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Forsythia, also known as garden forsythia, gold lilac or gold bells, is a frequently planted ornamental shrub. It is a hybrid of two species from the forsythia genus. This belongs to the olive tree family.

  

Die Forsythie, auch Garten-Forsythie, Goldflieder oder Goldglöckchen genannt, ist ein häufig gepflanzter Zierstrauch. Es handelt sich um eine Hybride zweier Arten aus der Gattung der Forsythien. Diese gehört zur Familie der Ölbaumgewächse.

Commonly known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of orchids in the family orchid. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines. A few to many, small to large, long-lasting, flat, often fragrant flowers are arranged on erect to hanging racemes or panicles. The sepals and petals are free from and spread widely apart from each other. The lateral sepals are usually larger than the dorsal sepal and the petals much wider than the sepals. The labellum is joined stiffly to the column and has three lobes. The side lobes are erect and more or less parallel to each other and the middle lobe sometimes has a pair of appendages or antennae. 66054

It is well known that the lakes in the Upper Engadine freeze at an altitude around 1800 metres in winter, and I wanted to experience this for myself. I travelled there in mid-February in the most beautiful weather - and it was far too warm for the time of year! But the Lake Sils was frozen and I - like many others - hiked across it to the mouth of the Aua da Fedoz. There, however, the lake was open and formed gorgeous ice sculptures. I just had to make sure that the ice under my feet was stable enough, a cold bath would have been a bit unpleasant...

 

Es ist bekannt, dass die Seen im Oberengadin auf rund 1800 Meter im Winter gefrieren, und das wollte ich einmal selber erleben. Mitte Februar bin ich bei schönstem Wetter hingereist - und es war viel zu warm für die Jahreszeit! Doch der Silsersee war zugefroren und ich bin - wie viele andere auch - darüber gewandert bis zur Flussmündung der Aua da Fedoz. Dort war der See allerdings offen und bildete wunderschöne Eisskulpturen. Ich musste beim Fotografieren nur gut aufpassen, dass das Eis unter meinen Füssen stabil genug war, ein kaltes Bad wäre etwas unangenehm gewesen...

  

Commonly known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of orchids in the family orchid. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines. A few to many, small to large, long-lasting, flat, often fragrant flowers are arranged on erect to hanging racemes or panicles. The sepals and petals are free from and spread widely apart from each other. The lateral sepals are usually larger than the dorsal sepal and the petals much wider than the sepals. The labellum is joined stiffly to the column and has three lobes. The side lobes are erect and more or less parallel to each other and the middle lobe sometimes has a pair of appendages or antennae. 31410

Alto Caparaó is known throughout the national territory for its natural beauty, and is one of the most beautiful regions in terms of ecotourism destinations for those who love and appreciate nature. A region of beautiful mountains that form a valley that surrounds the city, with an exuberant landscape, Alto Caparaó invites us to feel the fresh air, bathe in crystalline waters and fall in love with the climate and its natural beauties.

 

Commonly known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of orchids in the family orchid. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines. A few to many, small to large, long-lasting, flat, often fragrant flowers are arranged on erect to hanging racemes or panicles. The sepals and petals are free from and spread widely apart from each other. The lateral sepals are usually larger than the dorsal sepal and the petals much wider than the sepals. The labellum is joined stiffly to the column and has three lobes. The side lobes are erect and more or less parallel to each other and the middle lobe sometimes has a pair of appendages or antennae. 11342

* Vlad III, commonly known as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracula was Voivode of Wallachia three times between 1448 and his death. He is often considered one of the most important rulers in Wallachian history and a national hero of Romania.

 

Count Dracula is the title character of Bram Stoker's 1897 gothic horror novel Dracula. He is considered to be both the prototypical and the archetypal vampire in subsequent works of fiction. He is also depicted in the novel to have been the origin of werewolf legends. Some aspects of the character are believed to have been inspired by the 15th-century Wallachian Prince Vlad the Impaler, who was also known as Dracula.

 

Bran Castle is a castle in Bran, 25 kilometres (16 mi) southwest of Brașov. It is a national monument and landmark in Transylvania. The fortress is on the Transylvanian side of the historical border with Wallachia, on road DN73.

 

Commonly known outside Transylvania as Dracula's Castle, it is often referred to as the home of the title character in Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Beach roses also known as saltspray roses growing among the rocks in the Otter Cliffs in Acadia National Park, Maine

Commonly known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of orchids in the family orchid. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines. A few to many, small to large, long-lasting, flat, often fragrant flowers are arranged on erect to hanging racemes or panicles. The sepals and petals are free from and spread widely apart from each other. The lateral sepals are usually larger than the dorsal sepal and the petals much wider than the sepals. The labellum is joined stiffly to the column and has three lobes. The side lobes are erect and more or less parallel to each other and the middle lobe sometimes has a pair of appendages or antennae. 43714

Portrait of Artc Wolf, Espace Zoologique, Saint Martin La Plaine, France

 

The Arctic wolf, Canis lupus arctos, also known as the white wolf or polar wolf, is a subspecies of grey wolf native to Canada's Queen Elizabeth Islands, from Melville Island to Ellesmere Island.

Arctic wolves inhabit the Arctic regions of North America and Greenland. Thanks to its isolation, the Arctic wolf is not threatened by hunting and habitat destruction in the same way as its southern relatives. But it does face threats. In 1997 there was a decline in the Arctic wolf population and its prey, muskoxen, and Arctic hares.

 

© www.myplanetexperience.com

Magnolia champaca, known in English as champak, is a large evergreen tree in the family Magnoliaceae. It is known for its fragrant flowers, and its timber used in woodworking. The tree is native to the Indomalaya ecozone, consisting of South Asia, Southeast Asia−Indochina, and southern China. In its native range Magnolia champaca grows to 50 metres or taller. Its trunk can be up to 1.9 metres in diameter. The tree has a narrow umbelliform crown. It has strongly fragrant flowers in varying shades of cream to yellow-orange which bloom during June to September. 7413

Piercy Island, often known simply as "The Hole In The Rock” is located off the north coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is at the very northern tip of Cape Brett in the Bay of Islands. The island is more of a rock, barren only having gannets and other sea birds call it home.

The island itself was named Piercy Island by Captain Cook in honour of one of the Lords of the Admiralty and is called Motukokako in Maori.

The 60-foot (18 m) hole at sea level was created over centuries by wind and waves.

The succulent plant popularly known as aranto, mother of a thousand or mother of thousands is perhaps the easiest to grow, as well as the fastest propagating plant. The Kalanchoe daigremontiana lives up to its nickname, producing thousands of seedlings at the speed of light.

 

The genus Kalanchoe, belonging to the Crassulaceae family, originates from tropical regions of the African continent, being quite common on the island of Madagascar.

 

The aranto or mother of thousands, in turn, belongs to the Kalanchoe daigremontiana species. It is a very common succulent plant in collections, due to its resistance and ease of cultivation. However, as it multiplies very quickly, it can become a problem, thanks to this invasive profile. Over time, it can be difficult to control its propagation in pots, flower beds and gardens. As its name implies, aranto has the ability to generate new shoots along all the edges of its leaves. These seedlings stand out very easily, generating new individuals when they fall to the ground.

 

Despite this inconvenience, the ornamental and curious effect of the leaves embroidered by countless sprouts is undeniable. Very often, they start to take root, still attached to the mother plant. In this same genus of Aranto, there is still another species, Kalanchoe delagoensis, which also has this characteristic of producing buds on the edges of the leaves. She is also known as the mother of a thousand or the mother of thousands. However, its leaves are much narrower and longer, it is a different species from the aranto in appearance. It is called on the outside the chandelier plant, or chandelier plant.

 

Plants grow up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall and have opposite and whorled, fleshy oblong-lanceolate leaves which grow up to 20 cm (8 in) long and 32 mm (1+1⁄4 in) wide. They are green above and blotched with purple underneath. Leaf margins have spoon-shaped bulbiliferous spurs which bear plantlets which may form roots while still attached to leaves.

 

All parts of this species contain a very toxic steroid known as daigremontianin.

Kingfisher - Alcedo Atthis

  

The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) also known as the Eurasian kingfisher, and river kingfisher, is a small kingfisher with seven subspecies recognized within its wide distribution across Eurasia and North Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but migrates from areas where rivers freeze in winter.

 

This sparrow-sized bird has the typical short-tailed, large-headed kingfisher profile; it has blue upperparts, orange underparts and a long bill. It feeds mainly on fish, caught by diving, and has special visual adaptations to enable it to see prey under water. The glossy white eggs are laid in a nest at the end of a burrow in a riverbank.

 

The female is identical in appearance to the male except that her lower mandible is orange-red with a black tip. The juvenile is similar to the adult, but with duller and greener upperparts and paler underparts. Its bill is black, and the legs are also initially black. Feathers are moulted gradually between July and November with the main flight feathers taking 90–100 days to moult and regrow. Some that moult late may suspend their moult during cold winter weather.

 

The flight of the kingfisher is fast, direct and usually low over water. The short rounded wings whirr rapidly, and a bird flying away shows an electric-blue "flash" down its back.

 

The common kingfisher is widely distributed over Europe, Asia, and North Africa, mainly south of 60°N. It is a common breeding species over much of its vast Eurasian range, but in North Africa it is mainly a winter visitor, although it is a scarce breeding resident in coastal Morocco and Tunisia. In temperate regions, this kingfisher inhabits clear, slow-flowing streams and rivers, and lakes with well-vegetated banks. It frequents scrubs and bushes with overhanging branches close to shallow open water in which it hunts. In winter it is more coastal, often feeding in estuaries or harbours and along rocky seashores. Tropical populations are found by slow-flowing rivers, in mangrove creeks and in swamps.

 

Like all kingfishers, the common kingfisher is highly territorial; since it must eat around 60% of its body weight each day, it is essential to have control of a suitable stretch of river. It is solitary for most of the year, roosting alone in heavy cover. If another kingfisher enters its territory, both birds display from perches, and fights may occur, in which a bird will grab the other's beak and try to hold it under water. Pairs form in the autumn but each bird retains a separate territory, generally at least 1 km (0.62 mi) long, but up to 3.5 km (2.2 mi) and territories are not merged until the spring.

 

Very few birds live longer than one breeding season. The oldest bird on record was 21 years.

 

They are also listed as a Schedule 1 species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act offering them additional protection.

 

Population:

 

UK breeding:

3,800-6,400 pairs

Nymphoides crenata, commonly known as wavy marshwort, is an aquatic perennial herb of the family Menyanthaceae endemic to Australia, found in all mainland states and the Northern Territory. It is a stoloniferous, floating, perennial with stems up to 3 m long. The petioles of the basal leaves are from 8–42 cm long. The leaf lamina are ovate to circular, and deeply cordate and vary from 3 to 15 cm in length. The stem leaves are smaller, and sometimes kidney-shaped. The flowers heterostylous, (see the gallery) and there can be from 8 to14 in clusters subtended by 1–4 stem leaves, or sometimes in spaced pairs along a short inflorescence. The calyx is from 5.5 to 16 mm long and the corolla from 20 to 50 mm in diameter. There are usually 4 lobes (sometimes 4 or 6) and there are usually 5 stigmas (but from 2-5). It grows on floodplains, in swamps, lagoons, irrigation channels, and also in temporarily inundated depressions, and in slow-flowing streams where the depth of the water is up to about 1.5 m deep, usually on mud, and it will persist on drying mud. 13171

Lago Misurina, also known as the "Pearl of the Dolomites" for its beauty, is the largest natural basin of Cadore.

As a jewel set among the UNESCO Dolomites, Lake Misurina stands at 1756 m. and is known not only for its charm, but also for the therapeutic properties it offers thanks to the particularly healthy microclimate.

 

A legend says that the lake was a gift from the fairy of Monte Cristallo to the daughter of King Sorapiss, Misurina, who insistently wanted a magic mirror. The mirror (water) was given to the girl, but on one condition: that the king became an imposing mountain, and so it explained the formation of the mountain range Sorapiss and the beautiful lake.

 

Around Lake Misurina we can see some of the most beautiful peaks of the Dolomites: the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Sorapiss, Cadini and Cristallo.

It is the ideal place to make pleasant excursions in contact with nature, suitable for families and experienced hikers, but also to spend pleasant moments of relaxation.

 

View large, please ;)

Known as the Black Bridge, it spans the Androscoggin River between the towns of Brunswick (on the left) and Topsham, Maine. The span shown is a railroad bridge. In 2014, a second level that was suspended from this metal span was removed for safety reasons. That lower level was used by motorized vehicles and made for an unusual design.

Nemateleotris magnifica, known by a variety of common names including fire goby, magnificent fire fish, fire dartfish, or red fire goby is a species of dartfish native to the Indian and Pacific oceans from the eastern coast of Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and from the Austral Islands north to the Ryukyu Islands. It is an inhabitant of coral reefs where it can be found at depths of from 6 to 70 metres (20 to 230 ft). It is usually found just above the bottom, facing into the current, where it awaits its prey of small invertebrates.

They usually have a bright yellow head, merging into a white body, gradually shading into a red-orange tail. Their dorsal fins are very long, and the fish flicks it back and forth. This is used as a signal to other members of its group. As a full grown adult, it reaches a maximum length of 9 centimetres (3.5 in). Adults occupy sandy burrows alone or in pairs, while the juveniles live in small groups. These fish are monogamous. They will retreat to burrows if threatened. (Wikipedia) Mabini, South Luzon, Philippines.

Commonly known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of orchids in the family orchid. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines. A few to many, small to large, long-lasting, flat, often fragrant flowers are arranged on erect to hanging racemes or panicles. The sepals and petals are free from and spread widely apart from each other. The lateral sepals are usually larger than the dorsal sepal and the petals much wider than the sepals. The labellum is joined stiffly to the column and has three lobes. The side lobes are erect and more or less parallel to each other and the middle lobe sometimes has a pair of appendages or antennae. R_2578

Otherwise known as bramble, blackberry, European blackberry, black heg, wild blackberry and bramble berry.

 

UK folklore dictates that blackberries should not be picked after Old Michaelmas Day in October, as the Devil has sullied them. Brambles used to be planted on graves to stop sheep grazing, but might also have had the more superstitious purpose of keeping the dead in.

 

The Woodland Trust - www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/...

Commonly known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of orchids in the family orchid. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines. A few to many, small to large, long-lasting, flat, often fragrant flowers are arranged on erect to hanging racemes or panicles. The sepals and petals are free from and spread widely apart from each other. The lateral sepals are usually larger than the dorsal sepal and the petals much wider than the sepals. The labellum is joined stiffly to the column and has three lobes. The side lobes are erect and more or less parallel to each other and the middle lobe sometimes has a pair of appendages or antennae. 64300

Known locally as "Whalley Arches", Whalley Viaduct is a 48 span railway bridge crossing the River Calder and a listed structure.

It was built between 1846 and 1850 under the engineering supervision of Terrence Wolfe Flanagan and formed part of the Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe and West Yorkshire Railway. It is a red brick arch structure and the longest and largest railway viaduct in Lancashire.[4] It carries the railway, now known as the Ribble Valley Line, 21.3m over the river for 620m.

  

Whalley Arches, east side, from the road

Over 7 million bricks and 12,338 cubic metres of stone were used in construction. 3,000m of timber were used for the arch centring, temporary platforms and the permanent foundation piles. During construction on 6 October 1849, two of the 41 arches then completed collapsed, with the loss of three lives.

The east side of the bridge, nearest the remains of the Abbey, has the only decorative treatment

Belhaven Bridge, known as the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’, is a bridge across the Biel Water. The Biel Water is a stream that runs through the village of Biel into Belhaven Bay.

 

The bridge is something of a misnomer because at low tide it's used to cross the stream and enter Belhaven Bay beach. As the tide comes in, water rushes in and fills the surrounding land, isolating the bridge.

Known as this as it resembles a Mexican sombrero. Drought tolerant and they love it in full sun. Attractive to bees and butterflies. We have plenty so enough for all to enjoy.

(Also known as prairie cone flower)

Kingfisher - Alcedo Atthis

  

The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) also known as the Eurasian kingfisher, and river kingfisher, is a small kingfisher with seven subspecies recognized within its wide distribution across Eurasia and North Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but migrates from areas where rivers freeze in winter.

 

This sparrow-sized bird has the typical short-tailed, large-headed kingfisher profile; it has blue upperparts, orange underparts and a long bill. It feeds mainly on fish, caught by diving, and has special visual adaptations to enable it to see prey under water. The glossy white eggs are laid in a nest at the end of a burrow in a riverbank.

 

The female is identical in appearance to the male except that her lower mandible is orange-red with a black tip. The juvenile is similar to the adult, but with duller and greener upperparts and paler underparts. Its bill is black, and the legs are also initially black. Feathers are moulted gradually between July and November with the main flight feathers taking 90–100 days to moult and regrow. Some that moult late may suspend their moult during cold winter weather.

 

The flight of the kingfisher is fast, direct and usually low over water. The short rounded wings whirr rapidly, and a bird flying away shows an electric-blue "flash" down its back.

 

The common kingfisher is widely distributed over Europe, Asia, and North Africa, mainly south of 60°N. It is a common breeding species over much of its vast Eurasian range, but in North Africa it is mainly a winter visitor, although it is a scarce breeding resident in coastal Morocco and Tunisia. In temperate regions, this kingfisher inhabits clear, slow-flowing streams and rivers, and lakes with well-vegetated banks. It frequents scrubs and bushes with overhanging branches close to shallow open water in which it hunts. In winter it is more coastal, often feeding in estuaries or harbours and along rocky seashores. Tropical populations are found by slow-flowing rivers, in mangrove creeks and in swamps.

 

Like all kingfishers, the common kingfisher is highly territorial; since it must eat around 60% of its body weight each day, it is essential to have control of a suitable stretch of river. It is solitary for most of the year, roosting alone in heavy cover. If another kingfisher enters its territory, both birds display from perches, and fights may occur, in which a bird will grab the other's beak and try to hold it under water. Pairs form in the autumn but each bird retains a separate territory, generally at least 1 km (0.62 mi) long, but up to 3.5 km (2.2 mi) and territories are not merged until the spring.

 

Very few birds live longer than one breeding season. The oldest bird on record was 21 years.

 

They are also listed as a Schedule 1 species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act offering them additional protection.

 

Population:

 

UK breeding:

3,800-6,400 pairs

 

Autumn, also known as Fall in American English and Canadian English, is one of the four temperate seasons. Outside the tropics, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, in September (Northern Hemisphere) or March (Southern Hemisphere). Autumn is the season when the duration of daylight becomes noticeably shorter and the temperature cools considerably. Day length decreases and night length increases as the season progresses until the Winter Solstice in December (Northern Hemisphere) and June (Southern Hemisphere). One of its main features in temperate climates is the striking change in colour for the leaves of deciduous trees as they prepare to shed.

 

Thank you for visits, comments and favs!

 

Vielen Dank für Eure Besuche, Kommentare und Sternchen!

 

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved

Commonly known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of orchids in the family orchid. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines. A few to many, small to large, long-lasting, flat, often fragrant flowers are arranged on erect to hanging racemes or panicles. The sepals and petals are free from and spread widely apart from each other. The lateral sepals are usually larger than the dorsal sepal and the petals much wider than the sepals. The labellum is joined stiffly to the column and has three lobes. The side lobes are erect and more or less parallel to each other and the middle lobe sometimes has a pair of appendages or antennae. 4533

Commonly known as boat orchids, is a genus of evergreen flowering plants in the orchid family Orchidaceae. Orchids in this genus are epiphytic, lithophytic, terrestrial or rarely leafless saprophytic herbs usually with pseudobulbs. There are usually between three and twelve leaves arranged in two ranks on each pseudobulb or shoot and lasting for several years. From one to a large number of flowers are arranged on an unbranched flowering stem arising from the base of the pseudobulb. The sepals and petals are all free from and similar to each other. The labellum is significantly different from the other petals and the sepals and has three lobes. There are about fifty-five species and sixteen further natural hybrids occurring in the wild from tropical and subtropical Asia to Australia. Cymbidiums are well known in horticulture and many cultivars have been developed. Plants in the genus Cymbidium are epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial plants, or rarely leafless saprophytes. All are sympodial evergreen herbs. Some species have thin stems but in most species the stems are modified as pseudobulbs. When present, there are from three to twelve leaves arrange in two ranks and last for several years. The leaf bases remain after the leaf has withered, forming a sheath around the pseudobulb. The flowers are arranged on an unbranched flowering stem which arises from the base of the pseudobulb or rarely from a leaf axil. They are among the oldest horticultural orchids in the world. They are among the most popular orchid genus. They're an important cut flower crop for florists and are widely cultivated as a grower's fancy. 3949

Commonly known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of orchids in the family orchid. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines. A few to many, small to large, long-lasting, flat, often fragrant flowers are arranged on erect to hanging racemes or panicles. The sepals and petals are free from and spread widely apart from each other. The lateral sepals are usually larger than the dorsal sepal and the petals much wider than the sepals. The labellum is joined stiffly to the column and has three lobes. The side lobes are erect and more or less parallel to each other and the middle lobe sometimes has a pair of appendages or antennae. 16395

Dún Aonghasa (Unofficial anglicised version Dun Aengus) is the best-known of several prehistoric hill forts on the Aran Islands of County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It lies on Inis Mór, at the edge of a 100-metre-high (330 ft) cliff.

 

A popular tourist attraction, Dún Aonghasa is an important archaeological site.

History

 

It is not known exactly when Dún Aonghasa was built, though it is now thought that most of the structures date from the Bronze Age and Iron Age. T. F. O'Rahilly surmised in what is known as O'Rahilly's historical model that it was built in the 2nd century BC by the Builg following the Laginian conquest of Connacht.Excavations at the site indicate that the first construction goes back to 1100 BC, when rubble was piled against large upright stones to form the first enclosure. Around 500 BC, the triple wall defenses were probably constructed along the fort's western side.

 

The 19th-century artist George Petrie called "Dún Aonghasa" "the most magnificent barbaric monument in Europe". Its name, meaning "Fort of Aonghas", may refer to the pre-Christian god of the same name described in Irish mythology, or the mythical king, Aonghus mac Úmhór. It has thus traditionally been associated with the Fir Bolg.

Form and function

 

The fort consists of a series of four concentric walls of dry stone construction, built on a high cliff some one hundred metres above the sea. At the time of its construction sea levels were considerably lower and a recent Radio Telefis Eireann documentary estimates that originally it was 1000 metres from the sea. Surviving stonework is four metres wide at some points. The original shape was presumably oval or D-shaped but parts of the cliff and fort have since collapsed into the sea. Outside the third ring of walls lies a defensive system of stone slabs, known as a cheval de frise, planted in an upright position in the ground and still largely well-preserved. These ruins also feature a huge rectangular stone slab, the function of which is unknown. Impressively large among prehistoric ruins, the outermost wall of Dún Aonghasa encloses an area of approximately 6 hectares (14 acres).

Today

 

The walls of Dún Aonghasa have been rebuilt to a height of 6m and have wall walks, chambers, and flights of stairs. The restoration is easily distinguished from the original construction by the use of mortar.[citation needed]

 

There is a small museum illustrating the history of the fort and its possible functions. Also in the vicinity is a Neolithic tomb and a small heritage park featuring examples of a traditional thatched cottage and an illegal poteen distillery.

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%BAn_Aonghasa

The City and Borough of Juneau, more commonly known simply as Juneau (/ˈdʒuːnoʊ/ JOO-noh; Tlingit: Dzánti K'ihéeni [ˈtsʌ́ntʰɪ̀ kʼɪ̀ˈhíːnɪ̀]), is the capital city of the state of Alaska. Located in the Gastineau Channel and the Alaskan panhandle, it is a unified municipality and the second-largest city in the United States by area. Juneau was named the capital of Alaska in 1906, when the government of what was then the District of Alaska was moved from Sitka as dictated by the U.S. Congress in 1900. The municipality unified on July 1, 1970, when the city of Juneau merged with the city of Douglas and the surrounding Greater Juneau Borough to form the current municipality, which is larger by area than both Rhode Island and Delaware.

 

Downtown Juneau (58°18′00″N 134°24′58″W) is nestled at the base of Mount Juneau and across the channel from Douglas Island. As of the 2020 census, the City and Borough had a population of 32,255,[2] making it the third-most populous city in Alaska after Anchorage and Fairbanks. Juneau experiences a daily influx of roughly 6,000 people from visiting cruise ships between the months of May and September.[citation needed]

 

The city is named after a gold prospector from Quebec, Joe Juneau, though the place was once called Rockwell and then Harrisburg (after Juneau's co-prospector, Richard Harris). The Tlingit name of the town is Dzántik'i Héeni ("Base of the Flounder's River," dzánti 'flounder,' –kʼi 'base,' héen 'river'), and Auke Bay just north of Juneau proper is called Áak'w ("Little lake," áa 'lake,' -kʼ 'diminutive') in Tlingit. The Taku River, just south of Juneau, was named after the cold t'aakh wind, which occasionally blows down from the mountains.

 

Juneau is unique among the 49 U.S. capitals on mainland North America in that there are no roads connecting the city to the rest of the state or North America. Honolulu, Hawaii, is the only other state capital not connected by road to the rest of North America. The absence of a road network is due to the extremely rugged terrain surrounding the city. This in turn makes Juneau a de facto island city in terms of transportation, since all goods coming in and out must go by plane or boat, in spite of the city's location on the Alaskan mainland. Downtown Juneau sits at sea level, with tides averaging 16 feet (5 m), below steep mountains about 3,500 to 4,000 feet (1,100 to 1,200 m) high. Atop these mountains is the Juneau Icefield, a large ice mass from which about 30 glaciers flow; two of these, the Mendenhall Glacier and the Lemon Creek Glacier, are visible from the local road system. The Mendenhall glacier has been gradually retreating; its front face is declining in width and height.

 

The Alaska State Capitol in downtown Juneau was built as the Federal and Territorial Building in 1931. Prior to statehood, it housed federal government offices, the federal courthouse and a post office. It also housed the territorial legislature and many other territorial offices, including that of the governor. Today, Juneau remains the home of the state legislature and the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor. Some other executive branch offices have moved elsewhere in the state. WIKIPEDIA

 

I heard it before I saw it. This mint looking, classic 1967 Chevelle SS rumbled the streets of Juneau Alaska.

The front plate's bragging rights: 'SS 454'

The rear customized Alaskan plate read 'WAYBAK'

 

One sweet ride !!!

 

Artistic impression

  

Thank-you for all the overwhelming support and many friendships.

  

Stay Healthy

~Christie

   

*Best experienced in full screen

 

Also known as Rüppell's Griffon Vulture, this species was given an IUCN status of critically endangered in 2015. Only eight years prior, in 2007, its IUCN status was "near threatened", and it was subsequently degraded down through "vulnerable" and "endangered" to its current status. The BirdLife International Fact Sheet for this species estimates that there are only 22,000 individuals left in the world. The biggests threats are poisoning (a technique used to kill predators of livestock, this species and other carrion feeders are also impacted), medicinal purposes, and habitat loss. This species is also considered the highest flying bird in the world. There is documented collision with a commercial airliner at 37,000 feet (the bird was sucked into the engine, killing the bird; the engine was shut down and the plane landed safely).

Books I have known in my travels

A week or two back, going up into the loft I found a box of books and these two being among them. Purchased at a time when we used to buy and sell second-hand books these had remained unsold and tucked away.

I’m not sure how many of these stars remain with us but it is possible. I’m 77 so it’s possible for them to be 84-85. I wish them good health.

The books themselves are full of great portraits in colour and sepia.

 

I will also be missing for a few days but will, as usual, hopefully catch up on my return.

Best wishes and stay safe. Patrick

  

Commonly known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of orchids in the family orchid. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines. A few to many, small to large, long-lasting, flat, often fragrant flowers are arranged on erect to hanging racemes or panicles. The sepals and petals are free from and spread widely apart from each other. The lateral sepals are usually larger than the dorsal sepal and the petals much wider than the sepals. The labellum is joined stiffly to the column and has three lobes. The side lobes are erect and more or less parallel to each other and the middle lobe sometimes has a pair of appendages or antennae. 52703

Siq al-Barid, also known as "Little Petra", is an archaeological site located north of Petra and the town of Wadi Musa in the Ma'an Governorate of Jordan.

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Commonly known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of orchids in the family orchid. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines. A few to many, small to large, long-lasting, flat, often fragrant flowers are arranged on erect to hanging racemes or panicles. The sepals and petals are free from and spread widely apart from each other. The lateral sepals are usually larger than the dorsal sepal and the petals much wider than the sepals. The labellum is joined stiffly to the column and has three lobes. The side lobes are erect and more or less parallel to each other and the middle lobe sometimes has a pair of appendages or antennae. R_5291

Acanthus mollis, commonly known as bear's breeches, sea dock, bear's foot plant, sea holly, gator plant or oyster plant, is a species of plant in the family Acanthaceae and is native to the Mediterranean region. It is a leafy, clump-forming perennial herb, with a rosette of relatively large, lobed or toothed leaves, and purplish and white flowers on an erect spike.

From en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthus_mollis

Commonly known as La Compañia, this Catholic church is one of the most important places of interest in Quito. It is even said to be one of the 7 wonders of Ecuador. Located in the historical centre of the country's capital, it is the most visited place for travellers. It was once part of a university called Santa Gregorio, which was the Ecuadorian Jesuit headquarters during the Spanish colonial empire.

The Eurasian dotterel (Charadrius morinellus), also known in Europe as just dotterel, is a small wader in the plover family of birds.

 

The dotterel is a brown and black streaked bird with a broad white eye-stripe and an orange-red chest band when in breeding plumage. The female is more colourful than the male. The bird is tame and unsuspecting and the term "dotterel" has been applied contemptuously to mean an old fool.

 

The Eurasian dotterel is a migratory species, breeding in northern Europe and Eurosiberia and migrating south to north Africa and the Middle East in the winter. It nests in a bare scrape on the ground and lays two to four eggs. The male does the incubation and rears the chicks, the female having gone off to find another male and lay another clutch of eggs. It is a common bird with a wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as being of "least concern".

Commonly known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of orchids in the family orchid. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines. A few to many, small to large, long-lasting, flat, often fragrant flowers are arranged on erect to hanging racemes or panicles. The sepals and petals are free from and spread widely apart from each other. The lateral sepals are usually larger than the dorsal sepal and the petals much wider than the sepals. The labellum is joined stiffly to the column and has three lobes. The side lobes are erect and more or less parallel to each other and the middle lobe sometimes has a pair of appendages or antennae. 31912

What a great opportunity to see this well known couple first thing on our visit to Seney Wildlife Refuge. They've apparently been together since 1997, making the annual 3,000 mile migratory trip returning to Seney each year. Here's a great article on the couple:

 

www.audubon.org/news/the-worlds-two-oldest-common-loons-a...

 

Nepenthes (/nɪˈpɛnθiːz/) is a genus of carnivorous plants, also known as tropical pitcher plants, or monkey cups, in the monotypic family Nepenthaceae. The genus comprises about 170 species,and numerous natural and many cultivated hybrids. They are mostly liana-forming plants of the Old World tropics, ranging from South China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines; westward to Madagascar (two species) and the Seychelles (one); southward to Australia (three) and New Caledonia (one); and northward to India (one) and Sri Lanka (one). The greatest diversity occurs on Borneo, Sumatra, and the Philippines, with many endemic species. Many are plants of hot, humid, lowland areas, but the majority are tropical montane plants, receiving warm days but cool to cold, humid nights year round. A few are considered tropical alpine, with cool days and nights near freezing. The name "monkey cups" refers to the fact that monkeys have been observed drinking rainwater from these plants.

The genus name Nepenthes was first published in 1737 in Carl Linnaeus's Hortus Cliffortianus.It references a passage in Homer's Odyssey, in which the potion "Nepenthes pharmakon" is given to Helen by an Egyptian queen. "Nepenthe" literally means "without grief" (ne = not, penthos = grief) and, in Greek mythology, is a drug that quells all sorrows with forgetfulness. Linnaeus explained:

 

If this is not Helen's Nepenthes, it certainly will be for all botanists. What botanist would not be filled with admiration if, after a long journey, he should find this wonderful plant. In his astonishment past ills would be forgotten when beholding this admirable work of the Creator!

Known for its beautiful red leaves, this flower is also beautiful. Just look closely :-)

Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric (pronounced /ˈ or fly Amanita (pronounced , is a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. Native throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Amanita muscaria has been unintentionally introduced to many countries in the Southern Hemisphere, generally as a symbiont with pine plantations, and is now a true cosmopolitan species. It associates with various deciduous and coniferous trees. The quintessential toadstool, it is a large white-gilled, white-spotted, usually deep red mushroom, one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. Several subspecies, with differing cap colour have been recognised to date, including the brown regalis (considered a separate species), the yellow-orange flavivolata, guessowii, and formosa, and the pinkish persicina. Genetic studies published in 2006 and 2008 show several sharply delineated clades which may represent separate species.

 

Although generally considered poisonous, deaths are extremely rare, and it has been consumed as a food in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America after parboiling in water. Amanita muscaria is now primarily famed for its hallucinogenic properties, with its main psychoactive constituent being the compound muscimol. It was used as an intoxicant and entheogen by the peoples of Siberia and has a religious significance in these cultures. There has been much speculation on traditional use of this mushroom as an intoxicant in places other than Siberia; however, such traditions are far less well-documented.

Echinopsis pachanoi (syn. Trichocereus pachanoi) — known as San Pedro cactus — is a fast-growing columnar cactus native to the Andes Mountains at 2,000–3,000 m (6,600–9,800 ft) in altitude.[2][3] It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru,[4][5] and it is cultivated in other parts of the world. Uses for it include traditional medicine and traditional veterinary medicine, and it is widely grown as an ornamental cactus. It has been used for healing and religious divination in the Andes Mountains region for over 3,000 years.

 

See my "About" page on Flickr for the link to support my efforts... just the price of a cup of coffee is appreciated. Thank you. www.flickr.com/people/jax_chile/

 

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Flores de cactus de Santa Gemita - 010322 - Enhanced

羅東運動公園位於宜蘭縣羅東鎮,自民國75年建造,歷經許多的規劃以及建構,終於在民國85年正式開園,羅東運動公園距羅東火車站約2公里,交通十分方便,羅東運動公園園區占地47公頃,是由日本知名設計公司『高野景觀建築株式會社』負責規劃,將羅東運動公園融合了自然環境,創造出舒適的休閒活動空間;羅東運動公園的環境,蓊鬱青翠層層綿延,襯托著廣大的草坪,營造出一片恬適、自然的氣氛。

Lotung Sports Park Yilan County Luodong, since the Republic of China 75 years to build, after a lot of planning and construction of, and finally in the Republic of China officially opened 85 years, Luodong Sports Park about 2 km from Luodong Railway Station, the transportation is very convenient, Romania sports Park East Park covers an area of 47 hectares, is designed by the well-known Japanese company, "Takano landscape architecture Co.," responsible for planning, will Lotung sports Park combines Ziranhuanjing, creating a comfortable space for leisure activities; the environment Lotung sports Park, layers of lush green stretches, set off a vast lawn, Tianshi create a natural atmosphere.

Henkenshage Castle, locally known as Kasteel Henkenshage, lies in the village of Sint-Oedenrode, in the North Brabant province in the Netherlands.

 

Henkenshage may look like a medieval castle but it is not. Although it was built during the 14th century under the name Hanekenshage it was just a simple building. During the 15th century it was also known under the name Strijpe or Streepen.

 

In 1748 Henkenshage Castle was sold to Willem, Baron of Haren. In 1801 it was fitted as a convent for Augustinian nuns.

 

Around 1850 the castle was bought by Pieter J. de Girard de Mielet van Coehoorn. At that time the castle was still a simple manor with no stories. He had the castle rebuilt by the famous Dutch architect PJH. Cuypers, who also rebuilt De Haar Castle and built the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Cuypers built the two towers, added a story, replaced the main entrance to the house from the south to the north side and built the gate building.

 

In 1940 Henkenshage came into possession of the local government. During WWII it was used as a distribution office and during the liberation in 1944 it was the headquarters of the 101st Airborne Division.

 

At present the castle is used by a catering company and can not be visited. So, although Henkenshage Castle is not a real medieval castle, I think it has a lot of atmosphere.

Some little known facts about jelly fish:

 

1. The largest recorded jellyfish had tentacles over 120ft long!

 

The largest jellyfish known to man is the Lions Mane jellyfish. It has an average bell diameter of around 50cm but the largest specimens can be as big as 6ft in diameter with tentacles 100ft or more in length! The largest Lions Mane jellyfish recorded was found in Massachusetts. It had a bell diameter of 2.3m and its tentacles were 37m (121.4ft) long!

 

2. Jellyfish have no brain!

 

They also have no heart, bones or blood and are around 95% water! So how do they function without a brain or central nervous system? They have a basic set of nerves at the base of their tentacles which can detect touch, temperature, salinity etc. Since they don’t have a brain, they depend on automatic reflexes in response to these stimuli! Catching prey is also a matter of chance. They don’t actively hunt down their food; they just wait for prey to come in contact with their tentacles.

 

3. There are around 2000 known species of jellyfish!

 

There are more than 2000 different types of jellyfish, with many more still waiting to be discovered. Only approximately 70 of these species have stings strong enough to harm humans. Jellyfish are found in every ocean of the world, including around the UK!

 

4. Jellyfish have been around for approximately 650 million years!

 

Jellyfish have no bones so fossils are hard to come by, but scientists have evidence that these creatures have been bobbing along in the world’s oceans for around 650 million years or even longer. That means they pre-date the dinosaurs by hundreds of millions of years!

 

5. Jellyfish are a popular snack for the Leatherback Turtle!

 

Leatherback Turtles are known to follow groups of jellyfish in order to get a tasty meal, often bringing them close to coastlines like the UK. These turtles aren’t the only species to find jellyfish appetizing; in some parts of the world humans also view jellyfish as a delicacy! The most common jellyfish chosen for this delicacy is the Cannonball jellyfish.

 

6. Jellyfish are not actually fish!

 

Jellyfish live mainly in the ocean but aren’t actually fish. They are plankton, and float in the water as they are carried by currents. They are members of the Cnidarian family, along with coral and anemones!

 

7. Jellyfish are taking over the oceans!

 

In recent years certain parts of the world have seen a problematic increase in jellyfish populations, called blooms. Scientists believe this is to do with additional nutrients in the water, climate change or fishing along the coastlines. Some researchers are concerned that the increased numbers of jellyfish could compete for food resources with fish and other marine animals, and eventually out-compete native local species. Jellyfish are one of the very few creatures that have been known to adapt to ocean dead zones, where there is little oxygen and lots of pollution.

 

Commonly known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of orchids in the family orchid. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines. A few to many, small to large, long-lasting, flat, often fragrant flowers are arranged on erect to hanging racemes or panicles. The sepals and petals are free from and spread widely apart from each other. The lateral sepals are usually larger than the dorsal sepal and the petals much wider than the sepals. The labellum is joined stiffly to the column and has three lobes. The side lobes are erect and more or less parallel to each other and the middle lobe sometimes has a pair of appendages or antennae. z2_25

 

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