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Macchu Picchu - the “old peak” - the city of ancient America, located on the territory of modern Peru, 6 kilometers from the village of Aguas Calientes, on top of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level, dominating the valley of the Urubamba River. In 2007 he was awarded the title of New Wonder of the World.

Also, Machu Picchu is often called the “city in ruins” or “the city among the clouds”, also sometimes called the “lost Inca city”.

Built by Pachacutec as an imperial residence, and with the goal of perpetuating his name in history, Machu Picchu was the third among such residences-shrines. By its modest size, Machu Picchu cannot claim to be a large city - there are no more than 200 structures in it. These are mainly churches, residences, warehouses and other facilities for public use. For the most part they are made of well-crafted stone, tightly fitted to each other slabs. It is believed that up to 1,200 people lived in and around it, who worshiped the sun god Inti there, cultivated new lands and built cities on terraces.

 

For more than 400 years, this city was forgotten and remained in desolation. He was discovered by an American researcher from Yale University, Professor Hiram Bingham on July 24, 1911, after the pilots saw him from an airplane. When he got here, accompanied by a government detachment of guards and a local guide boy, he discovered peasants living there. The peasants told him that they lived there "free, without unwanted visitors, officials, recruiting" volunteers "or tax collectors into the army."

Machu Picchu has a very clear structure. In the southeast, a complex of palace buildings is guessed. The stones of which they are made are processed so carefully that we can say with confidence: they were not built by the craftsmen who built the rest of the buildings. They were probably used as dwellings of dignitaries and nobles ...

 

The polygonal masonry impresses specialists with its precision of fitting granite blocks!

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Camellia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. Camellias are evergreen shrubs or small trees up to 20 m tall. They are found in eastern and southern Asia, from the Himalayas east to Japan and Indonesia. There are about 300 species and around 3,000 hybrids. Their flowers are usually large and conspicuous, one to 12 cm in diameter, with five to nine petals in naturally occurring species of camellias. The colors of the flowers vary from white through pink colors to red. Of economic importance in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent, leaves of C. sinensis are processed to create the popular beverage tea. The ornamental C. japonica, C. sasanqua and their hybrids are the source of hundreds of garden cultivars. C. oleifera produces tea seed oil, used in cooking and cosmetics. The various species of camellia plants are generally well-adapted to acid soils rich in humus, and most species do not grow well on chalky soil or other calcium-rich soils. Most species of camellias also require a large amount of water, either from natural rainfall or from irrigation, and the plants will not tolerate droughts. However, some of the more unusual camellias – typically species from karst soils in Vietnam – can grow without too much water. 37728

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Cockington Green Gardens is a park of miniatures, situated in Nicholls, Australian Capital Territory. It is a very popular attraction for local and foreign tourists. Doug and Brenda Sarah had the idea to create a miniature village in 1972 and Cockington Green was opened on 3 November 1979. The business is family owned and operated, incorporating over four generations. 11920

From a visit with a local guide to Park Güell in Barcelone, Spain - September 11, 2017.

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A cherry blossom is a flower of many trees of genus Prunus. The most well-known species is the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is commonly called sakura. They are widely distributed, especially in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere including Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Mainland China, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Thailand and West Siberia. Along with the chrysanthemum, the cherry blossom is considered the national flower of Japan. Japan has a wide variety of cherry blossoms (sakura); well over 200 cultivars can be found there. All varieties of cherry blossom trees produce small, unpalatable fruit or edible cherries. Edible cherries generally come from cultivars of the related species Prunus avium and Prunus cerasus. S_8703

One of my objectives for this trip to Costa Rica was to try to photograph the iconic bird of the highlands. The Resplendent Quetzal.

My friend Victor and I set off on a 2.5 hr drive into the highlands of central Costa Rica. When we left the house the temperature was in the 30c range. As we gained altitude the temperatures continued to drop and at the 2400 meter level, had dropped to around 12c. We had a very nice cabin for the night however it was unheated and yours truly was not prepared cloths wise. (I had left my jacket back at the house). I spent one of the most uncomfortable nights in all of my travels (a close second was doing the Salkantay Trek at over 4000 m level, but I was more prepared for that cloths wise, with thermal under layers.) When we woke up for our early 5:00 am departure the cabin temperature was a cool 7c.

We met our local guide and after a pleasant 40 minute ride in a warm car we arrived at the location that our guide gave us a guarantee that we would see the Quetzal. The location was in a deep valley and as the sun rose over the hills behind us and crept down the hill on the opposite side the temperature began to slowly rise to a tolerable level and after several futile hours we decided to leave. Needless to say I was very disappointed. No quetzal just Visa bills!

After getting something to eat (on me of course) we returned to our guides home and there the day improved as I was able to photograph several lifers. Meanwhile the guide (he was amazing) went in search of a quetzal. After a half hour or so he returned all out of breath proclaiming he had found a quetzal. We quickly piled into the car and drove a few minutes to where he had seen it, and after some searching, there it was, a male resplendent quetzal.

However it was difficult to get it into a great shooting position. After it moved several times I finally got what I came for.

I must say that seeing a male resplendent quetzal in flight

is the most mind blowing sight that I have ever seen.

I have to give great praise to Eladio Salazar, our guide who was determined that I was going to get my quetzal.

When Victor and I set out on our 2.5 hr return trip I was elated and almost forgot about the 7c cabin temperature.

I got some very good images of the male quetzal, (saw the female but unfortunately the setting was not ideal). I am just happy that I saw this magnificent bird and was able to get some reasonable images.

Sorry for such a long rambling novel but I felt like it was important to tell what one has to go through to get some images. (More images to follow)

Santa Maria de Dota, San Jose, Costa Rica

Apart from the famous one like Fuli Bridge, there are enormous number of stone bridges over Li and Yulong Rivers in Yangshuo, China. Most of the bridges are at least a century old.Our local guide took us to one of such not-so-famous-yet-beautiful bridges over the calm river.

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Some species of Agapanthus are commonly known as lily of the Nile (or African lily in the UK), although they are not lilies and all of the species are native to Southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique) though some have become naturalized in scattered places around the world (Australia, Great Britain, Mexico, Ethiopia, Jamaica, etc.). Agapanthus is a genus of herbaceous perennials that mostly bloom in summer. The leaves are basal, curved, and linear, growing up to 60 cm long. They are rather leathery and arranged in two opposite rows. The plant has a mostly underground stem called a rhizome (like a ginger 'root') that is used as a storage organ. The roots, which grow out of the rhizome, are white, thick and fleshy. The inflorescence is a pseudo-umbel subtended by two large bracts at the apex of a long, erect scape, up to 2 m tall. They have funnel-shaped or tubular flowers, in hues of blue to purple, shading to white. 28594

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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. S_10711

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They are flowering shrubs in the genus Rhododendron, particularly the former sections Tsutsuji (evergreen) and Pentanthera (deciduous). Azaleas bloom in the spring (May and June in the temperate Northern Hemisphere), their flowers often lasting several weeks. Shade tolerant, they prefer living near or under trees. Azaleas are generally slow-growing and do best in well-drained acidic soil (4.5–6.0 pH). Fertilizer needs are low. Some species need regular pruning. Azaleas are native to several continents including Asia, Europe and North America. They are planted abundantly as ornamentals in the southeastern US, southern Asia, and parts of southwest Europe. In addition to being renowned for its beauty, the azalea is also highly toxic—it contains andromedotoxins in both its leaves and nectar, including honey from the nectar. R_16443

In the bay of the Mt Saint Michel, the tidal bore rises at an average of 3.6km/h hence the common expression: "Here, the sea rises at the speed of a galloping horse." This phenomenon is impressive and often surprises visiting tourists who can end up stranded if not following the surrounding authorities' advice or instructions.

 

If you happen to visit this architectural wonder, you must hire a guide and walk around the bay to experience this natural phenomenon. It is not uncommon for guided groups to stop and wait for the tide to reach their feet, to feel the uncanny force of the current rising to one's knees in seconds. Of course, local guides know the area like the back of their hands so this practice remains safe.

 

If you are lucky enough, you may even spot seals riding the current to catch a snack as life flows back into the bay!

Stringy - Indian Gray Wolf polishing off a Blackbuck kill. Truly a once in a lifetime sighting and in perfect light too!

Special thanks to Kartik Patel and local guides for making this image possible.

IG: @sswildlife

Species: Indian Gray Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes)

Date: Jan 2024

Location: Gujarat, IN

Equipment: Canon EOS R5 + EF 600mm IS II + EF 1.4x III Extender

Settings: 1/2500s, ISO: 400, f/6.3 @840mm, Electronic Shutter, Handheld w Beanbag Support

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A woody perennial flowering plant of the genus Rosa, in the family Rosaceae. There are over three hundred species and thousands of cultivars. They form a group of plants that can be erect shrubs, climbing, or trailing, with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. Flowers vary in size and shape and are usually large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows and reds. Most species are native to Asia, with smaller numbers native to Europe, North America, and northwestern Africa. Species, cultivars and hybrids are all widely grown for their beauty and often are fragrant. Roses have acquired cultural significance in many societies. Rose plants range in size from compact, miniature roses, to climbers that can reach seven meters in height. Different species hybridize easily, and this has been used in the development of the wide range of garden roses. 56298

Taquile (Spanish: Isla de Taquile; Quechua: Intika) is an island on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca 45 km offshore from the city of Puno.

The inhabitants, known as Taquileños, speak Puno Quechua.

Taquileños are known for their fine handwoven textiles and clothing, which are regarded as among the highest-quality handicrafts in Peru. Knitting is exclusively performed by males, beginning in early boyhood. Women spin wool and use vegetables and minerals to dye the wool to be used by the community. Women are also the weavers of the Chumpis, the wide belts with woven designs worn by everyone in the community of Taquile.

Taquileans are known for having created an innovative, community-controlled sustainable tourism model, offering home stays, transportation, lodging for groups, cultural activities, local guides and restaurants.

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Dendrobium is a genus of mostly epiphytic and lithophytic orchids in the family Orchidaceae. It is a very large genus, containing more than 1,800 species that are found in diverse habitats throughout much of south, east and southeast Asia, including China, Japan, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, New Guinea, Vietnam and many of the islands of the Pacific. Orchids in this genus have roots that creep over the surface of trees or rocks, rarely having their roots in soil. Up to six leaves develop in a tuft at the tip of a shoot and from one to a large number of flowers are arranged along an unbranched flowering stem. Between one and a large number of resupinate or non-resupinate flowers are arranged along an unbranched flowering stem and may be short or long-lived. The flowers may be white, green, yellow, or pink to purple, often with contrasting colours in the labellum. The sepals and petals are usually free from and more or less similar to each other but markedly different from the labellum. They have adapted to a wide variety of habitats, from the high altitudes in the Himalayan mountains to lowland tropical forests and even to the dry climate of the Australian desert. R_16007

When a wild Puma (Puma concolor) (this adult female is called "Rupestra" by local guides) walks right past you and gives you this look, it literally leaves you breathless, for a moment. Thankfully she was pursuing a herd of Guanaco and had no intent to make this a permanent condition for us.

Small, plump bird with stout bill. Male mostly lime green with contrasting yellow belly and thin blue collar on nape and blue rump; some populations entirely blue above. Female similar but duller, with greener belly. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, often in association with a fruiting tree. Forages at all levels, most frequently in the canopy.

 

This one was photographed in Northern Peru led by Neotropic Photo Tours and our Peruvian local guide for this portion of the trip; Fisher Chávez of Perú Nature Photography.

Second Wave, Coyote Buttes North

 

This is another shot from an early November trip out west with good friend and fellow photographer Kevin Benedict.

 

A short hike past the Wave you will find the "Second Wave." Although not as well known or as popular as its more famous brethren, it is well worth the additional wear and tear on the legs. As with the Wave, the Second Wave cannot be accessed without first obtaining one of the 20 daily permits via the Wave lottery. As noted in an earlier post, we were fortunate to obtain a permit for our last day out west, though it required hiring one of the local guides to attend the lottery for five days on our behalf so that we could continue to shoot in and around Zion National Park. If you are lucky or persistent enough to get a permit to shoot the Wave, don't pass up the opportunity to make the trek to the Second Wave as well. The best time to shoot is late afternoon as the setting sun illuminates the Second Wave while also casting a deep shadow on the distant cliffs in the background to isolate the beauty of this often overlooked rock formation.

 

Thanks for taking a look.

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