindrical arrangement.
Bamboo is versatile, it has notable economic & cultural significance in Asia, being used for building materials, as a food source, as a raw product & depicted often in arts, such as in bamboo paintings etc.. Bamboo, like wood, is a natural composite material with a high strength-to-weight ratio useful for structures. Bamboo's strength-to-weight ratio is similar to timber, its strength is generally similar to a strong softwood or hardwood timber.
📌….Kerala’s rich, fertile unique backwaters, 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 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
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
The largest search of the loch for Nessie is being carried out this weekend using infra red cameras on dronesand sonar. People have come from all over the world to help in the search.
Being like most of us a Nessie sceptic I really hope they find something.
Loch Ness (/ˌlɒx ˈnɛs/; Scottish Gaelic: Loch Nis [l̪ˠɔx ˈniʃ]) is a large freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately 37 kilometres (23 miles) southwest of Inverness. It takes its name from the River Ness, which flows from the northern end. Loch Ness is best known for claimed sightings of the cryptozoological Loch Ness Monster, also known affectionately as "Nessie" (Scottish Gaelic: Niseag). It is one of a series of interconnected, murky bodies of water in Scotland; its water visibility is exceptionally low due to the high peat content of the surrounding soil. The southern end connects to Loch Oich by the River Oich and a section of the Caledonian Canal. The northern end connects to Loch Dochfour via the River Ness, which then ultimately leads to the North Sea via the Moray Firth.
At 56 km2 (22 sq mi), Loch Ness is the second-largest Scottish loch by surface area after Loch Lomond, but due to its great depth it is the largest by volume in Great Britain. Its deepest point is 230 metres (126 fathoms; 755 feet), making it the second deepest loch in Scotland after Loch Morar. It contains more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined, and is the largest body of water in the Great Glen, which runs from Inverness in the north to Fort William in the south. Its surface is 16 metres (52 feet) above sea level. It contains a single, artificial island named Cherry Island (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Muireach) at the southwestern end. There are nine villages around the loch, as well as Urquhart Castle; the village of Drumnadrochit contains a "Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition".
The navigli (Italian pronunciation: [naˈviʎʎi]; Lombard: Navili [naˈʋiːli]) are a system of interconnected canals in and around Milan, in the Italian region of Lombardy, dating back as far as the Middle Ages.
The system consists of five canals: Naviglio Grande, Naviglio Pavese, Naviglio Martesana, Naviglio di Paderno, Naviglio di Bereguardo. The first three were connected through Milan via the Fossa Interna, also known as the Inner Ring. The urban section of the Naviglio Martesana was covered over at the beginning of the 1930s, together with the entire Inner Ring. Commercial carrying continued on the Naviglio Grande, but the decline was steady and by the 1960s a project of a fluvial port to reach the Po River and consequentially the Adriatic Sea through the canals was shelved for good.
Today, the canals are mostly used for irrigation. Some tourist navigation options are also available along certain sections.
The Naviglio Grande and Pavese come together in Milan in the Darsena: all this area is a touristic hotspot and the stage for the Milanese nightlife, with many restaurants and bars.
India, Kerala or Kēraḷam, Backwaters.
Lift fishing nets are a type of stationary operated fishing 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